USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Springfield > History of the town of Springfield, Vermont : with a genealogical record > Part 10
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Rev. Benjamin Brierly was pastor from 1839 to 1841. He was born in York County, England, Nov. 24, 1811; died in Nevada, July 26, 1863. He came to America when ten years of age. He pursued a course of study at Newton, Mass., and New Hampton, N. H. He was well read in general literature, and was a ready and vigorous writer.
The next pastor was Rev. D. M. Crane, who began his ministry here in 1842, and ended it in 1845. During his pastorate there was a noted revival, and over eighty were baptized.
Rev. Nathaniel Cudworth was pastor from 1845 to 1849. He was born in Putney, Vt., Jan. 2, 1814. He was educated at Brattleboro and Townshend, Vt., and at Hamilton, N. Y. His first pastorate was in Jamaica, second in North Springfield, third in Ludlow, and fourth in Perkinsville. While at Ludlow he was for two years representative to the State Legislature. He died at Perkinsville, deeply lamented and greatly beloved, Aug. 2, 1871.
Rev. Baxter Burrows followed Mr. Cudworth, and preached until 1857. Sixty-one were received into membership during his ministry. Mr. Burrows was born in Petersham, Mass., July 22, 1804. He studied with Rev. Mr. Fisher, and was three years at
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
the Institute at New Hampton, N. H. In 1841 he was pastor of the church in Ludlow, and in 1849 of the church in Grafton. After the close of his pastorate, Mr. Burrows lived on his farm in Weathersfield, continuing to preach as a supply for various churches in the adjoining towns. He died in Springfield.
Rev. W. L. Picknell began his pastorate here in January, 1858, and it continued until his death, Sept. 28, 1867. He was born in Fairfax in 1823, studied at New Hampton, N. H., and preached in Hinesburgh and Windham before coming to Springfield. His ministry here was a very successful one.
Rev. Cyprian P. Frenyear succeeded Mr. Picknell, but remained only one year. He was of French parentage, born in Henryville, P. Q., July 4, 1836. His parents were Roman Catholics. He graduated from the Theological Institute at Fairfax in 1863. He was pastor successively at Middletown, Ira, North Springfield, Jamaica, and Townshend. He died May 13, 1876.
In 1870, Rev. D. M. Crane was a second time called to the pastorate and remained until April, 1875. He was born in Brook- line, Vt., Feb. 29, 1812. Studied at Franklin and Pierce acade- mies in Massachusetts, and at Brown University. He died at West Acton, Mass., Sept. 4, 1879.
Rev. Robert G. Johnson began his ministry here in August, 1875, and remained until 1883. He was followed by Rev. J. H. Robbins, who preached two years.
The church was thoroughly repaired and remodelled in 1885 and 1886. At this time there was no settled pastor. Rev. I. W. Coombs began preaching in 1886, and continued until 1888, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. P. Bartlett, who was settled as pastor, April 21, 1889. Mr. Bartlett closed his labors as pastor Nov. 1, 1891, and was followed by Rev. Alfred Chipman, who began his work Sept. 3, 1892, and is still (1894) pastor.
The following persons have served as deacons : --
Beman Boynton, chosen in 1804 ; Silas Bigelow, in 1807; John Kelly, in 1822; Barna Bigelow, in 1832; Jewett Boynton, Jr., in 1832; John Field, in 1836; Levi Piper, in 1843; Joel Wood- bury, in 1843 ; Jonathan M. Boynton, in 1857 ; Orrin E. Averill, in 1857.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AND TOWN HALL.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
Clerks.
Seth Houghton, from 1803 to 1815; Jewett Boynton, Sr., from 1815 to 1823; Jonathan Boynton, from 1823 to 1830; Jewett Boynton, Jr., from 1830 to 1837; William Dyer, from 1845 to 1851; Edson X. Pierce, from 1861 to 1888; Joshua Upham is the present clerk.
