Memoirs of the late Miss Lucy Richards, of Paris, Oneida County, N.Y

Front matter

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UNITED STATES OP AMERICA.

Chapter I. Birth And Early History

I WAS born in Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., October 3, 1792. My fatber was born in Watertown, and my mother in Middlebury, Connecticut. They resided in the former place about a year and a half after their marriage, when the^y' removed to Oblong, and continued there not far from three years. From thence they removed to Schodack, and, after residing there about the same length of time, to the place of my birth.

When they removed to this place they had had two sons, Orris and John, and one daughter. The daughter died in infancy, and the eldest son v/hen about four years old. I have heard my mother say, that, when he was sick and lying upon her lap, he wished to go to his father, who was then asleep : but she desired him to lie still a short time, telling him he sliould then go : he raised his little arms, clavsped them arounri her neck, grave her a kiss, and then expired ! My parents have since had six daughters, of whom I was the eldest, and two sons. Two of the daughters died in infancy.

I have often heard my father remark, that he was awakened to a sense of his lost state the last day of March, 1789, under the preaching of the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson ; and that, in the April following he found peace to his soul. But as there was no Methodist society in the neighbom'hood, he gave his name to Mr. Garrettson. My mother was awakened and converted a year or two afterward, under the preaching, of the Rev. Benjamin Abbot ; so that, in the early part of their lives, they devoted themselves, their family, and their substance, to the work and service of the Lord : and their house has ever since been open to receive the heralds of the cross.

The first thing I can remember of a religious nature is, that when I was three or four years old a Methodist preacher came to my father's : my mother told me he w^as going to pray, that I must kneel down, lay my head in the little chair, keep still, and hear what he said. I did so, and got much praise for it ; and this probably is the reason of my remembering it so distinctly. After this I was much pleased when the preachers came, as they used to talk to me, and tell me many such things as my little mind was capable of comprehending ; making it their uniform practice to shake hands with me when they went away. However, one came who said nothino- to me, and when he left did not offer to shake hands with me, at which I was much grieved, and began to weep. My mother observed it, and, after ascertaining the cause, took me by the hand, led me out to the preacher, who was about mounting his horse, and told him what I had said. Accordingly he shook hands with me, and said I must be a good girl. I then went into the house satisfied. I was early taught to say the Lord's Prayer, the Methodist Catechism, and several hymns, which I repeated with great delight. Yvlien in my seventh year my father sold his farm, and bought another within half a mile of a school-house, where there ^vas a small society of Methodists. Here my father was a class leader ; and w^ell do I remember his teaching what is novv'- called a Sunday school ; for my mind was often so seriously impressed w^hen in it, that I could not refrain from weeping. In one instance, so general was the feeling, it was thought best to go into the house of Mr. W., and hold a prayer meeting, Avhere we cried aloud for mercy. The feeling was, however, of short duration, and produced no lasting efiect. About this time my father received license as a local preacher, and as he was obliged to be frequently absent from home on the sabbath, and as no one w^as willing to take his place as teacher, the school was discontinued.

As we now lived nearer to neighbours than formerly, I had a better opportunity to learn many foolish and hurtful habits. Besides, I soon found I had been kept stricter, and m.ore closely at work than others ; for besides winding a great many quills for my mother, (she being a weaver,) I had spun upward of ninety runs of yarn before I was seven years and a half old. Of course I could not have so much time for play and amusement as most other children, which circumstance made me uneasy and fretful. My parents, however, were conscientious in their treatment of me, and I shall ahvays have occasion to bless God for, their fidelity.

