USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Wells > History of Wells, Vermont, for the first century after its settlement > Part 3
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In 1789, Rev. Darius Dunham came to Wells as a preacher, but whether he came as a missionary or circuit preacher, it is impossible for us to determine. Considering the newness of the country, and the sparseness of the population he was successful in the promotion of an extensive and powerful revival, embracing the heads of many families, and some of the most prominent citizens of the town. As nearly as can be ascertained, there were about thirty conversions. We enumerate below some of the subjects of this great revival.
Rev. Shubael Lamb ; Joseph Lamb and wife; William Robinson and wife ; Nathan Robinson and wife; John Lewis
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and wife ; Michael Clemons and wife ; Wm. Lamb and wife ; Mrs. Susannah Derby.
After this revival, a class was organized in the east part of the town and Michael Clemons was appointed leader and steward, and, being a man of more than ordinary talent, and having considerable pecuniary means, he was a prominent pillar in the church. He officiated as steward and leader very acceptably until his decease, a period of about thirty years.
Rev. Shubael Lamb, one of the subjects of this revival, was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1771. He came to Wells with his father and family in 1780. Soon after his conversion he obtained license to exhort and soon after to preach. In 1805, he was ordained Deacon, by Bishop Asbury at the Ashgrove Conference, and, in 1830, he was ordained Elder, by Bishop Hedding, at the Poultney Conference.
He was a man of deep consistent piety, and fair preaching talent. He officiated as a local preacher with usefulness and acceptability for nearly sixty years. He closed the scene of his earthly pilgrimage in Middletown, Vt., July 25th, 1852, in the consolation and assurance of that gospel he had so long and faithfully recommended to others.
Lorenzo Dow frequently preached in Wells about the years" 1797-98. In 1829, a man preached here, calling himself Lorenzo Dow, but those well acquainted with the original Lorenzo Dow, said that he could not have been the same person. He was judged to have been about thirty years of age, and Lorenzo Dow at that time must have been consider- ably older. (Lorenzo Dow was born in Coventry, Conn., in 1777 ; died in 1834, and was buried in Washington, D. C.
In the fall of 1820, under the labors of Rev. Elisha Dewey,
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
a very earnest, zealous young man, the east part of the town was the scene of revival influence, and some peculiar physical manifestations called the jerks. This revival resulted in the conversion of about twenty-five persons. Some ten or fifteen different persons were subjects of the jerks, and in a few instances the wicked were affected by them. They were affected by a peculiar jerking of the head, hands, or feet, and sometimes the whole body, being accompanied by boisterous shouting, clapping of hands, &c. Some, under this influence, would fall helpless to the floor and remain unconscious for some length of time, and others would whirl around and around, or skip and hop about, going through a kind of irregular dance. The subjects of these manifestations claimed that this condition afforded them a high state of spiritual enjoy- ment, and that they could not always resist that influence, and that, when they did, it brought a consciousness of condemnation. These manifestations continued over a year and gradually subsided.
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In 1826, there was a revival at the village under the ministerial labors of Rev. Lyman Prindle, at that time a young man, but possessing more than ordinary preaching talent. About twenty persons professed the christian faith. A class was formed in this part of the town, and Frederick Pember appointed leader. He was a man of good judgment, and consistent christian example. IIe identified himself with Methodism in its early history, bearing the responsibility and reproach of the church with inflexible adherence to his convictions of truth and duty. IIc closed the scene of life, September 21st, 1859, 78 years of age, in the peaceful assurance of immortality and eternal life, having been a member of the church over forty years.
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
Rev. Levi Lamb, Jr., was brought to the faith of Christ under the ministry of Rev. Joseph Ames, in 1827. He was a local preacher several years previous to his death, which took place in 1849. He was endowed with a capacity to plunge deep into the investigation of moral truth, and was an easy natural speaker, rendering his ministrations instructive and interesting.
In 1854, Rev. J. B. Searls was appointed to this circuit. He commenced his labors under very discouraging circum- stances, but in the fall the work of moral reform commenced in East Wells and extended to the appointment at the village. This revival resulted in the conversion of between fifty and sixty persons, being the most extensive the church, in this place, has ever witnessed.
He was young in ministerial experience, but was endowed with a peculiar faculty to instruct his audience, and being possessed of a spirit of persevering activity and faith in the use of means, success attended his efforts.
The M. E. Church, in this town, has only been a separate pastorate during two or three conference years, but has generally been associated with other towns forming what is called a circuit. The membership of the church, by removals, deaths, delinquencies, and some other causes combined, has been reduced so that at the present time it is in a weak condition.
