USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 40
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Other street decorations were admired which led from Landon's block to Clark's block on Merchant's Row, from the Stevens House diagonally to Verder's block on Cen- ter and Wales streets. and from the residence of H. R. Dyer to the Strong mansion on Main street, and one at the head of the same street. An arch erected on West street, op- posite the old State House, by the members of Nickwacket Engine Company, elicited the commendation of all who passed under it. It was trimmed with evergreens and flowers, and ornamented with American, Turkish, Irish and State flags. Colonel Veazey had his own house decorated finely. The arch was inscribed, " Nickwacket No. 1, in honor of the old State House." The old State House, the present residence of Martin Spaulding, was ornamented with flags and labeled with a brief history of it from its building to the present time, and nearly every house and business place along the line of march of the procession showed some em- blem of decoration.
The Herald building was decorated finely outside, and centered with a shield bearing the inscription, "The Rutland Herald, the oldest paper in Vermont,-established, De- cember, 1794." In the building, the stores of Tuttle & Co. and Fenn & Co. had flags dis- played in profusion. Morse's block and the building of the National Bank of Rutland had numerous flags displayed, as had also Dr. Pond at his drug-store, the same at the Bates, Central and Bardwell Houses, the Independ- ent office, Courier office, Paine, Bowman & Co., George H. Palmer, Newman Weeks, Ben K. Chase, George W. Chaplin, H. W. Kings- ley, O. W. Currier, Lewis & Fox, Clark Bros. & Marshall, J. W. Stearns, and others. R. M Cross & Co., B. H. Burt, George W. Hilliard, Allen & Higgins, and the Rutland Boot and Shoe Company, were the richest looking on Merchants' Row. The private residences which looked the best were those of Gen. Wm. Y. W. Ripley, Thomas Mc Laughlin, J. N. Baxter, B. H. Burt, Martin G. Everts, Mrs. Gov Williams, Dr. Haynes, George H. Palmer, George C. Royce, Albert II. Tuttle, Rev. E. Mills, Geo. A. Tuttle, H. C. Tuttle, F. C. Sherwin, Charles J. Powers, and James Barrett. At the residences of Henry Hall, Gov. Page and many others, were displays of flowers, wreaths and the national bunting.
RUTLAND BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV. E. MILLS.
The first beginnings, early struggles, trials and triumphs of any branch of the Christian church is to the devoted Christian a subject of grateful and profitable contemplation ; and, did time and space permit, it would be deeply interesting, from resources at command, to lay before the living membership the evidences of the piety, loyalty to truth, zeal and unwonted self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of Christ, that character.zed the constituent and early members of our beloved church ; but circum- stances demaud the simple statement of a few leading facts.
As far back as 1807 we find a small but vig- orous Baptist church in Centre Rutland: but when it was formed, or what was its previous history, we have no means of knowing. At the time above mentioned, they were destitute of a house of worship, and, like the primitive Christians, met and worshiped in private dwell- ings-for the most of the time at the house of Bro. Allan Pooler. Rev. Mr. Huriburt was their minister at the time, laboring for them in word and doctrine, until 1809, when he resign- ed, and for an indefinite period they were with- out pastoral care. They enjoyed, however, the occasional ministrations of the Rev. Sylvanus Haynes of Middletown ; Rev. Mr. Kendrick of Poultney ; Revs. McCuller, Sawyer, HIar- rington, and other itinerant ministers.
Prominent among this little band of Baptist communicants we find Deacon Griffith, Deacon Weller, Allan Pooler, Nehemiah Angell, Jede- diah Walker, Benjamin Farmor, Esq., Joseph Rodgers, Caleb Whipple, Eri Kendall, Daniel Ford, Samuel Griggs, Ebenezer Rawlins, Phi- lander Griffith, and a few noble, devoted women, among whom were Mrs. Dea. Griffith, Mrs. Dea. Weller, Mrs. Angell, Mrs. Allan Pooler, Mrs. Mary Pooler, Mrs. D. Ford, Polly Ford, Susan Ford, Mrs. Jesse Thrall, Mrs. Beta Rodgers, Mrs. G Dyer, Mrs. Capt. Jenkins, Mrs- Woods, Phebe Briggs, Polly and Fanny Daniels, and Leapy Maxy. These devoted men and women were, for the most part, poor in the things of this world, but rich in faith and good works, with bright hopes of better things to come, and all of them have been transferred from the church on earth to the church triumphi- ant in heaven.
In the years 1813-14, becoming reduced by death and removals, the meetings of the above named church were discontinued, and their or-
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ganization broken up-the members uniting with neighboring churches.
