USA > Vermont > Orleans County > The history of Orleans county, Vermont. Civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military > Part 34
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Of schools, the first ever taught in Greens- boro, was in the Summer of 1794, in Aaron Shepard's barn. The teacher was Miss Anna, Hill, who also taught, the following Summer in the barn of Ashbel Shepard. In the same place soon after, Miss Eunice Stoddard, taught a school. She afterwards became the wife of Col. Elkins of Peacham. The third teacher ever employed in the town was Miss Jane Johnson, who occupied the first school- house ever built in Greensboro, which stood on an eminence on the old road from Greensboro village to Hardwick street. That house, not many years after, was destroyed by fire ; but another was soon built on, or near the same spot, afterwards known as the South school-house, to distinguish it from an- other also built at an early date, known as the North school-house, still standing, in a dilap- idated condition, a little north of the center of the town. Since those days schools have multiplied, so that instead of one or two, the No. of school districts in 1850, was 15, in most of which, schools were sustained both Summer and Winter.
In regard to general health, Greensboro has usually been considered as, favorably lo- cated. Some of its inhabitants have lived to
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a great age. A Mr. Bush who died in March 1845, was supposed, by his children, to have reached his 115 years. Next to him in age was Mrs. Susan Corlis, formerly Shepard ; the mother of the Shepards who were the first settlers of the town. Her age, at the time of her decease, Oct. 4, 1840, was 100 years and 25 days. For many years the place has been much visited by persons from abroad in quest of health. But here as well as elsewhere have been from the first, sick- ness and death. The first adult person who was by death removed from among the inhab- itants, was Mrs. Hill, wife of Dea. Peleg Hill. The precise date of her death cannot now be ascertained. Her remains still sleep upon the farm recently owned and occupied by her grandson Samuel Hill, Esq., and more recent- ly by her great grand-son, the late Mr. Joseph Hill. In the year 1802, from 7 families, 14 persons were suddenly removed by dysentery. These were the wife and 3 children of Col. Levi Stevens, 3 children of Wm. Sanborn, 2 of Timothy Stanley, 2 of Joseph Stanley, one child of Cap. David Stone, one of Cap. James Andrew, and one of Stephen Adams. Mrs. Stevens was the second adult who died among the settlers. Scarcely had this season of ter- rible distress passed away, when small pox, was introduced, occasioning very much suf- fering, and by which two or three children, of the families of James Hill and Jonathan Nay, died.
As, for many years, since those early days, no record of the deaths in town was kept, or at least that can now be found ; * of the mor- tality from the first, nothing definite can be ascertained, But the writer of this sketch, having been 11 years a pastor in Greensboro, remembers, that during those years, ending with December 1861, he had recorded the names of 200 of the inhabitants, who had during those years been removed by death. And he knows that during the 12 years pre- ceeding Jan. 1, 1862-no fewer than 215 had died, while doubtless some had died, of whose deaths he was not informed.
* The town records were destroyed by fire, with the store, and extensive stock of goods, belonging to Storrs and Langdon, Aug. 9, 1831.
There was another extensive conflagration, Dec. 6, 1838, when the large store of Babbitt and Gieason, on the ground where is now the store of A. C. Babbitt, was consumed, with 7 or 8 other buildings. The fire origin- ated, as was supposed, in Col. Stevens' oat-mill.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Of the different religious organizations in Greensboro, something should be brifly said. But first it may be remarked that from the first settlement of the town, God has ever had a church in it. True there was not at first nor for many years any regularly organized Christian body ; but with gratitude be it said, the fathers of Greensboro, were Christian men.
