USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bremen > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 42
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Bristol > A history of the towns of Bristol and Bremen in the state of Maine : including the Pemaquid Settlement > Part 42
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Rev. Nathaniel Chapman, a graduate of the Bangor Theo- logical Seminary, began his labors here in 1824, preaching alternately at Walpole and Harrington; and was ordained as regular pastor of the church, Sept. 15th, 1825.1
The following churches were represented in the council at the ordination, viz., Chesterville, Hallowell, Bath, Waldoboro, Alna, Boothbay, and Thomaston. The services at the ordination were as follows, viz .--
Introductory Prayer by Rev. Jotham Sewall.
Sermon by Prof. John Smith.
Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. D. M. Mitchell. Address to the church by J. W. Ellingwood.
Charge to Pastor by- " S. Johnson.2
Mr. Chapman's services were very acceptable to his people and to the citizens generally ; and he added much to his popu- larity by the interest he took in the public schools, often serving as chairman of the superintending committee of the town, and, as such, aiding in the examination of teachers, and visiting the schools in the different districts. He was dismissed, at his own request, in April, 1833. Some time before this he was much injured in one knee by a kick from a horse, and was for many weeks entirely laid aside from his labors.
After leaving Bristol, he preached in several other places, al- ways maintaining the same elevated character as an earnest and judicious Christian minister. He died in Gardiner (it is be-
1 A letter from Rev. W. S. Spaulding (May 28th, 1871), gives the date of Mr. C's ordination as Sept. 14th, 1924, but in the author's notes, copied several years ago from the church record, it is as given above.
2 Records of the Church which begin July 23d, 1796.
James Emkinn
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
lieved) only a few years ago, but was brought to this place and interred in the Walpole burying ground, in the midst of many of his former parishioners.
Alexander Erskine came to Bristol from Boston with Shem. Drowne in 1747, to assist in making a survey of the Pemaquid Proprietor's claim, and through his influence; not long after- wards came his brother Ninon ;1 and from these have descended all of the name in the place. Ninon died, June 15th, 1795, at the age of 90 years. It is believed they were born in the north of Ireland.
The present Hon. James Erskine is a grandson of Alexander ; and himself and two sisters, aged respectively 95 and 90, are all that are now living of a family of 11 children.
He has long been a prominent man in the town and active in all its affairs, political, military and civil. In the militia, hav- ing attained the rank of colonel, he has long been familiarly de- signated by that title by his fellow citizens. In town affairs, he has at different times, filled nearly every office, has served as county commissioner, and commissioner of state valuation, and has been elected to both branches of the state legislature. In 1872 he was chosen elector of president and vice-president, and cast his vote for Ulysses S. Grant.
Two of his brothers, Alexander and Ebenezer, married daughters of Samuel Saunders of whom the following interest- ing story is told. These daughters were his only children.
Saunders was an Englishman, born probably in London, but came when quite young to this country. He was a man of little energy or force of character, but became notorious for a singular adventure that happened to him in the Indian wars.
During the French and Indian war, the same day the Hiltons were attacked by the Indians at Broad Cove (ante, p. 247-249). Samuel Saunders and a young man by the name of Hutchins, both of them belonging to Capt. Nickels Miller's garrison on the west bank of the Damariscotta river, were at work in the woods at a distance, and were attacked by some Indians, and Hutchins killed and Saunders taken prisoner. Taking him with them they travelled some distance towards Broad Cove,
1 Pronounced Ninyon. The name is always now written Erskine, but formerly it was often written Askins. It is thus on Ninon's tombstome in Walpole ceme- tery. In the first mention of Alexander's name we have met with it is written Erskine. (Lincoln Rep., 1811, p. 50).
