USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Bath > History of Bath and environs, Sagadahoc County, Maine. 1607-1894 > Part 43
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For some twelve years he was one of the trustees of the Maine State College, has been vice-president of the Maine Historical Society, and for many years one of the examining committee at Bowdoin College. For the last eighteen years he has held the professorship of church history in General Conv.'s Theological School in Cambridge, of the Church of the New Jerusalem. In 1872 he received the degree of D. D. from Bowdoin College. In 1880 he went on a trip through Egypt and Asia Minor, proceeding as far east as Damascus, for the purpose of fitting himself more thor- oughly for the professorship of biblical and ecclesiastical history. He was appointed a member of the Peace Congress held in London in July, 1890, but was unable to attend.
Dr. Dike has a pleasant home, situated on the western edge of the city, with a garden, orchard, and surrounding fields.
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The Baptist. - The founding and building up of this church and society have been phenominal. Starting with ten members, this denomination now ranks with the largest churches. From 1789 to the coming of Elder Stearns there was occasional preaching by Elders Isaac Case, John Hames, and Mr. Harriman. From services held in school-houses and halls it has constructed and occupied two church edifices successively. This growth and prosperity is largely due to the labors of its first minister, the Rev. Silas Stearns. Coming to Bath without "staff or scrip," and with a feeble following, he wrought out a great work in establishing this church and society, which is an enduring monument to his memory.
Mr. Stearns was born in Waltham, Mass., in 1784. He early developed a taste for theological studies and determined to prepare himself for the ministry. To accomplish this end his scant means obliged him to learn a trade. He apprenticed himself to an uphol- sterer in Boston, spending his spare time in theological studies with Doctor Baldwin, a distinguished Baptist preacher of that day. After the close of his apprenticeship he worked at his trade until fitted to enter upon the duties of the ministry. He then came to Maine and preached at Freeport, where he was ordained.
By invitation he came to Bath, where he found very few Baptist people. To these he preached and accepted a call as pastor over them, a church being formed the same day; the pastor was installed October 30, 1810, in the school-house on School street that was taken down in about 1886. Stephen Morse and Elijah Low were the deacons. Meetings were regularly held in school-houses and halls until 1816, when a church edifice was built at the northeast corner of Washington and Elm streets, a later built church now standing on the same site. For some years Elder Stearns worked at his trade of upholsterer with S. D. Haley to enable him to live upon a yearly salary of one hundred and twenty-five dollars. This author well recollects having often seen him at his work covered with lint.
Mr. Stearns was twenty-six years of age when he came to Bath to live. On November 30, 1815, he married Miss Hannah Sprague of Boston. This union proved an exceedingly happy one. They had
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one son, Oakman Sprague Stearns, who became an educated Baptist minister, professor in Newton Theological Institution, and magazine writer. He resided at Newton Centre, Mass., from 1855 until his death, in 1893. Mrs. Stearns died suddenly September 20, 1824, and Mr. Stearns married Miss Mary B. Lunt, of Bath, a grand- daughter of the elder Isaiah Crooker.
By 1827 and 1828 the Baptist Church had become strong in both numbers and prominent people, but somewhere about those years twenty-six of the leading members resigned from the church and had meetings in the old academy on North street, with the Rev. Henry Kendall for pastor, who was a rigid Calvinist. This was a sore affliction to Elder Stearns, but eventually the seceding members returned to his church. After a pastorate of thirty years, Rev. Mr. Stearns died, in 1840, at the age of 56 years.
The same month that Mr. Stearns died a call was extended to Rev. H. G. Nott, of the Federal Street Church, now Clarendon, of Boston, to become pastor. The call was accepted and Mr. Nott at once began his pastoral labors. In the beginning of 1842 a revival began which lasted through the first half of the year. Seventy joined the church.
