USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Atlas and history of Androscoggin County, Maine > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
During the six years from the organization of the church to the sctilruent of Mr. Adams as pastor, the olinroh regularly attended publis worship ou Sabbath- days. A part of the time a missionary proached alteru- atrly to this and the Dabrillo church. A part of the time the Free Baptist Church had preaching in thelr house of worship, aud this church met with them, if they und no minister of their own to preach to them ; so with the Baptists, they met with this church when they had no meeting of their owu. A part of the time neither churoh had any minister to officiate, then Edward Little, Ksq., read & fermon.
After the settlement of Mr. Adams, the missionary seclety contributed $200 per year for several years, to aid the church in fho support of a minister, his salary heiug 8400 per year.
January 4, 1833, Deacon Laban Loring and Mary, his wife, were received into full communiou hy letter from tho Danvilie Church, Miss Abigail D. Hall was also ad- initleif to church membership by letter from the Metho- dist Episcopal Church fu Bartlett, New Hampshire. Af this weetlug Josinh Little was electedl deacou.
November 14, 1833, the meeting. hoaso which had been erected on the west side of the river, was dedicated to divino worship ; prayer hy Rov. Allen Greely ; sermon hy Rev. David Thurstou ; address hy Rov. Ehjah Jones ; conoluding prayer by 1. T. llaves. The church record says] "ft was a sacredly interesting and joyful souwe ; we have now a temple to worship in. "
lu 1838 there was quite a revival in Anburn and Lewis. lon, aud on August 31, sixtoeu candidates were pro- ponuded for sdmisalen into the church.
Novomber 21, 1838, Rev. Wesion B. Adams having asked for a dissoiasiou frow his pastoral charge, ou au- couul of Ill health, was by an ecclesiasticol council dis- oliniged from further service in tunt oflive. The record of the proceedings of the councli shois that there was no lack of sympathy aud Christian fellowship existtug De. tweon paster aud people.
July 24, 1839, Hier. Horace B. Chapin was Installed pastor of the church, and after holding that posilion some more than one ye ir, died of fever, October 28, 184 1, His death wus sinceroly lamented by tho church aud congregation,
At a meeting hold July 19, 1841, a letter from Rev. Jatues Drumwoud, accepting, ou cortain couditious, a call that had been extended to hit by the chinroli to become their pastor, haring heen read, it ivas umanituonsly voted to reevive him as pastor, subject to the conditions con- taineif fu bis letter. Accordingly, Octobor 11, 1842, he was installed pastor of the church hy au ecclesiastical couDOIL.
July 15, 1854, a colony consisting of thirty-one members, residents of the town of Lewiston, were disipissed from the church by their oru request, for the purpose of being organized luto a church in Lowistuu.
June 2, 1858, Mr. Drummond hisving asked for a dis- mission from his pastoral labor, an Ecclesiastion) Conucl] noNumbled and grautod hls regnes, He had oconpied the pulpit serenteen years, and evidently hnd not labored iu vain. During the yoar prerions to hie dismisslon quite a number bad heou admitted into the church ou profession of faith.
Joly 4, 1858, being the Sabbath-day, and shout onu mouth after ilismisslou of Mr. Dromimond, thirty. one persous were received into the chinrob on profession of
October 26, 1858, Rev. Aaron C. Adams was justalled pasinr. June 15, 1862, the church creed and covenant were revised. On the frut Sabbath of July following forty-two were reveived on profession of falth.
Ou the fret Sabbath in August following fwenty-six were received into the church on profession of faith. On the first Sabbath in April, 1807, twenty-seveu per- sons wore received on profession of faith.
On the first Sabbath in May, same year, fwenty-six par- toos were receiveil iufo the church on profession of ísih. On the fret Sabbath of July following seven pervous Were received on profession of faith.
Under the pastorate of Mr. Adams there were two gen- eral revivals ; one in 1803, the other in 1867.
Sopiember 16, 1867, Mr. Adams realguel his uffics as pastor, ou auch conditions as should be afterwards agreed upon, and The usual revisiou of au ecclesiastiral couucli.
