Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice Orwell Churches History by V. C. Detty Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA

A HISTORY OF  THE CHURCHES OF ORWELL, PENNSYLVANIA (Congregational, Presbyterian, Methodist, Federated) 1803-1951 By Victor Charles Detty, Pastor Federated Church 1930-1943 Copyright, 1955 Printed in the United States of America Retyped & Submitted by Linda Selub Reprinted on this site 1999 with permission of Victor Charles Detty, Jr. This page is part of the Tri-County Genealogy & History Site by Joyce M. Tice No Unauthorized Commercial Use May Be Made of This Material

The photo of the old Orwell High School is from the collection of Marie Jacobs

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CHAPTER X

YEARS 1838 – 1874

The Board of Trustees met July 28, 1838 and elected Aaron Chubbock, president, and James Chubbuck, secretary. They sold a piece or neck of land off the north side of the parsonage lot to Hiram Knapp. Later (1844) they exchanged the parsonage lot with house for a lot and house owned by Kiram Knapp, more conveniently located.

Dr. Hiram Liscom Knapp, son of William, was born in Springfield N.Y., February 13, 1802, died October 18, 1864. Having studied medicine at Albany Medical College, he settled in Orwell in 1825 and built up an extended practice. On December 28, 1826, he married Elizabeth Haley Estabrook, who was born May 29, 1806 in Woodstock, Windham County, Conn., the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Estabrook, and died at Orwell in 1885. She was a faithful attendant at the Presbyterian Church. They had eleven children, ten of whom lived to be married, two of whom were physicians, listed in the Genealogical and Personal History ofNorthernPennsylvania (Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1913). Dr. Knapp died October 18, 1864. The names of children and other descendants follows.

1. Martha H. Knapp, born at Orwell June 23, 1828, died at Towanda in 1887, married August 15, 1849, Nathan Case Elsbree of Windham, who was born May 16, 1826 son of Joseph Elsbree, died in 1895. Their children were:

1. Llewellyn Elsbree, born July 15, 1850, died March 31, 1887, buried at Oak Hill, Towanda, Pa.; who married June 29, 1876, Phoebe I. Curtis, had two children: Anna, born July 22, 1877; and NathanCaseEllsbree, born March 10, 1879, died June 22, 1916. Miss Anna Elsbree lives at 110 North Quarry St., Ithaca, N.Y. Nathan C. Elsbree married December 20, 1906, Josephine Scates, had two children: Llewellyn, born September 27, 1980; and Thomas Nathanial, born December 1, 1910. Llewellyn married August 15, 1937 Adna LaRue Hansel (born June 15, 1912), and they have a daughter, Martha Jean Elsbree, born July 31, 1941. Thomas Nathaniel Elsbree married May 31, 1936 Mary Virginia Simmonds, born August 24, 1909, has two children: Judith Ann, born January 11, 1940; and Thomas Nathan, born July 15, 1946.
2. Hiram Elsbree, born in 1852, died in 1926, unmarried.
3. Mary Elizabeth Elsbree, born in 1854, died in 1947, married in 1877 Graham Bartlett, died leaving no children.
4. Maria Theresa Elsbree, born in 1856, died in 1929, married in 1896 Daran J. Kniffen, had a daughter Harriette, born in 1897, who married Alfred Prince, lives at 310 North Fullerton St., Montclair, N.J.
5. Martha Julia Ann Elsbree, born March 19, 1860, died in 1945, married Joe P. Kirby in 1888. A daughter, Martha Ione Kirby, born April 2, 1889, lives at 2149 Central Ave., Alameda, Calif.

1. A son, born in 1830, died in infancy.
2. Theresa Knapp, brn May 23, 1831, married Manson Ellsbree, had a son Frederick Ellsbree.

 

 
 




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3. Alswitha Knapp, born in August 6, 1833, married Dr. William Lawson Frisbie of Potterville, Pa. A daughter, Armenia (Minnie) married William Garrington, died soon after. A son of Dr. William Lawson Frisbie and Alswitha Knapp, named Zebulon Frisbie, became a physician, and lived in Elkland, Pa., married Katherine Rose Knapp, had a daughter, Norman, who died in 1948. Both Dr. & Mrs. Zebulon Frisbie are deceased.
4. Dr. Hiram L. Knapp, Jr., born November 11, 1836, at Orwell, died November 17, 1883. He married Hannah Catherine Kuykendall, daughter of Peter and Deborah (Van Duesen) Kuykendal of Windham, Pa., Hannah being a sister of Huldah Jane (Mrs. George C. Frisbie), who was the mother of William K. Frisbie of Orwell. Dr. Hiram and Catherine Kuykendal Knapp had three children:— (1) Dr. Hiram L., III; (2) Catherine Rose; and (3) Frederick Frisbie Knapp.

