USA > Vermont > Bennington County > Bennington > The one hundred year old meetinghouse of the church of Christ in Bennington, Vermont: being a record of the centennial of the same held in the meetinghouse, August the 19th and 20th, 1906 > Part 5
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Page 26, note I. Perhaps hastened or brought to a head by the exigencies of the battle; though there seem to have been burials on this site from an earlier date.
Page 26, note 2. Thompson's Vermont, Part Second, P. 103.
Page 26, note 3. Settled by commissioners appointed by both states in 1789. See Lossing's, Empire State, p. 319.
Page 26, note 4. Granted in 1791.
Page 28, note I. 1804.
Page 28, note 2. The full text of the advertisement is as follows : -
"Proposals will be received by the undersigned for the framing a meeting-house 70x 52 ft. with porch, cu- pola, and tower agreeable to a draft or plan to be at all seasonable hours exhibited to any person wishing to give their proposals. Said proposals must include the necessary superintendence of the master-workman and his assistants in putting said frame up, complete fit for covering, to be done and performed by the 15th of June next.
" Also will be received proposals for the same time for doing and performing all and singular the covering and finishing within and without the said building, in- cluding the glazing, to be completed by the first day of January next.
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"Also will be received proposals for the time for per- forming the necessary mason work in the underpinning said house agreeable to a plan which will be exhibited as aforesaid.
"To be done and performed by the 15th day of June next.
"It is understood that all materials necessary for the erecting and finishing the said building will be delivered on the spot.
"MOSES ROBINSON, JR.,
" Agent for the Congregational Society in Bennington." See Vermont Gazette, February 14, 1804.
Page 29, note I. Crude methods of making cylindri- cal forms by turning are as old as the potter's wheel, but lathes adapted to such large work as turning these col- umns were unknown at this date in New England.
Page 29, note 2. This name is spelled as in Mr. Harwood's diary, though it is conjectured that he be- longed to the Fillmore family. There is a Nathaniel Fillmore on the church rolls who joined in 1773.
Page 30, note I. He united with this church in 1783.
Page 30, note 2. Excavations in the cellar of this church, several years since, for the purpose of installing the present furnaces, revealed some of the old founda- tion of Clio Hall, which had not been removed. The name is supposed to have been taken from Clio Hall in England, according to the taste of the times, which loved to reproduce names from the homeland.
Page 30, note 3. "The Meeting-house Devil," in
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Side Glimpses from the Colonial Meeting-House, by W. R. Bliss, chap. i.
Page 31, note I. See note 2 for p. 30, on p. 81.
Page 31, note 2. Eldad Dewey.
Fage 32, note I. Memorials of a Century, P. 339.
Page 36, note I. Referring to the two doors, one at the right of the pulpit entering the Sunday-school room at the rear of the church and the other at the left, placed there for architectural effect.
Page 37, note I. These doors were fastened with small wooden buttons on the inside.
Page 37, note 2. This statement has been questioned by some who remember otherwise; but since there is a conflict of recollection here, and this was a quite univer- sal custom, it is allowed to stand as written. See Alice Morse Earle's The Sabbath in Puritan New England, P. 37.
Page 39, note I. Memorials of a Century, p. 18. It is recalled that this window was later covered with red damask worsted curtains to correspond in color with the damask silk fittings of the desk.
Page 39, note 2. This distinction is unmistakably verified by the marks left by the young Yankees' pen- knives on the woodwork, which are wholly wanting on the women's side of the house.
Page 40, note I. Side Glimpses from the Colonial Meet- ing-House, p. 27.
Page 40, note 2. See page 164 of this book.
Page 40, note 3. Benjamin Harwood says in his diary under date of November 18, 1805: "I attended
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the vendue and bought pew No. 19 at seventy dol- lars." Showing also that the first method of sale was by auction.
Page 41, note I. Doubtless half of the value of the pew, the minister's share being free.
Page 41, note 2. See Mary Garvin, by John G. Whittier : -
"To the goodly house of worship, where in order due and fit,
As by public vote directed, classed and ranked the people sit;
" Mistress first, and goodwife after, clerkly squire before the clown,
From the brave coat, lace embroidered, to the gray frock, shading down."
To "dignify the meeting" was to make seats, though in different localities, of the same social value by vote, to keep peace in meeting. See The Sabbath in Puritan New England, chap. v.
Page 43, note I. See page 36 of this book, line 15.
Page 43, note 2. The Sabbath in Puritan New Eng- land, p. 208.
Page 44, note I. Deacon (1816-25) Jotham and Mrs. French.
