USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > History of Montpelier: a discourse delivered in the Brick church, Montpelier, Vermont, on Thanksgiving day, Dec. 8, 1842 > Part 3
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First baptism of children.
The first children, who received baptism in the church, are recorded by the following names-Pascal Paoli, and Frances, children of Elijah and Fanny Tyler ; Thomas, Hezekiah Hutchins, and Eliza, children of Thomas and Patty Reed; Juliett Grenville, Elizabeth Spalding, and Elisha Paine, children of Nathan and Ruth Jewett ; Ed- win, son of Joseph and Mrs. Freeman ; and William, son of Joseph and Patty Howes.
Church disci- pline.
The discipline of this church has been as rigid and salu- tary, perhaps, as most churches of the land, though but some twelve or fourteen persons have been excommunica- ted, who have not been restored.
Number of inembers,&c.
The number of members who have died in this church is estimated to be at least one hundred and seven. Since its organization, fifteen members of this church have be- come Ministers of the Gospel, and several members have been Missionaries to the heathen. There have been con- nected with this church, in all, about seven hundred and fifty communicants. The present number of nominal members is three hundred and twenty.
1808 to 1820.
Places of meeting.
First church built.
'The church was organized in the old Academy, and held its meetings there on the Sabbath, until the first State House was completed ; then they occupied the State House on the Sabbath, until the Brick Church was com- pleted, in 1820. The Brick Church was built by a society,
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THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
Religious llistory.
1820.
Brick church built.
called the " Montpelier Church Society," and is now own- ed by them. The plan was drawn, the slips sold, and the building erected from the avails of the slips. Mr. Sylva- nus Baldwin was the contractor, and it cost between $7,- 000 and $8,000. Its dimensions are sixty by seventy-five feet. Rev. Mr. Wright preached the first sermon in it, from 1 Samuel, 7. 12. " Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, (the stone of help,) saying, hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
The Rev. Mr. Wright was dismissed from the pastoral 1830-40 charge of this church, Dec. 22d, 1830, and died in the Dismission & death of Rev. Mr. Wright. spring of 1840. His useful life was mostly spent in the service of this people. That he was a faithful servant of the Lord, as a minister and as a man, is the uniform verdict of those who knew him ; and that is reputation enough, and culogy enough, for any man» He sleeps in yonder bu- rying place, with many of those who were attendants on his preaching-and will " break ground with them," and doubtless with some of us, in the morning of the resurrec- tion ! (See Appendix, J.)
In 1828, the Montpelier Circuit of the Methodist Epis- 1828. copal Church was set off from the Barre Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. same church, and Rev. J. G. Dow appointed the station preacher. His services were to be devoted half the time in Montpelier Village, and half the time at the Center Meeting-house. The Meeting-house at the Center of the town was built in the years 1825-6; the Chapel in the Village in 1837. The first preacher sent into the town by the Conference, was the Rev. Mr. Sneething, and his suc-
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34
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. cessors were annually appointed to Barre Circuit, until this Religious History. station was set off. There was a class formed in the Vil- lage some two or three years previous to 1828, and was supplied with preaching from the adjoining Circuits, in the old State House ; and even as early as 1795, a class was formed in this town, and some of the members are now living .*
1835.
Free Congre- gational C'h.
The "Free Congregational Church" was organized in this Village, January 21st, 1835,-twelve members being dismissed from the First Congregational Church for that purpose, and at their own request. Subsequently its num- ber has been increased by frequent additions every year, under the ministrations of the Rev. Sherman Kellogg.
1803. Meeting of Friends.
In 1803, the first organization of the meeting of " Friends," took place in this town -- though the few fami- lies of Friends in the town had met regularly, for worship, four or five years previously to that time. They were the first religious society organized in the town ; and, ever since their organization, have had regularly two weekly meetings in the east part of the town. The number of these families is at present quite small.t
1831.
Universalist Societies.
There are three Universalist Societies in this town ; one in the Village, formed in 1831, July 31st, which is small ; one at the Center of the town, which is also small ; and one of considerable size at East Montpelier. It is suppos- ed there was a Universalist Society in this town previously to 1831, but I have not been able to learn when.j.
* This information was furnished by the politeness of Mr. Honry Nutt.
t This was furnished by the politeness of Clark Stevens.
