USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Boothbay Harbor > History of Boothbay, Southport and Boothbay Harbor, Maine. 1623-1905. With family genealogies > Part 18
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Southport > History of Boothbay, Southport and Boothbay Harbor, Maine. 1623-1905. With family genealogies > Part 18
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Boothbay > History of Boothbay, Southport and Boothbay Harbor, Maine. 1623-1905. With family genealogies > Part 18
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Females.
Stephen Lewis,
Jane Dunton,
William Lewis,
Martha Tibbetts,
John Lewis,
Mary Lewis,
Lemuel Lewis,
Sarah Lewis, Isabella Lewis,
William Dunton,
Ephraim Lewis,
Lois Stover,
Samuel Tibbetts.
Sarah Southard.
The town first exempted the Baptist Society from their ministerial tax in 1806. After that date, as long as the con-
195
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
nection between church parish and municipality existed, the ministerial tax was not assessed against those of the Baptist Society. In 1830 the Freewill Baptist Society secured per- mission at the annual meeting to build a church on the Com- mon. A lot was given them upon the corner now occupied by the house of John E. Spinney for the purpose, and also a permit to cut the necessary timber for building a church from the town lands. Up to that date there had been but few in town, outside of Cape Newagen Island, who accepted the Meth- odist teachings. On that island it was the only doctrine preached, and this had been the condition since 1808. But on the mainland of the town there were several Methodist fami- lies, and an effort was now made to gather them into a church, combine with the Baptists and build a house of worship on the union plan, dividing its occupancy between the two socie- ties. This was accomplished and the Union Church was built in 1831. It was a building forty by fifty feet with sixteen- foot posts. It was regularly occupied until 1856, when the present Baptist Church was built. It was then sold to the late Robert Montgomery, who tore it down and rebuilt it at East Boothbay, where it was used as a store by him for many years. J. H. Blair purchased it and moved it to the Harbor, where it was occupied by F. H. Harris. It was in this store that the great fire in October, 1886, originated.
Previous to the erection of the Union Church the Baptists had held their meetings at the Back River schoolhouse, with occasional gatherings at other places. On September 19, 1832, they were assembled at the new meeting house and with due ceremonies formally set in order a church to be known as the Freewill Baptist Church of Boothbay.
In 1856, when the present church was built, the building committee, in setting this house upon the Common was thought by those of the Congregational Society to be encroaching upon the rights of the other parish and an unhappy conflict ensued, in which legal process was resorted to; but the differences were healed and nine years later ready permission was granted the Baptists to erect a parsonage at the side of their church upon the Common.
The recorded ministers in the Baptist Society follow.
196
HISTORY OF BOOTHBAY.
They were termed Elders until 1856, after which date Rev. appears regularly as title prefix to the name.
1. Elder John Leman, 1826 to 1830.
2. Elder William Emerson, 1830 to 1832.
3. Elder Dexter Waterman, 1832 to 1838.
4. Elder - Smith, 1838 to 1839.
5. Elder E. G. Page, 1839 to 1841.
6. Elder J. Stevens, 1841 to 1842.
7. Elder Nathan J. Robinson, 1842 to 1844.
8. Elder S. P. Morrill, 1844 to 1848.
9. Elder E. G. Page, January 13, 1849, to spring of 1852.
10. Elder A. Libby, April, 1852, to August, 1855.
11. 12. Rev. J. D. West, June, 1856, to April, 1857.
Rev. H. Whitcher, May 1, 1857, to January, 1860.
13. Rev. E. G. Page, January, 1860, to January 17, 1863.
14. Rev. James Boyd, January, 1863, to December, 1866.
15. Rev. L. Given, December 13, 1866, to March 14, 1870.
16. Rev. C. F. Russell, October 1, 1871, to June, 1873.
17. Rev. W. C. Hulse, June 18, 1873, to July, 1874.
18. Rev. H. Atwood, 1874, to August, 1880.
19. Rev. F. A. Palmer, August 8, 1880, to June 13, 1886.
20. Rev. F. H. Peckham, October 1, 1886, to October 1, 1888.
21. Rev. E. Owen, September 8, 1888, to September 4, 1892.
22. Rev. C. A. Buker, November 1,1892, to November 2,1895.
23. Rev. B. S. Fifield, December 1, 1895, to October 15, 1899.
24. Rev. G. G. Haynes, January 7, 1900, to May 19, 1901.
25. Rev. I. V. Mayo, July 1, 1901.
METHODISM IN SOUTHPORT.
