USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 32
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385
HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
HUNTINGTON
This church was organized as a branch of the Hinesburg church May 17, 1828. Elder Peter Chase officiated at the first meeting of the church and Amos Dike was clerk. January 1, 1833, Daniel Bennett commenced to preach one-third of the time for one year. April 6th, the church separated from the Hinesburg church and became the Huntington church, with twenty-six mem- bers. These were: Amos Pike, Aaron Firman, John Ellis, Harry Williams, Lumon Loveland, James Hazard, George Small, Lemuel Livermore, Lydia Dike, Mary Firman, Catherine Ellis, Susan Williams, Lucinda Small, Hannah Ellis, Polly Fargo, Roby Car- penter, Mary Ann Livermore, Betsy Bunker, Hannah Fitch, Mary Derby, Sarah Ingersol, Lucy King, Mary Firman, 2nd, Phileta Marieo, Sibil Livermore, Hannah Ellis, 2nd. Harry Will- iams was clerk, 1837-1843; John Work, 1843-1861; Joseph Butts, 1861-1875; O. Ellis, 1875; Aaron Firman was first deacon, hold- ing office till his death, 1843, when John Ellis succeeded him. G. B. Andrews was chosen November 7. Elder Daniel Bennett labored with the church six or seven years one-third of the time, commencing January 1, 1833. A. D. Low, (licensed) preached in the winter of 1840-1841. William Hurlbut commenced his min- istry here; was ordained and became pastor September, 1841. He remained with the church over eleven years. In 1843, twenty were received by baptism and four by letter, about doubling the membership of the church. In 1840, they built their first meeting- house; J. Ellis, S. Buel, H. Williams and A. Firman, bearing nearly the whole burden. The following incident in connection with this building is related :
Mr. Harry Williams called one evening at Mr. J. Ellis' and suggested that the Baptists ought to have a house of worship, as there were three other denominations occupying the schoolhouse in that place. The question arose, How can it be done? Mrs. Carter Ellis said she would help all she could. She had two geese and one gander, and she said she would give all she could get from them. The old goose laid eighteen eggs. She set five under a hen and thirteen under the goose. Every egg hatched. The old
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
goose took care of them for three weeks, when she was missing. Search revealed the fact that the old gander had taken charge of the eighteen goslings and the old goose was laying again in her old nest under the barn. She laid eight eggs and hatched seven gos- lings, making a family of twenty-five. Twenty of them matured. The young goose raised ten. Mr. Ellis saved one for Thanksgiving and sold twenty-nine in Burlington for seventeen cents apiece. The feathers sold for sixty-two cents per pound. The proceeds were given to aid in building the house of worship. Others were stimulated to bring in their mites. The material having been ob- tained, the building was commenced. Mrs. C. Ellis went a dis- tance of a mile and carried a warm dinner to the workmen until the building was finished. Mr. Ellis, after working on his farm all day, would drive to Bristol in the evening and be gone all night after lumber. Mr. John Fitch, having only pine lumber, gave a supply of this for the new meeting-house. He was not a religious man. This house served the church till 1861, when they joined with the Free Baptists and built a larger house.
After Elder Hurlbut's long pastorate the church was supplied by different ones for short periods. Chester Ingraham, of Essex, in 1855: G. W. Bixby, in 1863; G. W. Arms, in 1864; J. S. Small, in 1867, 1868, and 1869. In 1874, I. P. Kellogg became pastor, continuing till about 1876. In 1874, special meetings were held, assisted by E. A. Whittier, evangelist, and the church was much re- vived and eight were added to its membership. In 1884, A. S. Gilbert of Hinesburg supplied once in four weeks; I. P. Kellogg again in 1887. From that time on the church declined, having only occasional preaching. In 1893, the name of the church was removed from the list of churches in the Lamoille Association as having become extinct.
NORTH FAIRFAX
The North Fairfax neighborhood was settled by emigrants from Bennington, among whom were a few Baptists who "spake. often to one another" concerning the things of the Kingdom, and welcomed itinerant preachers, as Elder Call and Elder Crossman,
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
prayed for the conversion of their neighbors. In 1816 and 1817, the Spirit's influence was felt in the community and quite a num- ber were converted and some of these united with the church in Fairfax. It was not, however, till November, 1827, that it was deemed prudent to organize a church. Then, encouraged by the help of Daniel Sabin, of Georgia, an organization was effected and the church recognized by a council the following June, 1828. The name given the organization was "The New Church of Fairfax."
