USA > Maine > Oxford County > Norway > Centennial history of Norway, Oxford County, Maine, 1786-1886, including an account of the early grants and purchases, sketches of the grantees, early settlers, and prominent residents, etc., with genealogical registers, and an appendix > Part 17
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Brethren to dwell together in unity - where all discord will cease, and party spirit Come to an end. It is likewise contemplated to invite Brother Thomas Barns (who is a man of sobriety, and sustains a good moral character, whom we conceive to have a good degree of understanding in the Doctrine of the Grace of God, and favoured with a gift to dispense the same to his fellow-men) to move his family into these parts, where it is conceived he would be of great use in the regulation of societies, whose decorum, and good deportment would greatly adorn our profession. It is furthermore considered expedient (lest we should bring a burden on him and his family unable to support) to assist him in procuring a place where his family may be comfortably situated.
We, therefore, who have hereunto subscribed, agree to bestow upon him, of freedom, and choice, the sum affixed to our names; in case he move his family into these parts for the pur- pose as above -
PARIS.
Levi Hubbard, Ten dollars. Daniel Staples, Ten dollars.
NORWAY.
Nathaniel Bennett, five dollars. Benj. Witt, five dollars. Levi Bartlett, five dollars. Anthony Bennett, five Dollars, Benj. Herring, five dollars.
This same year Mr. Barnes took up his residence in Poland. He had preached in Oxford, Massachusetts, and was the successor of Rev. John Murray in Gloucester. His new circuit in Maine was composed of the towns of Falmouth, New Gloucester, and Norway, in each of which he was to preach every fourth Sabbath. He was the first Universalist minister settled in Maine. The following document shows that the society in Norway was organized in March, 1799 :-
We, the subscribers, Inhabitants of Norway and the adjacent Towns, believing it to be the right as well as the duty of men to join in society, and publickly, at stated times and seasons unite in the worship of the only living and true God, and as some of us have made voluntary provision for the support of a publick Teacher of piety, religion and morality; we do agree to establish an annual meeting, and also to appoint other Society meetings as shall be thought proper by the subscribers for the purpose of choosing a publick teacher, or teachers, a Clerk and Committee, and other officers as shall be thought necessary by the subscribers for the peace and good order of the society ; we also agree that at such society meetings subscriptions shall be opened for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the society, such as the Building, or Hiring a convenient place for publick worship, for the support of publick teachers and other expenses, which may arise according to the vote of the society, which subscription shall be disposed of by the vote of the society; each subscriber having an equal right to vote in this, and all other matters that pertain to the regulations of this society; and we do agree as Disciples of Jesus Christ to live in peace among ourselves; Claiming no right to exercise authority over the consciences of each other in spiritual matters, but henceforth stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. And furthermore we agree that this Society composed of the following subscribers shall bear the appellation of the first Religious society in Norway, and subscribe ourselves "Christian Independents " believing in the doctrine of the Salvation of all men by Jesus Christ.
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March 2d, 1799.
Daniel Staples, Levi Hubbard, William Babb,
Moris Shannon,
Levi Bartlett,
Samuel Ames,
William White,
Anthony Bennett,
Nathaniel Young,
Elisha Cummings,
Benjamin Herring,
Joseph Rust,
Benj. Witt,
Nathaniel Bennett,
Josiah Bisco.
Societies were organized in the other towns composing the circuit the same year, and in October, 1799, delegates from these societies met in Gray, and organized the Eastern Association. In 1801 the society in Norway numbered nineteen members. At the annual meeting in 1802 in addition to the other officers, a committee was chosen especially for the purpose of giving certificates to those of the society who might apply for the same, in order to obtain the money that they might be obliged to pay as a minister tax. Anthony Bennett, Joseph Rust, and Levi Bartlett were chosen as the committee. Joseph Rust was the first clerk of the society, and served for several years. The Universalist meeting-house in Norway Village was erected in 1801, and was the first one built by this denomination in the State. It was erected on the same spot where the society's present house stands. The land was deeded October 25th, 1802, by Henry Rust, of Salem, to Levi Hubbard, Anthony Bennett, Joseph Rust, and others, proprietors of the meeting- house, and was the lot upon which it stood. The lot was donated by Mr. Rust, and contained one acre and twenty-four square rods. In the year 1805, the Universalist Society of Paris and Norway applied for an act of incorporation. A charter was granted in the usual terms, March 4th, 1805, and the corporators were as follows: Samuel Ames, Levi Bartlett, Josiah Bartlett, Anthony Bennett, Nathaniel Bennett, Josiah Bisco, Jonas Bisco, Peter Buck, James Buck, Ebenezer Cobb, Elisha Cummings, Isaac Cummings, Noah Curtis Jr., Jacob Frost Jr., Joseph Gallison, Benjamin Herring, Benjamin Herring Jr., Levi Hubbard, John Knight, Daniel Knight, Dudley Pike, John Robinson, Joseph Rust, Henry Rust Jr., Samuel Smith, Daniel Staples, Elias Stowell, Daniel Stowell, William Stowell, Jacob Tubbs, Benjamin Witt, and Charles Young.
