USA > Maine > Washington County > Milltown > Annals of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; including the village of Milltown, Me., and the present town of Milltown, N.B. > Part 4
USA > Maine > Washington County > Calais > Annals of Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; including the village of Milltown, Me., and the present town of Milltown, N.B. > Part 4
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No event of importance transpired in 1817, except a great earthquake that violently shook the houses, but did no damage. The season was fruitful. The brave people continued the long and severe struggle with grim Want until the Autumn harvest was gathered ; and then, at last, after years of privation, came the joy of fulness.
By 1818, the direful results of the War had nearly passed away ; and a brighter, better age began to dawn. Two able, energetic citizens, Col. Joseph Whitney and Hon. Geo. Downes, the latter a lawyer and new comer, began to be prominent men, and to give a more hopeful
57
STRUGGLE FOR LIFE .- 1810 to 1820.
aspect to public affairs. True, the town suffered a great loss in the untimely death of Wm. Pike, Esq. who was accidentally drowned July 1, 1818 ; but the tide of prosperity continued to rise. The deeply religious feel- ing that came in the hard times, still prevailed, and many hearts were made devout and hopeful. Prayer meetings and regular Sabbath worship were inaugurat- ed. A strenuous effort was made to disentangle and rectify the financial affairs of the town, and to render the highways fit for travel. The next year, 1819, the Grand Jury added more stimulus by indicting the town for its bad and dangerous roads. The work of repair, reform, and improvement went on zealously, till with better roads, morals, prospects and hopes than ever be- fore enjoyed by the people of Calais, the darkest decade in its history ended.
Aug. 20, 1819, the house of Stephen Hill of Mill- town, N. B., was struck by lightning, and Mrs. Hill was smitten down. One side of her face, neck and body was badly burned. The gold beads around her neck were melted, and one shoe and stocking torn to pieces. Though for some time insensible, she slowly recovered. Nov. 7, of this year, was a remarkably dark day.
During this decade, 1810 to 1820, St. Stephen en- joyed a fair share of prosperity. Considerable attention was paid to agriculture, the soil was found to be very fertile, and except in 1816, bountiful harvests were gathered every Autumn. The highways, by the foster- ing care of the Government, were built and kept in good repair, without expense to the citizens. The people were mainly exempt from taxation, and successful in business. Good schools were maintained in both vil-
58
STRUGGLE FOR LIFE .- 1810 to 1820.
lages ; and the regular religious services of the Sabbath cliffused an elevating influence throughout the town. During the War of 1812-15, farming was almost the only business ; and no trade with Calais or the States being permitted, some articles became scarce and dear ; yet no one suffered for lack of food or raiment. "The streets were sometimes disturbed by the noisy brawls of rude militia men," but life and property were ever safe. Before 1820, many of the old citizens died, and new ones came to fill their places, notices of whom will be found in another chapter. For the rest, no event trans- pired especially worthy of record.
By the official census, Calais in 1820, contained 418 inhabitants, and St. Stephen probably more than twice as many. Hitherto the two towns had grown very slowly ; but about this time began a period of vigorous activity and rapid growth, especially in Calais. In the next ten years it more than quadrupled its pop- ulation and wealth. From a weak, straggling, "burnt- land" settlement, it rose to the dignity of a pleasant, thrifty, cultured town. Good roads and bridges, fine horses and carriages, excellent churches and societies, luxurious homes, furniture and raiment made their welcome appearance, and banished forever the long en- dured dreariness and discomfort. St. Stephen fully shared in the prosperity. The brisk demand for lumber and the ease with which it could be obtained from the surrounding forests, made business lively and opened an avenue to wealth for all who had the ability and de- sire to walk therein.
Down to this date, 1820, the history of Calais and St. Stephen consists mainly in the details of the labor and experience of private and often humble individuals.
59
STRUGGLE FOR LIFE .- 1810 to 1820.
In the monotonous routine of the average daily life, there were doubtless incidents and accidents enough to keep the tongue of Gossip busy, and to banish dul- ness fron the groups gathered around the evening fire. Bears were captured, wolves shot, hair breadth escapes made, people lost in the woods, quarrels engendered, ghosts seen, flirting and wooing done, marriages sol- emnized, and a thousand other things happened, all very interesting at the time, but now not worth repeat- ing. From this point therefore, these Annals will be devoted mainly to the organization and growth of so- cieties and corporations, the character and doings of representative men, and the transaction of affairs whose influence extends in some degree to the present time. And so far as practicable, the details will be arranged in the chronological order of their commencement.