The council mef November 5, 1867. Mr. Adams siafed that he had resigned heonnse he was directly informed that cerlain persons wanted hiin to do It, but he wished to have those who were dissatisfied make known their complaint fo the council, and as no one pre-out offered any reason, the connoll adjourned to the sfternoou to give opportunity for such to appear before them.
Ou the afternoon soveral who were preseuf were called upon to give their reasons why Mr. Adains should he dia- Inisseil, The ouly reason given was that it was known that a few who had requestrd him to resign woro ilissatis- fed, and as the business had proceedeil so far It mlybt make anpleasant feelings umong tho members of the chorob if he was not dismissed, and Mr. Adauis concur- ring in that view of the case, and also stating that ho did not wish to romain where there was dissatisfaction, the council decided to dismiss him ; although they said lu their report that they coulil see no good reason for doing it, especially when his labors hail been so signally blust during the previous year, and when no suggestlou was made that he looked ability, piely, or good moral rharac- ter.
January 23, 1868, Rov. Henry L. Hall was ordalued pastor,
March 16, 1869, Mr. Hall having, on account of pro- traoted ill- health, sent to the church his resignation na pastor was, by au voulesiastionl connoll, dismissed fnua that office. He was a minn of enlarged Christian viens, very assiduons in his ministerial lahore, warm-hearlod iu suoinl lutereonrse, and his sermons gare erideuce of n soundl, discriminating, and well-chisciplined mind.
October 0, 1889, Ker. George Harris, Jr., was ordained pastor, Mr. Hurris, about tivo years later, had a calf where $4000, as salary, was offered, auf as he was re- deiving only $2000 in Auburn, that, and perhaps other considoratious, Induced him to ask for a ilismission, IFluch was granted January 15, 1872, The chu oh and congio- gation wore well entished with the sermons he gave them, The church at this date, January 1, 1873, has no settleil minister ; the pulpit, however, is supplied every Sabbath by ministers obtained hum othor places.
Bul The want of a resident pastor is sven to be inju- rlons to the prosperity of the church, ami it is hupeil that the right man will soon be furnished to supply that deficiency, The Sabbath-school connected with the church has upon its records shout 276 members, Aver- age altendance shout 150, John 1'. Colh, the present superintendent, lins served in that office during the last fielve years. The school cominenced soon after the organization of the church in 1826. Edward Little, Esq., serving as superluteudent for several years, Il now ktas a good library containing about 600 volumes.
The present house of worship, a good and convenient edlilce, stands on High Street, and the parish that built It is known by the name of " High Street Cougrogational Parish. "
During the revival in the last year of Ruv. A. C. Adams's pastornte, n rather novel mode of conluetiug prayer- mecting iu a Congregational olinreh was Introduced. Mr. Admins after making, at one of the meetings, sume re- marks respecting the oldert and benefit of prayer-meet- iuga wheu properly conducted, invited the sisters to hulp perform the necessary inhor ; they accepted tho call made upon them, which gave new Interest to the meetings ; and as no pastor singo that time fias maile auy objectiou to that manner of condnoting pruyer- meetings, it has con- tiuved to the present lime, with the full approbation, 10 far as known, of all the church members.
