USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > Baptisms and admission from the records of First church in Falmouth, now Portland, Maine > Part 12
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
Under our happy form of government; T'ill (what no doubt will be her prosp'- rous fate)
Herself's the mistress of a rising state.
These contentions were all happily adjusted in time; the first by the adoption of the federal constitutio14. March 4th,1789; the second by an act of congress admitting Maine to the Union, March 4th, 1820; the third by the Gen- eral Court of Massachusetts, "erecting that part of the town of Falmouth, commonly called the Neck, into a town by the name of Portland," July 4th, 1786; and September 12th, 1787, the dis- affected parties in the church were set off, forming what is now the Second Parish in Portland.
Several names were discussed for the new town, among which Falmouthport and Casco found favor, but consider- ing that the earliest English name to the main entrance to the harbor, was Portland Sound, formed by Portland, (now Cushings) island, and Portland Head (name never changed,) it was concluded that Portland would be the nost acceptable name for the embryo "mistress of a rising state."
The first meeting of the new town was in the old meeting-house on the yth of August, 1786, and was opened with prayer by Parson Smith, then in his 85th year. Enoch Freeman was chosen moderator, and John Frothingham clerk; John Fox, Nathaniel Deering, and Peleg Wadsworth were elected se- lectmen. In point of territory, it was,
203
APPENDIX.
and still is, the smallest town in the state, containing, exclusive of the part covered by water, less than fifteen hun- dred acres, and a population estimated at two thousand; being less than that of Falmouth or Gorham.
The parish voted to pull down the old and build a new meeting house in 1787, but on account of the separation, the idea had to be abandoned; those who remained, however, most loyally resolved to sustain the society and entered at once upon the work of restoring the building and reorganizing the affairs of the parish. The growth of the town was phenomenal, the opportunities for business attracted numbers of enterpris- ing persons, so that before the close of the century Portland had become famous in the world of commerce. The parish shared in the general prosperity and the meeting house was no longer neglected. In 1801 a clock was placed in the tower, and in 1804 a new bell was procured in England to replace the old one which had become cracked. The new one, in its turn, was cracked in 1862, and gave place to the one now in use.
The suspension of intercourse with Great Britain in 1806, followed by the embargo in 1807, occasioned great dis- tress in Portland; work in the shipyards and rope-walks was suspended, and their proprietors, together with nearly all of the commercial houses stopped payment. Many families were reduced from wealth to poverty, the almshouse was crowded, and a portion of the market-house was converted into a soup-house, where the needy that the Overseers were unable to relieve, could be daily supplied with "at least one meal of wholesome food." The war with England caused much anxiety on account of the exposed and almost
defenceless situation of the town, but it furnished employment to many, and such idle ships as were suitable were converted into privateers. The return of peace was hailed with great joy, years of adversity checked but could not sub- due the enterprise of Portland, a way being now open its business men were found ready, and prosperity again re- warded their labors.
The ancient parish suffered with its parishioners, but the records exhibit no lack of harmony; under the amiable administration of Dr. Nichols a change in the nature of the church and parish appears, but it came so gradual that there was no disturbance. Dr. Nichols had grown into complete sympathy with Dr. Channing and carried his congrega- tion with him, so much so that in 1827 the church voted to dispense with the usnal examination of candidates in rela- tion to theological views. The old order of the church selecting the minister, the parish concurring, was reversed, and later the church was not consulted.
THE STONE CHURCH.
Prosperity revived the long deferred hope for a new house of worship, which materialized at a legal meeting of the proprietors and pewholders on Monday, September 8, 1824, when it was voted that the parish will erect a new meeting house for the use of the parish, instead of the old house now occupied by them, on the lot where the old house stands. It was also voted that the amount at which the pews of the private pewhold- ers be appraised shall be deemed as the amount allowed by the parish for the right of taking down the present house and freeing the lot from the encumbrance of the old house, and shall be so com-
205
APPENDIX.
puted as part of the cost of the new house to be erected.
Isaac Adams, Nathaniel Dana and Stephen Waite, three disinterested per- sons not members of the parish, were chosen to apprise the pews.
