USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 30
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In July, they appointed delegates to the Richmond conference and at this time probably united with that body.
In January, 1798, Thomas Brown was ordained and became pastor, serving two years. He appears to have been one of the first settlers of the town, which was organized but six years before the organization of the church, and it is supposed that all who were first constituted into a church, were previously members of Bap- tist churches.
From June to August 25th, there were received into the church forty members, the fruit of a revival, the first the town ex- perienced. It appears that one young woman dreamed of having much trouble to keep clear of the devil, who was continually fol- lowing her wherever she went, and she saw no possibility, however untiring her efforts, to escape him, but concluded that his she must be. After troubling herself about her dream for some time, she finally disclosed it to a christian neighbor, who observed that she wished all would manifest as much zeal and diligence in keeping out of the hands of the devil.
At length, the young woman was led to lay hold on the hope set before her in the Gospel, when she felt herself free from the power
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of the devil. She commenced exhorting her companions, and the result was that the meetings became more interesting and soon the intelligence was spread through the town that a revival of religion was in that neighborhood and people came to see what a revival was, and the result was that the interest spread through the whole town.
EAST SWANTON
In 1802, David Hurlbut was ordained evangelist. In 1803, a Baptist society was formed. At the time, application was made to the town for the privilege of holding a Baptist society meeting on east road, to choose a moderator, society clerk, and other officers. The meeting was held and a Baptist society organized by choice of John Baker, moderator; Wm. Green, clerk; Stephen Robinson, treasurer; Israel Robinson, collector; Joshua Calkins, Wm. Green, John Baker, committee; Asa Green, Isaac Lackey, and Otis Free- man, assessors. (1st Town Book p. 119). Several of these were not members of the church, some of them Congregationalists, there being no Congregational church near. This organization continued for many years. Preaching was supported on the grand list. After a few months' service by Josiah Orcutt, Jesse Smith commenced preaching to the church and was settled as pastor in 1804. Josiah Orcutt was again employed and continued to supply the pulpit from 1808 to 1811 or 1812, soon after which he died. In 1814, Elder Phineas Culver began to serve as pastor. Revivals attended his work. Under his faithful ministry the church at- tained its largest membership. On April 7th, of that year, a large number were baptized; among them Francis W. Emmons, about sixteen years of age. Fifty years afterward he returned, an or- dained minister, preached a good sermon and gave a short history of his life. Between this and 1820, in connection with the Con- gregationalists, they built a meeting-house, and shortly afterward Elder Roswell Mears was employed as pastor, continuing his work four or five years. In 1830, Elder Culver again supplied them, alternating with Roswell Mears, and twenty-one were received that year by baptism. In this year they denounced and renounced
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Freemasonry. Elder Daniel Sabin was pastor from 1836 till 1846. In 1840, protracted meetings were held, assisted by Elder Baldwin, and about thirty were added to the church. The old meeting- house falling to decay, a new one was built and dedicated January 1, 1850. J. Cressey was pastor, 1848-1849; P. C. Hines, 1851-1854. During most of 1854, they were supplied by students from Fairfax. Geo. H. Bixby was pastor five years, 1855-1860; and welcomed at least fifty members. A season of depression followed. During the years, 1861, 1862, 1863, they had no pastor; J. G. Lorimer and F. E. Osburn, then students at Fairfax, supplied.
In 1865, H. C. Leavitt was settled, a parsonage purchased and prospects brightened. This pastorate ended October 1, 1867. A. S. Gilbert, ordained June 30, 1870, served till April, 1873. From April, 1873-1875, A. L. Arms supplied. June 23, 1875, W. M. Mayhew was ordained. He remained till April, 1876. Rev. J. A. Johnson, from St. Albans, supplied for a time. G. A. Arms, 1877-1878. Beginning 1879, P. S. McKillop served. He was assisted, in 1880, by John Corrie and some fifty were converted, twenty-seven baptized. G. A. Wilkins served 1882-1884. All hearts were saddened by the death of his wife in 1883.
The church has been without a pastor since then, but has been supplied much of the time by the pastors from St. Albans. Mrs. Clara Powell was their spiritual leader in 1911, and the mem- bership was twenty-four.
