USA > Vermont > Windham County > Rockingham > History of the town of Rockingham, Vermont, including the villages of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham, Cambridgeport and Bartonsville, 1753-1907, with family genealogies > Part 15
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I53
Union Meeting-house of Cambridgeport
Smith, Solon Perry, Edwin Howard and Benjamin Scofield. Since 1870 some of the recorded names of those who have deceased, are William S. Barry, Washington Wyman, Ran- som Thrasher, George Wellington, A. A. Wyman and S. M. Dimond, all of whom took active part in supporting a society whose church building should be open to the worship of God by those of any faith. The present trustees are S. J. Weaver, Albert Hammond and L. W. Derby, with S. P. Cushing as clerk and treasurer. By general consent the annual meet- ings of the Cambridgeport Union Meeting House Society have, in late years, been composed of all residents of the vicinity who are interested in the care of the church building and the support of preaching.
The various offices of the society have been filled with this understanding, without regard to ownership of pews. The securing of preaching has been left to a committee cho- sen annually with the understanding they shall not be limited by denominational lines, and left entirely free to make such arrangements as they believe will best serve the interests of the citizens. In 1883 the building was extensively repaired and improved, largely by the efforts of Rev. W. R. Daven- port, Methodist, who was then preaching in Athens and Cam- bridgeport. Of late years the most regular preaching has been by Methodists.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHURCHIES OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - ALL EXTINCT EXCEPT "IMMANUEL" OF BELLOWS FALLS
Besides the old town church described in Chapter XI. there were a number of other church organizations in town previous to the year 1800.
As early as the year 1786, and until 1793 or 1794 there was a Baptist church in Rockingham, although no records of the organization have been found. The meetings were held in the old town meeting-house alternating with the Con- gregational society, each, by vote of the town, having an equal right to the use of the building.
The somewhat meagre data in reference to this church is found upon the records of the town, in the records of the first Baptist church at Chester, and in the records of the Wood- stock Baptist Association.
Rev. Aaron Leland, the first pastor of the town of Ches- ter, supplied this church a number of years, in addition to his services in Chester and other towns.
November 20, 1786, a certificate of membership in the Rockingham church is signed by "William Bowler, Minister of the Gospel " and spread upon the town records. Nothing is found regarding this man except in that year he was men- tioned in the minutes of the Baptist Association, but nothing to show where he resided. All indications are that he was of Rockingham, and the pastor of the church then.
During the next year in June, 1787, a Baptist church was formed at Chester with ten members and Rev. Aaron Leland of Holliston, Mass., became its pastor, remaining in that capacity forty-six years.
On the town records of Rockingham, vol. I, p. 327, is the following :
155
Earliest Baptist Church
" This may Certify whome it may Concern that the persons whose names are after written viz John Pulsipher Eleazer Kindale Jur John Claton Elijah parks philip Safford Alven Safford Joel Powars Benj Ripley Wilber Gloson Ichabod Glosson Timothy Gloson Phineas Parks Joel Barret John Roundy Amos Larcom and Tabitha Glasur with a number more males and females are constituted us a Regular Baptist Church having bin assisted to the same by the baptist Church of Marlow. I also Declare them as a Baptist Church with whom I am in fellowship.
ARON LEALAND Elder ELISHA SABIN Church Clerk THOMAS GUSTEN Deacon
June ye 1th 1789
the above is a true Coppy of the Original
JEHIEL WEBB Regr."
It is not plain to see the object of this certificate at this time. Taken alone it might indicate this as the date of the formation of the church, but other certificates during the previous three years show the formation of the church to have been much earlier.
A careful study of the various certificates on the town records shows the following fairly correct list of citizens of this town who were in different years members or attendents of this " Baptist Church in Rockingham," in addition to those shown in the above certificate : Isaac Reed, Joshua Johnson, Stephen Stearns, Daniel Weaver, John Roundy, Jr., Elijah Goodale, Ebenezer Locke, Lucy Whitcomb, Gershom Lane, James Preston, Rufus Perkins, Timothy Dorlen, Robert A. Johnson, Thomas Wing, Joseph Adams, Eleazer Thayer, Amasa Coburn, James Hall, Asaph Mathers, Daniel Edson, Eli Adams, Abel Gibson, Jonathan Tarbell, Elisha Ayer, Isaac Kendall, Jedediah Smith, Eldad Gurnsey, Isaac Mason, Oliver Willard, Joshua Webb and Simeon Thayer, Jr.
