Barbour's 1881 convention and the parting of the ways.

     When CTR separated from Nelson Barbour there was a period when they were competing for the same audience. Zion’s Watch Tower was sent to all on the Herald of the Morning subscription list, and the disagreements between the two papers and their respective messages grew rapidly. CTR never mentioned Barbour by full name in the exchanges, whereas Barbour frequently mentioned CTR – going from “dear brother Russell” to sneering at him as a “businessman in Pittsburgh,” then throwing in accusations of spiritualism, “the doctrine of the devils” (Herald March 1881 page 48) because ZWT was still promoting Christ’s invisble return in its full sub-title Herald of Christ’s Presence.

     So what happened to CTR’s group that had elected him as Pastor in 1876? In those difficult months in 1879, who would stay with CTR, and who would side with Barbour?

     Initially, the number living in the actual Pittsburgh area that supported CTR was quite small. CTR’s wife, Maria, described the group as such in court testimony. The main Pittsburgh meeting announced in the early ZWT was the annual memorial of Christ’s death. In 1880 this was held in the home of William H Conley, who would become the first Watch Tower Society president. The home still exists today. This meeting was a most important event in their calendar, yet they did not hire a hall, but used Conley’s parlor. Were they horrendously overcrowded, sandwiched up the stairs and out into the garden? Had there been any problems with the group fitting into Conley’s home, it is unlikely that they would have repeated the experience the following year. But repeat it they did in 1881. Once we get past that, things quickly change. Conley soon disappears from ZWT history. Meetings at hired halls are advertised and by 1889 they had a custom built headquarters, Bible House, with a chapel that could hold 200 people.

     What about those who still hankered after Barbour’s message? They obviously did not form a separate group in Pittsburgh with regular meetings. Had they done so, then the Herald would have, well – heralded it…

     To begin with, many individuals no doubt just read both journals and adopted a wait and see attitude. They could soon add papers from John H. Paton and Albert D. Jones to the list, and later one produced by Arthur P. Adams. Both Paton and Adams were to have their own separate falling out with Barbour.

     So you could read what came to hand, you could attend talks and meetings as available, and if you lived in Pittsburgh, then CTR’s burgeoning ministry was close to hand. If you were a Barbourite living in Pittsburgh, it would be a little more difficult.

     Barbour tried to provide for his Pittsburgh supporters after the break with CTR.

     Returning to Allegheny and Pittsburgh, over six months after ZWT started, Barbour relates a mission he had in Pittsburgh. In the Herald for February 1880 (page 32) he relates how he had an urgent call to visit. He paints a picture of all these poor friends in Allegheny and Pittsburgh who needed his help. He meets almost clandestinely in their homes and organises one public meeting, although no details are given other than the date, January 25, 1880. He comments that they had so much darkness at their weekly meetings, which is a strong inference that at least some were also associating with ZWT. Perhaps there were twenty-five or more he helped, but no names are revealed. 

     He is back again in October 1880, this time as part of a longer speaking trip. But on this occasion the names of some Pittsburgh supporters are revealed. The announcement of his visit in the October Herald (page 64) advises that “those going to the Pittsburgh meeting, can call on Bros, S. M. & J. Miller, 106 Smithfield Street, for particulars.” The meeting appears to have been scheduled for Sunday, October 17.

     Transcripts of the 1880 census for Pittsburgh put one S. T. Miller at 108 Smithfield Street. This is near enough to strongly suggest the same family. S. T. is aged 40 in 1880; he is a widower living on his own, and working as an employment agent. By the September 1881 Herald, S. M. Miller is now listed at Liberty Street, Pittsburgh, as a contact for those wanting cheap railroad tickets to Barbour’s 1881 convention, for which see below.

     The November 1880 Herald (page 80) has a review of this October 1880 trip by Mrs. Barbour. They spent much of their time in Pittsburgh at the home of Dr. Buvinger. (Buvinger had been a supporter of George Storrs and his history can be found in Separate Identity volume one). Here they celebrated the Lord’s supper – obviously not on the anniversary date. Mrs. B. ended her report: “Husband spoke once in a public hall in Pittsburgh, the rest of the time it was one continuous meeting at some private house.”

     Following the visit, Emma Buvinger wrote an enthusiastic letter of support which was printed in the January 1881 Herald (page 16).

     In the May 1881 Herald Barbour announced a general meeting of believers to be held in Rochester, NY. His Church of the Strangers would be used for meetings over an eight day period (Sunday August 27 to the following Sunday) and accommodation (of a sort) would be provided. They could accommodate up to 200 of the faithful. As Barbour wrote (page 80) “We are on the eve of great events, when by faith, we shall conquer the nations.” As Mrs B. put it (page 77) “Only a few more months and the overcomers will be rewarded with victory…(and we) ‘who are alive and remain’ will be caught away to meet the Lord.” It was a heady mix to encourage believers to travel to Rochester for more of the same.