Page 44, note 2. The following item from The Journal of the Times, William Lloyd Garrison's paper, published in Bennington, 1828-29, is in point here :-
"We have suffered for two or three Sabbaths exces- sively from the cold - and so have many others. Two
84 NOTES ON HISTORICAL DISCOURSE
stoves and no fire led us to conclude that the Irishman's plan had been adopted, who, on learning one stove saved half the wood, said he would buy two and save the whole. Provision, we are glad to learn, has been made for warming the meeting-house, and people may now attend worship without suffering from the cold."
Page 46, note I. This change is supposed to have taken place when the pews were exchanged for slips and consequently the location of the aisles at the sides changed.
Page 48, note I. Burned March 26, 1869. This was the third so destroyed. The other two stood on the hill about due east from the site of the monument. Although the second, burned October 28, 1846, was located a little south of the site of the first, which was burned May 17, 1809.
Page 48, note 2. In 1887.
Page 49, note I. December 4, 1805.
Page 49, note 2. In the first Constitution of Ver- mont, drawn up at Windsor in 1777, though never rati- fied by popular vote, the 3d Article of the Declaration of Rights declares, "That it is the inalienable right of every man to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience and understanding, regulated by the Word of God. And that no man ought, or of right can be compelled, to attend any religious worship, or erect or support any place of worship or maintain any minister, contrary to the dictates of his conscience." Thus Vermont was from the first opposed to compul- sory church attendance.
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Page 50, note I. Rev. Daniel Marsh was hired, by vote of the society, March 27, 1805. By vote of the same society he was re-hired the next year and a yearly salary of $450 voted to him. On May 12, 1806, there is a record of a movement to call an installing council, but no date of installation is given. He was dismissed by council April 25, 1820. See Town Records, Book 13.
Page 51, note I. This is said to have been composed by a Mr. Leavitt, who lived at the time in Troy, N. Y., and afterwards came here to reside. To Anthony Has- well is ascribed the credit of one or two of the odes sung at this dedication, while one of them was composed by Andrew Selden, but which one is not now known.
Page 51, note 2. See note 2 for p. 37, on p. 82.
Page 52, note I. Benjamin Harwood's diary. This diary, begun in 1805, runs through the years till 1810, when it was handed over to his son Hiram on his twenty-second birthday, and continued by him till 1836.
Page 53, note I. See Side Glimpses from the Colonial Meeting-House, p. 238.
Page 54, note I. "Laudes Domini."
Page 55, note I. Daniel and Mrs. Elizabeth Trum- bull Robinson.
Page 57, note I. It is interesting, in this connection, to note the slow development of the Sunday-school idea as a vital part of the church. It was some time before this school was brought to the church and held in the noon interim, and then, at first, only by sufferance. Its time was curtailed by the lengthening of the morning dis- course, until it required a vote of the church to the effect,
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that the afternoon bell shall not be rung until a full hour has elapsed since the close of the morning service. It required a formal vote of the society so late as August 8, 1834, to permit a Bible class to be formed, and then only "under the direction of pastor and officers" of the church. And in March 6, 1846, it was voted, "The sense of this church that it is the duty of the several members to engage personally and habitually in the exercises of the Sabbath-school." It may be mentioned here that the first anniversary of the Bennington Sunday School Society, the first in the state, was held in this church, June 1, 182I.
Page 57, note 2. The Rev. Absalom Peters, installed July 5, 1820; dismissed by council December 14, 1825.
Page 58, note I. The Rev. Daniel A. Clark, installed June 13, 1826; dismissed by council October 12, 1830.
Page 59, note I. The Rev. Edward W. Hooker, D. D., installed February 21, 1832; dismissed by council May 14, 1844.
Page 59, note 2. The Rev. J. J. Abbott, installed April 26, 1845; dismissed by council August 17, 1847.
Page 59, note 3. The Rev. Richard C. Hand, in- stalled January 20, 1848; dismissed by council Novem- ber 26, 1852. Both Mr. Abbott and Mr. Hand were obliged to resign because of ill-health.
Page 59, note 4. The Rev. Isaac Jennings, installed June 1, 1853; deceased August 25, 1887.
Page 60, note I. The Rev. M. L. Severance, installed September 27, 1888; dismissed by council October 5, 1899.
Page 60, note 2. The Rev. Warren Morse, ordained
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and installed December 13, 1899; dismissed by council October 31, 1905.
Page 61, note I. Orsamus C. Merrill was the first, de- livering a patriotic address on the 4th of July, 1806.
