History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911, Part 52

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Royalton > History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911 > Part 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Eldred L. M. Barnes, 1909-, was born April 20, 1870, in Chelsea. He graduated at the Montpelier Seminary in 1891, and at Wesleyan University in 1895. He took post-graduate work in Boston University, 1899-1900. He joined the Conference in 1896. He married June 5, 1901, Bessie Thayer Penniman of Hartland. They have three children. Mr. Barnes is a preacher

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of marked ability. The church has never been better served than it is today, and the relations between the two churches in South Royalton were never more harmonious.

The members of the church according to the records were, in 1841, Matthew, Jemima, Prudence, and Patience Atherton, Hannah and Olive Barnes, Jonathan, Louis, Esther, and Mary Dyer, Garner R., Elias, Patty, Martha, Eliphalet, and Mary Lyman, Lucy and Wealthy Denison, and Achsah Hartshorn. This list was soon increased. While Rev. W. R. Davenport was pastor, there was a large increase in membership, and there were large congregations. There were many accessions to the church, also, while Rev. Frank H. Roberts was stationed at South Roy- alton. Revival services were held in the fall of 1893, Rev. M. H. Jackson being the evangelist. About twenty were added to the church as a result. While Rev. E. W. Sharp was pastor, there was an addition of forty-three to the church membership.

The pastorate of Rev. J. E. Knapp was, perhaps, the most successful in making accessions to the membership, forty-four joining in full connection from 1875 to 1878. Besides preach- ing at South Royalton and South Tunbridge, he conducted week- ly meetings in the Rowell district and the Young district. At the close of his pastorate the all-day service at South Royalton was dropped. The present membership of the church is seventy- eight. The present officers are, G. W. Ward, superintendent of the Sunday School; Irving Barrows, C. W. Cowan, L. M. Cor- win, George Dutton, G. W. Ward, Ransom Roberts, and Dr. O. J. Ellis, trustees; G. W. Ward, Mrs. A. C. Waterman, Irving Barrows, A. J. Eaton, C. W. Cowan, George Dutton, Miss Alma French, Mrs. Della Tenney, Miss Addie Hastings, Mrs. Irving Barrows, Mrs. Charles B. Viall, Mrs. Harry Bingham, Mrs. O. J. Ellis, and Miss Jessie Benson, stewards.

The Sunday School is in a thriving condition, with an aver- age attendance of about fifty-seven, and won the banner for the greatest increase for the last six months. The Epworth League has been in existence for many years. The present officers are, president, Rev. E. L. M. Barnes; 1st vice-president, Irving Rob- erts; 2nd vice-president, Elarey Isham; 3rd vice-president, Ar- thur Hutchins; 4th vice-president, Edith Howard; secretary, Harry E. Bingham; treasurer, Grace Pinion ; organist, Mrs. Les- ter Corwin.

The Ladies' Sewing Circle was organized in 1862, with Mrs. Webster as president, and Mrs. Harvey Woodward as vice-presi- dent. They assumed the name of the South Royalton Ladies' Benevolent Association. This society assumed the debt on the vocalion organ, which was put into the church about 1893. A Junior League was formed about this same time, and was in

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later years under the direction of Miss Mattie Buck. It started with a membership of nearly thirty, but has now ceased to exist.

In 1867 Luther D. Preston left by will to the Vermont Con- ference $400, the income of which was to be paid annually for the support of Gospel ministry of the M. E. church at South Royalton. If in any year there was no preaching by direction of said church, the income was to be paid to any young man or men preparing for the Gospel ministry in the M. E. church, to assist in their education. In 1903 Miss Lucinda Goff left by will $500 to the church. Mr. Charles Senter gave a new altar rail in recent years, and the Epworth League put in a new chan- delier.

A part of the time the South Royalton charge has included some other church. For several years it has been combined with the Methodist church at South Tunbridge, the pastor preaching in the morning at South Royalton and in the afternoon at South Tunbridge. Union services are now held each month in the evening, with the South Royalton Congregational church.

