USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 35
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 35
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 35
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357
,ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
Lombards ], a busybody, was dispatched for a copy of Mr. Moody's platform." 1
Besides the ministers already mentioned, Reverends Blowers, Crum- bie, and McClanathan were employed for a longer or shorter time. The latter not only preached, but taught a school for some time.2
At a meeting of the Pejepscot proprietors at Boston, September 20, 1742, it was voted that : -
" Whereas the Town of Brunswick is at present destitute of a min- ister, and is in quest of another minister, That Lott Number Eight on the South easterly side of the Twelve Rod Road leading from Fort George to Maquoit containing one hundred acres and fifty acres more adjoining to it on the south westerly side of said Lott, making together one hundred and fifty acres, be and hereby is granted to the First Learned & Orthodox Minister who shall be Ordained and Settle there & shall continue in the Ministry there for the space of seven years, if he shall live so long, to be to him his heirs and assigns forever. And if he should continue in the Ministry there during his lifetime, though he should dye before the expiration of said term of seven years, to be to his Heirs and their assigns notwithstanding. Otherwise to revert to the Proprietors."
And it was also voted : -
" That Lott Number Seven 3 on the Southeasterly side of the Road be & hereby is granted to the Town of Brunswick for a ministry Lott, containing one hundred acres, to be & continue for said use forever.
Both the above granted Lotts lying near & commodious to the meeting house."
In November of this year the town made an agreement with the Reverend .Mr. Hodges, of Falmouth, to preach for five or six months on a salary of £3 per week.
In May, Deacon Samuel Hinckley was authorized to secure a minis- ter to preach on probation, with a view to settlement, and the town paid him £6 " for ten days going after a minister to supply the town." Some question, probably, arising about this time as to whom the con- trol of the meeting-house was vested in, the proprietors, at a meeting held in Boston, June 1, 1743,
" Voted, Whereas the Proprietors out of an earnest desire to promote the preaching of the Gospell in the Town of Brunswick did some years since signify to the Setlers or Inhabitants of said Town,
1 Pejepscot Papers. 2 Ibid.
3 This lot had been previously laid out for this purpose.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL
That in case they would at their Charge provide & raise the Frame of a meeting house in said Town, the proprietors would at their Expence furnish Glass, Nails & other Materials & finish the said meeting house which they have accordingly done : It is therefore now agreed & Voted, That the said meeting house is to be & continue to the use of the Inhabitants of said Town, for carrying on the publick worship of God therein, and that no particular Inhabitant or Inhabitants, Proprietor or Proprietors, pretend to claim the same for their particular use or property contrary to the true Intent and design for which said house was erected, or to the Exclusion of any of the Inhabitants from enjoying the Benefitt of said House.
" Provided Notwithstanding that the Pew on the Right Side of the Front Door be & remain for the use of the Proprietors their Heirs & Assigns & wholly at our Disposal."
[1744.] There was no minister settled in the year 1744. A prop- osition was made in February, however, to extend a call to Reverend James Morton, but the town voted in the negative. In March a com- mittee was chosen to procure a minister to supply the town " for some time," on as reasonable terms as possible.
[1745.] In May, 1745, Deacon Samuel Hinckley was selected as an agent to procure a minister, but he not meeting with success, in Octoler, Mr. Ebenezer Stanwood was appointed agent for that pur- pose, and was promised forty shillings for his services.
[1746.] In December, 1746, the town voted to extend an invita- tion to Reverend Robert Dunlap, of Sheepscot Bridge, New Castle, Massachusetts, to preach with a view to settlement, and the selectmen were instructed to communicate with him by letter, and Messrs. Robert Given and Vincent Woodside were chosen a committee to go after him, and were to be allowed twelve shillings per day for their services. The town also voted to pay Mr. Dunlap £4 per Sabbath, a.id a committee was chosen to take up a contribution each Sabbath to help pay the minister's salary.
[1747.] In March of the following year the town voted to settle Mr. Robert Dunlap at a salary of £200 per year (old tenor), and with a settlement of £200 " when the war is over." The town also voted to hire a house for his use " during the present war,1 and to pay the charge."
