USA > Vermont > Addison County > Cornwall > History of the town of Cornwall, Vermont > Part 19
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composition, declamation discussion and criticism. The ser- eral exercises were assigned by the Secretary, each member taking his turn in alphabetic order, and each being consid- ered under obligation to perform the part assigned him at the pre- vious meeting. Four disputants were designated at each meeting for the succeeding meeting, who, by mutual agreement, selected a question from a list on the Secretary's book, to which each member might add at pleasure. Two of these disputants were expected to advocate the affirmative, and two the negative of the question cho- sen, as they might agree, and to prepare themselves as best they might for their duty. After the expression of their views, the question came before the meeting for a free utterance of opinion, and the discussion was concluded by a yea or nay from each mem- ber, indicating his opinion, in response to the call of his name by the Secretary. It is perhaps needless to add that these exercises often elicited powers, of the possession of which the performers were themselves unaware ; and the discovery of these powers, we may not doubt, in many instances changed the current of thought and purpose in respect to a pursuit for life.
The meetings were held on Thursday evening of each week, from September 10th to March 10th ; but were suspended from March till September, on account of the shortness of the evenings, and the inconvenience of attending such exercises by those engaged, as were the majority of the members, in agricultural pursuits. The place of meeting was the Red School House, from the organization of the society till 1832, when the body provided itself with accom- modations, by adding an upper story to the Lecture Room of the Con- gregational Society, alluded to in another place. The same year the Society obtained an act of incorporation from the State Legis- lature, which perhaps rather diminished than increased its strength, by changing its purely voluntary character. That this was the case, is the opinion of some who were deeply interested in its welfare. Regulations which are readily submitted to as the rules of a vol- untary association, become irksome to many, when they wear the form and authority of law. Some in this case became restive who had been quiet. About this time, also, the subject of slavery as
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well as certain proposed reforms in government, non-resistance, &c., became topics of all absorbing interest in Cornwall, and as might have been expected, found their way into all the meet- ings of this Society. Whatever the topic proposed, its considera- tion ended in the discussion of theso matters. Many members ceased to feel an interest in meetings in which excited and angry dissention, forced itself into the place of deliberate and profitable discussion. The meetings waned in interest, and though attempts were made subsequently for many years to revive the former inter- est, they were in vain. The Society ceased to be what it had so long been, a centre of interest to the youth and middle aged, and an invaluable source of mental and moral improvement in the com- munity.
In the early periods of the Society, its regulations were very rigidly enforced,-minor violations of them, such as absence or tar- diness at its meetings, being punished by fine, unless the delinquent presented to the Judicial Committee, a satisfactory reason for his delinquency. More grave offences were punished by admonition,
or expulsion. Election to membership was itself a certificate of character highly prized by most youths, while expulsion involved disgrace which few young men were willing to incur. In the au- tumn of each year the Society was accustomed to hold an anniver- sary, on which occasion a discussion was conducted by the more experienced members, and a formal oration or address, was delivered, usually, by some member who had enjoyed the advantages of a col- legiate education. These anniversaries, which drew together large audiences, not only furnished instruction and amusement to the community, but proof of the value of the Society to its members, as a source of improvement.
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In connection with the exercises of the Society, its originators planned the establishment of a Library, which should help to form a reading as well as thinking community. This was commenced by liberal donations from the honorary as well as ordinary members, and was increased from year to year, by special collections for the object, until it came to number more than four hundred volumes of History, Biography, Travels and General Literature, of select char-
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acter, and of permanent value. The Library, which, by the Con- stitution, was required to be kept "within one mile of the Red School House," was early located in the dwelling of Dr. Ford, who was appointed Librarian, and continued in charge of it till his death. Each member was allowed to draw two volumes at a time, and retain them six weeks, with a fine, after the expiration of that period of twelve and a half cents, and one cent each day until return- ed : 12 1-2 cents for cach grease spot or leaf turned down ; and for tearing out a leaf, or more serious damage, the rules required the furnishing of a new volume, or giving satisfaction to two-thirds of the Society." Under these regulations, the Library, though for some years past it has had less careful supervision than formerly, still remains, with the exception of a few lost volumes, in a state of excellent preservation.