West Anduru Congregationat Church. - A olinroh of this denomination was organizeil lu what was then callud Bakerstown, Sopt, 8, 1191, consisting of 39 membera, a fuller notice of which tany be found iu Mlnot sketob. After the incorporation of Anhorn, fn 1842, the Uulted Cougregatloual Church of Minot was divided, and 86 mem- bers of il tormed Into the West Anburn Congregational Church, May 1, 1844, The succession of ministers have heen, Stephen Merrill, s. s., from May, 1844, to October, '45; Jolin M. l'riuce, Jr., s. s., fromu October, '45, to April '46; Thomas G. Mitohell, s. s., from May, '46, to Jau. 24, 1850; John Elliot, from Jan., '50 to July 25, 1851 ; Thomas N. Lord, from August 1, '61, to Joue 30, '57 ; Edwin P. Parker and J. Bvarts Pond, balance of '57; Jolin B. Tufts, one. fourth of '58 ; Thomas N. Lurd, Installed Out. 27, '58, and dismissed 1862; Alpha Murton, s. s., from April 2, 162, to '72, Rov. Lewis Goodrich is Inboring with the church at present, but Is not Thelr settled pastor. This society has a gooil house for worship, with a membership, present aud absent, of 143, Its first dencous were Cims. Briggs and James Dinsmuore, sucoended hy A. J. Verrill all Ausel Staples,
Universalist,-Lewiston Fills Universalist Society .- The carllest records in existence of tho artion of the Unl- versalists of what Is wuw Anburu, looklug towania orgu ni zatlon, contain a onfl for a mureting to forin a society, dated February 4, 1829, aud signed hy 45 Irgal volers of the torus of Lewiston, Minot, and Danville. In this oall reference was made to a Universalist Society, organized February 8, 1823, the records of which have been lost, The first officers umiler the organization of 1829, were Daniel Rend, Esq., moderator ; John Smith, vlerk ; and James Lowell, treasurer, At the first meeting of the suviety it was voted to mise forly dollars hy inxation for the support of preaching. January 14, 1836, & teorgan]. satiou wns effected under fho name it now bears. The
It will be asked why be shonlil wish to leave? It was owtug, it Is supposed, to some lieodless remarks maile respecting his anlary aud time he had spent in writing for a nouspaper, which, coming to bis ours, he juferred that at least rompe of the church cousidered him a bur- den upon thew. The inference was wrong, na was fully domonstrated by the effort male to induce him to with- draw his resigustion, Mr. Drummond's appearance in the pulpit was uot pleasing or attractive, especially to strangers, but being a moau of decided ability, and grent earuestuuss, he was acknowledged to be really au interest- | Arst stamilug comimftee of this soelety were Calvin
senior partner, Is 70 years old, was adultted to the bar of thirturn members. Within a mouth three more were in 1843, has served as Juilge of The Supreme Court from Mny, 1855, tu Alny, 1862. Julmn W. May, a non of Judgof afterwards was register of deeds lu Cumberland County, Mny, is 46 years ubt, has heou in nacttee as an attorney- at-Inw 17 yunrs.
van choavo clerk of the olprch; David Small, deacou, sul Nathaniel Storgia, who had bren very active in prayer meetings, and occasionally preached & sermon, was elected their pastor. Soverai years afterwarda he Was ordained a minister, and alled October 29, 1825. in 1816 and 1817 sixteen wure added to the church ; frota 1817 to 1825 nine were added ; from 1826 to 1831 sixty- Bix were addedl; in 1628 two of the members, vis., Jona-
In 1830 Rev. James Libby received a call from the West Poland Church, which he acoupled, nud bas continued seventy. Ive members were added to the church ; from 1834 to"18:16 ninety-five were added ; from 1:45 to 1865 ftty. one weir Feevlved into the ohutch ; since 1868 two have hern received, making the whole number received throw hundred and thirty. July 8, 1838, Ahnon Libhy ; January 18, 1843, William P. Nevons ; March 14, 1844, Jeann linyes : May 27, 1868, Byron P. Russell, were respee. tively ordained ministere of the Gospel. February, 1851, Stephon Hutchinson accepted the pastoral charge of the church-he died August 16, 1852. Alarch 5, 1833, thirty members were dlathisved from the church for the por- pose of being organized into a new church, which was vulloil the Dunvlile Church. Tholr houwo of worship is
-Gideon Perklus is pastor. Samuei T. Haskull was rhosen deacon lo 1813-dled September 12, 1864, having flied that office fifty-one years ; few men have loft so good a record of honest, faithful service ju nu offee as he. lle was a busluess mau, but worldly matters with hlm had to wait until religions dutlea had bren per- formed. He was always rundy to vlelt the sick and poor and rellove them when pozalbie.
