Archive Record
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Metadata
Title |
Thomas J. Albro Chuch Trial Documents |
Object Name |
Documents |
Creator |
Old First Congregational Church (Bennington, Vt.) |
Dates of Creation |
1837-1838 |
Scope & Content |
Documents including accusation, statements, letters, and admonition of Thomas Jefferson Albro, a member of the First Congregational Church, for selling liquor in his grocery store, and for other offenses. Deacon's complaint accusing Thomas Albro of selling ardent spirits and related offenses, September 13, 1837 Albro's response, October 20, 1837 Thomas Albro's response to the Church's accusations, noting that he dislikes selling liquor, but is not breaking any laws, November 10, 1837 Draft letter from Rev. Hooker to Albro, January 17, 1838 Copy of letter to Albro from pastor, January 28, 1838 Thomas Albro letter to Rev. Hooker, February 10, 1838 Albro's letter to Church, February 16, 1838 Rev. Hooker letter to Thomas Albro admonishing him for selling liquor, and inviting him to confess, February 26, 1838 Thomas Albro's final letter to the church, accepting admonishment, but insisting that keeping liquors to sell is not morally or legally wrong, March 9, 1838. Note on the back: "Voted, not satisfactory." |
Information |
When Reverend Clark left Bennington in 1830, the temperance movement was taking off all over the country. Clark's replacement as Pastor of Old First Church, the Reverend Edward Hooker, continued to prosecute church members for "intemperance" and in 1838 excommunicated Thomas J. Albro for selling liquor. Albro protested. Selling liquor not his ideal profession, but he had to support his family. His occupation was not an obstacle when he joined the church in 1831. He felt personally attacked when he was censured for selling liquor six years later. The rules had indeed been changed while Albro wasn't looking. June 17, 1836 the church leaders accepted and adopted a resolution recommending total abstinence from ardent spirits for all its members. On October 20, 1837 (during Albro's trial) William Bigelow introduced a resolution "that the traffic in intoxicating liquor to be used as a drink is an immorality and a sin in the Sight of God which cannot be allowed in any Member of this Church." Bigelow's motion was ultimately dismissed, and there was obviously disagreement among church leaders. |
Related People |
Albro, Thomas Jefferson Hooker, Edward W. |
Search Terms |
Old First Congregational Church (Bennington, Vt.) |
Credit line |
Gift of Mr. A. W. Varney |
Catalog Number |
A3083 |