USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Pittsford > History of the town of Pittsford, Vt., with biographical sketches and family records > Part 49
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already given some account of the early life of Mr. Carpenter. Soon after he came to Pittsford a church was organized, and he was installed as its pastor. The services on this occasion were held at the house of Asa Stevens,* and Rev. Lemuel Haynes, of Rutland, and Rev. Ithamar Hibbard, of Poultney, assisted in the exercises.
Mr. Carpenter was a very devoted Christian, and a faithful pastor, and under his ministry the church prospered. Few pastors have secured a stronger hold upon the affections of his people. He died, after a short illness, August 21, 1797, and his remains were interred in the parish burying ground. His wife, Elizabeth, died March 30, 1830, aged 92 years.t
After the death of Mr. Carpenter, the parish secured the services of Rev. Mr. Norton, who was a man of some talent, but wanting in characteristics so essential to success. Under his ministry the religious interest in the society gradually abated, dissensions sprung up among the members, the minister soon left, and the meetings were discontinued.
The early history of the Methodist Church in this town is involved in considerable obscurity. The first circuit on the west side of the mountains in this State was organized in 1798, and called the Vergennes Circuit. The first preacher appointed to this circuit was Rev. Joseph Mitchell, who is described as "a man of extraordinary natural powers; a shrewd, witty, energetic and overwhelming preacher." Soon after he was appointed to this circuit, probably in the fall of 1798, it was announced that he would preach in Brandon on a particular day. Col. Benjamin Cooley and his brother Caleb, having
* This was before the Meeting House was finished.
t They had nine children ; four sons, Jesse, Cyrel, Abraham and Cyrus ; and five daughters, two died in infancy, and Susanna, Elizabeth and Olive. Of the sons, Jesse settled at Corinth, Vt., where he died ; Cyrel and Cyrus, we are in- formed, graduated at Dartmouth College, and studied medicine; the former located in Saratoga, N. Y. ; Abraham settled in Floyd, N. Y. Of the daughters, Susanna married Nathaniel Allen, and died in Sudbury in 1838; Elizabeth married Charles Moses, and died in Malone, N. Y., in 1812; Olive married John Wood.
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heard considerable about this denomination at the south, felt a strong desire to hear the new preacher. Accordingly, when the day arrived, they went, and on reaching the place of meet- ing, in open air, they saw a man who was just commencing religious services. They described him as "plainly clad, tall and erect, of a grave countenance, and full of energy and zeal for his divine Master." At the close of the service the two brothers introduced themselves to the preacher, and Col. Cooley invited him to visit him at his home in Pittsford. The preacher promised to do so at his earliest convenience. On returning home, they declared that they had heard a man whose religious views coincided exactly with their own, and that they were Methodists; and ever after this their influence was given in favor of this denomination. At the close of his first meeting in Brandon, Rev. Mr. Mitchell gave notice that he would preach at the same place in four weeks from that day. When the day arrived, Col. Cooley having decided to attend the meet- ing, gave his wife an invitation to accompany him. She readily consented, and two horses were soon in waiting at the door. The Colonel having mounted one, and Mrs. Cooley the other, they set out on the way, through woods and clearings, over hill and dale. The route lay through territory associated in the Colonel's mind with some of the most exciting scenes of his military experience in the Revolutionary war, and as this was the first time Mrs. Cooley had passed through this section of the country, her husband took great delight in pointing out to her the localities of some of the most interesting events of that war. The eight miles were soon measured, and they found the preacher in his place, and his words and manner attracted their undivided attention. At the close of the meeting, the Colonel introduced Mrs. Cooley to the preacher, and both expressed their belief in the truthfulness of the doctrine he had preached.
A short time after this meeting, the preacher, in fulfillment
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of his promise, came to Pittsford, and preached at Col. Cooley's house. Notice of this meeting having previously been given, a large number were in attendance, and the services are said to have been quite impressive. This was the first sermon preached in Pittsford by a Methodist minister, and although we cannot state the exact time of the occurrence, yet tradition, supported by some collateral evidence, points to the fall of 1798 as the time when Methodism was introduced into this town.
