Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-02-07
Fos a. Esscx Coai.ty Herald
Origin ofths Congregational Church,
Glildhall.

lished in one Of The papers of Lancas- F.
ter, giving an account Of the Congre-
gational Church in Guildhail. pre-
sumo the writer intended to give a
true history, but was ignorant ofmany
facts some Of those facts ! will give
in this paper, for the information Of
the present members of the Church,
and others who may be interested in
the early history of the town.
Captain Samuel Il. Hall, Of Croydon
n. H., had been for several years en-
ployed in surveying lands in Canada.
Being pleased with that section, he
made, as he supp sed, a purchase of
half Of township IN the year A. d.
1875. He sold his farm in Croydon
and made payment, in part, and soon
made arrangements for removing and
taking possession. He left Croydon
with his family in January, 1896, but
on arriving at Mr.. Moses Halls in
Maidstone, he was informed that
those, who had pretended to be, were
not the real owners, and that his title
vas worthless. Leaving his family at
Maidstone, he Went to Canada, hoping
to get back the money he had paid,
or 10 secure q valid title. But he fail
ed. Those who had defrauded lin
had fed to England, and the next
owners were not disposed to sell with
out part payment. This he could not
make, as he had reserved but o few
hundred dollars, with which to CON-
mence on new farm. He saw no
other way, but to remain where he
was, and put forth efforts to provide
for his numerous family. Three of
his daughters were grown to woman
hood, but his sons were younger, the
eldest being only II years of age,
and the oilers considerably younger.
He resoIutely made efforts to provide
for the necessities of his family, by
taking land on shares, and was highly
successful the first year in having a
good crop Of corn. The next year he
removed to the lower part Of Guild
hall and engaged in making brick. He
had found the moral state of society
such as to give him deep distress.
None we've professors of religion.
The Sabbath was spent in labor, hunt
ing or fishing. There were no re-
ligious meetings nearer than Lancas-
ter
Capt. Hall, Immediately invited his
ncighbors to meet together on the
Sabbath, and have public worship.
Only two or three families at first
complied. lie was good singer, and
found few others who could aid him
in singing He offered prayer, and
read the Bible and printed sermons.
These were the first religious meet
ings held i'll Guildhall and Maidstone.
The interest in them increased from
Sabbath to Sabbath, and very soon q
degree Of religious seriousness pre-
vailed which resulted in the hopeful
conversion Of number of heads of
families and others. Among these
were three Of his own daughters.
That revival was conspicuous in lead
ing as many males as females to
Christ. More than thirty gave evil
dence Of a saving change. Mr.. Hall
now felt that his disappointment and
loss of property was wisely overruled
for the religious benefit Of himself
and others. He made immediate ar
raugements for the organization of &
Congregational Church. Rev. Selden
Church, who had recently removed to
Northumberland, and Rev. Joseph vii
lard, pastor Of the Church in Lancas.
ter, N. H., assisted and organized sew
en- persons into Congregational
Church Of Christ. The following is
the first entry that appears on the
book Of Church Records:
"Guldhall, April /, 1899
The persons whose names were
written as subscribers to the within
Covenant, wego this day formed into
a church state, by the assistance OF
J Rev. Selden Church, Of Northumber
land, and Rev Joseph Willard of Ian
caster
Attest,
SELDEN CHURCH, ! ministers o.
JOSEPH WILLARD, ! the Gospel
In the Church at Guildhall, April
lst 1893, voted that Samuel II. Hall
be standing Moderator and Clerk in
this Church.
Attest,
SELDEN CuURcu."
He acted also as Deacon. HI
S bought farm and with his son bull
+ the house now occupied by Deacon