At a meeting held April 2d, 1825, Albert Newhall, Joshua Richardson and John Mussey were chosen a committee to build the new meeting house, at an estimated cost of $15,000, and were authorized to build of brick or stone. At the same meeting, Arthur Mclellan, Asa Clapp and John Mussey were authorized and requested to aid the Treasurer in obtaining funds.
An additional sum of $1,800 was raised by sixty-four subscribers who favored a stone building.
On the 9th day of May, 1825, a numer- ous assemblage formed in procession at the court house and walked to the site of the First Parish meeting house for the purpose of laying the corner-stone. The stone was laid with appropriate ceremony at the east corner, the venerable Deacon Samuel Freeman, then in his 82d year, delivered an historical address, and with his own hands deposited in the crypt under the stone a silver plate inscribed as follows:
"This corner-stone of the church of the First Parish, of Portland, was laid by the Hon. Samuel Freeman, May 9, 1825, on the site of the former church, erected 1740, enlarged 1759, and removed in 1825. Building Committee, Albert Newhall, Joshua Richardson and John Mussey, Esqs. First Pastor, Rev. Thomas Smith, ordained 1725, and senior col- league, until his death in 1795, witlı Rev. Dr. Deane, who deceased in 1814, and with whom the present pastor, the Rev. Dr. Nichols, was associated in 1809. Deacons, Hon. Samuel Freeman and
Woodbury Storer. Parish Committee, Hon. Barrett Potter, Cotton B. Brooks, Esq., and Josephi Harrod. Treasurer and clerk, Charles S. Daveis. Builders : Hen- ry Dyer, mason; Nathan How, carpen- ter; Stephen Merrill, stone cutter."
The building was rapidly pressed to completion, and on Wednesday, the 7th day of February, 1827, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, the Stone Church was most solemnly dedicated to the service of God. His Excellency Governor Parris, with the Executive Council, and many state officials and distinguished strangers were present. The day was fine and the house filled to overflowing. Dr. Nichols had the assistance of Rev. Dr. Parker of Portsmouth, and the music was fur- nished by the Beethoven Society, Prof. Nolcini presiding at the organ.
The dedication ode, written by Rev. Dr. Nichols, and set to music by Prof. Nolcini, has been preserved and is as follows:
Oh, thou, our father's God, Thy children seek thy face, To avow thy guardian hand Where they invoke thy grace And where we now Awake thy song, Which lips unborn Shall still prolong.
We hail thy altars, Lord, In every age thy care ; Those Zion courts more blessed Than Israel's dwellings are; Where praise with praise More deeply flows, And heart with heart More warmly glows.
God of the Bethel stone, Be this a Bethel, too; Here fill our souls witli awe; Here Jacob's dream renew.
Here ope the gate, And here arise
Those visioned steps That reached the skies.
APPENDIX.
God of the burning bush, Whose unconsuming flame Revealed to Moses once Thy presence and thy name; Here, blessed Lord, Thy presence prove, And fire our souls With saving love.
God of that pilgrim house Those ancient wanderers bore Guiding their desert way To Canaan's promised shore. Here guide our feet, Our way attend, Till dangers cease, And changes end.
O thou whose temple stood The wonder of mankind Here all its types fulfil For Jesus' Church designed Here oracle, And mercy seat, And sacrifice In Jesus meet.
Here fit our souls to rise Where all thy love inspires, Where angels cast their crowns And strike their golden lyres. Thus bless, O thou, Most good, most great, The house of prayer We dedicate.
xxxxXXX --- XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX ----****** XXXX --- XXXXXXX
$143
141$
2
Paramage Prv.
-
.
.
0100
1
$115
100
1126
P
10
m
110
109
104
1140
0156
100
$140
79
1133
100
110
111
111 1440
E
$140
$10
14
m
111
114
1135
$114
$196
34 $150
-
10
-
E
193
125
117
195
804
בדן
5
.
115
H
=
E
134
#49
003
M
345
130
Free.
49
H
-KXXXXXXXX-
.
.
