USA > Vermont > Orleans County > History of the Congregational churches in Orleans County, Vt., with biographical notices of the pastors and native ministers > Part 4
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NATIVE MINISTERS.
1. The Rev. EDMUND HARVEY BLANCHARD, son of Edmund and Anna (Abbot) Blanchard, was born 16th January, 1821, was graduated at Middlebury in 1848, taught the Academy at Lyndon one year, and then entered Andover Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1852. From that time till 1860 he preached at Woonsocket, R. I., Epsom, N. H., and Plymouth, Mass. IIe was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in War- wick, Mass., 25th April, 1860. The Rev. P. C. Headley, of Green- field, preached the sermon. He was dismissed 11th May, 1868. HIe married, 16th May, 1860, Annie Clifford, of Loudon, N. II.
2. The Rev. BRAINERD BRADLEY CUTLER, son of Obed and Azubah (Sheperd) Cutler, was born 4th March, 1803. With- out obtaining any more than a common school education, he read theology with the Rev. Henry Jones of Cabot. and the Rev. Kiah Bailey of Hardwick, and was licensed by the Orleans Asso- ciation at North Troy, 21st August, 1831. The first two years of his ministerial life were spent with the churches of Eden, Stowe and Wolcott. He then became acting pastor of the church in Richmond. Here his labors were blessed and a revival occurred. He was ordained at Richmond without pastoral charge, 21st August, 1835. The Rev. John Wheeler, D. D., preached the sermon. He preached three years at Essex, where his ministry was very successful and more than sixty were gathered into the church. In 1841 or 1842 he became acting pastor of the then recently organized church at St. Albans Bay. Within a year seventy members were added to the church. In June, 1845, he was installed pastor of the Congregational church in Lawrenceville,
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
N. Y. The Rev. B. N. Burnap, preached the sermon. From this pastorate he was dismissed 7th February, 1854. Since that time he has continued to reside at Lawrenceville, preaching in various places in that vicinity. He married 17th September, 1827, Emma II. Stevens, a native of Groton, Mass.
3. The Rev. GEORGE BURDER TOLMAN was born 24th July, 1832. He was a son of Enoch and Abigail (Cook ) Tohnan, and a grandson of the Rev. Thomas Tolman, the first pastor of the church in Cornwall. He was graduated at the University of Ver- mont in 1856, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1860. He was licensed by the Orleans Association at West Charleston, 1st October, 1861. He began preaching at Sheldon about 1st Jan- ary, 1862, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in that town, 10th July, 1862. The Rev. N. G. Clark, preached the sermon. He represented Greensboro in the Legislature of Vermont in 1860 and 1861. He married 16th June, 1862, Han- nah L. Bailey, of Hardwick, who died 19th July, 1867.
4. The Rev. JOHN WORTHINGTON HOPKINS BAKER, son of Dea. Samuel and Marinda (Perrin) Baker, was born 7th February, 1835. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1861, and at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1864, and was licensed by the Penobscot Association at Bangor, 13th July, 1863. Hle began to preach at Island Pond about 1st November, 1861, and was there ordained pastor, 29th June, 1865. The Rev. Pliny H. White preached the sermon. He was dismissed, 9th October, 1866, and soon received an appointment as inspector of customs at Island Pond, which he resigned in June, 1868, and became acting pastor at North Waterford, Me. He married, 20th October, 1864, Sarah W. Drummond, of Bangor.
MINISTERS' WIVES.
Hannah L. Bailey, wife of the Rev. G. B. Tolman ; Lois Tol- man, wife of the Rev. Lester II. Elliott; Ruth E. Washburn, wifo of the Rev. John HI. Redington ; and Semantha Washburn, wife of the Rev. Septimius Robinson, were natives of Greensboro.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHIES.
HOLLAND.
The church in Holland was organized by an Ecclesiastical Coun- cil, 30th November, 1842, and was composed of seven members, of whom three were from the church in Derby, and four from that in Morgan. The Rev. William Claggett of Derby preached a sermon on the occasion, and the Rev. Ora Pearson, of Barton, offered the consecrating prayer. In June, 1843, the church was strengthened by the addition of ten members, and in June, 1844, the Rev. J. T. Howard, its first and only pastor, was installed. Public worship was maintained in school-houses till 1854, when a small but sufficient house of worship was built. On the occasion of its dedication, the Rev. Joel Fisk, of Irasburgh, preached the sermon.