In February, 1853, Rev. D. W. Sheldon became pastor, and he began his labors under most favorable circumstances. A new and commodious meeting-house had just been completed and was imme- diately dedicated. The congregations were large and embraced some of the first families in the city. But after a promising begin- ning Doctor Sheldon developed in his preaching doctrines that were not in harmony with the Baptist faith. This fact led to heated discussions, and finally to division in the church and congregation. After a prolonged contest over the possession of the meeting-house, which was finally settled by a legislative committee, Doctor Sheldon, with those who were in sympathy with him, united with the Unitarian Society on Summer street, and the church proper resumed worship in their own sanctuary.
THE PASTORS .- Silas Stearns, 1810 to 1840; H. G. Nott, 1840 to 1847; E. H. Gray, 1847 to 1850; Harvey Ham, 1850 to 1851; D. W. Sheldon, 1852 to 1856; S. W. Taylor, 1857 to 1860; G. P.
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Mathews, 1860 to 1865; L. D. Hill, 1866 to 1869; E. M. Bartlett, 187 1 to 1872; S. A. Kingsbury, 1873 to 1876; S. D. Moxley, 1876 to 1878; S. L. B. Chase, 1878 to 1880; S. P. Pendleton, 1880 to 1882; T. F. White, 1883 to date, 1894.
The present pastor, Rev. T. F. White, began his pastoral labors at Bath in May, 1883. During his pastorate to May, 1889, ninety- two joined the church, with further yearly increase. Mr. White was born in Columbia, Me., April 1, 1846; graduated from Colby Uni- versity in 1874 and Newton Theological Institution in 1879; was pastor at Ellsworth, Me., 1878 to 1883, and has been in Bath to the present time, 1894. His resignation has twice been given, but he was finally prevailed upon to remain. He takes a lively interest in the temperance and other moral reforms. In the summer of 1889 he made an extended trip abroad, visiting Scotland, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. On May 3, 1893, he was married to Miss Gertrude G. Carr of Brunswick.
The Methodist .- THE WESLEY. Few people now living recol- lect the early days of Methodism in this section of the country. Those who joined the denomination one hundred years ago con- sisted chiefly of people in the lower walks of life. They were not called a denomination, but a persuasion, and services were held in school-houses and private dwellings. Their preachers were exhort- ers, and were entertained at the houses of the leaders of the move- ment. For years the Methodists were a persecuted sect, inasmuch as they were ignored by the orthodox denominations. This perse- cution made them a band of brothers. Jesse Lee introduced Methodism into Maine. He came to Boston from the South, and for want of an in-door place he preached upon the Common, where his ardor and eloquence drew crowds to listen to him.
In September, 1793, there was a conference of Methodist clergy- men for New England at Lynn, Mass., at which eight were in attendance. Jesse Lee was one of the number. In making a division of their labors, Mr. Lee took the appointment of the Dis- trict of Maine for his circuit, upon which he immediately entered. Preaching at different places along his route, he reached Bath September 15, 1793, and preached in the town three times, the first
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Methodist preaching held in the town. At the time there was no settled preacher of any denomination in the place. In consequence, people of other sects went to his meetings. His personal appear- ance was attractive, his discourses eloquent, and his doctrines new. Lee is described as a man of vigorous physique, imposing presence, with great power of endurance; his weight was about 250 pounds. In traveling he rode on horseback, taking along two horses for a relay, one following the other. His outfit consisted of saddle-bags, packed with a Bible, hymn book, a few other books, and needful clothing. His impassioned, extemporaneous sermons, fervent prayers, and grand singing drew crowds to hear him. His genial manners and ready wit made him an agreeable guest in the families with whom he sojourned.
" In 1796 Rev. Philip Wager and Rev. Jesse Stoneman, traveling Monmouth circuit, preached here occasionally; also, Rev. Joshua Hall. The preaching of Rev. John Broadhead, in 1798, awakened a revival, the fruit of which he collected into the first class ever formed in Bath. It was composed of the following persons: James Ward, Huldah Grace, Widow Gardiner, Elizabeth Weeks, Betsey Webb, Eleanor Morrison. From this time to 1818 Bath seems to have been included in an extensive circuit, and was visited statedly or occasionally by Robert Yallaley, Roger Searle, Enoch Mudge, Epaphras Kibby, Peter Jayne, Ralph Williston, Peter Nourse, and others, especially Timothy, Merritt, who labored here abundantly previous to 1809."-Church Records.
