USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Harpswell > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 43
USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 43
USA > Maine > Sagadahoc County > Topsham > History of Brunswick, Topsham, and Harpswell, Maine, including the ancient territory known as Pejepscot > Part 43
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" 15. Voted, yt it is ye Opinion of this Chh. that some provision be made by them, for the Relief of such Chh. Members, (being well re- ported of) as are by the providenee of God east into indigent Cireum- stances. Therefore,
" 16. Voted, yt Messrs. Edward Cuningham, Bena Jaques, and Jacob Blake, be a Committee for the Neck, and John Snow & Nathan- iel Purington for the Island, yt if any Chh. Members, who conduet according to the Gosple, and are well reported of but by the provi- dence of God are cast into those circumstances wch necessarily call for Releif, may apply to, and the Committee to make it known to the Pastor, and the Pastor to call the Brethren together that they may judge of their Case, and aceords to their Liberality releive them.
"17. Voted, yt this Chh. will receive No Report unless proved by the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses.
" 18. Voted, yt these Resolves be entered upon the Chh. Records, and publicly read upon the Lords Day.
" A true Copy from the Minutes examined and attested,
" By SAML. EATON, Moderator.
" Consented to
"SAML EATON, Pastor."
441
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
[1777.] At a meeting held May 29, 1777, Joseph Ewing was chosen a deacon.
[1784.] At a church meeting held at the meeting-house, May 31, 1784. it was voted that those who desired church privileges should be examined before the church, and that those living holy lives might have their children baptized though they themselves were not church mem- bers. That the deacons should be a committee to inspect the walk of church members, and that the pastor had liberty, " provided he sees his way clear, to baptize by Immersion those who conscientiously desire it, provided they give Satisfaction to the Church of their Faith in Christ & live holy Lives."
At a meeting held August 31, 1786, the church unanimously voted to rescind the seventeenth vote, in regard to receiving reports against members, that was passed October 24, 1770.
[1787.] The previous unanimity in regard to religious affairs in this town began to be disturbed about this time. At a meeting of the town, held in March, 1787, it was voted that those persons who did not intend to pay the minister's tax should give in their names to the committee chosen for the purpose, and should give their reasons to this committee in writing. The committee were to report at a subse- quent meeting, but no such report is in the records.
[1803.] At a church meeting, held on April 28, 1803, James Wilson was unanimously chosen a deacon.
[1806.] This year the town voted that Mr. Eaton need preach only in the west meeting-house, on account of the difficulty of a per- son of his age going to and from the Island.
[1813.] At the annual meeting of the town in 1813 it was agreed that Mr. Eaton should preach only in the west part of the town that year, and that the inhabitants of Great Island should be exempt from paying a tax for his support, "excepting the Ewings." The reason for thus excepting one family was undoubtedly because they lived so near, - just across the Narrows, - and could easily and were accustomed to attend the meetings on the Neck ; and also because they were strong supporters of Mr. Eaton and were well-to-do people.
A special town meeting was held in September of this year, at which John Blake, Isaiah Snow, and Paul Raymond were chosen a committee " to go and converse with the Rev'd Samuel Eaton." The nature of the conversation is not recorded, but it may have been in regard to the taxing for his support of residents upon Sebascodigan Island, as following the record of the meeting is this entry : -
442
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
" HARPSWELL, Sept. 3ª , 1813.
.. I hereby Certify that I do from this Date for Ever Relinquish the Civil Contract between great Sebascodegin Island and my Self.
" SAMUEL EATON
"ANTHONY COOMBS, JR.
MARLBORO SYLVESTER
" MARLBORO SYLVESTER T. Clerk"
[1818.] At a special meeting of the town, held July 13, Marlboro Sylvester, Sylvester Stover, and Peleg Curtis were chosen to effect a settlement of accounts with Mr. Eaton. Their report was as follows : -
.. We the subscribers chosen a Committee by the Town of Harps- well to settle with the Rev'd Sam'l Eaton in behalf of said Town, have attended the service of our appointment the 13th day of July 1818 and we find that since the last settlement, which was up to July 13th 1813, there is due to him from the Town, for five years past ser- vices, the sum of $1115. to this date, of which one third part was relinquished to Great Sebascodegin Island, which was $371.66, leaving a balance due to him from the westerly part of said town of $743.34.
" MARLBRO' SYLVESTER SYLVESTER STOVER Committee " PELEG CURTIS
Following this report in the town records is this entry : -
" I do relinquish to the Town of Harpswell the whole of the above balance and acknowledge all accounts settled and balanced up to the above date of July 13th 1818.
