USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Jericho > The history of Jericho, Vermont > Part 15
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Chauncey Bicknell,
Walter J. Howland,
William J. Nichols,
Lewis O. Chapin. In 1897.
Michael Hearin. 1898.
Henry W. Curry,
Albert Byington, Glenn L. Booth,
Wesley Church, John Tarbox,
L. D. Moulton,
E. C. Packard,
B. C. Hawley, Fred Buxton, Frank Flynn, Clarence Pratt, Leroy Barber, Curtis Nash,
Ernest Gauvin, E. D. Herrick,
Arthur J. Burnor,
C. T. Wright, George Pecor, Valorus Howland. In 1896.
E. T. Scott,
Haswell G. Brown,
Albert P. Byington,
Patrick H. Flynn, Joseph Larrabee,
Ebenezer White,
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Lawrence Aegan,
Henry A. Blood.
In 1900.
Ralph M. Church,
Bert Ballard,
In 1903.
Augustus J. Mattimore,
James H. Carroll,
J. G. Shaw,
W. Scott Fuller,
Zeph. Hapgood,
Lynn D. Moulton,
Palmer J. Davis,
Edward M. Cady,
John E. McGinnis,
Clarence C. Covey,
O. E. Barnard,
M. A. Buzzell,
Wesley J. Cochran,
Orson Brown,
Clement E. Tomlin,
Hubert Morom,
Ray Gleason,
Arthur E. Brown,
Joseph E. Bleau,
Wayne Nealy,
John Keefe, Irving Ballard,
Leslie Cook,
Frank G. Pease,
H. E. Ayres,
Arthur E. Meyette,
F. J. Ladeau,
H. G. Martin,
G. W. Bowman,
Kiel Myers,
Allen Williams.
In 1906.
Alfred P. Cayo,
Harry E. Lawrence,
H. T. Chase,
Harry Parker,
Arthur H. Packard,
Arthur H. Mclaughlin,
Thomas H. Moran,
Clarence B. Shiner,
E. J. Gregory,
Claude E. Blodgett,
George R. Blood, Lewis Ploof, Leonard Mitchell,
Edmond H. Harrian,
Lynn A. Brown,
Gould J. Wilbur,
In 1904.
Lloyd Grames, Clark Streeter,
R. Lee Howe,
Charles B. Tierney,
Barney J. Mattimore,
Fred J. Foster,
William V. N. Ring,
William D. Chesmore,
Harlan P. Hall,
Emery J. Streeter,
E. Harley Barber,
Howard Streeter,
Chas. E. Lee, J. W. Prior,
Albert Mclaughlin. In 1901.
Edward W. Hoskins,
George A. Hall,
Archie Perrigo.
In 1902.
F. L. Giddings,
J. A. Clerkin,
Orin N. Bean,
Carlton E. Nay,
Lynn A. Brown,
Ray M. Brown, Harry D. Hopkins, J. P. Carroll, Eli W. Ross, H. E. Godfrey,
Park H. Brown,
Amos N. Warner, Marshall H. Bushey, Wm. Woodruff, Wm. Francis.
W. T. Bean,
George Bean.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
Alfred P. Goodell, James E. Killpeck. In 1908, Guy C. Murdock,
Tuffel Bostwick, Sr.,
Clyde W. Wilder, Lee Whittemore,
H. C. Lombard,
Alric Bentley,
George H. Hutchinson,
Edward A. Shiner,
Charles F. Moran,
Edward Paradee,
George Ring. In 1910.
Theodore B. Williams,
Dennis B. Terrill,
Howard N. Haylett,
Frank . B. Brown,
Harry R. Allen,
Harry Mclaughlin. In 1911.
Ernest H. Gomo,
Hovey Jordan,
Homer Brown,
Arthur T. Bentley,
Perley J. King, Earl C. Cross,
Buel H. Day,
John Spellman,
Joseph Laforge, John R. Story,
Grover C. Fuller, Patrick L. Corvan,
Merritt O. Eddy,
Henry H. Dickinson,
Henry L. Murdock,
Bailey Brown,
John Deforge,
Peter J. Pratt,
Carl Schillhammer, Jr.,
Robert O. Kenyon,
John A. McKeefe,
William F. Yantz,
Raymond F. White,
H. L. Terrill,
E. T. Maloney,
Frank S. Jackson,
Fred S. Safford,
William V. N. Ring,
Sheldon E. Hill.
