772 Wyoming Conference

 

 

CHAPTER XV

OWEGO DISTRICT

 

Apalachin, N. Y.

 

Apalachin appears among the preaching places on Vestal Cir-

cuit as early as 1845. The class met at the schoolhouse about one

mile above the village.

 

On June 21, 1852, a meeting was held in the schoolhouse at

Apalachin, over which Peter W. Cochran and Samuel Sparks pre-

sided. "The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in

 

        APALACHIN CHURCH [photo]

 

Apalachin" was incorporated, with Nathaniel Catlin, Peter W.

Cochran, H. S. Warner, Charles Buffum, and Samuel Sparks

trustees. Nothing seems to have been accomplished by this incor-

poration.

 

During the summer of 1874, Rev. T. F. Moore, a local preacher

from Owego, who was appointed to the place in the spring,

held meetings in the Apalachin schoolhouse, and in the fall held

a three-days' grove meeting which was followed by a series of re-


 

 

South Owego, N. Y. 773

 

vival meetings. The congregations became too large for the ca-

pacity of the schoolhouse, and the Presbyterian church was secured.

The meetings continued five weeks, and at their close a society

was organized with about forty-five members. A class from Mut-

ton Hill became a part of this society at this time. The class be-

came a part of Campville charge in 1876, having been served by

T. F. Moore in 1874 and J. C. Calnon in 1875. In 1883 Apalachin,

South Owego, and Campville were constituted a charge bearing

the name of Apalachin.

 

On October 25, 1875, the society met at the Wesleyan house of

worship in Apalachin and elected Ira T. Hayes, Walter Notewire.

John Dingman, Lansing Goodenow, and George Like trustees.

 

On March 27, 1885, Laura A. Jennings, in consideration of $750,

deeded the society a house and lot, the lot containing about one

acre of land. The church enterprise was begun in 1886, and on

November 2, 1887, the church, which cost $2,500, was dedicated.

Rev. H. M. Crydenwise preaching the dedicatory sermon at 11

A. M., and Rev. W. M. Hiller preaching in the evening. One

thousand dollars was raised during the day. A gracious revival

occurred in the following winter.

 

South Owego is about midway between Apalachin and Little

Meadows. The class was organized in 1830, and became a part

of Vestal Circuit in 1831. The schoolhouse was used as a place of

worship until the church was built.

 

On May 20, 1856, the society became incorporated, with Ezra

Tallmadge, Caleb Lamb, Clark Beecher, Russell D. Gifford, Smith

Gould, H. B. Gifford, and William G. Knight as trustees.

 

On June 24, 1856, Charles Beecher and wife Mary deeded the

society three quarters of an acre of land as a gift. The church,

which cost $1,200, was dedicated in July, 1857. The building has

been improved since.

 

The class was with Little Meadows some time before becoming

a part of Apalachin charge.

 

 

 

Pastorates

 

1855, Joseph Whitham; 1856, I. P. Towner; 1857-73, _____;

1874, T. F. Moore; 1875, J. C. Calnon; 1876-82, with Campville;

1883-84, C. H. Basford; 1885-86, L. W. Peck; 1887-89, N. W.

Barnes; 1890-91, M. R. Kerr; 1892-93, R. W. Lowry; 1894, S. E.

Hunt; 1895, J. R. Allen; 1896-97, S. H. Flory; 1898, A. C.

Brackenbury; 1899-1901, E. A. Martin; 1902-03, G. D. Fisher.


 

 

774 Wyoming Conference

 

 

Athens, Pa.

 

John Saltmarsh moved from Connecticut to Athens (then called

Tioga Point) in 1801, and built a hotel on Main Street, near the

corner of the street which crosses the Chemung bridge. He in-

terested himself in the Lord's work, being a Christian, and gave

the use of his house to the Methodist itinerants for public services.

It is claimed that Lorenzo Dow preached in his house in 1810.

About 181 5 a blacksmith by the name of Shippey settled near Mr.

Saltmarsh, and is supposed by some to have formed a class, but

the statement cannot be verified.

 

In 1832 a class was formed, and preaching and other services

have been maintained until the present. The first class must have

had but few members; for when Chester Park moved into the

place from Sheshequin in 1834, and united with the class, there

were but two members in the class besides himself and wife — C.

Harsh and Esther Saltmarsh. Mr. and Mrs. Park were earnest

Christians, and were a valuable help to the feeble society. Mr.

Park was local preacher, class leader, steward, trustee, and very

efficient in each. After the organization of the class in 1832 Sun-

day services were held in the academy until it was burned in 1842.

The destruction of the school building prompted the society to

build a church. It stood about a block below the present Presby-

terian church, a little off from Main Street, and was dedicated in

1844, Rev. Jonas Dodge, of Elmira, preaching the dedicatory ser-

mon. The board of trustees at that time included C. Park, William

Norton, Elisha Matthewson, C. M. Harsh, James H. Scott, and

John E. Smith. During the session of the Oneida Conference at

Ithaca, N. Y., from July 23 to August 1, 1851, the church was de-

stroyed by fire. The society was greatly discouraged. By the

help of many friends on Newark District and of some charges on

Susquehanna District a new church was built of brick, costing

$1,300, and was dedicated on Thursday, February 26, 1852, Rev.

W. H. Pearne preaching the dedicatory sermon.

 

Prior to 1843 the society was a part of the Barton Circuit. From

1843 to 1845 it was with Factoryville, and served in 1843-44 by

P. S. Worden, in 1845 by A. G. BurHngame. From 1846 to 1850

it was with Barton Circuit again, and during 1851-52 it was with

Waverly again. In 1853 Athens appeared as a charge among the

appointments. The society was not strong enough to stand the

demands of independent existence, and in a few years sought an

advantageous alliance. Accordingly, in 1858 the society became a

part of the Ulster charge in the East Genesee Conference, eight


 

 

Athens, Pa. 775

 

miles down the Susquehanna, and was served in 1858 by Rev.

Messrs. Armstrong and Coolbaugh. In 1859 Rev. H. T. Avery

served the society, and abandoned this class before the end of the

year because of discouragements. At this juncture Rev. G. P.

Porter, the pastor at Waverly, went to the rescue, united discordant

elements, and supplied the class with preaching services. The

class came back to Wyoming Conference, and in 1860 became a

part of Waverly charge, where it remained until 1867. At this

time the class had but sixteen members. A revival during the

winter of 1861-62, in which there were one hundred and seventy-

five conversions, added much strength to the class. In 1867

 

        ATHENS CHURCH [photo]

 

Athens and Litchfield formed a charge, and so remained until 1870,

when Litchfield was detached, and Athens was again an inde-

pendent charge. In 1874 the Athens pastor organized a class at

Sayre, which continued a part of Athens charge until 1883.

 

The present church, which cost $13,618, was erected in 1884

and dedicated on Sunday, December 7, 1884, Chaplain McCabe

preaching morning and evening. Over $5,500 was secured on a

four years' subscription. A shrinkage in subscriptions caused the

society some embarrassment. In 1888 $1,600 was paid on debt,

and in 1889 $250 was received from Mrs. Priscilla Bennett and

enough money raised on the charge to pay its interest and $1,000

on principal. In 1890 the debt was reduced another $1,000. In

1892 the parsonage was built, costing $2,500, and the church im-


 

 

776 Wyoming Conference

 

proved at an expense of $520. A part of the total cost was raised

at the time. In the spring of 1894 the society found itself $8,000

in debt. During the year $3,000 was paid on the debt and the bal-

ance refunded at four per cent. Since this time the debt has been

reduced until it is now but $500.

 

In 1890 one hundred and fifty conversions were reported, and in

1896 one hundred and eleven probationers were received. These

were among the more extensive revivals in the history of the

charge.

 

The church has a pipe organ secured by the aid of Andrew Car-

negie.

 

Pastorates

 

Athens and Litchfield, 1867-68, W. M. Hiller; 1869, D. Perso-

neus; Athens alone, 1870-71, D. Personeus; 1872, C. O. Planmer;

1873, supplied by Rev. Mr. Armstrong, from the Genesee Confer-

ence; 1874, S. W. Lindsley; 1875-77, W. N. Cobb; 1878-79, G. M.

Chamberlain; 1880-82, A. W. Hood; 1883-84, G. T. Price; 1885,

J. Ryder; 1886-87, H. H. Dresser; 1888, T. P. Halstead; 1889-93,

G. A. Place; 1894-98, G. A. Cure; 1899-1901, C. A. Benjamin;

1902-03, W. G. Simpson.

 

 

Barton, N. Y.

 

The territory in this charge was a part of Tioga Circuit until

the Spencer Circuit was formed in 1821, when it became a part of

that circuit and remained there until the formation of the Barton

Circuit in 1829. It was taken from Spencer Circuit and is said

to have been formed for the special accommodation of Rev. John

Griffing. "Advancing age, with its infirmities, and the purchase

of a farm a little below Owego, made it desirable that he should

have a more circumscribed field than usual, and one nearer home.

Barton Circuit was therefore made for him. It embraced all the

territory on the west bank of the Susquehanna from Owego to

Athens, thence up the Chemung Valley to Elmira." In 1837 the

circuit included Barton, Smithboro, Ross Hill, Barton Hill, Tioga

Center, Ellistown, Factoryville, and the Burhyte neighborhood.

In 1840 the following were the apportionments on the circuit for

pastor's salary: Smithboro, $110; Tioga, $75; Factoryville, $125;

Ellistown, $80; Barton, $80; Athens, $75; Talmadge Hill, $25;

Shipman's, $25; Ross Hill, $25; West Hill, $20; Burhyte's, $15.

 

The Barton class was formed in 1805, though preaching serv-

ices were held here as early as 1800. Services were held in the

schoolhouse until the church was built. Ground for a church was


 

 

Smithboro, N. Y. 777

 

secured in 1832 and a subscription started for the building of a

church. The church was built in 1835 and 1836, and dedicated

in the summer of 1836. This church stood on the hill above the

site of the present church.

 

On August 18, 1892, in consideration of $201.50, Elliott L.

Bensley and others deeded to the society its present church lot.

The present church and furnishings cost $2,400, and was dedi-

cated on Thursday, March 14, 1893, Rev. A. Griffin preaching in

the morning and Rev. J. F. Warner in the evening. Rev. W.

Treible conducted the dedicatory service. The sum of $580 was

raised at the morning service.

 

The first parsonage was bought and repaired in the spring of

1849, and the present parsonage was bought of Alonzo Davenport

on October 10, 1894, for $600.

 

Smithboro was a preaching place for the Methodist itinerant

about the days when the work in Barton began. The class wor-

shiped in the house of Mr. S. Light many years. This Mr. Light

entertained Bishop Asbury in July, 1807. We quote from his

journal:

 

"Saturday, 11. [July 11, 1807.] Brought us to the camp meeting

on Squire Light's ground; we found it had been in operation two

days. God is in the camp and with us. I preached on the camp

ground from Matt, xviii, 2. Some sots were a little disorderly,

but the greater part of the congregation were very attentive. Weak

as I was, I did not spare myself, my subject, or my hearers. It

may be, I spoke to one thousand people. Since the last Sabbath

we have traveled a hundred and twenty miles, and with

good roads and with even ground we might have made

three hundred miles in the same time. The heights of the

Susquehanna are stupendous; the bottom lands very fertile;

but this river runs through a country of unpleasing aspect,

morally and physically — rude, irregular, uncultivated is the

ground; wild, ignorant, and wicked are the people. They have

not been wearied by my labors; except in the neighborhood of

Lancaster, and by what I may once have done in a visit to Wyo-

ming, they are strangers to them. I am now on my first journey of

toil and suffering through Genesee and Tioga.

 

"Sunday, 12. My subject was 2 Cor. v, 20. My congregation

may have doubled in numbers to-day; and there were no trouble-

some drunkards. I feel as if God would own this meeting now,

and continue to own it many days, in various families and places.

I ordained five worthy men local preachers, namely, Daniel Wilcox,


 

 

778 Wyoming Conference

 

John B. Hudson, Samuel Emmit, John McCaine, and Nathaniel

Lewis, to the office of deacon. Had I not made this visit, these

men might have waited a long time, or taken a long ride to find

me. In the afternoon (Sabbath) there was an uproar amongst the

people. Some intoxicated young men seated themselves by the

women, and refused to move until compelled; they fought those

men who came to take them away, and when the presiding elder

interfered they struck at him, and one of the guards also, who was

helping by order of the constables. There were magistrates (such

as they were) to cry peace. The Owego gentry fled away cackling

falsehood like wild geese. One Kemp, chief bully, arrested A.

Owen, on Monday morning, for the Sabbath breaking, drunken-

ness, and fighting of this Kemp and his crew. The presiding elder

was charged with having struck Kemp, and then running away;

nor was the poor bishop spared — he too had been fighting: it

was well for him that he was not on the ground at the time — I was

quiet in my room." — Journal, vol. iii, 259, 260.

 

A meeting was held at the schoolhouse in district No. 4, town of

Tioga, on November 19, 1832, at which time "The Methodist Epis-

copal Society of Smithboro" was incorporated, and John Light,

Andrew Bonham, and Benjamin V. Brooks elected trustees. The

society decided that its seal should be a triangle, and a committee

was appointed to superintend the building of a church. The com-

mittee entered into a contract with C. C. Youtz and Willard Crats-

ley to build a church for $1,500. The church was erected in 1833-

34, and dedicated in the fall of 1834. On January 7, 1855, "it was

resolved that all orthodox societies of any denomination shall have

the privilege of preaching at any time in the Smithboro church,

when unoccupied, but none other, at any time." After expending

$1,100 in remodeling the church it was reopened on Thursday,

January 25, 1866. Rev. William Searls preached in the morning

from 2 Cor. ix, 15, and Rev. G. P. Porter in the evening from Psa.

xc, 17. Four hundred dollars was raised during the day to fully

provide for the improvements.

 

The building was destroyed by fire on the 24th of May, 1887.

The fire is believed to have been caused by sparks from an engine

on the Erie Railroad. A building committee was appointed

on May 31, 1887, and the present site purchased soon after for

$150. It was deeded to the society on September 12, 1887, by

Michael Smith and wife Celinda. The church, which cost $2,700,

was dedicated in June, 1888.

 

At a meeting of the society held on January 5, 1841, at which

Rev. H. Agard and S. Knapp presided, the society reincorporated


 

 

Ross Hill, N. Y. 779

 

with the corporate name of "Trustees of the First Society of the

Methodist Episcopal Church in Smithboro," and elected S. N.

White, A. Bonham, B. Brooks, B. Smith, and James Waterman

trustees.

 

Ross Hill class is said to have been formed about 1850. Many

from this place had belonged to a class at Oak Hill. At a meeting

of the society held on February 13, 1860, at the house of Jacob

Smith, at which Peter Ross acted as chairman and James Love-

lass secretary, the society became incorporated as "The Hedding

Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Barton Circuit,"

and elected Michael Smith, John S. Johnson, John G. Smith,

Thomas Atcherson, John W. Meeker, Ellis H. Ross, and Jacob

Smith trustees. The seal of the society is diamond in form. On

March 10, 1860, in consideration of $1, John S. Johnson and wife

Maria deeded the society a lot on condition that a church should

be erected in one year. The church cost $1,000, and was dedi-

cated on Thursday, November 1, 1860. The Owego Ministerial

Association met in the church the two days preceding dedication.

 

Pastorates

 

1829, John Griffing, Palmer Roberts, John Parker; 1830, S. H.

Stocking; 1831, Miles H. Gaylord; 1832, J. Griffing, S. B. Yar-

rington; 1833, J. Griffing, M. Sherman, C. W. Giddings; 1834,

C. W. Harris, E. B. Tenney; 1835, S. H. Stocking, A. Warren;

1836, S. H. Stocking, J. O. Boswell, W. H. Pearne; 1837, J. O.

Boswell, W. Wyatt; 1838, B. D. Sniffin, H. Benjamin; 1839, B. D.

Sniffin, J. R. Boswell; 1840, H. Agard, J. R. Boswell; 1841, Darius

Simons, John Mulkey; 1842, D. Simons, B. Ellis; 1843, George

Harmon; 1844-45, Erastus Smith; 1846, M. Ruger; A. G. Bur-

lingame; 1847, W. Round, E. Owen, B. Ellis; 1848, W. Round,

E. Owen; 1849, V. M. Coryell, O. L. Torry; 1850, V. M. Coryell,

A. P. Mead; 1851, King Elwell; 1852-53, J. W. Hewitt; 1854, P.

Bartlett; 1855-57, N. S. De Witt; 1858-59, Welcome Smith; 1860-

61, C. E. Taylor; 1862-63, F. S. Chubbuck; 1864, C. W. Todd;

1865-66, J. Madison; 1867-68, W. Keatley; 1869, R. Hiorns;

1870-71, A. F. Harding; 1872, J. B. Santee; 1873, J. B. Davis;

1874-76, J. C. Brainard; 1877-79, L. Peck; 1880-82, J. B. Chy-

noweth; 1883-85, S. B. Keeney; 1886-87, L. Peck; 1888-89, S. F.

Wright; 1890-91, A. F. Brown; 1892-96, S. A. Terry; 1897-99,

S. E. Hunt; 1900, C. D. Skinner; 1901-02, Thomas Livingstone;

1903, J. B. Davis.


 

 

780 Wyoming Conference

 

 

Berkshire, N. Y.

 

The first Methodist sermon preached in Berkshire was deliv-

ered in 1808 by a Rev. Mr. Winslow. During the next nineteen

years this place was a part of adjoining charges. In 1828 Berk-

shire appeared among the appointments.

 

The town was settled by New Englanders who were largely

Congregationalists, and, considering the Methodists intruders,

antagonized them, assailed their doctrine and methods of worship,

and treated them with ridicule and sarcasm. The Congregation-

 

        BERKSHIRE CHURCH [photo]

 

alists had a pastor named Osborn in the early days (1808-12),

who, it is said, saddled his horse and rode some miles to meet the

Methodist itinerant that he might accompany him into town and

abuse him on the way. "He asked such questions as this: 'Are

you not ashamed to be going about the country living on the peo-

ple, teaching such and such doctrines?' He afterward became con-

vinced of his being wrong in his abusive treatment and confessed

it. His example, however, had its influence upon members of his

flock, who rather enjoyed persecuting the Methodists."


 

 

Berkshire, N. Y. 781

 

A church was commenced in 1823, but was not finished until

1829, in which year it was dedicated on July 4. It cost $1,500.

 

Rev. R. S. Rose attended a quarterly meeting in this place in

1824 which was held in the schoolhouse.

 

When Gaylord Judd reorganized the class in 1828 it included

Elisha Scott, William Whitney and wife, Eleazer Valentine and

wife, Joseph Gleason and wife, Samuel Smith and wife, Herman

Smith, Susan Gleason, W. Belcher, and Bernice, Sallie, and Betsy

Whitney.

 

On April 22, 1829, the society met for incorporation. Rev.

Gaylord Judd presided, and Elisha Scott acted as secretary. Sam-

uel Smith, Joseph Belcher, Elisha Scott, Ezekiel Dewey, and Owen

Olney were chosen trustees of "The First Society of the Methodist

Episcopal Church in Berkshire."

 

In 1848 ten new horse sheds were built and the old bell in the

church exchanged for a new one costing $100 and the old bell.

 

After expending $1,000 in repairs the church was reopened on

June 12, 1862. Rev. G. P. Porter preached in the morning and

Rev. D. A. Shepard in the evening.

 

On May 17, 1889, in consideration of $350, Harper Howland

and wife Rosetta deeded to John R. Ford, E. H. Dewey, Peter

Rockwell, Edwin Young, E. F. Jewett, James Shepard, Michael

Dermady, A. C. Buffington, and H. M. Hubbard, trustees of the

Methodist Episcopal church, seventy rods of land. Upon this lot

the present church was built. The old church property was sold,

and the church was torn down and the materials used in building

two dwelling houses on the lot. The corner stone was laid on July

4, 1889, at 11 A. M., at which service addresses were made by Revs.

P. R. Hawxhurst and W. Treible. The church cost $5,500, and

was dedicated on Friday, February 21, 1890, at i p. m. Rev. C. N.

Sims, D.D., preached the sermon, and Rev. W. Treible conducted

the dedicatory service. The sum of $1,500 was raised to fully

provide for the cost of the building.

