San Francisco County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 7 1900
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Book Title: History Of The First Pastorate Of The Howard Presbyterian Church

VII.

  I HAVE mentioned the name of Mr. William A. Palmer in connection with the
formation of the church in 1850. He had been here, at that time, only some three
months, — but long enough to become an enthusiastic Californian. He returned
East the same year, but only to come back with his whole family to make their
home in this city. The father and mother, two daughters, one son, and an infant
child arrived here in February, 1852, — one son had been here since 1849, — and
two older daughters came later, in 1853, — a family of nine! The long, hard
journey was too much for the little infant boy, and he survived their arrival
but a little time. His loss almost broke the mother's heart, and made it very
hard for her for a good while to feel as if California could ever be home to her.

  But such a family as that coming to reside, and join our congregation,—it was
something the like of which had hardly been known up to that time, in any one of
the churches in the city.

  How heartily we welcomed them!

  Mr. Palmer was an experienced business man; had been a deacon in an Eastern
church; was an earnest, spiritual Christian, who thoroughly enjoyed taking part
in every branch of church-work, and was enthusiastic about laying Christian
foundations in California. He was a man of quick perception, sound judgment, and
firmness of purpose.

  He could be depended on as a trustee in the management of church finances, and
he could be depended on as a church member and elder to give time and patient
attention to all the detail of church affairs, often so perplexing in a
community such as this was at that early day.

  He was a man with whom religion was the first thing.

  It was so in his home, where family worship was as regular, morning and
evening, as the rising and setting of the sun.

  He was a man of prayer.

  In ordinary speech he sometimes inclined to stammer. But never in prayer.
Never a trace of it could be noticed when he was speaking to his Father in heaven.

  He was a man eminently social. His home was always bright with sympathetic
life. The father enjoyed the children, and the children enjoyed their father;
but the mother easily held the first place there.

  Mr. Palmer was a bright-minded man, and quick at repartee.

  When the opening of Natoma Street, through the sand-hill in front of the
church, was going on, it was found that the building stood several feet above
the grade, and that care must be taken, or the sand would slide down from under
the church and weaken the foundation. Mr. Palmer watched the work as it
progressed, to see whether it would endanger the church.

  He observed that the northwest corner of the building rested on a solid stump
and root of an oak tree which had been cut down when the church was built.

  That stump and its roots the graders found quite in their way, and set about
digging and cutting it out. Just then Mr. Palmer came along, and seeing what
they were doing, asked them not to dig out that great root, for, as they could
see, it would endanger the foundation of the church.

  "But," said the foreman, "isn't this the Lord's house, and won't he uphold his
own church?"

  "Yes, he will," replied Mr. Palmer; "and he put that stump there for that very
purpose."

  Mr. Palmer and his family made the prosperity of the church their personal
care, yet not in a way to seem unduly to control things.

  If extra money was to be raised for repairs or refurnishings or enlargements,
they were among the foremost in devising ways of getting it.

  A great deal of effort was necessary at that time, in the social line, to
bring newcomers together to meet the old residents, — that is to say, those who
had been here more than a year.

  The pastor was fortunate in having large parlors, where frequent
entertainments could be held, bringing together members and friends of the
church and congregation.

  In preparation for these, and in all that was necessary to make them a
success, the Palmer family always took a leading part.

  They were especially considerate of the pastor, and delicately thoughtful of
his welfare and that of his family.

  In due time the names of all of them were borne on the membership-roll of the
church, thus realizing the most cherished hope of the father and mother.

  Mr. E. B. Goddard, another member of our session, who was here in 1850, at the
organization of the Religious Society, went East and returned in 1851, bringing
his wife and little adopted boy with him.

  They came from Vermont, and at once made their home in the valley, and united
with our church.

  Mr. Goddard was engaged in the foundry business on First Street, and the
family residence was on Mission Street.

  They were very intelligent and cultivated people, who appreciated the
opportunity of taking part in founding here a new state, and in beginning in it
the institutions of the Christian religion.

  They early took an interest, also, in planting schools, especially an academy,
which might grow into a college.

  Their home had been in Middlebury, Vermont, and they had not failed to become
impressed with the importance of the early establishment of a Christian college
in a new state, more especially as they had seen it illustrated in the history
of Middlebury College, with which they were familiar.

