USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Rupert > Rupert, Vt.; historical and descriptive, 1761-1898 > Part 4
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Education.
five pupils. Between 1875 and '77, Miss Fanny Sherman, now Mrs. Charles Drew, Meridian, N. Y., taught two terms of school, one at the residence of A. P. Sheldon (now Dr. Carpenter 's); one, begun in Masonic Hall, and finished at the Spencer Hopkins house. Miss Grace Brad- ford of Dorset (died about 1892), taught in the small room of the school house, in the spring of 1878. In the fall of 1881, Harry L. Moore (died in 1888), taught in the same room, having about twenty pupils. A Mr. Phillips taught a writing school, sometime within the year 1849. Miss Mary Johnson of West Pawlet, taught a class in elocution, in 1894. .
WEST RUPERT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE. - Was char- tered by the Legislature, Nov., 1865. No action having been taken, in Oct., 1872, the charter was extended two years. A school was opened January, 1873, Miss Lizzie Merrill of Massachusetts, teacher. The school was held, first in the house of Jonas Wilder, and afterward in Ma- sonic Hall. School was maintained two years, with the same teacher, the pupils averaging about twenty.
At East Rupert a select school was taught, about 1858, by Stephen Clemons of Wells. It was held in the store building, now occupied by Brazil Ladd. The fol- lowing list of the `pupils was furnished me by William Kinne: Emory Clemons, George Phelps, Eliza Phelps, John Eastman, Charlotte Eastman, Harlow Underhill, Delia Underhill, George Derby, Otis Derby, Anice Jones, Heman Harwood, Mary Danforth, Miner Kinne, William Kinne.
INSTITUTIONS PATRONIZED .- Previous to 1850, about 25 natives of Rupert had taken the full college course. Of the thirteen known to me by name, all but two were graduates of Middlebury, which was the college, for Ru- pert young men, in those years. College graduates have been few since the date named. I recall only seven, none of whom attended Middlebury. Of academic schools, in the earlier period, Burr Seminary took the lead, with some attendance at the Poultney and Castleton Academies; and
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later, Fort Edward Institute and North Granville Female Seminary. Though collegiate pupils have greatly dimin- ished, academics have equally increased. In the later years, Troy Conference Academy, Poultney, has taken the lead, followed closely by Castleton State Normal. Others receiving moderate patronage, are Washington Academy, Salem; Vermont Academy, Saxtons River; and Granville Graded School. A few have attended Normal schools in New York. A Town High School, would meet the require- ments of many who leave town to continue their studies. Though perhaps among the possibilities of the near future, it is not probable. A comparison between the school census of 1803 and of 1898, may be interesting. In 1803, the children of school age were +1 per cent of the entire population. In 1898, they were 21 per cent. As to teachers : About 80 per cent are females, and they are not often discriminated against, as to wages, on account of sex. As to the schools: When the indifference and op- position of parents, gives place to interest in and support of, they will become much better.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The early settlers of Vermont were a religious peo- ple, and those of Rupert were no exception to the rule. In communities where the people were of one faith, or nearly so, there was a union of Church and State rarely equalled and never exceeded. Churches were built, min- isters' salaries were paid, by a town tax, regularly voted like other taxes. There are numerous records of the free- men, in town meeting assembled, electing tithing men and choristers. For lack of records, it is impossible to know what we, as a town, did for the support of worship. Doubtless it was similar to other towns where the people
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Church History.
were mainly of one sect. In this town it was the Congre- gational, and early, I cannot say how early, the town was divided into two societies, the East and West. It is reason- able to believe this was done in a town or proprietors' meet- ing. So far as I am aware, no church was ever organized in the East society, but in the West there was, at an early day. The terms East and West society, now long obso- lete, were in use so late as 1820. Even to this day the ef- fect of that early custom can be seen in the habit of our townsmen of the " East side " calling all the town this side " West Rupert."