" SAMUEL EATON."
The reason why Mr. Eaton chose to relinquish so large a sum which was justly his due requires some explanation. The attendance upon his services was at this time small. The Baptists had with- drawn, many citizens objected to being taxed for the support of a minister, and some had absolutely refused to pay their taxes. The parish officers did not like to urge payment, for fear of creating still further opposition, which would result in the further injury of the parish, and thus the unpaid taxes were allowed to accumulate. Mr. Eaton could have compelled the town to pay the amount, but he relinquished it for the sake of harmony.
Probably about this time, though the exact date is nowhere given, Reverend Mr. Samuel Eaton resigned his pastorate. From an exami- nation of the church records, it appears that while Mr. Eaton had charge of this church, he baptized five hundred and eighty-four male
443
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF HIARPSWELL.
children, five hundred and thirty-five female children, nine adult males. seventeen adult females, and two children of whom the sex was not designated, making in all one thousand one hundred and forty- seven persons baptized by him.
In this connection, the following document, obtained from an account-book of Reverend Elisha Eaton, will prove entertaining. It is certainly in the handwriting of Reverend Samuel Eaton, and is probably a portion of some report of his to the Missionary Associ- ation. From the number of baptisms recorded, it must have been written - judging from the list of baptisms in the church records - about the year 1767.
. If I am not mistaken in my Calenlat" I have preached 40 Serm118 exclusive of Sabbath, & the Nº of Baptisms stands thus, -
Childn
157 Adults
11 Total
168 " I now beg leave to make a few gen? Remarks. The pple who were ye Objects of my mission. are, in ye main in a broken State as to Religion. So far as I am able to judge, I impnte it to ye multi- plicity of lay preachers. and ye paucity of those who are regular and learned. Yy are an open Prey to every Imposter. Missionaries (as many well inclined & who even tremble for ye Ark of G. observed to me) were never more needed y" at this Day. I have found some. I believe, who know genuine religion, who are clear & distinguishing in their notions, & are not carried about by every Wind of Doctrine. Others who app' to me to boil over wth Enthusiasm, others who are thotless of yt wch ought to be their chief Concern, and others who were enquiring wt yy should do to be saved. I feel for ye pple ; vy need Guides. yy need Instruction, yy need ye right sort of preach's. May G. of his infinite Mercy prevent their perishing for lack of vision. In my Public Discourses, as well as private Conv'sation, I endeav- oured to distinguish between Truth & Error, an imaginary & true religion, & ye Operat" of both -to reclaim ye Erroneous-To detect ye Hypocrite, to encourage & help ye inquiring, to warn ye hardened Sinn', to comfort those who monrn in Zion, & to establish ye true Xtian. Neither have I omitted Je Inculcation of morality, & Je necessity of encouraging hinnan Literature &c.
"So far as I am acquainted ye pple are hospitable, have treated me with great respect & kindness, & all Denominations have industriously attended my preach? on the Sabb and Lectures.
444
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
" I pray G. to water ye seed weh, &c, & to have ym und' his keeping and Guidance, to bless ym wth spiritu1 & tem [poral] Favours, & yt each membr of ye Society may be rewardd wth an hundd fold here, & here- after wth an unfading Crown of Glory. I conclude only wth adding yt I have endeavoured to execute my Mission in a mann' most agreeable to ye Intentions of ye Society."
[1823.] The earliest records of the First Parish that have come to our hands commence August 23, 1823. At this meeting Jonathan Johnson was chosen moderator; Joseph Eaton, clerk ; Samuel Skol- field, treasurer ; Benjamin Dunning, collector ; George Skolfield and Jonathan Johnson, assessors ; Benjamin Dunning, Joseph Eaton. and Deacon James Wilson, a standing committee. This committee was to supply the pulpit until the middle of November, from the money that had already been subscribed.
The church this year, at a meeting held December 30, voted " to assent to the Cumberland Church Constitution."
[1826.] At a parish meeting held April 15, it was voted- that the committee for supplying the pulpit be also a committee " to admit or reject the application of Strangers and others who may wish to hold meeting's in the Meeting House."
[1828.] The parish at a meeting held July 14, 1828, voted, though not with unanimity, to give Reverend Ebenezer Halping an invitation to settle as their pastor. They also voted that the money for his sup- port should be raised by subscription, and that James Orr, Sylvester Stover, and Josephi Eaton be a committee to wait upon Mr. Halping and see for what sum he would agree to settle with them. The parish also choose a committee of three to confer with a like committee of the Baptist Society, " to see if they concitute [conciliate?] Matters."
