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 9
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 9
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offshoot, inheriting the vigor and tenacity of its parent, is still alive and flourishing.
But as the fairest day may be marred by a tempest, so Zion is ever liable to commotion and change. The Antislavery agitation, slowly gaining in strength and power, at last reached Calais, and here as elsewhere, created disturbance and trouble. In the Summer of 1838, a Mr. Codding, sent through the instrumentality of that staunch Abolitionist, Gen. Samuel Fessenden of Portland, came to Calais to lecture on the sin and wrong of Negro slavery. Of course, lectures of this kind could not injure the business or morals of the town ; but there were politicians who feared that Codding might damage their party and prevent themselves or friends being elected to office ; and hence they set their faces against him ; and some of these men were supporters of the Baptist Society. Accordingly when Mr. Codding asked permission to deliver a course of lectures in the Baptist meeting-house, Hon. T. J. D. Fuller and others strenuously opposed granting his request. Others were in favor of it, and a sharp discussion arose ; and it was predicted if not threatened, that if Codding attempted to lecture in the village, a riot would ensue and serious damage be done. Rev. Mr. Huckins unhappily sided with the pro-slavery clique. Dea. Kelley however, who controlled over half the house and felt a deep interest in the down trodden colored race, decided to open the building for the lectures, even at the risk of its being torn down or burned by a mob. Mr. Codding accord- ingly delivered his pungent course of lectures from the Baptist pulpit, to large audiences, and without any dis- turbance ; though when he repeated them the next week in the Town Hall, he was liberally pelted with rotten
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eggs. The results of this episode, (so honorable to the fearless Deacon,) were a large increase of Abolitionism in Calais, and the resignation of Rev. Mr. Huckins. It is probable that he acted conscientiously in the affair, but in the then existing state of feeling, his longer stay was not deemed politic ; and in Sept. 1838, the Church accepted his resignation and gave him a letter of recom- mendation to any Society that might desire his services. He left and went to Texas !
The fourth pastor, was the talented, energetic and eloquent Rev. E. D. Very. He began his pastorate in Dec. 1838, and the Church at once resumed the even and prosperous tenor of its way. As a whole, its anti- slavery element made it stronger and more respectable, and Dec. 29, 1841, the thrifty old Hive swarmed again. The village at "Salt-water," was outgrowing Milltown ; several prominent Baptists resided there ; and after ma- ture deliberation, fifty members of the 1st. Church were set off and organized into the 2nd. Baptist Church in Calais. Rev. Mr. Very went with the new Society, and thus closed his pastorate in Milltown. Subsequently he became the Editor of the "Christian Visitor," a re- ligious paper published in St. John, N. B. In 1856, he was accidentally drowned.
The fifth pastor was Rev. Wm. N. Slason, from Pembroke, who began to supply the pulpit in Feb. 1842. He was an emotional speaker of considerable ability ; and a revival of religious interest at once became mani- fest. This continued for several months, and many ad- ditions were made to the Church. But the last offshoot so considerably weakened the financial ability of the Society that in the following December, Mr. Slason be- gan preaching on alternate Sabbaths, in Milltown and
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Baring. This continued until Jan. 26, 1844, when he resigned and removed to take charge of a Church in Parsonsfield, Me.
The sixth pastor, Rev. Allen Barrows of Ellsworth, was elected April 28, 1844. He held the office four years, and then removed to East Machias. The parish gained in strength during his ministry, though no event of special interest transpired.
The next pastor, Rev. J. W. Lawton, was chosen May 5, 1849. The next year, Aug. 9, 1850, the meet- ing-house accidentally caught fire and burned to the ground ; and Mr. Lawton's pastorate ended. It was a great misfortune, but no one proposed to let their be- loved Church die. Mr. Lawton went away, but the faithful, self-sacrificing Rev. A. D. Thompson of St. Andrews, came and preached in a school-house, a part of the time for the next two years, meanwhile the en- ergy and means of the Society were mainly devoted to the erection of a new place of worship. It was at length finished and dedicated Sept. 20, 1852.
