The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 16

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 16

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Mr. Nickerson Warner was the first postmaster at Cabot. He then lived on the farm now owned by H. W. Powers, on the road now leading to Walden. The post road, however, left the present road near the old school-house, at the lower village, running by the present residence of W. S. Atkins, thence by the centre of the town near the old pound, and by the farm now owned by A. F. Sulham, and so on by Dexter Reed's, coming out at A. G. Dickenson's, at the Plain, and then to Danville Four Corners. Mr. Warner living so far from the post road, engaged Lene Orcutt, who lived on the farm now owned by A. F. Sulham, to keep the office. .

At this time meetings were held at the Center on the Sabbath, and what mail was not distributed during the week he brought to church, feeling sure to see there all in- habitants of the town. The office re- mained at this place for 6 years, until 1814, when Jeremiah Babcock was appointed postmaster. He then lived on the farm now occupied by Harvey Dow, and this being but a short distance from the post road, he removed the office to his house.

Mr. Cate of Marshfield, now became mail carrier, still taking it on horseback the same as his predecessor, Mr. Denny.

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In 1820, Mr. Babcock resigned, and his son Harvey was appointed in his place. By this time a store had been started at what is now known as Lower Cabot, and Mr. Babcock put the office in there. Cap- tain Covel, Senior, was the next to carry the mail, which service he performed some 8 or 10 years, during which time Mr. Bab- cock resigned and left town. In 1827, Hector McLean was appointed postmaster, prior to which time, however, Captain Covel had died, and Deacon Adams be- came mail-carrier.

At this time the country had become more thickly settled, and the road so passa- ble that Deacon A. concluded to try the experiment of a stage, and he was the first to put on a team for the accommodation of passengers. His rig consisted of two horses and a wagon with body firmly bolted to the axle, so that passengers in riding over the rough roads and poor bridges got the full spring of the axle.

Deacon Adams dying, Deacon Kellogg became his successor. Of him it was re- lated that he was a great smoker, and having straw in the bottom of his wagon, it took fire from his pipe and came near burning up his whole establishment. So say the old inhabitants.

By this time quite a settlement had grown up at what is now known as the village of Cabot. About the year 1834, George Dana was appointed postmaster, and he removed the office to that village, where it has since been kept, with the ex- ception of one year. This year was when Jacob Collamer of this state was post- master-general, and Salma Tressell of the Lower village was postmaster. This re- moval to the Lower village, as a matter of course, created no little feeling, which re- sulted in a long and bitter struggle between the two villages which resulted at last in the appointment of Dr. Doe as postmaster, when the office was again returned to its former quarters in the store of Elijah Perry at the village of Cabot. It has since re- mained in that village, changing hands from time to time as the postmasters have died or moved away, or the administration changed.

After Deacon Kellogg, different carriers transported the mails for short terms until about 1830, when Cottrill and Clark be- came owners of the route, and put on good horses and good coaches from Montpelier to Danville, there connecting with stages from Canada to Boston, also to Littleton and the White Mountains, going from Montpelier to Danville one day and return- ing the next. This was continued until 1860, when a daily mail was obtained from Montpelier to Cabot, the route from Cabot to Danville still being tri-weekly until 1862, when the daily service was continued through to Danville. After this the con- tractors were so numerous and changed so often that it is impossible to enumerate them.

The mails were run in this way until the spring of 1872, when on the starting of the Portland & Ogdensburgh railroad the route over the hill to Danville was discon- tinued, and a route to Walden depot was established. Then we began to receive the Boston mail at 7 o'clock, P. M., and this made it seem as if we were brought into the heart of the business world.

On the 12th of March, 1874, the service of teams from Montpelier to Marshfield was discontinued and the mails were transferred to the cars of the Montpelier & Wells River railroad, so that we now receive our daily mails both by the Portland & Ogdens- burgh and the Montpelier & Wells River railroad at 7 o'clock in the evening.

In thus briefly reviewing the mail ser- vice of the past we cannot but be impressed with the progress made in these matters during the past 56 years. No more wait- ing until late at night for the arrival and opening of the mail, which, perhaps, con- tains tidings of great moment. No more shoveling through deep drifts of snow to render passable the road over Danville hill. In place of these we hear the shrill whistle from the engines of two railroads, and our mail is brought with celerity, certainty and security almost to our very door.

