USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 22
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John H. Lincoln, Reuben Jackson, Graton Jackson, Gideon Sheldon, Enos Bailey, Jr., Amherst Lee, R. M. Powers, R. M. Powers, Jr. Zebulon Pond, William Spencer, Sam'l Wheel- er, Leonard Fargo. John Barnes, Jr., Nathaniel Rand, Lucas Thomas, Israel Burdett, Arden Weller, John Dean, Gardner Powers, W. D. Hitchcock, Asa Durkee, Ezra 'Day, Edward Wheeler, John Betts, Bildad Orcott, Samuel Miller, Joab Powers, Rufus Burr, Justin Dar- ling, David L. Beebee, Lemuel P. Howes, John Axtell, John Lampson, Samuel Cook, Robert Wright.
On the invasion of Plattsburgh, N. Y .. in September, 1814, an alarm was sounded through Vermont, and her sons at once left their work, and hastened to the scene of conflict. Almost every town in the western part of the State was there represented; some by full companies, oth- ers by a smaller number, who were organized into companies after their arrival there
Intelligence of this invasion reached Pittsford in the afternoon of the 9th, and the next day at 9 o'clock. a company of volunteers assem- bled at John Barnes' tavern, * where they organ- ized and immediately departed for Plattsburgh. The following is a copy of the muster-roll of the Pittsford company :
Caleb Hendee, Jr. captain ; Isaac Wheaton, first lieutenant ; Harris Bogue, secoud do .; Jonathan Pike, ensign ; K. Winslow, surgeon ; George N. Gilbert, surgeon's mate; Jonathan Kendall. wagon-master; John Barnes, Jr., Joel Burroughs, William Cushman, Anthony Ries and John H. Lincoln. sergeants; Amos Drury, Jason Harwood, Reuben Jackson, Thomas Bar
* Now the house owned by E. B. Rand.
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low, Japhet L. Warner and Azer Dickerman, corporals; Enos Baily, Jr., Samuel Holcomb, drummers; Arden Weller, William Beel, Jr., and Zebedee Cooper, Jr., fifers; Nathaniel K. Andrews, Bradford Andrews, Jaffery Barnes, Oliver Brown, Jonathan P. Barron for Allen Penfield, David L. Beebe, George Burditt, Gersham Beech, Wm. W. Barlow, Jr., Daniel Barton, Edward Clifford, Zebedee Cooper, Jr., Caleb Carpenter, Luke Dean, John Downey, Horace Downey, Washington Davis for John Kingsley, Roger Egleston, Cameron McGregor, Francis C. Goodale, John A. Gillet. Eli Hud- son, William Hay discharged on the 11th, on account of old age, Alvin Hewett, Nathaniel Hunter for Martin Leach, Daniel Hendee, Da- vid Jackson, David A. Jackson, Hezekiah June. Lot Keeler, Amherst Lee, Roger Ladd, Robert L. Loveland, John Lampson, Jr., Ebenezer Mitchell for D. H. Hammond, Jesse Moon, Hi- ram Millington, Eli Manley, Jr., John Miller dis- charged on the 11th on account of old age. Joseph A, Montague, Abraham Owen, Justus Powers, Richard M. Powers, Joab Powers, privates ; Milton Potter, Andrew Leach. Sam. Wheeler, Isaac Clark. Isaac Segar, James Buck, William Spencer wagoners; Lewis Parlow one horse wagoner. The above wagoners car- ried loads both ways, from Pittsford to Burling. ton, and vice versa ; Adgate Lothrop, Joseph Lattingham. Tilly Walker, William Morgan, Abner Hendee, German Hammond, Justus Powers and Josiah Parsons, wagoners, carried loads only one way.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
True to the spirit of the New England fath- ers, the framers of the charters of these Ver- mont townships made provision in every new settlement for the preaching of the divine word, by setting apart one right or share of land in each for the first settled minister. And as soon as the inhabitants became sufficiently numer- ous, they took care to procure "a gospel minister" and a place for public worship. But for some years after the first two settlers locat- ed in Pittsford, the inhabitants were so few and scattered, that we find no evidence that any effort was made to settle a minister. But public worship was not neglected, for some part of the inhabitants united with the people of Rutland in the support of a minister and sanc- tuary privileges, and two of Pittsford men, viz. Ebenezer Hopkins and Samuel Crippen became members of the first church there, at the time of its organization, Oct. 20, 1773.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Of Pittsford was organized in 1784, and was the first church organization in the town-being formed on the 14th of April, and consisted of 15 members, as follows, viz. :
"Eleazer Harwood, Ebenezer Drury, Eben- ezer Hopkins, Nehemiah Hopkins, Simeon Tupper, Elias Hall, Jonathan Warner, Elisha Adams, Joshua Morse, Jonathan Fassett, Sarah Adams, Molly Fassett, Abigail Morse, Tryphe- na Hopkins and Thankful Drury."