At a meeting held August 4, it was voted that " Captain James Orr be a committee to go and see Mr. Halping and state to him the means that we have to settle him and know if he would accept." It was also voted that Mr. Halping, should have what he could obtain from the Cumberland Conference in addition to what the parish gave.
[1829.] On January 21 the church voted to have a copy of the covenant and articles of faith distributed to each family connected with the church.
[1830.] At a meeting of the parish on April 12, 1830, it was voted to supply the pulpit for that year by subscription, and it is therefore most likely that Mr. Halping did not accept the call, though he may have supplied the pulpit for a while. At a meeting held De-
445
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
cember 20, the parish voted to hire Reverend Moses Welch for one year at a salary of four hundred dollars.
[1831.] On October 3 the parish and church united in extending an invitation to Reverend William Harlow, who had been preaching to them through the summer, to settle as their pastor, provided they could obtain the sum of two hundred dollars, and that he should obtain what sum he could from the Maine Missionary Society and the Cumberland County Conference. At a meeting held December 7. it was decided to have a stove in the meeting-house. Reverend Mr. Harlow accepted the invitation to settle, and at this meeting it was determined that the council for his installation should be entertained by individuals without expense to the parish.
[1832.] Mr. Harlow was ordained and installed January 25, 1832. The services were as follows : -
Prayer, by Reverend Mr. Adams ; sermon, by Reverend Mr. Mit- timore ; installing prayer and charge. by Reverend Mr. Ellingwood ; right hand of fellowship, by Reverend Mr. Adams ; address to the people, by Reverend Mr. Hawes.
Following the above in the church records appears the following entry : -
" The Reverend Mr. Harlow took the liberty (without asking the consent of his people) to absent himself from them from the ninth of July to the thirteenth or fourteenth of August, 1832, therefore it may be considered that the civil contract expired the day he went away."
This was signed, not by the real, but by an acting clerk. This mis- take of taking a vacation without the consent of his parishioners was, however. afterwards rectified.
[1833.] At a parish meeting held November 9, 1833, it was voted to allow him four Sabbaths a year in which to visit his friends. A vote was also passed at this meeting that the Maine Missionary Society should be asked to give Mr. Harlow fifty dollars that year. The same request was made for several years in succession.
[1834.] At a meeting of the church in April of this year at the house of Stephen Sinnett. it was voted " that the record relative to the Reverend William Harlow, on the foregoing page. was made with- out the knowledge or approbation of the said church."
[1837.] At a meeting of the church held in May, 1837, in compli- ance with the vote of a council that was held in September of the pre- vious year, the acting clerk, who had been excommunicated on account of his entry in the records and his subsequent conduct, was restored to the fellowship of the church. At this meeting also, Deacon Simeon
446
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Orr and Benjamin Dunning were chosen a committee " to request Mr. Harlow to ask a dismission, if he declined to invite a council."
[1838-1840.] Mr. Harlow probably resigned in the winter of 1838. perhaps earlier. From March, 1839, to March, 1840, the pulpit was supplied in turn by Reverends Clark, Cornish, Gillett, Kenderick, Purington, Merrill, Parsons, and Peasley.
The dismission of Mr. Harlow, or some other cause, seems to have produced considerable disaffection in the church, and during the year 1838 several members of the church were suspended or excommunicated.
Reverend Jotham Sewall, of Freeport, filled the pulpit for a while after Mr. Harlow left, and at a church meeting, held February 29, 1840. it was voted, "That the thanks of this church be presented to the church in Freeport for the faithful and interesting labors of their pastor with us of late."
[1843.] About this time a new meeting-house was built and a new society formed. Though the church and society of the First Parish probably continued to exist for some time after this event, yet no records were kept after the year 1844, and the preaching was probably only occasional in the old meeting-house. The church organization may have connected itself with the new society.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
The first Baptist preaching in Harpswell was in the year 1783, by Reverend Isaac Case and Mr. Potter. The former preached twenty- five sermons to the people on Great Island in the course of a few months. There was some opposition, and Mr. Case said that he was treated " rather coolly" by Reverend Samuel Eaton. On the nine- teenth of January, 1785, a church was organized on this island by Reverend Messrs. Case and J. Macomber. It consisted of thirty-one members, of whom only a portion belonged in Harpswell.
