USA > Vermont > Windham County > Whitingham > Green leaves from Whitingham, Vermont: a history of the town > Part 11
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Whitingham, Vermont. 177
Elder E. D. Wilcox, of North Adams, supplied the desk a portion of the time after Elder Everett went away till June 1, 1872, and Rev. James H. Parmelee preached several months after that, during the same year. Elder William D. Hall of Springfield Vt. was the next preacher, commencing Dec. 1, 1872. He was ordained June 12, 1873, and closed his labors Oct. 25, 1874.
Nov 8, 1874, the church voted unanimously to have Bro. E. D. Wooster supply the desk. He was then a young licensed preacher, teaching school in one of the towns near by. He completed his term of ser- vice March 7, 1875. On June 20, 1875, Rev. Jonas Galutia Bennett commenced his labors under a call from this church which was accepted Aug. 1, 1875, but he resigned Oct. 15, 1876.
Rev. Jacob Davis of Rowe, Mass., supplied the place a part of the time till April 1, 1877. April 22, 1877, the church voted to give Rev. Lorenzo Tandy a call to become pastor, which he accepted, and offi- ciated in that capacity till May 4, 1879.
June 1, 1879, Rev. Origen Smith commenced his labors in Whitingham. He lived in Brattleboro, and while on his way here to preach, fell from his wagon in a fit of apoplexy, Dec. 20, 1884, aged 72 years.
· Mr. Smith was a native of Wilmington where he was born in 1812. A more extended sketch of his life may be found in the personal notices.
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January 4, 1885, Rev. George Colesworthy began to preach for this church, and his labors have been continued to the present time with good success.
An effort was made to prevent the ravages of time from destroying the house in which this church wor- shipped, but its destiny was fixed by immutable law, and it stood in the path of decay. When business declined at the center of the town, and many of the people removed to the villages, this structure became desolate and in 1884 it was abandoned. This takes from a location formerly frequented on the Sabbath day by numerous sincere Christian worshippers, the last vestige of religious influence, the last structure emblematic of Christian hope.
The following named preachers were ordained by this church at the times herein mentioned :-
John Spaulding, Oct. 18, 1809 ; Linus Austin, January 9, 1817 ; Chas. Brooks, Jan. 9, 1817 ; James Carpenter, October 18, 1821 ; Erastus A. Briggs, Jan. 7, 1858 ; Samuel P. Everett, June 1, 1870 ; William D. Hall, June 11, 1873.
The following Deacons have been chosen as indi- cated in the following list :-
Jonas Brown, Nov. 18, 1808 ; Nathan Brown, Nov. 12, 1812; Thadeus Thayer, by letter from Dummerston church, Aug. 2, 1818 ; Edmond Bemis and Aldis Brown, April 2, 1836 : Linus A. Warren, March 4, 1848 ; Royal C. Streeter, Oct. 2, 1862, who has served till the present time. Dea. Jonas Brown died February 24, 1836. Dea. Nathan Brown was dismissed to join the Bennington church, March 5, 1836. Dea. Edmond Bemis died Sept. 28, 1854 ; and
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Dea. Linus Austin Warren was dismissed June 4, 1865, to join the church at Shelburne Falls. He
alois Brown returned, and June 6, 1869, join- ed the church and acted as dea- con till his death, March 10, 1888.
The Clerks of this church have been elected in the following order and at the times specified :-
Walter Emes, Nov. 18, 1808 ; Nathan Brown, Sept. 13, 1809 ; Edmond Brown, March 26, 1836 : Chandler P. Putnam, Jan. 3, 1850 ; Rev. Amherst Lamb, March 8, 1851 ; Rufus Brown, May 9, 1857 ; George E. Higley, May 11, 1862 ; Royal C. Streeter, Sept. 3, 1864. Chandler P. Putnam was dismissed from the clerk- ship at his own request, March 8, 1851 ; and Elder Lamb was dis- missed from the same office for the same cause, May 9, 1857.
This church has existed more than eighty years, during which time it has maintained an honorable position among similar institutions throughout New England. Its membership has been composed of a very respectable and conscientious class of men and women; its ministers zealous workers in the line of their duty, some of whom have been unsurpassed by any spiritual guide among the hills of Vermont.
With such a record, covering a period of nearly 3 generations, this church, under its new lease of life at Sadawga, ought not to outlive its usefulness for centuries to come.
UNIVERSALISTS.