From the time when those ministers of the Lord Jesus, encamping on the Lake shore, poured forth prayer to God for the future in- habitants of the place, and pronounced as it were a benediction upon its soil, and reared upon it an altar unto the Lord; it has been, by the great hearer of prayer, ever held in kind remembrance. From the log-cabin of Ashbel Shepard, prayer and praise ascended as sweet incense before Jehovah's throne. When a few families had settled here : Ash- bel Shepard and Dea. Hill, were wont to as- semble the people upon the Sabbath and at other times for divine worship. At private dwellings, at first, and afterwards in school- houses, the fathers and mothers of Greensboro were accustomed to meet and worship, long before any church was organized, generally without, but once in a great while with, the aid of a minister. The first of these ministers remembered long by the people, was Rev. Mr. Sparhawk, of Worcester county, Mass. Another was Rev. Mr. Strong, of Connecti- cut. But still there was no regular organiza- tion, no regular church, no administration of the ordinances, no power of church discipline, and there were no seasons of communion. These Christian fathers and mothers perceiv- ing the inconvenience and the wrong of this, resolved upon becoming a regularly organized Christian body. Accordingly, on the 24th day of November, 1804, in the store chamber of Messrs Hale and Strong, twenty-one per- sons. hopefully pious, of whom nine were males and twelve females, convened for the purpose of being organized into a Christian church. With them were, present at their re- quest, Rev. Leonard Worcester of Peacham, Rev. Samuel Collins of Craftsbury, and Elder Tuttle of Hardwick, and other Christian friends from Congregational and Baptist churches out of town, to witness the solemn business about to be transacted. Rev. Mr. Worcester offered a solemn and pertinent prayer. Then in the presence of many wit-
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nesses, the individuals who were to constitute the Congregational church of Greensboro gave some account of their religious experi- ence, and the reasons of the hope that was in them ; after which they were "banded togeth- er in a Christian form, as a church of Christ."
The names of the persons that day organ- ized into a church were; Seth Eddy, Ashbel Shepard, Wm. Sanborn, Matthias Haines, John Phipps, Ephraim Strong, Wm. Sher- burne, George Risley, Daniel Johnson, Zilpha Ring, Sarah Haines, Elizabeth Eddy, Dor- othy Lincoln, Elizabeth Sanborn, Sally Ells- worth, Clarissa Strong, Peggy Sherburne, Mary Gates, Abigail Haines, Rebecca Haines, and Sally Johnson.
On the same day, the little band made choice of Ashbel Shepard, as moderator, Eph- raim Strong, as clerk, and Seth Eddy, as deacon.
On the following day, which was the Sab- bath, Rev. Mr. Worcester being present, the church publicly assented to their articles of faith-the same still in use-took upon them- selves the covenant; and were by Mr. Wor- cester declared to be a regularly organized Christian church. To this little band others were soon added. In January, 1805, George Risley became a member ; and in April Asa- hel Washburn; and before the close of that year, Horace Shepard, Jonathan Nay, Cyn- thia Phipps, Jerusha Shepard, Abigail Cham- berlain, Israel Bill, Elizabeth Nay, Aaron Farnham, Florilla Farnham, Peter Farnham, Catherine Farnham, Betsey Parmelee, Mary Bill, Sally Libbe, Obed Cutler and Azubah Cutler, making the whole number 40 persons, up to the close of the year 1805. After that additions were frequent, so that during the first 50 years of its existence, the whole list of names upon the church catalogue numbered 326. The greatest numbers however, were received during the years, 1810, 1817, 1831, 1840, 1851 and 1854, during which years re- spectively were added, 19, 57, 29, 17, 35 and 23 persons. Up to the first of October, 1867, the total membership of this. church, from the date of its organization, had been 384. But owing to the great number of re- movals by death, dismission, or otherwise, its actual membership at that time was but 96.
sionaries and missionary teachers ; and at least 3 physicians.
The pastors and acting pastors have been as follows : First, Rev. Salmon King, regu- larly installed July 11, 1810; dismissed, Jan. 25, 1814. He removed to Silver Lake, Pa. During the following 11 years, only occasional ministerial labor was enjoyed. Of the minis- ters who during this interval preached more or less frequently to this people, sometimes at the north school-house, and sometimes at the south, may be found the names of Hobert, Goddard, Williston, Randall, Davis, Lawton, Bingham, Low, Clement and James Parker, Levi Parsons, and once in a great while, Wor- cester of Peacham, Washburn of Royalton, Ly- man of Brookfield and Wright of Montpelier. Oftenest, it would seem, were the people fa- vored with the labors of Rev. James Hobert, who for a time appears to have taken a kind of oversight, visiting the place and adminis- tering the sacrament once in 3 months.
But in September, 1825, Rev. Kiah Bailey became acting pastor, and continued such till March, 1829. It was during his ministry the meeting-house, the first ever built in town, was erected and dedicated. The dedication took place Sept. 25, 1827. Mr. Bailey preach- ed. Mr. Loomis and Mr. Case assisted in the services.