A short time after the organization of this church Mr. Potter was baptized and united with it, and on October 5, 1785, he was ordained as an evangelist by Messrs. Case and Macomber, Mr. Case preaching the sermon for the occasion. Elder Potter soon received an invita- tion and took the pastoral charge of this church. During his ministry abont twenty were added to it. He resigned in 1788. In 1790, Elder Elisha Snow, of Thomaston. was ordained as his successor, and preached about two years. He was succeeded by Reverend Samuel Woodard, of Brunswick, who was ordained at his own house, October 11, 1792. Elder Woodard resigned his charge in the latter part of 1801, and was succeeded by Reverend Samuel Mariner, who
447
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
was ordained in January, 1802. Elder Mariner remained as pastor until his death in 1832. After the death of Elder Mariner, up to the year 1845, this church had no settled minister, though its pulpit was supplied the greater part of the time by Elders S. Owen, Henry Kendall, D. Pierce, William Johnson, J. Butler, and N. Hooper.
This church has had at different times several distinct names. At first it was called the Harpswell Church, then Harpswell and Bruns- wiek, and later it went by the name of the East Brunswick Church. The whole number of members up to the year 1843 was about two hundred and fifty.1 Reference has been made to this church in the preceding chapter.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY OF HARPSWELL.
[1827.] This church was organized November 13, 1827. The records commence with the following : -
" We whose Names are hereunto affixed - Having a hope that God has Renewed our Hearts by his rich Grace, and has made it our duty to Glorify him on the Earth - We feel a desire to be embodied into a visible Predestinarian Baptist Church that we may More perfectly Glorify him and enjoy the ministration of his word and ordinances."
The above was signed by : -
John L. Lambert, Elizabeth Lambert, Hannah Thomas, Lozana Alexander, Jane Wilson, Robert B. Gardner, Lucy Ann Farr, James S. Wyer, Mary Alexander, Norton Stover, Joshna Bishop, Patience Bishop. Isabella Merryman, Perry Alexander, Rosanna Alexander. Margaret Wyer, David Wilson, 2d, James Wilson, Jr.
At a meeting held November 3, 1827, the following was sent to the Baptist churches in Topsham and Brunswick, and to the " Harpswell Church in Brunswick."
" Beloved Brethren : we wish you to send us your Elders and such brethren as you may think proper, to sit with us in Council for the pur- pose of organizing us into a Predestinarian Baptist Church, to meet with us at the Lower School House on the Neck, on Tuesday the 13th inst. at 10 o'clock A. M."
In reply to this request the Topsham church sent Elder Henry Ken- dall, Ebenezer Whittemore, and James Cook ; the Brunswick church sent Elder Benjamin Titcomb, David Given, Jr., and Samuel Given : the Harpswell church in Brunswick sent Elder Samuel Mariner. Robert
1 The foregoing account is taken from a " History of the Baptists in Maine," by Rer- erend J. Millet, 1845.
448
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
Jordan. and Henry Jordan. This council met November 13, and after choice of officers. they examined into the faith and order of the candi- dates. and voted to give them the right hand of fellowship.
The services were as follows : -
Prayer, by Mr. Hall ; sermon, by Reverend Henry Kendall ; after which the members arose and received the right hand of fellowship as a sister church ; prayer, by Elder Mariner.
[1828.] At a meeting held January 5, 1828, William Randall and John L. Lambert were confirmed as deacons.
[1831.] The first elder to preach to them seems to have been Elder Kendall in 1831.
[1846-1850.] Elder Pinkham preached to them in 1846, and at a church meeting held August 15. 1847, he was formally invited to settle as their pastor. He was dismissed at his own request on October 4, 1850.
[1853-54.] Elder L. Barrows began to preach to this church about May, 1853, and on November 5 formally united with them. In July, 1854, he was dismissed in order to unite with the Baptist Church in Kennebunk.
[1856.] Elder J. Hutchinson of the Maquoit church in Brunswick preached occasionally after the dismissal of Elder Barrows, and on August 25, 1856, having been dismissed by the Maquoit church, was received into the fellowship of this church.
[1860.] In 1859, Elder Nelson was preaching to them ; and on August 5, 1860, Elder Evans was sent as a delegate to a meeting of the Baptist Association, so it is safe to infer that he was preaching to this church.
[1862.] April 5, 1862, Reverend HI. Perkins was received as a member of this church. On December 3 he received a certificate to enable him to join the church at Mechanic Falls, where he was already settled.
[1865.] On February 4, 1865, Elder N. P. Everett was admitted to fellowship.
[1866.] On August 4, 1866, Elder Sargent was chosen a delegate to the association.
