Centennial Souvenir
Second Milo Baptist Church
January 1911

This 1911 Centennial Souvenir of Second Milo Baptist Church was among the memorabilia left by my mother, Mary Florence Rector Bullock. The 48 page, plus covers, booklet contains a letter from the Pastor; the 1911 officers of the church; a program for the centennial services held on January 18th and 19th, 1911; a history of the church; and a membership list. The membership list and the history have been reproduced here.

All of the even numbered pages in the booklet contain advertisements. The Pastor had this to say about the ads:

To the merchants of Penn Yan who's names appear in ads., I cherish the kindest and warmest feeling, for their generous and patronizing spirit. May the largest prosperity and deepest joy, both in heart and in business, be yours for the coming year. I take this opportunity to thank you, one and all, for your help afforded, and commend you to the patrons of our flock. W. ERNEST LAWTON.

SECOND MILO BAPTIST CHURCH
Membership List - January 1911

Armstrong, Mrs. William, 542 Liberty St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Austi, Mrs. William, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Athawes, Ambrose, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Baxter, Emeline, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Baxter, Cecil, "
Baxter, Hattie G., "
Baxter, Miss Ella, "
Baxter, William, "
Bennett Miss Adeil, "
Bassage, John, R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Bassage, William, Middlesex, N. Y.
Bassage, Bertha, "
Bassage, Edna B., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Baker, Gilbert (Hon.), 125 Benham St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Baker, Jennie, 602 Liberty St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Baker, Eliza, R. D. No. 15, Himrod, N. Y.
Bishop, Lois, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Beckwith, Andrew, R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Beckwith, Ida, "
Beckwith, Jay, 104 Brown Street, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Beckwith, Grace Meeks, "
Burnham, Daniel, Canada
Bailey, Minnie, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Brainard, Frank E., R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Brainard, Roberta E., "
Brainard, Fred H., "
Brainard, Ashley W., "
Brainard, Agnes, "
Bassage, Ada W, Liberty St., Penn Yanl N. Y.
Cole, Mrs. Emma, 542 Liberty St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Coons, Ella, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Conway, Jane, Johnson Ave., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Conway, Fred, R. F. D., Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y.
Conway, Roberta, "
Conway, Frank B., 125 E. Main St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Conway, Marjorie, Johnson Ave., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Cook, Elizabeth, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Cook, Hattie, "
Cook, Florence, "
Cook, Daisy, "
Cook, Reuben, R. D. No 2., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Cook, Alice, "
Cook, Ethel M., "
Case, Grace M., R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Castner, Jessie, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y
Chambers, William, R. D. No. 6, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Chambers, May E., "
Cordingly, (Dea.) Richard, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Cordingly, Lizzie, "
Cordingly, Albert E., "
Cordingly, Susie, "
Capell, Mrs. C. E., "
Cheeseman, Grace, "
Clark, Lucy, "
Clark, Nancy Ann, Dresden, N. Y.
Covert, Sarah, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Covert, Jeanette, Dundee, N. Y.
Cornish, Loren, R. D. No. 6, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Cornish, Lizzie, "
Dusenberre, Carrie, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Durham William, "
Durham, Matie, "
DeWitt, Emma, R. D. No. 11, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Dean, Margaret, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Florence, Mrs. Floyd, Dundee, N. Y.
Francisco, Nancy B., Rushville, N. Y.
Guile, Perry A., R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Guile, Frank A., R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Guile, Martha J., "
Guile, Reuben S., R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Guile, Ida F., "
Gardner, Sarah, "
Gardner, Emma, "
Gardner, Stella, "
Goundry, (Dea.) Castner, R. D. No. 15, Himrod, N. Y.