The next Methodist preacher who visited Pittsford was an Elder McLain. He came here in 1799, held several meetings at Col. Cooley's, and organized a class meeting. The class consisted of four members only, viz .: Israel Lake, Mrs. Col. Cooley, her daughter Mary, and a fourth whose name is not now remembered. Mr. Lake was the class leader.
In the year 1800, Rev. Henry Ryan frequently visited Pittsford, and while here made his home at Col. Cooley's house, where he had regular appointments to preach. "Mr. Ryan was a man of vast size and strength, and utterly fearless in the presence of those lewd fellows of the baser sort, who some- times delighted in making disturbance in Methodist meetings, and maltreating Methodist preachers. More than one such fellow has taken connsel of that discretion which is the better part of valor, and retired before this son of thunder."*
In the latter part of September, 1802, the first Methodist quarterly meeting in this town was held at Col. Cooley's barn. As usual at such meetings, there were quite a number of clergy- men, and the congregation was made up of people from nearly all the neighboring towns. The Colonel and Mrs. Cooley, in the exercise of their accustomed generosity, did all in their power to administer to the temporal wants of the congregation. Their oven was kept continually heated, and as soon as one batch of eatables had been sufficiently baked, and the temper-
* History of Middlebury.
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ature could be raised, another took its place. In their zeal to hasten the cooking, the oven was overheated, the woodwork in proximity to the oven ignited, and, just in the midst of the preaching service, the flames were discovered issuing from the roof of the house. The exercises were suspended, and all rushed to save the house and its contents. But the flames rapidly spread, and in spite of all their efforts the building, with a large proportion of its contents, was soon in ashes. All the clergymen, and many of the congregation, lost some part of their wardrobe. A subscription was at once started to aid the Colonel in building another house. As soon as this came to his knowledge, he thanked his friends for their sympathy and kind intention, but requested them to desist, saying that he had enough left to build another house, and did not need their money. If they had any to spare, he hoped they would give it to those poor ministers who had suffered by the disaster.
Col. Cooley, with but little delay, commenced work on the new house, and so rapid was its progress that the building was ready for occupancy early in the following winter. This was a large house, two stories high; the upper story was converted into a hall, and in this the most of the Methodist meetings were held until the meeting house was built, in 1816.
Ebenezer Washburn was one of the early ministers who. occasionally visited this town and preached at Col. Cooley's house. At that time Methodism was somewhat unpopular in the State. Methodist preachers were looked upon by many as visionary fanatics, and were known by the common name of Ranters. They experienced strong opposition, which was sometimes carried to the extreme of personal abuse. In Mr. Washburn's letters, referring to his labors on this circuit, he says: "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
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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 dangerous fanaticism."
Speaking of the trials which he endured on this circuit, he says : "I have had stones and snow balls cast at me in valleys. I have had great dogs sent after me, to frighten my horse as I was peacefully passing through small villages. But I was never harmed by any of them. I have been saluted with the sound of Glory, Hosanna, Amen, Hallelujah, mixed with oaths and profanity. If I turned my horse to ride towards them, they would show their want of confidence, both in their master and themselves, by fleeing like base cowards."
Whether any of these indignities were encountered in Pitts- ford, the narrative does not state ; but we should hope, for the credit of the town, that no such stain is to be found upon her early record. Whatever views of Methodism might have been entertained at that time by individuals, it is true that modern light discloses no prouder achievements than have been accom- plished by it in its conflict with the powers of darkness.
William Anson was the next preacher who appeared in Pittsford, but of his trials or successes here we have no account. He is represented to have been a faithful and competent minis- ter. On account of impaired health, he retired to a farm in Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1823, and died there in 1848, respected and beloved.
Samuel Draper was here in 1806, and during a large pro- portion of the year he made his home at Col. Cooley's house. He was presiding elder in Champlain and Ashgrove districts, each four years. He died in 1824.
There were several other preachers here at an early day, and among these may be mentioned James Smith, Samuel Cochrane, Samuel Luckey, William Ross and David Lewis.
