USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Pittsford > History of the town of Pittsford, Vt., with biographical sketches and family records > Part 44
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Mr. Hopkins was quite a vigorous writer, though we are not aware that many of his writings were ever published. He was the author of a small work entitled "Spots on the Sun," and at the time of his death, he had in manuscript a work on
This. H. Palmer
577
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
the "Second Coming of Christ," taking the ground that this event was not what had been so earnestly looked for by the Second Adventists, but that which took place within one hun- dred and fifty years -after Christ, when the Jewish nation was destroyed or expelled from Jerusalem. He was wishing very much to put this work into print, as he felt confident thah e had abundant proof of his theory.
Rev. Cephas Augustus Leach, the youngest son of Andrew Leach, was born in Pittsford, January 24, 1823. He early evinced a thirst for knowledge, and after a preparatory course of study, he entered Middlebury College, from which he grad- uated in the class of 1846. After nearly three years spent in teaching and lecturing, he entered Andover Theological Seminary, and gradnated in the class of 1852. He preached in Carlinville a short time, and was afterwards pastor of the Congregational Church in Payson, Ill., where he was installed in 1857. In 1868 or '69, he traveled in Europe and visited Pal- estine. He married, in 1857, Mary Ann Scarboro,* who was born in Brooklyn, Conn., March 2, 1817. She died in Payson. They had one daughter, May, born in 1858.
A brief allusion has already been made to Thomas H. Palmer. But a man of such rare qualities and usefulness should receive further notice. The circumstances of his early life were well calculated to develop in him those traits of character which contributed so largely to his subsequent success. His father, who was a bookseller. and publisher of a newspaper, died in 1799, leaving the subject of this notice, then but sixteen years of age, to conduct the business. As his widowed mother, two sisters older than himself and two brothers younger, were dependent upon him for support, he found it necessary to culti- vate the most rigid habits of industry and economy.
* Miss Scarboro was a great granddaughter of Mrs. Lucretia Minor York, better known as "Grandmother York," whose name is familiar in some parts of Penn- sylvania as the heroine of Fort Wyoming.
38
578
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
The publication of which he had charge had quite an exten- sive circulation for that time, but as the family had espoused the cause of the republicans in the exciting period of the French revolution, the influence of the conservatives was exerted to diminish its patronage. This influence tended to restrict their pecuniary resources, but rather than yield to a popular demand by the sacrifice of principle, they resolved to carry out the plan of emigration which had been partially matured by the father before his death. Accordingly, in 1801, they sold their estate in Scotland and removed to Philadelphia, where Thomas, with his next younger brother, George, estab lished a book-printing office, which soon became noted for the more difficult kinds of its work. They prosecuted their busi- ness successfully until the financial panic of 1817, when they lost their property and were compelled to suspend. But their gentlemanly deportment, integrity, industry and success in the more difficult parts of their business had won for them a host of friends who urged them to commence anew, at the same time offering them all needful assistance. George died about this time, but Thomas, encouraged by his friends, resumed business and continued it prosperously until 1826, when he sold out his establishment and, with a competence, removed to Pittsford, Vt. Here he fitted up a beautiful home, and the time he could spare from domestic duties was devoted to lite- rary pursuits, and to labors calculated to elevate and improve society.
The cause of education found in Mr. Palmer an able advo- cate. As town superintendent he investigated the condition of the schools, and was surprised to find how inefficient they were to accomplish the end designed. The most of them were in charge of incompetent teachers, who had little idea of the magnitude and importance of their work, and who had no higher motive than was found in the stipulated compensation. In order to remedy this condition of things he was aware it
579
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
would be necessary to awaken an interest in the subject on the part of the people of the town. As a first step in this direc- tion, with the assistance of a few friends, he established a town lyceum, in which scientific and educational subjects should be freely and fully discussed. Before the opening lecture he canvassed the town and procured over two hundred subscribers of half a dollar each, to procure apparatus with which to illus- trate such chemical and philosophical subjects as might be brought before the lyceum.