Mr. Barnes continued to preach to the society a portion of the time up to the time of his death. An account of this man will be given else- where. Other ministers were in the habit of coming here occasionally, among whom were Rev. Isaac Root, of Livermore, and Sebastian
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HISTORY OF NORWAY.
Streeter, who had settled in Portland. Mr. Barnes died in 1816. In 1822 there were forty paying members.
In 1828 the church edifice, having become too small to accommodate the now large and steadily increasing society, it was voted to sell the old house, and erect another in its place. It was accordingly sold to the Baptist Society, moved across the street, and fitted up for their use. When abandoned by the Baptists, the building, again sold, was moved a short distance and incorporated into a large building for tannery pur- poses. It is still standing, and the outlines of the old church edifice can be readily distinguished by its different finish. The pastor of the church at this time was Rev. Benjamin Bixby Murray, who remained here until 1832. The building committee for the new church edifice was composed of the following persons: Nathaniel Bennett, Elijah Hall, Asa Danforth, Asa Barton, and Joshua Crockett. The architect was Ezra F. Beale, and Ichabod Bartlett contracted to furnish all the materials required. An account of the dedication of the church is given in the Oxford Observer for October 6th, 1829, and is as fol- lows : -
On Wednesday last the new and elegant Universalist meeting House recently erected in the village, was publickly dedicated to the service of God. The house is 55 by 44 containing fifty four pews with a gallery for the singers, and is built of good materials, and finished in the best manner and handsome style. The Architect, Mr. Ezra F. Beal spared no pains or expense in doing his work faithfully, and has done honor to himself in finishing the house. Nor was Mr. Ichabod Bartlett who contracted to furnish all the materials for the building, deficient in the least particular, but procured them all of good quality, and fully to the satis- faction of the committee. The house is furnished with a patent cast steel bell procured through the agency of Asa Barton which is of the finest description, has a most excellent tone, and is heard to the distance of six or eight miles. The pews are about all sold, and we are happy to state that the building committee consisting of Nathaniel Bennett, Elijah Hall, Asa Barton, Asa Danforth and Joshua Crockett, have succeeded in discharging the duties devolving upon them, in a manner highly creditable to themselves and highly satisfactory to the society for whose benefit the house is erected, and that not the least difference of opinion has arisen between them and Messrs. Bartlett and Beal who contracted to build the house. We would also observe that Mr. Beal made use of no ardent spirit in framing, raising or finishing the edifice, and we are confident in saying that there is no house of its size that is done in all its parts in a more finished and workmanlike manner.
The following were the order of exercises on the occasion :
[ Voluntary by the choir.
2 Reading select portions of scripture by Rev. Mr. Murray, pastor of the church and society.
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3 Anthem.
4 Invocation by Rev. Mr. Merrill of New Gloucester.
5 The following hymn, composed by Mr. Murray for the occasion, was sung by the choir.
DEDICATORY HYMN.
Spotless and pure eternal King, Thyself, thy throne, thy realm, thy reign;
Pure be the off'rings which we bring For bondage broke and banished pain.
Our mental darkness filled with fears Once veiled thy goodness and thy love;
While constant time with hopeless years Rolled on the mystic scene to prove.
But thy eternal truth has burst The sable curtains of our sky; And raised our hope from crumbling dust Where joys immortal never die.
Now for the worship, dearest Lord, For pure devotion's ardent flame, To teach the blessings of thy word And sound its threatenings in thy name -
To take salvation's joyful cup And call upon our God and King, To lead our children's children up, To worship where their sires have been -
To quell the power that blasts thy name, To mingle faith and hope and love, We build; and here thy praise proclaim, And wait the blessing from above.
Almighty God, accept this dome, And in it let thy presence dwell; Here may we feel that Heaven 's our home, And Christ has conquered death and hell.
