The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 117

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064

USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier. > Part 117

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" Whereas some members of the church are dissatisfied with the articles of faith, Therefore, Voted that the aggrieved mem- bers have liberty to select such articles as they are satisfied with, which when select- ed shall be considered the church articles of faith, not to prevent any from believing them as they now are."

This compromise did not prevent the Methodist portion of the church from seceding in June, 1802, and forming anoth- er church. Those who left to join the Methodist were, Dea. James Perry, Esther Perry, Bradford Kinne, Ebenezer Free- man, Esther Freeman, John Chase, and Richard Kendrick. Those who remained with the original church were, Dea. Nehe- miah Mack, Moses Bancroft, Sally Ban- croft, James Boutwell, Deborah Boutwell, Jonathan Kinne, Lydia Kinne, Sanford

Kinne, Polly Kinne, Zopher Sturtevant, Polly Sturtevant, David Bancroft.

The same year Charles R. Woolson was unanimously expelled from the church for " neglect of family prayer, and public worship on Sunday and church meetings." Moulton Batchelder having joined the Methodists, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 1816, the following sentence of excommunication was read before the assembled congrega- tion :

" Whereas our brother, Moulton Batch- elder, has violated his solemn covenant obligations by neglecting the stated meet- ings of the church on the Sabbath and at other times, and going after, as we think, false teachers, and embracing dangerous errors and sentiments, derogatory to the character of an infinitely wise and holy God, We now, under the pressing obliga- tion of duty we owe to our Lord and Sav- ior Jesus Christ, have undertaken this painful and bitter labor, and we hope in faithfulness and prayer, but without suc- cess. Therefore, according to the rule of Christ's family, we are under the painful necessity of saying unto you, and that in this public manner, that for these reasons, the door of our fellowship and commun- ion is closed against you, and you are no longer to be considered of this church and body ; but as an unprofitable branch, and therefore are now severed from this body. It is our humble prayer, that God will bless this our unpleasant, but plain duty to you, and open your understanding that you may see your error, and give you re- pentance, that you may enjoy his favor at last, and be gathered with all of the re- deemed from among men, to inhabit the new Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ is the joy and the light thereof."

I do not give these facts to increase the self-complacency of those at the present time, who are inclined to plume themselves upon their own superior liberality, and tolerance of differences of opinions. Such should consider, that people who thought their peculiar tenets of such vital impor- tance, that they incurred the dangers and hardships of a settlement in New England to establish them, could not be expected to see the result of their labors impaired or destroyed, with indifference or equanimity.

Jonathan Kinne preached to the church until 1826; but was not ordained because he disbelieved in infant baptism.

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R ried

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PLAINFIELD.

Nathaniel Hurd was the acting pastor in 1826. [For his biography see Tinmouth, vol. 111.] He was succeeded by John F. Stone.

In 1829, Joseph Thatcher became the first settled minister. He removed to Barre in 1834, and was succeeded by Mr. Hadley in 1836, by John Orr in 1839, Sam- uel Marsh in 1842, Calvin Granger in 1846, and A. S. Swift in 1849,-none of whom were settled ministers, however.

Rev. Joel Fisk was settled as pastor in May, 1855, and died Dec. 16, 1856. Soon after Rev. Horace Herrick became acting pastor, who was succeeded in 1861, by Rev. C. M. Winch, who remained until Nov., 1868, when he was succeeded by Horace Pratt, who removed in 1871.

After an interval of nearly 2 years, Charles Redfield became acting pastor, and in 1877, C. E. Ferrin was settled, and remained until his death, in 1881.

The deacons have been James Perry, Nehemiah Mack, George Ayers, Dan. Storrs, Justus Kinney, Emmons Taft.

Their first meeting-house was built in 1819, the second, on the same site, in 1854. Until the building of a church their meetings were usually held at the dwelling house of Jonathan Kinne.

THE METHODIST CHURCH

has no early records in Plainfield, and I am obliged to glean this account from va- rious sources. The first Methodist ser- mon preached in Plainfield was by the Rev. Nicholas Sneathen- or "Suethen," as his family write it-a very able man, who was chaplain of Congress in 1812. He came to Seth Freeman's, made known his name and occupation, and succeeded in attaching nearly all of the people in the southern part of the town to the Methodist church, including Dea. James Perry, who afterwards became a Methodist preacher. the first probably that resided in town.

A church was organized in 1801, or '2. It formed a part of Barre circuit. The first Methodist minister stationed at Plain- field that I can learn of was David Kil- burn, who was here in 1812 and 1825.

Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, who was mar- ried to Judge Kinne's daughter, Sally,

lived upon the Asa Washburn place in 1820. This, with 15 acres of land, was given to the Methodist church for a par- sonage by Judge Kinne. It was after- wards sold and the parsonage in the vil- lage bought.

Rev. John Lord was stationed here in 1823: - Harvey in 1827, '28; R. H. Deming, '30, '31 ; John Nason, '33, '34 ; N. Stone, '35; David Wilcox, '36, '37 ; Jacob Boyce, '38 ; Daniel Field, '39; J. L. Slason, '40 : John W. Wheeler, '41 ; Rich- ard Newell, '42, '43; Otis M. Legate, '44 ; H. P. Cushing, '45, '46; J. W. Perkins, 47, '48 ; Homer T. Jones, '49, '50; Mul- fred Bullard, '51 ; Peter Merrill, '52, '53 ; Alonzo Hitchcock, '54, '55, '62, '63; W. J. Kidder, '56, '57; Edmund Copeland, '58, '59, '69, '70 ; P. I'. Ray, '60, '61 ; Joshua Gill, '64, '65 ; S. B. Currier, '66, '67 ; Andes T. Bullard, '68; Thomas Trevillian, '71 ; Joseph Hamilton, '72, '73, '74; Joseph O. Sherburn, '75, '76; W. H. Dean, '77, '78; Elihu Snow, '79, '80, '81.

Before the erection of a church their meetings were usually held at Elder James Perry's, or at Lieut. Joseph Batchelder's. In 1819 a house was built for the Metho- dist society in the village, with an agree- ment that when they had no preacher, "any other Christian denomination, such as Calvinists, Anti-Baptists, Freewill Bap- tists, Friends, so called, Universalists, etc., who had a preacher, might occupy it."

The following is a list of the contrib- utors to the building of this church :

Thomas Vincent, $100 ; Moulton Batch- elder, $100; Harvey Pitkin, $75; John Vincent, $60; Seth Cook, $50; Bradford Kinne, $50 ; Amherst Simons, $50; Seth Freeman, $50; Asa Bancroft, $30 ; Eben Dodge, Jr., $25 ; John Moors, $25 ; Eben- ezer Lyon, $25 ; Matthew Jack, $25 ; Na- than Freeman, $25; Benjamin F. Lamp- son, $25; Laomi Cree,' $25; Enoch Cate, $25 ; Ebenezer Freeman, $20 ; Samuel Wil- son, Jr., $20; Benjamin Whipple, $20 ; Earl Cate, $15; James Batchelder, $15 ; Joseph P. Page, $12 ; William Moors, $10 ; Friend M. Morse, $10; Solomon Bartlett, $10 ; Duron Whittlesey, $10 ; Andrew Jack, $10; Nehemiah Mack, Jr .. $5; Charles

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Patterson, $5; Allen Martin, $5; Eben Martin, $5 ; Richard Kendrick, $3 ; Elisha Mack, $2; total, $947. $100 was paid for the site, leaving the cost of the house about $850.

In 1852, this was sold to the Baptists and removed, and another built at a cost of a little less than $1,600.

The Vermont Annual Conference was held at Plainfield in 1855, Bishop Edward R. Ames presiding.

The present number in full member- ship, 132 ; probationers, 14.

FROM REV. J. R. BARTLETT, OF BARRE.

Rev. Nicholas Snethen, who is men- tioned as the first Methodist preacher who visited Plainfield, was the pioneer Metho- dist preacher in this State. His appoint- ment to Vermont was in 1796, and as he labored in this State but one year, it must have been at that time that he appeared in Plainfield. The records of " Vershire cir- cuit," which was the name of the appoint- ment in the earliest days, are probably not now in existence; but those of " Barre circuit," formed in 1804, are still preserv- ed, and state that the first " quarterly meeting" for Barre circuit was held in Plainfield, Aug. 4th and 5th, 1864, and in Plainfield a little later. The records give Bradford Kinne, Richard Kendrick and Ebenezer Freeman as leaders, 17, 16 and II members, respectively, and four “ on trial." Mr. Kinne was also a local preach- er, and a very active man in the church, and the Rev. Bradford Kinne Pierce, D. D., now the editor of Zion's Herald, published in Boston, was named for him, being the son of Rev. Thomas C. Pierce, and there- fore the grandson of Mr. Kinne, who is mentioned in the foregoing sketch as " Judge " Kinne.