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when the report of guns was heard in the direction of the latter place, and the Indians greatly desired to hurry on so as to share in the expected plunder. Placing Saunders with his back against a tree, and binding his hands, they tied him fast by means of a blanket, and then hastened onward. Probably their work was not very well done, for after being left alone he soon found means to free his hands, and release himself. Many years afterwards, he delighted to tell the story of his adventure, and would laughingly remark, " they thought they had a fool in the halter but found him to be a rogue."1
A brother of Saunders, named William, was a merchant in London, and at one time largely interested in the fisheries on the coast of Nova Scotia. He became very wealthy and in his will made provision for the payment of an annuity of £60 (about $300) to his brother in America, or his widow or children, so long as any one of them should live. It is pleasant to be able to add that the annuity was paid regularly according, to the will, during the life of Mr. Saunders, and afterwards continued to his daughters, the two Mrs. Erskine, and ceased only when the last one died a few years ago. During the war of 1812, payment was necessarily suspended, but, on the return of peace, the whole of the back payments was received at one time.
The Friends or Quakers first made their appearance at Broad Cove soon after the close of the revolutionary war ; and in 1784 they caused their presence to be recorded by petitioning to be released from paying the ordinary "ministerial tax." They were not successful. Aaron Lancaster, David Sands, and John Wigham, the latter, a man from the north of England, were greatly instrumental about this time in disseminating their principles in various parts of the state ; and the two last named were probably here. In 1795 their numbers here had so increased that a meeting for worship was regularly organized. The first meeting was held at the house of Isaac Lincoln, Sept. 9th, 1795. Three years later, in 1798, they were strong enough to erect a small meeting-house, the land for the house and a graveyard adjacent having been purchased of George Rhodes. In 1801 the society was constituted a preparation meeting by the proper authority, and seemed to be in every way prosperous. At this
' This story of Saunders, which was never before committed to writing, is told with many variations as to the attending circumstances, but the above is proba- bly substantially true.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
time, or a few years later, it numbered more than fifty members; but never made any further advance. Soon by deaths and re- movals from the place, their numbers began to diminish, and about 1826 their meetings entirely ceased; and for many years there has not been a single member in the place. The meeting- house having greatly decayed, was taken down many years ago, but the graveyard is still cared for by the society in Vassalboro. As it was not their custom to place gravestones or monuments of any kind at the last resting places of their departed ones, even the graveyard possesses little interest, and attracts little attention. Ezekiel Farrar, Wm. Kcen, Hannah Farrar, John Donnell, James Warner, Wm. Hilton and wife, and Peter Hussey were prominent members of the society during the lat- ter years of its existence. Peter Hussey was a man of cousider- able influence in the community, and was a member of the board of selectmen for several years (1820-1822). 1
The Freewill Baptist church which, it is believed, was form- erly organized in the town, (p. 380) was not very efficiently sup- ported nor long maintained; but their numbers were considerably increased by another revival in the spring and summer of 1822, under the ministry chiefly of Rev. Mr. Pratt. But for want of pastoral care, or proper organization, the flock was again soon scattered, many of the members connected themselves with other denominations, particularly the Methodist; and the Freewill Baptist church was no more heard of.
Early in the summer of the year 1824, by a spontaneous burst of patriotism, it was resolved to celebrate the anniversary of the nation's birth in a manner worthy of the occasion; but as July 4th fell on a Sunday, the public services and dinner were very properly appointed for Monday the 5th. Preparations were begun sometime beforehand, especially for the public dinner to be served in the town-house. When the day arrived it was ushered in by the usual honors, and at the proper hour a large audience assembled in the Methodist church near the Mills, when after prayer by the Rev. Nathaniel Chapman, and reading the Declaration of Independence by Arnold Blaney,
1 Town Records. Tradition. Letter from Joseph II. Cole of Vassalboro, (dated 11th month, 14th, 1859) who kindly searched the records of the monthly meeting, and thus supplied most of the information above given. Greenleaf's Eccles. Sketches, p. 258.
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Esq., Dr. Albert S. Clarke, who had then recently come to the place, gave an eloquent address carefully prepared for the occasion.
After the conclusion of the exercises at the church, a large company collected at the town-house, and did justice to the dinner there provided. In the mean time a detachment from the artillery company, with one of their pieces, stationed on the hill a little south of the town-house, honored the occasion in the usual authorized mode. The dinner was served by Mr. Elisha Clark, who kept a public-house at that time.1
CHAPTER XXXIII.
FROM THE INCORPORATION OF BREMEN IN 1828 TO THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR.