# Furnished by the politeness of Rev. Mr. Ballou.
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1779111
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
There is a Free Will Baptist Church in the town, organ- HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. ized since 1830, (as I understand,) under the care of Rev. Religious Ilistory. Zebina Young, but the details of its history I have been Baptist C'h. unable to obtain.
A neat Episcopal Church edifice has also been erected, 1842. within this year, in this Village, and will be occupied by
Episcopal Church. Rev. George B. Manser.
In the foregoing history I have aimed to keep within the period of the first fifty years after 1780, in the main ; but the following few statistical facts I have thought appropri- ate to mention, as belonging to the present history of the town :-
The town of Montpelier has the largest population of Miscellane- ous. any in the state except Burlington ; it has the greatest number of agriculturalists of any town save one, (Jamaica ;) it has the greatest number of persons engaged in com- merce but one town, (Burlington,) and with that it is equal ; it has the largest number of persons in the learned professions ; it has the largest number of scholars in the schools except one town, (Woodstock ;) it has the largest number of persons engaged in manufactures and trades, of any town in the state. Its population, according to the census of 1840, is 3725 .*
The population of Montpelier, from its earliest set- Character of the people. tlement, has been characterized by industry and thrift .- 'They came into the country generally poor, but with strong muscles, and a good fund of common sense .- Necessity, at first doubtless, had a prominent agency in
* These statistics are gathered from the returns of the U. S. Census of 1840, publish- ed in Walton's Vermont Register for 1842.
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36
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
HISTORY OF MONTPELIER. making them industrious, and habit has done much to confirm them in this ; until they are considered generally, (so far as I can ascertain,) remarkably a business population-greatly devoted to their business, sometimes it is thought perhaps to excess-especially in this Village.
Conclusion.
1
During the progress of the settlement of this town, nor during any period of its history, have I been able to hear of any remarkable visitations of Divine Judgments, on its inhabitants, or any portion of them. God has seemed to bless your labors ; and your cup has abounded with com- forts. Ile has heaped on you unmerited mercies, for which you should be thankful. Let us then this day, in the review of what God has done for you, render appro- priate praise and honor to His Almighty Sovereign Grace. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to Him in worship now, with the thousands who this day have assembled in several of our sister states, professedly to render homage to the God of Mercies. Our country is still free, Our civil and religious institutions move on in harmony. The laws of the land are firmly executed in our midst upon trans- gressors, and honored suitably by the obedient. No was- ting sickness has stalked through our streets ; and we have occasion to mourn only the death of our friends, in num- bers not unusual. Plenty has crowned the labors of the husbandmen throughout the commonwealth-and com- merce and the arts are no more impeded, than might rea- sonably be expected in the unsettled state of a general cur- rency, arising from the great expansion of credit and spec- ulation for several years past. The prospects of war with a powerful nation, which at our last anniversary threatened
37
THANKSGIVING DISCOURSE.
us so fearfully, have all passed away, and an honorable HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
treaty established between the parties. Exciting and im- portant political elections have been held among the people in this and sister states, and submission and order have abided the results. Indeed, we have great occasion to be thankful. Let us then, I repeat, offer our devout thanks to the Giver of all Good-with the carnest entreaty that our past sins may be forgiven-that we may be enabled to live lives of Godliness, in time to come. Let us not forget the poor and needy in our midst-but give of our abun- dance, to warm their hearts and enliven their joys. Let us not forget the millions of our enslaved countrymen, who are held in bondage by a cruel power in this christian land ; and let us feel, and pray, and act for them as becometh those who are sensible of their wrongs, and have influence to deliver them. Let us pray God, to remember our country, still, in mercy-to preserve it from all intestine evil and foreign invasion -- to continue to us the sunshine and the rain, and crown the seasons with His goodness, Let us invoke the descent of the Holy Ghost upon our churches, and a revival of pure religion through our land, and the universal reign of righteousness. This, if done devoutly, with sincere sorrow for past offences, will secure the blessings we crave, through Jesus Christ our Lord-and finally fit us for our translation to that world where all is Peace and Love forever.
Conclusion.
38-39
APPENDIX.
A.
LIST OF FREEMEN, WHO VOTED AT THE FIRST ELECTION.