While Colonel Dunbar was laying out Harrington, Wal- pole and Townsend for settlement, in 1729, John Wesley was commencing his first Methodist Church at Oxford, England. Just a century later, in 1829, Rev. Elliot B. Fletcher, an able exponent of Methodism in New England, appeared for the first time on Cape Newagen Island, riding a small, peculiarly marked horse of dun and white. He was not the originator of that doctrine there, nor their earliest preacher, but he was to that island what Rev. John Murray sixty years before had been to the entire town. In fact, five regular and several itinerant
197
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
preachers had preceded him, but their accomplishments were slight in comparison to his.
In 1807, following the precedent established in the case of the Baptists the previous year, the town allowed the inhabit- ants of this island their ministerial tax, with the proviso that it should be expended for the support of preaching, one-half at the schoolhouse at the north end of the island and the other half at the schoolhouse near where the post office now stands at West Southport. It is presumable that some previous movement in this direction had existed, but the earliest record probably covers the first effort of much importance toward establishing a church. In the year 1808, following immedi- ately upon the action of the town, meetings were held quite regularly by a local minister by the name of Rogers. The New England Conference sent Rev. Caleb Fogg there in 1809. Regular preaching continued until 1813. Then came a period of inactivity. For this we are left to guess the reason. Per- haps the troubles along the coast from the war then in progress, perhaps a season of backsliding after a good start ·had been made in faithful, active work ; but more reasonable to suppose that interest was arrested by the war, and, once arrested, did not for a season return.
That season appears a long one, for the church records tell us that from 1813 to 1829 there was only occasional preaching, by ministers from Georgetown and Bristol. A great revival in interest commenced immediately upon Mr. Fletcher begin- ning his work. He saw that the great lack of his people was that of possessing no church, and he made efforts at once to interest them in that direction. The following year (1830) saw a new church completed, and accepted by the trustees on December 7th. Mr. Fletcher worked hard himself upon the construction of this church, for he was a man who could work, or pray, or preach, as he saw necessity demanded. When the bills were in it was found the cost had been $774.58. At the dedication Mr. Fletcher's first remarks were to congratulate his congregation upon the possession of a church, and adding : "And you have just as much fish and potatoes as ever."
Mr. Fletcher remained on the Boothbay circuit three years, commencing with 1829. In 1832 he went to Livermore, but
198
HISTORY OF BOOTHBAY.
in 1833-34 he was back again on this circuit. His energy in everything connected with the good of his people, material and spiritual, must always be largely credited with the important start and growth of Methodism in this locality. Besides the Cape Newagen Island church, for which he obtained the sub- scription and upon which he labored with his hands like any other carpenter, he organized the few Methodist families upon the mainland of Boothbay, and is largely to be credited for bringing about a union between the Baptists and Methodists at the Center, where a new church home, at a cost of about $1,200, was provided in 1831 for both societies. Not only did he inspire the building of these churches, but he filled them on the Sabbath. The work he did in town largely influenced the gathering of the Methodist Society at East Boothbay and the building of their first church, though it was not erected until two years after his second pastorate here was closed.
Soon after arriving at Cape Newagen he realized the incon- veniences they labored under by having no ferry. He inter- ceded with Moses Riggs, of Georgetown, then a considerable property holder about Newagen, and received a gift of lumber sufficient for the purpose. With his own hands he set about the work and soon completed a good ferryboat, the first that island had. Mr. Thomas Orne, now (1905) ninety-one years of age, and himself a native of the island and a devout Metho- dist since boyhood, thus describes Mr. Fletcher to the author :
"He was a short man, well-formed, of medium size, black eyes and hair, of nervous appearance, a very ready talker, but a much better sermonizer than exhorter. He craved joint debates, and particularly with the Second Adventists, whom he met several times, and so undid them that they never gained any foothold here, though they made a great effort to do so."
