USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 40
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 40
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 40
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[1786.] In 1786 the town voted to give Mr. Kellogg an invitation " to return and preach with us after he has been to study divinity six months, provided he will settle with us if desired."
[1788.] This year Reverend Jonathan Ellis was invited to settle in town at a salary of £85 and a " settlement" of £150. The " settlement to be paid in boards, shingles and other Lumber, or any produce of the country." Mr. Ellis did not accept this call, but [1789] the next year, at a meeting held June 9, the town agreed to settle him on con- dition that he would take his dismission if two thirds of the legal voters of the town should, at any future time, prefer not to remain under his ministry and should so declare at a legal town meeting, and that, in case such a thing should occur, he should be allowed to continue six months thereafter and no longer. Mr. Ellis was present at the meet- ing and agreed to these conditions.
On August 31 of this year there were two legal meetings of the town. The first was called by warrant of John Merrill, a justice of the peace, upon the application of more than ten voters, the principal object being to see if the town would consent that those not willing to settle under the ministry of Mr. Ellis should be allowed to withdraw from his support and maintain a minister for themselves. The second
1 See Annals of Warren, p. 172 et seq.
2 Dr. James McKeen's Notes.
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
meeting was on the usual warrant issued by the selectmen, and was for the purpose of taking action in regard to Mr. Ellis's ordination. At the first meeting thirty-five persons voted to withdraw from being under Mr. Ellis's ministry, and sixty-seven voted to be under his ministry. At this meeting the town also voted that one-fourth part of the expense of repairing the meeting-house should be assessed on the pew-holders, and the remainder paid by the town. At the second meeting the town voted that the council which was to be at the ordination of Mr. Ellis should meet and sit at Mr. Joseph Foster's house, and that they and their attendants should be entertained at Captain David Reed's and James Fulton's houses. It also voted that Doctor Philip Hoyt, James Wilson, and Joseph Haley, clothier, should be a committee to attend upon the council on the day of ordination.
The ordination of Mr. Ellis occurred September 16, 1789. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Reverend Andrew Lee, of Lisbon, Connecticut. The charge was by the Reverend Jolin Ellis, of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The right hand of fellowship by the Reverend Josiah Winship, of Woolwich, Maine. The sermon was printed, but no copy of it can now be found. The following is the title- page, which has been preserved : -
" The Duty of Gospel Ministers | Illustrated in a Discourse preached | at the ordination of the Rev. Jonathan Ellis | to the pastoral office in the church | at Topsham, Massachusetts, Sept. | 16th 1789. By Andrew Lee A. M., | Pastor of a church at Lisbon, | Conn; | Keep thyself pure -- St. Paul. | Portland - Printed by Thomas | Baker Wait. MDCCXC."
The Congregationalist Church held its first meeting in June, 1789, at which a day of fasting was appointed, and it was voted to send for a council. This council met June 26, 1789, for the ordination of Reverend Jonathan Ellis, and voted " that the members of the church at Topsham be considered as a regular church of Christ, on the Con- gregational form of worship and discipline."
On October 23 of the same year the church adopted a covenant.
On June 27, 1790, the first sacrament since the organization was administered. It was administered in the Presbyterian manner, the communicants sitting around the table. Eleven members were pres- ent, beside five from the church in Brunswick.
[1791.] The only thing noticeable in any of the records this year is the fact that the town appointed a committee of three " to keep the dogs out of the meeting-house."
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
[1793.] This year the following names of members appear upon the church records : -
Captain John Patten (deacon),
Mrs. Mary Fulton,
Captain James Mustard,
Mrs. Esther Haley,
Alexander Patten,
Mrs. Hannah Henry,
James Fulton,
Mrs. Anna Winchell,
John Small,
Mrs. Mary Ellis,
Joseph Haley, - Whitum,
Mrs. Nancy Stockman,
William Randall,
Mrs. Jane Randall,
Mrs. Rachel Reed,
Reverend Jonathan Ellis,
Widow Jameson,
Mrs. Mary Patten,
Widow Sarah Cobb. '
[1794.] At a meeting of the town, held May 20, 1794, it was voted not to oppose the petition of John Merrill, Esquire, and others, praying the General Court for an Act of Incorporation as a Baptist society, provided they would withdraw their suit at law, of Job Macomber rs. The Town of Topsham, in which case the town agreed that the execution against Abraham Cummings 1 should not be put in force, and that all future taxes for the minister's salary, of members of the Baptist society, might be drawn by them from the treasurer or the constable. they producing a certificate that they had paid an equal sum for the Baptist society, provided they obtained an Act of Incor- poration within one year. An attempt was made this year to obtain a two-thirds vote to dismiss Reverend Mr. Ellis, but failed. After this date the First Parish held meetings distinct from those of the town, and the latter, therefore, has only occasionally since then taken any action in regard to religious matters.