CHAPTER XXX.

SOUTH ROYALTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

At the request of twenty-two residents of South Royalton, by the direction of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society represented by its secretary, Rev. C. S. Smith, a council was called to meet at the schoolhouse in South Royalton, at 11 a. m., Jan. 16, 1868. There were present from Bethel, Rev. T. H. Johnson and Dea. D. Tolles; from Royalton, Rev. C. B. Drake, D. D., and Dea. Daniel Rix; from Sharon, Rev. Philetus Clark and Dea. Simeon Nott; from Tunbridge, Dea. H. Farnham; from Chelsea, Franklin Dearborn; and from the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, Montpelier, Rev. C. S. Smith.

Rev. T. H. Johnson was chosen moderator and Rev. C. S. Smith scribe. After the need of a church had been presented by residents of South Royalton, and the probable effect it would have upon the church in Royalton village had been shown by members of that church, the council withdrew, and after con- sultation decided almost unanimously to organize a church.

At this time there were received into the church by Rev. C. S. Smith, William Smith, Mrs. William Smith, Charles Carr, Mrs. Charles Carr, John B. Durkee, Mrs. Arlotta Durkee, Mrs. Ellen A. Adams, Frederick B. Adams, Miss Emily Lamb, Mrs. Laura Foster, Mrs. Asenath Lathrop, Stephen Simmons, Miss M. Hoyt, all by letter, and on profession of faith, Silas Double- day, Mrs. Silas Doubleday, Martin S. Adams, John F. Nute, Miss Lotta Lougee, Miss Susan Lamb, Miss Alma Foster, Miss Susan Newton, and Miss Laura Foster.

The first special meeting was held Feb. 1, 1868. Rev. C. S. Smith preached a preparatory sermon, and the following offi- cers were elected: M. S. Adams, clerk, who has held the office to the present time; John B. Durkee and Frederick B. Adams, deacons. Through the kind thought of Oel Billings of Wood- stock, the Congregational church of that village presented the South Royalton church with a communion service.

On May 10 a call was extended to Rev. Daniel W. Fox. He accepted the call, and he and his wife were the first names added to the list of charter members. Mr. Fox was a man of ability, but his health was impaired, and he resigned and was dismissed

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Mar. 10, 1870. He was so much improved that he assumed an- other pastorate in November, and he and his wife took letters of dismissal to the First Presbyterian church of Flanders, N. J.

The South Royalton church at once took steps to build a suitable house of worship. Just what these were cannot be stated, because the books of the Society were burned in 1886, and there is no other record. The money was raised by sub- scription. A lot was purchased of Martin S. Adams on June 16, 1868, on which to set the new church. While this was being built, meetings were held in the schoolhouse.

This continued through the winter and until April 1 of the next year. A council was called for that date to dedicate the new church, which was now fully completed and furnished. The pastor was to be installed the next day. Pastors and delegates were present from the churches in Royalton village, Bethel, Chel- sea, Tunbridge, Woodstock, Hartford, Montpelier, Brattleboro.

At the dedicatory services the house was crowded, and the exercises were very impressive. The order of exercises was as follows: Organ voluntary by Prof. H. C. Eddy of the Bethany church, Montpelier; Invocation, Rev. Daniel W. Fox; Voluntary by the choir; Prayer, Rev. J. C. Caldwell; Sermon, Rev. W. H. Lord, D. D .; Dedicatory prayer and benediction, Rev. C. S. Smith.

The next day the installation of the pastor, Mr. Fox, took place. The sermon was preached by Rev. N. Mighill of Brattle- boro; charge to the pastor was given by Rev. C. S. Smith; ad- dress to the people by Rev. B. F. Ray of Hartford. In connec- tion with these exercises two grand vocal and instrumental con- certs were given by the Congregational society. Mr. James S. Abbott of Boston was the conductor, assisted by Prof. Eddy and a full chorus of fine voices. The proceeds of the concerts were to go for a new organ for the church. The church building cost $5,600.