Temperance Societies-The Washingtonian movement-Erection of Churches at Round Pond-Several ministers of the Congregational church-Hon. James Drummond-Division of surplus funds by the government-The Aroostook war-Rev. Enos Baxter -- Rev. Moses McFarland -- Hon. John Fossett-Israel Cox-Wm. Chamberlain-Patrick and Roger Hanly-Dr. Joseph Washburn- Robert Paul -- Vote on proposed changes in the Constitution of the state-Incor- poration of Damariscotta -- Samuel L. Hinds-James Yates-Mrs. Ruth Barn- aby.
No place in all the country in the early times probably suf- fered more from the giant evil of intemperance than this town of Bristol; and the fact had long been felt and mourned; and when in the spring of 1828 the formation of temperance societies began to be generally advocated, very many here hailed the plan with joy, and immediately resolved to lend their aid to the cause. Meetings were held by the friends of the movement several Sunday evenings at the Mills for the public reading of
1 Of some dozen or more persons who remembered the occasion here referred to, and were inquired of as regards the year in which it occurred, there was found a perplexing disagreement, nearly all putting it one or two, and some four years later than here given. The fact that it occurred on Monday, July 5th, determines the year beyond controversy, to say nothing of other evidence in possession of the author. Samuel W. Johnson, M. D. HIon. E. Clark, Both.
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Dr. Lyman Beccher's sermons on intemperance, then recently published ; and at the close of these readings, a meeting was called for the formation of a temperance society. This meeting was held about the last of August in the town-house, and was opened by prayer by the Rev. Enos Baxter. Several addresses were made, and a paper offered with a proper pledge of total abstinence, which at the time received 32 signatures, and many more at a later period. The following are the names of the first signers. Phillips Hatch sr., Wm. Hunter, James Drum- mond, Phillip Crooker, Albert S. Clark, Samuel Bearce, Win. Erskine, Henry Erving, Andrew Baker, Phillips Hatch jr., Waterman Hatch, James Blunt, Samuel Erskine, Wm. Baker, John Hanly 3d., Thos. Baker, Henry Hunter, John Johnston, John Hatch, James Varney, John E. Baxter, Samuel McCobb, Jacob T. Little, Wm. McClintock, Sewall Pearson, Alex. Ers- kine, Erastus Jones, Aaron Hatch, Prince Crooker, Henry Wentworth, John S. Pearson, and Henry Erskine.
The movement thus begun proved the beginning of a great reform in this, as in other parts of the country ; meetings for the promotion of the cause were held very frequently, and per- sons solicited to sign the pledge until the list of " cold water men " or " teetotallers " included not a small part of the citi- zens of the town. Here, as elsewhere, it was found that to sign the pledge did not always save the person from subsequent ruin ; yet a new and purer public sentiment was created which has been of inestimable benefit.
At a later period, about 1840, occurred the Washingtonian movement, which had for its special object the recovery of such as had already yielded themselves more or less to habits of intem- perance ; and for a time it had good success, and accomplished much good, even if all that was expected by the zealous leaders was not secured.
The effect of the first movement on the public sentiment was manifested Sept. 10th, 1832, by a vote of the citizens recom- mending to the selectmen to grant no licenses for the year ensu- ing for retailing ardent spirits ; and the next year, April 10th, their recommendations were changed to instructions. At the same time they by vote promised to sustain their faithful publie ser- vants, if they should be put to any trouble in consequence of their doings. Since that day very many in the town have con- tinued their interest in the cause; and, probably, no place in
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the whole country has profited more than this by the great temperance reformation.
Besides the Methodist church at the Mills, there are two others in the town, one at the Falls village, and the other at Round Pond. That at the Falls was erected in 1837, and dedicated to the worship of God in October of that year, by the Rev. Mark Trafton.
The Round Pond Methodist E. church was erected in 1858; when the enterprise was begun it was the wish of many of the
FERGUSCHALSANG
UNION CHURCH, ROUND POND,
other denominations in the place that all should unite in build- ing a single union house ; but the Methodists chose to act sepa- rately, and proceeded to put up their house. It was dedicated by the Rev. A. Church.
The members of other denominations in the place the same year, emulating the zeal of the Methodist people, erected in the immediate vicinity another, called a Union church. It was dedicated late in the year 1853 by the Rev. Wm. A. Drew.
