RUTLAND POST-OFFICES

    A post-office department was established by the State of Vermont in 1784, several years previous to her admission into the Union, for the purpose, as stated, "of promulgating the laws, conveying timely notice to the freemen of the State of all proprietary proceedings and other matters of importance to the public, which can in no other way be effected so extensively and attended with so small expense, as by the appointment of regular posts for the conveying of the same to the parts of this State. To carry out this design, five post-offices were established -- one in Rutland, one in Bennington, one in Brattleboro, one ,in Windsor, and one in Newbury; these were placed under the same regulations as those of the general government. Post-riders were allowed two pence per mile for their labor. Anthony HASWELL, then of Bennington, was appointed postmaster general. This department existed until the admission of the State into the Union in 1791, at which time the office in Rutland was in charge of Frederick HILL, and it was reorganized by the United States authorities March 20, 1793, the same postmaster continuing until 1796, when Nathaniel GOVE was appointed.
 

      The post-office has been located in Rutland village at various periods in Main street, West street, and Washington street, previous to the erection of the present United States court-house, in 1854, when it was removed to its present location. The office became presidential in 1853, when John CAIN was nominated and confirmed as postmaster on the 21st of February of that year.

      The list of postmasters here, with the years of their service, is as follows: Frederick HILL, March 20, 1793, to October 1, 1796; Nathaniel GOVE, October 1, 1796, to October 1, 1801; David SMITH, October 1, 1801, to July 1, 1804; Samuel PRENTISS, July 1, 1804, to July 1, 1805; Thomas HOOKER, July 1, 1805, to December 19, 1810; William Douglas SMITH, December 19, 1810; to March 28, 1822; Reuben R. THRALL, March 28, 1822, to June 20, 1829;

      Royal H. WALTER, June 20, 1829, to March 1, 1836; Thomas J. ORMSBEE, March 1, 1836, to April 9, 1841; Jesse GOVE, April 9, 1841, to May 23, 1842; Jonathan C. DEXTER, May 23, 1842, to November 29, 1844; Moses HAWKES, February 10, 1845, to July 3, 1845; Jonathan C. DEXTER, July 3, 1845, to February 22, 1849; Charles BURT, February 22, 1849, to May 17, 1853; Josiah PRATT, May 17, 1853, to October 20, 1853; John CAIN, October 20, 1853, to February 7, 1860; John Merritt HALL, February 7, 1860, to July 14, 1860, Isaac MCDANIELS, July 14, 1860, to March 28, 1861; Martin G. EVERTS, March 28, 1861, to May 4, 1870; John B. KILBURN, May 4, 1870, to April 24, 1874; Albert H. TUTTLE, April 24, 1874, to July 16, 1885. Lyman William REDINGTON was appointed July 16, 1885.

      William D. SMITH held the office twelve years; Albert H. TUTTLE, eleven years; John CAIN, seven years, and Martin G. EVERTS, nine years. There are only eight persons living who held the office, the oldest of whom is Reuben R. THRALL.

      The office of Center Rutland was established May 1, 1850, with John B. PROCTOR as postmaster. Nine officials have administered the office, of whom Mrs. Roxana W. KEYES held the office nineteen years. The office became presidential in 1882, and ceased to be such in the following year. The following are the names of the postmasters: John S. PROCTOR, May 1, 1850, to May 18, 1852; William H. LISCOMB, May 18, 1852, to May 29, 1852, eleven days only; Peter DUDLEY, May 29, 1852, to August 29, 1856; George R. ANGIER, August 29, 1856, to December 6, 1858; James LAMPSON, December 6, 1858, to June 20, 1861; Seneca M. DORR, June 20, 1861, to July 9, 1863; Roxana W. KEYES, July 9, 1863, to May 25, 1882; Henry C. HARRIS, May 25, 1882, to May 25, 1885, when Patrick H. DOLAN, the present incumbent, was appointed.

      The post-office at Sutherland Falls was established February 9, 1855, with Thomas J. ORMSBEE as postmaster. Eleven different men have held the office since, the longest term being that of Benjamin F. TAYLOR, who held it twelve years. The name of the office was changed to Proctor January 21, 1885. The following is a list of the postmasters here: Thomas J. ORMSBEE, February 9, 1855, to January 13, 1858; Francis A. FISHER, January 13, 1858, to June 17, 1862; James LYTLE, June 17, 1862, to December 18, 1863; Henry P. ROBERTS, December 18, 1863, to January 12, 1865; John B. REYNOLDS, January 12, 1865, to January 24, 1865; Fayette VAUGHAN, January 24, 1865, to January 4, 1870; M. C. TURNER, January 4, 1870, to August 7, 1871; John M. HALL, August 7, 1871, to February 7, 1872; Henry C. HAYWARD, February 7, 1872, to October 10, 1872; Benjamin F. TAYLOR, October 10, 1872, to May 27, 1885, when Henry E. SPENCER was appointed.