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
THIS was the first, and for seventeen years the only church in town. It was organized in the " West society," June, 6, 1786, with seven members. Rev. Increase Graves, brother of Dr. Graves, was the first pastor, and as such was entitled to come into possession of the lot of land granted to the first settled minister. He remained here till 1793, removed to Bridport, where he died about 1830. From 1793 to '98 the church was without a regular pastor; 1798 to 1813, Rev. John B. Preston. Mr. Pres- ton was a native of New Jersey, a college graduate and occupies a high position in the annals of this church. His pastorate was ended by his death, at the age of forty-two. Rev. Martin Powell, for two years, apparently 1813-15. I find nothing as to his former work, stay here or subse- quent career. There appears to have been a vacancy for the next five years 1815-20. Rev. Daniel Marsh, 1820-24; Rev. Mr. Cofrin, 1824-26; Rev. David Wilson, 1826-46. This is the longest term in the history of the church. Mr. Wilson was born in Hebron, N. Y., graduated at Middle- bury College; preached some years in his native town be- fore coming to Rupert, and also after leaving here. His twenty years pastorate was closed at his request. Mr. Wilson died in Hebron about 1870. During the year 1846, Rev. Mr. Graves was the preacher, coming here from the northern part of the State, and departing for the
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" west." Rev. R. A. Watkins was the next occupant, remaining about eight years. . He was a highly educated man, especially in mathematics, and greatly interested in the public schools. He was active and energetic, be the work mental or manual. Mr. Asher Loveland told me the following : Mr. Watkins said :- " Put a five dollar bill at the end of a five-cord pile of wood and John Bailey at the other ; let me file the saws for him, and John will have that bill before sunset." Mr. Watkins came here from Randolph ; he went from here to Chicago, where his son Langdon resided ; from there to Turner, Ill., where he purchased a farm, and resided until his death, about 1868. His daughter Libbie returned to Vermont, and died in Rut- land about 1882. He was the first clergyman I can recol- lect, though indistinctly. The Rev. Alanson Alvord came next, remaining two years. I think he went to some western state from here. His daughter Frances was the " Fanny " of early school days. 1857-69, the Rev. Josiah B. Clark. Mr. Clark was born in Stratham, N. H., about 1807. He had preached in New Hampshire, Vermont and Ohio, coming here from Clarendon. His son Waldo was a member of the 1st Vermont Cavalry during the Civil War, and has been for many years in the mining regions of the Rockies. His daughter Mary married Dr. H. G. Burton, and resides in California. His younger children, Charles and Martha, were born here. Mr. Clark was a strong supporter of the War of Emancipation. He was strongly opposed to Freemasonry and spoke publicly against it. He went from here to Pittsfield, where Mrs. Clark died in 1870. In that year he married Mrs. Delight Haye of this town. He afterward preached at Weathers- field and Ludlow. About 1886 he went to Dedham, Mass., to reside with his step-son Marcus Haye, where he died in 1896. During the year following Mr. Clark's departure there was no regular preacher. 1870-72, the Rev. Joseph Garland. Mr. Garland was about sixty years old; sup- posed to be a native of New Hampshire and a graduate of Bowdoin College, and to have had pastorates in several
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States. After leaving here he preached at Marlboro, Wa- terville and other places. A few years ago was living in New Hampshire. 1873-4, the Rev. Daniel Goodhue. A few years ago he was living in Winooski. 1874-83, the Rev. A. B. Lambert. Came here from Hartford, N. Y., and had previously preached in the Presbyterian Church, Salem. He was about sixty-five years of age, of wide experience and information. The family were important social and intellectual factors during their sojourn here. This was Mr. Lambert's last pastorate. He removed to Salem in 1884, and resided there until his death in 1893. 1883-4, the Rev. J. Loring Pratt, from Maine. His family remained at home and Mr. Pratt boarded at T. S. Beebe's. A scholar and gentleman, his work here, at a critical period in the church's history, was well done. He returned to his home at Strong, Me., where he died in 1891, aged fifty-seven. 1884-87, the Rev. Bernard Copping. Born in England, coming to this country in 1876, came to Ru- pert from Dunstable, Mass. Went from here to Groveland, Mass., and now at Acton. 1887-89, the Rev. Chas. Perry, coming from Randolph, now in Massachusetts. 1890-93, the Rev. J. D. Adam; a native of Scotland; un- married and boarded at Miss Beebe's. From here to Man- chester, thence to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he is now pastor of a Reformed Church. From 1893 the Rev. Wm. Ewen, a native of Scotland, graduate of the University of Aber- deen ; to the United States in 1890; to Rupert from South Woodbury.