The constituent members of the North Fairfax church were: Alonzo Mason, Peabody Babcock, Francis Story, Moses Howard, Asahel Story, Ruth Story, Chloe Story, Hulda Babcock, Nancy Beeman, Mary Howard, Hannah Mason, Phila Mason and Polly Beeman.
In December, 1828, Daniel Sabin was ordained pastor. The next year, in the month of September, there were some indications of special interest, and at the close of a Sabbath meeting, liberty was given for any who wished to speak, when a young man, under deep emotion, asked that old and most important question, "What shall I do to be saved?" The inquiry fanned the latent interest into a flame, and a powerful revival followed, in which some sixty persons gave evidence of conversion and twenty-three were bap- tized into the membership of this church; most of these were heads of families. In the autumn of 1836, under the evangelistic labors of Elder Isaiah Huntley, came another gracious ingathering. Twenty-three were baptized, all in the vigor of youth. Three years later, Rev. J. D. Baldwin, then in the service of the State Convention, led the church in evangelistic services. Elder Daniel Sabin's health failing about 1840, he retired from active pastoral work, much to the regret of his people. The church secured the labors of Rev. O. W. Babcock one-half the time and prospered. In November, 1842, the Lamoille Association held a quarterly meeting with this church, which was followed by a deep, religious interest. Elder Daniel Sabin's health continuing poor, the services of Elder L. A. Dunn, of Fairfax, were secured for one-half the time. This arrangement continued till about 1849. Rev. G. B. Bills preached in 1850; R. A. Hodge, 1851 and 1852; G. W. Bixby, 1853 and 1854.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
The establishing of New Hampton Institution in Fairfax was an encouragement to the church in North Fairfax. One of the teachers, M. A. Cummings, was secured as a supply, and in 1856, was ordained by this church and continued to serve the church till 1860. For a few years, students from the Institution supplied the pulpit. Then in 1865, Rev. G. W. Arms served three years. For about ten years the church was without regular preaching, then arrangement was made with the church in St. Albans and its pastor, Rev. G. S. Pratt, supplied about three years. From that time the church declined till about 1890, when it disbanded.
NORTH FAIRFIELD
This church was organized May 26, 1830, with fifty-two mem- bers, forty-six of whom had been previously members of the South Fairfield church and were dismissed for this purpose. Elder William Arthur, who had been pastor of the South church, took charge of this branch and continued in that relation two years. He was followed by Elder James Rockwell, one year. In March, 1835, the church carried into effect a plan of itinerant preaching, in connection with several other churches. Elder Luther Cole and Elder Moses Flint were the preachers the first year, and Elder Moses Flint and Elder James M. Beeman the second year. Then Elder William Chase commenced preaching one-fourth of the time and continued till 1841. In the spring of 1839, Elder J. Baldwin assisted in special revival meetings, and as a result, twelve were baptized by Pastor Chase. Brother Edwin Adreon came to re- side in town in 1841, and preached to this church one-half the time. Asahel Farnsworth and Elias Sherman were chosen deacons and ordained to their office. In 1842, twenty-eight were received by baptism. J. M. Beeman was pastor, 1843-1845. In 1844, thirteen members were dropped from the list. The same year a church was organized in the east part of the town and reported to the Associa- tion, under the name of the East Fairfield Baptist church. The name does not appear again. The natural inference is that this number were dropped to form the new church which soon became extinct. The cause of this separation is not known. The names
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
of I. Waldron, J. Spaulding, J. Bowdich, appear as supplies during the next decade. In 1857, the North Fairfield church joined with the church in Sheldon in the support of a pastor, whose services they enjoyed alternate Sundays. The name of the North Fairfield church disappears from the minutes, and the name Sheldon and Fairfield church appears for a few years. In 1858, this church ordained J. W. Buzzell as pastor, and had a membership of thirty- two. In 1860, Corwin Blaisdell was the preacher. After this time the name of the North Fairfield church disappears from the minutes, and its history as a church thus ends.
HINESBURG
The Baptist church in Hinesburg was constituted May 30, 1810, consisting of eighteen members, seven men and eleven women. These members, most of whom lived in Hinesburg, were dismissed from the church in Monkton. The most perfect harmony and christian affection existed between the mother church and the newly organized band. Elder Isaac Sawyer, then pastor of the Monkton church, preached for them occasionally and adminis- tered the ordinances. The eighteen constituent members were: John Beecher, and his wife, Lydia; Asa Moon and his wife, Hannah; John Miles and his wife, Mary Ann; John Beecher and his wife, Clarissa; Elisha Booth and his wife, Elizabeth; Stephen Post and his wife, Hannah; Amos Dike, Merch McEuen, Anna Willard, Rhoda Bostwick, Hulda E. Booth, Lydia Andrews.
