Connecticut western news., 1885-08-19
"REMINISCENCES.
BY REV ROBERT HUNT.
Sharon and Vicinity.

last paper come now to my recollection, that bid adieu more reluc- tantly. Albert Denney and Edward Rugg, the Egglestons, Campbells, Dr Stillman and Dr Clarkson; and the mer- chants, Simmons & Co.,. Reed & Beech, and Benjamin Jones; and the lawyers, Simmonds, Sheldon and Smith; Douglas Clark and Orin Gilbert; the Lakes and Stockings and Kipp of North East Gen. tre; Milton Brown, Milo and Douglas Brown, and their father, Samuel Brown, and many others whose memories are very dear to me. -s
 feel that in dismissing Millerton and taking up Sharon, should be guilty of the sin of ingratitude if I did not make grateful mention of Webotuck lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Their gen. erous fayors to me as their chaplain, and their noble benevolence, wherever the voice of need was heard, greatly endear- ed them to me as fraternity. But the truest friends must part.
 Sharon, beautiful Sharonl is near at hand and awaits our coming a six miles easily accomplished. The church had asked for my appointment before conference, and I asked to be sent there, willing, of course, to go wherever sent, but I very much wanted to go to Sharon and I could not see why large, rich churches and star preachers could be gratified and Sharon and I dis regarded, and 80 L N. Bartram, Herman 0. Rowley and I pressed our claims up- on the dread appointing powers, and 8 few minutes before the close of the con- ference my name was put down for Sharon. I never entered upon my work more gladly and hopefully than on the Sharon charge. My predecessor, Rev Clark Eggleston, had greatly improved the church property and strengthened the confidence of our people in their ability to sustain the church. I found 8 strong, noble band of men and women, I. N. Bartram, Fitch Landon, Herman and Charles Rowley Ira Williams. Ezra Bartram, Hector Roberts, Nathan and Simeon Jewett, Merrils Mclean, Dwight Hotchkiss, William Gibbs, Lucas Whit ney, Brown, Hoag, George and John Swift, Orb Dedrick, Dean, Honor, Theodore Sheldon and many others, take them all together Sharon and Amenig Union was the strongest charge ever served.
 The village of Sharon is very charm ingly located. In almost every direc- ton the eye reposes upon beautiful scenery. am not surprised that strangers and city boarders are interest cd in the place and are making perma- nent investments there. But the orig inal inhabitants and not the summer visitors were crown of honor to the place when was stationed there. Lakes abounding with the usual variety of fish added much to the reputation of the place as one of interesting resort. took much of solid comfort and many solid fish from Nudge pond. I found very energetic and successful rival in George Bump, who usually took the most fish from the Lake in the same number of hours-coons and fish were in imminent peril wherever Bump cast his shadow. learned since the close of my pastorate at Sharon, that southern gentleman-of course of ques- tionable veracity relates this story :: That he was fishing with the writer on the Nudge, when big bass took his hook and went through all the evolu- tions of which that gamey fish is capa- ble-leaping out of the water, then plunging and struggling, sulking and swizzling, and finally getting away. In his excitement ct his misfortune he used some emphatic language, for which he instantly begged my pardon, and that I replied: "You are perfectly justified under the circumstances"
 Sharon had an air of dignity and fineness peculiar to itself. There were families that would receive recognition and distinction in any strata of social life or of civil affairs. John Cotton Smith was as widely known as any oth- CT citizen. He was remarkably fine presiding officer at conventions and pub lie meetings. At 6 democratic mass meet ing held on the fair grounds at Falls Village in 1869, I witnessed his rare apt itude and fitness for such position. His brother, Robert Smith, usually known as Dr Smith, was quite dissimi. lar to John. He was a gentleman oi superior mental and moral parts life. long invalid. never saw him in pub lie life but once-at bible meeting in the Methodist church he presided and read, sitting, an essay of great interest and beauty. William Terrett was ( young clergyman of much promise and popularity in his own country and among his own people. Dr Bullions o
 the Congregational church was man O
 eminent scholarship, good preacher
 and man of high moral sense. Sharor
 was favored in the medical profession
 The state could furnish no better doc
 tors than DemiRg, Knight, Shears anC Powers.
 While on this charge I passed througl
 severe course of typhoid fever an' came very near passing over "the river,
 and was delighted with the prospect c deliverance from body of disease an death, but when began to creep bac again into life the events of time seem