Among those who have served as deacons of this church, I have learned the names of Samuel Leavitt, James Fisher, Samuel Farrar, Stephen Smith, Seth P. Sheldon and Levi Johnson, father of Austin Johnson, Titus Sheldon, Rufus Harmon and T. J. Prescott, of a later date. Deacon Prescott was a type of the good old New England deacon of story and tradition, a class now nearly extinct. His quiet humor, hearty laugh and unfailing good nature will long be remembered by our people. He was spoken of simply as "the Deacon," and all knew who
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was meant. Born in Mt. Holly, he came here in early manhood, and resided here until his death, in 1886, at the age of seventy-nine. Present deacons: J. E. Austin and Wm. H. Kinne. Austin Johnson organized and managed the Sunday school of the church about 1830. He was the author of a book entitled "The New World," in which his religious views were promulgated. It was published by Alling, Seymour & Co., Rochester, N. Y., 1849. Pres- ent Sunday School. Superintendent, Geo. R. Thompson ; Organist, Mrs. E. F. Haye; Chorister, J. N. Whedon. Erastus Bixby was Sexton for ten or more years; Geo. Sheldon, son of Dr. Sheldon, a short time, followed by William Scott for upwards of forty years.
I am unable to say when the first church edifice was erected, but in 1831 it was generally repaired and added to, the improvements being a porch, gallery and steeple with bell. While the steeple was in process of construc- tion, the first or lower story being completed, Lyman Woodard, an eccentric character, exhibited his agility by standing on his head on the floor of it. In 1859 the church edifice was again remodeled, the interior being entirely transformed. A room was made, called "the basement," entered on the west side by steps leading downward from the surface. Above, the audience room, reached from the street by outside stairs, leading upward. This is substan- tially the present arrangement. " The basement " de- serves a special notice by reason of its prominence in the town's history. Before it was built there was nothing in town approaching a public hall, with the possible exception of the hall of the Jenks hotel, East Rupert. Consequently it immediately became the business and social center of the town. Here were held the public examinations of those who aspired to be teachers, which for years brought together a large and interested audience. Here lyceums were held, and the walls have resounded with the eloquence of Bee- be, Cheney, Tellier, Nelson, Flower and Farrar. Here singing schools were held, of Butten. Jones, Crowin- shield and others. Here the musical convention of
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Woodard-Bridgman was not held. Here were held select schools, whose members are now scattered from ocean to ocean. Here were held law-suits, donations, lectures, shows, exhibitions, elections and rainy-day picnics. And here were held-more important than all others-the " war meetings " during the trying days of 1861-65. No other place in town has such a flood of associations and memories as the now old-time " basement." It gradually fell into disuse after 1871, being superseded by the new schoolhouse hall. In 1888 it was remodeled throughout to meet the religious and household needs of the church and society. The rear end of the basement, about one- half, is now embraced in the church parlor, a beautiful and convenient room. The lot of land occupied by the church edifice and sheds was conveyed to the society by Judge David Sheldon.