  They were people who came to California to live and make it their home, and to
do their utmost, with all of like purpose, to make it a Christian state.

  Mrs. Goddard gave her time largely to Christian and philanthropic work.

  She looked after people who were sick, and sent her carriage to give an airing
to little folks who were recovering from sickness.

  She was among the foremost in all church-work, calling on strangers,
interesting them in our plans, and inviting them to take part with us.

  Mrs. Goddard was one of the ladies who organized the "Ladies' Protection and
Relief Society," and was foremost in putting it into operation.

  At first it was very difficult to find a suitable house, and then there was
the liability of being obliged to move, and the uncertainty that would follow.
The great want of the institution was a permanent home.

  It weighed upon Mrs. Goddard's mind, and she studied all possible expedients
to obtain one. The first necessity was ground to put it on.

  If that could be had, it might be possible to raise the money necessary to put
up a house. But to get money enough to buy the land, at prices ruling at that
time,—that seemed to be out of the question.

  But somehow a bright thought occurred to her.

  She and Mr. Goddard knew Mr. and Mrs. Horace Hawes very well. Mr. Hawes owned
a great deal of city real estate; and who could know but that he would give them
a site for the institution?

  He was a man of very peculiar ideas, to be sure, about some things, but still
he was known to be a generous and philanthropic man, and perhaps he would take
to the idea of giving them ground on which to build their home. At any rate, it
was worth the trial, Mrs. Goddard thought, and so she went and laid the matter
before Judge Hawes.

  I knew Judge Hawes's peculiarities so well, that I am sure the interview must
have been long and interesting, and the particulars of the matter were surely
gone thoroughly into.

  But in the end the application was successful, and Judge Hawes gave to the
society an entire block of ground on Franklin Street, between Geary and Post
streets.

  It seemed far away at that time, for improvements of property had not extended
anywhere near so far west, and the whole region was covered with grass and
shrubbery. But it was a princely gift, and could be made early use of by the
society. It must have been an exceedingly great gratification to Mrs. Goddard to
report this gift at that time, and thus solve the real problem of the perpetuity
and usefulness of the institution.

  And now that surrounding improvements have increased the value of the property
to so great a degree, and the institution with all its inmates has so choice a
home there, it is fitting that not only the name of Judge Hawes, the giver of
that valuable block of land, should be gratefully remembered, but also the name
of Mrs. Fanny Goddard, who asked it in the name of the society, and so presented
the matter as to obtain the gift.

  It was in 1853 that Dr. Franklin Knox and his family joined us. They were from
St. Louis, and came to California to make their home. Dr. Knox had been an elder
in a Presbyterian church in St. Louis. He did not practice his profession here,
but associated himself with his brother, Richard F. Knox, in commercial
business. They both joined our church on April 10, 1853.

  Both these gentlemen proved an important accession to our membership.

  Dr. Knox was a man of fine education, well read in current affairs,
entertaining positive opinions, and accustomed, at times, to give them
expression through the press. His experience in ecclesiastical affairs made him
a very important member of our session.

  From the first he entered heartily into our plans of church-work.

  He took in the whole situation, and saw the opportunity then open for the
church to help in obtaining a competent ministry for the state,—in making the
scattered Christians acquainted with each other by means of the circulation of
The Pacific, informing them of the plans of Christian progress, and inviting
them to join in their prosecution.

  He was a man of broad views, and full of the spirit of enterprise. And at the
same time he was a man of faith and prayer.

  He was a man of acknowledged influence in the city, and took an active part in
its affairs.

  On the same day with Dr. Knox and his brother, Mr. Elijah Bigelow and his
wife, Mrs. Emma Bigelow, from Charlestown, Massachusetts, united with our church.

  Mr. Bigelow was a quiet, retiring man, who said but little in public, but a
man always to be depended on at the post of duty.

  A man of fine feelings and spirituality of mind, possessed of sound judgment
and rare executive ability, he proved to be one of our ablest helpers in every
good work.

  He was valued in the session for his wise counsel, and whatever he undertook
to do in the service of the church was sure to be done, and done in time.

  His was another precious family added to our social circle, which, by this
time, had become exceedingly enjoyable.