Goundry, Milly, "
Goundry, Ora M., "
Goundry, Maude, "
Goundry, Helen, "
Goundry, Ralph, R. D. No. 6, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Goundry, Ann, "
Goundry, James, "
Goundry, Edna, "
Goundry, Anna, "
Goldsmith, Ellen, Gage, N. Y.
Goldsmith, William, R. D. No. 4, PennYan. N.Y.
Gibbs, Harry M., "
Gibbs, Muriel C., "
Griswold, Lottie C., Rochester, N. Y.
Hager, Leonard, Columbia Cross Roads, Penn.
Hager, Edna C., "
Hatcher, William, R D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Hatcher, Lena, "
Hatcher, Thomas, "
Hatcher, Charles, "
Hatcher, Hattie, "
Haupt, May, No Address
Hoyt, Fred L., R D. No 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Hoyt, Mable, "
Hoyt, Louise, "
Hoyt, Lucille, "
Hoyt, Olive, "
Hayes, Mrs. Michael, "
Horton, Mrs. Maggie, R. D., Dundee. N. Y.
Hartu·ell, Mrs., Dresden, N. Y.
Knapp, Mrs. Roena, R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Longwell. Rebecca, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Longwell. (Dea) Herbert C. "
Longu·ell, Maude, "
Lawton, (Rev.) W. E. "
Lawton, Mrs. W. E., "
Lawton, Asa L., "
Lathrope, George., "
Moore, John D., "
Moore, Addie S., "
Masten, Hattie, 125 South Ave., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Masten, Frank, Elmira, N. Y.
Masten, Grover C., Chicago, Ill.
Monroe, John, Pleasant. St , Canandaigua, N. Y.
Matthews, Herman, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan. N. Y.
Matthews, Rose, "
Matthews, Ernest, "
Matthews, Hermia E., R. D No 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
McGilliard, Frances, "
McIntyre, Earl, R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Mclntyre, Anna, "
Maloney, James, Central Hotel, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Owen, Merton, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Owen, Eva, "
Owen, Glen L., R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Owen, Dora S., "
Peck, Mary T., Reading, N. Y.
Pulver, Mary F., R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Palliday, Minnie, "
Rector, Stephen M., "
Rector, Minnie, "
Rector, Mary F., "
Rector, Thomas J., "
Rector, Helen, "
Rector, Arthur, "
Razey, Estella, "
Piker, Eugene, R. D., Dundee, N. Y.
Raymond, Charles, Pulteney, N. Y.
Richardson, Susan, R. D. No. 6, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Swarthout, John, 205 E. Main St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Swarthout, Mary Ann, Bellona, N. Y.
Swarthout, Anna Mary, 124 E. Main St , Penn Yan, N. Y.
Swarthout, Seymour F., R. D No. 6, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Swarthout, (Dea.) Frank B., R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Swarthout, Allie D., "
Seligman, Rena, (P. 0. not known) Pennsylvania
Sumner, Ersula, "
Smith, Addie, R. D. No. 4. Penn Yan, N Y.
Smith, Susie A., "
Shultz, Frankie, "
Simmons, Peter, "
Smith, Mary, R. D., Dundee, N. Y.
Slocum, Anna Bell, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y
Slocum, Josie C., "
Slocum, Florence M., R. D., Dresden, N. Y,
Titus, Augusta, R. D, No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Thayer, Minerva, "
Thayer, Mrs. J. W., R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Townsend, Rebecca, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Townsend, Mary E., 133 E. Main St., Penn Yan, N. Y.
Townsend, Wm. B., R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Townsend, George, R. D. No. 1, Dresden. N. Y.
Townsend, Mrs. George, "
Travis, David, R. D. No. 15, Himrod, N. Y.
Travis, Lucy C., "
Todd, Mrs. Adelbert, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Wheeler, Cassius, R. D., Dundee, N. Y.
Wheeler, Earl, Syracuse, N. Y.
Wood, Charlotte, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Warner, Angie, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Wren, Emma, R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Wright, Mrs. Harriett, R. D. No. 4, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Young, George, R. D. No. 2, Penn Yan, N. Y.
Young, Sarah, "
Young, Grace, "

 

HISTORY OF THE SECOND MILO BAPTIST CHURCH
by Glen L. Owen, Church Clerk

This Church was organized on the 19th of January, 1811, at what was called the Popple school house, in the then town of Benton, now Milo, within about one-fourth of a mile of its present meeting house. Rev. Elnathan Finch was present and conducted the services. Articles of faith and practice were presented and subscribed to by eleven brethren and sisters who were present.