WESTFORD
In the spiring of 1798, Rev. Jedediah Hebbard, of New Hamp- shire, found in Westford a little group of Baptists, who were like sheep in the wilderness, needing the shepherd's care. This he gave them, preaching as often as opportunity offered. Other preachers came to his assistance and soon a congregation was gathered, of reg- ular attendants upon the word. On the 23d of December, the Baptist church of Westford was organized with eleven members. Their names were: Deacon Isaac Chase, Deacon Uriel Stewart, Jonathan Chase, Reuben Smith, Lebeus Burdick, Jonas Hobart, Josiah Ingersoll, William Weaver, Levi Farnsworth, Avary Bur- dick and Truman Chase.
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The church was not favored with steady preaching until about three years after, when Rev. Thomas Brown moved into town and continued three years, after which Ephraim Butler was pastor for several years. In the year 1809, twenty were added, principally by baptism. Soon after this ingathering, a difficulty arose relative to their choice of a pastor, the church was divided, and both parties sent delegates to the next Association, claiming to be the Westford Baptist church. A council, called for the purpose of adjusting the difficulty, and a committee from the Association, both decided that Isaac Chase, Jacob Eastman, Reuben Burdick, Timothy Burdick, Jonathan Chase and others, who agreed with them, were in order and on Gospel ground and advised the other party to confess their fault and renew their covenant with the others. This they were unwilling to do and maintained separate services for a time and then became extinct as an organization.
The war of 1812, and the cold year of 1816, caused much suf- fering. These things made the people feel their need of divine help and comfort. Their fidelity in attendance upon the means of grace is illustrated by the following incident from the life of Rev. Alvah Sabin, p. 53: "Deacon Jonas Hobart lived about four miles from the place of worship, and the road lay over a small mountain. His father and mother lived in a house near him. They were both over seventy years of age, but were uniformly at meeting. They made the journey in this way. One of them would take the horse and ride to the top of the hill while the other walked. Then the one who had ridden would hitch the horse and go down the hill on foot. The one who had walked up the hill would ride down. After church they reversed the order and so went home."
Some of the early records are lost and so a full history cannot be written, but two ministers are mentioned in the records before Elder Sabin. These were Rev. Thomas Brown and Rev. Phineas Culver. Alvah Sabin's pastorate began in 1821. On the 29th of April, that year, some ten or twelve Baptists, who lived in a part of the town some distance from the place of meeting, presented their letters and were received, adding not only numbers but sub- stantial strength to the church. About the same time, some who had been disfellowshiped came with confessions of fault and were
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restored to membership. The church felt their need of some more convenient place of worship, and applied to the Congregational church for the privilege of holding meetings in the town meeting- house, (toward the cost of which the Baptists had contributed,) on Sundays, when it was not otherwise occupied. The answer given was that the Baptists could have the use of the meeting- house when it was unoccupied, except on Sundays. The manifest injustice of this action awakened for the Baptists a measure of popular sympathy, and they were enabled with the cooperation of the Methodists, to erect another meeting-house, facing the green opposite the old meeting-house. An extensive revival began in 1824 and Elder Sabin baptized between fifty and sixty, and the Methodists as many more. Elder Sabin continued his pastoral work about seven years. Meanwhile, the society, duly incorporated, had purchased five acres of land conveniently near the meeting- house and erected a parsonage and barn at a cost of about $1250, which was raised by subscription, except $450, the avails of their proportion of the ministerial rights in land reserved for this purpose.
Jeremiah Hall was next pastor, ordained February 1, 1831. It was his happy lot to lead this people during the remarkable revival of 1831. In the short pastorate of less than three years, Mr. Hall welcomed thirty-eight to the church, mostly by baptism.
Isaiah Huntley, of Duxbury, commenced preaching here in the fall of 1832 and continued four and a half years. During that time, thirty-six were added to the church. In June, 1837, James M. Beeman, of Fairfax, was ordained pastor and served four years. These were trying years. In 1840, there were one hundred and forty members. In September, 1840, William Miller, of New York, began to lecture in Westford. As a result of his preaching, the Bap- tist church lost nearly half of its members.
