BY PROF. N. G. CLARK
The men who met to frame a constitution for the state of
At
the time when this constitution was adopted, a little more than half of the
townships had been chartered. But in the remaining one right was reserved
"for the use of a seminary or college." By this means about 29,000
acres of land, scattered through some 120 townships and gores, but lying
chiefly in the northern part of the state, were secured for a college, and
eventually came into the possession of the University of Vermont, though much
of this land proved of little value.
In
consequence of the sparse population and the unsettled condition of public
affairs, nothing beyond this general provision was accomplished for some years.
The attention of the public was at length aroused by the efforts of President
Wheelock in behalf of
As
early as 1785, Judge Paine offered to give £2,000 to be expended in the
erection of a suitable building for a college, if it should be located at
Williamstown, and endowed with the college lands. Soon after, Gen. Ira Allen
made an effort to secure the institution at
The corporation
was at once organized, and in the following June, a square of 50 acres, then
covered with stately pine trees, was set off, on which to erect the college
buildings. Some delay arising from a difference of opinion between Gen. Allen
and the remainder of the corporation, nothing farther was done till October,
1793, when it was decided that "early in the next summer a house shall be
built on the college square for the use of the university." This was for a
preparatory school, and eventually for the house of the president. This
building, 48 feet in length, 37 in breadth, and 2 stories high — known in later
years as "the old yellow house," and burned in 1844, — was begun in
1794, and nearly completed the following year. At this juncture Gen. Allen, who
had been actively engaged in completing this building, and in preparing for a
college edifice, engaged in an unfortunate commercial speculation, which
seriously embarrassed him, and finally deprived the university
of a large part of his subscription. From this cause little more was
done to the building till 1798, when the work was resumed and completed. The
next year a farther subscription of £2,300, from the citizens of
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standing peculiar trials and difficulties, was due in no
small degree to his untiring efforts — at one time felling the pine trees with
his own hand to clear a place for the college buildings and superintending
their erection, and again acting as sole instructor for some years.
From
an article in the Vermont Sentinel of July, 1805, we learn that the
college edifice had been erected "four stories high, 45 feet wide at each
end, 95 feet in the middle formed by a projection of 15 feet in front, 15 feet
in rear, 160 feet long, built of brick, of durable materials and excellent
workmanship." The different college buildings had cost $24,391. For this
large sum the college was dependent upon private liberality. The institution
was now fairly begun, and the first class graduated in 1804. Four years after
the number of paying students was 61 — the largest number reached under the
presidency of Mr. Sanders.
For
the first 6 years with the exception of a single term, all the instruction in
the college proper was given by the president. In 1807, Mr. James Dean, a
graduate of
In
1809, Dr. John Pomeroy was appointed to the chair of anatomy and surgery. In
1811, Rev. Jason Chamberlain was elected professor of the Latin and Greek
languages, and the Hon. Royall Tyler, professor of jurisprudence; and
arrangements were made to fill, as soon as the funds would allow, a
professorship of belles lettres, and one of chemistry and mineralogy,
"whose duty it shall be to analyze at the charge of the institution, all
fossils, minerals, &c., which may be discovered within the limits of this
state." So liberal and comprehensive were the plans of the noble men who
then had the superintendence of the institution — numbering among them Samuel
Hitchcock, Dudley Chase, Titus Hutchinson, Royall Tyler and William C. Bradley
— worthy compeers of the original founder, the generous, large-minded, but
unfortunate Ira Allen.
Their
plans failed of realization. The connection of the university with the state,
gave rise to political intrigues, and brought little aid to an embarrassed treasury. The establishment of a rival college
at Middlebury drew off students from the best portion of the field of the
university. The troubles with
It
was reorganized in 1815, by the appointment of Rev. Samuel Austin, for 25 years
a pastor of a congregational church at Worcester, Mass., as president; Rev.
James Murdoch of Princeton, Mass., professor of languages; Rev. Ebenezer
Burgess, professor of mathematics and natural philosophy; Jairus Kennan,
professor of chemistry and mineralogy; and instruction was resumed. But, though
the faculty possessed in an eminent, degree the confidence of the Christian
public, both as teachers and religious men, the number of students was small.
The attention of the young men and of the community had been turned elsewhere,
and the faculty ere long became discouraged. Mr. Kennan died in about a year
after his appointment, one officer left after another, till at last Dr. Austin
resigned in 1821.
At
this time, the institution was kept from complete disorganization by the
efforts of Mr. Arthur L. Porter, recently appointed to the chair of chemistry.
Through his influence, Rev. Daniel Haskel, pastor of the Congregational church
in
Haskel broke down under the trial, and most of the
officers withdrew. Yet a second time, the same young man who had just before
saved the institution, found generous hearts and hands to aid him, and in the
course of three months, by the pledge of $8,300 from the inhabitants of
To the labors of President Marsh, aided by Profs. Benedict and Torrey, the university owes its essential
character as an institution of learning and religion. Its course of study,
which its varying board of instruction has sought to carry out, is
substantially as it was originally matured by them; — systematic, aiming at the
harmonious presentation of different branches, in a way to secure the best
mental and moral discipline, and to ground the student in the fundamental
principles of the various departments of knowledge, including philology,
science, philosophy, government and religion.
In
order the better to carry out his ideas of instruction, President Marsh
resigned the presidency in 1833, for the chair of intellectual and moral
philosophy, which he held till his death, in 1842. Rev. John Wheeler was
elected to succeed him as president, and continued in this post till Aug. 1848,
when he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Worthington Smith, who was elected
the following June, and entered on his duties at the next commencement. Upon the
failure of Dr. Smith's health in 1855, he resigned his place, and was succeeded
by the Rev. Calvin Pease,
In
December, 1861, Dr. Pease tendered his resignation of the presidency, to take
effect at the close of the half year, Feb. 1862, having accepted a call to a
pastorate in Rochester, N. Y.; and the following September, Prof. Torrey was
appointed president of the institution.
It
must suffice to say of the successors of Dr. Marsh, that they have sought to
administer the affairs of the university in accordance with the ideas we have
indicated, as first elaborated and exemplified by him and his colleagues. The
pecuniary embarrassments consequent on repeated reverses and trials they have
severally sought to relieve, and with more or less success, by subscriptions
from among the friends of the institution; and greater liberality in supplying
its wants is now all that is needed to enable it to realize the beneficent
purposes of its founders.
War
has now a second time added to the embarrassments of the university, and
reduced the number of its students; some of whom, dependent on their own
efforts for means to prosecute their studies, have been obliged to withdraw,
while others have heard the call of the country and taken up arms in its
defence. About one-fifth of its entire number have
engaged in the public service. Retrenchment has been necessary, and besides
delaying to fill the office of president, the chair held by Prof. Hungerford
has been suspended, and his duties distributed between Prof. Marsh of the
academical, and Prof. Seeley of the medical department. Yet the second half of
the college year, 1861—2, opens with better auspices. Means have been secured
to make thorough repairs in the rooms occupied by the students, and a handsome
library building, 2 stories high, 40 feet by 60, is in process of erection.
Means for the latter had been secured, for the most part, by the efforts of
President Pease.
The
limited space allowed for this article, will not permit a detailed notice of
the different men connected with the institution at different times, or of the
various changes made from one department to another, as have been found most
convenient for the ends of instruction. A passing notice of a few other men,
and of the present organization, is all we can attempt.
Mr.
F. N. Benedict was elected to the chair of mathematics in 1833, and continued
in active service till 1854, when he was succeeded by Rev. McKendree Petty. The
chair of natural philosophy was filled by Prof. Henry Chaney from 1838 to 1853,
when the duties of this department were divided between the professors of
mathematics and chemistry. In 1815 a new department of English literature was
organized and placed under the care of Rev. W. G. T. Shedd.
524
When Prof. Shedd, in 1852, removed to Auburn Theological
seminary, Rev. N. G. Clark was chosen to succeed him.
A
tabular statement of the different departments and the officers in charge, with
the time of their appointment, will present at a glance the present
organization (Dec., 1862): Rev. Joseph Torrey, D. D., president and professor
of intellectual and moral philosophy, 1842; Rev. N. G. Clark, professor of
English literature and Latin, 1852; Rev. McKendree Petty (Williams'), professor
of mathematics, 1854; Leonard Marsh, M. D., professor of natural history, 1857;
Rev. M. H. Buckham, professor of Greek.
The
president, and Prof. Marsh are graduates of
The
university possesses a valuable library and philosophical apparatus. For this
purpose the sum of $14,000 was appropriated in 1834, and Prof. Torrey sent to
The
university, though nominally a state institution, has received no aid of any
account beyond the original grant of lands, many of which turned out to be of
little or no value. The hindrances it has met, and the losses incurred by the
war of 1812, and by fire in 1824, have more than swallowed up an equivalent to
any advantage derived from the state, though the aid thus given, and which was
inalienable by war, or sale, or fire, has done much to sustain the institution.
It has, however, been obliged to depend in a great degree upon the friends of
learning and christian culture for its support; and to vindicate its claim by
the intellectual and moral discipline imparted to the young men it has sent
forth to the world.
The
largest donations it has ever received were from Gen. Ira Allen, amounting to
perhaps $8,000 or $9,000; from Hon. Azariah Williams, in 1839, amounting in
lands and other property to about $20,000, in honor of whom his name has been
attached to the professorship of mathematics; and from Dr. Daniel Washburn of
Stowe, in 1858, amounting to some $8,000.
According
to the triennial catalogue of 1861, the number of young men who have completed
a course of study within the institution is 718. Probably 500 more have been
connected with it for a shorter period. Of the graduates 248 have followed the
profession of law; 153 have entered the ministry; 30 have studied medicine; 61,
including some of the later graduates who have not yet settled upon a
profession, have devoted themselves to teaching, and about 20 have entered upon
editorial life. The whole number who have received the
honors of the university is 1,219. The average attendance of students for the
last 25 years has been about 100; of graduates annually for the came period,
20.
The
religious history of the institution has not been characterized so much by
occasional revivals as by a sustained religious sentiment, resulting in
frequent conversions of individuals rather than in seasons of a revived
religious life. During the 15 years, for instance, ending 1859, the number of
graduates who studied for the ministry was 65, of whom more than half were
converted in college. It may be said that a year rarely passes without more or
less conversions, especially while attending upon the studies of the senior
year.
We
have confined our attention thus far exclusively to the proper collegiate
relations of the university. It was originally intended to include professional
courses of study, and some little effort was made to secure them, as was shown
by the appointment of Dr. John Pomeroy to the chair of anatomy and surgery in 1806, and of Royall Tyler to that of jurisprudence in 1811,
but only the medical department was fully organized. This was in 1821, and was
kept up till 1834, when it was suspended by the death of Dr. Benjamin Lincoln,
who had been for some years its leading mind. It was again revived in 1853, by
the efforts of Dr. S. W. Thayer, Jr., of
After
the lapse of 60 years of trial and difficulty, and a fair measure of success,
the university may now be said to have gained an abiding place among the
institutions of the land, and to be contributing its share to the interests of
good learning and religion, in the training of a select body of young men for
places of honor and usefulness.
PRESIDENTS OF THE
1.
Daniel Clarke Sanders,
2. Samuel Austin,
3.
Daniel Haskel, A. M., 1821
— 1824.
4.
Willard Preston,
5.
James Marsh,
6.
John Wheeler,
7.
8. Calvin Pease,
9.
Joseph Torrey,
President
Austin.
Samuel
Austin,
Soon
after his graduation, he began his theological studies under the direction of
Rev. Jonathan Edwards,
Some
4 years later he was settled over the first Congregational society in
From
these labors he was called in 1815 to the presidency of the
Dr.
Murdoch, who was professor in the university during the presidency of Dr.
Austin, says of him, "that as president of a college, he was faithful to
his trust. His efforts to promote the interests of the college were untiring;
and he enjoyed in a high degree the respect and confidence of the public. . .
. . For the spiritual welfare of his pupils he
was deeply solicitous
All his people respected and loved him; and to his subordinate
officers he was uncommonly affectionate and kind." As a preacher, one who
knew him well remarks: "The topics on which he delighted most to dwell,
were the benevolence, the sovereignty, and the glory of God; the great system
of redemption; the character of Christ and his sufferings, with the extensive
results upon the universe, and especially in the sanctification and salvation
of his chosen people. . .
. . In the appropriateness, and enlargement, and
spiritual glowing fervor of his public devotions, he has seldom been
excelled." **
President
Haskel.
