USA > Vermont > Addison County > Middlebury > History of the town of Middlebury, in the county of Addison, Vermont > Part 37
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After three years passed in that region, the health of his family required his return ; and in 1844 he again became a member of this Conference. Having remained with us eight years, he took a trang-
426
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
fer to Rock River Conference, and was stationed at Clark street, Chicago. He had nearly finished his two years there when he was smitten with cholera, and died in great peace, July 11, 1854.
John C. Green succeeded Mr. Clark in this station in 1828. Of him there is not much to be said.
Jarvis Z. Nichols was next in order. He is still in the vineyard, in the New York Conference.
He was succeeded by Peter C. Oakley, who also is a member of the same Conference ;- a man of sweet spirit, pleasing manners and good talents.
Charles P. Clarke came to this place in 1833, and was stationed here again in 1844, remaining but a year at each time. He was quite successful the first time,-increasing the membership from 200 to 307. He went south the year after his last labors here, and his lo- cality is not known. He joined the Protestant E. Church, and we have lost his address.
Merritt Bates came next in order, and was an efficient and suc- cessful laborer, and the church was increased in numbers and edi- fied. He is still in this Conference.
In 1836 Joseph Ayres became the pastor for one year, and again in 1841, for two years. There was a great revival during his last term, and the numbers went up to 451 ! He is now preaching in Northern Ohio.
After his first term came John (now Dr.) Frazer, who preached here in 1837-8. It was during his term that the present House of worship was erected. It is 45 feet in width, and 69 in length ; hav- ing a basement with a Lecture Room 30 by 45 feet, and four class- rooms : and is surmounted by a belfry and beautiful spire. Mr. Fra- zer has since been transferred to Ohio, where he is still in the ministry.
A. M. Osborn was appointed here in 1839, and tarried but one year. He is now a member of New York Conference, and wears the title of D. D .*
*The Troy annual Conference, which was organized in 1832, met in Middlebury in 1840. Bishop Roberts presided-a white-haired, apostolic looking old man, who preached on the Sabbath, with great effect. He has since been called to his re- ward in the higher Kingdom.
427
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
Cyrus Prindle was the next incumbent, and served two years. Ile soon after seceded from the Church, and joined the " American Wesleyan Church."
In 1847, Elijah B. Hubbard was the pastor. It was a year of deep and sore trial to him, for he was prostrated by painful and lin- gering disease, and his excellent wife was taken away by death ! These afflictions gave his nervous system a shock from which he never fully recovered; and he died at Fort Edward, N. Y., April 22, 1852 .*
Lester Janes preached in this place in 1848. He has since ta- ken up his abode in the West, where he has been employed alter- nately in preaching and teaching.
B. O. Meeker was the next Pastor, and served this people in 1849-50. The numbers were considerably increased under his la- bors. He is still a member of this Conference.
He was followed by his brother, Hiram Meeker, who was the Pastor for two years. At the end of that time he became supernu- merary, and continues to reside here, engaged in the practice of medicine.
The next incumbent was Robert Fox, who tarried but one year, and was succeeded by Peter M. Hitchcock. Here this minister, al- so, buried his wife after a long and painful illness !
HI. C. H. Dudley was appointed to this charge in 1855; and after spending about three-fourths of the year, he joined the Protestant E. Church, and is gone-we know not where.
The next in order was J. F. Yates, who labored here two years. During his last year there was a large revival, which increased the number to 290. During that year the House of worship was thor-
*Mr. Hubbard was the victim of a useless, if not cruel custom which prevails in many places. He had preached a funeral sermon in a school-house, which was densely crowded, and extremely warm. He then rode some distance in an open sleigh, though the day was cold and the wind harsh. There he stayed until the grave was filled, and then rode back. By this time he was thoroughly chilled; and a pulmonary disease followed which baffled the skill of physicians and the power of medicine. How many other ministers have been sacrificed on that altar of cruel custom!
428
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
oughly repaired and modernized, and made one of the best in the denomination in Western Vermont.
Mr. Yates was succeeded by B. M. Hall, who is still, (August, 1859) the Pastor. The annual Conference was again entertained in this village in the spring of 1858-Bishop Ames presiding, and "winning golden opinions from all sorts of men."
