The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 105

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > Vermont > Washington County > The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer: > Part 105

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The Methodist Society, first Sabbath in each month except February and March ; the Restorationist Society, the third Sab- bath in each month and fifth in August ; the Congregational Society, fourth Sab- bath in each month except March and August ; the remainder to the Free Will Baptist Society.

Josiah B. Strong, Oliver Averill, Na- thaniel Jones, Joel Winch, committee.

This first house built in Northfield for religious worship was of humble preten- sions, painted yellow, and there being no steeple or cupola upon it, it resembled a barn very much, and hence became a bye- word, and was called by the irreligious "God's yellow barn." In process of time other churches, more expensive and de-

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sirable, were built in town, and this plain but comfortable old-fashioned meeting- house was sold to the Catholics, and placed upon the land in the Depot village given them by Gov. Paine, where with some new improvements it made a respect- able appearance.

[ Whereupon some Catholic wag of the day wrote :]

AN IMPROMPTU : "GOD'S YELLOW BARN."

It had the hue of gold in Its color in the earlier day, And it was named in rather of an irreligious way; The wicked Protestant boys called it a house for cattle, That is, called it barn 1 what a barn 's for certain- naughty tattle !

And God's ! who did al length, it seems, vindicate bis claim-

So it had a regeneration and bears, at last, a Catholle name.

Ah! little did he know who painted it- that odd fellow, It had the teint of the Pope, Pat,-the Pope's flag is yellow,

Was it prophetic ? the Puritan's brush made it gold- enly so ;

That beautiful, radiant, peerless color of the sun t Instead of some dull and clod-like, and pitiful dun; Only He who sees the " beginning and end may know;" He did know; but it "looks respectable " now, says Gregory, John;

Removed from "ye old grounds," "some new im- provements made upon."

[" The little old yellow meeting-house," that was, soon however, was burned-by lightning, whereupon the joke seemed to return upon the author of the impromptu- who it seems took it silently. See Catho- lic record, later.]

METHODISM IN NORTHFIELD.

BY REV. A. C. STEVENS.

Northfield was first settled on East Hill in 1785, by Amos and Ezekiel Robinson and Stanton Richardson. One of these, at least, Stanton Richardson, belonged to the Methodist church. It was not how- ever till some few years later that the first Methodist class was formed. The first class-leader was William Keyes. The names of those who were members of this class, as near as can now be ascertained, were -- William Keyes, leader, Stanton Richardson, Elijah Smith, Joseph Nich- ols, and their wives.

The first Methodist preacher formally appointed to Vermont was Nicholas Sne- then, in 1796, to what was then known as Vershire Circuit. It is probable, how-

ever, that the Methodist itinerant had be- fore this date preached the word of life within the bounds of this State. The General Conference of 1800 placed the whole of Vermont, New Hampshire, Can- ada, much of Connecticut, and all of New York east of the Hudson, in the New York Conference. This large territory was divided into districts. Pittsfield Dis- trict embraced New York city, the whole of Long Island, extended northward, em- bracing Vermont, and stretching far into Canada. It was, however, not till about 1804 that regular Methodist preaching was sustained in Northfield, when the Barre circuit was formed, embracing some dozen towns, of which Northfield was one. The first regular Methodist preachers in the the town were Elijah Hedding and Dan Young ; but little is recorded of the latter ; One, however, who remembers him, speaks of him as " tall and slim in person, full of zeal for the Master, much like Stonewall Jackson in appearance." The other, Eli- jah Hedding, became afterwards well known as one of the bishops of the M. E. Church. The preaching service was held in the barns and log-houses of the people. The preachers would come around once in two or four weeks, as the extent of the circuit would admit. It was not till 1820, the first meeting-house was erected in town, a " Union Church," built at the Center village-"the old Yellow Meeting- house." The Methodists had the privi- lege of occupying it a part of the time. The names of but few of the preachers to 1820 can now be recalled by the older in- habitants of the town.

Soon after Hedding and Young left the circuit, Eleazer Wells and Warren Bannes- ter were preaching to the scattered flock in demonstration of the Spirit and with pow- er. Elder Beals and the eccentric and stir- ring Joel Winch were preachers of that early day. Elder Branch, David Kilborn and Elder Streeter, Rev. Mr. Southerland, also, a good preacher from or near Boston, came up into the wilderness to seek the lost sheep. The Union church was com- pleted in 1820. About this time, Elder J. F. Adams was on the circuit. Under

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his labors there was a sweeping revival, -whole families were converted.