Daniel
Haskel, who succeeded President Austin in the
—————
* For
biographic notice see article by Rev. Joshua Young, page 539.
**
For more full particulars see Sprague's Annals, from which many of the
facts for this, as for the succeeding notices, have been derived.
526
next two years we find him engaged in a public school, at
"Mr.
Haskel continued the faithful and beloved pastor of this church until the year
1821, when he was called to preside over the
About
two years after his appointment as president, he suffered a severe attack of
inflammatory rheumatism, that eventually affected his mind,
ending in derangement, or more strictly speaking, monomania. Though able at
times to engage in literary pursuits, he was never himself again.
After
resorting to various places and institutions, in the vain hope of recovering
from his malady, the latter years of his life were spent with his family at
His
time in
A
portrait before me, taken from a miniature likeness when a young man, presented
to the university by Mr. Leavitt, through President Wheeler, represents an
uncommonly fine head, full, high forehead, remarkably well proportioned. I was
not surprised to read in a letter of one of his classmates. published
in Sprague's Annals, that "in scholarship his rank was not far
below the highest; and yet, had his college course been a year or two later (he
was one of the younger members of the class), I have no doubt that he would
have developed a still higher degree of intellectual promise."
His
success as president of the university was all his friends had anticipated. The
number of the students increased, and the prospects had become more cheering
than for many years, when he was disabled, and obliged to retire.
President
Preston.
Rev.
Willard Preston,
He
was prepared for college by Rev. Dr. Crane, parish minister of Northbridge, and
was graduated at Brown university, with one of the
highest honors of his class, in 1806. For a year after he devoted himself to
the study of law. During this time, yielding his heart to the claims of the
great Lawgiver, he turned his thoughts to the ministry. In the spring of 1807,
he made public profession of religion, and commenced theological reading with
Rev. Samuel Starnes, and was the next year licensed to preach the gospel. In
the fall of the year 1808, he was invited to become the pastor of the
Congregational
—————
*
Manuscript letter of Mrs. Haskel.
he here acquired, led to his appointment as president of the
university, upon the retirement of President Haskel. Owing to adverse
influences however, chiefly growing out of cases of discipline, he resigned the
office in 1826. Dr. Wheeler, in his historical sketch of the university,
observes, "Dr. Preston was connected with the college for so short a time, that little can be said respecting his actual or
prospective influence. He was a man remarkable for his gentlemanly and elegant
bearing, of simple, genial, and artistic tastes; and in the discharge of his
public duties, secured at once the love and admiration of students and of
others." Residents in
After
leaving
Two
volumes of his sermons were published in 1857, edited by his son, J. W.
Preston, Esq., to which were prefixed a biographical sketch of the author, by
Rev. Dr. Talmage, president of Oglethorpe university. To this sketch we are
indebted for most of the facts contained in this notice.
President
Marsh.
BY PRES'T J. TORREY.
James
Marsh, fifth president of the
The
first labors of Mr. Marsh, after leaving the seminary, were at the south, where
he was induced to go by the persuasion of that eminent and excellent man, Dr.
John H. Rice of
In 1826,
after having been connected with Hampden-Sidney college for about three years,
Mr. Marsh was appointed in October of that year president of the university in
his native state; although the place was not one for which he thought himself
in all respects best qualified, many considerations induced him to accept the
appointment, and he entered upon the duties of his new office in the same year.
It was at a time when the university was suffering under the effects of various
calamities, external and internal, and the new president immediately set
himself about reviving if possible the spirit of
528
the institution by a thorough reorganization of the whole
system, both of its studies and of its discipline. In this work he was eminently
successful.
A
sore domestic affliction which President Marsh experienced two years after
coming to
In
1833 he retired from the presidency and accepted the chair of intellectual and
moral philosophy, which he continued to occupy for the remainder of his life.
In 1835, he was married to Laura Wheelock, a sister of his former wife. She
proved a faithful companion to himself, and mother to
the children which had been left under her care when their own mother was taken
from them, but was herself removed by death in 1838. Four years after sustaining
this second heavy trial, on Sunday morning, July 3, 1842, Dr. Marsh departed
this life in the 48th year of his life.
I
have for the most part abstracted the following account of his character from a
letter of mine to Dr. Sprague, which he has inserted in his Annals of the
American Pulpit.
He
exhibited from the earliest, the same elements of character which were
afterwards so finely developed by him. Great simplicity, great integrity of
mind and singleness of purpose were the master traits. As he never sacrificed
one part of his nature to another, so he possessed, in no common degree, a
healthy, well-balanced mind. He was neither a man of impulses nor a worshiper
of abstractions. Whilst he reverently heeded the deeper instincts of his being,
and carefully cherished every stirring of the religious affections, he was, at
the same time, extremely cautious of being governed by feelings that had not
first been interpreted and justified to reason. On the other hand, he kept a no
less careful watch over the workings of the understanding, never hesitating to
discard its conclusions, how ever seemingly logical, if they contradicted his
deeper sense of the right and befitting in a moral point of view. This inward
integrity which acted in him as an instinct, but which was firmly grounded in
religious principle, gave the tone to everything else; to the character of his
piety, to his fine social qualities, to his taste as a scholar, and his whole
intellectual character as a theologian and philosopher.
His
piety was of the calm and quiet sort, without much pretension — too deeply
seated indeed for display. It rather shunned than courted the notice of the
world, exhibiting its genuineness and vitality in undoubted fruits; for his
many virtues bore all of them preeminently the christian
stamp. He seldom or never spoke of his own personal experience in religion: but
it was evident that this reserve preceded neither from
barrenness nor affectation, but grew out of the native modesty and retiredness
of his disposition. Nor did he ever manifest the fervor or impassioned zeal
which is sometimes considered the only sure indication of deep religious
feeling. All this was foreign from his nature, and what it would have been
impossible for such a man to assume.
In
the qualities which make a man prized and beloved in social life, Mr. Marsh had
few superiors. Sincerity and kindliness of feeling, united with a natural
refinement of manners, made his society courted by the good and intelligent
everywhere. Amiable and affectionate in his family, generous almost to a fault
to his friends, easily approached and courteous to strangers, he was all this
without the least affectation. His conversation was marked by habitual good
sense, and a delicate regard to the feelings of the society he was in. Candid
and simple in uttering his convictions, he was equally so in expressing his
doubts, except to those on whom his convictions and his doubts would alike have
been thrown away. He had a remarkable power of winning the esteem and affection
of young men. His whole intercourse with them was in the truest sense, friendly
and parental. He detested that system of authority which had no other way of
sustaining itself than by breaking down, as he expressed it, "all the
independent spirit and love of study for its own sake." In the youth he
reverenced the man, and by treating him as such, made him conscious that he was
one. Delinquents saw, that in dealing with them he was not aiming to build up
his own authority by
making them humble and obsequious. The unaffected sincerity of
his advice carried it home to the heart, and he insured obedience by making
himself loved.
He
was as thorough a scholar as earnest and patient labor with rare parts,
diverted towards a lofty ideal, can make one. From humble beginnings, with
little direction or encouragement from others, but guided and cheered by the
whispering of his own hopes, he toiled on until he had laid a broad foundation
for the studies to which he had consecrated his life, by mastering all the
languages which he thought would be of the least help or service to him in
pursuing them. Without ever losing sight of theology, he made himself well
acquainted with the literatures of many periods and nations as reflected in the
works of their best authors, keeping them all subscrvient to the one great
purpose of attaining to a better understanding of divine truth. It was almost
solely with reference to theology that he betook himself to philosophy. In the
study of the former he took the profound interest which might be expected from
a mind constituted as his was. He felt at once that there were brought before
him great questions which never could be settled for him by others, but which
he must answer for himself as best he could, with the divine help, and every
human means of which he could avail himself. No doubt the school of literature
had prepared him to look at these questions with a wider grasp of their
bearings than he otherwise would have possessed. At any rate, he did not feel
entirely satisfied in his own mind with the course of reasoning by which it was
then sought to establish several of the more important doctrines of
Christianity. It was with the proofs and explanations, however, not with the
doctrines themselves, that he was disposed to find fault. He thought the
theology of the day savored too much of a sensual philosophy, and betrayed too
much effort, which must necessarily defeat its own purpose of comprehending
spiritual things by reducing them to the forms and conditions of a wholly
sensuous and sense-bound understanding. The criterion of a true philosophy,
according to him, was its adequacy to meet the deepest wants of the human
spirit by reconciling faith with reason.
Superficial
observers who knew very little about the man or his philosophy, declared him to
be a mere disciple of Coleridge. But in reality he neither derived his opinions
originally from that writer, nor strongly resembled him in any one point of
character, except in ardent, uncompromising love of the truth. The philosophy
of Dr. Marsh, was, as much as that of any man can be, of home growth, the
result of his own deep study and reflection. If he was indebted to others — as
who is not? — he was indebted to them rather for
awakening the activity of his own power of thought, than for any immediate
infusion of their opinions. He was too honest to himself to be the follower of
any school but that of Christ. Had he lived to complete what he had begun, this
would have been more clearly seen.
He
was not a mere man of the closet, but took a lively interest in all the great
questions of his day. His eye was out upon every movement in the literary,
political and religious worlds, and was quick to discern its character and
tendency. The ready ease with which he scanned such movements showed the
life-like, practical character of his knowledge. If any of those questions came
by chance to agitate the public mind in the circle in which he moved, he was
the first man to stand forth. There was never any holding back with him where
great interests were concerned. He threw himself into the midst of the arena,
taking his stand at once and decidedly, where he could be seen and read of all
men. As a man of principle, he had a rock-like firmness — you felt that you
could rely on him, and that the truth was safe in his hands.
Yet
in outward appearance, he was a timid and feeble-looking man. There was nothing
commanding about him in attitude, voice, or gesture. The moral and intellectual
expression conveyed in every look and tone of his voice, when he spoke on a
great subject, was all the outward advantage he had to secure for him a patient
and respectful attention. But this, in connection with the weighty sense of his
discourse, always proved sufficient.
To
sum up all in a word, he united together in his character, all the elements
which conciliate the esteem of the good, with all that command the respect of
the wise, and was one of the very few of the generation in which he lived truly
deserving the name of a Christian philosopher.
President
Wheeler.
BY PRES'T J. TORREY.
John
Wheeler, the son of John Brooks Wheeler, Esq., was born in
530
est member of class 11, remarkable for the number who
afterwards became men of influence and reputation. Immediately after leaving
college, he entered upon his theological studies at Andover, Mass., in the same
class with Presidents Smith and Wayland, Professors Torrey, Haddock and Rephey,
Rev. Dr. King, missionary to Greece, and a a number more distinguished men. Few
American scholars have had a larger circle of valuable acquaintance and
friends. On leaving
From
that time forward till 1848, when the health of his family led him to resign
his position, he devoted all his energies to the welfare of the university. He
was connected with the institution as one of the corporation as early as 1825,
and retained this charge till his death, April 16, 1862. In both relations he
had served the institution for a longer time than any other man. He raised up friends for it; he secured large and generous
subscriptions for it; and carried it through seasons of perplexity and trial.
In connection with Drs. Marsh, Torrey, and G. W. Benedict, he carried out its
system of instruction, and maintained its standard of scholarship and general
spirit. No man set a juster estimate upon the relation of higher institutions
of learning to the welfare and permanent prosperity of the state.
In
later years, Dr. Wheeler's attention was largely given to other public
interests affecting the well-being of the community and the nation. He was
interested in the internal improvements of the state, and in the political
questions agitating the country. In politics he belonged to the
As
president of the university he is remembered by many of the alumni, as a valued
adviser and friend; as a preacher, for occasional displays of a rare order of
eloquence, rising fully to the dignity and greatness of his theme; while as a
man and a citizen, his memory will be cherished for his large and conservative
views. Almost the last act of his life was a generous donation to the
institution to which he had given the best of his days.
[We here resume Mr. Clark's article. — Ed.]
GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY.
The
whole number of those who have received literary honors from the university,
inclusive of the year 1861, is 1,243. Of these 720 graduated after a course of
study in the college proper; 236 from the medical department,
and 287 have received honorary degrees. The graduates of the university are to
be found in all professions, and in all parts of this country and of the world.
In
the ministry it is represented by such men as Rev. Drs. Chandler, Fisher,
Bowman, Houghton, Pease and Shedd; by Rev. Jehudi Ashmun devoted to the cause
of the colored race, and governor of Liberia, by Rev. Dr. T. M. Worcester,
missionary to the Cherokees, and some of the most active men now in the Turkish
and Armenian fields; and by Profs. Burgess and Robertson who
left their chairs in the university to engage in the work of missions.