1. Dr. Hiram L. Knapp, III, lives at Newark Valley, N.Y., has four sons and two daughters. Two of the sons are doctors of medicine, one is a veterinarian, and the other a dentist.
2. Catherine Ross Knapp married Dr. H. Z. Frisbie, late of Elkland, and their daughter, Mrs. Norman Williams, was the wife of Attorney Roger Williams (deceased), and after teaching school, a number of years at Painted Post, N.Y., and Elkland, died in 1948.
3. Dr. Frederick Frisbie Knapp studied at Tioga Center and Newark Valley N.Y., and Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, Towanda, Pa., and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the degree of D.D.S. in 1896. He married Carrie (Bulkley) Dorrance of Elkland in 1902, is deceased.

1. Elizabeth H. Knapp, born July 8, 1839, married a Mr. Taylor, and had a son Warren. With this son, Mrs. Taylor went west several years before 1886 to Lyman, Washington. Warren died in December, 1934. Mrs. Taylor married Samuel Tingley, and they lived at Lyman, having five children: — May (deceased), Ben, Henry, Martha (deceased), and Lilly Tingley.
2. Armenia Knapp (Minnie), born March 20, 1841, married Dr. Benjamin Babcock, had a son Benjamin, and a daughter, Armenia, who married Harry Van Guilder, having a son Ben Van Guilder, now of Sayre, Pa., who married a daughter of Walter Stevens and has three children. Armenia (Minnie) Knapp Babcock married second, Charles H. Crandal, Esq., and had a son Rowland Crandal, born April 5, 1874, who married October 10, 1900, Miss Evangeline Porter. Mr. And Mrs. Rowland Crandal had five children: —

1. Charles Porter Crandal, born in Wyalusing, Pa., September 29, 1901; was killed in an accident when about 20 years old.
2. Jennie Maureen, born in Stevensville, Pa., March 21, 1905, and married in November, 1927, Rees Jones, to whom were born 3 children: Thomas Rowland Jones, February 5, 1929; Julie Jones, born October 23, 1931; and Sabra Jones, born October 15, 1936, on Welch Hill, Susquehanna County, Pa.

 

 
 




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3. Hala Electra Crandal, born in Stevensville, Pa., July 15, 1906, married in May 1939, George Powell. To them were born: Rowland Bosworth Powell, December 18, 1939; Alice E. Powell, April 9, 1941; and Elsie Kate Powell, September 22, 1945.
4. Sabtra Armenia Crandal, born November 4, 1912, died in infancy.
5. Sarah Amelia, born April 21, 1919 in Stevensville, married Dean Hoyt of New Albany, Pa., and they have two children: Edwin Crandal Hoyt, May 19, 1946; Frederick E. Hoyt, born November 29, 1947. (Names and dates of family of Armenia Knapp were furnished by Mrs. Evangeline (Porter) Crandal Stevens, of Stevensville, Pa.)

1. Achilles Knapp, born March 8, 1843, married Zella, a daughter of Albert Conklin, Sr., had one son, named after N. C. Ellsbree’s son, Hiram Llewellan; and three daughters: Fairy (died young), Josephine, Mrs. June Knapp Colley, and Margaret Knapp.
2. Dr. Capella Brutus Knapp, born at Orwell, May 6, 1845, died March 9, 1896 at Hamilton, Wash., graduated from Hobart Medical College, practiced first at Stevensville, Pa., where he married April 5, 1877, Susan Bosworth Crandal, daughter of Dr. Edward and Electra Crandal, had five children born in Stevensville, one in Hamilton, Wash. Mrs. Susan Knapp was a school teacher before her marriage, and taught also in Washington State. Dr. Capella B. Knapp was known as "Pol." He studied at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. He and his wife had six children:

1. Edward Volney, Knapp, born March 28, 1878
2. Hadassah Lorette Knap, born September 29, 1880
3. Mary Elizabeth Knapp, born May 29, 1882
4. Charles Frederick Knapp, born July 20k 1884
5. Elsie Kate Knapp, born February 3, 1886
6. James Russell Dutton Knapp, born June 23, 1888.