In 1913.
Chester H. White. In 1914.
Wilfred Pratt,
Lester D. Packard,
Arthur W. Harris,
Claude T. Graves,
Zeb. Deforge. . In 1912.
Howard C. Rochelle, C. Tyler,
C. Harold Hayden,
Leroy Kimball,
Robert M. Fuller.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
PART FOURTH.
THE CHURCHES OF THE TOWN.
Edited by Rev. S. H. Barnum.
CHAPTER I.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. (Based mainly upon the Church records.)
Organization and Earliest History .- The First Baptist Church of Jericho was organized at Essex, as the following minute shows: "Be it remembered that at a church meeting held at the house of Deacon Nathaniel Blood in Essex on the 21st day of April, 1817, we as a branch of the Baptist Church in Essex were set off and organized a church at Jerico." The date is not given of the first meeting in Jericho, but its minutes are of in- terest : "Agreeable to Appointment we met at the schoolhouse in Jerico.
1. Attended to prayer.
2. Chose Br. Nahum Joyner, moderator.
3. Chose Br. Joel Castle, clerk.
4. voted to Attend Covenant meetings the first Saturdays in Each month.
5. voted to Attend Church meetings once in two months on thursday.
6. Adjourned to the second thursday in June at twelve o'clock.
Closed by prayer."
These meetings were held for some years at the school house or at private houses, and it was early voted that Brethren N. Joy- ner, C. Norton and J. Castle "stand as those who shall take the lead of meetings." In the very first year they began to visit and labor with fellow members who were in some way censurable, and many a letter of admonition, followed either by the recov-
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
ery of the offender or his exclusion, was referred to as the years went on. April 6, 1819, a committee, treasurer, and collector for the ensuing year were chosen, and a few weeks later it was voted "to make a trial to get subscriptions enough to hire preach- ing half the time if possible." Near the end of the year it was voted "to add seventeen dollars to make up $75.00 to Elder T. Ravlin for preaching two years past." It appears that Thomas Ravlin was licensed to preach in 1814, by the Hinesburg Church and was ordained while pastor at Essex Center. It may be con- jectured that while at Essex he supplied more or less at Jericho. Apparently from 1819 to 1823 there was no regular preaching, but on Feb. 27, 1823, it was voted to have preaching the ensuing year, and on March 25 to hire Brother Sabins to preach, if pos- sible, one-quarter of the time.
Elders Culver and Tuttle appear as supplies. Brother Hast- ings preached about a year, followed by Joel P. Hayford, who was to have $200. Elder Kimball, who served from March, 1826, for a year, was to receive $300, each member being taxed ac- cording to his list. The names of Elder Timothy Spaulding and Elder Moses Cheney appear, and they may have preached awhile, but from 1819 up to 1829 no one seems to have served more than a year. From 1823 meetings were held half the time at the school house or near the Corners, and half the time in the south part of the town, and in Jan., 1825, it was voted to have preach- ing half the time at the Corners and the other half at the center of the town at the new meeting house. Later meetings were also held at the Joy school house and at Bolton. It is to be noted that in 1825, Truman Galusha, who had come from Shaftsbury, and Joel Castle were elected deacons.
Pastorate of Elder Graves .- An era of prosperity came to the church during the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Graves, who began in 1829 and stayed four years. The details of his salary, which were altered three or four times, were at one time that he should re- ceive $250 in grain and produce, $50 in cash, house rent, fuel, hay and pasturing for one horse and a cow. The salary was raised by assessment upon. the grand list. This was a revival period, and the record of baptisms was 4 in 1830, 64 in 1831, 18 in 1832. A creed had been adopted at the beginning of the history of the Church, but at this time a more elaborate and detailed one was
REV. J. K. WILLIAMS. REV. HIRAM C. ESTES.