These efforts and the success which attended them soon attracted the attention of the friends of education in other sections, and Mr. Palmer was persuaded to extend his labors and to hold educational meetings in other towns in the State. In the fall of 1844, he was invited to Middlebury by Gov. Slade, himself a devoted friend to common schools, to consult and explain his views to the college faculty and other invited guests. It was there determined that an effort should be made to have the school laws of the State remodeled. Mr. Palmer proposed to canvass the State in the interest of the schools, to make known their wants, and to set on foot an extensive scheme for memorializing the Legislature. At a preliminary meeting held at Middlebury, a committee was appointed to correspond with influential men in those parts of the State he proposed to visit, requesting them to call meetings at such times as he should designate, and to take measures to have them well attended. This canvass occupied the time from June to September, and the result was gratifying.
On the meeting of the Legislature in October, petitions came pouring in from all parts of the State, asking for the enactment of a more efficient school law. These petitions were heeded, and a statute was passed providing for an exami- nation of teachers and superintendence of the schools. This was an important step in the improvement of our school system
The interest which Mr. Palmer took in the Town Library,
580
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
and his efforts to establish it upon a permanent basis, have been noticed elsewhere.
The various moral reforms of the day, such as temperance, anti-slavery and peace, not only met his approval, but received his hearty support. Nevertheless, he appears to have relied more upon the influence of our common schools to carry forward and perfect these reforms, than upon any other agency. Hence his efforts to bring these schools to the highest state of effi- ciency. His literary efforts were mainly devoted to this end. In 1841, Part I., of the "Moral Instructor," from his pen, was published. This was soon followed by Parts II., III. and IV., the whole forming a series of reading books for the use of schools. These books were designed not only to aid the pupil in his efforts to acquire the art of reading well, but to exercise the moral sense and social feelings, or, in other words, to develop true manhood. In this respect they differed from most other school books at that time in use.
In 1838, the "American Institute of Instruction" offered a prize of five hundred dollars for the " best essay on a system of education, best adapted to the common schools of our coun- try, to embrace the formation of school districts, the construc- tion of school houses, and the entire course of school education, from the most elementary department to the highest embraced in our public schools." Mr. Palmer was the successful com- petitor for this prize, and his "Teacher's Manual," which was secured by the Institute, was transmitted to the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Under the Secretary's direction, it was published in 1843. In 1854, Mr. Palmer published an "Arithmetic, Oral and Written," for the use of schools. How extensively this was introduced into the schools we are not informed, but from an examination of it, we are satisfied that it has many excellencies.
At an educational convention, held at Brandon, January 5, 1841, Mr. Palmer delivered an "Address on the importance
581
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
and necessity of the immediate establishment of a Normal School." In view of the importance of the subject and of the able manner in which it was discussed, it was thought that the address should be published. The convention, therefore, through a committee chosen for the purpose, requested of Mr. Palmer a copy for publication. The request being granted, the address was published and widely circulated.
Few men have done more for common schools or for the general diffusion of knowledge among the people, and few have done more to improve and elevate society. He was ever ready to unite with his fellow citizens in support of every enterprise calculated to exert a healthful moral influence, or in any way to benefit the race. Middlebury College recognized his ability and the value of his services to the public by conferring upon him, in 1833, the honorary degree of Master of Arts.
In stature Mr. Palmer was a little below the medium height, of even features, quick in motion, clear and accurate in perception, and courteous and dignified in manner. In his habits he was temperate and strictly systematic, having regular hours for study, recreation and sleep. This undoubtedly con- tributed to his longevity, as he possessed naturally a frail constitution, which could not long have endured the strain of irregularity. In his death, which occurred July 20, 1861, the community felt that they had lost a public benefactor.