     The July 1881 Herald (page 31) gave details of accommodation, in both private homes and  commercial facilities; and for those experiencing the equivalent of a camp meeting the assurance was given that sufficient straw would be provided. The account of the arrangements was in the October 1881 Herald (page 46):

     “We kept a book in which those who stopped with us registered their names. At our table, we accommodated all, or nearly all who came. While the sleeping accomodations were a curiosity. The hall above the meeting room – 40 by 80 f'eet – was first divided into two rooms, by a heavy tent wall; thus separating the men’s apartment, after campmeeting fashion. On the one side, all was left in one large room; while the other and larger part, was a curious display of architecture; sheets, shawls, and factory, strings and wire; were wonderfully combined into little cottages or rooms – making a perfect labyrinth of streets, lanes; and houses. My wife and I – with the help of a guide – made a number of visits… The large room on the men’s side, was used through the day, for prayer and Conference meetings. It was easily seated, as we had a large number of folding camp-chairs.”

     The speaking duties were shared between Barbour and Adams. In his opening address Barbour confidently stated that “we were expecting Christ to come this Autumn, “in all his glory,” and “as the lightning,” “in flaming fire, taking vengeance” – “we expected to see him, perhaps as Saul saw him just outside of Damascus, but we did not expect to be caught away to meet him for before that event Jesus must tread the wine-press alone.”

     In the last session A. P. Adams seemed to have a slightly different take on events:

     “Cordial greetings, expressions of love and hopeful farewells were exchanged, and the dear ones separated to their several homes and duties for a little time until that blessed meeting, together with the resurrected saints, with our Lord in the air: “and so shall we ever be the Lord.”

     A November supplement to the Herald, admitted that the fall of 1881 had been “a mistake” and now confidently pushed events forward to the following Spring.

     Barbour’s convention is of particular interest to historians because he saw fit to publish all the names and partial addresses of those who attended. This is a snapshot of who gave him that level of support in 1881 and where they came from. So here an attempt has been made to transcribe his lists for modern researchers.

     There are two sources for the list of those in attendance. The first is from the October 1881 Herald:

     This is taken from a microfilm that has been in circulation for many years. The problem with it is that the original volume was been very tightly bound, resulting in a small loss of text in the gutter. For straight text you can often guess the incomplete words, but for names and locations it becomes more difficult.

     Fortunately we now have a second source for much of the information. A local newspaper, The Rochester Evening Express for August 30, 1881, also reported on Barbour’s convention, and provided a shorter, albeit more legible, list of names.

     The Herald lists around 140 names and the newspaper lists about 100, which includes two extra family members omitted in the Herald. There is also one more name in the conference review. However, the newspaper does give extra information about forenames, and also helps decipher most of the names partly lost in the Herald’s tight binding. A couple of other small details have been established by examining the correspondence columns in extant issues of the Herald.

     For the benefit of future researchers, at the end of this article we have transcribed a list of all those we know attended, from the above sources. This can be considered a reasonable result, although it presupposes that typesetting for all sources was accurate on the day.

     There are two copies of the list provided, one by surnames and one showing where the delegates came from. Surnames are useful for identifying well- known figures like the Buvingers, Avis Hamlin, and the Withingtons, who were with Barbour to the end. The timing of the convention was quite close to the 1880 census, so the census and trade directories may yield more information about some of these people who expected their troubles to be over by the end of the year.

     For places it is helpful to identify which parts of the United States and Canada provided Barbour with his support. Some are little clusters; for example Beverly, Lynn and Chelsea are all close to each other and were a group meeting at the home of Arthur P. Adams at Beverly, as long as he remained in association with Barbour.

     For the purpose of this article it is useful to quickly establish from the lists that the largest group of 1881 visitors (thirteen in all) came from Pittsburgh or Allegheny City. From no names reported in Barbour’s January 1880 visit, to a couple reported in October 1880, now in August 1881 these people were content for the world to know they supported Barbour in some degree, whether they were still reading ZWT or not.

     How long they stayed with Barbour we generally do not know. The predictions linked to his convention replaced previous predictions, and were in turn supplanted by future calculations. Barbour’s history of prophetic failure is well-documented in Nelson Barbour: The Millennium’s Forgotten Prophet by Schulz and de Vienne. On each occasion of failed prediction, he likely shed some supporters, who were not replaced to the same degree. There is an interesting roundup of predictions in the October-November 1901 issue of his paper (pp. 124-125) where he admitted there had so far been a total of six different disappointments over dates for when Christ had been expected. Still, undeterred, even now he confidently concluded: “The time, 1903 is, beyond all question, the best supported time argument of the entire movement.”