1
M
$100 =
1De
95
30
171
63
XxxxXXX
E
14 $109
- -
20
F
F
$150
10
119
120
0116
$140
$7
H
8
$100
$100
011
129
115
$160
0110
$156 =
2
100
...
$17
154
(7 ) Thì nie a Colum
EROBLOED
207
....
E
$134
17
14
=
857
İ70
209
APPENDIX.
THE PEWS.
In January, 1826, the committee ap- pointed to apportion the expense of erecting the new house, and indemnify- ing the pewholders in the old house, reported that the amount to be appor- tioned was sixteen thousand and five hundred dollars, and exhibited a plan (see page 207) upon which were affixed the numbers of the pews and the rel- ative value of each pew, apportioned upon the amount above mentioned. The committee recommended that the assignment of the pews among the subscribers be by publie auction, the sum bid being in addition to the sum at which the pew has been valued on the plan submitted; the highest bidder to have the liberty of selcetion, and to make immediate choice. This proceeding to be repeated so long as the sum of one dollar is offered as a bid for choice, and the remainder to be assigned by lot.
The committee further recommend that pew number 91 be reserved for the pastor, number 47 for the parish sexton, number 138 for the use of strangers, and numbers 153 to 158 inelusive, for the use of those unable to purchase pews.
The following list shows the number of the pew, name of purchaser and amount of premium :
1. Ross, David $40
2. Longfellow, Stephen 39
3. Greeley, Eleazer 37
4. Widgery, John
40
5. Preble, William P. 40
6. Morton, Reuben 90
7. Harding, Noah
35
52. Low, Nathaniel
4
8. Cobb, Daniel
35
53. Barnes, James 7
42
54. Waterhouse, J. P.
5
10. Pettengill, David
11. Coffin, Nathaniel $38
12. Chadwick, J. W. 38
13. Prince, Joel 35
14. Richardson, Israel
37
15. Thomas, Elias 38
16. Cutter, Luey 37
17. Mitchell, Nathaniel
38
18. Knight, Anthony 35
19. Chadwick, Thomas
37
20. Wright, Christopher
40
21. Willis, William
38
22. Ross, Benjamin
42
23. 24.
Titcomb, Moses
43
Moody, Charles
43
25. Killeran, Edw.
45
26.
Paine, Phebe
50
27. Richardson, Luther
44
28.
Weeks, Joseph 35
29.
Chadwick, Richard 35
38
31. Patten, John 43
42
33. Green, Henry
40
34. Scott, Andrew
39
35. Dyer, Eben L.
36
36. Cushman, Bez.
45
37. Rogers, William A. 39
38. Brown, David 39
39. Freeman, Thomas 35
40. Davenport, Anthony
39
41. Cox, John
10
42. Bartol, Barnabas
12
43. Dyer, Henry
7
44. Weed, Samuel
7
45. Preble, Enoeh
46.
Emerson, Rufus
3
47. Free
48. Cobwin, Jacob
5
49. Fiteh, Luther
50. Storer, Woodbury
51. Cross, Amos H.
6
9. Ware, Ashur
35
55. Potter, Barret, 10
30. Harding, Samuel
32. Mahan, John
211
APPENDIX.
56. Stone, Richard
$10 100. Adams, Joseph 40
57. Purrington, John
30
101.
Ilsley, Henry
40
58. Bartol, George
11 102. Smith, IIenry 35
59. Smith, Ann
40 103. Richardson, Joshua 41
60. Eaton, Eben H.
40 104. Stevens, Elizabetlı
60
61. Rhea, Albus
40 105. Sewall, William B.
50
62. HIall, Mary
40
106.
Jones, Charles
45
63. Deering, George
40
107. 108.
Bradley, Thomas O.
50
65. Williams, John
30
109.
Ilsley, Isaac
85
66. Thayer, Clinton
37 110.
Adams, Bartlett
33
67. Bradford, A. & Merrill, Charles
36
112.
Gore, Jeremiah
35
68. Bradbury, Andrew M.
35
113.
Deering, Dorcas
40
69. Varnum, Phineas
35
114.
Fox, John
35
70. Harrod, Joseph
35
115.
