His uncle Orrin Marsh
Orrin Marsh was born 18 February 1806 in St. Albans, Franklin, Vermont.[1]
He was by himself in 1830 on his property in Cattaraugus County next to his father, Lemuel.[2]
Some of Orrin's writings were printed at different times in the newspaper of his brother, Joseph Marsh. Here are some samples:
"In Rochester, the place of my former residence, I spent but one Sabbath; but had, in the course of the day the pleasure of visiting the old Methodist Chapel, where, in former years, I had seen hundreds of penitent souls bow for mercy; - attended two meetings in the court-house, where the dear Saints were filled with joy indescribable and full of glory.
"In this flourishing village, about five years previous, I experienced a hope in the blessed Redeemer. Here I was baptized, and united with the Christian Church; and here I first felt the irresistible impression to preach the everlasting gospel to my fellow men. And, O, the solemnity of my soul, while visiting those places where my mind had experienced so many changes, and felt displays of God's grace and power, especially the spot where I was baptized! While gazing on the pleasant water where I was immersed, my spirit was swallowed up, and for a while lost in the following train of reflections. Ah! thought I, where is that loving band of brethren, who once stood on this pleasant bank to witness my resurrection from a watery grave, whose souls were then filled with a lively hope of immortality, while they sang - Salem's bright King, Jesus by name! Shall I with them attain unto the glorious resurrection of the past? Shall I see them on the fair banks of deliverance, clothed in white, and blooming in eternal life; and shall I hear them, with the innumerable company of the Redeemer, shout loud the highest stroke of triumph - "O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?" Some of those dear saints already sleep in Jesus; while others, though scattered abroad, are still pursuing their heavenly journey; and may we also run, that we may obtain."
"Had the pleasure of visiting my beloved brother, Joseph, who then resided in the village of Jordan, but has since moved to the town of Clay, Onondaga County. He commenced in the ministry of Christ, while I was an inconsiderate youth in my sins. He had never heard me improve in publick until I visited him in Jordan; and our joy on meeting and uniting in proclaiming the precious gospel was indescribable. He has traveled extensively, suffered much, seen the glory of God manifested in numerous places, in the salvation of sinners, and is still steadfast in the gospel of Christ, and when I last saw him, he was engaged in a pleasing reformation in the town where he now resides."
"For some months past, it has been a time of deep interest in religion, among the different denominations of Christians in this vicinity. The Methodists, the Baptists, the Lutherans have all shared in the rich displays of the impartial blessings of that God who will crown with success the labors of the upright and holy, in every sect, denomination, and kingdom of the world. We also, have shared in his goodness. Since the first of last March, our numbers have been more than doubled; and I still think we have sufficient reason to hope that the good work is not yet closed. We have enjoyed, and still enjoy, a good degree of friendship with some of the Methodists and Lutherans. We have worshipped God in sweet union together. May the fellowship we now enjoy be strengthened, and long continue. May no other banner but love, ever be raised among us, and may no sectarian, or worldly interest ever cut in twain those tender and sacred ties which have so divinely bound our hearts in one."
"Finally, my dear brother, the cause of Christ is yet dear to my soul - for a few years past the rough storms of affliction and adversity, have beat heavily against my little back, and my destruction, as to earthly enjoyments, many times has seemed inevitable, but by the kindness of friends and brethren in Clay and Parish, and the blessings of that God who hears the ravens when they cry, I have been enabled to weather the storm, for which I am thankful."
"Finally, when I realize, that I am once more blessed with the sweet society of my dear brethren in Castile, who are mostly firm in the cause of Christ, and reflect on past scenes of trial and joy, my heart glows with gratitude to the giver of all good, for unmerited favors, and a hope of immortality kindles and burns within my breast; that when the rough storms of life are past, that I shall meet hundreds of these dear saints, with whom I have taken sweet counsel the winter past, where we shall forever solace in the ocean of God's eternal love."[3]
Orrin once wrote from Freedom, Cattaraugus County. There was an Orrin Marsh living there in the 1835 census, and he had a wife and daughter at that time.[4]
David R. Graham wrote that Orrin fluctuated between Universalism and Arminianism (conditional principles of immortality). Orrin was ultimately turned out of several churches in the Christian Connection for his reprobation. He served the Connection as a forceful leader and preacher with his brother, Joseph, for several years. More can be read about this through a book in Google Book Search that can be found by searching for Orrin's name.
Orrin took his own life, and he was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. The burial entry says only that he was interred 23 Dec 1839, he was 34, of Pittsford, and his body was put in the vault, meaning that a grave could probably not be dug at the time. His final resting place in the cemetery is unknown.[5]
Joseph Marsh wrote a short piece about his brother, Orrin, for a biographical sketch of Christian preachers. "Orrin Marsh was a younger brother of the proceeding. He became a talented preacher in the Christian Church, in which connection he continued until his death, with the exception of one year, when he was a Universalist. After his return to the church, he was a zealous and earnest worker until, in consequence of becoming deranged, he committed suicide."[6]
He was by himself in 1830 on his property in Cattaraugus County next to his father, Lemuel.[2]
Some of Orrin's writings were printed at different times in the newspaper of his brother, Joseph Marsh. Here are some samples:
"In Rochester, the place of my former residence, I spent but one Sabbath; but had, in the course of the day the pleasure of visiting the old Methodist Chapel, where, in former years, I had seen hundreds of penitent souls bow for mercy; - attended two meetings in the court-house, where the dear Saints were filled with joy indescribable and full of glory.