As Mr. Dunlap was a Presbyterian, and naturally desired to be ordained by a presbytery, and there being none nearer than London-
1 Spanish or fifth Indian.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
derry,1 it was mutually agreed between him and the town that the ordination should take place at Boston, and Deacon Samuel Hinckley and Mr. Ebenezer Stanwood were appointed commissioners to appear at the ordination and receive Mr. Dunlap in behalf of the town. They were allowed £30 to defray the cost of the ordination dinner, but the expenses were afterwards found to amount to upwards of £60.
The ordination took place in Boston, in August or September, in the meeting-house of Reverend Andrew Le Mercier, minister of the Protestant French Church, by a presbytery composed of Reverend Mr. Le Mercier, Reverend Mr. Morton, of Colrain, Reverend Mr. Davidson, of Londonderry, Reverend Mr. Wilson, and Reverend Mr. M. Lothlius.2
[1750.] In March, 1750, the town voted a present to Mr. Dunlap, of £40 old tenor, and in May there was raised by the town for his salary £26 13s. 4d. lawful money, and £13 6s. 8d. to be given as a present. and the same amount for his " settlement."
At a meeting of the proprietors, held this year, July 9, it was voted by them to dispose of the vacant land at New Meadows, and to expend the money thus obtained in finishing the meeting-house.
A note at the bottom of the records says that this assistance was not accepted by the town.
[1751.] . In 1751 the town voted to add £13 6s. 8d. lawful money, to Mr. Dunlap's salary, " providing he will take his pay in such specie as the town can pay him in, at the market price, otherwise Mr. Dun- lap must adhere to his first agreement with the town." At its annual meeting the town also voted to raise for his salary £40 lawful money, " in such specie as it can produce in lumber at the market price," and £8 in cash.
[1752.] The next year the selectmen were directed to petition the General Court to have Topsham annexed to Brunswick in order to assist in maintaining the gospel, "unless the inhabitants of Topsham will bind themselves to the satisfaction of our selectmen, to pay the Reverend Mr. Dunlap eighty pounds, old tenour, this year." The Province laws at this time allowed the taxing of adjacents, which had no minister, and whose people attended preaching in the town which taxed them.3
The town also this year voted £40, lawful money, for his salary, " to be paid in lumber, landed in Boston at the market price. where
1 Pejepscot Papers.
2 Greenleaf's Ecclesiastical Sketches.
8 McKeen, MS. Lecture.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
our minister shall order, two thirds to be delivered there by the first day of October next, and the other third by the first of May next." What effect the petition referred to above had, does not appear from the record, but in all probability it hastened the efforts made in Tops- ham to settle a minister. The cause of this petition was undoubtedly due to the fact that the people of Topsham, having no preaching in their own town, were accustomed to attend religious services in Bruns- wick, without contributing their due share towards the support of the same.
[1754.] This year the proprietors made a deed to Reverend Mr. Dunlap of the one hundred and fifty acres of land previously granted to the first settled minister. 1
[1755.] About this time a meeting-house was built at the east end of the town, for the accommodation of the residents of that locality. Before the erection of this building, Mr. Dunlap used to preach in that part of the town in the barn of James Thompson,2 which stood where Bartlett Adams now (1877) lives. During the war with the Indians he was escorted to the place by his neighbors, armed.3
[1756.] In the year 1756 the town, in addition to the usual appro- priation of £40 for the minister's salary, voted to pay the rent of his house for that year.
[1759.] In 1759 the town voted that the inhabitants of the south- east part of the township should have preaching every second Sabbatlı.
[1760.] In October, 1760, a committee was chosen by the town to call a council of ministers " to decide our unhappy differences with the Reverend Mr. Dunlap." The council consisted of Reverend Messrs. Smith, of Falmouth, Morrill, of Biddeford, and of Reverend Mr. Lorrain. The council resulted in the speedy dismission of Mr. Dunlap. It will be noticed that although Mr. Dunlap was a Presby- terian, yet this was a Congregational council. The difficulties on account of which the council was held are said by Greenleaf 4 to have been in regard to the payment of his salary. MeKeen,5 however, implies that he was dismissed on account of " having become weak and imbecile in mind and body, owing to a paralytic shock." That Greenleaf was correct in his statement is evident from the following communication from Mr. Dunlap to the town, which is given ver- batim : -
1 Brunswick Records in Pejepscot Collections.
2 M .: Keen. MS. Lecture.
4 Ecclesiastical Sketches of Maine.
3 Pejepscot Papers.
5 Brunswick Telegraph, July 30, 1853.
361
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
" TO THE TOWN OF BRUNSK JUNE 30TH 1760.