The church has had a large number of pastors, most of whom have served for only a few years. The longest pastorates have been those of Peter Chase, six years; I. G. Burwell, twelve years; A. S. Gilbert, nine years; C. W. Safford, six years.
Rev. Peter Chase came to Hinesburg on invitation of the Bap- tist church in May, 1821, and continued to preach to the church until August, 1828. During the years of 1823 and 1824. he taught a select school in the masonic hall, and the success of this school led to the origin of the academy, and in its organization and in the erection of the building. Mr. Chase took a very active and success- ful part, as also in the erection of the Baptist meeting-house. He
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
had commenced study of the languages and the higher branches of academical education at the age of twenty-one, and pursued his studies with great diligence and success for four years, mostly in Philadelphia. He is said to have acquired the ability to read with considerable ease, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, German and French. He transcribed Chaldee grammar, from the only copy he could find in Philadelphia, in 1820. He went from Hinesburg to Williston in 1828, and thence to West Enosburg (1862).
The succession of pastors, time of service and the blessing of God upon the united evangelistic efforts of pastors and church, as indicated by the number of baptisms, are shown in the accompany- ing table. The church has been blessed at frequent intervals with gracious outpourings of the Spirit and the conversion of souls, as these figures clearly show.
Time of
service
Name
No. of Baptism
1813-1814
Samuel Churchill
1
1818-1821
Ephraim Butler
79
1822-1828
Peter Chase 66
1831-1832
S. S. Parr
18
1833-1834
William Arthur
33
1834-1837
John Ide 29
1839-1840
Amasa Brown
44
1841-1843
W. G. Johnson
22
1844-1847
A. H. Stowell
2
1849-1851
M. G. Hodge
38
1852-1855
W. L. Picknell
2
1856-1858
Archibald Wait
5
1859-1861
Freeman Gregory
20
1863-1867
Reuben Sawyer
2
1867-1878
I. G. Burwell
58
1878-1887
A. S. Gilbert
24
1888-1889
G. H. Page -
1890-1891
P. C. Abbey
22
1893-1895
William Fuller
1935
REV. EZRA BUTLER Governor of Vermont, 1826-1828 First President of the Vermont Baptist State Convention Born, 1763-Died, 1838
[This is a composite picture, copyrighted by the Tuttle Company of Rutland, and courteously loaned for this publication.]
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
1896-1897
C. Ayer 2
1899-1903
C. W. Safford 19
1905-1906
Philbert Contios 13
1907-1910
E. S. Greenleaf
6
1911
N. C. Cushing
Two branches of this church have become independent bodies. In 1828, eighteen members went out to form the Baptist church in Williston, the mother church of the Burlington church. In the same year twenty-six members were set off to form the Baptist church in Huntington.
The Hinesburg church has given of her sons a goodly number for the christian ministry. It gave license to Thomas Ravlin in 1814, to Emery Hills in 1827, to Perly Work in 1837, to Solomon Johnson, son of W. G. Johnson, 1842; Carlton E. Miles, 1842; Mr. Thayer, 1860; and John S. Beecher, 1844. Mr. Beecher gave himself to the foreign missionary work in 1854, going out first under the Foreign Missionary Society, and after a few years re- turned to this country and went again under the Free Missionary Society.
In 1827, it built a substantial house of worship, and later a vestry, which was used for some years, and then sold. Expensive repairs and improvements have been made upon their meeting- house from time to time.
Among the early members, men of strong character and ear- nest piety, these may be mentioned: John Beecher, John Miles, Edmund Baldwin, Elisha Booth, Asa Moon, Philo Ray, Shubael Clark, (colored), Stephen Post, Joseph Stearns, Lyman Beecher. Descendants of four of these names, Baldwin, Beecher, Miles and Post have long been among the main supporters of the church. Membership, seventy-seven (1912).
