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September 1827. In 1810, six persons were received into the church. From that time until 1818, twelve were received; from that time until 1827, eighty-six persons were received. After Mr. Kingsbury's connection was dissolved, Rev. Adam Miller preached one year, 1828, on trial, and finally accepted the call of the church and was installed pastor April 28, 1830. The sermon was preached by Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve. Rev. Adam Miller stood before the people of Harford for more than half a century, occupying the unique position of a Presbyterian minister serving a Congregational Church, composed of members of intelligence, holding decided views, which a man of less prudence and discretion might have provoked into opposition at any time. Mr. Miller had decided opinions, but never entered into controversy in order to enforce them, but quietly abided his time and usually succeeded in impressing his opinions at the right moment. He had the complaisance and conservatism of a German united with the shrewdness and thrift of a Yankee, that made him "as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove" among the people with whom he labored. He always avoided controversy, both in his church and at Presbytery. If there was any difficulty in any church Adam Miller was a good man to send to heal all differences. He was unostentatious and modest in his way of living, being careful to keep within his salary and pay his debts. After his death, his congregation were astonished to find that their pastor had some fifteen or twenty thousand dollars, which had fallen to him as a legacy. That prudence which was a necessity in his early life became a habit as he grew older. He had a large family to support, and if he did not live as liberally as he might have done in the latter part of his life, let us remember that honesty and prudence are better than dishonesty and extravagance. He did not leave a legacy of church debts to burden the congregation, nor of private debts to harass his children. That extravagance which led so many congregations into debt, building costly churches, received no encouragement from him, and the congregation are entitled to credit for paying him all and even more than was named in the agreement. Mr. Miller preached a historical discourse on the fiftieth anniversary of his labors here. At that time there was a number of distinguished persons who spoke; among them, Rev. N. G. Parke, who represented Lackawanna Presbytery, who said: "A ministry among the same people, for fifty years, in this age of the world is not common. It speaks well for you, my brother, that you have been able to stand in your place all these years preaching only Christ and Him crucified. And it speaks well for the people who have stood by you and sustained you with their sympathy, their substance and their prayers." The first year of Mr. Miller's ministry thirty were added to the church; the next year fifteen, and the next sixty. Rev. E. O. Ward said: "no church, perhaps, has been more prosperous or enjoyed a greater measure of spiritual sunshine; and no minister, perhaps has been more useful, or has impressed himself more indelibly on the character of his people, or has more thoroughly incorporated himself into their history and experience. Not a church in this whole region but has found in him for the past fifty years a wise counselor and a faithful friend and brother." Since Rev. Miller's death, in 1881, the church has had three different ministers: Rev. J. Merriam, from July, 1882 to November 1, 1884; Rev. R. N. Ives, from March 1, 1885 to April, 1886; Rev. Nestor Light, the present pastor, commenced May 1 1886. The following persons have been deacons since the organization of the church: John Tyler, 1803, dismissed 1810, died 1822; Obadiah Carpenter, 1803, died 1810; Caleb Richardson Jr., October 1810, died April 1838; Moses Thacher, January 1811, dismissed 1825; Joab Tyler, August 1825, died January 13 1869; Lee Richardson, August 1825, died June 1833; Preston Richardson, July 1833, died December 1836; Payson Kingsbury, July 1833, resigned 1839, died 1843; Onley Thacher, 1840, dismissed; Jared Tyler, 1840, died July 7 1876; Tyler Brewster, 1866, dead; Dennison K. Oakley, 1866, resigned; Edwin T. Tiffany, 1866; Wallace L. Thacher, 1877; Edwin J. Tyler.
In 1806 a small church edifice, twenty-two by thirty feet was built on land given by Hosea Tiffany. It stood in front of the location of the present church. It is now standing on the other side of the street, and is transformed into part of a dwelling house. The present church was commenced in 1822 and completed several years afterward. It cost originally about two thousand seven hundred dollars. In 1836 it was furnished with a good bell, weighing weight hundred and thirty pounds, at a cost of two hundred and fifty dollars.
The lecture room, twenty-four by thirty feet, was built in 1844, and opened for worship February 9, 1845. It costs about five hundred dollars. In 1851 the church was repaired and extensively changed within and without, at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars. The house was re-dedicated January 29, 1852. In 1873 seven hundred dollars more was spent in repairing and carpeting. Notwithstanding all the repairs and changes, the old-fashioned appearance of the church is largely retained. The pulpit, which has been lowered, is still high. A gallery, supported by pillars, extends over the entrance and along the sides. The church stands on rising ground, with the chapel to the right adjoining, next to the burying ground, which gently slopes to the right, with maple shade in the cemetery and in front of the church. Taken together, it forms a beautiful picture, a typical country church of the New England style.