" Seeing It pleased Divine providence to obstruct my Being at Londonderrey at the Last Sitting of the Presby which will appear by my Journal & other evidence If Called : I By advice of some worthy men ; offer to y. Considderation these proposals -
" 1st that no mans monney or Rates Shall Ever Come Into my pocket ; or private use In aney Shape : as ministerial taxes In this town ; that Do's not adhere to my min'y
" 2ly that Such as Be : or may be adherents To my min'y Have Liberty to pay there ministerial taxes & other Ecclesiastical Dues when they Go to hear the word : or have or may Joine In Conection : with the old Church of Christ In Brunswick : & Such as pretend aney Scruple of Concience In Joineing with us: I Lord not over their Conciences they may use their Christian Liberty : their monney Shall be at their own Disposal : I have always tho't this was the Best way to pace : tho't I woud Rather quit my title to part of a town tax : or Rate then have a hand In Divisions : & uneasyness : I am no Longer able to Live under -
" 24 propos! whether Deacon Hinkley & Capt. David Dunning : as we have a Revd & Good Presbry. to go to, will continue their adher- ence, as I think wee agreed & signifyd, and for which I am now pre- paring & still am Desirous of Such Government, & Do profess the west=minstr. Confession of faith to be the Confession of my faith unless better light offer to my understandin
" 3ly that whereas you are or may Be aquainted : with my Going to the wes'd Twice -
" 1st to ask Counsel tending to the publige Benefit & Tranquility & that our unhappey Divisions might Be heald : 21y To waite on the Revd P BY which wind & weather Disapointed me In : my Journal will Demonstrate. I therefor Intreate you would let me have my Arears : of Last Sallary. I have no minnets of the exact time when I accepted ye Call But am pretty Certain It was In march or aprill after which I looked on my Self y' min' tho' not really ordained : and went to Boston : to prepare my self after which no pay was Recd By me from aney people for preaching the Gospel : as far as I can Remember : But Came to Brunsk In the night of the eighth Day of July, which I am Readey to Depone.
" You may all See I am not wanting aney Charges : only my Just arears : which will Satisfy & may possibly make us Easey. Sure I think I aim at the Honest part.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSIIAM, AND HARPSWELL,
" Altho I spent of my own monney about £30 Going to Boston : & hireing a horse, and riding to Derrey when I was ordained : -
" and these Last Expenses : which I am sure is more & not less : of which I say nothing at this time -
". pr
66
Port Dunlop "1
A meeting of the town was held not long after his dismissal, and a committee chosen to procure a minister to preach on probation.
[1761.] In March, 1761, the town chose a committee "to treat with Mr. Fairfield or Mr. Whitwell to preach to us for some time, on probation, and to offer neither of them over eight pounds, old tenour, per Sabbath, and, if they refuse, to get somebody else." Probably the inducement was not sufficient, as neither of these gentlemen was obtained, and in August following another committee was appointed to confer with Reverend John Miller, of Milton, Massachusetts, as to the terms upon which he would be willing to settle. At a meeting held in December the town voted " to concur with the church and give a call to Reverend John Miller to settle with us as a minister of the gospel." The town voted him a salary of £66 13s. 4d., lawful money, and to give him £100 to enable him to settle, this amount to be paid in three annual instalments, one third each year, and if he desired to settle on the " ministerial lot," it was voted to lay out £200 in a house and improvements. The arrangements for preaching were that Mr. Miller should be excused from preaching at New Meadows during the first three months of the year, and as a compensation to the residents of that portion of the town, he was to preach there every Sabbath for two of the summer months and every alternate Sunday for the rest of the year.
[1762.] In September, 1762, a committee was chosen to receive Mr. Miller's answer to the call given him by the church and town. His answer was as follows : -
" By virtue of your vote passed in your meeting the 14th day of September, 1762, as you then voted me a salary and settlement refer- ence being had to said vote. I cheerfully accept of your unanimous and friendly offers and engage to settle with you as your minister dur-
1 Pejepscot Papers.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
ing life, unless something material happens, by being legally parted ; and I engage to conform to your vote passed September 1st. 1762, in regard to preaching at New Meadows so long as my health will admit of, or till they are set off, or otherwise voted, and wishing that we may by our preaching and example edify and advance each other's eternal interest and live in love and peace as long as life lasts.