The old Harrington meeting-house (page 342) was taken down and remodeled the same year, and its location slightly changed. It was rededicated in January 1854, sermon by Rev. Wm. A. Drew. Like the preceding it is a Union church.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
The church at New Harbor is also a Union church ; that is, it is owned and controlled by a union of the several denomi- nations in the place, and is not under the control of any par- ticular one. It was built in 1856, and dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Merrill.1
After the dismission of Rev. Mr. Chapman in April, 1833, the Congregational church was several years without a pastor, but in May 1837, Rev. Dan. Kendrick was employed as " stated supply," and continued nearly three years. It was under him
METHODIST CHURCH, ROUND POND.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BRISTOL MILLS.
that the present Congregational meeting-house at the Mills vil- lage was erected in 1839.
Mr. Kendrick was followed by Rev. L. L. Gould, who was ordained as pastor of the church, Oct. 23, 1839; and his pastor- ate was continued with much efficiency and usefulness until Feb. 9th, 1848, when he was dismissed at his own request.
He was followed by Rev. A. Vinton, who served as acting pastor two years. Besides performing the duties of his office, he interested himself in the history and antiquities of the place, especially the region around the old fort; and several valuable ar- 1 Letter of Rev. Joseph King.
55
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
ticles on the subject from his pen appeared in a Boston paper. Latterly he has resided in South Boston ; and his great work, entitled the " Gyles Memorial," is well known, and admired.
Mr. Vinton was succeeded by Rev. Charles Morgridge, as " stated supply," who continued his services until the summer of 1854.
The first church in the town, we have seen, was Presbyterian in form, and probably in communion with the Boston Presby- tery, but subsequently (p. 381) became Congregational. Its records were lost in the burning of Rev. Mr. McLean's house, in May 1796; and their present records begin July 23d, of that year. It was of course for the whole town, but towards the close of the year 1854, (Dec. 14) the members of the church living near the Mills village took measures for calling a council and organizing a second church, to be located at that place. The council decided in favor of the movement, although there was considerable opposition from some of the members of the church in Walpole ; and the new church of thirteen members was duly organized. The following entry upon the record of the church is sufficiently explicit, as it regards the feelings and views of those most active in the movement.
" The members of the Congregational church in Bristol, re- siding at the Mills, having succeeded, by the assistance of per- sons in this community, and with some aid from the missionary society, in sustaining Congregational preaching all the time for more than three years; and feeling assured that the continu- ance in this place of the ordinances of the gospel by our order depends upon the continuance of this effort, and seeing no pro- spect of their returning to worship with the church in Walpole, we are desirous of being organized into a church by ourselves ; and at a meeting of several of the members of the church re- siding at the Mills on the evening of Dec. 14th, they voted to apply to the church for a dismission and letter of recommenda- tion to the council that they may be organized into a Congre- gational church."
The organization of the church was effected Jan. 31, 1855; and the same day Rev. Ralph Fairchild was ordained as an Evangelist and constituted regular pastor of the church. He had already supplied the pulpit several months. He was a faithful servant of his master, but was called to resign both his labors and his life the July following.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
The expectation that the new church and society would be able to sustain a pastor with little or no aid from abroad, was destined to disappointment; and very soon we find the two churches were obliged to unite in the support of a pastor, who preached alternate sabbaths at Walpole and the Mills. A part of the time while the church at the Mills were able to maintain a separate pastor, the old church united with the church in Newcastle for the support of a preacher. Rev. Mr. Cushman was employed in this way. Other ministers that supplied the pulpit at Walpole and the Mills, employed at different times and under different arrangements, were Rev. T. A. Merrill, J. M. Parsons, Rev. H. E. Russell, Rev. Mr. Campbell, Rev. S. W. Pearson, and Rev. W. S. Spaulding.
The organization of the second church at the outset was a matter of doubtful expediency, as has been fully shown by the experiment; and in January 1871, after much consultation, it was determined to unite the two Bristol churches in one; to be called hereafter the Congregational church of Bristol.1
Hon. James Drummond, a native of the town and a much esteemed citizen, died, after a short illness, January 5, 1837, aged 63 years. His father, a Scotchman, has already been mentioned (ante p. 353). The son was born March 13, 1774, and received such an education as the very poor schools of that day and that place, were able to give. The chief opening for earnest and ambitious young men of the place at that time was to engage as seamen, and for this business he offered himself when about nineteen or twenty, and made his first voyage be- fore the mast to the West Indies with Capt. Thos. Johnston, son of the Scotchman of this name.