The doctrine of Universal Salvation began to be preached in this country, about 1750, and when the
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Rev. John Murray arrived from England in 1770 and began to preach, large accessions were made to that denomination. In 1812, a Universalist society was organized under the direction of Rev. David Ballou of Monroe, Mass., and meetings were occasionally held in Whitingham till 1832, by various preachers, among whom was Rev. David Ballou, Rev. Samuel P. Skinner, Rev Elhanan Winchester, Rev. William S. Ballou, Rev. Mr. Newell, and some others.
An important event occurred in Whitingham, a record of which has been kindly placed in my hands, by the Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer of Boston. It relates to the United States General Convention of Univer- salists for the New England States, and more directly to a session held by that body in Whitingham in 1815. The following extract from the record will show the general tenor of that notable gathering :-
The ministers and delegates of the churches and Societies united in the belief of 'the restitution of all things which God hath affirm- ed by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began,' met at the house of Brother Stephens, in Whitingham, Vermont, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 1815, according to adjournment of last year, and united in solemn prayer, offered by Brother Hosea Ballou.
The convention was organized by electing Richard Carrique, Moderator, Samuel C. Loveland, Clerk, and Russell Streeter Assist- ant Clerk. After the credentials of the delegates had been recei- ved, Hosea Ballou, Paul Dean, and David Ballou, were appointed to receive and report on all applications for ordination or letters of fellowship, during the session. The Convention was then adjour- ned to meet Wednesday morning at 7 o'clock, at which time pray- er was offered by David Ballou.
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The members of this convention included some of the ablest preachers in the denomination, many being in the prime of their manhood, and well qualified to vindicate and uphold the doctrine of "the restitution of all things," such being Universalism 75 years ago. Hosea Ballou was 44, then one of the leading Uni- versalists in the country. The first meeting of the general convention of Universalists was held in Ox- ford, Mass., Sept. 14, 1785, when Elhanan Winchester was chosen moderator, and Daniel Fiske clerk.
The character and importance of this convention is, to some extent, indicated by those present, taking part in the deliberations of that body. The central figure in this convention was the Rev. John Murray, who was the founder of this sect. Representatives from various societies were present, among whom was Elhanan Winchester, Shippie Townshend, Abijah Adams, Francis Liscombe, Daniel Melvil, John Laz- eel, Ebenezer Sumner, Noah Wiswall, Caleb Rich, Samuel French, Laban Bates, and many others.
In convention at Charlton, Mass., Sept. 17, 1787, the Society of Whitingham was received into fellow- ship with the general convention. Under the care of this body the organization in Whitingham remain- ed for fifteen years, with no regular pastor.
' In1832, Hosea Faxon Ballou, son of Hosea Ballou, came to Whitingham to preach the doctrine of uni- versal salvation. He was born in Hardwick, Mass., in that part of the town set off in 1801 as a part of
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Dana, then being incorporated. He was thirty-three years of age when he came to preach in Whitingham, not liberally educated, but a faithful adherent to the cause he tried to advance. He was a good citizen, and his influence always counted on the side of good morals and good government. He remained and preached in Whitingham a quarter of a century, and then removed to Wilmington, where he died May 20, 1881, The society to whom he preached being a class of men and women of respectable standing in the community, it was at once conceded that Elder Ballou was a proper John Roberts person to advocate the cause in which
he took so much interest. He was sustained and encouraged by such men as John Roberts, Samuel Preston, William
Tam & Greiton Streeter, David Jillson Jr., Heze- kiah Murdock, Rufus Carley, Elisha Putnam, Parley Starr Jr., Benjamin Reed, Wm. Hull, Levi Sumner, Rufus Chase, Nathan Green Jr., Ledyard Haley, Ephraim Smith, Hezekiah Whitney, James Putnam, Rufus Hosley and many others.
Elder Ballou not only made himself popular with the leading men of the town, but with all classes, and he was frequently called upon to serve the town in public office. He was town clerk 17 years, repre- sentative to the Legislature two years, (1845-1855)
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and served 3 times as delegate to constitutional con- ventions. His advice was valuable, for the reason that his honesty of purpose was recognized by all. He was interested in the public schools and often called to act in some official capacity connected with educational work.
The Universalist society at Jacksonville was organ- ized Dec. 31, 1849. Leonard Brown was chairman. Cyrus W. Car- ley was clerk,
Cyrus W. Farley which office he
retained for 15 years, and probably performed more real labor for the church than any other man, living or dead.