In 1818, several families of Baptists moved from Centre Rutland to Mill Village, now known as " Pooler District," and immediately com- menced to hold meetings at the house of Daniel Ford, and at the school house. These were mostly meetings for prayer, praise and confer- ence, with an occasional sermon by some neigh- boring or itinerant minister. For 5 years these pious men and women maintained the means of grace under adverse circumstances, and through all kinds of weather; and there are a few still living who date their first religious impressions from the instructions and admoni- tions they then and there received.
In 1823 the above named little band of disci- ples organized themselves into a Baptist church of 15 members, viz .:
Amos Weller, Joseph Barney, Benjamin Farmer, Daniel Ford, Adonijah Ford, Allan Pooler, Campbell Simpson, Dinnis Weller, Experience Barney, Salome Ford, Susanna Ford, Polly Ford, Elizabeth Pooler, Anna Gre- no, Martha Fuller.
The church thus constituted completed their organization by the adoption of " Articles of Faith" and " covenant," and the choice of Dan- iel Ford as moderator, and Adonijah Ford as clerk.
Nov. 25, 1823, in accordance with a previous vote of the church. and in response to letters missive sent by them to neighboring churches, a "Council of Recognition" convened in the house of brother Daniel Ford, consisting of ministers and delegates from the following churches : Poultney, Hubbardton, Brandon, Whiting, Pittsford, Ira, East Clarendon and Middletown. Elder Isaac Fuller was duly ap- pointed moderator, and Elder J. W. Sawyer, clerk.
After a careful consideration of the reasons for the organization of said church, and the presentation to the Council of their " Articles and Covenant," it was voted to proceed to the service of recognition in the following manner : That Elder Isaac Sawyer offer the consecrating prayer ; Elder Isaac Fuller give the hand of fellowship, and Elder Abel Woods give the charge to the church : all of which was done in due form, and with becoming solemnity.
May 6, 1824, the church voted to extend a call to Elder I. Fuller to preach for them half the time, which service he accepted, and con- tinued to discharge until Dec. 2, 1826, when the church called Rev. Hadley Proctor, of Chi-
na, Me., to the pastorate. His labors commenc- ed with the opening of the year 1827, and con- tinued until 1834-years of earnest labor and gracious ingathering of souls. He was a good man, and faithfully ted the flock of Christ. In '34-5 Rev. Samuel Eastman supplied the pulpit; then Rev. Hadley Proctor returned to the pas- torate ; but after one brief year was recalled to China, Maine, where he remained until his death.
After the second removal of Elder Proctor, the Rev. Daniel Haskell, a venerated father in Israel, served the church during the year 1837, after which Rev. Arus Haynes, graduate of Brown University, was called to the pastorate, and was ordained to his work Jan. 30, '38, and enjoyed an unusually successful pastorate of 2 years: 90 persons being added by baptism, and 27 by letter and experience: being the greatest addition in any like period, in the his- tory of the church.
He resigned in 1840, from which time the church was without pastor until February 8, 1842, when Rev. Joseph M. Rockwood was ordained and settled, continuing his labors till September, '49, when he was dismissed.
Rev. Leland Howard, of blessed memory, was next called to the pastorate, who was settled in 1852, and resigned in 1860. This pastorate was fruitful of much good in the in- gathering of many precious souls; the year 1858 being signally blessed in this respect .- Some dark, threatening clouds of dissension appeared, also, during this pastorate, and a few drops of trouble fell: but in the providence of God, and by wise counsel, the impending storm was averted. After his resignation Elder Howard continued to reside among the people to whom he had ministered so faithfully and long, until his death, which occurred on the 5th of May, 1870 .*
The next pastor was the Rev. Francis Smith, from Providence, R. I., who commenced his labors on the first Sabbath in May. 1860, and preached his farewell sermon July 27, 1862.
Pastor Smith was a good man, a blameless Christian, and a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Fernald of Cambridge, Mass., who was ordained pastor of the church, March 23, '64. He remained with the church 17 months-resigning Sept. 2, '65.
* Miss Mary L. Howard, daughter of Rev. Mr. How - ard. died April 4, 1874, from the effects of drinking ox- alic acid for Congress water, two or thee weeks before. Rutland Herald.
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Rev. O. Cunningham supplied the pulpit from November, '65, to Aug 5, '68.
Nov. 1, '68, the present pastor, Rev. Edward Mills, commenced his labors with the church, and up to this date, the relation has been unus- ually pleasant, and, we hope, mutually prof- itable.