Mr. Fletcher was twelve years a superannuate. He was born in 1799 and died May 12, 1882, at Georgetown, where he was buried, his tombstone bearing the inscription : "I am set for the defense of the Gospel." He lived a single life, and, while never hesitating to talk religion to any one, he showed no inclination for married life, with home and family. Near the end of his days he wrote a friend : "For fifty-eight years I have been a gospel minister and a man of one work."
199
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
In 1864, on January 25th, certain persons in interest asso- ciated themselves together for the purpose of "building a meet- ing house that shall be more convenient and upon more modern plans," at the same time mentioning that "the meeting house in the town of Southport is much impaired by time, and the pews uncomfortable to sit upon, and the house quite ancient in its structure." The first meeting was held February 4, 1864. The organization was perfected and a building commit- tee selected. On February 18th by-laws were adopted and a vote was taken to complete the house by the last of the follow- ing October. No further action or mention occurs for three years. On March 27, 1867, a meeting was held at which a new building committee was chosen, and they were "authorized to build such a house as to size and finish as they may deter- mine, provided that it shall contain sixty pews." The work commenced soon after this meeting, but the church was not completed until 1869. The old church was located just west- erly from the second one.
In 1845 Townsend (for that was then the island name) had become a separate charge. This was effected while Rev. D. P. Thompson was pastor, he having at the time been there one year and he remained one year afterward. This church was destroyed by fire October 22, 1903. The lot was then sold to the town for a school lot, and was built upon in 1904.
A new lot for building was purchased in 1904 of Ozias and Mary Orne, and earnest work at once commenced to . raise another church. Very material aid is being furnished by the two ladies' societies : the Union Club, on the east side, and the Ladies' Aid, at West Southport. The principal funds are, however, being raised by subscription. During 1904 the foundation was put in and a considerable start made upon the building. It will probably be completed in 1905. The size is sixty-nine by thirty-one feet with an eleven-foot post. The ceiling is to be arched, occupying a part of the space above the plates. Entrance beneath the spire; a small vestry open- ing into the auditorium, on the ground floor ; over the vestry a room of similar size, for use as a church parlor or ladies' circle, opening also to the auditorium.
200
HISTORY OF BOOTHBAY.
List of Ministers.
1808.
Rev. - Rogers.
1809.
Rev. Caleb Fogg.
1810.
Rev. John Williamson.
1811. Rev. Daniel Wentworth.
1812. Rev. John Atwell.
1813-28.
Supplies.
1829-31.
Rev. Elliot B. Fletcher.
1832.
Rev. John Perrin.
1833-34. Rev. Elliot B. Fletcher.
1835. Rev. Ariel Ward.
1836-37.
Rev. Nathaniel Norris.
1838-39.
Rev. James Harrington.
1840-41. Rev. John Cumner.
1842-43. Rev. Nathan Webb.
1844-46.
Rev. D. B. Thompson.
1848-49.
Rev. B. F. Sprague.
1852.
Rev. William J. Jewell.
1853.
Rev. Jesse Harriman.
1860.
Rev. M. W. Newbert.
1861-62.
Rev. C. A. Plumer.
1863.
Rev. G. G. Winslow.
1864-65.
Rev. P. Rowell.
1866-67.
Rev. I. P. Roberts.
1868. Rev. T. Cookson.
1869-70. Rev. M. E. King.
1871-72. Rev. C. A. Plumer.
1873-74. Rev. Daniel Smith.
1875. Rev. D. B. Thompson.
1876. Rev. E. Bryant.
1877. Rev. W. Lermond.
1878-79. Rev. Daniel Smith.
1880-81. Rev. W. B. Eldridge.
1882. Rev. J. R. Baker.
1846-47.
Rev. John G. Pingree.
1850-51.
Rev. Nathan Webb.
1854-55.
Rev. S. F. Strout.
1856-57.
Rev. R. S. Dixon.
1858-59.
Rev. Elliot B. Fletcher.
201
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1883.
Rev. J. C. Lamb.
1884-86.
Rev. J. D. Payson.
1887-88. Rev. S. M. Dunton.
1889. Rev. T. R. Hogue.
1890. Rev. W. H. Washburn.
1891-93. Rev. C. W. Lowell.
1894-95.
Rev. J. W. Price.
1896-97.
Rev. M. T. Anderson.
1898-1903. Rev. C. F. Butterfield.
1904. Rev. Warren A. Hanscom.
THE METHODIST CHURCH AT EAST BOOTHBAY.
