USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 66
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In calling this a branch-church, I have used the language commouly employed in speaking of it. It must not be understood, however, that it was any organization separate from the one in the village. It was all one church. an.l there was no separation of one portion from the other, except in the division of their privileges -or, in other words, the matter was merely an arrangement for the better accommodation of the members on the Hill, and which, on ac- count of their circumstances, was thought to be due to them.
During Mr Martindale's ministry the Sabbath services were held on the Hill once a month. Subsequent to 1849, till the arrangement was terminated, four Sabbaths in the year were de- voted to that part of the church. The meet- ings were held in a house built on a union principle, which was occupied in succession by Baptists, Methodists and Congregationalists, and who continued to live and worship together in excellent harmony. This part of the church had their communion seasons and one of the church officers. Elias Kent was its first and only deacon. He was the father of our excel- lent citizen, Elias Wheaton Kent, and was a man who, by the example of his Christian life, was accustomed to show daily
" to all around,
What a dear Saviour he had found."
"and who did much to promote the agreement
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and harmony of society on the Hill, and Since the installation of Mr. Osborn, it has wherever his influence was felt.
REV. WILLIAM MITCHELL,
Who followed Mr. Martindale, commenced his labors Aug. 8, 1847, and closed them sometime in the spring of 1852.
Mr. Mitchell graduated at Yale College in 1818, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821. He was ordained at Newton, Ct., in '24. in which parish he remained till '31. He was pastor of the church in Rutland, Vt., from '33 to '47 ; when, being released, he came to Wal- lingford to be acting pastor. Leaving Walling- ford in 1852, he became agent of the American Colonization Society. The last years of his life he spent at Corpus Christi, in Texas, where he died of yellow fever in September, 1867 .*
H. H. SAUNDERSON
Commenced his ministerial labors on the first Sabbath in May, 1853, and closed them the first Sabbath in May, 1862.
All that the present writer can say of Mr. S. is, that he looks back with feelings of most kindly regard upon the church and people, for their patience and forbearance during the nine years of his ministry-that he has the con- sciousness of having sought to do for them what he could, and still rejoices in every token of God's goodness and mercy towards them.
REV. ALDACE WALKER, D. D.,
The present acting pastor of the church, imme- diately followed Mr. Saunderson. Dr. Walker graduated at Dartmouth College in 1837, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1840. Ile was ordained Dec. 30, 1840, over the church and society at West Rutland, to which he con- tinned to minister, with much success, for near. ly 22 years; when a change being rendered necessary on account of his health, he reluct- antly requested to be released from his pastoral relation, and accepted the invitation to take charge of the church in Wallingford, where he has since labored with much success, and greatly to their acceptance.
Such is an imperfect account of this charch.
* Mr. Mitchell wrote to A. H. Quint, under date of " Corpus Christi, Texas, June 19, 1867-I was employed from 2 to 3 years as Agent of the Colonization Society in Vermont, New York and New Jersey. Since that time I have been in Corpus Christi, where I have been preaching as stated supply, and where I gathered a small congregation, and succeeded in building a small church-both congraction and house lost in the war. I still reside at Corpus Christi, and am officiating as s:ated supply to a little Presbyterian church and con- gregatiou.
never been without preaching, except for brief periods. It has embraced among its members many of the most influential citizens, and has been an instrumentality for the accomplishment of great good.
It has had five officers elected in the follow- ing order : Deacons Nathaniel Ives, Moseley Hall, Elias Kent, Gaylard H. Post and Joel Grover, M. D.
CONTINUATION OF HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
BY REV. ALDACE WALKER.
Rev. Mr. Saunderson's labors closed 1st Sabbath in May, 1862. Rev. Aldace Walker entered upon his ministry, as stated supply in Juneof the same year, and was installed as pas- tor of the Church and Society Mar. 10th, 1869. During his ministry up to the present time, (Aug. 1871,) 82 persons have been received to the Church, 20 have been dismissed to unite with other Churches, one has been excom- municated and 16 of the membership have died. Joel Grover, M. D., was chosen Dea- con of the Church, Jan. 3d, 1868. Dea. G. H. Post, who had been Deacon of the Church for 22 years, was dismissed in March 1870, to unite with the Congregational Church in Laclede, Missouri. The Sabbath School Dow includes a large share of the Congregation, numbering in all about 150, with a large li- brary.
