USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 30
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The character of the deceased claims more than an ordinary obituary notice. He was long a resident, and identified with the early settlement of the town in which he lived and died. He has sustained many, and the most important offices within the gift of the inhabit- ants. These trusts have been discharged faith- fully, and with a comprehensive view to the " greatest good of the greatest number." His opportunities in early life were limited. He was bred a mechanic; but, naturally shrewd, and possessing peculiar forecast. his energy and common sense accomplished much. His acts as a useful public man will be remembered, and their influence long felt. But in his neigh- borhood and domestic relations his virtues are better known and appreciated. Although in some respects eccentric, he possessed a deep regard for the feelings of others, and those knowing him as a neighbor and a business man, will bear testimony to his honorable bearing and liberality.
In the family circle his deportment com- manded respect, and without attempt at display, his uniform kindness and urbanity of manners endeared him to all with whom he was associ- ated. Very seldom do we find these qualities united in a single individual, which render him a consistent man at home and abroad - the faithful public servant, devoting bis time, his services and his property to the public good,
and at the same time sustainin organization", all the various relations of citi:y-twoetgubor, husband, father, and an honest man.
Such examples are rare, and their moral should not be lost upon us. A fortunate il.di- vidual may, perchance, become a benefactor to mankind, by a single act. or perhaps by acci- cident, and we award to him due honor; but how much greater is onr obligation to that man whose acts are always consistent-aiming at the greatest good; and which, operating constantly, by their influence, upon three around, like a beacon light, uniformly points to safe results.
THE KENDRICKS OF POULTNEY.
BY PROFESSOR A. C. KENDRICK.
My father, Rev. CLARK KENDRICK, was born in Hanover, N. H, Oct. 6, 1775-his parents having recently removed thither from Connect- icut. His father became a member of the Con- gregational church shortly before his death. He lived in early life mainly with an uncle- father of Rev. Nath. Kendrick. of Hamilton, well known in the educational history of New York.
In 1797 he was converted. and soon after united with the Baptist church. He soon af- ter opened a school in Salem, N. Y. ; but his convictions of duty soon urged him into the Christian ministry. In 1802 he was called to be pastor of the church in Poultney, which was just at that time organized. He was or- dained in May, 1802, and married in October following to Miss Esther Thompson. He con- tinued pastor of the church in Poultney uut 1 his death, which occurred February 29, '24. in the 49th year of his age. During this period his church had been blessed with several re- vivals, and had grown to be one of the largest and most influential churches in the State Ha had made several missionary tours in the ad- joining State of New York and in Canada, and had enlisted himself actively as a warm friend and supporter of the interest of fore:cz missions and of ministerial education, to which the Baptist denomination were then bezinning to employ their energies. He was an able and popular preacher, a wise counsellor, and deep- ly beloved and widely esteemed as a Christian and a man. His death occasioned a vacancy long and painfully felt in the ranks of the Ver- mont ministry.
ASAHEL C. KENDRICK
was born in Poultney, Rutland county, Vt., in December, 1809. He was the son of Rev.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL, MAGAZINE.
Cision of courk-for over 20 years pastor of the Da, boys, urch there. In 1821 he went to Hamilton, N. Y., where he studied chiefly in a private way; spent two years in Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., with an interval of two years between them, during which he taught in the Academy at Hamilton, and graduated in 1831.
He was immediately appointed Tutor in the Hamilton Literary and Theological Sem- inary, and after one year was made professor of the Greek and Latin languages. Subse- quently the professorship was divided, and he retained the Greek chair, which he occupied until the founding of the University of Roch- ester. In 1850 he went to Rochester, and took the same position there, which he still holds. He has twice visited Europe-the first time spending several months in Greece.
He has published several text books in Greek; among them a " Greek Introduction," (1840) a "Greek Ollendorf," in 1850, " Xeno- phon's Anabasis," with notes and Lexicon, (1873). He has edited and revised a transla- tion of Obshauren's New Testament Commen- tary-has translated and occerlated Moll's Commentary on the Hebrew in Lauge's Bib- lical Commentary, edited by Dr. Schaff-has aided in two or three revisions of the received version of the New Testament, and is now a member of the board of Revisers in the Anglo- American enterprises of revision, inaugurated by the English Established Church. He has published several miscellaneous works : among them a small volume of Poetical Translations from the German, entitled "Echoes"-a volume of selections of choice poems, entitled, "Our Poetical Favorites"-(of which a second series is now in the press.) and "The Life and Letters of Mrs. Emily C. Judson."