This town was included in Barre circuit until 1838, and hence was visited by the appointees to that circuit at stated inter- vals as a regular preaching place. The names given in the foregoing sketch as Methodist preachers stationed here, are, in several instances at least, of appointees to Barre circuit, there being each year two or three such appointees, and one of

them usually resident at Plainfield. On and after the conference of 1838, this sta- tion lost its identity with Barre circuit, and the preachers were appointed directly to Plainfield. The complete list of Meth- odist preachers on Vershire circuit to 1804, and on Barre circuit from that time to 1838, may be found in the history of Barre. The condition of this church has been par- ticularly prosperous during the last three years, about one-third of its present mem- bership having been added during that time.

Barre, Feb. 3, 1882. THE BAPTIST CHURCH

was organized Oct. 17, 1809, at the school- house near Dea. James Perry's (South district.) The members were: James Boutwell and wife, who withdrew from the Congregationalist church for that purpose, Jacob Perkins, Stephen Perkins and his wife Nancy, John Bancroft and his wife Phœbe. Elder Jabez Cottle and Elder Elijah Huntington were the clergymen present.

At the next meeting Philip Wheeler made a profession of religion, and joined the church. He became pastor afterwards, living near the center of Montpelier, but in 1826, sold his farm, and a house was built for him near the Plainfield Springs. In a few years after this, Stephen Perkins refused to commune, for the reason that Elder Wheeler had said that " he would not baptize a person that he knew intend- ed to join another church." Soon after this, he and his brother Jonathan with- drew from the church. The result of this dissension was, that Elder Wheeler soon closed his pastoral labor with this church, and removed into Marshfield, one half mile east of Plainfield village, where he died.

After Elder Wheeler's dismissal, they were supplied at intervals by different cler- gymen, none of them living in town ex- cept Rev. Friend Blood.

In 1852, the Baptist churches in Plain- field and Marshfield united, and Abraham Bedel became their pastor, residing in Plainfield. The Methodist church was purchased, removed and repaired. Mr.

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Bedel was succeeded in 1358 by Mr. Kel- ton, he in 1859 by S. A. Blake, and he in 1860 by N. W. Smith, who removed in 1862. After that they had only occa- sional preaching, and in 1871 their church was sold and converted into stores.

THE RESTORATIONIST SOCIETY

was organized in 1820, but had only occa- sional preaching until in 1840, Rev. L. H. Tabor came to Plainfield, and a church was erected costing $1,770 above the foundations, exclusive of furniture and the bell, the whole amounting to about $2,300.

Mr. Tabor remained 3 years only. The pulpit was afterwards supplied a part of the time by Mark M. Powers, of Washing- ton, and Rufus S. Sanborn, of Barre. They were succeeded in 1854 by William Sias, who remained one or two years.

Rev. Joseph Sargent resided here in 1858 and 1859, Rev. Thomas Walton in 1860 and 1861, after which they had no stated preaching until in 1872, Rev. Les- ter Warren commenced to preach one half of the time. He was succeeded by Rev. George Forbes the next year. In 1876 L. S. Crossly removed here, and remained one year, since which they have been sup- plied a part of the time by non-resident preachers.

SCHOOLS.

In 1787, the General Assembly enacted a school law that authorized towns and school districts to build school-houses and support schools by a tax on the grand list. A majority of a town might do this, but it required a two-thirds vote of a school dis- trict, and neither a town or school district could tax the property of non-residents for this purpose. This law provided that schools might be supported by subscrip- tion, and the district collector had the same power and duties in collecting a sub- scription that he had in collecting a tax.

In 1803, Plainfield was divided into 5 school districts. The town never voted a tax for schools, and probably none of the districts did for several years. The north- west, or village, district schools were sup- ported by subscription until 1809. They commenced to build a school-house in 1803, finishing it in 1804. It stood just

east of the present hotel, in James Martin's garden. This was the first built in town, and was paid for by a tax, one-third payable in money and two-thirds in wheat. This house having been burned in the winter of 1806-7, another was built in 1807, over by the present residence of Geo. C. Wales, near the railroad bridge. In 1826, this district formed a unison with an adjoining district in Marshfield, and a school-house was built near Marshfield line north of the river. In 1866, this district built another school-house near the old one, at a cost of $6,000, exclusive of the site.

