USA > Maine > Cumberland County > North Yarmouth > Confession of Faith and covenant of the First Church in North Yarmouth, Me. : with a catalogue of its members and brief historical notices. April 1848 > Part 7
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EDUCATION.
About forty individuals, natives of the town, have received a collegiate education. At an early period, Robert Bailey was employed as a teacher of youth ; and subsequently, the town made an annual appropriation for the support of a grammar school, which was instructed many years by Judge Mitchell. The town is now divided into seventeen school districts, and $1420 is the average annual expenditure for the support of public schools.
The old Academy building was erreted in 1511, and in I>14 the Trustees of North Yarmouth Academy were incorporated For a number of years, though the bestitution was not without its value to the inhidatants of the town, its mefulness was limited in the back of funds to na faiu It with etle ieney. Considering their means, the citizens had made liberal rxertio , for ats establishment and support ; but the beginning of its vigorous existence may be da il from the year 1826, when the State endowed it by the grant of n half township of land, which was cold to good advantage, and the avails put in land. It has, at different times. received pri- vate benefactions from the inhabitants, and from a few other individuals, friends of learn - ing, amounting in all, to about $6000. The Principals of the Institution since .s endor . ment, who have served for a considerable length of time, and to some of whom the friends of the school are laid under lasting obligations, are Messes. Joseph Sherman, Sammel II. Shep- ley, Nathan Dole, Allen H. Weld, Daniel Lane, Samuel W. Blanchard, and George Woods. Mr. Shepley, who, after an ab-eure of some yrars, has returned, is Principal of the Classical, and Mr Woods, of the English Department. The buildings, one everted in 1911, and the other in 1517, both of brick, are tasteful and commodious ; necessary assistance in instruction is provided, and few Institutions of the kind offer to youth superior or more inviting facilities for acquiring an education.
PHYSICIANS AND ATTORNEYS
The Rev A. R Cutter as was not nunanal in his time inated the clerval with the mold
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HISTORICAL NOTICES.
profession. Gilbert Winslow was also called upon for advice and af endance in sichin suy early inhabitants. Dr. Raynes was a practitioner in the town. Dr. John Bartlett, whose with was sister of Dea. Jolt Southworth commented practice in the town about the year 17 but, after four or five years, returned to Lebanon, Conn., his mutive place. De borla was n physician in town, of whom favorable mention is made, but while yet young. he died on a voyage at sea which he had undertaken for the recovery of his health. He boarded with Mi. Loring, and was to marry a sister of Edmund Chandler. Dr. William Clase commenced practice about 1700, locating himself first near the old meeting-house, and aterrwards near thu border of Falmouth. Dr. Edward Russell, father of the late Edward Russell, Esq. a native of Cambridge, and a graduate of Harvard College, came into this vicinity about 175, and wal employed for a time, at New Gloucester and elsewhere, as a preacher of the gospel ; but short- ly settled himself, as a medical practitioner. in North Yarmouth, where he spent the remain . der of life.
Dr. David Jones, a nalive of Abington, Mass, and Dr. A. R. Mitchell. born in the town, es tablished themselves in practice, the former in 1785, and the latter at a pericol not long after. Dr. Wu. Parsons, from Gloucester, Mass. Dr. Daniel Clark, from Connectlent. Dr. Gad Hitel cock, from Pembroke, Mass., and Dr. Win. B. Couch followed. Drs. Amos Osgood, Blazer Burbank, Lewis Whitney and Augustus HI. Burbank, are the physicians now in practice ils the town.
Jeremiah Powell and Jonas Mason were Judges in the Provincial Courts ; and after the Revolution, John Lewis and David Mitchell were Judges in the Courts of the State of Massa- chusetts. Baban P. Field, who commenced the practice of law in the town about 17:00, removed to Belfast where he remained till his death. Barrett Potter, since Judge of Protante, many years, for the County of Cumberland, commenced the practice of law in North Yariaonth m 1801. He moved to Gorhmu and subsequently to Portland. He was succeeded by Elisha I Cutler and Win. Barrows, both of whom deceased in early life. They were Edlowed by John Mellen, Grenville Mellen, and Philip Eastman, whose place is now filled by Barnabas Free- man.