WATERBURY
Previous to 1791, so far as is known, there was but one pro- fessor of religion in the town except one woman, a Congregationalist, whose membership was in another place. At this time the in-
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
habitants were few and their homes far apart. No religious meet- ings were held and little attention paid to this subject. In De- cember of that year, it pleased the Lord to arrest the attention of Ezra Butler to the subject of his soul's salvation. After having spent five or six days, and having been driven hard upon the borders of despair, he obtained evidence that he had passed from death unto life, and was enabled to go on his way rejoicing. A year later he was baptized by Elder Joseph Call. The next year David Atkins and his wife, who had moved into town from Clare- mont, N. H., were baptized. These three united with the Baptist church in Bolton. Later a few other Baptists moved into Water- bury without uniting with any neighboring church. About the year 1800, the brethren in Bolton, impressed with the need of more laborers in their field, which seemed to be white for the harvest, began offering prayer for that object, and soon became convinced that one of their own number was endowed with gifts fitted for that purpose, and that it was their duty to call Ezra Butler to ordination. A council was called and Mr. Butler was ordained in his own house in February, 1801. The next May, the few Bap- tists residing in Waterbury, eight or ten in all, organized a Baptist church there. These walking in the fear of the Lord and the com- fort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied, until they numbered about thirty. But a season of declension followed. Some apparently apostatized and the love of others became cold. Deacon Atkins, and his family, removed to Springfield, Ohio, and some to other parts of the land. Elder Butler's health became impaired so that he could not preach all the time, the ordinance of the supper was neglected and the church lost its visibility in 1807.
From 1807 to 1819, there was no Baptist church in town, nor any great amount of Baptist preaching. Spiritual interest, how- ever, did not wholly cease and now and then a convert was won to Christ. Toward the close of the winter of 1819, without apparent effort on the part of christians and in the absence of the means of grace, the Spirit of God wrought on the hearts of the people, prayer meetings were held in different neighborhoods, and a num- ber were hopefully converted. This work proved quite deep and continuous. Desire for a church was awakened and on the 6th
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
of August, 1819, a church was constituted, consisting of twenty members, with Ezra Butler, pastor; Paul Dillingham and Chester Whitney, deacons. The interest continuing, within a year and a half twenty-two were brought into church fellowship, most of whom were heads of families. From 1821 to 1825, on account of the poor health of Elder Butler and the lack of means to employ others, the services and ordinances were not regularly observed.
In 1826, while general apathy prevailed, some were deeply con- cerned, appointed neighborhood meetings, and were given the spirit of prayer and exhortation. A revival followed and twelve were added by baptism. Meetings were held more regularly. Samuel Sebra, a licentiate, assisted Elder Butler. In 1831, a substantial brick meeting-house as erected. Special meetings were held, assisted by Rev. J. M. Graves. There were, however, some difficulties in the church of long standing, which were not wholly removed, although some twenty-five were added to the number of members and the church strengthened.
For four or five years following, the church passed through the waters of affliction and trial. Elder Butler's health would not allow him to perform much pastoral work. The difficulties de- veloped into larger proportions. In 1833, Deacons Dillingham and Whitney, becoming aged, were excused from official duties and Ezra Butler and Daniel Green, appointed in their places. Elder John Ide was secured as pastor, and recognized March 13, 1834. Deacon Green was excused from office and Erastus Parker ap- pointed.
Elder Ide's ministry was fruitful and thirty-two were received by baptism and letter. Elder Aaron Angier was next pastor, 1836-1839, and thirty-two were added by baptism and otherwise. In March, 1839, Elder Julius P. Hall was chosen pastor. Revival followed and fourteen were added. This pastorate continued until 1850. The membership reached the number one hundred and one in 1847, and then began a decline which was somewhat rapid and seldom arrested. S. Gustin was pastor, 1852. I. J. Cressey, who became pastor in 1853, died in 1855. The meeting-house, becom- ing unfit for use, a new one was erected in 1858. Pason Tyler was pastor, 1858-1861; G. A. Bixby, 1862; L. B. Hibbard, 1864-1866;
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
A. N. Woodruff, 1867-1868; E. Goodspeed, 1869-1870. Then for ten years the church maintained a feeble existence, holding coven- ant meetings but seldom having preaching. Letters to the As- sociation became infrequent. In 1878, came the pitiful plea, "Do not drop us, pray for us." In 1881, encouraged by a visit of G. S. Chase, missionary of the State Convention, a pastor was secured for one year, G. A. Wilkins. From that time the name of the church only (with the name of the clerk, Mrs. Mary Tyler, 1882-1883) was inserted in the minutes of the Association till 1896, when it disappeared.
The life of Ezra Butler was so interwoven with that of the Waterbury Baptist church, in particular, that a fuller account of this remarkable man may fittingly be inscribed here.