  It was composed of gentlemen and ladies in the prime of life, together with
some that were younger, coming from various parts of the country, but a more
pleasant and harmonious group of neighbors never came together, I am sure, in
any new city. Among those whose names I have not previously mentioned, I recall
those of Mr. and Mrs. Christy and Mr. and Mrs. David Brown, who came in 1851;
and Mr. Robert Thompson and his daughters, and Mr. Henderson, who came in 1852;
also, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hyde, and Judge and Mrs. Hiland Hall, from Vermont.
Judge Hall had been governor of that state, and came here, by appointment of the
United States government, as one of the land commission to settle California
land titles. Also, Mr. J. Snowden Bacon, a graduate of Yale, and his young wife,
from New Haven.

  Mr. and Mrs. Redman [1] with their children arrived earlier, and so, also, did
Mr. and Mrs. Piercy, with their children.

  Very early, Mr. and Mrs. Butler arrived from Massachusetts, but Mr. Butler was
taken sick almost immediately, with, I think, Panama fever, and soon died. It
was a heavy affliction to the young wife, thus left alone in a strange land, far
from home.

  But new friends gathered quickly around her, and she found that she was not
alone and did not lack friends. She was brave, and had faith in her heavenly
Father, and she became one of the most beloved and useful of all our society of
ladies.

  Mr. and Mrs. George W. Beaver found a home in one of the cottages in the
valley, early in 1852.

  They were young people from the state of Ohio, recently married. At once they
were welcomed among us, and their home became a center of attractive social
life. It is very pleasant to recall its brightness and good cheer, now, after so
many years have passed.

  Speaking of this home of newly married people reminds me of another, — that of
Mr. and Mrs. Barney Hinckley.

  Mr. Hinckley was a member of the firm of Egery and Hinckley, previously
mentioned. He had been in California long enough to establish a successful
business. He had built a house on Second Street, and furnished it, and meanwhile
had sent East for his mother to come out and join him, and to bring with her the
young lady to whom he was engaged to he married.

  In due time they arrived, but his mother had contracted the Panama fever on
the way, and before long she died.

  The marriage took place on November 5, 1851, and the new house was at once
occupied, and became a center of refined and cheerful social life.

  Not quite all who came to us in the early times were young in years, but they
were young in spirit. Colonel George S. Mann came from New York with his family,
about this time. He was in the prime of life, and ready to meet the experiences
of a new country.

  He had been a man of influence in New York, holding many responsible
positions. He was one of the delegates to the convention that revised the
constitution of the state of New York. He engaged in mercantile business, and
built a house for his home, not far from us, on Howard Street.

  He was a man of very regular and systematic life, a gentleman of the old
school in manners, enjoying the respect of all who knew him. He did not make
public profession of religion, but he was a religious man, as his whole life
showed. No member of our congregation was more constant than he in attendance at
church, and no hearer listened to preaching with closer attention or a more
generous appreciation.

  He was among the most liberal in contributing to the support of the church,
and gave willing and patient attention to its business as a member of the board
of trustees.

  His home was bright with cheery social life, and every good cause found in him
a friend.

  Next door to him was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob K. Bassford, whom I
married on September 19, 1851.

  One Sabbath morning, early in 1853, as the congregation was assembling, a
whole family, just arrived, came in together, the father and mother with their
five children, — a family group, the like of which we had not seen in our
church, or indeed in California, before. It was the family of Mr. J. B. Lyle,
coming from the state of Maine, and resuming here, at the very beginning, their
habit of church-attendance together.

  It was observed, and spoken of with great pleasure, and they received a hearty
welcome.

  Mr. Lyle had arrived in California a year or two before, and sent for his
family to come by way of Cape Horn. He had built his house on Howard Street, not
far from our church, and there he received them from the ship on their arrival.

  The surrounding neighborhood was not inviting, the sand-hills were
undisturbed, and the general aspect was desert-like, but before many months it
was not so around that home. A little timely culture, and the sowing of seeds,
with the use of water, developed the fact that the barren sand, under this
treatment, would become a garden of beauty. It was something of a revelation,
and made that home, with its beautiful adornments of flowers, a lesson of
encouragement for other home-makers.

  The whole family was soon identified with our church and Sabbath school work
and with our social life.

  Mr. William H. Dow and Capt. H. A. Cheever built houses on the west side of
Second Street, near Harrison Street, on the top of Rincon Hill. It did seem
pretty far from the city at first, but it was not very long before others chose
a similar elevation for their homes, overlooking the city and the bay and the
entire surrounding country. Mr. Palmer built his home there, and esteemed the
location as almost ideal.