.
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WALLINGFORD.
The Catholics who live in or about Wal- lingford are few in number, viz .: between 30 and 40 families. They however deserve as much credit as any Congregation in the State, on account of their extraordinary liberality in contributing towards the erection of their Church. This building is made of stone, quarried near the village, and is one of the fin- est in the State for its size. It was built from drawings made by P. C. Kelley. the architect of the Church of West Rutland, St. Albans, East Rutland and the Cathedral of Burling- ton. The Catholics of Wallingford owe it to the energy of Rev. Chas. Boylan that they pos- sess such a fine building. It was blest on the 2d of Sept. 1866, under the title of St. Patrick. The Catholics of Wallingford are visited by Rev. T. W. Gaffney, who resides in East Dorset.
L. DE GOESBRIAND.
BP. OF BURLINGTON.
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SKETCH OF WALLINGFORD CENTENNIAL CEL EBBATION, HELD OCT. 16th, 1873.
BY REV. H. H. SAUNDERSON.
The Centennial of the settlement of Wal- lingford, held since the above history was written was a most interesting occasion and was participated in not only by the inhabitants of the township but by a very large concourse of people from other towns. The programme combined a fair of the Otter Creek Valley Association, for the purpose of exhibiting the progress of a century in agricultural and me- chanic arts in connection with the celebration of the historic events which have transpired since its settlement. The Fair was held on the 15th of October, 1873 and was followed by the Centennial the next day.
At 10 o'clock A. M., on the 15th, a proces- sion was formed on the common in front of the hotel which marched to Franklin Square under the conduct of the marshals and offi- cers, preceded by the East Wallingford Band, where being called to order by the President, Col. Dyer Townsend, a brief prayer was of- ered by Rev. H. H. Saunderson, when Rev. Aldace Walker, D. D., was introduced as the first speaker, who announced as his subject, " The changes of a Century," and delivered a brief, though most appropriate and inter- esting address which was well received by the large numbers assembled.
After the address of Mr. Walker, Mr. Jo- seph Haskins, an aged veteran of ninety-four, who was born in Hollis, N. H., but who had resided in East Wallingford for many years, was invited upon the platform and sung an old masonic song entitled " King Solomon " with wonderful force and vigor. The au- dience cheered him enthusiastically ; after which the President announced that the arti- cles in " Floral and Centennial Halls " were open for exhibition, and the remainder of the forenoon was spent in examination of the rare and beautiful collections which the ladies and citizens had brought together.
During the intermission many hearts were saddened by the intelligence that just after leaving the platform and before reaching his place of entertainment the venerable Mr. Haskins had died very suddenly, as he had sat down to rest himself near the side walk on the way.
At two o'clock in the afternoon an eloquent address on " The Progress of Agriculture," -
was delivered by Rev. Edwin M. Haynes ; which was followed by an address by Joel C. Baker, Esq., of Rutland, on "The life and public services of Matthew Lyon," who for a time had been a citizen of Wallingford.
The evening was passed in pleasant sea- sons of social communion and in listening to a very fine out of door concert by the East Wallingford Band.
The following account of the second day's proceedings is from the Rutland Daily Globe.
The second day of the annual fair and one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Wallingford was a splendid success, and did credit to all who participated therein. A fine day like the preceding, as far as the weather was concerned, and a large addition to the numbers in attendance, was the happy result. It was estimated by some that no less than five thousand people were on the ground dur- ing the day. The exercises were of a highly interesting nature, and were conducted in the best manner possible. We have never seen a large gathering of the kind where everything seemed to be so quiet and orderly in management and in the general behavior of the crowd as was the case in Wallingford during the two days just past. Not a person was intoxicated, no fights nor rows of any sort occurred to mar the general enjoyment of the affair, and a fine company of people male up the crowd upon each day. The people of Wallingford are therefore to be congratuiat- ed upon this fact, most heartily, and also that this third annual fair has been the most suc- cessful of any that has yet been given by them. Those who opposed its inception at the outset cannot fail to acknowledge this and admit that there is abundant enterprise in town for an affair that does honor to its managers and originators.
THE PROCESSION.
At ten o'clock a procession was formed in front of the Wallingford Hotel in the follow- ing order :
Marshals of the Day. East Wallingford Cornet Band. St. Patrick's Hibernian Benevolent Society. R. A. J'8. Citizens on Foot. Citizens in Carriages.