Novouusher 17, 1829, David Libby, anothor of the original members, was chosen denoon, aud illed the office, will uredil to himself and honefit to the church, noti removed by desth, September 20, 1889, Johu Bearce and Ervin Small were chosen dencona 18-11 ; E. Small was dismissed to join the ohnroh at Ljulugton, March, 1843; J. Bearoo died May, 1806; since then the church has been destitute of a deacon, Of the three hundred aud thirty admitteil into the church, one hundred and three took thelr dis. Inlssions to hs united with other oburches, one hundreil and teu havo died, eluveu are now resident members, thirty- foor have moved away withont taklug distuissions, tho remaindor moved away so long ago that no informa. tlou of them can be obtalued, and their usmes have been dropped from the church record. The greatest unmber of members at any ono thue was in Maroh, 1833, viz., oue hundred and fifty-six.
From 1808 to 1858 its influence was quite sxtensive, weutlugs being held by It in doveral neighborhoods,
If hns had in Its history several Daurs. From 1812 fo 1819 it was called the Minot Church ; from 1819 to 1824, Danville; from 1824 to 184n, the Danville, Minot, sul Polandl ; hom 1840 to 1857, the Dauville and Poland, and fiom 1657 to the present time, the West Danville Church. What is now called the Dauvillo Prro Baptist Church ivan a colony from this church, wblob left In March, 1833, but is now nearly oxtinct, reporting n membership of only flve lu register of 1872. [Comunmented hy N. G. Stogow. ]
The Court Street Free Baptist Church, Auburn, Maine, wna organized by n council, consisting of Revs. O. B. Chenvy, Gidoon Perkins, sud S. W. Gould, aud Bros, S. N. Tufts and A. Al. Jours, in Auburn llall, August 14, 1849. It unmbered at its organisation twenty niemheru, of whom thirteen wero from the Main Streot Free Banfiaf Church lu Lowiston, six from the Free Baptist Church in Danville, and one from the Free Baptist Church iu Gray. Tho whole number of members that have been con- neoted with the church is two hundred and forty-nine. Tho present number (November, 1872) Is one hundred and eighty-four. The church lins had Ilve pastors: Rev. S. N. Tufte was ordained as pastor of the chinroli, Octuber 20, 1859, aud olosed his labors an auch in January, 1863. Hier. A. K. Moulton was called to the pastorate, Aprlf 16, 1863, and resigned November 7, 1866, Rov. C. K. Binke was pastor from April, 1867, to Jannary, 1868. ilev. A. 11. ffoath, was ordnined and installed pastor of the church February 20, 1868, and olosed his Inbors as such In July, 1850, Rev. E. N. Forwald became pastor In Votober, 1870, and continues to serve the church as Hugh at this date (Noveusher, 1672). The churelt has had two oleiks : lenno C. Lombanl was choson olurk at the urgamenttou, nud merred until Jauunry, 1812; John
97
Gorham, John Smith, and Jabez Merrill, In Mareb, 1936, 10th, 1863, when thie young church was left without a leader. Rev. D. T. Stevous was called to the charge of the society, prusching alternately on each shle of the river once in Ou the first day of December, of the same year, the church settled as pastor the Rev. Il. S. Inman, a recent graduale of Newton Theologiesl Seminary. During his ministry of abont two years, additlous were toado tu the church both hy letter and baptism, and the chapel was eularged. two weeks. His salary for the first year was $5.50 per Sunday. The remaining half of his limo he was engaged elsewhere. Ou the Lewiston side services were held In & brick school-honse, whloh stood near the spot now ocou. pied by the Free Will Baplist Chorob, on Main Street. On the Anburn side services were held In a sebool-hon se AIr. loman olosed his pastorate in 1865, and the church was lavored with supplies until tho first of May, 1806, when Rov. G. I'. Mathews, late pastor of the Baptist Church, of Bath, noeepted a unanimous call aud entered at once upon his dutles as their pastor. A revivai 5000 commenced, and as the rrsull, twenty wero added to the chureb by baptism, and others by letter, lu the spring and summer of 1867, another Interesting revival was en- on the east side of the road on what is nnw Turner Street, aud about half-way from the county bolllings to tho railroad