The South, or Freeman, district did not have the first school-house in town; but they had the first school-house quarrel. It had been decided to build a school-house at the Four Corners, east of Seth Free- man's, to which the Freemans were op- posed. The boys of Elder James Perry and of Philemon Perkins, and others, made arrangements to raise it secretly at mid- night. The Freemans learned of the plot, and appeared to help uninvited ; but they spelled the word raze. The result was, nothing was done at that time, but after- wards, in the fall of 1805, the house was built there.

Plainfield village is at the extreme north- ern part of the town, and as incorporated in 1867, includes a portion of the town of Marshfield. In 1812, it contained about a dozen families, in 1881 about 80.

The first mills were burned the same year they were built. The village suffered no more serious loss by fire until May 16, 1877, when the saw and grist-mills, 4 dwelling-houses, 2 shops and 4 barns were burned. James Richards was convicted of being the incendiary, and is now in prison.

The great freshet of Oct. 1869, carried off the saw and grist-mills, the clothing- works, machine-shop, blacksmith-shop,etc.

Railroad trains commenced to run from Montpelier to Plainfield for traffic, Sept. 17, 1873 ; to Wells River, Nov. 24, 1873.

It is said that a mail route was estab- lished from Montpelier to Danville, via Plainfield, in 1808, and a post-office was probably established at Plainfield at that

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time ; but so little did it affect the daily life of the people, that no one knows who was the first postmaster.

As late as 1823, the fees of the post- master at Plainfield were only $10.76; at Marshfield, $3.48 ; Cabot, $6.81 ; at Mont- pelier, $138.81. As postage was then very high, and the fees of the small offices about one-half of the gross income, the amount of mail matter must have been small. The mail was carried on horseback until 1827, then in a wagon until 1830, when a coach was put on, which was almost as much an object of curiosity and pride as was the advent of the cars in 1873.

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.

Bradford Kinne, 1800, '2, '3, '4, '5, '7, '8, '9, '10, 'II, '12, '13, '16, '21 ; Thomas Vincent, 1801, '22, '25, '26; Jonathan Kinne, 1806; Joseph Nye, 1814, '15, '17, '18, '24 ; Benjamin Whipple, 1819, '20, '23 ; Jeremy Stone, 1827, '28; Israel Goodwin, 1829, '30, 31 ; John Vincent, 1832, '33, '34 ; Baxter Bancroft, 1835, '36 ; James Palmer, 1837, '38, '41 ; Harvey Bancroft, 1839, '40 ; Mark M. Page, 1842; Ezra Kidder, 1843, '44, '50, '60, '61 ; Nathaniel Townsend, 1845, '46 ; Reuben Huntoon, 1847 ; Daniel A. Perry, 1848, '55; Francis Hall, 1849; Lewis Chamberlain, 1851, '52; John Mel- len, 1853, '54; E. Madison Perry, 1856, '57 ; Dennis Lane, 1858, 59; Sullivan B. Gale, 1862, '63 ; Willard S. Martin, 1864, '65 ; Levi Bartlett, 1866; Julius M. Rich- ards, 1867; Justus Kinney, 1868; Chan- ning Hazeltine, 1869; Joseph Lane (bien- nial), 1870; L. Cheney Batchelder, 1872 ; Stephen C. Shurtleff, 1874; Nathaniel Townsend, Jr., 1876; Frank A. Dwinell, 1878 ; Dudley B. Smith, 1880.

DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

Lovel Kelton, 1814 ; John Vincent, 1822 ; Nathaniel Bancroft, 1828; James Palmer, 1836; Nath'l. Sherman, 1843, '50 ; Reuben Huntoon, 1870.

STATE SENATORS.

Nathaniel Bancroft, 1847, '48; Charles H. Heath, 1868, '69, '70.

JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT.

Bradford Kinne, 1811, '12, '13; Israel Goodwin, 1834, '35 ; Lewis Chamberlain,

1855, '56; Willard S. Martin, 1874, '75, '76, '77.

TOWN CLERKS.

Thomas Vincent, 1798, '99, 1800 ; 'I, '2, '3, '9, '10, 'II, '12, '14; Bradford Kinne, 1804, '5, '6, '7, '8, '13, '15, '16; Silas Wil- liams, 1817 to '33 ; James Palmer, 1834 to '41 ; Ezra Kidder, 1842 to '51 ; Mark M. Page, 1852 to '60 ; Phineas Kellogg, 1861, '62 ; Walter B. Page, 1863 to '76; Mason W. Page, 1877 ; Frank A. Dwinell, 1878. TREASURERS.