Once more the Church had a home and was ready for aggressive work. The pulpit was regularly sup- plied ; but owing to the depletion of its Treasury and perhaps a little fastidiousness, no pastor was secured until Sept. 9. 1853, when Rev. I. J. Burgess was in- ducted into the sacred office, and continued in it two years. After that, the Society does not appear to have been very prosperous for a long period. During many years, various clergymen supplied the pulpit a few weeks or months at a time, until at length a permanent ministry was again established. Rev. C. C. Lang serv- ed as pastor from Sept. 1868 to May, 1870. The next November, Rev. R. D. Porter became pastor, and he is
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still retained. In 1871, the meeting-house was repair- ed and painted at a cost of $600, and in 1872 the So- ciety expended $3000, in building a parsonage. Since then, the Church has enjoyed a good degree of peace and prosperity, and there is every reason to believe that it will long remain one of the substantial and well ordered Societies of Calais.
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BANKS AND INSURANCE.
XX.
BANKS AND INSURANCE.
From their first settlement to the present day, the principal business of Calais and St. Stephen has been lumbering ; and to carry on this business successfully, a large amount of capital is required. In lively times, not only hundreds of thousands of dollars are paid to the workmen at home, in a year, but much more is re- ceived from western towns, in exchange for the cargoes of lumber shipped to them. Hence, at an early day, the operators on the St. Croix felt the need of a Bank of exchange and discount ; and as soon as their means and courage warranted the proceeding, directed their attention to this subject.
The Calais Bank was chartered in 1831, and went into operation in Jan. 1832, with a capital of $100,000. The first President was Hon. Geo. Downes ; the second and present President is Joseph A. Lee. Its first Cash- ier was J. J. Lee ; its second, was Wm. Deming; its third and present Cashier is Frank Nelson. In the ups and downs of business, it has had many a dark day, and met with many a heavy loss ; but it has never failed to redeem its paper, and it did not suspend specie pay- ment until compelled to, by the Banking Act, passed during the great Rebellion. This Bank is still in exist-
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ence, and doing a large, safe and profitable amount of business.
In the flash times of 1836, when everybody had a speculation mania, the Washington County Bank with a capital of $50,000, came into existence ; Rendol Whidden, President, and Seth Emerson, Cashier. Not long after however Mr. Emerson became President and Harrison Tweed, Cashier. But the managers of this institution were not trained bankers, the business re- vulsion of 1837 came on, and worse than all, a set of New York swindlers made the Bank their prey, and in a few years it went down with a crash. Its bills be- came entirely worthless, and the stockholders lost heav- ily by its failure.
The same year, 1836, the St. Croix Bank with a capital of $50,000, went into operation. Cyrus Hamlin was its first President, and Jeremiah Curtis, its second. J. S. Pike was Cashier. There was not legitimate busi- ness enough to support three Banks ; and from similar causes, it soon shared the fate of its cotemporary. But its failure was not quite so disastrous. It redeemed its paper and paid its stockholders, fourteen per cent. of their investment. Mr. Curtis although a poor bank- er, succeeded admirably in the patent medecine line. He went to New York, engaged in the Soothing Syrup business, a la Mrs. Winslow, and became a millionaire. Mr. Pike also in other occupations has proved himself a man of no small ability.
The same year, 1836, the St. Stephen Bank com- menced business with a capital of $100,000. The offi- cers were Nehemiah Marks, President ; David Upton, Cashier ; G. D. King, Robert Lindsay, Wm. Porter, James Allen, R. M. Todd, Robt. Watson, Henry East-
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man, G. S. Hill, Directors. This Bank has done a large and profitable business ; and it is still a sound and prosperous corporation. The Presidents have been N. Marks, Wm. Porter, G. D. King, Wm. Todd, and S. H. Hitchings. At present, F. H. Todd is President, and Robt. Watson, Cashier.
The Calais Savings Bank was incorporated Mar. 14, 1861. For a time, in the distracted years of the war, the deposits came in slowly ; but of late the insti- tution has won public confidence, and more people in the vicinity realize the advantages of putting their mon- ey on interest, and hoarding a fund for future contin- gencies. The Bank pays a semi-annual dividend of three per cent. The amount on deposit, Mar. 1, 1875, was $271,141. The increase during the past two years has been about $35,000 per annum. Its officers are, E. . A. Barnard, President ; J. A. Lee, Secretary and Treas- urer ; T. J. Copeland, Daniel Hill, H. N. Hill, C. E. Swan, G. E. Downes, Wm. Duren, Wm. Deming, and Frank Nelson, Trustees. The stability and future usefulness of this excellent institution, seem to be as- sured beyond a doubt.
