USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 39
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 39
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 39
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The encouragement was so small that the place was abandoned, and at the succeeding Conference the circuit was merged in the Bath station.
Soon after the above-mentioned class was formed, two Methodist students entered Bowdoin College (in 1828 and 1829). One of these, John Johnston (afterwards Professor of Natural Science
399
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
in Wesleyan University), manifested a firm attachment to Metho- (lism and cordially identified himself with the humble society at Brunswick. The other, Charles Adams, was a licensed preacher. and preached in the neighborhood of Brunswick as occasion offered during his college course. Under his direction the small class increased in numbers, strengthened by occasional recruits from the college students.
In the fall of 1833 the class consisted of about fourteen persons, of whom five were students in college.
In the winter of 1834 an arrangement was made with a number of preachers in neighboring towns to supply preaching one half the time on the Sabbath, until the session of the Conference in the following July. The preaching was gratuitous, the society paying the travelling expenses of the minister.
At this Conference (1834) an application was made for a preacher to be supported in part by funds of the Missionary Society. But the condition of the funds would not allow such an appropriation. The services of Reverend James Warren, a very acceptable local preacher, were obtained one half of the time. The request for a preacher was renewed the next year, 1835, and Mr. Warren was appointed to Bow- doinham and Brunswick circuit. In consequence of ill-health, Mr. Warren retired from the circuit in two or three months, and Asahel Moore, who had just graduated at Bowdoin College, and who had al- ways been warmly interested in the society, was engaged to take charge of it and visit it once in two or three weeks, being then engaged in teaching school at Gardiner. Early in the spring of 1836 he closed his school and devoted his whole time to the society in Brunswick. At this time there were about forty members in the society, including seven college students.
These meetings were held on the Sabbath in the Congregational conference-room, or in the Universalist meeting-house, which was hired for this purpose.
On the sixteenth of April, 1836, Eliphalet S. Bryant, Daniel Smith, Charles Evans, Rufus Rich, Ebenezer Stockbridge, and Albert Mer- rill requested Moses E. Woodman, Esquire, a justice of the peace, to issue a warrant to one of the applicants, directing him to call a meeting of the applicants for the purpose of organizing a religious society or parish, by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Society, in Brunswick. The warrrant was issued, and on the twenty-fifth of April the applicants referred to met at the Baptist Meeting- House, on Federal Street, and after appointing Asahel Moore,
400
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Sandford K. Ballard, Stephen M. Vail, and Samuel G. Lane to be their associates, organized by the choice of Sanford K. Ballard, chairman, and Stephen M. Vail, clerk. A constitution was then adopted, and a board of trustees was elected, consisting of Honor- able Allen F. Cobb, of Durham, John Wilkinson, of Bath, Eben- ezer Moore, of Gardiner, John Moore, of Gardiner, Eliphalet Bryant, of Brunswick, Ephraim Sturdivant, of Cumberland, and Samuel G. Lane, of Brunswick.
In September following, the meeting-house on the east side of Federal Street, called the "Baptist Branch Meeting-House," previ- ously occupied by the society of which Reverend Mr. Titcomb was pastor, was bought by the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society for the sum of $1,900, and the lot upon which the building stood was purchased for fifty dollars additional. In payment the trustees gave notes payable at the expiration of one year. Something more than one half the amount was paid during the year, and new notes were given for the balance.
On the tenth of January, 1838, the house was paid for, and on the seventeenth of April following the society was entirely free from debt. The whole pecuniary responsibility in the purchase of the meeting- house was assumed by Mr. Sturdivant. Some help was received from abroad, but in order to relieve Mr. Sturdivant from his heavy burden the parsonage (which had been built mostly by the generosity of Thomas Knowlton) was deeded to him, and the debt due to him mostly paid.
At the annual Conference, held in August, 1836, the Reverend Mark Trafton was appointed to Brunswick. He remained with the society about three months, and left in the apprehension that he could not receive a support. The society was thus thrown into great dis- couragement. In this emergency the pulpit was supplied by Isaiah McMahon, a student in college.
In 1837, Reverend C. P. Bragdon took charge of the society. Ilis labors were quite successful, and a considerable number were added to the church. From 1838 to 1840, Reverend C. C. Cone was the preacher in charge. Ilis labors were quite successful, and the society was increased from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty-seven. He was succeeded by Reverend A. P. Hillman. During the two years' appointment of this preacher the society was reduced to ninety-three members. No cause for this diminution of membership is given in the society's records.