      In preparing a history of the Congregational Church of Rutland, we cannot better secure the interest of the reader than by drawing largely upon the sketch of the churches of the town; prepared and delivered by Chauncey K. WILLIAMS at the centennial celebration of the settlement of Vermont in 1870, and then bringing the history of the various church organizations down to date. In the minds of the first settlers of the county, wrote Mr. WILLIAMS, and more particularly those of New England, although they abhorred the idea of any connection between church and state, yet, after all, In some respects, the matters of civil and religious polity were intimately connected. They emigrated mainly for religious motives, or, as they themselves expressed it, to "carry forward the reformation." It was manifest to them that religious freedom could not exist without civil liberty, and it was equally manifest to them that civil liberty, or any government short of anarchy, could not exist unless it was founded and formed upon the cornerstone of religion and religious worship. Hence the first thing done was to lay the foundation and establish a form of civil government. This done, then they commenced to make provision for the support of public worship and for the enjoyment of Christian institutions and ordinances. This was also true of Vermont. In Bennington, which is the oldest of our chartered towns, in the records of their first proprietors' meeting the first act after the election of officers was the appointment of a "committee to look out a place to set the meetinghouse." The same is true of the early settlers of Rutland. All through the early records of the town will be found votes in reference to the employment of preachers, providing places of public worship, and kindred subjects. To show the nature of these votes, we give the record of the town meeting of January 4th, 1781: 

      The proper ecclesiastical history of Rutland may be said to have begun in 1773, when, on the 20th day of October, the first Congregational Church and society was formed in Rutland, with fourteen members, namely: Joseph BOWKER, Sarah BOWKER, William ROBERTS, Eben HOPKINS, Samuel CRIPPEN, Daniel. HAWLEY, Charles BREWSTER, Abraham JACKSON, John MOSES, Enos IVES, Jehiel ANDREWS, Sarah ANDREWS, Annah IVES and Mehitable ANDREWS. 

      Over this church was settled the Rev. Benajah ROOTS. (See sketch of his life in former pages.)

      There were here at that time about thirty families, and he was engaged here to preach for five years. In consequence of his settlement he also received a right of land, which by the charter was reserved to the first settled minister: He remained as pastor of this church until his death, which occurred March, 16, 1787, in the sixty-second year of his age. As first constituted, there were, only thirteen members, and there were six additions to it down to 1874-75, when there was a powerful revival, which brought into the church forty-five persons. We have not time now to speak of the result of his ministrations, but must pass to his successor.

      Rev. Lemuel HAYNES, in his day and generation, was one of the most remarkable men in Vermont. Fifty years hence it may be, and probably will be difficult to apprehend the difficult position in which not only he, but also the people of that parish were placed in employing such a clergyman to minister unto them. Mr. HAYNES was a partially colored man, his father being of unmingled African extraction, and his mother a white woman of respectable parentage. His name was that neither of his father or mother, but (probably) that of the family under whose roof he received his birth. He was born at West Hartford, Conn., July 18, 1753. When he was five months old he was carried to Granville, Mass., and bound out as a servant until he was twenty-one. During a revival he became a professor of religion, and being persuaded that it was his duty to become a preacher of the Gospel, he commenced the study of the ministry with Rev. Daniel FARRAND, of Canaan, Conn., and on the 29th of November, 1780, he was licensed to preach. On the 9th of November, 1785, he was ordained to preach at Torrington, Conn., the Rev. Daniel FARRAND preaching the sermon. After remaining in Torrington a short time he took a missionary tour through Vermont, at the request of the Connecticut Missionary Society. The result of this trip was that he was invited to settle in West Rutland, where he remained till May, 1818, when he was dismissed. From here Mr. HAYNES went to Manchester, where he remained three years, and in February, 1822, removed to Granville, N. Y., where he passed the last eleven years of his life, dying there on the 28th of September, 1833.

      He was succeeded by the Rev. Amos DRURY, who was born at Pittsford in 1792, and studied theology with the Rev. Josiah HOPKINS of New Haven, and at the Auburn Theological Seminary. He was ordained at West Rutland, June 3, 1819, and dismissed in April, 1829. On the 6th of May following (1829) he was installed pastor of the Congregational Church at Fairhaven, where he remained until the 26th of April, 1837, when he was dismissed, and June 29, 1837, he was installed over the Congregational Church at Westhampton, Mass.

      He was succeeded by the Rev. Lucius Linsey TILDEN, who was born in Cornwall, in 1802, and graduated at Middlebury College in 1823, and after spending some time in teaching he commenced the study of theology at Andover Theological Seminary, where he graduated, and was settled over this church in March, 1830, and dismissed in March, 1839.

      He was succeeded by the Rev. Aldace WALKER, D. D., who was ordained and installed on the 30th of December, 1840, and was dismissed in 1862.

      Aldace WALKER was the son of Leonard WALKER, who was born October 5, 1766, and whose lineage can be traced directly back through a line of remarkable men to Richard WALKER, who came from England to Massachusetts only ten years after the landing of the Pilgrims. Leonard WALKER lived in Strafford after he was a little more than thirty years old (1797) and died there in 1851 at the age of eighty-five. Aldace WALKER was the youngest of thirteen children, frail in body, but active in mind, and everybody's pet in his youth. In his thirteenth year he was bound an apprentice to his older brother, Charles, at the blacksmithing and carriage-making trade in New Haven. Before his apprenticeship was finished he was released to begin his preparation for the ministry; he began his studies at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., and went from there to Dartmouth College, from which he graduated with honor, to enter upon his theological studies, first for two years in New Haven, and finally for a year at Andover. He was called to the Congregational Church at West Rutland November 26, 1840, and was ordained December 30. Here he continued in a most successful pastorate until 1862, when he was dismissed at his own request, on account of the breaking down of his health two years earlier. He removed to Wallingford, where he was over the Congregational Church there for sixteen years. He died in Rutland July 24, 1878.

