USA > Vermont > Addison County > Middlebury > History of the town of Middlebury, in the county of Addison, Vermont > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
Services were held, and arrangements made with clergymen who visited the village occasionally, supplied for a season the wants of the people until 1811, when a resident Minister was se- cured. Public Worship at first was held in the Court-House. Then a room belonging to the late Judge Seymour was placed at the disposal of the Society, which was used for many years. At length a building belonging to Mr. Daniel Henshaw, was fitted up . for the exclusive purpose of Public Worship, and continued to be so used until the present edifice known as St. Stephen's Church was erected. The first steps towards this important improvement in the condition and welfare of the Society, appear to have been taken as early as 1825 .*
*An unsuccessful effort had been made in 1816. A committee was appointed,' measures were taken to raise the necessary funds, and a resolution was passed April 21st 1817, directing certain steps to be taken " for building a church on the ground purchased by George Cleveland, agreeable to the plan submitted by Eben W. Judd," and a committee of five was appointed to superintend the building of the church. The records fail to indicate the reason why this design was never car- ried into effect.
415
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
The following resolution appears in the minutes of the proceed- ings of the Society passed July 11th, in that year.
" Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to enquire where will be the most eligible place in which to erect a Church, and what will be the probable expense of obtaining the same. Messrs. Ho- ratio Seymour, Eben Judd, Joseph Hough, George Cleveland, Nathan Wood, Lavius Fillmore, James McDonald were appointed the said Committee." In the month of July, this Committee made a verbal report, and a resolution was adopted " to examine into the expediency of soliciting aid from abroad to build a Church." The Rev. B. B. Smith, Hon. Horatio Seymour and Danl' Chipman were appointed the Committee for this purpose. At this meeting Col. S. S. Phelps was added to the Committee, formerly raised on the subject of a site. It was further resolved that the Committee inquire " on what terms the lot of Mr. Van Ness, Mr. Wainwright's, Mr. Henshaw's and Judge Doolittle's lots can be obtained, and whether liberty would be granted to build a Church on the Com- mon, &c."
There is no record of the result of the labors and investigations of these Committees ; but in August, a Committee of five was ap- pointed to "make a plan of a Church, with an estimate of the probable expense of building on the site selected by the Committee appointed by the Town of Middlebury for that purpose." In Sep- tember, the Committee already named, was appointed to ascertain what sums can be obtained to erect a Church on the spot located by a Committee of the town, and the same persons were to be consid- ered as the Building Committee, and are directed to proceed in the erection of the building, with as much expedition as the case will admit. of.
There is no further record as to the completion of the erection, or as to the time of the Consecration of the building. This, as we learn from other sources, took place on the 14th day of September, 1827. The names of the individuals who have been regularly settled in the village as officiating Ministers, are the Rev. P. Adams, from 1811 to 1814. The Rev. S. S. Safford, from 1814 to 1816. The Rev. George Leonard, a part of the year, 1817. Rev. B. B. Smith,
416
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
1823 to 1828. Rev. S. A. Crane, 1831 to 1835. Rev. S. R. Crane, 1835 to 1837. Rev. W. H. Hoyt, 1837, to 1838. Rev. J. W. Diller, 1838 to 1842. The Rev. Jedidiah Huntington, 1842 to 1843. Rev. Joseph F. Philips, 1843 to 1847. The Rev. Mr. Hickox, of Westport, N. Y., supplied the parish with occasional services during the year 1849. Rev. Mr. Mulchahey, 1849 to 1854. Rev. W. T. Webbe, elected by the Vestry on the 4th of June 1854, and Instituted to that office on the 4th of July 1855, is the present Rector.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
(BY REV. B. M. HALL.)
THE exact date of the introduction of Methodism into Middlebury is not known. The published Minutes of the Conference mention the name of the town, as designating a circuit, in 1810, for the first time. But there was Methodist preaching here much earlier ; and there is reason to believe that a Society had been formed several years anterior to that date.
There is now living in this village, an aged member of the church, who assures the writer that she came here with her husband in 1804, and found both Methodists and Methodist preaching at that date.