In the year 1842, Reverend Asahel Moore was appointed to Bruns-
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
wick. The society was laboring under great embarrassment from its feebleness, but was considerably improved under the labors of Mr. Moore, there being one hundred and fifteen members at the close of his two years' labor.
Reverend Cornelius Stone was the preacher in charge in 1844. A few conversions occurred during the year, but the number of deaths and removals was more than sufficient to offset the gain.
In 1845. Reverend Daniel Fuller was appointed to Brunswick. During the second year of his labors his health broke down and he did not long survive. His last sermon was preached in January, 1857, his subject being the Eternal World. He was a good preacher and a faithful pastor.
His successor, Reverend John W. True, was appointed at the Con- ference held in Saco the same year. The church at this time was much enfeebled by removals and in consequence of being deprived of their pastor most of the year. The pastor was considerably inter- rupted in his work by sickness and other embarrassments, and the society hardly held its own during these two years.
During the year 1849 the society was without a preacher.
In the spring of 1850 the society raised the sum of two hundred dollars and repaired the meeting-house. Reverend Ezekiel Robinson was the preacher in charge.
Reverend Charles Munger was pastor in 1851-2, and Reverend Joseph Hawkes in 1853.
Reverend J. C. Perry was appointed to Brunswick in 1854, and a considerable revival occurred during the year.
In 1855, Reverend Parker Jaques was the preacher.
In 1856-59, Reverend Charles W. Morse spent three years and ten months at Brunswick with varied success.
From 1845 till 1854 Brunswick was a missionary station. There was no appropriation subsequent to that time. Mr. Morse was retired from active duties, but, on account of the protracted sickness of his wife, he had charge for the fourth year at Brunswick.
In 1860 and 1861 no material change occurred in the condition of the society. Reverend John Cobb was pastor.
In 1862-3, Reverend Josiah H. Newhall was preacher in charge. During the second year there was considerable religious excitement in the village, caused by the labors of the revivalist, Reverend Mr. Han- mond, and a considerable revival occurred in the Methodist Society. Mr. Newhall was a fine scholar, a native of Lynn, and a graduate of Wesleyan University. He died suddenly of paralysis in 1866. 26
402
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
In 1864, Reverend W. W. Baldwin, an energetic young man, was preacher in charge and had considerable success. The following year he went to Montana as a missionary.
Reverend John B. Lapham was appointed to Brunswick in 1865 and 1867. Under his labors there was considerable revival and accession to the strength of the society. In 1866 the old meeting-house was sold and the present one erected. In 1868 furniture for a parsonage was purchased, and a new communion service was bought.
Reverend Stephen Allen was preacher in charge for two years, 1867 to 1869. Under his pastorate there was a gratifying gain in member- ship, and he left his charge with good prospects for the future. Mr. Allen was a graduate of Bowdoin College, class of 1835. He is a fine scholar, an interesting preacher, and is one of the leading men in the denomination. He was succeeded by Reverend James McMillan, who had charge of the parish for three years, 1869 to 1872. There was an extensive revival during his second year, resulting in large additions to the church.
Reverend HI. C. Sheldon, a graduate of Yale College and a ripe scholar, succeeded Mr. McMillan, remaining here two years, 1872 to 1874. He is now a professor in the Boston University. He was suc- ceeded, in 1874, by Reverend C. W. Morse, who was also pastor here from 1856 to 1859, and who has won the sincere respect, not only of the members of his parish, but of the citizens of the town generally.
Reverend W. S. Jones is the present pastor.
ST. PAUL'S PARISH.
The first Episcopalian service ever held in Brunswick was held in the college chapel in 1842. The Reverend J. Cook Richmond, on his way from Gardiner to Portland, was obliged to stop over night at Brunswick. Wishing to improve the opportunity to present the ser- vices of the church to the people of the town and the students of the college, he asked the consent of the Congregational minister to such a service, which he failed to receive. He then appealed to the president of the college (Doctor Woods), who said to him, " There is one place in this town over which I have control, and you can hold a service in the college chapel." Timely notice was given, and at half past seven in the evening a large congregation was gathered to hear (many of them for the first time) the evening service of the Prayer-Book. Mr. Richmond then preached and held the attention of his hearers for nearly two hours.