The St. Stephen branch of the Bank of British North America, was established in May, 1870. This Bank has a capital of one million pounds sterling. Its home office is in London ; but it has branches or agents in almost all parts of the world. The St. Stephen branch issues bills, loans money, and like a savings bank pays five per cent. interest per annum on deposits. It has an unlimited amount of capital, and does a large business. In 1873, it erected, of Dorchester freestone, an elegant and commodious bank building, at a cost of $40,000. In every respect it appears to be a permanent
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BANKS AND INSURANCE.
and trustworthy institution. Its officers are Messrs. Burns, Manager ; Taylor, Accountant ; Morrison, Tel- ler ; McAdam, Discount Clerk ; and Grimmer, Assistant.
In 1836, the Calais Mutual Insurance Company was organized ; Samuel Kelley, President, Luther Brack- ett, Secretary. It did a small business for two or three years, and then for want of patronage, expired. It brought no great gain or loss to any one.
About 1854, a Mutual Marine Insurance Company was organized in St. Stephen. For a few years it did a good business ; and then by mutual consent it was dissolved. Not far from the same time, a similar in- stitution was organized in Calais, and it went through about the same phases of success and failure. But in 1872, a company was formed in Calais, called the St. Croix Lloyds. It insures only the freight of vessels, makes no dividends, and pays for losses by assessments on its members. Its officers are, F. H. Todd, Presi- dent ; A. H. Sawyer, Secretary, who also has the power of attorney to act for the company ; E. C. Gates, Jas. Murchie, L. L. Wadsworth, Jr., Wm. Duren, F. H. Todd, F. A. Pike, C. F. Todd, Directors. This insti- tution is in good working order, and gives entire satis- faction to those interested.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH,-MILLTOWN & CALAIS.
XXI.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, MILLTOWN AND CALAIS.
The pioneer in a new settlement, is generally brave, energetic, self-reliant and inquisitive. He is a careful student of men, nature and theories. He does his own thinking and tries to satisfy his own good judgment. He may err, but he means to go on to perfection. The wilderness stirs his inner nature, and renders him a seeker after truth and right. It is therefore possible if not probable that from the first, some of the hardy settlers of Calais and St. Stephen doubted the correct- ness of the then popular theology ; but there is no rec- ord or tradition of distinctive Universalism prior to 1819.
In Dec. of that year, Rev. Duncan M'Coll of St. Stephen, who was well acquainted with the religious opinions of all the people on each side of the river, preached a long sermon against Universalism ; quoting, reviewing and trying to disprove the theories of James Relly and John Murray. There must have been some Universalists in the vicinity, for otherwise such a ser- mon would not have been needed. A few months later, i. e. in March, 1820, he delivered in St. Stephen, an- other discourse against Universalism, in which he as- serts that the Universalists "are spreading books and
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leading people astray." To whom he alludes, is not known ; but among them were probably Maj. E. Read- ing, Col. J. Whitney, James Brown Esq., and others. The next year he alludes to them again, as if they troub- led him.
But except this, till 1826, there are no records in existence containing any information on this point. The burning of the Milltown church in 1854, and the. great, 1870 fire in Calais, consumed all the books con- taining the proceedings of the Universalist Society. But fortunately, Mrs. Sarah Lowell, who came to Cal- ais in January, 1825, has preserved in her diary, a faith- ful account of all the prominent events in the parish, from then to the present time ; and from her copious manuscripts, many of the following facts and dates have been gathered.
From an article in the Gospel Banner of Aug. 1865, giving an account of statements made by the late Hon. James Brown of St. David, N. B., we learn that Rev. Joseph Butterfield from the western part of Maine, was the first Universalist minister that preached in this vi- cinity. This must have been prior to 1825. He was not a man of much note ; but he is described as a "Chris- tian gentleman and an extemporaneous speaker of pleas- ing address." He did not remain long ; but his unob- trusive visit opened the door for others to enter, and touched the spring of lasting results.