By a careful examination of the oldest Records which are pre- served, I find the following names, as in Full Connection, in 1809, viz :
Lebbeus Harris,
Azuba Babcock,
Sarah Harris,
Sarah Weaver,
Daniel Bigelow,
Amelia Farnsworth,
Betsey T. Bigelow,
Chester Haskins,
Abel Knights,
Huldah Fisher,
Nathan Alden, Local Pr.,
Josiah Johnson,
Barbary Alden,
Joseph Johnson,'
Thomas Carpenter, Local Pr,. Aurelia Carpenter,
Anna Johnson.
How long these had been members, is not known. But it is evi- dent that a Class had previously existed .- (See Mr. Washburn's statement on a former page.) Besides, there is a long list of names placed " On Trial," at the same date, 1809, showing that those not . then on trial, were the original members.
There were forty-five admitted on trial in that year ; which made the whole number in society sixty-two. Among those who com- posed that little band, just fifty years ago, there are but few now living; and fewer still who are in connection with Methodism in Middlebury.
Of those who were in Full Connection in 1809, Betsey T. Bige- low is the only representative. She is still here, in good standing in the church, and looking for a re-union with the others in the world above.
Of all who joined on trial in 1809, Althea Demming alone sur- vives among us. And of those admitted in 1810, Joel Boardman is the sole survivor ! What changes are wrought by the lapse of time ! Among those who identified themselves with this branch of
429
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY
the Church in its infancy, several will be long remembered for their attachment and devotion to the cause.
Of such, mention may be made of Lebbeus Harris, Daniel Biglow and their wives, David and Clark Dickinson, John and Hastings Warren, Jonathan Barlow, Luther Hagar, and others.
From this Society there have gone out at least three Ministers of the Gospel, who are doing good service within the bounds of the Troy Conference ;- Albert Champlin, Alfred A. Farr, and Chester F. Burdick :- While the sons and daughters of this church are its representatives in many places and states.
This church, like most others, has had a varied experience- sometimes passing through waves of trial, and again exulting in hope of that heavenly rest where
" Not a wave of trouble " rolls:
At time's it has been "minished and brought low," by reason of numerous removals, and other causes ;- and again, it has been favored with powerful revivals-so that "the wilderness and the solitary places have been matle glad for them, and the desert has blossomed as the rose."
Its present position is such as will insure success in the future, if it will only be true to itself and its Master. May this, and every true church of Christ, " grow into a holy temple in the Lord."
The following Table exhibits the numbers in Society in each year since Middlebury became a separate station.
DATE.
NO.
DATE.
NO.
DATE.
NO.
DATE.
NO.
1809
62
1820
100
1834
244
1842
213
1810
1821
114
1832
215
1843
451
1811
1822
166
1833
200
1844
274
1818
60
1823
149
1834
307
1845
246
1812
60
1824
142
1835
221
1846
246
1814
1825
118
1836
284
1847
240
1815
100
1826
126
1837
296
1848
220
1816
100
1827
139
1838
295
1849
191
1817
97
1828
182
1839
272
1850
185
1818
79
1829
243
1840
245
1851
240
1819
83
1830
237
1841
218
1852
183
37
430
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
DATE.
NO.
DATE.
NO.
DATE.
NO.
DATE.
1853
171
1855
174
1857
155
1859
280
1854
147
1856
160
1858
290
BAPTIST CHURCH.
FOR many years there was a respectable Baptist Church and Society, generally supplied with regular preaching, and the usual ordinances of religion. But for ten or twelve years past, their mem- bers have been so much reduced by removals and deaths, that the organization has ceased, and the remaining members attend upon the worship of the other churches. We have no means of obtaining a correct account of its history, except from the following, copied from Dr. Merrill's History, published in 1841.
" By Rev. Arnold Kingsbury, pastor of the Baptist Church.
The church was constituted Dec. 10, 1809. First pastor Rev. Nathaniel Kendrick from 1810 to 1817; second Rev. Isaac Back- land from 1818 to 1820. Since the last date the church has been destitute, a portion of the time and has enjoyed the labors of the following pastors, viz : brothers Ewens, Spaulding, Mott, Green, Haff, A. Jones, W. G. Johnson and A. Kingsbury. The church generally attended public worship in the Court House, till 1838, when they procured the meeting house, 65 feet by 32, which they now occupy. The present number of members in the church is 66."
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The following account has been furnished, at our request, by Mr. Timothy O'Flanagan.