In the legal profession, it has worthy representatives, in its oldest graduate,
Charles Adams, Esq., in Jacob Collamer, LL. D., called by his opponents the
ablest lawyer in the
This
institution sprang into being about, 1820. In 1810 the village of Burlington,
besides an incipient college, had the literary advantage of 4 school districts,
where reading, writing and cyphering were taught the children in as many little
buildings of one room. Here the Hickoks, Hitchcocks, Keyes and others of
youthful promise struggled for the mastery in more sense than one. In
cuffs with each other. He that is now Gen. Ethan Allen
Hitchcock may well remember the little brick school house on
The
increase of population, after a few years made another advance necessary, and
the result of discussion at the district school meeting, was the result of
redistricting of the village, the erections, at once, of 7 new school houses in
as many neighborhoods, and the surrender of the academy to a corporation called
the Burlington Academy to be sustained by a charge for tuition on scholars.
This system continued until 1849. In December of that year 5 districts of the
village united to form a Union district. To this Union district the corporators
surrendered the academy and now (1863) for 14 years the present plan has been
in vogue, and gives good satisfaction to the parents and scholars who improve
its advantages. The number of pupils under the corporation was from 30 to 50
under the
In
the academy the question of separate or mixed schools, so often agitated, has
been settled in favor of the latter. Under its earliest preceptor, good Master
Caulkings, both sexes attended; yet a boy's school exclusively was the idea of
its patrons when the district was divided, and as was supposed, a higher school
instituted at the academy; but at present it embraces both sexes in the same
school, to the eminent advantage of each.
————————————
BY REV. JOHN K. CONVERSE.
The
Burlington Female Seminary is believed to be the oldest and the first
incorporated institution in the state for the exclusive education of young
ladies.
It
commenced its course of instruction in May, 1835, and received its charter from
the state, Nov. 15, 1836. During the 27 years of its existence, it has received
a liberal and well earned patronage, and had under its instruction more than
1600 pupils, from 19 different states, from
The
seminary is situated on a gentle slope fronting towards
The
course of study, drawn up mainly by the Rev. Joseph Torrey,
About
one-half or 800 of the alumnæ, have finished the
prescribed course, many of them in connection with music, drawing, painting,
German or Italian.
Some
facts connected with the starting of the seminary claim a brief notice. It
commenced under difficulties.
The
writer of this article began his labors as pastor of the First Calvinistic
Congregational church in
532
had daughters to be educated; endeavored to convince them
that some $2,000 or $3,000 that they were paying out to educate their daughters
in expensive schools abroad, would go far towards sustaining a good school at
home. The plan, however, met with little encouragement. The common reply was,
that the thing proposed could not be done; that the college was suffering for
want of material aid, and that if we could not sustain the college, we
certainly could not sustain both the college and a seminary. Rev. Dr. James
Marsh, then president of the university, was about the only man who encouraged
the plan, believing that any enterprise that would rouse the attention to, and
enlist the zeal of the community in the matter of education, would equally
benefit the university. The plan of the pastor finding little encouragement, as
has been stated, was dropped for the time, but by no means abandoned.
It
must not be inferred from the facts above stated, that the good people of
Near
the close of the next year (1834), the subject of establishing a seminary for
the education of young ladies was revived and discussed. A fund of $30,000 had
just been raised by subscription for the college, and those who had opened
their hearts in this good work, were willing to enjoy still further the luxury
of doing good. The writer of this article, meanwhile, had had correspondence
with Miss Mary C. Green, then of
The
seminary has no permanent funds. It has been sustained from the first by the
income from tuition. In 1840 it was removed to its present site, in the
buildings formerly erected by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hopkins for his residence and
for a theological seminary. The exact number of pupils it has had under its
instruction can not be accurately stated, as no record of the attendance from
1841 to 1844 can be found. The records at hand show the names of 1600 or more.
TEACHERS.
The
following is a list of the several teachers who have been employed in the
different departments of instruction, from 1835 to '63. The figures denote the
dates when they became connected with the seminary. A star marks the names of
those deceased.
Principals. — Miss Mary C. Green,* 1835; Miss Thirza Lee, 1841; Mrs.
Martha O. Paine, 1842; Rev. J. K. Converse, 1844; Rev. B. W. Smith, associate
principal, 1848.
Teachers of the English and Latin Languages, Mathematics
and the Natural Sciences. —
Mr. Andrew Robertson, Miss Harriet N. Smith, Miss Mary D. Chase,* Miss Mary A.
Poor,
Miss Lucy Baldwin, Miss Adeline Prichard, Miss Sarah R.
Chase, Miss Catharine Fleming, Miss Semantha Bascom, Miss Caroline Paine, Mr.
Stephen W. Hitchcock,* Miss Eliza Jane Hunt,* Miss Sophia E. Barnard,* Miss
Loraine M. Gilbert, Miss Frances A. Hale, Miss Julia L. Chapman, Miss Rosa M.
Champlin, Miss Dora L. Merrill, Miss Emily C. Sawyer.
Teachers of French. — Miss Lucie A. Mignault, Mr. R. S. M.
Bouchette, Mr. Stephen W. Hitchcock,* Miss Minerva A. Sawyer, Miss Frances A.
Hale, Mrs. E. Jaquemart, Miss Jane Herbert, Miss Clara Stacy, Miss S. A. Higgs.
Teachers of Piano and Vocal Music. — Prof. T. F. Molt,* 1835 to 1842; Miss Harriet Hosford,
1842; Miss Cornelia J. Hall, 1843; Miss Mary A. Bender; Miss Martha A.
Williams, 1844; Prof. J. S. Moore, 1846; Mrs. C. F. Davey; Miss Mary A. Curtis,
1847; Prof. T. F. Molt,* 1847; Prof. T. E. Molt, 1846; Miss Lizzie E. Converse;
Prof. Herman F. Molt, 1856; Prof. W. W. Pattridge.
Teachers of Drawing, &c. — Prof. J. H. Hills, 1835; Mr. Henry Searle, Mrs. Theresa
Bassett, Miss Omira B. Bottum, Miss Marion P. Hooker, Miss Elizabeth M. Barnes.
Teachers of Oil Painting. — Miss Marion P. Hooker, 1848; Miss Sarah J. Parker; Miss
Harriet Kilburn; Mr. Isaac L. Williams, 1852; Miss Sarah E. Converse, 1853.
In
addition to the above, a considerable number of pupils selected from the
highest class, with regard to their scholarship, have been employed as
assistant teachers in the English and Latin departments.
Here
much might be justly said of the talents and earnest devotion of several whose
names are found in the above list of teachers. But this is not the place to
speak of the living. In respect to the dead, we may speak of their good works
which follow them, and in which they still live in the memory and affections of
hundreds whose minds were formed by their power.
Miss
Mary C. Green,
The first principal of the seminary,
was born in
Miss
Mary D. Chase
Of
"So fades the lovely, blooming flower,
Frail, smiling solace of an hour."
Prof.
Theodore F. Molt
Was born in Gschwend, in the
Mr.
Molt received the elements of a good classical and mathematical education. But
soon after he entered the university, he, either by enlistment or conscription,
became a soldier in Bonaparte's army. He belonged to what was called the
foreign department of the army. Though young he soon attracted the notice of his
superiors, and was promoted to the place of accountant and assistant paymaster
in his regiment.
When
the battle of
He
now returned home — chose music for his profession, and devoted himself to it
with true German perseverance. He had received in his boyhood his first lessons
from his father and from an older brother who was distinguished for his
attainments in the "divine art." After leaving the army he be‑
584
came, first, the pupil of Czerny — then of Moschelles in
Prof.
Molt came to this country in 1823. Landing in
Prof.
Molt devoted himself with singular earnestness to his profession, giving
lessons usually from 10 to 12 hours daily, and even then finding some hours to
bestow on the musical works he was preparing for the press. His contributions
to the science of music and of musical instruction, have been highly
appreciated by professors in the art, especially his more recent works — Progressive
Lessons and Teacher's Guide. The former has no superior as a work
for beginners.
Prof.
Molt's laborious life closed after a short illness Nov. 16, 1856.
Stephen
Washington Hitchcock,
A very acceptable and successful teacher of the French
language from November, 1846, to November, 1849, was a native of
Miss
Sophia E. Barnard,
Whose name is starred in the list of teachers, was from
Miss
Eliza Jane Hunt
Filled the place of first lady
teacher, for nearly four years from March, 1845. Miss Hunt was born in
ship, gentle and lady-like in manners, but ever firm and
decided for the right. She possessed a ready insight into character, and was
seldom mistaken in her judgment. She also possessed that rare quality so
essential to successful teaching, viz.: the power, not only to communicate her
instructions with clearness, but also the power of following those instructions
into the mind of the pupil, and seeing how they are received and deposited in
that mind. The ability to do which is one of the highest
qualifications of a teacher.
Miss
Hunt was united in marriage with John B. Wheeler, Esq., of
Of
the 1600 pupils who have been connected with the seminary from its origin, 81
deaths are known to have occurred. The actual number of deaths is presumed to
be near 100, as from the wide dispersion of the pupils, some deaths have
probably occurred not known to the writer. The mortality therefore, in 27
years, would probably amount to only about 16 per cent.
One
important fact we would here notice with devout gratitude to God. During the 17
years that the present principal has had charge of the seminary, with the average
number of 29 boarders per quarter, there has never been a death among the
boarders, nor has there ever been among us any epidemic, or prevalent disease,
which is certainly an unusual exemption, and conclusive proof of the
healthiness of our location.
The
office of the principal has been filled in the order of time, as follows: Miss
Mary C. Green, from May, 1835, to February, 1841; Miss Thirza Lee, from
February, 1841, to February, 1842.
At
this time the trustees and patrons of the school deemed it important that a
gentleman should be placed at the head, and the Rev. Lyman Coleman was elected
as principal. Mr, Coleman declined the appointment, and Mrs. Martha O. Paine
was elected principal, February, 1842. On her resignation, in the spring of
1844, the exercises of the seminary were suspended until September of that
year, when Rev. J. K. Converse, then pastor of the First Calvinistic
Congregational church in
The
seminary, as has been remarked, has never had any corporate fund. Soon after
the present principal commenced his duties, he purchased the two right hand
buildings (see plate), which had previously been rented for the school,
investing therein some $15,000. These two buildings have been well filled with
pupils during his administration, until a few months since, when he sold the
south, or right hand building, for other purposes. The seminary is now
conducted in the large central building, which is most pleasantly situated and
convenient in its arrangements. The number of pupils is limited to 40, one-half
of whom can be accommodated with residence and board in the family of the
principal, where they will be under the constant care of the teachers, in
respect to morals, manners, and mental culture, and enjoy all the comforts and
kind attentions of a pleasant home.
In
reviewing the years the writer has spent in charge of this institution, he
feels he has not labored in vain, and the present and future well-being of his
many hundred pupils will ever be near his heart, and remembered at that throne
where alone such remembrance can be availing.
In
the state of society which exists among us, it is the peculiar privilege of an
American to win his way by the culture and use of his own powers, with the certainty, that success will wait on real merit. And this is
as true of the young woman as of the young man. Wealth and family have
great weight in the start of both, but in the long run, superior intellectual
and moral worth will win, no matter what may have been the disadvantages of the
possessor, provided the resolution to be true to one's self comes not too late.
While looking over the names of those who have been under my instruction, I see
many happy illustrations of this remark. During the last 17 years the seminary
has assisted 81 young ladies to an education by waiting on them, on certain
conditions, for the whole or a portion of their bills, until they could
earn the means of cancelling them, after completing the course of study. The
obligations assumed by such pupils, with a few exceptions, have been honorably
met. And those thus aided, as compared with others, have generally excelled in
earnest application, and are now seen to occupy some of the highest stations of
influence and usefulness. In a large number of cases, it is not the advantages
of birth or fortune that have decided the destiny of my pupils, or have given
them the stations they now hold, but it was education, culture, character.
536
The
Young Ladies' school on
It
was continued by her after her marriage with Mr. Worcester, then
pastor of the Calvinistic Congregational church in
Receiving
but a limited number of pupils, the school has seldom been able to accommodate
all applicants, and was never in more flourishing condition than at present.