March 5, 1792, there was an article in the warrant for the annual town meeting "to see what use the Town will agree to Put the Town house to in sd town Voted that it shall be appropriated to the use of publick worship & Town meet- ings," and it was voted "that the Congregational Society have their proportion of Time in said house ; also the Baptist, also the Episcopalian's Church though not formed into Society." The use of the house after much discussion and
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History of Rockingham
wrangling was denied to the society of Universalists, but at a meeting held May 2, 1796, it was voted "the Universalists shall have their proportionable Share of time in the meeting house according to what they have paid and bring their Teacher on the first Day of the week."
The only entries indicating other pastors than Mr. Bowler and Mr. Leland are one in January, 1790, signed "John Per- kins, Pastor," and in March, 1791, signed "John Perkins, Elder." It is evident no one served the church as pastor except Mr. Leland only temporarily. Elisha Sabin is fre- quently recorded as church clerk and Thomas Gustin as dea- con.
The records of the Woodstock Baptist Association for 1789 mention as the supplies for the Rockingham church :
Elder Kenney 3rd Sunday in November.
Elder Perkins 4th Sunday in November.
Elder Woodward 2nd Sunday in January.
Elder Bailey last Sunday in January.
Elder Warren Ist Sunday in February.
Elder Hibbard Ist Sunday in May.
Elder Drew Ist Sunday in June.
The messengers to the association from the Rockingham church that year were Thomas Gustin and Daniel Edson, the membership of the church being given as forty-three. The church was received into the association that year.
In 1791 the supplies by the association were :
Nathaniel Wilbur Ist Sunday in November.
Bro. Ganzy Ist Sunday in January.
Elder Woodward 2nd Sunday in February.
Stone, 2nd Sunday in July.
Elder Jedediah Hibbard, 4th Sunday in July.
The messengers to the association this year were Isaac Reed and Ichabod Johnson, and thirty-five members were reported.
In 1792 the messengers were Artemas Aldrich and Daniel Weaver and forty members were reported.
In 1793 there was no record of supplies furnished the church, and no messengers, but the church reported thirty- one members.
I57
The First Universalist Church
After the year 1793 there is no record of the church hav- ing had any connection with the association.
During most of the years of the existence of this church its pastor was Rev. Aaron Leland of Chester, Vt. At differ- ent times he subscribes himself as "Elder," "Minister of Chester," and "Clerk or Pastor." Mr. Leland was one of the strong men of his day, both as a minister and as a citizen, interested in affairs of his time, taking his part in political as well as religious matters, and wielding large influence. He served his town long terms as selectman, town clerk, treasurer, and nine years as representative to the legislature, during three of which he was speaker of the House. For eighteen years he was judge of the county court, four years in the governor's council, five years lieutenant governor and in 1828 he declined the nomination made as governor. He was an incorporator of Middlebury college, deeply interested in educational matters of the state, and his name is per- petuated in the title of Leland & Gray seminary at Towns- hend. He was a conspicuous Free Mason holding prominent offices both in his lodge and in the grand lodge of the state.
He preached in many of the surrounding towns and organized a number of churches, but he acted as pastor of no organized churches except those of Chester and Rocking- ham. He was born in Holliston, Mass., May 28, 1761, and died in Chester, Vt., August 25, 1832. His emigrant ancestor was Henry Leland, born in England, 1625, died in Sherburn, Mass., 1680.
About the year 1790, only twenty years after the organi- zation of the first Universalist church in America, there was a church founded by the name of "The Universalist church in Rockingham," the members of which were largely promi- nent citizens of this town, with whom several citizens of Springfield joined upon the broad platform of that faith.