Benjamin Ingals Wheeler,
Hiram Peck,*
Ziba Woodworth,*
David Parsons,
James Hawkins,*
Jerathmel B. Wheeler, *
Parley Davis,
Jaines Taggart,*
Smith Stevens,
Ebenezer Dodge,*
John Templeton,*
Charles Stevens,*
Solomon Dodge,*
Elisha Cummins,
Edmund Doty,
Nathaniel Peck,*
Jonathan Cutler,*
Duncan Young, *
David Wing, *
Charles McCloud .*
Freeman West .*
Lemuel Brooks,
Col. Jacob Davis,*
Clark Stevens,
Isaac Putnam, *
Jonathan Snow,
Nathaniel Davis,
* Deceased.
B.
LETTER FROM GEN. PARLEY DAVIS TO REV. JOHN GRIDLEY.
MONTPELIER, December 17, 1842. REV. J. GRIDLEY :
DEAR SIR,-The Vermont Watchman informs us that your Thanksgiving Sermon is to be publish- ed, for which I am very much gratified. I consider it remarkably correct, considering that the infor- mation was collected by one who had no personal knowledge of the transactions. I now recollect of only two mistakes, which you may probably wish to rectify. From circumstances which, when I have an opportunity, I will make known to you, I am very certain that David Wing, Jr. was appointed a Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1790; at any rate, I think he was the first Justice. When David Wing, Jr. was appointed a Judge, Joseph Wing was appointed a Justice to supply the vacancy . The other case I would refer to is, that the first tavern house, and the one that David Wing, Jr. kept a
40
APPENDIX.
tavern in, was a two story house, huilt upon the old fashion of two front rooms and a kitchen back of them. It afterwards had large additions made to it, and was afterwards burnt, Col. Jacob Davis may have been the first Justice notwithstanding, for I recollect, in the very early settlement, that a young man, not an inhabitant, was tried for some petty crime,-I think for stealing,-at the tavern house, be - fore Col. Jacob Davis, and was found guilty and fined, which he had no means to pay. A commuta- tion of the punishment was offered him, which he accepted,-which was, that he should run from the tavern house until he crossed the bridge into Berlin, with a supple man to start behind him at a short distance, with a whip or stick, and apply it upon his back, if he could come within reach of him ; and that he would never again return into Montpelier ; this shonhl be in full payment of the fine. Wheth- er the Justice had any hand in this commutation, I cannot recollect, but I heard the trial, and saw the punishment inflicted, with many others, with much satisfaction.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
PARLEY DAVIS.
C.
See preceding letter from Gen. Davis to Rev. Mr. Gridley.
LIST OF PHYSICIANS, &c.
EY DR. J. SPALDING.
Spalding Pierce, Village. Philip Vincent,* Town.
Edward Lamb, Village.
Jacob P. Vargeson,* Village. Stephen Peabody,* Town. Sylvester Day, Village. Samuel Prentiss, Village.
Phineas Woodbury, * Village.
Nathan B. Spalding, Village. Nathaniel C. King, Tawn. James Spalding, Village. Eleazer Hamblin,* Village. Julius Y. Dewey, Village. Benjamin Walton, Village. * Deccased.
Hart Smith,* Village. Seth Fickl, Village. Azel Holines, Village. Frederick W. Adams, Village
'Zebulon P. Burnham, Village.
, Charles Clark, Town. Daniel Corliss, Town. Milo L. Burnham, Town. Summer Putnamı, Town. Thomas C. Taplin, Dentist, Village. J. M. Gregory, Dentist, Village. Ralph Kilbourn, Dentist, Village.
APPENDIX. 41
E.
LIST OF ATTORNEYS.
BY D. P. THOMPSON, ESQ.
Charles Bulkley, deceased in 1836. Cyrus Ware,
Calvin J. Keith, Azol Spalding,
Samuel Prentiss,
Samuel B. Prentiss,
Nicholas Baylies, removed in 1835 or '36.
William Upham,
Nicholas Baylies, Jr. George B. Manser,
Timothy Merrill, deceased in 1837.
J. T. Marston,
J. Y. Vail, Clerk of County Court about 20 years. Isaac F. Redfield,
Jeduthun Loomis,
II. W. Heaton,
James Lynde, removed in 1817 or '18, and died John II. Prentiss, about 1830.
Thomas Reed,
Charles Reed, Win. K. Upham,
Azro Loomis, deceased in 1831.
J. A. Vuil,
II. II. Reed,
L B. Peck, admitted in 1836.