Rev. Simeon Parmelee, son of Simeon and Jemima Parme- lee, was born in West Stockbridge, Mass., January 16, 1782. When he was five years of age his parents removed to Pitts- ford, Vt., taking him with them. His early life was spent with his parents on the farm. In the great religious revival of 1804, he was hopefully converted, and with nearly one hundred other converts, including all ages, he united with the Congregational church. Soon after this, he abandoned the farm and commenced a course of study with the view of entering the ministry. He studied one year under the direction of "Master Lucas," as he
582
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
was called, who taught school several years near Penfield's mills. He then attended a select school in Benson, taught by a senior of Middlebury College; afterwards he studied Greek with Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, of Cornwall. He spent one season at Middlebury College and recited with the senior class, and then commenced the study of divinity with the Rev. Lemuel Haynes of West Rutland. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Rutland and Bennington Association, which met that year at Granville, N. Y., and preached his first ser- mon in Rev. Mr. Hall's pulpit in that town. He commenced his ministry in Malone, where he labored three months, and afterwards received a call to settle there, but declined. In the spring of 1808, he went on a mission to the northern part of the State, which brought him to Westford, where he received a call to settle as pastor of the Congregational church. He accepted this call, and was ordained and installed the last day of August, that year. He continued his labors with that church a little more than thirty years. He says, "The whole of my labors in that town and two adjoining towns covers a period of more than forty-seven years, and if I add Williston, where I preached some time, it will increase my labors in Chittenden county to fifty-three years. Then I labored some more than three years in Swanton and Georgia, which, with my year before ordination, will make my ministry sixty-one years. For seven years I was the pastor of two churches and congregations to whom I ministered alternately, and was called to do all the business of administering in all respects as though I had but one. I had long sickness in my family, and buried my wife during that period, but I do not remember more than one or two failures in meeting my appointments. During my long ministry I never asked nor was given a vacation of four weeks. It was all work, and you can judge from this short story whether mine has been a busy life. I have received into the various churches where I have labored, as near as I can
583
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
calculate by my records, about five hundred ; but I have great reason to mourn that I have not done more for Christ during so long a period."
Few ministers can show a better record; and now, after having nearly worn himself out in his Master's service, he has retired, and is residing with his daughter at Oswego, N. Y., where he is patiently waiting the summons calling him to his reward. Mr. Parmelee was twice married. He married, Sep- tember 15, 1806, Amina Mead, who was born in West Rut- land, July 10, 1784. She died, and he married, September 19, 1821, Phebe Chapen, who was born in Jericho, April 1, 1794. Children : 1st, Anna Mead, born August 3, 1809, mar- ried Rev. G. W. Ranslow, January 8, 1829; 2d, Charlotte, born February 4, 1812, died April 15, 1813; 3d, J. Denison, born December 3, 1813 ; 4th, Simeon Mason, born June 5, 1819, died August 1, 1819 ; 5th, Horace M., born October 3, 1820, married Sarah Scott, May 1, 1847, died April 24, 1851 ; 6th, Charlotte A., born February 5, 1823, married Rev. J. B. Wheeler, died March 8, 1853; 7th, Adeline H., born April 24, 1824, married E. J. Hamilton, May 22, 1843; 8th, Sidney C., born December 17, 1825, died April 8, 1864; 9th, Simeon Melancthon, born June 2, 1830, died July 26, 1855; 10th, Wil- son Barlow, born May 16, 1832; 11th, Moses P., born May 4, 1834.
Rev. Ashbel Parmelee, third son of Simeon and Jemima Parmelee, was born in West Stockbridge, Mass., in 1785, and was with his father's family when they located in Pittsford in 1787. He was one of the first fruits of the great revival here in 1802. He was converted in August, and in January follow- ing, with many others, he united with the Congregational Church. He soon turned his attention to the ministry, and, with this in view, he improved his limited school advantages till he was qualified to teach. After teaching school and study- ing several years, he joined a class of young men who put
584
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
themselves under the instruction of Rev. Holland Weeks, then pastor of the Congregational Church in this town. He had previously obtained some knowledge of the classics, and his principal study with Mr. Weeks was divinity.
In due time Mr. Parmelee was licensed to preach the Gospel, commencing his ministerial labors in Cambridge, Vt., where he remained about six months, and after laboring about the same length of time in Hinesburgh, he received a call to settle in Malone, N. Y., and there he was ordained in the winter of 1810. His pastorate was continued through a period of nearly forty years, during which time he gathered one of the largest churches in the State, out of the cities. Having been released from his pastoral charge, he spent six years in Dannemora, as chaplain of the State Prison. He afterwards returned to Malone, where he supplied, a part of the time, his old pulpit, and occasionally some vacant pulpit abroad. He died suddenly, in the 78th year of his age. Few men have ever been more useful or more loved than he, or will be longer or more feelingly remembered by those who knew him. At the time of his death he was living with his third wife. He left one son, now a lawyer in Malone, and several daughters.