From 1820 to 1830, the preachers on the circuit, as far as now can be ascertained, were : 1823, Wilder Mack and Elder Ma- hew ; 1824-5, John Lord and David Les- ley. Lesley was a massive built man, height some 6 feet, 4 inches,-A man of faith and zeal. Horace Spaulding also preached here before 1830.

In 1827, C. D. Cahoon and Chester Levings were on the circuit. Then follow- ed William McCoy, C. R. Harding and Eleazer Jordan. Most of these devoted men have gone home. 1830-40, John Nason and F. T. Dailey traveled the circuit. John Nason is spoken of as a "powerful man, burning with zeal, who had warm friends and bitter enemies." Under his labors another revival swept over North- field. About this time, the name of Elisha J. Scott appears as one of the ministers on the circuit, a young man of earnestness and piety, and this being his first appoint- ment. The names of Haynes Johnson, then a young man, Washington Wilcox, Ariel Fay, a great worker, Moses Sander- son, J. A. Scarritt and Samuel Richardson appear among those stationed here: and Elder Cowen, and about 1835, John Smith, more widely known as "Happy John," then a young man, preached on the circuit. Few who have seen or heard "Happy John" will ever forget him. He was a man of medium height, compactly built, with a bright eye, and a voice as clear and ringing as a trumpet. At camp meetings he was in his element. He was not a great preacher, but frequently one of the most powerful men in prayer and ex- hortation that Vermont Methodism has known.

In this decade Northfield is put down in the Minutes as a station by itself, able to support a minister all the time-with a membership between 300 and 400.

1840-50: From 1820 to 1842, the Meth- odist church in Northfield worshipped in the " Union meeting-house," or in private houses. In 1842, Gov. Paine, who had built a church at the " Depot Village " for the accommodation of the workmen in his

factory, gave the Methodists the privilege of occupying this house as their place of worship. A. T. Bullard, one of the fath- ers in the Vermont Conference, was the stationed preacher that year. During the decade the following ministers were sta- tioned at Northfield : A. T. Bullard, John Currier, J. H. Patterson, A. Webster, A. G. Button, John G. Dow. The most of these men are now living. They have done noble service, and their names will be inseparably connected with the history of Vermont Methodism.

1850-60 : At the beginning of this dec- ade H. P. Cushing was stationed at North- field. During his pastorate the " Paine meeting-house " became too small to ac- commodate the worshippers, and was en- larged. W. J. Kidder succeeded Mr. Cushing. The sudden death of Governor Paine occurred in 1853. His church was thrown into the market and sold at public auction, and bought by the Congregational Society, and the Methodist Society lost their place of worship. But their courage was equal to the demands of the hour. Cheered and led on in the work by their earnest and wide-awake pastor, W. J. Kidder, the foundation of a new church was laid on Main street, during the month of May, 1854; and dedicated to the wor- ship of Almighty God in December of the same year. The ministers who followed Mr. Kidder to 1860, were E. A. Rice, W. D. Malcom and I. McAnn.

1860-70: The pastors of the church during this decade were A. L. Cooper, J. A. Sherburn, S. H. Colburn, J. Gill, and R. Morgan. During Mr. Morgan's pasto- rate the church was enlarged and beauti- fied, rendering it now one of the best churches in the Vermont Conference.

The next decade (1870) opens with the pastorate of A. C. Stevens, the present pastor of the church. During the entire history of the M. E. Church in Northfield a revival spirit has prevailed among both pastors and members. It has now a mem- bership of between 200 and 300, a church valued at $12,000, a parsonage valued at $2,000.

The officers of the church now are : Pas-

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tor, Rev. A. C. Stevens ; class-leaders, S. V. Richmond, Hosea Clark, John Wil- ley, Eli Latham, Hugh S. Thresher.

METHODIST RECORD, 1870-1878.

BY REV. W. J. KIDDER.

A. C. Stevens, pastor 1870-71-72; W. R. Puffer, 1873; W. D. Malcom, 1874; A. B. Truax, 1875-76-77; O. M. Bout- well, 1878.

For many years there has been a flourish- ing Sunday-school connected with the church. H. R. Brown is superintendent, with 23 officers and teachers, 200 schol- ars, and 300 vols. in the library. The present membership of the church is : Pro- bationers, 24; in full membership, 320; total, 344.

