USA > Vermont > Windsor County > History of Windsor County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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Supervisors of the Town under Laws of the Province of New York .- 1770-71, Simon Stevens; 1772 to 1777, inclusive, Abner Bisbee.
Selectmen under Laws of State of Vermont .- 1778, Simon Stevens, John Barrett, James Martin, jr .; 1779, Samuel Scott, James Martin, jr., Roger Bates ; 1780, Roger Bates, Nathaniel Weston, Samuel Scott; 1781,
' Speaker of the House in 1795-96.
2 There was no representative elected in 1853.
3 Commencement of the biennial sessions of the Legislature.
GEO. H. WALKER & CO. LITH. BOSTON
Thomas Dema
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
Nathaniel Weston, Abner Bisbee, Josiah Tower, Simon Stevens, James Martin,jr .; 1782, Nathaniel Weston, Simon Stevens, Abner Bisbee, Roger Bates, James Martin, jr .; 1783, Simon Stevens, Dr. Samuel Cobb, James Martin, jr .; 1784, Simon Stevens, Abner Bisbee, Roger Bates; 1785, Ab- ner Bisbee, Simon Stevens, James Martin, jr .; 1786, Simon Stevens, Dr. Samuel Cobb, Abner Bisbee; 1787, Dr. Samuel Cobb, Simon Stevens, Abner Bisbee ; 1788, Dr. Samuel Cobb, Lewis R. Morris, Lemuel Whit- ney; 1789, James Martin, jr., Jotham White, Abner Bisbee ; 1790, Si- mon Stevens, Abner Bisbee, Jotham White; 1791, Simon Stevens, Ab- ner Bisbee, Dr. Samuel Cobb; 1792, Dr. Samuel Cobb, Luther Field, Orsamus Holmes ; 1793, Thomas Barrett, Abner Bisbee, Luther Field ; 1794, Jotham White, Luther Field, Thomas Barrett ; 1795, Abner Bis- bee, Thomas Barrett, Jotham White; 1796, Abner Bisbee, Thomas Bar- rett, Isaac Parker ; 1797, Thomas Barrett, Abner Bisbee, Isaac Parker ; 1798-99, Thomas Barrett, Abner Bisbee, Daniel Griswold; 1800, Thomas Barrett, Daniel Griswold, James Underwood; 1801, Daniel Griswold, James Underwood, Abner Bisbee; 1802, Daniel Griswold, James Underwood, Jotham Britton, Nathaniel Holden, Zenas Newell ; 1803, Abner Bisbee, Zenas Newell, Nathaniel Holden ; 1804, Samuel M. Lewis, Luther Field, Nathaniel Holden ; 1805-08, Samuel M. Lewis, Nathaniel Holden, John Maynard; 1809, Samuel M. Lewis, Jotham Britton, Nathaniel Holden ; 1810, Samuel M. Lewis, Daniel Griswold, Leonard Walker; 1811-14, James Underwood, Samuel M. Lewis, Daniel Griswold ; 1815, Samuel M. Lewis, Leonard Walker, Daniel Griswold ; 1816, Henry Perkins, Leonard Walker, Jeremiah Ellis; 1817, Jonathan Whipple, Samuel M. Lewis, Daniel Griswold ; 1818-20, Samuel Hem- enway, Bezaleel Wood, Elisha Bisbee; 1821, Bezaleel Wood, Benoni Lockwood, jr., Wm. Thayer, jr .; 1822-23, Nomlas Cobb, Benoni Lock- wood, jr., Wm. Thayer, jr .; 1824-30, Wm. Thayer, jr., Thomas Dana, Bezaleel Wood ; 1831, Bezaleel Wood, Thomas Dana, John Field ; 1832, John Field, George Johnson, David Brown; 1833, George Johnson, Jonathan Chase, Reuben Lockwood; 1834, Jonathan Chase, Reuben Lockwood, John Perkins; 1835, John Perkins, Reuben Lockwood, Enos Brown ; 1836, John Perkins, Enos Brown, Horace Weston ; 1837, Jona- than Chase, John White, Horace Weston ; 1838, John Perkins, John White, Wm. W. Whitney ; 1839, John Perkins, Abner Field, Hiram
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