This was the first step towards introducing the services of the
403
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
church here, and doubtless suggested and encouraged the idea of the permanent establishment of a parish. The next service of the church was held in the Congregational vestry on School Street, by the Right Reverend J. E. K. Henshaw, Bishop of Rhode Island and Provisional Bishop of Maine, on his first visitation to this State, in October, 1843. He was accompanied by the Reverend Messrs. James Pratt of Portland, and Thomas F. Fales of Rhode Island, and after evening prayer " preached to a respectable and attentive audience." Mr. Fales after- wards returned as a missionary, and on the fifth of November, 1843, being Sunday, he began regular services in what was then known as the Pleasant Street Seminary, nearly opposite the present Methodist Church, but which has since been removed to Maine Street, and is now used for business purposes.
Mr. Fales thus became the first rector of this parish. He was edu- cated for the ministry at the General Theological Seminary in New York City ; was ordained deacon by Bishop Griswold in Rhode Island, July 22, 1840. and priest by the same bishop in 1841; and on the same day of the same month, July 21, he received the degree of B. A. from Bristol College, Pennsylvania, and M. A. from the University of New York.
Mr. Fales continued to hold meetings in the school-house from November. 1840, until the completion of the church in JJuly, 1845. There was at first considerable opposition to the establishment of this church, but it soon passed away. This parish has from the first been a mission. supported mainly by the " General Board " and by the "Diocesan Board of Missions." Up to 1848 no contribution had been made by the parish towards the support of the rector, and then it only amounted to a small sum. At the time Mr. Fales's labors began. the number of Episcopalians was very small. There were only three communicants, Daniel R. Goodwin, Mary R. Goodwin, and Isabella MeDougal.
The families of Professor Goodwin, of the college, and of Mr. Sam- nel Harris, of Topsham, were the only entire households which identi- fied themselves with the church. Five or six of the students were Churelnen. The attendance on the services, however, increased, and on the eighth of January, 1844, a parish was duly organized according to the laws of the State. There were seven original members, namely, Professor D. R. Goodwin, Joseph Badger, Samuel Harris, George Earle, John O B. Dunning, Ebenezer M. Johnson, and Samuel Dunning.
The first officers elected were, for wardens, D. R. Goodwin and
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Joseph W. Sargent ; for vestrymen, Abner B. Thompson, Joseph Badger. George Earle, Samuel Dunning, John O. B. Dunning, Eben- ezer M. Johnson, and Samuel Harris.
It was then voted that the parish assume the name of St. Paul's, and that the Reverend T. F. Fales be invited to settle as rector of the church. The invitation was accepted on the twelfth day of Feb- ruary, 1844.
From the very organization of the parish, the Ladies' Society has been most faithful and most efficient in raising and supplying all that was needed. Nothing except the improvements made by Mr. Taylor has been done without them. In fact, if it had not been for the self- sacrificing labors of the ladies of the parish, it might never have lived for thirty years. In 1845 they furnished the church with the read- ing-desk and pulpit, altar and chairs. In 1848, chiefly through their exertions, an organ was procured and placed in the gallery. Previ- ously stringed instruments were used.
The communion set used from the first till now was presented by Mrs. Griswold of the " Eastern Diocese," as it was called. The stone font was given in 1861 by a number of persons, chiefly graduates of Bowdoin College. The organ was removed from the gallery to the east transept in 1867, and was replaced by a new one in September, 1873.
There have been six rectors. The Reverend Thomas F. Fales, the first, remained here just six years. He has since been rector of Christ Church, Waltham, Mass.
The Reverend Andrew Croswell was here three years and five months. He now resides in Cambridge, Mass.
The Reverend Professor D. R. Goodwin supplied services for six months, when there was a vacancy for ten months with only occa- sional lay-reading.
The Reverend William Stone Chadwell was the third rector, and remained here three years and eight months. He is now rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn, Long Island, New York.
The Reverend Edward Ballard immediately succeeded him, and was rector of the parish for twelve years and seven months (See Biographical Sketch.)
After a vacancy of six months, during which time there were occasional services, Reverend Joseph Pemberton Taylor entered on the charge of the parish, and remained here two years and four months. He was immediately succeeded by Reverend Frederick S. Sill, M. A., and is now residing in Camden, New Jersey.
