Vermont AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

Freewill Baptist Church

The Freewill Baptist Church was organized in 1803, at the house of Lieut. Thomas Lyford, the ministers officiating, elders Benjamin Page and Aaron Buel of Strafford, Vermont.

First Members

Deacons

Enoch Hoyt
David Blanchard
Benjamin Hoyt

The town records show that Rev. Benjamin Page was settled as pastor the same year of the organization, which gave him a clear title to the minister-lot, he being the first settled minister in town. This he received, it now being the farm of George M. Webster, Esq. It was then in a state of nature, but his parishioners at once turned out and cut and cleared 10 acres for him, and built a barn on the same. But it is said he did not remain their minister long after he got it in shape to sell.

In 1829, they built a meeting-house on the west hill where quite a large number of these members lived. The house was of more modern style than either of the other meeting-houses, being but one story, gallery across one end, and the pulpit only about 6 feet from the floor. It had no tower.

In about 12 or 15 years, the church began to suffer heavily by deaths and removals, and about 1850, it lost its organization. One board after another began to disappear from the old house, and in 1875, it went over to the majority.

Cabot Vermont | AHGP

Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.

Please Come Back Again!