CHURCH FORMED.
Three years prior to the permanent organization of the town, and one year after the mert ing-honse was raised and boarded, Nov 18, 1730, nine brethren, Anoni R. Cutter, Samael Seubury, Jacob Mitchell, Joseph Chandler, Ebenezer Eaton, Samuel Fisher, SinQuel Totman, Benjamin Prince, and Jedidiah Southworth, affixed their names to a Covenant, and were con. stituled a church, there being present " the Elders and Messengers of the churches of Wells, Falmouth Scarborough and Biddeford." This was the tenth church in Maine The churchei previously existing were that in York, gathered in the year 178; Wells Hol ; South B. r. Biddeford, 1730; Kennelanh Port, 1780.
THE EMBODYING COVENANT.
" At the public Meeting Honse in North Yarmouth in Casco Bay, Nov. 18, 1730: Being present the Elders and Messengers of the several churches of Wells, Falmouth, Scarborough and Bildeford, the church of North Yarmouth was incorporated by the Rev Mr. Williams Thompson, they having first assented to the Gospel Covenant as followeth :
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprelending ourselves called of God into the church state of the Gospel, do first of all confess ourselves unworthy to be su highly favored of the Lord ; and achuire that free and rich Grace of his, that triumphs over so great an- worthiness, and then rels ing upon the aids of grace therein promised for thene, that in a sense of their inability to do any good thing, do humidy wait em las for all, we now thankfully lay hold on his covenant professing as follows :
We declare our serious belief of the Christian Religion, us contained in the Sacred Scrip- tures, heartily resolving to conform our lives to the rules of that lady religion, as long as we live in the world.
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We give up ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and avouch Him this day to be our God, our Father, our Saviour and our Leader, und receive him as our only portion forever. We give up ourselves to the blessed Jesus, who is the Lord Jehovah, and adhere to him, as the Head of his prople, in the Covenant of Grace, and rely on him, as our l'riest, our Prophet and our King to bring us to eternal blessedness. We acknowledge our everlasting and imlispensable obligations to glorify God in all the duties of a godly, and a sober and a righteous life, and very particularly in the duties of a Church, State and a Body of people associated for an obedience to him in. all the ordinances of the. dospel ; and we therefore depend upon his gracions assistance for the faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent on us.
We desire and intend, and with dependence on his promised and powerful grace, we engage, to walk together, as a church of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the faith and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed unto us ; und do accordingly solemnly and serious- ly give up ourselves to one another, as fellow members of the same Body, for mutual edifica; tion, and promise to submit ourselves to all the holy administrations appointed by Him who is the Head and Lawgiver of his church, dispensed according to the rules of the Gospel, con- scientiously attending the public worship of God, the Sacraments of the New Testament, the Discipline of his Kingdom, and all his holy Institutions ; in communion with one another ; accepting and embracing counsels and reproof's with all humbleness an I thankfulness, and watchfully avoiding all sinful stumbling-blocks and contentions and needless uneasinesses , as becomes a people whom the Lord hath bound np together in a bundle of life.
At the same time we do also present our offspring with us unto the lord, purposing with his help to do our part in the methods of a religions education, that they may be the Lordy. Furthermore, we acknowledge ourselves under indispensable obligations, at all times, to be careful to procure the settlement and continuance of Church Officers among os, according to the appointment of Jesus, the chief Shepherd of bis flock, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the Ministry, For the edifying of the Body of Christ ; and equally obliged to be careful and faithful for their maintenance, cheouragement and comfort, highly honoring those that may labor in word and doctrine among us for their work's sake.
Finally, we do promise to preserve communion with the Church of Christ, for giving and receiving mutual counsel and assistance, in all cases, wherein we shall judge it bradfal.