In 1858, the failure of the pastor's health compelled him almost wholly to discontinue preaching, and, without being formally dis- missed, he ceased to supply the pulpit except occasionally. For two or three years itinerant missionaries of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society supplied most of the preaching ; and for the lack of them reading meetings were maintained, and the Sabbath School was permanently kept up. In May, 1861, the Rev. Charles Duren became acting pastor, and continued two years and a half. In December, 1862, the Rev. Levi Loring became acting pastor, and remained a year. For a few months the pulpit was then supplied by the Rev. A. R. Gray. Until April, 1864, preaching was had only on alternate Sabbaths, and the acting pastors had been non-resident, but on the first Sabbath in that month, J. B. Griswold became acting and resident pastor, and preaching was maintained all the time for a year. The Rev. Thomas Bayne supplied the pulpit on alter- nate Sabbaths for six months in 1865-6. On the first Sabbath in March, 1866, the Rev. A. R. Gray began to supply the pulpit, and continued till June, 1867, when the Rev. T. E. Ranney became acting pastor, and took up his residence in the parish, and preach- ing was again maintained all the time.
The church has only fifteen resident members, of whom no more than three are men. Its weakness in point of numbers is compen-
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
sated by its energy, self-denial, and liberality, and especially by the fidelity of its praying women. The chief obstacles to its growth have been, and still are, the sparse population of the town, and the lack of a village center of population.
PASTOR.
The Rev. JABEZ TRUE HOWARD, son of John and Sarah (True) Howard, was born in Haverhill, N. II., 22d August, 1804. HIe studied at Atkinson Academy with reference to entering college, but was diverted into mercantile business, in which he spent ten years at Hampstead. In 1835 he entered Gilmanton Theological Seminary, and was there graduated in 1839. He was licensed by the Deerfield Association at Gilmanton, in November, 1839, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Ehnore, Vt., 19th January, 1841. The Rev. Samuel Delano preached the sermon. He was dismissed 24th August, 1842, and was installed at Holland, 13th June, 1844. The Rev. James Johnson, of Iras- burgh, preached the sermon. In 1848 he removed to West Charleston, and supplied the pulpit there on alternate Sabbaths for eight years. Ile still lives at West Charleston.
He married 11th June, 1840, Elizabeth Sawyer of Meredith Village, N. H., by whom he had Elizabeth Ann, born 30th Decem- ber, 1841, died 9th October, 1842. Mrs. Howard, died 26th November, 1855, and he married 4th May, 1860, Mrs. Marthaette (Ketchum) Page of Albany, Vt.
NATIVE MINISTER.
The Rev. CLARK E. FERRIN. See Barton pastore, p. 10.
MINISTER'S WIFE.
Emeline Nelson, wife of the Rev. Calvin C. Adams, was a native of Holland.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
IRASBURGH.
The church in Irasburgh, consisting of three males and three female members, was organized 28th January, 1818, by the Rev. Luther Leland, of Derby, and the Rev. James Hobart, of Berlin. In the following February, Zadok Bloss was chosen moderator and clerk, and, at a later period, deacon also. Pastoral services were rendered for terms of various length by the Rev. Messrs. Luther Leland, James Parker, David HI. Williston, W. A. Chapin, Lyman Case, James Hobart, Elias W. Kellogg, Daniel Rockwell, Otis F. Curtis, (two years, 1829-30,) and Buel W. Smith.
A revival which took place in 1838 brought so much strength to the church that it felt able to settle a pastor, and a call was given to the Rev. James Johnson, who accepted the invitation, and early in 1838, was duly installed. For more than twenty years the court house was the only place of worship, but. after many years of struggle a house was completed, which was dedicated 15th Jan- uary, 1840. In December, 1842, a series of meetings was held on the evenings of several successive weeks, and a system of visita- tion from house to house was established. This was followed by a general revival, as the result of which forty-five were added to the church. Most of these were from the Sabbath School. In 1843, the erysipelas raged fearfully in Orleans County, and in many towns with great fatality ; but, as the records of the church say, " in the commencement of the year God visited this people with the outpourings of Ilis Spirit, in consequence of which the attention of the people was called off from the disease, and thus the mind being delivered from fear, the disease was far less fatal than in other towns." Mr. Johnson's pastorate continued nearly eleven years.
The next pastor was the Rev. Joel Fisk, who was installed early in 1850, and, at his own request, was dismissed in October 1854; but in compliance with a vote of the church he continued to offi- ciate as pastor till 1st March, 1855. The Rev. John H. Beckwith was acting pastor for three years from Ist December, 1855. In February, 1859, the Rev. Thomas Bayno became acting pastor,
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
and continued till November, 1863. The Rev. John II. Wood- ward began to supply the pulpit 12th June, 1864, was installed as pastor the next fall, and still continues in the pastorate.