405
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK.
Reverend Mr. Sill was succeeded by Reverend H. P. Nichols, who was ordained to the priesthood, May 27, 1877.
In this parish, since its formation, one hundred and thirty individ- uals have been baptized, eighty-three confirmed, sixty-three buried, and thirty married. The present number of communicants is about twenty-nine ; of individuals. about seventy-five.
ROMAN CATHOLICS.
The formation of a society of believers in the doctrines of the Church of Rome was begun in this town about 1860, or a short time previously. Services were at first performed by the priest stationed at Bath. The society, however. gradually increased in numbers, and in 1866 purchased their present church building on Federal Street, of the Methodist Society, and Father Powers was soon after sent to them. This society is now, numerically, by far the largest in town. About five sixths of the congregation are French Canadians. They number about eight hundred. The present priest, Father Noiseux, is a French Canadian.
STATISTICS OF CHURCH-GOERS, ETC, IN 1873.
In 1873, Mr. Charles Hill. agent of the Brunswick Bible Society, canvassed the town and collected statistics relative to the number of church-goers, etc. The following is a summary of his report, and shows the religious views of the citizens as well as such a canvass can, but it is not, probably, absolutely correct.
Number attending church (nominally)
3,056
not attending church
1,001
children attending Sabbath schools
794
children not attending Sabbath schools
122
Catholics (Freuch, 477; Irish, 131; colored, 59)
667
Protestants .
2,389
Congregationalists (Orthodox)
598
66 Free Baptists .
574
Methodists
361
Baptists
306
66 Friends .
159
Universalists .
151
6: Adventists
82
Unitarians
61
6: Episcopalians .
56
For Union of Churches
39
66 Spiritualists
406
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
CHAPTER XIII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
Bur little is known concerning the condition of religious matters in Topsham prior to the incorporation of the town. In the year 1721 the Reverend Isaac Taylor was employed by the proprietors to preach there one half the time. In 1730 there was a chaplain at the Fort in Brunswick. supported by the proprietors, who attended to the religious needs of the several neighboring communities, but who, most likely, preached only in Brunswick. There is little doubt that previous to the erection of the first meeting-house in Topsham, the inhabitants of that place were accustomed to attend religious services at Brunswick. In 1739 the inhabitants of Topsham contributed to the support of preaching in Brunswick, and it is probable that such had been the custom for some years previous.1 The town was incorporated in 1764, and at this date, therefore, properly begins the history of the
FIRST PARISH.
[1764.] At the second meeting of the town, held June 2, 1764, John Fulton, John Reed, and John Merrill (the selectmen ) were chosen a committee " to get an orthodox minister to preach for the space of three months." They evidently employed Reverend Mr. Buzzell, for at a subsequent meeting he was employed for "four Sabbaths longer."
Whether he was unwilling to remain still longer, or whether he failed to give satisfaction, is not known. He could not have remained over the parish more than the four months for which he had been employed, or the town would not have chosen a committee "to get a minister by next spring to preach to us."
[1766.] On March 18, £60 was raised " for a minister and school- master" for this year. As the same individual was sometimes em- ployed for both purposes, it is probable that such was the intent of that vote.
1 Pejepscot Papers.
407
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
At a subsequent meeting the town decided very strongly in favor of the Presbyterian form of worship, and voted to extend a call to Reverend Stephen Scales. Goin Fulton, Adam Hunter, and Thomas Wilson were chosen a committee to make an agreement with him.
[1767.] In July, Reverend Mr. Thompson was engaged for two months after the expiration of his first contract.
In consideration of the agreement made at the time of the confir- mation of their title by the government of Massachusetts, as well as in conformity to the laws, the proprietors about this time set apart a lot of land in Topsham "for the use of the Ministry" and one for " the first settled Minister." The ministerial or parsonage lot was " Number Twenty-six lying in the Range of Lotts fronting on Pejeps- cott River containing one hundred acres." The lot for the minister was " Number sixty four, containing One hundred acres, lying on the Rear of Lotts belonging to Alexander Potter and James Potter, Jr., bonnding Northeast on Land of Robert McFarlands and Southwest on the School Lott."
[1768.] In 1768 the town voted to give James Hunter a lot of land called the School-house Lot, in exchange for which he was to give the town one hundred acres where the meeting-house stood. Mr. Southmaid was employed to preach in the winter " as a probationer."