Harlow ; 1840, Hiram Harlow, John Field, Hiram L. Houghton ; 1841- 42, Hiram Harlow, John Field, George Kimball ; 1843, Hiram Harlow, John Farnham, John Chipman; 1844, John Farnham, John Chipman, Gardner Herrick; 1845, John Farnham, James Whipple, Gardner Her- rick; 1746, John Farnham, James Whipple, Wm. Dana ; 1847, James Whipple, Wm. Dana, Dennis Allen ; 1848, Wm. Dana, Dennis Allen, George Washburn ; 1849, Dennis Allen, George Washburn, Samuel Steele ; 1850, Samuel Steele, Daniel Cushing, John White ; 1851, Daniel Cushing, John White, Wm. McCrae ; 1852-53, John Farnham, Geo. Washburn, John Britton ; 1854, John Farnham, Henry Barnard, Samuel Rollins ; 1855-56, Samuel Rollins, Sylvester Burke, Jonas B. Spencer ; 1857, George Washburn, Joel Woodbury, James E. White; 1858, James E. White, John Farnham, John Hall ; 1859, John Farnham, John Hall, Daniel Cushing ; 1860-61, Bezer F. Wood, Leonard Redfield, Horace H. Howe ; 1862-63, Bezer F. Wood, Benjamin Parker, Jona- than M. Boynton, Charles A. Forbush ; 1865, Charles A. Forbush, James E. White, Sylvester Burke ; 1866-68, James E. White, Sylvester Burke, George P. Haywood ; 1869, Rodney C. Britton1, Edson Pierce, Almon B. Damon ; 1870, Moses P. Chase, John W. Lockwood, Samuel Brown; 1871, Moses F. Chase, John W. Lockwood, David F. Safford ; 1872, John W. Lockwood, Franklin P. Ball, David F. Safford ; 1873, John W. Lockwood, Franklin P. Ball, Lucius Streeter ; 1874, John W. Lockwood, Lucius Streeter, Rufus O. Forbush ; 1875, Lucius Streeter, Royal L. Lovell, Dennis B. Allen ; 1876, Royal L. Lovell, Dennis B. Allen, Daniel O. Gill; 1877-78, Dennis B. Allen, Daniel O. Gill, Squire Baker ; 1879, Squire Baker, Samuel Brown, Chas. A. Leland ; 1880-82, Samuel Brown, Chas. A. Leland, Frederick W. Porter; 1883- 84, Samuel Brown, Frederick W. Porter, Durant J. J. Boynton ; 1885, W. H. H. Putnam, J. E. White, Russell S. Herrick ; 1886-87, W. H. H. Putnam, Russell S. Herrick, Edward Woodbury ; 1888, W. H. H. Put- nam, Romani A. Spafford, Allen L. Slade ; 1889, Daniel O. Gill, Ro- mani A. Spafford, Allen L. Slade.
List of Town Clerks .- Simon Stevens, from 1769-83 ; Dr. Samuel Cobb, 1784; James Martin, jr., 1785-89; Jotham White, 1790-93 ; Thomas Barrett, from 1794-1800; Samuel M. Lewis, from 1801-17;
1 Resigned ; Charles A. Forbush elected to fill vacancy.
431
TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
Samuel Hemenway, from 1818-20 ; Nomlas Cobb, from 1821-34; Mills N. Duncan, 1835 ; Henry Closson, 1836-43 ; Bezaleel Wood, 1844-47 ; Samuel W. Porter, 1848-80; Arthur E. Bosworth, 1881 ; Merrill L. Lawrence, 1882 to present time.
List of Town Treasurers .- Simeon Bradford, from 1769-73; William Lockwood, 1774; Simon Stevens, 1777-78, 1781-86; Dr. Samuel Cobb, 1787-89; Lewis R. Morris, 1790-94 ; Dr. Simeon Brown, 1795- 96; Samuel M. Lewis, 1797-98 ; Joseph Selden, 1799-1814, 1817-20 ; Thomas Marble, 1815 ; Aaron Spinner, 1816; Phineas T. Wales, 1821- 30; Don Lovell, 1831-36; John Perkins, 1837 ; Samuel W. Porter, 1838; Russell Burke1, 1839-52 ; George W. Porter, 1853-68; Charles E. Richardson, 1869-70; Gershom L. Closson, 1871 ; William H. Wheeler, 1872 to present time.