McLellan, Arthur
55
71. Wingate, Joshua, Jr.
50
116.
Strong, Rebecca
35
72. Preble, Mary
45
117.
Cummings, Stephen
45
73. Clapp, Charles Q.
75
118.
Dow, John
35
74. Trask, Samnel
60
119.
Frothingham, John
35
75. Clapp, Asa
80
120.
Oxnard, Edward
35
76. Boyd, John P.
70
121.
Mclellan, William, Jr.
45
77. Willis, George
85 122. Freeman, Capt. Samuel
35
78. Boyd, Robert
80
123.
Deering, James
35
79. McLellan, Arthur
80
124.
Deering, Nathaniel F.
36
80. Hanson, Samuel
75
81. Knight, Jacob
75
125. Deblois, T. A. & Merrill, Henry
36
82. Owen, Jolın
75
126.
Ford, Mrs. Emma
36
83. Winslow, Hezekialı
75
127.
Morrill, Peter
36
84. Newhall, Albert
60
128. Babcock, Nathan
40
85. Mussey, John
80
129.
Todd, Dudley
42
86. Merrill, Thomas
35
130.
Crockett, John
39
87. Brooks, Cotton B.
40
131.
Merrill, Elizabeth
30
88. Mussey, Charles
35
132.
Merrill, J. & J.
31
89. Merril, Seward
35
133.
Brooks, George
11
90. Cobb, Mehitable
39
134.
Freeman, Samnel
6
91. Parsonage pew.
135.
Fletcher, Timothy
11
92. Nichols, Ichabod
60
136. Blake, Nathaniel
93. Chadwick, William
90
137. Titcomb, Henry
7
94. Fox, Sarah
40
138.
Free
95. Fox, Daniel
40
GALLERIES.
96. Fox, Charles
85
97. Daveis, C. S.
40
139. Emery, Nicholas
$1
98. Mellen, Prentiss
35
140. Baker, Charles
1
99. Emery, Nicholas
45
141. Harlow & Baker,
22
Ilsley, Robert
65
64. Gerrish, Oliver
35
111.
Cox, Josiah
35
213
APPENDIX.
142. Plummer & Moore,
143. Richardson, Joshua
144. Mclellan, Arthur
145. Moody, Charles
146. Deering, Mary A.
Tilton, Nathaniel
147. 148. Fox, Daniel
149. Mussey, John
23
20
150. Prince, Hugh 151. Rand, Christopher
152. Newhall, Albert
25
153. Free.
154. Free.
155. Free.
156.
Free.
157. Free.
158. Free.
159. Deering, James
26
160. Sawyer, Levi
1
161. Weeks, Joshua F.
25
162. Thomas, Elias
23
163. Clapp, Asa
3
164. Herrick, Hollibut
8
165. Knight, Nathaniel
31
166. Fox, John
30
167. Ilsley, Isaac
4
168. Longfellow, S.
4
169. Owen, John
30
170. Bartol, Barnabas
22
171. Smith, Ann
3
172. Fox, Charles
3
A question as to the dividing line be- tween the parish lot and the adjoining lands was referred to a committee, who reported as follows:
PARISH LOT.
The committee appointed to examine and report respecting the dividing line between the land of William Chadwick, Esq., and that belonging to the parish, ask leave to report, That in the early settlement of the town a three acre lot
$32 extending from what was theu called
1 Back street, now Congress street, to
1 Back Cove. Adjoining to this south-
30 westerly another lot of three acres was
34 1 granted to Samuel Moody, Jr., son of the first mentioned Samuel, extending also
2 from Back street to Back Cove. On the 22d day of June, 1738, a part of the first mentioned lot was conveyed to the First Parish in Falmouth, now Portland, by the heirs of the first mentioned Samuel Moody, measuring one hundred and twenty-two feet on Back street and ex- tending back one hundred and forty feet and holding the width of one hundred and twenty-two feet on a course north forty degrees west.
On this lot the meeting house was erected in 1739. In 1757 the house was enlarged and a steeple erected, and ex- tended further southward than where the house first stood, and beyond the bounds of the lot first mentioned. It cannot be supposed that the parish would have placed their house on land which did not belong to them, or that the proprietors of the adjoining lot would have permitted such encroach- ment.