1. Dr. Edward Volney Knapp, graduated from Leland Stanford University Medical School, married Miss Ethel O’Connor (nurse) at San Francisco, Cal. They have four children:

1. Thomas Crandall Knapp, born January 9, 1915;
2. Elizabeth Marie Knapp, born May 15, 1917, is a secretary in San Francisco, Cal.
3. William Gregory Knapp, born October 16, 1918, is in nursery business with his brother Thomas in San Anselmo, Calif.
4. John Griffin Knapp, born December 22, 1921, lives at San Anselmo, with P. O. Box 192. The boys of this family were in service in War II.

1. Hadassah Lorette Knapp married Dionis George Reinig November 20, 1910 at Seattle, Wash., is a graduate of Aberdeen General Hospital School of Nursing, lives at Snoqualmie, Wash. They have three children: —

1. Margarette Schafer Reinig, born May 28, 1914, graduated from Washington State College, married March 16, 1947, Keith Paul Jones. They have a farm at Grandview, Rt. 1, Washington.

 

 
 




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2. Leslie Elizabeth Reinig, born August 20, 1915, graduated from the University of Washington, is associate editor of weekly newspaper, address — Snoqualmie, Wash.
3. Edward Dionis Reinig, born November 8, 1916, served as ordinance captain during the war, is an automobile dealer in Bismarck, N. Dakota where his address is 609 Avenue B.

1. Mary Elizabeth Knapp married Col. Alfred E. Brandt, U. S. Army Infantry at Niabrara, Nebraska. Their children are:

1. Brig. Gen. Carl Amandas Brandt, graduate of U. S. Military Academy, is chief of requirements for air corps. He was born January 9, 1905, is not married, lives at Unlbrook, Falls Church, Va., with his mother, a widow.
2. Susan Bosworth Brandt, born March 18, 1907, married Col. Haydon Young Grubbs, of the field artillery, is now stationed in Japan, (1949).
3. Alfred Frederick Brandt, born October 4, 1910, is employed by the U. S. Army in Japan.

1. Charles Frederick Knapp died November 2, 1918 at Portland, Oregon.
2. Elsie Kate Knapp died June 12, 1887, a little more than a year old.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. Dr. James Russell Dutton Knapp graduated from North Pacific Dental College at Portland, Oregon, married Leota Sorrell of Soap Lake, Wash., and lives at 8 North Lombard St., Portland, Oregon, has no children.

1. Melancthan L. Knapp, born June 29, 1847, son of Dr. Hiram L. Knapp and his wife Elizabeth Estabrook, was a farmer, the father of Bessie, (who married William Cooper and died in 1948 in Binghamton, N.Y., a member of the Orwell Methodist Church), and of John, Danville, Pa.
2. Josephine Knapp, born December 8, 1849, married Preceptor F. Ellsworth, had three daughters: Ruth, Mahala and Clara, the last unmarried.

1. Ruth married Lee Johnson (deceased), lives at 155 Leroy St., Binghamton, N.Y., has two sons: Leroy of White Plains, N.Y., and Noll Johnson of Binghamton.
2. Mahala married Walter Finch, lives at Rt. 3, Nichols, N.Y., is the mother of Josephine, who married Mr. Francis Cook and lives at Nichols, N.Y.

It was resolved, December 1, 1838, to purchase a parsonage — the one in which the preacher, Rev. George Evans, then resided. This committee was appointed to do this: Joseph Towner, Thomas Vought, and Harry L. Parks. The house and lot belonged to Hollis S. Chubbock. Subscriptions, payable by January 1, 1839, were made as follows:

Ministers listed for the decade of 1840 – 1850 were: E. Smith, A. K. Fowler, David Torrey, A. Benjamin, D. Terry, P. Blackman, Morgan Ruger, N. S. DeWitt, S. B. Yarrington, T. R. Tuck, and J. W. Davidson.