      Next to Rev. Dr. Aldace WALKER came the Rev. Henry M. GROUT, a graduate of Williams College in the class of 1854, who was ordained September 1, 1858, and installed on the 26th of August, 1862. He removed to Massachusetts in 1867, and was followed by Rev. George L. GLEASON, who was ordained February 1, 1866, and installed at West Rutland October 17, 1867, and dismissed on the 22d of March, 1869. There is no pastor installed over the West Rutland Church at the present time; but the Rev. B. Fay MILLS is preaching to the congregation. The Sunday-school is held regularly and comprises one hundred and twenty scholars. H. A. SMITH is superintendent. The question of building a new church in this parish has been agitated for two or three years s and finally culminated in a contract for the erection of a new house of worship, to be completed for occupancy in the spring of 1886. The deacons of the, church are R. C. THRALL, H. A. SMITH and C. A. PARKER.

      On the 22d of October, 1787, the town was divided into two parishes by the following bounds or division line: "Beginning at the center of the north line of said town, thence parallel with the east and west lines of the town till it strikes the Otter Creek, thence up the creek as the stream runs to the south, line."

      The church in the east parish was established October 5th, 1788, with thirty-seven members. Rev. Mr. BALL makes a minute, in what is now the first volume of their church records, that the only record found by him when he came here (in 1797) was a short note on the back of a confession of faith, signed by Augustine HILBRED, moderator, giving an account of the establishing; of the church, in which Pittsford, West Rutland and Poultney with their members assisted, and that the church was established "upon the plan of the Convention of the West District of Vermont, which was supposed to be agreeable to the Gospel." They did not, however, adopt all of the articles of said convention, but made one or two exceptions. During the preaching of Dr. WILLIAMS "the half-way covenant," as it was called, was adopted, but was discontinued in 1797, as Dr. BALL says, because "it was supposed to be unwarrantable and defective."

      The pulpit was supplied by different candidates till near the close of the year 1788, when Rev. Samuel WILLIAMS, L. L. D., was employed. He continued to supply the pulpit until October, 1795, when he relinquished preaching, and was succeeded by Rev. Heman BALL, D. D. Since the death of Dr. BALL there have been five pastors -- Rev. Charles WALKER, Rev. William MITCHELL, Rev. Silas AIKEN, D. D., Rev. Norman SEAVER, D. D., and Rev. James Gibson JOHNSON.

      Rev. Heman BALL, D. D., son of Charles BALL, was born in Springfield, Mass., July 5, 1764, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791. He studied theology with the Rev. Joseph LATHROP, D. D., of West Springfield, Mass., and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church here, February 1, 1797, the sermon being preached by Rev. Dr. LATHROP, and remained pastor until his death. In 1794 he received the honorary degree of A. M. from Yale College, and that of D. D. from Union College in 1816, and was one of the trustees of Middlebury College from its organization until his death. Several of his sermons were published, among which was one on the death of Washington, and an election sermon in 1804. Rev. Dr. SPRAGUE says: "He was highly respected for his talents and virtues, and exerted an extensive influence in the church." He died here, December 17th, 1821, and was buried in the West Street Cemetery, and is the only clergyman who has died during his pastorate of this church.

      Rev. Charles WALKER, D. D., was born in Woodstock, Conn., in 1791. He studied theology at Andover (Mass.) Theological Seminary, graduating in 1821. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church here. January 1, 1823, and was dismissed March 14, 1833. He was installed over the Congregational Church in (the east village of) Brattleboro, January 1, 1835, and was dismissed February 11, 1846, and on the 27th of December of the same year was installed over the Congregational Church in Pittsford, and was dismissed December 6, 1864. He received the honorary degree of A. M. from the University of Vermont in 1823, and from Middlebury and Dartmouth Colleges in 1825, and that of D. D. from the University of Vermont in 1847. He delivered the annual election sermon before the Legislature of Vermont in 1829, which was published, as were also some of his occasional sermons. He died in Binghamton, November 28, 1870.

      Rev. William MITCHELL, son of John and Abigail (WATERHOUSE) MITCHELL, was born at Chester, Conn., December 19, 1793, and graduated at Yale College in 1818. He studied at the Andover Theological Seminary, graduating there in 1821, in the same class with his immediate predecessor, Rev. Dr. WALKER, and was licensed June 5, of the same year, by the Middlesex (Conn.) Association, is engaged as a home missionary in Northwestern New York. He was ordained October 20, 1824, and was settled over the Congregational Church in Newton, Conn., from June, 1825, to May, 1831. He was installed pastor of e Congregational Church here, March 14, 1833, and dismissed June 2, 1846. He was acting pastor in Wallingford from August 8, 1847, to March 28, 1852.

      In the fall of 1852 he became agent of the Vermont Colonization Society, and served in that capacity three years; after this he served some two years as agent of the New York, and then of the New Jersey Colonization Society. In 1858 he removed to the residence of his son, John B. MITCHELL, at Corpus Christi, Texas. About a year before his death he organized a Presbyterian Church at Corpus Christi, and by his own exertions secured the funds for a church building, which was partly erected at the time of his death. He died August 1, 1867, of the yellow fever, which also carried off two others of his household.

      On the 21st of April, 1847, Rev. Henry HURIBURT was unanimously given a call to become pastor of the church. In pursuance of this call Mr. HURLBURT came to Rutland and preached some time, but on the 2d day of October, 1848, he informed them that owing to the condition of his health he must decline the call. He, however, remained here and occupied the pulpit some weeks longer.