At this meeting the society adopted a constitution and by-laws ; also a "profession of faith," as follows :
I. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the du- ty, interest, and final destination of mankind.
2. We believe that there is one God, whose nature is love, re- vealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness.
3. We believe that holiness and happiness are inseparably con- nected, and that holiness 'ought to be careful to maintain order, and practice good works, for these things are good and profitable unto men.
Parley Starr Jr., David Jillson Jr. and Obed Foster were chosen directors. Leonard Brown, Parley Starr Jr., David Jillson Jr., Philander H. Sumner, James
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Roberts, and Samuel Murdock, were chosen a com- mittee to make a plan for a meeting house and deter- mine its location. They were also to ascertain how much money could be raised by subscription to for- ward the enterprise. In less than four weeks the committee reported, and the society voted to build a meeting house in accordance therewith.
James Roberts, David Jillson Jr., and Leonard Brown were the building committe. Under a con- tract made February 2, 1850, George Porter built the house, which was finished during the summer.
Rev. Hosea F. Ballou, who preached first at the , old Meeting House, then at the South Church, also preached here once in two weeks till 1857.
Some might say that Elder Ballou was slow, and that whatever he accomplished was done with studied deliberation. While this is, to some extent true, it is also a fact that his quiet way of transacting busi- ness was more effective, and brought about more marked results than any spasmodic effort of hand or brain. To those who knew him, it might seem as if but little was being done through his agency, but it must be remembered that aggregates are more easily comprehended than the solitary units that combine to make up the sum total.
The life of Elder Ballou was not devoted to frivol- ous things, nor was he idle or indifferent to the grand march of evolution ; and when his long life had been rounded to more than four-score years, a retrospect-
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ive glance over that interesting period of time will show that he was a very busy man.
This letter contains so much of the soul of the venerable man who wrote it, that I deem it important to let him tell his own story :-
Wilmington, July 10, 1880.
HON. CLARK JILLSON,
SIR :- I can appreciate your desire for information in regard to the organization of the Universalist Society in Whiting- ham, but I have no means at hand by which to give you that information. From age and infirmity I am unable to look up any records at present.
The first Society was organized before my acquaintance there. Whether they have any records in regard to it is problematical. Who first preached there I do not know. I succeeded Rev. William S. Ballou about 1832. The steeple was placed on the Old Church that year and a bell added. The meeting house near Dr. Gillet's was built by the Universalists and Methodists, I think in 1840, and, if I mistake not, the old Universalist Society run down. Before the Universalist meeting house was built in Jacksonville there was a society formed there which still exists. I preached there quite a number of years, since which time Rev. Jeremy Gifford, and Rev. John H. Willis have been settled there.
At a later date the Universalist house was built in Sadawga, and a society formed, which keeps up its organization. Bro. Gifford and several others have preached there. I left Whitingham 23 years ago last April, and am writing only from present recollection, and should be very glad, if able physically, to make a thorough search for documents, but seldom leave my house-am indeed unable to do as I could wish.
I have preached in 51 towns, all over the county, and much in contiguous parts of Massachusetts and New York. I have attend- ed as many as 1400 funerals and 500 weddings. Have been elected 5 times to the legislature and constitutional conventions,
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15 years a Justice of the Peace, 20 years connected with savings banks, and now President and one of the Directors of the Wilming- ton savings bank. I have assisted in the settlement of more than 50 estates, besides laboring more or less with my hands. Altogeth- er I have made a busy life of it up to 80 years the 4th of April last.
You will please excuse any apparent egotism in an old man, conscious of having filled a small nichè in the history of his time as well as, under the circumstances, I have been able.
Now it only remains to me, still to trust in the Providence on which I have always placed my reliance, and to whom I feel ex- ceeding grateful for all past favors and the implicit hopes I still entertain that He will do all things well. I have no fears in regard to the future, and am as ready to leave this world as I ever expect to be. I hope you may feel the same resignation to the Divine will in your declining years, and that you may thus be be blessed in your household and among your friends.
Very Respectfully Yours, Hosen A. Ballow
Elder Ballou's modest reference to egotism shows in him an unconscious and remarkable lack of that quality, in that he failed to mention the most impor- tant office he ever held, which was that of town clerk 17 years in succession, elected by popular vote at the annual town meeting, and if he had not left town his term of office would undoubtedly have been ex- tended to 40 years.