SUNDAY SCHOOL. A Sabbath school was organized in the year 1816 by the members of the congregational Church. How successful or by whom conducted no one is now able to tell. About the year 1824 an organization was effected, with a constitution, and the school was under the management of Messrs. Daniel Oakley, C. C. Richardson, E. M. Blanding, Deacon Lee Richardson, and perhaps others, until the year 1834. In March, 1834, the following record appears: "resolved, that the regulation and management of the Sabbath school in this place be directed in future by superintendent and a committee of two, all of whom are to be chosen by the church yearly." Deacon Payson Kingsbury was elected superintendent, and Deacons Joab Tyler and Preston Richardson committee. It appears that Deacon Kingsbury held the position by re-election until May 1843, when he declined a re-election, and Amherst Carpenter was elected superintendent, with Peter Williams and Shepherd Carpenter assistants. In 1847 Deacon Jared Tyler was elected superintendent, with Deacon O. Thacher and Shepherd Carpenter assistants. Deacon Tyler served as superintendent for twenty years. The assistants were changed a number of times. In March 1867, Deacon D. K. Oakley was elected superintendent, with Tyler Brewster and E. T. Tiffany assistants. They served until March 1873, when E. T. Tiffany was elected superintendent, with Wallace L. Thacher and A. B. Tucker assistants. Deacon Tiffany still holds the position as superintendent. For a great many years this was the only Sunday School in the part of the county, and pupils attended from all the surrounding country for miles around. As many as seven schools have been in operation during the summer months in Harford township, and many of them are outgrowths of this school. Since 1856, this school has been continued through the year except, perhaps, a short vacation in the spring. The school is still in a prosperous condition, with an average attendance of about sixty. The Congregational Society was incorporated in 1832, and the church property is under control of a board of trustees. From the Congregational Church the following persons have been furnished for the gospel ministry: Revs. Lyman, Willard, and Preston Richardson, Washington, Moses, and Tyler Thacher, William S. and Wellington H. Tyler. Miss Hannah Thacher joined the Choctaw mission in 1821, and her sister Philena, in 1823.
REV. EBENEZER KINSGURY, the first pastor of the Harford Church, was born in Coventry, Connecticut, August 30 1762. He was graduated at Yale College in 1786, and studied theology with Dr. Backus, of Somers, Connecticut. In 1791 he was installed pastor of the church in Jericho, Vermont, continuing seventeen years, until 1808. In 1809 he came to Northeastern Pennsylvania, commissioned by the Connecticut Home Missionary Society. He was installed pastor of the Harford Church Aug 3 1810, and continued in that relation until September 1827. During all this pastorate, one-half of his time was spent in missionary work in the surrounding country. In this work he traveled over a large part of Bradford, Susquehanna, Luzerne and Wayne on horseback, by marked trees and bridle-paths, preaching in log cabins, barns and school-houses. "As a preacher, Mr. Kingsbury was grave and deliberate in manner, and instructive in matter. In social intercourse he was affable, unassuming and regardful of the feelings of others. He was a welcome visitor in families and from such visits, social or religious, he derived much enjoyment. These characteristics of his nature rendered him acceptable as a pastor and missionary. He loved to look up the families scattered over these hills. They gave him their confidence and a cordial welcome; while he made himself at home with parents and children. Hence it is not surprising to find frequent record of his gathering and organizing churches. Of the churches in the old Montrose Presbytery, more were formed by him than any other man. After the dissolution of his pastoral relations, missionary labors were continued. From that service he retired to become a parishioner--one worthy of much esteem. He died March 24 1842, aged eighty-two, and is buried in the Harford Cemetery. His wife died in 1859, aged eighty-eight. Her house was ever open to the sons and daughters of want. He had four sons: Williston, died in 1822; Payson, who was several years deacon in the Harford Church, died in 1843; Samuel E., became justice of the peace in Harford; Ebenezer Kingsbury Jr., read law with Wm. Jessup, and was admitted to the Susquehanna County bar in 1828. He removed to Wayne County and was admitted to the bar there as early as 1833. He moved to Wayne to take editorial charge of the Wayne County Herald and Bethany Inquirer, the Democratic organ of the county, published at Honesdale, and devoted himself mainly to politics. In 1835 he was appointed deputy attorney-general for the county of Wayne, and held the office until 1838. In 1837 he was elected to the State Senate, and in April 1840,
was chosen Speaker for the remainder of the year. He died about the middle of April, 1844.