1. Rev. Erastus Smith, born in New York State, was converted in 1826. He married October 14, 1834, Miss Clarissa Landon, who died in 1889. They had ten children, two being ministers in the West and two being evangelists in the East. He served Orwell in 1839 and 1840, and 17 other charges. He died in 1885, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. F. C. Hathaway, at Norwich, N.Y.
2. Rev. David Torrey who preached at Orwell in 1840 and 1841 was born about 1800, died September 30, 1847. Burial was at West Side Association Cemetery, Brooklyn, Pa.
3. Rev. D. Terry was a member of Genesee Conference for over forty years. He served at Orwell 1842. His son Rev. Seward A. Terry, born March 15 1855 at Pavilion, Genesee County, N.Y. served at Barton, Lockwood, Davenport Center and Sidney Center up to 1903.
4. Rev. Morgan Ruger, born in 1805 in Montgomery County, N.Y., became a Methodist member at the age of 20, was given an exhorter’s license in 1826, local preacher’s license in 1828, was received on trial in Oneida Conference in 1829, into full connection in 1831, was ordained deacon by Bishop Soule, received elder’s orders in 1834 from Bishop Hedding, served at Orwell 1844 and 1845. He died of apoplexy October 1, 1851, with burial at North Fenton, N.Y.
5. Rev. Noah Shaw DeWitt, born in Chenango, N.Y. in 1818, died suddenly June 2, 1886 at Caroline, N.Y. He was preacher at Orwell 1846 and 1847. He was married four times, three wives being sisters by name of Peck. He was pastor at LeRaysville in 1844, at Rome, Pa. 1883 – 1885.

 

 
 




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6. Rev. Levi Pitts, minister at Orwell 1847, was born in 1807 at Middlefield, N.Y. the son of a Universalist preacher, could not accept his doctrine and was converted at Sugar Creek, Bradford County, Pa., became class leader, exhorter, preacher, served from 1839 till 1875, lived as superannuated till his death, 1889, burial being at Glenwood Cemetery, Binghamton.

The lot (valued at $100) was located near the Rome burying ground and the church was to be "free for all who may desire it for funeral occasions." The size of the building was to be "35 x 45 feet on the ground, with the gallery something similar in workmanship to the Presbyterian house in Rome."

Subscribers signed as follows:
 

The plan of the church building included the following specifications: "size on the ground thirty-five by forty-five feet, with three feet wall under the sills, one foot of the same below the surface; main posts twenty feet long, first steeple posts sixteen feet long and second ten feet long; first deck floored with narrow stuff, second roofed with shingles, each with plain balistrades and low spires at each corner [and] otherwise enclosed similar to the Presbyterian house in said town. The room for worship thirty-five feet square, to be furnished with slisimilar to the above named house. Doors, desk and altar in front and; gallery on two sides and back end, furnished similar to the above named house. Sixteen windows, twenty-four lights, eight by ten glass; six of the frames to be single box. Entry in front end of said house ten by thirty-five feet including gallery stairs at each end. Over said entry a room ten by twenty-five to be finished plain with one seat in the outside. The plastering all to be done before the first of November next, first coat gray and second white lime. All to be done in a plain and workman-like manner and painted similar to the above mentioned house and all finished by the first of January 1850." The contract was signed and completed by Geo. W. Eastman, who presented the building to the trustees at a meeting held at the church February 15, 1850. (Minutes Trustees Orwell M. E. Society). Rev. P. Bartlett was the preacher in charge at the time, who nominated Hiram Mann, trustee, who was elected in place of Robert McKee, deceased.

In 1850 the people on Orwell Hill passed a subscription paper for repairing the church on the hill.

Copy of subscription for M. E. Church on Orwell Hill, 1850:

"We the undersigned feeling the necessity and importance of the repairing of the Meeting House belonging to the M. E. Church on Orwell Hill do agree to pay the sum set opposite to our respective names to Morris Woodruff, James Chubbuck and Robert Nelson, committee appointed by the M. E. Church for the above purpose to be due when the work is completed — provided that a sufficient sum shall be raised in their judgment to accomplish the work."
 

The house was finished by Daniel Dimmick, builder, and accepted by the trustees January 25, 1851; dedicated February 12, 1851.

Daniel Dimmick, known as Dan’l, invented, made and marketed one of the first folding ironing-boards. Mrs. Ella Cowles, wife of J. Perry Cowles, bought one, used it many years and gave it to her daughter, Mrs. Genevieve Cowles Smith, who used it thirty more years, and then sold it in as good condition as new. It was instantly adjustable to several different heights.