REV. AUSTIN HAZEN. REV. SIMEON PARMALEE OF RIVERSIDE MEMORY.
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BAPTIST CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, JERICHO VILLAGE.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
substituted. Another quite changed superseded this in 1843. The Brick Meeting House at the Corners, was occupied alter- nately from 1826 to 1858 by the Baptist and Congregationalists. In the time of the masonry excitement in 1831, a resolution was passed denying any fellowship with speculative free masonry.
Pastorates from 1833 to 1859 .- Rev. Timothy Spaulding, who was probably here before, succeeded Elder Graves in 1833, and was to receive $350, one-third in cash, and parsonage. He is spoken of as a man of superior ability and of zeal. He re- mained two years, and later going West succumbed to the hard- ships of work in the new country. He was followed by Isaiah Huntley, 1837-1842. In one year of his pastorate, 1839, 47 were baptized. Elder H. D. Hodge preached from 1842 to 1845. Feb. 16, 1843, a Baptist Church was organized in West Bolton, to which the Jericho Church gave 39 members, whose names are given upon the records. It was called the Second Baptist Church of Jericho. It is stated that the utmost harmony and unity of feeling prevailed throughout the whole proceeding, and those brothers and sisters who were set off were bidden a hearty God- speed in their labor of love. The next pastor was Myron N. Stearns, 1845-1847, followed for several months by Peter Chase of unusual linguistic ability, S. G. Abbott, 1850-1852 and Rufus Smith, 1852-1856. J. H. Drummond supplied in 1857, and N. P. Foster, though credited to Burlington Baptist Church in 1858, officiated at baptisms here in that year. During this pe- riod strong anti-slavery resolutions presented by Elder H. D. Hodge were spread upon the records. Although considerable numbers had been added to the church, it was often difficult to meet the expense of a salary of $300 to $400, and entries similar to the following appear: "After prayer proceeded to examine the subscription papers and found a delinquency. Voted that the committee make a further effort to fill out the subscription and make report one week from next Saturday." And then they courageously vote to have preaching the ensuing year.
The Baptist Meeting House .- Steps were taken at a meeting held Dec. 12, 1857, to buy out the interest of the Congregational Church in the brick meeting house or to sell their own, or, failing in either, to build and to unanimously sustain each other in any course of measures required to secure a house of worship. The
176
HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
result was that a committee consisting of Deacon T. Galusha, A. Cilley, T. C. Galusha, L. B. Howe and O. Rood, were appointed to provide for and superintend the building of a Baptist meeting house and parsonage, to raise the funds and find an eligible site. Subscriptions footing up $2,742.75 were secured. A lot was bought of T. Galusha for $400 and a contract made with B. W. Haynes to build a meeting house for $2,245, and a parsonage for $1,051.50, total $3,296.50. This was paid in full. After the completion of the church the pews were appraised at $2,850, an equivalent of the expense of the whole lot of land and the meet- ing house as completed and furnished. The sale of the slips brought $2,971.75 or $121.75 more than the appraisal. A num- ber of the pews were purchased by Truman Galusha, who had ad- vanced money to complete the necessary payments, and after his sudden death a new subscription was requisite of $916.21 to pay his estate, an undertaking which was successfully accomplished. The church was dedicated Jan. 6, 1859, the sermon being preached by Rev. N. P. Foster of Burlington. From this time on regular services were held in their own church every Sabbath.
Pastorates since 1859 .- Rev. James Andem was pastor 1859- 1861, followed by Hiram C. Estes, June, 1862-Aug., 1872. Mr. Estes' service was the longest in the history of the church. He was called at $350 and parsonage but declined. On being asked to name his terms he requested $400 with the prospect of an increase according as the church might be able to give it. The church agreed, two years later raised the salary to $600, and in the years 1868 and 1869 reported a surplus in the treasury. Dur- ing this pastorate the church roll was revised. One hundred and thirty-three names were found upon the list, but 52 of these were of members dismissed, united with other churches without letters, deceased or of unknown residence, leaving 81 who were bona fide members. The names of all are given upon the records. Another incident of this pastorate was that David F. Estes, a son of the pastor, was licensed to preach by the church.