REV. ADAM MILLER (FOOTNOTE- Prepared from a memorial sermon preached by Rev. E. O. Ward, of Bethany.) was born at Canajoharie, state of New York, Jan 13 1807. In early youth he consecrated himself to the service of the Lord. At the age of ten he commenced a course of study preparatory to the gospel ministry, and entered Hartwick Academy. Here he continued a diligent and faithful student till he entered Union College, where he was graduated in the fall of 1824, being then nearly seventeen years of age. During the same fall, he commenced the study of theology at Auburn, and was graduated from that seminary in 1827. A few months previous to his leaving the seminary, Feb. 13 1827, he was licensed to preach the gospel. After leaving the seminary, he was employed for several months by the Western Domestic Missionary Society to labor as a missionary in the Mohawk Valley, and preached one year at Oswego Falls. In 1828 he was married, at Auburn, to Miss Annie B. Curtis. In her he found a loving, faithful companion, a true helpmate and counselor in the various duties and trials incident to a minister's life. A few months after his marriage, in September, 1828, the professors at Auburn Seminary receive a letter from Deacon Joab Tyler, requesting them to send a minister to Harford Church and congregation. In answer to that request, and by the advice of Dr. Lansing particularly, he started for Harford. After a three days journey he came, a perfect stranger, to a people of whom he knew nothing, "except that they wanted a minister." And on the 21st of September, 1828, being then in his twenty-first year, he preached his first sermon to this people, with whom he spent the remaining years of his life. He was engaged on trial for one year. He was young, and in the estimation of some, a mere boy. His congregation contained venerable men and women, his seniors in age and religious experience, well read on doctrinal subjects, tenacious in their peculiar views and "set in their ways." He had misgivings, as well as others, about his success in such a field, but before the expiration of his trial year he received a formal call for permanent settlement at Harford. This call he declined, as he had purposed occupying another field, but the church persisted, and on the 28th of April 1830, he was regularly installed by the Presbytery of Susquehanna as permanent pastor of Harford Church and congregation. His ministry continued for fifty-three years, during which time he preached not less that eight thousand sermons, attended upward of six hundred funerals, married six hundred and thirty-five couples, and received into the church not far from five hundred and eighty members. He preached almost up to the day of his death, until November, 1881, and died the following December, and was buried in the cemetery hard by the church he had served so long and so well, where a solid granite pillar has been erected to his memory and that of his devoted wife, who preceded him many years, having died in 1855. They reared a large family of children: among them were John, a newspaper reporter, who died in Illinois; Payson; Roswell, general manager for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad; Frederick, passenger agent on the same line; Thomas and James; Sarah; Mary; Caroline, wife of E. J. Tyler; Julia, a teacher, wife of E. F. Torrey of Honesdale, PA; and Frances H. who married in Louisville, KY.
About 1841 a class was organized at Harford in connection with the Brooklyn charge. Among the first members were William Raymond, Amos J. Rice and wife, Silas B. Guile, Harvey Sibley and Mary, his wife, Dexter Sibley and his wife, Thankful, Penuel Carpenter and his wife, Caroline, Elenora Sweet, John Dikeman and wife, Augustus Sophia and family. William Raymond and Amos J. Rice were the first class leaders; Dexter Sibley, J. C. Edward and S. B. Guile have been class leaders; W. B. Guile is class leader now. A Sunday school was organized about the same time. Amos J. Rice, William Raymond, Dexter Sibley, S. B. Guile and W. B. Guile have been superintendents. S. B. Guile (Footnote--Since deceased.) is the only one of the original class remaining. The first meetings were held in the hall of the Very House, which was then owned by Harvey Sibley. The church was erected in 1844. This class has been connected with Brooklyn, South Gibson and Gibson. It was set off as an independent charge in 1886. The church and Sunday school are in a flourishing condition.