The first Missionary Catholic Priest, that came to this town was the Rev. James MacQuaide in 1822. He left here the following year and we had none here until 1830, when the Rev. Jeremiah O. Callaghan came, as a Missionary of the whole State-coming here occasionally-until 1834 : Then the State was made into two missions, and the Rev. James Walsh came on this part of the mis- sion and left in 1835. In 1837, Rev. John B. Daley came here and built the present brick church, which is 60 feet by 40, in 1839 ; and remained on the mission until 1854. Then the first and
431
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
present Catholic Bishop of this Diocese, the Right Rev. Lewis Goesbriand, sent the Rev. Joseph Duglue, who is here now. The number of hearers is about 400, and the number of communicants 300. Some of these are from the adjacent towns. As to church membership, any person, no matter wherefrom, who confesses and receives the eucharist, is a member of the Catholic Church, in any part of the world. T. O. F.
432
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY,
CHAPTER XXVI.
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR OF 1812.
AT the time of the declaration of war by our government against Great Britain, in June, 1812, party spirit had risen, between the Federalists and Republicans, to a state of greater asperity than has since been known, in consequence of the measures which had been adopted, in defence of the country, against the encroachments of the British and French, then at war. After the declaration of war, the friends of the administration felt bound to co-operate with and sus- tain them in every measure deemed necessary for its successful pros- ecution. The Federalists, who were opposed to the declaration of war, as being, as they alleged, unnecessary, impolitic and not tend- ing to any hopeful result, felt no disposition to co-operate or aid in the prosecution, beyond the "letter of the law." The principal difference between the parties arose from their different construction of the power given by the constitution to the General Government over the militia of the several states. We have said so much in ex- planation of what may follow. But it is our business not to ex- press any opinion as to their differences; but to confine ourselves to such occurrences as had some connection with incidents and proceed- ings in Middlebury. There being no records of those occurrences to which we can appeal, we are obliged to rely much on the recol- lection of the few survivors who remain; which, after nearly fifty years, are of course rather confused and contradictory. For many of the facts depending on recollection, we are indebted to Ozias Seymour, Esq.
Soon after the declaration of war, in June, 1812, in pursuance of the act of Congress authorizing the President to call on the dif- ferent states for detachments of militia, to the number of 100,000
433
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
men, a brigade, consisting of four regiments, was called for from Vermont, under General Orms, of West Haven, and ordered into actual service, and was concentrated at Burlington. The men com- posing the brigade were designated by drafts, except when volunteers offered themselves. There were, at the time, five or six young gentle- men studying law in the office of Hon. Horatio Seymour, all of whom, as well as their instructor, were friends of the administration, and rather zealous supporters of the war ; and, for that reason, the office was honored with the designation of the "War Office." Four or five of these were enrolled in the standing militia company, then un- der the command, we think, of Capt. Joseph D. Huntington. The company consisted of seventy or eighty non-commissioned officers and privates, and about thirteen were to be taken from the number. When the company was paraded for the draft, the officers called for volunteers, and suggested the expectation that the young gentlemen who were so zealous for the war,-referring particularly to the law students, -would have patriotism enough to volunteer. But none offered themselves. When the officers retired to make the draft, and returned to announce the result, it appeared that, among others, the following law students were drafted,-Hon. Zimri Howe, of Cas- tleton ; the late Hon. Samuel S. Phelps, of Middlebury ; Walter Sheldon, Esq., and the late John Kellogg, Esq., of Benson. They complained that there had not been a fair draft; that they had been selected instead of being drafted ; and consulted Mr. Seymour on the subject. He inquired whether they had any evidence of unfairness. When they replied that they had no available evidence, he advised them to shoulder their muskets and go to the war. Judge Howe was soon appointed Secretary to Gen. Orms : Judge Phelps, after serving some time in the ranks, received from Mr. Madison the ap- pointment of paymaster : Walter Sheldon, before the troops were called into service, was appointed a Lieutenant, and served as dis- trict paymaster in the regular service. But Kellogg declined any promotion, and preferred to carry his musket in the ranks, which he did during the term for which the brigade was ordered into service.