And when these mortal scenes are fled, And life's pale lamp shall wane no more, May we the empyreal region tread, Where all shall meet and God adore.
6 Dedicatory Prayer by Mr. Murray.
7 Hymn.
8 Sermon by Rev. Mr. Wood of Saco, from Philippians 3d chapter, 3d verse, " For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Jesus Christ, and have no confi- dence in the flesh."
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9 Hymn.
10 Valedictory prayer by Rev. Mr. Fuller of Canton.
II Anthem.
12 Benediction by Mr. Wood.
The day was fine, and it is supposed there were nearly a thousand persons present on the occasion. The music was performed in a superior manner, and the audience gave the most profound attention during the exercises.
Mr. Murray was succeeded in the pastorate of this church by Rev. Henry Hawkins, who came in 1833. This was Mr. Hawkins's last set- tlement in the ministry. Rev. Luke P. Rand came in 1837. He was an able pastor and preacher, and a ready writer. In 1838, under his preaching, there was an important revival of religion in the society, which resulted in the addition of twenty-six members. The next pastor was Rev. Timothy J. Tenney, who ranked among the ablest ministers in the denomination. Under his pastorate the society prospered and increased in numbers. Rev. Edwin F. Quinby came after Mr. Tenney. He went to California in 1849, leaving his family here. In 1849 John L. Stevens became pastor of the church, and remained about five years. He went from here to Augusta, abandoned preaching, and became one of the owners and editors of the Kennebec Fournal. While Mr. Stevens was here, the church building was remodeled and greatly improved in many respects. A fine organ was put in, and the church was re-dedi- cated.
After Mr. Stevens went away, the society was supplied by several ministers. Rev. Russell Streeter preached here in May, 1854, once or twice, and Rev. D. T. Stevens supplied more or less. Rev. J. W. Ford became pastor in 1855, and remained three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph C. Snow, who commenced his pastorate September 5th, 1858. Mr. Snow remained until the autumn of 1862, when he became chaplain of the Twenty-third Maine Regiment, and was in the service with this regiment until it was mustered out in July, 1863. Mr. Snow returned to Norway, but was here only a short time, when he moved to Auburn. Rev. Selden Gilbert was the next pastor, having charge of the societies in Norway and Paris. He was here two years. Rev. Nathaniel Gunnison came in 1865, and was here four years. During his pastorate, the church edifice was raised, and Concert Hall con- structed in the basement. Rev. Lemuel H. Tabor came here in 1869,
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and remained here eight years, preaching a part of each Sabbath on Paris Hill, as did also Mr. Gunnison. Rev. J. A. Seitz succeeded Mr. Tabor, and also preached on Paris Hill. He started a denominational paper here called the New Religion, which, after a year or two, became a party organ, and Mr. Seitz as its editor, became intensely partisan. Many of his parishioners became dissatisfied with his course, both here and at Paris, while a respectable minority in both societies sustained him. He was dismissed, however, and was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Hooper, who remained here until 1883. Miss Angell came next.
THOMAS BARNS.
Rev. Thomas Barns, son of Thomas and Rachel ( Barrett ) Barns, the first Universalist preacher to settle in Maine, and the first pastor of the Universalist Society in Norway, was born in Merrimac, New Hampshire, October 4th, 1749. In early life he was a Baptist, but, under the preaching of Rev. Caleb Rich, he became a Universalist. This was in 1782, and soon after, he began to preach. We are not able to give an account of all his labors as preacher and pastor. In 1785, he was living under the shadow of Mount Monadnock in the town of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and preaching to the people in that interesting and romantic region. In 1786, he was in Newfane, Vermont. In 1798, his family was living in Woodstock, Connecticut, while he had been for about four years supplying the pulpit in Gloucester. It was at this time that he was invited to come to Maine. Captain Joseph Pearce came from Gloucester, Massachusetts, to New Gloucester, Maine, and after a few years, finding there were enough Universalists there to support preaching a portion of the time, he wrote to his brother, William Pearce of Gloucester, for assistance, who proposed Rev. Thomas Barns as the man for the occasion. Mr. Barns was pleased with the prospect of a field of labor, where he could give personal attention to farming and have his family with him. His compensation as preacher was small, entirely inadequate to the support of his family, and, like Paul, his own hands were obliged to administer to his necessities and to those who were dependent upon him. He was an industrious man, and labored diligently during the week upon the farm. He came to Maine on a prospecting tour in the autumn of 1793, and the