In 1817, a select school was commenced in the village, and continued, with some interruption, until 1830, when Preston Richardson returned from school in poor health, and a room was fitted up in the second story of his father's (Caleb Richardson) house. Preston Richardson, A. M., Principal; Mrs. L. T. Richardson, preceptress; and Willard Richardson, assistant, commenced. They had but a few students at first, but the number of students increased as the excellence of the school became known. On the death of Preston Richardson, at the close of the year 1837, the school passed under the care of Willard Richardson, principal, assisted at different times by Farris B. Streeter, Miss Nancy Kingsley, Miss Harriet A. Tyler and Mrs. L. T. Richardson, subsequently Mrs. Allen. On the resignation of Willard Richardson, in the spring of 1840, Nathan Leighton was elected. He resigned and Rev. Lyman Richardson was elected in the fall of 1840. On the removal of Mrs. L. T. Richardson to Carbondale, in 1844, Miss Malvina Gardner, Miss N. Maria Richardson and Henry Abel assisted in the instruction until 1848, when Willard Richardson returned. The following is the faculty as given in 1855:
Rev. Lyman Richardson, professor of mathematics and natural sciences.
Rev. Willard Richardson, professor of ancient languages and the Normal Department.
Miss Harriet A. Richardson and Miss N. Maria Richardson, French, Botany, Drawing, Painting, Embroidery, Wax Flowers and gilding.
Miss H. L. Allen, teacher of music, piano.
Almon Stearns, teacher of vocal music.
Mrs. S. S. Richardson, with the above mentioned ladies, form a board of supervision of the ladies department in morals and propriety of conduct, as well as literary attainments.
The school was attended by aspiring young man and women of limited means, who boarded themselves in many instances, and it is said that when they got short, "Uncle Lyman" and "Aunt Sarah" often helped them out of their difficulties. Hon. Paul D. Morrow, in his address at the Adam Miller semi-centennial, expressed the uniform opinion of Harford students when he said, "The two years I spent at the academy are among the happiest of my life, and you will pardon me if I step aside for a moment to pay a tribute of respect to Mr. Richardson and his family. They were most kind and considerate for all our wants, wishes and woes, and while sometimes we worried their good souls with almost wanton conduct, they were as gentle and affectionate to forgive and advise as one's natural parents. Mr. Richardson had a wonderful ability in the management of pupils, and, in addition to this, he had rare powers to stimulate us in our studies and impress upon us the importance of continuous hard work and self-dependent. Dear, good man he was, and his house was a home for us all." Mr. Richardson was only a fair scholar, and not what would be called a brilliant man; but he had a warm heart for his pupils, which gave him their confidence, and a true teacher's enthusiasm, which enable him to fill their souls with aspirations; hence we may find many of the graduates of Harford Academy with their names written on the roll of fame. In 1865, on the recommendation of Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes, superintendent of soldiers' orphans, the old academy buildings and one hundred and twenty-five acres of land were purchased by Professor Charles W. Deans, and a soldiers orphans school was established. In March 1868, Professor Henry S. Sweet took charge and held the position, with the exception of the year 1873, when Dr. H. N. Pennepacker had supervision, until the fall of 1886, a period of nineteen years. Clark has charge now. During the first year the school was thoroughly organized. Competent persons were procured to superintend the various industrial departments. Lessons were given to the girls in the various domestic duties, as well as in the use of the needle and sewing machine; and the boys were taught how to do chores and to work on the farm. Habits of industry were thus formed, and that degree of skill acquired which has enabled many of the orphans, on leaving school at sixteen years of age to secure good positions. Each pupil is supposed to do two hours work and to attend school six hours. The system of work details being observed, each child has an opportunity for study. A corps of five teachers is employed to thoroughly teach the common and higher English branches. Especial attention is given to those desirous of fitting themselves for teaching, an many are offered schools immediately after leaving the orphan school, and have proved themselves competent. Vocal music and religious instruction are not neglected. Drill in military tactics is required when the weather is favorable. The sanitary condition of the school has always been good. There are altogether eighteen employees, including teachers, matrons, assistant matrons, seamstresses, nurses, superintendent of boys, stewards, farmers and teamsters. There were eighteen pupils when the school first commenced, which number was increased to one hundred before the year closed. The attendance has been larger in succeeding years. There are two hundred and twenty one pupils in attendance now, being from four to sixteen years of age. When Governor Pattison and others investigated the soldiers orphans schools they found this school is the best condition of any of them. It is to be hoped that the beneficent intention of the State of Pennsylvania will be honestly carried out by all who have charge of the soldiers orphans schools. Professor Wm. S. Tyler, of Amherst college, at the celebration in honor of Rev. Adam Miller, speaks of Franklin Academy or Harford University in the following manner: "A new era was inaugurated in the history of Harford schools when, in 1817, the center school house was built in the edge of a beautiful grove of small but thrifty and dense evergreens--fit retreat for the muses and graces then, though too soon invaded by the march of improvement, alias the Philadelphia and Great Bend turnpike--and Rev. Lyman Richardson opened in it our first classical school. It was then and there that I began, at the age of seven, the study of Latin, and I delight to honor Mr. Richardson as my first teacher in those ancient languages, to the teaching of which I have devoted the greater part of my life. Several young men of already mature years--Washington Thacher, Tyler Thacher, Preston Richardson, Enos Thacher and some others, began at the same time and in the same classes their preparation for the ministry; for the school was the offspring and the representative
of the religious fervor of the age and the place, not less than of its zeal for education. A succession of boys about my own age and younger--noble fellows--who have made their mark in the world since, followed and extended the influence, till Harford became the educational center of Northern Pennsylvania" The list of distinguished graduates would do credit to any institution.