Feb. 27, 1827, the church and society held a special meeting, which was duly organized by the appointment of Dea. Ezekiel Green, moderator, and Bro. Amasa Pooler, clerk. Said meeting, after adoptimg a constitution and rules of order, voted to build a new meeting house, and appoint a building committee to superin- tend the work.
The following named persons were then duly chosen :
Ezekiel Green, William Green, Daniel Ford, Ira Seward, Cyrus Edson, John Smith, Asa Howard, Comfort Barnes, Jr., Lewis Sawyer, Chrispin Tafft, Amasa Pooler, James W. Pooler, Aaron Perkins.
This committee subsequently appointed a sub-committee, viz .: Ezekiel Green, William Greeu. Dan'l Ford and John Smith, to purchase a lot of land on which to build said meeting- house, which duty they accepted and promptly discharged, procuring the land upon which the meeting house now stands. The building com- mittee entered into a contract with George W. Daniels to build the house, which contract was fulfilled, and the work pushed to completion.
In the Society's meeting of August 17, 1829, the following resolution was passed :
" Resolved, That we assess six dollars on each slip (except those already sold) for the purpose of purchasing the land on which the ยท Meeting House' stands, and the yard around it."
In society meeting, May 12, '44, John Smith . moderator, it was voted to sell two rods of the Parsonage Garden, and slips belonging to the society, to raise fifty dollars to pay for ' Meeting House' ground.
When first built, the internal arrangements of the house were strictly in harmony with the prevailing New England style, viz : pulpit plac- ed high against the wall between the entrance doors, and the choir extending along both side galleries, and across the eastern end of the house.
quence of the rapid growth of our village, north aud west of our present location, a more central position for our house of worship has been se- riously thought of for some years; and as the result of prolonged and serious consideration of the whole matter, the society held a special meeting on the evening of Nov. 28, 1870, when it was voted to " arise and build," and the fol- lowing committees were duly appointed, viz : subscription committee, Rev. E. Mills, Melzer Edson, Samuel H. Kelley ; building committee, George A. Tuttle, E. W. Horner, Dea. John Murray ; location committee, R. R. Kinsman, B. W. Marshall, H. C. Tuttle.
These committees have exercised commend- able interest and energy in the responsible du- ties assigned them, and the work is in rapid progress. The "corner stone" was laid with becoming ceremony, on the 18th of July, 1871, beneath which was deposited the "Church Manual," list of members, and a copy of this sketch.
On the evening of Feb. 1, 1872, the spacious and beautiful vestries of our new house of worship were opened with appropriate services; Rev. D. Spencer, of Fairhaven, preaching a very able and scholarly sermon from Psalm cxlv. 11.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH :- Pastor, Rev. Edward Mills; Deacons, John Murray, Luther Angier; Clerk, Benjamin W. Marshall ; Treas. urer, John Murray; Committee on baptisms, Dea. J. Murray, Luther Angier, E. W. Horner, Mrs. G. A. Tuttle,' Mrs. E. J. Kinsman, Miss M. Howard.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY :- Moderator, Geo. A. Tuttle, Clerk and Treasurer, Albert H. Tuttle ; Trustees, R. R. Kinsman, Harley C. Tuttle, Benjamin W. Marshall
Total list of members in the historical sketch 169-and 16 additional up to date, (1874) mak- ing a present membership of 185. Sunday school membership about 170. First reception, Mrs. Cynthia Tuttle by baptism, Dec. 19, 1824.
SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF METHODISM IN
RUTLAND.
BY REV. B. M. HALL, A. M.
Much obscurity rests upon the early history of the Methodist Episcopal church in this town, in consequence of the loss of the earliest records. In primitive times the circuits embraced many towns, and such records as were kept included ouly the most general subjects. Indeed there was but one book of records for the whole cir-
In 1852 it was voted to remodel and renovate the entire interior: which was done. the house being made much more convenient and attract- ive : and being at that time in the centre of the village, it was hoped that its foundations were permanently established ; but in conse- I cuit. Hence, as the soveral societies kept no
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separate accounts, we can find no data to aid in writing the separate liistories.
It is certain that there was Methodist preach . ing in Rutland long before there was any circuit bearing this name. As early as 1799, Joseph Mitchel and Joseph Sawyer were on the Ver- gennes circuit, and extended their travels through all the towns. far and near. In those days their travels often included territories which required journeys of 400 miles to reach all their appointments; and these journeys were performed every 4 weeks. As there were two preachers on each circuit, they visited each place once in two weeks. This was the rule for many years after circuits were formed in this region. Preachers were sent ont to form circuits in vast regions, before there were any societies organized, or a solitary member of the church to bid them welcome, or to invite them to their hospitality. So did the Apostles of old.