 

In 1851 Berkshire charge comprised Berkshire, East Berk-

shire, Richford, and Padlock.

 

A parsonage property was bought by Rev. P. S. Worden in 1851,

and in 1870 the house gave place to the present parsonage, which

cost $1,500.

 

East Berkshire class was formed prior to 1851, and worshiped

in the schoolhouse many years. On February 22, 1888, the society

met for incorporation. Rev. G. O. Beers presided, and G. L.

Japhet acted as secretary. Orin Hutchinson, C. E. Whitaker, and


 

 

782 Wyoming Conference

 

Edgar Winship were elected trustees, and "Trustees of the East

Berkshire Methodist Episcopal Church Society" chosen as its

corporate name. At the same meeting it was decided to build a

church at once. On April 8, 1888, in consideration of $50, James

 

        BERKSHIRE PARSONAGE [photo]

 

A. Warle and wife Sarah deeded the society three eights of an

acre of ground. The corner stone was laid on July 11, and on

November 14, 1888, the church, which cost $1,700, was dedicated

free from debt.

 

Pastorates

 

1828-29, Gaylord Judd; 1830-31, D. A. Shepard; 1832, S. Com-

fort; 1833, M. Westcott; 1834, J. B. Benham; 1835, D. Holmes;.

1836, Gaylord Judd; 1837, Selah Stocking; 1838, I. D. Warren;

1839, A. Hamilton; 1840, E. G. Bush; 1841-42, P. S. Worden;

1843, Walter Hare; 1844, Alpheus Hamilton; 1845 (Newark and

Berkshire), D. Simons, W. S. Titus; 1846, S. Mineer; 1847,

(Berkshire alone again), E. A. Young; 1848-49, P. S- Worden;

1850, A. C. Sperry; 1851-52, Asa Brooks; 1853, E. W. Breckin-

ridge; 1854, W. B. Thomas; 1855, George Jones; 1856, T. D.

Walker; 1857-58, C. W. Judd; 1859-60, R. S. Rose; 1861-62, W.

W. Welch; 1863, R. Van Valkenburg; 1864-66, N. Rounds;

1867-68, J. Madison; 1869-70, C. A. Ward; 1871, G. M. Peck;

1872, N. S. Reynolds; 1873, E. M. High; 1874-76, W. B. Kinney;

1877-78, R. Varcoe; 1879-81, R. Hiorns; 1882-84, E. R. D.

Briggs; 1885, S. F. Wright; 1886-88, G. O. Beers; 1889-91, I. J.

Smith; 1892-96, A. J. Cook; 1897-98, R. M. Pascoe; 1899-1903,

H. N. Van Deusen.


 

 

Camptown, Pa. 783

 

 

Camptown, Pa.

 

Camptown Circuit comprises Camptown, Herrick, East Herrick,

Standing Stone, Herrickville, and Keen Summit. These formerly

belonged to the Wyalusing, Le Raysville, and Rome Circuits. The

charge was known as Herrick from 1870 to 1879 and took its pres-

ent name in 1880. "Herrick charge was formed in April, 1870, by

setting off the following appointments from the Wyalusing charge:.

Herrick, East Herrick, Grove Schoolhouse, Standing Stone, Lime

Hill, and Camptown. The undersigned [Rev. P. R. Tower] was

left in charge, having already served Standing Stone two years

and the other portions of the charge one. It will be remembered

that East Herrick and Grove Schoolhouse appointments were set

off from the Le Raysville charge, and Standing Stone from Rome,

in 1869." Subsequently Grove Schoolhouse appointment was

changed to Herrickville, and Lime Hill appointment abandoned.

 

Camptown. About 1861, when the Wyalusing Circuit embraced

the entire section hereabouts, the necessity of having a parsonage

prompted the purchase of the property in Camptown, which is

still in use. The class here was small at the time, and its services

were held in the old red schoolhouse. After the erection of the

Baptist church the society secured its use.

 

The site for the church was purchased of Almon Tuller for $200,

one half of which he donated to the society. • C. S. Lafferty, R. D.

Cleveland, E. S. Fuller, G. L. Lewis, M. H. Rockefeller, A. C.

Hammerly, D. D. Chaffee, R. J. Fuller, and George H. Landon

constituted the first board of trustees. The church and furnishings

cost $2,300, $369 of which was raised on the day of dedication,

Thursday, January 19, 1882. Rev. A. Griffin preached in the

morning, and Rev. S. F. Brown in the evening. Rev. Y. C. Smith

conducted the dedicatory service. Rev. J. B. Sumner was present

and sang several solos. The society gives the use of the church

to the Presbyterians for a biweekly service.

 

Several gracious revivals have strengthened the society, but the

work during the winter of 1901-02 was the most extensive in the

history of the place. It was a union effort, conducted by Rev. J. B.

Davis, in which there were over one hundred conversions. The

Methodist church received its due proportion of increase. Samuel

Billings was class leader in 1870. He was succeeded by C. S. Laf-

ferty. Orlando English is now serving in that capacity. The Sun-

day school and young people's society are union organizations.

 

The society became incorporate on April 8, 1901, as "The First


 

 

784 Wyoming Conference

 

Methodist Episcopal Church of Camptown." The present trustees

are C. S. Laflferty, W. S. Lafferty, J. W. Hurst, O. English, M. H.

Rockefeller, J. H. Stevens, R. J. Fleming, C. S. Cronk, and W. T.

Morrow.

 

From this society two young men have entered the ministry —

C. L. Lewis and G. V. McAllister.

 

East Herrick. A class existed here as early as 1841, called the

State Road class, which belonged to the Orwell Circuit, and con-

sisted of thirteen members, with John Barnes as leader. Two

years later the class had twenty members and thirteen probationers,

with Ezekiel B. Mintz leader. Ezra M. Payne was appointed

leader in 1848. In 1852 the class became a part of Le Raysville

Circuit, and William Bowker was leader. There had been some

agitation, covering a number of years, relative to building a

church, which aroused not a little opposition, as some objected

to the domination of our form of episcopal government. On

November 11, 1852, Zophar Piatt deeded a piece of ground from

his farm to the "trustees in trust for the use of the Methodist

Episcopal Church at East Herrick." The trustees named in the

deed were J. C. Barnes, William Bowker, and Orillany Stevens.

Should the property cease to be used for religious purposes by the

Methodist church the land reverts to the grantor. A comfortable

church was soon erected, which was thoroughly repaired in 1878,

and reopened on Tuesday, October 15, of that year. Rev. S. F.

Brown preached in the morning and Rev. D. C. Barnes in the

evening.

 

J. C. Barnes and William Bowker and their families have been

very important factors in the history of the class. Among others

which might be mentioned are the Warners, Platts, and Pratts.

 

D. C. Barnes, N. W. Barnes, and G. O. Beers have gone from

this church into the ministry. Julius A. Bowker was an official

here many years, having served as trustee, steward, class leader,

and Sunday school superintendent.

 

Herrick. The introduction of Methodism to this place was

largely through the efforts of Hon. George Landon. He was a

member of New England Conference, and while serving the church

in Springfield, Mass., did considerable work in the lecture field.

Overwork superinduced throat trouble, which led him to abandon

the work of the ministry. In 1849 he came to this place and bought

a farm, which he has very materially improved. He secured Meth-

odist preachers who conducted services in this place, preaching in

barns, private houses, and schoolhouses. At one time he was a


 

 

Standing Stone, Pa. 785

 

member of this Conference and presiding elder of the Wyalusing

District. The majority of his neighbors were members of the

Presbyterian Church, and, not many years after he settled there,

proposed to build a church near his home. The church was built,

and dedicated by the Presbyterians, but with the understanding

that the Methodists were to have the use of it. With the exception

of a few years, when the Methodists were excluded, the services

have alternated between the two denominations, and perfect har-

mony prevails. David Armstrong has been identified with the

class from its earliest history, and has served it as leader and

steward. He is now over ninety-one years of age.

 

Standing Stone. The church, which is the oldest on the charge

except the one at East Herrick, is located midway between Rum-

merfield and Standing Stone. The society is incorporated as "The

First Methodist Episcopal Church of Standing Stone." The char-

ter was granted on August 1, 1859, and George Van Nest, Alanson

Taylor, William A. Benedict, I. W. Van Nest, Addison Taylor,

William McCabe, and John G. Towner were the trustees named.

The petitioners for a charter were George Van Nest, David King,

Henry Fisher, C. S. Lafferty, Levi Whipple, Bartley Dunn, Isaac

H. Van Nest, I. M. Van Nest, Ira Thetga, George E. Van Nest,

Myron Van Nest, J. J. Van Nest, Isaac Huff, Isaac W. Van Nest,

Moses Canfield, John Bishop, Thomas Vought, Alanson Taylor,

Albert Lentz, A. W. Taylor, and C. F. Roberts. The church was

dedicated on Saturday, August 23, 1856, Rev. George Landon

preaching in the morning and Rev. J. L. Staples in the evening.

Mr. Landon was an ardent abolitionist, and so freely voiced his

sentiments in his sermon as to thoroughly stir the community.

 

The class belonged to the Rome Circuit until the formation of

Herrick charge in 1870, when it became a part of that charge.

Alanson Taylor was class leader about 1870. After a few years

he was succeeded by David S. Van Nest, who still holds that po-

sition. The church has struggled against antagonistic elements,

and at times seemed discouraged. In February, 1903, a revival

trebled the membership, and gave courage to all.

 

Lime Hill was an appointment of the circuit at the formation

of the charge. At that time it was a thrifty class, led by Charles

Sumner. Mr. Sumner was from Methodist stock, and his family

early united with the Church of their fathers. Camp meetings

were held several seasons in a grove upon his farm. In 1882 a

church was built. Some of the class favored the enterprise, while

others opposed it. "It was dedicated as a union church, which


 

 

786 Wyoming Conference

 

was very unfortunate for the peace and unity of all concerned."

Such serious dissension arose that the pastor dropped the

appointment in 1883, and transferred the members to the Camp-

town class.

 

Herrickville. During the pastorate of 1887-90 biweekly Sunday

evening services were conducted in the Wesleyan Methodist

church. A small class was organized, composed largely of the

members of the Grove Schoolhouse appointment, which had been

discontinued. The use of the church was not pleasantly accorded,

and the society was urged to build a chapel of its own. After

some years the work started. Judson J. Barnes deeded the society

a lot in 1892. "A charter was obtained according to the plan of

the Church Extension Society, which had granted a donation of

$250." Judson J. Barnes, A. H. Struppler, and E. N. Brown were

the first trustees, who, with John C. Beardsley constituted the

building committee. The church cost $1,900, $400 of which was

raised on the day of dedication, January 26, 1893. Rev. W.

Treible preached the dedicatory sermon and conducted the dedi-

catory service. It has always been an evening appointment; con-

sequently the society has usually joined the Wesleyans in a tmion

Sunday school.

 

Keen Summit was a part of Rome Circuit until it came to this

circuit in 1902. The church is situated about three and a half

miles north of the Standing Stone church upon high ground, and

its spire can be seen many miles. It was built in 1874. Mr. John

A. Keen offered the society a lot and $1,000 toward the erection

of a church. Mr. Keen, though not a member of the church, took

an active part in directing the building of the church. It cost

about $2,000, and was dedicated on November 15, 1884, by Rev.

H. M. Crydenwise. In 1891 Keen Summit was constituted a

charge, with Rev. S. F. Wright as pastor. During the next year

or two there were no services held there, but finally the society

was attached to Rome Circuit. The class has fifteen members and

four probationers.

 

Pastorates

 

1870, P. R. Tower; 1871, King Elwell; 1872-73, T. F. John-

son; 1874-76, G. L. Wilhams; 1877-79, W. Keatley; 1880-82, J. R.

Angell; 1883, E. N. Sabin; 1884-86, W. R. Netherton; 1887-90,

J. C. Johnson; 1891-95, J. B. Davis; 1896-98, I. B. Wilson; 1899,

James Schofield; 1900-01, Isaac Jenkins; 1902-03, Carl Council-

man.


 

 

Candor, N. Y. 787

 

 

Candor, N. Y.

 

Revs. John Griffing and George Densmore and other ministers

held services in this section some years before the meeting was

held at the house of Jared Smith in 1827, at which time the class

was formally organized. The following were constituent members:

Judge Samuel Barager, James Smith, Thomas Hewitt, George

Hubbard, A. Hubbard, Jared Smith, and their wives, Mrs. Hannah

Gilbert, and Mrs. Asaph Colburn. Thomas Hewitt was the leader.

Hiram Grant and wife either joined at that time or soon after.

 

        CANDOR CHURCH [photo]

 

The following quotation is somewhat explanatory of the above:

"In the fall of 1826, when Hiram G. Warner and William D.

Overfield were on the Spencer Circuit, a series of meetings was

held at the Red Schoolhouse, about two miles below Candor vil-

lage. Rev. Thomas Hewitt, a well-known local preacher, did much

in promoting the work. Overfield preached and Hewitt exhorted;

a blessed revival resulted. A class was formed, of which Moses

Darling was made the leader. From this point the work of revival

extended northward to Candor village, and it was deemed ad-

visable to form a new class in or near the village. This was done

by Brother Hewitt, at the house of Brother Jared Smith, where


 

 

788 Wyoming Conference

 

the Methodist preachers have found a 'prophet's chamber' and a

hearty welcome ever since."

 

The first services were held in a schoolhouse which stood where

the residence of Chester Johnson afterward stood. The society-

was incorporated in 1831, in the schoolhouse named above. The

first church was built on the site of the present one, on land which

was given to the society by Daniel Hart, the land reverting should

it at any time cease to be used for church purposes. There is a

tradition that the church was dedicated by Bishop McKendree,

and therefore is called the McKendree Methodist Episcopal

Church. The church cost $2,000 and was built about 1832. Meth-

odism thrived amid opposition, and in 1834 Candor appeared

among the appointments, having been a part of Spencer Circuit

prior to this time.

 

In 1840 Rev. William Wyatt was sent to Candor. Here is his

description of the charge: "There was plenty of sea room, all

that could be desired for healthy exercise in the pastoral work.

The eastern hills, along whose skirts we found work to do, are

now in Berkshire and Newark appointments. The south, along

the eastern branch of the Owego Creek, is now embraced in

Flemingrille. The southwest, along the valley of the Irish set-

tlement, where we preached once in two weeks, and sometimes

much oftener, now belongs to Tioga Center and West Barton.

The extreme western boundary of the town, visited by us fort-

nightly, now belongs to Spencer. The northern line of appoint-

ments is now in South and West Danby. Fairfield and Shindagon

have been merged into Caroline and Slaterville stations. I

preached twice every Sabbath at Candor Corners, and then spread

myself out thin enough to cover all this territory that now goes

to make up, in whole or in part, ten distinct charges."

 

At a place over the mountain called Honeypot, or Fairfield,

Rev. Mr. Wyatt's labors were blessed by an extensive revival,

about one hundred being converted. He also held a series of

meetings in the Red Schoolhouse about two miles below Candor

village, which was very successful. William J. and Charles Judd

were among the converts. About two hundred found Christ dur-

ing the meetings. He also preached at the White Schoolhouse

regularly, and at Wilseyville.

 

In January and February, 1845, one hundred and thirteen were

received on probation, and in 1848 from sixty to seventy were

received. Extraordinary seasons of refreshing were enjoyed in

1851-52, 1865, 1871-72, 1893-94, and 1898.

 

In 1852 the church was extensively repaired, toward which Mr.


 

 

Candor, N. Y. 789

 

Jerome Thompson gave $500. The present church cost $10,000,

and was dedicated on February 27, 1867. Rev. B. I. Ives

preached morning and evening. During the day $3,600 was

raised to fully provide for the cost of the building. In 1880 $750

was spent in repairs and decorating the interior of the church.

In 1883 a debt of $1,500, which had stood some time, was can-

celed. The bell, costing $190, was purchased in 1892. In 1902

$800 was expended in building a place for an organ and making

other needed repairs. During the year a two-manual pipe organ,

costing $2,000, the gift of E. A. Wands, H. D. Heath, and J. P.

Fiebig, was put in the church. In 1903 Mr. Fiebig installed pipes

and fixtures for gas at a cost of $450.

 

For many years the parsonage was two doors south of the

church. It was sold, and a house and lot adjoining the church

property on the north was bought.

 

Candor now has no out-appointment. The following had

been preaching places until they were dropped or set off to other

charges: Gridleyville, Irish Settlement (Straits Corners), Perry-

ville (Prospect Valley), Wilseyville, Hoyt Settlement (Pleasant

Valley), South Candor, Hubbardtown, and Catatonk, the last-

named having been dropped quite recently.

 

A Sunday noon class has been in existence since the organiza-

tion of the charge. James Smith led this class a long time prior

to 1861, since which time Stephen Herrick has been the leader.

A Tuesday night class was sustained many years, of which

Hiram Ward was the leader about twenty-five years.

 

Harry Ward served as choir leader twenty-five years without

remuneration, and Charles Fiebig led the choir thirteen years

just prior to 1902.

 

In the early years of the Sunday school Hiram Ward was

longest in service as superintendent. Later William Hubbard

served twenty-one years, since which time several efficient parties

have served shorter terms.

 

Candor has been called "Saints' Rest" because a number of our

superannuated preachers settled there for the sunset of their lives.

Gaylord Judd, Asa Brooks, Jasper Hewitt, Rodney S. Rose, and

David Personeus went to their reward from this place, and their

bodies lie in the village cemetery. Rev. S. E. Walworth is living

there now, also Rev. A. G. Bloomfield, and Rev. Mr. Manns, of the

Central New York Conference.

 

Long before the organization of the Epworth League Rev. L.

Peck had a flourishing young people's society here.

 

The Candor auxiliary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary


 

 

790 Wyoming Conference

 

Society was the first one formed on the district, and was organized

by Rev. C. W. Judd in 1869, his wife being the first president.

It has contributed $931 to the work, besides boxes sent to India,

China, and Japan.

 

Pastorates

 

1834-35, Gaylord Judd; 1836, L. Mumford; 1837-38, J. B. Ben-

ham; 1839, Isaac Parks; 1840-41, W. Wyatt; 1842, Abel Barker;

1843-44, Darius Simons; 1845, L. G. Weaver; 1846, H. F. Rowe;

1847-48, V. M. Coryell; 1849-50, William Round; 1851-52, E.

Owen; 1853-54, A. Brooks; 1855-56, D. C. Olmstead; 1857-58,

J. K. Peck; 1859, F. S. Chubbuck, W. B. Kinney; 1860-61, C. V.

Arnold; 1862, E. F. Roberts; 1863-64, J. Miller; 1865, W. P.

Abbott; 1866-68, L. C. Floyd; 1869-70, J. L. Wells; 1871-72,

G. H. Blakeslee; 1873-74, N. S. Reynolds; 1875-76, L. Peck;

1877-79, J. C. Brainard; 1880-81, O. M. Martin; 1882-84, M. E.

Bramhall; 1885, J. D. Belknap; 1886-88, H. Williston; 1889-92,

W. W. Smith; 1893-95, G- O. Beers; 1896-99, T. R. Warnock;

1900-03, C. P. Tiffany.

 

 

Danby, N. Y.

 

Nathaniel Wyatt was the pioneer of Methodism in this section

of country. We quote from his son, Rev. William Wyatt: "When

my father returned to the States [from Canada], and settled in

Danby, as in Fostertown on the Hudson, and in Canada, so here

he found no Methodism, no society, no church, no religious meet-

ings. His first work was to see what could be done for the Lord

and Methodism. He mounted a horse and rode forty miles down

the Cayuga Lake, in the bounds of the New York Conference,

which then embraced the whole of New York State, Pennsylvania,

New England, and Canada, and found Peter Van Est, presiding

elder of Cayuga District. He sent him Asa Cummings and

Thomas Wright, who were on the Scipio Circuit, and he, Asa

Cummings, organized the class in my father's house, consisting

of six members — Nathaniel Wyatt, leader; Amy Wyatt, Rachel

Barnum, whose husband was killed in the War of the Revolution;

Fanny and Clarissa Everest, two maiden ladies, sisters, who lived

about a mile and a half south of my father's house (these women

used to walk six and a half miles to Ithaca, ten or fifteen years

later, with a pail of butter, and sell it for six and a quarter cents

a pound); and Mrs. Anna Mead, who lived three miles west, over

on the Inlet. These were the six members in the first class formed

in Tompkins County. [This must have been in 1809, as that is

the year Mr. Cummings was on Scipio Circuit.] This was some


 

 

Danby, N. Y. 791

 

time before there was any Methodist organization in Ithaca, and

for twenty years thereafter there was preaching in his house. This

was the great center of Methodism in all that section of country.