For a while, previous to 1886, the church was in a discouraged condition. Then came Rev. Thomas Tellier, first as a home mis- sionary and then as pastor, and for seven years he put his life into this field and the results were wonderful. The people responded to his hopefulness and courage, and cooperated with him in efforts for material improvement and equally for spiritual improvement, the membership doubled, the church was repaired, sheds built,
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parsonage built, and the church greatly encouraged and strength- ened. The Methodists had for many years united with the Bap- tists in worship, but about 1892 they repaired their own house of worship and began holding meetings by themselves. Mr. Tellier's pastorate closed, September, 1893. Among the strong support- ers of the church were Henry Woodruff and R. M. Huntley, for many years church clerk, and Mrs. R. M. Huntley, a member for more than sixty years, and Deacon George Huntley. Mr. James. Conlon came to this country from Ireland when sixteen years old. His father and mother died of cholera during the voyage, leaving a family of children to enter, as strangers, a strange land. Mr. Con- lon fought in the Rebellion of Canada, in 1837-1838. He served in the Mexican war in 1847-1848; and in the Civil war, 1864-1865. He endowed the church with $200, the interest of which is to be- used for the preaching of the Gospel. E. Hatfield was pastor, 1894- 1896. E. P. Lyon was ordained pastor, May 24, 1896.
Having omitted the names of some of the pastors in the fore- going account, we give here the full list of pastors in the order of their service:
Thomas Brown, Phineas Culver, Alvah Sabin, 1821-1828; Jeremiah Hall, 1828-1831; Isaiah Huntley, 1832-1837; J. M. Bee- man, 1837-1841; Chester Ingraham, 1841; O. W. Babcock, R. D. Hodge, T. C. Morley, 1855-1857; J. Ferguson, 1857-1859; C. D. Fuller, 1860-1861; Nehemiah Pierce, 1862-1864; M. Howard, 1866; G. W. Arms, 1867-1871; A. A. Davis, M. L. Fox, 1875-1876; DeForest Safford, 1877-1883; T. Tellier, 1886-1893; E. Hatfield, 1894-1896; E. P. Lyon, 1896-1897; H. M. Hopkinson, 1899-1907; S. II. Chambers, 1908-1909; G. L. Cook, 1910; F. S. Leathers, 1911.
The membership in 1912 was thirty-four. The attendants were somewhat widely scattered and the Sunday school sustained a home department of one hundred or more members.
ESSEX CENTER
The first Baptist church in Essex, Vt., was organized with six members November, 1801, as a branch of the Westford church. The constituent members were Uriel Stewart, Joshua Bates, Peter
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Hubbard, Gardner Bullard, Thomas Fulsom, and Mehitable Bates. The branch became an independent church, January 16, 1802. The first baptism into the mission was William Ingraham, wife and daughter, November 14, 1801. William Ingraham was the father of Chester Ingraham, who was pastor of the church seventeen years. The church has had twenty-four different pastors. Two were called to a second pastorate. Their names are David Hurlbut, Ephraim Butler, David Boynton, Thomas Ravlin, Rob- ert Hastings, Chester Ingraham, Lyman Smith, M. G. Hodge, Isaiah Huntley, S. S. Kingsley, Jacob Gray, Holmes Chipman, Albert McGloughlin, Charles Coon, James A. Johnson, J. F. Ferguson, J. A. Leavitt, Irving W. Coombs, William Gussman, Richard Bradshaw, A. N. Woodruff, J. T. Buzzell, P. C. Abbey, N. W. Woolcott.
The following were ordained while pastor of this church: David Hurlbut, Ephraim Butler, Thomas Ravlin, Robert Hastings, Chester Ingraham, Jacob Gray, Albert McGloughlin, James A. Johnson, Richard Bradshaw. When without pastor, Isaiah Hunt- ley, Chester Ingraham, P. C. Abbey, Thomas Tellier, and Richard Nott, have acted as supplies. David Hurlbut was the first ordained and settled minister in the town of Essex. Prominent mention is due Chester Ingraham. Born in Essex, born again and baptized into the church, afterwards ordained and served the church for seventeen years as pastor. He always resided in Essex, but sup- plied churches in other parts of the State.
The church has enjoyed several extensive revivals.
In 1816, during the short pastorate of David Boynton, there was quite an ingathering. Ten were baptized in one day. In 1821, when the church was without a pastor, thirty were added to the church by baptism. Again in 1839-1840, following the lec- tures of William Miller, and during the pastorate of Chester In- graham, fifty were added to the church, forty-two by baptism. In 1842, during the pastorate of Lyman Smith, forty-one were bap- tized. In 1842, one hundred and thirty-seven members were re- ported to the Association. During the pastorate of David Gray, 1856 to 1858, as the result of a revival, thirty-four were added to the church by baptism. In 1874, another revival, the most gen-
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eral through the town since 1840, Rev. J. F. Ferguson was assisted by Rev. E. A. Whittier, the evangelist, and nearly a hundred in the town experienced hope in Christ and twenty united with this church. During ninety-five years of its history, four hundred and seventy persons were received, or an average of nearly five annually.