Eleazer Harwood was afterwards chosen pas- tor, and Nehemiah Hopkins deacon. As a part of the early church records are lost, we have no means of knowing when Mr. H. was ordained and installed: but from the fact that both relig- ious organizations claimed the ministerial right or share of land, in consideration of having the first settled minister, we infer that Elder Rich and Mr. Harwood were settled about the same time, and perhaps the same day. We believe, however, that it was finally admitted that Elder Rich was the first settled minister in the town; but whether his priority consisted in a day or a few hours, only, we are not informed. But as both denominations claimed the benefit of the ministerial right, and were not likely to come to an amicable adjustment of the contro- versy, the two ministers, in the exercise of a truly Christian spirit, took the matter into their own hands, and settled it by dividing the right between themselves. Accordingly Eleazer Har- wood quitclaimed his right to the Ist division lot of the ministerial right to Elisha Rich, Dec. 29, 1786 ; and at the same time the said Elisha Rich quitclaimed his interest in the 2d division lot of the ministerial right to the said Eleazer Harwood.
Mr. Harwood continued his pastoral labors till his death. May 19, 1807. He was succeed- ed in the pastorate of the church and society by the Rev. Holland Weeks, who was installed Dec. 30, 1807.
In 1808 a manual containing the articles of faith and church covenant was published, and from this we extract the following :
" April 14, 1784. Fourteen* persons in the town of Pittsford agreed to the foregoing arti- cles and covenant, and joined the church ; since then from this and the adjoining towns two hundred and four have joined said church, be- fore the date of this copy, April 15, 1808, of which. at this time, twenty-nine have removed relation-been excommunicated and died. So
* From the list of names on record we find there were 15.
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at this time there remain in fellowship, one hundred and ninetyt and nine members."
Mr. Weeks' pastorate of the church termin- ated in February, 1815, in accordance with the advice of an ecclesiastical council called for that purpose. The church and society after- wards extended a call to Mr. Asa Messer to become their pastor. The call was accepted, and he was ordained and installed Jan. 29, 1818. Mr. Messer continued his labors with the church till 1822, when he was released, and a call was then extended to Mr John Ingersoll to become the pastor. This call was also ac- cepted, and Mr. Ingersoll was ordained and installed Dec. 18, 1823, and continued his min- istry here till the fall of 1826, and was succeed- ed by Mr. Willard Child, who was ordained and installed March 25, 1827, and at once entered upon his ministerial labors, which were contin- ued till Sept. 8, 1841, at which time the pastor- al relation between him and the church and society was dissolved. April 25. 1842, a call was extended to Rev. A. G. Pease, which he accepted, and continned his ministry with the church and society till Oct. 7. 1845. Rev. Charles Walker became pastor Dec. 2, 1846, and continued in the pastoral office till Dec. 6, 1864, when he was released by an ecclesiasti- cal conneil in compliance with his request, which was in consideration of his advanced age. Dr. Walker, however, continued to sup- ply the pulnit for more than a year after the pastoral relation was dissolved.