Several ministers have been raised up here, prominent among whom was Paul C. Richmond, many years a member of the Maine Conference, who, after a long and successful ministry, a few years since crossed the dark river, and went triumph- antly to his reward ; and others are still in the field gathering sheaves for their Master in the Vermont, New England and Provi- dence Conferences. In the year 1870 a perpetual lease of a piece of ground was secured for camp-meetings, and by an act of the Legislature, the Central Vermont Camp-Meeting Association was incorpo- rated, with power to hold all the property necessary for the purpose of holding camp- meetings, or any other meetings of a re- ligious character, Sunday-schools, picnics, or temperance meetings, and all such prop- erty to the amount of $10,000 is to be frce from taxation. This ground has been fitted up at an expense of some $2,000. Several cottages have been erecte 1 thereon by the different societies of the Montpelier district, and by private individuals as family residences, and camp-meetings have been held on the ground annually, we think with good success.

H. W. Worthen was pastor in 1879, 80, 81. In 1879, the members residing in Roxbury were organized into a Society, and their connection with the Northfield church ceased.

The present membership of the church

is as follows: probationers, 42: in full membership, 185 ; total, 227.

Northfield, Jan. 19, 1882.

UNIVERSALISM IN NORTHFIELD). FROM REV. JOHN GREGORY'S BOOK.

At an early day many prominent men manifested a desire to have Universalist meetings in town, and consequently an occasional meeting was held, as a preacher of that faith came along and desired to ad- dress the people. School-houses, private houses, barns and groves were used by the. early pioneers. of Universalism, the friends feeling it a blessed privilege to oc- cupy such humble places, where they could listen to the preached words. Tim- othy Bigelow was the first man we have any account of addressing the citizens of Northfield, on the subject of Universal- ism. We learn by the town records that he was ordained in Barnard, Sept. 21, 1809, by the Universalist Convention, Thomas Barnes being moderator, and Hosea Ballou, clerk. He commenced preaching in Northfield about that time, and there are those now living who re- member him.

No record has been preserved of the Universalist preachers who labored in this section up to 1821, when the union meeting-house was built in the Center vil- lage, and the members of that order, by contributing to its erection, claimed as large, if not the largest portion of it for holding their public ministrations. We learn that Father Palmer, who had for- merly been connected with the Christian denomination, became a believer in "the restitution of all things," and preached with great unction and power in different parts of this town. Father Farwell, of Barre, a devout man, preached as oppor- tunity presented in Northfield and vicinity, and had great success in making pros- elytes to that faith. On dwelling on the love of God, he would frequently be so carried away with his feelings that he would cry and laugh at the same time, and men and women of other names were led to admit that he was honest in his feelings ; that he believed his doctrine was the power of God unto salvation.

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The Universalist church in the Center village was built in the summer of 1841, Jesse Averill. Harvey Tilden and Joel Parker being the building committee. Fathers Streeter, Palmer, Sampson, E. Ballou, A. Scott, and other Universalist clergymen took part in the dedicatory services. For a time it was quite a sub- stantial building, and although up to this day a majority of the pews are held by this order, others of weaker means are al- lowed to use it for funeral occasions, and occasionally on the Sabbath, without charge. But time, the great leveller, has written decay upon its walls, and soon it will be numbered with the things that were.

Rev. L. H. Tabor was the first preacher employed after this house was built, and he labored here but half the time, being engaged the other half at Plainfield. Rev. Alanson Scott followed him in 1843, and was the first clergyman of that order who resided here. Rev. R. S. Sanborn succeed- ed him, preaching a short time, and since him other preachers supplied the desk one- half or one quarter of the time, until the new church was built at the Depot village, when the old one was abandoned entirely by those who built it.

Among the prominent Universalists who contributed liberally to the erection of one or both churches at the Center village, were Amos Robinson, Jesse and Oliver Averill, Lebbeus Bennett. Elijah Burn- ham, Isaac P. Jenks, John West, John Starkweather, Heman Carpenter, Roswell Carpenter, Judge Robinson, David R. Til- den, Thomas S. Mayo, Samuel Fisk, Sid- ney Hatch, Moses Robinson, Sherman Gold, Harvey Tilden, I. W. Brown, Lewis Hassam, Volney H. Averill, Joel Parker, Elijah Pride, William Wales, Mrs. Hurl- burt, and others.

to locate said church on the H. M. Bates lot, north of the common, and H. Tenney, T. A. Miles, J. C. Gault, Sherman Gold and John Gregory were appointed a build- ing committee. The church was com- pleted the following summer, dedicated to God in the usual form December, 1859, and Rev. O. H. Tillotson selected as pas- tor, and commenced his labors the first Sunday in January, 1860, at a salary of $1,000 per year. The society prospered under his ministration, for he was well liked, honoring his profession as he did by a well-ordered life. He died in Northfield in 1863, aged 47 years, lamented by a large parish, leaving a wife and one son. Of him it might have been said : "A good man has fallen."