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY AND CHURCH.
Of the early history of the Universalist Society in Springfield but little is known, as no official records are now to be found. It is known, however, that such an organization did exist as early as the latter part of the last century, as the following, taken from the town records, will show : ---
" SPRINGFIELD, Nov. 1, 1793.
" This may certify, whom it may concern, -that Silas Boyes is of, and belongs to, the Universalist Society in the town aforesaid.
" ZEBULON STREETER, Elder."
The organization of this society was centrally located in the south part of the town, on what is known as Parker's Hill, and contained members not only living in Springfield, but some living contiguous in the adjoining town of Rockingham. Among those who composed the society were, Leonard Walker, Leonard Parker, Phineas White, James Walker, David Fletcher, Timothy Good- now, William Thayer, William Haseltine, and Jonas Haseltine. A small but convenient house was built in that locality at an early day, called the "Society House of Worship," which was occupied for meetings on Sundays, and for a schoolhouse on week-days. This house was demolished quite a number of years ago.
At one time early in the present century, Rev. Russell Streeter was settled over this society, and lived on Parker's Hill, but how long he remained no one now living can tell. After his removal the society .was supplied with preaching by transient and itinerant preachers during quite a number of years. Among them may be mentioned Warren and Adolphus Skinner.
Somewhere about the year 1830 Rev. William Bell was pastor
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
of this society, and held meetings in the brick schoolhouse stand- ing near what is now the Universalist Church ; for the village had grown, and the society had extended its membership into this part of the town. How long Mr. Bell remained is not known.
In 1833 the present church edifice was built. It was called a Union house, and was owned by Universalists and Episcopalians. From this time until 1840 the pulpit was occupied by various preachers in both of the denominations owning in the house, and even " Parson Smiley " consented to fill the desk for a season.
During the year 1840 the Rev. Solomon Laws was the stated and resident preacher. Then Rev. G. W. Bailey became the pas- tor, whose ministry extended from 1841 to 1847. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. S. Ballou, whose services were continued two years. Then the following clergymen respectively occupied the desk during the periods stated, viz .: Rev. J. W. Ford; from 1849 to 1851; Rev. J. Fisher, from 1851 to 1852; Rev. Luther Rice, from 1852 to 1856; Revs. Silas Farington, W. A. Bassett, and Harrison Closson, from 1856 to 1863 (no definite record of the ministry of these three clergymen can now be found) ; Rev. Asher Moore, from 1864 to 1867; Rev. J. H. Farnsworth, from 1869 to 1873 ; Rev. J. F. Gates, from 1873 to 1874 ; Rev. J. F. Siminonds, from 1874 to 1878 ; Rev. Mrs. R. A. D. Tabor, from 1878 to 1879 ; Rev. G. W. Patten, from 1880 to 1882 ; Rev. F. S. Rice, from 1882 to 1887; Rev. L. L. Green, from 1888 to 1889 ; Rev. C. F. McIntire, from 1890 to 1892; Rev. Thomas Borden, from 1892 to 1894.
The Universalist Society in Springfield was reorganized in 1870, adopting a new constitution, and receiving the signatures of about eighty members. In October, 1842, during the ministry of Rev. G. W. Bailey, a church was organized in connection with the society, with a membership of sixty-five. This church was reorganized in 1869 under the ministry of Rev. J. H. Farnsworth, when many new members were added to it. In the church records we find the names of one hundred fifty-one members, but many of these have died and many more have moved from town, so that the exact number of living members at the present time can- not be stated. There are now about sixty living in town.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
The church edifice was remodelled and repaired in 1873, at an expense of between seven and eight thousand dollars. It then became the sole property of the Universalist Society. There has been connected with this church and society since 1842 a large and prosperous Sabbath school, sometimes numbering as high as two hundred and fifty, teachers and scholars.
METHODIST CHURCH AT WEST SPRINGFIELD.