About the 10th of April, 1814, it was reported and understood that a part of the British fleet was seen off Cumberland Head, and their
-
434
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
design was supposed to be to attack and burn the American fleet in Otter Creek, in and near Vergennes. On the request of Gen. Wil- kinson, of the United States army, Gov. Chittenden, of Vermont, immediately issued an order, by a messenger, to Col. Sumner, of Middlebury, commander of a regiment in this County, to call out his regiment, and forthwith to march them en masse to Vergennes for the protection of the fleet. At the time, there were few, if any, United States troops at that place. Three of the companies of the regiment belonged to Middlebury ; viz. a company of Light Infant- ry, commanded by Capt. Samuel H. Holley; a company of Cavalry, commanded by Capt. John Hacket, and the standing or Flood Wood company, then under the command of Lieut. Justus Foot-the Cap- tain being for some reason absent. Thre order was received by them on Monday, the 11th, or on Tuesday, the 12th of April, and promptly obeyed. The companies were ready to march as early as the mid- dle of the afternoon of the day on which the order was received. Lieut. Foot's company was, about that time, paraded on the com- mon, and was dismissed under the order to meet at cight o'clock the next morning on the hill just south of Vergennes. A large part of the company, having left their ranks, were immediately on their way to the place of rendezvous the next morning, each one looking out for himself a place to lodge, during the leisure hours he might have, in reaching the place of meeting at 8 o'clock in the morning. Capt. Allen, (who came into town only a week before, a stranger to nearly all the company, and wholly without equipments or other preparation,) and a few others, started too late to reach the place at the appointed time, and found the company quartered in a barn at Vergennes.
Hon. Joel Doolittle was then adjutant of the regiment, and Hon. Samuel S. Phelps had an appointment in the staff. Soon after the regiment reached Vergennes, Gen. Dunton, of Bristol, who com- manded the brigade to which the regiment belonged, appeared and claimed the command. This claim was resisted by Col. Sumner, and an animated and somewhat amusing war of words ensued be- tween the general and colonel, which was the most decidedly bellig- erent display the regiment was called on to witness.
435
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
Lieut. Foot was a Federalist, and being jealous of the rights of his company, became disaffected by the movements made in the ‘ organization of the troops, and refused to have his company mustered under the proposed arrangements. Their operations were therefore kept separate and independent of the other companies ; and, on Saturday, the 16th, he gave a furlough to each of his men, under an order to be in readiness to return when called for .*
The report, which occasioned the alarm, on the occasion referred to, turned out to be erroneous. No British fleet or signs of pres- ent danger appeared. Accordingly Governor Chittenden, who was at Vergennes, in consultation with Commodore Mac Donough,
*Mr. Seymour's recollection of what he then and afterwards understood, is, that the ground of Foot's disaffection was. that he was unwilling to have his company mustered into service under United States officers. This at the time was a mooted question. Nahum Parker, Esq., who was a member of the company, agrees with Mr. Seymour in his recollection. Capt. Ira Allen, also a member of the company, states, as his recollection, that Foot objected only to the derangement of his compa- ny, by dividing it, and mix'ng it with others, to make it conform, In its organiza. tion, to that of the United States army; that he was willing the vacancy in the of- fice of captain should be filled by another person, but claimed the right to act as lieutenant of his own company, as it was ordered into the service. On the third day, Capt. Allen and a few others, who had no guns and could get none, were dis- missed, and returned home. On Saturday, as Allen learned from Foot, he received some official communication, in which he was recognized as commander of the com- pany which he brought there, and he took the liberty, as their commander, to give them a furlough until further orders. The same night, after his return liome, Foot received an order from Col. Sumner, to return, and he went himself, the next morning, without his men, and while there he and his men were discharged, as the other companies afterwards were, under an order to return when called for.
Mr. Lorin Fillmore, also a member of the company, whose recollection is more minute and definite, states, in addition, that many of the companies were small, and when counted off into full companies. there were many supernumerary officers, who were left out of the service, and among them Licut. Foot; and a captain and lieutenant were appointed over his men from other towns. When this was reported to the company, and the new officers appeared to take the command, they unani- mously decided not to submit to that organization: That on Thursday, Foot and his company marched out of the city, and were followed by the Colonel, Adjutant, . and some other officers, who addressed them, and gave them encouragement that the organization should be altered; and thereupon the company returned to their quarters in the barn. But no alteration was made, and on Saturday furloughs were given to the company, as above stated. He also states that the militia mus- tered into the service were commanded and drilled by United States officers.