Page 61, note 2. It may be mentioned in this connec- tion that Rev. Joseph Buckminster, S. T. D., whose grave is not far from that of Governor Tichenor, was buried from this church in June, 1812. He was a grad- uate, and had been a tutor at Yale for four years, a distinguished clergyman, as was also his father, who was pastor at Rutland, Mass., for fifty years. Dr. Buck- minster died at Readsboro, on his way from Ports- mouth, N. H., to Balston Springs for the benefit of his health.
The body of William Ellery Channing, of Boston, the well known philanthropist and Unitarian writer and preacher, who died here of tuberculosis October 2, 1842, at the tavern kept by James Hicks at that time, now the Walloomsac Inn, was taken from this church, where services had been held, to Boston for burial.
Page 62, note I. At first the bell rope came through the ceiling of the vestibule, just back of the south one of the middle front doors, and was rung from there.
Page 62, note 2. It is said that it was desired to have the bell heard every day for its sacred associations and reminders. But since six o'clock A. M. and P. M. and twelve o'clock noon were the hours at which bells on the prelatical churches in the mother country were rung, nine A. M. was chosen as a compromise.
Page 62, note 3. When Mrs. George Lyman's message,
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alluded to in the Preamble, was read, attention was called to the coincidence that here was a voice from the same house as the bell, - Governor Tichenor's, - whose tones were heard ere this was cast.
Page 63, note I. The First Baptist Church, organized April II, 1827.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, organized May, 1827.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, organized July 24, 1834.
The Hinsdillville Presbyterian Church, organized November 1, 1834.
The Second Congregational Church, organized April 26, 1836.
A Universalist Meeting-house was built in 1836.
Page 63, note 2. The brick building known as "The Academy" was erected in 1821, by subscription, on the top of the hill which has worn its name since. The title to it was vested in the names of the subscribers as Pro- prietors. The purpose was stated in the deed to be for an "Academy and a district school." Its first teacher was Weston Bela Adams, who had been a tutor in Dartmouth College. Some difference of opinion arising over the question of academic and common school branches, a division of the school was made in 1823. It was a boys' school exclusively at first, in the academic department. Here many men of note received their early impressions and college preparation in the old days. Rev. Absalom Peters was President of its Board of Trustees and it bore an intimate relation to this church. It was never incorporated under the state law, as were
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many of the other academies and seminaries of the state; nor had it any funds aside from tuition fees, which some thought rather high, and in the public press drew un- favorable comparison between it and some other acad- emies in the state; but its number of pupils, both day and boarding,- for there were both kinds among its attendants, - was large from the first.
In January, 1829, Mr. James Ballard was principal. Upon his claiming jurisdiction over the "amusements and holidays" of the pupils, a difference of opinion arose between him and the proprietors, who claimed that he had no right to dismiss from the school any one who with his parents' permission disobeyed this law. Mr. Ballard refused to vacate his stand in this matter and so resigned, and his place was taken by another. The pastor of the church at this time, Rev. Daniel A. Clark, and many of the members, took sides with Mr. Ballard in this dispute, and out of it grew a violent and bitter quarrel which divided the village and the church for several years.
The outcome was the erection, by Deacon Stephen Hinsdill, of another school known as the Bennington Seminary, with a boarding-house attached, - built by Hiram Waters, 1829-30, - which at once became a rival institution, and the struggle between the "Old Line" and "Pioneer," as the two were respectively known, became historic. The hard times of 1837 closed the Seminary, and soon after the Academy ceased to occupy the prominent place it had held. It was continued as a district school, however, until recent date, the upper
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room having been fitted over for the use of the church as a lecture room.
In 1897, by consent of the heirs of the original pro- prietors, there being no longer need for it as a district school, it came into the hands of the "Old Academy Library" association and is now applied to such use. One room, however, is still preserved for the use of the church for social meetings and has been put in at- tractive condition by Miss Mary R. Sanford as a me- morial to her parents. Mr. Daniel Robinson restored and strengthened the exterior about the same time.
Page 64, note I. The Washingtonian movement. On January 10, 1834, there is record of a motion to appoint a committee to circulate pledges to every member of the church, male and female.
Page 64, note 2. This was done under the provision of a state act passed October 6, 1798. Deacon Stephen Hinsdill, Dr. William Bigelow, and Pierpoint Isham were the committee appointed to draft the constitution.
It was in the same year, October 12, 1832, that it was voted by the church to hold its Communion season in the afternoon, instead of between the forenoon and afternoon service as heretofore, a step in the tendency, which was growing, to cut down rather than increase the number of services of the church. In the December meeting of the same year it was voted, "To recommend that each brother and sister contribute at our stated communion at least five cents. The avails, after paying expenses, to be appropriated to relieve the objects of charity in the church."