J. P. Miller,
D. P. Thompson, admitted in 1825.
O. II. Smith, admitted in 1825.
Stillman Churchill, appointed Clerk of County Court in 1838. R. S. M. Bouchette, George Reed, A. W. Kenney.
F.
LIST OF MERCHANTS AND TRADERS.
BY DANIEL BALDWIN, ESQ.
1791, Dr. Frye, 1794, Col. Joseph Hutchins, 1796, Joseph & Wm. Hutchins, 1799, Hubbard & Cadwell, 1802, W. I. Cadwell, 1802, Robbins & Freeman, 1803, Forbes & Langdon, Hubbard & Wing, 1807, T. & R. Hubbard,
James H. Langdon, Uriah H. Orvis, 1807, Dunbar & Bradford, 1808, C. W. Houghton, 1808, Josialı Parks, 1809, John Crosby, 1810, L. Q. C. Bowles, 1810, Walton & Goss, 1810, French & Dodge,
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42
APPENDIX.
1811, Jacob F. Dodge,
1811, Langdon & Barnard,
1813, John Spalding,
1814, Hubbard & Spalding, 1814, D. Baldwin & Co.,
Austin Arms, Emerson & Wilkins,
Luther Bugbee, Charles Story,
1815, Wright & Sibley,
1816, E. P. Walton & G. S. Walton,
1816, French & Harvey,
1817, Sylvester Larabee,
1817, E. P. Walton,
1817, H. Y. Barns,
1821, John Barnard,
1821, Langdon & Spalding,3
1821, Chester Hubbard,
1821, Barnard & Dutton,
1821, W. I. Cadwell & Son,
1822, Hubbard & Jewett,
1822, Roger Hubbard,
1823, Dutton & Baylies, W. W. Cadwell,
1824, Hubbard & Kimball,
1824, T. M. Taylor,
1824, Warren Swift,
1824, Langdon, Spalding & Co., Otis Standish,
1838, John S. Abbott,
1839, Baylies & Goss,
1839, S. P. Redfield, 1839, J. T. Marston,
1839, Storrs & Langdons,
1839, E. P. Walton & Sons,
1840, Charles Spalding,
1840, Silver, Lamb & Co.,
1840, Harran & Dodge,
1841, H. N. Baylies,
1841, Jewett & Howes,
1841, Baldwin, Scott & Co.,
1841, Lyman & King,
1841, J. H. Ramsdell, 1841, Cross, Hyde & Co.
1831, Charles Lyman,
1831, I. S. & J. Town,
1831, W. W. Cadwell,
1831, Hart & Riker, 1831, J. M. & B. H. Show,
1831, E. H. Prentiss,
1832, Wm. & M. P. Hutchins, 1833, Emerson, Lamb & Co.,
1833, Snow, Bancroft & Co., 1833, Snow & Bancroft, James Pierce & Co.,
1833, Silver & Pierce,
1833, Standish D. Barns,
1833, G. W. Ware,
1833, Baldwin & Scott,
1834, Jewett & Howes;
1834, Burbank & Hubbard,
1834, Baylies & Ilart,
1834, Ebenezer Colburn,
1834, S. B. Flint,
1834, Hutchins & Wright, Wm. Clark,
1835, H. N. Baylies & Co.,
1835, Harvey & Harran,
1835, J. & C. Spalding,
1835, Silver, Pierce & Co.,
1835, Silas Burbank Jr.,
1835, Ira Day,
1835, Asa Prentiss,
1836, Jewett, Howes & Co.,
1836, Lamb, Palmer & Co., Emerson & Russell,
1836, Baylies & Storrs,
1837, Bancroft & Riker,
1837, C. & L. L. Lamb,
1837, C. Alexander,
1838, Spaldings & Foster,
1838, Langdon & Wright,
1838, Town & Witherell,
1825, Baldwin, Hutchins & Co., Cadwell & Gouldsbary,
1825, Taylor & Prontiss, Dodge & Standish,
1826, Wiggins & Seeley,
1826, George W. Ilill,
1827, Luther Cross, Joseph Wiggins, Goss & Wiggins,
1828, Luther Cross & Co.,
1828, Hubbard, Jewett & Co.,
1828, Spalding, Storrs & Co.,
1828, Baylies & Hutchins,
1829, N. Harvey, 1830, Baldwin & Prentiss,
1842, Cross, Day & Co.,
1842, Benj. Day & Co.,
1842, French & Bancroft,
1842, Ellis, Wilder & Co., 1842, Clark & Collins.