The pulpit was not at once supplied after Mr. Fox left town. The church was somewhat disheartened at the loss of its pastor, and it was not until April, 1871, that it voted to ask Rev. S. F. Drew to serve as acting pastor for one year, at a salary of $800. Stephen Folsom Drew was a graduate of Dartmouth in 1848; in Lane Theo. Sem. in 1855; a native of Tunbridge; pastor at Stowe before coming to South Royalton. He remained with the South Royalton church one year only, until May, 1872. He was followed by Elisha W. Miller, a licentiate, who served the church until Jan. 1, 1873.

At the annual church meeting this year it was voted to change the name of the church to the Congregational Church of Christ in South Royalton.

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The next year a Rev. Mr. Hemenway supplied the pulpit. He was a missionary, and a man of more than ordinary ability. Rev. A. B. Lyon was the acting pastor from Jan. 1, 1874, to Jan. 1, 1875. The next year there were several supplies.

Rev. S. K. B. Perkins was engaged as acting pastor in 1876, and began his work November 14th of that year. Mr. Perkins was the son of Rev. Jonas and Mrs. Rhoda Perkins. He was born in Braintree, Mass., April 14, 1830; graduated at Monson, Mass., 1847, and from Amherst College in 1851; principal of Hollis Institute two years; studied theology at Bangor Theo. Sem .; pastor, Hartford, one year; Glover, eighteen years; South Royalton, six years; Middleton, Mass., four years; Raynham, Mass., thirteen years; Perry, Me., four years, in all forty-eight years. He received into the church 206 members, married 354, attended 516 funerals. Served seven years as superintendent of schools in Glover and South Royalton. Mr. Perkins tendered his resignation after a pastorate of six years in South Royalton, and it was accepted Aug. 7, 1882. While here he had charge of the Congregational church in Tunbridge one and one-half years.

Mr. Perkins married May 14, 1862, Miss Laura L. Brockle- bank of Meriden, N. H. Two children, Mary E. and Henry M. A., were born to them, both of whom attended the grammar school while he was in South Royalton. Mary E. married, June 3, 1885, Dea. Charles G. Sheppard, and has one son, a graduate of Harvard College, cum laude. Henry married, Sep. 3, 1891, Ella Louise Severance, and has three daughters, one of them in the high school. No doubt many of Rev. Mr. Perkins' old friends will be pleased to see his face in one of the cuts. Mr. Perkins is still living in Raynham, Mass., at the age of eighty.

Mr. Perkins was universally liked both as pastor and citizen. He was ready to join with any movement for the betterment of the social and religious life of the community, and was often the leading spirit. Though the church did not increase its mem- bership by any leaps or bounds, it had a steady spiritual growth.

At the time he severed his connection with the church, it testified to his worth in these recorded words: "His character as a citizen, neighbor, and friend has ever been one of uniform courtesy and kindness, true to his principles and profession, always reliable and ready for every good work."

Mr. Perkins was succeeded by William Denison Smith, a licentiate. He was the son of Nathan T. and Alzina (Button) Smith, born in Clarendon, Sep. 3, 1855. He graduated from Middlebury College, 1878, and from Union Theo. Sem., 1881; preached for Presbyterian churches at Glassboro and Elmer, N. J., 1881-82; at South Royalton, Sep. 1, 1882, to Sep. 1, 1883; Presbyterian church, Fulton, Ill., 1883-84; State Center, Iowa,

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1884-87; ordained Oct. 20, 1885; Mt. Sterling, Ill., 1887-90; Normal, Ill., 1890. Mr. Smith preached a part of the year 1883 for the Royalton Congregational church. He had many of the qualifications of a pulpit orator.

Rev. William Sewall acted as pastor from Jan., 1884, to Jan., 1885. He was a devout, spiritually-minded man, and gave excellent satisfaction.