The records of this society are not to be found. The first references to it are found on various pages of the Rocking- ham and Springfield town records. They are in the form of certificates, dated from 1791 to 1802, certifying that numer-
158
History of Rockingham
ous residents of the two towns were members of the organi- zation. The following are samples of these records :
" Rockingham March 9th 1792
These may Certify whom it may Concern that Solomon petty is of and Belongs to the Universalist Society in this town and Contributes to the Sup- port of the same.
Wm Farwell Jr Elder the above is a trew coppy and was recorded March Sth 1794 pr me Jehial Webb Regr" One upon the Springfield town records is as follows :
" These may certify whom it may concern that Hannaniah Newton is of and belongs to the Universalist Society in Rockingham and contributes to the support of the same.
Solomon Wright, Moderator Jotham White, Town Clerk. Rockingham, March 28th 1792."
The reason for these certificates was that the Vermont legislature at its session at Newbury in October, 1787, passed an act whereby the town churches were to be erected and supported by direct tax upon the inhabitants of the different towns, the tax to be laid upon the grand list and collected in the same manner as taxes for other purposes, but with this proviso and exception :
" Be it further enacted by the authorities aforesaid, That every person, being of adult age, shall be considered as heing of opinion with the major part of the inhabitants of such town or parish where he, she or they dwell, until he, she or they shall bring a certificate, signed by some minister of the gospel, deacon or ekler, or moderator of the church or congregation to which he, she or they, pretend to belong ; which certificate shall make known the party to be of the religious sentiments of the signer thereof ; and until such certificate shall be shown to the clerk of such town or parish, (who shall record the same ) such party shall be subject to be rated, and pay all such charges with the major part, as by law shall be assessed on his, her or their poll or ratable estate."
In conformity to this law, and to take advantage of its exceptions, the records of the towns of Rockingham and Springfield show a large number of certificates of citizens of which the above are samples. They are scattered through the record books among a mixed class of records of deeds, meetings, highway surveys, stock marks and other matters, whenever a blank space was found.
A careful examination of the records of both towns gives
159
Meeting-house on Parker Hill
a very complete and valuable list of the members of this church between 1790 and 1802. Those residing in Rocking- ham were as follows, with the years in which the certificates of membership were filed.
1791 Richard Hazeltine, Joseph Gilson, Joseph Marsh, William Hazel- tine, John Marsh, Moses Wright, Jr., David Campbell, Henry Davis, Phineas White, Luke Fletcher, Abijah White, Abel White, Samuel Bickford, Solomon Wright, Elijah Reade, Nathan Wright, James Walker, Isiah Edson, Jonas Hazeltine, Moses Marsh, Jr., William Thayer, Thomas Kidder, John Cooper, Zebede Cooper. .
1792. Solomon Petty, Luther Adams, David Ayers, Samuel Eastman. John Fish.
1793. Jonathan Burt, James Campbell, John Parker, Joel Knight.
1794. Chandler Porter, Ebenezer Albee, Jr .. Elijah Stocker, Benjamin Johnson, Leonard Parker.
1795. Jonathan Abner, John Berry, (Barry ), Salmon Wheelock.
1796. Nathaniel Davis, Jr.
1797. Riceris Hooker, Henry Lake, Uriah Roundy, Ezra Whitney, Jr., Daniel Bixby.
1798. Ralph Roundy.
1799. Abijah Searles.
1800. Jonathan Bolles, Asa Berry, (Barry).
Those without the year given were Timothy Powers. John Ripley.
Those belonging to the same church, located in Springfield, were :
1792. Hannaniah Newton.
1793. Charles Richards, Levi Harlow, Eleazer Fletcher, Isaac Parker.
1794. John Maynard.
1795. Abel Iloughton, Silas Roys (or Boys) Abel Fling, James Glynn.
1798. Levi Harlow, Oliver Parmenter.
1799. John Dagget, Theodore A. Cary, Taylor Spencer, Phinehas Graves, Robert M. Elroy, Joseph Pierce, David Are, of Rockingham, Joseph Durrent, Joseph Jones.