With the story of the old Presbyterian Church at the Cen- ter, together with that of the earlier organization of the Bap- tists, and of the Methodists on Cape Newagen Island, that which is most truly colonial has been presented; but there still remains at East Boothbay and the Harbor the story of small, feeble congregations, both as to numbers and financial strength, with plain and rigidly economical beginnings, inspired by a sincerity of faith that might well serve as a model for later days.
People in earlier times had traveled from all parts of the town to attend the meetings under Mr. Murray at the Center. Cape Newagen, Linekin Neck, Pleasant Cove, Barter's Island, with some from Edgecomb and Newcastle, met on the Sabbath at the old church, and many of them walked the distance, for walking or horseback riding was the only method of reaching it, there being no carriages or carriage roads. In places where there were Methodist families they were favored with occa- sional preaching from a very early date. In 1796 a circuit was formed about the mouth of the Kennebec, and the minis- ters went both sides of it in their tours. To the eastward, Union was the limit. It is probable that Boothbay then may have had its first real attention from this society. At the close of 1804 the Methodists in Maine numbered 2,399, with seventeen ministers besides the presiding elder, who then was the Rev. Joshua Soule. In 1803 Bristol, Newcastle and Booth- bay formed a circuit. The traveling minister was Rev. Samuel Baker, and the local ones, Rev. Enos Baxter, Josiah Loudon
14
202
HISTORY OF BOOTHBAY.
and Amos Gray. Such was the growth that in 1809 Boothbay was constituted a circuit, but, though scattered families existed about over the town, the strength of that society was on Newagen.
We have seen the start, the laxity and the revival of inter- est there. Mr. Fletcher inspired people to work and remove obstacles rather than sit down and gaze at them in dread and horror. He commenced his work where material was most abundant, which was on the island, and after getting them a church, in 1830, and his people, together with the Baptists, a union home at the Center, in 1831, he held meetings in kitch- ens, shops and barns about East Bootbhay and Linekin until enough existed to require a church. Two years after he fin- ished his second pastorate, in 1836, a new Methodist church was built on the hill north of the bridge at the mill in East Boothbay Village. In this undertaking Caleb Hodgdon, the principal business man then in the place, was the leading spirit. The building was thirty-eight by forty feet. It was at first only finished on the outside, and plank benches, with- out backs, were put in for seats. It had the old style, short belfry without steeple. In 1839 the inside was finished in good shape and the pews were sold to pay the bills. There were forty pews and they averaged about thirty dollars each, but many among the people were poor and unable to purchase, so that only about thirty pews were sold ; "Father " Hodgdon, as he was termed, held the rest. The church was dedicated under the form of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Charles Baker was presiding elder and Rev. James Harrington, the local minister. The trustees were Caleb Hodgdon, William Seavey, Levi Reed, Nathaniel Montgomery, John Race and James Linekin, of East Boothbay and Linekin ; John Fuller, Center ; Marshal Smith, Harbor. Eleazer Sherman and James Preble were builders. Rev. Ariel Ward was the first minister. Some of the earliest members were :
Men.
Caleb Hodgdon, William Seavey, Levi Reed,
Women. Eliza Hodgdon, Catherine Davis Seavey, Abigail Perry Reed,
203
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Henry Parsons,
Mrs. Henry Parsons,
John Race,
Abigail L. Race,
Daniel Bennett,
Jane L. Bennett,
Henry Hatchard.
Mrs. Henry Hatchard.
Quite a number of families at that time in the vicinity belonged to either the Congregationalists or Baptists at the Center, who later united with the home church.
In 1863 the old church was torn down and moved to the south side of the bridge, on the hill. It was enlarged and rebuilt with modern architecture, belfry and steeple, at a cost of $4,500. The building committee was composed of James Seavey, Peter McGunnigle and Simon McDougall. The arch- itect and builder was Deacon Paul Giles. The committee on apprizal was Robert Montgomery, Benjamin Reed and Miles Hagan. The trustees of the new church were William Seavey, Simon McDougall, Peter McGunnigle, Granville J. Seavey and Ezekiel Holbrook.