Myron A. Munson beeame pastor, May 31, 1806 and continued his labors till July 1, '69, when he retired in consequence of impaired health. Mr. R. T Hall. at the time of this writing, (Ang. 15. 1870) is about to assume the pastoral care of the church. The number of church members at the present time is about 204. Present dercons of the church : S. H. Kellogg, Abel Penfield and Asa Nurse. Clerk, Asa Nurse.
The early meetings were held in private houses till about the year 1790. when they were mostly held in a school-house which stood a few rods south of Abe! Penfield's. After the completion of the present town-house. however, in 1795, they were held in that bnil ling. The present meeting-house was commenced in 1835, and finished so that it was dedicated July 18, '37. Since that time it has been extensively repaired, so that it is now a fine specimen of church architecture.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH
Was organized Dec. 2, 1784-composed of the following members, viz .: Elisha Rich, Caleb Hendee, Abel Stevens, Moses Olmstead, Mary Stevens and Esther Rowley.
The church, after its organization, "Voted to have Elder Rich serve them for the time be- ing, as a preacher." It is evident Elder Rich commenced his ministerial labors here about this time, though he was not installed till March 17, 1785.
We copy the following from the records of the installation :
" Elder Skeel preached the sermon on the occasion, Elder Eastman prayed at the laying on of hands ; Elder Steel gave him the charge, and Caleb Hendee gave him the right hand of fellowship, and delivered to him the Bible for his guide and rule of practice in behalf of the church."
Elder Rich continued his pastoral labors with the church till 1803, when he was dis- missed.
Immediately after Elder Rich was dismissed, a committee of the church was chosen to pro- cure a minister ; but they were not successful in obtaining more than a temporary supply till 1808-on the 23d of January of which year the church " Voted to request Elder William Harrington to come and improve his ministerial gifts in this place." Also the church " Voted to give Elder Harrington one hundred dollars for his services the ensuing yoar" This call was accepted, and Elder Harrington at once entered upon his ministerial labors here. We conclude that he was only hired from year to year, but never installed, as we can find no record of his installation. He continued to aet as pastor of the church till the first of May, 1817. when the church " Voted to dismiss El- der Harrington, upon his request, from the pastoral charge of this church." On the 7th of September following, however, the church committee reported that they had " agreed with Elder Harringten to preach with us one half of the tinie for the year ensuing. for the com- pensation of 75 dollars " This agreement appears to have been carried out ; but Elder Harrington soon after left the town.
After the removal of Elder Harrington the church organization was kept up for a short time and then disbanded. In 1841 the church was reorganized with 14 members. Sammel Hendee was chosen deacon and Nahnen Mills clerk. The first minister was Rev. V. Church, who continued his labors but one year. Rev.
+ This should have been eighty.
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Charles Berry commenced his ministry here , ly no efforts were made to obtain a preacher of Nov. 7, 1841, and continued it one year. Rev. Levi Smith became pastor in February, 1843, and remained 4 years. Rev. Washington Kings- ley became pastor in June, 1847, and remained two years. Rev. H. B. Wright came in Decem- ber, 1849, and labored one year. Rev. V. Church returned in July, '51, and remained two years Rev. C. R. Nichols supplied one year. Rev. W. Kingsley returned in '54, and remain- two years. Rev. I. H. Wood commenced his labors here in 1856, and closed in '59, when Rev. J. C. Carpenter, the present pastor, com- menced his labors.
The deacons of the church have been Samuel. Hendee, Roswell Woodcock, Ezra Spencer and James R. Smith : the clerks have been, Nahum Mills and Roswell Woodcock. The number added to the church since its reorganization has been, by baptism or profession, 120-by letter, 76. Total, 196.