  Mrs. Sarah Harnden came from Boston with her two boys, and at once was
welcomed to our circle of ladies.

  Mrs. Harnden's husband was distinguished as the man who began the express
business in Boston, which has become national, and has grown to such immense
proportions in later years. After his death the mother came with her two sons to
California.

  They were a great addition to our social circle and our Christian life, and
ultimately made their home in the state. [2]

  Judge O. L. Shafter came to California with his family about this time, and
selected a residence near us. He was from Vermont, and with a brother, who was
also a lawyer, established a law firm that became one of the most prominent in
the city. He was an indefatigable worker, but gave his evenings to enjoyment in
his home with his wife and children.

  They were a very choice and highly appreciated addition to our church and
social circle.

  It was very natural that a lawyer of such ability, industry, and integrity as
Judge Shafter was should, later, become chief justice of the supreme court.

  Henry B. Janes and family joined us in 1853. Mr. Janes was a lawyer, and gave
much attention to public education, and was elected city superintendent of
public instruction.

  He served at a time when a determined effort was made to include sectarian
schools in the public school system, — a measure which he successfully opposed.

  Mr. and Mrs. Isaac E. Davis moved into our neighborhood, and with their family
joined our congregation. Mr. Davis was from Massachusetts. He was a well-known
merchant, a liberal-minded man, and the family was warmly welcomed among us.

  Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lux, also, united with us.

  Colonel and Mrs. Charles Doane, with their family, coming among us about this
time, added greatly to our strength in church and Sabbath school work.

  A little later came Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Bigelow and family, from Massachusetts,
and also Hon. Sherman Day and family, adding greatly to our social and religious
strength.

  Among the young merchants who were members of the congregation were William
Alvord and his brothers. Later, their widowed mother came out from New York to
join them. She was indeed a power in the Christian life, and every good and
patriotic cause found a vigorous support in her as long as she lived.

  Mr. Maurice C. Blake, a young lawyer from Maine, joined our congregation, and
was noted for the constancy of his attendance.. Later, in the municipal
reconstruction of the city, he was chosen mayor, and afterward judge of the
county court.

  At the same time, Mr. George M. Blake, a young man from New York, was with us.
He became a member of the church, and took a very active interest in its
affairs. He was for a long time a member of the board of trustees.

  Among the young unmarried men with us in the early days were David N. Hawley,
Charles Hawley, Walter M. Hawley, and George T. Hawley.

  Also, Israel W. Knox, Charles Knox, William Knox, and Henry Knox.

  Also, George C. Potter and his brother, Charles S. Potter, and George W. Armes
and his brother, William Armes, and Samuel Foster.

  Mr. and Mrs. Eells came from Maine, with a group of sons and daughters, all
singers, enjoying music in their home.

  Mr. and Mrs. Atwood, also, came from the same state, and the family were soon
members of our congregation and of our social circles.

  Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Taylor, with their three sons, came from New York.

  These names I recall, after this long time, from memory, and therefore cannot
be sure that they are accurately written.

  With so many families and young people meeting in our social and religious
life, it was not far on in the fifties, as might well be imagined, before
acquaintances ripened and marriages took place, and not a few new houses were
built, and there were new homes in them.


Notes, Chapter VII

  [1] Mr. William Henry Redman and his wife, Sarah Cornelia Redman, with their
children, arrived in San Francisco, September 1, 1849. They crossed the plains
with an ox-team, coming from the state of Indiana.

  Their two eldest daughters, Harriet and Isabel, were of the original six
children who formed the Sabbath school on Sabbath, May 19,1850.


   [2] Some years later, Mrs. Harnden became the wife of Judge Samuel A.
Hastings, who helped to organize the Religious Society in 1850, and later united
with the church. He was for a long time a member of the board of trustees, and
was untiring in seeking to build up the church in every way.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST PASTORATE OF THE HOWARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 
1850-1862

BY REV. SAMUEL H. WILLEY
THE FIRST PASTOR

SAN FRANCISCO: THE WHITAKER AND RAY COMPANY (INCORPORATED)
1900

COPYRIGHT, 1900
BY
SAMUEL H. WILLEY


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