      Rev. Silas AIKEN, D.D., son of Phineas and Elizabeth (PATTERSON) AIKEN, was born at Bedford, N. H., May 14, 1799, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1825 with the highest honors of his class, being valedictorian. He studied theology with Rev. Bennett TYLER, D. D., and Professor HOWE, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Amherst, N. H., March 4, 1829, and was dismissed March 5, 1837, having accepted a call to Park Street Church, Boston. He was installed over that church March 22, 1837 and resigned his pastorate and was dismissed in July, 1848. March 28, 1849. He was installed over the Congregational Church here, Rev. Benjamin LARABEE, D. D., president of Middlebury College, preaching the sermon, and was dismissed at his own request, July 1, 1863, from which time until his death he remained in Rutland without a charge. He had been at different times chaplain of the Massachusetts Senate, trustee of Dartmouth College, member of the prudential committee of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, director of the Prison Discipline Society, etc. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Vermont in 1852. He died here April 14, 1869.

      Rev. Norman SEAVER, D.D., son of Norman and Anna Maria (BIGELOW) SEAVER was born in Boston, Mass., April 23, 1834, and was graduated at William College in 1854. He studied theology at the Andover Theological Seminary, graduating there in 1860. He was ordained here as colleague pastor with Re V. Dr. AIKEN, August 29, 1860. On the resignation of Dr. AIKEN, July 1, 1863, he became sole pastor, and was dismissed in September, 1868, at his own request. December 30 1868, he was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church (Henry street), Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained seven years. He then accepted the pastorate of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained until the spring of 1885, when he resigned and is now pastor in one of the prominent churches in St. Paul, Minn. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Middlebury College in 1866.

      Subsequently the Rev. James Gibson JOHNSON, sixth pastor, was born in Providence, R. I. He prepared for college at Washington, D. C., and entering Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., graduated there in the class of 1863. He studied theology at the Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and graduated in 1866. He was ordained at Newburyport, Mass., December 27, 1866, and was settled over the Second Presbyterian Church in that city, where he remained until October 1, 1868, when he resigned. Immediately after his resignation he embarked on a tour through Europe and the East, and was absent about a year. Returning October 7, 1869, he took up his residence in New York city, where he continued to reside until his acceptance of the call, April 1, 1870, to the pastorate of the Congregational Church in Rutland, and was installed April 21, where he remained until the fall of 1885. The church is at the present writing without a pastor.

      In 1788 a petition was presented to the Legislature of Vermont from a part of the inhabitants of Rutland and Pittsford, being in what is known as; "Whipple Hollow," asking for the establishing of a parish by the name of Orange Parish. "The petition was referred to a committee, and on their report the request was refused. They, however, organized themselves into a parish, built a meeting-house and employed the Rev. Abraham CARPENTER as their pastor, who remained with them until his death. He was what was called "a strict Congregationalist," and in 1773 or 1774 was settled according to the rules of that denomination in Plainfield, N. H., without any action on the part of the town, in March, 1779. The town voted to accept him as the minister of the town, and by this action he received the right of land belonging to the first settled minister, consisting of three hundred and sixty acres, and worth probably about the same number of dollars. He continued to preach there eight or ten years longer, preaching in his own kitchen, in private houses or in the open air, until he was dismissed and came to this town. He remained connected with the "Orange Parish" until his death, which occurred in September, 1797. The first house of worship for this society was erected on the west side of what was long known as "Meeting-house Hill" at Center Rutland, and was used until 1787. When the parish was divided the East Parish had thirty-six members whose names were as follows: Reuben HARMON, Eunice HARMON, Mary CUSHMAN, Charles CUSHMAN, Abner LEWIS, Oliver HARMON, William POST, John ANDREWS, Benjamin RISLEY, Mrs. CLAGHORN, Chaziah POST, Azubah LEWIS, Eunice RISLEY, Sarah COOK, Mary ANDREWS, Jehial ANDREWS, Silas WYLLYS, Roswell POST, Moses SARGENT, Israel HARRIS, William BARR, William BARNES, Issachar REED, Thomas HALE, Samuel WILLIAMS, Miles BALDWIN, Eben ANDREWS, Sarah ANDREWS, Mary BARR, Anna BALDWIN, Thankful HIMES, Mabel ANDREWS, Rachel COOK, Sarah HARRIS, Sarah SARGENT, Mrs. WYLLYS. 

      Subsequently the West Parish erected an edifice opposite the present old brick church.  The East Parish has erected three churches – the first being a framed building situated on the southeast corner of the old Main street burial ground; the second was on the east side of the same street on the site occupied by the late residence of George A. MERRILL. This church was built by Gershom CHENEY in 1819 and cost about $10,000; it was occupied until 1860, when the present brick church on Court street was erected at a cost, including the chapel, of a little more than $54,000.

      The present membership of the society is 670; the entire number of members received into the church since its organization is 1,311; membership of Sabbath-school, 502. The church officers are as follows; Deacons, John B. PAGE, Henry F. FIELD, Rockwood BARRETT, John A. SHELDON and Sidney W. CURTIS. Clerk, G. K. MONTGOMERY; treasurer, Frank W. GARRY. Sabbath school superintendent, Henry F. FIELD; first assistant, D. K. HALL; second assistant, G. K. MONTGOMERY.