"JOHN MILLER JUNIOR."
The ordination took place on the third of November, the exercises being conducted by the Reverends Smith, Eaton, Lorain, Elvans, Weyburn, and Obens.
David Dunning provided an entertainment for the ministers and their attendants, by order of the town.
[1768.] In 1768 some difficulties began to arise in regard to the singing on the Sabbath, and a proposition was made to set off a part of the gallery in the west meeting-house for the use of the singers, but it was defeated by a vote of the town.
[1779.] The records contain nothing of special interest from this time until the year 1779, when the town voted to make Mr. Miller such a compensation for that year as might be agreed upon, in consid- eration of the scarcity and dearness of the necessaries of life, and Messrs. Aaron Hinkley, Thomas Skolfield, and Captain William Stan- wood were chosen a committee to decide as to what sum was proper. Subsequently the town voted not to add anything to Mr. Miller's salary, but to leave it to the generosity of the people, and the usual salary of £66 138. 4d. was accordingly voted.
[1780.] In 1780 the town voted to pay Mr. Miller's regular salary " in produce of the country, at the price such articles were in 1775, or so much of the present currency as will purchase so much of said articles."
[1786.] In the year 1786 the town voted to allow the people in the east end of the township to " regulate the way of singing in Divine Service in the east end as they shall think proper." In June of this year, owing to troubles now but imperfectly understood, but prob- ably connected with matters of church government, the town voted to dismiss Mr. Miller from his pastoral office, and a committee was chosen to notify him of the action of the town. He must, however, have refused to accept his dismissal as [1787] on the eighth of May of the next year, agreeably to his own desire, a vote of the members of the church was taken, as to whether he should or should not be dis- inissed. The result of this vote was nine for dismission and five
364
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
against it. As this did not seem satisfactory, the congregation was then called upon to vote on the subject. The result of this vote was twelve for dismission and eighteen against it. The town thereupon, without taking direct action,1 voted to raise no money for his support.
[1788.] In 1788 the town again voted not to pay him any salary, and also voted to call a council of the neighboring churches to hear the grievances of those who were dissatisfied with him. As there is 110 evidence that a council was ever actually assembled, and as Mr. Miller died before the close of the year, it is probable that the calling of the council was deferred on account of his ill-health.
[1789.] The next year a committee was appointed to pay the executor of Mr. Miller's estate the amount of his salary due him at the time of his death. A committee was also chosen to secure another minister on trial.
[1790.] A committee was chosen in April, 1790, to invite Rever- end Mr. Cornwell to preach on probation ; but in August the town voted not to settle him, and a committee was chosen to secure some other minister.
[1791.] The following proposal was made to the town in Decem- ber : -
"Six months I propose, at the desire of the Committee to supply the people of Brunswick as a Preacher, allowing me to be absent two months in the Winter, more or less as convenient, provided it is agreeable to the town.
"ABRAM MOORE. " DECEMBER 2d 1791." 2
[1792.] In January, 1792, the proposal of Mr. Moore was accepted, and he was engaged to preach for six months on probation. In Au- gust the town voted unanimously to give him a call to settle, at a salary of £100 and with a settlement of £100, to be paid him in one year after his settlement.
It was also voted that the Baptists in this town who can produce a certificate that they belong to a Baptist society shall have a right to draw the money that was last assessed as a ministerial tax, to be appropriated to pay their own preacher, and that they be no longer taxed in the ministerial tax.
It was also voted that the minister should preach every other Sunday at the east end of the town.
1 Which was needless, in view of the vote taken the preceding year.
2 Pejepscot Papers.
.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
Mr. Moore declined the call to settle permanently and in September of the following year [1793], the town voted unanimously to extend a call to the Reverend Ebenezer Coffin, and to give him a salary of £100 and £200 for a settlement. He was ordained June 23, 1794.
[1801.] Mr. Coffin left in 1801. There is no account in either the town or church records of any formal dismissal, but there is probably no doubt that he was compelled to resign. From this time until 1806 there was occasional preaching in the old meeting-house.
[1806.] At that time the old house was abandoned by the First Parish, and a new one on the hill was occupied instead.