At an early day one Elder Ebenezer Davis, a travelling preacher, came into Springfield and formed a Methodist class at the west part of the town, in what was then the ninth school district. Ben- jamin Lewis, Daniel Howe, Benjamin Aldrich, James Litchfield, and others were members of this organization. They sustained religious meetings from this time, sometimes having circuit preach- ers, and at others preachers from the adjoining towns. Through the efforts of Benjamin Lewis a church was built in 1840. They are known as Reformed Methodists; and Rev. George E. Lewis, son of Benjamin, has for many years been the pastor of this church. The founders were energetic, devoted Christians, and believed in education and good schools. This community claims to be second to none in the number of educated men that have been raised up therein, having furnished and sent out nine ministers, two editors, two doctors, and one lawyer. About 1885 this church was re- organized, and a lease given to a board of trustees for the use of the Reformed Methodist Church as long as they occupy it for reli- gious worship, but for no other purpose.
ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
From the early settlement of the town there were members of the Episcopal Church among the inhabitants, and parishes were organized in Weathersfield and in Rockingham before 1800. When the present Universalist Church edifice was built in 1834, the Episcopalians aided in the work and owned pews, but after- wards disposed of their interest to the Universalists. At one time Rev. Luman Foote, a resident of Drewsville, N. H., was the rector, and had charge of both parishes for a time, after which the society
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
depended on ministers sent by the bishop of the diocese. Through the efforts of the ladies of a sewing circle and some members of the society, an effort was again made to establish a parish, and the present name was given to the church. Rev. Joseph McIlwaine was rector during part of the years 1868, 1869. After his depart- ure the interest seemed to die out and meetings wholly ceased. In 1887 Rev. Charles W. Coit, rector at Charlestown, N. H., per- suaded a number of the members to hold meetings, and offered his services gratuitously. A meeting was held Sept. 18, 1887, the society having been organized in the spring of 1886. Rev. Mr. Coit continued in charge of the parish until his removal from Charlestown in September, 1888. Afterward Rev. Edward N. . Goddard of Windsor had charge under appointment of the bishop. Rev. - Harris is the present rector, and meetings are held every Sunday in the Golden Cross Hall.
SECOND ADVENT CHURCH.
In 1869 Rev. H. F. Carpenter organized a Second Advent Church at the North Village, and became the first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Ballard B. Chedel in 1874. He remained until 1881. Rev. D. W. Davis was the next pastor, but left in 1887. In January, 1889, Rev. Oscar Beckwith was installed, and is still the pastor.
ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Roman Catholics held meetings formerly in a hall, but not regularly until 1872, when a church was formed, and the present church building was purchased and remodelled. Services were held each month until 1889, since which time they have been held every two weeks. The first priest in charge was Rev. Edward Jeandious, from Bellows Falls. The next was Rev. Edward Reynolds, of the same place. The present pastor is Rev. P. J. Houlihan, from Ludlow.
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Geo. H. Walker &Co_Boston
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
SCHOOLS.
THE early inhabitants of Springfield, in common with those of all New England towns, were earnest supporters of churches and schools. The first school of which we have any account was at the house of Hezekiah Holmes, on the Dr. Hubbard farm, in the summer of 1773, taught by Sarah Stevens, a sister of Simon Stevens. It will be seen by the history of the churches that this was the same house and the same year in which the first meetings for public worship were held. Afterwards these meetings were held at the tavern house of Lieut. Roger Bates on the Christopher Ellis place, and it was near there that the first schoolhouse in town was built.
The second was at Eureka. A Mr. Coffin taught a school there about 1795 ; the schoolhouse was probably built in 1794.