1801. Sylvester Fisher, Timothy Hartwell, Joseph Hartwell.
The first meeting-house used by this society was located on Parker Hill, near the line between the towns of Rocking- ham and Springfield. Here, later, clustering about the home of the first settler of that vicinity, Lieut. Isaac Parker, was a sizable village of about fifty dwellings, and a number of industries described in another chapter. A brick church building, or society house, was early erected about ten rods north of the town line, on the west side of the highway where now may be seen an orchard of old fruit trees. The building faced the east. The seats were old-fashioned benches such
160
History of Rockingham
as are seen in the most ancient school-houses. The pulpit was an elevated one, something like that in the old Rocking- ham church, but smaller, having a flight of stairs leading to it upon each side.
As early as 1833 the village had dwindled to a small farming community. The church services had been discon- tinued a number of years and the organization had fallen to pieces. The old building stood there until 1853, when it was taken down and its bricks became part of structures in Springfield village.
The first minister of which there is any record was Rev. Russell Streeter, about 1811, although it is known that there were earlier ones. During his pastorate he not only served as minister, but also taught school and worked in William Thayer's shoe shop, learning the trade of shoemaker.
Soon after the establishment of this church, a burying- ground was commenced a few rods in the rear of the build- ing and on higher ground. Although it had been used for some years as a burying-ground the land was not deeded by its owner, Leonard Parker, until 1817, "for the consideration of $30 paid to my full satisfaction by Leonard Walker, Celah Graves, James Walker, Nathaniel Davis and Ebenezer Albey, all Committee of the Universalist Society of Springfield and Rockingham."
This is the only record found in either town where the name of the society is given otherwise than as "the Univer- salist Society in Rockingham."
The first church organization in the village of Bellows Falls was that now known as " Immanuel Church ( Episcopal) of Bellows Falls." It removed here in 1817 from the village of Rockingham and built that year the first church edifice of the place. It is the only religious society organized in the 18th century in this town which is still in existence.
In the year 1798, Dr. Samuel Cutler, a resident physician of Bellows Falls who came from Hartford, Conn., nine years earlier and who was brought up an Episcopalian, conceived the idea of organizing a parish in Rockingham. He drew
First Church Organized in Bellows Falls 161
up the articles of association which were signed by himself, Alexander Campbell and fifteen other influential citizens of the town. These articles of association were dated July 28, 1798, and were lost by fire March 18, 1809, and the parish was that year reformed under new articles, also drafted by Dr. Cutler. The name of the original association was the "Protestant Episcopal Society of Rockingham," and it so remained until April 28, 1862, when it was changed to " Immanuel Church of Bellows Falls."
Until 1816. the meetings of the parish were held at Rock- ingham in the old town church. For about ten years previous to the signing of the articles of association mentioned above in 1798, the society had met for public worship under the leadership of lay-readers, availing itself also of the min- istrations of transient clergymen.
The following from the town records of Rockingham is of interest as showing the intimate relationship between this church and that previously established in Claremont, N. H. : Claremont, August 21, 1785. To Oliver Lovel, Esqr.
Reposing Special Confidance in you as a Gentl. of honour and Religion I beg leave by virtue of my Eclesiastical office wich I hold by a Lineal Succession from our Lord Christ and his Apostles to appoint you a Wardean of the Church of England for the Towns of Rockingham Westminster Chester and Thomlinson in Vermont State and accordingly you be appointed for said Towns and are desired to take care of the Intrest of the Chur. accord- ing to the Cannons of the Ch.
Sr I am your most obedt humble servt and affectionate Brother RANNE COSSET Clerk
The above is a trew coppy and was recorded December the 8th 1785 JEHIEL WEBB Regr
Certificate dated Claremont Aug 21 1785 that Mr. Elijah Lovell is a member of the Church of England.
Signed RANNA COSSET Clerk
Certificate dated Claremont March 8 1786 that Mr. Cornelius Dunfee is a member of the Church of England.