John Wilkinson, a minister who had been a circuit preacher in the state, came to Bath in 1817. Being a physician, he practiced that profession and kept a drug store. He was a man of ability and amassed considerable property. He filled the pulpit, in the absence of a regular preacher, to his latter years. When it was known that Dr. Wilkinson was to preach, it drew a large congrega- tion. The young people, in particular, liked his originality and quaintness.
In 1817 the Conference appointed the Rev. Mr. Ambler to Bath, who remained until 1818, when the Rev. Mr. Chamberlain was assigned, but for unexplained cause left in a few weeks. Mr. Wil-
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kinson then preached until 1819, when the Rev. Charles Virgin was sent. This preacher had the advantage of a commanding presence and force as a speaker. The latter was an important element with this denomination. The preaching of that day must be spontane- ous and emotional. This was supplemented by much singing, in which the congregation joined, and the preacher who could lead in the hymns was most happily and acceptably endowed.
PASTORS .- 1819-20, Charles Virgin; 1821, Sullivan Bray; 1822, Bartholomew Otheman; 1823, Joseph White; 1824-5, Wilder B. Mace; 1826, Sullivan Bray; 1827-8, William H. Norris; 1829, John B. Husted; 1830, Green Grove Moore; 1831, Justin Spauld- ing; 1832, John Atwell; 1833, Stephen Waterhouse; 1834, Isaac Downing; 1835, James Thwing; 1836, John W. Atkins; 1837, William H. Pillsbury; 1838-9, Caleb Fuller; 1840, George Webber ; 1841-2, Eaton Shaw; 1843-4, Charles W. Morse; 1845, John Hobart; 1846, Stephen Allen; 1847, Gershom F. Cox; 1848, Paul C. Richmond; 1849-50, William F. Farrington; 1851-2, Charles F. Allen ; 1853-4, Parker Jaques; 1855, Asahel Moore; 1856-7, Eze- kiel Robinson; 1858-9, James McMillan; 1860, Silas H. Hyde and Joseph L. Morse; 1861, Rufus H. Stinchfield; 1862-3, Seba F. Wetherbee; 1863, six months, Luther T. Townsend; 1864-6, Cyrus A. King; 1867-8, Joseph Hawkes; 1869-71, William S. Jones; 1872-4, James Roscoe Day; 1875-7, Ammi S. Ladd; 1878-80, Abel W. Pottle; 1881, William S. Sterling; 1882-3, Ammi S. Ladd; 1884-6, Everett S. Stackpole; 1887, J. L. Hill; 1888-9, L. L. Hanscom; 1889-93, A. A. Lewis; 1893-94 (present pastor ), S. T. Westhafer.
More or less extensive revivals have occurred in 1830, 1834, 1841, 1848, 1858, 1861, 1873, 1876, 1886, 1891, and in latter part of 1893 under present pastor.
In 1820 the membership was fifty-three including those in Bruns- wick and Phipsburg. In 1828 there were ninety-one members; in 1837, one hundred and thirty-three. In 1841 a faction withdrew to form the North Street Free Baptist Church. In 1852 Beacon Street M. E. Church was built, and the following year seventy members withdrew to form that society, leaving one hundred and sixty-one
HISTORY OF BATH. 503
members. At this time "Wesley " was adopted as the distinguishing name of this church. The largest membership was reported in 1875, viz., 312 members and 41 probationers.
Devoted workers in the Methodist denomination have been found in Mrs. Lydia Mclellan, Gen. James McLellan, Charles Davenport, Elisha Clarke, George W. Duncan, Z. H. Blair, and some others.