PASTORS.
1. The Rev. JAMES JOHNSON was born in Lynnfield, Mass., 12th July, 1779. His early life was a constant, but ultimately success- ful struggle with adverse circumstances. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1808, at the mature age of twenty-nine, read theology with the Rev. Ileury Ware, D. D., and was licensed in 1810. Ile was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian church in Potsdam, N. Y., 11th March, 1812. The Rev. Amos Pettengill, of Champlain, preached the sermon, and it was printed. In 1817 he was dismissed from that pastorate and was installed 7th October, 1818, over the Congregational church in Williston, Vt., where ho remained pastor five years to a day, and was dismissed 7th October, 1823. Ile was installed 28th February, 1827, over the first church in St. Johnsbury, and remained in that pastorate till 3d May, 1838, when the relation was dissolved. His ministry at St. Johnsbury was eminently usefal and the results of it are visible to this day. Two revivals occurred, one of which, in 1834, resulted in more than sixty additions to the church. The whole number added by profession during his pastorate there was one hundred and seventy. His next and last settlement was at Irasburgh, where he was installed 13th February, 1839. He was dismissed 23d November, 1819, and having attained the age of seventy years, he removed to St. Johnsbury, where he resided, without pastoral charge, till his death, which occurred 31st October, 1856. He was an able and industrious minister, and had a special gift in prayer. Ilis only published discourse was a sermo, preached at a masonic celebration at St. Albans, 21th June, 1826.
2. The Rev. JOEL FISK, son of Dea. Moses and Hannah ( Batch- elder) Fisk, was born in Waitsfield, Vt., 26th October, 1796. Hle was a grandson of Ebenezer Fisk of Shelburne, Mass., a man of the Puritan stamp, more than three hundred of whose descendants have already become members of the church, among whom are eight ministers. Ile fitted for college at Washington County Grammar
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
School, and was graduated at Middlebury in 1825, after which he studied theology with the Rev. Charles Walker of Rutland, and was licensed by the Rutland Association at Clarendon, 31st May, 1826 ; thus, like his Divine Master, entering upon the work of the ministry when he " began to be about thirty years of age."
His first settlement was at Moulton, where he was ordained 20th September, 1826, the first and only pastor of the Congregational church in that town. Receiving a call to New Haven, he was dismissed from Monkton, 18th October, 1830, and on the 26th day of the same month he was installed at New Haven. He was dis- missed 25th September, 1832, and removed to Essex, N. Y., where he was pastor of the Presbyterian church twelve years. Ile then preached some time in Canada, at first as a missionary, and then as acting pastor for about five years at Phillipsburgh. From the last named place he went to Irasburgh, was there installed 26th March, 1850, and was dismissed 9th October, 1854. IIe then became acting pastor at Plainfield, where he labored with fidelity and success till arrested by sickness, which resulted in his death, 16th December, 1856.
His piety was deep, ardent and active. Nothing delighted him so much as the performance ofreligious duties. He excelled as a pastor, and was gifted in religions conversation, but preaching the gospel was his ruling passion. In the prime of life he had a very vigorous constitution, and engaged in the most ardnous and pro- tracted labors. On several occasions he preached every day and 'evening for more than a fortnight. In nearly all the places where he labored, the fruits of his ministry were apparent, and in some places very abundant. He preached as long as it was possible. Even in his last sickness he was several times assisted into church, where he performed the services in a sitting posture. His death was a fitting close of such a life. It was more than peaceful. It was triumphant.
Ilis only publication (known to the writer ) was a sermon occa- sioned by the death of his father, and published in 1847.
3. The Rev. JOHN HILLS WOODWARD, Son of William and Clari- mond (Ifills) Woodward, was born in Charlotte, 7th May, 1809, and was graduated at Union College in 1835. He studied the
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
ology with the Rev. Worthington Smith, of St. Albans, preached at Cambridge a year, 1836-37, began to preach at Westford in August, 1837, and was there ordained pastor 31st January, 1838. The Rev. W. Smith preached the sermon. He was the represen- tative of Westford in the Legislature in 1856 and 1863, and a Senator from Chittenden county in 1860 and 1861. During the session of 1861, he resigned his seat in the Senate to become chap- lain of the First Vermont Cavalry, and served in that capacity a year and eight months. Two of his sons were in the army : John W., Captain of Company M. in the Cavalry, who was killed at Gettysburgh, and George, a Sergeant in the Second Vermont Reg- iment, who was wounded before Richmond. He was dismissed from the pastorate at Westford, 20th February, 1864, and was installed at Irasburgh 21st September, 1864. The Rev. Pliny HI. White preached the sermon.
llis fast sermon preached 13th April, 1866, was published in the Newport Express 1st May, 1866.