[1770.] At the annual meeting this year a Mr. Stuart was engaged to preach until the first of the following November, and it was voted to assess one fourth part of the minister's salary on the holders of pews.
[1771.] The first church organization. as distinct from that of the parish, was organized in 1771. It was of the Presbyterian order, and was organized by Reverend Mr. Murray, a Presbyterian minister of Boothbay, and by Reverend Joseph Prince. It consisted of twenty- seven members.1 Who these members were is not now known, but it is not improbable that two of the early members of the Congregational Church, Messrs. Alexander Patten and James Fulton, were among the number. This church was at no time very strong, and ceased to exist about the year 1789. No records of its meetings can be found.
Committees were appointed in the years 1771 and 1772 to obtain the services of a minister, so that it is probable that there was preach- ing a part of this time.
[1773.] Reverend Samnel Wheeler probably officiated for a while this year, as the town voted, November 29, " to send a man west-
1 Greenleaf's Ecclesiastical Sketches.
408
IIISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
ward to bring Mr. Samuel Wheeler's character, provided Mr. Samuel Wheeler will pay the charges"; and John Merrill, consenting to go upon these terms, was duly chosen for that purpose.
[1774.] Mr. Merrill's report as to Mr. Wheeler's character must have been satisfactory, as he this year received a call at a salary of £66 138. 4d .. lawful money, and with £100 as a " settlement." The town this year reversed its former action, and decided to adhere to the Congregational form of worship. This action of the town gave serious offence to the minority. Messrs. Adam Hunter, Goin Fulton, James Henry, Jolm Orr, Jolin Fulton, James Fulton, and Alexander Potter entered their protest against the meeting as being illegal and destruc- tive to the church. These persons were evidently strong in the Presby- terian faith, and probably some, if not all of them were members of the First Church. There is no evidence that Mr. Wheeler was ever formally installed over the church and society of the First Parish, and his pastorate could not have been a very satisfactory one, as the next year [1775] a committee was appointed to obtain a minister, and also one " to converse with Mr. Samuel Wheeler concerning the abatement of his wages and to make return."
[1776.] In December of the next year the town also vot d not to pay his board nor his horse keeping. From this time to 1783, there is no record of any settled minister in the town, although there is no doubt but that there were religious services held for a few Sundays in each year, since the town in some at least of these years chose a committee to obtain a minister. In 1778, however, the committee were instructed not to agree with one for more than a service of two months without the consent of the town.
[1783.] At a meeting of the town held May 27, 1783, the commit- tee to obtain a minister were instructed to employ the Reverend Mr. Urquhart to preach eight Sabbaths after the Sabbath next ensuing, and to use their own discretion as to the terms. At a later meeting of this year, held September 10, it was voted to employ Mr. Urquhart " one Sabbath when he returns from the westward." At this meeting there was also a committee appointed to see why the porch to the meeting-house, which the town voted in 1770 to have built, was not finished. The citizens of the town can easily be excused for getting a little impatient, after having waited thirteen years for the construction of this porch. At a meeting held two months later, Mr. Urquhart was employed for one year at a salary of £80, he to have the privilege of leaving if he had a call to settle elsewhere.
[1784.] At a meeting held in October, 1784, the town voted to
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
hire Reverend Mr. Urquhart for one year more after the expiration of his first year. To this action of the town, Messrs. John Merrill, Jon- athan Whitney, Actor Patten, Peletiah Haley, Alexander Gray, and William Reed declared their disapproval "for several reasons, but more particularly because we have reason to believe that the said Urqu- hart has two wives now living, and we think that disqualifies him to administer any of the Gospel ordinances."
This charge was sustained by the facts.1 and it is not probable that Urquhart preached in Topsham after the expiration of his second year, if indeed he was allowed to complete his engagement.
In regard to Urquhart as a preacher, it has been said that " his mode of preaching was marked for its humor and quaintness, and he would arouse his drowsy listeners on a summer afternoon by some stirring anecdote or exclamation. On one occasion he stopped sud- denly in his sermon and then exclaimed, 'I'm your shepurd o'er all o' ye, and Wully Wilson is me graut bull-dog.' The deacon, either not relishing this publicity, or to signalize that he was not asleep, sturdily called out yet louder still, ' I'm not your bull-dog ! What did you say that for ? '"' 2
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