USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 1 > Part 13
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Whether the "counSell" ever met, and if so, what disposition they made of the case, the records do not say.
(2) "Occasional preaching"-In Feb. 11, 17*), the church gave Rev. Elijah Norton a call, but there is no record or tradition of his N'Tintaent. From 1793 to 1800, the church " is crcasionally supplied by Revs. Eleazer Harwood and Sylvanus Chapin, Rev. Mr. i .pham and Rev. Mr. Marcey.
(3) "Rev. Enos Bliss." Jan. 18, 1792, e: the house of Loren Larkin, the church
"Voted to give Mr. Bliss for a settlement as follows, viz. Fitty pounds to be paid in cat- tle or grain" in three equal annual install- ments, beginning at his ordination. They likewise voted to "give him the Ministry Right, excepting the first division, or, if he chooses in lieu thereof, fifty pounds, at the end of three years from his ordination, to be paid in cattle or grain. Also, voted to give Mr. Bliss 30 pounds Lawful money" at the end of the first year, increasing the salary 5 pounds each year "till it arises to 60 pounds, the whole to be paid in cattle or grain." It was provided that, in case Mr. Bliss should not continue with them eight years, the last mentioned fifty pounds in his "settlement" should revert to the church.
(4) "Rev. Ebenezer Hebard. (So he wrote his name.) Previous to Mr. H's ordination, the church observed Tuesday Sept. 24th. 1799 as a day of fasting and prayer and invited a sort of preliminary council to examine the pastor elect. Rev. S. Chapin preached a sermon, and was assisted in the examination by Rev. E. Harwood and Rev. Benj. Worster. The ordination was appointed for the follow- ing January. The regular ordination coun- cil consisted of the churches at Pittsford, Orwell, W. Rutland, Benson and Cornwall."
INFANT BAPTISMS.
59 children were baptized previous to Jan. 1, 1800-an average of about four a year for the first 15 years.
309 children were baptized during Mr. Hebard's pastorate of about 21 years-an average of 14 a year.
During Mr. Green's pastorate of about 6 years 29 children were baptized-an average of about 5 a year.
ADDITIONS TO THE CHURCH.
Previous to 1800 at least 46 had united, an average of about 3 a year since the organ- ization.
During Mr. Hebard's pastorate 231 mem- bers were received-an average of about 11 a year.
During Mr. Green's pastorate 25 members united with the church-an average of about 1 a year.
During Mr. Ingraham's pastorate 136 united-an average of 27 a year.
During Mr. Curtis' pastorate 152 members were received-an average of about 30 a year. This was the time of Birchard's visit. During Mr. Marsh's pastorate of less than a year 5 were added.
During Mr. Shedd's pastorate 15 were add- ed-an average of about 7 a year.
During Mr. Chase's pastorate of less than a year, no additions.
During Mr. Wheeler's pastorate of abont 4 years 55 members were added-an average of about 13 a year.
During Mr. Kingsbury's pastorate 58 mem- bers were adled-an average of about 14 a year.
During the 5 years the church were with-
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out a settled pastor after Mr. Kingsbury's dismission, 17 persons united-an average of about 3 a year.
During the first 7 years of the present pas- torate 105 members have been received-an average of 15 a year.
MEETING-HOUSES.
The first meeting-house was built of logs near the centre of the town, in which public worship was maintained by lay service, ex- cept occasional itinerant preaching. Its site was a little west of the house now occupied by Dea. J. H. Vail. Beyond this, Loren Larkin's house seems to have been a favorite place for the church meetings previous to about 1797. It was located near the present Scale shop.
About 1797 or 1798, the second meeting- house was erected on the site occupied by the present church. When nearly completed it took fire on a cold winter morning in the absence of the workmen. On their return the interior was so far enveloped in flames that efforts to save it were unavailing .- Though depressed, the little church were not disheartened. With cheerful hearts and will- ing hands they rallied to the work, and soon completed a new building upon the old foundations, which yielded satisfactory ac- commodations to the church till 1831. This was the third meeting-house. In April 1831, the old church was demolished, preparatory to laying the foundation of the present brick structure which is the fourth meeting-house built since the organization of the church. Its dimensions are 75 by 52 feet. Its cost was about $5000. It was dedicated in No- vember 1832. Col. David Warren and Ny- ram Clark built it. A parsonage was pur- chased during Mr. Green's pastorate, but subsequently sold.
(6) LIST OF DEACONS.
Jedidiah Winslow, died April 5, 1794, aged 69 years.