The
school is furnished with apparatus for experimental illustrations in natural
philosophy and chemistry, and much attention is given to instruction in mental
and moral science.
The
instructors at this date (March, 1862), are Rev. and Mrs. J. H. Worcester,
principals; Mlle. L. Eugenie Gangloff, Miss Kate Fessenden, Miss Lydia L.
Hodges, and Miss Julia Fleming, in the literary department, and Messrs. T. E.
Molt and S. C.
BY REV. B. W. SMITH.
The
Young Ladies' seminary, conducted by Rev. and Mrs. B. W. Smith, occupies the
building and grounds formerly occupied by the Burlington Female seminary,
situated at the south end of Church street, retired from the noise and bustle
of the business part of the town, and yet within five minutes' walk of the
heart of the village. It opened its first session in September, 1860, and from
that time to the present has enjoyed a fair amount of patronage from the
citizens of the town and state, and from other states and
There
is also connected with the institution, a department for the education of lads
and young men who may wish to prepare themselves for mercantile and other
business, or for college, which has also been well attended. In the latter
department the pupils attend mostly as day scholars; a few, however, have been
accommodated with rooms and board.
There
are connected with the institution 6 able and experienced teachers. The
department of French being under the instruction of a lady of Parisian birth
and education, and that of piano music, of Prof. T. E. Molt, who has been a
most successful teacher for the last 15 or 20 years.
CONGREGATIONALISM IN
BY REV. A. FLEMING.
From
1783 to 1800 the population of Burlington had increased from about 40 persons
to 600; and in the year 1800 there were 6 stores in town — but there was no
minister settled until 1810, and no house of worship erected until 1812.
Previous to the year 1800, the privileges of public worship were but rarely
enjoyed, even by the few who desired them, from the occasional ministrations of
itinerant missionaries and other transient preachers of various sorts.
It
appears, however, that about the close of the year 1799, the village took a new
and vigorous start in growth and prosperity, and a commendable degree of public
spirit was awakened among the leading men of the place for promoting public
interests, which had been hitherto neglected. Among these were the institution
of public worship, and the practical inauguration of the university which had
been chartered and located here by the state. In Aug. 1799, the Rev. Daniel C.
Sanders was released from his pastoral charge in Vergennes, and as soon as this
was known in
"Voted, to raise $200 on the grand list of 1799, to
be paid in grain, beef, pork, butter or cheese, to be delivered to the minister
who shall be hired in
In
1805 a petition was presented to the selectmen, to warn a town meeting in
reference to building a meeting house and supporting "social and public
worship," agree-
able to the form and effect of the statute entitled "An
act for the support of the gospel," passed Oct. 26, 1797. The meeting was
held, and under the act referred to, the inhabitants of the town formed
themselves into a society by the name of the First society for social and
public worship in the town of'
In
the year 1805 also, was formed another important organized body, namely: the
First Christian church ever formed in this town. On the 21st of February of that
year, 14 persons, members of churches chiefly in Connecticut, met at the house
of Moses Catlin, and after a repeated perusal of articles of faith and a form
of church covenant, prepared by Rev. President Sanders, agreed to enter into
covenant with God and one another, as a church of Christ, and in testimony
thereof signed the articles and covenant. On the 23d, immediately after sermon,
the articles and covenant were read, and assent to them being continued, they
were publicly declared, by Pres't Sanders, to be a regular church of the Lord
Jesus Christ, established in
Besides the preaching of Pres't. Sanders, who officiated statedly until 1807, the Rev.
Sam'l Williams, LL. D., also preached, more or less, in the years 1807 and
1808, while here superintending the publication of the second edition of his History
of Vermont — and in 1809, Rev. Willard Preston and Rev. Amariah Chandler,
then licentiates, also labored here, very much to the acceptance of the church,
but declined being candidates for settlement. As the fruit of their labor under
God, the church received its first increase in August of this year — an addition
of 10 persons — 9 of them by a profession of faith and 1 by letter from another
church. The whole number of the church was now 21 — 3 of the original number
having died.
At
this point of the history, it may be proper to remark that two parties had been
growing and were now grown to maturity among the people, respecting the
doctrines and the preaching of the gospel. The one was the "liberal
party" so called by themselves, who had a strong aversion to the strict
doctrines and manner of religious life so characteristic of the early times in
New England, and who preferred instead "moral preaching" in which the
puritanic doctrines of grace should be ignored. The other party was the orthodox, or Calvinistic party, so called in the language of
that day. The church mostly were of this party, and
also a respectable minor part of the society who sympathized with the church
and adhered to its fortunes. The preaching and influence of Pres't Sanders
undoubtedly fostered the liberal party rather than the other, although he was a
member of the church and had subscribed to its articles of faith, which were
substantially, though not fully and explicitly on all points, Calvinistic. And
until 1809, when Messrs. Preston and
Sometime
in the fall of 1809, these two parties had their two candidates for settlement
— Mr. Samuel Clark, Jr., from
538
nected with the liberal party. However that may be, Mr. Clark
came first and began to preach, and soon after Mr. Haskel came.
On
the 1st day of January, 1810, after Mr. Clark had finished his time of
probation, the society met in the Court house to deliberate and vote on the
question of settling Mr. Clark as their minister. The church met at the same
time by themselves for the same purpose. A decided
majority of the society voted to settled Mr. Clark;
but the majority of the church declined to have him settled over them as their
pastor. Mr. Clark intimated his readiness to be settled if the church were
united with the society in the call, otherwise he declined. Here was a
difficulty; but it was speedily surmounted by the expedient of dissolving the
old society and forming a new one, on the entirely voluntary principle of the
adherents and friends of Mr. Clark; and also forming a new church for him
(which was done at the time of his ordination), on the basis of the same
articles and church covenant on which the first church had been formed in 1805.
The
minority of the society also formed themselves into a new society, and took the
name of the First Calvinistic Congregational society in
Mr.
Clark was ordained on the 19th of the same month by a council — all from
Mr.
Haskel and his people worshiped in the Court house at such times and hours of
the day as they could find it unoccupied; and afterwards, by leave of the
corporation, in the chapel of the college. In 1812 the first house of worship
in town was erected by this church and society and dedicated to the worship of
God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. It was consumed by fire, kindled by an
incendiary, on the morning of June 23d, 1839, and replaced by the present
edifice, dedicated April 14, 1842.
Mr.
Haskel was elected to the presidency of the university in 1821, and was
dismissed from his pastoral charge June 22, 1822, in order to enter on the
duties of that office. He was a man and a minister eminently fitted for the
times and the place and work to which he was called in
During
the pastorate of Mr. Haskel the church increased in number from 21 to 91; and,
what was of more consequence, by his preaching was well grounded and built up
in the faith, and established in the knowledge and acknowledgment of the
evangelical system of divine truth and grace.
[For further biography of Mr. Haskel see biographies of
the presidents of the university by Prof. Clark. — Ed.]
The
second pastor of this church was the Rev. Willard Preston, who was installed
Aug. 22, 1822.
The
third pastor of the church was the Rev. Reuben Smith, installed May 3, 1826.
During his ministry numerous conversions took place in the congregation, and
the church was increased in number and piety.
The
fourth pastor of the church was Rev. John K. Converse, installed Aug. 8, 1832;
during whose pastorate a portion of the church were set off and formed into a
new church (the church in Winooski).
The
fifth pastor of the church was the Rev. John H. Worcester, installed March 10,
1847.
The
sixth pastor of the church was Rev Spencer Marsh, ordained and installed Nov.
6, 1855. Mr. Marsh was dismissed from his pastoral office Feb. 8, 1860.
The
seventh pastor of the church is Rev. Eldridge Mix, installed Sept. 4, 1862.
In
1860, a new congregational church and society were formed in this place,
chiefly of members of this church and society. The Third Congregational church
was organized on sabbath, Nov. 4, 1860; and on Dec. 26
the Rev. George B. Safford was settled over them.
The
whole number of those who, by a hopeful conversion and public profession of
faith, have united with the church since it was formed in the year 1805 is 612.
The present membership (1861) is 311, about 200 of
whom are resident members. The Third
Congregational church number 320.
Commemorative Sermon — Half Century — April 29, 1860.
BY REV. JOSHUA YOUNG.
"Other
men labored and ye are entered into their labors." — JOHN, iv, 38.
* * *
* * *
* * *
*
At
the coming in of the present century, the religious affairs of
They
first commenced with the reading of a printed sermon, which was approved of and
well attended. About this time it was understood that the Rev. Daniel C.
Sanders had closed his engagement at Vergennes, and was at liberty to preach
wherever his services might be requested. Immediately on ascertaining this,
David Russell, Esq., and Dr. John Pomeroy — most honorable names intimately
associated with the beginning and growth both of this town and this society —
rode to Vergennes and engaged him to preach at
Dr.
Sanders' first introduction to
From
an examination of the first records of the town, it appears that in June, 1805,
the 5th day of the month, more than 7 of the substantial freeholders of
Burlington joined in petition to Geo. Robinson, town clerk, to warn a meeting
of the inhabitants of said town, for the purpose of forming themselves into a
society for social and public worship, agreeable to the form and effect of the
statute, entitled "An act for the support of the gospel," passed Oct.
26, 1797.
This
petition was signed by Wm. C. Harrington, Lyman King, Osias Buell, Arza Crane,
Elnathan Keyes, Moses Catlin, David Russell, James Sawyer, Saml.
Hickok, John Pomeroy, Horace Loomis.
Accordingly,
the people met without distinction of opinions, and voted unanimously to form
themselves into a society by the name of the First society for Social and
public worship in the town of
Nearly
four years passed over, and the next public record of ecclesiastical affairs is
the 7th article in the warning of the annual town meeting for March 20, 1809. In this interval, however, in the year 1807, Dr. Saml.
Williams of Rutland, a graduate from Harvard college,
and for some time a lecturer on natural philosophy to that institution, came to
At
the town meeting mentioned above, i.e., in the year 1809, it was voted that a
committee of five be chosen for the purpose of fixing on a place for building a
meeting house; and Daniel Farrand, Stephen Pearl, Moses Robinson and David
Russell were elected that committee, who reported at an adjourned meeting held
about 2 weeks afterwards, that they "had taken the subject into
consideration, and agreed to recommend to the town a piece of ground lying on
the south side of the new road called College street, leading from the front of
the college to the Court House square, east of the road called Middle street
(now Willard street), leading south from Pearl street to the turnpike road (now
Main street), for said purpose." The report was accepted, and a
—————
*
Hon. Charles Adams, since died, having departed this life Jan. 13, 1862.
540
committee of seven raised to make and receive proposals to draft a
plan for a building to be erected immediately.
But
on that beautiful hill-side, no church steeple yet points to heaven. The effort
failed, and all we know from the town records of the how and the wherefore is
just nothing. Only it is written that in about 3 weeks after the building
committee was appointed, an adjourned meeting to hear the proceedings of the
committee met, and immediately dissolved, and in about as many weeks more, that
is, on the last Monday in May, 1809, assembled again, and immediately adjourned
without day.
The
explanation of the mystery is, in brief, that the slumbering lion of theology
waked up, and the growls of religious controversy began to be heard. Hitherto
the inhabitants of the town had acted together without any clashing of
different opinions on matters of religious belief; but the dividing day had
come.
. . .
. . .
. . .
A
separation took place; but to tell you all the circumstances connected with it,
as I learn them from the written statement of the dead, and from the lips of
the living, who remember those days, would be to misappropriate the calm of
this sacred day to a recital of the angers and strifes; the deceptions and the
meannesses of sectarian controversy.
But
to proceed, in January, 1810, articles of association, whereby a very large
majority of the male inhabitants of the town formed themselves into a society
by the name of the First Congregational society, in the town of
. . .
. . . . . .
Just
50 years ago, this month of April, on Thursday, the 19th day of the month, the
people of Burlington, favorable to liberal sentiments in religion, were
assembled in the Court house (a wooden structure afterwards burned down, but
then occupying the same piece of ground on which now stands the more
substantial edifice by that name), to induct into office the man they had
chosen to be their christian teacher and guide, Mr. Saml. Clark, where, only 9
days before, the Calvanistic party of seceders had with eager haste ordained
another minister; designing, it is said, in military phrase, to steal a march
on the liberals in order to invest in their man, Mr. Danl. Haskel, afterwards
3d president of the University of Vermont, the right of 320 acres of land which
was granted by charter to the first settled minister. On this account very
great excitement prevailed at the time, feeling was intense, the very children
partook of the agitation, and held disputes; but the difficulty was at length
satisfactorily adjusted by a vote of the town appraising the lots and dividing
them into three parts, giving the same sum of $1,000 to each of the ministers,
and funding the other third, the income from which to be shared by the two
societies equally.
