Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-06-02
GOV. HOLBR0OK'S
REC0LLECTIONS
OF the BrattlebOrO COngrega-
tiOnal Church

In Its Early Days---the building OF the
EdIfce on the Commemorative women
OF those Times---the Church as So
ciaI and Moral Force In the Conn
munIty.
THE substance of remarks made by ex-Gov.
Frederick HOlbrook at parish meeting ana
praise service held in the chapel Friday even
ing, May 49,
The remarkable unanimity and liberal
ity of the members of both sexes of our
| parish in subscribing to the fund required
for building a new parsonage, is most
cheering to us all, as demonstrating their
undivided loyalty to the interests and use
fulness of our old church and society, and
worthy supplement to the loyalty and de-
votion so ccnspiciously displayed by the
founders thereof, who gave so literally OF
their time, means and devout aspirations
And well it may be SO; for this old church
and society have been a power for good in
this community for long time past, and
there is abundant opportunity for continu-
ing in like good offices
At society meeting held in January,
1928, as years ago. Mrs. Sally Holbrook
offered to donate plot of ground of not
less than one acre, and within 100 rods of
the Westinghouse, for the purpose of
placing parsonage thereon. | make the
| following extract from the records of the
society
"lf this donation is accepted, 1t is to be
on the condition that it shall be for the
| 8 So . lahp
East society, forever. Provided neverthe-
less that it shall never be diverted in
use from the support of the free, indie
pendent Congregational order, in manner
and form as the parish is now organized,
and which may be considered as the true
apostolic order of churches and congrega-
tions, and which is that freedom of wor-
ship which our fathers suffered for, and
bled in establishing from the first founda-
tons of New England"
| can even now remember that when a
child of three years | was led to the new
Westinghouse at the time Of its dedica-
ton, and the old fugue music which was
sung on the occasion by the choir of over
40 or more members, in the circular choir
gallery which occupied the whole south
end of the house. A large congregation,
assembled from all the country for miles
around, crowded the edifice, and many re-
manned outside. A large assemblage OF
able bodied men, with willing hands,
gathered TO assist al raising the frame OF
the house. The timbers were large and
!, heavy, and the appliances for lifting them
, into place were few as compared with
modern facilities. The old-time "raisings, -
especially of meeting houses, were the oc.
, casions for the assembling of large mum
= bers of men, of stalwart arms and should
ers, to accomplish the work by main
strength.
, The original clock and bell were furnish
ed by private donation. Also the succeed
1 ing ones were individual gifts to the so
: ciety all except the present bell. The bel
for many of the earlier years Of the parish
was rung each evening at Q o'clock, thus
regulating the time of the household clock
Y of the village. The bell was tolled a
funerals, during the movement OF the pro
cession tothe cemetery. 1t was also tolleC
on the occurrence of deaths in the parish
: the age of the deceased being tolled off a
e the close. so that each listener, countil
i the strokes, might infer whose death haC
0 occurred, thus heralded.
, For many years after the formation o
. the Brattleboro East society and church
and the building of this meeting house
s the population embraced in the then cas-
n parish was small and scattered as compare,
: with that of the present east village. Their
u are 20 or more houses and business place
: in it now where there was one then.
e All the people who ever attended churcl
# at all, attended in this Westinghouse oil
y the common" so called. All the demon
e nations now here, with the exception o
o the Roman Catholic, were then representa-
= in the congregations there assembled. A
j. the village grew and these other denomi
nations became sufficient in numbers an,
: strength to organize and build for them
q selves, a nucleus was found for each in tn
i old parish to form each new one.
e The Rev. DR.. VIM. Wells was the frs
3 minister of the east parish A highly ed
y ucated Englishman, perfect gentleman
s of the old school, most interesting an
charming in personality, urbane, kindl
., and sympathetic, he was greatly esteeme
by all. All the boys in the town took OF
> their hats with respectful bows, and eac
i of the girls dropped pretty courtesy t
d him as he passed by, either riding or walk
ing, and he took special pains to retur
y their civilities. He was fond of cup O
g tea of an afternoon or evening when cal
: ing around in a social way upon hi
l. parishioners. The ladies were glad of
visit from him, and were soon ready wit
s