In the early history of the church, the circuit of which this town formed a part, was hundreds of miles in extent. Quarterly meetings at this period formed an inspiring and interesting religious festival, being attended by the member- ship from a great distance, and the irreligious also. Those occasions, at East Wells, were sometimes attended by
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hundreds of persons from a distance, so that great numbers had to be stationed and provided for during the meeting. Some families there, at these festivals, provided for fifty and sixty persons. In those days they came from Ashgrove, Whitehall, Brandon, Pittsford, Rutland, and all the inter- vening country around.
The following were among the early preachers who labored in Wells: Samuel Deapen, B. Goodsell, Jacob Beaman, Samuel Covel, Anthony Rice, Tobias Spicer, J. B. Stratton and James Quinland.
Since 1836, the following preachers have been appointed to this circuit : S. Young, Wm. Richards, Adam Jones, A. L. Cooper, P. H. Smith, Valentine Brown, Salisbury Ford, Wm. Bedell, P. P. Atwell, B. S. Burnham, J. B. Searls, James J. Bailey, Nelson Boist, G. H. Townsend, Moses Spencer, J. E. Walker, Wm. A. Miller, H. C. Farrer, A. Robbins and Wm. Tiffany.
The village was associated with Pawlet from 1860 to 1864; since that time it has been associated with Granville, N. Y., and East Wells with Middletown and Clarendon.
The first Sunday School was organized at East Wells in 1823, and Levi Lamb, Sr., appointed Superintendent. The same year, a Sunday School was also organized at the village, and Levi Lewis appointed Superintendent. Facilities unknown at that time to make them instructive and inter- esting have been brought into requisition. These schools, when organized, did not have any libraries, but for several years past they have had respectable libraries in both places.
The first M. E. Church edifice was erected in East Wells about 1805 or 1806. It was erected on a site about one-half mile south of the church now occupied in that part of
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the town. It was a rude structure of considerable size and only partially finished. In 1813, it was taken down and · removed to the present site of the church and finished in a plain style. In 1842, a neat commodious church was erected at the village. In 1856, the old church at East Wells, which was remodeled in 1813, was taken down and a new one of modern structure erected on the same site, finished in a neat substantial style.
Three camp-meetings have been holden in this town-the first one in 1855, on land owned by Lyman Grover in the south-east part of the town. The other two were held in the years 1856 and 1858, on land owned by John S. Hulett, east of the village.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
BY ROBERT PARKS.
Quite a number professing this faith were early settlers of this town, whose sentiments were the final holiness and happiness of mankind. Among those who were members of this faith, in the early days of this town, were Samuel Culver, Wm. Potter, Josiah Goodspeed, Winslow Goodspeed, Ansel Goodspeed and Elijah Parks. These were members prior to 1800. From that time accessions were made, and among those were Samuel Culver, Jr., Joseph Parks, Jared Francis, Benjamin Lewis, Alby Geer and John Parks, who were members previous to 1820. Since that date, we may add the names of Alvah Mitchell, Winslow Goodspeed, Jr., Ethelbert Lewis, Benjamin Lewis, Jr., and others. This society generally united with those of the same faith who resided in
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
Pawlet, and made a respectable congregation. There was no service except by occasional appointments until 1821, when Rev. Aaron Kinsman located as a settled minister, and remained until 1826, when he left town.
In 1826, the General Convention of Universalits convened in this town. We have no record of the minutes of that convention. In 1855, a neat and commodious church was built, and furnished with a bell, and was dedicated by Rev. Eli Ballou, of Montpelier.
Among those who have officiated at this church, are the following named ministers : Rev. Mr. Page, Rev. Mr. Aspinwall, Rev. H. P. Cutting, Rev. E. S. Foster, Rev. Mr. Knappin and the Rev. A. N. Adams, of Fairhaven. The members of this church have not decreased in numbers by death and emigration, as their ranks have been filled up by descendants and others, so that they are numerically greater than any denomination in town.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY JOHN C. HOPSON JR.
Soon after the settlement of the town of Wells, several Episcopal families, mostly from Connecticut, moved into town; among whom were Lewis Davis, Daniel Goodrich, Robert Hotchkiss, John Pray, and perhaps some others. They were destitute of Episcopal services, except occasionally. The first minister we have an account of was the Rev. Bethnel Chittenden, brother of Gov. Thomas Chittenden, of Vermont. He held services here a part of the time. The Rev. Abraham Bronson, residing in Manchester, Vt., also held services here occasionally.