crossing. The average number of the con- gregations at this time was about 55, which was a fair propurtion of the meeting-going population of the time. From this thue there was s stoady religions growth until the spring of 1838, when the coclety enjoyed a season of very marked luterest. The first special Imlications of It joyed, and liventy moro were baptized auto the fellowship were the coming forward in the regular prayer-meeting of of the chinrob, twelvo of whom Were heads of familles During the summer ond satumn of 18d8, twelve inore happy converts were brought into the church by baptism and a considerable addition iras made by letter, In 1800, wight more wero baptized and others united by letter from other churches. Thus,- the church has beou lu- greasing by baptisms and by letters from year to year, until it has a present membership of about 210. Its pre- Beut elegant and commodious bonne of worbip, costing 842,000, was dedicated August 2514, 1870. Since then tho congregation and church bave greatly increased. The chorob are united In council and movements, and the Divine blessing has beau graciously bestowed opou them. Among Its numbers are some of the most successful mer- chants of the place. The register of deeds, Silas Spragne, lwo excellent physiclana, Doctors Hall aed Beede, aud our popular sonator, Hon. Jeremiah Dingluy, are members. Ita Sabbath-school has been from the first oue of Its most dearly cherished interosts, and one ou which God has very specially set his seal of approval. two young men, who opeuly professed their faith In Christ and their doaire to live as hla disciples, It was & tiure of quiet in tho rollgions feeling of the coonnunity, but this event was the beginning of a revival which extruded to sil the other societies of the place, although it way enjoyed in largest measure by the peoplo nmnoug whom it took its rise. In April, 1838, thore was organ- Izel a church consisting of 22 members. The mnomher- ship increased so much that In 1840 it numbered 60, most of whoin were recelvod by sprlukliug, although some preferred, and were allowed, the privilege of bap- Usm by immersion, in the spring of 1838 a movement was made toward the erection of a meeting-honre. 11 was orowid with ovon nuexpected success. The bulld- ing committeo were Samuel Berry, S. H. Read, and Jnines Golf, Jr. The honso, a most oreditable strectare for the times-having fifty-sla prws-was completed, and dedicated Fobruary 13, 1839, Tho dodicatory serinon was preavbed hy Rev. Georgo Bales, then of Turner. Rev. D. T. Stevens, after a faithful aud very successful A. K. P. Jordan has been its excellent soporiulendent for about uine yearg, and has often beeu made glad ia his work .- [ Writteo hy the Pastor. ] pastorale of six years, elosed his lahom with the ancirty in the autumn of 1841, and was succeeded the following May hy Rev. W. R. Frruch. The pastorate of Mr. Boot and Shoe Jimufocturing Business .- In the winter of 1836, a company was organized, under a charter from the State Legislature, for the purpose of manufacturing boots nud shoes. It commenord business operations iu May of the same year (with a capital of #l(,oup), in the direlllag house of Martin Crafts, and was continued in said dwelling honso until November of same year, wheu a shop having been prepared, the workmun left the house and perfortued their labor in the ahop. French extended through nine yearo, which fact alone is a suffiviont testimony to the fidelity and gouoral uccept- ance with which he filled the pastoral office, Mr. French Wow suveceded by Rev, Q. C. Knowlton, who labored with the society one year, and was followed by Rev. Joseph A. Barilett, who remained only a few months. Rev, Massoua Goodrich was tho next pastor, lle lahorrd very acceptally and auocessfully during the two years of his pastoruto. After several months' vacation, Rev. C. H. Webster was settled over the parish, and remained abont three years, olosing his lahors In 1858. Ruv. G. W. Quimby wow supplied the desk for a few months, and way followed by Rev. R. Blacker, who aupplied for a yrar. At this time, through various misfortunes and discouragementa, the soclely had fallen luto a condition so low and weak aa to suggest the proprioly of