At the time of the organization of the church in 1784, there being no meetinghouse in the town, the meetings were held in private houses; but the following year, '85, a meetinghouse was built near where the present Baptist meeting- house now stands. This was built of logs, and was the first house for public worship in the town, and was occupied till 1795. when the present town-house was built. This was the result of the combined enterprise of individuals in the different denominations who felt the importance of establishing and maintaining sanctuary privileges.
After the completion of this house, there be- ing bnt two religious organizations in the town, -the Baptist and Congregational,-it was oc- cupied by these together ; Elder Rich preach- ing one part of the dav, and Elder Harward the other part. In 1802 the Baptist denomin- ation withdrew from this house and built their present house, which they continued to occupy till some time after the close of Elder Harring- ton's ministry. when the church disbanded, and their house of worship was neglected.
About the time of the reorganization of the church in 1841. the meeting-house was remod- eled and greatly improved, and is still a com- fortable and pleasant place of worship.
THE METHODISTS.
this order until the inhabitants had become considerably more numerous. The first Meth- dist sermon in Pittsford was preached by Rev. Mr. Mitchill, and probably about the year 1792. A short time before this Mr. Mitchill had been announced to preach in Brandon, and Colonel Benjamin Cooley, who had just been somewhat interested in reading the doctrinal views of the Methodists, with his brother, Capt. Caleb Coo- ley, went to hear the new preacher. and both were very much pleased with the man, and the doctrines he advocated. At the close of the services the preacher made an appointment to preach at the same place in four weeks from that day.
When the day arrived, Col. Cooley invited Mrs. Cooley to accompany him to the meeting. The invitation was accepted, and each mount- ing a steed hurried away through the woods to Brandon, and reached the place of meeting just as the preacher was about to commence the ser- vice. Tying their horses to the nearest tree, they soon became attentive hearers, and were so much interested in the man and his senti- ments. that at the close of the services, they sought and obtained an interview with him; and as they were about to take their departure they invited him to visit them at their home in Pittsford. A few weeks later, in response to this invitation, he came to Pittsford, and at an appointed time. of which notice had been given, he preached the sermon to which allusion has been made, at Col. Cooley's house.
The following year Elder MeLain, another Methodist preacher, visited Pittsford, and. after preaching several sermons, formed a class at Col Cooley's house. Israel Lake was the lead- er of this class, which at first consisted of only four members-Col. Cooley's daughter Mary be- ing one of the number. This class was sustain- ed for some years, and had a succession of class leaders; among whom were the following in the order of their appointment, viz. : Israel Lake, Silas Mosher. James Wicker, David Wadsworth, John Downey, Chapman Hitch- cock and Capen Leonard.
Elder Ryon preached in Pittsford one year, (supposed in 1799) and boarded at Col. Cooley's ; and the next local preacher was Elder Samuel Draper, who came here in 1802. He was sue. ceeded by Ellers Crawford. Washburn and their ministry here we have not been able to obtain.
The organization of the Methodist Episcopal church of this town was of a later date ; but as the early church records are not to be found. we | others in the early period ; but the dates of have no means of knowing the precise time. The'e do not appear to have been many Meth- odists among the early settlers, and consequent- During a session of the quarterly meeting
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held in Col. Cooley's barn, in the year 1802, his, er Brook,) and very near where William C. house took fire from an over-heated oven, and Cotting's chair shop now stands. This was the first mill built in the township, and most of the grinding was done here for several years. was burned. He forthwith built another house on the same ground-in the second story of which he finished a large hall for meetings. These meetings were held here till the meeting- house was built in 1814. This house was built on the flat a little south of Capt. Charles Hitchcock's: it was boarded and nearly finished outside, but was never finished inside, though it was occupied as a place of worship till the present meeting-honse was built in 1833.
Present members of the church, 87; proba- tioners, 13. Present class-leaders, T. A. Hitch- cock and John Ward. Stewards, Charles A. Hitchcock, Charles Hitchcock, J. C. Howe, Russell N. Wood, Samuel Eckley, Daniel Ray. Mrs. J. H. Peabody, Mrs. Royal Hall. Record- ing steward, C. A. Hitchcock.