The first meeting-house was commenced in 1821, and com- pleted in 1827 or 1828, at a cost of $1,600. In 1839, this was de- stroyed by fire, and in 1840, another was built at a cost of $2,000. The present house was thoroughly remodelled in 1867-1868, at a cost of $3,000. From this church have been dismissed brothers and sisters to form the Baptist church in Jericho, and many more who have become reliable and efficient members of other churches.
SOUTH FAIRFIELD
The town of Fairfield began to be settled about the year 1789. Among the first comers were several Baptists, viz .: Andrew Brad- ley, John Leach and wife, Abram Northrop, and Hon. J. D. Farns- worth. These, together with a few Congregationalists, commenced holding meetings on Sundays in a barn. They enjoyed no preach- ing save as they were occasionally visited by some missionary, till 1796, when Rev. Ezra Wilmarth cast in his lot with them and preached two or three years. His work was abundantly blessed. About the close of the year 1900, an interesting revival occurred and for a time they were supplied by Elder Jedediah Hebbard, Joseph Marsh and Ephraim Sawyer. The result of this revival was the organizing of a church of thirty members in 1801. David Churchill was chosen deacon. Though destitute of a pastor, these held together and maintained religious meetings till 1811, when Elder Isaac Sawyer became pastor and served two years. These were years of the right hand of the Most High. In 1812, a powerful revival was in progress and thirty-three were baptized and eight received by letter. One of the first converts and most influential workers in this interesting work of grace was Sally Whitman, daughter of Jacob Whitman, and later the wife of Rev. Joseph Sawyer. Her first serious impressions were received one night upon her return from a ballroom, when she overheard some con-
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versation between her father and mother, expressing anxiety for her. A little later she gave her heart to the Saviour and began earnest effort to lead her companions to Him. Joseph Sawyer was then a young man of about twenty and had just commenced preach- ing.
One of his first efforts was on the very day that the battle was fought at Plattsburg. It was a time of great excitement and anxiety in Fairfield. When the British fleet, ascending the St. John's, had suddenly entered Lake Champlain and the cry came for volunteers, there was an instant rally-no patriot stopped to think-it was just go. Instantly the volunteers were together, and to the wonder of them all "Priest Wooster, " the Congregational pastor, was among them; and when one of his church members ex- pressed a doubt as to his being called to fight, it was reported that he said, "If fighting must be done, I might as well fight as others." The volunteers made him captain, and away they all hurried on. But there was considerable of Tory feeling in the community. As the company was leaving, Colonel Barlow stood on a wagon box and said he hoped they would never come back, or if they did it would be with missing limbs to remind them of their folly. Sally Whitman relates that when her father and the rest had gone, a neighbor came to the house, and finding her mother very sad and expressing her fear that some of them might be killed, made the cruel remark that it wouldn't hurt his feelings if none of them re- turned. It was under these circumstances that the people who were left went to the little schoolhouse for the usual Sunday ser- vices. Young Joseph Sawyer conducted the services. One of his youthful hearers has related the story. He says: "It was a solemn time when we heard the boom of the cannon. It made the win- dows rattle and we knew that the battle had commenced. The young preacher continued speaking in a low voice and impressive manner. Before he got through it was a rousing sermon. His text was, 'Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.' " The preacher went from his meeting to Fairfield Center, and there, in sympathy with anxious wives and mothers, he proposed to learn, as soon as possible, the fate of the volunteers. Hurriedly supplied with old linen for lint and bandages and many other articles known
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to be of use to the wounded, he rode away at sunset on his embassy for patriotic women in Fairfield. Just as the morning dawned, he descried on the sand bars the volunteers returning with their chaplain in the joy of victory, no one missing or materially harmed. Only a few weeks later occurred the marriage of Joseph Sawyer to Miss Sally Whitman, Judge J. D. Farnsworth officiating in the ceremony.
As a part of Fairfield history, if not specially of the Baptist church, it is interesting to know that, by way of compliment to the volunteers for their prompt movements, the Governor of the State presented to their captain, Priest Wooster, a large Bible; and the next Fourth of July celebration he led the procession, walking in front of the musicians, holding that Bible in his hands. A company of girls, representing the states of the Union, followed the musicians, all with wreaths of mountain evergreen upon their heads.
In 1814, Joseph Sawyer was licensed to preach and to the great satisfaction of the church they enjoyed his labors about a year. The church now was scattered over a large territory, and that all might enjoy the privileges of church, they commenced holding their meetings in two different parts of the town.