Here they came for their quarterly meetings thirty and forty miles

around, which were held in the woods, and, when too cold, in my

father's old log barn, warmed with large kettles filled with char-

coal, such as were used in boiling sap."

 

Nathaniel Wyatt was converted in 1784, under the labors of

Freeborn Garrettson. At first the meetings in his house were

thinly attended, but later his house was packed. At the organiza-

tion of Spencer Circuit Danby became a part of it, and remained

so until 1831, when Danby became a charge. "The ark was now

taken from Mr. Wyatt's house to the schoolhouse at Danby Four

Corners. Before the end of this Conference year a church was

built." In 1832 a great revival swept through the community, as

a result of which the pastor baptized and received into the church

seventy converts in one day.

 

The building was quite thoroughly repaired in 1856, and again

in 1885, at which time $1,226 was expended. The church was

reopened on October 27, 1885. Rev. R. W. Van Schoick preached

from John v, 2-4. Rev. H. M. Crydenwise managed the finances

and conducted the dedicatory service. At this service $600 was

raised to fully provide for the repairs.

 

In 1855 the charge had four preaching places — Danby, Jersey

Hill, Morris Chapel, and a schoolhouse four miles below Morris

Chapel, near Wilseyville. The last is discontinued.

 

J. Wise has served about fifty years as steward, class leader,

and Sunday school superintendent.

 

A camp meeting was held in Rev. Moses King's woods about

seventy years ago. At that time Moses King, Simeon Coon,

Daniel Atwell, Mr. Fuller, and Henry France were local preachers

on the charge.

 

Revs. William Wyatt, Levi Pitts, O. P. Legg, Stephen Elwell,

F. A. King, C. Sweet, and E. N. Sabin have gone from this

church into the ministry.

 

Mr. Franklin Grant led the choir of this church forty years, and

his wife was organist thirty-five years.

 

The society celebrated its semicentennial in 1882, at which time

Rev. Asa Brooks preached an historical sermon.

 

The parsonage was purchased about sixty-five years ago.

 

Morris Chapel is four miles east of Danby. We have failed to

secure anything concerning its history.


 

 

792 Wyoming Conference

 

Jersey Hill is a schoolhouse appointment two and a half miles

west of Danby. The class was formed in a log schoolhouse by

Levi Pitts and Rev. A. Johnson about sixty-five years ago.

Preaching services are held biweekly, and the Sunday school

operates during the warm months only.

 

Pastorates

 

1831, Morgan Sherman; 1832-33, H. Colburn; 1834, G. W.

Densmore; 1835-36, J. B. Benham; 1837-38, Ahira Johnson;

1839, D. H. Kingsley, G. Judd, sd.; 1840, Robert Everdell, G.

Judd, sd.; 1841-42, James Atwell; 1843, B. D. Sniflfen, Peter

Compton; 1844, B. D. Sniffen; 1845, S. Mineer; 1846, Moses

Adams; 1847-48, King Elwell; 1849-50, B. Ellis; 1851, O. M.

McDowall, B. Ellis; 1852, O. M. McDowall; 1853, L. Pitts, B.

ElHs; 1854, R. Van Valkenburg; 1855, A. Brooks; 1856, A.

Brooks, B. Ellis; 1857-58, D. C. Olmstead; 1859-60, J. M. Snyder;

1861-62, W. B. Kinney; 1863-64, W. W. Welch; 1865-66, W.

Keatley; 1867, King Elwell; 1868-69, P. Holbrook; 1870, A. D.

Alexander; 1871, E. F. Roberts; 1872-73, R. Hiorns; 1874-76,

S. B. Keeney; 1877-78, E. Sibley; 1879-81, G. L. Williams; 1882-

83, E. P. Eldridge; 1884-85, F. A. Chapman; 1886, N. S. De Witt;

1887-88, I. J. Smith; 1889-91, S. B. Keeney; 1892-94, J. R. Allen;

1895-98, L. P. Howard; 1899-1900, A. F. Brown; 1901-03, S. D.

Galpin.

 

 

Flemingville, N. Y.

 

The first preaching service held on this charge was at the home

of Daniel Ferguson, situated near the creek at North Owego.

Subsequently there was an appointment at a schoolhouse in Park's

Settlement, and another at a schoolhouse located on Ezekiel

Mead's farm. Some time after this the appointment was moved

to the Flemingville schoolhouse, which was situated on the op-

posite side of the road from the present church, where services

were held many years. This territory was a part of Tioga Circuit,

and at the organization of Speedsville Circuit in 1831 became a

part of it and remained there until the Flemingville charge was

formed in 1837.

 

The Flemingville class was organized about 1811, with David

Fleming and Thomas Stockey as leaders, and Mrs. David Fleming,

David Darling and wife, Richard Searles and wife, Walter Her-

rick, Minerva Herrick, Patty Brink, Elisha and Freelove Forsythe,

and Mrs. Parks were members of the class. Captain David

Fleming was leader more than thirty years.


 

 

Flemingville, N. Y. 793

 

During the summers of 1823 and 1824 camp meetings were held

in the woods belonging to David Fleming which resulted in many

additions to the class. In 1833 a camp meeting was held about

one half mile north of the church. Rev. Marmaduke Pearce con-

ducted the meeting, which was one of great power. The influence

of the meeting was felt in all that section. As a result two series of

revival services were held during the following winter, one in the

Flemingville schoolhouse, and the other in the schoolhouse at

McLain Settlement. A great many were brought into the kingdom

of our Lord.

 

One result of this wonderful revival was a church enterprise.

At a meeting of the society held on March 4, 1834, at which Rev.

A. Wood presided and Walter Herrick acted as clerk, "The First

Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Flemingville" was

incorporated, and George Mead, Peter Joslin, Robert Cole, Robert

Fleming, Johnson Anderson, James Ireland, Asa Phelps, John

Grimes, and Luther Stone were elected trustees. During the fol-

lowing winter Walter Herrick was elected trustee in place of Peter

Joslin, and Captain David Fleming in place of Luther Stone. The

church was built in the summer of 1834, costing $1,559-75, and

was dedicated by Rev. H. Agard, the presiding elder. The lot

upon which the church was built was deeded to the society on

March 11, 1836, by David Fleming, in consideration of $100. It

is understood, however, that Mr. Fleming gave one half and John

D. Weed the other half of the purchase price of the lot. On

Thursday, June 30, 1870, after an expenditure of $3,000, by which

the church was moved nearer the road and virtually made over,

the church was reopened. Revs. H. R. Clarke and B. I. Ives being

the preachers of the day. In 1895 $200 was expended in improv-

ing the church, and in 1897 $260.

 

On October 28, 1856, Larnard Legg and wife Esther deeded

the society a quarter of an acre of land upon which there was a

store building. The society paid $225 for this property, and with-

out monetary expense, as the pastor and people did the work, the

building was converted into a parsonage. In 1862 the house was

enlarged and repaired. The barn was built in 1858 or 1859. In

1891 this property was sold for $425, and on May 16, 1891, Mrs.

Margaret Barrett deeded the society its present parsonage lot as

a gift, upon which the house was built, costing $1,576.

 

When the charge was formed it included Flemingville, South

Fairfield, Anderson Hill, McLain Settlement, and West Newark.

The appointments now are the first three named, with Wade

Hollow and the County Poorhouse. The McLain Settlement


 

 

794 Wyoming Conference

 

class was formed in 1834, with Robert Cole leader. A class was

formed at West Newark in 1831, with Isaac Bunnell leader, and

in February, 1876, another class was formed at the same place,

with George H. Bothwith leader. A class was formed at Lisle

Road, in April, 1866, with John Brougham leader.

 

This charge gave local preacher's license to J. M. Grimes, Ed-

ward Mory, J. R. Allen, S. B. Mead, and L. P. Howard, and

recommended J. M. Grimes, Andrew Burhyte, L. P. Howard,

Levi Jennison, E. A. Quimby, and Carl Councilman to the Con-

ference for admission.

 

In the sixties the charge received an allowance from the Mis-

sionary Society.

 

The years 1843, 1850-51, 1857. 1869-71, 1872-73, 1874, and

1881 were good revival seasons.

 

Anderson Hill class was formed in 1830, with David Darling

leader. The society became incorporated as "The Trustees of

the Methodist Episcopal Church of Anderson Hill," on January

30, 1860, and elected Levi Andrews, Stephen Anderson, Theron

D. Kyle, Augustus J. Eaton, and Charles C. Howard trustees. On

March 17, 1860, in consideration of $10, Stephen Anderson deeded

the society one third of an acre of land. The church, which cost

about $1,200, was dedicated on August 9, 1860. Rev. J. J. Pearce

preaching in the morning and Rev. N. Rounds, D.D., in the

afternoon.

 

Fairfield class was organized in 1830, with Augustus Lake

leader. On May 16, 1900, the society became incorporate as "The

Methodist Episcopal Church of Lower Fairfield," and elected

J. L. Downing, W. Daggett, J. C. Larcom, Theodore Henderson,

D. W. Daly, and L. A. Law trustees. On June 2, 1900, Alfred

Dennis and wife Mary E. deeded the society half an acre of land

as a gift. The church, which cost $2,000, was dedicated on April

5, 1901.

 

Pastorates

 

1837-38, G. Judd; 1839, W. Wyatt; 1840, E. P. Beecher; 1841-

42, John Griffing; 1843, B. Ellis; 1844-45, Peter Compton; 1846,

L. Pitts; (1847-48, with Speedsville;) 1847, J- Jamison, O. L.

Torry; 1848, J. Whitham, H. Pilbeam; 1849, J- Whitham; 1850-

51, J. W. Hewitt; 1852, Seth Curtis; 1853, John Mulkey; 1854,

H. T. Avery; 1855, W. Smith; 1856-57, J. W. Hewitt; 1858-59,

A. W. Loomis; 1860-61, T. Burgess; 1862-63, S. G. Stevens;

1864-65, R. S. Rose; 1866, R. Hiorns; 1867, George Pritchett;


 

 

Harford, N. Y. 795

 

1868, W. L. Fessenden; 1869-71, S. B. Keeney; 1872-73, J. K.

Peck; 1874, J. H. Boyce; 1875-77, S. W. Lindsley; 1878-79, N. S.

De Witt; 1880, H. G. Blair; 1881-83, O. P. Legg; 1884, C. Sweet;

1885-87, C. D. Shepard; 1888-90, I. B. Wilson; 1891-92, N. W.

Barnes; 1893, S. H. Flory; 1894-95, E. A. Ouimby; 1896-98, C.

Councilman; 1899-1900, S. D. Galpin; 1901-02, A. F. Brown;

1903, supply.

 

 

Harford, N. Y.

 

There are four preaching places on this charge — Harford, Har-

ford Mills, Hunt's Corners, and Michigan Hill. We have been

able to secure but meager information concerning the various

points on the charge.

 

In 1856 land was purchased of Messrs. Burlingame and Tyler,

upon which the church was erected. In the summer of 1882 the

church was raised, a basement constructed, tower erected, audi-

torium newly lathed, plastered, and tinted, building painted, new

windows, pews, platform, pulpit, and other furniture put in, at a

total cost of $1,400. The Ladies' Aid Society contributed $200 in

cushions, carpet, matting, etc. The total cost was provided for on

the day of reopening.

 

The parsonage is located at Harford, and was built in 1874,

costing $1,000.

 

Harford Mills. The church here was built in 1893, at a cost of

$1,600. The building has memorial windows, among them one

to Alfred Davis, who led the choir more than twenty-five years.

The church was dedicated on Thursday, January 11, 1894, Rev.

G. M. Colville preaching at 10:30 a. m. and 2 p. m. Rev. Wilson

Treible conducted the dedicatory service at the close of the after-

noon sermon.

 

Hunt's Corners society worships in a union church.

 

Michigan Hill is a schoolhouse appointment.

 

 

 

Pastorates

 

1869, A. J. Lent; 1870, J. H. Taylor; 1871, J. M. Grimes; 1872-

73, A. B. Eckert; 1874-76, Z. Evans; 1877-79, H. G. Blair; 1S80,

C. H. Basford; 1881-83, L. P. Howard; 1884-86, O. P. Legg;

1887, L. W. Peck; 1888, Z. Evans; 1889, J. W. Lyon; 1890-92,

S. D. Galpin; 1893-97, I- C. Estes; 1898-99, S. H. Flory; 1900-02,

S. B. Keeney; 1903, A. F. Brown.


 

 

796 Wyoming Conference

 

 

HORNBROOK AND GHENT, Pa.

 

The class at Hornbrook was organized in 1857 by Rev. J. Whit-

ham, and the church, costing $2,500, was built in 1862, on ground

donated by W. K. Hill. It was repaired in 1871, again in 1893 at

a cost of $850, and again in 1900 at a cost of $800. The Epworth

League furnished the organ and pulpit furniture, and the Ladies'

Aid Society bought the carpet and also gave $100 toward the

repairs.

 

In 1894 the present parsonage was built, costing $1,800. The

lot was bought of J. Chaffee for $75.

 

At the time the class was organized Lewis Gillette was made

the leader.

 

Ghent. A Sunday school was organized here in 1850, with

D. Gillette superintendent, and it is very probable that preaching

services were established some years before. The church was

built in 1871, costing $2,100. It was built on land donated by

Daniel Bidlack, and was dedicated on Thursday, Decernber 14,

1871, by Rev. D. D. Lindsley. In 1847 this place was a part of

Orwell charge.

 

Union Corners class was organized in 1851 by Isaac Towner,

and the Sunday school was organized the same year, with J. B.

Smith superintendent. The site for the church was purchased of

Jeremiah Kilmer for $75, and the church built in 1895, costing

$2,000. The bell is the gift of H. L. Horton, of New York city.

The Ladies' Aid Society contributed $300 toward the enterprise.

The church was dedicated by Rev. A. Griffin.

 

North Ghent class was formed in 1880 by Rev. S. F. Wright,

and the Sunday school was organized at the same time, with A.

Dingman superintendent. The site was donated by Henry

Manold, and the church, which cost $2,000, was built in 1880,

and dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of that year by Rev. Y C

Smith, D.D.

 

During the winter before the church was built an extensive

revival was held, led by a praying band and the Athens pastor. In

1900 another revival greatly strengthened the society.

 

Pastorates

 

1868-69, W. H. Gavitt; 1870-71, J. B. Santee; 1872-73, G. L.

Williams; 1874-75, J- B. Davis; 1876-78, S. Earner; 1879-81, S. F.

Wright; 1882, H. G. Blair; 1883-85, L. Peck; 1886-88, S. B.


 

 

Le Raysville, Pa. 797

 

Keeney; 1889-92, P. M. Mott; 1893-95, N. W. Barnes; 1896-98,

G. O. Beers; 1899-1903, L. P. Howard.

 

 

Le Raysville, Pa.

 

This charge is the remnant of the Pike Circuit, which was

formed in 1828 from the eastern portion of the Wyalusing Circuit.

The first parsonage in all this country was built in 1815 or 1816

about a half mile above Stevensville.

 

Le Raysville charge has three preaching places — Le Raysville,

Prattville, and South Warren. The site for the Le Raysville

church was donated by Rev. Mr. Hodge, a local preacher living

in the place at the time the church was built. After extensive

repairs the church was reopened on Wednesday, December 29,

1871, by Rev. B. I. Ives.

 

The parsonage was built in 1888, costing $1,700.

 

Prattville church was reopened on Wednesday, March 21, 1866,

after an expenditure of $1,200 in repairs. Rev. William Wyatt

preached the sermon, and $500 was raised during the day to fully

provide for repairs.

 

South Warren church was reopened on Wednesday, October 24,

1877, after extensive repairs. Rev. I. T. Walker preached at 11

A. M., and Rev. S. W. Weiss at 7 p. m.

 

Pastorates

 

(Pike Circuit 1828-49, Le Raysville 1850 to date:) 1828-29,

supply; 1830, James Hodge; 1831, J. Towner; 1832, E. Bibbins;

1833-34, S. H. Stocking; 1835-36, G. Evans; 1837-38, B. ElHs;

1839-40, D. Torry; 1841, W. Dean; 1842, King Elwell; 1843, M.

Ruger; 1844, S. B. Yarrington, N. S. De Witt; 1845, J. R. Bos-

well; 1846, Peter Compton, S. L. Brown; 1847, P. Compton;

1848-49, G. H. Blakeslee; 1850, P. Bartlett; 1851, P. Bartlett, R.

Van Valkenburg; 1852, John Mulkey; 1853, J. Towner, Charles

White; 1854, L D. Warren; 1855, L D. Warren, D. Thomson;

1856, F. S. Chubbuck, J. Whitham; 1857, T. J. W. Sullivan; 1858,

A. Jones; 1859, A. R. Jones; 1860-61, E. F. Roberts; 1862-63,

E. W. Breckinridge; 1864-66, G. R. Hair; 1867-68, A. Brigham;

1869-71, S. E. Walworth; 1872-74, S. Elwell; 1875-76, P. Hol-

brook; 1877-79, J- R- Angell; 1880-82, L. Peck; 1883-85, H. B.

Cook; 1886-87, S. F. Wright; 1888, D. D. King; 1889-91, R. M.

Pascoe; 1892, B. B. Keefer; 1893, J. B. Santee; 1894-95, T. R.

Warnock; 1896-98, E. A. Quimby; 1899-1903, G. O. Beers.


 

 

798 Wyoming Conference

 

 

Litchfield, Pa.

 

The early days of this charge are lost in the obscurity of the

annals of Tioga Circuit. Subsequently it formed a part of Barton

Circuit. It is claimed that it was with Nichols and Hornbrook in

later times. Litchfield appeared among the appointments in 1851.

In 1853 the church at Litchfield, costing about $2,000 was built

on land which was given from the McKinney farm, and was

dedicated on November 3, Rev. O. M. McDowall preaching in

the afternoon and Rev. J. Towner in the evening. On October 20,

1886, after an outlay of $2,500, by which the church was practi-

cally made anew, it was reopened, Rev. R. W. Van Schoick preach-

ing in the morning and Rev. H. M. Crydenwise in the evening.

 

About 1858 the society bought the Henry Goble house for a

parsonage. In 1894 the old property was sold and the present

house built, at a cost of $1,500.

 

Athens was with Litchfield in 1867.

 

Windham Summit is three miles east of Litchfield, and the

class was formed about 1858. A union church was built about

this time, costing $1,800. The church was modernized and im-

proved in 1902, at a cost of $600, and rededicated on August 28,

by Rev. H. H. Dresser.

 

Brink Hill Schoolhouse is three miles southwest of Litchfield

and the society here was organized about 1858.

 

Mount Pleasant Schoolhouse is three miles north of Litchfield,

and the class was formed about 1860.

 

Vawter Schoolhouse is three miles southeast of Litchfield, and

the class became a part of this charge in 1890 or 1891.

 

Pastorates

 

1851, J. Towner; 1852, _____; 1853, S. Earner; 1854-55, W. B.

Kinney; 1856, _____; 1857, J. Whitham; 1858, I. P. Towner; 1859-

60, J. W. Hewitt; 1861, N. B. Marcy; 1862-63, P- G. Bridgeman;

1864-65, F. S. Chubbuck; 1866, P. Krohn; 1867-68, W. M. Hiller;

1869, D. Personeus; 1870-71, T. J. Johnson; 1872, James Mullen;

1873, C. F. Olmstead; 1874-75, R. Southworth; 1876-77, E. N.

Sabin; 1878-80, L. P. Howard; 1881, H. G. Blair; 1882-83, F. A.

Chapman; 1884-86, C. H. Jewell; 1887-89, S. D. Galpin; 1890-91,

J. W. Lyon; 1892, B. B. Carruth; 1893-94, C. Sweet; 1895-96,

S. E. Hunt; 1897-98, A. F. Brown; 1899-1900, P. F. Mead; 1901-

02, E. N. Kline; 1903, supply.


 

 

Little Meadows, Pa. 799

 

 

Little Meadows, Pa.

 

It is claimed that Methodist itinerants visited this locality as

early as 1809. John Griffing is said to have organized the class.