In 1866, Alonzo F. Sprague was ap- pointed postmaster, since which he has discharged the duties of the office to the satisfaction of all. We think, if the admin-

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istration should change, they could hardly make up their mind to remove him.

TELEGRAPH SERVICE.

In 1871, the Vermont International Tel- egraph Company made a proposition to the town if they would give them $200 and set the poles, they would run their wires from the P. & O. R. R. line to the village of Cabot. In a few weeks the click of the telegraph was heard in Sprague & Wells' store. Charles B. Putnam was appointed manager of the office, he employing an operator. He held the position but one year, when he left town, and Hiram Wells was appointed, who has been the operator for 8 years.

THE CHURCHES IN CABOT.

Dea. EDWARD CHAPMAN, the third set- tler, was a Baptist, and held meetings nearly every Sabbath in town, and was oc- casionally called to Danville and Peacham to preach. Cabot, also, was visited occa- sionally, by Dr. Crossman, Baptist mis- sionary from Unity, N. H., and by Rev. Mr. Ainsworth.

In March, 1797, an article was in the warning for March meeting " to .see if the town would provide means to secure preaching some part of the ensuing year." It was passed over at that meeting, but at a town meeting June 17, 1799, there was an article in the warning to see if it was the wish of the town to settle Rev. Dr. Crossman as their minister. It was " voted that he be settled, provided he will accept such terms as a majority of the town shall." " Voted a committee of 7 be appointed to wait on the Rev. Doctor and examine his credentials ;" committee : Joseph Blanch- ard, John Whittier, Esq., Henry Beards- ley, Capt. David Blanchard, Lyman Hitch- cock, Thomas Osgood, Joseph Huntoon, the committee to report the same afternoon. This committee reported they found his credentials satisfactory ; and that as a majority of the town were of different per- suasion from the Rev. Dr. Crossman, Bap- tist, that this should make no difference in regard to their church privileges, but every person holding a certificate from a regular organized church, whether they believed

in sprinkling or plunging, should be ad- mitted to all the rights of church member- ship, and that every person of sober life and good deportment, who wished should be admitted a member of the church. They also reported that " six of the com- mittee were for giving one half of the pub- lic right and for buildings on the same." In every town there was one right set apart to be given to the first settled minis- ter ; after a prolonged discussion it was voted not to accept the report of the com- mittee.

It appears a report had got into circula- tion that Dr. Crossman was under censure in the church in Croydon, N. H., of which he was a member; and for this reason it was voted not to accept the report of the committee ; but another town meeting was called for Feb. 18, 1800, to give Rev. Mr. Crossman an opportunity to vindicate him- self; which by papers and letters he did to the full satisfaction of all present, and by his request the town voted to give him declaration on account of his not being under censure as was reported in this town, that his character should not suffer any more in this place. With this ended all efforts to settle Dr. Crossman.

Several town meetings were called to take into consideration the subject of hiring a minister, but no minister was ever hired by the town.

Aug. 15, 1801, a town meeting was called to complete the organization of a religious society. The organization was completed and a vote passed that this society be known by the name and firm of

CONGREGATIONALISTS IN THE TOWN OF CABOT.

Officers elected : Thomas Osgood, clerk ; Oliver Walbridge, treasurer ; Joseph Fish- er, Horace Beardsley, Thomas Osgood, assessors ; Clement Coburn, John Edger- ton, Reuben Atkins, committee ; Moses Stone, collector.

The first vote of the society was to in- struct Dr. Beardsley to engage the services of Rev. Mr. Joslin a certain period of time, not exceeding 4 months.

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

A BAPTIST NOTIFICATION

was read for the inhabitants of the town of Cabot of the Baptist persuasion, to meet at the Centre school house, May 12, 1803. At this meeting the following officers were elected : Perley Scott, clerk ; Fifield Ly- ford, treasurer; John N. Gunn, John Whittier, John Spiller, assessors ; Enoch Hoyt, collector ; Samuel Kingston, John Blanchard, Thomas Lyford, committee.

From this date there were two religious societies in town, and men began to take sides, and there are a large number of cer- tificates upon the records, showing that the signers do not agree with the other society. One man evidently meant to make a sure thing of it, and recorded his certificate as not agreeing with either society.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

was organized at the old Center school- house, Oct. 25, 1801, the Rev. Mr. Ran- som, of Rochester, and the Rev. Mr. Hal- lock, missionary from Connecticut, being present.