When I was between eight and nine years of age, a Mr. M. taught our district school, and as he was a professor of religion, he prayed at the close of school every day. To guard against a breach of order during this solemn exercise he appointed a watch, whose duty it ^vas to report to him after prayers. All whispering Vv^as forbidden ; but as v/e were standing before a window, a girl named L. saw my brother coming in a sleigh and said, " Now we can ride." I replied, '' So we can ;" but immediately recollecting I was not to go home till after we had spoken our pieces in the evening, said, "No; I am going to stay." After prayer we were reported ; and then questioned by the teacher, that he might know who whispered first. The watch said, " Lucy ;" but this I denied, as did also L. Mr. M. deferred the matter till just at evening, then came to me with the watch, and, after sending the rest of the scholars out of the house, asked him if he saw me whisper first? He said he did. He then told him he might leave, as he wanted nothing further of him ; and, taking me by the hand, feruled me severely ; after which he asked me if I would not own I whispered first ? I told him I did not, and should never say I did. He then repeated his blows in a most cruel manner, saying it v/as a very wicked thing to tell a lie. I told him I knew it. " But," said he, " you have told one ; and I shall punish you till you own it." I replied, " / never shall. ""^ He continued his blows till my shrieks and groans alarmed the scholars in the house across the way. so that they ran and looked in at the window. This led him to desist, at the same time saying, he was afraid I meant to tell a lie. Thus I escaped further punishment. Some of the scholars were so much exasperated, that they advised me to leave the school ; but this Tdid not wish to do, as I never thought that either the teacher or watch had any ill will toward me. Probably the latter was not looking toward us when the conversation commenced ; and it would be natural for the teacher to put confidence in a vountr man rather than in a child. Self-willed and wacked as I was, in other respects, such was my fear of telling a lie that I should not have dared to tell one on any account.

At the time appointed Mr. M. had his exhibition in a large nev/ house, belonging to a Mr. S. We had not been there long- before I was taken into the dressing-room, w^here some of the ladies were employed in powdering and dressing the heads of those who ss^ere to appear on the stage ; but I told them I did not wish to have my head fixed in that manner, for my parents wonld not like it. They asked, if they were to be present ? if not, I could comb it out, and they would never know it. So I consented. After we had done exhibiting, the young people spent some time in dancing. This was a new diversion -to me ; for I had never heard a violin or seen dancing before. Thus, in violation of parental authority, was I led astray from the paths of piety. Well would it have been for me had I heeded the admonition of the wise man, " If sinners entice thee consent thou not."

Some time after this I heard a funeral discourse preached on the death of a child, from 2 Kings iv, 26 : " Is it well with thee ? Is it well with thy husband ? Is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well." The preacher had commenced his sermon when I got there, but my mind was so deeply affected by it that I did not soon lose the impression. I then thought I should not be disobedient to my parents, or dare to sin any more ; for I thought that had I died instead of this child, my parents could not in truth say, "It is well with the child." When I returned home I asked my father where the text could be found, and, although he was not there, he told me in " Kings." I searched till I found it, and read the whole chapter with deep attention.

But I was again drawn into sin. When in my fourteenth year I received an inntation to a quilting at nncle T. W.'s. My mother, ever anxious for my welfare, charged me not to stay in the evening. We had not been there long before we found that all the company, except my sister P. and myself, were calculating to stay; and when it was ascertained we were not, we were called '' superstitious.*' This, however, was not our fault ; for we felt as strong an inclination to stay as perhaps any one ; but thought it best to obey our parents, until some one told aunt W., who said to us that we should stay, and that she would bear the blame. She said also, that my parents were once as fond of going to such places as others, and wondered if they thought that they could bring up a family of children without letting them go into company ; — said that to keep them from such places made them a great deal worse, and that they would never know how to behave in company. I nov\' thought it would be a line thing to stay, and felt greatly prejudiced against my parents for being so strict with their children. Thus were we betrayed into disobedience to our parents, and into sin against God.

The winter following my cousins prevailed ou me to learn to dance ; and, as our new school-teacher was very fond of this sinful amusement, he spared no pains, during the time of intermission, to instruct us in it. But when my parents and some others became acquainted with the fact, proceedings came to a speedy termination. I was now much encouraged by others to disobey my parents ; but needed little,

SO strong was my inclination after worldly pleasure. Still I had almost every thing to mortify my feelings, especially in reference to dress ; for my parents v/onld allow me to wear scarcely any thing superfluous, or, at least, would purchase no merely ornamental article for me. In this^ I am now persuaded, they were perfectly right.

When in my fifteenth year I spent a few weeks with uncle J. S., whose residence v/as six or seven miles from my father's. There was a Methodist in his employ, Mr. M'B., who w^as then a zealous Christian, and who had a short time before become acquainted with my father. One evening he came into the room where my aunt and myself were sitting, and, laying his hand on my head, said with singular solenmity, — " Well, Lucy, have you no religion yet, when you have so good a father, wlio has so long prayed for you ?" I replied " No ; nor do I want any!" xlunt soon joined with me, and in great apparent sorrow he left the room. Had he asked me if I were willing to die without religion, I must have answered in the negative ; for I knew to die without it would be the ruin of my soul for ever. But death seemed at a great distance ; and I thought, as too many do, that there was time enough yet. Alas, what a fatal delusion ! It has undoubtedly destroyed its thousands ; and I have reason to adore the riches of divine mercy in showing me my mistake.