By industry and fidelity to every trust, and especially by avoiding all the common vices of sailors, he early secured the confidence of his employers and prepared the way for a rapid promotion in his chosen employment. While yet quite young he attained the position of captain of a small vessel, of which he had made himself owner in part; and so much success at- tended his efforts that he continued in the business many years. In 1812 he was engaged in building a small vessel, chiefly on his own account; and the declaration of war that year seemed likely to involve him in financial ruin. Late in the autumn, the hull, not yet entirely finished, was sunk in a convenient 1 Lotter of Rev. W. S. Spaulding.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
place in the Damariscotta river, and remained there until the close of the war. In the spring of 1815, peace being again re- stored, the vessel was raised and put in good order; and he took charge of her as captain. Proceeding southward in her to Savannah he engaged in the carrying trade between that place and Liverpool, and continued it almost without interruption some seven years, until 1822. At this time, finding himself in pos- session of a moderate competency, he returned home, and en- gaged in the business of his farm and mills, which he had pur- chased many years before, and spent here the rest of his life.
He died at his home surrounded by his family in the midst of one of the most furious snow storms ever known in this re- gion ; and the roads were so obstructed that only a few persons were able to be present at his funeral. Indeed it was said that ' many of his neighbors did not even hear of his death until after the funeral.
Mr. Drummond's character as a man and a Christian gentle- man was one of rare excellence ; and he is probably better re- membered in the place than any other man of that day. With an impressive person and ready address, he would grasp the hand of a friend, on an accidental meeting, with a heartiness that could be inspired only by a kind and generous nature; and the people of the place, after he came to reside permanently with them, showed their appreciation of him by frequent elections to the various offices of the town as selectman, treasurer, overseer of the poor, etc. He was always ready to engage in any judicious enterprise for the improvement of the place, contributing freely of his time and money. For many years he was a member of the board of trustees of Lincoln Academy at Newcastle. His regard for justice and right was a feeling ever present with him; and amid the dreadful sufferings of his last sickness, when near his end, he remembered a small debt which he owed a poor neighbor, and specially charged his son who stood by his bed- side, to attend to it.
In the division of political parties of the day he was an earnest and outspoken whig, and, as such, was several times elected a member of the state senate, in which he served with credit to him- self, and advantage of his constituents. He held to his politi- cal opinions with the same earnestness that he manifested in everything else, but he indulged in no mere partizan bitterness towards his opponents. He was long an active and influential
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL AND BREMEN.
member of the Congregational church, and contributed liberally towards its support, and that of the various benevolent enter- prises connected with it; but was always ready to appreciate true christian character under any other name.
His education obtained at school was limited, but by sub- sequent reading and study, and a large intercourse with the world, he had stored his mind well with useful knowledge, and attained a high degree of mental culture. His views on any subject were always remarkably definite and clear; and when occasion required, in a deliberative assembly, presented with much force and vigor; though, while a member of the senate, he never chose to make any special display of his talents.1
He was three times married, and at his death left a widow and several children. Three sons graduated at Bowdoin College, Thomas, in 1830, now Judge of the United States circuit court in Illinois, James jr., in 1836, and Joseph P., in 1843. James jr. studied for the ministry, and was many years pastor of a Con- gregational church in Maine, but subsequently removed to Springfield, Mass., where he died greatly lamented, in 1861, aged 47. Joseph P. also became a clergyman, and died in 1857, aged 33.
In the early part of the year 1836, the United States treasury was found to be so plethoric that some extra mode of depletion was needed, and June 23d, it was decided to distribute the surplus among the several states, according to their popula- tion, the states binding themselves to make return whenever the money should be called for by the general government. The legislature of Maine decided to accept the money thus falling to the state; and passed a law to distribute it among the several towns of the state, according to the population, on condition that it should be returned, if called for, on sixty days' notice.
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