He was succeeded in the ministry by Rev. Jere- miah Gifford, who preached most of the time up to 1877, and at times since then. Elder Gifford was never educated for a preacher, but he was born for a Universalist minister without any question, and his love for his chosen profession was so intense as to
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render him absolutely unfit for any other occupation. His sermons were generally forcible and at many times eloquent and exceedingly attractive.
Elder Gifford was born in Savoy, Mass, Feb. 9th, 1820. His father, David Gifford, was an honest industrious man, rich only in his ability to maintain a clear conscience and deal justly with all men.
Jeremiah was not an apt scholar, nor a great lover of books, but he managed to do his own thinking in a very quiet way. He was inclined to solitude, and cared absolutely nothing for notoriety. He was modest and avoided publicity to his own disadvantage. He distrusted his ability, and was actually driven into the pulpit by force of circumstances. He was apt to begin his sermons in a diffident way, and strangers failed to become interested in his remarks or in his appearance while he re- membered that he was Jeremiah Gifford, but after that crisis was passed he became absorbed in his theme, and the minds of his hearers would unconsciously drift into the delightful realm of admiration. His vocabulary was remarkable for a man of limited education, and many a scholar has been charmed by his rhetorical efforts.
Elder Gifford spent a large portion of his life in Wilmington where he died, Sept. 7, 1886.
Obremich Aiffaret,
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The church at Jacksonville, dedicated in 1850, start- ed under the guide of Elders Ballou, Gifford and Joy Bishop, who preached alternately till 1857, when El- der Ballou removed to Wilmington. Elder Gifford remained till 1877, preaching part of the time here, and the remainder at Sadawga and other places.
Since Elder Ballou left several other preachers have supplied the bulpit, among whom might be named Elders N. C. Hodgden, John H. Willis, R. M. Byram, and W. R. Pratt.
July 2, 1862, the Universalist Society at Sadawga dedicated the church they had just completed, and its pulpit has since been supplied by Rev. Jeremiah Gifford, Rev. John H. Willis, Rev. Nathan D. Sher- man, Rev. M. B. Bishop, Rev. Warren Hicks, and several others. Elder Hicks went west, and there becam popular, but has recently died.
FREEWILL BAPTISTS.
The denomination known as Freewill Baptists was founded by Benjamin Randall, who was one of Geo. Whitefield's hearers at Portsmouth N. H., Sept. 28, 1770, two days before his death. The eloquence of that celebrated Divine and the unexpected tidings of his death, resulted in the conversion of Randall, who entered the ministry in 1777, as a Baptist.
He was soon called to account for advocating a new doctrine. In 1780 he organized a Freewill Bap- tist church in Durham, N. H., and from this small
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beginning has sprung up a denomination employing nearly 2000 ministers. Their efforts in behalf of education have been of great value to this country.
On the 30th day of May, 1830, a meeting was held in Whitingham for the purpose of organizing a Free- will Baptist church. The following named persons were present : Elder Abner Leonard of Hinsdale, N. H. ; Elder Daniel Leonard of Dover, Vt., Licentiate Dea. Abiel Hathaway of Dover, Vt .; John Baldwin of Dover, Vt .; Dea. Calvin Bucklin and Enos Mar- tin of Halifax, Vt., and Dea. Solyman Bell of Col- raine, Mass. These persons formed themselves into an ecclesiastical council. Elder Daniel Leonard was chosen Moderator and Elder Abner Leonard Clerk.
The following persons being desirous of forming a church, were then and there examined as to their doctrinal views of the Scriptures :-
Mary Ball, Julia Griffin, Lewis Fuller, Nancy M. Burnham, Claricy Bigalow, Origen Ball, Polly Corkins, Sally W. Bigalow, Aaron Chaise, Lucy Chaise, Josiah Blanchard, Sumner Bigalow, Elizabeth Griffin, Caleb Corkins, Viets Griffin.
They also related their experiences, and after ex- pressing a desire to be formed into a church, "and agreeing together to watch over each other in love, , and to take the Holy Scripture for their rule and practice," were organized into a church, with full power to act as all other churches of Christ, by re- ceiving the hand of fellowship by Elder Daniel Leon- ard, who was really the founder of this church.
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The church then "voted to send three messengers to the Dover Quarterly meeting, to be holden in Guilford on the 4th and 5th days of September next in order to join the Free Baptist connection."