Soon after I came home I was; invited to a quilting at Mr. A. H.'s ; and as nothing had been said to me about returning, I stayed during the dance ; feeling much less compunction than I probably otherwise should have done. But there is no peace to the wicked. In the midst of all my sinful amusements I was extremely unhappy. One day when I had been on a visit, and returned just at evening, I saw as I entered the door a grave-looking gentleman sitting by the fireside, conversing vrith my father, whom I took to be a preacher ; and judging it probable I should get a reproof, thought I would go into my room and lay off my ornaments before he discovered them. But just as I reached the door he espied me, and asked my father if I were his daughter ? My father called me to him, and I was introduced to the Rev. Ebenezer White ;* who, taking me

■^Emphatically one of -^ our fathers." Like most who entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in his day, he had few early advantages ; and being " thrust out" into the itinerant field, after be became the head of a family, his mental training w^as chiefly in his own hands. But he was deeply read in Christian experience, and had the rare talent^ of finding his way immediately to the hearts of his auditors. Mild and affectionate, he seldom gave offence ; ardent and courageous, he never willingly left the sinner asleep in his sins. Few men of those early times were heard with more general satisfaction, or to more general profit. He was always preaching, speaking to the childi'en in the family, or saying a kind word to those he met by the way ; and everywhere doing his utmost to promote the cause of Christ. Though I have often heard him spoken of, I never heard a single word to his disadvantage. The eyes of our elder members kindle by the hand, said, " Don't you know you should always speak to, and shake hands with, the preachers ?" He also gave me a gentle reproof, with which I was much disgusted. As Mr. White frequently put up at my father's, he made it almost a uniform practice, after he had inquired respecting the health of the family, to question each member of it touching his or her spiritual state, insomuch that I hated the very sight of him, and others, who would give me reproof; so far from God and goodness had I wandered ! But wicked as I was, I often felt the strivings of the Holy Spirit, When my friends affectionately entreated me to attend to the concerns of my soul, I could not refrain from weeping; and then I would feel so ashamed that I could wish there were no such people on earth as Methodists, or that they would say nothing to me.

As my parents had never had any of their children baptized, they now thought it their duty to dedicate four of the younger to God in this ordinance, leaving the three older ones to their own sense of duty. We refused, thinking it a very wicked thing to receive such an ordinance with unrenewed hearts. That man of God, the Rev. Ebenezer White, was the administrator ; and though the services were conducted with the greatest solemnity, I xemained

when they refer to him, and every tongue is eloquent in his praise. " He had a good report of all men, and of the truth itself." About thirty years since he joined the venerable dead. — Ed.

unaffected. So hardened, indeed, had I now become, that I despised and ridiculed the people of God, would hearken to none of their reproofs, and disregarded all their counsels ; even refusing to kneel during family devotions ! O, my long-suffering God ! I\Iay I never forget the goodness that spared such a rebel as me !

Chapter II

Is the month of June, 1809, my parents and sister P. attended a camp meeting in Deertield, Herkimer county.* When they returned and gave me an account of the meeting, I told them there was no occasion of spending so much time, and being at so much expense to worship God, when there were meeting houses enough and near at hand. Yet I felt a desire to behold the novelty of such a scene, and resolved if one were appointed at Westmoreland, in September, as was then contemplated, I would attend. My mother said she wished I had been Avith them, as it might possibly have done me some good ; remarking, that several were awakened and converted there, who went as

* It was at this meeting that the Rev. John Dempster, the missionary to Buenos Ayres, South America, was converted to God. — Ed.

careless and unconcerned as I then appeared to be. She mentioned two young persons in particular, who went from Litchfield. One Miss M., a gay young lady, was powerfully awakened soon after she went on the ground ; and never rested till she knew her sins forgiven. The other, Mr. Kent, a cousin of hers, was much displeased with her, and told her she should never take any more comfort while she remained at his father's house ; and was so exasperated that he would scarcely be seen in the tent long enough to sleep or get refreshment. But God soon brought down his lofty spirit ; so that, in the agony of his feelings, he cried aloud for mercy, and desired the prayers of those around him. Nor did he seek in vain ; for he soon found delivering grace. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, became a useful member, and has for several years been faithfully employed as an itinerant preacher.