      The Baptist Church, in Rutland, was organized in 1823, with Rev. Hadley PROCTOR as the first settled minister, commencing his labors in 1827, and remaining here seven years, until 1834. He was born at Marblehead, Mass., in 1794, was converted when seventeen years of age, and became a member of the Baptist Church at Newton, Mass. -- was licensed by that church "almost immediately thereafter to preach." He commenced the study of theology with Rev. Dr. CHAPLIN and removed with him to Waterville, and graduated in 1823, in the second graduating class of that institution. From Waterville he went to China, Maine, and was ordained over the Baptist Church in that place in 1823, and remained there until he came to Rutland. From here he went to Brandon, and was the preceptor of the seminary until 1836, when he again became pastor of the church here. In 1837 he was again called to the Baptist Church in China, and remained with that people until his death, April 12, 1842. 

      In 1834 and 1835 Rev. Samuel EASTMAN was pastor of the church.

      After the second removal of Mr. PROCTOR, Rev. Arus HAYNES was called to succeed him, and was ordained pastor of the church in the fall of 1837, and dismissed in 1840. He was born in Middletown, in this county, in August 1812, and graduated at Brown University in 1837. In 1842 he was settled over the Baptist Church in Jersey City, N. J., and remained there until 1848, when he became pastor of the church in East Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1851 he made a journey to Europe in hopes of restoring his lost health, but not succeeding, he returned to this country, and in 1852 resigned his pastorate. in the winter of that year he went to Key West, Florida, and died March 31, 1853 while on his return home.

      The next pastor was the Rev. Joseph M. ROCKWOOD, who was ordained and settled February 9, 1842, and dismissed in September, 1849. He was born in Bellingham, Mass., in 1818, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1837, studied theology at the seminary in Waterville, Me., and at the Newton Theological Seminary.

      He was succeeded by Rev. Leland HOWARD, who was settled in 1852, and dissolved the pastoral relation in 1860. He was born at Jamaica, Vt., October 13, 1793, and was baptized in Shaftsbury, by Rev. Isaiah MATTISON, when about seventeen years of age, and from that time commenced to preach. In 1814 he commenced the study of theology with Rev. Joshua BRADLEY, of Windsor, and closed his studies with Rev. James M. WINCHELL, of Boston. He was ordained November 16, 1817, at Windsor, in this State, and settled as pastor of the Baptist Church in that town, and remained until 1823, when he became pastor of the First Baptist Church in Troy, N. Y. In 1828 he returned to Windsor and remained until 1833, when he was installed over the First Baptist Church of Brooklyn; he left there in 1837, and preached a year in Meriden, Conn., and in 1839 was settled in Newport, R. I. and in 1840, at Norwich, N. Y. From 1843 to 1847 he was pastor of the Fifth Street Baptist Church in Troy, and from there, in 1847, he went to Hartford, N. Y., where he remained until he came to Rutland. In addition to his regular pastorate here, he, from time to time, supplied the pulpit in the absence of a regular pastor. He was chaplain of the House of Representatives of Vermont in 1831, and of the Senate in 1861. He died May 5, 1870.

      The next pastor was the Rev. Francis SMITH, who commenced his labors on the first Sunday of May, 1860, and preached his farewell sermon July 27th, 1862. He was born at South Reading, Mass., July 12, 1812, and graduated at Brown University in 1837, and pursued his theological studies at Newton Theological Seminary, graduating there in 1840. He came to Rutland from Providence, R. I, and after closing his labors he returned to that place.

      Rev. Mr. SMITH was succeeded by Rev. J. C. FERNALD, of Cambridge, Mass. He was ordained to the ministry here, March 23, 1864, and became pastor of the church. He remained but a short time.

      Rev. Orlando CUNNINGHAM supplied the pulpit from November, 1865, to August 5, 1868. He was born in Rockingham, Vt., January 31, 1814, and after studying theology with different clergymen, was ordained at Princeton, Mass., in November, 1841, and was settled over the Baptist Church in that place, and remained there until 1843, when he went to Sterling, in the same State, and was pastor of the Baptist Church until 1850. In 1850 he was settled at Middlefield, Mass., and remained until 1855, when he received and accepted a call to the Baptist Church in Lebanon, Conn. In 1865, on account of a failure of his eyesight, he resigned his pastorate and came to Vermont to recuperate. During the summer and a portion of the fall of that year, and until he came to Rutland, he supplied the pulpit of the Baptist Church in Bellows Falls.

      Mr. CUNNINGHAM was succeeded by Rev. Edward MILLS, who commenced its labors as pastor of this church November 1, 1868. Rev. Edward MILLS was born in Rochdale, England, June 30, 1828, and came to the United States in January, 1831, studied theology with his pastor, Rev. Henry F. LANE, of Lawrence, Mass., and was licensed to preach by the First Church of Lawrence, May 1, 1860, and was ordained pastor of the church at Hermon, N. Y., June 20, 1861. He resigned July 9, 1862, and immediately became pastor of the church of Adams Center, N. Y., where he remained until May 1, 1865, when he was settled at Westminster, Mass. From here he removed to West Troy, N. Y., and remained pastor of the Baptist Church in that place until his settlement over the Baptist Church in Rutland.

      On the 1st of May, 1875, the Rev. Judson K. RICHARDSON became of the church and was succeeded by the Rev. Charles A. REESE in 1883 (September 1) who is at the present time officiating for the society. The present membership is 390, and that of the Sabbath-school 415.

