The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-13
Earl, Episcopal History in south
western Vermont.

Tradition has it, that when cmigrants at
Massachusetts and Connecticut they were
inquired of as to their religious proclivitics
and if they were Cougrcgatonalists, were
invited to stop in Benningtcn--if Baptsts
to move on to Shattsbury-if Episcopalians
to 20 still further on to Arlington, and if
of no religion to go back to Pownal. How
ever this may have been it is certain that
Arlington was settled in good part by
"Churchmen.
From that town its influence extended
into Manchester and to limited extent
into Sandgate. Prior To the Revolution
these Churchmen were mostly loyal to the
..o"n % u,e". D.l."in ana Ill consequence
suffered much persecution from the revo-
utionists, being fined and having their
property confiscated and in many instances
driven ont of the country.
Perhaps no more peaceable and worthy
cmigrants ever settled in Vermont than
these same Churchmen, but having been
trained in their daily prayers according to
the Episcopal ritual to pray for the health
and prosperity Of the King they were too
conscientious to take up arms against him.
Another nucleus of Episcopalianism was
in Pawlet and Wells. Many, if not ma
jOrity of the early settlers in Wells were
Churchmen. The more prominent and
numerous families were the Lewis Hop
sons, Goodrichs, Parks, Blossoms, and
Prays all of whom have descendants re-
naming in town In Pawlct there were
Smiths Browns, HOLSTERS, Tryons and Will
lard's and few others. Very few of these
families remain. Popular feeling ut this
early day was very strong against them, to
which quite generally they succumbcd.
Hostility against them was carried to the
extent of Wrestling from them by legislative
enactment the 'Church Glebc' so called,
of $50 acres in each town which was cx-
pressly reserved for the Church of Eng
land in the original charters. No more
just law can be passed by our Legislature,
N'Nl hi WIS iNAN way tis'li W icotOit tHtSt
Gcbc lots to the Episcopal Church. TO
be sure the Church has now the rents of
propagation lots" but tn was not origin
ally given to them.
These scattered churches were visited
from time to time by Rev. Bethel Chit
tender, Rev. Daniel Barber, Rev. Abraham
| I ~, ia
tenden as have heard him called over co
years was among the most Industrious and
panstaking itinerant through the State.
Rev. Daniel Barber was perhaps the
abest of the carl ministers but he is only
remembered AS II convert to Romanism.
His son Virgil II. Barber was one of the
most accomplished linguists ever raised in
the State. He was converted to Romanism
before his father, and in ls22, he went to
Rome where he was received in the bosom
of the Catholic priesthood, under the name
of Virgilius lIomerus Barberini. Prior to
this he was Principal of the Fairfield n. Y,
Academy.
Rev. DIR. Bronson was in the habit OF Wis
iting these scattered churches though he
was mainly occupied in Manchester.
lie was last here about 1892 The first
Bishop of Vermont was elected at n Con-
vention held in Pawlct in 1893, but he was
never consecratcd,
The church in Wells still retains its
standing, but the church in Pawlet is merged
with that in Granville n. Y. II.
Pawlet, Dee. IL, 1873.