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Page 65, note I. This subject first received a favorable vote of the society at the annual meeting, October 16, 1835, though at a meeting of this church held August 16, 1833, a committee of six was appointed "to take into consideration the propriety of so altering the meeting- house as to furnish further accommodation for seating the congregation." At the same meeting, it is interesting to note that a committee of three, Dewey H. Robinson, Samuel S. Scott, and Caleb Strong Poole, be requested to give such attention as may be necessary to prevent disturbances in the galleries of our place of worship in the time of religious services.
Page 65, note 2. A motion is on record : "That the Trustees be directed to furnish blinds for the southwest window of the meeting-house." The painting of the windows is credited to the energy of Mrs. Katherine Beach Lyman, who paid for its accomplishing.
Page 66, note I. The first reference to this matter is a motion made at a meeting held September 13, 1837, that a committee of three be appointed to circulate a subscription to raise the sum of $137.50 for the purpose of engaging Mr. Sheldon Clark as a leader of our choir. The large hall of the old State Arms House, which was removed from Monument Park, was used for rehearsals. Some of the names of the singers of those days follow :
Isaac T. Robinson Amanda Robinson
John F. Robinson
Maria Harwood
Daniel Robinson Lemira Harwood
Edmund A. Robinson Emma Fassett
E. Dewey Robinson Maria Patchin
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Stephen Robinson
Harriet Robinson
Uel M. Robinson
Jane Eliza Robinson Esther Robinson
Aaron Robinson
Charles S. Robinson
Semantha Robinson
Caleb S. Poole
Anne Robinson
Aaron L. Hubbell
Ruth Robinson
Norman Edgerton
Mary Nims
Uel Hicks
Harriet Gilbut
Samuel S. Scott
Ruth Hunt
Samuel Fay
Sophia Hunt
John Fay
Olive Bigelow
Martin Norton
Loraine Bigelow
Samuel H. Brown
Catherine Doty
Mary Merrill
Adeline Maria Harwood
Alice Merrill
Emily Robinson
Mary Anne Walbridge Margaret Hicks
Only the maiden names of the lady singers are given.
Page 66, note 2. There is a resolution passed by the church on the 13th of December, 1839: "That the church approve of the performance of the choir of sacred music in the orchestra on the Sabbath."
Page 66, note 3. The first record of this is an ad- journment of a society meeting to meet at the Academy November 20, 1837.
Page 66, note 4. It is interesting to note a resolu- tion of the church passed June 14, 1839, and again reiterated and passed May 12, 1843, indicating that the church was in its own conception a "close corporation." The resolution is as follows: "That any person who may move into this town for the purpose of residing here
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and are members of Presbyterian and Congregational churches may commune with this church for (one year only) before joining, except by vote of the church."
Page 66, note 5. The hard times of 1837, which brought disaster to so many and closed Mr. Ballard's school, was also a factor in delaying the now more elaborate pro- jected changes.
Page 67, note I. There were difficulties involved in this : One of the square pews seems to have seated more than one of the new "slips," but not so many as two, so scrip was issued to each owner of an old square pew for so many sittings and fractions of sittings as he was entitled to, and the balance was held as public pro- perty of the church, subject to sale. Thus the former owners were seated as near as possible to their former seats. But others came in by purchase to a share in a slip, who had not formerly had rights in this vicinity. This led to some unfortunate mix-ups, which were finally adjusted by Mr. William Haswell, the clerk, buy- ing up many fractions of rights and uniting and re- apportioning them.
Page 70, note I. This was the year in which there was a quite general renovation of the building by repairs throughout from the foundation and piers in the cellar to the framework of the steeple. New sashes were put in the windows and a new slate roof on the house. The exterior was re-painted, and the interior re-decorated and re-furnished with carpets and cushions, at an entire cost of about three thousand dollars, one thousand of which was borne by the Ladies' Aid Society. The decoration
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work was in the hands of Thomas Bulkley of Albany. The following names were on the committee: Deacons H. Hopkins Harwood and Samuel S. Robinson, and Dr. Charles G. R. Jennings, who was secretary and treasurer, and gave much time to the work. The ladies of the committee were Mrs. Maria R. Sanford, Mrs. Jeannette H. Sibley, Mrs. Caroline R. Merrill, and Miss Mary L. Weeks.
Page 70, note 2. In the early days of the pews each was furnished according to the taste of the owner. Some are recalled as being seated with sofas, and carpeted, and others as having chairs, but the most uniform cus- tom was with seats built into the pew, as described in this discourse.