Springfield Church History .- The early settlers of Springfield, few in numbers and bearing the burdens incidental to all pioneer settlements, found but little time or opportunity for the establishment of a religious organization in their midst; but as the town became more thickly set- tled the desire for public worship grew in the hearts of the people. As early as 1775 the question of having preaching in the town was discussed in town meetings, and in 1779 an effort was made to induce thirty who would subscribe with sufficient liberality to support a minister. Then arose the vexing question as to which denomination he should belong, and the effort was fruitless. In 1781 the town voted money to support preaching and a call was extended to Rev. John Foster, and a commit- tee was appointed to contract with him, he to receive £45 annually for two years, after which his pay was to increase at the rate of £5 annually until the amount reached £65, which salary he was to receive as long as he continued his work there. Instead of money, he was to take wheat for his pay at the price of five shillings per bushel. A meeting- house was to be built, the laborers on which were to be paid three shil- lings for a day's work: On October 3d of that year a church consisting of sixteen members was organized. A site for the church was selected on Eureka street, then one of the most thickly settled parts of the town. The frame was erected, but that is as far as the building ever progressed. Attempts were made to finish it, but the feelings of the people seemed to have undergone a change; the town began to grow rapidly towards
' Died in office in 1852, and George W. Porter elected for the remainder of the year.
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
the center, and many were dissatisfied with the location, and in 1785 the contract with Mr. Foster was annulled and the church frame ordered sold at auction. A new site was selected on what is now the common at Springfield village, and £150 was appropriated by the town to help erect a church. Those taxpayers whose religious belief differed from that of the majority were, by filing a certificate of membership in any church, to be exempt from all tax to build a church or support a minis- ter. This tax, as usual, was to be paid in wheat, if money was not in hand for the purpose; wheat was rated at five shillings per bushel, beef at twenty shillings per hundred-weight, rye at three shillings a bushel and Indian corn at two shillings sixpence. The dimensions of the structure to be erected were fifty-six feet long, forty feet wide and twenty-one feet high. But after all these preliminaries were arranged there was still no church built. The people seemed unable to decide whether the denomination should be Baptist or Congregationalist, and of course this momentous question had to be decided before anything could be accomplished.
At a town meeting held in the early part of 1788 it was voted that the denomination of the church should be Baptist, there being forty- four votes in favor of that creed to thirty-three against. Under date of December 20, 1787, the following men agreed to support a church of that denomination, to be known as the Baptist church of Springfield : William Lockwood, Abraham Olney, William Olney, Nicholas Williams, John Griswold, Joseph Lockwood, Thomas Cook, Jacob Lockwood, 2d, Abraham Lockwood, Amasa Randall, Daniel Field, Benjamin Olney, Timothy Williams, jr., Daniel Avery, Benoni Lockwood, Joseph Covell, jr., Hendrey Lockwood, Luther Field, James Dunphy, William Lockwood, jr., Joshua Lockwood, Abraham Williams, Jacob Lockwood (tailor), Abra- ham Lockwood, 2d, Nicholas Bragg, Darius Whitman, Eber Blie, John Williams, Thomas Corlew.
Later in the year 1788 it was again decided to erect the church on Eureka street, and a preacher of the Congregational or Presbyterian denomination was to be invited to fill the pulpit. The matter, however, finally resulted in the building of the church on the site near the com- mon, and the structure was partly finished in 1792, so that meetings could be held there. It was a wooden building capable of seating five hundred persons and had cost up to that time £358, 10s. 81/2d.
433
TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
On April 1, 1793, Rev. Benjamin Stone, a Congregational minister, began to preach at a salary of £75 annually for ten years, but for some reason he remained only a short time. During the next year an effort was made to finish the church and pews were sold at public auction, the proceeds to be devoted to that purpose. In 1795 an invitation was ex- tended to Rev. Joseph Prince, which was not accepted; but during that and the next year the pulpit was supplied from time to time by Rev. Stephen Williams, Rev. Archibald Campbell, and Rev. Nicholas B. Whitney. After a further sale of pews the church was finally finished in 1798. After 1807, the support of the town having been withdrawn from the church, its history more properly belongs to the First Church of Christ, which appears a little further on.