60
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
IX.
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
This Church has the honor of being the oldest one on the river above St. Andrews, and the spiritual par- ent of many others in the vicinity. Its Founder, under Divine guidance, was Rev. Duncan M'Coll; who in many respects was one of the most remarkable and in- fluential men that ever dwelt in the St. Croix valley. Hardy, resolute, intelligent and pious, his name is in- terwoven with all the early life of St. Stephen and Cal- ais ; and the impression he made in both towns, is too deep ever to be effaced. His biography is full of in- terest.
He was born in the Parish of Appen, Argyleshire, North Britain, Aug. 22, 1754. Though not college bred, he appears to have received an excellent English education. In early manhood he engaged in a lucra- tive business, and supposed himself settled for life. But through the blunders of his partners, the firm soon fail- ed ; and not readily finding any other opening, he en- listed as a "Pay Sergeant" in the British army. In that capacity, in 1778, he was taken with his Regiment to Halifax, N. S. The next year, the detachment to which he belonged, was transferred to a point on the Penobscot called Magebegadun, (Castine?) and there
61
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
he participated in a battle and siege, and was frequently under fire. In 1781, he showed great coolness and courage in a naval engagement in or near Massachu- setts Bay. During the remainder of the War, he shar- ed the fortunes of the British army in the State of New York. On the return of peace in 1783, he went to Hal- ifax, resigned his office, and soon after married Miss Elizabeth Channal, a zealous Methodist and most ex- cellent woman. In 1784 or 5, having again been disap- pointed in his business prospects, he moved to St. An- drews, bought a log cabin, for which he paid ten Guin- eas, and began housekeeping. But both food and mon- ey being scarce and hard to get, he became dissatisfied with his location, and in Nov. 1785, moved to St. Steph- en, "to take charge of Col. and Lieut. D. Stewart's business," and in this employment he continued for several years.
He had a religious temperament, and from boy- hood, his mind often dwelt on religious ideas. He ever deeply felt the need of Divine aid, and hence on arriv- ing in St. Stephen, his first care was to look around for religious friends and privileges. There was no religious society or meeting in the place. He found a Baptist minister, but the people had no confidence in him and would not hear him preach. No other door being open, the next Sunday, probably the last Sabbath in Nov. 1785, he invited a religious gathering in the evening at his own home. Six or eight neighbors came in, and then and there the King Street Methodist Church was born. The next Sunday, twenty or thirty persons came to the meeting. Mr. M'Coll did not pretend to preach, but merely led the devotional exercises. Steadily the num- bers and interest increased, uutil, in five or six weeks,
62
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
there were "powerful times" in the prayer meetings. From that time to this. the weekly gatherings have not been omitted, nor the Society failed of being a moral power. In Jan. 1786, Mr. M'Coll, after long and se- vere mental struggle, "felt sure he was called to preach ;" and from that time he did preach every Sunday, and often on other days, until the close of his long life.
The new minister, though not in formal fellowship with any denomination, felt the Methodist impulse to travel and preach. One of his excursions in 1787, re- veals the condition of things then, in several aspects. He went to Pleasant River in Maine, and spent several weeks in preaching and trying "to build up Zion." Being ready to return, the good people of the place gave him as the reward of his labor, $3.50, in money, and three cheeses. He started homeward a happy man. He reached Indian Point in safety, but found there no vessel to take him home and no road leading up river. But go he must ; and shouldering his three cheeses, he walked along the pathless shore of St. Andrews Bay, all the weary way to Robbinston. There he found a boat to take him to St. Stephen. The generosity of Pleasant River, the absence of roads, and the hardihood of the man, are characteristics of the times.
In 1790, Robert Watson lent the society, sixty Pounds ; and with this money it built its first meeting- house. It was a small, rough, cheerless building, near the site of the present brick edifice ; but it was a veri- table "House of the Lord ;" and the people greatly re- joiced at its completion. It was the first meeting-house built on either side of the river above St. Andrews. The money to pay Mr. Watson, was raised by Sunday
63
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
collections ; and so freely did the people give, that in three years the debt was liquidated !