Rev. Moses Parmelee, fourth son of Simeon and Jemima Parmelee, experienced religion, and pursued a part of his pre- paratory course of study for the ministry under the instruction of his older brother, Rev. Simeon Parmelee. He completed the usual course of theological studies with Rev. Josiah Hop- kins, D. D., and was licensed to preach in the fall of 1814. The following winter he was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational Church in South Granville, N. Y., where he labored a number of years. Afterwards he preached in Stockholm, N. Y., and from thence he removed to Bangor and Chateaugay. While there his health failed, and he was com- pelled to relinquish preaching for a time. After recruiting, he left that region and came to Vermont. Finding riding bene-
585
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
ficial, he spent a number of years traveling and preaching.
His last place of residence was Enosburgh. He had been there about three years when he went to attend an evening meeting at some distance from home; after meeting he tarried with a Christian brother. It was winter, and after sitting up and conversing some time in the evening, he retired to bed. The morning came, breakfast was prepared and the usual signal given, but he did not appear. The family became anxious, went into his room and found him in bed, dead and cold. He had been subject to epilepsy, and probably died in a fit soon after retiring. He was a man of devoted piety, and abounded in a meek and quiet spirit. For years he had lived in constant expectation of a sudden call. Such a feeling tended to depress his spirits, and to impair his nervous system. He left an affectionate wife and three children, one son and two daughters. The son is a noted physician in Gouverneur, N. Y. The widow died about three years since.
Rev. Stephen Gilbert Starks was born in Pittsford, July 16, 1816. At the age of nineteen years he removed to Ohio, and after a preparatory course of study he entered Marietta College. In 1839 he went to the South, where he was licensed to preach by the Methodist denomination. In 1840, he was principal of the Bolivar Academy. In the fall of 1841, he joined the Memphis Conference, and was stationed at Trenton, where he labored two years with gratifying success. He was stationed at Paris, Tenn., in 1843, and at Wesley Chapel, Memphis, the following year. In 1845-6, he traveled the Memphis Circuit. In 1847, he became the agent of the Tran- sylvania University. In 1848, he established the Franklin Female College, at Holly Springs, Miss., under the patronage of the Memphis Conference. He was the first President of that institution, and remained at its head till 1852, when he retired to his plantation in Tippah county, Miss. In 1858, he established the State Female College at Memphis.
586
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
Mr. Stark possessed superior talents, which, in his pulpit performances, combined the power of genius and the pathetic beauty and sublimity of oratory. The ministry, however, was not the only sphere of usefulness in which his talents were dis- played ; he was a successful and distinguished educator. He conceived the plan of erecting an institution in the South, com- mensurate in all respects with the wants of that section of the country. But just as that plan was about to be carried into successful execution, the author of it was called to rest from his labors. He died at Inka, on his return from Lookout Mountain, October 9, 1859. He married, in 1847, Caroline C. McGee, who, with four children, survive.
Rev. Amasa Stewart,* son of Philo Stewart, was born in Sherman, Fairfield county, Conn., January 4, 1802. When a child, his parents removed to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where his father died about the year 1810. After the death of his father, he came to Pittsford and resided in the family of his grand- father, John Penfield. Possessing the characteristics of a good scholar, he was encouraged to make an effort to obtain a thorough education. After spending some time at Brandon and Castleton Academies, he entered Middlebury College, from which he graduated in 1824. He taught school one year, and then entered Andover Theological Seminary, and graduated in the class of 1828.
Mr. Stewart was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Andover Association in May, 1828. In the following Novem- ber he was employed to supply the pulpit of the Congregational Church at Essex, Vt., and was there ordained and installed as pastor, October 15, 1829. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in February, 1832. In May, 1833, he went to Berlin, Vt., where he taught school about a year and preached occasion-
* Mr. Stewart had a younger brother, John, who graduated at Middlebury Col- lege in 1830, and afterwards studied law. He went to the South, but has not been heard from since 1847.