436
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
on the 19th of April issued a general order to Col. Sumner, in · which he states, that the Commodore "will be competent to protect the flotilla under his command, after he shall get the gallies now on the stocks afloat ;" and directs the Colonel, "in the event of the gallies being launched to permit the militia under his command to return to their homes, except Capt. William C. Munson's company from Panton, who will remain until further orders ;" and that the troops were to be held " in complete readiness to march on the shortest notice, without further orders, to meet any invasion the enemy may attempt." On the 20th of April he issued another order, stating that he had agreed with the Commodore " on an alarm sig- nal of three heavy guns, to be fired in rapid succession, in case of attack by the enemy," and giving the Colonel permission " to furlough the officers and soldiers, (Capt. Munson's company excepted) until further orders." On the 22d of the same month he issued a third general order to the Colonel, stating that he " has received in- telligence, that a regiment of the United States army at Plattsburgh had been ordered to proceed to Vergennes, for the defence of the naval force ;" and says-" Col. Sumner will therefore on the arri- val of these troops, proceed to discharge the whole detachment un- der his command." We learn from a man who belonged to that corps of United States troops, that on their arrival, which was about four days after the date of the order, the militia were dismissed. Mr. Seymour relates the following, as what he understood at the time. A few hours before the troops were relieved, Col. Sumner called his officers to a council of war, to determine what should be done. Commodore MacDonough was invited to be present and express his opinion. The Commodore, in reply to their inquiry, said, in sub- stance, -" Gentlemen, I am willing to compromise this matter with you. If you will take your militia home, I will take care of the fleet. I am vastly more in danger from your men, than from the enemy." The occasion of this pleasantry, on the part of MacDon- ough, is said to have been, that one of the militia men, in a room occupied as a guard house, directly under the Commodore, accidently discharged his musket, which sent its contents through Mac Don- ough's floor, passing near his person, as he sat at his table. The
437
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
result of the council was, that the regiment had leave to retnru to their homes, on an indefinite furlough, under orders to be in readiness to return at a moment's warning.
In the month of May following, a British fleet, consisting of a brig, three sloops and thirteen gallies, came up the lake from St. Johns, passed Burlington on the 12th, and appeared before Fort Cassin, at the mouth of the Creek, and opened a spirited fire upon that fort, with a view of forcing their way up the Creek, and destoy- ing the American shipping before it should be ready for service. After exchanging a few shots with the fort, they retreated and re- turned to Canada. On the proposed signal, or other notice, some of the militia on furlough, nearest to Fort Cassin, especially in Addi- son, returned and aided in the defence.
In the fore part of September, 1814, Governor Provost, of Can- ada, invaded the territory of the United States at the head of 14,000 troops, marching towards Plattsburgh. On the 6th of that month, a small reconnoitering party of regular American troops and militia met the advance guard of the British army, and had a skirmish with them, in which several of the Americans were killed, and, it is said, some British. The bodies of the Americans were left, and re- mained above ground until after the retreat of the British army, and were buried by the American volunteers on the 12th. An alarm was spread through the surrounding country, and a general rally followed. As soon as the citizens heard that the soil of their coun- try was defiled by the tread of an invading foe, all party distinctions and all constitutional scruples were laid aside, and all parties rallied to the rescue. Messengers were sent into all parts of this State and New York to give the alarm. A very inadequate force of regular troops,-a single brigade,-under General Macomb, was stationed at Plattsburgh,-the main army having moved westward.
.On the 4th of September, Gen. Macomb wrote to Hon. Martin Chittenden, Governor of Vermont, giving notice of the near approach of the enemy, and said-" Much is at stake at this place, and aid is actually wanted, as the garrison is small, and the enemy in consid- erable force. Under these circumstances, your excellency, Iam sure, will not hesitate to afford us all the assistance in your power." Gov- 38
438
HISTORY OF MIDDLEBURY.
ernor Chittenden, on the same day, replied,-" I shall take the most effectual measure to furnish such number of volunteers as may be induced to turn out for your assistance." On the same day also, he enclosed a copy of Gen. Macomb's letter to Gen. Newell, of Char- lotte, commander of the brigade in that neighborhood, "which," he says, " will show you the situation of our army at Plattsburgh, and the necessity of such assistance as can be afforded. I would recom- mend it to you to take the most effectual method to procure such number of volunteers as may be had for his immediate assistance, from your brigade." Col. Fassett, of the United States army, on the 7th of September, wrote to Gov. Chittenden, saying-" I learn by Mr. Wadsworth that there is a considerable quantity of fixed am- munition at Vergennes, subject to your order. Can I have a part of it for the volunteers ? Please inform me by my son." To which Gov. Chittenden replied the same day-" If there is any (fixed am- munition) subject to my order, this letter may be considered a suffi- cient order for such part of the same as may be wanted."
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