A resolution was also passed to call a council for recognition, on the first Wednesday of the following March, and to invite a delegation from each of the following churches, to wit: The church at Benton, the church in Wayne, and the church of which Rev. John Goff was pastor, Of the meeting and action of that council we have no record, but have no doubt that the little band, all of whom have long since gone to their rest, were found sound in their faith and firm in their purpose, ever to present and maintain the principles of the Gospel Church as revealed in New Testament Scriptures.

At their covenant meeting, on the 20th of the following April, seven brethren and sisters were added to their numbers by letter from the first Church of Benton, and one of the number, Brother Simon Sutherland, at the same time was given a license to. preach, and on the first Wednesday of September, 1814, at a council, convened in a beautiful little grove, for that purpose, he was by ordination publicly set apart to the work of the Gospel ministry.

Brother Sutherlaud served the church as pastor for a period of nearly twenty years, getting as a salary, the first year, twenty-five dollars and fire wood, for three-fourths of his time, from twenty-five to sixty-three dollars a year.

Rev. R. P. Lamb was his successor, coming to the church as a licentiate, he was ordained the second Wednesday in June, 1831. During his pastorate the church built their first meeting house on the site now occupied by the cemetery The record gives no account of its erection or dedication, but on the 3d of October, 1835, provisions were made for caring for and lighting the house; each member was taxed, the males twelve cents and the females six cents. This pastoral relation Was dissolved October 15, 1836.

Rev. A. W. Sunderlin accepted the call and settled with the church in February; l837,and continued with the church until 1850.

Rev. P. Shedd was pastor from 1850 to November, 1852.

Rev. J. L. Smith from May, 1853, to March, 1854.

Rev. Reuben Jones from July, 1854, to April, 1855.

Rev. N. Furguson from May, 1855, to March, 1857.

Rev. Geo. Balcom from May, 1858, to April, 1860.

Rev. S. S. Bidwell, a licentiate, settled with the church in December, 1860, was ordained February, 1861, and continued to labor with the church until January, 1862. He is now the oldest living former pastor of the church.

Rev. William Dunbar from March, 1862, to October, 1863.

Rev. Thomas Allen from April, 1864, to February, 1867.

Rev. M. Livermore from November, 1867, to October, 1872.

Rev. William Garnett from November, 1873,to March, 1875.

Rev. Charles M. Bruce from May, 1875, to May, 1884.

Rev. Frances Shearer from June, 1884, to May, 1889.

Rev. Wayne Brewster from September, 1889, to September, 1891.

Rev. John N. Lattimer from June, 1892,to June, 1894.

Rev. G. F. Johnson from November, 1894, to August, 1904.

Rev. Welter H. Dallman from November, 1904, to February, 1906.

Rev. Geo. H. Brainerd from March, 1906, until his death, March, 1909.

Rev. W. Ernest Lawton May, 1909 - - - - -.


The first deacon, Gideon Burch, was appointed May 10, 1827. Since that time the church has been served in this office by the following:
Richard Winship, elected May 21, 1831,
Thompson Ferris, elected May 18, 1833.
Daniel Hedges, elected May 18, 1833.
A. P. Spooner and Joshua Titus were ordained as deacons April 27, 1843.
William R. Swart6out, Rensselear Pulver and Richard Lawrence were ordained as deacons February 6, 1861.
James C. Spooner, Albert Townsend and Geo. C. Wheeler were ordained as deacons January 18, 1868.
Castner Gouudry was ordained as deacon April 11, 1885.
Frank B. Swarthout and Richard Cordingly were elected deacons April 3, 1905.
Herbert C. Longwell was elected March 19, 1910.