Hiram Horton, removed to Malone, N. Y. Ebenezer Wooster, chosen Nov. 8, 1792. Joseph Hawley, chosen Nov. 8, 1792.
David Merriam, died Feb. 15, 1849, aged 89 years and 18 days.
Moses Barnes, died Dec. 12, 1825.
Asa Blackmer, chosen Sept. 20, 1822; died Jan. 31, 1861 ; aged 89 years.
Daniel June, chosen Sept. 20, 1822: died April 23, 1830; aged 60 years less 10 days.
Ashael June, chosen Oct. 2, 1830; died April 18, 1862; aged 90 years.
Barzillai Davenport, chosen April 6, 1833 ; died July 24, 1871.
Ira Button, chosen April 6, 1833; resigned June 1, 1860.
Asa Burnell, chosen April 6, 1833; died March 20, 1871 ; aged 85 years.
Henry Kingsley, chosen March 10, 1851 ; dismissed Nov. 13, 1857.
Edward D. Selden, chosen March 10, 1854; resigned Oct. 20, 1870.
John H. Vail, chosen Nov. 3, 1870.
Denison Blackmer, chosen Nov. 3. 1870 Win. W. Reynolds, chosen Nov. 3, 1870; resigned July 18, 1872.
W.M. H. MARSH .- It should be added that Mr. Marsh repented of his error, and wrote a very humble confession, asking the for- giveness of the church. It was dated Aug. 15, 1843. But after preaching a while in Connecticut he returned to Episcopacy again. He finally lost his character, separated from his wife and died in disgrace at Duanesville, N. Y.
" The Congregational church of Brandon, at a meeting holden on July 16, 1793, voted, , that in case any member of this church shall conceive he has occasion justly to commence a suit at law against one of his brethren, be- longing to the same church, that he shall not let the canse come to trial till he has laid it before the church and received their direction how to proceed in the same." That would not be so bad now-a-days !
HION. BARZILLAI DAVENPORT,
recently deceased at the age of 82 years, father- in-law of Hon. William M. Field of Rutland ; was a native of Dummerston, and studied law with Hon. John Lynde, of Williamstown, and was admitted to the Orange county bar, and in 1822, removed to Brandon, and commenced tlie practice of the law. He resided at Brandon 46 years, 41 of which he was town clerk. He was frequently the recipient of public trust from his fellow-citizens. He was justice of the peace 28 years, and represented the town in the Legisla- tures of 1854-'55. In 1854, he was chairman of the commitee on military affairs, and in 1855 second on the judiciary committee. He was a useful member of the General Assembly, and held in high esteem by his associates. He was one of the assistant judges of the Rutland county court in 1855, '56 and '57. In his politi- cal opinions he was originally a democrat, but took an early and prominent part in the free- soil party, from which he went into the repub- lican. He was ever an earnest anti-slavery man. He was a deacon in the Congregational church at Brandon from 1833 until the time of his death.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV. C. A. THOMAS, D. D.
The Baptist Church in Brandon was con- stituted in 1785, consisting of 12 members. In September, 1782, Mr. Isaac Webb, wh) had been with them a while, as their preach- er, was called to ordination and settlement. Mr. Webb was the first pastor of the church, and the first minister settled in the town.
The council, called to assist in the ordina-
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tion of Mr Webb, included the Rev. Caleb Blood of Shaftsbury, Rev. Henry Green of Wallingford, Rev. Isaac Beal of Clarendon, Rev. Elnathan Phelps of Orwell, and Rev. Elisha Rich of Pittsford. The pastorate of Rev. Isaac Webb was short, and followed by the successive pastorates of Calvin Chamber- lain, - Peck, Moses Ware, Joshua Young, Abial Fisher, Elisha Starkweather, Isaac Sawyer, Joseph Sawyer, William Hutchin- son, Gorge B. Ide, and C. A. Thomas.
The present pastor, C. A. Thomas, was or- dained and settled in October, 1835. The clergymen who assisted in his ordination and settlement were Rev. Daniel Sharp of Boston, Mass., Rev. J. M. Graves of Ludlow. Rev. Aaron Angier of Orwell, Rev. S. C. Dillaway of Poultuey, Rev. Reuben Sawyer of Westhaven, and Rev. Joel H. Green of Parishville, N. Y.
