The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-03-29
BRADFORD, VERMONT, MARCH 20, 1895.

MIR. JenneSS was benevolent an
public spirited, and an impol
tant factor in the prosperity {
West Topsham.
CHURCHES.
There are two church edifice
at East Topsham, one at Yves
Topsham, and one at Waits Riv
er. In the early history of tn
town the prevailing denomina
tions were Presbyterians ant
Baptists. Religious meeting
were held at different private
dwellings until the building o
the town house in 1906, when i
was occupied by different demon
nations at East Topsham, unit
1927, when the Presbyterians,
Congregationalists and others
erected a good church edifice,
which is now owned by the Pres.
byterians. They were supplied
with preaching part of the time
by pastors from Ryegate includ-
ing Rev. William Gibson and
Rev. James Mi1ligan until about
1920 when the Reformed Presby-
terian church was organized,
Rev. VIM. Sloan pastor for nine
years. In 1853 the society called
Rev. N. r. Johnson, who remain
ed their pastor eleven years,
since which time they have had
occasional preaching. The male
members of this church do not
exercise the political rights of
citizens by voting or holding Of
flee under the United States gov
ernment, believing the character
of it's constitution infdel and
in not acknowledging
God as the author of government,
Christ as the King of Kings, and
the bible as the supreme law of
nations.
The Baptist church in West
Topshan was org anized in 1901
with six members, and Revs.
Blood and others
preached and the last settled pas
tor was Rev. N. w. Smith who
died in 1868.
The Free Will Baptist church
at West Topsham was organized
in 1916, Rev. Nathaniel Bowles
as first pastor. The Union church
edifce was built in 1928 and re-
paired in 1856 and is occasional
y occupied by that society.
The M. E. church at East
Topsham village was organized
oy Rev. Isaac McAnn and Rev.
). L. Hur1but, the latter being
he first settled pastor, after the
in 1876. Rev. Mr..
influence was very eff
;ient in this section The first
md present church edifice was
in 1877 at a cost of $1,000.
MILITARY.
The military record of Tops
lam is brief, but suggestive.
There are no definite records of
he soldiers of 1872, yet this in
,ident speaks volumes. "On the
we of the battle of Plattsburg,
capt. Jackman brought word to
ESQ. Jenness of West Topsham,
informing him that the battle
vas in progress, and that all the
,olunteers that could be raised in
would be greatly need
d. Jenness at once started for
Cast Topsham, notifying the in
labitants as he passed until
eaching Edmund Georges on
1alusha Hill, when at 3 o'clock
n the morning Jenness and
George took different routes
Trough the town, notifying
very able bodied man to meet at
he Town House as early as pos
ible. At sunrise it was found
hat fifty-three men had respond
d to the call and made their ap-
earance, fifty-two of whom vol
to march to the scene
f action, went to Jenness' and
ook refreshments and that night
ncamped at Montpelier. They
tarted in the morning and had
early reached Richmond (Chit-
enden county, when they met a
ian with hand bill who informed
1em that the battle had been
ought and the victory won.
In the late civil war Topsham ,
mt 164 men, 46 of whom either |
led in service or were killed in {
attle. At the close of the war {
lie town had credit for three G
en- more than its quota. There {
ere also 20 men who paid COM a
money. The town c
,unty paid volunteers was
40. 81, notable record of which a
lie old town may well be proud. J