And all this we do, flying to the blood of the everlasting Covenant for the parton of our many errors, and praying that the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord, Jesus Christ, would make us perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in us that which is well phasing in his sight, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
MINISTRES.
Hov. Samand Seabury was employed by the Proprietors to preach before the church was organized, from 1927 to the autono of 1729. He received a call to settle which, for reasons unknown, he did not necept. Mr. Seabury was a graduate of Harvard College, but seems not tu have been a son af Dea. Sammel Seabury. Rev. Ammi-Ruhannah Cutter, born in West Cambridge, educated at Harvard College in the class of 1725, began to preach in North Yar - mouth, Nov. 10, 1727, and was ordained first pastor of the church und minister of the town on the same day that the church was organized, and by the same commeil. He was after tive years dismissed. In church meeting, Nov. 28, 1735, " l'ost preces ad Dem, a vote was called in writing, whether the said church continued uneasy with the Rev. Mr. Auni-Ruhamachi Cut- ter, their pastor, or no : voted uneasy. Then voted that the said Mr. Cutter be dismissed from his pastoral relation to said church.
AMMI-RUHAMAAH CUTTER, Chrk."
A Council had previously been called which advised to Mr. Cutter's dismission, and two days before the above action of the church, the town had voted his di mission in case his re lation to the church should be dissolved ; in reference to which proceeding of the town, it is recorded: " Peter Weare does protest against the carry in son of this day."
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HISTORICAL NOTICES.
Mr. Cutter received his call. while as yet there was no church in town. from the Propri tere, who offered him 1200 as a settlement, and 120 ounces of silver, to be increased five owners annually till it should reach 14 ounces. As the first minister of five years continuance in the town, be also had confirmed to him a right in the divisions of the prop.it. After hi. dismission, Mr. Cutter continued in the town, as a physician, about seven yeme. He then superintended a trading house for the Indians. Three of these how es were established in Maine, in accordance with stipulations in a treaty of thevernment with the letives : off at Fort George, one at Fort Richmond, and the third, that superintenled hust, by Times Smith, father of Res. Thomas Smith of Fahmonth, and afterwards by Bir. Cutter, on the Sicuri,er, about nine miles from its month. .. The keepers of these houses, called 'truck master -; " were ammally chosen by the Conval Court, special ceand being had in the selection, to isen of the greatest pobity, patience and discretion, whose characters and manners were likewise acceptable to the natives. The salary was L120, and the situation was sought by men of his- tingnished reputation and influence. The establishment at Saco. at first at Winter Haber, and after removed up the river, was kept up till 159, and the foundations at the last location are still visible. While Mr. Unter was here, according to Sullivan, he compared a vocali- lary of the dialect of the Fickwacket and Ossipee tribes, " which is still esand." In the year 1715, Mr. Cutter commanded a company in the noted expedition to Lonistog; and the winter following the surrender of that place. he was detailed to remain as surgeon and chi. i commandant .- Aug 8, 17Mi, Capt. Benjamin Morgridge, of Kittery, who had been conducted with the expedition in Louisburg, arrived at North Yarmonth, having in cleare the papers and effects of Mr. Cutter, the news of who e death at Louisburg in March, Il, had before reached his friends. While at North Yarmouth he took a prominent part in all publie trans. actions. Mrs. Cutter was Dorothy Bradbury; sister of Mr. Moves Bradbury. an early indad i tant of the town. The children of Mr. Catur were, Annai-Kullanah, long a physician of' di - tingni ched reputation in Portsmouth, N. H ; Willista. who died carly after marriage much lamented ; Samuel, who has left a mannerous posterity. and Elizabeth.