A bell was bought in New York, but the steamer that brought it east was captured by a Southern privateer, and on the coast of Nova Scotia it was taken ashore and sold to a church which put it into service. It was traced, and after the war, at the request of the United States Government, was restored to the East Boothbay church, where it was used for several years ; but, being of a harsh tone, was sold and another purchased.
In 1888-89 the church was refurnished inside with modern oak pews, newly carpeted, and about five hundred dollars expended in improvements. In 1897 memorial windows were put in, bearing the names of members of the Adams, Hodgdon, Montgomery, Race and Seavey families, who had been promi- nent early workers in, or benefactors of, the society. A par- sonage, easterly on the street from the church, was built in 1878.
Now, about seventy years from the rearing of the first rude house of worship, the descendants of those who erected it enjoy the blessings and conveniences of a modern church, attractive both inside and out, overlooking a prosperous and thriving community, which is now united in one religious society.
204
HISTORY OF BOOTHBAY.
The list of ministers follows :
1837-38. Rev. Ariel Ward.
1839-40. Rev. James Harrington.
1841. Rev. John Cumner.
1842-43. Rev. D. P. Thompson.
1844-45. Rev. Charles Andrews.
1846-47. Rev. Nathan Webb.
1848-49. Rev. Jesse Harriman.
1850. Rev. John C. Prince.
1851.
Rev. Charles Tupper.
1852. Rev. Nathan Webb.
1853-54. Rev. J. P. Adams.
1855-56.
Rev. Rufus Day.
1857.
Rev. O. F. Jenkins.
1858-59.
Rev. S. F. Strout.
1860-61.
Rev. D. P. Thompson.
1862.
Rev. E. Cheney.
1863.
D. W. Sawyer.
1864.
Rev. Joseph Baker.
1865-66.
Rev. C. L. Haskell.
1867-68.
Rev. L. H. Bean.
1869.
Rev. D. P. Thompson.
1870.
Rev. P. Higgins.
1871-72. Rev. P. E. Brown.
1873-74. Rev. D. M. True.
1875-76.
Rev. C. E. Knowlton.
1877-78. Rev. C. L. Haskell.
1879. Rev. B. C. Wentworth.
1880-81. Rev. A. J. Clifford.
1882-84. Rev. W. E. Brown.
1885. Rev. Frank D. Handy.
1886. Rev. David Merrill.
1887-89. Rev. James Byram.
1890-91. Rev. Nathan H. Campbell.
1892-93. Rev. W. I. Johnson.
1894-95. Rev. Virgil D. Wardwell.
1896-99. Rev. A. E. Russell.
1900. Rev. W. A. MeGraw.
1901-02. Rev. E. S. Gahan.
1903. Rev. T. W. Hunter.
205
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Ministers to the close of 1849 were sent by the Maine Con- ference, after that by the East Maine Conference. Beginning with Rev. S. F. Strout, in 1858, and closing with Rev. B. C. Wentworth, in 1879, when the circuit was divided, the same ministers filled both the East Boothbay and Harbor pastorates. In 1863, while the church was being rebuilt, the ministrations by Daniel W. Sawyer were local ; Mr. Sawyer being an active member of the Harbor church did this work, and no minister was sent by the conference that year.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
For many years, in fact ever after the Baptists drew away their support, the old Congregational Church showed plainly a weakening condition. When the Methodists at Cape Newagen withdrew, another support was gone. The popularity and abil- ity of Mr. Weston for a time rallied the waning interest, but his pastorate ended just as the new churches were being erected at Newagen and the Center. A few years later, as we have noted, the organization of the East Boothbay church must have had a similar effect. The greater part of the membership had come to be at the Harbor, and in 1845 a movement was started to build a church and organize a parish there. The following subscription paper tells its own story :
" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Boothbay, believing it to be for our interest to build a Congregational Meeting House for the public worship of Almighty God, at or near the Eastern Harbor, so called, in the town of Boothbay, do hereby promise and agree, and do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, firmly, by these presents, to pay the sum or sums set against our several names, to be appropri- ated for the purpose aforesaid, and to be paid at such time or times, and in such sums, and to such person or persons, as shall be agreed upon by said subscribers, or a majority of them, at any legal meeting holden by them, the said subscribers. Boothbay, Me., June 4, 1845." Benjamin Blair, $ 50.00 Ferdinand Brewer, $25.00
Willard Holton, 50.00
Edwin Auld,
25.00
Samuel Mcclintock, 25.00
James T. Beath, 30.00
Leonard McCobb,
25.00
John Auld, 30.00
John W. Weymouth, 175.00
Daniel Auld, 25.00
L. P. Beath,
30.00
William McCobb, 25.00
206
HISTORY OF BOOTHBAY.