In 1803 a society of Free Will Baptists was formed in the town, over whom was settled Elder Stephen Place. A formal notice was given that he was the first settled minister of the gospel. At a town meeting held in that year, by a vote of ninety-nine to seventy-two, the Congre- gationalist Society was recognized as having settled Rev. Robinson Smiley previous to this. Then there arose the question of the minis- terial grant, and in 1808 it was divided, one-half being given to the Rev. Mr. Smiley, and the other half was to be held by the town, and the in- come arising from it to be divided equally between the Methodist, Congregationalist, Baptist, and Universalist societies as long as they maintained churches in the town. This settlement of the matter, it seems, did not please the Free Will Baptist Society, and a civil suit was brought against the town and judgment obtained ; but in 1820 in an- other suit brought by the same society the town appointed Nomlas Cobb and Samuel W. Porter agents to defend, and a judgment and execution was obtained against the society. In 1825 the society petitioned the town to be relieved of this execution, which was agreed to on condition that the society repay the town the first judgment obtained against them. This ended the controversy over the ministerial grant. Pre- vious to 1823 Rev. Robinson Smiley deeded his half of the lot back to the town for school purposes, and since 1823 the income has been de- voted to that purpose.
The First Church of Christ (Congregational) .- As previously stated, this society held their meetings in the church built by the town and in
55
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
1801 settled the Rev. Robinson Smiley as their first pastor. He was familiarly known as " Father Smiley," and is still remembered by many of the older inhabitants. To his faithful care, which ended in 1825, the church to-day owes its standing in the community.
The pulpit was next filled by Eldad W. Goodman in 1827, and he re- mained until 1831, when he was, in the following year, succeeded by Rev. Daniel O. Morton. He was the father of Hon. Levi P. Morton, the present vice-president of the United States. Both he and his son are distinctly remembered by many citizens of the town, and the house in which they lived is still standing near the common. Rev. Mr. Mor- ton continued to preach until 1836, and while he was in charge the present church on Main street was erected, in 1834. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry B Holmes, who was dismissed in 1840, and in that year a call was extended to the Rev. Calvin D. Noble, who occupied the pulpit until his death on August 23, 1844. Rev. Lathrop Taylor was installed in 1845 and continued until 1851, when he was succeeded in the next year by Rev. Solomon P. Giddings, who remained until 1858. Rev. Nathan J. Haseltine began preaching in 1859, but his death oc- curred January 22, 1860. He was followed that year by Rev. John W. Chickering, who filled the station till 1864. From this time until 1867 Rev. Asa Mann acted as pastor, but was not settled. In 1867 Rev. Levi Henry Cobb was installed and occupied the pulpit until 1874, when a call was extended to Rev. Perrin. B. Fisk, who continued to preach until 1877. In 1878 he was followed by Rev. Thomas M Boss, who was dismissed in 1884, and in the following year Rev. Charles S. Mills was installed as pastor and continued until 1888. Since that time the pulpit has been occupied by Rev. William O. Weeden, a graduate of Andover Theological School.
The centennial of this church was celebrated September 26, 1881. The present church edifice is the same as built in 1834, excepting that in 1868 extensive repairs were made, the front and the tower being added. In 1887 an organ loft was built in the rear and the interior thoroughly renovated. At that time was also placed in the front of the church a memorial window by the widow of Frederick Parks.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield .- Methodism was first introduced into Vermont in 1796, but it was not until 1804 that there
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
was any attempt to organize a society in Springfield. In that year per- mission was given to hold a quarterly meeting in the church supported by the town. In 1813 a church was built by subscription, on Seminary Hill, it being the present high school building. The pulpit was supplied by circuit preachers, the Rev. Mr. Skeels being among the first; also Rev. Dexter Bates. During service the males and females sat on oppo- site sides of the church. The district at this time included, besides Springfield, Perkinsville and Charlestown, N. H., and was under the charge of New Hampshire Conference. Rev. R. H. Spaulding was pastor from 1839 to 1841, and was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Kidder, who re- mained one year. In 1842 the district comprised Chester and Spring- field, and by agreement the pastors, Revs. C. Fales and Isaac W. Huntley, alternated. During 1843 the present stone church was fin- ished, and dedicated December 17, 1844. On the formation of the Ver- mont Conference, in 1844, it assumed jurisdiction over this district, and Rev. J. Clark was appointed pastor. The old meeting-house was dis- posed of in this year for four hundred dollars. The annual meeting of the Vermont Conference was held at Springfield, June 10, 1846, and the town was made a district by itself. Rev. J. C. Aspinwall became pastor in that year and the following men have filled the position since, the year denoting the commencement of their terms, which generally began in the middle of the year: 1849, Isaac Smith; 1852, P. P. Ray ; 1854, Silas G. Kellogg ; 1856, A. T. Ballard ; 1858, Kimball Hadley ; 1859, S. H. Collum; 1861, H. W. Worthen ; 1863, W. D. Malcolm; 1865, Israel Luce; 1866, E. E. Bass; 1868, J. C. W. Coxe; 1871, H. W. Worthen ; 1874, O. M. Boutwell ; 1876, D. Dorchester ; 1878, N. F. Perry ; 1881, A. L. Cooper; 1882, J. McAnn ; 1884, W. J. Johnson ; 1886, A. L. Cooper; 1888, R. L. Bruce.