The original deeds to the parish can- not be found, and are undoubtedly lost by time and accident, but a copy of the first deed has been procured from the records in York county (see page 157), and application has been made for a copy of the second deed, but it has not been found.
Dr. Deane was settled in 1764, and on the 6th day of May, 1765, he purchased the lot which had been granted to Sam- uel Moody, Jr., excepting what said Samuel Moody, Jr., had several years before sold to the parish.
The extent of this exception does not was granted to Samuel Moody, Esq., appear in the deed to Dr. Deane. But it
215
APPENDIX.
undoubtedly extended as far southward as where the fence now stands, for it does not appear that Dr. Deane ever pre- tended to claim further east on Back street than that fence. In the rear of the parish lot, however, his lot extended further east, making an angle in his easterly line, corresponding with the lot elaimed by the parish; and the parish have constantly occupied up to that line for more than sixty years. The steps of the western porch of the old meeting house extended within fifteen feet from that fence, and the ground between those steps and the fence was always used by them as an avenue to the western door of the house, and round the house. It appears also to have been used by Dr. Deane as an avenne to his barn and chaise house which stood westerly of the line claimed by the parish, but that indulgence was undoubtedly extended to him as an accommodation to the pastor of the parish, and cannot extend to any other person. In the deed from the heirs of Dr. Deane to Mr. Chadwick he is bounded "by the westerly and south- erly side of the lot belonging to the parish on which the meeting house stands." This must refer to the lot as the fences then stood. A confirmation of this will be found in the fact that in May, 1818, Isaac Lord, under whom said Chadwick claims, made application in writing to the parish for liberty to ex- tend his stable eight feet easterly of said fence onto the land of the parish; and permission was granted to him on the express condition that it should remain there during the pleasure of the parish only, and that it should be removed whenever the parish should require it.
The committee, therefore, are of opin- ion that said Chadwick has not any right to any land easterly of the fence as it
now stands, nor any right of passage over the land of the parish.
It is found on examination that the lot purchased of the heirs of Samuel Moody extend thirteen feet further east than the fence now standing on the easterly side of the house, and ten feet further north than the back part of the New Church.
Portland, April 1, 1826.
S. LONGFELLOW, B. POTTER, Committee.
C. S. DAVIES,
The report of the committee evidently brought forth a proposition from the abutters, which was referred to an en- larged committee, and here follows a copy of their report:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
The enlarged committee to whom was referred the subject of the proposition of William Chadwick, Esq., and Mr. Nathan Winslow as to opening an avenue from Congress street and behind the Stone Church, have met and held some conver- sation with those gentlemen, and though we cannot profess to have arrived at any precise decision with them, we deem it expedient to submit the present report.
The committee have measured the dis- tance from the church on the cast and west sides of it to the fences now stand- ing separating the lands of said Chad- wiek and said Winslow from the land of the First Parish in Portland. Between the southwesterly side of the main body of the church and Mr. Chadwick's fence are forty-eight feet nine inches.
Between the main body of the church on the northeastern side and Mr. Wins- low's land are thirty-eight feet three inches, and between the fence dividing the parish land and Mr. Winslow's lands on the northeastern side of the church
217
APPENDIX.
and Mr. Winslow's back house are seven- teen feet.
Now the committee recommend that the First Parish in a spirit of amity and conciliation consent that a private way from Congress street for the accommoda- tion of the parish and of William Chad- wick, Esq., his heirs and assigns during the pleasure of said parish and the said Chadwick his heirs and assigns of the estate joining the parish land be opened, commeneing at Congress street on a line thirty feet from the west side of the main body of the church, and to extend sonthwesterly into Mr. Chadwick's land seven feet beyond the present fence which separates Mr. Chadwick's land from the land of the parish, thence extending northwesterly carrying the width of twenty-five feet nine inches, one hundred sixty-two feet, and thence easterly from the western corner of said one hundred sixty-two feet carrying the width of thirty feet to Nathan Winslow's land behind the church, said way of thirty feet in width to be bounded southerly by the northwestern line of the parish lot which passes eight inches northwesterly of the segment of said Stone Church.