Rev. Evan Lewis was here about a year ; Rev. Ahira Jones, 1874-1880, during whose time extensive repairs were made upon the church and parsonage; Rev. De Forrest Safford, 1881-1884, the church then being yoked with the one at Bolton, and Rev. Irving W. Coombs, 1885-1886, the yoking being made with Essex
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
instead of Bolton, an arrangement which continued for a number of years.
Brother Richard Bradshaw, 1889-1890, was ordained while here. Rev. A. N. Woodruff, 1890-1894, baptized twelve on one Sabbath following revival meetings. A prayer meeting room and a baptistery were constructed and furnaces placed in the base- ment in 1891. Mr. Woodruff, who was for about fifty years a Baptist minister, died in Burlington in Sept., 1914, at the age of 76. During the pastorate of Rev. J. T. Buzzell, 1894-1901, all the church property was deeded to the Vermont Baptist Convention and then deeded back with reversionary right. Twenty-three were baptized in 1896. Other incidents of this pastorate were the starting of a Home Department class, the reception of a legacy of $500 from the estate of Mrs. Dodge, the installation of a new church organ, and the ad- dition of a veranda to the parsonage. It was said of the Bible School at one annual meeting : "We have as fine a corps of teach- ers as can be found in any school of the same size." There were then 77 names on the roll. Meanwhile eleven members moved away, among them some of the best workers. Rev. O. N. Bean, 1901-1904, and G. W. Campbell, 1904-1906, preached during a part of their engagements also at West Bolton. Mr. Campbell was ordained here. Rev. Frederic Emerson served 1906-1909. The work went efficiently and harmoniously during these years. It was then decided to unite with Essex on a basis of $700 and parsonage from the two churches, the Jericho church having been obliged since 1901 to receive state aid. Rev. N. W. Wolcott was pastor of the two churches from 1910 to 1912, and Rev. Charles A. Nutting came in April, 1912. He was born at Fitchburg, Mass., in 1869, graduated from Mt. Hermon school, in 1901 from Hiram College, from which also he received the degree of M. A., and in 1904 from Rochester Theological Seminary. He has held pastorates in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. During his pastorate a piano was purchased for the church and the baptistery improved. The church has no debt and pays promptly its share of the $750 salary. Mr. Nutting closed his work here Jan. 31, 1915. Rev. Irving E. Usher began work here Aug. 1, 1915. Mr. Usher was b. in North Uxbridge, Mass., in 1859, graduated from Worcester Academy and Colgate Univer-
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
sity, and has been pastor at Charlestown and McGraw, N. Y .; Hingham, Mass .; Newport, N. Y .; Poultney and Bristol, Vt .; Rupert, Idaho and Tekoa, Wash.
Conclusion .- Among the many faithful members it will not be invidious to mention three of the church clerks: Enoch Howe, 1830-1836; E. B. Reed, 1836-1874; and W. R. Curtis, 1875-1912. Deacons were for a considerable time elected for a term of years, but in 1893 D. E. Rood and in 1894 W. R. Curtis were chosen for life, and in 1909 W. E. Buxton was elected third deacon. Losses have been many and the present membership is sixty-one of whom thirty-seven are resident members. The church prop- erty is valued at $4,500. The benevolences reported in 1913 were $68. The greatest prosperity was perhaps in the ten years' ministry of Rev. Hiram C. Estes, 1862-1872, but the most exten- sive revivals were in 1831 and 1839 under Elders Graves and Huntley. There have been periods of serious depression and dur- ing some years there has been no regular preaching, but the loyal church is now approaching its centennial anniversary.