As he was on Tioga Circuit in 1814 and again in 1818-19 it might

have been in either of these years. The first class consisted of

John Brown, Winthrop Collins, Charles Nichols, Benjamin

Buffum, and their wives. John Clifford and wife joined soon after

organization, and he became leader of the class, remaining in the

office many years. The ordinary meetings of the society were

held in private houses, but the quarterly meetings were sometimes

held in a carding mill.

 

At a meeting of the society, held on March 25, 1844, at which

John Clifford presided and Jacob Barton acted as secretary, the

society resolved to build a church and elected the following trus-

tees: John Clifford, Jacob Barton, Asahel Graves, Howard

Kimble, Abel Merrill, Stephen Burton, and Obadiah B. Haight.

The court granted a charter on August 20, 1844, which was re-

corded on April 10, 1845. The church was built in 1845 at a

probable cost of $1,000. It was repaired in 1862, at which time

the bell was purchased, and reopened on Tuesday, January 14,

1862, Rev. G. H. Blakeslee preaching in the morning and Rev.

A. H. Schoonmaker in the afternoon. In 1873 the building was

repaired at a cost of $500. In 1884 the church was rebuilt and

modernized at an expense of $2,050, and was rededicated on

October 31, 1884, Rev. W. H. Olin, D.D., preaching in the morn-

ing and Rev. A. L. Smalley in the evening.

 

In 1888 the old parsonage was sold and a house rented for a

while. In 1891 the present parsonage lot was purchased and $675

secured on subscription toward building a house. The house was

built in 1892, costing $1,400.

 

The territory of this charge formed a part of Vestal Circuit

prior to the creation of Little Meadows charge in 1857. In 1869

the charge comprised Little Meadows, Warren, South Owego,

Apalachin, and three other preaching places.

 

Warren Center. Tradition says that Methodism began its work

here about 1825. The class was organized in 1848, Rev. G. H.

Blakeslee being preacher in charge and Rev. D. C. Olmstead

junior preacher. They were on Pike Circuit this year. Services

were held in a schoolhouse prior to the building of the church in

1874. The church, which cost $3,500 was dedicated on Wednes-

day, January 20, 1875. Rev. D. D. Lindsley preached in the


 

 

800 Wyoming Conference

 

morning on "Christ the power and wisdom of God." After the

sermon he asked for $800, and secured $1,100. In the evening Rev.

J. O. Woodruff preached on the theme "The Monuments God's

People Erect to Commemorate His Goodness." After the sermon

$100 was raised with which to buy an organ.

 

Pastorates

 

1857, I. P. Towner; 1858-59, E. Sibley; 1860, N. B. Marcy;

1861-62, A. C. Sperry; 1863-64, L D. Warren; 1865, A. Brooks;

1866-68, C. E. Taylor; 1869-70, A. Brooks; 1871, G. W. Rey-

nolds; 1872-74, W. Keatley; 1875, H. A. Blanchard; 1876-77,

N. S. De Witt; 1878-80, M. E. Bramhall; 1881-83, W. R. Coch-

rane; 1884-86, D. C. Barnes; 1887-90, G. C. Jacobs; 1891, H. N.

Van Deusen; 1892-93, H. L. Ellsworth; 1894-97, J. S. Custard;

1898-1900, W. H. Stang; 1901-03, L. E. Van Hoesen.

 

 

Lockwood, N. Y.

 

The territory of this charge was on the Spencer Circuit in 1844.

Shepherd's Creek charge was formed in 1854, and in 1865 it had

no churches, but had nine schoolhouse appointments. The charge

now does not embrace all the territory it did at that time. In

1871 its name was changed to North Barton, and in 1890 to Lock-

wood. The class at Lockwood was in existence prior to 1844.

The parsonage was built in 1884, at a cost of $1,400.

 

On June 21, 1886, the society met at Bingham's Hall. Rev. Z.

Evans and D. C. Hagardorn presided, when "The Methodist

Episcopal Church of Lockwood" was incorporated, and Judson

Campbell, Peter V. Bogart,C. H. Coleman, Thomas J. Simcoe,

and Ezra Canfield were elected trustees. The church, which cost

$1,500, was dedicated on Wednesday, November 17, 1886. Rev.

R. W. Van Schoick preached in the afternoon from i Chron.

xxix, 5. At the conclusion of the sermon Father Henry Lyons,

ninety years of age, was received into full membership in the

church. After raising $400 Rev. H. M. Crydenwise conducted

the dedicatory service. Rev. C. D. Shepard preached in the

evening.

 

North Barton. Methodism began here at an early day. On

March 20, 1843, a meeting was held at the house of George W.

Newell, over which B. D. Sniffin and Noah Hanford presided,

when "The First Methodist Episcopal Society in North Barton"

was incorporated, and Christopher E. Hedges, Allen C. Lott,


 

 

Mehoopany, Pa. 801

 

George King, Charles Bingham, and George W. Newell were

elected trustees.

 

The church cost $1,565, and was dedicated Thursday, December

22, 1870.

 

In April, 1886, a ten weeks' revival closed, which resulted in

one hundred and fifteen conversions and over seventy probationers.

 

Pastorates

 

1854, O. M. McDowall; 1855, _____; 1856, E. Sibley; 1857-58,

R. S. Rose, V. M. Coryell; 1859, C. V. Arnold; 1860, P. G.

Bridgeman; 1861-62, J. M. Grimes; 1863-64, W. Keatley; 1865-

66, W. M. Hiller; 1867, _____; 1868, George A. J. Lent; 1869, E.

Ketcham; 1870, W. H. Gavitt; 1871-72, J. B. Davis; 1873-74, W.

W. Andrews; 1875-77, J. R. Allen; 1878-79, E. N. Sabin; 1880-82,

N. S. De Witt; 1883-84, C. D. Shepard; 1885-87, Z. Evans; 1888,

C. H. Jewell; 1889-91, J. D. Bloodgood; 1892-94, S. B. Keeney;

1895-96, A. F. Brown; 1897-98, S. A. Terry; 1899-1901, Levi

Jennison; 1902, N. W. Barnes; 1903, supply.

 

 

Mehoopany, Pa.

 

Mehoopany Mission was set off from Wyoming Circuit in 1840.

During the year previous, however. Rev. Oliver Lewis, a local

preacher from Northmoreland, gave this section pastoral oversight,

and traveled the circuit in connection with the other preachers.

Services were in a schoolhouse on Union Hill, until a union chapel

was built on the schoolhouse ground, when the society held its

meetings therein.

 

The ground for the first Methodist Episcopal church in Me-

hoopany was purchased of Daniel Emory for $225. The church,

which cost $1,800, was dedicated on January 9, 1856, and its cost

fully provided for on the day of dedication. A bell, costing

$371.22, was hung in the belfry in 1866, and in 1868 $535-56 was

spent in repairs, and an organ purchased costing $125. The re-

opening occurred on Saturday, November 14, 1868. Rev. D. C.

Olmstead preached in the morning. Rev. L. Peck in the afternoon

and Rev. E. F. Roberts in the evening. In 1890 the building

needed repairs which would cost about $2,000. The church was

located at the lower end of the village, and within a mile of a

church on the Eatonville charge. While contemplating repairs

Judge Love offered to give a lot in the center of the village. Some

exception was taken to the proposition. The district committee

on church location was called, and after careful examination of all


 

 

802 Wyoming Conference

 

interests recommended the building of a new church on the pro-

posed lot by Judge Love. Accordingly, the Quarterly Conference

ordered the old property to be sold and the proceeds to be applied

toward building a new church. The new church cost $5,500. The

building is 60x60. On one side of the auditorium is an infant

class room 10x22, and on the other side of the auditorium is a

lecture room 18x28. Both the side rooms can be opened into the

auditorium, increasing its seating capacity from two hundred and

fifty to four hundred. The Ladies' Aid Society carpeted the church

and contributed $125 toward the building fund, and has since

painted it and kept it insured. Mrs. Hester Vose and Mrs. Mary

Vose Fassett presented the pulpit furniture. The dedicatory serv-

ices were held on January 20, 1891, Rev. William Searls, D.D.,

preaching the sermon and Rev. W. Treible conducting the dedi-

catory service. A total of $1,640 was raised during the day.

 

The present parsonage was built in 1897-98 at a cost of $1,000.

 

Rev. N. H. Davis, brother of Rev. J. B. Davis, has been an

efficient local preacher here thirty-one years, and Mr. J. T. Jen-

nings has been recording steward a long time.

 

The charge has been blessed with revivals almost yearly.

 

The trustees in 1853 were Rev. John Jayne, P. B. Jennings,

Charles Bunnell, Peter Butts, Butler Swetland, G. S. Fassett, and

William H. Barnes.

 

Forkston. The site for the church was given by Hiram Hitch-

cock, and the first church dedicated on Saturday, December 23,

1854, by Rev. George Landon. While a quarterly meeting was

being held on May 21, 1870, the church was nearly demolished by

a gale. A new church was at once begun which was dedicated on

Wednesday, February 15, 1871, Rev. B. I. Ives preaching in the

morning and Rev. D. C. Olmstead in the evening.

 

Jenningsville. The site for the church was purchased of Philo

Taylor for $100. The church was built by contract by William

Decker for $1,300, the full amount being provided for on the

day of dedication, The pastor helped draw stone and lay the foun-

dation, and also helped hang the paper on the walls. The pulpit

furniture is the gift of Mrs. G. W. and N. T. Childs.

 

Pastorates

 

1840, A. Benjamin; 1841, John Barnes; 1842, H. Pilbeam; 1843,

Thomas Davy; 1844-45, S. L. Brown; 1846, J. Whitham; 1847.

O. F. Morse; 1848; Z. S. Kellogg; 1849, T. D. Walker; 1850, F.

Spencer; 1851-52, F. S. Chubbuck; 1853, A. H. Schoonmaker;


 

 

Meshoppen, Pa. 803

 

1854-55, E. F. Roberts; 1856-57, J. V. Newell; 1858, T. J. W. Sul-

livan; 1859-60, I. P. Towner; 1861-62, J. W. Hewitt; 1863-64,

F. Illman; 1865, F. S. Chubbuck; 1866-67, J- S. Lewis; 1868, J.

Weston, E. F. Roberts; 1869-70, J. Weston; 1871, E. W.

Breckinridge; 1872-74, W. Shelp; 1875-77, G. C. Lyman; 1878-80,

S. Elwell; 1881-83, J. B. Davis; 1884-85, E. N. Sabin; 1886-88,

J. L. Race; 1889-91, A. J. Cook; 1892-94, H. N. Van Deusen;

1895-96½, G. H. Northrup; 1896½-98, James Schofield; 1899-

1901, J. W. Price; 1902-03, E. A. Martin.

 

 

Meshoppen, Pa.

 

The territory of this charge was formerly a part of the Spring-

ville Circuit.

 

The first building erected for public worship was built in 1833

on land donated by Hon. Nicholas Overfield (by some writers

called Judge). It was built of brick, situated about one mile above

the mouth of the Meshoppen Creek, and was in the center of a

large territory, the inhabitants of which contributed to its serv-

ices. Paul Overfield, son of Benjamin, and Nicholas Overfield

contributed liberally to the building fund. The building has been

demolished some time.

 

The first Methodist Episcopal church built in Meshoppen cost

$1,200, and was dedicated on July 20, 1853, by Rev. D. A. Shep-

ard. This was the outgrowth of a great revival in the winter of

1852. The land was donated by Mr. Kizer, who ran a tannery

there at the time. Mr. Henry Elsworth, whose wife was a sister

of Rev. G. C. Lyman's father, gave a large amount of time and

energy to the enterprise. After an expenditure of about $3,000

in rebuilding the church it was reopened on Wednesday, December

11, 1872, Rev. B. L Ives preaching in the morning and Rev. L.

Peck in the evening. In 1883 $543 was spent in repairs, and in

1889 $762.

 

The parsonage, costing about $1,500, was built on the lot ad-

joining the church in 1870.

 

Russell Hill. "The first preaching at Russell Hill was in the old

schoolhouse situated where Alban H. Russell's barn now stands

[1880]." Prior to the building of the church the services were

held in private houses. The church was 40x50, cost $1,400, and

was dedicated on Wednesday, December 25, 1855, at 11 a. m., by

Rev. George Landon. The present church cost $2,000, and was

dedicated on Wednesday, November 3, 1897. Rev. George Forsyth


 

 

804 Wyoming Conference

 

preached at 10:30 a. m., Rev. A. Griffin, D.D., at 2:30 p. M., and

Rev. W. Treible in the evening.

 

A class was formed on "The Neck" in 1815 or 1816; however,

preaching services had been held there and at Carney Flats several

years. In 1815 John Bunnell settled on "The Neck," where Nelson

Bunnell lived in 1880. He was appointed class leader in 1816.

David Jayne and wife, Mrs. John Bunnell, Abraham Vosburg,

William Alden, Jonathan Kellogg, and their wives, and George

Evans (who afterward entered the ministry) were members of

the class. John Bunnell was converted at a camp meeting held on

"The Neck" in the fall of 1815, under the preaching of Rev.

George Lane. Preaching services were maintained at this place

from the organization of the class until 1901, when the class was

consolidated with the Russell Hill class.

 

Bunnell Hill class worshiped in the schoolhouse many years.

The church, costing $1,200, was dedicated on June 20, 1902, with

sermons by Revs. H. H. Dresser and A. Griffin. The Church Ex-

tension Society made a grant of $75, and a large part of the labor

was contributed. Charles Capwell and H. W. Bacon devoted sev-

eral weeks' time to the enterprise. The sum of $200 was raised

on the day of dedication to fully provide for the building.

 

Vose was formerly called Kaiserville. The site for the church

was donated by Michael Kaiser, and the church built in 1853, being

dedicated by Rev. D. A. Shepard. In 1893 it was repaired at a cost

of $419.

 

Pastorates

 

1869-70, L. Peck; 1871-73, J. H. Weston; 1874-76, J. S. Lewis;

1877-79, G. Greenfield; 1880-82, G. M. Chamberlain; 1883-85,

J. R. Angel; 1886-87, H. G. Harned; 1888-89, C. H. Sackett;

1890-91, J. B. Santee; 1892-96, R. M. Pascoe; 1897-98, H. L. Ells-

worth; 1899-1900, I. B. Wilson; 1901-03, I. J. Smith.

 

 

Newark Valley, N. Y.

 

As early as 1822 Rev. George Densmore, who was on Chenango

Circuit, visited this place and preached, and in 1824 Rev. L. Grant,

who was on the Caroline Circuit, preached here occasionally. In

1826 Rev. H. P. Barnes, who was on the Caroline Circuit, held

services here occasionally, but as yet no class had been organized.

In 1830-31 Rev. D. A. Shepard, pastor at Berkshire, preached here

regularly, held quarterly meetings in the old townhouse in 1831,

and organized the first class in 1830, which was composed of seven


 

 

Newark Valley, N. Y. 805

 

 

members — Minerva Collins, Mary Ann Ruey, Munson and Expe-

rience Clark, Miel Dean and wife, and Selecta Williams. To this

number others were added shortly afterward.

 

On October 6, 1831, the society convened for the purpose of

incorporating. Rev. D. A. Shepard presided, and Rev. Moses

Adams acted as clerk. "The First Society of the Methodist Epis-

copal Church in the Town of Newark" was the title chosen, and

Elisha P. Higbee, Oliver Ruey, Henry WiUiams, Steven Williams,

Seley Benjamin, Elisha Stevens, and George Clinton were elected

trustees.

 

The church was built in 1832, and after an expenditure of about

 

        NEWARK VALLEY CHURCH [photo]

 

$2,000 in enlarging the building it was rededicated on Thursday,

July 21, 1856. Rev. J. T. Peck, D.D., preached morning and even-

ing. He remained over Sunday and occupied the pulpit at both

services. In 1883 additional land was purchased, and prepara-

tions were made for the building of the present church, which cost

$14,000. It was dedicated on March 25, 1885, Rev. L. C. Queal,

D.D., preaching the sermon and Rev. H. M. Crydenwise conduct-

ing the dedicatory service. The bell was purchased in 1890, and

in 1900 several hundred dollars were spent in repairs and improve-

ments.

 

A revival in 1841 resulted in one hundred conversions and in


 

 

806 Wyoming Conference

 

1856 eighty-six probationers were received, while in 1875 over

two hundred conversions were reported.

 

Newark Valley entertained Wyoming Conference in 1858.

 

In December, 1892, R. W. Clinton, who had been a strong man

 

        NEWARK VALLEY PARSONAGE [photo]

 

in the church many years, and who had been Sunday school super-

intendent forty years, retired from the position of superintendent.

The parsonage was rebuilt in 1891 at a cost of $1,150.

 

East Newark is three miles east of Newark Valley. We are un-

able to state when the class here was formed. A Sunday school

was organized in 1848. At a meeting of the society at the school-

house on January 31, 1859, at which Hiram Young and Peter B.

Zimmer presided, the society became incorporated as "The Meth-

odist Episcopal Church of East Newark," and Nicholas Sebastion,

Frederic Saddlemire, Ira Lipe, Ira Settle, John Schoolcraft, and

Adam Schoolcraft were elected trustees. On July 7 of the same

year Peter Settle and wife Sophia, in consideration of $1, deeded

the society nine sixteenths of an acre of ground, upon which a

church costing $1,600 was built. It was dedicated on Thursday,

February 2, 1860, Rev. J. J. Pearce preaching in the morning, Rev.

King Elwell in the afternoon, and Rev. Mr. Kinney in the evening.

In 1875 the building was repaired and improved at a cost of $1,500,

and in 1900 it was again extensively repaired.

 

The society reincorporated on January 30, 1875, as "The East

Newark Methodist Episcopal Church," and elected Ira Settle, W.

H. Shoultes, L. D. McCullough, John Young, Elias Zimmer, Peter

Settle, and Frederic Saddlemire trustees.


 

 

Nichols, N. Y. 807

 

Pastorates

 

1832, Moses Adams; 1833, J. T. Peck; 1834-35, H. Colburn;

1836, A. Johnson; 1837-38, M. Ruger; 1839-40, C. W. Giddings;

1841-42, H. F. Rowe; 1843-44, B. Mason; 1845, D. Simons, W. S.

Titus; 1846-47, S. Mineer; 1848-49, H. Colburn; 1850-51, P. S.

Worden; 1852-53, N. S. De Witt; 1854-55, J. W. Davison; 1856-

57, G. H. Blakeslee; 1858-59, O. M. McDowall; 1860-61, N.

Rounds; 1862-63, C. V. Arnold; 1864-66, King Elwell; 1867-68,

L. Cole; 1869-71, J. K. Peck; 1872, C. S. Alexander; 1873, G. H.

Blakeslee; 1874-76, G. Comfort; 1877-78, W. S. Wentz; 1879-81,

W. J. Judd; 1882, H. M. Crydenwise; 1883-85, T. P. Halstead;

1886-89, W. Treible; 1890, C. H. Sackett; 1891-92, F. A. Chap-

man; 1893, A. D. Decker; 1894-98, J. B. Cook; 1899, G. A. Cure;

1900-01, J. C. Leacock; 1902-03, W. L. Thorpe.

 

 

Nichols, N. Y.

 

Nichols was formerly known as Rushville, a name given it by

Dr. G. H. Barstow in honor of Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia. When

it was learned that there was another village in the State bearing

the same name its name was changed to Nichols, in honor of Col-

onel Nichols, the patentee of Nichols' Patent.

 

William Colbert, in his journal, under date of January 25, 1793,

says: "It was with difficulty that I got through the Narrows on

account of the ice. I preached at one Bennetts', near Mahonto-

wango, with freedom, on I Cor. vi, 19, 20. If any good was done,

to God be all the glory. These people are very willing to hear.

This locality is now known as Nichols, where live the Shoemakers

and Coryells, and has for many years been famous for Metho-

dism." Mahontowango is an Indian name for a flat in Nichols

township. Daniel Shoemaker and Judge Coryell settled here at an

early day, and their families became interested in Methodism.

Rev. V. M. Coryell was a son of the judge.

 

It is said that Valentine Cook and John Broadhead preached in

this place in 1795, but there seems to have been no society formed

here until 1819, when it was formed by Rev. John Griffing, and

consisted of four persons — Elijah Shoemaker and wife, Daniel

McDowell Shoemaker, and Ann Shoemaker. An appointment

was established here which became a part of Wyalusing Circuit,

where it remained until it became a charge in 1835.