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APPENDIX.
G.
SUBSCRIPTION LIST, ON WHICH $15,000 WAS PAID FOR THE STATE-HOUSE.
Spalding, Storrs & Co.,
$1,300
G. C. Taplin,
$50
Hubbard & Jewett,
1,000
John Parker,
75
Luther Cross & Co.,
1,000
Ellis Nye,
50
Mahlon Cottrill,
1,000
Arunılı Waterman,
50
Timothy Hubbard,
500
Samuel Upham,
50
Heirs of J. Langdon,
500
Joel Gouldsbary,
50
Th. & H. H. Reed,
500
G. W. Scott,
50
Daniel Baldwin,
350
Holden Putnam,
50
W. & M. P. Hutchins,
300
Elijah Holden,
10
Silas C. French,
300
John Bryant,
10
Joseph Reed,
300
Joseph Chapin Jr.,
10
H. Y. Barnes,
250
J. L. & J. S. Scovil,
30
W. W. Cadwell,
225
William Dewey,
30
Jeduthun Loomis,
200
Osmon Dewey,
15
A. & O. Pitkin,
200
Daniel Chandler,
20
Samuel Prentiss,
200
Z. C. Dewey,
10
R. R. Keith,
200
Puleg Stiles,
5
H. N. Baylies,
200
Calvin Farrar,
10
William Mann,
200
Ira Cummins,
6
J. Howes & Son,
200
Thomas Ayres Jr.,
10
Timothy Merrill,
150
Ezekiel Smith,
20
William Upham,
150
Seth P. Braman,
10
James Spalding,
150
Leonard Ellis,
20
Alfred Wainwright,
150
Asa Andrewa,
25
Nehemiah Harvey,
125
David Poor,
20
Zenas Wood,
125
Hiram Sibley,
10
C. & J. Wood,
125
Harris Bugbee,
10
J. Y. Vail,
100
John E. Woodworth,
Ira Owen,
100
Nathaniel Orinsby,
15
Cross, Hyde & Co.,
100
Ezekiel Burnham,
10
Nathan Jewett,
100
George W. Jacobs,
5
E. P. Walton,
100
Joel Davis,
5
O. H. Smith,
100
Lewis Burnham,
5
George W. Hill, -
100
Joel B. Mower,
5
Nicholas Baylies,
100
Lorenzo Gray,
5
D. P. Thompson,
100
Reuben E. Persons,
10
Goss, Cobb & Sons,
100
Royal Wheeler,
25
Charles Lyman,
100
Lovewell Warren,
25
Jonathan Shepard,
100
Samuel Jones,
15
Edward Lamb,
75
Addison Peck,
10
John Winslow,
10
H. N. Taplin,
75
Solomon and Wm. Lewis,
15
Azel Spalding,
75
Edmund Langdon,
10
Rufus Campbell,
50
Ezra Bassett,
1)
Benjamin Paddock,
50
Apollos Metcalf,
2)
S. S. Post,
50
Suel White,
10
J. M. & B. H. Snow,
50
Cyrus Stoddard,.
10
L. & A. S. Sherman
75
Wm. G. Hadlock,
5
I. Riker & Son,
75
Richard Stevens,
E
James Howland,
50
John Putuam,
LC
M. Tryon,
75
Cyrus Wheeler,
25
Knapp & Jewett,
75
...
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APPENDIX.