ELDER ARIEL KENDRICK,
,
a Baptist Elder of the genuine old stamp, well known for his labors in New Hampshire and Vermont, was a brother of Dr. Kendrick of Poultney-one of the most fresh, simple-heart- ed, earnest, venerable old ministers in this or- der, who used to come round and preach occa- sionally to the Baptist Church in Ludlow, in our young days. He was a fine, hale, hearty. white headed, pleasant, positive old-fashioned Baptist of eighty years, or about. It was in the office of the "Genius of Liberty," of which one of my mother's brothers was the editor. he published a little book of his life and times. to help him eke out a living in his half or third
superanuated days. I remember my uncle, who had a marked dislike of Baptist theology, (Calvinistic doctrines) having a particular lik- ing for Elder Kendrick, and always speaking of him with particular appreciation. Title- page of Elder Kendrick's book : "SKETCHES OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ELDER ARIEL KEND RICK. Being a short account of his birth, con- version, call to the ministry, and his labors as a Gospel minister, with other incidents occurring under his notice. Written by himself-Ludlow, Vt., BARTON & TOWER-' Genius' Office, 1847," 12m., pp. 96.
Elder Kenkrick's first wife's maiden name was Penelope Colton, by whom he had eleven children. He married Emma Parker. of Cav- endish, in December, 1844-died in Cavendish, March 23, 1856, aged 85.
Peace to his memory .- Ed.
REV. ITHAMER HIBBARD.
[Hubbardton having forestalled the sketch here by Mr. Clark with a claim " As Poultney shut their church doors to him, and Hubbard- ton took him in, to give the sketch of this man's life belongs to us," we refer to page 758, and Mr. Ashley's record, page 966, and only subjoin such additional facts as are in Mr. Clark's paper .- Ed.]
Mr. Hibbard was born in Canaan, Ct. His education was very limited. The inhabitants of Poultney, (1780) mostly, if not entirely, Baptists and Congregationalists, were all united in settling him as the first pastor and minister of the town. Mr. Hibbard always took great interest in public affairs, and Ethan Allen. in his History of Vermont, published in London in 1798, speaks of having interviews, upon questions of public importance, with Rev. Mr. Hibbard in Poultney. He was often called upon to counsel with the Allens, Baker, War- ner and others of the leading men of Ver- mont. He was representative from Wells to the Legislature in June, 1778; and we have every reason to suppose that he made Wells his residence for some time before coming to Poultney. He made a very able and interest- ing report from a committee of which he was chairman.
After his removal he was called to Poultney frequently to solemnize marriages among the people of his former charge. One of his sons, Rev. Ebenezer Hibbard, was minister in Bran- don twenty years or more.
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POULTNEY.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS OF POULTNEY
and Pensioners on the Census of 1840.
Names of Pensioners for
revolutionary or military
services.
Oliver Wright. 70.
James Hooker SO.
James Hooker.
Abel Hubbard. 72.
Thomas Davis.
Samuel Prindle .93.
Samuel Prindle.
Seth Ruggles. 83. Seth Ruggles.
Joseph Manning .78.
Hiram H. Swallow.
William Lewis .83.
William Lewis.
Jerem'h Armstrong 79.
Jerem'h Armstrong.
Jesse Soper. .78. Jesse Soper.
United States Census.
REMEMBRANCES OF PAST YEARS.
BY REV. JOHN GOADBY.
A discourse delivered at the Baptist meet- ing-house, Poultney, Vt., on the fiftieth anni- versary of the organization of the Church April 8, 1852, by Rev. John Goadby.
Every Church of many years standing will have had its days of prosperity and adversi- ty ; its days of gladness and sorrow ; and can tell of seasons of united hearts and warm af- fections; and of times of coldness, division and strife.
This Church whose fiftieth anniversary we now celebrate, has had its share of such changes, but they have neither been so fre- quent nor severe, as many others have ex- perienced in the same period. This may be attributed, in the providence of God, to the character of its prominent members, at its or- ganization, and to the single-mindedness and piety of its first pastor. Some of its first mem- bers, were men of rich and varied experience, in the full vigor of life, and admirably adap- ted for the commencement of an enterprise, requiring sound judgment, persevering effort, and unwavering trust in God.