After Mr. Bailey had left, the desk was, for a while supplied by Rev. Lyman Case. Then there was only occasional preaching, by Rev. E. W. Kellogg, Rev. Amariah Chandler, Rev. R. Page and others, till May, 1833, when ap- pears the name of Rev. Jacob Loomis, who was acting pastor, during that and the follow- ing year. But, near the beginning of the year 1835, he was succeeded by Rev. Wm. A. Chapin, who in January, 1841, was regularly installed as pastor, and continued in that re- lation till his death, which occurred Nov. 27, 1850, making the whole period of his very useful ministry with this people, almost 16 years.
Mr. Chapin was succeeded by Rev. James P. Stone, who became acting pastor in Decem- ber, 1850, and remained till the close of the year 1861. During these 11 years, 84 per- sons were received to the church, a good par- sonage was built, the meeting-house remod- eled and improved, a fine church bell procured and $ 2,787.83 contributed for the various ob- jects of Christian benevolence. At the end
Upon the list of its members are to be found the names of five ministers, not including its own pastors; 11 wives of ministers, 7 mis- I of this period Mr. Stone removed to West
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Randolph, having declined the call of the ! church to be at that time installed as regular pastor.
During 1862 and 1863, Rev. Andrew Royce was acting pastor, but his health failed and he removed to Waterbury, where he died. In May 1864, Mr. A. W. Wild began to labor with the church, and on the 26th of the fol- lowing October, was ordained and installed as pastor, and is pastor at the present time.
The deacons of this church have been as follows: Seth Eddy, chosen at its organiza- tion ; died Oct. 21, 1814 ; Ephraim Strong, chosen Oct. 4, 1810; dismissed in May, 1814; Aaron Farnham, chosen Sept. 27, 1817; dis- missed June 22, 1821; William Conant, chosen Sept. 27, 1817; died April 8, 1868, having been deacon 51 years; Frederic Ells- worth, chosen Feb. 14, 1828 ; dismissed after a few years; Samuel Baker, chosen Oct. 1834 ; died April 9, 1868 ; Benjamin Comings and Matthew Marshall, chosen Dec. 2, 1864; still acting.
BAPTISTS AND METHODISTS.
A Baptist church was organized at an early date, which was once somewhat large, and for a time seemed prosperous, but whose continuance was brief. That church first en- joyed the ministerial labors of Elder Mason, of Craftsbury : and afterwards of Elder Mar- vin Grow, who was regularly ordained and installed as its pastor. Its organization has long since ceased to be maintained and noth- ing of it now remains. Methodist organiza- tions have had a being in the central and north part of the town; but without much prosperity, and sustained preaching but a small part of the time.
THE ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
was organized Jan. 13, 1845, at the house of Mr. John Taylor, consisting at first of 20 members. Their neat and comely house of worship was dedicated in 1850. About the first of October, of that year, their first pas- tor, Rev. Gawn Campbell, was installed. He remained as their pastor 11 years, when, in Oct. 1861, he was dismissed, having accepted a call from a church in the city of New York. During Mr. Campbell's pastorate, his people were favored with a good degree of union and prosperity ; and the little church of 20 in- creased to nearly 100 members. Since then it has had sore trials and less of prosperity, but has sustained preaching the greater part of the time.
In June, 1814, was organized, in Greens- boro, by Col. Asahel Washburn, the first Sab- bath school ever organized in the State. Two years previous he had commenced the catechetical instruction of children, in his own house, on Sabbath evenings, and occa- sionally these exercises were by request held at the houses of some of his neighbors. They were interesting and profitable; but not till June, 1814, was the Sabbath school strictly so called, publicly and formally organized in the old South school-house. But here, why not let Col. W. tell his own story, in his own words, as published in the Vt. Chronicle of Aug. 10, 1842.
"SABBATH SCHOOLS IN ORLEANS COUNTY, THEIR ORIGIN AND EARLY HISTORY.