 

Colonel Nichols, desirous of recognizing the compliment paid

him, presented the village with $200, to be used in the erection of

a public building. It was used in the erection of the "Free Meet-


 

 

808 Wyoming Conference

 

ing House." A meeting was held at the house of Peter Joslin on

February 20, 1829, when a Free Church society was incorporated

and Judge Emanuel Coryell, Nehemiah Piatt, Gamaliel H. Bar-

stow, Peter Joslin, Jonathan Hunt, Ezra Canfield, John Cassel,

Edwin Ripley, Wright Dunham, John Petts, Sylvester Knapp,

Cyrus Field, Daniel Ferguson, Justus Brown, and James Thurs-

ton were elected trustees. The church was built in 1829-30, cost-

ing $2,000, and Mr. Hezekiah Dunham was the contractor. Mr.

Dunham used to tell that while the church was being built the

workmen were refreshed by rum furnished by the trustees.

 

When the Presbyterians built their church in 1865 they left the

old church to the sole occupancy of the Methodists. It is tech-

nically a free church still, "open to all orthodox denomina-

tions," but practically under the control of the Methodists. In

1871 it was renovated at a cost of $1,200. It was repaired in 1891

at an expense of $425, and in 1894 a new organ was purchased.

 

The first parsonage property was a gift from Miss Fanny

Coryell, but we cannot give the date of the legal transfer. In 1870

the old parsonage was sold with a part of the parsonage lot, and

the present parsonage built.

 

Ashury church is three and a half miles down the river from

Nichols. The class was organized here in 1817. One writer

claims that the class named as being at Nichols (see above) was

the class at this point. The church was erected in 1823, costing

$2,000. The site for the church was a gift and deeded to the

society on August 2, 1822, by Edmund Palmer and wife Rachel.

The trustees were Elijah Shoemaker, Daniel McD. Shoemaker,

Amos Verbeck, Jephtha Brainard, Jr., Aaron Chubbuck, Stephen

Jewett, and Jesse Ross. Its interior was in accord with the times,

high pulpit, gallery, pews with doors, etc. This church was the

first one built and finished within the bounds of Wyoming Con-

ference. In 1898 $600 was spent in modernizing the interior and

making minor improvements. The church was reopened on Sep-

tember 18, Rev. M. D. Fuller preaching in the morning and Rev.

George Forsyth in the evening.

 

The bodies of Rev. Horace Agard and Judge Coryell lie at this

place.

 

River Valley church is about three and a half miles up the river

from Nichols. The class is claimed to have been organized in

1815, and held its meetings in the log house of Joseph Utter and

subsequently in the schoolhouse. The schoolhouse continued to

be its sanctuary until the building of the church in 1873.


 

 

North Tioga, N. Y. 809

 

On July 15, 1873, the society became incorporated as "The River

Valley Methodist Episcopal Church of Nichols, Tioga County,

N. Y.," and elected James Lounsberry, Amos Lane, William

Lounsberry, John Smith, and John Smith, Jr., trustees. Jonathan

Hunt donated a lot upon which the church, costing $3,600, was

built.

 

The church was dedicated on Tuesday, December 30, 1873, Rev.

William Bixby preaching in the morning and Rev. W. H. Olin,

in the evening. Rev. D. D. Lindsley conducted the dedicatory serv-

ice. A total of $1,100 was raised during the day to fully provide

for the cost of the church. The building was repaired in 1892.

 

Pastorates

 

1835, M. Sherman; 1836, E. Smith; 1837, I. Parks, E. Bibbins;

1838, I. Parks; 1839-40, M. Ruger; 1841-42, E. G. Bush; 1843, E.

Smith; 1844-45, H. F. Rowe; 1846-47, L. D. Tryon; 1848, J. W.

Davison; 1849, J. W. Davison, J. L. Wells; 1850, G. H. Blakeslee,

C. N. Flint; 1851, G. H. Blakeslee; 1852-53, E. B. Tennv;

1854, N. S. De Witt, E. Sibley; 1855, N. S. De Witt; 1856-57,

O. M. McDowall; 1858-59, W. B. Thomas; 1860, W. B. Kinney;

1861, L. Cole; 1862-63, N. Rounds; 1864-65, S. E. Walworth;

1866-68, A. Brooks; 1869-71, E. P. Eldridge; 1872-73, G. Com-

fort; 1874-75, G. H. Blakeslee; 1876-77, S. C. Fulton; 1878-79,

J. K. Peck; 1880-81, J. C. Brainard; 1882-84, S. F. Wright; 1885-

87, H. N. Van Deusen; 1888-89, N. S. Reynolds; 1890-93, T. R.

Warnock; 1894-96, H. L. Ellsworth; 1897-98, L J. Smith; 1899-

1900, S. G. Snowden; 1901-03, F. A. King.

 

 

North Tioga, N. Y.

 

The history of this charge is that of Tioga. In 1853 Tioga

charge consisted of Tioga Center, taken from the Barton Circuit;

the Irish Settlement now known as "The Chapel," or "Pipe Creek

Methodist Episcopal Church," taken from Candor Circuit; Catlin

Hill, taken from Owego, and the territory lying between these

points and some adjacent territory. At the fourth Quarterly

Conference, held on March 12, 1864, Tioga Center was dropped

from the charge, and on December 28, 1867, the Quarterly Con-

ference requested the return of Tioga Center to the charge. The

minutes of 1872 show its return. In 1873 Tioga Center and this

charge were separated, the latter taking the name of Germany, and

was so known until its name was changed to North Tioga in 1879.

The appointments at this time were Germany Hill, Irish Settle-


 

 

810 Wyoming Conference

 

ment, Catlin Hill. In 1883 the Catlin Hill appointment disap-

peared and Evelin Hill was substituted for it.

 

Germany Hill class had its origin in a great revival in 1856-57.

The place was settled by Germans in the forties. The church was

built in 1870 at a cost of $3,000, and was dedicated on November

29, 1870, Rev. William Searls preaching in the morning and Rev.

H. R. Clarke in the evening.

 

The parsonage is located at this point, and was built in the

winter of 1873-74 at a cost of $1,000.

 

Pipe Creek Chapel. This section was settled by Irish Presby-

terians about 1820. About 1825 a log schoolhouse was built on

ground now used for a cemetery. The class was organized in

1830, and John Hensen was the first leader. In 1839 a church

was built in place of the log schoolhouse, costing $400, which was

known as "Emory Chapel." The present church, which cost, in-

cluding furnishings and sheds, $3,000, was dedicated on Septem-

ber 8, 1880.

 

Evelin Hill is a schoolhouse appointment which became a part

of this charge in 1883.

 

Pastorates

 

(Tioga 1853-71:) 1853, George Jones; 1854-55, J. W. Hewitt;

1856-57, A. W. Loomis; 1858, W. J. Judd; 1859, _____; 1860,

A. J. Van Cleft; 1861, C. Pearce, J. McLees; 1862, J. Whitham;

1863-64, J. M. Grimes; 1865, A. Burhyte; 1866, W. B. Kinney;

1867, M. Swallow; 1868-69, J- D. Bloodgood; 1870, A. B. Eckert;

1871, A. Burrows; (Tioga and Germany:) 1872, S. B. Keeney;

(Germany 1873-78:) 1873, S. B. Keeney; 1874, C. F. Olmstead;

1875-76, D. Larish; 1877, S. E. Walworth; 1878, J. R. Allen;

(North Tioga 1879-1903:) 1879, J. R. Allen; 1880-81, A. W.

Loomis; 1882-84, Z. Evans; 1885-86, S. D. Galpin; 1887, A. Os-

born; 1888-89, A. G. Bloomfield; 1890, Z. Evans; 1891, B. B.

Carruth; 1892-93, A. G. Bloomfield; 1894-98, O. H. P. Arm-

strong; 1899-1900, G. W. Crosby; 1901, P. F. Mead; 1902-03,

E. D. Cavanaugh.

 

 

Orwell, Pa.

 

This section was settled by sturdy Methodists from Connecticut.

Nathaniel Chubbuck, being down to the river in 1814, met Mar-

maduke Pearce and invited him to come to his log cabin for re-

ligious services. He went at the appointed time, and on going left another appointment. Thus Methodism began in Orwell. Rev.


 

 

Orwell, Pa. 811

 

George Harmon held a quartely meeting in the place later in the

year. Among the prominent members of the class were James and

Jacob Chubbuck, Joseph Towner, E. L. Paine, Daniel Chubbuck,

Robert Nelson, Lucius Fuller, Amasa Dimmick, and Eli Gibbs.

 

To trace its pulpit supply we would begin with Tioga Circuit,

and follow through Wyalusing and Pike Circuits until the Orwell

Circuit was formed in 1839.

 

The church was built in 1828, costing $1,601, and much of the

timber was donated. A severe struggle was experienced in paying

for the property. A debt of $187.93 remained some time. When

the sheriff was about to foreclose three of the brethren paid the

debt after $7.91 costs had been made. A subscription was taken

to reimburse them. The building formerly stood on the back part

of a "common," but was moved to its present site in 1850 and re-

paired at a cost of $1,050. It was rededicated on February 12,

1851. On January 18, 1877, after extensive repairs, it was re-

opened by Rev. I. T. Walker.

 

The parsonage was built in 1884 at a cost of $1,100.

 

In February, 1837, a great revival was held in the schoolhouse,

it being too cold to use the church. In February, 1848, there were

over three hundred conversions on the circuit, two hundred and

twenty-one of whom joined the Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

North Orwell class was organized, and preaching services were

held, in Mr. Chubbuck's house. When the Orwell Valley school-

house was built the class secured the use of it until the union

church was built, since which time the society has worshiped there.

 

South Hill society held its services many years in the school-

house. The church, costing $1,700, was dedicated on September

12, 1895. Much of the timber was donated.

 

Allis Hollow is a schoolhouse appointment.

 

Pastorates

 

1839, E. Smith, A. K. Fowler; 1840, E. Smith, A. Benjamin;

D. Torry; 1841, A. Benjamin, D. Torry; 1842, P. Blackman, A.

Benjamin; 1843, P- Blackman; 1844, M. Ruger; 1845, M. Ruger,

S. B. Yarrington; 1846, N. S. De Witt, T. R. Tuck; 1847, L-

Pitts, N. S. De Witt; 1848, G. Evans, P. Bartlett; 1849, P. Bart-

lett; 1850, J. W. Davison; 1851, V. M. Coryell; 1852, R.

Van Valkenburg; 1853-54, W. Silsbee; 1855, C. Perkins;

1856-57, C. E. Taylor; 1858, W. B. Kinney; 1859, E. F. Roberts;

1860-61, W. B. Thomas; 1862-63, G. R. Hair; 1864-65, S. G.


 

 

812 Wyoming Conference

 

Stevens; 1866-67, A. W. Loomis; 1868-69, A. C. Sperry; 1870-72,

S. Earner; 1873, G. Greenfield; 1874-75, R. S. Rose; 1876-78, J. B.

Davis; 1879, D. C. Barnes; 1880, J. K. Peck; 1881-83, W. R.

Netherton; 1884-86, L. P. Howard; 1887-89, M. R. Kerr; 1890,

S. F. Wright; 1891-92, C. Sweet; 1893-95, P. M. Mott; 1896-99, J.

W. Johnson; 1900-02, D. H. Gridley; 1903, N. W. Barnes.

 

 

OWEGO, N. Y.

 

William Colbert mentions the fact that on January 14, 1793, he

"received a letter from a man living at Awaga [Owego], in which

he was requested to come there and preach." On Sunday, Novem-

ber 24, of the same year, he preached "with a degree of life and

power" at Andrew Alden's. Alden's home was on the northwest

branch of the Susquehanna, at Owego. We are told that what

is now called the township of Owego was then known as Tioga,

and Tioga called Owego. This and the incident at Squire Light's

(see Smithboro) establish the fact that Methodism took root here

at an early day.

 

Mrs. Fanny Thurston, who was a member of the first class in

Owego, gave the following to Rev. G. M. Peck, and it was used by

his father in his Early Methodism (she came to Owego in 1813):

"The first Methodist preacher that preached in Owego was a

Brother Fiddler, in 1813; he preached once, and an objection being

made by an old man who said, 'We hain't got any Methodists about

here, and for my part I don't want any,' he did not return. There

was no praying person in Owego at that time. Soon a local

preacher, Hiram G. Warner, came in and kept the ferry; he soon

joined the Conference and traveled away from home. Brother E.

Bibbins preached occasionally. About 1815 Brother J. Griffing

came. In 1816 there was a revival on the south side of the river;

six were converted and the first class formed, consisting of seven

members — David and Fanny Thurston, Polly Warner, Abigail

Thurston, Maria Thurston, her daughter (now Mrs. Daniel Shoe-

maker), David and Patty Darling. Brother J. Griffing formed the

class and established regular preaching at the house of D. Thurston,

who was appointed leader and steward. [In a letter from Mrs. Asa

Brooks, she states that the class was formed in 1813 with the fol-

lowing members: David Thurston, Deborah Thurston, Deborah

Williams, Calvin Darling, Daniel Mersereau and wife, Nathaniel

Catlin, Hannah Broadhead, and George Martin. Mrs. Brooks is

a daughter of John Griffing.] Soon Brother Griffing sent a young

man by the name of Scovell. Then a man by the name of Cole


 

 

Owego, N. Y. 813

 

came a few times; next a Brother Doolittle in the same year.

Brothers Griffing, Judd, Bibbins, and Agard preached till the

church was built. In those days our class was small and perse-

cuted. Our meetings were held in a little schoolhouse near the spot

now (1859) occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church in

Owego. The appointment was for Brother Doolittle to preach;

when our people came to meeting the house was well lighted up

with candles in large silver-plated candlesticks, and shortly a

smart, dashy Episcopal minister, who had lately come into the

 

        OWEGO CHURCH [photo]

 

place, came in preceded by a martial band, and putting his hat on

the bass drum took his place in the desk. After a while Brother

Doolittle arose and said that it was publicly known that this was

the evening for a Methodist meeting, and we had feelings as well

as other people, and he did not understand the present appearances.

Mr. Camp came forward in defense of the Methodists. The Epis-

copal minister read his credentials, and proposed to preach first

and have Brother Doolittle preach afterward; he preached and dis-

missed the congregation, and left with the band and his friends,

after which Brother Doolittle preached and our people had a good

meeting and got home about twelve o'clock.


 

 

8i4 Wyoming Conference

 

"On another occasion the schoolmaster and others got up an

exhibition with the representation of grotesque characters. The

Methodists were compelled to remain and witness the performance

or quit the ground; they remained and held meeting after the

clowns had left.

 

"The last interruption of our meeting was the appointment of a

writing school upon the evening of preaching. Brother Warner

was to preach; the house was divided into two apartments by a

swing partition. In the center of the room usually occupied for

preaching sat the writing master surrounded by twelve or fourteen

little lads. Brother Warner asked him to retire, for it was public

meeting night; he said he would not, for it was a public school.

He said to Brother Warner, 'Go on with your preaching, and we

will with our writing.' Brother Warner would not, but he and the

congregation went into the little room, As soon as he began the

meeting the urchins would snap a rope that ran through both

rooms, making a noise like the discharge of a pistol; then they

would run and kick against the partition, but Brother Warner

kept on praying. Then a troop would scamper outdoors and set

up a shout, when the master would rap on the windows, and they

would come thundering in again; but some of the mothers of the

boys were at the meeting and carried home the news; the fathers

were incensed, and some of the boys were punished. In the morn-

ing Brother Warner went to Judge Burrows to get a warrant for

the schoolmaster. The judge went with Brother Warner to see

the young man, who confessed that he was urged on by others and

promised to do so no more, so he was released. Since that time

the Methodists have worshiped in peace."

 

We think 1813 is the date of organization. Rev. John M.

Grimes so claimed. Prior to 1816 the class was a part of Tioga

Circuit. From 1816 to 1818 Owego appeared among the appoint-

ments. From 1819 to 1821 it was with Tioga Circuit again, and

in 1822 Owego charge took a permanent place among the appoint-

ments. At its organization the charge had several preaching

places. Daniel Mersereau was the first convert in the place.

 

On March 1, 1821, in consideration of $100, James Pumpelly

deeded the society thirteen square rods of land on the corner of

Main and Academy Streets. The land is now owned by Joel Ham-

ilton. Nathaniel Catlin, Hiram G. Warner, John Griffing, Daniel

Mersereau, Elisha Forsyth, David Mersereau, and Sela Payne

were the trustees at the time. The church was erected in 1821.

The society had the use of the lot so long as used for church pur-

poses; when not so used the lot reverted to the Pumpelly estate.


 

 

Owego, N. Y. 815

 

When the society left this place for the present location Mr.

Pumpelly gave the society $500 for the old church. Prior to going

into this church the Methodists had worshiped first in the log

schoolhouse near what is now Courthouse Square and then in the

frame schoolhouse on Main Street. During the many years the

first church was occupied it was repaired two or three times and

enlarged once at a cost of $3,000, but owing to the fact that the

books and records of the church were burned up some years ago

we are not able to give the dates of the repairs or the enlarge-

ment.

 

In 1840 the society bought a lot of James Pumpelly and built a

parsonage. This parsonage was sold some time the latter part of

 

        OWEGO PARSONAGE [photo]

 

the year 1870 for $3,000 and the money put in the new church

then being built. The present parsonage was purchased of Cath-

arine B. Deming, April 1, 1893, for $3,000.

 

In the winter of 1865-66 Owego was blessed with a great re-

vival in which scores and hundreds were converted, the result of

which was that the old church became too small for the Metho-

dists, and they began thinking of building larger. On November

12, 1866, at a meeting of the trustees, J. L. Matson, James Bishop,

E. J. Crans, C. M. Haywood, T. F. Moore, L. F. Durussel, and C.

C. Thomas being present, J. L. Matson was elected president and

L. F. Durussel secretary. On motion of C. C. Thomas, a committee

was appointed on new church site. This was the beginning of the

new church enterprise that resulted in the present church edifice.


 

 

816 Wyoming Conference

 

On May 18, 1868, at a meeting over which James Bishop and

Charles C. Thomas presided the society became incorporated as

"The Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Owego," and

John L. Matson, James Bishop, William C. Talcott, L. F. Durus-

sel, Jacob Hand, and Horace S. Brooks were elected trustees. On

April 16, 1870, the church lot was bought of Theodore S. Arm-

strong for $3,750. At a meeting of the trustees held December

24, 1869, the contract for building the church was let to Houk &

Keeler for $35,000. The church was dedicated December 20, 1871,

Dr. Jesse T. Peck preaching the sermon and B. L Ives managing

the collections, also preaching in the evening. The cost of the

church and lot was about $50,000; $25,000 of this amount was

subscribed on the day of dedication, Scott Harris and C. M. Hay-

wood subscribing $2,000 each, and James Bishop, M. L. Comfort,

N. T. Burton, J. S. Houk, J. A. Post, and Stephen Goodrich $1,000

each.

 

Now began one of the most heroic struggles in the annals

of church debt paying, in which at least two of the trustees mort-

gaged their homes and at one time several of them were personally

bound for the debt, so that if the holders of the obligations had

insisted on having their pay it would have ruined them financially.

In the spring of 1880 the society was in debt $20,000. During that

year the pastor secured the whole amount on subscription, and

$17,000 of it was paid before the spring of 1881. The balance

was paid the following year. In 1885 $1,000 was spent in im-

provements. The organ was placed in the rear of the pulpit and

walls frescoed. In 1889 $538 was spent in repairs, in 1895 $600,

in 1896 $600 in refitting the Sunday school room, and in 1901

$1,700 in carpets, frescoing, and minor improvements.

 

The society has been blessed with a number of gracious re-

vivals.

 

Owego entertained the Oneida Conference in 1841 and 1848,

and the Wyoming Conference in 1861, 1866, 1872, 1885, and 1900.

 

Pastorates

 

1816, William Brown; 1817, E. Doolittle; 1818, H. G. Warner;

1819-21, with Tioga Circuit; 1822, Horace Agard; 1823, John D.