The first camp meeting in this town was held in 1815, on the farm now owned by Samuel T. Fenton. A large audience
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was in attendance, and it is represented as having been " a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." The closing sermon was preached by the Presiding Elder, Henry Stead, from this text: "The breaker is come up before them ; they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it ; and their king shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them."*
A camp meeting was held on the farm owned by the heirs of Capt. Caleb Cooley, in 1817, and another was held at the same place in 1821. Two camp meetings were also held on the farm owned by Chapman Hitchcock, one in 1836, the other in 1839.
From the records kept here, it is impossible to determine when the Methodist Church in this town was organized, but it was probably not far from the year 1800. We shall not attempt to trace its history, as the materials for doing this are not easily accessible.
The following ministers have officiated here for longer or shorter periods since the year 1808 :
S. Brown, H. De Wolfe, J. Ayers,
D. Bates,
L. Pease,
L. Prindle,
C. Goff,
J. Braman, M. Witherill,
L. Lewis,
C. H. Gudley,
J. T. Craige,
J. B. Stratton,
T. Seymour,
A. C. Hand,
D. Bromley,
A. C. Rice,
J. M. Weaver,
G. Hill,
J. Ames,
S. Madison,
J. Byington,
J. Poor,
H. Blanchard,
T. Spicer,
J. Clark,
J. Alley,
S. Madden,
C. Prindle,
C. DeRoll,
N. White,
R. Wescott,
G. Palmer,
P. Doane,
A. Dunbar,
A. Witherspoon,
M. Amadon,
M. Bigelow,
M. Ludnum,
B. Goodsel,
A. Hazelton,
S. Stiles,
L. Davey,
S. Stebins,
M. Stewart,
H. Barnet,
J. Goodrich,
B. Brown,
J. Stead,
E. Crawford,
J. Fassett,
* Mic. II : 13.
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S. Halbert, J. Chase,
C. Meeker, E. A. Rice,
J. E. Bowen,
L. Warner,
C. F. Burdick, M. Spencer,
D. W. Dayton, D. P. Hubburd,
P. P. Atwell, J. Elkins,
J. Ingalls,
B. Eaton,
J. E. Metcalf,
G. H. Townsend,
O. Gregg,
C. C. Gilbert.
Present members of the church,. 87
Probationary,. 13
Total,. 100
Class Leaders .- T. A. Hitchcock, John Ward.
Stewards .- Charles Hitchcock, Charles A. Hitchcock, J. C. Howe, Russell N. Wood, Samuel Eckley, Daniel Ray, Mrs. Joseph Peabody, Mrs. Royal Hall.
Recording Steward .- C. A. Hitchcock,
RELIGIOUS REVIVALS.
At an early period of our history, the reputation of the people of the town for morality and steady habits was far from being enviable. Not that all the inhabitants, or even a large portion of them, were lax in morals and given to dissipation, but there were a few noisy, vicious individuals who had, l y their opprobrious conduct, brought a reproach upon the town, so that it became extensively known as the haunt of a set of lawless, unprincipled men. The better class of the people were ashamed to acknowledge themselves residents of the town; and when at a distance from their homes, they were inquired of respecting the place of their abode, they would almost invariably reply, " on Otter Creek." They were very careful to avoid the name of Pittsford, as it was full of odium.
This dishonor was due to a few young men who had received (apparently of choice) very little, if any, religious instruction, and, therefore, naturally enough, they had no regard for the Sabbath or religious institutions ; and their vicious propensities,
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having never been restrained, were exhibited in acts alike dis graceful and criminal.
But there were here a few humble Christians, who wept not only for their own sins, but for the sins of the people ; and they earnestly besought the Lord for the outpouring of His Spirit, and the effectual display of His grace. The Lord heard their prayer, and did great things for them, whereof they were glad. A deep solemnity soon pervaded all classes of people, and this was followed by a glorious revival of religion, as the fruits of which there were about sixty-five added to the church. "Some, who were already members, were induced to believe that they had never experienced religion until this season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." About a hundred in the town were hopefully converted. This was in the fall of 1784, and the work was continued about. six months. "Those who were its happy subjects were chiefly in the morning of life, from the age of fourteen to twenty-five." That the work was genuine, is evinced by the change in their principles and habits, which were now in conformity to the Christian standard.