B. I. Wheeler,
$25
Samuel Templeton,
$10
Josiah Frecman,
5
Elisha Spear,
10
Silas Clark,
20
Prince Williams,
5
Jonathan Holt,
10
Solon Lawrence,
5
Lyman Woodworth,
5
Quincy A. Wood,
10
John Vincent,
12
Stephen Foster,
10
Oliver Merritt,
4
Robert Dodge,
2
William Vincent,
10
John Ayers,
10
Andrew Dodge,
10
Ralph Andrews,
5
Charles Doty,
5
Parley Davis,
25
Daniel Russell,
10
Lemuel MeKnight,
15
Jacob Putnam,
30
Nahum Kelton,
15
Joseph Chapin,
10
Willard Cutler,
20
Daniel Bassett,
10
Darius Boyden,
25
Rufus Montagu,
15
John Phinney,
25
Lorenzo Willard,
10
Jera Wheelock,
30
llosca Minott,
10
Elisha and John Hubbard,
John M'Dearmed,
5
Sheffield Hayward,
10
Dudley Culver,
5
Sheffield Hay ward Jr.,
15
Danforth W. Stiles,
15
Solomon Nye Jr.,
5
Joel HI. Templeton,
5
Ira Andrus,
5
Joseph S. Daniels,
5
Elijah Nye Jr ,
20
Nathaniel Wentworth,
10
Jabez Ellis,
25
Iloward Minott,
John F. Ellis,
10
Samuel Demerit,
10
Eli Stone,
5
Ezra Marslı,
8
Levi Colby,
12
Iram Nye,
25
David Nye,
5
William Steward,
10
Orion Clark,
10
Joseph Somerby,
12
Harriet Barnet,
10
Culver V. Lano,
10
M. B. Taplin,
10
Rodney Cummins,
5
Otis Montague,
12
Amos Culver,
10
Leonard Judd,
Aaron Bullock,
10
David Sheldon,
5
L. & B. Ilammett,
5
Roger S. Gilman,
10
Josiah Benjamin,
20
Lucius Houghton,
10
Ainos Strong,
10
Ezra Cushman,
5
Zebulon Lee,
5 5
II. C. McIntyre,
10
Simon Cummins, -
20
Thomas Stowell,
25
Cyrus Morse,
10
Lemuel Stickney,
10
Salvenus Morso,
10
Salvin K. Collins,
15
Elias Wakefield,
10
T. Williams,
10
Benjamin Ellis,
10
N. Barnet,
5
John Morgan,
10
Levi Spalding,
10
Gideon Mann,
5
Jason Carpenter,
10
Nicholas Bennett,
5
Levi Wilder,
10
James Dodge,
6
Orange Smith,
6 000 5
Lovell Kelton,
5
Charles Stone,
5
Cyrenus Short,
3
Cephas Carpenter,
30
James Allen,
10
Abner Child,
5
Isaac Cate,
5
Wm. Hoadley,
1
Arthur Dagget,
10
Barnabas Mayo,
10
Enoch Cate,
5
Ebenezer Johnson,
5
Larned Coburn,
10
Nathaniel Carpenter,
20
Willard Shepard,
10
John Twing,
15
R. O. Stoddard,
Simeon Slayton,
5
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APPENDIX .
David Jones,
10
Paul Templeton,
John Stewart,
15
Samuel Ingalls,
15
Peter Hubbard,
15
Samuel Clark,
12
Cyrus Bayley,
15
Ira MeElroy,
13
Abijah Howard,
10
Stephen Smith,
15
Jolin Gray Jr.,
10
Lewis McElroy,
10
Nathaniel Jacobs,
5
Moses II. Sawyer,
10
Alvan MeKnight,
10
Elijah Holden,
10
Hubbard Willey,
15
Calvin Clark,
15
Henry Williams,
5
Daniel Taylor jr.
10
Isaac Colby,
10
E. Hewett,
50
Isaac Vincent,
35
Z. Dewey,
15
Mosses Shelden,
10
Milton Brown,
25
Lemuel Brooks,
50
S. Phelps,
15
James Morse,
10
Jonas Goodenow,
20
Comfort B. Rich.
5
Chester Nye,
25
Ephraim Taylor,
5 .
Iluhbard Nye,
25
Leander Shepard,
10
Davis & Farewell,
25
Caleb Bliss,
10
Daniel Houghton,
20
Ebenezer Bayley,
20
Roger Hubbard gave the sand used.
H.
1 -
NOTE OF FIRES AND FLOODS.
BY E. P. WALTON, JR.