The church in its infancy held its meetings for several years in dwelling houses, with only occasional preaching. In 1790, a log bouse was constructed for their use; and in 1500, a more commodious, framed house was built, and occupied, as a place of worship, until 1832; when their present substantial brick edifice was completed, and opened for worship. This house has recently been re- modeled at an expense of $ 6000. Where the history of a church is nearly coeval with that of the town, and members of the church Lave been among the most prominent of the citizens, it would be well to have the gener- al history of the town include the ecclesias- tical information. But as this has not been done in connection with the general article on Brandon, a few dates and names pertain- ing to the history of the Baptist church have Lore been given. And it is hoped that the Fune may be done in respect to the other ec ci siastical bodies in the place.
The Baptists held their State Sabbath School Convention at Brandon, June 5, 1872
HISTORY OF METHODISM IN BRANDON.
BE REV. BERNICE D. AMES, A. M.
The introduction of Methodism into Bran- don was characterized by the same mighty inAnence of the spirit in connection with pow- ertul preaching and self-denying labor and * serifice, and encountered the same opposition a. i persecution which attended its introduc- ton into other portions of the old world and the new. Too few memorials of the labors,
sacrifices, trials and persecutions of the fa- thers and mothers in our Israel, have been pre- served. It is a labor of love and a work of piety to collect and treasure what remain. Present and future generations of Methodists ought to be more laborious, devoted, and self-sacrificing for reading these memorials. And as the recent will become the ancient, and the present take its place with the past, it may not be unprofitable to trace the prog- ress of the Church in Brandon down to the present time.
" The Rev. Freeborn Garrettson was the apostle of Methodism in all the region now occupied by the Troy Conference .*
At the Conference of 1788, he was appoint- ed presiding elder of the district north of tl.e City of New York, and extending from New Rochelle, near New York City, to Lake Cham- plain. At that time there were but six circuits in his large district." +
" The Lord had raised up a number of zealous young men who had entered the field of itinerancy with hearts fired and filled with love to God and the souls of men. Sev- eral of these were placed under the charge of Mr. Garrettson who was requested by Bishop Asbury to penetrate the country north of the city of New York, and form as many cir- cuits as he could."
The following account of the exercises of his mind, and of the manner in which he pro- ceeded in the work of breaking up this new ground is from Mr. Garrettson's own pen :
" I was very uneasy in my mind, being un- acquainted with the country, an entire stran- ger to its inhabitants, there being no Metho- dist societies farther north than Westchester ; but I gave myself to earnest prayer for direc- tion.
I knew that the Lord was with me. In the night season in a dream, it seemed to me that the whole country up the North river, as far as Lake Champlain, east and west was open to my view.
" After Conference adjourned I requested the young men to meet me. Lighit seemed so reflected on my path, that I gave them direc- tions where to begin, and which way to form their circuits. I also appointed a time for each Quarterly Meeting, requesting them to take up a collection in every place where they preached, and told them I should go up the North river, to the extreme parts of the
* This Conference embraced the western half of Ver- mont, when this passage was written.
+ Troy Conference Miscellany, p. 22.
# Bangs' History of Methodism Vol. I. p. 269.
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work, visiting the towns and cities in the way, and on my return I should visit them all and hold their Quarterly Meetings.
I had no doubt but that the Lord would do wonders, for the young men were pious, zealous and laborious."
"God was with these heroic pioneers of Methodism, opening their way before them, supporting them amid their trials, raising them up friends among strangers, and bless- ing their labors."
" My custom was" says Mr. Garrettson, "to go round the district every three months, and then return to New York, where I commonly staid about two weeks. In going once around I usually travelled about a thousand miles, and preached upwards of a hundred sermons.' " *
At the close of their first year's labor, they returned over 600 members.
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Of these young men, according to the minutes of 1788, Darius Dunham was ap- pointed to Shoreham, and Samuel Wigton to " Lake Champlain." "Shoreham " and " Lake Champlain," doubtless merely indicated the places where they were expected to form cir- cuita. One or both of these men, without doubt, preached in Vermont, and were per- haps the first Methodist preachers that ever preached in the State. None of the 600 members, first mentioned, however, were re- ported from Vermont. Probably none were gathered.