      The first church building was erected on Main street, on the lot a part of which is now occupied by the parsonage. This building was used until 1871, when on the 18th of July the corner-stone of the present handsome brick edifice was laid on Center street, and on the evening of February 1, 1872, the new house was opened with appropriate services. Its cost was about $42,000 The present church officers are John MURRAY, Luther ANGIER, Eri W. HORNER, Benjamin W. MARSHALL, Dennison M. WHITE, deacons; D. M. WHITE, J. E. TILSON and Thomas J. LYONS, trustees; R. R. KINSMAN, clerk; J. E. TILSON, Sunday-school superintendent.
 
 

      The Baptist Church at West Rutland was organized in June, 1884, first pastor was H. C. LEAVITT, who died in January, 1885, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. A. N. WOODRUFF. The church edifice was built during the year 1884, and cost about three thousand dollars. The church membership is thirty-nine, and that of the Sunday-school sixty. The deacon are James HAZELTON, Albert FISH. L. T. BARBER is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

      When the preaching of the Methodist faith in this vicinity first began we have been unable to learn, but it was early in the century, as old residents remember services held in the school-house and private houses more than sixty years ago. The First Methodist Church organization was effected at Center Rutland in 1831, with a membership of fifty-two, an probably the first pastor stationed there was Rev. F. W. SMITH, who officiated in 1834 and 1835. It is probable that the church was erected there not many years later -- the building now occupied by Mr. HARRIS as a store. Mr. WILLIAMS was able to gather the following names and approximate dates of the service at Center Rutland: 1838, William F. BARNES; 1841, E. HALL; 1842, M. TOWNSHEND, Thomas HUNT; 1843, William GRIFFIN, William H. HULL; 1844, William GRIFFIN; 1846-47, H. WARNER, jr.; 1848-49, A. LYON; 1850, C. BARBER; 1852, William FORD. In 1854 the churches in Rutland and Center Rutland, were united.

      On the 12th day of March, 1853, James L. SLASON and William A. Burnett were appointed a committee to make arrangements for Methodist preaching at the East Village during the year. They immediately took steps to employ a preacher, and to procure a place for holding meetings, and strange as it may seem now, they were refused the court-house, although it had been before, and was then and for some time thereafter, used by other religious societies. The result of their arrangements may be seen from the following "Notice," which was left at every house in the village: 

      The service was held, and from that time to p resent there has been a Methodist Church in this village. Steps were at once taken to erect a church building, the corner-stone of which was laid July 27, 1854. The first pastor was Rev. John PARKER, and there were but six members as follows: William A. BURNETT and wife, Mrs. Mary and Miss Jane THRALL, and Misses Jane and Lucy DUNCKLEE. Services were held for a time in the third story of the old Perkins block until the erection of the first church in 1855-56. which was followed by the present edifice in 1873 it cost about $5,000. The present site was donated by the late William Y. RIPLEY, whose heirs also purchased the old Center Rutland Church. The following are the names of the clergymen and the years of their service: 1853, John PARKER; 1854, Alexander CAMPBELL, Angelo CARROLL; 1855, Alexander CAMPBELL, A. CARROLL; 1856, John KIERNAN, J. W. CARHART; 1857, John KIERNAN, C. H. RICHMOND; 1858, C. R. FORD, Edin H. HYNSON; 1859, C. R. FORD, George S. CHADBOURNE; 1860, M. LUDLUM, W. W. ATWATER; 1861, M. LUDLUM, W. W. ATWATER; 1862, George S. CHADBOURNE, J. E. METCALF; 1863, George S. CHADBOURNE, Edwin H. HYNSON; 1864, Alexander CAMPBELL, George S. CHADBOURNE; 1865, A. CAMPBELL, J. W. ELKINS; 1866, D. W. DAYTON; 1867, D. W. DAYTON, 1868, A. F. BAILEY; 1869, A. F. BAILEY; 1870, Barnes M. HALL; ___ 1871; H. F. AUSTIN, 1875; Joel W. EATON, 1877; J. M. EDGERTON, 1879; J. W. QUINLAN, 1881; D. R. LOWELL came in the spring of 1882, and the present pastor in the spring 1885. 

      The present church membership is 377 and that of the Sabbath-school 300. The church officers are as follows: stewards, L. F. SOUTHARD, George C. THRALL, C. W. NICHOLS, F. W. SHEDD, A. R. HOWARD, D. L. MORGAN, P. CURTIS, H. S. HOWE, A. D. SLACK, George ELLIS, and E. W. MORGAN. Class leaders, W. B. CLAWSON, C. C. KINSMAN, T. B. KELLEY, H. G. BATEMAN, George PROCTOR, C. H. BUNKER, H. C. HARRIS, and Mrs. Mary WILLIAMS. The Sunday-school superintendent is D. L. MORGAN, and W. D. SHERMAN is sexton.

      A new Methodist Church was organized at West Rutland in 1884 and a church built in the same year at a cost of about $5,000. The society has less than fifty members and is ministered to by Rev. J. G. PERKINS. The stewards are Asel W. WARD, E. D. PORONTO and A. E. NORTH.