THE BEACON STREET .- The original Methodist Church increased so rapidly, and a large number of the members residing at the North End, made it advisable to form a new church and society in that part of the city. Their house was built, and occupied June 13, 1853, and Rev. H. M. Blake was the pastor.
Near the commencement of the first Conference year fifty-six members and three probationers were transferred to Beacon Street Church from Wesley, and at the end of the year the membership of the new society was one hundred and five. The new church that year raised for its expenses and charities a total of $851.86. Near the close of this year, Charles Davenport promised to meet any difficulties of the ensuing year if the church would not ask aid from the missionary board. This generous offer brought out other pledges, so from that time on the Beacon Street became a self-sus- taining society. During the winter of 1854-5, notwithstanding the general depression in business, the society purchased an organ at an expense of $600. In 1857, when banks were breaking and business firms suspending, the church nevertheless raised $867.41.
In 1875 the Conference was held in Bath and Rev. Mr. Bean appointed to Beacon Street. Toward the foreign mission fund Beacon Street contributed $100 of the $1,000,000 raised by all of the Methodist churches of the country. Mr. Charles Davenport, the first superintendent of Beacon Street Sunday School, had been, for many years, the superintendent of the school at Wesley. In the two schools, as superintendent, he has served in all forty years. Mr. Davenport has also aeted as chorister at Beacon Street since the opening of the church, his son, George P'. Davenport, serving under him, as organist, for the past twenty-five years. The present membership of the church is about 175; of the Sunday School, about 200.
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PASTORS .- 1853-4, H. M. Blake; 1855-6, H. B. Abbott; 1857-8, A. J. Church; 1859, H. Nickerson; 1860-1, S. F. Wetherbee; 1862-3, H. M. Blake; 1864-5, C. Fuller; 1866-8, J. E. C. Sawyer; 1869-70, Charles Munger; 1871-2, Roscoe Sanderson; 1873-4, Kinsman Atkinson; 1875-7, Leonard H. Bean; 1878-80, Enos T. Adams; 1881-3, W. S. Jones; 1884, Gershom F. Cobb; 1885-7, H. E. Foss; 1888-9, Thomas Whiteside; 1890, W. F. Holmes; 1891-4, M. C. Pendexter.
The Universalist .- For many years prior to 1837 there was a liberal element in the city, who could not believe in the doctrine of eternal punishment, and after their numbers warranted the move- ment, they first met at each other's houses and afterwards procured quarters in the City Hall building, in the room now occupied by the Common Council, where they held Sabbath meetings. Their numbers increasing, they decided to form a Universalist Church, and in 1837-8 they were enabled to raise a sufficient amount of money to build a house of worship. Rev. John T. Gilman was the first pastor, and the church and society grew in numbers and influ- ence under his pastorate for quite a number of years. He was followed by Rev. Dr. Brooks, who made a special effort to interest the young, and with the help of his estimable wife made the Sunday School connected with the society one of the largest in the city. Dr. Brooks not only gave character and standing to the denomi- nation, but found time to devote to educational matters and all moral reforms.
Several different pastors followed Dr. Brooks, among them Rev. Eliphalet Case, who was a scholarly man and published some poetical works.
Rev. Henry W. Rugg was the first pastor in the new church, and brought the society up from its apparent apathy to a state of great interest and added largely to its membership and prosperity. He took great interest in his parish and in the Sunday School. He was as popular outside as within his society, entering heartily into all movements for the benefit of the people.
In addition to those already named, memorial windows have been
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placed in the church to the memory of Mrs. Alfred Lemont, Mrs. Joseph M. Hayes, Mrs. J. W. Wakefield, J. R. Silsby, W. Sanford, and N. Longley.