Among the foregoing members was W. J. Chubbuck at whose death the following obituary appeared:

The Hutchinson, Kansas, Daily News gave the following account of the death of W. J. Chubbuck, a native of Orwell township, Bradford County, who achieved success in the West:

"W. J. Chubbuck, for nearly twenty years treasurer of the Central Mercantile Co., and one of the heavy stockholders of this wholesale grocery company since its organization in 1898, died Saturday evening, June 3, 1917, at Quincy, Ill., after four month’s illness.

"The remains were brought to the home in Hutchinson accompanied by his widow, and Clarence Payne, a member of the firm, who were with him when he passed away.

"The death of Mr. Chubbuck removes from Hutchinson’s business circles a man who was highly esteemed, a business man of the highest integrity careful, conservative, and successful, a man who stood ever for the highest ideals of citizenship, and a staunch supporter of all movements for the benefit of the community.

"Willis James Chubbuck was sixty years of age, having been born Feb. 6, 1857 at Orwell, Pa., son of Carlos and Malantha (Woodruff) Chubbuck, his mother being a daughter of Morris Woodruff. . He was raised to young manhood there, being a small boy in Pennsylvania during the stirring Civil War Days. In 1877, at the age of 20, he came west, locating in Nebraska, first locating at Fremont and then at Pawnee City, and he was married New Years Day, 1879 at Pawnee City, Neb., to Miss Mary Cummins, who survives him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Chubbuck moved to Kansas in 1884, locating at Anthony, where he engaged in the hardware business. Two years later they located in Wichita county, then enjoying a boom, and Mr. Chubbuck engaged in the hardware business at Leoti. He became one of the most prominent men of that new county and was elected a representative to the state legislature the first from that district.

"He represented Wichita county in the legislature in the term of 1891 to 1893 in the stirring days of the rump legislature when the regularly elected Republican house, locked out of the state house by the rump house, forced an entrance by breaking down the state house door, Mr. Chubbuck was one of the front rank and helped break the door down. He had been chosen as a leader, as he was one of the tallest and largest men in the house. In that hour of opportunity, a historic day in Kansas, Mr. Chubbuck was courageous and ready to make a sacrifice for principle and law enforcement."
 
 

The minister listed as serving the Orwell charge in 1851 was the Rev. Vincent Matthews Coryell who had the distinction of having built the first Methodist church in Syracuse. An account of this distinguished divine is taken from the history of Tioga County, N.Y., Our County and Its People, published in 1897, gives the following sketch of Mr. Coryell:

"The Rev. Vincent MatthewCoryell, was born in Nichols, June 28, 1800. His natural endowments and gift were of a high order. An imposing physique, a fine voice for public address, and a strong mental sagacity and keenness combining, constituted him a person for distinction in any calling. The illness and death of his wife changed him from skepticism to a Christian believer and later brought him into the ministry. His call to preach was at first resisted but finally heartily responded to. He united with the Methodist church, received his license to preach from John Griffin in 1825, and began the work of an itinerant on the Tioga circuit. In 1828 he was received on trial in the Genesee (Pa.) circuit. We trace his itinerant career from Canaan to Bridgewater, Wyoming, Scipio, Marcellus, Watertown, Syracuse, Rome, Cazenovia, Skaneateles, Cooperstown, Norwich, Waverly.

"In 1843 – 46 he was presiding elder of Oswego district. He was pastor in Syracuse twice. His ministerial life covered more than 60 years and the number of conversions under his ministry was about 3000. Twelve of his converts became ministers and four doctors of divinity. As a minister, Mr. Coryell possessed more than ordinary mental grasp and intellectual preparation.

"The Rev. Mr. Coryell, died in Waverly on November 5, 1889. The body was buried in the cemetery adjoining the old Asbury Church about two miles west of Nichols. His pastoral record is, as follows: 1828, Canaan; 1829, Bridgewater; 1830 Wyoming; 1831, Scipio; 1832, Marcellus; 1833, Watertown; 1833 – 35, Syracuse; 1836, Rome, N.Y.; 1837, Cazenovia; 1838 – 39, Skaneateles; 1840, Cooperstown; 1841 – 42, Norwich; 1843 – 46, Presiding Elder Owego circuit; 1847 – 48, Candor; 1849 – 50, Barton; 1851, Orwell; 1856 – 89, Superannuated."