After the dimission of Mr. Cutter. Mr. Ephraim Keith from Bridge water preached in the town and received an invitation to settle in the ministry. The mall, which was not aball- imous, he decided it prudent to decline. The church received it- second Pastor and the tawn its second minister, in the person of Rev. Nicholas Loring, recommended by Mr Keith, who was ordained, Nov. 17, 1786. Prayer by Mr. Prentiss of Arundel, Sermou by Mr Smith of Falmouth, from 2d Cor. xii : 15; Charge by Mr. Moody of York, Right Hand of Fellowship by Mr. Thompson of Seathorough. " The newly ordained pastor proposed tosing the fifth and 18th verses of the 58th Psalut, after which he gave the blessing." Mr. Loring had stipulated to him (250, as & settlement, and [150. as his salary. silver being counted at "Te, per ounce He was from Haft, Mass, and a graduate of Harvard College, in the yearfi. His ministry in the town continuing for a period of 20 years, was terminated by his death, July 81, 1703. In his day the Holy Spirit was posted out extensively upon the churches in the country in connexion with the labors of Rev. George Whitefield, of Jonathan Edwards, the Tennents and others. In March 1745; Mr. Whitefield had journeyed as far eastward ns Cape Elizabeth, but returning, had proceeded to Biddeford, when Mr. Loring und Mr. Allen, Pastor at t'ape Elizabeth, sent letters with messengers for his return. He listened to this overture and preached at Falmouth to Mr Smith's congregation. Saturday, March 23, and, then proceeding to North Varmonth, all day, on the Sabbath, March 21. for Mr. Juring, On Monday, he preached again at Falmouth. Mr. Smith writes, "The wonderful providence of God is to be observed with respect to Mie. White field, that Messes. Laring and Thompson should come: just as they did, and that Mr. White field should come just as he did, when Messer Pierson, Waite, Wheeler, Moods, Freeman and others, were all gone out of town, so
of ministers in Boston, who Fit bound to put Forth a culbert . Min ny, in Letter of the
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HISTORICAL NOTICES.
Jer happy revival of religion in many fparts of the Lost " Such moitasters as concurred 1. the reds of this last convention hast been invited to communicate their views in writing The rastern association of the County of Sick Recording frank la communication of which the following is an extract :-
" Inasmuch as it incontestibly appears to be from what we havefun . Molly Ourselves, all in other places, that by an extraordinary divine influire there leth len n laggy revival of religion in our lant, we dare not lust publicly speak out our g auf den e thereof, to the honor of the free and sovereign grave of God."
They however felt bound to hear joint and solemn tretinomy a varterrain prevailing errors in doctrine and disorders in practice, " such as laying the decline of medicine decrees, justification by faith alone, and irresistible grace in the conversion of aller- Thi paper received the signature of Mars. Allen and Loring, and of Messis. Thompan of Scarborough Jefferds of Wells, and Hovey of Animal, and was forwarded by Ie. Smith of Falmouth
Nearly all the Pastors of Maine were friendly to Mr. Whitefield. On his return to New England, 1711, he handled at York. "'' post Mr. Moly" called upon him, and said, " Sir, you are first welcome to America; secondly, to Sex Bland ; thirdiv, tall frathtud minis- ters in New England ; fourthly, to all the good puede as New Fachend: baby toall the good prople of York; and sixthly and lastl; to me, dele ir, bes the the ley total "
The year believe the death of Mr. Loring, the congregation led so increased as to demand a larger house of worship, and this denand was met by cutting the meeting ;- house in the middle and putting in twenty-right feet afeeding rom for twenty eight her jews Mr Umaphrey Chase undracted for the work, and in Dealer of the same year the press were sold for CUSS, which appears to have cursed thereare the march of the hotter was added at this time.
The with of Mr. Loring, who was Mary Richmond, of Tivertion, R. I., survived her husband about forty years. Their children were-Richmond, Bra deel, Levi. Lucretia, Mary, married to Joseph firmy, Elizabeth, married to Humphrey the .. Rachel, married to at Lon Mitchell, Thomas, Nicholas and Jeremiah
The following note, creditable to the author of it sand to the people, is inserted -" The widow Loring returns many thanks to the town for their la b piece of respect howed to the remains of her late husband in the interident of him in so decent and honorable a manner ; as well as for their generosity to her and her por falarde s children in putting them in monrning ; and as the expense already is large, she will not put them to any more than is necessary, and will mit taking up any thing for fre the wall cons, which the town was - good : twopler. Sept. 27, 10.