His remains were interred in our beau- tiful Elmwood, and many a tear has fallen upon his grave, at the recollection of his manly bearing and Christian usefulness.

Rev. Eli Ballou supplied the pulpit un- til the Rev. C. W. Emerson was settled as pastor, who labored with them 3 years. Then followed the Rev. Stacy Haines Mat- lack, an excellent young brother, who, in feeble health, preached to the society near- ly one year, but was compelled to resign his pasturate, and died at the home of his parents, in Eaton, O., Apr. 15, 1870, age 30 years. He was a graduate of St. Law- rence University at Canton, N. Y., of the class of '71, and Northfield was his first charge.

The Rev. R. A. Green followed Mr. Matlack, remaining 5 years. Since then the hard times and the removal of many friends, have greatly embarrassed the so- ciety. Rev. W. M. Kimmell, of Ohio, commenced his labors as pastor the first Sunday in May, 1878.

FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.

This denomination had quite a good so- ciety in 1823, so that they drew more pub- lic money than the Methodists that year. But schism got in among them, they died out, and have no longer a name to live in Northfield. Elder Nathaniel King was their prominent preacher.

After repeated efforts to get a vote to build a new church in the Depot village, for the railroad was drawing business, the post-office and a majority of the citizens to that place, a vote was passed to take measures to purchase the land and proceed with the building. In November, 1858, Sylvanus, son of Col. Ezekiel Robinson, at a society meeting, 51 votes were cast was ordained as a Baptist Elder, by the

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laying on of hands, by Elders James Mor- gan, George Hackett, and Ziba Pope, Feb. 27, 1821, and preached here and else- where as opportunity presented.

James Morgan was ordained as a Bap- tist Elder, June, 1822, by Elders Daniel Batchelder and Thomas Moxley, and preached considerable in Northfield .. Ma- ny years have passed since the Baptists gave up their organization, and the writer has not been able to find one of that order that can give him a history of the rise and decline of this once prominent society. Deacon Nathaniel Jones was its principal lay member, and his zealous advocacy of Millerism not only tended to break up the Baptist society, but injured him in point of property. JOHN GREGORY.

REV. NATHANIEL KING.

From an obituary by Elder Henderson, who preached his funeral sermon :

Died in Northfield, Oct. 18, 1852, Elder Nathaniel King, aged 85₺ years. He was born in Hampstead, N. H .; at 8 years, his father removed to Sutton, N. H., where he resided until 21 years of age. At 22, he visited Tunbridge, Vt., which was new and but sparsely settled, purchas- ed a tract of land and commenced making improvements. In 1794 he married Miss Lydia Noyce, which relation was sustain- ed with honor and fidelity 58 years. He was permitted to see an interesting family gathered around him. In 1799, he indulg- ed a hope in Christ, and in 1802, was pub- licly consecrated to the work of the gos- pel ministry. His ministerial labors will live in grateful remembrance while his re- mains moulder in the dust. He felt deep- ly interested for the heathen in his blind- ness, the slave in his chains, and the poor around him.

He contributed $100 for the endowment of the Free Will Baptist Biblical School at Whitestown, N. Y., $150 for the Bible cause, $350 for the Mission cause, and other benevolent enterprises shared in his liberal contributions.

Of his useful life, 42 years were spent in Tunbridge and Randolph, and 14 years in Northfield. In each of these towns he se- cured the confidence and esteem of his | brought to Northfield, and laid by the side

townsmen, and as a token of their esteem and confidence he was appointed to offi- ces of trust, and for 13 years represented the town of Tunbridge in the Legislature.

Elder King, as a husband and parent, was kind and affectionate ; as a citizen, upright and patriotic ; as a Christian, hum- ble, faithful and consistent ; as a minister, in his public ministrations plain, direct and fearless,-in labors untiring, and suc- cessful. He was long spared to bless the church and the world.

His sickness was protracted and dis- tressing ; but he repeatedly assured his friends that the doctrine he had preached for more than half a century sustained him in the time of trial. His end was calm and triumphant. In his removal, one of the strong men and faithful watchmen of Zion has fallen. M. C. HENDERSON. East Randolph, Oct. 25, 1852.

OBITUARY OF MRS. NATHANIEL KING.