The parsonage farm of the society was conveyed to it by John Gray of Salem, January, 1817. I am not aware where the pastors had dwelt before this purchase. This parsonage farm continued to be occupied as such until 1883, Rev. Lambert being the last occupant. It was sold by the society to William Shaw. It is now the property of David Carver, and occupied by a tenant. The present parsonage, standing just below the residence of the late T. S. Beebe, was built in 1884. E. H. Beebe was the master builder. The first occupant was Rev. Copping. The present clerk of the church is E. F. Haye; of the so- ciety, Dr. W. H. Austin. Church membership, about 65. This church celebrated its one hundredth anniversary, June 9th, 1886, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Copping, who preached the centennial sermon. Other clergymen present were Revs. Pratt of Dorset, Jennings of Benning- ton, Peach of Pawlet, Lambert of Salem and Grismer of Rupert.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
LOCATED at West Rupert, and organized May, 1803, by a council composed of Elders Warren of Salem, Beal of Pawlet, Barber of Bottskill, Haynes of Middletown and Kendrick of Poultney. Rev. Alvin Wales was the first pastor, remaining until 1809. The next four years without a regular pastor. In 1813-25, Rev. W. P. Rey- nolds. Mr. Reynolds, going from here, became pastor of the Manchester Church. Later he resided in Pawlet. He joined the Disciples, and again resided in Manchester, preaching for a church of that faith, which existed in town about fifteen years. In the Kent Hollow burying- ground are graves of two infant daughters of Elder Peter W. and Emma Reynolds, who died in 1819. In 1825-30 no regular pastor. In 1830-34, Rev. Archibald Wait. This was a prosperous period in the history of the church and substantially the last of the kind. In 1836 the religious movement, headed by Alexander Campbell, reached this town. As a result, about one-half tle members and a large proportion of the wealth of the church withdrew and joined the new organization. From this time, though there were occasional rallies, the church gradually be- came weaker and weaker, until the end. In 1841-43, Rev. William Grant. In 1844-47 Rev. George W. Freeman. Removed to Ft. Edward. In 1847-9, Rev. Alfred Harvey. Removed to Westerlo, N. Y. In It 1848 this church joined the Shaftsbury Association. had been connected with the Vermont till 1818, then with the newly formed Manchester till that was dissolved, in 1830; next joined the Washington, same year. In 1835 the Washington and Bottskill were merged into the Washing- ton Union, and from the latter it went to the Shaftsbury. In 1849-50, Rev. Nelson Combs. In June, 1849, the Shafts- bury Association met with this church, being its sixty-ninth anniversary. Rev. Isaiah Mattison, was moderator; Rev. J. A. Smith, clerk. Mr. Combs removed to Saratoga Co. in 1850, and Rev. Daniel Eldridge supplied the last half
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of the year. In 1852 Rev. Chas. Coon began preaching for this church, but I am unable to say how long he re- mained. He was succeeded by Rev. R. W. Hancock, who remained about five years, removing to New York State. In 1858-61, Rev. E. W. Brownell, who went from here to North Hebron. In 1862-64, Rev. L. B. Ames. W. L. Hayden was now pastor of the Disciples' Church, whose organization has been noted. Mr. Hayden's theology was of an aggressive nature; and since 1837 this church had been aggressive, the Baptist defensive. Mr. Ames was bitterly opposed to the teachings of the Disciples. Mr. Hayden undertook to convince him of his errors, as he con- sidered them, by investigations, begun in July, 1863. It was now " War Time," the midst of the great conflict be- tween freedom and slavery. More soldiers being needed than were furnished by enlistment, a draft was ordered in August. Among those drawn and accepted was Rev. Mr. Ames. The conditions were: go, furnish a substitute or pay $300.00. Mr. Ames being unable to furnish this amount, members of this church contributed it. In March, 1864, Mr. Ames gave public notice of his change of belief and resigning his pastorate, was received into the Disciples' Church in April. Since that time he has continued in that ministry, and in 1887 was thus employed at Des Moines, Iowa. In 1864-68, Rev. J. H. Barker. Mr. Barker was in advanced life and this was his last active pastorate. He had been pastor of churches in St. Law- rence and Washington counties, N. Y. He went from here to Adamsville, N. Y., where he died in 1872. In 1877-81, Rev. David Beecher. Mr. Beecher was in advanced life, and this was his last pastorate. He had preached at North Hebron and West Pawlet, coming here from the latter place. He returned to West Pawlet, where he died in 1884. His daughter Esther married B. H. Bibens of West Rupert, and died in 1886. Rev. C. C. Cook was the last resident preacher, coming here in 1882. He was a native of Massachusetts, and only two years in the ministry. In September, 1883, a council composed of Revs. Gull of