The
services on the occasion of Mr. Clark's ordination were of an able and
interesting character, and were published. The Rev. Wm. Emerson, pastor of the
First church in Boston, and father, I believe, of the distinguished Ralph Waldo
Emerson, preached the sermon, the subject of which was Posthumous
Beneficence, and the text the words of Peter in his 2d epistle, i, 5.
"Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have
these things always in remembrance." The charge was given by the Rev.
Sam'l Whiting of
Mr.
Clark's salary was $550, and for 12 years, with little or no interruption, he
served this society. He died on Wednesday, May 2, 1827, having five years
previously resigned his pastoral office in consequence of an attack of
pulmonary disease, which finally terminated his life. He was buried on Friday
at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, from his late residence, and on the succeeding
Sunday Mr. Geo. G. Ingersoll, his successor in office, preached a funeral
sermon, in which, at some length, he spoke of his life and character.
From
a communication by the same to the Northern Sentinel, we extract:
"Mr.
Clark was born in
of his mind.' He was independent in his judgments and
fearless in his declarations, and, though unpretending in manner, he was firm
in the support of what he felt to be right. These traits of character were not
only exhibited in his private life but they entered into and distinctly marked
his duties as a minister of the gospel, for his religious views were cheering
and consolatory, and he was decided in asserting and defending them. His faith
was enlightened and liberal, and his charity, that virtue which is higher than
faith, was a truly christian charity, for he earnestly
desired the happiness and salvation of all of his fellow-beings.
"In
his last sickness he was more than patient, he was cheerful, he spoke of his
departure freely and calmly; he had no fears of death, and when at last death
came on him it came as a quiet sleep."
The
house we occupy, our goodly temple, was built, as the chiseled stone in the
front wall of the tower tells us, in the year 1816. Immediately after the
ordination of two ministers in town, there being but one public room convenient
for a place of worship, the question inevitably came up, which society shall
have the use of the Court house? or what portion of
time shall each one have it in turn?
Various
efforts were made towards a peaceful and handy decision of the question, and
failed, till finally the stronger party, and we think, the right party, that is
the society which had the right on their side, took the matter in hand, and
passed in a meeting the following preamble and resolutions:
"Whereas,
Every pacific measure has been proposed by the society to bring the
respective claims of the two societies to an equitable adjustment, which has
been opposed and neglected by the Calvinistic society, therefore:
"Resolved,
That in future this society will assert their right to
use the Court house upon all public religious occasions without any
accountability to any of the members of the Calvinistic society.
"Resolved,
That the above resolution is founded in right, legal,
moral and religious, and that this society will support the same" — and
they did.
In
those days, I am told, men were very early at meeting, and came prepared.
Not, I fear, in a very meek and quiet spirit, nor having on that armor which
the apostle describes; but the times were trying and our fathers were in
earnest.
At a
meeting of the society, convened April 22, 1815, Mr. Ebenezer J. Englesby
introduced the following resolution:
"Whereas,
It is understood that a number of the First Congregational society have
purchased five acre lot, No. 17, for the purpose of erecting a meeting house thereon
for the use of this society, have generously subscribed a large sum for the
purpose of building said meeting house, therefore:
"Resolved,
That this society agree that the said five acre lot, No. 17, shall be the place
for setting a meeting house for said society, and that the subscribers for the
same be requested to proceed and build said meeting house by subscription, in
such manner as they shall judge most convenient for the accomodation of the
society and under such regulations as they may agree upon among
themselves."
Which
resolution was unanimously adopted.
The
house was built at the cost, including bell, clock and organ,* of about
$23,000, and, with but little change in the interior, is the commodious,
pleasant and chaste building we are assembled in to-day.
It
was dedicated Thursday, Jan. 9, 1817, by appropriate solemnities. Introductory
prayer was offered, and scripture read by the pastor of the society. A hymn
prepared by Deacon Jacob Williams, a member of the society, was sung.
Dedicatory prayer was made by John Foster, D. D. of Brighton,
"Holiness
becometh thy house O Lord forever."
The
original dedicatory hymn (by Jacob Williams), was as follows:
Great
God, we enter this thy house;
This
long wished for day with joy we see,
That
we may pay our grateful vows,
And
dedicate this house to thee.
Thy
providential smiles, O Lord,
Have
crowned our work with good success;
By
thy Almighty name adored —
That
name we'll never cease to bless.
Continue
still thy presence here,
Make
this the place of thine abode,
Whilst
we, with filial love, draw near
To thee, our Father and our God.
—————
* One
of the largest and finest organs in the country has of late been put into this
church. "It contains 1700 pipes, being 300 more than the organ in
542
May
thy pure precepts be our guide;
All
errors shunned with cautious care;
No
doctrines taught by human pride,
Can
with thy holy word compare,
But
that religion from above,
Taught
by thy son, our sovereign Lord,
Replete
with peace, and truth, and love,
Claims all our reverence and regard.
May
charity and love appear
In
all we say, in all we do,
Thus
prove our faith in thee sincere
And
not a vain, an empty show.
May
generations far remote,
Within
these walls thy praise proclaim,
By
purity of life support
The
honor of the christian name.
May
this church, still owned by thee,
When
Christ appears a second time,
From
every spot or blemish free
Appear
with lustre all divine.
For
nearly two years previous to the resignation of Mr. Clark, whose failing health
disabled him to perform the duties of the pulpit, it had been occupied by a
young man born in
The
ordaining prayer was made by Rev. Dr. Bancroft; sermon was preached by Rev.
President Kirkland of the university at
Of
the faithful and efficient ministry of Dr. Ingersoll* to this society, continued
through 22 years of arduous labor, till his health broke down, it is not my
purpose to speak at length.
The
limits of this discourse will not allow; and some years hence it will be the
more appropriate time for some one standing in this pulpit, to portray his
genial disposition, his brilliant talents, his christian character, and his
useful life not yet ended, but still prolonged and still devoted to the service
of God, and human happiness.
Of
only two things in his ministry may I allow myself to speak, and even them I
can but allude to. I mean the institution of the Sunday school, which was
established by him in this parish in May, 1828; and the Parish library,
originally known as the Religious Book society, whose first meeting was called
at his instance, and whose noble object he did every thing in his power to
promote. Of no one's labors more than of his, is our present valuable
collection of nearly 900 volumes of good and standard books, the fruit, and how
wholesome fruit, how refreshing and invigorating to both mind and heart it is,
the many who visit that library from week to week, know full well!
Of
the Sunday school, Dr. Ingersoll thus spoke in his farewell sermon, which I may
say in passing, no one can read without admiration for the earnestness and
fidelity of the ministry it brought to a close.
"When
I first came to you" (I quote his sermon), "there was no Sunday
school attached to the society; indeed the present system of Sunday schools had
but partially gone into operation in our land. For some time after my
settlement, I felt inadequate to bear the burden which such an institution
would impose. But becoming more and more convinced of the need of some such
public religious instruction for the children of the society, I undertook the
performance of the duty myself. For some years I was sole instructor of the
Sunday school, and, though it was not large, the business of instructing them, came at the close of the afternoon service after the
fatigues of the day; still I found in this matter my pleasure in my duty. Some
of the happiest moments
of my ministerial engagements were thus spent."
Referring
to the Parish library, he says: "In the establishment and progress of this
have ever taken as deep and uninterrupted interest. It was one of my earliest
movements for the increase of religious knowledge among churches, and the
diffusion of correct views of our religious faith among others. . . In order to make this institution productive
of still greater good, I proposed to hold, in connection with it, monthly
religious meetings for the edification of all who wished to attend. These
meetings were held in the church, during the summer, in the afternoon, and
during the winter, in the evening, at my house, the
—————
*
Rev. G. G. Ingersoll, D. D. was born in Boston, July 4th, 1796; graduated at
Harvard college, 1815; began to preach Sept. 20, 1820; settled at Burlington,
May 30, 1822; resigned his charge, March 31,1844; preached his farewell, June
2, 1844.
exercises at such times being prayer, a written essay, and familiar
religious discussions." "And," he says, finally: "if there
be any one thing more than another in connection with which I would have my
name remembered among you, it is the Parish library."
May I
here propose to you, my brethren, a suggestion, made to me by another, that, by
a vote in the next parish meeting, you inscribe on that monument of a good and
faithful minister's service to you, the name of the "Ingersoll
Library."
I
make a single quotation more from the same sermon: "Of the 75
parishoners," he writes, "who first joined in the call given me to
settle here, only 15 are now recorded on the list. . . .
. . How many hands once reached out to me for
friendly grasp, have long since mouldered to dust! How many voices which once
spoke to me the cheering welcome, have long since been hushed in the repose of
the grave The fathers, Williams, Reed, Farrand, Curtis, Sawyer, Hollister,
Rice, Russell, Pomeroy, I miss your venerable forms from the seats you once so
constantly filled. The mothers in
The Fathers. I
would, my hearers, that with a few words proper and fit for each I could call
them up before you, for good and true men I am sure they were. Liberal christianity in
Very
briefly I can speak of them, and only as I know them from an examination of the
church and parish records, and from the recollections of one* who has kindly
permitted me to read his MSS. sketch of the men who were his friends and
companions when he was young.
Among
the oldest inhabitants of
Companion
of these was Dr. John Pomeroy, a leading physician and surgeon in this part of
the state for over 40 years. He was an ardent lover and promoter of knowledge
and of every useful improvement, and was for many years a member of the
corporation of the university in this place, and a professor in its medical
department. Indeed he was an enthusiast in any good work, and was a unitarian
of the most thorough kind and foremost among the friends of the cause.†
Deacon
Jacob Williams, author of the dedicatory hymn, "sedate, thoughtful and
profound" (says the MSS. from which I quote), he
felt that life was a great service. When the hour of death came it found him
ready to depart, and cheerful in the prospect of a higher life. Like "a
granite column standing in some shady grove where the flowers fill the soul
with delight, be gave solemnity and yet a pleasing dignity to all around
him." In manners a gentleman of the old school, in acts a practical
philanthropist, his
—————
*
Late Hon. Charles Adams.
**
Mr. Loomis was born in
"Ut insignis virlute ac meritis."
†
Obituary, published at the time of his death, writer unknown: In this town, on
the 19th inst. (Feb. 1844), Dr. John Pomeroy, aged nearly 79 years. Dr. Pomeroy
was one of our oldest inhabitants, and one among the early settlers of the
town. He was born in Middleboro,
544
life was a demonstration of his faith, and his morning prayer
was for strength to live devoted to the will of his Maker. He passed away
almost at the hour when our house was dedicated.
And
then there was Deacon David Russell, a soldier of the revolution, whose
venerable form (he died in 1843 at the age of 86), had been long associated in
this community with all civil gatherings, social meetings and religious
services, and was met in your streets even to the last.* He died at Governor's
island. N. Y., while on a visit to his son, Dr. J. P. Russell, army surgeon;
but his remains were buried in the graveyard in this place.
About
10 years before him, died Col. Nathan Rice in ripe old age, who
came to
—————
parish minister. When but a lad of 16 years of age, he enlisted
and served three months as a soldier at
* The
following reminiscences of his useful life are taken from an obituary notice
published at the time of his death in the village paper, by whom written, I
have been unable to ascertain; Mr. Russell after leaving the army of the
Revolution, in which he had been early engaged, came to this state previous to
its being admitted into the Union. In 1783, he engaged with and entered into
the printing business at
**
This obituary notice was written by George G. Ingersoll,
DIED
— In this town, on Thursday morning last, at the
residence of his son-in-law, Judge Foote, Col. Nathan Rice, in the 81st year of
his age. Col. Rice was a native of
"But mourn not for the friend, who having run
The bound of man's appointed years, at last
Life's blessings all enjoyed, life's labors done,
Serenely to his final rest has past."
I
might also make most honorable mention of the names of James L. Sawyer, for
many years clerk of this society, of Elnathan Keyes, and E. H. Demming, and
Moses Jewett; of three who departed this life since I was called to be your
pastor, Ebenezer T. Englesby, Nathan B. Haswell and Judge Alvan Foote; but time
will not suffice.