Rev. Ebenezer Washburn was one of the early ministers who travelled in Western Vermont; and was on the Vergennes Circuit in 1801. In 1842, he published in the Christian Advocate and Journal, a series of letters, containing reminiscences of his early itinerancy. In those letters the following paragraph occurs :
" At Middlebury I found a small and persecuted class. Our preaching was at the house of Lebbeus Harris : and in the midst of that village our average congregation was from twenty-five to thirty. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were deeply pious, and ready to greet the preacher with joy at his coming, and to render him every service and accommodation to make him comfortable and happy while he stayed."
Mr. Washburn was, in that year, (1801) appointed to Brandon Circuit, which was then newly organized, and composed of the
417
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
southern part of Vergennes Circuit, which had extended far south of Brandon.
Lebbeus Harris and his wife, who are mentioned above, were con- verted in the spring of 1801; the same year in which Mr. Wash- burn came upon the circuit and found a small class. A record of their conversion was made by Mr. Harris, and preserved in his Old Pocket Book, now in the possession of his son, Dr. Harris, of this place. It is as follows :
"Middlebury, April 21, 1801. This day Sally Harris made a profession of Religion."
"Middlebury, May 18, 1801 : This day Lebbeus Harris made a profession of Religion."
On the back of the paper are these words: "Old things are done away, and all things are become new."
Taking into account the above facts and dates, we shall be safe in believing that a Society has existed here almost from the organ- izing of the Circuit in 1798.
The first preacher appointed to Vergennes Circuit was Joseph Mitchell, who is described as " a man of extraordinary natural pow- ers ;- a shrewd, witty, energetic and overwhelming preacher."
Mr. Mitchell was admitted into the travelling connection in 1794, and located in 1804.
The next preacher was Joseph Sawyer. Ile was in charge of several important places, including the Presiding Eldership of Up- per Canada District, during four years. He also retired from the itinerancy, after having travelled thirteen years ; and of his later life there is no record.
In 1800 Henry Ryan was Pastor of this charge. This was his first appointment, after which he served in Fletcher, Plattsburgh, Bay Quintie, (Canada) Long Point and Niagara Circuits. He was Presiding Elder of both Upper and Lower Canada Districts in suc- cession : also of Bay Quintie District, and Missionary to the Chippe- way Indians in Canada. After laboring twenty-five years, he be- came a Superannuate in Canada.
Mr. Ryan was a man of vast size and strength, and utterly fear- less in the presence of those " lewd fellows of the baser sort," who
418
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
sometimes delighted in making disturbance in Methodist meetings, and mal-treating Methodist preachers. More than one such fellow has taken counsel of that discretion which "is the better part of valor," and retired before this " son of thunder."
Ebenezer Washburn, the first whose name is associated, particu- larly, with that of Middlebury, was a man who lived long, labored much, and died well. In his letters we find the following, which refers to his labors on this Circuit. :
" Here too, I was compelled to be a man of contention. If I presented Christ to the people as having tasted death for every man, that was strenuously opposed by the doctrine of partial atonement. If I called upon sinners to repent and believe the Gospel, I was told that a sinner could not repent until he was converted. If I preached the knowledge of sin forgiven, that was wild and danger- ous fanaticism."
Speaking of the trials which he endured on this circuit, Mr. Washburn says ;
" I have had stones and snow balls cast at me in vollies. I have had great dogs sent after me, to frighten my horse, as I was peace- fully passing through small villages. But I was never harmed by any of them. I have been saluted with the sound of . Glory, ho- sanna, amen, hallelujah'; mixed with oaths and profanity. If I turned my horse, to ride toward them, they would show their want of confidence, both in their master, and in themselves, by fleeing like base cowards."
In 1802, Elijah Chichester was the preacher. He was one of the strong men of the times ; and had he made preaching the busi- ness of his life, would have risen to the high places in Zion. But having travelled about eight years, he located, and entered into mer- cantile business in the city of Troy. In later years he removed to Lansingburgh, and continued in the same business until the infirmi- ties of age admonished him to rest. He entered into his final rest a few years since, at Lansingburgh, and the writer of this preached his funeral sermon.
William Anson next appears in this field of labor, but of his toils, or success here, we have no account. The old members who were
419
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY
living but a few years since, and whose memories would have gone back to those times, are gone from us. By consulting the Minutes of the Conference, we find that the numbers in Society increased during his year from 227 to 268,-a very fair per centage.