After the termination of this revival, A. D. 1785, there was a spiritual dearth of about eighteen years, during which time there were very few hopeful conversions ; only seventeen were added to the Congregational Church, and eight to the Baptist. In December, 1802, the Lord was pleased once more to visit his people, and in answer to their prayer, to manifest, by the copious effusions of His Spirit, that the time to favor Zion had come. An uncommon solemnity pervaded all classes of the people, and many were inquiring what they should do to be saved. The church was awakened, backsliders reclaimed, and, through sovereign mercy, many were soon rejoicing in hope of sins forgiven. Within two years about one hundred were gathered into the Congregational Church,* as the fruits
* Under the pastoral charge of Rev. Eleazer IIarwood.
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of this great awakening. A respectable number were also added to the Baptist Church .*
A third revival of religion in Pittsford commenced in March, 1808. Rev. Holland Weeks, who had a short time before been installed as pastor of the Congregational Church, wrote a full history of it, and we make the following extracts from his published account :
" Previous to this time, indeed, a number of the Christian brethren had an impression that such an event was about to take place. In consequence, probably, of an unusual solemnity which was observable at a lecture the 22d of March, the same impression became more sensible and extensive. At a confer- ence, March 29th, with a view of making a public profession of religion, a man in the evening of life presented himself, and, as we trust, gave the reason of the hope that was in him, with meekness and fear. At the same time, a delinquent brother, with many tears, confessed his sins. He acknowledged par- ticularly his neglect of duty ; desired forgiveness, and solemnly promised that in future, by Divine grace, he would fulfill his covenant with God and his brethren by walking with the church. The assembly was deeply affected ; all seemed to be sensible that there was a clear and beautiful manifestation of the Divine presence.
"The next week, April 4th, in compliance with the request of a mother in Israel, who for a long time, by painful sickness, had been confined upon the bed of death, the church, at the house of her residence, attended a lecture and the sacramental supper. At the time of the lecture it could scarcely be said that there was an appearance of anything special. God had reserved a manifestation of his gracious and resistless agency until the people had received the benediction. Previous to the communion, a professor, who had been guilty of shortcomings
*Under the pastorate of Elder Elisha Rich.
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in duty, arose, and, in an impressive manner, acknowledged his transgressions. He stated that he left home with the determin- ation to make his confession before he communicated with the brethren at the table of the Lord. After him followed his consort, a sister in the church, and made her acknowledgment, begging the forgiveness of God and of his people, promising. to amend her ways in future, by Divine assistance. An aged father then arose, who is now in eternity, but who at that time lived about seven miles from there, and declared that he came to the lecture with the determination to make his confession. Next after him followed a brother, against whom a complaint had been laid before the church for neglect of duty in a variety of particulars. It appeared that when all hope of his recovery by human means had been obliterated from the church, God had been pleased, in an extraordinary manner, to call up his attention ; that he had been irresistibly convicted, and greatly astonished in the view of his conduct ; that he had hopefully obtained consolation, and became resolved to fulfill his solemn vows; that these things had transpired within the course of a few days; and that he also had come to the meeting with a determination to make his confession, and to make it still more publicly the next day at the house of God.
He accordingly confessed, in a manner which was accom- panied with a surprising effect upon all who were present. All seemed to realize that the Great Head of the church in very decd was present. After the communion service, several non- professors related what the Lord, within a few days, had done for their souls. These, likewise, came with the intention to confess their sins. As there had been no previous consultation among the confessors ; as they had not seen each other to have an understanding on the subject, the places of their residences being in some instances not less than eight miles apart ; and as it was not antecedently known that there was a revival of religion in the place, we could not but perceive in so remark-
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able a coincidence an affecting evidence of the agency of God. The proof was invincible, that the Spirit of promise had caused in the minds of many, at once, in different places, a conviction of sin, and a determination to embrace the same opportunity to acknowledge their transgressions, and publicly to espouse the cause of truth.