He was a relative of Henry Coryell, a nephew of Mrs. J. E. Hamilton, who joined the North Orwell Church in 1904, living with the parents of Mrs. Stanley Green (nee Elizabeth Hamilton). Henry married Bessie Cass, and they are now living at Manlius, N.Y. Henry and Bessie C. Coryell have two daughters: Catherine, wife of Kenneth Goodfellow; and Charlotte; wife of John Hilke.

Other ministers serving the decade from 1850 to 1860 were:

R. Valkenburg, W. Sillsbee, C. Perkins, E. E. Taylor, W. B. Kinney and E. F. Roberts.

Rev. Corrington E. Taylor, was born in 1918 [sic] on Taylor Hill, Rome township, Bradford County, Pa., and died at Whitney Point, N.Y. April 23, 1888. He was converted in early life and in due time entered the ministry, joining the Oneida Conference in 1842, and becoming a member of Wyoming Conference at its organization in 1852. He wrote an article describing pioneer settlement conditions on Taylor Hill, and this is printed in the author’s History of the Presbyterian Church of Rome, Pa., 1844 – 1942. Mr. Taylor served Pike, Skinner’s Eddy, Abingdon, Salem, Northunberland [sic], Hawley, Beach Pond, Orwell (1856), Windham, Barton, Castle Creek, Little Meadows, Whitney Point, and Chenango, N.Y.

Rev. William B. Kinney was born in Caroline, Tompkins County, N.Y., April 17, 1828, died in Binghamton, December 20, 1891. Converted at 15, he soon afterward felt called to the ministry. He joined the Conference in 1853. He served in the U. S. Army five months till January 1865, being commissioned second lieutenant, Co. I, 179 Regt., N.Y.V. He married in 1849 Lucy Maria Richardson, had two children. He was buried at Candor, N.Y. He preached at Orwell in 1858 and at 18 other places till 1885, when he took the superannuated relation.

Rev. Eli Fuller Roberts was born near Honesdale, March 26, 1826, died at his home in Meshoppen, Pa., January 21, 1882. "He lost his father at ten years of age, and, with the exception of two years his uncle gave him shelter, he was compelled to push his way through life single handed. He was led to Christ in his twenty-first year. In 1850, with only an exhorter’s license, he was appointed by Rev. D. A. Shepard to Abington as junior preacher. At the close of his first year’s work, the charged was divided, and he became the preacher in charge of the half which was set off and called Newton.

"In 1852 he joined Wyoming Conference on trial serving faithfully his various charges until 1862. While on the Candor charge he enlisted and organized Company H of the 137^th Regiment of New York Volunteers, and served them as their captain until promoted to the chaplaincy of the regiment. He was in nineteen battles and always at the post of duty. He was with Hooker fighting above the clouds; and with Sherman in his ‘march to the sea’ ." He married in 1849 Miss Catherine DeWitt of Brooklyn, Pa., and had a son and a daughter. He served Rome, Pa., in 1857, Orwell in 1859, LeRaysville, 1860, and eleven other charges.

In 1855 the trustees entered into a contract with James Chubbuck by which the latter built a wooden fence in front of the parsonage and church at $1.50 per rod.

In 1856 a contract was let to Daniel Dimmick for a new parsonage in front of the old one, salvaged lumber and glass from which were used in the building of the new house at a cost of about $345, part of which was borrowed from the circuit stewards who had funds from a donation by Nathanial Chubbuck

A lien for $96.67 was ordered March 14, 1857 to be filed in the prothonotary’s office against the real estate as security. This was confirmed by the Society January 8, 1859.

In May 1858, F. A. Dimmick and H. L. Parks resigned as trustees for "the purpose that two trustees might be elected to look after the interest of the new church about to be erected in South Warren near the Widow Buffington’s." The Reverend Wm. B. Kinney nominated Samuel Chaffee and Benedict Arnold who were confirmed by the board.

A singing school was held in the church previous to April 9, 1860 and donated $17.70 to the trustees as funds raised by a singing school concert. The church was painted and provided with blinds as the result of taking subscriptions amounting to $152.20 and a c lass meeting collection of $4.13 – a total of $156.33. Repairs to the parsonage to the amount of $37.85 were made in 1861.

In 1863 it was reported to the Orwell Society that the Rome M. E. Circuit had been duly organized with a charter from the County Court and now requested the transfer of the Rome Church property to the Rome Trustees. Whereupon the Orwell Society ordered the transfer.