This sketch of Dr. Estes is furnished by his son :
Rev. Hiram Cushman Estes, D. D., was born in Bethel, Maine, July 27, 1823. He was brought up on a farm, but early developed a love of learning and a passion for books. Like many other New England youths, he was obliged to depend mainly upon his own efforts for the means necessary to a course of study, and in his case as in many others, the fact was demonstrated that a de- termined will is quite sure to open a way. After leaving the town school, he prepared for college, working upon the farm portions of each year, and teaching in winter to meet his expenses. He entered Waterville College, now Colby University, in 1843, and was graduated with honor in 1847. He studied theology at Har- vard Divinity School, and was ordained to the work of the min- istry at Auburn, Maine, in 1850. For three years, from 1852 to 1855, he was agent for the American Baptist Missionary Union in the State of Maine; settled over the church in Trenton, Me., from 1855 to 1860; at Leicester, Mass., from 1860 to 1862; at Jericho from 1862 to 1872; over the Baptist Church in Paris, Me., from 1873 to. 1883; at Winchendon, Mass., from 1883 to 1885; at Leicester again from 1886 to 1894; at Newton Junction, N. H., from 1894 to 1897. He died Feb. 4, 1901, after a prolonged
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
illness. While at Trenton, he was elected to the Legislature in 1858, and served as chairman of the committee on Education on the part of the House. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater in 1872. Dr. Estes was a profound scholar, a forcible and interesting writer, and whatever he under- took to do, he did well. His library, which he knew thoroughly, was one of the largest ever gathered by a country minister in New England. He wrote and delivered several lectures which have been highly spoken of by those best qualified to judge. His only published volume is an essay entitled, "The Christian Doctrine of the Soul," which appeared in 1873.
A sketch of the Rev. De Forrest Safford, who was pastor from 1881 to 1884 is available. He was born in Royalton, March 17, 1840, graduated at Watertown, Mass., high school and at- tended Harvard College two years, when he enlisted in the Union army. After the war he taught for some years, grad- uated at Newton Theological Seminary and was ordained at Kenosha, Wis. His death occurred at Petersboro, N. H., where he was pastor, in Aug., 1914. He is spoken of as a great student, an educated and dignified man with a large circle of acquaintances. He is survived by his second wife, three daughters and four sons.
CHAPTER II. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF JERICHO, LO- CATED AT JERICHO CENTER. Organized March 31, 1791.
The centennial celebration of the founding of this church was held June 17, 1891. A committee to have the general direc- tion of preparations had been elected the preceding November, Deacon Isaac C. Stone being chairman. The other members were Rev. Leonard B. Tenney, pastor ; Deacon M. Hoyt Chapin, Mr. and Mrs. George M. Stiles, Mrs. Frank H. Cilley, Mrs. Eugene B. Jordan. This committee labored assiduously to make the anniversary a success. On the day designated three sessions were held filled to repletion with good things. Dinner was served
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
in the basement of the church to four hundred persons, and sup- per to about half that number. A valuable pamphlet was after- ward published containing the addresses delivered, and to this we must refer readers for a complete record of the proceedings of the day. We transfer to our pages the paper upon "Church Edifices" by Hon. Edgar H. Lane of Burlington, and the "Historical Dis- course" by Rev. Austin Hazen of Richmond, both being es- sential in order to cover the subject.
CHURCH EDIFICES. BY EDGAR H. LANE.
In discharging the duty assigned me by your committee in this Centennial Anniversary, of giving a description of the church edi- fices or places of worship here for the past century, I have thought it might be of interest to go back to the organization of the town, and give a brief account of the places where public worship was held before the building of the first meeting house, as it was al- ways called.
The providing of places for holding public worship until about 1800 and the building of the first meeting house was done by the town, in town meeting. I cannot better give you an account of the actions and doings upon the subject, or bring before you those sturdy, resolute pioneers of a century or more ago, in their efforts to establish public worship and to build a temple for the worship of God in their new wilderness home, than by copying, verbatim, the language of the records made at the time.
At a town meeting held April 14, 1789, it was "voted to hold meetings of public worship at the usual places viz. : at Dea. Roods and Capt. Bartletts." This is the first public action of the town recorded, of voting a place where meetings should be held, although at a town meeting held November 29, 1786, the year of the organization of the town, it was "Voted to appoint a com- mittee for the purpose of providing preaching the ensuing year."