" God was pleased, soon after this, in a copious manner, to pour out His Spirit in the southeast section of the town. The work then gradually spread like fire in the woods, sweeping all before it. There was scarcely a shrub, or a sturdy oak, which did not seem to bow to its mighty influence. It soon extended eastward into Chittenden, and westward, into the southern district of Pittsford ; after that, still further west, and then north, until the whole town was in a light and glowing flame. In the month of August it spread into West Rutland, prostrating the lofty cedars, the oaks of Bashan, the high towers, and every fenced wall ; then into Ira and Clarendon, Middletown and Poultney, Castleton and Hubbardton, Benson, East Rutland and Hampton. Among all ranks and ages of people, from the child of six years, to the grey head of eighty, of whatever morals, sentiments, manners or habits, the work of conviction was, in its nature, exactly the same. They had one difficulty which affected and surprised them all. To the inquiry, what is your complaint, they had in substance but one reply, which was, that they were great sinners.
" But, notwithstanding every promising blossom was not ultimately succeeded by the desired or anticipated fruit, yet, on the whole, there was a glorious harvest. After a joyful ingathering of precious souls for about six months, this third revival terminated in autumn, A. D. 1808. It appears that during this time a hundred and thirty-three were added to the church ;* that nearly two hundred in the town of Pittsford were hopefully called into the kingdom, and that the sum of
* This number were added to the Congregational Church.
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those in the vicinity, other towns with Fittsford inclusive, was seven hundred and fifty."
For some time after the termination of this third revival, the prayer and conference meetings were well attended, and the most who had obtained a hope of sanctification, appeared to maintain the life and practice of religion. By degrees, how- ever, the interest in religious subjects began to abate ; there was less punctuality on the part of many in the performance of religious duty, and a lamented lukewarmness crept in among them.
At the expiration of about two years, scenes of levity began to be introduced, and many were led astray by the attractions of the ball-room. The people of God became greatly alarmed, betook themselves to prayer, and besought the Great Head of the church to stay the tide of evil influences, and to manifest His loving kindness in the outpouring of His Spirit, and in the salvation of souls. For the evening of the annual Thanks- giving, in 1810, a ball was appointed, and many of the youth were making preparations for it. Others were calculating to attend their anniversary conference, which, in the autumn of 1808, they had substituted for their anniversary Thanksgiving ball.
At the usual religious meeting of that day, the pastor of the Congregational Church preached a sermon on levity, in which he exhibited its nature and tendency, supported the doctrine that levity is inconsistent with thanksgiving, and closed with a solemn appeal to Christians to avoid the appearance of evil, and to be truly thankful to God for the multitude of His tender mercies.
" In the evening of Thanksgiving day, the greatest part of the youth," says the pastor, " attended the religious conference. But, to our great surprise, some went from the house of God to the house of mirth. Regardless of the advice and warning which had been given them, they went to their own company ;
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they preferred the counsel of the ungodly, 'the way of sinners and the seat of the scornful.' Yet, as appeared afterwards, they could not all of them effectually brave the remonstrances of their consciences. There was a string too painful to be mitigated, and a voice too loud to be hushed by the sound of viol, or the clatter of ridicule. One, in spite of resistance, was seized with such horror and dismay as to depart with precipi- tance from the distressing scene. Another, deeply impressed with the solemnities of eternity, and with a sense of sin and guilt, could not but feel that every one who was following the sound of the viol, was 'set in slippery places,' and dancing over the flames of an endless hell. In these circumstances, and at this time, the fourth revival of religion in Pittsford may be said to have commenced."
In the evening of the next day after Thanksgiving, the youth very generally attended the conference, and there was a solemnity exhibited which is peculiar to seasons of special attention. Many were so much affected as to weep. On the first Sabbath in January, 1811, there was a great concourse at the house of God, and as deep, inquisitive attention, as if some strange event had occurred. In the evening, at the conference in Mill Village, there was a great crowd of people, and wonder- ful solemnity was depicted upon almost every countenance. " On Thursday evening, January 10th, a number of youth," says the pastor, "who were pricked in the heart, came to my house with the interesting inquiry, ' What must I do to be saved ?'
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