MINISTER'S WIFE.
Sarah M. Cooper, wife of the Rev. Lewis Bodwell, was a native of Irasburgh.
LOWELL.
The Church in Lowell was organized 10th January, 1816, by the Rev. Nathaniel Rawson of Hardwick, and the Rev. James Parker of Enosburgh. It consisted of six members, three of each sex. For many years they had only occasional preaching by itinerant missionaries. The Rev. Joseph Labarce, who preached a Sabbath or two in 1819, reported that at an evening meeting every man in town except one who was sick was present. The Rev. James Par- ker preached occasionally in 1520 and the two following years. In 1827-28 the Rev. Silas Lamb, of Westfield, supplied the pulpit a part of the time, and with some good results. In 1834, the Rev.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
J. Sampson labored half the time for some months, and a refresh- ing was experienced which resulted in the addition of eight members. In 1840 and 1811 this church shared with that in Westfield, in the labors of the Rev. Reuben Mason, and the church was somewhat enlarged. In 1845 and 1846 the Rev. E. R. Kilby supplied the pulpit half the time.
The Rev. Jubilee Wellman commenced laboring 1st September, 1849, and in a few months was installed pastor. The prospects of the church now seemed to improve. The congregation increased, the Sabbath School prospered, and other denominations which held some interest in the house of worship sold to the Congregational- ists. But the numbers and ability of the church soon began to be diminished by emigration, and the death of the pastor early in 1855 had a very disheartening effect. In December, 1855, the Rev. Daniel Warren became acting pastor, and ren ained nearly three years ; during which a debt that had rested on the house was paid, by the help of the American Congregational Union. In January, 1850, the Rev. Thomas Baldwin became acting pastor, and remained three years. From January 1861, till August 1868, the pulpit was supplied but partially, and, for the most part, by the itinerant missionaries of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society. The Rev. Azro A. Smith then became acting pastor, and in the following February was ordained pastor of this church and that at Westfield. Under his ministry there has been a steady and healthful growth. In January, 1867, the church was able for the first time, to support the preaching of the gospel every Sabbath, and Mr. Smith being released from his charge in Westfield, began to bestow all his services upon this field.
PASTORS.
1. The Rev. JUBILEE WELLMAN, was born in Gill, Mass., 20th February, 1793, and without going through a collegiate course, studied theology at Bangor, where he was graduated in 1823. Hle was ordained pastor in Frankfort, Me., 17th September, 1824. The Rev. BancroftFowler, of Bangor, preached the sermon. He was dismissed 3d January, 1826; and in the fall of that year, while journeying, he spent a Sabbath in Warner, N. H., where he
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
preached from the text : " Never man spake like this man." The discourse impressed the audience very favorably, and many desired to secure him as their minister. But he went on his way, and the church remained destitute of preaching till January, 1827, when a few individuals advanced the funds to employ him four weeks. Thus began a happy and successful ministry of nearly ten years. A revival speedily commenced and continued several months, as the result of which twenty-nine were added to the church. He received a unanimous call to the pastorate, and was installed 26th September, 1827. The Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., of Boscawen, preached the sermon. His pastorate continued till 15th February, 1837, when he was dismissed at his own request.
Afterward he preached at Bristol, Hooksett and Meredith Bridge, a few months at each place. Ile was installed pastor at Westminster West, Vt., 7th March, 1838, the Rev. Z. S. Barstow, D. D., of Keene, N. II., preaching the sermon. In 1840 a revi- val occurred and fifty were added to the church. He was dismissed 5th January, 1842. For two years he supplied alternately at Cavendish and Plymouth, then for five years at Cavendish alone. From Cavendish he went to Lowell, where he was installed 17th October, 1840. The Rev. Joseph Underwood, of Hardwick, preached the sermon. His labors at Lowell were closed by death 18th March, 1855.
As a preacher Mr. Wellman was always acceptable and instruc- tive, sometimes earnest and impressive, and occasionally even eloquent. He could be plain and pointed without being personal or giving offense. His prayers were appropriate, never tedious, and not seldom accompanied by tears. He was dignified and gentlemanly in appearance, but readily adapted himself to the society of all his parishioners however humble. His people both loved and reverenced him. He was a decided friend to the benev- olent enterprises of the day, and was an especially active advocate of temperance.