ORIGINAL MEMBERS :-- Clement Coburn, Gershom Beardsley, Stephen Clark, Oliver Walbridge, Elias Hitchcock, Lene Or- cutt, Hepzebah Osgood, Ruth Beardsley, Miriam Clark, Elizabeth Walbridge, Peggy Hitchcock, Anna Church, Lucy Osgood.

Clement Coburn, who had been deacon of the Congregational church in Charles- ton, Mass., was first deacon and moderator ; Evans Beardsley the first clerk elected. For the first 22 years they had no settled minister. They furnished themselves when they could by hiring, which was seldom, and missionaries were sometimes sent to them from Massachusetts and Connecticut. But when they had no minister, one of the deacons, or some one of the society, read to them a sermon on the Sabbath. They always maintained worship on the Sab- bath, every brother considering himself pledged to assist as called upon. For the first 6 years meetings were held in the Centre school-house, or at a dwelling- house near the Centre ; often in Esquire Mercer's barn and the barn of Oliver Wal- bridge. In 1804-5, the question of build- ing a meeting-house was agitated. It was

raised Sept. 25, 1806, but the frame stood in an unfinished state until about 1810. The pew-ground was sold Dec. 12, 1809, payment to be made in three yearly pay- ments, 4 cash ; the remainder in neat stock or materials for the house. Committee for building the house, Moses Stone, Joseph Smith, Henry Walbridge, Eliphalet Adams and Luther Wheatley.

The old meeting-house was large on the ground ; two rows of windows all around, high belfry ; within, gallery on three sides ; 16 pews in the gallery ; 42 pews below ; would seat about 300. The struggle to finish it was hard. All parts of the town assembled to worship in it 18 summers before it was plastered. In the winter meetings were held in dwelling-houses and school-houses. In 1817, there was an especial revival and in-gathering of 41 members, although without any settled minister.

REV. MOSES INGALLS,

the first pastor and first settled minister, was ordained and installed over the church, Oct. 27, 1823. He was engaged to preach one-half of the time at salary of $200, 4 of it payable in cash, 4 in produce or neat stock, to be delivered in the month of October. He was dismissed Apr. 20,

1825. The next two years the church was served by supplies, Reverends Wright, of Montpelier, Worcester, of Peacham, French, of Barre, and Hobart, of Berlin. During this time, 1826, one of the most powerful revivals took place that the town ever witnessed, of which Rev. Levi H. Stone, then a young man then and after- wards pastor of the church, writes :

The church was without a pastor, but were aided now and then a Sabbath by neighboring ministers. Late in autumn they obtained the services of the Rev. Asa Lowe, small in stature, weak in voice, an old bachelor, with many whims, which might be expected to lessen the moral force of his labors, and the church and so- ciety were in serious trouble ; most posi- tively divided over the question of finish- ing their church edifice where it then stood, on the geographical center of the town, or to remove it to the "Upper Branch." This question was seemingly disposed of, by a vote to finish where it then stood,

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and Ebenezer Smith, Esq., was appointed to raise funds and complete the work. Living some 3 miles east from the Center, on the Peacham road, it was natural he should oppose the removal of the house. He entered upon his duties with zeal, and rode and walked night and day, and had nearly raised the required amount, and partially, if not quite, completed the con- tract with Asa Edgerton, a meeting-house builder, to do the work, when an opposi- tion movement was started, and prevailed. and the house was removed to the village. This transaction was by a large number of the church and society pronounced un- manly and unchristian, and resulted in very positive alienation. Some went to the Methodist, some to the Freewill Bap- tist, then worshipping on the West Hill, and others remained at home.

But there was salt in that church which preserved it from putrefaction. Deacons Moses Stone and Eliphalet Adams cov- enanted (and with them covenant meant something) to sustain a weekly meeting for prayer and conference, so long as they could say we. Others seeing their good works and spirit, began to do likewise, and beyond expectation, tender and brotherly feeling was supplanting jealousy and anger, so that in September and October meet- ings were full. But it is unquestionably true that a thoughtful, inquiring state of mind was first manifest in the Methodist meetings. Their social meetings, both on the Sabbath and week-day evenings, were held in the house of Judge Dana, the abode of the late Joseph Lance, Esq. The young minister, Ireson, was nearly always present, and he possessed a most happy faculty of conducting social as well as Sabbath meetings.