Prof. Campbell of Dartmouth supplied the pulpit much of the time in 1885 and a part of 1886. The latter part of 1886 Charles H. Dutton, the son of Rev. Albert I. Dutton, occupied the pulpit at South Royalton. His father was located at that time in Royalton, preaching for the church at the other village. Mr. Charles Dutton was then a student, and could only tempora- rily be secured. He later married a daughter of S. C. Drew, and his record will be found with the record of that family.

Rev. James Ramage began his work as acting pastor Oct. 8, 1886. Mr. Ramage was born at Lasswade, Scotland, Aug. 11, 1855; educated in the public schools and New College, Edin- burgh, Scotland; took a special course in Bangor, Me., Theo. Sem., 1893-95; ordained and installed pastor of the Congrega- tional church, So. Woodbury, Oct. 18, 1885, and closed his work there in 1886. He remained in So. Royalton until July 1, 1893. From here he went to So. Brewer, Me., where he remained until 1901, since which time he has been preaching in N. Troy.

Mr. Ramage preached at Tunbridge Sunday afternoons from Oct., 1891, to June 19, 1892. By this added labor voluntarily assumed by Mr. Ramage, the church in South Royalton was able to dispense with aid from the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, from which it had drawn aid ever since its organization. Arrangements were made with the church at Royalton village, by which Mr. Ramage was to preach for them Sunday afternoons, alternating with So. Royalton Sunday evenings. While preach- ing in Tunbridge Mr. Ramage had a centennial address to pre- pare there and a pamphlet to work up.

Perhaps Mr. Ramage became more widely acquainted with the people of the town than any other resident clergyman since Dr. Drake died. When he resigned, the church expressed its confidence in him and its appreciation of his labor in a letter recommending him to the churches. It read in part: "You have received into the church forty-eight members, thirty-two on confession of faith, forty being received into this church, three into Tunbridge church and five into the Royalton church. Dur- ing all this time you have been earnest, active, and faithful to every duty. You have adorned the doctrine you have preached by a pure, devoted, unselfish Christian life. You found us with our village in ashes, our people discouraged, our church

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in need of extensive repairs. You leave us with a village re- stored, the church in splendid repair, and our people prosperous. We voice the universal regret that you are to leave us."

The pulpit was supplied by different ones a few months until Rev. Henry Martin Goddard began his work as acting pas- tor Dec. 28, 1893. Mr. Goddard was born May 3, 1869, in Lud- low. He graduated from Black River Academy, 1886; from Middlebury College, 1890; from Yale Divinity School, 1893; pas- tor at Royalton and So. Royalton, 1893-99; West Congregational church, Concord, N. H., 1899-1907 ; First Congregational church, Essex, Mass., 1907 to the present time. He married, October 2, 1895, in Ludlow, Lena A. Sargent, daughter of Darwin R. Sar- gent. They have three children, Paul Marlin, born in So. Roy- alton, Sep. 25, 1896; Helen Verona, born Sep. 19, 1899; Dwight Sargent, born Feb. 3, 1905.

Mr. Goddard received the degree of M. A. from Middlebury in 1893. He supplied the pulpit at Royalton village while sta- tioned at South Royalton. Mr. Goddard is a man of strong re- ligious convictions, and courageous in standing for any principle which he deems right. The fact that he remained six years as pastor in Royalton shows that his ministrations were acceptable to the churches over which he was placed.

On June 5, 1899, Rev. Wilfred E. Mann assumed the acting pastorate of the church. Mr. Mann was born June 15, 1867, in Mannhurst, N. B. He graduated from the Bangor Theo. Sem. in 1904. He possessed exceptional ability as a public speaker, and was an enthusiastic worker for the church. He was ably seconded by his wife, who acted for some time as superintendent of the Junior Endeavor Society, which was then a thriving or- ganization. He has recently become an Episcopal minister in Illinois.