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
About the year 1810, Rev. Stephen Jewett came into this section and preached for a time in Wells and Pawlet. I think in 1815, there was an Episcopal church edifice erected at Granville Corners, N. Y. About that time, the Episcopalians of this town united with those of Granville, and became members of that parish. The Rev. Stephen Jewett became Rector, and preached for a number of years. After he left, several different clergymen held services there and also in this town.
A Protestant Episcopal Church, known as St. Paul's Church, was first organized in Wells, in April, 1824.
The first members of the organization were Robert Hotch- kiss, Raymond Hotchkiss, David Lewis, Daniel Goodrich, John Pray, John C. Hopson, David B. Lewis, Rufus Graves, Harvey Parks, Almon Hopson, John C. Hopson, Jr., and John H. Pray.
Rev. Palmer Dyer officiated as Rector, both in Wells and Granville. In 1836, Rev. Darwin B Mason became Rector of the parish and remained two or three years.
In 1839, Rev. Lucius M. Purdy became Rector, and during his ministry the church edifice was built. On the 26th day of January, 1842, the church was consecrated by the Right Rev. John H. Hopkins, Bishop of the Diocese of Vt., setting it apart from all worldly and common uses, and consecrating it to the worship of God and for the administra- tion of the sacraments.
In 1841, Rev. Louis McDonald became Rector and remained until 1844, and perhaps some longer. After he left, Rev. Moore Binghamn, from Hampton, N. Y., preached occasionally for a time. In 1847, the Vestry gave a call to Rev. Oliver Hopson to become Rector of this parish, which
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was accepted. He commenced services in May, 1847, and continued Rector of the parish until August, 1868, when he resigned. As near as can be ascertained from the records, there have been in St. Paul's Church, Wells, (since the Rev. D. B. Mason had charge of the parish. ). baptisms of adults, 23 ; of infants, 41 ; marriages, 16 ; confirmations, 47 ; burials, 35. There are, at present, belonging to the parish, thirty communicants, three of whom reside in Pawlet.
PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH.
A few years since, this society built a small church near the residence of Russell Lamb. Nelson Lewis, Thomas Pratt and a few others are members of this church. Rev. George Smith, of Hebron, N. Y., has been occasionally the officiating minister.
SOLDIERS' RECORD.
By referring to the biographical sketches in this book, it will be noticed that some of the early settlers of this town participated in the Revolutionary War, and the war of 1812.
Unto those noble patriots of the Revolution, who endured the trials and hardships incident to a new country, and were led on to victory by General Washington. are we indebted for America -- a free republic ; which, in the course of events, has been made free indeed by the southern rebellion, instituted for the perpetuation of slavery, but the chief cause of its downfall. Unto them also are we indebted for our nationality, won by them and transmitted to us their successors, and of which every American may justly feel proud.
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But unto the surviving heroes of the rebellion of 1861, led on to victory by General Grant, when this same nationality was threatened with destruction by members of its own household, are we deeply indebted for its preservation and still further perpetuation. We have no honors too great, nor gifts at our disposal too precious, to bestow upon those men who fought for their country in its hour of peril. The greater part of our soldiers, when their term of service had expired or the war had closed, returned to their homes, have become peaceful citizens and are engaged in agricultural pursuits or some other worthy employment. Many a patriot, who had escaped death on the field of battle, returned with health impaired and weary, to lay himself down to rest from labors well performed.
But, alas ! the joy of our greeting the survivors, is mingled with sorrow for those who died of hunger within prison-walls, and those, who far from their friends, perished on the battle- fields " which their own valor had already half won."
Many a family, to-day, misses a once familiar face, and mourns the loss of some dear friend. Let us cherish tenderly the memory of those who thus perished, and by their sufferings and death, gained for us the victory and restored to us an undivided nationality, which, we hope, may never more be disturbed by (civil) war, and which we are now obligated to preserve and defend.
" How sleep the brave, who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blest! When Spring, with dewy fingers cold ' Returns to deck their hallowed mould, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than fancy's feet have ever trod.
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By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
Their honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ;
And freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there! "
When bounties were required in the civil war of 1861, this town adopted the wise policy of paying promptly their bounty taxes, so that at the close of the war the town had but a small indebtedness. This town paid for expenses incurred in the late war, for the preservation of the Union, $15,057, as certified by the selectmen. The bounties ranged from $100 each for the nine months men, up to $1,000 and $1,150 for three years men. One only, we are informed, received $1,150 for three years. The largest bounty, according to term of service, was paid for two men to fill our quota under the last call for more men, viz, $550 each for one year.