Moulton Batchelder, 1798, '99, 1800; Thomas Vincent, 1801, '08, '09, '10, 'II, '12, '14; Ebenezer Freeman, 1802; Brad- ford Kinne, 1803, '04, '05, '06, '07, '13, '15, '16; Silas Williams, 1817 to '33; James Palmer, 1834 to 141 ; Ezra Kidder, 1842 to '51 ; Mark M. Page, 1852 to '60 ; S. B. Gale, 1861 to '70 ; Ira F. Page, 1871 to '74 ; Dudley B. Smith, 1875 ; F. A. Dwi- nell, 1877 to '81.

IST SELECTMEN.

Joshua Lawrence, 1797; Thomas Vin- cent, 1798, '99, 1800, '01, '02, '03, '10, 'II, '12, '14,' '18; James Boutwell, 1804, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09; B. Kinne, 1813; Asa Bancroft, 1815, '16, '17 ; Willard Shephard, 1819; John Vincent, 1820; Benjamin Whipple, 1821, '22, '23, '24, '25 ; Jeremy Stone, 1826, '35, '36; Andrew Wheatley, 1827, '28, '29; Jabez L. Carpenter, 1830 ; Elijah Perry, 1831, '32, '33 ; Baxter Ban- croft, 1834; Mark M. Page, 1837 to '41 ; - James Palmer, 1842, '43; Levi Bartlett, 1844; Nathaniel Sherman, 1845; Nathan- iel Townsend, 1846, '58 ; E. Madison Per- ry, 1847, '48, '49 ; Daniel A. Perry, 1850 ; Amherst Perkins, 1851 ; Joel Sherburn, 1852, '53; Dudley Perkins, 1854; Allen Martin, 1855 ; Ira Stone, 1856; Harrison Ketchum, 1859, '60; Charles T. Batchel- der, 1861 ; L. Cheney Batchelder, 1862, 81 ; Joseph Lane, 1863, '64, '65, '75 to '79 ; Willard S. Martin, 1866, '71, '72 ; Heman A. Powers, 1867; Orrin W. Cree, 1857 '68, '70 ; Thomas P. Bartlett, 1869; Jere. my S. Chamberlain, 1873, '74, '80.

OLD PEOPLE

Who have died in Plainfield.

Mrs. Joseph Lampson, 95; Mrs. Isaa Mann, 94 ; Moses Bancroft, 87; Mrs. M

field vey Dani Davi Eng

M be

Bil

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PLAINFIELD.

Bancroft, 92 ; Jonathan Perkins, 89 ; Spen- cer Lawrence, 81 ; Mrs. Spencer Lawrence, 89; Asa Bancroft, 88; Jane (Carns) Hatch, 88; Mrs. Jacob Perkins, 89; Ly- dia (Carns) Perkins (Mrs. Jonathan), 83 ; Chauncy Bartlett, 86; Mrs. C. Bartlett, 85 ; Edmund Freeman, Charles Bancroft, 84 ; Mrs. N, Townsend, 83 ; Levi Bartlett, 80; Benjamin Niles, 84; Nathaniel Sherman, 80; Mrs. N. Sherman, 81 ; Eliza (Carns) White, 80; David Reed, 82; Mrs. D. Reed, 81 ; James Allen, 84 ; Roderic Tay- lor, 83 ; John P. Ayers, 82 ; James Batch- elder, 81; Allen Martin, 82; Isabella (Nash) Powers, 80; Coolige Taylor, 83; C. W. Alvord, 82 ; Asa Fletcher, 82 ; Mrs. A. Fletcher, 85; Daniel Lampson, So; James Perry, 80; Isaac Mann, Nathan Hill, 82.

OLD PEOPLE LIVING.

Daniel Spencer, 91 ; Susan Collins, 88 ; Baxter Bancroft, 87; Mrs. B. Bancroft, 82; Mrs. John P. Ayers, 86; Eben Mar- tin, 85; Mrs. Nathan Parker, 85 ; Justus Kinney, 83; Mrs. J. Kinney, 80; Susan Corliss, 82; Mrs. Roderic Taylor, 81 ; William Parks, 81 ; Benjamin F. Moore, 81 ; Alex Woodman, So; Mrs. Levi Bart- lett, 80; Nathan Hill, 82.

MASONIC.

RURAL LODGE .- The records of this Lodge having been lost or destroyed, no extended history can be written of it or of its early members. The only authentic papers belonging to it are the original by- laws in manuscript form, from which we learn that a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge at its annual session in Montpelier, Oct. 12. 1825.