One
other name, however, it were certainly wrong to omit,
that of Mark Rice. An humble mechanic he was, but good
in his craft as humble — in heart and in hand honest and faithful. What he did
was always well done, and he was master not of one tool only but of many. The
chairs of his manufacture have not yet lost their fame in some of the
households of
Next
to the street fence in our burying ground, just at the left hand as you enter
the gate, a stone with the following inscription, points out his grave:
Mark
Rice. A native of
Past
a few graves in the same row with his you may read on another slab:
Rev.
Saml. Clark | Was born in
Further
in the yard, not many paces from the right hand side of the main path, are chiseled on a white block of marble, with
appropriate devices, these words:
Our
beloved Pastor Oliver W. B. Peabody | Born 9th July 1799* | Ordained | Over the
First Cong. Society | 4th August 1845, | Taken from his people | July 5th,
1848, | Aged 49 years.
Of
the character and ministry of the saintly man who succeeded Dr. Ingersoll, this
simple and affectionate record on his grave stone is the fitting history.
On
the very month that Peabody died, 2 young men† from opposite quarters met at
Cambridge, and entered their names together on the list of theological students
of the university; who, friends and classmates, were destined to follow one
another as his successors. Of them it is not fitting now that I should speak,
not of one at all only to say perhaps, that when 50 years hence another
preacher commemorates the 100th anniversary to this religious society, should
my ministry seem to him worthy of succeeding that of an Ingersoll, or the
memory I leave behind, hallowed as that of a Peabody, heaven will have heard my
prayer and have helped mine infirmity.
Fifty
years! yes fifty years have gone by since this
christian church was founded in this place! Only fifty years and of the
first members of it, of those who took part in its formation, only five
survive, one for each ten years — Horace Loomis, Dr. John Peck, Hon. Charles
Adams,‡ Mr. Phineas Lyman and Mr. Luther Moore, the last leaves on the tree;
and of the congregation, which assembled in the Court, house on the 19th day of
April, 1810, a very great majority of them, this April month, 1860, are of that
larger congregation of the dead where the ancient mounds cover most thickly the
ground of our village graveyard.
They
have gone, your fathers and mothers, but the places, rough to them, they have
left smooth to you, and the home and sanctuary they reared and defended for the
religion of enlightened reason, and for the liberty of the individual
conscience, has come down to you not in decay but in strength; not
—————
* In
†
SOLON WANTON BUSH, a graduate of Brown university, a
native of
JOSHUA
YOUNG, the present incumbent, was born in 1823, in Pittston, Kennebec county,
‡ Now
deceased.
546
with marks of age upon it, but looking ever more youthful and
with a beauty which no negligence has suffered to decay.
As we
look back into the past we have reason to feel an honest pride. Let us do
nothing now to put to shame the present.
* * *
* * * * *
BY REV. A. WITHERSPOON.*
About
the year 1817, a society or class was formed in the village consisting of 9
persons, of whom Abijah Warner, still living, was appointed leader. The
officiating minister on this occasion, was J.
McDaniel, from which it may be inferred that
In
1855, a second church was formed by a colony from the old church, consisting of
27 members, and 49 probationers. This colony established themselves on
In
looking over the above list of names, the uninitiated reader will be surprised
at the number of ministers, who have been successively stationed in
The
property belonging to the two Methodist Episcopal churches in
—————
*Pastor
of the First M. E. Church.
at $3,000, and the parsonage and lot at $2,000. The new
church, which is somewhat larger and more convenient than the old, is valued at
$5,000, and the parsonage at $3,000.
The
membership of the two churches is about equal. Both are small, as also the
congregations. Each reported at the last conference, a fraction over 100
members, but it would be hardly safe to count more than 100.
The
division took place after a great revival, under the labors of Rev. C. F. Burdick,
assisted by Rev. H. Purdy, and Rev. J. W. Redfield. The church suddenly became
too small for the membership and congregation, and the proposition
to divide instead of enlarge, prevailed. But, as is too often the case,
reaction followed revival; and there has been little or no advancement, either
in membership or congregations since the division, and many now look upon it as
unfortunate for the cause of Methodism in the place. Time seems to have proved,
that neither the membership nor the population and growth of
the village, warranted the movement; and that enlargement would have
been the better policy; thus securing a more commanding influence, and avoiding
the extra expense of sustaining two churches. It is hoped, however, that both
will be enabled to live and ultimately prosper, and thus prove a blessing to
themselves and the community. The official boards of the respective churches
are as follows:*
The
enjoyment of the privileges of church relationship, and the dissemination of
their conscientious views of the doctrines of the gospel induced a few christians to unite and organize themselves into a branch of
the Baptist
For
more than 3 years after Mr. Hill closed his labors they had only occasional
supplies.
In
January, 1834, Rev, Mr. Norris became their pastor, under whose labors, in the
following autumn, it was resolved to become an independent body. A council was
called in accordance to established usage for such a purpose, and on Sept. 26,
the same year, the First Baptist church in
In
June, 1830, Rev. J. H. Walden became their pastor, who, after a few months'
labor, resigned his charge for another field. For more than 2 succeeding years
they were destitute of a pastor, securing supplies as far as they found it
practicable, maintaining their faith, though without an under shepherd
set over them. In 1839 Rev. H. D. Hodge became their pastor,
but remained with them less than a twelvemonth, when they were supplied a
portion of the following year by Rev. Mr. Burbank.
In August.
1840, Rev. Hiram Safford of Keeseville, N. Y., became their pastor. During his
labors it was deemed essential to the prosperity of the church that their place
of worship should be removed from their location on College hill to the
neighborhood of the public square about one mile distant. Into this enterprise
the pastor and his feeble church entered with a strong faith and untiring
exertion. In 1842 a lot was purchased on the southwest corner of Church and
—————
*
Winter of 1862.
548
life July 28, 1844, aged 58 years, deeply lamented, not only
by his own family and church but by the whole circle of his acquaintance to
whom his urbane manners, tender and devoted spirit and ardent piety had greatly
endeared him.
Early
in 1845 Rev. H. I. Parker became the pastor, and entered heartily into the work
of completing the house of worship and strengthening the church. The house was
so near completed as to be publicly dedicated to the worship of God on the 3d
day of the ensuing April, and the pastor installed. Rev. Mr. Parker, after a
successful pastorate of 8 years, resigned his charge at the call of the
Northern Educational union, to become their secretary and financial agent.
Early in the year 1853 Rev. L. Tracey, from New Hampton, N. H., commenced his
labors with the church, and was installed in March of the same year. Owing to
the protracted ill health of his family he felt constrained to remove from the
place, and resigned his charge in 1855. In August following Mr. H. H.
Burrington, graduate of Rochester Theological seminary,
became their pastor, and was ordained to the work of the ministry on December
27th, 1855. His health proving inadequate to the duties devolving upon him, he
resigned his charge at the end of the 2d year of his pastoral labors. Rev. N.
P. Foster, M. D., commenced his labors with the church in Jan., 1858, and has
continued until the present time, with the exception of 6 months the past
summer (1861), having leave of absence for the purpose of visiting the
The
Baptist church in
The
church as a benevolent body has but few equals, and scarcely a superior in the
state. In their own destitution and want they have not forgotten those in
deeper want and know practically while deeply grateful for the benefactions
received that "it is more blessed to give than receive."
N. P. FOSTER, Pastor.
E. A. FULLER, Clerk.
March
17th, 1862.
BY REV. JOHN A. HICKS,
A
Protestant Episcopal church was first organized in
On
the 1st May, 1831, the Rev. George T. Chapman,
cost of the ground and building, including the organ and bell
was $8,000. In the year 1857, the church was repaired and enlarged at an
expense of $7,000, by the addition of a recessed chancel, side galleries, and
stained glass windows, after a plan drawn and executed by the bishop, and it is
now a most beautiful model of a parish church. The bishop held the rectorship
until Easter, 1856, and performed the duties of rector until August, 1858, on
the 23d day of which month the Rev. David Hillhouse Buel assumed the
rectorship. The parish at present consists of 122 families, and has 202
communicants.
Intimately
connected with the history of
building was
soon begun under the supervision of the bishop, and after a plan drawn by
himself. The building having been completed, was
consecrated to its purposes on the 6th June, 1860, the bishop of
The
building erected for the seminaries of the
The
style is the collegiate gothic, of the same general character which prevails in
the English universities of
The
interior is divided into two distinct departments. The eastern end, devoted to
ministerial education, contains the house of the Willoughby professor of
theology, with the library, comprising 1600 volumes, a large proportion of
which are the best remains of christian antiquity — the fathers, the councils,
and after these, the reformers, and standard authors in polemic divinity.
The
western end contains the academical department, the large schoolroom, 42 feet
long, 21 feet wide, and 12 feet high, the smaller recitation rooms, the parlor
and reception rooms, the dormitories, and the chapel.
The basement, throughout the whole building, is 10 feet in height, arranged for
the culinary work of the establishment, containing 3 first class furnaces, one
in the center and one at either end, with flues and registers opening into all
the rooms, in each of which there is a ventilator.
The
chapel is highly ornamental, 62 feet
550
long, and 21 feet wide, with deeply recessed chancel and
open roof, filled with gothic spandrils and elaborate tracery, provided with an
excellent cast steel bell and a superior organ, and seated to accommodate, with
entire comfort, 150 worshipers. The express design in this had been to form the
taste of the theological students, especially, by placing before them a good
model of ecclesiastical style in church architecture. The windows are all of
stained glass, and the effect of the whole is uncommonly solemn and imposing.
The
entire length of the building is 125 feet. The breadth, at
the eastern end, 57; at the western end, 66; and in the centre, 44. The
number of rooms is 44, besides the chapel and the belfry. And it will
accommodate 15 theological students, together with the resident professor, in
the eastern end, and 30 boys, with the principal of the academical department,
in the western end, the chapel being used in common by both departments, which
otherwise have no connection with each other, save that the whole is under the
supervision of the same bishop and board of trustees.
As
originally contemplated by the president, it is determined to put in operation
two departments, entirely separate and distinct from each other. The one a
theological department or divinity school, designed exclusively for the
training and education of candidates for the ministry, under the especial care
of the theological professor, who will reside in the eastern wing of the
building, it having been arranged with reference to the accommodation of
himself and family. The revenue arising from the legacy of Dr. Willoughby will
be devoted entirely to the support of this department. Ample rooms are provided
for the use of the students, and every other accommodation necessary for carrying
on a full course of theological instruction.
The
other, an academical department, for boys — in no way connected with the
theological, and dependent entirely upon its own resources for support — under
the charge of a principal and his assistants, who will occupy the central and
western part of the building. The pupils will have rooms in the same part, eat
at the table with the principal, and be entirely under his control and
supervision as much as though they were his own sons. In the construction of the
buildings, particular attention has been given to provide everything for the
accommodation of a large family of this kind. A chapel for religious services,
a large general school room, recitation and music rooms, a large reception
room, a large dining room, kitchen, laundry, sleeping rooms — all well warmed
and ventilated — and every convenience for the personal comfort and board of
the pupils, as well as for their instruction and recreation.
It is
the intention of the trustees to establish a first class thorough English,
classical and mathematical institution, where parents can have their sons
educated to such a degree as they may desire, either for practical business,
for college, or for the theological department of the institute, without the
intervention of the usual collegiate course; and at the same time, the
arrangement is such by making them members of the family of the principal, that
their physical, moral and christian culture is constantly kept in view, as well
as their intellectual. Situated as the seminary is, upon one of the most
picturesque points of Lake Champlain, commanding a view of the broad lake for
50 miles, with the beautiful bay and village of Burlington in front, and in the
distance the Adirondacks of New York, and the Green mountains of Vermont — away
from the objects which are calculated to divert the attention of the pupils
from their duties — it affords rare opportunities for theological and
academical instruction.
BY THE RT. REV. LOUIS DE GOESBRIAND.
The
few Catholic families who lived in Chittenden county up to 1830, had no priest
to attend them regularly, until the month of July of that year, when Rev.
Jeremiah O'Callaghan, an aged clergyman, a native of county Cork in Ireland, was
sent by Bishop Fenwick of Boston to this part of his extensive diocese. Col.
Hyde, towards the end of this same year, deeded to the bishop of
It
was consumed by fire in 1838. It was attended by both the Canadians and the
Irish, who formed the bulk of the Catholic congregation. Rev. J. O'Callaghan
was assisted at different periods by other clergymen, viz.:
Rev. Messrs. Petithomme, O'Byrne and
Anse. After the burning of the church,
service was held in the basement of the Court house until 1841, when St. Mary's
church (which has since been enlarged) was erected; also by the care of Rev.
