Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-04
For the Standard.
Father Sawyer.
Barton, Jan. 10Th, 1859.

Of this remarkable Patriarch perhaps
some of the readers of the Standard
would be pleased to know something more
than has as yet appeared in the newspa-
pers. Professor Bond has prepared a
somewhat lengthy biographical sketch
for the Congregational Quarterly, from
which we gather the following;
"Rev. John Sawyer, D. D., better
known as Father Sawyer, was born at
Hebron, Conn, Oct. 8, 1855. When
about ten years of age he removed with
MS parents to Oxford, N. H., the first
white settler having arrived there only
three years before. OF course the fami-
/ ly were subjected to the privations and
hardships of a new settlement, of which
the subject of this notice encountered his
full share for the next twelve years, dur
ing which period church was formed
and he became hopeful subject of re-
newing Grace. Soon after the COM
mencement of the Revolutionary war
Mr.. Sawyer, though young, volunteered
under Capt. Chandler Of Piernlont in the
service of his country. He helped to re-
pei the advance of Gen. Burgoyne, and
was at Saratoga at the time of his surren-
der, where with others he shared in all
the rejoicings of that wonderful day.
After returning from the army, with
the consent of his father (for he would
do nothing without that,) he repaired to
Hanover to enter upon a course of study
preparatory to the Gospel ministry,
f DR.. Wheelock's school at Hanover,was
at that time in its infancy, having beer
f chartered as a College only few year;
= previous. Of its limited advantages Mr.
e Sawyer made the best use in his power
p 1t was in 1871 that he entered Dart
; mouth, where he graduated in 1885. H.
studied Theology for short time will
= Pres. Wheelock, and afterwards for
r longer time with Rev. DR.. Spring o
Newburyport, and commenced preachin!
: within year after leaving College.
r Having preached at different place
o for nearly two years, he returned to Or
ford and was in Oct. 1877 ordained a
= pastor Of the church in that place.
IS Having labored there with fidelity an
Il success nine years, he removed to Booth
II bury, Maine, where he labored in tn
d ministry ten years, when by his own re
st quest he received dsmission and remoy
ot ed to New Castle, among other reason
l. that his children might enjoy the advar
L tages of the Academy there, and that h
might be more at liberty to itinerate, an
Is "do the work Of an evangelist among tn
lie more destitute parts of the State"
ID About so years ago he went to Bar
le gor, which though now Furnishing an
70 beautiful city, was then new and sma
Mt town. There he established himself &
m preacher and school master, with prom
n Use of $4,000 a year for his support.
E. At that time there was no church {
1g meeting house in Bangor, and but yer
ne little appearance of religion in the plac
ne Of his usefulness as minister in tn;
destitute region there can be no doub
u Into the little church in what is now cal
le ed Brewer, on the opposite side of IL
Penobscot from Bangor, it is said that |
ed received sixty persons, and baptized thi
I'd .ty children in one day.
It's now more than 40 years since NJ
lis Sawyer removed his family to Garland,
r. farming town some 90 miles from BaI
m, gor, where he engaged in bis favori
&c work of preaching and teaching, and e.
cept at some short intervals Garland h
r. been the home of his family ever sine
IN His wife, Rebeccs Hobart of Plymout
ty Mass, died twenty two years ago, ag,
rs years. Mr.. Sawyer continued