(FOOTNOTE--Miss Blackman") A very large number of its graduates became professional teachers; many, ministers of the gospel, and not a few, prominent public men. Among them may be mentioned Revs. Moses Tyler and Washington Thacher, Rev. William S. Tyler, D. D., LL. D., of Amherst College; Rev. W. H. Tyler, formerly of Pittsfield Institute, Mass.; Professor John Wadsworth Tyler, a graduate of Union College, and former principal of Cazenovia Seminary, NY, who died in 1833; Professor E. G. Tyler, formerly of Canandaigua School, NY; John Guernsey, State Senator; John D. Stiles, Congressman for Carbon Country; F. B. Streeter, late president judge; and Paul D. Morrow, president judge of Bradford County; Hon. Luther Kidder, deceased; Henry W. Williams, president judge of the Fourth Judicial District; Stewart Pierce, State Representative and historian of Luzerne County; Jesse Barrett, professor of mathematics in the University of Missouri; G. A. Grow, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, United States; C. R. Buckalew, United States Senator and late candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania; and Cyrus C. Carpenter, ex-Governor of Iowa; J. Brewster McCollum, president judge of this district; M. J. Larrabee, ex-State Senator, and many others who occupy honorable places.
(Footnote - Prepared from Adam Miller's sketch) LYMAN RICHARDSON, son of Deacon Caleb Richardson was born at Attleborough, Mass., in 1790. At the age of sixteen years he moved to Harford, Pa, having a good common school education and some knowledge of Latin. At the age of nineteen he was converted and had a strong desire to enter the ministry. He walked a hundred miles to an academy in New York, seeking opportunity to work for his board, and enter upon a course of study. Being disappointed, he returned, settled on a small farm, married and, as was supposed, entered on his business for life. A few years afterward he is found at Wilkes-Barre Academy, one year as student, three years as principal. Then he was teacher of a select school three years in Harford. During all these years he studied with great diligence, using thus much of the night after the day's ordinary work. Theological studies were prosecuted under Rev. Ard Hoyt and Rev. E. Kingsbury. In 1820 he was licensed by the Susquehanna Presbytery at the age of thirty years. He entered upon his labors at Lawsville, (now Franklin). God blessed his labors, and a revival ensued, making important additions to the church. After six months he went to Wysox and preached with success. In 1821, he was ordained an evangelist. He labored at Wysox several years and subsequently at Mount Pleasant, Bethany and elsewhere in Wayne County, he labored successfully. God's blessing seemed to attend his rugged, honest presentation of the truth. For protracted meetings he had some peculiar qualifications. His pulpit utterances were not distinguished by graces of diction or the manner of polished oratory. He spoke readily, earnestly and impressively. Glowing representations and startling truths often came unexpectedly. Individuals, and sometimes the mass of an audience, found themselves held by a powerful influence. With strong religious, he possessed also sterling common sense. In 1840, Mr. Richardson returned to Harford to take charge of the academy, continuing twenty-five years. The infirmities of age then compelled him to relinquish the charge. In the cause of education, his zeal was ardent. As teacher and principal he maintained unvarying kindness of manner, and secured universal esteem. Without greediness of gain, and anxious to benefit the young, he was ready to subject himself to inconvenience and toil, without such compensation as justice might claim. Having served his generation, he was gathered to his fathers, September, 1867, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Prof. Tyler says, "Mr. Lyman Richardson had not a college education, and was not himself a thorough classical scholar. He was a well-educated and self made man. But this does not mean in his case that he was not educated at all. He disciplined his own mind by observation, reflection and the best books within his reach. He was a live man, wide wake, intensely in earnest, all on fire from his heart's core to the end of his tongue, and his fingers, and
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