Gilbert; 1824, Chester V. Adgate; 1825-26, Josiah Keyes; 1827,

Joseph Castle; 1828-29, D. A. Shepard; 1830, John Griffing; 1831,

Sylvester Mineer; 1832, Morgan Sherman; 1833, M. Pearce;

1834-35, L. Mumford; 1836-37, D. Holmes, Jr.; 1838, L. Hitch-

cock and John Griffing; 1839, Robert Fox and John Griffing;


 

 

Rome, Pa. 817

 

1840, Robert Fox; 1841-42, A. J. Crandall; 1843-44, F. H. Stan-

ton; 1845, W. Reddy; 1846-47, W. H. Pearne; 1848-49, A. J.

Dana; 1850, T. H. Pearne; 1851, J. M. Snyder; 1852-53, G. P.

Porter; 1854-55, G. H. Blakeslee; 1856-57, B. W. Gorham; 1858,

John J. Pearce; 1859, G. M. Peck; 1860, S. W. Weiss; 1861-62,

G. P. Porter; 1863, D. A. Shepard; 1864, E. R. Keyes; 1865-67,

W. B. Westlake; 1868-70, H. Wheeler; 1871-72, W. Bixby; 1873-

75, J. O. Woodruff; 1876-78, A. D. Alexander; 1879-81, E. W.

Caswell; 1882-83, G. W. Miller; 1884-86, George Forsyth; 1887-

88, W. M. Hiller; 1889-91, P. R. Hawxhurst; 1892-94, J. F.

Warner; 1895-99, M. ID. Fuller; 1900-01, W. Edgar; 1902-03,

H. B. Benedict.

 

 

Rome, Pa.

 

This charge formed a part of Orwell Circuit prior to its ap-

pearing among the appointments in 1853. The circuit has eight

preaching places, and covers sixty square miles. This was the

home of Rev. Joseph Towner, a local preacher of great influence

whose songs and exhortations stirred many a camp meeting. His

son, I. P. Towner, was a member of this Conference. This is

the childhood home of D. B. Towner, the singer and author, and

in the cemetery of this place is the monument of P. P. Bliss and

wife. Several local preachers, who did good work in their day,

were connected with this charge — Revs. William Blake, John A.

Moody, William Dutcher, and others.

 

The site for the Rome church was donated by Godfrey Vought,

and the church, which cost about $3,000, was dedicated on Thurs-

day, February 21, 1850. The dedicatory sermons were preached

by Revs. D. A. Shepard, J. W. Davison, and G. H. Blakeslee.

Benjamin Taylor, Aaron, Nathaniel, and Jacob Chubbuck, James

Cleveland, and the Voughts were prominent in the building enter-

prise. It is said that Rev. Joseph Towner, who was an ardent

temperance advocate, would not allow the workmen to drink

liquors upon the building while it was in process of erection, which

violated a custom of the times. After an expenditure of $1,400

the church was reopened on Tuesday, November 28, 1882, Rev.

George Landon preaching in the morning and Rev. Y. C. Smith,

D.D., in the evening. In 1888 $600 was spent in repairs. The

church has memorial windows given by John Passmore, John

Slayback, Mrs. E. Moody Lent, Mrs. J. V. Stout, Mr. E. F.

Goff, Rev. E. P. Eldridge, Stephens Post, No. 69, of the G. A. R.,

and Mrs. Priscilla Bennett.

 

The parsonage is located at Rome, and was bought of Silas P.

 

 

818 Wyoming Conference

 

Cook, in 1885, costing about $800. The house was repaired in

1894 at a cost of $487, and again in 1899 at a cost of $300.

The charge has been blessed by many revival seasons.

 

Myershurg. At a meeting of the society held on March 8, 1858,

the society decided to build a church, and A. Cooley, W. A. Bene-

dict, and Albert Lent were appointed a building committee, with

instructions to secure subscriptions and proceed with the erection

of a church. On March 13, 1858, over thirty men went to the

woods to get out the timber. The site was donated by Hon. E.

Myer Reed, and the contract was given to W. Jones for $450.

The church, costing about $1,000, was dedicated on February 22,

1860. Miss Emma Spencer gave the pulpit furniture, and the

pastor gave the pulpit Bible and Hymnal.

 

Towner Hill church was built in 1859 at a cost of nearly $2,000.

Elijah W. Towner, W. McCabe, and Michael Forbes were leaders

in the enterprise. In 1877 the church was moved across the road,

a tower built and otherwise improved, at a cost of $700. The

church was reopened on June 20, 1877, by Rev. I. T. Walker.

L. W. Towner, Philander Towner, and Josiah Kilmer were

prominent leaders in this movement. The bell was purchased

in 1898.

 

Pond Hill, now Lake We Sauking, is a summer resort. Emory

Bull donated the site, and the church, costing $2,000, was built

during 1895. It was dedicated on January 22, 1896, by Rev. G.

Forsyth. The building committee consisted of Norman White,

S. B. Harlow, and J. L. Conkling. J. M. Webb, Rev. H. C.

Spencer, O. W. Heaglin, E. L. Bull, and A. K. Lent were

prominent workers in the, enterprise. The bell was purchased

in 1897.

 

Bumpville. The society at this point worships in a union church

in which the Baptists are copartners.

 

Union Valley society is the Vought Hollow class which was

organized in 1896. A revival in the Vought Hollow schoolhouse

was commenced on October id, 1899, which resulted in the

accession of forty-eight probationers. A meeting of the society

was called, when it was resolved to build a church, and the name

of the society changed to Union Valley. Trustees were elected

and a building committee appointed at the same meeting. The site

was donated by Mrs. Amanda Russell, and on April 13, 1900, the

church, costing $1,300, was dedicated by Rev. G. Forsyth, assisted


 

 

Sayre, Pa. 819

 

by Rev. M. V. Williams and the pastor. Prominent in the enter-

prise were L. E. Richards, L. F. and B. L. Davis, L. F. Russell,

F. B. Horton, G. W. and A. L. Baker, and W. H. Pearce.

Keen Summit was a part of this charge many years.

 

Pastorates

 

1853, A. W. Loomis; 1854, J. V. Newell; 1855, J. V. Newell,

S. Earner; 1856, J. C. Barnes; 1857-58, E. F. Roberts; 1859-60,

R. Van Valkenburg; 1861-62, I. D. Warren; 1863-65, A. F.

Harding; 1866-67, A. C. Sperry; 1868, S. Elwell, P. R. Tower;

1869, S. Elwell; 1870-71, W. Shelp; 1872-74, P. Holbrook; 1875-

76, W. Keatley; 1877-78, G. L. Williams; 1879, E. Sibley; 1880-

82, S. B. Keeney; 1883-85, N. S. De Witt; 1886-88, E. P.

Eldridge; 1889-90, J. B. Davis; 1891, W. F. Boyce; 1892-93,

O. H. P. Armstrong; 1894-95, S. H. Flory; 1896-98, P. F. Mead;

1899-1901, N. W. Barnes; 1902-03, Isaac Jenkins.

 

 

Sayre, Pa.

 

Work was done at Sayre prior to 1874, but we have no definite

account of it. (See Litchfield.) In 1874 the Athens pastor com-

menced work here, organizing a class of eighteen members, of

 

        SAYRE CHURCH [photo]

 

which John Lamont was the first leader. The services were held

in the railroad depot. The Sunday school was organized soon

after (1875) with C. H. Wheelock as superintendent. Sayre

continued a part of Athens charge until 1883, when it became a


 

 

820 Wyoming Conference

 

charge. After one year the services were removed from the depot

to the schoolhouse, where they continued some time. During

1877 they were held in "Eighmey Hall." Subsequently the society

returned to the schoolhouse and held its services there until going

into the basement of the church in 1881.

 

During the session of Conference held at Waverly, N. Y., in

April, 1881, Bishop Andrews conducted the opening services of

the basement and planted a memorial tree in front of the church.

After worshiping more than two years in the basement the church,

which had cost $2,800, was dedicated on October 21, 1883, Rev.

C. N. Sims, D.D., preaching morning and evening. On Sunday,

March 29, 1891, after expending $8,500 in enlarging and improv-

ing the building, it was rededicated by Bishop Bowman. A total

of $2,700 was raised during the day, which with what had been

subscribed before left $1,300 unprovided for. At the Conference

of 1896 the presiding elder raised the cry of alarm, the debt on

the church being reported that year as $7,386. During 1896

$1,500 was raised and applied on the debt. In 1898 the debt was

reported as $7,800. In 1899 a committee reported the debt as

being $8,803.71, all of which was provided for except $850. This

amount was asked of the Conference, and the ministers sub-

scribed it.

 

In 1890 a chapel costing $1,300 was dedicated at the Plains for

Sunday school and social work. During the society's struggle

with church debt this chapel was sold and is now being used as a

hose house.

 

At this writing a chapel is being built at Milltown, a suburb of

Sayre, by Mrs. Angel, assisted by some of the Wheelock heirs,

which will be a memorial to their parents, who lived and died on

the ground where the chapel is being built. It will cost about

$2,500, seating about two hundred and twenty-five, and will be

built and furnished by the above heirs. It is concrete up to

the windows and built of brick above the concrete, with slate

roof.

 

The parsonage was built in 1901, and is valued at $3,500. The

indebtedness of the society is now $2,000.

 

A revival in 1891 resulted in one hundred and twenty con-

versions.

 

Pastorates

 

1883-85, W. Treible; 1886-87, N. S. Reynolds; 1888-89, E. B.

Olmstead; 1890-91, S. Jay; 1892-93, O. L. Severson; 1894-96, T.

Harroun; 1897-1900, L. B. Weeks; 1901-03, H. M. Crydenwise.


 

 

Skinner's Eddy, Pa. 821

 

 

Skinner's Eddy, Pa.

 

When Skinner's Eddy charge was formed in 1837 it was mostly

taken from the Bridgewater Circuit, and some from the

Wyalusing Circuit. In 1863 Skinner's Eddy Circuit consisted of

Skinner's Eddy, South Auburn, West Auburn, Fowler Plill,

Taylor Schoolhouse, and a couple of other schoolhouse appoint-

ments. In connection with the first three named the circuit now

has Silvaria, Beach Grove, and Transue Valley.

 

Meetings were held in the vicinity of Skinner's Eddy as early

as 1810. About 1812 a class was formed in the house of Joshua

Keeney at Black Walnut, and preaching services held there for

years. About 1828 a class was formed at the schoolhouse on

Lacey Street, composed of Simon Z. Keeney and wife, Charles

Keeney, Thomas Morley, Clarissa Sturdevant, Betsy Smith, and

Mrs. Joshua Keeney. The place of meeting was soon changed to

Skinner's Eddy, at the house of John Sturdevant, and subsequently

to the schoolhouse, where services were held until the church was

built in 1838.

 

The site for the present church was purchased in 1888, and the

corner stone laid on September 5, 1888, at 2 p. m., by Rev. S.

Moore, assisted by the pastor. The church cost $4,000 and was

dedicated on June 13, 1889, at 1:30 p. m., Rev. J. E. Price, Ph.D.,

preaching the sermon from Psa. lxxxvii, 7, and Rev. W. Treible

conducting the dedicatory service. The sum of $500 was raised

on this day to fully provide for the cost.

 

The parsonage cost $2,000, and was built in 1895.

 

South Auburn society became incorporated in April, 1850,

Daniel Cooley, Edward Dawson, Thomas Marshall, Robert Man-

ning, Gregory Sterling, John Cooley, and Minor Tubbs being the

first trustees. A plain church was built in 1848, the interior of

which was repaired in 1883. In 1892 the church was rebuilt at a

cost of $2,500.

 

Among the many revivals which have visited the society that

of 1885, in which there were eighty conversions, will be long

remembered.

 

West Auburn church is located in the hamlet which was for-

merly called New Laceyville. The early Methodists of this place

belonged to the Coggswell, Miles, James, Lacey, and Eddy

families. In the early days of the society services were held in

private houses and schoolhouses. The church cost $2,500, is

34x48 feet, with a good basement and eighty-foot tower. It was


 

 

822 Wyoming Conference

 

dedicated on Thursday, November 19, 1868, with sermons by-

Revs. D. C. Olmstead and B. I. Ives. The trustees at the time

were Elisha Coggswell, D. V. France, Theodore C. James, Miles

C. Lacey, and Asa Brooks. The building was repaired in 1886 at

considerable expense.

 

Silvaria society worships in a union church.

 

Beach Grove and Transue Valley are schoolhouse appointments.

 

Pastorates

 

1837, D. Torry; 1838-39, Abel Barker; 1840, F. H. Stanton;

1841, P. M. Way; 1842, H. Brownscombe; 1843, P- G. White,

C. E. Taylor; 1844, J. W. Davison, C. E. Taylor; 1845, J. W.

Davison, J. B. Cooper; 1846, E. Owen; 1847-48, E. B. Tenny;

1849, _____; 1850, T. Wilcox; 1851, C. E. Taylor, C. L. Rice;

1852, C. E. Taylor; 1853, H. Brownscombe; 1854, Z. S. Kellogg;

1855-156, J. W. Munger; 1857-58, R. Van Valkenburg; 1859-60,

W. W. Welch; 1861-62, D. Worrall; 1863-64, Asa Brooks; 1865-

66, A. J. Arnold; 1867-68, E. M. High; 1869, E. F. Roberts; 1870,

E. W. Breckinridge; 1871, P. R. Tower, T. B. Jayne; 1872-73,

P. R. Tower; 1874-76, G. Greenfield; 1877-79, J. S. Lewis; 1880-

82, M. D. Fuller; 1883-85, G. M. Chamberlain; 1886-88, W. W.

Smith; 1889-92, G. O. Beers; 1893-97, W. H. Stang; 1898-1900,

J. S. Custard; 1901-02, G. H. H. Davis; 1903, J. W. Johnson.

 

 

Slaterville, N Y.

 

The class is supposed to have been formed in 1813 with eight

members, seven of whom were women, and at one time formed a

part of Virgil Circuit. Slaterville appeared among the appoint-

ments in 1832. Rev. W. Wyatt says that in 1833 the charge was

a four-weeks' circuit with ten or twelve preaching places. While

he was on the charge in 1836 glorious revivals were held on the

hill midway between Virgil Corners and Marathon and at Virgil

Corners. A meeting was also held at Varna, but with less results.

These give some idea of the extent of the circuit.

 

The society at Slaterville Springs used the schoolhouse for

years. At a meeting of the society held in the schoolhouse on

November 28, 1831, over which Milo Heath and Romeo Sanford

presided, the society became incorporate as "The Garrettson

Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Caro-

line," and Thomas McLeas, Cephas Barker, Romeo Sanford,

Alexander Latimer, and Stephen Yates were elected trustees.


 

 

Slaterville, N. Y. 823

 

On April 7, 1832, the society contracted with James Hall, of

New York city, for the church site. It was from the Levi Slater

farm, situated on the north side of the Catskill turnpike, and con-

tained half an acre of land. The land was given by Mr. Hall, the

society agreeing to erect a church not less than 36x46 feet, with

galleries, two stories high, having a belfry, the building to be com-

pleted and painted on or before May 1, 1835. The deed for the lot

was executed by Mr. Hall on April 23, 1835. The church was

built by David Mulks, and was dedicated in 1834 by Rev. Silas

Comfort, having cost $1,000. In 1885 Mr. Moses Bull presented

the society with a one-thousand-pound bell, at which time a new

suit of pulpit furniture, a Bailey reflector, a communion set, and

some parsonage furniture were purchased. After spending $4,000

in rebuilding and refurnishing the church it was rededicated on

Wednesday, May 18, 1887. Rev. W. H. Olin, D.D., preached in

the morning from Gal. ii, 16, and Rev. J. O. Woodruff in the

evening from John i, 4. Rev. S. Moore conducted the dedicatory

services. A total of $850 was raised during the day.

 

A parsonage was bought on contract of Judge Dana on April

I0, 1849. The society agreed to pay $100 annually, and interest

at seven per cent. The deed for the property was executed on

April 25, 1855. The property included two lots, one of which was

subsequently sold. In 1892 the old house was sold for $200, and

moved off, when it was replaced by the present house, which cost

$1,620.

 

Central Chapel is four miles south of Slaterville, and has formed

a part of the charge since its formation. The first trustees were

elected March 6, 1855, and were Abraham W. Lane, Isaac

Kenney, Benton Reed, Zechariah Turk, James S. Young, Simeon

D. Quick, Jacob W. Reed, Jacob D. Schoonmaker, and John

Lynch. The site was given by Jacob Schoonmaker, and was

deeded to the society on March 19, 1855. The church was built

the following summer, and cost $1,500. On Thursday, August 23,

1888, after spending $500 in repairs, the church was reopened by

Rev. S. Moore.

 

Caroline is three miles east of Slaterville. The first regular

services were held in the schoolhouse in 1889. A church was

begun in 1893 and finished in 1894, which cost $1,800. It was

built on land given by L. A. Patch, a Universalist, but a friend

and supporter of the enterprise. The first trustees were A. T.

Lott, Elmer Allen, Herman Royce, Eli Earsley, and James Tryon,


 

 

824 Wyoming Conference

 

Morris Chapel, now with Danby, and Ellis, now with Varna,

in the Central New York Conference, used to be with this

charge.

 

Prominent among the Lifelong supporters and pillars of the

charge are W. K. Boice and wife, J. J. Besemer and wife, Mrs.

W. C. Gallagher, Hubert Wattles, John E. Bull, J. S. Young, and

the Reed family on Ball Hill. Others might readily be named.

 

Pastorates

 

1832-33, S. Mineer; 1834, E. L. North; 1835, G. W. Densmore,

E. L. Wadsworth; 1836, A. Wood, W. Wyatt; 1837, L. Salis-

bury, D. McD. O'Farrall; 1838, T. D. Wire; 1839, Ira Wilcox,

H. Minard; 1840, H. Minard, J. Jameson; 1841, S. Mineer; 1842,

S. Mineer, H. D. Smith; 1843, Doctor Lamkin, S. H. Brown;

1844, Doctor Lamkin; 1845, J. Crawford; 1846-47, L. G. Weaver;

1848-49, E. A. Young; 1850-51, S. Mineer; 1852, L. D. Paddock;

1853-54, J. W. Steel; 1855-56, J. M. Searles; 1857-58, S. Hinman;

1859-60, E. Hoxie; 1861-62, J. Gutsell; 1863-64, F. M. Warner;

1865, S. Comfort; 1866-68, E. P. Eldridge; 1869-70, W. Keatley;

1871, J. W. Hewitt; 1872-73, W. B. Kinney; 1874-76, A. W.

Loomis; 1877-79, C. S. Alexander; 1880-82, H. B. Cook; 1883-

85, A. W. Cooper; 1886-88, G. A. Place; 1889-90, H. Williston;

1891-93, D. D. King; 1894, G. H. Northrup; 1895-98, H. N. Van

Deusen; 1899-1900, I. J. Smith; 1901-03, I. B. Wilson.

 

 

South Danby, N. Y.

 

This charge was detached from North Danby charge in 1844.

The class at South Danby was organized as early as 1830 by

Sylvester Mineer, "at the old shingle schoolhouse," with Robins

D. Wright as leader. A letter from Rev. J. W. Hewitt has the

following:

 

"The first revival I know anything about commenced in

the early summer of 1833, with Rev. Hanford Colborn pastor.

Perhaps we ought to say that two eccentric old gentlemen,

strangers, came around and were the first to hold meetings. The

Lord owned their labors in the conversion of some souls, Michael

Handy, Sr., being the first convert. Soon Brother Colborn took

the work out of their hands and carried it on in one part, while

Father Hewitt confined his work more especially to the Van

Cleak schoolhouse, as it was then called; but the work went on in

an almost continual revival spirit for three or four years, In


 

 

South Danby, N. Y. 825

 

1836 Rev. J. B. Benham held a very successful revival meeting in

Sheldon Wilcox's wagon house."

 

Robins Wright gave the building site from a corner of his

farm. The church was completed so as to be dedicated on May

31, 1838. After remodeling at an expense of $1,200 the church

was reopened on Thursday, January 4, 1872, by Rev. D. D.

Lindsley.

 

The parsonage is at South Danby, and was bought and fitted

for the pastor's use at a cost of about $750.

 

Prospect Valley. The society met in the schoolhouse, the usual

place of worship, on January 18, 1886, when it became incorporate

as "The Prospect Valley Methodist Episcopal Church of Candor,

N. Y.," and elected W. Owens, J. C. Fuller, W. Tucker, G. M.

Whitely, George Nelson, George Van Etten, and Smith Eckler

trustees. During the summer an abandoned church at Braly Hill

was taken down, and rebuilt at Prospect Valley at a cost of $1,200.