     Some rationalised their disappointments. Going back to the message of the 1881 conference, here is a typical letter from a September 1882 Herald from one who attended it:

     In the immediate wake of the August 1881 conference, another one was mooted for Philadephia starting Sunday October 1881 for eight days. It was to be organized by J H Gray, but few came from afar, and despite a glowing couple of sentances in the December 1881 Herald, page 76, a lack of detail suggests it was not such a success. As far as extant copies of the Herald are concerned, the idea does not appear to have been repeated.

     While ZWT and its related movement prospered, there still remained some knowledge of Barbour amongst its readers. When S D Rogers broke away from ZWT in 1894 it was reported by Maria Russell (ZWT special edition for July 11, 1894, page 171 in original) that he had teamed up with Barbour, “an old enemy of the cross of Christ.”  That would only have meaning to ZWT readers if they knew who Barbour was.

     And Barbour always acknowledged that some of his readers were still reading the papers of former associates. These were the “foolish virgins” who had gained some truth from him, but then gone astray. To the end his paper attacked what he called Russellites, Patonites and Adamites. Talking of Satan’s lie, he railed: “You can get all you want of this kind of teaching in the so-called “Spirit of the Word” [Adams’ paper] – may we all be delivered from such a spirit – and also in the “World’s Hope” [Paton’s paper] – or rather the devil’s hope – …unless that rankest of spiritualistic papers, the “Watch Tower” [CTR’s paper] absorbs most of his [Satan’s] time.” (see Herald, April 1897, pp.57-59)

     A few years after that swipe at his former associates, Barbour’s Herald stuttered to a close. He was old and tired, but still had yet another date confidently in mind. The final words of the final issue (October 1903 supplement) reads:

     His final date was for 1907. He was spared that disappointment by dying in 1905.

     In contrast, those supporting ZWT, the main ones Barbour castigated as “foolish virgins,” went from strength to strength.

 

TRANCRIPT OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED BARBOUR’S 1881 CONVENTION

     Where there is still doubt in the transcript, the text is in red and a question mark follows in parenthesis. It is not possible to download anything direct from this blog, but if anyone would like this as a Word document to “play around” with, just send a message to Jerome via the contact information.

     First, a list by delegate name:

Surname	Forename	Where from
Adams,	Arthur P	Beverly, Mass.
Adams,	Addie A	Beverly, Mass.
Allen,	John J	Depauville, NY
Babcock,	William and wife	Oconee, Ill
Bacon,	Miss L	Alden, NY
Bacon,	G A	Cohocton, NY
Barr,	O S	Oakham, Mass.
Beeman,	J S	Honeyoe, NY
Belding,	Mrs Mary A	South Windsor, Conn.
Benedict,	H T	Canton, Penn.
Best,	Annie	Pittsburgh, PA.
Bockhoort,	J W and wife	Warsaw, NY
Bonyton,	A	W Baturo (?), Genesee Co.NY
Bowe,	E A and wife	Batavia, NY
Bradstreet,	Isabella	Rochester, NY
Bradstreet,	Laura A	Rochester, NY (assumed)
Brown,	H and wife	Wayland, NY
Brown,	A S and wife	Cohocton, NY
Brown,	R A	Cohocton, NY
Bulman,	Edward T	Lynn, Mass.
Bulman,	Mary L	Lynn, Mass.
Buvinger,	Sherman	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Buvinger,	C W  M.D.	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Buvinger,	Emma P	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Chadwick,	Elijah	Chelsea, Mass.
Chadwick,	Sarah N	Chelsea, Mass.
Chapin,	Adeline	Nevada, O.
Clark,	F	a pilgrim stopping in Rochester
Cobb,	Julia A	Honeoye, NY
Combs,	Mrs E	Allegheny City, Pa.
Connell,	M	Norwalk, Ohio
Cooper,	D T	Chicago, Ill.
Craig,	M A	Westford, Mass.
Crittenden,	Miss Mary	Clarendon, NY
Crosby,	Mrs A	Evansville, Ind.
Davis,	Sarah F	Brockport, NY
Davison	Mrs F	Richmond, Va.
Davison,	George J	Lunenburg, Va.
Delano,	J S	Batavia, NY
Delano,	Mrs J S	Batavia, NY
Deverell,	Elder	Ont.
Dewey,	A and wife	Fort Edward, NY
Durkee,	Mary	Dansville, NY
Easton,	Enos	Hartford, Mich.
Ensign,	Orville	Eire, Pa.
Farr,	Mrs E H	Nowark, O.
Fassett,	Truman	Canton, Bradford Co.,Pa.
Field,	A A	Massena, NY
Fletcher,	William	Bradford, Pa.
Fuller,	Joseph G	a travelling pilgrim
Gary,	Mrs Mary C	Dansville, NY
Goss,	Henry	Macdonald, Mich.
Grant,	John	Batavia, NY
Grant,	Mrs John	Batavia, NY
Gray,	J H	Philadelphia, Pa.
Guthree,	W	Chambersburg, Pa.
Hagan,	D N	Uniontown, Pa.
Hamlin,	Avis	Elyria, Ohio
Harrington,	L D	Ware, Mass.
Hartwell,	C M	Greenfield, Mass.
Haskins,	Mrs	Fairport, NY
Hayworth,	Joel and wife	Plymouth, Kansas
Hennecky,	Abraham and wife	Monroe co., NY
Hennecky,	Elizabeth	Monroe co., NY
Hess,	Mrs George	Dansville, NY
Hibbard,	Mrs P J	Pembroke, NY
Higgins,	D H and wife	Norwalk, Ohio
Hodgman,	S and wife	Fort Edward, NY
Hovey,	Solomon	Hyde Park, Mass.
Hovey,	Augustus F	Hyde Park, Mass.
Howe,	Mrs S A	Springwater, NY
Ingold,	Lizzie	Allegheny City, Pa.
Jewell,	A C	Batavia, NY
Kerr,	W P	Wilson, NY
Lake/Lang (?).	Julia A	Brockport, NY
Landis,	Helen	Dansville, Ohio
Lord,	Mrs H H	Pittsford, NY
Lyon,	Samuel I	Norwalk, Huron, O.
Mathewson,	Kittie J	Rochester, NY
Mattison,	Mamie J	St Louis, Mo.
McCragg,	J W and wife	Warsaw, NY
McDonald (?),	J	Kimlin (?) Center
Mearns,	William	Oakdale, Ill.
Miller,	S M	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Miller,	John	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Motheral,	M S	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Munsee,	Mrs Delia	Dansville, NY
Munsee,	Mrs Mary J	Dansville, NY
Munsee,	E O	Dansville, NY
Myers,	Darius	Pleasant Valley, Ill.
Myers,	Miss S B	Pleasant Valley, Ill.
Myers,	Mary A	Allegheny City, Pa.
Paine,	Mrs Hon. J C	Covington, NY
Paine,	S White	(Rochester, NY)
Parks,	Caroline M	Le Roy, NY
Pottle,	Miss Lottie E	St Louis, Mo.
Putnam,	W	Batavia, NY
Randolph,	S B	Brockport, NY
Reed,	Ezra W	Dansville, NY
Richardson,	Elizabeth M	Lynn, Mass.
Roberts,	J R	Wallace, NY
Sloan,	James	Lapeer, Mich.
Smith,	M N	Springfield, O.
Smith,	Emma J	Allegheny City, Pa.
Smith,	William N	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Soranson	R	Stokesdale, Pa.
Spinney,	Frances A	Lynn, Mass.
Staples,	S A	Lunenburg, Va.
Staples,	M L	Prince Edward, Va.
Stegall,	Mrs J N	St Louis, Miss.
Storms,	W S	Fairport, NY
Storms,	Mrs W E	Fairport, NY
Tansey,	Judith E	Dansville, Ohio.
Trunnick,	Nannie S	Pittsburgh, PA.
Turner,	Mrs Martha	Toledo, Ohio.
Upson,	F C	Westfield, Conn.
Webster,	Abraham D	Springwater, NY
Whipple,	Geo. E and wife	Fort Edward, NY
Williams,	Mrs C J	Fairport, NY
Wilson,	William Jr.	Lycoming co., PA.
Withington,	S H and wife	Springwater, NY
Withington,	N T and wife	Springwater, NY
Wolfe,	Alvin	Nevada, O.
Yerrington,	Mrs James	Hartford, Conn.

     

  Second, a list by where they came from:

Surname	Forename	Where from
Clark,	F	a pilgrim stopping in Rochester
Fuller,	Joseph G	a travelling pilgrim
Bacon,	Miss L	Alden, NY
Combs,	Mrs E	Allegheny City, Pa.
Ingold,	Lizzie	Allegheny City, Pa.
Myers,	Mary A	Allegheny City, Pa.
Smith,	Emma J	Allegheny City, Pa.
Bowe,	E A and wife	Batavia, NY
Delano,	J S	Batavia, NY
Delano,	Mrs J S	Batavia, NY
Grant,	John	Batavia, NY
Grant,	Mrs John	Batavia, NY
Jewell,	A C	Batavia, NY
Putnam,	W	Batavia, NY
Adams,	Arthur P	Beverly, Mass.
Adams,	Addie A	Beverly, Mass.
Fletcher,	William	Bradford, Pa.
Davis,	Sarah F	Brockport, NY
Lake/Lang (?).	Julia A	Brockport, NY
Randolph,	S B	Brockport, NY
Fassett,	Truman	Canton, Bradford Co.,Pa.
Benedict,	H T	Canton, Penn.
Guthree,	W	Chambersburg, Pa.
Chadwick,	Elijah	Chelsea, Mass.
Chadwick,	Sarah N	Chelsea, Mass.
Cooper,	D T	Chicago, Ill.
Crittenden,	Miss Mary	Clarendon, NY
Bacon,	G A	Cohocton, NY
Brown,	A S and wife	Cohocton, NY
Brown,	R A	Cohocton, NY
Paine,	Mrs Hon. J C	Covington, NY
Durkee,	Mary	Dansville, NY
Gary,	Mrs Mary C	Dansville, NY
Hess,	Mrs George	Dansville, NY
Munsee,	Mrs Delia	Dansville, NY
Munsee,	Mrs Mary J	Dansville, NY
Munsee,	E O	Dansville, NY
Reed,	Ezra W	Dansville, NY
Landis,	Helen	Dansville, Ohio
Tansey,	Judith E	Dansville, Ohio.
Allen,	John J	Depauville, NY
Ensign,	Orville	Eire, Pa.
Hamlin,	Avis	Elyria, Ohio
Crosby,	Mrs A	Evansville, Ind.
Haskins,	Mrs	Fairport, NY
Storms,	W S	Fairport, NY
Storms,	Mrs W E	Fairport, NY
Williams,	Mrs C J	Fairport, NY
Dewey,	A and wife	Fort Edward, NY
Hodgman,	S and wife	Fort Edward, NY
Whipple,	Geo. E and wife	Fort Edward, NY
Hartwell,	C M	Greenfield, Mass.
Yerrington,	Mrs James	Hartford, Conn.
Easton,	Enos	Hartford, Mich.
Cobb,	Julia A	Honeoye, NY
Beeman,	J S	Honeyoe, NY
Hovey,	Solomon	Hyde Park, Mass.
Hovey,	Augustus F	Hyde Park, Mass.
McDonald (?),	J	Kimlin (?) Center
Sloan,	James	Lapeer, Mich.
Parks,	Caroline M	Le Roy, NY
Davison,	George J	Lunenburg, Va.
Staples,	S A	Lunenburg, Va.
Wilson,	William Jr.	Lycoming co., PA.
Bulman,	Edward T	Lynn, Mass.
Bulman,	Mary L	Lynn, Mass.
Richardson,	Elizabeth M	Lynn, Mass.
Spinney,	Frances A	Lynn, Mass.
Goss,	Henry	Macdonald, Mich.
Field,	A A	Massena, NY
Hennecky,	Abraham & wife	Monroe co., NY
Hennecky,	Elizabeth	Monroe co., NY
Chapin,	Adeline	Nevada, O.
Wolfe,	Alvin	Nevada, O.
Lyon,	Samuel I	Norwalk, Huron, O.
Connell,	M	Norwalk, Ohio
Higgins,	D H and wife	Norwalk, Ohio
Farr,	Mrs E H	Nowark, O.
Mearns,	William	Oakdale, Ill.
Barr,	O S	Oakham, Mass.
Babcock,	William and wife	Oconee, Ill
Deverell,	Elder	Ont.
Hibbard,	Mrs P J	Pembroke, NY
Gray,	J H	Philadelphia, Pa.
Best,	Annie	Pittsburgh, PA.
Buvinger,	Sherman	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Buvinger,	C W  M.D.	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Buvinger,	Emma P	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Miller,	S M	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Miller,	John	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Motheral,	M S	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Smith,	William N	Pittsburgh, Pa.
Trunnick,	Nannie S	Pittsburgh, PA.
Lord,	Mrs H H	Pittsford, NY
Myers,	Darius	Pleasant Valley, Ill.
Myers,	Miss S B	Pleasant Valley, Ill.
Hayworth,	Joel and wife	Plymouth, Kansas
Staples,	M L	Prince Edward, Va.
Davison	Mrs F	Richmond, Va.
Bradstreet,	Isabella	Rochester, NY
Bradstreet,	Laura A	Rochester, NY (assumed)
Mathewson,	Kittie J	Rochester, NY
Paine,	S White	Rochester, NY (assumed)
Belding,	Mrs Mary A	South Windsor, Conn.
Smith,	M N	Springfield, O.
Howe,	Mrs S A	Springwater, NY
Webster,	Abraham D	Springwater, NY
Withington,	S H and wife	Springwater, NY
Withington,	N T and wife	Springwater, NY
Stegall,	Mrs J N	St Louis, Miss.
Mattison,	Mamie J	St Louis, Mo.
Pottle,	Miss Lottie E	St Louis, Mo.
Soranson	R	Stokesdale, Pa.
Turner,	Mrs Martha	Toledo, Ohio.
Hagan,	D N	Uniontown, Pa.
Bonyton,	A	W Baturo (?), Genesee Co.NY
Roberts,	J R	Wallace, NY
Harrington,	L D	Ware, Mass.
Bockhoort,	J W and wife	Warsaw, NY
McCragg,	J W and wife	Warsaw, NY
Brown,	H and wife	Wayland, NY
Upson,	F C	Westfield, Conn.
Craig,	M A	Westford, Mass.
Kerr,	W P	Wilson, NY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prophetic Faith of our Fathers

 This set is on ebay at what I think a good price. 