Jeremiah O'Callaghan. At this time, the French Canadians, under the direction
of Rev. Mr. Anse, put up another building on the hill near the place where the
other church stood, and the two congregations had separate services. It was in
1850 that the Canadians resolved to erect the present edifice known as
Rev.
J. O'Callaghan continued to attend to his congregation in St. Mary's, and had
often alone to minister to the spiritual wants of the Canadians (in the absence
of a resident French priest), until November, 1853. At this time,
Sisters
of
From
the fall of 1854, when the Rev. J. Quevillon left
In the
summer of 1856, the
The
church edifice in
The
Catholics in this neighborhood number 70 families. The number of Catholic
families in
BY WM. H. HOYT.
The Sentinel,
with, it may be, a single exception, is the oldest newspaper in
552
scribers have been obtained for this paper, and its circulation is
now rapidly increasing." In another part of his address, he says: "It
has been repeatedly asked, 'what are the politics of the editor?' The answer is
very willingly given, although it had been his intention that they should never
have been known from his paper, having determined it should be impartial. As a man,
he professes to be a firm and decided Federalist, but as an editor, he
is resolved to take no part in politics. He is willing any sentiments should be
advanced and advocated in his paper, provided these are clothed in decent
language, and partake not of undue asperity." The number which lies before
us as we write, is a small sheet of four columns to a
page, well printed for those days; and its contents are made up with ability
and interest. The first page is occupied with a reprint of Ira Allen's
correspondence with the Directory of the
The
first title of the paper was, Vermont Centinel, which was retained till
December 6th, 1810, when the name was changed to
The
founder and first publisher of the Sentinel, as above stated, was Mr.
John K. Baker. Mr. Baker relinquished the publication on the 12th of October,
1804, and it was assumed by Mr. Josiah King; but Mr. Baker's services were
retained as assistant editor. The new proprietor, in announcing the change,
says: "As the public mind seems unhappily divided, it will be the
undeviating aim of the proprietor to give a fair, candid and impartial
representation of facts and opinions on both sides of the political
question." "The cool and dispassionate writer,"
he adds, "whether federalist or democrat, shall be duly attended to."
A curious plan was adopted by him, which would work somewhat curiously
now-a-days, we apprehend. "As it is the wish of the proprietor," he
says, "to have an opportunity of determining on the propriety of inserting
original productions, independent of personal attachments or aversions, he has
placed a box on the door of the printing office for the reception of such
pieces, by which means the authors' names may be unknown, even to the
editor."
Mr.
King retained the proprietorship of the paper for only one year, having
relinquished it October 11, 1805, when its publication was resumed by its first
founder, Mr. J. K. Baker, and printed by him "for the proprietors"
(the names of whom are not given), until the beginning of the following April,
1806, when it passed into the hands of Messrs. Daniel Greenleaf & Co. It
was considerably enlarged in size by them, and much improved in its general
appearance. The name of the publishing firm was, a few weeks later, changed to
Greenleaf & Mills; the firm consisting of Daniel Greenleaf and Samuel
Mills. The partnership between them, however, was dissolved in October of the
same year (1806); and the Sentinel, with its printing establishment,
became the sole property of Mr. Mills. It continued under his proprietorship
until January 1, 1818, when he retired from the printing business; having sold
out his interest in it to his brothers, Ephraim and Thomas Mills. The Messrs.
E. & T. Mills remained the publishers of the Sentinel until January
1, 1835, when they sold it to Mr. Nahum Stone. Mr. Stone was a printer, having
learned the art
at, Keene, N. H., and subsequently worked at the business in
Such
are the somewhat dry details, perhaps, of the successive proprietorships of
this old and leading democratic paper; necessary, however, as a part of its
history. We have been less exact in giving the precise dates of its later
changes, for the reason that the earlier files of the paper are more complete
than those of later years. During the long series of years that the Messrs.
Mills published the Sentinel, they preserved files of its successive
numbers, which are still accessible. But during the subsequent and not unfrequent
changes, less care was taken in preserving them, and hence the office files are
incomplete.
It
should be mentioned that during the greater part of the time that the Sentinel
has been published, its place of publication has been in the same locality, the
south side of the Court House square in
During
a part of the time that the Sentinel was published by Mr. Paul, and
afterwards by Mr. Saxe — some three or four years in all — a daily edition of
it was issued. But not being found very remunerative in those quiet times, and
being accompanied by largely increased expense and labor, it was discontinued.
The
publication day of the Sentinel was, at first, Thursday; and for the
first few years it was variously Thursday, Wednesday or Friday, according to
the variations of the time of arrival of the then weekly mail from the cities.
But it was finally fixed upon Friday, and has continued thus for more than 50
years.
At
the first, as may be perceived from the address of its founder, Mr. Baker,
above given, the Sentinel was designed not to be a party political
paper; but to give the current news of the day, and to furnish a medium through
which writers upon either side might present their thoughts and views to the
public. Accordingly in its earlier volumes we find essays and letters and
discussions, pro
554
and con, upon either side of the political questions of the
day. But so soon as party politics had assumed more definite shape and party
lines had become more distinctly drawn, epecially during the ante-war
discussions and the period of the war itself — i.e., of course, the war of 1812
— the Sentinel was an earnest and firm democratic (or, as the party was
then termed, in opposition to the federalists, republican) journal, and has
unwaveringly continued such down to the present day.
We
may add in conclusion, that from its age and its position and the generally
superior ability with which it has been conducted, the Sentinel has
always been the leading democratic paper of the state, and has at all times
exercised a wide and strong influence among the members of its political party.
Having also commanded a large and efficient support from them, it has for the
most part been prosperous in its financial interests. The fact of its long
continuance, for now considerably more than half a century, while similar
undertakings, almost without number, have sprung up and disappeared again,
forcibly bespeaks this fact.
BY G. W. BENEDICT.
The
first number of the
In
the consultations which were held on the subject, Seneca Austin and Luman
Foote, Esqs., then partners in the law business, in
The
establishment of the Burlington Free Press met with great favor in the
community, and a good subscription list in proportion to the population of the
county was speedily secured for it. The paper was conducted with great ability,
and soon became one of the most influential papers of the state, remarkable for
its comprehensive views, its independence of tone, the force and directness of
its editorial articles and the interest of its correspondence.
The Burlington
Free Press was conducted by Mr. Foote alone, till the latter part of Feb.
1828, when Henry B. Stacy, Esq., who had had the practical business of printing
the paper under his charge almost from the issue of its first number, became
associated with Mr. Foote as editor and proprietor. By them jointly it was
edited and published till January, 1833, when Mr. Stacy became sole editor and
proprietor, and so remained till July, 1846. At that time DeWitt C. Clarke,
Esq., became its owner and editor.
From
the commencement of the paper till April, 1848, the Burlington Free Press
had appeared only as a weekly sheet. At that time telegraph connections having
been formed between
On
the first of April, 1853, the Free Press was purchased by the present
editors and proprietors, Messrs. George W. and George G. Benedict. Both the
weekly and daily papers have been enlarged more than once since they were
commenced. The weekly paper is now twice its original size, and the daily paper
has been enlarged in nearly the same proportion.
The
political position which the Free Press has occupied during the past 36
years of its existence can be inferred from the following statement. In 1828,
it supported for the presidency, John Quincy Adams, in preference to Andrew
Jackson; in 1832, Henry Clay, in preference to Andrew Jackson; in 1836 and
1840, Wm. H. Harrison, in preference to Martin Van Buren; in 1844, Henry Clay,
in preference to James K. Polk; in 1848, Zachary Taylor, in preference to Lewis
Cass; in 1852, Winfield Scott, in preference
to Franklin Pierce; in 1856, John C. Fremont, in preference
to James Buchanan; in 1860, Abraham Lincoln, in preference to Stephen A.
Douglas or John C Breckinridge.
LIST OF PERIODICALS PUBLISHED IN
Northern Sentinel. — Commenced in March, 1801, by J. K. Baker; with a slight
change of name is still published (weekly) by W. H. & C. A. Hoyt & Co.
The Repertory. — Published by Jed. Spooner.
The
The Iris and
The
Green Mountain Repository — 12° monthly;
published by C. Goodrich; edited by Z. Thompson; lived 1 year (1832).
The
Commercial Register. —— Monthly; Nichols & Warren; begun in 1851(?); was
issued for about 2 years.
Burlington
Times — Daily and
weekly; in the fall of 1860, passed from the hands of D. W. C. Clarke, who
started the paper, to those of George H. Bigelow, the present proprietor.
[The
following list of Vermont books and publications by natives of Vermont, is not
supposed even to approach completeness, and is not presumed to be altogether
free from errors, in regard to the works which it enumerates, yet may serve for
a skeleton for some one else to fill up. It is hoped that whoever can supply
omissions or correct mistakes in it, will take the pains to do so, and send
their notes to the editor. If a complete and accurate catalogue could be
published as one of the appendices to a volume of the magazine, containing all
the pamphlets, maps, &c., ever published in the state, as also the acts and
journals of the legislature, the various recensions of the statutes, with other
public documents, and not least though last, a list of all the periodicals of
the state, with indications where to find some of the oldest and rarest of
these; this single list, as a guide to the History of Vermont would be worth
what is now asked for the entire work. Notices should be particular as to place
and time of publication, number of pages, &c., to make them of greatest
practical advantage.
As
the larger portion of the following list were published in Burlington or by
Chittenden county authors, the list has been assigned to this county, and we
are indebted for it chiefly to J. E. Goodrich of Burlington. — Ed.]
ADAMS,
C. B. See Geology of
AIKEN,
Asa. Interest and Discount Tables. 4°.
ALLEN,
Ethan. Proceedings of
—— Animadversary Address. 24
pp. 8°.
—— A Vindication of the
Opposition of Vermont to the Government of New York, and of their Right to form
into an
—— Narrative of his
Captivity, by himself. —— , 1779.
—— Reason the Sole Oracle of
—— Life of, by Jared Sparks. 16'. Middlebury.
ALLEN,
Ira. Natural and Political History of the State of
—— Particulars of the Capture of the ship
Olive Branch. 160 pp. 8°.
—— Letters to the Governor of Vermont and
Address to the Legislature, respecting a conspiracy against the Author, and
respecting a Ship Canal from Lake Champlain to the River St. Lawrence, &c.,
&c. 61 pp. 8°.
ALLEN,
ARNOLD,
J. L. Poems.
ATLAS,
A new Universal. 4°.
BAKE PAN, The. For Doughfaces, by One of Them. 64 pp. 8°.
BATES, Wm.,
656
BAYLIES,
Nicholas. On Free Agency. 216 pp.
12°.
BOTTA,
Mrs. Anna C. Poems. The
BIBLE,
The Holy. 4°.
BRADLEY,
S. R. Vermont's Appeal. 52 pp. 8°.
BRONSON,
A. View of Methodist Episcopacy, 248 pp. 12°.
BROWN,
J. N. See Encyclopaedia.
BURCHARD,
Jedediah. Sermons, Exhortations and Addresses. 12°.
BURNAP,
U. C. The Youth's Etherial Director (astronomical). 72 pp.
8°. Middlebury, 1822.
CAMPBELL,
Edward R. The Hero of Scutari and other Poems. 438 pp. 12°.
CAREY,
Matthew. Olive Branch, or Faults on both sides, Federal and Democratic. 12°. Middlebury, 1816.
CHALMERS,
Thomas,
CHAPIN,
Walter. The Missionary Gazetteer. 420
pp.
CHAPMAN,
Geo. T.,
CHIPMAN,
Nathaniel. Sketches of the Principles of Government. 192 pp. 12°.
—— Principles of Government, a Treatise on
Free Institutions (re-written and enlarged). 330 pp. 8°.
COLERIDGE,
Samuel Taylor. Aids to Reflection, with preliminary essay and
notes, by Dr. James Marsh. 8°.
—— The Friend. 8°.
—— The Statesman's Manual. 12°.
COLTON,
Walter. A Prize Essay on Dueling; Ship and Shore; Visit to Constantinople; Deck
and Port; Three years in California; Land and Sea; The Sea and the Sailor;
Notes on France and Italy; Italy and the Literary Remains; A Memoir of Walter
Colton, by Rev. Henry F. Cheever.
COOK,
Thomas. Universal Letter Writer. 12°.
CUTTS,
Mary. Poems. 247 pp.
DEAN,
James. Gazetteer of
DE GRANDPRE, L. Voyage in the Indian Ocean and to
DEMING,
Leonard. Remarkable Events. 324 pp.