[1795.] The incorporation of the Baptist Society which had just occurred had the unfortunate and rather singular effect of depriving the First Parish of all its officers. It is certainly rather remarkable that all these officers should have affiliated with the Baptists. That such was the actual fact, however, is shown by a petition to John Merrill, Esquire, justice of the peace, requesting him to call a meet- ing of the freeholders of the First Parish. This petition expressly sets forth the fact that the First Parish had no officers and " were consequently incapable of conducting and managing its affairs." This petition was dated April 20th, and on April 30th the first meet- ing of the parish, after the separation, was held at the meeting-house.
1 Probably for non-payment of minister's tu.c.
Mrs. - Perry,
Doctor Philip Hoyt,
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
A new board of parish officers was chosen, money raised for support of the minister, and Richard Knowles elected sexton, "with allow- ance of twelve shillings." At a subsequent meeting this year a com- mittee was chosen to wait upon Mr. Ellis and to concert measures for rendering the ministerial lot of some benefit to the minister and parish.
[1797.] In 1796 and 1797 considerable repairs were made to the meeting-house. In May of the latter year a committee was chosen " to wait on the Reverend Jonathan Ellis for the purpose of obtaining information how his proposals may in the best way be answered, and report to the Parish." What proposals the pastor had made is not known, but on the twenty-sixth of June following, the parish decided not to increase his salary "at the present time, on account of the depreciation of money."
[1799.] At a meeting of the parish, held September 9, Captain Alexander Rogers, James Fulton, and Arthur Hunter were chosen to settle with Mr. Ellis and to pay him the arrearages due to him, They were also authorized to grant him a discharge from the parish if he desired, and to supply the pulpit for a while.
[1800.] At the annual meeting of the parish this year, the sum of three hundred dollars was raised for current expenses. This sum was between thirty and forty dollars less than had usually been raised for the minister's salary alone. At the annual meeting of the town, Messrs. John Merrill, William Wilson, James Purinton, Doctor Porter, and Alexander Thompson were chosen a committee to consider the practicability of uniting the two societies. The desire for such union probably arose in consequence of the difficulty experienced, at that time, in furnishing adequate support to two ministers.
[1801.] The committee for supplying the pulpit were instructed by the parish " to write to the Professor of Divinity at Harvard College requesting him to recommend a candidate to them of ability and good moral character," and were also instructed to employ no transient preacher until it was positively ascertained that no suitable candidate could be sent. The parish also voted " not to employ Mr. Thompson any longer to supply the Desk." It would appear from this action that Mr. Ellis had received his discharge from the committee appointed in 1799 to settle with him.
[1802.] The Reverend Mr. Western. was employed as a preacher until October, 1802. At a meeting of the parish in June, Benjamin Hasey, Esquire, Doctor Porter, and Ezra Smith were chosen a com- mittee to petition the legislature " for permission to sell the Parsonage
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
Lot, or take measures to render the same profitable to the Parish, agreeable to the original intentions of the Grantors "
[1803.] On April 23 of this year, the parish passed a vote invit- ing Mr. Ellis to preach for one year at a salary of two hundred and eighty-three dollars and thirty-three cents, he to have " the privilege of keeping school such part of said year as he shall choose."
[1805.] An effort was this year made to unite with the Second Parish in obtaining a minister to preach alternately in the two parishes.
[1806.] At a town-meeting, held November 3, 1806, it was voted " that the town having heard and duly considered the proposal of the Honorable Benjamin J. Porter and others, to build a meeting- house near the Court House, do unitedly approve of the same and do earnestly recommend it to the members of both parishes of the town to become united as soon as may be into one corporate body for the purpose of supporting public worship in said town when [it shall be] erected.