In 1791, Mr. M'Coll visited Halifax and preached there several Sundays. As a remuneration, the Halifax brethren gave him a broad-cloth suit of clothes ; the only pay he received for seven years preaching, except the money and cheese at Pleasant River. In 1795, he made an over-land journey to New London, Ct. where he was ordained by Bishop Asbury. Returning home, full of the Divine spirit, he preached so eloquently that in the Winter of 1795-6, there was a great revival, and sixty persons were "hopefully converted." Thus grew the Church.
In 1801, the Society purchased two acres of land for a cemetery, and on it attempted to erect a larger and more comfortable meeting-house ; but the plan seems to have failed, probably because the Episcopalians re- fused to assist.
Mr. M'Coll was now preaching and making many converts in Calais, Milltown, the Ledge and St. David. No separate church perhaps was formed in either of these localities ; but all the converts called themselves Methodists, and felt that they belonged to the Church of Christ. Thus the flame of devotion was kindled and kept burning in "all the region round about."
In 1805, these people were greatly agitated and alarmed by the wild ranting and questionable conduct of certain "new light Baptists," that came from St. John to disseminate their peculiar notions. For a time the strange fire flashed luridly among the uncultured ; but it soon went out, and not much harm was done.
In 1806, the Society attempted to raise funds to build a $7000 meeting-house, but failed. Still the
64
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
Church prospered, and Mr. M'Coll pursued his arduous itinerary labors, without any noteworthy occurrence, until 1814. Several causes then combined to turn men's thoughts from earth to heaven in earnest prayer. War was raging, and any day the murderous conflict might embroil the citizens of Calais and St. Stephen. It was a sickly season. Multitudes were unwell, many died, and no one knew but his turn would soon come. Times were hard and business prospects gloomy. In view of these ills, Mr. M'Coll preached with more than his usual fervency, a revival ensued, and 120 new members were added to the Church.
Elated by this success, and rendered hopeful by the termination of the War, the Society again made an attempt to erect a new meeting-house. The work be- gan ; but the harvest of 1816 was almost spoiled by frost, business remained dull, money and food were scarce, Samuel Millberry, one of the best and oldest sup- porters of the Church, died, the people became discour- aged, and the building went on but slowly. In April, 1817 Robert Watson died. He was the wealthiest and most influential man in the Church, and for 28 years, one of its Stewards. A petition was sent to the Pro- vincial Parliament for assistance in finishing the House ; but Methodists being Dissenters, the favor was not granted. But the work was at last completed. June 30, 1818, the house was dedicated and the pews sold, some of them bringing $200 apiece.
March 23, 1819, Mrs. M'Coll died and left her hus- band childless. The blow almost broke his brave heart ; but he still performed his ministerial duties ; and his audiences on Sundays, filled the new house. In the
65
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, ST. STEPHEN.
Autumn, Oct. 8, the Society inaugurated an auxiliary Bible Society, with a fair prospect of usefulness.
With general good interest and occasional revi- vals, the Church moved on prosperously for many years. In June, 1829, the Pastor being aged and somewhat feeble, Rev. R. Williams was settled as his colleague. Nov. 28, 1830, Mr. M'Coll preached two sermons. Nineteen days after, that is, Dec. 17, he peacefully died of old age in the 87th year of his long and useful life. He was a pure minded, generous, faithful "Soldier of the Cross," and a genuine "apostle to the Gentiles" in the St. Croix valley.
Mr. M'Coll, though a true Methodist, never sub- mitted to the Circuit regulation of his Denomination. His only home and parish was in St. Stephen; though he often visited and preached in Milltown, Calais, St. David and other places. But immediately after his death, his Society adopted the usual practice of having a new preacher every year or two ; and this has contin- ued to the present day. Many an able pastor has min- istered in its pulpit, and many a season of refreshment has blessed its people.
In 1869, the old meeting-house was moved to Water street ; where it is now used by Young Brothers as a furniture warehouse ; and on its original site, a new and substantial brick church erected, costing $22,- 000 ; and the Society at present is large, active and prosperous.
1
66
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, MILLTOWN, N. B.
X. WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, MILLTOWN, N. B.
Prior to 1800, Rev. D. M'Coll began to hold re- ligious meetings in Milltown ; and during thirty years, seldom failed to attend the weekly Class-meeting held in the home of Abner Hill, his devoted and faithful friend. In this private sanctuary the little band of be- lievers joyfully gathered, related their trials, hopes and fears, and both gave and received mutual encourage- ment. From this small beginning, grew gradually, the present large and strong Society.