Soon after her conversion. Miss M. came to our house. I found her to be a very amiable young woman ; and when alone with her, I asked her many questions, and conversed freely with her on the subject of religion. Yet I would not be persuaded by her to set about the all-important work of repentance and reformation ; for I loved pleasure, and was resolved on seeking it.

One sabbath morning in the latter part of the month of August, as I was sweeping the floor, my mother said, " Parma and Maria" (deacon B/s daughters) "have experienced religion or are under concern of mind." I was literallyamazed. As soon as I recovered my recollection I replied, " I don't believe it ; for I saw them two or three Sundays ago, and they were then as lively as I was." She said, " That might be, and they be serious now." My father added, " If you go to hear Mr. Steel to-day, I hope you will try to profit by what you hear." I went and took a seat in the gallery. Parma sat below in her father's pew, and I shall never forget the solemnity that was depicted in her countenance. Maria sat in the gallery, and listened as for life to every word that fell from the speaker's lips. During the intermission we went to Mr. A.'s. P. and M. laid off their hats, took their Bible, selected a few friends, and retired to the chamber. During the afternoon service I could not help reflecting on what I had seen and heard, and was somewhat affected. At five o'clock I went with my brother and several other young persons to Sangersfield, and, under the pretence of attending meeting there, went to see an uncommonly large child I*

* It has occurred to the editor, that some of his young readers maybe curious to know something further respecting this '• large child." Mr. Ichabod Fisher, formerly of Sangersfield, Oneida county, N. Y., had two children, Willard and Lucy, both of whom were very large. It is not certain which of them is intended in the text. At the same age, we are informed, they were nearly of the same size. About twenty-five years since the editor saw Willard in the streets of Utica. He was then between four and five years old, and was said to weigh nearly two hundred pounds ! Respecting the fate of this great-little boy

However, after we had satisfied our curiosi ty, we did go to meeting. After we had been there a short time, a young lady arose, and in a most feehng way invited the young people to seek religion. This affected us much, and we left the meeting talking on religious subjects ; but, strange to say, before we got home we began to compliment each other ; which was a fatal stab to my seriousness, and I was soon more hardened than ever !

On the succeeding Saturday my father went

it is difficult to obtain any satisfactory information. He emigrated to the " far west," some years since. Report says he is still alive, but that he is not so large a man as might have been anticipated from his precocious growth.

The history of poor Lucy is a most painful one. Being so very large, she excited a great deal of curiosity. Availing themselves of this circumstance, her friends, very improperly we should think, carried her about as a public show ! Among other places to which she was taken her friends carried her to the city of New- York. While there, her attendants left her alone in an upper room, intending to return in a few minutes. When they did so, they found her clothes had taken fire during their absence, and were almost entirely burned from her person. She suffered a few hours, and was then taken to a world of spirits.

The editor is too little acquainted with physiology to indulge himself in any speculations as to the cause of such overgrown bodies as those which these poor children were obliged to carry about. Perhaps, indeed, the case involves an insolvable mystery. Be this, however, as it may, all may learn from it a lesson of humiliation and gratitude. Who hath made us to differ 1 We are neither dwarfs nor monsters. We are neither so much like other human beings as to be confounded with them, nor so diverse from them as to attract the public gaze. May we praise thee, O thou adorable Creator ! — Ed.

to one of the neighbours ; and when he returned, said to me, "A. thinks she has a soul, and feels deeply concerned to know what will become of it : you have one too, and ought to be as much concerned as she is." This, with much more that he said, alarmed my guilty conscience : but I was determined that no one should know it. The next day I told an intimate friend I was going to sit alone, and hear Mr. Steel preach. She desired to sit with me, but I refused, and took a seat in the gallery near the pulpit. Some of the time I heard with deep attention, and when I looked at those who were serious I could not refrain from weeping. But fearing lest I should be discovered, I would occasionally look at my gay companions with a smile, and was glad when the exercises closed. Prayer and conference meetings were soon established in different parts of the town, and the multitudes that attended evinced the deep anxiety of the people to save their precious souls.