This provession was decidedly interesting and comprised about fifty carriages. The R. A. J's lent much amusement to the large
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crowd that had assembled to witness the pro- cession, by their laughable and grotesque dress and general make-up. The boys per- formed their parts well and were heartily appreciated. An old fashioned vehicle drawn by an antediluvian horse was made the re- ceptacle of the burlesque representatives of the Rutland papers, who were dressed in a decidedly new reportorial outfit, which cre- ated much merriment.
On arriving at the grounds the assembled multitude was called to order by the presi- dent, who called upon Rev. Aldace Walker, D. D., of Wallingford, to offer
PRAYER.
Almighty Father, we thank Thee that we are permitted to assemble here to-day under so favorable au -pices and on this interesting occasion ; that we are permitted in this pleas ing manner to commemorate the anniversary of our beloved town. We bless Thee that Thou hast cared for us as a town during all these hundred years; that Thou cared for those who dwelt in ancient times upon these hillsides and in these valleys. We thank Thee that those men were fitted so well for the work assigned them; for what they did for social, religious and educational interests here; that they established law and order throughout the state; and as our attention is called to day to the deeds of those men, may Thy good spirit guide those who may speak and those who may listen to them. And as we honor those who founded our institutions, our praises will ever be given to Thee Amen.
The President then introduced the Rev. H. H. Saun lerson of Charlestown, N. H., who delivered the historical address.
This address, which comprised the principal facts which have been given already in the history. occupied about an hour and a half in its delivery and closed with the following ap- propriate tribute to the people of Walling- ford.
" Wallingford is a true Vermont town in this, that it has always been on the side of liberty. The period of its settlement was one in which the elements were surcharged with conten- tion. It was just preceding the war of the revolution. And it was one in which the 1.berties of Vermont (not Vermont then, but the New Hampshire grants) as well as those of the nation, were at stake. Its territory was claimed by the two rival states, New York and
New-Hampshire, with neither of which the in- habitants were willing to consort. But the patriots of the Green mountains were equal to the situation and though, during the period of strife ante-dating their existence as a state, they were in many narrow and stormy straits, yet the star that never sets at last beamed out for them with a serene yet refulgent light. You are familiar with the names of the champions of human rights and civil lib- erty who brought this about. The names of Chittenden and of Allen and Warner are to you as household words. And with these inen in spirit were the Jacksons and Iveses and Bradleys, and generally the early settlers of our town. They were all men, to use the ex- pression of Mrs. Benjamin Bradley, " who were for God, for liberty, and the independence of the New-Hampshire grants." And the spirit of these early settlers, exhibited in their three-fold contest, is the spirit which the peo- ple have ever continued to manifest ; it is the spirit which burns now in the bosoms of their descendants. I have no time to go over all our past history and show what Wallingford has always been in this regard, but I wish to speak, at the close of this address, of events which we all remember, and which, I trust, we never shall forget, which transpired in the great contest through which we as a na- tion have but recently passed.
When it became evident that there must be war, in defence of our government, the position of Wallingford was not for & moment doubtful. To the call that went forth for de- fenders of the nation, she gave a most hearty response. She gave not of her poorest but her best. She sent forth the noblest of her young men, for they would go. And thank God there was no hand interposed to keep them back; that those bound to them even by the closest ties were ready to let them go ; that with love of country, mounting above every other feeling, fathers and mothers gave up their sons to whatever God might have in store for thein in the terrible conflicts. (! they were noble boys, and a noble example have they left. We will not, and the gener- ations to come must not, forget them. Some of them returned, and we thank heaven for their spared lives, and we trust that it is the prayer of all that they may long live to en- joy the privileges and blessings their hands have helped to win.
Others came not back, but were among the
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" Brave who sunk to rest
With all their country's wishes blest."
But there are living compatriots who will speak of them and do them the justice that my poor tongue would in vain essay.
And now Mr. President and fellow citizens I must bring these remarks to a close; and in doing so I will say that the day is afar off when there will be another gathering of this kind. We shall not see it; and the names of few of us may on that occasion be on human lips. But let us not regret this for it is the common lot. It is the ordina- tion of heaven, and there is doubtless wisdom in it, that oblivion shall throw its veil over the names of the largest number, and yet all that has been valuable in their lives may still live. They are not, therefore, lost, but if they have been right will continue to bless succeeeding generations. You remember the lines of the poet : .
