CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SMITHFIELD BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SMITHFIELD BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA by J. Kelsey Jones Records of the Congregational Church of Smithfield begin in 1801. The records that follow are from two sources: church history and membership in History of Bradford County by Rev. David Craft and births, baptisms, marriages and deaths contributed by R. D. Macafee. The following is from History of Bradford County by Rev. David Craft: The Pedobaptist Congregational church of East Smithfield was organized in Poultney, Vt., Feb. 11, 1801, by Rev. Elijah Norton and Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the celebrated colored preacher. The church then consisted of Solomon Morse, Samuel Kellogg, Esq., and Nathan Fellows. They chose Samuel Kellogg their moderator, and were commended to the grace of God. Their articles of faith were penned by Mr. Haynes. They immediately started for the "far west," arriving the same month in what is now East Smithfield. The first record of the church, dated May 16, 1801, is the record of the baptism of Jemima Almira, daughter of Solomon Morse, Rev. James Thomson officiating. The first business meeting was Aug. 16, 1801, when Sarah Kellogg and Jemima Morse were received into the church on profession of faith. In 1802, Rev. James Wood, under the Connecticut Congregational missionary society, preached the first sermon and administered the first communion to the church in a log school-house which stood near the foot of what is now called Mitchell s hill. The communion-table was a large plank, split from a log with a beetle and wedges and hewed with a broadax, the table-legs were sticks driven into auger-holes in the plank. The wine used was the unfermented juice of wild grapes tempered with water and maple-sugar. It was a season of great enjoyment to the little church. The next church meeting on record is dated May, 1803; then Anna Fellows was received by letter, and Rufus Baldwin on examination; and September 28, following, Thomas Barrows, Eunice Barrows, and Mary Needham were received on examination. No other record of a church meeting is found till October 7, 1807. At this meeting Ruth Pierce was received by letter, and the following record is made: "Agreed to set up a meeting every fourth week. Attest: Solomon Morse, moderator." This meeting was for public worship. April 17, 1808, Asahel Dutton was received on examination, and Zephaniah Ames, Diantha Ames, Elias Needham, and Mary Needham by letter. February 1, 1810, Lois Ames was received on examination, and April 27, following, Nehemiah and Lucy Tracy and Ebenezer Harkness. In 1811, Solomon Morse and Zephaniah Ames were elected deacons. The Luzerne association was founded in 1810, and the church, consisting then of 18 members, joined it in 1811. In 1811, a house [Footnote - This house cost about $300, and was completed after much effort. It is said Nehemiah Tracy sold his last cow to buy nails and glass for the windows. Mr. Tracy came from East Haddam, Connecticut, to East Smithfield, in 1805. A missionary on a journey stopped in Smithfield overnight, in 1809 or 1810, and preached in the widow Gerould s house, from the text, Jer. xxxi. 19. Among the few gathered at that service was Nehemiah Tracy, and he dated his conversion from that sermon.] of worship was erected on the ground where the present one stands, a small building, built at great sacrifice, and for twenty years it remained without regular seats. It was the first house of worship erected in this part of Pennsylvania. For years it was the only one in East Smithfield. It was free for the use of other denominations when not used by them selves. This continued to be the house of worship of the society till the year 