As we look back over fifty years, the vig- orous and venerable forms of Ward and Web- ster, of Marshall and Sandford, of Pond and Ashley, seem to rise up before us; and the mothers in Israel, Lydia Marshall, Mary Mallary, and Sally Angevine, all of whom lived to upwards of ninety years, and Mary Whitney, the last of the original members, who died in February, 1837. Under the date of October 27, 1835, there is the following entry in the church records; "Died Lydia Marshall in the 93d year of her age. She came to the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe. She was the last, save one, of those
who composed this church at its organization. She had lived in the town sixty-two years. She, and four who now survive, were heals of families in 1777, in this town, when the inhabitants were all driven from their homes by the enemy, in the war of the Revolution. She had reared a family of 14 children, and there are known to be living of her posterity, above 370, extending to the fifth generation."
As I call up in imagination, these men and women of former years, their youthful pastor seems to stand among them, in all the buoy- ancy and bloom of early manhood ; and yet, there is in his sedate and calm aspect, stea di- ness, dignity, and maturity of judgment be- yond his years, which tell of deep commun- ings with his own heart, and frequent inter- course with God. The character he sustained and the labors he performed, from the be- ginning to the end of his pastorate, give the features and the coloring to the picture.
The first settlement of this town was by Thomas Ashley and Ebenezer Allen, in April, 1771. The first Baptist who moved into the town, was Isaac Ashley, in the fall of the same year. William Ward was the next, 1774. They came from Canaan, Ct., where they were baptized on the same day, in 1770 or 1771, by Elder Dakins. Isaac Ashley died in April, 1777, leaving an infant son about 13 months old,-he stands among us to-day, in vigorous old age, where he has stood, with the exception of a few months, for fifty years: may his presence be long con- tinued, as an ornament and pillar in the house of our God.
The inhabitants fled from the town about the end of June, 1777 ; in the following year they returned, and the number of Baptists slowly increased. Mrs. Thomas Ashley and Mrs. Ichabod Marshall were baptized by Elder Joseph Cornell, and are supposed to have been the first to whom the baptism of believers was administered in Poultney. Shortly after, John Ashley, Ichabod Mar- shall, and some others, obeyed the Lord in his ordinance, till the number was about twelve. In 1782, they met at Ichabod Marshall's and formed themselves into a Church, and chose William Ward their dea- con. He was the first justice of the peace in this town and held that office 40 years; 3 member of the Convention that adopted the first Constitution of this State, sitting at Windsor, when the British and their Indian
1
-
Names of heads of fami- lies with whom pension- ors resided June 1, 1840. Oliver Wright.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
allies, overran and plundered this and ad- joining towns ; he also represented the town in the Legislative Assembly, 21 years.
This little church in its infancy, united with the Congregational church, in support- ing the gospel, in worship, and in communion, under the pastoral care of Ithamar Hibbard, who had been a chaplain in the army of the Revolution. He was the first settled minis- ter in the town, and it is supposed, came with an organized church from Bennington. In 1782-3, both societies were engaged in building a meeting-house, opposite the bury- ing-ground. It was raised and covered by subscription, but finished by a town tax. About the year 1795, the Baptists, doubting the propriety of their course, especially in communing with persons whom they re- gard as unbaptized, withdrew from that com. munion, and united with the Baptist church in Middletown, under the pastoral care of Sylvanus Haynes, who was said to have pro- duccd this separation.
They still continued in union with the Con- gregational church, in the support of preach- ing, and in public worship.
Earlier than this, about 1785 or 6, some difficulty arose among the Congregational- ists in relation to their pastor; some infor- mality connected with his ordination, being al- leged as the ground of dissatisfaction. This
. was so great in the minds of some that they would not remain in the house, when he ad- ministered the ordinances ; and issued finally, in the withdrawal of a considerable number of members, who were regularly organized as a church, and erected another meeting-house* a few yards south-east of this in which we are assembled, before 1788. It was expected by Mr. Hibbard's friends, that the newly or- ganized church, intended to take advantage of the alleged informality in his ordination, to dispute his right to the lands appropriated to the first settled minister ; to preclude the attempt, a council was called about the year 1788, when he was ordained according to the Congregational order. His previous ordin- ation was according to the strict Congrega- tional order.