Mr. Anson was a faithful and competent minister. In all his re- lations, on Circuits, in Stations, and as Presiding Elder, he showed " all good fidelity." On account of impaired health, he sought re- tirement on his farm in Saratoga Co , N. Y., in 1823. There he remained until 1848, when he died in great peace, respected and belove.d
In 1804 James M. Smith travelled this Circuit. Of him but little is known at this late date. That he was a man of good tal- ents is evinced by the grade of his appointments. The largest vil- lages in the Conference, in connection with New York City, shared his labors.
Samuel Cochrane was on the circuit in 1805. All that can be learned of him, is, that he served the cause well in places of im- portance and responsibility, until 1842, when he was returned su- perannuated. He was living in 1846-" old and full of days."
Samuel Draper was one of the strong men of his day, and he came to this field in 1806. He was admitted into the travelling connection in 1801, and died in 1824. His "record is on high," and his memory is yet fragrant among the preachers of olden time. As Presiding Elder on Champlain, and Ashgrove Districts, each four years ; he was faithful, efficient, and beloved. His "works do follow " him. .
Next came Dexter Bates, whose connection with the travelling ministry was brief; he located in 1809. He was followed by An- drew Mckean. This was a good man and a good preacher. But like many in those days, he found the labors too severe for his phys- ical powers; and after some years of useful toil, was obliged to re- tire from active service. Taking his place with the worn-out mem- bers of the conference, he took up his residence on his farm in Sar- atoga Co., N. Y., where he still resides.
This closes the first period of the history of Methodism in this immediate vicinity. It is, in some sense, the traditionary period ;
420
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
for though the published Minutes of the Conference are preserved, and we there find the stations of the preachers, and some statisti- cil information ; yet there is but little of the kind that is needed for the " filling up." There are no details, except such as are laid up in the memories of the ancients, and some fragments in the scanty reminiscences of aged ministers who have written, now and then, for the weekly press.
Middlebury first gave its name to a circuit, or station, in 1810, and Phineas Peck was the first resident Pastor. The appointment probably became a Station, in contradistinction from a Circuit, at this date. How many were in Society at this time, cannot be known, for heretofore the numbers for the whole circuit were reported in gross. But at the end of Mr. Peck's first, and also of his second year, there were sixty members reported.
Mr. Peck is remembered by some who yet live, and is represented as a man of sound sense, sterling integrity, and good preaching tal- ents. It is said that he was once Chaplain to the State Legislature. In Dr. Bangs' History of the M. E. Church, there is a list of names of all the preachers who have joined the Travelling Connection-of the time of joining-of deaths-of withdrawals-or expulsions, as the case may be-with the date of each. From that list it appears that Mr. Peck died in 1835; but at what place, is not know .*
In the spring of 1813, Samuel Howe was stationed in Middle- bury : and also again in 1816-remaining but one year each time. It was during his first year that the first Chapel was erected. . It was a humble structure; yet it was, doubtless, much better than the " loft " in which they had worshipped since leaving the house of Lebbeus Harris. Besides, it was their own, and erected specifically
*The preaching place at this time, was an " upper room " in what is now called Seymour's Block, at the north end of the Bridge. It was about this time that two men from the " father-land," who were Methodists, arrived in town, and the next day being the Sabbath, they walked out, in order to see if a Methodist Meeting could be found. Seeing no house which appeared like a Chapel, they began to de- spair, when the sound of Praise was heard issuing from a private house ; and after listening to the words and music, they said to each other ; "There is a Methodist Class-Meeting ;" and they both wept for joy ! They entered, and found a happy introduction to Methodism in the New World.
421
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
for the worship of God; and the Saviour, whose birth-place was emphatically humble, did not disdain to be with those who were gathered in His name.
We have no report of numbers at the end of Mr. Howe's first year ; but judging from what the writer knows of the man, he is confident that the Gospel was faithfully proclaimed, and the Church edified-and doubtless, some souls were converted.
Mr. Howe became an itinerant in 1801, and labored diligently until 1831, when his impaired health rendered it necessary for him to take a superannuated relation.