The Village of Montpelier was incorporated in 1818, the limits embracing one mile square. Previous to 1813, the people of the Village deemed it necessary to take measures to guard against fires, and a fire-company was formed, and the citizens were required to provide fire-buckets. In Dec. 1813, occur- red the first severe calamity by fire, a cotton factory being burnt, standing on the ground now occupied by Mr. H. Richardson's cloth-dressing works. A subscription was then made, (the principal inhabit- ants giving $20 each,) and in l'eb. 1814, the first fire-engine was purchased, costing $380. There are now three organized fire companies, with an engine to cach-two suction engines, with 800 feet of hose ; and there is also an organized hook and ladder company. The principal fires which have occur- red in the Village were as follows :-
Dec. 1813, a cotton factory, at the falls on Onion River. Dec. 1818, a paper mill and clothing works, on the same ground. January, 1822, the Academy. March 22, 1826, a woolen factory and grist-mill, at the falls on North Branch. A workman in the factory, named Robert Patterson, perished in the flames ; and Araunah Waterman (one of the proprictors, ) and Joel Mead, narrowly escaped a like awful death. They leaped from the windows of the factory-one at the height of 27 feet, and the other of 35 feet- upon the rocks in the stream. May, 1827, a store of Wiggins & Seely, opposite the brick church. April 21, 1828, paper mill of Goss & Reed, on the Berlin side of Onion River. Oct. 1834, vil mill and saw-mill, in the former of which was Mr. W. Sprague's machine shop-on the Berlin side of Onion River. Feb. 1835, the Union House, on the ground now occupied by the hotel of that name.
1
There have been five other fires of less consequence, viz .- a school-house near the present residence of Judge Redfield ; the dwelling-house of Seth Parsons, in the same vicinity, in 1815; Joseph Howes'
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APPENDIX.
shop, Sept. 1822, on the ground now occupied by the Village Hotel; a blacksmith's shop occupied by Mr. Fisk, on the Berlin side of the river ; and, in 1842, part of O. H. Smith's buildings.
For the length of time and size of the Village, this shows a remarkable exemption from severe ca- lamities by fire. The Village has been subject, however, from its peculiar situation, to calamities of another character, viz. floods. These have frequently occurred, occasioning considerable inconvenience and some damage to property ; and there have been three instances of severe losses.
March 24 and 25, 1826, the bridge over Onion River, where the arch bridge now stands, was swept away, together with the grist-mill of Mr. James H. Langdon. Sept. 5, 1828, the water in Onion River and North Branch rose suddenly four or five feet higher than ever before, and inundated nearly all of the Village. Two bridges on North Branch, and a barn, were swept away. July 27, 1830, a flood oc- curred still higher-by four or five inches-than that of 1828. The office of J. Y. Vail, two other small buildings and two bridges on North Branch were carried away. The office was recovered, and now stands near Mr. Vail's dwelling-house.
In later years, the severest floods have usually occurred in January-occasioned by sudden thawing of the snow, and breaking up of the ice in the streams.
SABBATH SCHOOLS.
BY J. W. HOWES.
In 1816, three Sabbath Schools were organized in this place. One of them was held in the school house, near where the Methodist chapel now stands ; one was held in the old Academy ; the other in Mrs. Hutchins' (now J. Shepard's) dancing hall. These schools were conducted by committees, ap- pointed for this purpose, with the assistance of teachers, and continued through the summer months only. In 1817, much interest was manifested in behalf of this cause. The number of schools was increased in the neighborhoods adjoining, and at the close of the season a public examination was held in the old State House. In 1820, after the completion of the Brick Church, the schools were united and met in the church. In 1822, a Society was formed-Rev. C. Wright, President, Joseph Howes, Librarian, and a board of Managers. At this time the first Library was purchased. In Nov. 1826, J. 4 C. Southmayd was chosen the first Superintendent. (See resolution in the sermon.) In 1827, there were 25 teachers ; in 1828, 24; and in 1831, 24. April, 1832, E. P. Walton was chosen Superiendent. At this time there were 23 teachers and 170 scholars. In the autumn of 1836, Jos. W Howes was ap- pointed Superintendent. In 1838, George B Manser was appointed assistant Superintendent. In 1839, there were 205.scholars and 25 teachers ; in 1840, 175 scholars and 23 teachers ; in 1841, 204 scholars and 25 teachers ; and in 1842, 219 scholars and 26 teachers.
An effort was made by the first pastor, (Rev. C. Wright,) for the religious instruction of the chil- dren and youth in 1809, and was continued at intervals for nearly six years.
The foregoing gives a brief view of the history of the Sabbath School connected with the First Con- gregational Church. On the organization of the Free Church, and also of the Methodist and Baptist
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APPENDIX.
Churches, schools were established in connexion with them, and are continued. More recently, a echool has also been established in connexion with the Episcopal Church.
J.
NOTICE OF REV. CHESTER WRIGHT.