It will be gratifying to many of the carly proprietors and pat- rons of this Library, to be informed that its existence and useful- ness are perpetuated, by its union with the Library of the Lane Library Association, recently established under the following cir- cumstances :
Near the close of 1858, Mr. Gilbert Cook Lane, a graduate of Middlebury College, and a young man of much promise as a schol- ar and a christian, died of pulmonary disease. By his will, made near his death, he left a legacy of one hundred dollars to aid in es- tablishing a Library, provided that the town or individuals would, by subscription, or otherwise, increase the sum to five hundred dol- lars. Availing themselves of this stimulus, several gentlemen who had long desired to see some additional provision made for the read- ing of the community, proposed a joint stock company, with trans- ferable shares of five dollars each, eighty of which at least, should be secured to render any subscription binding. The plan was exe- cuted, and through the liberality of several subscribers in taking five shares each, more than the necessary amount was pledged, and the legacy was secured. An Association was formed near the close of 1859, duly organized under an existing statute, with the desig- nation above named -- " The Lane Library Association of Cornwall." Its Constitution prescribes the necessary officers for the transaction
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of its business ;- the keeping of its records, the management of its Library, and the preservation of its property. . The Association proposed to the Young Gentlemen's Society, whose regular meet- ings had been for some years suspended, that they should unite their Library with that of the new organization, keeping the two distinct, yet placing them both permanently under the control of the Librarian of the Lane Association, chosen, also, to the same office by the Young Gentlemen's Society; and tendering the free use of the united Library to all who were entitled to draw books from that of the Society. By this arrangement, harmoniously consummated, decided advantages were gained by both Libraries. The old Li- brary was replenished by the addition of modern books, and the new library was saved the expense of purchasing the standard works already embraced in the old. Henry Lane, Esq., has been chosen Librarian, under whose supervision the united Library has been skilfully arranged and judiciously managed.
The Library, as arranged, now contains about nine hundred vol- umes, in every department of knowledge likely to be sought in an agricultural community. A portion of the funds moreover have been reserved for future use. It should be added that very val- uable additions have recently been made to the Library by the IIon. Solomon Foot.
I present to the reader a copy of the Constitution and.By-Laws. of the Lanc Library Association, which are made designedly brief and simple :
CONSTITUTION.
WHEREAS, the late GILBERT C. LANE has left to the inhabitants of Cornwall, a Legacy, to aid in the establishment of a Library in said town, for the purpose of promoting literary and scientific knowledge ; Therefore, we, by these articles do associate ourselves together, with all such persons as may hereafter subscribe these articles, as a Corporation, under the first section of the eighty-fifth Chapter of the Compiled Statutes, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a Library in said Cornwall, and in the method provided in the following articles :
ART. 1 .- The object of this Association is to promote useful knowledge among its members, by establishing a Library in said Cornwall, and for this purpose the association shall have power to
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purchase Books, Maps and Pictures. Provided, however, that not less than eighty shares shall be subscribed and paid into the treas- ury, previous to December first, eighteen hundred and fifty-nine and before any expenses are incurred.
ART. If .- This Association shall be styled the LANE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, of Cornwall.
ART. III .- The stock of this Association shall be not less than four hundred dollars, divided into shares of five dollars each, and each share shall be entitled to one vote, in all concerns of the Association.
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ART. IV .- Any person may become a member of this Association by subscribing his name to these articles, and becoming the owner of one share of the stock.
ART. V .- This Association shall hold its annual meeting on the second Tuesday of January annually, at which time its officers shall be elected by ballot.
ART. VI .- The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, and four Directors, who shall hold office until their successors are chosen, and who to- gether shall constitute a Board for the transaction of its business, in accordance with such rules and by-laws as the Association shall, from time to time adopt.
ART. VII .-- This Constitution may be amended at any annual, or special meeting called for the purpose, by vote of a majority of the whole number of shares.
BY-LAWS.
1 .- Occasional meetings of the Association may be called at the request of three members, by a notice thereof posted by the Secretary, in two public places in town, at least ten days before the meeting.
2 .---- The Treasurer of the Association shall make a detailed re- port of the state of the Treasury at each Annual Meeting, or often- er, if required.