The end of Nelson

     Nelson Barbour’s paper, first The Midnight Cry and then Herald of the Morning, ran from 1873 to 1903.

     Nelson died on August 31, 1905. Some sources say 1906, but the correct year is 1905. This is confirmed by newspaper reports of his death. Until recently the main news of his death was a short notice in John Paton’s World’s Hope magazine. But a couple of newspapers have gone online which confirm the event and the date.

     He died while on a visit to Tacoma, Washington State. The story was taken up first by The Tacoma Daily News on the day he died, August 31, 1905:

     With nearly the same wording, the next day’s Tacoma Daily Ledger for September 1 also carried the story:

     There was only a very brief reference to his death in the papers in Rochester. He was no longer a “name” – if he ever had been – and no special attention was drawn to his passing.     The Tacoma papers however gave two names of associates – a Mrs J E Moore and a Mrs N W Fuller.

     Nelson had been staying at the home of a Mrs J E Moore for about two months. She appears to be Julia Elizabeth Jenks Moore (1850-1937). Originally Julia Jenks, she married James W Moore in 1871 who was about 26 years her senior. In the 1900 Tacoma census she is 49 years old and James is 75. In the 1910 census she is a widow living with her son and his family. For several years during the first decade of the 20^th century she is in Tacoma trade directories as running her own business as a piano teacher. It may be that she was recently widowed at the time Nelson Barbour and Mrs N W Fuller came to stay with her.

     Mrs N W Fuller, the friend who came with Nelson for the stay, has a more obvious connection with his Church of the Strangers. In the 1900 census for Rochester, she is living at home with Nelson and Emeline Barbour as a “boarder.” When Emeline died in late 1901, Nelson wrote her obituary in the January/February Herald page 174. He mentioned how Sister Fuller had been with them for nearly four years, and had accompanied Emeline on her last trip when she died in Florida. He also wrote that she would be making her home with him. The 1900 census shows Sister Fuller to be Nancy Fuller, a widow with no children. Nelson is 75 and she is 68, the same age as Emeline.  Nancy was born in New Hampshire in November 1831. In the 1905 census, the year of Nelson’s death, she is with him in Rochester, listed as: relationship “servant” and occupation “house-keeper.” Something strange has happened to her age. By all accounts she should now be around 73 but only admits to 66.

     So the 1905 newspapers tell us that when Nelson died, Nancy arranged for the body to be taken back to Rochester for the funeral. Nelson would be buried alngside his late wife, Emeline, in the Throopsville Rural Cemetery, Auburn, New York.

     However, that wasn’t the end of the story. There was an interesting sequel with Nancy center stage.

     As recounted in the Rochester newspaper The Democrat and Chronicle for June 12 and July 11, 1906, there were big problems in Nelson’s church after his demise. He had made a will about a year before he died, providing money for a special book to be called “Washed in His Blood” as a final message to the world. It wasn’t a simple affair, there was work to be done putting it together from material that appeared in the Herald. His last will and testament also left all his household belongings to Nancy Fuller.

     So far so good. But then, reportedly on the day he died, Nelson executed a codicil to his will which now included Nancy as one of the executors. The other two executors were Charles A Naramore and Leonidas B King.

     The book project involved someone being employed to put it all together. King claimed Naramore agreed to pay him $15 per week to do this. This became a bone of contention – if paid weekly, how long was it all going to take and how much from the estate would it cost? Then Nancy decided that she would produce the book herself. She had one key thing on her side – having inherited all Nelson’s household goods she also inherited his library. She then refused King access and took steps to get back what had already been used. On his side, King took steps to try and wrest back the project and also secure a fee now upped to $18 per week. So it went to court as yet another drain on the estate.

     The newspaper had a touch of glee in its tone when it reported on what it called “a tempest in a teapot”:

     “Of legal controversies there have been enough and to spare, but the personal jealousies and heart-burning that the brethren have endured are not to be mentioned in the same breath. Those who figure chiefly in the proceedings are Charles Naramore, Leonidas B King and Mrs Nancy W Fuller, all of whom were on friendly terms with one another and Mr. Barbour before his death… Because the brethren could not agree on who should continue the work of preparing the manuscript…it seems likely that the most of the $4,000 left for that purpose will be exhausted in “claims” against the estate and lawyers’ fees before the matter is settled…

     “There are not lacking those who take sides…One faction declares that if Naramore has anything to do with the publication of the book he will get no help from it, and the same attitude is taken by the King faction. Then there are those who declare they will not touch the work if either Naramore or King has any hand in its preparing. And there you are… For the peace of mind of the brethren it is certainly well that they believe the dead sleep unconscious to the judgment day, for otherwise their consciences might be troubled over the effect of this strife on the consciousness of their late pastor.”