On the 16, Feb. 1858, he went to Troy to attend the funeral of an aged and esteemed memher of the Church. After the sermon, which was preached by another, Mr. Howe made a few remarks, and closed by saying : " I have entered my 78th year, and expect soon to follow the deceased, and hope to meet him in heaven." He im- mediately retired to one of the Class-Rooms in the basement-sat down in a chair, and expired before the procession had left the Church!
" How many fall as sudden ;- not so safe !"
The next in the regular succession of Pastors, was Cyprian H. Gridley, who remained two years. We have no report of numbers at the end of his first year, but at the close of the second there were 100 members. He was stationed here again in 1818; and in 1820 he was compelled by ill health to take a superannuated relation, which continued for twenty-four years, during all which time he resided in Middlebury.
In 1844 he became effective, and travelled until 1850, when he once more' retired from the open field. He is now, (1859,) residing at Appleton, Wisconsin; with some of his children. Mr. Gridley joined the itinerant band when it was feeble in all this region, and " endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," so long as his health would permit.
The many in this place who remember him, will call to mind his small, but wiry frame-and quick elastic step ; and also his mighty prayers and moving exhortations. In these exercises he had few equals. When he was young in the ministry, it was supposed by many, even in the moral and orderly Village of Middlebury, 36
1
422
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
that it was neither unlawful nor dishonorable, to disturb Methodist meetings, or mal-treat Mothodist Ministers! Mr. Gridley has many interesting recollection in this department of experience. On many occasions he was followed from evening meetings, by savage hootings, and assailed by dangerous missiles ! On one occasion his window was broken in the night, and a large and heavy file was thrown into his house and found sticking in the wall above the bed on which he lay at the time of the assult ! He facitiously remarked, that he thought that the devil was about to retire from business, as he had begun to distribute his tools.
Now, why was Methodism so violently persecuted ? Any other ism, no matter how erroneous or fanatical, could have shown itself in the same place, and made its proselytes without such opposition. I leave the answer to such as are responsible.
As before-stated, Samuel Howe was here for the second time in 1816. This was a year of trial, and many were distressed for food. It was called " The cold season " and at the end of the Conference year I find the following entry in the Book of Records.
"N. B. This year, paid P. Elder, H. Stead, in all 66 66 Rev. S. Howe, 256,00
$23,00
$279.00
" Cheap enough for the pure Gospel ; we hope to do better next year. As this was a severe season in these northern parts, some were destitute of a morsel of bread ; and surely, both ministers and people must have suffered. But, O, that there may never be a famine of the pure gospel word of grace !"*
In the spring of 1817, the church was favored with the minis- trations of Buell Goodsell. This able minister, has occupied prom- inent positions among his brethren, and yet lives to enjoy their re- spect and affection, in the New York East Conference.
James Youngs was stationed here in 1819-1820. He was a
*The New York Conferrence held its session here in June 1817. At that time the whole number of preachers in the Conference was ninety-four. Since that time the Conference has been divided into three-all numbering about five hundred preachers. Bishop George was the presiding officer, " A mighty man of God."
423
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
man of social habits, kindly feelings, and catholic spirit; and was influential in bringing in a better state of feeling among Christians : dispensing with that bigotry so often seen in those days-so unlovely and injurious to all.
He was an able minister, and his mind was well stored, and well disciplined ; a scholar, a Christian, and a Divine.
Next in order was Ebenezer Brown,-a minister of rare talents, sound mind, deep thought, and popular address. Under his labors the Chapel proved too small-" the place was too strait," and the house was enlarged. Still, a portion of the " Old-fashioned Meth- odists " were not quite pleased with the preacher. He was not loud enough for them, though sufficiently so to be heard with the greatest distinctness and ease in all parts of the house.
Besides, he had a fashion of tying his white cravat in a double- bow, in front; and moreover, his hair stood up in front, instead of lying smoothely down on his forehead ! When labored with for this last offence, his explanation was, that he had a " Cow-lick " on one side of his forehead, and his hair on that side stubbornly refused to comply with the usage, and he chose to allow the other side to keep it company !
Notwithstanding these faults, Mr. Brown was quite successful, and the membership increased about fifty per cent during his year of service. He left the itinerancy in 1825, and entered into busi- ness in the city of Troy.