Need I be missed if another succeed me,
Reaping the fields which in spring I have sown ; Who plowed or sowed is not missed by the harvester, But he's remembered by what he has done.
Let us store up this lesson. Our names may perish so that they may be no more heard, but in our influences we shall not die. Let us then be sure to have them such as that they will bless those who shall come after us, so that in the return of another cen- tury though our names may not be heard here we may still be represented in the good we have done."
The address of Mr. Saunderson closed the forenoon's proceedings.
The exercise of the afternoon was an ad- dress by Henry Clark of Rutland, who spoke upon the " Batcheller Manufactures," after which Hon. D. E. Nicholson of Rutland, addressed the A-sembly, followed by Henry Hall of Rutland, who spoke upon the Lydi- us titles.
Rev. Dr. Walker then made a few remarks relative to the absence of his son, Col. A. F. Walker of Rutland, who had been announced to speak but had excused himself upon the plea that the time would be sufficiently tak- en up by others, and important business needed his attention at Rutland. Dr. Walk- er then read the following interesting letter from Hon. Daniel Roberts of Burlington, excusing himself from being present :
BURLINGTON, OCT. 14, 1873.
Rev. Aldace Walker:
MY DEAR SIR-I have hoped until the last, that I might be able to be present, with my old neighbors and townsmen, to join in celebrating the hundredth year of the histo- ry of Wallingford, my birth place, but now find it quite impracticable to do so. My memory reaches back over more than half that period, and links my life in association with the men who first let the sunlight into the forests of that goodly town; but who, long since, have rested from their labors. And of the boys of my boyhood-how many have gone to sleep in the quiet churchyard, the "God's acre" of the village plot; how many have been scattered like winged flow- er-seeds to take root and grow and ripen in far distant longitudes ; while of the few that are left, and who will join in your festival greetings, you will see men hoary-headed or bald with age, but, I trust, not sad and heavy hearted, nor overburdened with cares or griefs, and, least of all, with blameful ills. May the good Lord be very good to all these friends of my early days, and help you all to keep in the ways of quietness and peace, and of a good conscience.
Wishing you all a merry time and a good time, I send you all kindly greetings, and, in memory of "Auld Lang Syne," am
Yours, very truly, DANIEL ROBERTS.
Dr. Walker than gave, as an addition to the church history given by Mr. Saunderson, an interesting account of the building and or- ganizing of the Catholic church in that time by the Irish residents, speaking in terms of commendation for the enterprise shown by- these citizens in religious matters and their. general thrift as farmers.
Maj. N. P. Rounds, marshal of the fair, was then called forward and said, words could not express the feelings of his heart at the close of this successful exhibition. He would merely thank those who had attended and encouraged the fair and wish them a safe return to their homes, " and," said the Major, " may a million come after you."
This closed the exercises of the day.
The satisfaction of the people of Walling- ford with the results of the Centennial may be inferred from the following from The Rutt land Daily Globe, of Oct. 18th, 1873.
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Every one is congratulating every other one on the splendid success of the centennial celebration and the fair. There were no acci- dents and nothing to mar the pleasantness of the occasion. The order maintained on the ground as well as the financial results are in a large measure due to the quiet and unos- tentatious, yet persevering work of one man whose name has not been mentioned in this connection. That is Joseph Randall, the general superinten lent of the grounds. He has devoted his time and labored earnestly to have everything taken care of, and now rejoices that all is done, every bill paid, and over 4,000 feet of boards paid for and safely housed for the next centennial and the next fair.
DANIEL ROBERTS. Born at Wallingford, Vt., May 25th, 1811. Graduated at Middle- bury College 1829. Studied law with Hon. Harvey Button at Wallingford, and was ad- mitted to the bar in Rutland Co., at Sept. Term, 1832. Went West, and practised law for a time at Jacksonville Ill., with Murray Mc Connell.