The presiding elders since 1836 have been as follows : 1836, E. Jor- dan ; 1840, W. D. Cass; 1841, S. Jared Perkins; 1844, C. C. Hardy ; 1849, J. C. Aspinwall; 1852, Z. Twitchell; 1854, H. Eastman; 1858, A. Webster; 1861, L. C. Hooker; 1863, H. W. Worthen; 1867, L. C. Dickinson ; 1871, J. W. Gurnsey ; 1875, J. D. Beaman ; 1879, H. A. Spencer; 1882, A. L. Cooper ; 1886, Richard Morgan.
The Universalist Society of Springfield .- Of the early history of this society in Springfield but little is known, as no official records are now
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
to be found. It is a fact, however, that an organization existed here as early as the latter part of the last century, as the following taken from the town records will show :
" SPRINGFIELD, November, 1795.
"This may certify whom it may concern that Silas Boyer is of and belongs to the Universalist society of the town aforesaid.
" Zebulon Streeter, Elder."
This society was located at Parker Hill and its members were resi- dents of Rockingham, as well as Springfield. Among those who com- posed the society were Leonard Walker, Leonard Parker, Phineas White, James Walker, David Fletcher, Timothy Goodnow, William Thayer, William Haseltine and Jonas Haseltine. A small but convenient house was built and known as " Society House of Worship," which was occu- pied for meetings on Sunday and for school on week days. The Rev. Russell Streeter was settled over this society during the early part of the present century, but after his removal the society depended on tran- sient and itinerant preachers, among whom were Revs. Warren and Adolphus Skinner. About 1830 the Rev. William Bell was pastor of the society and meetings were held at the brick school-house which stood near the present Universalist church in Springfield village. In 1834 the present church edifice was built by the Universalists and Epis- copalians and known as the Union church. From this time until 1840 the pulpit was occupied by various preachers of both denominations, even Parson Smiley consenting to fill the position for a season. The Rev. Solomon Laws was resident minister during 1840, and in the fol- lowing year was succeeded by Rev. George W. Bailey, who continued to 1847. During his ministry a church was organized with a member- ship of sixty-five. Others who filled the office of pastor were Rev. W. S. Ballou for two years ; Rev. J. W. Ford, 1849-51 ; Rev. J. Fisher, 1851-52; Rev. Luther Rice, 1852-56; Rev. Silas Farrington, W. H. Bassett, and Harrison Closson, 1856 to 1863 ; Rev. Asher Moore, 1864- 67. The latter was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Farnsworth, who re-organ- ized the church and had at one time a membership of one hundred and fifty-one ; but owing to deaths and removals the present member- ship is only about sixty. The society was re-organized about 1870, adopting a new constitution, which received the signatures of about
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
eighty. Rev. Mr. Farnsworth was succeeded in 1873 by Rev. J. F. Gates, and during that year the church edifice was remodeled and re- paired at a cost of nearly $8,000, and it became the sole property of the Universalist Society. The successive pastors after that time were Rev. J. F. Simmons, 1874 to 1878; Rev. Mrs. R. A. D. Tabor, 1878-79 ; Rev. G. W. Patten, 1880-82 ; Rev. F. S. Rice, 1882-87. In 1888 Rev. L. L. Green began to preach and remained to 1889. There is now no settled minister. There has been connected with the church since 1842 a large and prosperous Sabbath-school, sometimes numbering two hun- dred and fifty teachers and scholars.