From the Boston Recorder, May 29, 1840. ·
Mr. Wright was born in Hanover, N. H., Nov. 6, 1776. His father was a furmer and one of the first settlers in Hanover, and a very respoctable and pious man, and for many years a Deacon in the Congre- gational church in that place. His mother was a very excellent and pious woman, They trained up their family in the fear of God, and had the happiness of seeing their children, with one exception, walking in the way in which they should go, and of witnessing the conversion of their son, the subject of this notice, at the age of 21, after he had purchased a farm for his future occupation and employment. But the Lord, " who called him out of darkness into his marvellous light," and " whose ways are not as our ways," had other and far more important services for him, and with the promptitude of Elisha when called by Elijah, he immediately quit his occupation, disposed of his wordly goods, and land, and the implements of husbandry, to prepare to preach the gospel.
His attention was now directed to the acquirement of a liberal education to fit him for the ministry, and he received the honors of Middlebury College in 1806. Soon after this he commenced the study of theology with the late Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Vt., und finished his course of study with Dr. Dwight, of New Haven. He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1808, and immediately commeuced preaching in Montpelier, where no " church" then existed, and where religion and morals, at that time, were at the lowest ebb, and assisted the same year, in forming a church of 17 members.
In 1809, he was ordained the pastor of the first Congregational church and society in that place, and continued in the office more than twenty years, during which time tho people were blessed with power- ful revivals of religion, and the church increased from 17 to more than 400 members. The relation be- tween him and his people was dissolved in 1830. In 1836, he was installed over the Congregational church and society in Hardwick, Vt , as their pastor, and continued in that office till his death at Mont- pelier.
His surviving brethren in the ministry and the members of the Congregational churches in Montpe- lier and Hardwick and the towns adjacent, mourn the death of one who was indeed a " Father in Isra- el," with whom they were associated for many years, and whose ministrations and counsels will be embalmed in their affections and memories forever.
The people of Montpelier and Hardwick, will long cherish the remembrance of his faithful services in the ministry, and his frequent and affectionate pastoral visits and calls ; and the pious inhabitants of the towns around them, will remember with gratitude to God their spiritual friend and benefactor, who so often broke unto them the bread of life, when they wero few in number, destitute of the stated means of grace, and "scattered like sheep without a shepherd" over a new and thinly gottled country.
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APPENDIX.
As a pastor, Mr. Wright had few equals. His kindness and love to his people in' all their various circumstances and situations in life, in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and health, were manifes- ted in a manner peculiarly interesting, " and he became endeared to them hy a thousand kind offices which must forever be unknown to the world." Mr. Wright was a distinguished philanthropist. He took a deep and lively interest in the education of the rising generation, and in every measure which had for its object the permanent benefit of mankind, and stood foremost in advocating and supporting all the benevolent enterprises of the day, and the advancement of that cause for which the Savionr bled and died.
He was frequently chosen by the ministers of Vermont, as their delegate to the conventions and as- Buciations of tho clergy in other States, and was present at Plymouth in June last, as one of their del- egates to the General Association of Congregational Ministers in Massachusetts. He was for many years, a member of the Board of Trustees of Middlebury College, and continued in that office till his death.
As a preacher, he was solemn and sincere, and faithful to the souls of his people. " His sermons were strictly evangelical, well composed, addressed much to the heart and conscience, and occasional- ly truly eloquent. His prayers breathed a spirit of deep humility and fervent piety ;.
" To liis family he was all that can be comprehended in the best of husbands and most affectionate of parents." He was distinguished for humility, personal holiness, heavenly mindedness and fervent charity. Ilis hospitality was unbounded, and he received his guests, and all who came, with a kind- ness and cordiality peculiarly his own.
Mr. Wright was endowed with distinguishod talents and blessed with extensive usefulness, and the remembrance of his virtues will be imprinted in the memories and engraven on the hearts, of all his surviving relatives and friends.
He bore the decays of nature during his long illness, with Christian fortitude and entire resignation to the divine will, and was ready at all times, as he frequently expressed himself, to depart to be with Christ ; and his end was as peaceful and happy as his life had been exemplary and useful to mankind. " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."
The Rev. Samuel Hopkins succeeded Mr. Wright in the Pastorship to this church, and was ordained Oct. 26, 1831, and dismissed April 29, 1835.
Mr. Hopkins was succeeded by Rev. Buel W. Smith, who was ordained August 25, 1836; and dis- missed July 15, 1840.
'The Rev. John Gridley succeeded Mr. Smith, and was installed Dec. 15, 1841.
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HISTORY OF MONTPELIER.
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