As early as Oct. it was apparent an in- visible agency was moving the people. There began to be instances of " the new birth," and where least expected, but it was not till December that a general re- ligious feeling prevailed, and persons alien- ated and bitter began to seek reconciliation in tender, prayerful earnestness.

The first " watch-meeting " ever held in Cabot was in the Methodist church, on the evening of the 3Ist of Dec., 1825. Mr. Norton, living on the " Plain," an aged, gentlemanly, scholarly man, lately from Massachusetts. His views were in oppo- sition to the meeting and its measures, which he expressed, but his position and remarks were so met as only to increase the interest. A sermon from Rev. Mr. Ireson, prayers, confessions, exhortations, and singing by the congregation, filled the time to a late hour, when it was proposed as many as desired an especial interest in

the prayers of saints should come to the altar, when, as a cloud, nearly one hun- dred went forward, filling the aisles nearly to the doors, among whom were Henry G. Perkins, the merchant, and his wife, Wm. Fisher and wife, Wm. Ensign, Horace Haynes, Clarissa and Ruth Osgood, Ruth and Louisa Coburn, all of whom are now in possession of the then promised rest. That year gave to the Congregational church about 100 members, and the Meth- odist received probably about as many, and several went to the Baptist, on the West Hill. Toward 300 hopeful conver- sions occurred that year in the town of Cabot, and the laborers were mainly the good fathers and mothers in those Israels. Home talent, with God's favor, wrought wonders, as it always will.

One event which deepened the impres- sions of the people generally, I may not omit-the death of Dea. E. Adams, early in the year. Cold nights found him upon his knees, pleading for the lost. He lived to rejoice at the opening of the work and ingathering of some of the sheaves, when he was called to ascend and be ready upon the celestial plains to welcome the re- deemed from his own town, as one after another should slide down from the wings of angels, and enter into that " purchased rest."

Among the young, no one probably equaled, in labors and influence, the Rev. John F. Stone, now of Montpelier. He will be remembered by many now living, as their attention shall be called to those days, but by a vastly larger number who have gone over the River.

But a wonderful readiness to do and bear, characterized both old and young. The evening meetings here and there, in school-houses, and dwelling-houses in re- mote neighborhoods, as well as in the more central, were sure to be fully attend- ed. The weather made but little differ- ence. " Enduring hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ," seemed a priv- ilege then as well as duty.

Now, while these reminiscences cannot be as dear to strangers as to those among whom they transpired, yet they may afford some thoughts deserving consideration.

In 1824 the meeting-house was taken down and moved to the village, where the school-house now stands, and finished, and for those days was a very fine struc- ture.

By a subscription of the citizens in 1839, a bell of 1100 pounds, cost, $300, was hung in the belfry, the first bell in town,

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and said to have been one of the finest toned bells in the country. After a few years it was cracked ; was recast in 1848, and again hung in the belfry.

This meeting-house was used until 1849, when it was torn down, and the house now occupied by this church was built. Jan. 3, 1827, Rev. Henry Jones was ordained and installed pastor of the church, to preach for them & of the time, at a salary of $225, one-half payable in grain, and one-half in money. After 4 years' labor with them he was dismissed May 28, 1832. To 1839 they had no settled minister. In the fall of 1839,

REV. LEVI H. STONE

was ordained and settled. Mr. Stone was raised in this town, and this was his first pastorate. Without flattery we can say, in person rather tall and commanding, with pleasant voice and manner, his ser- mons were well planned, delivery good, and whenever he spoke he commanded attention. He was pastor 6 years, and the church enjoyed a good degree of prosper- ity.

From 1846 to '49, again there was no settled minister, but Rev. S. N. Robinson, a very scholarly man from New York, was the acting pastor for a large share of the time.

Nov. 1, 1849, Rev. Edward Cleveland was installed as pastor, a very wide-awake, go-ahead man, who believed in people wearing out instead of rusting out.

During the winter of 1850 and '51 a great revival occurred. Mr. C. was as- sisted by Rev. Mr. Galliher, an evangelist from Missouri ; 48 persons, many of them heads of families, and in some instances whole families, were added to the church.

Mr. Cleveland was dismissed Oct. 9, 1853. To 1859, quite a portion of the time Rev. T. G. Hubbard was acting pastor. In the autumn of 1859, Rev. S. F. Drew was installed, and remained 12 years. During this time, although there was no especial revival, there was a goodly num- ber of additions each year, and the church was in a prosperous condition. Mr. Drew

removed from town in May, 1871, though not dismissed till Nov. 1872.