The Rev. Edward Girouds was good called, as successor to Mr Loring, and became the third minister of the town, his ordination counting daly 1 Til Prayer. by Mr. Cottaet Hp- ton , Forman, by Mr. Haven of Dedham ; Ordaining Prager, by Mr. Merrill of Biddeford, Charge, by Mr. Smith of Fulmonth ; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Mr. Wiswall, of New Cas- co ; l'rayer, by Mr. Odlin of Bacter. Mr. Brooks was from Biedford, Ms., and a graduate of Harvard College, 1737. He continued, minister of the town, till March, 1769, when the ad- vice of two connells having been previously sought, he resigned his pastoral charge. It was a time of not a little excitement in the town, and if na incon. iderable danger to the congre- galion. The majority were not satisfied with Mr. Brooks' doctrinal views. Meantime a largo minority were strongly attached to their minister, and utterly unreconciled to his leaving them ; aud, for a time, the disruption of the congregation seemed a probalde event. Mr. Brooks returned to Medford, his native joace, and his health was not such as to permit hine again to settle in the ministry. Euur years aher his removal from the town, in a letter to Dea. Jonas Mason, he thus expresses himself: " With a real pleasure I received yours, a few hours ago. It affords me substantial satisfaction that any of my friends have me still in ie membrance. Although my situation and circumstances are very agrecalde here, yet I cannot forget, or reaso to have a peenhar regard for the, I must call them, dear people, that were once committed to my charge. Tu their service, and to promote flu ir best interests, the duty
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es my ried and saviour excepted. I devoted all my powers. and every brainty of which I was possessed ; and I cannot, though my particular relation to them is Low dissolved, cease to make mention of them constantly in bey prayers to God. ---- Be so good as to call on ns, when you come to these parts, and make us as long a visit as you possibly can. Let dir. Jonathan Mitchell know, that I expect a long visit from him at Election "
Mr. Brooks deceased at Medford. March, 1781, aged 45 Mes. Brooks was Abigail Browie ot Hingham ; a woman of rare excellence, who lived to bless her children, nineteen years af- tar the death of her husband. Her death ocenvred November 1900, at the age of 03 y ara. The children of Mr Brooks were four in number: two duighters, who were married and set- tled in Medford ; and two sons. Mr. Cotton B. Brooks, Ite of Portland, and Hon. Peter C. Brooks of Boston. From Mr. Janoks of Boston, the Trustees of North Yarmouth Academy, 1811, with a very obliging letter addresse I to them, received, as a token of his regard to the place of Ins nativity, a larger bendfaction than from any other individual, for the erection of the building for the classical school ; tout enb.equ utty, another donation, for the building how ready for the reception of the English department of the Institution.
"The year following that of Me Brooks' ordination, beb. 15, 555, the church passed the following votes :- " That the Holy Coupures be read as a part of the public exercises of the Sabbath. "
' 'That that Collection of Hymns called Dr. Watts", which is annexed to many of our Psalm Books, and that impression of them which embraces los Ilymine, be made use of as a part of public worship."
JUNE, 1783. It was agreat that Wants' Psalas and flymans be used entierly after six months ; and, in the meantime, that Watts be used with reading, in the morning, and Tate ond Brady's Palats and hymns, widione reading, in the afternoon.