In 1794, Joshua Hall was appointed to Vermont, but did not labor in the State, and of course reported no members. In 1796, Nicholas Snethen, whom, on account of his eloquence Bishop Asbury was wont to call " his silver trumpet," was appointed to Vershire on the east side of the mountain, and had the honor of forming in that place the first Methodist society in Vermont, al- though for some reason, no members were re- turned to the ensuing conference. Ralph Williston was appointed at the next confer- ence to Vershire circuit. In 1793, 100 mem- bers were returned for Vershire circuit east of the mountain, and 186 for Vergennes. west of the mountain. These were the first members reported from Vermont and enumer- ated in the Minutes. From this time preach- ers were stationed, and members reported in both sections of the State in rapidly augment- ing numbers. The question arises, who gathered the 186 members reported in 1798 for Vergennes circuit, since no preachers had been sent here by the bishops at the preced-
ing conference? Probably at this late day no one can answer with certainty. Very likely the two brothers, Michael and Samuel Coates, and almost certainly the indefatigable Lorenzo Dow, and perhaps others labored here before the Conference of 1798. This is inferred from the fact that oral tradition still preserves the name of the Coates as passing through and preaching here before any regu- lar preachers had been sent into this region who informed the people that they would probably have preachers in a year or two, and that Lorenzo Dow was instrumental in the conversion of the leader of the first socie- ty organized in western Vermont .*
The following extracts from an article in the Christian Advocate and Journal for Sept. 6, 1833, contain some interesting incidents connected with the introduction of Method- ism into Brandon and vicinity.
Methodism was introduced into these parts about forty years ago. The Rev. Messrs. Coates, Mitchel, Wood, Dow, and Hutchinson, were among the first Methodist preachers who labored in these parts. Brother Hutch- inson was presiding elder where his district extended from New York nearly to the Can- adas. Some of our brethren are now living who were the fruits of the labors of these men of God. Often have I sat and listened to the accounts they have given of their labors, sufferings and success.
"I am informed that the first person who joined the Methodists in Vermont. west of the Green Mountain, was a young woman, who resided at the time, in the town of Monkton. The first regular society which was formed was in Brandon, Rutland county.
" The introduction of Methodism into Brandon was attended with one or two cir- cumstances worthy of notice. Lorenzo Dow, who at that time was a very zealous anl holy man of God, I am told, came into the town and called on a Baptist deacon, and de- sired liberty to preach in his house. The deacon very readily consented. This was on Saturday, and a few of the neighbors were in - vited to attend in the evening ; to whom he preached, and made an appointment to preach again in the morning at sunrise. At a suitable time the family retired to bed. But in the preacher's room, the voice of pray- er was heard by the family the greatest part of the night. Twice the deacon arose and looked into the room, unperceived by the preacher, to see what was the inAtter, and found him on his knees. As soon as the day began to dawn he heard the prescher get up and go out. He had the curiosity to follow him at a distance. He went to the orchard. where he prostrated himself on his face, and wrestled and prayed to God for the people in
* Christian Advocate and Journal, Vol. 8, p. 7.
* Garrettaou's Life, p. 201.
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that place, in a most fervent manner. After about half an hour he returned to his room, and waited for the people to come to meeting. At sunrise quite an assembly had met, and the preacher came out of his roomn, and immediately commenced his discourse.
He told them he had obtained an evidence that God would revive His work in that place; and that He was at work even now, on their hearts. Before he finished his dis- course many hearts began to melt, and many eyes overflowed with tears.
" Ile had sent an appointment into anoth- er part of the town, for which he soon set off, and a large part of his morning hearers fol- lowed him. In the village, which was near the center of the town, there lived a Captain HI., [ Horton] a merchant, who, having heard of the appointment, set off with his niece, a young lady who lived in his family, to hear the Methodist preacher. During the dis- course the young lady became considerably awakened to feel the need of religion. When the preacher had concluded, he desired all who felt the need of religion. and were re- solved to serve God, to manifest it by rising up. Several rose, among whom was the young lady. Capt. H. seeing this, rose also, rather for the purpose of keeping her compa- ny than anything else, for he felt somewhat ashamed to see her rise. The preacher ad- dressed a few words to them and called on God and his holy angels to witness this act of theirs. This somewhat arrested the feel- ings of the Captain. They set off toward home, but had not gone far before the preach- er overtook them, on his way to his next ap- pointment. He entered into conversation with the captain. He got him to promise he would take his advice, if it should be such as he himself should acknowledge to be good. In this way he prevailed on him to promise to seek after God.
By the earnest entreaties of his niece, the captain went on to the next appointment ; and here he became powerfully awakened, and went home with a very heavy heart. When he arrived at home, he found his brother and lady had come to make him a visit, and the family were all awaiting his arrival to dine. He sat down at the table, but his heart was ro full he could not eat. He burst into tears in the midst of the company, and immediate- ly left the room. The family were in great distress, for they feared the Methodists had driven him distracted. However his wife Enon set out for religion, and he and she and the young lady were happily converted to Gol. A blessed work of God immediately commenced in that place, and a society was àova formed.
