Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-17
HISTORY OF COUNTY
TAKEN FROM VERMONT GAZATEER PUBLISHED In
The YEAR 1862

will lose nothing by a comparison
with scholars in the more favored
portions of the state. We are, it is
true, and always have been destitute
of an academy; but those in neigh
boring towns have been as largely
patronized as by any other section of
country so thiuly peopled.
The two accompanying original
specimens" from two young ladies
born and raised in CRANKY, written
impromptu, will speak for them
selves.
RELIGION.
Previous to 1906 nothing is known
Of the religious history of the town.
Capt. Timothy Fairchild, who
moved into CRANKY in 1906 and left
in 18l3(moved to GuildhalD, wrote
me just before his death:
"There was no organized religious
society in the town dur ng the time
that | resided there, bu, religious
meetings were held on the Sabbath
and very we'll attended. During
most or all of that time there was
no recognized leader; but they used
to sing, and some one would read a
sermon, and another would offer
prayers. They had preaching oc-
casionally by ministers from the
fneighboring towns and also by mis-
sionaries.
There was a revival of religion in
the town in 1Sl0-l1. What the
number was that finally made pro-
fession Of religion | do not know, as
there was no church organization il
the town. Some joined the church
in GuildhalI Congregational, AMI
some embraced Baptist sentiments.
| recolIect one couple, a man AM
Wife(Bugbee), over 70 years Of age
who were baptized by Immersion
During the cold seasons, which
lasted some five or six years com-
mencing about 1913, increasing to
1816,an then becoming less and less
severe, meetings for religious wor-
ship were held at Uncertain intervals;
but,a the population increased they
became more frequent and regular,
the people being assisted and en-
couraged by ministers from adjoin-
ing towns; and after Dea. Joel Bias
set moved into town, which YVES
about 1920, meetings were held every
Sabbath, the deacon taking the lead
if there was not minister present;
and as he was man of considerable
energy Of character and enjoyed
uniform good health, no matter how
incement the weather, the deacon
was sure to be at his post"
The Congregational church was
organized June 8, 1925, by Rev
Samuel R. Hall, then pastor of the
church in Concord, Vt. There were
but eight members, three males anC
five females. Joel BasSet was chosen
moderator, and officiated as deacon
having been previously chosen t.
that office in GuiIdhaII, Vt. He lef
town in 1885, and in 1886 Silas Bucl
was chosen clerk Of the church anC
officiated as deacon. Ashley Apple
ton was the first deacon chosen b,
vote of the church on June 30, 1913
Aug. 81, 1913, Ansel Hannum wa
chosen by the church second deacon
He died March /, 1850.
In 1886 Rev. James Tisdale wa
settled over the churches of Guild
hall and CRANKY for five years. Ate
his time was out Rev. Mr.. Smith, O
Guildhall, and Rev. Mr.. Duncan, o
Burke, we're hired a portion of tn
time.
And if there was not minister 0
any denomination, deacon m eetin,
were uniformly held, and a Saba th
school has been kept up always i
the summer since 1925, and for tn
last few years we have had one tn
year round.
Rev. John Wooster, the first set
tied minister of Cranky, was settle
in 1843 for five years, and installed
Aug. 9, of the same year. He wa
hired from year to year, after tn
first contract, until 1858, when h
was dismissed by an ecclesiastici
council from the pastoral care of tn
church.
Since that time Rev. Jeremia
Glines has been acting pastor, tn
church having been assisted ever
year since 1843 by the Home Mi.
sionary Society.
The Congregational meet g-hous
first in town was built in 1845
dedicated Jan. Is, 1916. The churc
has now, | believe, % members.
. Since my first acquaintance i
CRANKY, in the spling of 1925, Their
has been portion of the inhabitant
in favor Of Methodist principles, an
clergymen Of that denominatio
nave 1lOIH Clllle w Time preached !
town. In 1886 Elder Wells preache
regularly about half of the time
Elder Williams, of Lancaster, N. H
organized. a church in CRANKY tn
same year. At that time there We
no Methodist chul Oh in Victory, an
f some from the northerIy part of vi,
t tory united with the CRANKY church
, The members found themselves III
able to sustain preaching REGULAR,
and after few years the member
2 were transferred to the Lunenbure
S church. For several years past thel
q has been, for portion of the yes
= at least, Methodist preaching
town, and separate Sabbath scho