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Greenwich, Gardner of Cambridge,. Johnson of Granville, Gookin of West Pawlet and Chick of North Hebron, met at the church for the purpose of ordaining him to the ministry and the pastorate of the church; but declined to do so on account of his unsound theology, especially re- garding baptism. Mr. Cook left town in March, 1884. He joined the Congregationalists and became pastor of a church at Port Mills, Vt. Thus after eighty years of pre- carious existence, this church ceased to exist as an active body. The following, and perhaps others, have served as deacons : Asa Nurse, Daniel Waldo, R. Flower, Wm. Scott, E. Phillips, David Thompson, E. B. Safford, Os- man Sherman, F. O. Farrar. I am unable to say when the church edifice was erected; it was remodeled in 1838. The church parsonage is the house now occupied by Elwin Vail. I think Rev. Mr. Brownell was the first to occupy it, about 1859. Previously the pastors had lived in differ- ent houses in or near the village.
THE DISCIPLES' CHURCH.
THE beginning of this church has been alluded to in the sketch of the Baptist Church, being in the same village and on the same street. " The Disciples of Christ, meet- ing weekly in Rupert, were organized on Lord's Day, the 24th of December, 1837. Having received the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as revelations from God, and as the only sure guide in religious matters, and the New Testament of Jesus Christ as containing the Christian religion, did mutually agree to be governed by its pre- cepts as it was given by the Apostles, without addition or diminution. And thus giving themselves to the Lord and to one another, made choice of Charles J. White, the first Bishop of the congregation, to preside at their meetings and to teach in word and doctrine and administer ordi- nances, and Isaac Sheldon, Deacon, who were both or- dained by prayer and laying on of hands. Elder W. P. Reynolds present by request." From Semi-Centennial
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History Of The Disciples Of Christ, West Rupert, Vt. By W. L. Hayden. The original members were as fol- lows: Charles J. White, Catharine White, Isaac Sheldon, Rebecca Sheldon, Roswell Flower, Sr., Clarissa Flower, Jesse Shaw, Ruth Shaw, Jonathan Hastings, Roswell Flower, Jr., Emily F. Sherman and Mrs. Bininger. In the month of February, 1838, the following were added : Grandison Sherman, Joseph Flower, James Sheldon, War- ner Hopkins, Timothy S. Flower, Betsy Weed, Isaac Sherman, and Eliza Wooster Lewis. And later, during this year: S. M. Sherman, Julia Sherman, Thomas K. Beebe, Rufus Conant, Gardner Rogers and Emeline B. Wilson. During the first twenty years the church was largely ministered to by Bishops of the congregation. In some other denominations they would be called local preachers. In this list belong Charles J. White, Grandi- son Sherman, James T. Bates, Thomas Laing, and E. T. Wood. Dr. C. J. White was born in Waterford, N. Y., in 1803, graduated at the Castleton Medical College at the age of twenty-two, and entered upon the practice of med- icine at Hebron, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1869. He was a capable and successful physician. He was reared in the belief of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was prominent, holding an official position when the preaching of Alexander Campbell turned his religious thoughts into a new channel. He was the prime mover in the founding of this church. Dr. White was of manly form and dignified bearing, possessing great ability in cer- tain directions. Grandison Sherman was born in Sandgate, where he pursued the avocation of a farmer until 1859, when he removed to the town of Salem. His sons, Marcus and Rollin, were in the Union army, Marcus dying in the service. His daughter Anna married Rev. W. L. Hayden. Mr. Sherman was a man of singularly quiet and gentle manners. His wife, Emily Flower, was a sister of Mrs. James Sheldon. He continued to reside in Salem until his removal to Danbury, Ct., in 1869. He died in Washington, Pa., in 1885. James T. Bates was born