Before the year 1790, Mr. Thompson be- came the pastor of the new Church, and con- tinued until 1796, in which year the two churches became one. The earliest church
records I have found began June 1, 1793, and proceed without interruption until June 29, 1794. No entries were made from this time till June 23, 1796. Then the following : " Heard the result of a committee previously chosen to try for a union with the the Church, known by the name of Mr. Thomp- son's church."
" Voted to continue said committee in the labor for a union."
"July 7. 1. Heard the report of our com- mittee appointed to try for a union with the other church in this town; likewise gave some advise how to proceed further on the business."
" 2. Took into consideration the request of the Rev. Ithamar Hibbard, which had been made previous to the meeting, for a dismis- sion from the special charge as their pastor, and proceeded as follows : " Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Ithamar Hibbard in the year 1780, was permanently settled over this church and congregation, according to the strict Congre- gational order, and hath faithfully performed the several offices of his ministerial function, and now believing an evangelical situation most rulable, he requests to be in that situa- tion ; therefore, voted, that the church re- lieve Mr. Hibbard from the above obligation, and consider him in an evangelical situa- tion."*
"3. Voted, to continue Mr. Iibbard in the ministry with us, until the minds of the Society may be known respecting his request."
Mr. Hibbard continued until the churches united. "1796, Oct. 3. At a meeting of the Congregational churches in Poultney, at the meeting. house, the Rev. Ithamar Hibbard being the moderator, and opened said meeting by prayer, after concessions to each other."
" Voted, 1. By Mr. Hibbard's church, to accept the confession of faith, and covenant of grace, then read."
Voted 2. By Mr. Hibbard's church, to re- ceive Mr. Thompson's church into union and fellowship."
" Voted 3. By Mr. Thompson's church, to receive Mr. Hibbard's church into union and fellowship.
" Voted, 4. By both churches, to receive each other into union and fellowship, and become one body."
* Mr. Hibbard had recently become a Free Masca which was a trial to many.
* Which stood near where the brick school-house now (1875) stands in East Poultney.
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POULTNEY.
After the dismission of Mr. Hibbard * in
same month, William Ward was chosen mod- 1796, the desk was supplied by various indi- erator, and Elijah D. Webster, clerk. It was viduals of the Congregational order. David then voted to call Mr. Kendrick to the pas- toral office, and to call a council for his or- dination, as requested by a voto of the socie- ty, the same day. Smith in 1798, Prince Jenney in 1799, and Mr. Hawley in 1800, are mentioned in their church records, but for some reasons the church still remained destitute, and had other The council assembled May 19, and the next day Mr. Kendrick was ordained : Elder David Rathbun, of Whiting, offered the in- troductory prayer ; Isaac Beals, of Pawlet, preached the sermon ; Henry Green, of Wal- lingford, offered the consecrating prayer ; Joseph Carpenter, of Ira, and Nathan Dana, of Hubbardton, assisted in laying on of hands ; Obed Warren, of Salem, N. Y., gave the charge; Sylvanus Haynes, of Middle- town, the right hand of fellowship ; and Wil- liam Harrington 2d, of Clarendon, offered the closing prayer. occasional supplies. The Baptists were then requested to obtain some one to occupy the desk. Mr. Ward invited Mr. Clark Ken- drick, a licentiate of the Baptist church in Salem, N. Y., to come and preach to them. " The Congregationalists had agreed to give their support to any minister whom the town should vote to call ; not doubting however, but that vote would call one of their own order." Mr. Kendrick began to preach in the town in the Spring of 1801, under a tem. porary engagement, as a candidate for the pastoral office. Efforts were soon made to engage him as pastor. Towards the close of the year, he was frequently urged to preach on baptism and communion, that his views might be fully known, before the vote should be taken, in relation to his settlement. He complied, and it was immediately seen that division was inevitable.
At a meeting of the Congregational church held Dec. 10, 1801, it was " Voted to choose a committee to confer with Middletown church, on the expediency of uniting for the support of the gospel. Chose deacons Silas Howe and Samuel Lee, and brother Ebenez- er Frisbie for the above purpose."
" January 7, 1802. Voted unanimously to unite with Middletown church, for the purpose of procuring preaching." "Chose deacons Silas Howe and Samuel Lee, Ebenezer Frisbie and Jonas Safford, a committee for drawing articles of union with Middletown church.