ยท
587
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
ally. After spending one year at the West and two in Vermont, he went to the State of Alabama, where he continued the business of teaching. He, however, became a member of the Alabama Presbytery, and preached about once in two weeks. He remained in Alabama nearly seven years, at the expiration of which time he went to the State of Ohio, bought a farm, and devoted a part of his attention to agriculture, and a part to the service of the American Tract Society, in distributing religious books. In 1854, he removed to Holley, N. Y., where he was employed as a preacher nearly three years. Some years since he retired from the ministry, and he is now residing in Pittsford.
Rev. George Leon Walker, D. D., second son of Dr. Charles and Lucretia Walker, was born at Rutland, April 30, 1830. Throughout later boyhood and youth he was to such an extent an invalid as to be prevented from undertaking a college course. His studies were therefore mainly self-directed, and prosecuted alone. At about twenty years of age he entered the office of the Secretary of State for Massachusetts, taking charge of the Pension Department of the Public Records. He began, at the same time, the study of law. Remaining there two or three years, his office work and law studies were broken off by renewed illness of a protracted character. Upon recovering his health, he abandoned his purpose to be a lawyer, and turned his attention towards the Gospel ministry. After studying awhile, privately, he was, in August, 1857, licensed to preach by the Rutland Association. He then went to Ando- ver Theological Seminary, connecting himself with that insti- tution as a resident licentiate, and remained there a year.
In October (13th), 1858, he was settled as pastor of State Street Church, Portland, Maine; having, on the 16th of Sep- tember previous, married Maria, daughter of N. B. Williston, of Brattleboro, Vt. He remained pastor of the Portland Church till October, 1867, when recurring ill-health made a
588
HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.
protracted suspension of all labor necessary. His wife, Maria, who had borne him two sons, Williston, born July 1, 1860, and Charles Ambrose, born September 27, 1861-died at Port- land, August 31, 1865.
Laid aside from work at Portland, he retired to Pittsford, and remained a considerable time. Regaining sufficient health, he accepted a call to the Center Church, New Haven, Conn., and was installed as successor to Rev. Dr. Bacon in that pastor- ate, November 18, 1868.
On the 22d July, 1869, his second son, Charles Ambrose, died. On the 15th of September, the following year, he married Amelia Reed, daughter of George Larned, of New Haven.
He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Middlebury College in August, 1857, and that of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College in July, 1870.
His printed writings, aside from a considerable number of magazine and other periodical articles, consist of sermons preached mainly on public occasions, and a memorial sketch of his father.
Stephen Ambrose Walker, Esq., third son of Dr. Charles and Lucretia Walker, was born at Brattleboro, November 2, 1835. He fitted for college at Burr Seminary, Manchester, and was graduated at Middlebury in the class of 1858, receiving the valedictory appointment at commencement. After leaving college, he had charge of the seminary at Chester, Geanga county, Ohio, for one year. He was then appointed principal of the Susquehanna Seminary, at Binghamton, N. Y. He held this position two years, prosecuting at the same time his studies, with a view to his profession. At the close of his service as a teacher, he entered the law office of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinsor, at Binghamton, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1862.
In November of the same year he was commissioned by President Lincoln as paymaster in the army. He served in this capacity until February, 1866, when he was mustered out,
589
COLLEGE GRADUATES AND MEN OF NOTE.
having meanwhile been brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel for mere- torious service. Since leaving the army he has been practicing his profession in the city of New York. In 1871, Mr. Walker was elected a trustee of Middlebury College.
Henry Freeman Walker, M. D., is the youngest son of Dr. Charles and Lucretia Walker, and was born July 3, 1838. He was graduated at Middlebury College with the salutatory appointment in 1860. After graduation, he taught in the academy at Janesville, Saratoga county, New York, for nearly three years, at the close of which time he commenced his pro- fessional studies at the Portland Medical School, which were afterwards continued at the Long Island Medical College, in Brooklyn, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York, at which last institution he was gradu- ated in 1866.
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.