     The newspapers do not appear to have published a resolution to the conflict, but “Washed in His Blood” was eventually published in 1907. There was a very small advertisement in The Democrat and Chronicle for May 4, 1907:

     The book was published by the Unique Book Company. There is no mention of Nancy or any other faction in the book, which does not even carry Nelson Barbour’s name,

     I have not been able to establish any more of Nancy’s family history. It is always more difficult with married female names, expecially if they had no descendants to trace. I could not find her in the 1910 census for Rochester. It may be that she moved away. It may be that she died. In case there is a story of interest to tell here, other readers are very welcome to try. And of course, a key question – whatever happened to Nelson Barbour’s library that Nancy Fuller inherited?

Question from the comment trail

This question is probably too far down to be seen. I'm copying it here for your comments:

Commenting on "The Franz brothers and the draft," donrayjay asked:

Does anyone have information on the later theocratic careers of Albert, Herman, and Alvin? And their parents too, for that matter. The life course of Frederick Franz is of course well known.

Nelson Barbour

As many, if not most, of our blog readers know that Barbour styled his church as "The Church of the Stranger," borrowing the name from a widely known church in New York City. It continued to be called that until his death in 1905. However "Jerome" has located a newspaper article that shows they used the more formal name, "Brethren of Restitutionist Faith."

Jerome is working on an blog post that follows events immediately post Barbour's death. It will appear on our blog in not may days.

Jehovah's Witnesses: A New Introduction

George Chryssides' book of that title has been released. I have room on this blog for two thoughtful reviews. Anyone?

Key Puzzle - 1912

From current listing on ebay.

 

The Iron Trade

There is an interesting swipe at CTR in Nelson Barbour’s Herald magazine for May 1880, page 72. It was one of many, and one must remember that most readers of the Herald were also receiving Zion’s Watch Tower at this same time. Barbour’s comment is typical of him –

“Perhaps C T Russell could write some well digested matter if he had less money and more time. He is certainly an intelligent and first-class business man, or he could not successfully carry on the iron trade, run three gentlemen’s furnishing stores, lecture on Sunday, and run a theological paper. And under all the circumstances, even if what he writes is not very Scriptural, I think he shows great diversity of talent.”

But it raises a question. “Carry on the iron trade.” What was that?

Way past the era this blog is meant to research

Many of these photos appeared first in The Consolation or in convention reports. Depending on your browser, you may need to click on the youtube link at top of video to see clearly. Might have been better with songs from the period.

Emma Martin

Back on February 19, 2019, this blog carried an article on Emma Martin, who was arrested and sentenced to a prison term for circulating The Finished Mystery. The article more or less ended with her publicized release from prison, with the comment: "Emma’s subsequent history is unknown. She lived until 1949 and died aged 79 in Fresno, California."

We now know a little bit more. Here is a letter she wrote to The Watch Tower in 1932.

As often happens, I found this by accident while looking for something quite different.

More Memories

I was there. Were you?

A new review of Separate Identity vol. 1

 I depend on royalties to fund research. Your reviews matter. Of course, I wish they were all five star reviews, but any review helps. 

Dr. Carlos Rodrigues left this review of Amazon-Brazil:

This is an extensive study of the history of Bible students led by Charles Taze Russell and others religious groups of the time, that had an influence on his beliefs and subsequent works, covering a period that goes up to the year 1879. The work impresses by the accuracy through hundreds of consulted references (including interviews and excerpts from newspapers of the time) for the generation of the information, with the same accuracy expected from an academic work. At the same time, brief biographies of Nelson H. Barbour, John H. Paton, George Stetson, George Storrs, William H. Conley, Henry Dunn, Joseph Seiss and others with their work are presented, shedding light on their influences, along with excerpts of their related writings. The circumstances and influences that led to the creation of the Watchtower magazine by Russell and his associates are also presented.The book belies the belief that Russell was an Adventist, having been a One Faith Millenarian with Age-to-Come concepts.

1959

 

We attended in Tacoma, Washington. You?

The Rules

It is necessary to restate the rules. 

This is a history blog. Polemics have no place here. We do not make room for posts or links to praise for men. Especially is that true for men who led disreputable lives. You may see men like that as a hero of the faith, but they still have no place here.

Today someone using the name Louis tried to post a link to the biography of a disaffected, former Witness. I disallowed it. I should add that the man in question and I were life-long friends. I know how he behaved when a Witness and I know how he behaved after leaving the faith. He wasn't the wise man you seem to think he was. I can tell you this from first-hand experience. But even if he was a complete stranger to me, I would not allow the link. 