Returned to Vermont in 1835, and in the Spring of 1836 settled in Manchester Vt., tak- ing the office of the Hon. Milo L. Bennett, and there remained in practice until the Fall of 1855, when he formed a partnership with Hon. L. E. Chittenden at Burlington Vt., and in the Spring of 1856 moved his family to Burlington, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession. Was elect- ed Bank Commissioner in 1863 and held the office two years. Special agent of the U. S. Treasury department in 1865. States Attor- ney of Chittenden County in 1868-9. Was married to Caroline D. Martindale, daughter of Rev. Stephen Martindale of Wallingford, July 16th, 1837-has two daughters and two sons. His father, Daniel Roberts, was born at Watertown Conn., May 26th, 1773; Emi- grated to Wallingford; was by trade a clothier ; died in Manchester, Aug. 25th, 1852 and there buried. His mother, Almira (Bish- op) Roberts was born at Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 4th, 1781 ; died June 25th, 1865. His grandfather, Ephraim Roberts, a soldier of the Revolution, died about 1775. His pa- ternal grandmother was Phebe Clark, of a Connecticut family, (1876).
ALMA BALLOU,
Born at Wallingford, July 9th, 1825 ; died of
consumption, Feb. 8th, 1848. She left sert. al poetical Mss. from which we select .
MY OWN GREEN MOUNTAIN HOME.
They tell me of the sunny South, Its fruits and fragrant flowers,
And they laud its soft and balmy air, And its ever verdant bowers, And they bid me seek its genial clime, And mid its beauties roam ;
But the dearest spot on earth to me, Is my Green Mountain Home.
But oft they speak of a country fair, Where sin is all unknown, Where never a tear of sorrow falls, And death can never come ; Then fare thee well my native land, And the dear ones whom I love, I leave with joy my mountain home, For that bright land above.
SUNLIGHT ON THE MOUNTAINS.
INSCRIBED TO THE LOVED ONES OF MY NATIVE STATE BY SUSAN S. BUTTON.
Sunlight's on the mountains, shadow in the rale, And the gushing fountains trill a joyous tale- Rivers on ward rolling o'er a stony bed, Time's swift minutes tolling, toll as for the dead. Hark ! the birds are singing, " Farewell to the day !" Sweetest echoes ringing, answer every lay ; While the streamlets flowing, fading leaves enfold. Where the elms are growing, ivy twined and old.
O'er the rocks are hanging swaying bush and vine. Mowers' scythes are clanging, grassy blades entwine. For they're swift descending for a wintry store, And the farmer tending, turns them o'er and o'er.
Autumn's hues are blended with the evergreen Which the young leaves tended, in their glittering sheen,
While again the mountains, tinged with glorious light,
Echo forth the fountain's tread from every hight.
Oh my soul is dreaming of my childhood's days, When the sunlight gleaming, its lingering rays, Watched upon the mountain, gazing with delight, Listening to the fountain, musical and bright.
The glorious mountain ! how I love it, Ah! who Italian skies would covet,
While gazing on the sunlit mountain, And listening to the gushing fountain, And streams from lofty hills descending Enchanting with their wondrons singing, Entrancing with the joyons ringing Of their sweet varying song unending.
Around my heart fond memories linger, For here the impress of God's finger, With chihlish eyes I viewed with wonder; Here saw the lightning, heard the thunder, Which peal on peal sublime resonnded O'er hight, which the sweet vale surrounded, Where first I learned to love the glory, And love the grandeur which in story No tongne may e'er relate, nor limuer On " glowing ranvas " paint the glimmer Of glad Antora's faintest setting, Sweet meditation oft begeting.
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CHRIST'S BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
BY SUSAN 3. BUTTON.
List! It is finished, the Redeemer cries ! Yea, rulers, kings and priests, have power no more To injure Him who died to save a world. No more can cruel mockeries grieve Ilis soul- Ilis head is bowed-He sleeps the sleep of death ! Yes! it is finished. Christ the Lord is slain ; And weeping friends and wondering enemies Gaze yet with awe npon that thorn-crowned brow: But Joseph comes-to Pilate comes, to beg A dear and loving Saviour's mangled corpse, And carefully 'tis borne by kindest friends From that dread place of agony away, A train of weepers, who with grief sincere, Surround the Lord, the last kind offices To pay, must haste, for night is drawing near : The thorny crown they take from His torn brow- The Mary unto whom was mnuch forgiven- Who therefore loved Him much, perchance from off Ilis swollen hands and feet the bloody drops Doth wipe, and bathes them yet once more with tears; Then with a lingering clasp she holds His hands, And gazes on His wounds all mournfully, Scarce dreaming with new life He soon will rise- To glory rise.
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