But the Class-meeting was not enough to satisfy the zealous minister ; and soon after the commencement of the present century, he began preaching to the pub- lic. The services were first conducted in private hous- es,-generally in Mr. Hill's, but as early as 1810, in a school-house near the upper bridge. In this building, often called the "Chapel," on Sunday evenings and sometimes on other evenings, for many years, Mr. M'Coll preached with all his solemn energy. Not unfre- quently a revival season would come; and then the little Chapel would be densely packed with eager listen- ers.
At length, Milltown having become a large village, and the Methodists numerous, a meeting-house was
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH, MILLTOWN, N. B. 67 needed, and in 1836, erected. It was a modest but pleasant edifice, and the Society highly prized and en- joyed it. For a few years, peace and prosperity pre- vailed. Then dissension came, and a part of the So- ciety seceded. In the midst of this trouble, in the Au- tumn of 1844, the weather being remarkably warm, the meeting-house caught fire and burned down. As there had been no fire in the building for some time previous, some excited people asserted that the conflagration was the evil deed of a malicious incendiary ; but sober, sec- ond thought arrived at the opinion that the fire was kindled by the spontaneous combustion of some oiled cotton stored in a closet on the south side of the house. It was a blue time for the divided, homeless Society ; but the Methodists are a people not easily discouraged. Misfortune not unfrequently stimulates them to greater zeal than usual. In a short time, a new house arose on the charred site of the former one ; and in this con- venient edifice, the people have ever since held their religious meetings. Occasional reverses and depres- sions have from time to time occurred ; but as a whole, this Church has been blessed with a fair share of pros- perity.
68
M. E. CHURCH, CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
XI.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
For more than thirty years after its first settlement, Calais had no religious Society, and no regular Sabbath meeting. Rev. Mr. M'Coll sometimes preached on the American side of the river, and occasionally a wander- ing minister came along and held meetings a few Sun- days ; but in the main, the people were "without benefit of clergy." A few of the more piously inclined, crossed the river and attended church in St. Stephen ; but the majority apparently felt little interest in public worship. Mr. M'Coll generally had a fair audience in Calais ; but except in a few individuals, the religious interest was very cool.
Yet, for this unorganized and non-religious condi- tion of affairs, Mr. M'Coll himself was somewhat blam- able He evidently wished to do all the preaching, and have everybody attend his meeting ; and whenever there wastalk of starting a Society in Calais, he putin a stren- uous opposition.
However, after much controversy, in the Autumn and Winter of 1815, the Methodists of Calais and Rob- binston had preaching on alternate Sabbaths by a clergyman of their own faith and choosing. Little good
69
M. E. CHURCH, CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
was done. Some of the brethren still crossed the river to attend church, and Mr. M'Coll denounced the new minister as an impostor. Perhaps he was. He went his way ; but he left a determination among the people to have a meeting and preaching of their own. Provi- dence favored them.
In the latter part of that cold and gloomy year, 1816, Rev. Thomas Asbury, a Methodist, a native of Great Britain, came to Calais and commenced preach- ing, whenever and wherever he found opportunity. Mr. M'Coll disliked him, and said many a severe thing against him ; but he continued to preach, and the dis- couraged and half famished people flocked to hear him. He was an enthusiastic, dramatic and pathetic speaker, and many of the hitherto undevout people were startled and thrilled by his vehemence. A sweeping revival ensued. His meetings were frequently scenes of weird influence and wild excitement. Children cried, women wept, shouts and groans filled the air, and under the intense pressure of excitement, even strong men faint- ed. Dozens of sinners were hopefully converted, and some twenty persons were baptized.
It was the first baptism of adults in Calais. On a bright Sunday morning as the tide was coming in, the candidates knelt in a row, facing the river, on the clean sandy beach at the foot of Downes St. The river was the ample font. Mr. Asbury walked along between the candidates and the margin of the stream, dipped his hand in the sparkling water and performed the sacred rite by sprinkling. The voices of prayer and song rang out on the peaceful air, and the kingdom seemed at last to have come.
Immediately a Church was organized, numbering
70
M. E. CHURCH, CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
thirty six members. Among them were the Brewers, Hills, Knights, Pettigroves, Lambs and others of the best people in town. This was the first Church in Cal- ais. A Class-meeting was at once started under its auspices, and these weekly gatherings have continued without interruption, to the present day.