3 .- The Librarian shall keep a correct account of all books drawn from the Library, and shall make a full report of the con- dition of the Library at each Annual Meeting.
4 .-- The Board of Directors shall, at each Annual Meeting, make a general report of the condition of the Association.
5 .- Transfers of stock may be made by members, of which the Certificate of the Treasurer shall be sufficient evidence.
6 .- The Board of Directors may, from time to time, purchase additional books for the Library.
7 .- The Board of Directors shall have power to make such ar- rangements, and defray such charges as, in their opinion, the inter- ests of the Association shall require.
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CHAPTER XXIII.
NATIVES OF CORNWALL WHO HAVE ENTERED THE SEVERAL PROFESS- IONS-CLERGYMEN.
As the birth-place of most of the sons of Cornwall, who have entered the professions, has already been designated in the descrip- tion of the residences of their parents, there will be occasion only to mention the date of their birth, with brief allusions to their pursuits, or other incidents in their history. As the largest num- ber have devoted themselves to the clerical profession, I place them first in the list, and for convenience of reference, place their names in alphabetical order.
MINISTERS.
JOSEPH RAPHAEL ANDRUS was born April 8, 1791. Having completed his collegiate course at Middlebury in 1812, he spent the following year as a resident graduate at Yale College. His theo- logical studies were pursued, partly at Andover, and partly with Bishop Griswold of Rhode Island, from whom he received Episco- pal ordination. He labored for a few years in different localities in Massachusetts, northern Vermont, and Virginia, -his heart, mean- while being deeply interested in the cause of African colonization. To this cause he at length devoted his life, and sailed for Africa in January, 1821, as the first agent of the American Colonization Society, accompanied by a colony of negroes. Ile fell a victim to the climate July 28, only a few months after his arrival. While
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living, Mr. Andrus was held in high esteem for his Christian vir- tues, and his voluntary sacrifice of himself for the welfare of be- nighted Africa will cause him to be remembered as one of her most earnest friends. His name will be repeated with admiration, gratitude and love, when the Gospel shall terminate her savage strifes, and stay the traffic in the blood of her children, - shall illuminate their dark abodes, and transform them into safe, and quiet and peaceful homes ; when the dwellers on her plains and in her vales shall sing, in unison, peans of thanksgiving to the Lamb that was slain for their redemption.
BENJAMIN STEVENS BAXTER was born August 8, 1809. He has, for several years, been located as pastor at Leon, Wisconsin.
LUTHER PALMER BLODGET was born March 19, 1783, and fitted for College at the Addison County Grammar School, and graduated at Middlebury in 1805. IIe studied theology with Jeremiah At- water, D. D., first President of Middlebury College, and with Rev. Jedediah Bushnell of Cornwall. He was settled in Rochester, in this State, twelve years, as Pastor of the Congregational Church ; afterward in Jericho for eight years. Since his removal from the · latter place, he has labored at Little Falls, at Sherburne, and at Exeter, N. Y. His present residence is at Cooperstown, N. Y.
LUTHER GOODYEAR BINGHAM was born June 10, 1798. He fitted for College at Newton Academy, Shoreham, and was a grad- uate of Middlebury College in 1821. The following year he spent as a private tutor in the family of Hon. Bushrod Washington of Virginia. He completed his course of theological study at An- dover in 1825, having spent a part of the preceding year as a Tutor in Middlebury College. Soon after leaving Andover, he was set- tled as Pastor of the Congregational Church in Marietta, Ohio, where he remained thirteen years, having, during this period, exer- ted an important influence in establishing the Collegiate Institute at that place. After his removal from Marietta, he resided five or six years in Cincinnati, as agent of the Western Education Society. He was pastor of the Congregational Church in Williston, in this State, from 1845 to 1851, and has since resided in the City of New York, as a reporter for the newspaper press.
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HIRAM BINGHAM was born in 1815, and graduated, at Middle- bury College in 1839. Having pursued the usual course of study at the Theological Seminary at Anlover, he was set- tled as Pastor of a Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. While resident there, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry, and Natural His- tory in Marietta College. This office, after a few years, he resigned and resumed ministerial labors in Windham, Ohio, where he still resides, occasionally disabled by a bronchial affection.
