Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-01-29


will undoubtedly interest large portion of our read
in this town, aud worthy Of preservation
portion of the material from which future histories
may be madc
"Before the formation of any church in Brattleboro
there occasional preaching ut Fort Dummer on
the Connecticut River But MS the population incrcas-
cd, and it became nconvenent to assemble at n corr
of the town, house of worship was erected upon
Westinghouse hill, between East and West Brattebo-
ro Here the Rev. Abner Reeve, the first pastor in
Brattleboro, commenced his ministerial abors in 1870.
lie a graduate of Yale College, 1t is supposed
that church organized at the time, but of
that no record can now be found. For three years,
the Rev. Mr.. Reeve preached alternately in Brattle-
boro and Guilford After that time, he confined his
nbors to this town. until the year 1894, when he
laid aside from preaching by the nhmities of old age
He died in 1893 aged 90 years.
ain 1885 new and spacious house was built for the
accommodation OF the whole town. near the site of the
present one at the west village.
about the time Mr.. Reeve closed his labors, the
Rev. VIM. Wells settled in town. lie was n native Of
England and had been for twenty three years n dis
scning minister ut Broomsgrove, in Worcestershire
Eng. He at invited TO take the spiritual
charge Of the church and society," and entered on his
work in March 1894; from which time he was annual
ly chosen Stated Supply, with great unanmiiy, for
twenty years in succession
"ln March 1s4, Mr.. Wells gave up his charges the
care of the whole town being too much for his advanc-
cd years and infrm health For some time previous
the new village, on the river, having commenced
rapid and thriving growh, Mr. Wells, whose residence
was near by had been in the Iabit Of preaching at tho
school house on the common as often rs two or thrce
times MONTH But the room was too small. and a
PROPOSE ton made to build house of worship at
the village in which service. should be held for part
of the time without dividing the parish The plan
however, not meeting with general favor in the town
it was determined to form new society," erect place
of worship and invite Mr.. Wells to be their minister
"Grinda Il. Ellis, Esq, decided to the society the
land now known the common, on condition that the
new edifce should be located there.
"Mr Wells began his rev engagement, on the first
Sabbath in April 1914, with services at the school
house; the new building not being opened for public
services until Dec of the year following On the 10Th
Of July lsl6, council of the neghboring ministers
and churches was convened and duly organized the
first church in Bmt,leboro, East village composed Of
IA members, who withdrew from the church in West
Bmttleboro, and set apart Mr. John obrook as dea-
con. The Lords Supper first celebrated in the
new house on the 9TH of the same month On the
22d Of August 1916 the new edifco was solemny ded
lcated to the public worship Of God. The Rev VIM
wells offered the dedicatory prayer, the Rev. Saul
Willard OF Dcerfeld, Mass, preached from Habakkuk
II. goth, the Rev. Mr.. Pratt Of West1noreand, n H..
offered the concluding prayer.
MIR. Wells continued with the society and WINS
chosen annually MS before until April 1915, when he
left to visit his native country He subsequently re-
turned and died in this village December 1927 aged
8S. During the ministerial labors Of the Rev. Mr..
Wells there added to the church by profession rs
"On the Goth Of October, 1915 the church and so-
ciety extended call to Mr.. Jonathan Niece, a grad
nate of Williams College, and of the Theological Sem
mary at Andovcr, Mass. He accepted the call and
aa?"qef5G' t1nsisung6i -rasrors ana -tetthcf itom
the churches in Wapole aud Winchester. y. H.. Ber
nardston Mass, Bratteboro West Marlboro and Hal
ilax with Rev. Samuel Taggsrt of Coeroine, Mass.
and Rev. James Tufts Of Wardsboro. The ordination
services took place on the 18th. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. Samuel Taggart from I'd Corin-
thlans 9Th, 5th
MS was the first ordination that had taken rlare
in Bratteboro, although there had been stated nreacb
ing for more than 30 years in the town. The Rev Mr.
MCGEE continued the pastor of the church until Sep
TENDER 10th 1884, when he was dismissed by Il mutu
al council.
During his ministry, which continued nearly Is
years the church was much enlarged there being un-
usual religious interest in 1881 and 1892 The addi
tons during his ministry were, by profession 229 bv
letter 81; total ISL"
Rev. Charles Walker was installed on the LIST of jan
uary, 1885. In 1912 the house of worship occupied
by the society was removed from the Common to lis
s,to Nt....-
Rev. Mr. Walker continued the pastor until the 14,h
OF February, 1916, when he dismissed By mutu.
nj council. During Mr. Walkers ministry So were
added to the church BY profession and Ga by letter
On the 2sd of May, 1916, call was extended to Mr.
A. Huntington Capp, then Professor in Middlebury
College; which call accepted on the 10th of July
and on the l4h of October of the same year he was
ordained as pastor and teacher. Mr.. Capp continued
his labors with great satisfaction until 1853, when n
disease of his eyes led him to renquish his labors
and on the 14h of September of that year. to ask for
dsinssion During the seven years of his settle
ment 80 were received into the church by profession
and AZ by letter.
Kew. Geo 7. Tyler, the present pastor, was INSTALL
ed and Rev Mr.. Ciapp dismissed on the I5t. day of
November 1854
FIRE IN WEST BRATrLEBoRo-On Monday even
ing last the saw and grist mill belonging to Eroy Stod
dard and situated in the west part of the town. about
four or five miles from this village was discovered to
be on fire, and before the flames could be arrested was
wholly consumed. The fire originated either from the
stoves through which the mill was warmed or from
the friction of the machinery, probably the former
The loss is estimated at $500. There was sl33 in
sured on the saw and gist MILL and S2l7 on the ma
ehinery and tools therein making $3.50, all in the
Vermont Mutual
This loss falls heavily on Mr.. Stoddard His mills
were II public accommodation and as he is a very
worthy man some aid from his neghbors and towns
men at this crisis would be in our Judgment very well
and properly bestowed.
NEEDLE WORK MADE EAsY.-When Hood sang his
touching "Song of the Shirt sewing machines had
not been invented. TWAS then Stitch stitch, STITCH
until the eyes were dim and the whole body weary
with fatigue The avails of weeks labor were hard
ly enough to keep body and soul together. The in
PRODUCTION of sewing machines has effected revolu-
ton in this department of female labor Shirts. the
most difficult of all sewing, are made with beauty,
THpdty and strength not dreamed of nv those vho In