North Springfield Baptist Church .- Though the name "Baptist" occurs in various places in the early town records, it refers to a society known as the Free Will Baptist church, which existed for a number of years and then became known as the Christian church, and now is the Advent church of North Springfield. In 1799, through the exertions of Rev. Aaron Leland, a Baptist minister of Chester, a powerful revival was begun which extended to the adjoining towns. This necessitated a division of the church at Chester, and on August 31, 1803, an ecclesi- astical council was held, and the " Weathersfield and Baltimore branch of the Chester Church " was made an independent body. The first reg- ular meeting was held September 8, 1803, at the house of Ephraim Boynton in Weathersfield, and messengers were elected to make appli- cation, which was received during September, 1803, to join the Wood- stock Baptist Association. Seth Houghton was elected first clerk, and Beman Boynton first deacon, which office he held until September 5, 1807, when Silas Bigelow was chosen, and filled the position till his death, August 27, 1833. At a council held February 8, 1809, Beman Boynton, having been licensed to preach, was ordained and became the first settled minister, and continued until 1817. The first baptisms in the church occurred March 4, 1810, the candidates being Enos Young, John Streeter, Elisha Bowen, Polly Kendall, Lydia Farwell, Anna Young, Amy Young, and Lucy Streeter. During 1815 the first meet- ing-house was built, northeast of the present one about a quarter of a mile distant. It faced south, and was forty-three feet wide, and nearly sixty feet long. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder Aaron Leland. Jewett Boynton, sr., became clerk September 2, 1815, but
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HISTORY OF WINDSOR COUNTY.
resigned in 1823, when Jonathan Boynton was chosen. The pulpit was filled by Rev. Isaac Bucklyn for a short time in the years 1817-18, and · he was succeeded by Rev. Revel Lathrop to 1819; in November, 1820, Rev. Richard M. Ely accepted the pastorate. In May, 1830, Jewett Boynton, jr., was made clerk, and in November of the same year Rev. Ezra Fisher began preaching, and continued to November 9, 1832. From May 19, 1833, to May 6, 1837, Rev. Cyrus W. Hodges officiated as pastor, and during his service the present brick church was erected ; it was dedicated December 30, 1835. Other succeeding pastors were Rev. M. D. Miller, from April, 1837, to 1839; Rev. Benjamin Brierly, to 1841 ; Rev. D. M. Crane, 1842 to 1845 ; Rev. Nathaniel Cudworth, 1845 to 1849; Rev. Baxter Burrow, 1850 to 1858; Rev. W. L. Picnell, January, 1858, to his death September 28, 1867; Rev. Ephraim P. Frenyear, November, 1867, to December, 1868; Rev. D. M. Crane, 1870 to 1875 ;- during the early part of his pastorate the present parsonage was built ;- Rev. Robert G. Johnson, August, 1875, to 1883; and from that time to 1885 the church was under the care of Rev. J. H. Robbins. The church was thoroughly repaired and remodeled at an expense of about $2,000 in 1885-86, during which period there was no settled minister. Rev. I. W. Coombs began preaching in 1886, and continued to the spring of 1888, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. W. H. Bartlett. In 1888 Joshua Upham was elected clerk, succeeding Edson X. Pierce, who removed from town, having held that position since 1861.
St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church .- From the early settlement of the town there were members of this church among the inhabitants, and prior to the present century parishes were organized in Weathers- field and Rockingham. In 1834 the present Universalist church was built, the Episcopals aiding in the work and owning pews; but their in - terest was afterwards disposed of to the Universalists.
At this time Rev. Luman Foote was rector, he being a resident of Drewsville, N. H., and he had charge of both parishes for a time, after which the society depended on ministers sent by the bishop of the dio- cese and those who were especially invited to preach. Through the efforts of the ladies of a sewing circle and the Episcopal members an attempt was again made to establish a parish, and the present name was
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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.
given to the church. The Rev. Joseph McIlwaine was rector during parts of the years 1868-69. After his departure the interest seemed to die out, and meetings ceased entirely. In 1887 Rev. Charles W. Coit, rector at Charlestown N. H., persuaded a number of the members of the church to hold meetings, and offered his services gratuitously. A meet- ing was held September 18, 1887, the society having been organized in the spring of 1886. Rev. Mr. Coit continued in charge of the parish until his removal from Charlestown in September, 1888. Since that time Rev. Edward N. Goddard, of Windsor, Vt., has had charge, under appointment of the bishop. Meetings are held in the vestry of the Congregational church on alternate Sundays.
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