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following winter he moved his family to a farm in the town of Poland. His engagement in moving to Poland was, that he should preach in Norway, Falmouth, and New Gloucester once in four weeks, and have the remaining Sabbath to devote to missionary work. Under this arrangement, he labored in Livermore, Turner, Danville, Poland, and Freeport. In the month of January, 1802, he was ordained at Gray, over the united societies of Norway, New Gloucester, Falmouth, and Gray. This arrangement was continued for quite a number of years, during which Mr. Barns performed a great amount of labor. His preaching places were far apart, the extremes being over forty miles from each other. He was called upon to attend a great many funerals beside the usual parochial work. His health became impaired in 1814, and in October, 1816, he died. His remains were buried in Poland, but a few years ago, they were disinterred, and deposited in Pine Grove Cemetery, near Norway Village. Appropriate ceremonies were per- formed at his second interment, and a monument suitably inscribed erected to his memory. Mr. Barns married, in 1772, Mary, daughter of Reuben Fletcher, of Westford, Massachusetts. Three of his daugh- ters possessed uncommon talents, which they devoted largely to the propagation of the faith so greatly cherished by their father. Lucy, who was the oldest, published a series of "Serious and Important Questions answered from the Holy Scriptures," which passed several editions, and were helpful to very many who were seeking to establish themselves in this doctrine. She died in 1809, greatly lamented, at the age of twenty-nine years. Several of her essays, poems, and letters were collected and published soon after her death ; the volume was entitled "The Female Christian." Mrs. Levisa Buck, another daughter, assisted Rev. George Bates in compiling a memoir of her father, a small volume, now quite rare. Sally, another daughter, who married Josiah Dunn of Poland, impressed every one with the clearness and power of her mental faculties, as well as with the amiability of her disposition. Reuben, son of Mr. Barns, died in 1807. Seventy years have passed since Mr. Barns passed to the higher life, but his memory is still cherished by the children and grandchildren of the carly Universalists of Norway and the other towns composing his broad field of labor.
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HISTORY OF NORWAY.
NATHANIEL GUNNISON.
Rev. Nathaniel Gunnison was the son of Nathaniel Gunnison, and was born in Goshen, New Hampshire, February 14th, 1811. He was ordained to the work of the Christian ministry in Brewster, Massachu- setts, November 15th, 1837. His subsequent settlements were at Manchester, New Hampshire, Hallowell, Maine, Abington and Glou- cester, Massachusetts, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Norway, Dexter, and Waterville, Maine. He died at Waterville, August 25th, 1871, of paralysis. During the closing years of the War of the Rebellion, while residing at Halifax, he was appointed United States consul at that place. It was a highly important and responsible position at that time, and was so creditably filled by Mr. Gunnison, that at the close of his term of service, he received the warmest commendation from the secretary of state, Hon. William H. Seward, and from the newspaper press of the loyal States. He came to Norway in 1865, and was here as pastor of the Universalist Church four years. While here, the church edifice was raised and Concert Hall placed under. He was one of the chief movers in establishing the Norway Savings Bank, and was its first president. From Norway he went to Dexter, where the society was in a partially dormant state. He resuscitated the church and society, and while there, a fine church edifice was erected, largely through his instrumentality. From there he removed to Waterville, where he died, aged sixty, as stated.
Mr. Gunnison was a man of great energy and perseverance, a great worker and a successful organizer. He was a man of large frame and fine physique, had a deep, sonorous voice, and was an impressive speaker, and a fine pulpit orator. He was an excellent financier and business man, qualities which do not often belong to the ministry. He had fine social qualities, and was a popular and useful member of society. He was an advocate of temperance, and a life-long worker in this field. He married as second wife, August 12, 1838, at Brewster, Massachu- setts, Ann L. Foster, and his children were as follows :--
I. Marilla Ann, b. April 26, 1836, by first wife; m., April 26, 1857, W. B. Griffin' of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
II. Foster N., b. April 4, 1840, by second wife; m., September 5, 1866, Emma Elliott' of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is a manufacturer in Providence, Rhode Island.
III. Ann Louisa, b. March 21, 1842; d. in Halifax, June 21, 186[.
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IV. Almon, b. March 2, 1844; m., July 7, 1868, Ella Everest, Canton, New York. He is a Doctor of Divinity, and pastor of All Souls Church in Brooklyn, New York.