Mr. Mann also supplied the Royalton pulpit, continuing the arrangement which had been operative for some years. In 1902 the church was in a straightened condition. The Royalton church had been able to secure a pastor, Rev. Joel Whitney, who had taken up his residence there, and the South Royalton church was compelled to pay a larger salary than it had been doing for several years, if it retained Mr. Mann. At an adjourned annual meeting of the church that year it was finally agreed that he should remain another year. Their confidence in him and their appreciation of his pastorate was expressed in a set of suitable resolutions. Mr. Mann remained another year, but the meager salary was too small to support his growing family, and his res- ignation was accepted Feb. 12, 1903. He was called to the In- dian Orchard church, Springfield, Mass., March 1, 1903. He

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was pastor in McGregor, Iowa, and in 1910 of Hanover Street church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Rev. Levi Wild preached very acceptably for the church about four months in the year 1903, and various other clergy- men, in all numbering fourteen, among whom was Rev. Sherman Goodwin. From so many candidates Mr. Goodwin was chosen and engaged Nov. 15, 1903.

Sherman Goodwin was born July 18, 1867, in Derry, N. H., the son of Charles H. and Katherine (Payson) Goodwin. He graduated from the Bangor Theo. Sem. in 1898. While taking his theological course he preached for the church in Freedom, Me. He was pastor at Orford, N. H., 1899-1903. He is still in South Royalton, where his parishioners and the community uni- versally hope he will long remain. If he serves out the time for which he is engaged, he will have had a longer pastorate here than any other clergyman.

Mr. Goodwin is a vigorous, logical speaker. He has the happy faculty of presenting old truths in a new and attractive form. He believes the church has a duty to the community as well as to itself, and his efforts have been in the direction of improving the moral tone of South Royalton and the surround- ing region. His work with the young boys and men of South Royalton has been remarkably successful, and is worthy of all praise. He has put new life into the church, and inspired its members to renewed efforts for their own upbuilding and for the drawing within the church those who have not formed the habit of Sabbath observance.

Mr. Goodwin married Sep. 26, 1899, Miss Ruth Alma Rus- sell. They have four children: Charles Winslow, born Sep. 22, 1900; Henry Russell, born Jan. 11, 1902; Drusilla, born Sep. 16, 1906; Katherine, born July 4, 1910, in S. Royalton. She is the only one of the children born in S. Royalton.

As has been stated before, the records of the South Royalton Society were burned in the conflagration of 1886. The society was re-organized Mar. 16, 1889. At that time they adopted the constitution and by-laws furnished by Rev. C. S. Smith. The officers elected were John B. Durkee, moderator; M. S. Adams, clerk; C. P. Tarbell, collector; W. H. Martin, auditor; John B. Durkee, Charles West, W. H. Martin, prudential committee.

One hundred copies of the new constitution and by-laws were ordered printed. Under this constitution any person pay- ing into the treasury of the society not less than one dollar a year for the support of public worship was eligible to member- ship. The original members signing the new constitution were Martin S. Adams, Edward Foster, Oren A. Burbank, John B. Durkee, Edson Bixby, Mark J. Sargent, James Ramage, Charles

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P. Tarbell, and J. N. Phelps. New names added at that time were S. M. Pike, H. M. Goddard, Arthur G. Whitham, W. V. Soper and F. D. Freeman.

Two years later an innovation crept in by the election of a woman as collector, Miss Nellie E. West. Mrs. Erva Martin Sar- gent has also served in this capacity. The records for the years when they were kept by women are not excelled in neatness and accuracy by those of any other year.

In 1891 the church and society received its first bequest, a gift of $600 from Joseph L. Dutton, the brother of Mrs. Charles West. The same year Mrs. Susan H. Jones presented the church wth a nice communion service, and Mrs. Emily R. Morse gave two fine stuffed pulpit chairs. The old communion service first used by the church was sent to the Congregational church in Farmington, Washington. In 1894 Mrs. Emily R. Morse left to the church by will $100, and the next year Mrs. Susan H. Jones bequeathed to the church and society $800 and the house in which she had lived, as a parsonage.