JOEL S. BINGHAM was born in 1815. He entered Middlebury College, but did not complete his collegiate coursc. He was first settled as pastor at Charlotte ; removed thence to Leominster, Mass., and bas since been for several years the esteemed Pastor of a Church in Westfield, Mass, where he still continues.
HENRY BOYNTON was born July 5th, 1800. In carly life Mr. Boynton was apprenticed with Mr. Asa Bond to the business of tanning and shoemaking. Having become hopefully pious, he com- menced study for the ministry. His theological studies were pur- sued with Rev. Josiah Hopkins of New Haven, and he was licensed to preach by the Addison Association. He first labored in Bristol, where he remained a year or two. Since his removal from Bristol, he has never been installed over any pastoral charge, but has preach- ed in several places as a supply.
DAVID FOOT was born April 13, 1813, and fitted for College at Shoreham and Brandon Academies. He completed his collegiate course at Middlebury in 1838, and the following year was principal of the Academy at Moriah, N. Y .; - was three years, 1840-'43, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Nassau, N. Y. - was four years Pastor in Hannibal, N. Y., and in 1747-48 was Pastor of a new Church formed from the Church in Hannibal, to which he had pre- viously ministered. He received a call to settle in La Grange, N. Y. - preached there the last Sabbath in May, and died of brain fever the next Thursday, June 1st, 1848.
HENRY NORMAN HUDSON was a native of Cornwall, but the date of his birth I have no means of ascertaining. IIe received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Middlebury in 1840, and was for some years known as a lecturer on Shakspeare. He then became
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an Episcopal clergyman, and was some time editor of the N. Y. Churchman, published in the City of New York. He has published Lectures on Shakspeare ; one or more Sermons, and an Edition of Shakspeare's works. He has acquired considerable distinction in this department of editorial labor.
IRA INGRAHAM was born December 30, 1791. He fitted for College at the Addison County Grammar School. After completing his collegiate course in 1815, he became the principal of an Acad- emy at Powelton, Georgia, where he continued three years. While there, he pursued the study of theology, under the care of the Harmony Presbytery of that State. Having resigned his place as teacher in Powelton, he returned to Cornwall and prosecuted theological study under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Bates of Middlebury College. In 1820 he became Pastor of the Congregational Church in Orwell, where he remained three years. From Orwell he removed to Bradford, Mass., where he was Pastor six years. From 1830 to 1835 he was Pastor in Brandon, in this State. From 1835 to 1839 he was Secretary of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Soci- ety, still having his residence in Brandon. He removed to Lyons, N. Y., in 1839, and became Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of that place, where he remained till 1848. In 1850 he was appointed agent of the Society for promoting Collegiate and Theological edu- cation at the West, and has since resided at Geneva, N. Y.
ANZI JONES graduated at Middlebury College in 1828. After his graduation, he was Preceptor of Newton Academy, at Shore- ham. Hle afterwards became a Baptist clergyman, and labored several years in New Hampshire. Owing to the failure of his health, he resided, for a considerable period, on a farm in Green- field, N. H. More recently he has spent several years in Cornwall but has returned to his former place of abode in New Hampshire, ,
AHIRA JONES, brother of the preceding, is also a Baptist cler- gyman. 'He was born in 1808, and graduated at Waterville Col- lege, Maine, in 1836. He has occupied several different fields of labor, having, however, labored mostly in Maine, and is now en- gaged in secular pursuits.
ZEBULON JONES, a brother of the two preceding, born September
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8, 1810, is a graduate of Middlebury College. Ilis studies pre- paratory to entering College, were pursued at Newton Academy. He was Principal of Hancock Academy, N. II. 1836-37; was Pastor in Peterboro', N. II., 1839-43 ; and at Hampton Falls, N. H., from 1843-52. He now resides in Cornwall. While at Hamp- ton Falls, he was also Principal of Rockingham Academy. In 1850, he was appointed Commissioner of Common Schools for Rock- ingham County, and elected President of the New Hampshire Board of Education.