At a legal town meeting held July 10, 1790, it was "Voted that two-thirds of the time we meet at William Smith's and one- third of the time at Capt. J. Russell's."
"April 4, 1791, Voted to meet for public worship on the Sabbath at Wm. Smith's barn for the future."
. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, JERICHO CENTER. INTERIOR VIEW.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
"Nov. 14, 1791, Voted to meet for public worship at Elon Lee's the ensuing winter."
April 16, 1792, "Voted that we meet for public worship at Lewis Chapin's barn the ensuing summer."
At the annual town meeting held March 4, 1793, "Voted to meet for public worship at Elon Lee's in cold weather, and Wm. Smith's barn in warm weather for one year from this date."
October 2, 1794, "Voted to meet for public worship at the school house at the river one-half of the time, the other half at the school house by Wm. Bartlett's the winter coming."
Nov. 18, 1795, "Voted to meet for public worship at the dwelling house"-(here the record omits the name.)
Oct. 2, 1794, a town meeting was called for the purpose of providing for the building of a meeting house, at which it was:
1st. "Voted to build a meeting house."
2nd. Voted that every man write his place for a meeting house and put it into a hat-Tryed-counted-twenty, by the burying place, eighteen, the flat between Lewis Chapin's and Wm. Rood's, one, between Azariah Lee's and Wm. Rood's.
"Chose a committee of five to set a stake for a meeting house, viz .: Noah Chittenden, John Lyman, Dudley Stone, Jedediah Lane, Thos. Bentley."
This meeting was then adjourned to Dec. 10, 1794, at which time "the town's committee reported that they had agreed on a place on Capt. Bartlett's lot to build a meeting house, Tryed, no vote, then the flat proposed, Tryed, no vote-the burying place proposed, Tryed, no vote, place by Azariah Lee's Tryed, no vote."
It was then "Voted to choose a committee and they to be appointed by the County Court to set a meeting house stake. Amos Brownson of Williston, Samuel Bradley of Essex, Phineas Loomis of Burlington said committee."
At an adjourned meeting held Jan. 27, 1795, it was
"Voted to choose three men as heads of classes to provide materials for building. Benj. Bartlett, Roderick Messenger and Jedediah Lane were chosen."
These classes, as they were termed, were a division of the men of the town into three companies or bodies, each to be directed in their labors by their respective heads.
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HISTORY OF JERICHO, VERMONT.
In providing the materials for this first meeting house, to which this refers, the men of the town went into the forest which was all around them and cut the trees, hewing such as were suit- able for the frame and getting to the saw-mill such as were to be used for finishing; and this division into classes, as they were called, was for more efficient and organized work.
It is commonly understood that the place selected by the committee appointed by the County Court for the location of the meeting house was the center of the common or green, and so it proved to be; but the meeting house stake set by that committee located the common, around which this little village is built, for in town meeting June 3, 1795, it was "Voted that the town pro- "cure four acres of land for a green around the meeting house "stake. Chose Noah Chittenden, Benj. Bartlett and Thos. D. "Rood a committee to lay out the land for a meeting house green.
"Voted that the three heads of classes see to chopping and "clearing off the land for the public green the present summer, "equally one-third each."
The fact that there was no common or green until after the setting of that stake explains the difference of opinion as to the location of the meeting house, as shown by the records which I have read. In town meeting November 18, 1795-
"Voted to build a meeting house by selling the pews at pub- "lic vendue at the next adjourned town meeting.
"Voted to build 50 X 54 feet.
"Voted to choose a committee to number the pews and to sell the same at public vendue."
This meeting adjourned to December 9, 1795, when it was, in the language of the records,
"Voted to sell the pews, first bid, to be first pick, and so "on and to pick every one his bid on the plan now on the spot.
"Chose Noah Chittenden, Esq., Superintendent to take care "of and oversee the building of the meeting house."
Forty-three pews were then bid off, the first and highest bid being by Noah Chittenden, Esq., for £61, the last and lowest bid being for £5, amounting in all to £941, or (I suppose) about $4,000-a large sum at that early day; nor was this the whole cost of the house.
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