In 1822 Noah Levings was appointed to this station, where he remained but one year. He was young as a minister at that date, and had not arrived at the maturity which he reached in later years. Starting from the anvil in the city of Troy, soon after reaching his majority, and with but a limited English education, he won his way to the " high places in Zion." He was studious and quick to learn, and his literary attainments became very respectable.
He was never one of the most profound-but one of the most popular preachers :- he was eloquent in the best sense of the word. Ilis address was pleasing, his manner easy, his heart warm, his doc- trine pure, and his voice like æolian music !
Having served the churches in the cities of Troy, Schenectady
424
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
and Albany, some of them more than one term, he was transferred to New York, and stationed at Vestry Street. While there he was elected Financial Secretary of the American Bible Society, which of- he held until the close of his useful life. While stationed in Sche- nectady, he received the Degree of D. D., from Union College.
In the Fall of 1848 he left New York, intending to visit large portions of the South West in behalf of the Bible Society; and while in that region, in the midst of the Cholera, which then pre- vailed, he was attacked with disease which he knew was alarming ; and he hastened toward home by way of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Having reached Cincinnati he could proceed no further, and at the house of his former friend and Brother, Mr. Burton, with no mem- ber of his family present, he " entered into rest," on the 9th day of January, 1849. He died like the good and happy Minister- expressing his unshaken faith in that Gospel, and Saviour which he had so long preached to others.
During his ministry of thirty years, he officiated' in eighteen Circuits and stations,-preached about four thousand times-dedi- cated thirty-eight churches-delivered sixty-five miscellaneous ad- dresses-two hundred and seventy-three addresses in behalf of the Bible Society,-and travelled more than thirty-six thousand miles ! Surely, he exhibited the "signs of an Apostle."
John J. Matthias had charge of this church in 1823, for one year only. He was, at one time, in the early history of Coloniza- tion, the Governor of the Colony of Liberia, in Africa; and is now a prominent member of the New York East Conference.
Robert Seeney followed Mr. Matthias. He is reported as one of the best Pastors ever stationed in this place-one who performed the greatest amount of visiting in a strictly pastoral manner. In preach- ing, he is said to have greatly excelled; being full of thought, easy in manner, and rapid and graceful in elocution. On Sabbath morn- ings he would be in great distress through nervous excitement-feel- ing as if he could not possibly preach, and giving illustrations of motion without progress ; for he would hurry from room to room, in his efforts to prepare for going to church, and yet if his wife did
425
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY
not follow, and put him in order by piece-meal, he was likely to go with haif-adjusted apparel and hair unkempt !
John B. Stratton became the pastor in 1825. He was received into the travelling connection fifty-eight years ago, and is still hale and strong. After having occupied important posts in the ministry, and discharging his duties with the greatest fidelity, he is enjoying a green old age in the office of Presiding Elder on Burlington Dis- trict, in which this town is included. As he is in our midst, it may not be proper to say more; except that, as he has been one of our ablest men, we hope that his robust health and unabated vigor may continue to the church his services for years to come.
John Clark was pastor in 1826-7. He was admitted in 1822, and having made good use of his time and means, became an able minister. He was favored with considerable revival, and saw the membership increased during his administration from 126 to 182. Though not quite thirty-one years old when his term expired here, yet he was made Presiding Elder of Plattsburgh District, and showed himself an accomplished and efficient officer in that capacity. He was next appointed to New York City, where he served one year, and then offiered himself as a missionary to Green Bay.
In that field he continued five years, having charge of all our missions and schools among the Indians in the whole North West. His labors were extreme, and often perilous. Ilis travels were ex- tensive, reaching from Green Bay and Sault de Ste. Marie, to Mack- inaw,-and westward to the Mississippi River. The country was then a vast wilderness, and the modes of travel-by canoes and port- ages, both slow and toilsome.
On leaving the Indian work, he spent a few years as Presiding Elder in northern Illinois, and then volunteered for Texas. In go- ing to that country, he took the over-land route, via St. Louis, with his own horses and wagon, taking his wife and child with him. In that journey they slept under their own tent twenty-one nights be- fore reaching their destination !
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.