JOEL HARVEY LINSLY, D. D., was born July 15, 1790. He fitted for College under the instruction of Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, and at Addison County Grammar School. After his graduation at Middlebury College in 1811, he taught one year in Windsor. IIe then commenced the study of law with David Edmond, Esy., of Vergennes ; was two years Tutor in Middlebury College. After resigning this office, he completed the study of his profession with Hon. Peter Starr, of Middlebury, and was admitted to the bar. He now formed a business partnership with Mr. Starr, and practiced his profession till 1821. But legal practice was not in accordance with his tastes, and he felt constrained to devote himself to the ministry. As preparatory to his work he pursued the study of theology about two years at Middlebury and at Andover. Having spent a year in Missionary labors at the South, he became the Pastor of the South Congregational Church in Hartford, Conn., where he remained eight years, when he was dismissed and speedily installed Pastor of Park Street Church, Boston. After a residence of three years in Boston, he was elected President of Marietta College, Ohio. This office he resigned in 1846, having discharged its duties ten years, and resumed his favorite labors-those of the ministry. Since 1846, he has been Pastor of the Second Congre- gational Church in Greenwich, Conn. Ile received the degree of D. D. in 1837. IIis lectures to the Middle Aged, published while he resided at Hartford, and several subsequent works have been well appreciated by the community.
JOEL LINSLY, a nephew of the preceding, was born in 1828. His classical studies were pursued at Hamilton College, and his
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theological, at the Union Seminary New York. Mr. Linsly has preached as a Licenciate, but whether he has received ordination I have not learned.
HIRAM MEAD was born May 10, 1827, and graduated at Middlebury College, with the class of 1850, his preparatory studies having been pursued at Burr Seminary, Manchester. After finish- ing his collegiate course, he was employed two years, as a teacher at Flushing Institute, Long Island, and was then two or three years Tutor in Middlebury College. His course of theological study at Anderer, he completed with the class of 1857, and was soon af- fer settled Pastor of the Congregational Church at South Had- ley, Mass., where he still remains.
CHARLES MARSH MEAD, brother of the preceding, was born Jan. 28, 1837. He fitted for College mostly at Flushing Institute, L. I., and graduated at Middlebury with the class of 1856. He was em- ployed two years as teacher of Languages in Phillips Academy, Andover; was then Tutor in Middlebury College two years, and has pursued the usual course of theological study at Andover. He has preached as a Licenciate, but has not been ordained.
AMMI J. PARKER was born in 1802, but removed with his father, Dea., afterward Rev. James Parker, to the north part of the State. He early entered the ministry, and has devoted his life to arduous and self-sacrificing missionary labors among the "new set- tlements" in Canada East, making Shipton his place of abode.
LYMAN B. PEET was born March 1st, 1809. He graduated at Middlebury with the class of 1836; passed through the usual course of study at the Theological Seminary, Andover, and be- came a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, after having served two years as a financial agent of that body. Mr. Peet was first located at Bankok, Siam, from which mission he was soon transferred to China, and has for · many years had his residence at Fuh Chau. Some three or four years since, he visited this country to secure for his motherless children a home, which had been kindly tendered by a Christian family. Having thus availed himself of the provision providen- tially made for his children, and seen them established in their new
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home, he married a lady from Massachusetts, and returned to his oriental abode and labors.
REUBEN POST, D. D., was born Jan. 17, 1792, and graduated at Middlebury College in 1814. The year following he was the- Principal of the Addison County Grammar School. In the autumn of 1815, he entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton, and having completed the usual course of professional study at that in- stitution, was, in 1818, installed Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in the City of Washington, where he continued until 1836, officiating, also, a part of the time, as Chaplain to Congress. Hav- ing resigned his charge in Washington in 1856, he removed to Charleston, S. C., and became Pastor of the Independent Congre- gational Church in that city, where he remained till his death in 1859. The characteristics of Dr. Post, as a man, were gentleness, kindness and prudence-as a Christian, simplicity, guilelessness and fidelity -- as a minister, discretion and singleness of devotion to his work. His reading in the pulpit, especially his reading of hymns, was rarely surpassed. The late John Quincy Adams, whose official duties led him to spend most of his time in Washington, chose Dr. Post as his Pastor, and was a constant attendant on his ministry. No other clergyman, probably, has for so long a period and with so great acceptance, filled any one pulpit at Washington.
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