Probably the next Universalist clergyman that visit- ed Calais, was Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, D. D., then of Waterville, Me., but afterwards of Boston, Mass., where he started and for many years published a religious pa- per called the "Christian Freeman." After a long and tedious voyage from Belfast in the steamer or schooner
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Patent, Capt. Cram, he arrived in Eastport too late in the week to meet his first Sunday appointment in Calais. But he wasted no time. He gave two lectures each in Eastport, Robbinston, St. Stephen and St. David, and preached in Calais on the Sundays of Oct. 22 and 29, 1826. He was a pleasant man, well versed in Scrip- ture, a good reader, a clear reasoner, and an impressive emotional speaker. His sermons seldom failed to con- vince the intellect and warm the heart of every candid listener ; and beyond a doubt, the ultimate result of his labor here, was the establishment of a permanent So- ciety. His home while in town was with the late Maj. E. Reading ; but he has long since gone to the blessed home on high.
In September, 1827, Rev. Lafayette Mace came to Calais and preached six weeks. He was introduced to the people by Col. Joseph Whitney who at the time appears to have been greatly interested in Liberal Christianity. The meetings of Mr. Mace were held in a school-house opposite the present residence of Capt. Seth Emerson. He was a sincere though not an effect- ive speaker ; yet his brief pastorate served to keep alive and growing the nascent soul of the Church that was coming.
The next year, 1828, the eloquent and inspiring Rev. J. B. Dods of Union, Me., came to Calais on a preaching tour. There are some intimations that he had been here before. He was educated for the Congrega- tional pulpit and for a time had studied in the Bangor Theological Seminary ; but in early manhood he em- braced a broader faith, and became one of its most able and earnest advocates. He memorized large portions of the Bible, and well understood their meaning. He
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was a keen observer, an acute reasoner and a rapid, lively, interesting speaker. He preached whenever and wherever he could gather an audience, and seldom fail- ed to convert some of his hearers to his way of think- ing. The Sunday he preached in Dyer's Hall, Calais, only one lady, Mrs. Jonas Rice, ventured to trust her- self within the fascinating sound of his voice. But at Milltown, more people flocked to hear him, than the little school-house could accommodate ; and not a few had to stand outside and listen through the windows. So great was his popularity, that an effort was made to secure his services as a settled pastor,-a step that should have been taken ; but at the suggestion of some over-scrupulous meddlers in the western part of the State, the promising project was abandoned, and the golden opportunity lost. It appears from a remark in his dedication sermon, that Mr. Dods was here again in 1829, but there is no other account of his visit. Cer- tainly he was the people's favorite, and therefore he ought to have come again.
Thus the Abrahamic faith was planted and firmly rooted in Schoodic valley ; and although no Society was organized, and no pastor employed for the next half dozen years, it did not die out or even become weak. The occasional visits and sermons of itinerant clergy- men, the joyous communion of the believers, and the si- lent but potent ministration of books and papers, were steadily preparing the way for the advent of a new dis- pensation.
It came. In the latter part of 1835, after the usual preliminaries. Rev. Wm. S. Clark of Lubec, received and accepted an invitation from the Universalists of Milltown, to become their pastor. Business began.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH,-MILLTOWN & CALAIS.
Mr. Clark was a peculiar man, and in some respects unpleasantly eccentric ; but his fluency of speech, zeal for the cause, and methodical manner of working, ren- dered him an efficient and successful minister. His sermon printed in 1836, and his "Friendly letter to Rev. Mr. Huckins," published soon after, prove him a sharp and able controversialist.
In the early part of 1836, he organized a Univer- salist Society in Milltown, composed of some of the old- est and best families on each side of the river. The re- cords are lost, but the following persons are remember- ed as a portion of the members : Mr. and Mrs. Joel Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lovejoy, Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Lowell, and Hor- ace Hamilton. It was a glad day ; for the step was important and the work was meant to be permanent. In May of the same year, a Sunday-school was organ- ized ; and although it was generally suspended during the Winter, and subsequently moved to Milltown, N. B., and finally to Calais, it lives and flourishes to-day. Its anniversary is the first Sunday in May.
In 1839, Mr. Clark retired, and Ebenezer Fisher, D. D., a native of Charlotte, Me., and now President of Canton Theological School in New York, took his place as pastor. He remained only six months, but his fer- vent piety, Christian deportment, and lucid expositions of the Gospel, imparted tone and strength to the young Society. About this time or a little earlier, a commo- dious church was built in Milltown, Me. ; and some of the Universalists supposing its pulpit would be free to their ministers a part of the time, assisted in paying the bills. The policy was bad ; for the possession of a part of a church is always a hindrance to a growing So-
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH,-MILLTOWN & CALAIS.
ciety that needs a meeting every Sunday. Fortunately the entire control of the building became legally vested in another Society, and the Universalists continued to worship in the humble but free school house until they erected a church wholly their own. Thus, often, dis- appointments result in blessings.