1861, when the present one took its place. From 1814 to 1817, the church had its first regular pastor, Rev. John Bascom. Up to this time 44 members had been received, and no record had been made of death or removal. The church not being able to support its pastor, he was dismissed, and for a series of years the pulpit was irregularly supplied. In 1817, the Luzerne association took the name of the Susquehanna presbytery, and the Congregational churches entered into the "Plan of Union." In 1837, when this plan was abolished, the church of Smithfield continued to retain its Congregational form. From 1817 to 1831 the records of the church are defective. In 1831, Rev. William Franklin became pastor of the church, and continued until his death, in 1834. In 1835, Stephen Sargent supplied the pulpit a short time. In 1836, Rev. S.M. McClung was employed, and Rev. John Moule served in 1839. Rev. C.C. Cross was the preacher one-half of the time during 1838, and in 1840 one-fourth of the time; from January, 1841 to 1847, one-half the time; and from 1847 to 1869 the church employed his

entire time. In 1870, Rev. Cyrus Offer was employed about a year. March 11, 1871, Rev. J.H. Nason commenced preaching for the church, and continued to be its pastor till March 26, 1876. The following birth, baptism, marriage, and death records were originally contributed for publication by R. D. Macafee and submitted by Shirley Robbins of Rock Stream, New York to the Gemini Newsletter published by the Twin Tiers Genealogical Society beginning with the Summer 1988 issue. Spelling retained as provided by R. D. Macafee. Information in parenthesis added for clarification. Information in bold print added for family identification by the compiler J. Kelsey Jones and does not appear in the original. The compiler has also added the names of church members that appear in History of Bradford County by Rev. David Craft that were not part of the Macafee record. Ames, Joshua and Lois Chaffee 1 Feb 1810 received Lois Ames on examination 4 Mar 1810 baptized Rufus Esther Warren Lecty Lucy Abigail Luther Orren Lydia Robert Rose Simon sons and daus of Joshua and Louis (sic) Ames 10 Oct 1812 born Lois Ames dau of Joshua & Lois Ames 31 Oct 1812 died Lois Ames wife of Joshua Ames, aged 39 years 15 Aug 1813 baptized Lois Ames dau of Joshua and Lois Ames Ames, Zephaniah and Diantha Case 17 Apr 1808 received Zephaniah and Diantha Ames by letter 3 Mar 1810 baptized Orestus son of Zephaniah and Diantha Ames 31 Mar 1811 baptized Maria Ames dau of Zephaneah & Diantha Ames 1 Oct 1811 died Maria Ames dau of Zepaniah & Diantha Ames, in the sixteenth month of age 22 Aug 1812 baptized Aurela Ames dau of Zepeniah and Diantha Ames 10 Sept 1815 baptized Charles Ames presented by Zephaniah & Dianthea Ames Baldwin, Rufus May 1803 received Rufus Baldwin on examination Barber, Solomon and Cynthia Phelps 8 Nov 1812 baptized Abigal Minerva Barber dau of Solomon and Cynthia Barber 9 Jan 1815 baptized Amasa Mills Barber presented by Cynthia Barber Barns, Cezar 25 June 1803 died Cezar Barns Barrows, Thomas and Eunice Morse Sept 1803 received Thomas and Eunice Barrows on examination 8 Nov 1805 born Edwin Thomas Barrows 11 Feb 1807 baptized Thomas Barrows adult 11 Feb 1807 baptized Edwin Thomas son of Thomas and Eunice Barrows 13 Jul 1807 born Hiram Parker Barrows 10 Jan 1808 baptized Hiram Parker son of Thomas and Eunice Barrows 26 Mar 1809 born Amos Barrows 15 Oct 1809 baptized Amos son of Thomas & Eunice Barrows 20 Jan 1811 born Eunice Barrows dau of Thomas & Eunice Barras 31 Mar 1811 baptized Eunice Barrows dau of Thomas & Eunice Barrows 7 Apr 1813 born Lovinah Barrows dau of Thomas & Eunice Barrows 16 May 1813 baptized Lovina Barrows dau of Thomas and Eunice Barrows 28 May 1815 baptized Jerusha Barrows presented by Thomas & Eunice Barrows Bascom, John and Laura Woodbridge 25 Feb 1816 baptized Harriet Newel Bascom pd John & Laura Bascom Bassett, John and Clarissa Kellogg 22 Mar 1815 baptized John Wait Basset, Samuel Kellogg Basset, Charles Rogers Basset, Orville Pierce Basset, Sarah Ann Basset, Chauncy Basset presented by Clarisa Basset 16 June 1821 baptized Norman Austin Basset pd his mother Bird, Eliza see Ziba Gerould Bird, John and Mary M. Sumner