Elder Amos Booth was pastor, 1817-1818; Elder Ephraim Butler, half the time, 1820-1821; Elder William Chase, 1822; Elder J. Spaulding, 1824-1825. From 1828 to 1830 was the most prosperous season the church ever enjoyed. Elder William Arthur, father of President Arthur, was pastor, and his work was fruitful and edifying. Half of the time services were held in the north part of the town and one-half the time in the town house.
The church had become large and scattered over so wide a territory, it was thought best to organize a new church. Accord- ingly, forty-six members were dismissed to form a church in the north part of the town. This reduced the church to a feeble band of thirty-two members. Elder Arthur became pastor of the new church. From 1830 to 1838, the South Fairfield church was sup- plied one-half the time by Elders C. P. Hines, Ephraim Butler, and Simon Fletcher. Then came a time of sorrow. A number of the most active and efficient brethren became Universalists, weak- ening this church.
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Madison Beeman supplied them in 1839-1840; H. D. Hodge and R. A. Hodge, 1841; J. M. Beeman, 1842-1844; O. W. Babcock, 1846; C. J. Bryant, 1847. From this time the church ceased to re- port to the Association and in 1856, its name disappears from the minutes.
FLETCHER
By a sketch, prepared in 1841, we learn that Sarah Church was the first Baptist in town and she commenced her residence in 1800. In 1801, Elder Joseph Call and his wife came to the place, and in 1804 or 1805, he was hired part of the time. In the spring of 1817, Joseph Wilcox, living in the southeast part of Fairfax, established religious meetings at the center schoolhouse, once in two weeks, for a year. July 5 of that year, a Baptist church was formed and recognized by a council the following August. Elder David Boynton succeeded Mr. Wilcox and Ephraim Butler fol- lowed him. The meetings were held in a meeting-house, owned jointly by Baptists and Methodists, and their meetings were held alternately. Elder Butler retained his membership here from September 17, 1825, till September 10, 1842. In 1830, a temper- ance society was organized, some heartily favoring it, others violently opposing and discord in the church resulted.
In August, 1841, Elder Chester Ingraham united with the church as pastor. In the winter of 1845, Rev. O. W. Babcock, of Westford, finding difficulties existing that could not be settled amicably, advised disbanding, and this advice was followed, April 12, 1845 The number of members, when organized, was nine. Whole number included in membership from beginning, ninety- eight. James Robinson served the church, both as deacon and clerk, during the whole existence of the church.
June 26, 1845, a new Baptist church was organized, consisting of nine of the members of the original church. Alvah Chase was chosen clerk, which office he held till his death in 1851. In 1852, Willis Leach was appointed clerk, and in 1858, deacon.
In the year 1847, Rev. J. C. Bryant, then settled at the Bap- tist church in Caml ridge Center, began work here and remained
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till the spring of 1851, when P. C. Himes of Wells, Maine, settled at East Swanton, ministering to the church there and at this place alternate Sundays. From September, 1852, until the spring of 1856, the pulpit was supplied by various theological students, to- gether with Dr. Smith from New Hampton Institution, Fairfax. Then Rev. Geo. W. Bixby was with the church one year. Prof. Cummings, of New Hampton Institution, was also pastor one year, 1858 or 1859. From that time, till 1866, the church was again de- pendent upon student supplies. From 1868, till August 3, 1871, little was done and no records kept. In the summer of 1870, the church, in connection with the Methodist, succeeded in building a house of worship, each church owning one-half. This was dedi- cated in February, 1871. L. B. Elliott was chosen clerk, which office he held till his death. Josiah White was chosen deacon and he too held his position till death, December 21, 1880. Rev. L. B. Parker was pastor, 1871-1875; I. W. Coombs, 1876; M. L. Fox, died while pastor, June 12, 1877; De F. Safford succeeded him, September, 1877, and preached till 1881.
September 25, 1852, the church granted a license to preach to J. W. Buzzell. He studied theology at New Hampton Institution and was ordained at East Sheldon in 1856. July 7, 1855, Corwin Blaisdell was licensed to preach. He studied theology at Fairfax, also, and was ordained at Colton, N. Y. In 1887, Rev. Henry Crocker, pastor of the Fairfax church, began to preach alternate Sundays in the afternoon, and continued to do so till 1893, when he was obliged to give it up for lack of strength to do the work of both churches.
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