About 1898 the society experienced a season of refreshing which

resulted in twenty-five conversions.

 

Willseyville class worships in the Baptist church. On March 6,

1876, the society became incorporate as "The First Methodist

Episcopal Church of Willseyville," and elected John Laurence,

C. C. Eastman, L. Van De Bogert, C. E. Sanford, G. A. Lent,

G. M. Whiteley, and J. N. Eastman trustees. Evidently the

society thought of building.

 

The charge has witnessed many revivals.

 

Pastorates

 

1844, L. G. Weaver; 1845-46, J. M. Grimes; 1847, H. Pilbeam;

1848, J. Jameson; 1849, E. Owen; 1850, with Spencer; 1851-52,

L. Pitts; 1853, J. V. Newell; 1854, G. Jones; 1855, E. Sibley;

1856-57, K. Elwell; 1858-59, T. Burgess; 1860, A. W. Loomis;

1861-62, M. Swallow; 1863-64, W. B. Kinney; 1865, H. France;

1866-67, W. H. Gavitt; 1868, G. W. Reynolds; 1869, J. A. Wood;

1870-71, J. D. Bloodgood; 1872, A. W. Barrows; 1873-75, N. S.

De Witt; 1876, H. G. Blair; 1877-79, Z. Evans; 1880-82, S. E.

Walworth; 1883-84, J. C. Johnson; 1885-87, C. Sweet; 1888-89,

Asa Brooks; 1890, B. B. Carruth; 1891-92, Z. Evans; 1893, E. D.

Kavanaugh; 1894, S. D. Galpin; 1895, P. F. Mead; 1896-97,

A. L. Hobart; 18g8, S. D. Galpin; 1899, C. Sweet; 1900. E. N.

Kline; 1901, O. H. P. Armstrong; 1902-03, G. V. McAllister.


 

 

826 Wyoming Conference

 

 

Speedsville, N. Y.

 

The charge was formed in 1831. From 1857 to 1880 it was

known as Caroline Center, and took the name of Speedsville again

in 1881.

 

The class at Speedsville was organized in 1820, and for some

time worshiped in the present Universalist church, which at that

time was a union church, the Universalists owning one half and

the Presbyterians and Methodists one quarter each.

 

Rev. W. Wyatt says that in 1838 this charge had two churches —

"one at Speed's Settlement, a mere shell, unfit for use, and was

never finished, and one at the Rawson Settlement, a comfortable

little house that would seat three hundred persons." Wyatt at-

tempted to build a church at Speedsville, but was defeated by an

Irishman, who had subscribed liberally, who secured the subscrip-

tion paper under a ruse and destroyed it. A great revival was

witnessed under Wyatt's labors. Universalism, which had been

strong here, at this time was largely broken.

 

The Methodists sold their interest in the union church to the

Universalists. Leonard Legg donated the site for the church,

which was built in 1852 at a cost of about $1,500. It was dedicated

on Tuesday, January 4, 1853, with sermons by Revs. W. H.

Pearne and George P. Porter. The building was repaired in 1887

at a cost of $350.

 

Rev. O. P. Legg was converted at a noted revival held in the

union church. Another-great revival occurred in 1869-70.

 

The parsonage was located at Caroline Center many years. In

1872 a parsonage was purchased at Speedsville. The house at

the Center burned on March 29, 1876, while occupied by Abel

Lott, and without insurance. In 1898 the present parsonage

property was secured at a cost of $400.

 

Caroline Center class was organized in 1820 with thirteen mem-

bers, by Rev. George Harmon. Ground was given by Augustin

Boyer for a church and cemetery, and a church built in 1825, cost-

ing $1,000. In 1866 this church was torn down and the present

one built at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated by Rev. B. I. Ives.

In 1894 this building was repaired at an expense of $300.

 

Two noteworthy revivals have occurred in this church, one in

the winter of 1844-45, and the other in 1850.

 

Jenkinsville class was formed at an early day, and Ichabod

Comstock and Isaac Bunnell were its main members. Revival


 

 

Speedsville, N. Y. 827

 

services were at first held in Mr. Bunnell's house. Ground was

given by James Pumpelly, with the reverting clause in the deed.

 

On January 13, 1852, the society became incorporate as "The

Alpha Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in West New-

ark," and elected Russell G. Allen, Michael Jenks, Ichabod Corn-

stock, Isaac Bunnell, Joseph Blanchard, W. Nixon, 2d, and Henry

Armstrong trustees.

 

The church was built in 1852, and cost, including gifts of

lumber and labor, $1,500. It was dedicated on Thursday, January

27i 1853, by Rev. W. H. Pearne. After spending $800 in repairs

the church was reopened on October 2, 1883, Revs. H. M. Cryden-

wise and R. W. Van Schoick being the preachers of the occasion.

The sum of $420 was raised during the day. Two or three years

were consumed in fully paying for these repairs.

 

The society again incorporated on February 11, 1861, as "The

Alpha Methodist Episcopal Church of Jenksville," with E. J.

Crans, W. Nixon, 2d, and John Nixon trustees.

 

A camp meeting was held three successive years in Ackerman

and Miller's Grove, one mile south of the church.

 

Fairfield class was organized about seventy-five years ago at

the home of Jacob Clark. For a number of years the society wor-

shiped in the Blinn schoolhouse. At a meeting of the society on

March 8, 1852, at which Rev. W. Silsbee and Beri Strong pre-

sided, the society became incorporate as "The Trustees of the

Fairfield Methodist Episcopal Church," and elected Beri Strong,

Brunson Strong, Homer Knapp, Nelson Brink, and Ebenezer

Lake trustees. Beri Strong donated the site, and the church was

erected in 1854, costing about $2,000. The society passed through

a severe struggle in freeing itself from debt. The church was

thoroughly repaired in 1868, at a cost of $600. The building was

erected as a union church by the Methodists, Christians, and Bap-

tists. It is now occupied only by the Methodists.

 

Two camp meetings were held in Lower Fairfield in 1849.

 

Pastorates

 

1831-32, G. Judd; 1833, A. Wood; 1834-3.S, S. Mineer: 1836,

J. Griffing, G. W. Densmore; 1837, Alpha Warren; 1838-30, W.

Wvatt; 1840, I. Wilcox; 1841-42, J. R. Boswell; 1843-44, T. D.

Wire; 1845, E. P. Beecher; 1846, J. Jameson; 1847 (with Flem-

ingville in 1847-48), J. Jameson, O. L. Torry; 1848, J. Whitham,

H. Pilbeam; 1849-50, J. M. Grimes; 1851-52, W. Silsbee; 1853-


 

 

828 Wyoming Conference

 

54, D. Worrall, P. S. Worden; 1855, P. S. Worden; 1856, R.

Van Valkenburg; 1857, W. Smith, W. J. Judd; 1858, J. M.

Grimes; 1859, D. C. Olmstead; 1860-61, F. S. Chubbuck; 1862-

63, R. S. Rose; 1864-65, T. Burgess; 1866-67,?• Holbrook; 1868,

P. Krohn; 1869-70, G. W. Reynolds; 1871, W. H. Gavitt; 1872-

73, S. W. Lindsley; 1874, D. Larish; 1875-76, E. Sibley; 1877-79,

S. B. Keeney; 1880-82, E. N. Sabin; 1883, I. N. Shipman; 1884-

85, E. P. Eldridge; 1886-87, D- D. King; 1888-89, A. Osborn;

1890-91, A. G. Bloomfield; 1892-94, A. F. Brown; 1895, G. C.

Hillman; 1896-97, C. D. Skinner; 1898-99, D. H. Gridley; 1900,

_____; 1901-02, G. W. Crosby; 1903, _____.

 

 

Spencer, N. Y.

 

A class was formed in 1807 at Pleasant Valley, four miles south-

east of Spencer village, and was the first class organized in this

section. Peter Lott and wife did much in laying the foundations

of Methodism in these parts. Father Lott was born in Salisbury,

Conn., where he was converted in 1790. His wife Betsy was

converted the previous year. They came to Pleasant Valley in

1806, where they at once began laboring for God. He worked his

farm during the week and found places to tell the story of salva-

tion on Sunday. His wife, who was gifted in exhortation, would

usually go with him to his appointments, which sometimes neces-

sitated a walk of ten to twenty miles. "He would preach and she

would shout, and as soon as he was done she exhorted with great

power and effect." Both were held in high esteem by their ac-

quaintances. After Father Lott formed a class the traveling

preacher would take it into his plan.

 

The class at Spencer was formed in 1809, and included Peter

Lott and wife Betsy, Jeremiah Andrews, Esther Dean, Abraham

Garey, and Hester Ann Purdy.

 

This section was a part of Tioga Circuit prior to the formation

of Spencer Circuit in 1820.

 

We cannot give the extent of the circuit in its earliest days, but

in 1844 it included fifteen preaching places — Spencer Village,

Van Ettenville, Cayuta, Rumsey Hill, Austin Hill, Langford

Creek, South Section, Shepherd's Creek, Lott Schoolhouse, Hector

Hill, Halsey Valley, Cowell's Corners, The Inlet, Barnes's Neigh-

borhood, and Dean's Creek. There were but two churches on the

circuit, Spencer and Cayuta. Prior to 1844 there were several

more preaching places. North Spencer, Crumtown, East Spencer,

Bald Hill, and Hector Hill have been more recent out-appoint-


 

 

Spencer, N. Y. 829

 

ments of the charge. Halsey Valley is the only outlying appoint-

ment now connected with the charge.

 

The Spencer church was built in 1828 on West Tioga Street,

costing $2,800. The bell was purchased in 1883, costing $240.

During the winter of 1886-87 the building was thoroughly re-

paired. Galleries removed, new windows put in, one in memory

of Elihu and Sarah Butts, new pews, audience room ceiled with

Georgia pine, and otherwise beautified, all costing $1,700. The

 

        SPENCER CHURCH [photo]

 

church was reopened on May 24, 1887, Revs. S. Moore, J. O.

Woodruff, and H. M. Crydenwise ministering on the occasion.

In 1900 the church was recarpeted and repainted.

 

On April 20, 1865, in consideration of $800, Lewis Clark and

wife Jerusha deeded a house and lot to the society. Of this

amount Halsey Valley paid $100. In the winter of 1884-85 a

house was built on the west side of the church lot, costing $900,

which has since been used as a parsonage. M. Ruger was the

first resident pastor, 1834-35.

 

The charge has been greatly favored with revivals. In 1842

there were between four hundred and five hundred conversions,

and the following year over one hundred. The years 1857, 1858-

59, 1862-63, 1864, 1873-75, 1878-79. 1887-90, 1891-95, 1896-99,

1900, and 1901-02 were times of refreshing.


 

 

830 Wyoming Conference

 

Halsey Valley class was formed some time prior to 1844. The

society met in the schoolhouse on June 5, 1852, and became in-

corporate as "The First Methodist Episcopal Church in Halsey

Valley," choosing as its seal the letter H, and electing Simeon V.

Hambleton, John Shilling, James I. Benson, Jesse Vasbinder, and

Clayton Randolph trustees. The site for the church was deeded

to the society on December 1, 1853, by John Shilling and wife

Joanna, in consideration of $40, and the church, which cost $2,500,

was built in 1854.

 

In 1867 the sum of $400 was spent in repairs, and in 1892

$420 was expended in painting the building and beautifying the

interior. Of this amount the Ladies' Aid Society raised $305.

On the day of reopening, December 13, 1892, Colonel L. B. West

offered to pay $100 if the society would raise the other $15. Of

course it was done. In 1894 a vestibule was built, in 1895 cushions

were bought and land for sheds purchased, and in 1902 a bell

was bought.

 

Pastorates

 

1820, Jeter Foster; 1821, Horace Agard, A. Orcutt; 1822, J.

McCreary, John Sayre; 1823, A. Cummings, P. Barbary; 1824,

J. Griffing, C. Kendall; 1825, J. Griffing, J. Wiley; 1826, H. G.

Warner, W. D. Overfield; 1827, J. Griffing, J. Towner; 1828, J.

Griffing, M. H. Gaylord; 1829, S. Stocking, C. W. Harris; 1830,

S. Mineer, H. Colburn; 1831, James Hall; 1832, D. Torry; 1833,

G. Judd, R. Ingalls; 1834-35, M. Ruger; 1836-37, B. D. Sniffen;

1838, J. O. Boswell; 1839, John Watson; 1840, B. D. Sniffen;

1841, A. G. Burlingame, B. D. Sniffen, sup.; 1842, B. D. Sniffen,

A. Brooks; 1843, J. Griffing; 1844, J. Griffing, J. Whitham; 1845,

L. Pitts, J. Whitham; 1846, W. Silsbee; 1847, _____; 1848, B.

Ellis; 1849, K. Elwell; 1850, K. Elwell, J. Whitham; 1851, B.

Ellis; 1852, B. Ellis, A. P. Mead; 1853, A. P. Mead; 1854, J. W.

Munger; 1855, J. K. Peck; 1856, C. W. Judd; 1857, T. Burgess;

1858-59, K. Elwell; 1860, L. Cole; 1861, S. G. Stevens; 1862-63,

C. W. Todd; 1864, W. P. Abbott; 1865, W. P. Abbott, A. D.

Alexander; 1866, A. D. Alexander; 1867, P. Krohn; 1868, W. N.

Cooley; 1869, W. B. Kinney; 1870-71, C. S. Alexander; 1872,

J. F. Williams; 1873, J. L. Wells; 1874-75, J. Ryder; 1876, R.

Varcoe; 1877, D. Larish; 1878-79, D. F. Waddell; 1880-81, Z.

Evans; 1882, I. N. Shipman; 1883-84, D. W. Swetland; 1885-86,

C. H. Basford; 1887-90, L. P. Howard; 1891-95, I. B. Wilson;

1896-99, J. B. Davis; 1900, R. W. Lowry; 1901-02, W. H. Stang;

1903, E. N. Sabin.


 

 

Tioga, N. Y. 831

 

 

Tioga, N. Y.

 

Tioga Center, now Tioga, was on Barton Circuit in 1837, and

subsequently was with North Tioga (q. v.).

 

On September 18, 1871, in consideration of $200, Ezekiel

Dubois and wife deeded to the society the building lot. On May

14, 1872, the society met at the Baptist church and became in-

corporate as "The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Tioga

Center." John G. Smith, William Ransom, Ezekiel Dubois, David

T. Smith, J. H. Martin, Nicholas Schoonover, and Isaiah C.

Fenderson were elected trustees. The church, which cost $8,000,

 

        TIOGA CHURCH [photo]

 

was dedicated on June 12, 1873, Rev. A. C. George, D.D., preach-

ing in the morning and Rev. A. H. Wyatt in the evening. Colonel

W. Ransom built the church. Perhaps $2,000 was paid from other

sources. At dedication a large amount of the cost was left unpro-

vided for, probably more than one half. In time the property was

sold at sheriff's sale, and Colonel Ransom bought it, thus obtaining

a title to the property. However, the society had the use of it free

of rent for years. After his death his daughter, Mrs. J. C. Latti-

mer, on Sunday, March 18, 1883, presented the society with the


 

 

832 Wyoming Conference

 

property and its furnishings. The judgment was for $6,000,

accumulated interest $4,000, making a total of $10,000. Mrs.

Lattimer executed a deed for the property on April 7, 1883.

The parsonage was built in 1885, costing $1,175.

 

Pastorates

 

1873-74, C. S. Alexander; 1875, E. F. Roberts; 1876-77, G. M.

Chamberlain; 1878-79, S. E. Walworth; 1880-82, J. K. Peck;

1883, J. T. Burrall; 1884-86, N. W. Barnes; 1887-89, A. D.

Decker; 1890, N. W. Barnes; 1891, S. A. Terry; 1892, J. D.

Bloodgood; 1893-95, Z. Evans; 1896-98, N. W. Barnes; 1899-

1901, C. Councilman; 1902, E. R. Post; 1903, G. L. Granger.

 

 

Waverly, N. Y.

 

Ellistown. Ebenezer Ellis settled near the mouth of Ellis Creek

in 1791, and in 1795 John Hanna and Luke Saunders with two

or three others settled there. The class was formed in 1805 by

Frederick Stiver and Timothy Lee, in John Hanna's log house,

and was the result of a general revival of religion along the river.

The class included John Hanna, Luke Saunders, Ebenezer and

Samuel Ellis, and their wives, and Sarah Bingham. Samuel Ellis

was the leader, and meetings were held in a log schoolhouse,

which was subsequently abandoned for a frame one. A few years

later a revival brought additions to the class, Siras Johnson,

Joseph Wilkinson, G. Hanna, Elisha Hill, William and Alexander

Ellis, and their wives, and Mrs. Parker being among them.

 

The church was built in 1834, and was called Emory Chapel.

It is kept in a good state of preservation, and services are now

being held in it by a local preacher from Waverly Church, where

Ellistown holds its relation.

 

Factoryville class was organized in 1828 by Elishama Tozer and

Piere Hyatt, their wives, and Jerusha Wilcox. Mr. Tozer came

to this place in 1801. He was appointed leader of the class, which

office he held forty years. "While settlements were being made

along the Susquehanna and Chemung, other pioneers had ap-

proached northward and westward and located on the highlands.

Piere Hyatt, Paris and Robert Saunders, Jacob Swain, G. W.

Plumber, Nathan Slawson, and Stephen Van Derlip being among

the first. After these came Daniel Blizard, David Mandeville,

Sr., Peter and Lewis Quick, S. T. Van Derlip and others, and

nearly all attached themselves to the Methodist society.


 

 

Waverly, N. Y. 833

 

The schoolhouse, which stood at the forks of the road, speedily

became too small for the audiences, and many were forced to stand

during services. Among the crowd which frequented this place

were eight local preachers and three exhorters. The local preach-

ers were Elishama Tozer, Gilbert H. Hallett, Thomas Wilcox,

Andrew Burhyte, King Elwell, Peter Halliday, Peter Wentz, and

L. Bennett, four of whom became members of Conference. The

exhorters were Dr. Rowland Wilcox, Shepard Wilcox, and

Mandeville J. Reed. The schoolhouse being unable to accomo-

 

        WAVERLY CHURCH [photo]

 

date the crowd, three classes were formed in different parts of

the town — one at Perryville, one at West Hill, and one in the Scott

district on the west side of the Chemung River. After the church

was built they were again united in one class.

 

On October 29, 1838, at a meeting of the society, over which

Rev. B. D. Sniffin and Harvey Benjamin presided, the society

became incorporate as "The Trustees of the Fletcher Factoryville

Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Barton,

County of Tioga, State of New York," and Gilbert H. Hallett,

Amos P. Spalding, Jacob H. Russell, Luther Stone, Elishama

Tozer, Jacob Burhyte, Philip Finch, Rufus Darrow, and Alpheus


 

 

834 Wyoming Conference

 

H. Tozer were elected trustees. On January 1, 1866, the name of the

society was changed to "Methodist Episcopal Church of Waverly."

On January 16, 1839, in consideration of $200, Jonathan B. Stuard

and wife Alice deeded the society one acre of ground, upon which

the Factoryville church was built, which was called Fletcher

Chapel and cost $3,000. It was dedicated on December 10, 1840,

by Rev. Horace Agard, pastor. The building was of the style of

the times — galleries, high pulpit, pews with doors, etc. The

church was located on what is now Ithaca Street.

 

About the year 1846 that portion of the Ellistown class who

lived west of the Talmadge Hill road made application to be at-

tached to the Fletcher Chapel class. The petition was granted.

At a later date the remaining ones, finding a possibility of their

being attached to the Barton charge, with services once a fortnight,

also asked admission to this same class, which was also granted

by the presiding elder.

 

The society's growth was such that in 1853 a class of forty

members was formed which met in the schoolroom of Miss Wells

on Waverly Street. Charles Harsh was made leader, which office

he held until death. In 1859 two new classes were formed, one

in the old stonehouse of Alvah Jarvis on Chemung Street opposite

the present church, the other in Temperance Hall, in the third

story of Gilbert's block on Broad Street. "These classes were to

the church like the outer picket guards to an army, and they have

been stationed at different times in nearly every section of the

town."