The participation of the town in the doings of the First Parish having now ceased, the remainder of its history will be included in that of the
CHURCH OF THE FIRST PARISH.
It does not appear anywhere, as a matter of record, that there was any church organization during the pastorate of Reverend Mr. Ruther- ford, or that he was regularly ordained. No mention is made of any church act at the time of the settlement of Reverend Mr. Dunlap, but it is said that. soon after that event, Reverend Mr. Murray formed a church in this place, in connection with the presbytery. Samuel Clark is said to have been the first deacon.1
It is narrated that on one occasion, while Mr. Murray, of Boothbay, was here for the purpose of organizing the church and was engaged in preaching, Aaron Hinkley, displeased with something that he had said, stepped out into the aisle, and addressing Mr. Murray, inquired of him if he knew in whose presence he was speaking; to which Mr. Murray replied that he was aware that he was in the presence of the Judge of the Inferior Court. Mr. Hinkley then said, " I say to you as the Lord said to Eitjah, ' What dost thou here,' John Murray?" The question, with the verse following in this connection, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword " (1 Kings xix, 9, 10). gave a text to Mr. Murray upon which he continued to preach, making some very severe and sarcastic remarks, and putting an end to all further questions.2
There is no doubt but that this church was originally established on Presbyterian principles, and continued so during the ministry of Mr. Dunlap.
1 Woodman's notes.
2 McKeen, MS. Lecture.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
The male members of this church in 1761 were 1 John Minott, Sam- uel Clarke. Ebenezer Stanwood, William Simpson, David Dunning. John Orr, Samuel Whitney, Isaac Snow, James Thompson, Aaron Hinkley, Samuel Stanwood, James Elliott, William Ross, William Stanwood. Thomas Adams, Thomas Skolfield, and John Smart.
After the settlement of Mr. Miller, the church assumed a mixed character for about seven years. The number of church members was then about seventy, among whom were seven deacons.2
Mr. Miller was ordained November 3, 1762. The council con- sisted of Messrs. Smith. Loring, Elvin, Wibird, Robbins, and Eaton. At a church meeting held a few days subsequently, it was voted : " Whereas this church as to its government since it has been gathered and more especially while Mr Dunlap was their pastor, has not been duly kept up in the beauty and order of the Gospel, by reason of which they have greatly separated in the Ceremonials of Government, it was therefore voted : That all those who are not in full communion with the church and who never had any children baptized or were never baptized themselves, in order to receive the ordinances either for themselves or their children are required to be propounded to the church at least the Sabbath before Baptism, in order to own the Cov- enant of Baptism."
Reverend Mr. Miller was ordained as a Congregationalist, but after some years the church and parish returned to the Londonderry Pres- bytery, from which they had seceded.3
How much soever a portion of his congregation may have been edi- fied by his preaching, some of them were not sufficiently so to give close attention to him, and it was not at all uncommon for numbers of people to be asleep. At such times, it is narrated, Mr. Miller was in the habit of stopping in the midst of his sermon, and saying, " Wake up, hearers !" After a while it was made the duty of old Mr. George Coombs to wake the sleepers by rapping on their pew-doors with his staff.4
At the council for the ordination of Mr. Miller, Reverend Thomas Smith was the moderator, and Mr. Loring, scribe. At the ordination, prayer was made by the Reverend Mr. Loring, the charge by Mr. Smith, the right hand of fellowship by Mr. Eaton, and the sermon by Mr. Miller himself.
The following, in regard to church government, was found on an old paper, undated, and very much worn : -
1 Pejepscot Pupers. 2 Greenleaf, Ecclesiasticul Sketches. 8 McKeen, MS. Lecture.
4 James Curtis's Journal, in Library of Maine Historical Society.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
" These concerning the Church of Christ in Brunswick as to the order and Constitution of this Church. It was at first set up in the Presbyterian order to be governed by a Session and since we have left off that order and government we have got into Disorder and have no government at all, therefore we the subscribers hereof advise the members of the Church to look to God for a blessing and direc- tion herein, in setting up their old Constitution and choose ten or twelve elders and have them ordained to their charge and duty, herein to act for the glory of God and the good of this church, and in all Ecclesiastical affairs belonging to this church that may come before them to decide them impartially without favor or affection. This is our deliberate judgement and advice and that we cannot come into peace and good government without taking these steps.
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