A meeting-house was now needed ; and to supply the want, Stephen Brewer, Esq. one of the members of the Church, had a building formerly used as a store, hauled to a location on Main street, near Downes street, and transformed into a Church. This first meeting- house in town, is said to have been comfortable, con- venient and pleasant. Subsequently it was hauled to a location on Hinkley Hill, nearly opposite the present residence of Geo. A. Blake, and there used as a church and school-house until 1838, when it was taken down, and some of its material worked into the house now oc- cupied by J. M. Hill.
Mr. Asbury preached to the Society and elsewhere in the vicinity, about two years, and then departed to call sinners to repentance, in other places. He was not the kind of preacher, nor were his meetings the kind of scenes, that sensible people at the present time would relish ; but there can be no doubt that he gave a relig- ious tone to many hearts untouched before, and sowed the seeds of piety that still grow in all our Churches.
In July, 1818, the Wesleyan Conference of New Brunswick sent the Rev. Mr. Newell to preach in Cal- ais and vicinity. He came and did good service. He appears to have been a quiet, thoughtful, pious and scholarly man, but not a great preacher. While here, it is said, he wrote and published a biography of. his
.
71
M. E. CHURCH, CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
deceased wife. If the tradition is correct, this was the first writing for the Press, ever done in Calais.
In 1821 or 2, Mr. Newell retired and Rev. Ezra Kellog took his place. He remained about two years, and appears to have been a man of solid worth and healthy influence. Yet little respecting him is now re- membered.
Thus the Methodist Society had a fair start ; and it ought to have run a good race. Apparently nothing hindered it from prospering and being the leading So- ciety in town. But the flame of its enthusiasm soon died out, and its ardent fervor ceased. Some of its members became lukewarm ; the influential men of the town stood aloof ; the hum of business awoke peopleto a new ambition ; earnest talk of starting a Congregation- alist Society and erecting an elegant church, began to be made ; and from these and other causes, the Metho- dist Society lost its prestige and went into a decline that lasted more than twenty years. Transient minis- ters occasionally came along and held meetings in the Hinkley Hill Church ; but the public interest centered in the Orthodox and Unitarian Societies ; and nothing of importance transpired in the Methodist ranks in Cal- ais village until about 1845.
Yet Methodism did not die out. In 1827, Rev. Josiah Eaton of Barre, Mass. settled in Milltown and preached there in the "red school-house," and also in Baring ; where in 1829 he married the widow Hamilton. The next year he was stationed at Robbinston, and after that in Pembroke and Dennysville. About 1840, he re- turned to Calais, and here spent the remainder of his busy and useful life. He died in 1853, and is remem- bered as a genial and reliable citizen.
72
M. E. CHURCH, CALAIS AND MILLTOWN.
In 1835-6 there was a powerful revival of religious interest, and the Methodists had their full share of its benefit. Thus encouraged and strengthened they de- termined to erect a meeting-house. The Congregation- alist and Unitarian churches in Calais village, seemed to be enough for that locality, and it was therefore de- cided to erect the new house in Milltown. Peter Beedy and Leonard Pickins were chosen Building Committee, and the house was finished and dedicated in the latter part of 1836. The society now for a season enjoyed a vigorous prosperity. In 1837, its pastor was Rev. Mark Trafton, a very able and talented man, and after- wards a member of Congress from Massachusetts. In 1838 and 9, Rev. Phineas Higgins was pastor, and in 1840 and 41, Rev. Isaac Lord.
About this time the old dormant society in Calais began to manifest signs of life. Its membership in- creased ; and, disliking the long walk to Milltown' on Sunday, its people realized the need of a place of wor- ship nearer home. Accordingly in 1845, it purchased that old cradle of churches, the Central School-house on Main street, near the foot of Church Avenue, and re- modeled it into a meeting-house. Here was another fair start in life, and the prospect appeared flattering.
Determining this time to transact their business correctly and thus secure permanency, the Society, June 6, 1846, was legally organized as a corporate body. For that purpose, a Warrant calling a meeting, was is- sued by J. C. Washburn, Esq. at the request of Rev. C. C. Cone, L. B. Knight, Joseph Hitchings, Chas. Cottel, W. H. Brackett, Benj. Baker and James Thompson. During the Summer, the school-house was transformed into a church, at an expense of $355.78. The best pews
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