At this date, (1799) Shadrick Bostwick was the presiding Elder, and his district extended from Cambridge, Washington county. N. Y., to Plattsburgh, including all the country between those points, and employing only 11 preachers. One of these was Joseph Mitchell, a man of rare gifts and abundant grace. He it was who baptized and received into the church the youthful Elijah Hedding, who. for many long years was the able and beloved bishop of our church; and who died in 1852, in such tri- umph as can never be described ! Mr. Mitchell traveled but a few years, having located in 1804.
Another of those veterans was Henry Ryan, by birth an Irishman, and by a second birth a Methodist. He was blessed with a powerful frame and indomitable courage; so that the " lewd fellows of the baser sort," who thought it an honor to maltreat inoffensive Methodist preachers, always gave him a wide berth, if he showed them his fists. On one occasion he called at a tavern to feed his horse, and as ho was seated before the fire, one of the young fellows said to his associates: " That is a Meth- odist preacher." The other replied: "Then we must keep our hands on our pockets." Ry- an said : "I should think you had better keep them on your mouths." Another then spoke up with great spirit : "We cant swallow that." " Then, (said Ryan) chew it till you can." Some of them were then ready for a fight; but Ryan put up his sleeve, and showed them his wrist and hand, and said: "Take care; for, if I should strike you, the Lord have mercy on your soul." They were quite willing to keep " hands off.""
In 1501 3ream pruit was formed from portions of Ex post Vergennes circuit, and included sere the adjacent towns, and re- ported at The ent ar Se year 290 members. Ezekiel Cazdes ant Sherezer Washburn were the preaches 3- Washburn was converted while a great war and a school teacher in Petersburgi. N T. moi was a member of the first class erer Ermed in that place. While traveling iz : redea county, and on the Vergennes arsch. i segclar and interesting case orcures ir se town of Huntington there livei & Part of the name of Snyder, who had site: az 'y. and his little daughter four or fire raus Si sukened and died. They called a misce-se the vicinity to preach the funeral semmis. He being an old fashioned Calvinist. ::: : we parents there were nine chances for the ad to be lost, for one for it to be saved. The German could bear no more, and he gave a brary stamp with his foot and said : " HAI race tongue; I will have no such talk i= = basse. I dont believe my child has gone : tel. I believe it has gone to heaven ; and I fes mean to go there too." He turned to brother Norton and said: "Neighbor Norton, wort ren bring a Methodist preacher to see me ?" Sacher Norton said, "I will, if you desire :" " When will you bring one ?" said he. Drother Norton said : " I expect one at my house :ich: I think I can come here with him :>msow." "Do," said he. The child was bured without further ceremony. The next morning Mr. Washburn went with his friend. The whole family was collected, and he conversed with each one-gave a gen- eral exhortation, praved with them, left an appointment for preaching, and went on his way rejoicing. Soon the parents and some of the children were converted, and a flourishing class was formed. of which Mr. Snyder was the leader.
The writer of this sketch is well acquainted with a large number of the descendants of Mr. Snyder, who are Methodists of the true stock.
In 1802 the preachers were Ebenezer Steph- ens and James Crowell, both of them long since passed away. In 1804 Seth Crowell was the preacher in charge. Hlo was born in Tolland, Ct, in 1781-" born again" in 1797, and began to preach in 1801-was on Brandon circuit in 1804. He was a missionary in Upper Canada two years-was in New York city two years- filled many prominent positions, and died in peace in 1826.
The next in order was Samuel Draper. He
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was born in Dover, N. Y., in 1776-converted at 15 years of age, among the first fruits of Methodism in that place. Ile became a travel- ing preacher in 1801, and was on Brandon cir- cuit in 1805, and again in '20. He was of a very cheerful spirit-by some considered too much so; but his obituary says, "Hundreds will rejoice in heaven that they ever heard the Gospel from him." He was presiding elder on Cambridge district 4 years, and died in Arme- nia, N. Y., in the 46th year of his age, and the 23d year of his ministry. His colleague, Mr. Harris, was born in 1776-converted in 1800, joined the conference in 1803, preached as a missionary in Upper Canada 2 years-was in this circuit in 1805. He labored until 1834, when ill health caused him to retire; and in '44 he died in full assurance of faith.
He was a diligent reader of the Bible, sound in doctrine, and very useful in the ministry.