- Volunteers from this town who enlisted before the 14th Vt. Regiment was mustered in, received no town bounty. Volunteers from this town who served in this regiment received a town bounty of $100.
We give below the names of the soldiers who served in the late war, and the regiment to which each soldier belonged. Those in italics, were not residents of the town.
FIRST VT. CAVALRY.
Lewis Conger, Charles Cowles, Peter Dickey, George Livingston and Andrew Taylor ; Lewis Conger was taken prisoner at Gettysburgh, Pa., and died from the effects of starvation, at Libby prison, Richmond, Va., aged 22 years.
SECOND REGIMENT.
Charles D. Castle, Ozro Sprague and Willard Woods. Charles D. Castle died in the hospital at Windmill Point,
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Va., aged 22 years. Ozro Sprague served in this regiment until discharged on account of sickness, when he returned home, and, after his health was partially restored, he re-enlisted in the 93d N. Y. Regiment, and died of wounds received at the battle of the Wilderness, in 1864.
FIFTH REGIMENT.
Albert Brookins, Roswell Fuller, William H. Lincoln and Hiram D. Monroe. H. D. Monroe was a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., about two years, and returned home a mere skeleton. A. Brookins and R. Fuller had the good fortune to return home unharmed.
SIXTH REGIMENT.
John Upton.
SEVENTHI REGIMENT.
Henry .Beebe, Harvey Guilder, Ariel Howard, Edwin Saunders, James Sprague, Albert J. Reid, Thomas C. Reed, Thomas Downing, John Moore, John Newcomb, Charles Riley and John Watts.
This regiment was mustered into government service, in 1862, for three years, and was on duty in unhealthy districts in Florida and Louisiana, where many died of disease.
James Sprague died in the hospital at Carrollton, La., September, 1862, aged about 30. Albert J. Reid died about the same time, at the same place. He was about 23 years of age. Thomas C. Reed served three years, returned home and re-enlisted in the same regiment, receiving $500 town bounty.
NINTH REGIMENT.
Herbert Barden, ITiram Wood, Nye O. Blake, Franklin Accome and Win. T. Fry.
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This regiment was on duty in unhealthy districts in N. C. and Va., and suffered greatly from disease. It was mustered out at the close of the war under Col. E. H. Ripley, of Rutland.
TENTH REGIMENT.
Homer Bradley.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
Edward M. Gee.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
Phinehas C. Paul, (promoted to Lieutenant), Wilder Lewis, Alfred Lewis, Merritt Lamb, Wm. Moody, Lysander Palmer, Warren A. Pierce, Geo. F. Brown, Seth Geer, Elisha Wales and David F. Youngs.
Seth Geer died after his return home, of measles. Elisha Wales died from fatigue in Va., a few days after the battle of Gettysburgh, aged about 45. David F. Youngs died in the hospital at Brattleboro, on his return home, aged 26.
This regiment enlisted for nine months, under Col. Wm. T. Nichols, of Rutland, and was mustered into government service in October, 1862. It was assigned to duty in the vicinity of Fairfax Court House, Va., but, the second and third days of July, 1863, it participated in the memorable battle of Gettysburgh, where it fought with valor and acquitted itself with honor ; showing that the Green Moun- tain boys were still worthy successors of the hero of Ticonderoga.
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The following named persons were in the naval service :- Cyrus Foster, Edwin F. Lewis and Theodore F. Lewis, and, like the soldiers who first enlisted, received no bounty from the town.
Edwin F., and his brother Theodore, were commissioned
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by the Government, in 1862, as engineers, and after serving until the close of the war, were honorably discharged. Theodore was promoted and well rewarded for gallant services, rendered in capturing a blockade runner, the English Steamer Minnie, which was endeavoring to enter Wilmington, N. C.
The following named persons were drafted in August, 1863, and paid commutation, $300 each :- Adams Barden, Marcellus Francis, Geo. W. Hadaway, Edward Hopson, Hiram W. Lewis, Orestes J. Merrill, Hiland Paul, James H. Potter and Horace Spaulding.
Harlan P. Lewis was drafted at the same time, and procured a substitute at an expense of $325.
The following persons, residents or natives of this town, enlisted in other States :
HARRIS LIGHT CAVALRY, OR FIFTH N. Y.
Robert H. Parks, Henry Clark and Edgar B. Henshaw.
Robert H. Park died of measles in the hospital at Alexan- dria, Va., 1861.