      The first notice that we have of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Rutland is a notice that appeared in March, 1784, that Rev. Mr. CHITTENDEN would deliver a sermon to the Episcopal Society, in the Statehouse, Rutland, and on the 30th of September of the same year it was announced that "a Protestant Episcopal Church is formed in Rutland and vicinity under the pastoral care of Mr. OGDEN." No results appear to have followed from this organization, although the annual conventions of the church were held in Rutland, and the parish was represented by lay delegates in 1795, 1802 and 1807. In 1817 another attempt was made, and February 19 of that year "the Protestant Episcopal Society of Trinity Church, Rutland," was organized by the Rev. George T. CHAPMAN, then of Greenfield, Mass. On the 13th of September, 1818, Bishop GRISWOLD, of the eastern diocese, visited Rutland, and in his annual address says that this church has been very desirous to obtain the permanent services of a settled minister, and has manifested a very laudable liberality in offering to subscribe for his maintenance. They have been disappointed and disheartened.

      In 1826 “St. John's Church, Centerville, Rutland," was received into connection with the convention, and Rev. Louis MCDONALD, as minister, in June 1826, reports that "services have been kept up between this and the east parish alternately since February last."

      In 1831 Rev. Moore BINGHAM officiated for some time, but for how long it is not possible to ascertain, as "visiting minister" of St. John's Church, and from this time that church seems to have ceased to exist.

      The parish had no permanent place of worship until 1833, when they erected a church on Main street not far from West street. They subsequently, sold the building for $1,000 and erected the elegant new structure in 1878 at a cost of $40,000. The corner-stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. W. H. A. BISSELL, D. D., bishop of Vermont. He also consecrated the church December, 4. 1879.

      In January, 1832, Rev. John A. HICKS accepted the rectorship of Trinity: Church, and from that time the real existence of the church may be dated. Rev. John Augustus HICKS, D. D., was born in New York city, February 21, 1800, and graduated at Columbia College in 1823, and at General Theological Seminary in 1826. He was ordained deacon by Bishop ONDERDONK in Grace Church, Jamaica, August 22, 1826, and ordained priest by Bishop WHITE, May 28, 1828, in Philadelphia. He was for a short time assistant minister to the Rev. Evan M. JOHNSON, in Jamaica and Brooklyn. He was rector of Trinity Church, Easton, Penn., from April 1, 1827, to April, 1831, when he accepted a call to St. John's Church, Troy, N. Y., which he resigned in January, 1832, on being invited to the rectorship of Trinity Church, Rutland. He remained in Rutland twenty-eight years, resigning July 7, 1860, to accept the Willoughby professorship in the Vermont Episcopal Institute, with the general charge of the theological department, he having been a member of the board of trustees from its organization in 1856. In 1865 he resigned his trusteeship and professorship, and had since that time devoted himself to missionary work in Georgia, Milton and Fairfax. He had been a member of the standing committee of the diocese for over twenty years; a member of the board of trustees of the General Theological Seminary; a member of the board of law agents since 1847, and since 1857 secretary and treasurer of the board. He represented the diocese of Vermont in general (triennial) conventions of the church for the United States at ten different times. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Vermont and from Trinity College. He died at Burlington November 4, 1869, at the age of sixty-nine years.

      On the resignation of Rev. Dr. HICKS, the Rt. Rev. John Henry HOPKINS, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L., Oxon., officiated until the first of October, 1860, when he was elected and accepted the office of rector for two years.

      Bishop HOPKINS was born in Dublin, Ireland, January 30, 1792, and came to America with his parents in 1800, and was educated chiefly by his mother. He was originally a maker of iron, then studied law and was admitted to the bar and practiced his profession at Pittsburgh, Pa., and was rapidly rising in eminence, when, in 1823, he left the bar for the ministry, and was ordained a priest in May, 1824, and immediately became rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh. In 1831 he resigned and became assistant minister of Trinity Church, Boston, where he remained until he was elected the first bishop of the separate diocese of Vermont in May, 1832, and was consecrated in New York October 31st of the same year by Bishop WHITE. He immediately came to Vermont, accepting at the same time the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Burlington. He resigned the rectorship of that church in 1856, in order that he might devote himself more unreservedly to diocesan work and the building up of the "Vermont Episcopal Institute." He died at Burlington January 3, 1868.

      Rev. Roger S. HOWARD. D. D., succeeded Bishop HOPKINS, and became rector December 1, 1861, and remained until June, 1867, when he resigned. Rev. Dr. HOWARD was a native of Vermont, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1829. He represented the town of Thetford in the Legislature of Vermont in 1849. He subsequently studied for the ministry, and before coming to Rutland was rector of a church in Greenfield, Mass., and subsequently in Portland, Maine. From here he went to Woodstock, and on the first Sunday of July, 1867, became rector of St. James Church. He remained here some over a year, and then resigned to accept the presidency of Norwich University and the rectorship of St. Mary's Church, Northfield. Rev. Dr. HOWARD was succeeded by Rev. John Milton PECK, who assumed the rectorship of the church August 1, 1867, and remained here three years. He was succeeded by the Rev. Walter MITCHELL, who was followed by the Rev. H. M. DENSLOW, he having had charge of the parish until 1885; the church is at present without a rector. The present church officers are: Charles CLEMENT, senior warden; George R. BOTTUM, junior warden; George E. GRAVES, treasurer; Benjamin BURT, W. F. LEWIS, O. WOOSTER and Levi KINGSLEY, vestrymen.