In 1806 the preachers were George Powers and Samnel Howe. Of the first I find no spe- cial account in the conference minutes. But of Mr. Howe much may be said. He was again on the circuit in 1811. He was a man fully devoted to his one work-very conscien- tious and prudent. During many of his later years he was a superannuate, but preached whenever there was need of his services. He was an admirer of " Old fashioned Methodism," and rigidly opposed to choirs and instrumental music in the churches. He professed perfect love, and lived in accordance with it. He died a few years since, in the city of Troy, N. Y. He had attended the funeral of an aged member of the church, though not officiating ; and after the services he retired to a class room of the church, seated himself on a chair, and died instantly. "How many fall as suddenly, -not as safe."
Of Dexter Bates and Francis Brown there are no records which are accessible to the writer. It is most likely that they located; and, of course, the minutes of the conference would contain no further notice of them.
In 1810 Daniel Bromley and Tobias Spicer were appointed to the Brandon circuit. The first left the conference in 1812. Mr. Spicer entered conference this year, and, of course. this was his first circuit. He continued in the work during many years-was several times presiding elder, and was stationed at various times in the most responsible appointments- such as Troy and New York city. Ile wrote several small books of practical use, and re- ceived the honor of D. D. from Union College.
At his own house in the city of Troy, he died but a few years since, in great peace.
Justus Byington was associated with Samnel Howe on this circuit, in 1811. It is believed he joined the Protestant Methodists. The next year Daniel Lewis and Bradley Northrop serv. ed in this field; and Thomas Madden was the colleague of Mr. Lewis the next year.
These were followed by Almon Dunbar in 1814. He might have been a useful minister ; but he became disaffected because his appoint- ments were not such as he thought they should be, and left the ministry. becoming an unhappy backslider. At last he abandoned his family- went into some part of the West, and whether living or dead is not known to the writer.
The next in order was Jacob Beaman. He was a ready speaker, full of zeal and energy- a lover of Methodism, and an ardent hater of Calvinism. To the last days of his preaching, in his old age, he would strike hard blows against Calvin in every sermon. During many of his later years he was superannuated, living in Bennington. where he died a few years since in great peace. being " old and full of days."
In 1816 and '17, David Lewis and C. H. Grid- ley were the preachers. Mr. Gridley had too much spirit for his body ; and though yet alive, was much of his time on the sick list. During many years he lived at Middlebury as a super- annuate. At that place he was very active, when able, in all religious work ; and so was obnoxious to the wicked, and subjected to vari- ous petty persecutions ; being frequently follow- ed from meetings by a miserable rabble, who would "make night hideous."*
Mr. Gridley had the gift of exhortation in an unusual degree, and his appeals were often almost irresistible. It were well if this gift were more generally possessed and used in the church at the present time. Mr. Gridley enter- ed the conference in 1808; he now resides in Wisconsin.
Iu 1818 Isaac Hill and Phinehas Doane ar- rived in this field of labor. Mr. Hill located, after several years, and settled on a farm in Sheldon, where he was very highly estcemed. He was called to officiate at more funerals than any other minister in all the region. He was subject to seasons of mental depression ; and it seemed as if nothing but music could give linn relief. This appeared to have as good effect as did the playing of David in the case of Saul.
Mr. Doane, after traveling some years, settled
* See Mr. Gridley in " History of Methodism in Mid- dlebury," Vol. I., p. 57, of this Work .- Ed.
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on a farm in Chazy, N. Y., where, as the writer | knows, he was a useful and an esteemed local preacher.
These were followed by Eli Barrett and Mo- ses Amadon. Of the first there is no memorial found : but of Mr. Amadon we learn that he died in 1830. He was born in Reedsboro', Vt .. in 1794, and converted when about 17 years old. He entered conference in 1814, and was faithful in his work until his health failed in '29. He died in Watervleet, N. Y., and when asked if he was willing to depart and be with Christ, he replied : " Willing, willing, willing," and died at once.
The next two years the preachers were Sam- uel Draper and Jacob Beaman-each the sec- ond time; and they were followed by George Smith and Hiram Meeker. The first was ad- mitted on trial in 1821, and his name soon dis- appears from the conference minutes. The latter served the church well many years, in important stations ; but is now under a cloud, which Providence may yet disperse.
Harvey De Wolf next appears in the field, with Philo Ferris as his colleague. The latter is said to have been a man of sweet spirit, who was often very successful in personal and pri- vate appeals. The first named was a very use- ful preacher for several years; but in 1826 he withdrew from the connection, and became a Universalist preacher : and finally a scoffer and a drunkard! Surely, "The last state of that man is worse than the first."
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