The next sabbath Mr. White preached at Mr. Cooley's barn. The preceding evening Mr. M'Bride — the very individual I had told I did not want religion — came to, our house, and asked me if I would go and hear Mr. White preach ? I told him I would, but that I must first go to the morning prayer meeting with N., agreeably to promise. But, to my great surprise, the latter told me she had concluded not to go. Relieved from this promise, I w^ent immediately to Mr. White's appointment ; but fearing I should meet some one — so great was the cross of going to Methodist meeting — I got over the fence, and walked through the fields ! After sermon the ^preacher and Esquire H. gave me a few words of good advice respecting the time and way to seek religion. In the afternoon they held a prayer meeting, at which Mr. D. said, if there were any present who desired salvation, and would kneel down, he would pray for them. Accordingly I knelt v/ith some others; but was soon so ashamed that I had a strong inclination to get up again. O, the uneasiness I felt ! and glad was I when the meeting ended.

In the evening Mr. White preached at Mr, B. C.'s, on "Behold I stand at the door and knock," &c. Every word seemed to penetrate my inmost soul, and the great deep of my heart was measurably broken up. / felt my own depravity, and so deeply realized the evil nature of sin that I resolved to abandon it. After sermon Mr. White gave an invitation to any who desired an interest in his prayers to come forward. But as no one particularly asked me to go forward, and as I had not confidence to go alone, I asked Miss C. to step out of doors with me, and then burst into a flood of tears. She asked me if I wished to go forward for prayers, and said she would go with me. Accordingly I went, and there were many fervent petitions addressed to the throne of grace on ray behalf But unbelief prevailed; I thought I was too great a sinner to find mercy nowy but that, if I earnestly sought, perhaps I might find deliverance at some future day. As might be expected, I returned with a heavy heart. I attended the meetings almost daily; but, while many were made to rejoice in a sin-pardoning God, I was left to mourn. I no\v felt it my duty to kneel in family prayer; but I had been so stubborn, and the cross v/as so great, I did not take it up till my father introduced the subject. What a blessing to have praying parents ! On Saturday evening the meeting was held at our house. As I had not seen my friend N. for some time, we walked out together, when I told her I was fully resolved to seek religion, and asked her what she meant to do. "O," said she, " I will seek it too !" We went into the house, and many of us spent the evening in crying for mercy, but found no relief. The Rev. James Kelsey,* then on our circuit, on leaving

■^ Now one of the venerable dead. For more than thirty-five years he was a member of the travelUng connection, during which time he laboured chiefly in Middle and Western New- York. Long will he be remembered as a zealous and devoted minister of the iiOrd Jesus. His preaching was doctrinal, experimental, and practical ; and though he sometimes gave offence by the poignancy of his thrusts at what he conceived to be fundamental error, he was generally heard with great satisfaction and profit- Hundreds, perhaps thousands, were led to Christ by his powerful and heart-searching ministry, and not a few societies, now large and flourishing, were formed under his immediate supervision. He continued to hold an effective relation to his conference up to the last year of his life ; so that it may be almost literally said,

^'^He ceased at once to work and live." — Ed.

my father's house, said, " Farewell, brother Richards, you shall see your children converted to God." After this, when I w^as tempted to think I should not find mercy, I would think of what Mr. Kelsey said, and, in view of his faith, take courage.

In consequence of a thunder storm, which occurred at the time of our prayer meeting on Sunday evening, many stayed all night. After retiring to our private room, we began to converse on the goodness of God in sparing our lives and bringing us to see our lost state, though none of us had found forgiveness. One of the company (Deacon H.'s daughter J.) said, she had no doubt but there was mercy for all of us, except herself. I told her I believed Christ had died for all, and that, if we all truly repented,. he would have mercy upon all: for the promise is, '' if we seek, we shall find." She replied, " It will do no good for me to seek." A few days after, as I was returning from a conference meeting, one told me that J. had obtained a hope. It was instantly suggested by the tempter, " You may as well give up ; you have been long seeking, and are none the better ; others have sought and found, but for you there is no hope !" O, the distress of soul which I now felt ! Yet I did not wholly yield to these temptations ; for I thought the reason why I did not find was, I had been a greater sinner than others. I went home, retired to my room, and with strong crying and tears besought the Lord to have mercy on my soul ;