Re: KENT, Helmer B. 1799-1880 Ellenburg, NY
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In reply to:
KENT, Helmer B. 1799-1880 Ellenburg, NY
10/20/98
I've been mining the Plattsburgh Sentinel for information on Helmer and the rest of the Kents. Here are some gleanings about Helmer and wife:
Plattsburgh Sentinel Friday, 1 Sept 1899
In one of the conferences of 1841, the case of Bro. Helmer Kent, one of the licensed exhorters of the church came up. He was a man of little or no school education, but with a great deal of genuine religion and a vast amount of zeal. He was a large man and possessed of a stentorian voice. The conference decided to withhold his license, but afterwards renewed it on the following conditions: “That Bro. Kent be required to restrict his labors to the Sabbath day, to moderate his voice in exhorting, to avoid singular expressions, to give strict attention to his business, with which he said he would comply.”
Inhis old age, Rev. Mr. Kent became much modified in voice, but his unwavering zeal continued to his death. When he sang the songs of Zion during his last years, in quavering tones, the whole heart was in them, and thoughnot attuned to the fastidious ears of the critic, the angels bent low to listen.
mid-January 1880 Plattsburgh Sentinel Ellenburgh Centre
Father Helmer Kent is very low, and doubts are entertained of his recovery. He has been failing gradually for a long time. Father Kent has actually worn out in the Master’s service, and only lingers on this shore for the spirit’s flight to the “evergreen shore.” Dick.
Plattsburgh Sentinel Jan-March 1880
At West Hill, Ellenburgh, Jan. 27, 1880, Rev. Helmer B. Kent (generally known as Father Kent,) aged 82 years.
Last Tuesday Father Kent passed away from this earth and put on immorality. He has been growing feebler, and failing gradually for a number of months past. He has been ready for the change these many years. He has long labored in his Master’s vineyard, and many have been led to forsake their sins through his labors. He has now passed from sight, but he still lives. Mortality has only put on immortality.
Jan-March 1880
Sunday afternoon when the people were returning from burying Mrs. Bullis, they were surprised to find Mrs. H.B. Kent also leaving this life and passing over the river. She left us as suddenly and almost as quietly as did Mrs. Bullis. She also had not been confined to her bed, and had not been considered dangerous till death came. Sarah A. Mooer, wife of the late Rev. H. B. Kent, was sixty-five years of age at the time of her death, last Sunday. She was a native of Point Au Roche, NY. Only six weeks since, her husband, Father Kent, was called away. Six weeks of parting and a happy reunion on the evergreen shore til no more to part. What a blessed thought, “no more to part.” In less than three months four new graves have been dug in the “West Hill” cemetery. All occupied by the remains of aged people.