In January, 1802, preliminary steps were taken for organizing two distinct societies. They were fully organized in February fol- lowing. At the first meeting of the Baptist society, held February 8th, after choosing officers, it was "Voted, to give Mr. Clark Kendrick a call to settle with said society in the gospel ministry." On the 8th of April thirty-four members were dismissed from the Baptist Church in Middletown and constitu- ted as an independent body. The first meet ing for business was held on the 7th of the
* Mr. H. became pastor of the Congregational church In Hubbardton, in 1798, and died there March 2, 1808.
Soon after the ordination of Mr. Kendrick, the Congregationalists obtained a minister, and held separate meetings. December 6, 1802, They " Resolved unanimously to give the Rev. Samuel Leonard a call to settle in the ministry with us, to take the pastoral charge of this church, and to labor with us one half of the time, for the present." Mr. Leonard accepted the call the same day. There "then arose a difficulty about the meeting-house; the contest was so sharp that the state of feeling throughout the town was very much excited on the subject. Finally, at a meeting of the proprietors of said house, they thought, as the Congregational society had controlled the house for about twenty years, it was but fair that the Baptists should control it for the time being, and voted ac- cordingly."
The Congregationalists soon proceeded to build for themselves a commodious meeting- house, which was completed in 1803 On the 15th April, they agreed to install Rev. Sam- uel Leonard, on May 18th. The installation took place on the sills of the house, before the frame was raised.
How long Mr. Leonard preached only half of the time in Poultney, I cannot ascertain, but on Sunday, September 15, 1805, he and Deacon Lee were appointed to attend the or- dination of Mr. Henry Bigalow, of Middle- town.
In 1805, the house in which we are assem- bled was built, at a cost of about $ 6000. In 1839, this audience room was prepared at an expense of $ 2000.
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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
The first years of the existence of this church, were years of storm without, but of peace, union, and prosperity within. "A very unhappy state of feeling existed between the two societies, for several years." Politi- cal party spirit ran high and further embit- tered and alienated the minds of the people. The Congregational church and society, were Federalists, the Baptist, Democrats ; so that politically as well as religiously the separa- tion was complete. It was not long before the young pastor of this church, became the target of individual animosity, as well as of sectarian intolerance. A council of "rev- erened pastors" and " worthy delegates," the press, and the courts of law, were all em- ployed to destroy his influence, if not to ru- in his character ; but he came from the fierce ordeal unscathed and unsullied. I refer to these facts with sorrow, assured that they could occur only as the results of the bitter- ness and blindness of party spirit.
Mr. Kendrick held the pastoral office till his death, which occurred at midnight Feb- ruary 29, 1824, in the 49th year of his age. His funeral was attended on the Thursday following. Mr. Dilloway preached from " The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." His labors had been greatly blessed, and were continued to within three weeks of his death. He administered the Lord's supper for the last time on the first day of February.
The first person who united with this church, was Lucy Broughton, by letter. The first baptism was May 9th, 1802, when Mr. S. Haynes administered the ordinance to Peleg Brunson, Ithiel Peck, and Sally Finel. The Church nearly doubled in numbers be- fore the close of the year ; the next year, and 1809, were seasons of great interest, but the latter part of 1816, and the whole of 1817, were one continued revival, in which one hun- dred and one were added by baptism. Concern- ing this revival, Mr. Kendrick wrote to the Baptist Magazine, under date of November, 1817. " The work commenced more than a year ago. Previous to that time, and even for a number of years before, religion had been with us in a low state, and generally so in this part of the country. War and poli- tics, and anxiety about national concerns, had in a great degree engrossed the attention of professors as well as of people of the world. During these scenes of discouragement, our church endeavored to maintain the visible forms of religion, and hoped for a better day.
The youth in the town were numerous, and generally fond of balls, and scenes of pleas- urable amusement. But the uncommonly gloomy season we witnessed last year, seemed to fall with more weight on the minds of the public, than any one judginent of God I ever witnessed befo:e. It evidently pro- duced a solemnity in the minds of many peo- ple ; but there was no general acknowledge- ment of special conviction until September, when there began to appear something of a work of grace in one corner of the town. For some time we were held in suspense, be- tween hope and fear, as to the issue, whether it would continue aud extend its balmy influ- ence, or take its flight, and leave the peop e in their sins.
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