12 May 1814 married John Bird to Mary M Sumner by John Bascom, Minister Bird, Michael and Elizabeth Lewis 15 Aug 1813 baptized Eliza Abigal, Harry Louis and Laury Bird children of Michel & Betty Bird Cauch (perhaps this should be Couch) Aug 1802 died Cauch Coleman, Thomas and Saloma DeWolfe 8 Apr 1813 baptized Lauren Coleman presented by his father Crowell, Hezekiah and Mary Higgins 17 June 1821 baptized George Whitfield Higgins Crowel pd His Father Couch also see Cauch 2 Apr 1805 born Lucy Couch Dutton, Asahel and Lydia Moss 12 Oct 1801 born James Laislie Dutton Nov 1801 baptized James Frisbee son of Asel Dutton, presented by Lydia Dutton 15 Mar 1802 born Juleania Dutton 16 Mar 1802 died Juliania dutton dau of Lydia & Asael Dutton, Aged 30 ours 1 May 1803 born Abner Dutton 6 Nov 1803 baptized Asael Dutton presented by Lydia no date baptized James Frisbie Duton and Abner Dutton children of Lydia Dutton 22 Jun 1805 born Betsy Huldah Dutton 11 Feb 1807 baptized Betsy Hildah daughter of Asahel and Lydia Dutton 10 Jan 1808 baptized Asahel son of Asahel & Lydia Dutton 17 Apr 1808 received Asahel Dutton on examination 31 Mar 1811 baptized Sollomon Dutton son of Asahel & Lydia Dutton 26 Nov 1811 born Solomon Moss Dutton son of Asael and Lydia Dutton 11 Apr 1813 baptized Lydia Dutton dau Asahel & Lydia Dutton Jun 1818 baptized Alma dau of Asahel and Lydia Dutton Fellows, Nathan and Hannah Orvis 8 Apr 1803 died Hannah Margret Fellows dau of Nathan Fellows at Armenia aged 13 years May 1803 received Anna Fellows by letter 7 Apr 1813 died Hannah Fellows wife of Nathan Fellows, aged 61 years 11 months & 14 days Fletcher, Jabez G. and Naomi Pettibone 15 Aug 1813 baptized Jabiah David and John Pepttibone Fletcher children of Jabish G. & Naomi Fletcher 25 Feb 1816 baptized Naomi Charlotte Fletcher pd Naomi Fletcher 5 Sep 1819 baptized Saphira Almira Fletcher pd her Beleving Mother Ford, Jacob and Bathsheba Bates 13 June 1813 baptized Rockcellany Ford dau of Jacob & Barsheba Ford Ford, Noah and Abigail Beal 13 June 1813 baptized Horace, Levi, Noah, John & Amos Ford presented by their parents Noah & Nabby Ford 20 Feb 1814 baptized Nancy Ford presented by her parents Noah & Abby Ford Forest, Asa and Esther Ames 27 Feb 1820 baptized Charlott Forest pd her mother 17 June 1821 baptized Miamma Forest pd her mother Franklin, William and Elizabeth Dobbins 22 Apr 1832 baptized William Joseph pd his parents Rev. Wm & E. Franklin Gerould, Jabez and Demaris Bennett 12 Jun 1802 died Jabez Jerald Gerould, Ziba and Eliza Bird 25 Nov 1816 married Ziba Gerould to Eliza Bird Hacket, Eliza see Phelps Harkness, Ebenezer and Sarah 27 Apr 1810 received Ebenezer Harkness no date (entry between 20 May baptized Laura Harkness (Laura written over Lucy) presented by her father

1810 and 31 Mar 1811 25 Oct 1812 baptized Lydia Harkness dau of Ebenezer Harkness Harkness, James and Elizabeth Edson 19 Feb 1812 baptized James Packard, David, Betsey, Jacob Edson, Daniel, Isaac, Cloe Samson sons and daus of James & Betsy Harkness Harkness, John and Rachel McNall 19 Feb 1812 baptized Hiram and Chester Harkness sons of John & Rachel Harkness Harkness, William and Esther 19 Feb 1812 baptized Stephen and Eliza Harkness son & dau of William & Esther Harkness Hartman see Kingsley Hartman, William 14 Mar 1828 died William Hartman Kellogg, Samuel and Sarah Rogers 16 Aug 1801 received Sarah Kellogg on profession of faith