Page 73, note I. These services were conducted by Revs. James Davies and Joshua Spalding. On Decem- ber 13, 1804, the church issued a call to Mr. Spalding to become its pastor, but he did not accept.
Page 75, note I. Rev. Charles Seymour Robinson, D. D., LL. D.
Page 75, note 2. Rev. Hiram Bingham.
Page 75, note 3. Rev. James M. Haswell and his son James R. And to these names may be added those of William Harvey, Hollis Read and his wife, Caroline Hubbell, - the first child baptized in this church edi- fice, - Frederick Hicks, and others.
Page 75, note 4. Rev. Henry Smith, D. D., LL. D., long connected with Lane Theological Seminary, Rev. James H. Harwood, D. D., Rev. David N. Beach, D. D., and others.
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Page 75, note 5. See note I for p. 75, on p. 94.
Page 76, note I. The inception of this meeting is credited to Mrs. Marcy Leonard Robinson, the wife of the pioneer. It was held at her house, at least, at first. Memorials of a Century, p. 210.
REVEREND DANIEL MARSH'S DISCOURSE JANUARY, 1806
A DISCOURSE
DELIVERED AT THE
DEDICATION
OF THE NEW
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGHOUSE IN
BENNINGTON.
ON
THE FIRST OF JANUARY, A. D. 1806.
BY DANIEL MARSH, A. M.
Published by request of the Society.)
From the Press of ANTHONY HASWELL, at bis Book Printing Office, Bennington, 1806.
INTRODUCTION
[THIS day, we are jenjible, prejents us with the opening of a NEW YEAR, and with the beginning of the new year we have the pleajure of affembling in a new houje, completed for the worship of our heavenly Father. Our fouls muft be dejtitute of all virtuous jenjibility, if they do not arije in gratitude to Him who is the author of all our bleffings, and praije him for his abun- dant goodnejs.
In recollecting the jufferings of many of the human race, their intollerant civil oppreffion, the horrors of war in which they are frequently involved, by the pride and ambition of the jelfijh few, who jway the jceptre of monarchal and kingly government over them. In calling to mind thoje in power, who have and ftill do lord it over the consciences of men: thoje who by their arbitrary edicts attempt to render abortive the laws of the bleffed Jejus, and by their dogmas to fruftrate the infinitely benevolent dejign of his glorious Gofpel; who by their cruel and barbarous perjecutions,
NOTE .- Passages read at the Re-dedication Service are in Italics, and inclosed in brackets, otherwise the sermon corresponds to the original.
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DEDICATION DISCOURSE
are expreffing the hardnejs and malignity of their fouls, in preventing, if poffible, precious and immortal fpirits from journeying in the Îtrait and narrow way to eternal life and glory, and driving them down the broad road to darknejs and endlejs dejpair. In calling our attention to thoje with whom we are intimately converfant, and beholding the peculiar afflictions and trials of many who fall under our own objervation: In recognizing the inftances of mortality which have taken place in our vicinity, among which, it is probable, are some of our moft near and dear friends, who have been fummoned by death to quit their probationary ftate, and enter into the eternal world, where there is no change of char- acters; and reflection that we are yet alive to wit- nejs the goodnejs of God, and largely to partici- pate of his mercies: to enter upon another year, to unite in the worjhip of our maker, and dedicate a houje unto him this day: Whilft we do experi- ence the moft inejtimable privileges, both civil and religious, being protected by our civil laws in our natural rights, and encouraged by them to worship the great Author of all Exiftence, and the Fountain of all Good : Whilft our merciful Father is favoring us with the bejt means of in- ftruction in things heavenly and divine, which
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DEDICATION DISCOURSE
affect his glory and our eternal good; how great is the obligation in every point of view, and how binding upon us, to enter on this new year, and into this new houje, with new hearts. Should we neglect to attend to this every way fuitable and important preparation, our conduct will be like putting new wine into old bottles, which will burjt them, or putting a new piece of cloth upon an old garment, which will make the rent worje. Thus jhould we enter upon this new year, and into this new houje, with our old hearts, there will be a moft odious contraft : Heaven will behold it with holy indignation, and unlejs repentance prevents, in the trying day, when all things in their true light, jhall be prejented to intelligent minds, our inconfiftency and great criminality will fill us with the greateft confternation. All our pompous fhew in our pretended worfhip, will turn to our confujion, and aggravate our con- demnation ; and the enjoyment of our precious privileges, with the mijimprovement of them, will make the rent between us and our God greater than if they had never been enjoyed. But if we are all here before God with new hearts this day, it will be like new wine in new bottles, when both will be preferved. Our prayers will then arije to the throne of grace as holy incenje; our praijes
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