"The people in Brandon were not all Inien is to the Methodists, not even all who prof. ved to be Christians. Many of them Pright the people were strangely deluded ; aul as for the captain, they doubted not he Was crazy. There could be no surer sign of thu than that he should say, he knew his sins
forgiven. Many were determined to dir: 9 the Methodists out of the place. Some -a. i the preachers were from England, and were sent here to exert an influence in favor of the king. One day when our friends hat assembled in a school-house, for public wor- ship, a minister and three others, one of whom was a deacon of the church. and brother to Capt. H., came in, and stood with their hats on, while the preacher was at prayer. As soon as he had finished praying. one of them spoke out in a very angry tone. and inquired, what business they hal those ? Our people made no reply; but brother Wood, the preacher, said, "All who wish 1) hear Methodist preaching follow me to broth- er H.'s house'; and they commenced singing.
'Come on, my partners in distress,' &c.
Immediately all left the house, excent the minister and his three friends. They won: to the Captain's house and proceedei in their worship without farther interruption."
The first Methodist class in Brandon was formed, Aug. 14, 1798, with Major Gidece Horton as leader and circuit Steward. As the first conference at which preachers are recorded to have been appointed to this cir- cuit seems not to have been held till the 19:5 of September following, the original mem- bers of this class must have been comprised in the 186 members before mentioned. The earliest meetings of the society were held in Potato Street, now called the Me Connell neighborhood, most of the inhabitants in that section being Methodists. with a large num- ber in Sugar Hollow. Meetings were held in dwelling-houses, barns and school-houses. Major Horton, the leader, used to go down from the village to attend meetings. Mee :- ings of great interest and power were Leli, sometimes continuing all night. Persons were overcome by the influence, and lar for hours as if dead or in a swoon. The people. espe- cially the young, thronged the meetings, and numbers of the converts were bitterly op- posed, husbands persecuting their wives, ani parents even punishing their children, to prevent their identifying themselves with the Methodists.
Among the original, or early members of this society, besides Major Horton and his wife Thirza, were Dr. John Horton, G.deor Mott, Henry and Eli Mc Collom, Daniel Hes. dee, Daniel Pomeroy, Benajah Douglass and Nathaniel B. Alden. Notwithstanding the fact that a majority of the early Metrits:s were gathered from the humbler classes of society, it happened in many instances, that
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some remarkable men were from the begin- ning enrolled with these humble disciples. This was the case with the Brandon society. Numbers of those above named and their associates lived useful and honored lives, and left descendants, who fill honored positions in different parts of the country. Major Horton remained an officer of the society in Brandon till 1808, when he removed to Hub- bardton and erected mills, around which a small village grew up, which after him was called Hortonville. He was the grandfather of the late Mrs. Franklin Farrington. Be- najah Douglas, a native of Massachusetts, came to this town from Ballston, N. Y., in 1795, was a most irrepressible character, both in religious and secular affairs, represented the town for four consecutive years (Dr. A. G. Dana says five) in the legislature, was the grandfather of the late distinguished United States Senator, Stephen A. Douglas, and died Oct. 2, 1829. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Tobias Spicer, D. D.
Daniel Pomeroy came to town in 1794, was one of the most exemplary and efficient mem- bers with which this society has ever been blessed, and represented the town in the State Legislature from 1823 till 1826 inclu- sive. He died Apr. 7, 1843, aged 73. One of his sons, Rev. Charles Pomeroy, was long a useful and devoted minister of the Troy Conference, and a grandson, Rev. Charles P .. Pomeroy, is an able and useful minister and educator in the church.
Nathaniel B. Alden lived for many years as a local minister in the church, had one son who was also a local preacher, and died a few years since in Elizabethtown, New York.
Eli Me Collum remained a useful member of the church till his death, and is now well represented in the church by his son, Har- ry S. Mc Collum.
The church prospered for several years, and within 10 years from the organization of the society arrangements were made and materials collected to build a church on a site near that of the present church edifice. Dis- sensions, however, arose in the church, which caused the enterprise to be abandoned. A bitter feud raged between Messrs. Douglas and Gideon Horton, who were political rivals. Mr. Douglas was expelled from the church, but afterward restored. Mr. Horton removed to Hubbardton, as already stated. Some other members withdrew and united with
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