The town early took action looking toward the support of schools. In February, 1782, Simon Stevens, Daniel Gill, and Emanuel Case were appointed a committee to look up the "School Right," and in 1784 a committee was appointed to divide the town into school districts. A similar committee was appointed in 1788, and another in 1794, when it appears that the first districts were formed. In 1812 there were eighteen districts, but the following year No. 18 was united to No. 17. The first schoolhouse at Eureka stood on the opposite corner, west of the present location. The one on Parker Hill was probably the next, and was built early in the century. It was used by the Universalist Society for meetings, and was called the "Society House." The first schoolhouse near the village was on the corner where Frank Johnson lives, near the Common. This was burned, and the next one built was where the present schoolhouse stands. The
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
district west of the village was called the Brown district, and the schoolhouse was near the site of the present one on Union Street. That in Hardscrabble was opposite where Stillman Barrett lives, and the one in No. 11 on the west hill was between the Fullam place and Elmer Merritt's.
Isaac Howe, who was born in 1802, went to school in an old dwelling-house without any floor, on the farm formerly owned by Horace H. Howe on the west hill. Rena Phinney was the teacher. Mr. Howe afterward attended a school taught by Rufus Ranstead, in the house where Mrs. Emery lives, near Bradford Harlow's. Lewis Harlow used to teach in Hardscrabble, also Benoni Lockwood.
In 1812 the number of children reported in town between the ages of four and eighteen years was 1,040. In 1813 the largest number ever reported, 1,145. In 1817 there were 1,060; and from this time until 1832 the number was over 1,000, and from 1832 to 1873 the number was between 900 and 1,000.
It has always been the purpose of the people of Springfield to give the children good opportunities for education in their own town. From 1847 to 1866 the larger pupils had the benefit of the Springfield Wesleyan Seminary, and these advantages were not inferior to any in the State at that time, to which fact the lives of those who were educated there bear abundant testimony.
In 1866 the Vermont Conference being about to unite into one, the two schools previously supported decided to close the Semi- nary at Springfield. The influence and inspiration of this school during the twenty years of its existence here had been a power for good among the people, and an educational atmosphere per- vaded the whole community. About this time the districts on the Common, in the village, and on Seminary Hill were united into one, called No. 7, taking the name of the one on the Com- mon, and the grading of the schools begun. A new house was built on the west side of the river, now the Catholic Church, and a higher department organized, which was taught by such superior teachers as Miss Holt, Mrs. Mary Lynde Foster, and Miss Marcia Brown.
The Seminary property was soon after purchased, the schools
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
MAIN STREET SCHOOLHOUSE.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
were more thoroughly graded, a course of study prepared for all grades, and a High School established in the Seminary building. The school committee, through whose efforts these changes were brought about, were, Dr. Langdon Sawyer, Charles A. Forbush, Rev. L. H. Cobb, Henry Safford, Joel A. H. Ellis, and Jerome W. Pierce, and it is to these men that this town is in a large degree indebted for the excellent system of schools which was then established. Mr. Cobb had been teaching in Kimball Academy at Meriden, N. H., and came from there to his pastorate here. He at once saw the needs of our schools, and labored earnestly for their improvement, giving to the work of this committee the benefit of an experienced teacher and a skilled supervisor. The committee were also fortunate in the selection of many of the first teachers under the new order, and in those years the schools of this town were excelled by few, if any, public schools in the State.
Principals of Springfield High School from its establishment in 1867 to 1894 : H. H. Shaw, H. L. Slack, Henry E. Lewis, Herbert D. Ryder, Frank E. Wheatley, John M. Comstock, John Mc- Crillis, George W. Anderson, Ralph S. Hayes, George E. John- son, Charles H. Cambridge.
In 1894 the town voted to build a new schoolhouse. : The school directors of the town were appointed a building committee, and invested with full power to purchase a site and erect a build- ing suitable for the needs of the people. This committee, con- sisting of W. H. H. Putnam, Jerome W. Pierce, Charles A. For- bush, D. J. Boynton, L. M. Cragin, and Russell S. Herrick, have purchased the grounds of the Parks estate of H. W. Harlow and the place lately owned by the late Daniel Rice, and a large and commodious building is now in process of erection, which will be ample for the accommodation of all the children of the village and the High School pupils of the town.