Rev. B. S. Adams was the supply from Mr. Drew's removal from town till Nov. 1872, when he was settled as pastor, which office he now fills, July, 1881. During his 10 years of labor the church has continued in a good working condition. They have thoroughly repaired their house, and made it a very pleasant place of worship, and bought a fine organ, at a cost of $800.

Since 1801 to June 1, 1881, whole num- ber of members, 537; children baptized, 307. The records show during its first 15 years the sacrament and ordinance of bap- tism was administered nearly every time by Rev. James Hobart, who must have been a father to this church. The present number of members is 126. During the 80 years of the existence of this church, it has passed through many trials, and at times it has almost looked as though it would go to destruction ; but it was an- chored to a sure foundation, and all must acknowledge it has been the means of doing great good in the community.

DEACONS OF THE CHURCH.

Moses Stone and Eliphalet Adams were elected about 1808 ; each served the church faithfully, by holding meetings in different parts of the town, and officiating on the Sabbath when the church was without a minister. Deacon Adams died in the winter of 1826, aged 45 years. Deacon Stone went to the grave like the shock of corn fully ripe, at 77 years, July 13, 1842.

At a meeting of the church, June II, 1827, James Marsh, Samson Osgood and Marcus O. Fisher were elected to the office of deacons, and Oct. 31, 1827, at a meet- ing of the circular conference with this church, they were solemnly consecrated to the office of deacon by prayer, in which the Rev. James Hobart led, and by the laying on of hands of Revs. James Hobart, . Justin W. French and Henry Jones. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. French, and charge to the deacons was by Rev. Mr. Hobart.

Joseph Hoyt was elected July 16, 1851, and served until he removed to Cameron,

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Mo., where he died in 1870. He was a valuable member, always aiding by his presence at all the meetings, and assisting pecuniarily to the fullest extent of his ability. When he removed West it was not only a great loss to the church butalso to the town.

May 6, 1865, it was voted to elect three additional deacons. N. K. Abbott, Ed- ward G. Haines and Edwin Fisher were elected and consecrated Feb. 1866, by prayer and laying on of hands by the pastor, Rev. S. F. Drew and Rev. Nathan Wheeler.

Deacon Haines died Jan. 28, 1867 ; taken in the midst of his usefulness, bright prospects appearing to be opening before him. All had the utmost confidence in his integrity. To him the church looked for a strong support for years to come, but at the early age of 38 years, the brittle silver thread was loosed, and the golden bowl broken.

The deacons of the church at the present time are N. K. Abbott, J. L. Adams, I. F. Haines and M. L. Haines.

SABBATH SCHOOL.

The first Sabbath instruction for their children among the early settlers upon the Plain, was in 1804, when the settlement was still sparse. During the week, the children learned portions of the Assembly's catechism which the Puritan settlers brought from their early homes, and on the Sabbath day when they had no preach- ing, the good mothers would gather them together at some one of their houses, and have them recite their lessons learned dur- ing the week. They also had prayer and religious conversation, all of which served to give the young minds a start in the right direction. I had these facts from Mrs. Nathaniel Webster more than 20 years since.

In 1818, the Sabbath school connected with the Congregational church was organ- ized at the Lower village school-house by Col. Washburn and Esq. Hale from Greensboro. They met at half-past four P. M., and were continued only through the summer months.

The school numbered from 30 to 40 pu- pils. It is said young ladies walked from Marshfield, a distance of 4 or 5 miles, to attend this school. The next year John Damon started a Sabbath school on the Plain, holding it in the hall of the yellow house, where he then lived.

The 4th of July these schools had a cel- ebration at the centre of the town. Some of the old people living who were children then, speak of it now as one of the most enjoyable 4th of July's of their lives.

Deacon Moses Stone was the first supt. This school has never lost its organization, and has always been well sustained. As years moved along, Bible-classes were con- nected with it,and now old and young gather together for the study of the Bible. Among the early and active ones in the Sabbath school were William Fisher, Rev. John Stone, John R. Putnam; and of more recent dates, the supts., Mr. Milton Fisher, Joseph Hoyt, A. P. Perry and many more we might mention did not lim- ited space forbid. The school now num- bers 120; average attendance 85 ; library, very good ; 125 books.

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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 16

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