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in England about 1788, coming to this country when a child. His father settled in that section of Pawlet called Rush Hollow. Mr. Bates was engaged in mer- cantile pursuits all of his active life, having at different times stores at both the upper and lower streets. The latter years of his life were as a traveling merchant or peddlar. He was an earnest, almost eccentric person- ality, and not readily forgotten. He owned the house (now the residence of Mrs. Ann Hopkins) which was the second place of meeting of this church. Mr. Bates was unmarried and died at the home of William Stearns, in 1872. Thomas Laing was a resident of Hebron, where he was a prosperous farmer for many years. He held a position in the church at West Pawlet, like the one in this church. He died in 1882, aged 74. E. T. Wood was born in Salem, Mass., in 1815. Settled in Troy in early manhood and became a member of the first Disciples' Church in that city. Removed to Pawlet, and was the preacher of the Disciples worshiping there. He came to reside in Rupert in 1857. which was his residence until his death in 1893. He preached at various times and oc- casions in many of the churches of eastern New York. He was a man of fervent convictions and most exemplary life. Of those, other than the local speakers just de- scribed, who ministered to this church previous to 1860, I find the following: Benjamin Howard, A. Thomas, Charles Levan, Josiah I. Lowell, Myron J. Streator, and W. W. Clayton. Mr. Clayton was an able speaker; was prominent in the town lyceums and served as Superin- tendent of Schools. He afterward renounced Christianity. He was known a few years ago as the author of a history of Iowa. 1856-60 was the period of his pastorate. 1861- 67, WV. L. Hayden, a native of Ohio, and graduate of Williams College; an able and fluent speaker. Married Anna, daughter of Grandison Sherman; to Danbury, Ct., from here; later to Washington, Pa. Next, J. H. Gordi- nier who remained nearly three years, leaving on account of sickness. Was Superintendent of Schools. Living and in
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the ministry. Levi Osborne, the winter of 70-71. 1871- 74, B. H. Hayden, a cousin of W. L. Mr. Hayden has traveled in Europe and Asia; held pastorates in several places, notably Worcester, Mass. Now in Chicago. Of late a public lecturer. 1874-78, George Lobinzier. One of, perhaps the ablest pastor in the history of the church. A lawyer, his calm, lucid reasoning was in marked con- `trast with much that comes from the pulpit. Mr. Lobin- gier went from here to Nebraska, where he now resides. Next, J. N. Wilson, from Michigan, two years; W. W. Witmer, from Indiana, two years; J. W. Robbins, one year; W.W. Witmer, two years ; S. Mott, one year ; E. D. Barclay, one year ; G. F. Smart, two years; W. R. Mot- ley, two years; W. H. C. Newington, three years. Mr. Newington served as School Director and Superintendent. T. C. Picton from Pennsylvania, is the present pastor. Those who have served as elders, not heretofore men- tioned : Elisha Hawley, Lyman Farrar, Elijah Hibbard, Elihu Flower. The first place of meeting was the old brick school house; next the old white house owned by James T. Bates, which, remodled, was afterward the resi- dence of L. D. Hopkins. The Brick house, the only home this church ever had, was erected in 1841 by a society composed of members and friendly outsiders. This dual ownership was the cause of contention, which came near wrecking the church, and was not finally disposed of un- til 1860. In that year the church edifice was modernized and fitted up, substantially as at present. It was re- opened on the church anniversary, Dec. 24, the dedicatory sermon being preached by a Mr. Anderson. The present membership is about 200. Roswell Flower, the last of the original members, died at his home in Humboldt Co., Iowa, May 19, 1898, aged 89. James A. Garfield, while a student in Williams College, preached several times for this church, about 1855. The first parsonage was about 1855, being the house now the residence of Henry H. Hadaway. The present parsonage stands one lot nearer the church, and was erected in 1885.
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