Those who have officiated as clerks are as follows:
Josia Maples, elected Dec. 15, 1810.
Frances Taylor, elected April 20, 1816.
Isaac Hedges, elected March 18, 1820.
Robert Armstrong, elected February 20, 1821.
Stephen Raymond, elected Nov. 24, 1827.
John Wilkins, elected August 20, 1831.
Geo. C. Wheeler, elected November 21, 1840.
Frank B. Swarthout; elected August 18, 1877.
Glen L. Owen, elected November 3, 1909.

The first three pastorates ran through a period of about forty years, and their efforts were attended with a good degree of interest and prosperity.

The annual salary paid was from $25.00 to $250.00 a year.

The church has enjoyed frequent and interesting seasons of revival, in which the membership has drawn nearer to the great standard, and numbers have been added who have been valiant for the truth and faithfully borne the burden and heat of the day. In the spring and summer of 1829, the church held meetings in the Court House at Penn Yan. The result of these meetings was, on the 17th of April, 1830, twenty-two brethren and sisters, at their own request, took letters, and with others were organized into the First Baptist Church of Penn Yan.

Rev. A. W. Sunderlin baptized 164 into the fellowship of the church, some of whom are still living and active workers in the Master's service.

During the pastorate of Rev. P. Shedd forty-eight were added by baptism, the church strengthened and encouraged, and the present meeting house was erected.

The spirit of change which at this time seemed to prevail with both ministers and churches affected very unfavorably the interest of the church and the cause of Christ at large. The pastor and the church would hardly come to know each other before, for some cause or other, the relation would be dissolved. Nor was their labor in vain, for they were generally good men and sought to build up the church and to lead men from the path of sin and darkness to the light of the Gospel, but their success must have been more or less crippled by that restless, uneasy spirit which kept the pastor ever on the alert to secure a favorable call, and the church watching for a favorite one to be his successor.

May Heaven bid this unclean spirit depart and grant that the relation of pastor and church may be wisely entered into and faithfully maintained and that our churches may profit by Paul's instruction to the church at Thesslonica, "To know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord and administer to you and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake."

Under the labors of Rev. Geo. Balcom 67 were added to the church; 28 by Rev. Wm. Dunbar; 41 by Rev. Thomas Alien; 40 by Rev. Moses Livermore; 17 by Rev. Wm. Garnet; 62 by Rev. Chas. M. Bruce; 36 by Rev. Frances Shearer; 10 by Rev. Wayne Brewster; 29 by Rev. J. N. Lattimer; 70 by Rev. G. F. Johnson; 3 by Rev. W. H. Dallman; 11 by Rev. Geo. H. Brainerd; 3 by Rev. W. E. Lawton.

This makes 21 pastors since 1811.

Our present pastor, Rev. W. E. Lawton, settled with the church May, 1909.

The first money for Home and Foreign Missions was raised April 30, 1833, and every year since then have helped to send the Gospel to others.

The first church covenant was prepared and read by Rev. R. P. Lamb, April 16, 1836.

The Sunday School was organized May 24, 1851, with Brother C. H. Stone as Superintendent, and held services before church in warm weather only. The following have been Superintendents: C. H. Stone, James A. Thayer, William R. Swarthout, C. M. Bruce, Frank B. Swarthout, John D. Moore, Ora M. Goundry. The present superintendent.

Mrs. C. E. Capel, is the oldest member of our church, and the oldest in membership, having joined the church November 4, 1837; Mrs. Emeline Baxter, January 8, 1843; Perry A. Guile, January 41, 1843; Mrs. Rebecca Townsend, Jan. 18, 1843.

Our church has now a membership of 181, and is in good working condition, trying to build up the Redeemer's cause and Kingdom here upon the earth.

GLEN L. OWEN, Church Clerk.

Paul D. Bullock
September 1999

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