" And it is further voted that the town. with a view to promote an union of the parishes, for the support of public worship, agreeably to the proposal of said Porter and others, will appoint a committee of seven persons with full power to pursue any measures necessary and proper on the part of the town to promote the building of said house and to support public worship therein."
In December the parish voted to hold their business meetings and religious services in the Court House until a new meeting-house should be built, but the vote was subsequently changed so as to have the meetings for public worship held one half the time at the Court House and the remainder of the time either at the old meeting- house or at the school-house near it.
[1810.] At the annual meeting this year the parish voted " that the treasurer be directed to renew or exchange the securities or col- lect, if necessary, the money that is now at interest, belonging to the parish, and also to receive the interest annually or take notes for the same." It is evident from this that the parish had something of a fund at this time, but from what source it was derived is not so easy to understand. The amount of money raised each year was seldom more than enough to pay current expenses and often not sufficient for that purpose, and the ministerial lot was not sold, notwithstanding the vote in 1802, until 1819.
At this same meeting Benjamin Orr, Esquire, was appointed to obtain from the committee chosen in 1799 a certificate of the dis- charge of Reverend Mr. Ellis, and to deposit the same with the
414
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSIIAM, AND HARPSWELL.
parish clerk. This document, which was the only legal annulment of the contract between the pastor and parish, was dated May 7, 1810.
Owing to the separation which had occurred in the parish, and to other causes, the church had gradually dwindled away, and after the dismissal of their pastor it became nearly extinct. During the period of Mr. Ellis's ministry it was Congregational in name, but not what would now be called strictly Orthodox, since it paid more attention to the form of church polity than it did to uniformity of belief. Rev- erend Ezra S. Goodwin had been preaching this year, and on October 12. the parish expressed to him their approbation of his past services and requested him to continue with them awhile longer.
[1811.] An attempt was made this year, unsuccessfully, to have the minister over the First Parish supply the pulpit of the Second Parish also. The thanks of the parish were again given to Mr. Goodwin for his services, and the regret expressed that the financial situation did not adit of their employing him longer.
[1814.] Nothing further of special importance occurs in the parish records until the year 1814, when an attempt was again made to unite the two parishes. The committee on the part of the First Parish chosen to confer with the other parish were instructed that " if an union of said parishes could not be obtained on any other princi- ple, that the meetings for public worship be holden two thirds of the time at the Court House and the other third at the upper meeting- house."
[1815.] In 1815, Messrs. Benjamin Orr, Alexander Rogers, and Jehiel Abell were appointed a committee to petition the legislature, in behalf of the parish, " for leave to sell the parsonage lot in Topsham, under such restrictions and limitations as they shall think proper."
[1818.] The meeting-house, about this time, must have been get- ting sadly in need of repair, since, in April, 1818, the parish commit- tee were instructed to repair it, " by building doors, glazing the windows, and underpinning the house so as to secure it from falling."
[1819.] On May 10, 1819, the committee appointed in 1815 to sell the ministerial lands, reported that " they have sold the whole of said lands at auction to the highest bidders on the 22d day of April 1819, as follows, to wit. To Samuel Hunter twelve acres and 80 rods for the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars : To Arthur Hunter thirty-eight acres and seventy rods for the sum of two hun- dred and thirty dollars and 622 cents ; To Thomas Patten twenty-four acres and ten rods for two hundred and sixteen dollars and fifty-six cents ; To George Rogers twentyfive acres for two hundred dollars.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSIIAM.
All and singular of which sums to be paid, with interest, in four years from the time of sale, one quarter part of the principal of each sun to be paid annually, and interest semi-annually on the whole amount of sales Amounting in the whole to the sum of $772.18
"(Signed)
" ACTOR PATTEN, HUMPHREY PURINTON, THOS. G. SANDFORD."