PASTORS. - J. T. Gilman, 1838-43; E. G. Brooks, D. D., 1846-50; F. Hitchcock, 1850-1; E. Case, 1851-2; J. Crehore, 1853-4; Mr. Gardiner, 1855; J. W. Hanson, D. D., 1858; H. W. Rugg, D. D., 1860-3; L. J. Fletcher, D. D., 1864-6; A. Gunnison, D. D., 1868- 71; J. P. McLean, 1872; M. H. Houghton, 1874-5; W. W. Nutting, . 1876-7; C. Weston, 1878; E. W. Preble, 1880; L. L. Green, 1881-5; I. P. Quimby, 1886-90; Abram Conklin, 1891-4, continuing.
Rev. Abram Conklin was born April 13, 1858, at Nyack, N. Y .; was educated at St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y., graduating from the Theological School in June, 1879. He was ordained and installed as pastor of the Universalist Church at Southold, N. Y., in October, 1879. He held pastorates at Reading, Penn., at Brooklyn, N. Y., and at Saginaw, Mich., before coming to Bath. Under his pastorate the church has been repaired and decorated and memorial windows have been placed in the church.
Through the influence of this church four ministers have been added to the denomination: G. W. Bieknell, Charles Tucker, E. W. Preble, B. F. Bowles. Among the men who were prominent in the early work of this church and society were: Denny McCobb, John Henry, Davis Hatch, Oliver Moses, John Elliot, Richard R. Smith, Anthony C. Raymond, Samuel Parker, Nathaniel Longley, William Rouse, William Rodbird, James Wakefield, Nelson A. West, Aaron Donnell, Wyman Morse, Bela T. Bicknell.
North Street Free Baptist .- This church was organized April 16, 1842, and numbered twelve members, one of whom, Benjamin Danforth, was subsequently licensed to preach. Afterwards Mr. Hathorn became pastor and remained until the December following. On December 4th Rev. A. Libby came and remained until the following June. Rev. P. M. Hobson was the next pastor and remained until June, 1845. He was followed by Revs. H. Deering and J. L. K. Staples, each holding short pastorates. Rev. John
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Stevens came in December, 1847, and remained until May, 1850. Rev. H. Skillings was pastor after Mr. Stevens, remaining until April, 1853, when Rev. Naham Brooks became pastor, leaving in September, 1863. During his pastorate two hundred and eighty persons were added to the church by baptism and one hundred and nine by letter. Rev. Charles Bean then acted as a stated supply for nearly a year, when Rev. A. H. Morrill was called to the pas- torate. The next was Rev. E. W. Porter, who remained eight years. Rev. E. Manson was pastor for two and one-half years. In January, 1879, Rev. H. J. White was called and remained till November, 1884. During his time a debt of $3,000 was canceled. For nearly a year after Mr. White left, the church was without a pastor, being supplied by professors and students from the Divinity School at Lewiston. On October 4, 1885, Rev. J. M. Remick became pastor, remaining till September, 1888. From September, 1888, till May, 1889, the pulpit was supplied by Revs. Nason and Purinton, when Rev. H. F. Wood became pastor. Rev. Mr. Wood is a native of Maine, a graduate of Bates College and Cobb Divinity School Mr. Wood has traveled extensively through Europe. He remains pastor to the present time, 1894. The deacons have been J. D. Oliver, Mr. Litchfield, J. B. Moulton, David Harris, George W. Brooks; the present deacons are Israel Eastman, E. F. Marston, George A. Spinney, and A. B. Dunning.
First Unitarian Society .- 'This society was formed December 2.0, 1848. Measures were taken for the purchase of a lot and the erection of a place of worship. The society extended an invitation to Rev. Edmund Wilson, of Grafton, Mass., to be their pastor. The society was then worshiping in a hall on Summer street. In Octo- ber, 1851, the society was obliged to apply to the Massachusetts Missionary Society for aid. In March, 1852, M. W. Willis was ordained pastor, on a salary of $1,500, and remained until February, 1854. In July of the same year Rev. Mr. Metcalf became pastor of the church, resigning his pastorate in 1857. The society had previously purchased a lot on Summer street, facing the common, and had erected a small but pleasant edifice thereon. They had
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also purchased an organ. When Dr. Sheldon was pastor of the Elm Street Church dissensions arose concerning his doctrine, and he and his followers left the church and united themselves with the Unitarians. A call was extended to Dr. Sheldon to become the pastor, which he accepted, entering upon his duties August 11, 1857. He remained with the society until May, 1861, when he resigned, but at the request of the people remained through the year. At his departure no further effort was made to secure another minister, and the parish held its last meeting the first Monday in January, when the First Unitarian Society ceased to exist. The church building was sold and used as a carriage factory, has since been removed or demolished, and the site is now occupied by the house of Mrs. Alden Morse.