Signed RANNA COSSET Clerk
Certificate dated April 15 1790 that Wm Thayer has joined the Episcopalian Chh of Christ and is Lawful member of the same. Signed
AMOS CALE
Clerk
OLIVER LOVEL Ch Warden
12
162
History of Rockingham
Certificate dated August 29 1786 that Capt. Moses Wright of Rockingham has Joined the Church of England.
Signed OLIR. LOVELL
Ch Warden
There are no records showing the labors of a resident rector prior to 1810. It has been ascertained that occasional services were rendered by the Rev. J. G. Ogden, the Rev. Bethuel Chittenden, the Rev. Daniel Barber, and a few others. Upon its organization in 1798, it took measures to secure the income from the glebe lands, which amounted to about $70 per year. These were lands set off by the proprietors in the first division of lands for the assistance of the English "Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts."
March 20, 1816, it having become evident that the village of Bellows Falls would become a place of considerable importance, and no denomination of Christians having made any attempt to establish itself here, it was decided to build a church in this village. At a meeting held in Bellows Falls on the above date Dr. Samuel Cutler, Edward R. Campbell and William Atkinson were appointed a committee to raise funds for this purpose. For some months previous to the comple- ' tion of this first church building in Bellows Falls the services of the church were held in the first school building of the village that stood on the east side of Westminster street on the present location of the brick block formerly known as the Granger building. Work upon the church was begun in April, 1817, and the building was finished the same year. It was built of wood, stood about thirty feet south of the present stone structure, and it cost $3,709.69 when erected.
A former communicant in the old church speaks thus of the building :
"A modest building was the church, of convenient access as to entrance. Not far removed alongside was the lecture room, built at the end and over a row of sheds for horses and carriages. The entrance to the room was at one end thereof by means of a flight of stairs, near which stood the hearse-house, so-called. Within the church edifice it was none too warm in winter and none too cool in summer. Pews on either side and between the aisles, and in each corner near the chancel, two or three more. I see the slender posts on the ends of alternate pews, made by the rector's own hands, on which were placed lamps, that service might sometimes be held in the evening. The church was repaired and repainted in 1842."
163
Rectors of Immanuel Church
The Rev. George T. Chapman was appointed rector in 1817, and was succeeded September 26, 1819, by the Rev. Carlton Chase, D.D., a graduate of Dartmouth in 1817. Dr. Chase remained until March 23, 1844, when he was elected bishop of New Hampshire, Bellows Falls being his only rectorship. Upon the departure of Dr. Chase, the Rev. Alvin K. Putnam was chosen rector, who died in 1847 while in charge of this parish. The Rev. Dr. Joel Clap was then rector until the spring of 1857, when the parish was vacant until the following December. At that time the Rev. Andrew Oliver was called to the rectorship. After the resignation of Dr. Oliver, the Rev. C. R. Batchelder was in charge for a time. March 30, 1866, the Rev. Francis Wainwright accepted a call to the rectorship. Mr. Wainwright remained but a short time and in July, 1867, a call was extended to the Rev. Charles S. Hale, who came to Bellows Falls the first Sunday in October, 1867. March 16, 1872, the Rev. Mr. Hale tendered his resignation and in July following, Rev. Charles T. Ogden of Bath, Me., was called to the rectorship, and on July 28 he took charge of the church. In 1881, Mr. Ogden resigned, and in July of that year Rev. Warren H. Roberts was called to the rectorship. Mr. Roberts was in turn succeeded by the present rector, Rev. D. L. Sanford, who took charge of the parish October 1, 1889.
October, 31, 1831, the parish met with a great loss in the death of Dr. Samuel Cutler, who had been among its main promoters and strong supporters. He was born in Lexing- ton, Mass., received his education at Harvard college, and his medical education in London and Edinburgh. Eminent in his profession, a cultivated gentleman, he had been the mainstay of the church for over thirty years. His daughter was the wife of the Rev. Carlton Chase, the second rector.