12°. Middlebury, 1825.
—— Catalogue of the Principal Officers of
DENMAN, T. Midwifery.
8°.
EASTMAN,
F. S. History of
EASTMAN,
Chas. G. Poems. 18°.
ENCYLOPÆDIA of Religious Instruction. Edited by Rev. J. Newton Brown. 1275 pp. 8°. Brattleborough, 1836.
FESSENDEN,
Thomas Green. Science of Sanctity. 8°.
—— The Ladies' Monitor, a poem. 180 pp. 12°. Bellows Falls, 1818.
—— Poems. 2 vols. Political
Satire. 12°
FRANKLIN, Benj. Life of, written by himself. 12°.
GALLUP,
Joseph A. Sketches of Epidemic Diseases in
—— Institutes of Medicine.
2 vols. 886 pp. 8°.
GASKELL,
Silas. Botanist and Family Physician. 203 pp. 12°.
GEOLOGY of
GEOLOGY of
GOODRICH,
C. A. History of the Church to the present time. 504 pp. 8°.
GOODRICH,
Chauncey. Northern Fruit Culturist, or Farmer's Guide
to the Orchard and
GOODRICH,
S. G. Book of Quadrupeds. 324 pp. 18°.
GRAHAM,
Dr. John A. Letters upon
GREENLEAF's Improved Grammar.
GRIDLEY,
John. History of
GRISWOLD,
R. W. Associate editor of the New Yorker, Brother Jonathan, New World, &c.
Projector of the International Magazine.
The
principal works of Mr. Griswold are: Poets and Poetry of America. Edited in 1842. 8vo.
Prose
Writers of
The Female Poets of
Washington and the Generals of the American Revolution,
and Napoleon and the Marshals of the Empire in 1847.
Poets
and Poetry of
The Sacred Poets of
Curiosities of American Literature. The Biographical Annual.
The Present Condition of Philosophy.
HAGER, A. D. See
Geology of
HALL,
Benj. H. History of
HARMAN,
Daniel W. A Journal of Voyages and Travels in the Interiour of N. America, with
map. 432 pp. 8°.
HAZELTINE,
Silas Wood. The Traveler's Dream and other Poems. 152 pp. 16°.
HAZEN,
Jasper. The Primary Instructor and Spelling Book. 160 pp. 16°.
HEGEWISCH,
D. H. Introduction to Historical Chronology. Translated by
James Marsh. 12".
HEMENWAY, Abby M. Poets and Poetry of
HERDER. J.
G. The Spirit of Hebrew Poetry, translated by James
Marsh, D. D. 2 vols. 294, 320 pp. 12°.
HITCHCOCK, Pres. E. Hitchcock and C. H. Hitchcock. See Geology of
HODGE,
Rev. C. W. Sermons. 296 pp. 12°.
HOPKINS,
Josiah. The Christian Instructor. 312
pp. 12°. Middlebury, 1825.
*
HOPKINS, Rt. Rev. J. H., D. D., LL. D. Christianity Vindicated. 178 pp. 12°.
—— Primitive Creed. 415 pp. 12°,
——
—— Gothic Architecture, with 13 plates. 46 pp. 4°.
—— Church of
——
—— Sundry Pamphlets.
HOSKINS,
Nathan. History of
HOWE,
Rev. John. The Blessedness of the Righteous, and the Vanity
of Man as Mortal. Edited by James Marsh. 331 pp. 8°.
HUBBARD, Wm. Indian Wars in
HUDSON,
Charles. Letters. 327 pp. 12°.
INFANTRY Exercise of the
JILLSON, C. Inklings of Song. Poem. 159 pp.
16°.
JOHNSON,
Mrs. Narrative of the Captivity of. 12°.
LAMB,
Jonathan. Spelling Book. 180 pp.
12°.
JOSSELYN,
Robert. Poems.
LARD,
Rebecca. Miscellaneous Poems. 18'.
LETTERS of a Blacksmith. 21°.
LEONARD,
Seth. Spelling Book. 228 pp. 12°.
LEVINGS,
Noah Christian Instructer In‑
—————
*
Since the article was in type we understand that only the works published by
Bishop Hopkins, D. P. Thompson, and perhaps others, in the state, were included
by Mr. Goodrich. — Ed.
558
strutted. 237 pp. 12°. Middlebury, 1827.
LINCOLN,
R. W. Lives of the Presidents of the
LINSLEY,
Joel N.,
LOCKE,
John. Essay on the Human Understanding, with selections from
his other writings and a Life of the Author. 3 vols.
12°.
MARSH,
George P. Grammar of the Old Northern or Icelandic Language. 188
pp. 12°.
MARSH,
Mrs. George P. Wolfe of the Wold, and other Poems. 12°. New
Yorker, 186_.
MARSH,
Rev. James, D. D. Remains of, containing his
Metaphysical and Theological writings, with Life by Prof. Joseph Torrey. 642 pp. 8°. (Boston, 1843.) 2d ed.,
MARSH,
Prof. Leonard, M. D. The Apocatastasis, or Progress
Backwards (a refutation of Spiritism). 202 pp. 8°.
MASON,
John. Select Remains.
METHODIST
Preachers, Experiences of several, written by themselves.
12°. Barnard, 1812.
MORTON.
Memoir of Rev. Levi Parsons, First Missionary to
NARAMORE, G. H. April Leaves, Letters and Poems. —— pp.
NUTTING,
Rufus. English Grammar. 136 pp. 12°.
O'CALLAGHAN,
Rev. Jeremiah. On Banks, Usury, &c. 300 pp. 12°.
—— On Protestancy,
Matrimony, &c. 328 pp. 12°.
OSBORNE,
Benj. Truth Displayed. 726 pp. 8°.
PALMER,
Thos. The Teacher's Manual. 12°
—— The Moral Instructer.
A Series. 4 books.
—— Palmer's Arithmetic. 12°. 348 pp.
PARSONS,
Rev. Levi, Life of. See Morton.
PEARSON,
T. S. Graduates of
PETER
the Great, History of Life and Reign of. 12°.
ROYCE,
Rev. Andrew. Universalism. 207 pp.
18°.
RULES and Articles of War, &c. 8°.
RURAL Magazine, or Vermont Repository, edited by Dr.
Samuel Williams. 8°. monthly.
1795, 648 pp.; 1796, 624 pp.
RUSSELL,
John. History of
SAXE,
John G. Poems. 2 vols.
SKETCHES of the War between the
SPENCER, Dr. S.,
—— Pastor's Sketches and 3 vols. of Sermons,
with Biography.
SPENCER,
H. L. Poems. 18°.
STEVENS,
Beriah. System of Arithmetic. 423
pp. 8°.
STEWART,
Dugald. Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind. 3 vols. 8°.
SWIFT,
Saml. History of Middlebury and
THOMPSON,
Danl. P. May Martin.
—— The
—— Locke Amsden. 12°.
—— Shaker Lovers, &c.
8°.
—— History of
THOMPSON,
Prof. Zadoc. Gazetteer of
—— The Youth's Assistant (Arithmetic). 160 pp. 8°.
—— Youth's Assistant. 266
pp. 12°.
—— History of
—— The Iris and
—— The
—— Geography and History of
THOMPSON,
Prof. Zadoc. Geography and Geology of
—— History of
—— Appendix to above. 64 pp.
8°.
—— Journal of a Trip to
—— Child's Geography of
—— Mental Arithmetic.
12°.
—— Map of
—— Guide to Lake George, Lake Champlain,
THOMSON,
James. The Seasons, with Life of the Author by Samuel
Johnson. 24°. Middlebury, 1815.
TYLER,
Royall. The Algerine Captive. 2 v.
12°. 428 pp.
—— The Contrast — the
first Comedy acted in
—— An Author's Evenings — a Comedy repeatedly
performed in
WALKER, Hon. Jesse.
Orations, Poems, &c. 150 pp. 8°.
—— Poems, with biography. 12°. 196 pp.
WARNER,
Seth. Life of, by D. Chipman. 16°. Middlebury.
WEBB.
Freemason's Monitor. 12°.
WATROUS, Sophia. The Gift. Poems. 172
pp. 24°.
WEEKS,
Refine. Poems. 12°. 308 pp. 1820;
8°. (In 5 books, one large volume.)
WEDGWOOD,
Wm. B. Revised Statutes of the State of
WHEELER,
Rev. O. G. The Jewsharp. Poems.
12°. 312 pp.
WILCOX,
Carlos. Acts of Benevolence and Religion of Taste — Sermon
and Biography.
WILLIAMS,
Saml. Natural and Civil History of
—— The Same to 2
vols. 8°. 1003 pp.
—— See Rural Magazine.
WRIGHT, N. H. Fall of
Law
Books.
AIKEN,
Asa. Practical Forms. 448 pp. 12°.
BAYLIES,
N. Digested Index to the Modern Reports of the Courts of Common Law of
BINGHAM,
P. The Law of Infancy and Coverture with Notes and
References, by E. H. Bennett. 396 pp. 8°..
CALDWELL,
James S. The Law of Arbitration, edited by Chauncey Smith. 540
pp. 8°.
CHALMERS, Geo. Opinions of Eminent Lawyers on various
points of English Jurisprudence, chiefly concerning the Colonies, Fisheries and
Commerce of Great Britain. 815 pp. 8°.
CHIPMAN,
N., LL. D. On Government. See foregoing list.
CHIPMAN,
Daniel. Essay on the Law of Contracts for the Payment of Specific Articles. 224 pp. 8°. Middlebury, 1822. The same, with Supplement by D. B. Eaton. 326
pp. 8°.
CRABB,
Geo. History of English Law. 595 pp. 8°.
ELLIS,
C. Law of Life and Fire Insurance, with notes and additions by Wm. G. Shaw. 326 pp. 8°.
FELL,
W. W. The Law of Mercantile Guaranties and of Principal and
Surety in General, with notes, &c., by J. W. Allen. 464 pp. 8°.
FESSENDEN,
T. G. American Clerk's Companion.
GOULD,
James, LL. D. Treatise on the Principles of Pleading. 536 pp.
8°.
REEVE, Tapping. Law of Baron and Femme, Parent and Child, Master and Servant,
&c., edited by Lucius E. Chittenden. 500 pp. 8°.
—— The Same, with Appendix
by J. W. Allen. 588 pp.
ROBERTS,
Wm. On Voluntary and Fraudulent Conveyances.
SHELFORD,
Leonard. The Law of Railways, with notes, &c., by Milo L. Bennett, LL. D.,
and E. H. Bennett. 2 vols. 1298 pp. 8°.
SLADE,
TYLER,
Royall. Book of Forms. 16°.
WASHBURN,
Peter T. Supplement to Aiken's Forms. 110 pp. 16°.
Claremont, N. H.
Reports
of the Decisions of the Supreme Court.
AIKENS,
Asa. Reports (1826, 1827), 2 vols.
560
BRAYTON, Wm. Reports (1815 — 1819), 240 pp. Middlebury,
1821.
CHIPMAN, D. Reports (1789 — 1825), vol. I, and part I of vol. II. Middlebury,
1824.
CHIPMAN,
Nathaniel. Reports (1789-91) and Dissertations. 296 pp. 16°.
TYLER,
Royall. Reports (1801 — 1803), in 2 2 vols.
WASHBURN'S
Digest of the State Reports was published at
A
condensed edition of the Supreme Court Reports of the State, that should
contain (in 10 vols.) every case reported from 1789 to 1856, was projected by
Mr. Chauncey Goodrich, and the approval of the legislature obtained (in 1856).
Judge Redfield was appointed by the state to edit the series, and had already
bestowed considerable labor on the earlier portion of the work, the first
volume being ready for the press, when, in consequence of the death of the
publisher, and the repeal by the legislature (in 1858) of the act authorizing
the publication, the enterprize was abandoned. By reason of the small editions
published of the earlier volumes, it is now exceedingly difficult and almost
impossible to procure complete sets of the reports. The little volume of N.
Chipman is so rare as to be esteemed a curiosity, and it is a piece of sheer
good fortune, if at any price one can procure either Brayton's or Aiken's
Reports, or the first nine volumes, the sixth excepted, of the numbered series.
LIBRARIES.
[Measures
were taken for establishing a public library in
There
are also several private libraries in the county, especially worthy of notice.
That of Hon. Geo. P. Marsh merits first mention, as in some respects probably
the most valuable private library in the
———————————————