BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF
DEPARTED DEACONS
[EXPLANATION—In the following pages will be found brief biographical notices of a number of our departed Deacons—compiled, as has been noted, by Brother T. H. Belyea, Church Clerk, with the exception of the first four names, which the writer has added from personal recollections, at Brother Belyea’s request. T. D. D.]
In preparing the biographical sketches of the devoted Christian workers who have served the Church in the office of Deacon, and are now in the presence of their Lord, we had hoped to make the list much more complete than we have been able to do. In some cases all the members of the families of our departed Deacons being dead or having removed from the city and our being unable to locate them, has made it impossible to secure the material for writing an account of their lives.
In the main part of this history some reference has been made to those who filled the office in the earlier years, namely: Thomas Pettingill, Jeremiah Drake, Benjamin Gale, James Holman, Dr. Simon Fitch and A. McL. Seely. Among those who filled the office in later years we recall with grateful hearts the following brethren:
SAMUEL KINSMAN besides filling the Deacon’s office, acted for many years as Treasurer of the Communion Fund, and so long as he was able was always present at the Monthly Conference Meeting, and the older members will recall his oft repeated testimony—“Hitherto the Lord hath helped me.”
WILLIAM BLIZARD A man of retiring disposition, and with few words to say in public, but one whose life spoke loudly through his works in connection with the business affairs of this Church—he having served as Trustee as well as Deacon for many years. Some of the older members will remember his faithful work as usher, he being always at his post on the first stroke of the bell and remaining till the last visitor was seated. For some years after its completion, the vestibule of the former edifice was not protected, as the present one is, by being closed in with inner doors, and heated as well, so that in winter with the doors wide open the post of usher was not one to be coveted.
W. H. HALL, though serving for a shorter term than others of the Deacons, on account of his removal to Woodstock, did faithful work while remaining with us. For some time he acted as Chorister of the Sunday School, during the superintendency of Brother T. P. Davies.
GEORGE W. MARSTERS, after following the sea for years as a master mariner, settled in this city as the representative of the Bureau Veritas, and joined this Church, which he afterward served as Deacon till his removal to St. Martins, where he died. He left behind him not only a reputation for upright Christian character in the community, but to the Church a constant reminder in the Bell which weekly calls us to worship.