Messrs. Bishop and Tracy : It is always pleasant to review the dealings of Providence with us, and His blessing upon Christian ef- forts, especially when those efforts have been connected with the good of children and youth. In looking back upon a long life, I am led to exclaim, 'A word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of silver," I allude here to a question proposed more than half a century ago in an assembly of minis- ters of Christ in the State of Connecticut. (most of whom I trust are now in Heaven) and related to me by one of its members. The question was this, 'What shall we do to be more useful ?' and the answer, 'Do more for the children and youth.' The question and reply were set home to my heart, and followed me for many years with their influ- ence on my thoughts and actions. In remov- ing from a more favored part of New Eng- land where Gospel privileges were fully enjoyed, into the town of Greensboro, in the northern part of Vermont, which was then comparatively a wilderness, and where the preaching of the Gospel was seldom enjoyed, the question came home, with more solemn emphasis, 'What can I do for the young and rising generation ?' I would here state an in- teresting incident previous to the first settle- ment of the town. Two ministers knelt upon this soil and prayed most earnestly that the town might be settled by a moral and relig- ious people. The event showed in a great measure the answer to their prayers. A large proportion of the first settlers of the town were professedly pious, among whom were three liberally educated men .* With these and others, I frequently conversed on the great subject which lay near my heart. Having at the time never heard of Sabbath schools, our first effort was, to go from house to house, with our children, to pray with them and instruct them in the Assembly's catechism. This course was continued for 2 years or more. At length one brother, allud-
* Thomas Tolman, Esq., Ashbel Hale, Esq., and Dea. Ephraim Strong.
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ing to my desire to benefit the young, said : ' Perhaps we have stood in this brother's way too long ; we will try to help him.' At this time an influential sister of the church, who had not previously engaged with us in the work, led her children to my house, on a Sab- bath evening, requesting me to instruct them as I did my own children. From this period we date the commencement of a Sabbath school; for on the next Sabbath, in conse- quence of information given, that instruction in the Scriptures and Catechism would be given publicly. The children came in, like an overflowing stream. This was in June, 1814. The books which were committed to memory, were the Bible, various hymns, the Assembly's shorter Catechism, and Watts', Wilber's and Emerson's catechisms. One of the educated men before alluded to, * though not pious, engaged in the Sabbath school with great interest. While hearing his class recite in the Assembly's Catechism, on respecting the question, 'What doth every sin deserve ?' was so much affected that he could not finish hearing the class, and shortly after he obtain- ed hope in Christ. At the time to which I allude, the wilderness state of the country was so great, that three bears were hunted and killed within half a mile of the school- house, in which our first Sabbath school was held. Yet the bears were not sent to devour the children, for it is a remarkable fact that for 4 or 5 years after the first establishment of our Sabbath school, containing some 500 children, no death occurred among the schol- ars. We were much assisted in our efforts by the Hartford, (Ct.) Bible Society ; the Hamp- shire County (Mass.) Missionary Society, by Maj. Edward Hooker, Farmington, Ct., and Mr. Andrews, a book binder, Hartford, Ct. in donations of books &c.
We formed a Sabbath school union of 8 towns, in the vicinity and held frequent ex- amination, (or exhibitions, as they were some- times called,) of the schools. One of these, (the first of the kind ever held in the State, was in the large barn of Ashbel Hale, Esq.) fitted up for the occasion. This was in June 1817. At this gathering, where were present more than 400 children, the spirit of the Lord began to move on the minds of the assembled youth, many of whom were affected to weep- ing, and then followed a powerful revival of religion. It is an interesting fact that of those families who had zealously labored in the Sabbath schools, many, and in some in- stances, all the members, were sharers in the work, as some of the first fruits of which 53 were added to the Congregational church, of Greensboro that same year. The work spread more or less, into all the towns belonging to our Sabbath school union. At that time there were no ministers in those towns.
From those associated, in that first Sabbath school in Greensboro, nine have been sent as missionaries, or assistant missionaries to the
heathen, and eight have become ministers to labor in our own land.
I would now say, that though I have often been tired in the Sabbath school, I have nev- er been tired of it ; and I would exhort those on whom the burden now rests, to be faithful in their good work, knowing that great will be their reward in Heaven. In view of the spread of this blessed work, and the happy and glorious results which have followed, I would now say, with good old Simeon, 'Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation.'
SENEX.
It is said that during the first 3 years of the existence of that Sabbath school union, mentioned in Col. W.'s letter, there were committed to memory and recited by the chil- dren connected with it, 500,000 verses of Scripture, besides catechisms, hymns and other good things.
From the days of Col. Washburn until now Sabbath schools have ever been well sustained in Greensboro. In the Congregational church always, and in the Presbyterian church, for the most part, since its organiza- tion, there have been good Sabbath schools ; and frequently during the Summer months there have been mission Sabbath schools in the different school-districts in the remoter parts of the town.
During the Summers of 1858 and 1859, there were in town 9 interesting district Sabbath schools, all well sustained and furnished with good libraries, besides the two in the churches, making 11 in all. In these, several hundred of children and youth were gathered, and scores of thousands of verses of Scripture an- nually committed, and recited, in addition to the regular question-book exercises.