Among the other names, prominent alike in church and town in early days, are the following : James I. Cutler, son of Dr. Cutler, Col. Alexander Fleming, Henry A. Green, Nathaniel Tucker, Bill Blake, Samuel Guild, 2d, Amos Hitchcock, John Robertson, John Atkinson, William Atkin-
16.4
History of Rockingham
son, William Hall, Dr. John H. Wells, Calvin and Luther Webb, Joseph Bellows, Simon Pettes, William Stone, Asa Wentworth, Col. Alexander Frazier, John W. Moore, Mer- rick Wentworth, J. G. Wightman, Norman Harris, William Lowell, Jr., William Nutting, Josiah Bowtell, Seth Hapgood, James H. Williams, Sr .. and many others.
The preamble and resolutions preceding the new articles of association of 1809 were signed by the following named persons : Samuel Cutler, Alexander Campbell, Peter Evans, Elijah Lovell, George Caldwell, William Minard, Quartus Morgan, Solomon Hapgood, Leverett Tuttle, Peter Evans, Jr., and Jonathan Blanchard. The first additional member to sign the articles was Edward R. Campbell in 1813.
The records of the town and of the first church in Rock- ingham, the old town church, show that Dr. Cutler took a prominent part in that organization previous to the establish- ment of Immanuel church. March 20, 1797, the town voted him to be one of a committee of five " to see who are willing to finish the meeting-house in Rockingham." March 15, 1789, Pastor Whiting recorded "Baptized John Lenox and Anna Maria, twin children of Samuel and Jannett Cutler." Again, May 20, 1794, he recorded " Was Baptized by Mr. Ogden, an Episcopal clergyman, James Iredell, son of Samuel and Jannett Cutler, also George Church, son of George and Mehitable Caldwell, also William Nicholls, living with Mr. Cutler."
Alexander Campbell was in 1809 by vote of a town meet- ing chosen a committee with William Hall, Jr., and Elijah Knight to confer with Pastor Samuel Whiting regarding his request for retirement after 36 years of service with the town church. Mr. Whiting was granted his request. August 20, 1791, Pastor Whiting had recorded on his church records, "Baptized Alexander Stearns, son of Alexander and Rhoda Campbell, being dangerously sick." Others prominent in the enterprise of establishing Immanuel church had actively assisted in sustaining worship in Pastor Whiting's church.
In the year 1800, Dr. Samuel Cutler and Oliver Lovell
165
Officers of Immanuel Church
were wardens and Alexander Campbell was clerk of the Episcopal church. In 1801, Dr. Cutler and Dr. William Page were wardens and Jonathan Blanchard was a vestryman. In 1803, the names of Quartus Morgan and Solomon Hapgood are found among the vestrymen. As early as 1819, the parish at Drewsville, N. H., was under the local rector, and it has been so a large part of the time since. In 1820, these names are among the wardens and vestrymen. Solomon Hapgood, George Caldwell, Calvin Webb, Col. Ethan B. Webb, Dana Miller, Thomas Green Fessenden and Dr. John H. Wells. In 1821, the name of Luther Webb appears as vestryman. In 1831, a Christmas gift of a complete com- munion service was received from George Atkinson. In 1839, Col. E. B. Webb and Asa Wentworth, Jr., were among the vestrymen. In 1853 an organ built by William Nutting, Jr., was put into the church, costing $1,000 and Mr. Nutting himself served for several years as organist. In 1864, these were vestrymen : Asa Wentworth, Joseph M. Webb, James H. Williams, William Nutting, Russell Hyde and James W. Webb. In the choir of many years ago, still remembered by some of the older attendants, James H. Williams, Sr., played the bass viol, John W. Moore and John N. Baxter played the flute, Charles Hapgood sang bass for more than an ordinary lifetime, James Wentworth sang a magnificent tenor, and the sisters, Mrs. Charles Hapgood and Mrs. Russell Hyde, the one alto and the other soprano. Among the early organists were the sisters, Mrs. Green and Mrs. Fleming, and Miss Annie Fleming, later Mrs. Popham. The present organ was placed in the church in 1882. In 1819, Gen. Amasa Allen of Walpole presented the village and parish with the bell, which still hangs in the church.
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