Charter Members .- Horace Pitkin, Marshfield ; Alden Palmer, Montpelier ; Ja- bez L. Carpenter, Plainfield ; Stephen Pit- kin, William Martin, Marshfield ; William Billings, Nathaniel C. King, Montpelier ; Charles Clark, Calais ; Nathaniel Bancroft, Silas Williams, Jr., A- Simons, Plain- field ; Merrill Williams, Montpelier ; Har- vey Pitkin, Edwin Pitkin, James Pitkin, Daniel Spencer, Marshfield; Nathaniel Davis, Robert Nesmith, Montpelier ; James English, Marshfield.

up, and some work done, until the annual session of the Grand Lodge in 1830, when they are supposed to have surrendered their charter. Only two of the charter members are known to be living, Daniel Spencer of Plainfield, at the advanced age of 91 years, and Nathaniel C. King, of Montpelier.

WYOMING LODGE, NO. 80 .- Wyoming Lodge, F. & A. M., No. So, was chartered by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Vermont, June II, A. D. 1868.

Charter Members .- Charles H. Heath, Leroy H. Hooker, Stephen C. Shurtleff, Nathan Skinner, Dudley B. Smith, Jas. M. Perry, Channing Hazeltine, J. M. Richards, William Armstrong, A. H. Whitcomb, Walter B. Page, Mark M. Page, R. H. Christy, Byron Goodwin, Fitch E. Willard, W. S. Little, Ezekiel Skinner, Samuel Simpson, Martin V. B. Hollister, D. M. Perkins, Samuel Wilson, Horace Hill, Reuben Huntoon, Lewis H. Cunningham, N. Davis, Jr., Mason T. Page, Silas E. Willis, Willard Harris, James Pitkin, Luther G. Town, Solomon L. Gilman, Nathaniel Sherman, Daniel Spencer, Nathaniel Davis, Horace H. Hollister, Nathaniel C. Page, C. W. H. Dwinell, E. O. Hammond, Eben D. Ste- vens.

First officers : Charles H. Heath, W. M .; Loren H. Hooker, S. W .; Stephen C. Shurtleff, J. W.

Officers for 1881-2: W. R. Gove, W. M .; John W. Fowler, S. W,; Dan. W. Moses, J. W.

REV. C. E. FERRIN, D. D.

Abridged from a sketch in the Vermont Chronicle by Rev. A. D. BARBER.

CLARK E. FERRIN was born in Holland, Vt., July 20, 1818. He grew up there on the farm with his father till he was of age, teaching a common school in the winter from the time he was 17, and aiding his father in the support of the family. In the fall after he had attained his majority he went to Brownington Academy, of which Rev. A. C. Twilight was preceptor, and began fitting for college. At Brown- ington he not only set his face collegeward

The organization of the Lodge was kept but heavenward, experiencing that change

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of which our Lord said to Nicodemus, " Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Remaining at Browington about a year, he went to Derby, finished his preparation and enter- ed the University at Burlington in the class of 1841. Though at a disadvantage by lack of early opportunities, by diligent ap- plication he gained upon the class during the course, and graduated in 1845, with the last third. The fall after he taught the Academy at Marshfield, and from thence went to Macon, Ga., where he taught for 2 years. From Macon he went to the theological seminary at Andover, Mass., completing the course in the class of 1850. The spring before he graduated at An- dover he visited Barton, Vt., preaching there, and receiving a call to the pastorate of the Congregational church. Accepting this call, he was ordained and installed at Barton, in 1857, Rev. O. T. Lamphear, a college classmate, then at Derby, preach- ing the installation sermon from Exodus IV : 14, "I know that he can speak well." Another, a seminary classmate, Rev. Mr. Dean, gave the charge to the people. Zealous and faithful at Barton, he was after nearly 3 years attacked with that facial neuralgia, which rendered his after life one of almost continued pain, and often for months and years at a time one of in- tense suffering. His enemy compelled him to suspend his ministry at Barton and seek dismission from his charge. This was granted by council. Dismissed, he sought for a time renewed health and strength in farm labors. As soon as health permitted, he took up the ministry again, received a call, and was installed pastor of the Congregational church in Hinesburgh in 1855. At this second installation, an- other of his classmates, Rev. N. G. Clark, then professor in the University at Bur- lington, preached the sermon, and an- other classmate, Rev. A. D. Barber, of Williston, gave the Right Hand of Fellow- ship. Here, after no very long time, he began to suffer again from the assaults of his adversary, neuralgia, but for long years, though in real suffering and much of the time in keen distress by day and by

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The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 117

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064