This is a history blog. That is all it is. If you come here to promote your beliefs, or to justify yourself, you've come to the wrong place.  This blog is moderated. Either Jerome or myself will toss your post if you cannot live by the rules.

Amazon Japan Review of Separate Identity vol. 2

I have not read the entirety of this over 600 page behemoth of a book but what I have read is probably the most extensive, well researched, unbiased piece of scholarly work I have ever read, this should be the standard in which all scholarly work should strive for. Worth every dollar.

New to my Research Collection

 An early article refuting the Hell-Fire conclusions from the parable of The Rich Man. Some browsers will crop the image. Click on it to see the entire picture.

 A Mrs. Chas. Alkyer read the Eaton Debate pamphlet and converted from Methodism to Watch Tower belief. She recounted this in: Mrs. Chas. Alkyer to Editor St. Paul, Minnesota, Enterprise, July 25, 1916.

Can you identify this person? Can we find her first name?

Other Debates

While researching the Russell-Eaton debate of 1903, I've discovered many debates taking place in the 1920s. This wasn't exactly new. But the number of them was surprising. They are documented in the Enterprise. 

I do not have time to craft an article about the debates of the 1920s. Perhaps onr of our blog readers can do this.

Volunteer anyone?

I need - Eaton v. Russell

 I need your observations, documentation, anything about the Russell - Eaton debate of 1903.

A few more paragraphs

 Same as previous post. This won't stay up. If you wish to comment, now is the time to do it.

            He [Eaton] entered the Methodist Episcopal (Wisconsin Conference) ministry in the spring of 1871 with a License to preach. Clergy were admitted on “trial.”

remainder of this post has been deleted.

Three paragraphs

 These are from a history journal article I'm writing. Posted for your comments. It will come down soon, so comment now.

            Eaton just is. No discussion of the Russell-Eaton debate of 1903 describes him as anything but a pastor of a Pittsburgh church and as “Dr. Eaton.”

Remainder of this post has been deleted.

Listen to the entire lesson

 

M. Russell taught in this school

 Found this picture today. Enjoy.

Update of sorts

My thanks to those who sent well wishes. Along with other issues, I've been fighting an infection. The antibiotic is working, and I feel some better. 

A test revealed that the arteries in my extremities are in good shape. However an MRI shows significant deterioration in my neck and upper spine. Nerves are impinged. I will forego the surgery. At least for now.

They located three more tumors, one of which 'looks suspicious.' I will have that surgery sometimes early summer. 

I'm on two 'strong' medications that leave me dizzy and a bit disoriented. They affect my memory too. So I'm slow moving and mostly confined to my house. My neurological problems have increased. Pills for that too. 

While 'down and out' I've written a young adult/new adult novel. It required little thought. Will it be published? Probably not, but it was a mentally relaxing project. I'm calling it "Falcon's Crown: Kidnapped." 

I'm writing a journal article about Ephraim Llewellyn Eaton and the Eaton-Russell debate. The magazine for which I'm writing may refuse it because its editor is a partisan of Eaton. If so, I'll find another home for it. If you have any thoughts or information about Eaton, please share them, even if you think it's something I already know.

Bruce

End of the Enterprise

 

from The Golden Age for July 10, 1929, page 655

(depending on your device you may need to click on the graphic to see it in full)

     The New Era Enterprise (originally called The St Paul Enterprise) was an unofficial Bible Student newspaper for much of its history. It started publication in 1910, and was devoted increasingly to Bible Student news from 1914. Its first editor, William Abbott, became a Bible Student. The paper published pamphlets from time to time including the public speaking booklet The School of the Prophets in 1922.

     For historical research it is invaluable, especially in its life stories in obituaries, and many well known names appeared in its columns.

     Most library sources say the paper ended in 1930, but they all carry a question mark after that date. However, The Golden Age referred to its passing in the extract reproduced above. The writer noted that it had folded “sometime ago.” This information ties in with the extant file on microfilm belonging to the Minnesota Historical Society. The last issue on microfilm is for May 1, 1928.

     As The Golden Age became more well-known it took over the role of The Enterprise in some respects. Also The Enterprise was heavily criticised in the article “The Misleading Press” by Judge Rutherford (see Golden Age for December 2, 1925). The paper had censored one of his speeches while claiming to print it complete, and had been selling subscriptions on that understanding. From then on it was only a matter of time before the paper folded.

     Of interest in the above clipping – C E Stewart had been the editor of The Enterprise from 1918-1922, and felt the need to warn readers not to send money to its defunct offices. Stewart left the post in 1922 to go into Bethel, to work first on The Golden Age and then become part of The Watch Tower editorial committee.

Can you help?

 Bruce needs the talk outline for "Who are God's Ministers." The date is uncertain but probably from the 1950s.

A. d'I.-Stewart