The Orwell Society in 1865 ordered paid $3 to H. Knapp for surveying and deed for church and parsonage lot from the land office. Trustees elected were: Jacob, James, L. S. and O. J. Chubbuck, Morris Woodruff, R. Nelson, S. Chaffee, B. Arnold and Jarvis Buttles. They ordered an addition and repairs to the parsonage in 1867 which cost $281.89, of which all but $71.42 was raised by subscriptions. The trustees borrowed the amount needed. This was paid off in 1867 and the parsonage painted at a cost of $48.15 by Daniel Dimmick and James Chubbuck.

Ministers serving the Orwell charge during the decade beginning in 1860 were: —

W. B. Thomas, G. R. Hair, S. G. Stevens and A. W. Loomis.

Rev . Walter B. Thomas was born in Ewhurst Green, Sussex County, England, December 31, 1819, died in Carbondale, Pa., May 13, 1897. His parents being Methodists, he preached his first sermon at 17 years of age. He joined Wyoming Conference in 1853, and married Miss Abigail Caroline Turner, of Silver Lake, Pa., who died in 1884, when they lived at Athens, Pa. Their son, A. P. Thomas was a teacher in Carbondale. Rev. Walter B. Thomas served at Montrose, Berkshire, N.Y., Vestal, Athens, Nichols, Orwell, Gibson, Lisle and Whitney Point, Castle Creek, Windsor, North New Berlin, Middlefield, Bainbridge, Morris, Westville, Exeter and Broome.

Rev. Walter B. Thomas, when a retired Methodist minister living in Athens, Pa., supplied the pulpit of Presbyterian church one winter when they were without a pastor. He was held in esteem as a devout Christian. His son, Arthur P., was highly educated in music. While living in Athens, he married Miss Hattie Matthews of Potterville, Pa., who belonged to a prominent family and she was noted not only for her attractive face but also noble Christian character. She died about two years into marriage. After that Mr. Thomas moved to Carbondale to accept work in the line of music.

Rev. Samuel G. Stevens, born February 29, 1824 (had a birthday only once in four years) in Chester, Orange County, N.Y. Converted at 18, he felt called to preach the next year. He studied at Pennington Seminary, taught school, did some supply preaching, continued his studies, became a local preacher, and joined the New York Conference in 1847, Wyoming Conference in 1854, in which he served: Thompson Mission, Lanesboro, Maine, Liberty, Pa., Spencer, Flemingville, Orwell (1864 – 1865) and Tallmansville, retiring in 1876.

Rev. Abraham W. Loomis, born August 12, 1824, at Round Lake, N.Y., died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clara Drummond, Cortland, N.Y., in 1901. When he was about 12 years of age his family moved to Windham, Pa., where he spent his early years. At 22 he married Miss Elizabeth Ward, who died in 1886. They had 8 children. He united with the Conference in 1853 and retired in 1892, and lived a while with his son, Albert E. in Brooklyn, N.Y. He served Rome, Pa., Van Ettenville, Tioga, N.Y., Harpursville, South Danby, Maine, Orwell (1866 – 1867) and 11 other places. His photograph is reproduced in Chaffee’s History of Wyoming Conference, page 209.

Rev. Aaron C. Sperry, born in 1821 in Alford, Mass., died at Whitney Point, N.Y. in 1894. Converted when quite a young man, he early felt called to the ministry and studied at Cooperstown Academy and Cazenovia Seminary. He became a member of Oneida Conference in 1849, and married Miss Abigail Culver of Ames, N.Y., and a son, Almiron M., became a lawyer in Binghamton. Among the charges served were: Ames, Berkshire, Vestal, Conklin, Maine, Lisle, all in New York; Little Meadows, Rome, Orwell (1868), Harford and South Gibson, West Nicholson, of Pennsylvania and ten others.
 
 

From The Child’s World, a magazine published in May, 1866, is taken the following:

Uncle Miner is one of our model Sunday School Superintendents in Bradford County, Pa. Seven years ago he began the good work in what will be hereafter known as Minersville. He is a great favorite among the children. The parents also look up to him as their teacher, a man "mighty in the Scriptures." His scholars come by families. The houses are closed when the hour for Sunday School arrives while children and parents, babes, grandparents and all go to Sunday School. Having no other place, they have been accustomed to meet in a schoolhouse. In the summer it proved too small to accommodate all who desired to attend. They were compelled to remove to a little island grove nearby which is literally covered with seats and all the seats were occupied every pleasant Sabbath. A few Sabbaths since I had the pleasure of visiting this school. My missionary pony, Pomp, brought me promptly to the place a half hour before the time of meeting. I found Uncle Miner in the schoolhouse which was full of children asking and answering questions upon the Bible. They at once proceeded to the Grove where a full half hour was occupied in asking not less than one hundred questions on the Old Testament all of which were answered by the scholars in concert.