On Dec. 27, 1895, the society voted to provide some suitable memorial to commemorate the Dutton, Morse, and Jones be- quests, not to exceed $75, and they adopted the following resolu- tion :

"That we the members of the Congregational Society and Church of South Royalton, Vt., do hereby express our gratitude for the gen- erous gifts which this society and church have received, and which are as follows: six hundred dollars from Mr. J. L. Dutton, one hundred dollars (100) from Mrs. Emily Morse, eight hundred dollars (800) cash and also her own home given for a parsonage by Mrs. Susan Jones.

Resolved that we also hereby express our gratitude for the deep interest which these persons took in the welfare of this church and community and throughout the world.

Resolved that so far as we are able and in accord with the purpose for which these gifts were intended we will make the best possible use of them, and that, holding in grateful remembrance those persons, we will ever strive to be faithful in the fulfillment of our obligations to the church and society, and we will labor with greater zeal and devo- tion for the upbuilding of Christ's Kingdom.

Resolved that these resolutions be entered upon the church rec- ords and upon the records of the society.

John B. Durkee ) Special Committee elected by the Society H. M. Goddard Dec. 27, 1895." M. J. Sargent

William H. Martin was made agent to receive the Dutton fund and give bonds for the society. A window in memory of Mrs. Jones was placed in the front of the building in 1896. In 1904 the church received a legacy from Miss Frances Pierce of $200, and in 1906 from Mrs. Katherine McLean Smith one of $300.

In 1894 an effort was made to consolidate the church and society, and again in 1896. Both efforts were fruitless. In 1897

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the question of merging again came up. A committee was ap- pointed to take charge of the matter. A special meeting was called Jan. 29, 1898, at which the committee made its report, which advised the merging of the two organizations into one in- corporated body. It was voted that when the new organization was effected, it should be called the South Royalton Congrega- tional Church. The church voted that this same committee join with the society committee in procuring a charter.

The church met Feb. 24, 1899, and voted that John B. Dur- kee be a committee to transfer property to the new church. The society met on the same date and voted in favor of merging. Those present were John B. Durkee, Rev. H. M. Goddard, M. J. Sargent, William M. Sargent, Arthur G. Whitham, W. V. Soper, Joel N. Phelps, Fred D. Freeman, and Martin S. Adams. The society chose John B. Durkee as their agent to make a legal transfer of property, and the South Royalton Congregational Society ceased to exist. The Congregational Church of Christ in South Royalton and the South Royalton Congregational Society (incorporated) of Royalton conveyed by deed dated Feb. 24, 1899, all property belonging to said church and society to the South Royalton Congregational Church (incorporated), and the merging of the two into one was complete. The members sign- ing the articles of incorporation of the new church, the certificate for which was issued from the office of the Secretary of State Jan. 20, 1899, were Martin S. Adams, Joel N. Phelps, Charles P. Tarbell, H. M. Goddard, S. M. Pike, W. V. Soper, F. D. Freeman,

J. B. Durkee, Charles West, W. M. Sargent, O. A. Burbank, W. H. Martin, William C. Smith, Mary Belle Whitham, Arthur G. Whitham, and Harlin Carpenter. The members of the society in good standing were to be known as charter members of the new church incorporated, but future membership would require regular admission to the church.

The first extensive repairs on the church building were made in 1889, when the building was remodelel. The repairs were in the hands of Dea. J. B. Durkee, M. J. Sargent, and M. S. Adams. The building was raised ten feet, and a brick basement placed beneath, with an addition in the rear twelve feet deep and two stories high, providing for a kitchen to the vestry in the base- ment, and an alcove for the pipe organ and the choir. While these repairs were in progress, services were held in Masonic Hall. The audience room was thoroughly renovated, frescoed, and carpeted. The entire cost was $2,937.49. Of this sum $1,455 was raised by subscription. This repairing left the soci- ety considerably in debt.

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History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911, Part 52

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Lovejoy, Mary Evelyn Wood, 1847-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Burlington, Vt., Free press printing company
Number of Pages: 1280