April 12, 1769, a committee of the church reported that Mr. Tristram Gilman of Exeter, N. 1., who was in the class with Mr. Brooks, at Harvard College, had been engaged to preach on probation ; and on the 231 of that month, he preached for the first time in the town, from the words : " For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jeanty Christ." "The feelings of many had been deeply wounded by recent transactions; and when, in Angust, the question as to extending a call to Me Gilman to set le was taken in the church, out of forty two votes, thirteen were in the negative. The mind of Mr. Giaman was perplexed as to his duty in the circumstances; but it was at length agreed by all concerned, that the difficul- the subsisting in the church should be submitted to the council which it was proposed to call, and if, in view of all the facts, they should judge it expedient, the ordination should take place. The council was convened ; and after two days spent in ations de literation pro- corded to the ordination, Die 8. Ind. Prayer, by Mr. Again of York; Sermon, by Mr. Macchistock of theland, from Heck. 1: 1. 2; Char,., by Mr. Morrill of Bildefind, Right Hand of Fellowship, by Mr. Eaton of Haraswell; Prayer. by Mr. Little of Wells. Me. tal- man received .£66 1Ss Ad as a settlement, and had stipulated to lia as a salary, ti00, with the use of the ministerial home lot and salt marsh, and No. 16 of the 120 aere division, for procuring fire wuod, forty acres to be cleared for his use in four years. He soon had the con- fidence of his entire charge. The state of the elinreh received his immediate and searching attention ; disorders were rectified with wisdom and prudence, and the Articles of Faith and Covenant, very nearly as now printed, were prepared pad adopdel. Possessing a vigorons physical frime, endowed with strong features in his rental constitution, studions. evangeli- eal, and ever diligent and enterprising in the duties of his calling, he soon obtained uneom- mon ascendancy over the minds of his people, rose to eminence in the vicinity, and at his de- partire lett his strong imjuess on the jdace blessed by his long continued and successful la - bors and influence. This venerable servant of Christ began to decline in the autumn of 1505, and died April 1, 1899, in the 7th year of his age, and the fortieth of his ministry .- " The half-way covenant " still contimet in use. In Is05, the Cumberland Association of Pastors. of which Mr. Gilmar was a lending number, expressed unanimously the opinion in reply to questions proposed by the church in Froreport. that said Covenant is " in accordance with as-
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(red writ." At the some meeting. und on inquiry from the same church. they expressed the opinion, that the use of musical instruments in public wordup i, indiferent and may often be of advantage to devotion ; but considering the stateof veling in relation to the matter in Freeport, they advised to the diste. for the present. of such instruments in that place.
The children of Mr. Gilman were Joseph. Mary, Habeth, Tristram Comee, Nicholas, John, Themo it and Sommel. Mrs. Gitmen was Elizabeth Sager of Weda. who died in 1791, almost twenty years before her husband.
The successor of Mr. Gilman was the Bes. Francis Began, who having been named to the people at the faneral of their late pastor, was goon invited to preach, and was ordained Jaun- ary 11, 1510. Prayer. by Me. Scott of Minut ; Sermon, by Mr. Rand of Gorham : Oraining Prayer, by Mr. Lancaster of Scarborough; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Mr. Miltimore of Falmonik; Prager, by Mr. Payson of Portland. Mr. Brown received a call, at about the same time, to settle in Brattleborough, Vt., and in North Yarmouth. He accepted the Letter, on condition that the neages of the church should be so far modified. that the half-way Cove- nant should no longer be used. His brilliant ministry was destined to be of short duration In 1815, he was appointed to the Presidency of Dartmouth College, then in a perilous comli- tion in consequence of interference with its conced. by the State authorities of New . tam shire; and Sept. 19, was disti sed with a view to his entering upon the duties of that waser Having lived to carry the College through it clobarrasments, Dr. Brown closed his sent- ly useful life, July 27, 1820, at the curly age of 36 years. At one o'clock of the day of his death, the students of the College were seen " walking solitary among the tree. : woche, seated in their chambers, they opened a book oul, to close it again, till at length the areadel note came in solemn cadence from the College bell : upon every heart it struck, . La voie from eternity .? Birs. Brown, still living at Hanover, is a daughter of Mr. Gilmat, whom Dr Brown succeeded in the mainistry. A great grand-daughter of Mr. Gihnan is the wife of a pas- tor now settled over one of the churches formerly within the faits of the town.
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