Corliss Street Church .- This church was organized, with six members, March 25, 1858. The church was admitted, June, 1858, to Bowdoin Quarterly Meeting. At that time there was a church membership of one hundred and one. In June, 1858, the society had a Sunday School numbering eighty-eight scholars with twelve teachers. In June, 1860, the membership of the church was one hundred and fifty-three and of the Sunday School one hundred and twenty. A society has been formed among the children of the parish, called the Phillips Mission Society, for church work. The church expresses a willingness to do all it is able to do in supporting missions and benevolent enterprises. December 22, 1877, a pipe organ was purchased for the church at the price of four hundred dollars. The pastors have been the Rev. G. Douglas, L. L. Har- mon, Levi Hersey, Otis Andrews, A. W. Purrinton, F. Reed, F. L. Willey, O. C. Wheeler, W. S. Packard, W. T. Smith, B. M. Edwards, J. E. Whitmore.
The Roman Catholic .- Paynter Patten was the first Roman Catholic to settle in Bath. The next was Charles Ducett, who came from Nova Scotia, and was of French-American descent. Although his parents and relatives were Protestants, he was an earnest and devoted member of the Catholic Church. He amassed a good property and gave liberally to the Catholic Church of Bath, of which
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he was the founder. On the coming of other Catholics to Bath, he invited them to meet at his house every Sunday for religious ser- vices. These continued for three or four years, until the number attending amounted to eighteen. In 1849 the Rev. Mr. Putnam, a missionary residing in Whitefield, Me., came once a month to offi- ciate. In 1853 the Catholics hired the Old South Church and held their Sunday services there until it was burned by a " Know Noth- ing " mob, in 1854, because it was used by the Catholics. After this event the society occupied Corinthian Hall, on Washington street until its present Catholic Church was built. In 1855 the Rev. Mr. McLaughlin came as settled pastor. The church purchased the property, on High street, of J. T. Gilman, on which now stands its church building and rectory. The purchase included the ancient Isaiah Crooker mansion, which then faced High street and was after- wards moved to the rear and the church erected on its original site. Father Mclaughlin occupied this historic house for his residence until the present rectory was built. It is now used as a Catholic Old Ladies' Home. Soon after the coming of Father Mclaughlin the building of the church edifice was commenced. The corner- stone was laid in 1855, with public ceremonies, and the church was completed in 1856.
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BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
The Bath Bank .- This was the first bank established in Bath. It was chartered June 23, 1812, with a capital of $100,000. William King was its founder and its president, with Thomas D). Robinson, cashier. It was emphatically King's bank, he having had full con- trol. A brick building was erected for the purposes of this bank that was commenced in 1809 by blasting a ledge where is now the Saga- dahoc Bank, on the southwest corner of Front and Centre streets, and completed in 1810. General King had his private office over the bank, and when he was collector of customs used the second floor for the Custom House. The charter of the bank expired October 1, 1831, at which time the business of the bank was closed.
State Banks .- Although state banks elsewhere proved, in many instances, insecure, whose bills at times became depreciated or entirely worthless, none of the banks of Bath, during all the years of the state banks regime, made a failure, and not a note of any of the banks doing business in Bath was ever at a discount. The system of drafts was not in universal vogue as now, and a merchant going to Boston to purchase goods had to take his money with him. During the era of state banks there was a system compelling the redemption of their bills at the Suffolk Bank in Boston, and was termed the "Suffolk System."
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