THE ROMAN CATHOLICS
Have also a neat church edifice in the town, built in 1858; and their meetings are quite well attended, though held only about once in two weeks.
MILLS.
The proprietors of the township, at a meeting held Sept. 3, 1771,
" Voted to give Samuel Crippen fifty acres of land upon his getting a good gristmill fit to grind, by the first of December next-said land lying, thirty acres on the brook, taking a con- venient place for the said land, not encroaching upon the sawmill spot, he shall choose, with an allowance for ronds to said sawmill, twenty acres of said land lying on the north side of said Crippen's lot he now lives on."
. April 14, 1772, the proprietors
"Voted to give Mr. Crippen to the first of September next to build the gristmill. upon the said condition that he builds a good mill."
Mr. Crippen evidently commenced the con- struction of the gristmill in 1772, and quite likely it was completed that year, as we find that the proprietors, at a meeting held on the first day of December. that year,
" Voted that Samuel Crippen should have the land which was formerly given him by the proprietors of this place for the building of a gristinill. upon condition said Crippen keeps said gristmill in goo ! repair ten years from this time. fit for grinding."
But it would appear that the mill, in a little more than a year. was out of repair; as the proprietors, at a meeting hell March 8, 1774,
" Voted that Samnel Crippen should have un- til the first day of May next to get his grist- mil! ir good repair."
The second gristmill in this town was built at the mouth of the Stevens' brock, in 1774, or early in '75, by Roger Stevens, Jr. Fifteen acres of land was laid out here by the proprie- tors, in the fall of 1772, " for the use of the town for the building of a mill." It is not probable that grinding was done at this mill more than 2 years, as early in the war Stevens, the owner of the mill, constructed a raft upon which he put his mill stones, and floated them down the Creek to Middlebury, and then joined the British army. He never returned to Pitts- ford to reside, but after the war he located in Canada, where he was afterwards drowned. The mill was never afterwards used, though the structure remained there for years, and the bed- sills are still to be seen in their original po- sition.
The third gristmill was built in 1783, on Furnace brook, by Elder Elisha Rich. It stood a few rods below the bridge, on the road lead- ing from Furnace Flat to Chittenden. This mill was purchased the following year by Elisha Adams, and was long kept in operation by the Adams family.
The fourth gristmill was built in 1785, on what was then called East Branch, by Nehe- miah Hopkins. It stood near where dir. Jolin Stevens' mill now stands. This mill was kept in operation by Mr. Hopkins, or some one of' his sons, for some years, and then it passed into the hands of Jolm Penfield, who ran it quite as many years. This mill did more business than any other in the early day, and the new mill on the same site, now owned by Mr. Jolin Stevens, is the only gristmill in the town.
About the year 1790 a gristmill was built in Whipple Hollow by Gideon Sheldon. It stood on a small stream about 100 rods S. W. of the present residence of Byron Morgan.
The proprietors, at a meeting held April 14, 1772.
"Voted to give Felix Powell fifty acres of land lying upon the brook, upon conditions he get a good sawmill agoing by the first of De. cember next, and keep it in repair five years "
Mr. Powell, leaving the town soon after, did not accomplish the work. Accordingly we find the proprietors, at a meeting held April 20, 1773,
"Voted to give Jonathan Fassett fifty acres This mill stood on " Mill Brook," (now Suck- [ of land, upon conditions said Fassett shall baild
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a good sawmill by the first of December next. [ acres; 1788, May 3, 110 acres; 1799, May 10. Said Jonathan Fassett's fifty acres of land is to be laid out where it was formerly given to Felix Powell for the building of the same sawmill."
Mr. Fassett commenced building the mill, but did not complete it that year ; and the proprie- tors, at a meeting March 8, 1774,
" Voted that Jonathan Fassett should have till the the first of May next to get his sawmill completed."