[1821.] In the year 1821, a committee was chosen to ascertain and report, at an adjourned meeting, who were members of the First Parish. The parish this year, moreover, agreed to accept the new meeting-house on the terms offered by the proprietors of the same, which were as follows : " That the proprietors of the meeting- house present the same to the First Parish, reserving the right to the proprietors of selling all their right thereto and receiving the pro- ceeds ; and whether the same is sold or unsold, it shall not be liable in any manner whatever to be taxed by the First Parish ; and it is understood by the foregoing reservation that the parish shall never assess any moneys that it may hereafter raise either wholly or in part upon the pews or seats of any individual proprietors therein ; and the proprietors further present the parish with one of the front pews on the lower floor, numbered thirty-one, and the two pews in the gallery behind the singing seats, and the overplus of money's arising from the sale of pews in said house, after paying the bills of said house, shall be annexed to the funds of the First Parish.
" That in future the meetings for publick worship be holden one third of the time at the old meeting-house, and two thirds of the time at the new meeting-house, for six months in the year, commencing the first Sabbath in May ; the remainder of the year at the new meet- ing-house."
At a subsequent meeting, a number of persons who had previously joined the Second Parish were accepted as members of the First Parish. At the same meeting an agent was chosen to obtain a deed of the meeting-house from the proprietors, and to give deeds of pews to the owners thereof.
On August 26, 1821, the church was reorganized. The following persons constituted its membership at this time : -
William Randall, John Harmon, Deacon Samuel Winslow, Mrs. Jane Randall, Mrs. Margaret Patten, Mrs. Mary Ellis, Mrs. Hannah Patten, Mrs. Martha Rogers, Mrs. Betsey Perkins, Miss Hannah Patten, Widow Mary Foy, Widow Mary Patten, and Widow Rachel Reed.
416
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
[1823.] This year an attempt was made to settle Reverend Mr. Danforth. at first for five years and then for one year. There was a good deal of difficulty in raising the necessary amount of money by subscription, and it is evident that he was not engaged, as at a meet- ing held on the twenty-second of November, the parish committee were instructed to employ a preacher, and to pay him out of the money already raised.
[1824.] The parish this year invited Reverend Jacob C. Goss to settle as their pastor. " until six months' notice on either side shall be given for a discontinuance of his services." The salary offered was five hundred dollars. To this invitation Mr. Goss made an answer containing the following proposals, which were accepted by the parish : -
" First. Provided that I may have liberty to be absent four weeks each year, and during this time shall not be under obligation to supply the desk.
" Second. Provided either party may have liberty to dissolve this connection, giving to the other one year previous to such dissolution.
" Third. Should the salary which you offer me be found on trial insufficient to meet my expenses, I shall expect it will be increased."
Thomas G. Sandford, Actor Patten, Colonel Samnel Veazie, Charles R. Porter, Doctor James McKeen, and Major Nahum Perkins were chosen on behalf of the parish, and Samnel Winslow on behalf of the church, to make the arrangements for the ordination.
On December 7 the council for ordination met at the house of Nathaniel Green. There were present, Reverend Hezekiah Packard and David Owen, Wiscasset ; Reverend Eliphalet Gillett and Samnel P. Ingraham, Hallowell ; Reverend William Mittimore and Jona- than Moody, Falmouth ; Reverend John W. Ellingwood, David Stin- son, and Gillett Trufant, Bath ; Reverend Enos Merrill and Nathan Scales, Freeport ; Reverend Asa Cummings and Cushing Prince, Brunswick ; Reverend Seneca White, Levi Houghton, anl Daniel Marston, 2d, Bath ; Reverend Caleb Hobart and Jacob Hayes, North Yarmouth ; Reverend Benjamin Tappan and John Eveleth, Angusta, and William Allen, D. D., president of Bowdoin College.
Reverend Doctor Allen was chosen moderator, and Benjamin Tappan, seribe.
The ordination took place December 8, 1824. The introductory prayer was made by Reverend Mr. Mittimore; the sermon was by President Allen, from Isaiah lii, 7, " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings"; the consecrating
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSIIAM.
prayer was by Reverend Doctor Gillett ; the charge to the pastor, by Reverend Doctor Packard. of Wiscasset ; the right hand of fellow- ship. by Reverend Mr. Mead ; address to the church and society, by Reverend Mr. Tappan ; and the concluding prayer, by Reverend Mr. Ellingwood.
[1825.] At a church meeting held January 20. it was decided " that the ordinance of the sacrament should be administered the first Sabbath in every other month. and that a regular church meeting should be held every Thursday previous to communion."