The first superintendent of schools in town was Rev. George W. Bailey, in 1846. He left town the same year, and Ephraim Walker, Jr., was appointed and continued in the office until 1860. Rev. W. L. Picknell was superintendent in 1860 and 1861; Wm. Henry Haskell, in 1862 and 1863; Francis F. Parker, in 1864 ;
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
James R. Walker, in 1865, 1866, and 1867; Rev. E. C. Bass, in 1868 ; Wm. Henry Haskell again, in 1869 and 1870 ; Rev. J. W. C. Coxe, in 1871 ; Rev. L. H. Cobb, in 1872 ; Rev. H. W. Worthen, in 1873 ; Rev. S. H. Colburn, in 1874 and 1875; Rev. J. F. Sim- mons, in 1876 ; Lewis Davis, in 1877; Miss Luthera Whitney, in 1878; Rev. George W. Bailey again, in 1879, 1880, and 1881; Rev. A. L. Cooper, in 1882 ; Rev. F. S. Rice, in 1883 ; Rev. George W. Bailey, the third time, in 1884 and 1885. In 1886 and 1887 the town was experimenting with the town system. In 1888 Rev. I. W. Coombs was superintendent; in 1889 Rev. George W. Bailey, for the fourth time ; in 1891 L. M. Cragin was appointed under the town system and is still in office (1894).
SPRINGFIELD WESLEYAN SEMINARY.
A literary and scientific institution with the above name was formed in Springfield by voluntary association July 11, 1846. The following named persons signed the articles of association : Samuel Whitcomb, Jr., Samuel Taylor, John W. Bisbee, Amasa H. Houghton, Russell Burke, Henry Closson, Leonard Chase, Jonathan Martin, Henry Barnard, Henry Safford, Samuel Aldrich, Benjamin A. Herrick, E. A. Knight, N. B. Safford.
This school was under the patronage of the Vermont Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, by order of the quarterly conference, the old brick meeting-house on the hill was deeded to the trustees. This deed was dated Oct. 20, 1846. The building was fitted up for school purposes, and the school opened March 2, 1847. The board of trustees appointed by the conference consisted of the following named persons : Joseph C. Aspenwall, Henry Closson, Samuel Taylor, E. A. Knight, John W. Bisbee, Russell Burke, Charles R. Harding, Isaac Smith, and Jonathan Martin.
This school had a prosperous existence for twenty years or more, though much of the time embarrassed with debt. This debt was at one time, in large part or wholly, removed by personal efforts of Rev. Hubbard Eastman. The institution did much to promote the interests of higher education in this part of the State, and its pupils are now found in every department of business and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
of professional life. In 1858 the Seminary was regularly incor- porated by the Legislature of Vermont, and a collegiate depart- ment for ladies was added for those who wished to take a higher course of study than the ordinary seminary course.
Rev. F. S. Hoyt was the first principal of the school, and he was followed by Harvey C. Wood, F. O. Blair, A. M. Wheeler, A. M. Arnold, W. G. Leonard, H. H. Hutton, and M. C. Deane, each of whom was assisted by a corps of competent teachers.