NINETY-THIRD N. Y. REGIMENT.
Wm. Cooper and Alix P. Ayott.
Wm. Cooper having served too years in the 22d N. Y. Regiment, re-enlisted in the 93d N. Y. Vet. Vol. and served until the close of the war. A. P. Ayott enlisted May 10th, 1861, served one year and two months, and was then discharged on account of disability. In 1863, he re-enlisted in the 93d N. Y., and served until the close of the war. He lost one finger at the battle of the Wilderness, also another at Poplar Grove Church, in 1864.
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD N. Y. REGIMENT.
Wm. Norton, Philip Potter, Franklin Cook, Horace Tooley and Wm. Tooley.
Wm. Norton lost an arm at the battle of Gettysburgh. Horace Tooley was wounded at Dallas, Ga., May 16th, 1864, and died in the hospital June 25th, aged about 29.
Wm. Tooley was killed at Raleigh, N. C., April 10th, 1865, in the last skirmishing of Gen. Sherman's army, having followed him unharmed from Atlanta, Ga., to the Ocean, and from thence to Raleigh on the homeward march. He was about 26 years of age.
THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS REGIMENT.
Elvin Reid, who died at Jacksonville, Fla., May 16th, 1865, from the effects of starvation, having suffered one year in Andersonville prison. He was about 25 years of age.
FIFTH MINNESOTA REGIMENT.
Milton H. Pember.
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
POETRY.
LINES ON MY FIFTIETH BIRTH DAY.
- BY OBIDIAH A. BOWE, (See O. A. Bowe in biographical sketches.)
Youth, Childhood, Infancy-adieu! The dearest friends must part you know; I've spent a good long time with you- The hour is late and I must go.
" Old age," a sober friend of mine, Says I must come with him to stay ; Heaven knows I cannot well decline- I'm Fifty Years of Age, to-day.
How strange it seems to be so old ! How sad to be so little wise! What wrecks of time do I hehold, As back I turn my failing eyes!
Old home, where first I saw the dawn, And felt the life-blood at my heart! Where is thy life and freshness gone ? How desolate and sad thou art!
What radiant hopes of boyhood's time, What cherished dreams have pass'd away ! The friends of youth's unclouded prime My father's household-where are they ?
My schoolmates two-score years ago, The dwellers round on every side; So many forms I used to know Are all dispersed, and must have died.
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HISTORY OF WELLS.
BY O. A. BOWE.
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Sick of surrounding care and strife, I turn away my mental gaze, Flee for a time from actual life, And hie me back to happier days; When childhood's sun upon me shown, And lighted up a work of joy, Where, clouds and shadows all unknown, I was a merry-hearted boy.
I tread my old familiar home, And press again familiar hands, Back from the grave the perished come And wanderers, wide from distant lands; The sun-rays tinge the neighboring hills, As brightly as in days of yore, And singing birds and laughing rills My joyous morn of life restore.
How truly blest those Eden hours! How gay and gorgeous are their dreams! How bright the hopes, how fair the flowers, With which that age of promise teems! Far in the depth of coming years The varied scenes of manhood lie, Nor scarce a glimpse of age appears To cast its shadow on the sky.
Anon there comes a rising cloud The echoing thunder peals amain- The lowering heavens in storm are bowed, And lo! the dash of Summer rain! The fitful storm is overpast, The gladdening sun his radiance darts, And wide the beams of joy are cast, And cheer again our sorrowing hearts.
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HISTORY OF -WELLS.
The years that slow in youth recede And linger long to childhood's eye, Gain, as they roll, increasing speed, And rush at length in thunder by ! We miss the pleasures of our prime, As round us fancy vainly steals ; We feel the burdens brought by time, Nor care to stay his chariot-wheels!
New York, March, 1837.
Lines suggested by a visit to an ancient Burial Ground, near Long Island.
BY O. A. BOWE.
They rest-the village fathers-
In a lonely, grassy glen, A furlong from the pathway And daily haunts of men; The summer breezes vainly
Blow o'er that valley's breast-
They may not glad the sleepers, Nor win them from their rest.
They were thither borne in sorrow, With breaking hearts and tears, And there have calmly slumbered Through many rolling years; Rough is the blast of Winter- High foams the angry deep Just o'er the neighboring hillock- Yet cannot mar their sleep.
Whene'er such spot I visit, Apart from earthly strife, And briefly from my bosom Dismiss the ills of life- I muse in thoughtful silence Upon the change to clay,- And if the dead are sorrowless, I fain would be as they.
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