And it is believed that it was finished that year, and perhaps at the time specified. This mill stood on Sucker brook, and about 50 rods north of the gristmill built by Mr. Crippen. A sawmill has been kept on the same site to the present time-the one now (1870) there being owned by Mr. Barber .*
The second sawmill in the town was built by Col. Cooley, about the year 1780; though from the fact that his brother Gidcon, at a later period, owned a part of this mill, it would seem probable that the two brothers built it together. This mill stood on Sucker Brook, and about 100 rods south of Mr. Crippen's gristmill. It con- tinued to be used till about the year 1800, when it was abandoned.
The third sawmill was built by Elisha Adams in 1784, and it stood near the gristmill built by Elisha Rich. This was also kept in operation many years.
The fourth sawmill was built by Nehemiah Hopkins, soon after he built his gristmill, and it stood about where Hiram Leonard's sawmill now stands.
The fifth sawmill was built by Col. Benjamin and Capt. Caleb Cooley, about the year 1792; and it stood on East branch or Furnace brook, about 50 rods below Hopkins' mill, on the south side of the stream. This mill was carried away by the freshet of 1811.
Stephen Jenner also built a sawmill about the year 1800, a few rods below the chair-shop now owned by William C. Cotting ; and not far from this time Elisha Woodruff built a sawmill where Samuel Nurse's mill now stands.
SCHOOLS.
There is nothing upon the records to show when the first school in the town was opened, nor by whom it was taught. By the charter one share of land was reserved " for the benefit of schools in said town." This was laid out as follows:
1784, Nov. 27, 74 acres; 1785, Oct 5, 100
* This mill has recently been purchased by Mr. Bar- her of E lward Cotting, and is situated just north of the Colburn bridge.
210 acres; 1804, Dec. 5, 21 } acres. Total, 515 4 acres. This was considerably more than the charter required, and shows a commendable liberality on the part of the proprietors. But no income could have been derived from these lots for some years after they were lai! out, consequently the early schools must have been supported by the payment of tuition-by vol- untary contributions, or by a tax upon the pro- prietors: but as we find no evidence of the latter, we conclude that they were sustained by one or both of the former measures.
The first school-teacher in the town. of whom we have any knowledge, was Caleb Hendee, Jr. He was the eldest son of Dea. Caleb Hen- dee, and was born in Simsbury, Ct., Oct. 21, 1768, and, at the age of 5 years, brought to Pittsford to reside a short time with an uncle ; and, in abont a year from that time, (1774,) his father purchased land and located in Pittsford. Young Hendee had a vigorous mind, and a great thirst for knowledge ; but his school ad- vantages were very limited.
In the month of December. 1784, he was sent to a boarding school in Danby, where he remained 4 months, and studied arithmetic, geometry and surveying. This, he says, was the most essential part of the school instruction he received of his father. After his return from Danby, his father purchased him a set of sur- veying instruments, and he commenced the business of land surveying, which he occasion- ally followed for nearly 40 years. In 1786 he taught his first school in Pittsford. and continu- ed to teach in the winter season, for eight years, including three years that he taught school con- tinually.
March 14, 1791, the town chose Amasa Ladd, Thomas Hammond, Amos Kellogg, David Git- chell, John Barnes, John Hitchcock and James Ewings, a committee to divide the town into school districts. This committee divided the town into six districts, and made their report accordingly, which was accepted by the town. In this division, No. 1 extended from Col. Coo- ley's dwelling house so far north as to include what is now the village. No. 2 included the territory from Col. Cooley's to the south line of the town. No. 3 included what is now the Mills, and considerable territory to the east- ward. No. 4 included what is now Hitchcock- ville, and extended east wardly to the town line. No 5 included the territory from the north line of No. 1 to the north line of the town. No. 6 included the S. E. part of the town.
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