Lydia, widow of the late Rev. Nathan- iel King, died in Middlesex, Feb. 5, aged 90 years, 6 months. She was born in Bow, N. H., and when quite young, re- moved to Tunbridge, Vt., where she re- sided many years. In 1794, she married the man whose relation was enjoyed for 58 years. She indulged a hope in Christ in in 1799, and soon after received baptism and united with the F. Baptist church in Tunbridge. During the 50 years' minis- try of her husband, she ever encouraged him in his work, and enjoyed the satisfac- tion of having contributed much to the cause of Christ. Her interest was identi- fied with the denomination for 70 years, and in advanced age, her attachment was not allowed to decline.

A family of 5 sons and 8 daughters gathered around her. Nine remain to mourn her departure, and cherish her memory. She lived to see a numerous posterity extending to the fourth genera- tion. Her last 10 years were pleasantly passed in the family of Stephen Herrick, Esq., (Mrs. H. a daughter,) where she received the kindest attention. On the Ioth, funeral services were conducted by the writer, after which her remains were

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of those of her husband. The occasion was solemn and interesting.

M. C. HENDERSON.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

had something of a following in 1823, but was the smallest of all, as we learn by the amount of public money they drew. Af- ter the yellow meeting house was removed from the Center, they ceased holding meetings, and became extinct as a rell- gious society. Efforts have been made to find some one that would give a brief ac- count of this order in Northfield, but in vain. J. G.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN NORTHFIELD). BY REV. WM. S. IIAZEN.

Most of the first settlers of Northfield were Universalists, and for a number of years that was the prevailing religious in- fluence in town. Then a Methodist church and a Free Will Baptist church were organ- ized ; and as the population of the town increased, a number of families were found who preferred the " Congregational Way."

Virgil Washburn, a devoted Christian, who came from Randolph, was especially active among them. Occasionally meet- ings were held in private houses or barns. Sometimes they had preaching by clergy- men from neighboring towns. The pro- fessing Christians among this company, after consultation as to how they could best promote their own spiritual interests and those of their friends, decided to form a church. The meeting was called and the church organized in " the little yellow meeting-house" at the Center Village. The first record of the church reads :

Northfield, May 27, 1822. This day was organized the first Congregational church of Christ in this town. Composed of the following persons, viz: Josiah B. Strong, Virgil Washburn, Moses R. Dole, Samuel Whitney, Thomas Whitney, Lucy Whit- ney, Clarissa Strong, Rizpah Whitney and Betsey Houghton, by professing their faith in Christ, and entering into covenant bonds with God and each other. They then pro- ceeded to choose Brother Josiah B. Strong Moderator, Brother Samuel Whitney clerk, and Dea. Virgil Washburn Deacon.

Attest, ELIJAH LYMAN. ¿ Ministers of AMMI NICHOLS, § the Gospel.

June 17, 1822, there is this record :

This day held a church meeting accord- ing to appointment. Voted to hold open communion with all regularly organized Christian churches.

The feelings of these nine Christian men and women as they stood up and entered into covenant with one another and the Lord, can be better imagined than de- scribed. It was a step on their part taken after much deliberation and prayer. They felt the importance of the movement, and the responsibility resting upon them indi- vidually. They were in earnest in seeking the honor and glory of God, and the spir- itual good of their friends and neighbors. To secure for themselves and children reli- gious privileges, they were willing to bear heavy burdens, to practice great self-denial. Thus this small company were organized into a church and ready for Christian work ; but their condition and prospects, humanly speaking, were not flattering ; they had no home. The only right they had in any house of worship, was in the small meet- ing-house in which the church was organ- ized. This they could occupy the fifth Sabbath of every month in which there were five Sabbaths. They had not the means with which to provide themselves a home. They were not able, even, to sup- port regular preaching ; occasionally they had preaching, and the ordinances were administered by the pastors of neighbor- ing churches : Revs. Elijah Lyman, Ammi Nichols, James Hobart, Salmon Hurlburt, E. B. Baxter, Joel Davis, Amariah Chan- dler, Henry Jones, A. C. Washburn, F. Reynolds and others; such was the distrust of their success, many whose sym- pathies were with Congregationalism stood aloof even during a very extensive revival about 1825 ; the converts who would nat- urally have united with this church, turned from it because they thought it would prove a failure. The first addition to the church was Sarah Shipman, Feb. 23, 1823. Dur- ing the first 10 years there were 19 admis- sions and 2 dismissions by letter. I have no record of deaths. If none, the church when 10 years old numbered only 26, These were years of struggling for very ex- istence. When the church had increased in

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 105

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066