P. and I. Harris,
$100.00
N. C. McFarland, $75.00
Charles Sargent,
50.00
Nathaniel Pinkham, 60.00
Joseph C. Auld,
25.00
Joseph E. Corlew, 30.00
D. Newbegin,
30.00
Jacob Auld, 35.00
Allen Lewis,
50.00
Isaac W. Reed,
25.00
George Reed,
50.00
Luther Weld,
25.00
Paul McCobb,
30.00
Isaac W. Brewer,
25.00
Samuel M. Reed,
40.00
John Andrews, Jr.,
25.00
William M. McFarland,
50.00
James Auld,
25.00
Andrew McFarland,
25.00
Samuel Farmer,
12.00
Stephen Sargent,
30.00
William Farmer,
25.00
Parker Wilson,
50.00
Andrew Anderson,
30.00
William Maxwell Reed,
25.00
Nathaniel Greenleaf, 25.00
William Greenleaf,
25.00
The church was built the following year by John W. Wey- mouth. Preaching commenced in 1847, but the church was not organized until August 1, 1848. A council was convened of pastors and delegates from the First Congregational Church of Boothbay, Winter Street Church in Bath and Wiscasset Church. A call was extended the Rev. George Gannett, who accepted. Just previous to organization forty-eight members of the First Society were dismissed by request, in a body, for the purpose of uniting with the Second Society upon organi- zation. They follow :
Men.
Women. Mary Y. Wilson,
David Newbegin,
Lydia P. Beath,
Nathaniel Pinkham, Jr.,
Mary Newbegin,
Benjamin Blair,
Margaret F. Blair,
John W. Weymouth,
Elizabeth F. Weymouth,
George Reed,
Martha Reed,
Paul McCobb,
Sarah M. Reed,
John Andrews,
Jane McCobb,
Charles F. Sargent,
Margaret McFarland,
John Love, Jr.,
Martha Andrews,
Jacob Auld,
Caroline F. Sargent,
James Auld,
Sarah Sargent,
Andrew Anderson,
Susan Love,
Willard Holton,
Mary Dockendorf,
Stephen Sargent,
Mary J. Pinkham,
Parker Wilson,
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
James T. Beath,
Edwin Auld, Charles Knight, John Auld, Samuel M. Reed.
Mary Campbell,
Eunice F. Auld,
Eliza G. Auld,
Susan S. Andrews,
Martha J. Harris,
Mary Holton, Elizabeth Weymouth,
Eliza Sargent, Mary Beath, Frances M. Auld,
Mary Ann Knight, Mary Ann Auld.
The last survivor of this body of men and women, who in 1848 were the strength and support of the new church, died, in the person of Miss Elizabeth Weymouth, January 9, 1905, at the age of seventy-eight. She was daughter of the architect and builder, John W. Weymouth.
This church was remodeled in 1881. The changes were a new roof of steeper pitch, a vestibule, twelve by fourteen feet, built at the front, extending to the height of the build- ing. The tower was moved forward upon the addition. The entry and singing gallery were removed, while at the rear a recess, fourteen by eighteen feet, was built for the pulpit and choir, thus giving the entire floor of the auditorium for pews. The size of the main house is forty by sixty feet. At the south corner a chapel, twenty-five by twenty-five feet, was built, with entrance from the south side of the main building. A memorial window, with the names of Margaret F. Blair, Elizabeth F. Weymouth, John W. Weymouth and Willard Holton, was inserted to the north of the pulpit. Ventilators were added and a furnace put in. New carpets and pulpit, with painting inside and out, were among other improvements. A valuation of $1,400 was put upon the old pews and $4,000 on the betterments. At the sale of pews the first choice was awarded Capt. John B. Emerson, for thirty-four dollars pre- mium. The next eight ranged from twenty-five dollars to thirty dollars ; the second eight from fifteen dollars to seven- teen dollars. Sixteen more were sold before the choice fell below eight dollars. In all a little more than six hundred
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