2. The Rev. AZRO ANDRUS SMITH, son of Major and Alma ( Andrns ) Smith, was born in Tunbridge, 6th September, 1827, and was graduated at the University of Vermont in 1856, after which he studied theology at Andover a year, and was a teacher in Bur-
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CONGREGATIONAL CHIRUCHES.
lington two years, and in Franklin, N. II., three years and more. During the period last mentioned, he studied theology two years with the Rev. William T. Savage of Franklin, and was licensed by the Hopkinton Association at East Concord, 14th October, 1862. He then spent eight months at Andover, pursuing his studies as resident licentiate. He was ordained pastor of the churches in Lowell and Westfield, 11th February, 1864. The Rev. Pliny H. White preached the sermon. He was dismissed from the West- field pastorate, 20th August, 1867.
He married, 20th August, 1857, Lucinda R. Hood, a native of Chelsea.
MORGAN.
Several of the early settlers of Morgan were active and consis- tent Christian men, of the Connecticut type of piety and orthodoxy. Long before there was a house of worship, or even a school-house in the town, they maintained public worship on the Sabbath in barns or private houses. They were also men of great individu- ality and force of character, and exerted a controlling influence in favor of good morals and religion.
The Congregational Church was organized 4th June, 1823, by the Rev. Lyman Case, of Coventry, and the Rev. David II. Willis- ton, of Tunbridge. It consisted of five male and six female mem- bers. Jotham Cummings was chosen deacon and clerk, for both of which offices he was eminently qualified. He used the office of a deacon well, and purchased to himself a good degree and great boldness in the faith. His prudence, uprightness and soundness of judgment secured the unreserved confidence of his associates, and made him their leader.
In the summer of 1826, the Rev. Jacob S. Clark preached a few Sabbaths as a candidate for settlement, received a unanimous call, and early in 1827 was ordained to the pastorate, which office he still holds. His salary was small, but he obtained possession
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
of the minister's lot, and the people helped him reduce it to a farm ; and he was enabled to support his family, and even to send a sen to college, the only native of Morgan who has been graduated. In the fall of 1829, a revival began, which continued for several months and affected every part of the town. As the fruits of this revival, twenty-seven were added to the church. In the fall of 1830 another revival was experienced which was powerful while it lasted, but was of short duration. Thirteen were added to the church. Since that date there have been no revivals, and the average annual additions have not exceeded two. All this while the church has been steadily diminished by emigration and by other causes, and it is now one of the feeblest in the county. In the summer of 1864, the pastor having attained the age of more than three score years and ten, retired from active service in the ministry. . The Rev. A. R. Gray began to supply the pulpit on alternate Sabbaths 10th July, 1861, and still continues to do so.
PASTOR.
The Rev. JACOB STARR CLARK, son of Nathaniel S. and Phebe (Mitchell) Clark, was born in Landaff, N. 11., 10th January, 1792, and served an apprenticeship to a clothier's trade, at which he labored till he was thirty years old. Without pursuing a regular course of theological studies, he was licensed by the Coos Associa- tion at Littleton, in February, 1822. He was ordained at Morgan, 11th January, 1827. The Rev. Thomas Simpson, of Barton, preached the sermon. If Mr. Clark was not learned, nor eloquent, he was devout, diligent, discreet, and an excellent pastor. If ho did not attract to himself and to the church the young people of the town, he secured the warm affection of adult christians, and the high respect of all who knew him. To him the town has been largely indebted for its good order, morality and christian character.
Ile married 5th October, 1819, Sally Merrill of Lyman, N. H., by whom he had Nathaniel S., born 5th August, 1820 ; Jacob M., born 15th September, 1823; graduated at the University of Ver- mont in 1845 ; Amos D., born 4th June, 1825 ; died 19th Novem- ber, 1856 ; Osmond C., born 10th November, 1829; died 15th August, 1831 ; Mary Jane, born 24th July, 1831.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHIES.
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MINISTER'S WIFE.
Jane M. Cummings, wife of the Rev. Richard Knight, was a native of Morgan.
NEWPORT.
The church in Newport was organized 23d February, 1831, by the Rev. Ralden A. Watkins of Coventry, anl consisted of four male and three female members of the church in Coventry, who were set off for that purpose. Samuel Warmer was chosen dea- con, and Seymour Lane clerk. The Rev. Jacob S. Clark preached one-fourth of the time for two years, 1832-34, during which period ten were added by profession. In 1837, the Rev. Reuben Mason became acting pastor, and was installed pastor for one- fourth of the time, 26th September, 1837. He closed his labors in Newport in 1839, but was not formally dismissed till October, 1842. The Rev. E. R. Kilby preached one-fourth of the time in 1840.
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