[1869.] On August, 1869, Elder R. Goud was settled as pastor ; and on the following twenty-fifth of December, Elder Everett was dismissed.
[1874.] On July 4, 1874, Reverend William R. Millett and wife were received into the church by letter from the church in South Auburn. He died in August, 1875.
449
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF HARPSWELL.
The last entry in the church records is dated December 5, 1874. At this meeting it was voted to discontinue the Sunday school, and to hold Sabbath prayer-meetings immediately after the morning service instead of the evening.
THE FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
This society was organized on Great Island, April 17, 1817. The following are the names of the original members : -
Daniel Curtis, Stephen Purinton, Anthony Coombs, Arthur Hall, John Snow, Swanzey Wilson, Jane Dingley, Ruth Snow, Mary Purin- ton. Mary Rich, Desire Dingley, Sally Kemp, Mary Totman, Mary Raymond, Polly Purington, Fanny Merritt,1 Martha Hall, Deborah Rich, Mary Linscott, Betsey Rich, Almira Purinton, Mary Purinton, Hannah Totman, Ruth Page, Joanna Curtis, Hannah Curtis, Sally Dingley, Priscilla Purinton, Eunice H. Purinton, and Hannah Dingley.
Reverend George Lamb, of Brunswick, was the settled minister from the organization of the society until his death, in 1835 or 1836. From that time until 1839 the pulpit was supplied by transient preachers. In 1839. Reverend O. W. Smith was settled over the church until 1842, and during this time sixty members were added to it. From 1843 to 1854, Reverend Levi Hersey was the pastor. From 1857 to 1860, Reverend David Libby Hind was settled, and during his pastorate thirty-five new members were added to the church. In 1866, Reverend L. C. Burr was settled for three years. Since then Reverend Messrs. D. Libby, A. Libby, Heath, and Prescott have supplied the pulpit.
The meeting-house of this society is the Free Union Baptist Meeting- House on Great Island. It was built by subscription in 1843.
This society is now feeble and the number of its members is small. They are also quite scattered through the town. Its present member- ship is but thirty-two.
THE SECOND, OR ORR'S ISLAND FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
This society was organized, in 1858, by Reverend J. Fuller. Its original members were : -
George W. Card, Reuben Dyer, John Black, Cummings Alexander, Sarah Dyer, Mary Green, Martha Sinnett, Adaline Orr, Henrietta Sinnett, Patience Orr, and Jane Alexander.
This society uses the Orr's Island Union Meeting-House, which was
1 The only one now living.
23
450
HISTORY OF BRUNSWICK, TOPSHAM, AND HARPSWELL.
built about 1855, alternately with the other societies owning the build- ing. The society is quite small, its present membership being but thirty. No facts have been obtained as to the ministers who have had charge of it.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY IN HARPSWELL.
[1838.] The first preaching of Universalist doctrines in Harps- well was in April, 1838. Reverend Seth Stetson visited Harpswell at this time, and preached two sermons to about thirty hearers in the Number Two School-House on the Neck.
[1839.] The next summer Reverend Mr. Stoddard preached there on two Sundays. In 1839 the Universalists raised about thirty dollars, and employed Reverend Mr. Stetson for six or seven Sabbaths.
[1840.] In 1840 a similar amount was raised, and preaching was had for about the same length of time. .
[1841.] In 1841 the Universalists, together with some of a differ- ent faitlı, built a Union Meeting-House, which was dedicated by the Universalists on September 21. The sermon was by Reverend John T. Gilman, of Bath. There was a sermon in the afternoon by Reverend E. Wellington, and another in the evening by Reverend G. Bates.
[1842.] In 1842 they raised about fifty dollars, and employed Reverend L. P. Rand to preach one fourth of the time during that year.
[1844.] On April 20, 1844, a Universalist society was legally organized by the choice of Isaac Stover, moderator ; Thomas Alexan- der, clerk ; Samuel Dunning, treasurer ; and Samuel Dunning, Joshua Stover, and Thomas Alexander, parish committee. The following constitution was adopted : -
" We the subscribers being desirous of forming ourselves into a society, for the purpose of supporting and enjoying the preached Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, do hereby unite and agree to walk together in harmony and love. And to guide ourselves understandingly we adopt the following rules : -
" 1st. We take the name of the First Universalist Society of Harpswell.
" 2d. We take the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, as the rule of our faith and practice.
" 3d. We agree to meet together as often as convenient for the worship of the one living and true God, the Father of the spirits and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
" 4th. We agree to subscribe, so far as we are able, for the sup-
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