      In 1859 an Episcopal church and society was organized at West Rutland by the name of Grace Church, and was admitted into the union with the convention of the diocese June 6, 1860. Rev. D. WILLS had pastoral charge of the church during a part of the years 1859 and 1860. After him Rev. Albert BAILEY took charge of the church, officiating one-half of the time. In the year 1878 a neat church was erected and in the following year the Rev. Edward P. LEE became rector and has remained to the present time. The vestrymen of the church are W. W. FELT, Henry J. HARMON, E. TREMAINE, David PETERS, Dr. D. FOSBURGH. Judah DANA is secretary of the vestry. The Sabbath-school has a membership of about twenty-five and the church fifty-five.

      The first preaching in this faith was by Dr. Charles WOODHOUSE in the year 1836, when he conducted services in the old court-house and when that proved inadequate, in an open grove. He removed to Clarendon in 1844 and presided over the church in that place for several years, returning to Rutland in 1855; he remained here two years, during which period the Unitarians and Universalists of the vicinity united in their worship, their meetings being held in the second story of the old Perkins block corner of West street and Merchants Row (now the Landon block). The was no regularly organized society and parish until January 1, 1885, when the following officers of the parish were selected: Benjamin BILLINGS, jr., moderator; A. Y. FULLER, clerk; D. H. BARBER, treasurer; Dr. J. E. THOMPSON, H. WOOD, and O. L. HILL, trustees. The officers of the society are J. G. PUTNAM and O. L. HILL, deacons. Rev. G. W. PERRY has charge of the church and it is hoped to erect an edifice during the year 1886. 

      This society was organized with forty-two members in 1858 by Miles GRANT, with Rev. Matthew BATCHELDER as first past During the following year a modest church was erected on West street. It was torn down and in November, 1883, a neat new church was erected. The present pastor is Rev. T. L. DRURY, who came in the spring of 1882. The society has about sixty members. J. M. BALLOU is deacon.

    "Prior to 1837," wrote Mr. WILLIAMS," there was no organization of the Roman Catholic Church in Rutland, and in order to attend the services of their own church the members of the denomination were compelled to, and did, go to Castleton and other places. During the year, or the next, this was made a "missionary station," and the Rev. J. DALY occasionally held services here and at other points in Western Vermont.

      The Rev. Z. DRUON came here as a missionary in 1854, and in 1855 established St. Bridget's Church at West Rutland, and St. Peter's Church in East Rutland, both being in one parish. He remained until January 5, 1857, at which time the parish was divided into two separate e parishes. During the year 1855 a small church was erected in the St. Peter’s parish, which was used until 1869, when, on the 5th of July, the corner-stone of the beautiful and commodious stone edifice, Rutland, was laid by the bishop of the diocese of Burlington; it was finished in 1873 and cost nearly $60,000. Under the very efficient direction of Rev. Father BOYLAN, his church and schools have rapidly increased in membership. In the year 1882 the Mount St. Joseph convent was erected on grounds adjoining those of St. Peter's Church, which is managed on the general plan of an academy and boarding-school and is taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph; its cost was about $75,000.

      Upon the division of the parish, as before detailed, in 1857, Rev. F. PICART became pastor of St. Bridget's Church, where he remained until November, 1859. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas LYNCH, through whose exertions the funds for the erection of the beautiful stone edifice at West Rutland were mainly collected. He continued pastor until 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles O'REILLY, who still retains the office. The first church used at West Rutland was built of wood, and the present one was finished in 1861, at a cost of about $20,000; the entire property is worth about $25,000; the membership is about thirteen hundred and that of the Sunday-school three hundred.

      In the year 1869 a Roman Catholic Church bearing the above name was organized from the French population of the vicinity, with the Rev. Louis GAGNIER as parish priest. The congregation met for a time in Chaffee's Hall, but soon took steps towards erecting a church on Lincoln avenue, which was so far completed as to be used in the spring of 1870. The first pastor was succeeded by Rev. J. M. CLOAREC, and in l875 the Rev. J. M. GELOT came; he still retains the charge and has been assisted since 1881 by his brother. This society has a branch church at West Rutland, bearing the same name and organized in the same year. A new arch was built there in 1883 at a cost of about $5,000. In 1884 a French Catholic school was opened which has now about one hundred pupils. It is taught by J. L. HERNOT and a lady assistant.

      In February, 1837, a religious society calling themselves "Christians," founded by Elder Miles GRANT, of Boston, was organized by the name of "Christ 'church." They, in 1860 built a church or chapel on West street, which is now known as the "Free Christian Chapel." The first regular preacher was Elder Matthew BATCHELDER, who remained about three years, and was succeeded by Elder H. F. CARPENTER, who was followed by Elder George W. STETSON. The church is now, and has been for a number of years, vacant.

      A Liberal Christian Society was organized in Rutland, July 20, 1867. Since the society was organized it has been supplied from one to five Sabbaths each by Rev. Dr. STEBBINS and Rev. William TILDEN, of Boston, Rev. J. F. MOORS, of Greenfield, Mass., Rev. Mr. REYNOLDS, of Concord, Mass. In addition to these temporary supplies Rev. C. A. HAYDEN, of Boston, supplied the pulpit one-half of the time for six months. Rev. F. W. HOLLAND was employed by the society from the second Sunday of February to the second day of August, 1869. He was succeeded by the Rev. L. W. BINGHAM, who commenced his labors on the third Sunday of September, 1869, and remained until the second Sunday of September, 1870.
 
 
 
 

History of Rutland County Vermont with Illustrations and Biographical 
Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann
Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers  1886
History of the Town of Rutland
Chapter XIX.
(pages 361-378)

Transcribed by Karima, 2002