 

The growth of the town was away from the church, and it

became desirable to seek a better location for the church. Accord-

ingly, a lot on Waverly Street opposite where Elizabeth Street

now opens, was purchased in May, 1863, and the work of building

begun. The last quarterly meeting in the old Fletcher Chapel

was held on February 27, 1864, and the new church was dedicated

on March 17, 1864, Bishop Janes preaching in the morning and

Rev. G. P. Porter in the evening. The building was 50x80 feet,

with a basement, and cost $8,000.

 

"For one year, nine months, and seven days this church was

ours to enjoy; then disaster came. On the 24th of December, 1865,

just as the communion services were drawing at a close, that terri-

fying word, 'fire,' was hurled into the midst of the worshipers.

The congregation, little thinking where the fire was, quickly dis-

persed. One good old saint, as he came down the stairs, put his

hand against the wall and cried out, 'O my God! it is our

church!' In a few hours the Methodists were homeless, but not


 

 

Waverly, N. Y. 835

 

friendless. Presbyterian and Baptist friends came forward, offer-

ing their places of worship for our accommodation. The following

day, Christmas, the trustees called together the church members

to consult in regard to building. The meeting was held in Lean-

der Walker's office. Five thousand dollars was subscribed. In

the meantime the Ladies' Aid Society had met, and some had

started out by twos to notify the country friends that a Methodist

festival would be held that night in Davis Hall, now Exchange

Block. Others circulated handbills through the village to the

same effect. All worked with a will. The festival was a success.

Many came to the door, and being unable to get in, handed in their

donations of $5 or $10 and went away. The Ladies netted $460.

It was decided to rebuild immediately, the building to be of brick.

The loan of the Baptist Church was accepted for about a month,

then the Waverly Institute was used for another month, then Davis

Hall was hired and occupied until April 4, 1867. There was an

insurance of $6,000 on church and organ, and after paying in-

debtedness and other expenses the trustees held $3,400 with which

to begin another church. It was resolved to sell the old lot and to

purchase a more central location, on the southwest corner of Che-

mung and Waverly Streets, where the present structure stands.

 

"The corner stone of this new church was laid June 15, 1866.

Dr. Bristol, of Binghamton, conducted the services and delivered

the address, his subject being 'Economy of Church Building —

Christ the Head and Corner Stone.' A collection of $400 was

taken."

 

The church cost $20,000, and was dedicated on Thursday, April

4, 1867, Rev. H. Mattison preaching in the morning and Rev. B. I.

Ives in the evening. After expending $2,500 for stained-glass

windows, frescoing, and refinishing the woodwork, painting and

penciling the outside, the church was reopened on Friday, January

29, 1875, Rev. E. O. Haven, D.D., preaching in the morning and

Rev. B. I. Ives in the evening. Minor improvements were made

on the church in 1889-90, and in 1895 $4,000 was spent in reno-

vation.

 

Mr. A. I. Decker has been Sunday school superintendent here

about twenty-five years.

 

We are unable to give the exact date of the building of the

parsonage. It was probably built shortly after the church. It was

remodeled in 1901 at a cost of $1,000.

 

Waverly entertained the Wyoming Conference in June, 1854,

March, 1864, April, 1873, April, 1881, April, 1891, and April, 1902.

Preparatory to the Conference of 1854 the chapel was thoroughly


 

 

836 Wyoming Conference

 

renovated, and a large tent was pitched on the Waverly Park

which would seat six hundred people, which was used for the Sab-

bath services.

 

A camp meeting was held at Ellistown in September, 1832, on

the land of David Lyons. Many were converted and the Ellis-

town and Factoryville classes greatly strengthened. Among the

converts were Philip Finch, Charles Hopkins, and their wives,

Thomas Wilcox, King Elwell, Frederick and Alpheus Tozer. A

meeting was held the following year in the same place. In June,

1835, a camp meeting was held on the farm of Harry N. Floyd

with good results. The houses of Mr. Floyd and Uncle John

Hanna were "Methodist inns." A camp meeting was held in

August, 1854, on the land of Benjamin H. Davis, a little north of

where J. W. Knapp now resides, and in September, 1860, another

meeting was held in the same place, called "Mount Encampment."

 

Sayre, Athens, and Litchfield have been with this charge at

some time.

 

Some great revivals have been held here. In December, 1847,

to February, 1848, there were seventy-five accessions. In Novem-

ber and December, 1853, one hundred and forty-five conversions,

and in January, 1877, one hundred conversions. Many other

gracious seasons might be referred to.

 

Pastorates

 

With Tioga Circuit prior to 1821; with Spencer Circuit 1821-28;

with Barton Circuit, 1829-50; 1851-52, J. W. Davison; 1853,

O. M. McDowall; 1854-55, G- P- Porter; 1856, J. M. Snyder;

1857-58, D. A. Shepard; 1859-60, G. P. Porter; 1861, J. A. Wood;

1862-63, H. R. Clarke; 1864-66, S. W. Weiss; 1867, H. Wheeler;

1868-70, W. B. Westlake; 1871, L. W. Peck; 1872-73, W. H.

Olin; 1874, S. F. Brown; 1875-76, D. C. Olmstead; 1877-79,

G. R. Hair; 1880-82, A. L. Smalley; 1883-85, S. Moore; 1886-88,

J. O. Woodruff; 1889-91, W. L. Thorpe; 1892-96, C. M. Surdam;

1897-1903, J. W. Nicholson.

 

 

West Danby, N. Y.

 

Miss May Thatcher is authority for the statement that Rev. J.

Whitham preached in the schoolhouse two miles below their home

at an early date. Later Rev. Jasper Hewitt's father moved into

that school district and remained some time. Elisha Thatcher and

his wife Sarah, their sons Jeremiah and John, and Mrs. Sarah A.

Thatcher were members of the first class in the district. "As it


 

 

Windham, Pa. 837

 

was eight miles to Spencer and five to Newfield, and a hard hill

between here and Danby, they joined the church at Newfield."

 

Rev. E. G. W. Hall, a student at Cazenovia Seminary, visited the

place in March, 1869. John Thatcher invited him to preach on

Sunday. The Baptists having no preacher at that time, he preached

in the Baptist church. He stayed two weeks and held revival serv- •

ices, in which a large number were converted. In July Rev. W.

Adams, the Methodist pastor at Newfield, organized a class from

the young converts, to which were added the names of James

Bruce and wife Susan, Elisha and Sarah Thatcher, Jeremiah, John,

and Polly Thatcher. Services were held in the West Danby school-

house until the church was built. Rev. J. K. Underbill, the assist-

ant pastor at Newfield, cared for the work here.

 

The lot for the church was purchased of J. P. Thatcher for $100,

and the corner stone of the church laid on July 4, 1870. The

church, costing $3,000, was dedicated on November 27, 1870, by

Presiding Elder White, of Cortland District, and the dedicatory

sermon was preached by Rev. E. G. W. Hall from John iii, 16.

 

During the winter of 1869-70 Mr. Hall labored with this people.

Meetings were held at Nettle's Schoolhouse, where there were

about twenty conversions, and a revival service at the Inlet Valley

schoolhouse resulted in about eighty conversions.

 

In 1872 West Danby came to Wyoming Conference.

 

Pastorates

 

1872, S. Spencer; 1873, J. H. Boyce; 1874, A. B. Eckert; 1875,

C. C. Williams; 1876, C. R. Hart; 1877, A. J. Brown; 1878,

A. Loomis; 1879-80, S. Barner; 1881-82, J. C. Johnson; 1883, S.

E. Walworth; 1884-85, D. D. King; 1886, M. R. Kerr; 1887, W.

P. Horton; 1888-89, B. B. Carruth; 1890, L. P. Howard; 1891-92,

G. H. Northrup; 1893, S. E. Hunt; 1894, A. G. Bloomfield; 1895,

W. Wilkinson; 1896-99, T. B. Roberts; 1900, H. Roberts; 1901-

02, G. B. Tompkins; 1903, _____.

 

 

Windham, Pa.

 

Windham Circuit was formed from Nichols Circuit in 1855.

At its formation the circuit included Windham, Briggs Hollow,

Wait Settlement, Gibson Corners, and Mineral Springs. Mecca

was added in May, 1859, but was discontinued in April, 1869, and

the members transferred to the Windham and Wait Settlement

classes. About this time Kenyon Hill was added, but was soon

dropped, as was Mineral Springs.


 

 

838 Wyoming Conference

 

Windham. William Russell and family settled in the Wapsene

valley, near the present site of Windham, in 1819. Soon after

this religious services were commenced at the home of Jephtha

Brainard, who lived a half mile west of the Russells. Services

were held in private houses until 1833, when they were taken to

the schoolhouse, where they continued until the building of the

church.

 

The building of a church agitated the society some time, but

they were unable to agree upon a site. At last the following par-

ties chose a location and built the church upon their own respon-

sibility: Julius Russell, Peter Kuy Kendall, Henry Boyce, W.

Sibley, W. H. Perry, Solomon Sibley, James M. Peck, and Daniel

Gardiner. The church was dedicated on Wednesday, December

15, 1852, Rev. W. H. Pearne and G. P. Porter preaching the ser-

mons. On the 26th of December the community gathered at the

church, when the pews were sold at prices varying from $20 to

$45, thus providing for the cost of the building. The building

was extensively repaired in 1888.,

 

The society was incorporated as "The Windham Meetinghouse,"

the charter being granted by the court in February, 1854. The first

trustees were J. M. Peck, W. Sibley, W. Russell, Elijah Shoe-

maker, and Henry Boyce.

 

The Freewill Baptists enjoy equal privileges in the building.

 

The parsonage and barn were built in 1856 at a cost of $1,000.

 

Wait Settlement class was organized about 1837, and services

were held in the schoolhouse until the building of the church. The

society met at the schoolhouse on June 9, 1852, and became incor-

porate as "The Trustees of the Wait Settlement Methodist Epis-

copal Church," electing John Wait, Nathaniel Goodspeed, W.

White, Simmons W. Harden, S. B. Harden, and Henry Wait, Jr.,

trustees. The church was built in 1853 on an acre of ground

donated by Henry Wait, the deed for which, however, was not ex-

ecuted until December 5, 1866. On June 5, 1865, the society again

incorporated, retaining the same title as before, and electing John

Wait, James A. Nichols, Henry Dunham, James Olmstead, and

Orin D. Nichols trustees. On December 15, 1886, after expending

$820 in repairs, the church was reopened, Rev. W. Treible preach-

ing the dedicatory sermon, and Rev. H. M. Crydenwise conducting

the dedicatory service.

 

Briggs Hollow class is the outgrowth of a revival held in the

old Asbury Church in 1823, in which the country for miles around

was stirred. A number of the converts living in Briggs Hollow


 

 

Wyalusing, Pa. 839

 

met at the house of Joseph Annable and organized a class, with

Mr. Annable leader. The society worships in the school-

house.

 

Gibson Corners class was formed at an early day and services

held in the schoolhouse. On November 10, 1900, Charles Anne-

ville deeded to "The Methodist Episcopal Church of Gibson

Corners" a lot as a gift. Matthew Goodrich, Addison Hauer, and

Frederick Bostwick were the trustees. During the summer of

1901 a church, costing $1,200, was built, which was dedicated in

early winter.

 

Pastorates

 

1855, supply; 1856-57, W. B. Kinney; 1858-59, C. E. Taylor;

1860-61, E. Sibley; 1862-63, J- L. Legg; 1864-65, G. W. Leach;

1866-68, S. E. Walworth; 1869-70, A. Brigham; 1871-72, E. M.

High; 1873-74, J. F. Williams; 1875-76, J. R. Angell; 1877-79,

A. W. Loomis; 1880-82, J. R. Allen; 1883, J. B. Chynoweth; 1884,

S. D. Galpin; 1885-86, J. C. Johnson; 1887-90, O. P. Legg; 1891-

94, L. P. Howard; 1895-99, S. B. Keeney; 1900-03, C. L. Lewis.

 

 

Wyalusing, Pa.

 

The first record of religious work among the whites of this sec-

tion (work among the Indians having been done here as early as

1742) is of services held in the house of Mrs. Lucretia Miner

York, under the direction of an old man named Gideon Baldwin.

The York home was near Browntown, and the services were com-

menced in the latter part of 1785. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin and Mrs.

York were the only Christians in the neighborhood then. They

agreed to meet weekly, inviting their neighbors to be present.

Meetings were held on Sundays, when Mr. Baldwin would read

the Scriptures and pray and a sermon would be read by a son of

Mrs. York. These services were productive of much good, and

since they were commenced this section of the valley has never

been without religious services. The Presbyterians organized

work here in 1793.

 

In 1792 William Colbert was appointed to the Northumberland

Circuit and John Hill to Tioga Circuit. Hill does not seem to

have done any work on Tioga Circuit. This may have suggested

to Colbert the advisability of going through that territory. On

Sunday, early in December, 1792, Mr. Colbert preached at Guy

Wells's from Acts iii, 19, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted."

When he had finished a Baptist preacher named Stalford opened


 

 

840 Wyoming Conference

 

the Bible and announced a text from Song of Sol. ii, 10, "Rise up,

my love, my fair one, and come away." In his sermon he told the

little congregation that Christ had done all, and that they had

nothing to do. In Colbert's journal, under date of Sunday, March

31, 1793, he says: "I preached at Wyalusing. Four weeks ago I

gave out for a public collection in this place to be made to-day,

but very few came to meeting. My friend Baldwin [Baldwin lived

at the mouth of the Wyalusing Creek] spoke of the collection, but

nobody said anything in reply. So I came off without anything.

 

        WYALUSING CHURCH [photo]

 

and I can truly say that I shall be happy if this was all that I have

to trouble me in this circuit." In 1812 Marmaduke Pearce, upon

the invitation of a young man named Nathaniel Chubbuck, did

some work in this territory.

 

In 1814 the lower end of Tioga Circuit was cut off and formed

Wyalusing Circuit. Wyalusing Circuit is said to have included

at this time Owego, Nichols, Barton, Waverly, Factoryville,

Athens, Litchfield, Apalachin, Windham, Orwell, Skinner's Eddy,

Rome, and Wyalusing. This is in the main true. It is question-

able whether the first five named places were in the circuit. By


 

 

Wyalusing, Pa. 841

 

the creation of charges the Wyalusing Circuit was consumed so

that it disappeared from the list of appointments in 1838.

 

In the fall of 1842 Mr. John Hollenback employed Mr. Thomas

Tuck, an English local preacher, to teach the Wyalusing school.

It was his custom to open the school by reading from the Bible

and offering prayer. At this time two godly women, Mrs. Rhoda

Allen and Mrs. Lois Brown, were living at Browntown, and were

the only Methodists in this section at that time. Thomas Tuck

was invited to conduct some prayer meetings at Browntown (prob-

ably by these women). After conducting the meetings ten days

he sent to the Skinner's Eddy pastor for assistance. Mr. Browns-

combe labored with Mr. Tuck ten weeks. The meetings were held

in the schoolhouse, which still stands, and were productive of great

good, there being about sixty conversions. In April, 1843, Mr.

Brownscombe organized a class of twenty-nine members, known

as the Browntown and Wyalusing class, with James Butler leader.

Eleven of the twenty-nine lived at Wyalusing, and four of these

were soon transferred to Asylum. "In the following May the first

quarterly meeting was held in a barn then owned by Joseph Bos-

worth, part of which is now (1892) standing near the old school-

house and owned by Samuel Howard." The altar was of rough

boards covered with a tablecloth, as was also the pulpit. Quilts

were spread upon the floor, upon which the communicants knelt.

Mr. Tuck preached here until the ensuing Conference, after which

the work was cared for by the Skinner's Eddy pastors until

Wyalusing was made a charge in 1852. In 1843 P. G. White and

C. E. Taylor were on the charge. Mr. White lived part of the time

at George Sumner's and part of the time at the Eddy. In 1844

J. W. Davison and C. E. Taylor were the pastors. Mr. Taylor

lived at Wyalusing and Mr. Davison at the Eddy. In 1845 Rev.

J. B. Cooper attended to the work at Wyalusing and Browntown,

and Mr. Davison to the rest of the charge. From 1846 to 1848

E. Owen and E. B. Tenny were the pastors. George Landon

supplied the work in 1849, while he lived at Herrick.

 

When Wyalusing charge was formed in 1852 it included Wya-

lusing, Spring Hill, Camptown, Lime Hill, Standing Stone, East

Herrick, and the Grove schoolhouse.

 

On November 23, 1854, a brick church, 34x50 feet, without

steeple, costing $1,800 was dedicated at Wyalusing by Rev. George

Peck. On Sunday, April 21, 1878, after new pews, altar rail, and

recess back of the pulpit had been built, the church was reopened.

Rev. A. Griffin preached in the morning, and Rev. D. Craft, pastor

of the Wyalusing Presbyterian Church, in the evening. On


 

 

842 Wyoming Conference

 

Wednesday, January 15, 1885, occurred another reopening. Forty-

five hundred dollars had been spent in erecting a new front with

tower, building the walls to twice their original height, putting

on a slate roof, and appropriately finishing the interior. Mrs.

Helen Canfield secured the bell. Miss Silvaria the reflector, and a

memorial window was presented by Mrs. D. K. Brown. Rev. A.

Griffin preached in the morning, and R. W. Van Schoick in the

evening. Rev. H. M. Crydenwise conducted the dedicatory serv-

ices. A total of $2,335 was raised during the day. In 1890 a

debt of $1,800, the result of shrinkage in subscriptions and accu-

mulated interest, was embarrassing the society. Subscriptions

amounting to $1,032, and a winter fair which netted $857, freed

the society from debt.

 

Rev. S. F. Brown lived at Merryall and Camptown. Rev. D. C.

Barnes lived at Spring Hill, in the house now occupied by Gilbert

Sumner. The present parsonage was bought in 1872, costing

about $1,400.

 

The charge has had some very fruitful revivals.

 

Spring Hill is the out-appointment of the charge. The class is

claimed to have been formed in 1840, and by others in 1850.

Presumably the work was somewhat intermittent prior to 1852.

The church cost $2,500, and was dedicated on Wednesday, Decem-

ber 18, 1867, by Rev. D. C. Olmstead. Mr. Olmstead preached in

the morning from Luke vii, 33, and Rev. S. F. Brown in the

evening. About 1885 $800 was spent in repairs. In 1893 a hall

was built for the use of the church, costing $900.

 

Pastorates

 

Wyalusing Circuit: 1814, R. M. Everts; 1815, E. Bibbins;

1816-17, John Griffing; 1818, E. Bibbins, E. King, sup.; 1819, E.

Doolittle, H. G. Warner; 1820, A. Cummins, H. Agard; 1821, A.

Cummins, G. Judd; 1822, J. Griffing, James Hodge; 1823, J.

Rogers, W. Lull; 1824, J. Griffing, C. Kendall, P. Barbary; 1825,

H. Agard, S. Stocking; 1826, J. Griffing, D. A. Shepard; 1827,

H. G. Warner, D. A. Shepard; 1828, John Sayre, C. Nash; 1829,

C. Nash, E. Colson; 1830, H. Agard, M. Adams; 1831, S. H.

Stocking, M. R. Cushman; 1832, C. W. Harris; 1833, J. W.

McKee, S. B. Yarrington; 1834, M. Sherman, C. W. Giddings;

1835, E. B. Tenny, K. Elwell; 1836, B. Ellis; 1837, G. Evans, A.

Barker.

 

Wyalusing charge: 1852, G. W. Jackson; 1853, O. F. Morse;

1854-55, L. Peck; 1856, S. F. Brown; 1857, E. Sibley; 1858, J. C.


 

 

Wyalusing, Pa. 843

 

Barnes; 1859, George Landon; 1860, I. D. Warren; 1861-62,

I. P. Towner; 1863-65, S. F. Brown; 1866, A. F. Harding; 1867-

68, A. J. Arnold; 1869, P. R. Tower, J. B. Sumner; 1870-71, G. M.

Chamberlain; 1872, D. C. Barnes; 1873-75, J. B. Sumner; 1876-

77, E. F. Roberts; 1878-80, L. Cole; 1881, J. Weston; 1882-83,

J. D. Bloodgood; 1884-86, J. B. Davis; 1887-89, J. B. Santee;

1890-92, A. D. Decker; 1893-96, I. J. Smith; 1897-1903, A. J.

Cook.