Mr. Wheeler was occupying the position of principal for a second time when the institution closed. During some terms two hundred and fifty or more students were in attendance. Among those who attended the school as students were Rev. Dr. Putnam of Roxbury, Mass .; Damon Y. Kilgore, lawyer, Philadelphia ; Calvin L. Robinson of Jacksonville, Fla .; Geo. O. Robinson, lawyer; Walbridge A. Field, Chief Justice of Massachusetts Su- preme Court ; B. J. Brooks and Homer R. Weston, lawyers, of Syracuse, N. Y .; Prof. M. D. Bisbee of Dartmouth College; Ed- gar J. Sherman, Judge of the Superior Court of Massachusetts ; Hon. D. H. Woodard, Keene, N. H .; Prof. Joseph W. Ellis, Al- bany, N. Y .; Rev. and Mrs. J. S. Barrows of the New England Conference ; Hon. E. D. Town, lawyer, of Boston ; Hon. Henry Perkins of Chicago; George and John Roberts, lawyers, of Bos- ton ; Hon. Oscar H. Leland of Texas ; Hon. Reuben Young of Nevada ; James M. Gleason of Boston ; Dr. H. J. Young of Wis- consin ; James M. Perham of California; Rev. George G. Dains, late of Gouverneur, N. Y .; A. J. Fullam of New York ; and a large number of others with equally honorable records.
In 1866, when the Vermont Conference proposed to raise funds for educational purposes, in connection with the celebration of the centennial of Methodism in the United States, it was deemed better to concentrate its efforts upon one school rather than upon the two then existing at Newbury and Springfield. In accordance with this view, the property at both places was sold and a semi- nary established at Montpelier. The property at Springfield was sold to the village school district in Springfield for public school purposes, and the Seminary buildings have been used for the high and grammar schools until the present time (1894).
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
LIBRARIES.
THERE are traditions respecting the formation of societies early in the century for the purchase of books for the use of such fami- lies as saw fit to become members, but no records are found going back prior to 1819. In that year a meeting was held at the dwelling-house of Col. Moses Fairbanks, who then lived opposite where the present hotel stands, for the purpose of organizing a library society agreeably to an Act incorporating the Social Library Societies within this State, and giving them certain powers and privileges, passed Nov. 6, 1800. There were present at that meeting, Samuel M. Lewis, Elisha Bisbee, John White, Don Lovell, Eli Ames, Samuel Heminway, John Stevens, Peter White, Samuel W. Porter, Moses Cobb, Moses Fairbanks, Robinson Smiley, and Nomlas Cobb.
At a meeting held Jan. 12, 1819, it was voted that the society should be known by the name of the Springfield Central Library. At a meeting held Jan. 18, 1819, the by-laws were adopted and officers chosen. In 1827, as shown by the records, there were one hundred and ninety-eight volumes in the library. Librarians served as follows : -
Nomlas Cobb .
from 1819 to 1833
Jonathan Chase
66 1833 " 1834
John Perkins .
1834 " 1836
Don Lovell
66 1836 " 1837
Henry F. Crain
66 1837 " 1838
Henry Closson
66 1838 " 1846
Frederick W. Porter
66
1846 " 1850
John Ward
66 1850 “ 1858
B. W. Lovell .
6 1858 " 1862
Jerome W. Pierce
1862 " 1871
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
In 1871 this Central Library became a part of Springfield Town Library. The history of the various measures which led to the formation of the Town Library is mostly to be found in the town records, and need not be transcribed here.
In 1869 the Methodist Conference had concluded to transfer their interest in the Springfield Wesleyan Seminary to their school at Montpelier, and give up the Seminary at Springfield. Inasmuch as the citizens of Springfield had donated liberally to the funds for building up and supporting the Seminary, it was agreed that one half of the proceeds of the sale of the Seminary property should go to the conference for the benefit of the school at Montpelier, and one half for the public benefit of the town of Springfield. In 1870 the Legislature passed an Act enabling the trustees of the Seminary to pay to the town their proportion for the benefit of a public library.
It was arranged that the trustees of the Wesleyan Seminary should name one of the incorporators of the Town Library, the Springfield Central Library name one, the civil authority of the town name two, and that Henry Barnard, in consideration of a gift which was then expected (but was never received), should act as one. The trustees of the Seminary named Franklin P. Ball, the Central Library trustees named Horace W. Thompson, and the civil authority appointed Jerome W. Pierce and Joel Woodbury. A charter was granted in 1870 with the above- named gentlemen as trustees.
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