BIO: Henry Halstead, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 190-191.
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  HALSTEAD, HENRY, was born in the town of Bedford, Westchester County, 
N.Y., on June 4, 1800, and died at the home of his son in New Berlin, 
Chenango County, N.Y., on February 21, 1896.
  At fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in 
Mayfield, Montgomery County, N.Y.  It is supposed that it was about 
this time that he surrendered himself to Christ.  At twenty years of 
age he commenced teaching school, and continued in that vocation about 
four years, when his health failed.  The failure of his health he 
regarded as evidence of diving displeasure at his refusing to obey 
God's call to the ministry.  He soon yielded, and resolved to enter the 
first open door.  A vacancy on Sharon Circuit soon occurred, and he was 
offered the opening, which he gladly accepted.
  In 1826 he joined the Genesee Conference, became a member of Oneida 
Conference at its organization, and a member of Wyoming Conference with 
the accession of Oneida territory in 1869.
  In 1827 he enjoyed a great revival in which over seventy were 
converted.  Three of the number became preachers, one of whom was Jesse 
T. Peck, afterward bishop.  While he was stationed at Herkimer Miss 
Sophronia Farrington was converted.  She spent several days in prayer 
and then went out among the people.  In a revival which followed it was 
discovered that none had been converted other than those with whom she 
prayed, and all such found peace while she knelt by their side.  She 
was the first unmarried female missionary sent to Africa by the 
Methodist Episcopal Church.
  On June 25, 1829, he married Miss Eliza Ann Parks, of Earlville, N.Y.  
At sixteen years of age she had been led to Christ in the gracious 
revival at Earlville, referred to above.  She preceded him to the 
heavenly country a number of years, she dying at Unadilla, N.Y., on 
January 9, 1884, being seventy-three years old at the time of her 
death.  She was buried at Unadilla, but at the time of her husband's 
death her body was removed to New Berlin.  Husband and wife now lie 
side by side in St. Andrew's Cemetery in New Berlin, N.Y.  Three 
children were born to them, one daughter and two sons.  Rev. Thomas P. 
was a member of Wyoming Conference.  Henry J. is now living, and the 
daughter is married and lives in Chicago.
  After his superannuation he resided in Unadilla until his wife's 
death, when he went to his son, Henry J., and lived with him until 
death.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1826, Camden; 1827, Lebanon; 
1828-29, Vernon; 1830, Stockbridge; 1831-32, Herkimer; 1833-34, Oxford; 
1835, Hamilton; 1836-37, Hampton; 1838-39, Springfield; 1840, 
Sherburne; 1841, Otsego; 1842-43, Middlefield; 1844-45, Exeter; 1846, 
Otego; 1847-48, Springfield; 1849-50, Frey's Bush; 1851, sd.; 1852, 
Westville; 1853, Unadilla and Unadilla Center; 1854, Unadilla; 1855, 
Bainbridge; 1856-95, sd.