[1826.] This year the parish voted that the notice of its meetings " be in future posted on the meeting-house door and in the publish- ment-box 1 to said meeting-house."
On May 11 of this year Samuel Winslow was chosen as deacon. - the first one since the reorganization of the church. On August 10, one of the members was charged with a " too frequent use of spirit- uons liquors," and was suspended from fellowship and afterwards was excommunicated.
[1829.] In April. 1829. Mr. Goss sent in his request for a dis- missal, on the ground of dissatisfaction with his present condition and prospects. A committee was appointed by the parish to confer with him and to make to him a full disclosure of the condition of the parish, and to inform him, if they found it expedient, that the parish felt unable to support him after the expiration of the year. At a subsequent meeting the assessors were instructed to devise measures for paying the arrearages due him. Notwithstanding his resignation, Mr. Goss seems to have remained for some time longer, for at a meet- ing held early the next year [1830] another committee was appointed to inform him " of the embarrassed situation of the parish on the subject of dissolving his connection with said parish "; and on July 16, a committee was chosen " to invite him to dissolve the connection between him and the parish and discontinue his services as early as may be convenient to him and prior to the first of December next, and that the connection be now accordingly dissolved." A week later Mr. Goss sent a letter to the parish in which he consented to the annulment of their contract, provided all arrearages were paid and his salary paid up to the date of the termination of his services, other- wise his resignation was to be null and void. Upon the receipt of this communication, the parish voted to use so much of the interest of
1 A box with a glass door, in which the town clerk posted the names of those intendin.j marriage.
27
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HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
the parish fund as might be found necessary to pay what was due. This terminated the civil contract between the parish and pastor, but the pastoral connection of the church with Mr. Goss was not severed by act of council until June 10, 1835. Mr. Goss commenced his labors under very favorable auspices, and so far as can be determined from the records there was no dissatisfaction with him, and his dis- missal was owing solely to the feeble condition of the parish at this time.
[1836.] At the annual meeting of the parish in 1836, a committee was appointed to examine the records of the parish, and ascertain who were members of it and report a list of the same. This report, on account of the information it contains in regard to parishes in gen- eral. is herewith given in full : -
" The committee appointed at a meeting of the First Parish in Topsham, held on the twelfth instant, to ascertain who are the legal members thereof, respectfully report that they have examined the statutes and reported cases in point, and have unanimously come to the conclusion that all inhabitants of twenty-one years of age and upwards, within the bounds of said parish, and who have not with- drawn therefrom by leaving a written notice thereof with the parish clerk, are members of said parish, with the exception of such persons only as are legal members of some poll parish. That all inhabitants coming to reside within the limits of the said First Parish and who are not members of a poll parish, with all such as reside therein and with- drawn from the poll parish to which they were connected by leaving a written note thereof with the clerk of said parish, do on their claiming and exercising their rights of membership thereby become members of said First Parish.
" To visit each individual within the limits of said First Parish, and to ascertain from them personally whether they belong to the parish or not, would require more time than your committee could conven- iently bestow on the subject. They therefore have examined the records of the poll parish, within the bounds of the First Parish, and from which it appears the following named persons1 are members of the Second Parish of this town. . . . Your committee further report that they are divided in opinion, in regard to the point whether the members of a poll-parishioner's family, at arriving at twenty-one years of age, do thereby, without first withdrawing from the poll parish,
These names appear in the account of the Baptist Society, and are therefore omitted here.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF TOPSHAM.
become members of the territorial parish within the bounds of which the poll is situated. A majority of your committee, Messrs. Perkins, Tibbets, and Ellis, are of opinion that they do. The other members of your committee are of a different opinion. The case has been sub- mitted to two of our most able counsellors, who differ in opinion on the subject. Your committee, therefore, to avoid all uncertainty, recom- mend to persons so situated to withdraw from the poll parish. in case they are desirous of connecting themselves with the territorial. or from the territorial if they prefer continuing with the poll. They would further recommend, in case the parish should resort to taxes, that such persons so situated, and arriving at the age of twenty-one, should not be taxed or considered as members of said parish until they claim and exercise their rights of membership.
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