In 1840, Rev. Amos Hitchings of Waweig, St. An- drews, N. B., assumed the duties of pastor. From his rural home and unostentatious manners, he was some- times facetiously called the "Burnt land preacher," but he was a remarkably clear headed and warm hearted "man of God" ; and hence his ministry was bountifully blessed. He "passed on before," several years ago, in Auburn, Me.
The next year, the Society built a small but pleas- ant meeting-house in Milltown, N. B. It was located on that side of the river partly because a majority of the brethren lived there, and partly because a better site could there be obtained. It was dedicated, Sept. 28, 1841. The sermon was delivered by that eloquent favorite of the Society, Rev. J. B. Dods. His text was 1 Kings vi. 7, and the discourse was printed in pam- phlet form with the title of "Building Sermon." It was an ingenious and powerful Bible argument in proof of his religious theory, interspersed with many a strain of tender pathos. It was a great, happy and hopeful day for the Society. Having a home of its own, it now pre- pared to attend to its spiritual household duties. Ac- cordingly a Church-a Household of faith, was duly in- stituted, and the sacramental rites of Baptism and the Lord's Supper were appropriately observed. The mem- bers so far as is now recollected, were Mr. and Mrs. Joel Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Hill, Mr. and Mrs.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH,-MILLTOWN & CALAIS.
Samuel Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Abner Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Haycock, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Harmon, Mr. James Bagley, and Mrs. Seth Todd. This was an im- portant movement in the right direction ; and if at that time, more of the congregation had "put on the whole armor of God" and affiliated with the Church, both the parish and the cause would have enjoyed a largely in- creased prosperity. But precious opportunities are oft- en neglected by even the wise.
Mr. Hitchings could plant admirably. but he had not a genius for culturing or harvesting. His work was done in Milltown, and early in 1842, he resigned and left ; and in March of the same year, Rev. W. C. George, M. D., by unanimous invitation assumed the pastorate of the Society. He was well educated, talent- ed, prudent and genial. He often visited his parish- ioners, and in a manly way won the confidence and re- spect of the entire community. He preached excellent sermons, and his meetings were well attended and prof- itable. During his ministry, all the parish wheels run smoothly, and the Society rose to the rank of a perma- nent, prosperous Christian Church, to which it was an honor and a benefit to belong.
In Oct. 1844, Mr. George went away for a brief period to attend medical lectures ; and during his six months absence, Rev. J. C. Henry supplied the pulpit. He is remembered as a good man and minister ; a work- man that deserved respect and affection. In accordance with his counsel, the ladies formed a "Social Sewing Circle" to promote friendship and aid the Sunday-school and Society. Its meetings were well attended and har- monious ; and it contributed largely not only to the funds in the treasury, but also to the unity and strength
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of the parish. The Circle continued its regular meet- ings for more than twenty-five years, and did a vast amount of good. Dr. George returned in April, 1845. and again faithfully and acceptably performed his min- isterial duties, adding thereto some medical practice, until June, 1849, when he again left and went to Europe to finish his medical studies.
During his absence, of over two years, Rev. O. H. Johnson officiated as pastor to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Johnson being an adroit worker in the Sunday-school, it grew rapidly under his care ; and the Concerts which he arranged, drew crowded houses and won universal admiration. Mr. Johnson now resides in Jay, Me.
In April, 1852, Dr. George again returned and took charge of the Society. From this time, no important event transpired until January, 1854 ; when the highly prized church accidentally caught fire and burned to the ground. It was a sad day. The home was lost and the household destitute of shelter, but defiance was bid to despair. Arrangements were immediately made for the continuance of public worship, at first in Sweet's Hall, and afterwards in St. Stephen Academy, which the Trustees generously offered for this purpose. Here the people met and Dr. George preached, as joyfully as in their old home, knowing that better days were coming. Immediately measures were adopted and money raised for rebuilding ; and soon a new and elegant church rose on the ruins of the old one. The Building Committee were Jas. S. Hall, Wm. Duren, and Seth M. Todd. The dedication took place Dec. 13, 1855. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Asher Moore of Portland, and the other exercises were conducted by Rev. T. S. Lath-
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