Jacion /Blanchans
Josiah Blanch- ard, Lewis Ful- ler, and Aaron
Chase were the delegates. On the 14th of Novem- ber, 1830, the church "voted that Jaspar Hunt, Lewis Fuller and Josiah Blanchard, make inquiries of the church and society as to the expediency of building a meeting house." The church and society were separate organizations and kept separate records.
The society was organized on Saturday, Nov. 20, 1830, less than six months after the church. The first vote taken after electing Luther Pierce clerk, was about building a house for public worship.
On the 27th day of Nov., 1830, the society voted to build a meeting house on land of Josiah Blanchard at the foot of the hill east of his house. On the 10th of March, 1831, the society voted to recall the vote of Nov. 27, 1830, as to the location of a new meeting house, and at the same time voted to build the house on land of Viets Griffin, east of his house.
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Josiah Blanchard, Jaspar Hunt and Lewis Fuller, were chosen a com- mittee to draft a plan Servier Jublen
of the house, "The posts to be as low as will answer for arching above
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the windows ; and to make a contract for its erection, call a public sale of pew ground, let out the joiner work and find out the expense of the house."
At meetings held March 19th and 22nd, 1831, eight pews were sold for $151.50, at an average of about $19.00 each. May 9, 1831, "Voted to recall the vote passed for erecting a meeting house on land of Viets griffin. Voted to erect a house on land of James Roberts, across the road, opposite the former place." May 20, 1831, Horace Roberts conveyed a parcel of land to the first Freewill Baptist Society, as a site for a meeting house. This lot had a front of 170 feet, contained about half an acre, and cost $50. During the summer of 1831 the church was built, and in 1833 the pulpit was furnished with a cushion and new trimmings. Jan. 17, 1833, Silas Warren was appointed a committe to superintend the build- ing of sheds, Jaspar Hunt to draw up a constitution.
October 18, 1840, the Society met and transacted the following business :-
The Freewill Baptist Society of Whitingham being met accord- ing to previous appointment, organized by choosing Ezra T. Butter- field Moderator and Harvey Brown Clerk. Voted to be govern- ed in future by the following regulations as an amendment to the constution :-
, Whereas, The public worship of God is, in our opinion, an insti- tution which ought to be regarded with deep interest and punct- ually maintained in all churches wherever practicable, and,
Whereas, The Freewill Baptists in Whitingham need assistance in order to support preaching ; therefore, being well-wishers to the cause of religion and desiring the peace and happiness of society
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and the good instruction of the rising generation, do hereby form ourselves into a society to act in unison with said church in all bu- siness matters pertaining to the regulation and maintenance of public worship, to use our influence to promote union and har- mony, to refine and moralize the community, in short, we associate ourselves together by observing the following articles or rules :
I. This Society shall be called the Freewill Baptist Society of Whitingham.
2. Its object shall be to maintain and support a preached gospel that virtuous principles may be disseminated and a divine require- ment regarded.
3. In order to carry the wishes of this society into effect they may appoint such officers as are necessary therefor, which will con- sist of a clerk to keep a record of their doings, a committee to manage and superintend the affairs of said society, and if necessary, a collector and treasurer.
4. All monies raised by the society for preaching or any other expenses that shall or may accrue, shall be by voluntary subscrip- tion.
5. This society shall hold a meeting at least once in each year, to regulate matters, appoint officers, and do all proper business that the good of the society may require, and oftener at any time when expedient.
Any person may be a member of this society by signing the con- stitution, or may be dismissed by requesting the clerk to take his name from the roll.
Chose Origen Ball, Harvey Brown and Ezra T. Butterfield, com- mittee. Chose Charles Blanchard collector. Voted the society turn out on Saturday, the 17th day of Oct., inst., to get a year's supply of wood.
This church and society dissolved about 1846, after an existence of 16 years. The meeting house was taken down in 1852, and the spot where it stood will soon be forgotten. It ought to be marked by a permanent monument. It is a part of the history of
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the town. The little congregation that assembled in that consecrated temple, was composed of earnest, faithful worshippers. They are worthy of respectful remembrance: When the church and sheds were. moved away, the lot on which they stood, by the terms of the deed, reverted to the former owner.
The ministers of this church have been, Elders Daniel Leonard, Calvin Bucklin, Jacob. Couliard, Ransell Barrett, and Peter S. Gates. The clerks of the society were, Luther Pierce, Harvey Brown and Ezra T. Butterfield. Aaron Chase is supposed to have been the only clerk of of the church.
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