That the general prosperity, intelligence, good order and good morals of Greensboro has been in part the result of the healthful influence of its Sabbath schools, so early in- stituted, and so faithfully and persistently sustained, there cannot be any reasonable doubt.
Soldiers of 1861 or the Memorial Record of the soldiers who enlisted from Greensboro, Ver- mont, to aid in subduing the Great Rebel- lion of 1861-5, accompanied by a brief history of each regiment that left the State. Prepared by E. E. Rollins.
The inhabitants of Greensboro felt as deeply as any portion of the country the responsibility resting upon them, of helping to crush out the spirit of rebellion existing among the people of the south, and, with fow
* Ashbel Hale, Esq.
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exceptions, with strong arms and willing hearts, performed well their part in the great work. If they did not enlist, they encour- aged others to do so, by offering various inducements to them. And while the fallen brave are held in grateful remembrance by all true patriots, let not the surviving soldiers be entirely forgotten. Let us remember those who sacrificed all the pleasures and comforts of home, to stand in the battle's front between their fellow citizens and the rebel horde who sought to destroy this glori- ous union, and the institutions of the land.
There were no better soldiers in the army than those who enlisted from Greensboro, and while none of them attained to a high rank, yet the cause is sufficiently plain without be- ing in any way detrimental to them. There was no company, or majority of a company, organized in this town. There were only eight from this town in any one company, with the exception of Co. I, 15th Regiment, in which there were about 20. As a result of this, they had, as it were, no voice in the election of officers, either commissioned or non-commissioned - that is, in comparison with other and larger towns. But their ser- vices were just as valuable to the country, and they are entitled to as much praise as though they had all been generals. They periled their own lives for the sake of those who remained at home. They did so wil- lingly and cheerfully.
The most that can be said in favor of any soldier is, that knowing his duty, he perform- ed it; and this can be said of nearly every soldier that enlisted from this town. There were four or five who became discouraged by the prospect of a long and tedious service, and disgracefully deserted their comrades in arms ; but their punishment, which will last during their lives, will be sufficiently severe without addition by any one. Before giving an account of each soldier, a short account will be given of the action of the town, in regard to enlisting them, in connection with the various calls of the President under which they were enlisted, and in the last chapter an account of each regiment. The move- ments of each soldier while with the regi- ment, can thus be easily ascertained, and wlien absent, a detailed account of his doings will be given after his name.
The various calls of the President for troops during the war were as follows :
Apr. 15, 1861-
9 months men, 75,000
July 22, 1861-
3 years men, 500,000
July 5, 1862-
3 years men, 300,000
Aug. 4, 1862-
9 months men, 300,000
Oct. 17, 1863-
3 years men, 300,000
Feb. 1, 1864-
3 years men, 200,000
Mar. 14, 1864-
3 years men,
200,000
July 18, 1864-
3 years men, 500,000
Dec. 19, 1864- - 3 years men, 300,000
Total, 2,675 000
Of the 75,000 three months men, none enlisted from this town. Three enlisted at the same time for the Second Regiment, and were the first who enlisted from this town. There names were Seth P. Somers, George Withers and Elisha E. Rollins. The Third Regiment was raised shortly after, and six of our citizens enlisted in that organization. The First, Second and Third Regiments were recruited in the State at large, and when the State soon after adjusted its accounts with the United States, it found itself accredited to a large number of men who had not been accredited to the various towns. The surplus was immediately accredited to the towns according to their population, and appears in the report as miscellaneous men, not ac- credited by name.
Under the call of July, 1861, the quota of this town was fixed at 32. Those who had previously enlisted were accredited on that number. Recruiting was immediately com- menced for the Fourth and Fifth Regiments. Eight men from this town joined the Fourth Regiment, but none enlisted for the Fifth. Recruiting was continued by the selectmen, and five were enlisted for the Sixth Regi- ment, three for the Seventh, one for the Eighth, and three for the Ninth Regiment. Under the call of July 5, 1862, the quota of this town was fixed at 15, and recruiting pro- gressed rapidly for the Tenth and Eleventh Regiments. Only one of our citizens enlisted in the Tenth, and six in the Eleventh. Á call was issued Aug. 4, 1862, for 300,000 nine months men, and the quota of this town was fixed at 18. But twenty-two men enlisted for the Fifteenth Regiment, and the town gave them a bounty of $ 25 each.
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