selling thro meeling-bonse to another denomination, and it was pre- vented only by tho special exertions and fidellty of a few faithful men led by Richard Dresser, Esq. In the spring of 1860, Rev. George Bates was called to the pastorato, and Isbored with the society three years, harmonizing its elemonty, and in all ways improving its comilition. At The close of his pastorate, in the spring of 1863, the por- tion of the society bulonging in Lewiston, after severa! previous but unsuccessful attempts, withnlreiv and suc- ceeded In establishing a society In that city, which soon built a meeling-house, aud now enjoy a marked degree of
Martin Crafts, Charles Briggs, Gershom B. Ilolmes, Benjamin Johnson, Thuothy Bailey, Eliphalet Paekard, Nuhemnight Packard, George Ricker, Austin Kingaley, Wil- liam Lailil, with corno otbero, Were stockholders. Six directors were chosen to maenge the couvern, who em- ployed Luther R. Viulung, of Woburn, Muss., agent, with authorlly lo oversee the work, make purolinses of atouk, and anlos of manufactured articles. No dividend was declared during tbo Erst year ; at the end of tho seound year the company bad a large amount of unseld mana- factured goods on hand, but iu autiolpation of an early sale, declared a dividend of 13 per oeul., which was paid, by giving company uoles. No dividend was declared for the third year. la the fourth year, David Green, of Auburn, was appoluled Agent. Mr. Green, while acting as agent, started for New York ou business for the com. pawy, and baing on board the ill-fated steamer Lexington, at the time sha was burnt, fost his life in consequence of that disaster. He, with a few others, were found in a bont, prosperity. Iu July, 1863, Rev. J. C. Snow was called that drifted ou sbore, all of thetn frozen to death. After the to the charge of the parlab. During his pastorate the decease of Mr. Green, Jarob H. Rosk, of Auburn, Was appointed agent, and rontinued to Aol as anch, about one year, when he bought up the stock at $12.20 per aharo, the par valne of which was $100 por ahare, meeilog-honse wan rebnitt and enlarged so As to conlaiu oighty pews, a large church-organ procured, the vestry Gnisbed and furnished, and the membership of the church greatly iucrensed. He resigned October 1, 1869, to take charge of Westbrook Seminary. The desk was supplied uulil July, 1870, mostly by Rev. George Balea, wheu Bay, O. F. Van Cise, of the Canton Theologionl School, was called to the pastorate. He labored with great fidelity until his resignation of the charge, April 1, 1872, In July following, Rev. J. C. Suow was revalled to the pasto- rate, aud ia now (Jan. 1873) in charge, The society
bns, upon the whole, oujoyed marked prosperity from the dale nf ita organization. While there have been seasons of temporary depression, and one to which allusion has already been made, of vory great discouragemeut, yet these have passed away to be succeeded by a still higher Lurasure of prosperity than ever enjoyed botero, The now the great manufactarlog industry of the city of Aq- Buciety has numbered in Its past, and still haa in its horn. Moses Crafts, one of the shareholders, aud who helped out the Erst ouse of shoes put up by the company, has made it the business of his life to the present time. Jacob H. Ronk, one of our wealthy oltlzene, who served as the third ageut of the company, aud Anally bought up tho shares, rontinned in the business until December, 1872. present, membership winny of the most worthy and lullu- ential citizens of the place, and It is believed hy those who foster it that Ita influence hus over heen exerted as at present, in arcordance with the oljeet stated iu its hrat organization, via., " The promotion of religion and piety, and the suppression of vice aud linmorality, " {By the pastor, Rev. JouN C. Srow. ]
The following list of boot and shoo manufacturing es- The First Universulist Society in Auburn .- The records Iablishmenta, shows the amount of business ilone at the of this society, running from about 1832 to 1858, baring present time, with the exception of a few who are engaged been lost, the following facts were obtained from some of iu It ou a small scale,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.