Next followed the missionary’s address in which he showed first how it was that their Sunday School had secured for them the knowledge of a church invisible and secondly, pointed out what they should now do to secure a church visible.

After the address Uncle Miner appointed a meeting for the purpose of taking measures to exchange the grove for a house of worship.

Before leaving the next morning I was told that seven hundred dollars had been subscribed and a fine lot given for the new church building which is to be occupied by a church visible from materials in Uncle Miner’s School. (In pencil is written — R. C. Crittendon — evidently the autor [sic] and known to Rev. Sherman A. Chubbuck of Orwell, among whose papers it was found by his daughter-in-law, Lillie Chubbuck). He was also well known to F. I. Chaplin.
 
 

Mrs. Stanley G. Green of Orwell writes as follows:

Edward B. Miner came to North Orwell from New York City after the death of his wife and two sons from some epidemic, possibly cholera.

He was a shoemaker by trade but after machines were used, didn’t have so much work. I think he may have made some shoes out here. I had some shoe bindings he had on hand at his death.

Uncle Horace Russell gave him a lot on which he built a small house where Stanley Wood now lives. Incidentally, the church lot came from the same source.

Uncle Miner was a lover of flowers and the front yard was full of them, mostly perennials, many of which are still alive. He died at the home of Uncle Horace and Aunt Polly Russell where he spent the last year or so when unable to care for himself. He, when able, kept house and did his own cooking. I’ve heard my mother tell about his asking some of the women (possible his S. S. class) for the afternoon and serving a good lunch, and that his house always looked well.

I can remember him though I was only 6 years old at the time of his death. He was a great lover of children and wanted to see them enjoy themselves. I think I’ve heard he was a relative of J. E. Hine, whose wife was a sister of John Phillips.

The money for the monument was raised at one of the first big S. S. Picnics of North Orwell." (The reference is to an upstanding monument in memory of E. B. Miner dominating the little cemetery.)

The old school house was then up beyond the little cemetery on the other side of the road, across the creek on the farm where I was born, and lived most of my life.

Uncle Miner made out his own questions. There were no Sunday School supplies. I found some of them and some of his books when I lived in Uncle Horace Russell’s house, the first few years after my marriage (to Albert Smith in 1908). We sold the farm to T. H. Fox. Mrs. Fox still lives there. North Orwell was settled by three Russell families, those of Roswell, Austin and Hezekiah, brothers of Dan Russell, first settler in Orwell Township.

The following inscriptions were found in the little cemetery mentioned above: —

SIBLEY, Solomon, born Jan. 17, 1815; died March 28, 1896.

Sibley, Amanda R., born March 6, 1822; died Dec. 21, 1906

Jane E., daughter of Solomon & Amanda Sibley, d. Oct. 21, 1865, age 9 y. 29 d.

Polly Ann, daughter of Solomon and Amanda R. Sibley, died Jan. 12, 1863, age 18 y. & 10 m. & 10 d.

"Weep not kind friends, weep not for me

My sins are pardoned, I am free.

Place your affections on things above

And come to me where all is love."

Delamer, son of Solomon and Amanda Sibley, died Feb. 15, 1854

Elmer G. (or C.), son of Solomon and Amanda Sibley, died Jan. 20, 1863, age 9 y. 10 m. (Another stone is fallen on its face.)

Daniel Gleason, died Aug. 6, 1865, aged 78 years.

Edward M., son of Nathan and Lucetta Gleason, d. Aug. 2, 1847, age 1. Yr.

Russell, Roswell, died May 26, 1873, aged 87 years;

Russell, Polly, wife of Roswell Russell, died March 8, 1871, age 87 y. 5 m.

(They lived together as husband and wife 64 years)

Allen, Archrell, son of John and Mary Allen, died Feb. 18, 1875, age 7. Y. & 8 m.

This cemetery was on the farm of Roswell Russell whose daughter married Solomon Sibley and lived there, and was reserved when the farm was sold.