V. Walter Balfour, b. May 2, 1852. ,He is professor and vice-president of St. Lawrence University at Canton, New York.
VI. Herbert Foster, b. June 28, 1858. He is editor on the staff of the Brooklyn Eagle.
HENRY HAWKINS.
Rev. Henry Hawkins, pastor of the Universalist Church from 1833 to 1837, was the son of Dexter and Philena (Arnold) Hawkins, and was born in that part of Providence, Rhode Island, which was then called Cumberland, and which has since been incorporated by that name, March 28th, 1788. When nineteen years of age, he became a Methodist preacher, and was sent as a missionary to the towns on the Kennebec River. He continued his labors in that field from that time (1806), to 1824, when his religious views underwent an important change, and he commenced preaching Universalism at Canton and Livermore in 1824. In 1826 he was settled at Fryeburg, where he remained until he was called to the pastorate of the church in this town in 1833. He remained here four years, when he retired from active labor in the ministry, and moved to a farm in Oxford, which he culti- vated until 1861, when he returned to Norway and occupied the house in the village, now owned and occupied by his daughter, Adelpha, until the time of his death, which took place May 31st, 1866.
While in Oxford he was a civil magistrate, and a prominent citizen. He was much interested in education, and a pioneer in the cause of temperance. He was a strong man, and left his impress on the religious societies of which he had charge, and in the communities where he resided. Dexter Hawkins, father of Henry, served in the Rhode Island Volunteers in the war for independence, and when Portland was threat- ened in 1812, Henry Hawkins enlisted in a company which was recruited in Livermore and Jay in twenty-four hours, and marched to the scene of danger, making forty miles the first day. He was stationed on Cape Elizabeth, and when on picket, had sight of the British fleet lying at the entrance to the harbor.
WASHINGTON W. HOOPER.
Rev. Washington Wells Hooper is the son of Mr. John Hooper, who was born in England, and of his wife, Louisa K. Sawyer, who was born
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HISTORY OF NORWAY.
in Hope, Maine. He was born in Queens, Queens County, New York, February 15th, 1853, studied in the common schools of Brooklyn, New York, and at the St. Lawrence University, of Canton, New York, where he took a four years' course, graduating as B.D. in 1875. He was ordained at Gaysville, Vermont, in February of 1876. He subsequently preached in Huntington, New York, and in January, 1881, came to Nor- way. He was settled over the Universalist Society in this place nearly three years. He is a genial, kind-hearted gentleman, of average ability as a preacher and pastor, and was here a good citizen. His next settle- ment was at Mechanic Falls, where he remained three years, and in the spring of 1886 he went to take charge of a parish made up of the towns of Orono and Oldtown. Mr. Hooper has never been married.
BENJAMIN B. MURRAY.
Rev. Benjamin B. Murray, son of John and Rachel (Bixby) Murray, was born in Hartland, Vermont, October 14th, 1801. When three years old, his father moved his family, consisting of his wife, three sons, and two daughters, to Fayette, Maine, and subsequently to Leeds, where he spent the remainder of his days. Benjamin B. Murray was educated at the common schools of Leeds and Turner, and at Monmouth Academy, then taught by John Davis. He was a natural scholar, and acquired a good education. He studied theology under the tutorship of Rev. George Bates, but only for a short time, when he commenced preaching. He had brief engagements in Freeport, Green, Leeds, and Readfield, and had his first regular settlement in Norway, where he was ordained in 1828. It was during his pastorate that the church edifice was rebuilt. Mr. Murray preached in Norway half the time, and the balance of the time in Gray, Rumford, and West Bethel. During the four years that he lived in Norway, a church edifice, owned either in whole or in part by the Universalists, was erected in each of the four places of his ministry. He was a man of marked ability. On one occasion while a resident in Norway, he delivered a fourth of July oration, and on another he delivered a Masonic address to an assembly consisting of four lodges of Masons. He closed his pastorate here toward the close of 1832 and accepted a call to Rockport, Massachusetts. While here, his wife died. Returning to Maine, he had a settlement in Readfield and Mon-
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mouth, and later, in Hampden. This was his last settlement, and soon after leaving here he withdrew from the ministry. In 1855, he went to Illinois, and returned in 1858, much broken in health from malaria. About the year 1878, his eyes became diseased, soon resulting in loss of sight. He now resides with his son, in Greene, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. His mental faculties are unimpaired, and he speaks with much feeling of his settlement in Norway and of his friends there of more than half a century ago, nearly all of whom have passed on before. Mr. Murray married, in 1824, Deborah Hooper of Leeds, and had the following children :-
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