no date baptized Elvira Kellogg dau of Saml & Sarah Kellogg 8 Aug 1807 died Sarah Kellogg wife of Samuel Kellogg, in the 49 th year of her age 18 Oct 1807 died Juliana Maria Collogg dau of Samuel Kellogg, aged 5 m ten day Kellogg, Timothy and Diana Aldrich 13 Apr 1828 baptized Orvil Kellogg Kingsley, Isaiah and Arathusa Fuller 6 Mar 1814 baptized Oren Porter son of Isaiah & Arethusa Kingsley 1816 baptized Abigail Kingsley pd Arethusa Kingsley 16 June 1821 baptized Anna Kingsley pd her parent Kingsley, Sloan and Almira Jane Hartman 14 Jun 1813 married Sloan Kingsley to Almira J Hartman, by John Bascom, Minister Morse, Solomon and Huldah Coleman 16 Mar 1811 died Amos Morse son of Solomon & Huldy Morse in the 27 th year of age Morse, Solomon and Fanny Bird 13 June 1813 baptized Betsy and Lorenzo Morse dau & son of Solomon & Fanny Morse Morse, Solomon and Mary Taylor June 1814 baptized Fanny Morse presented by Solomon Morse Jun. Feb 1816 baptized Alonzo Morse pd Solomon Morse jun Moss, Solomon and Jemima Parker 17 May 1801 baptized Jemima Almira, present by Solomon Moss no date baptized Jemima Almira Hartman pd Solo Jemima Moss 16 Aug 1801 received Jemima Morse on profession of faith 14 Jun 1813 married Sloan Kingsley to Almira J Hartman, by John Bascom, Minister Needham, Elias and Mary Stocking 28 Sept 1803 received Mary Needham on examination 17 Apr 1808 received Elias and Mary Needham by letter Needham, Elias Jr., and Elizabeth Gibbs 1804 born Daniel Needham 25 June 1813 baptized Priscilla, Daniel Parkman, Rachel, Elias Wells & Angelina children of Elias Needham Jun & Betsy Needham May 1814 baptized Sobrina Needham presented by Elias & Betsy Needham 24 Nov 1816 baptized Laura Bascom pr Betsey & Elias Needham Phelps, Jared and Eliza Hacket 7 Jul 1814 married Jared Phelps to Eliza Hacket Phelps, Jared and Rowena Fuller 23 Dec 1811 died Polley Phelp dau of Jerod and Rowena Phelps, aged 19 years Phelps, John and Phebe Smith 19 Feb 1815 baptized Jared, Mary & Alma Phelps presented by John & Phebe Phelps 31 Dec 1815 baptized John Milton Phelps presented by John & Phebe Phelps

16 June 1821 baptized Fanna Loisa Phelps pd her parent Pierce, Phineas and Ruth Rogers 7 Oct 1807 received Ruth Pierce by letter 21 Mar 1808 baptized Ruth & Harry Peirce dau and son of Phinehas & Ruth Peirce 1 Dec 1808 died Phineas Pierce aged 58 Sumner, Mary M. see Bird Tracy, James O. and Anna Watkins 12 May 1819 baptized Ufane dau of James O Tracy & Anny his wife 25 Aug 1822 baptized Nehemiah son of James O Tracy and Anny his wife 14 Jan 1828 baptized Ofrastus Tracey Tracy, Nehemiah and Lucy Olmstead 27 Apr 1810 Received Nehemiah and Lucy Tracy 20 May 1810 baptized James Olmsted, Oramel, Arobel, Bulkley, James Gorham, Benager Collins, Eligar Selden, Sally Lord presented by their parents Nehemiah & Lucy Tracy 15 Nov (no year) died Benager Collins son of Nehemiah & Lucy Tracy, aged 6 years 10 Dec (no year) died Nehemiah Tracy Tracy, Oramel and Cynthia Kellogg 22 Sep 1822 baptized Carraline Tracy pd her Parents June 1827 baptized Alonzo Tracy Tuttle, Isabel 20 Feb 1814 baptized Stephen son of Isabel Tuttle Watkins, Amos and Abigail Chaffee 25 Oct 1812 baptized Cerepta Lovisa Wadkins presented by her mother 13 June 1813 baptized Darius Peas Wadkins son of Amos & Abigail Wadkins Wilcox, Gordon and Wealthy Phelps June 1827 baptized Orsen Frances Wilkox Williams, Constant and Irena Fuller 15 Aug 1813 baptized William Townsend and Royal Williams children of Constant & Irena Williams May Irena Williams (no date but same writing as Nehemiah Tracy who died 10 Dec 1815 and her entry follows his so perhaps 1816 Wing, Samuel and Rhetta Chaffee 24 Mar 1814 baptized Sally, Joal, Orissee, Lorenze, Silas & Mary Wing children of Samuel and Pehety Wing History of Bradford County 1770-1878 The Reverend Mr. David Craft