And that the parish enter into a con- tract appropriating their land from Con- gress street on the west side of the church on a line thirty feet distant from the main body of the church to that purpose. Provided William Chadwick, Esq., do convey and enter into a contract to appropriate seven feet of his land at the west side of the present fence separ- ating his land from the land of the parish commencing at Congress street and ex- tending northwesterly carrying the width of seven feet, one hundred and sixty-two feet, and from the northwest corner of said one hundred and sixty-two feet to
extend easterly carrying the breadth of thirty feet in width to be bounded south- erly by the northwesterly line of the land of the parish to be used as a way for the purpose aforesaid, and provided said Chadwick do also contract for him- self and his assigns that no buildings shall be erected on the land of said Chad- wick within forty feet from any part of said church. And if so erected that they may be abated as a nuisance by the said parish their successors and assigns.
And the committee further recommend for the accommodation of the parish their successors and assigns and of the said Winslow, his heirs and assigns, that the First Parish in Portland in a spirit of amity and conciliation consent that a private way be opened during the pleas- ure of said parish, their successors and assigns, and of said Winslow, his heirs and assigns, of the estate adjoining the parish land; commeneing at Congress street on a line extended to said street, at a distance of thirty feet from the eastern side of the main body of said church, thence running easterly to a line parallel with the western end of the dwelling house of said Winslow and from said Congress street carrying the width of twenty-five feet, extending northwest- erly one hundred and sixty-two feet, and from the northwesterly corner of the said one hundred and sixty-two feet southwesterly to land of William Chad- wiek, Esq., carrying the width of thirty feet, said way of thirty feet in width to be bounded southerly by the northerly line of the parish land, and that the parish enter into a contract to appro- priate their land lying easterly of a line thirty feet distant from the easterly side of the main body of the church for that purpose. Provided the said Nathan Winslow for himself, his heirs and
219
APPENDIX.
assigns, do legally convey and appro- other that may be erected there, and for priate all his land lying on a line from passage to and through said ways at all times, on foot and with horses, carriages and sleighs, carts, sleds and teams. Congress street at the southwest corner of said Winslow's iron fence and between the fence on the eastern side of the The said ways not to be shut up, obstructed or enclosed otherwise than as aforesaid but at the pleasure of both said contracting parties, their heirs or assigns. parish land thence carrying the breadth of seventeen feet extending northwest- erly one hundred and sixty-two feet, and from the northeast corner of said one hundred and sixty-two feet to extend southwesterly carrying the width of thirty feet to the land of William Chad- wiek, Esq., to meet the thirty feet way through his land, said way of thirty feet in width through said Winslow's land to be bounded by the northwesterly line of the parish land for the purpose afore- said. And provided the said Winslow for himself, his heirs and assigns do contraet that no buildings shall be erect- ed on the land of said Winslow, or his assigns, within forty feet from any part of said church, and if any such buildings be erected that the same may be abated as a nuisance by said parish, their sue- cessors and assigns.
The said ways on the east and west side of said church and at the North- west end of the same to be used also as stands for horses, carriages and sleighs for the accomodation of persons who may at any time attend any meeting in said stone church or any other church which may be there erected by said Parish, and for communication to and from cellars under said church or any
But if at any time hereafter both of the said parties, their heirs or assigns, should deem it expedient to discontinue the use of said private way, the fee in the lands respectively is to be deemed and taken to remain as it now is in said Parish to the present fence of said Chadwick, extending from Congress Street, and to the present fence on the easterly side extending from Congress Street between Parish land and Winslow's land, and extending north westerly from said two fences one hundred and thirty-two feet from Congress Street, and the residue of said ways in said Chadwick and said Winslow respectively, their heirs and assigns .- It being understood and inten- ded that the said ways on the east and west side of the church should not in any place come nearer than thirty feet distance from the sides of the main body of said church.
All of which is respectfully submitted. Nicholas: Emery. Ashur Ware. A. Newhall.
Portland, July 7, 1826.
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.