"In this flourishing village, about five years previous, I experienced a hope in the blessed Redeemer. Here I was baptized, and united with the Christian Church; and here I first felt the irresistible impression to preach the everlasting gospel to my fellow men. And, O, the solemnity of my soul, while visiting those places where my mind had experienced so many changes, and felt displays of God's grace and power, especially the spot where I was baptized! While gazing on the pleasant water where I was immersed, my spirit was swallowed up, and for a while lost in the following train of reflections. Ah! thought I, where is that loving band of brethren, who once stood on this pleasant bank to witness my resurrection from a watery grave, whose souls were then filled with a lively hope of immortality, while they sang - Salem's bright King, Jesus by name! Shall I with them attain unto the glorious resurrection of the past? Shall I see them on the fair banks of deliverance, clothed in white, and blooming in eternal life; and shall I hear them, with the innumerable company of the Redeemer, shout loud the highest stroke of triumph - "O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?" Some of those dear saints already sleep in Jesus; while others, though scattered abroad, are still pursuing their heavenly journey; and may we also run, that we may obtain."
"Had the pleasure of visiting my beloved brother, Joseph, who then resided in the village of Jordan, but has since moved to the town of Clay, Onondaga County. He commenced in the ministry of Christ, while I was an inconsiderate youth in my sins. He had never heard me improve in publick until I visited him in Jordan; and our joy on meeting and uniting in proclaiming the precious gospel was indescribable. He has traveled extensively, suffered much, seen the glory of God manifested in numerous places, in the salvation of sinners, and is still steadfast in the gospel of Christ, and when I last saw him, he was engaged in a pleasing reformation in the town where he now resides."
"For some months past, it has been a time of deep interest in religion, among the different denominations of Christians in this vicinity. The Methodists, the Baptists, the Lutherans have all shared in the rich displays of the impartial blessings of that God who will crown with success the labors of the upright and holy, in every sect, denomination, and kingdom of the world. We also, have shared in his goodness. Since the first of last March, our numbers have been more than doubled; and I still think we have sufficient reason to hope that the good work is not yet closed. We have enjoyed, and still enjoy, a good degree of friendship with some of the Methodists and Lutherans. We have worshipped God in sweet union together. May the fellowship we now enjoy be strengthened, and long continue. May no other banner but love, ever be raised among us, and may no sectarian, or worldly interest ever cut in twain those tender and sacred ties which have so divinely bound our hearts in one."
"Finally, my dear brother, the cause of Christ is yet dear to my soul - for a few years past the rough storms of affliction and adversity, have beat heavily against my little back, and my destruction, as to earthly enjoyments, many times has seemed inevitable, but by the kindness of friends and brethren in Clay and Parish, and the blessings of that God who hears the ravens when they cry, I have been enabled to weather the storm, for which I am thankful."
"Finally, when I realize, that I am once more blessed with the sweet society of my dear brethren in Castile, who are mostly firm in the cause of Christ, and reflect on past scenes of trial and joy, my heart glows with gratitude to the giver of all good, for unmerited favors, and a hope of immortality kindles and burns within my breast; that when the rough storms of life are past, that I shall meet hundreds of these dear saints, with whom I have taken sweet counsel the winter past, where we shall forever solace in the ocean of God's eternal love."[3]
Orrin once wrote from Freedom, Cattaraugus County. There was an Orrin Marsh living there in the 1835 census, and he had a wife and daughter at that time.[4]
David R. Graham wrote that Orrin fluctuated between Universalism and Arminianism (conditional principles of immortality). Orrin was ultimately turned out of several churches in the Christian Connection for his reprobation. He served the Connection as a forceful leader and preacher with his brother, Joseph, for several years. More can be read about this through a book in Google Book Search that can be found by searching for Orrin's name.
Orrin took his own life, and he was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. The burial entry says only that he was interred 23 Dec 1839, he was 34, of Pittsford, and his body was put in the vault, meaning that a grave could probably not be dug at the time. His final resting place in the cemetery is unknown.[5]
Joseph Marsh wrote a short piece about his brother, Orrin, for a biographical sketch of Christian preachers. "Orrin Marsh was a younger brother of the proceeding. He became a talented preacher in the Christian Church, in which connection he continued until his death, with the exception of one year, when he was a Universalist. After his return to the church, he was a zealous and earnest worker until, in consequence of becoming deranged, he committed suicide."[6]
[1] Correspondence with St. Albans record office, P.O. Box 867, St. Albans, Vermont, 05478- 0867.
[2] 1830 U.S. census, Conewango, Cattaraugus, New York, Orrin Marsh.
[3] Excerpts of Orrin’s writings on file with the author, courtesy of David R. Graham.
[4] Cattaraugus County, New York, 1835 census, FHL #583827 (includes 1825 and 1845).
[5] Frank R. Gillespie with The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery.
[6] Marsh, Joseph, biography on file with the author, courtesy of David R. Graham.
[2] 1830 U.S. census, Conewango, Cattaraugus, New York, Orrin Marsh.
[3] Excerpts of Orrin’s writings on file with the author, courtesy of David R. Graham.
[4] Cattaraugus County, New York, 1835 census, FHL #583827 (includes 1825 and 1845).
[5] Frank R. Gillespie with The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery.
[6] Marsh, Joseph, biography on file with the author, courtesy of David R. Graham.