Mr. Butler was the son of Asaph Butler, and was born in Lancaster, Worcester County, Mass., September 24, 1763. He was the fifth of seven children, four sons and three daughters. In his seventh year his father moved to West Windsor, Vt., where his mother, whose maiden name was Jane McAllister, soon died, and where he spent the next seven or eight years, mainly in the family of his elder brother, Joel Butler. When about fourteen years of age, he went to live with Dr. Stearns of Claremont, N. H., as a laborer on his farm, and with the exception of six months, in his seventeenth year, when he was a soldier in the army of the Revo- lution, he continued in the service of Dr. Stearns, having almost the entire management of his farm, until he was of age.
In 1785, having spent a few months previous in Weathersfield, he came to Waterbury, in company with his brother, Asaph, next older than himself. They came to Judge Paine's in Williamstown, with an ox team. The rest of the way they came on snow-shoes, drawing their effects on a hand-sled, the snow being three or four feet deep. It must have been a joyful day to the Marsh family when these two young men, with their hand-sled, hauled up before their door. Their loneliness, in part at least, was ended. Mr. Butler and his brother immediately made their pitch, near where Mr. C. C. Corse afterward resided, and made a s nall clearing, planted it to corn, and returned to Weathersfield, where in June, of that year, Mr. Butler was married to Miss Tryphena Diggins.
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
He soon returned, and finding the title of the land on which he had pitched bad, he selected another right a little below the village, made a clearing, built a log house, and in September of 1786, moved into it with his wife and child, and on that place, he spent the remainder of his eventful life. He and his wife made their journey from Weathersfield on horseback, much of the way by a bridle-path, and in this way brought some of their effects, deemed most necessary in the matter of housekeeping. The brother, who first came with him, settled in Richmond, and twenty or thirty years later moved to the West. Mr. Marsh subsisted his family to a great extent, hunting and fishing, and into this pioneer life Mr. Butler was soon initiated. Their meat was that of the moose, the deer, and the bear, and in their pursuit they were often led far from home into the wilderness of neighboring towns, far up the mountain sides, not unfrequently camping out, the cold winter nights, to renew the chase in the morning. If faint with weariness and hun- ger they were ready to despair and to return with empty hands, the thought of a starving wife and children put new vigor into their limbs, new resolves into their hearts, and nerved them with the energy of desperation. Food they must have or perish in the pur- suit. It was a battle for life for themselves and their families, and bravely they fought it. It was a life full of thrilling adventures, with which, had the story of them been treasured, a volume might be filled. By these hardships the constitution of Mr. Butler was seriously impaired before he was thirty years old.
As Mr. Marsh was drowned before the next settler arrived. Mr. Butler was properly regarded as the pioneer man of the town. Though a young man, he took prominent part in all the private enterprises and public movements of the town. He built the first framed house in town-so long occupied by his son, Russell Butler. To him was issued the warrant to call a meeting of the freemen of Waterbury, in 1790, to organize the town, and at that meeting he was chosen town clerk. From this time the official life of Mr. Butler was remarkable. From this humble beginning he went through almost every grade to the chief magistracy of the State.
From 1794 to 1805, with the exception of 1798, he represented the town in the general assembly. In 1807, he was chosen both as
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
a representative and as a member of the council; and by the record of votes seems to have acted part of the time in one body and a part in the other. In 1808, he was again elected to the council and with the exception of 1813 and 1814, when he was in Congress, he was annually re-elected to this body until 1826.
In 1803, he was elected assistant judge of Chittenden County court, Waterbury, at that time belonging to that county, and was re-elected to that office the two following years. In 1806, he was elected chief judge of that court, and continued to hold that office until 1811. In 1811, Jefferson, now Washington County, was organized, and Judge Butler was elected chief judge of that county court, and except two years (1813 and 1814) when in Congress, he held that office until 1825, when the judicial system of the State was changed to substantially its present form, when Judge Butler was chosen first assistant judge of the court.
In 1806, he was chosen a member of the council of censors, and in 1822, a member of the constitutional convention. In 1804, and again in 1820, a presidential elector. In 1812, he was elected a member of Congress on the Republican general ticket, along with James Fisk, Wm. Strong, Wm. C. Bradley, Richard Skinner and Charles Rich. In 1814, the candidates of the Federal party were elected, entirely changing the delegation from Vermont. In 1826, he was elected governor of the State, and reelected the following year, and each time without an organized opposition. Immedi- ately after his second election he declined another election, and at the close of that term retired from official life, having been in office, without interruption, from the organization of the town in 1790, often holding two important offices at the same time.
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