USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 31
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In 1805, there was an extensive revival. The circuit preacher, at that time, was Danicl Ricker or Joseph Farrar. During the revival, Obed Wilson of Bingham, was converted. He soon became a local preacher, and continued to preach for many years. He was an able preacher. About the same time, Moses French settled in Solon, and soon received license to preach, and continued, through life, to hold. meetings in the vicinity, on the Sabbath. Nicholas Smith was also a local preacher.
Samuel and Joseph Baker from Moscow, (Solon Circuit) young men of superior ability, commenced preaching in this neighborhood.
During the early years of Methodism in Solon, the local preachers held meetings in various places on the Sabbath, and rendered excellent service. This arrangement however, seems not to have been subject to proper oversight, and tended to scatter rather than to concentrate the forces of the church. The local preachers were highly and very justly esteemed by the people, the more so, perhaps, because they toiled six days of the week for the support of their families, and preached a free gospel on the Sabbath.
3 Rev. Jesse L. Wilson.
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311
SOLON UNION MEETING HOUSE. METHODIST CHURCH.
In 1830. Solon Circuit was set off from Norridgewock Circuit, E. Hotchkiss, preacher in charge. From that time, the circuit has been regularly supplied by preachers from Conferance.
Extensive revivals occurred from time to time, under the faithful labors of the preachers, especially in 1834, under the labors of Oren Bent ; in 1836, James Farrington, pastor ; 1840, under labors of J. Allen ; other revivals have occurred in later years, especially in 1864.
The Union meeting-house was built in 1837 ; the Methodists owning one-fourth of the house. and occupying it one-fourth of the time.
In 1858, the Methodists decided to have preaching in the village, half the time : and to this end, they hired the town hall for meetings every fourth Sabbath. This arrangement stirred up opposition, and at a town meeting, in the fall of that year, by vote of the people, the use of the hall was denied the Methodists, though they had paid in advance for it. In righteous indignation, the Methodists took immediate measures to build a house of worship of their own. This was accomplished the next year, and by December, 1859, the house was completed. It is a neat and convenient church with basement vestry. This is one of the many instances in which the spirit of intolerance has proved beneficial to the cause of religion. A few years previously, a convenient house had been bought for a parsonage.
The society of Solon Circuit, is now well supplied with the needful church property, conveniently located, and free from debt.
There are two places for Sabbath meetings, one at Solon village ; and one at East Solon.
The circuit includes the town of Solon, and a part of Athens, Bingham and Brighton.
Statistics, 1886: Members, 106; on Probation, 13; value of Church. $2,000; value of Parsonage, $1,000; Sunday Schools, 1; Officers and teachers, 10; Scholars, 57. Preachers originating in Solon Circuit : Joseph and Samuel Baker, Luther P. and Joseph P. French. Preacher's wives : Mrs. L. P. French, Mrs. E. T. Adams, Mrs. W. F. Berry. Local preachers : Obed Wilson, Moses French, Nicholas Smith. 4
INDUSTRY CIRCUIT.
On the first day of December, 1794, Jesse Lee preached in the house of Daniel Luce, in New Vineyard, near the westerly line of
4 From letter of Moses French, Esq.
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INDUSTRY. QUARTERLY MEETING IN PRIMITIVE STYLE.
Industry. Two days afterwards, he preached in the house of Mr. B. Hilton, in Stark.
Industry and the surrounding towns were at first included in Readfield Circuit, and were visited by the circuit preachers.
The meetings were held, for some time, in the house of Abner Norton of Industry, an industrious and thriving farmer.
During the year 1795, Mr. Norton and wife and some of the neighbors were eonverted and organized into a class. Their number rapidly increased and they had preaching in that neighborhood once in four weeks, for several years.
In 1796, a second elass in Industry was formed, consisting of Herbert Boardman and wife and some others.
In 1798, John Thompson, a local preacher, gathered a elass in his neighborhood, in the easterly part of the town. A Quarterly meeting was held about that time at the house of Abner Norton. It was eustomary for the person at whose house the Quarterly meeting was held, to furnish entertainment for the people in attendance, from a distance. The demand for food was mueh in exeess of the supply of table ware. Clean maple ehips were used to supply this lack, and the people were satisfactorily entertained.
In 1802, John Gower, a local preacher, moved from Farmington, and settled in the south part of Industry. A class was soon formed in his neighborhood. Mr. Gower was an intelligent man and a highly esteemed citizen. The Methodists soon became numerous and influential in the town.
In 1809, Industry, with several other towns was set off as a eircuit, Isaiah Emerson, preacher in charge.
Rev. Howard Winslow of New Vineyard, and John Thompson, local preachers, for many years, rendered valuable service, by preaching. Daniel Collins also became a local preacher and labored aeeeptably for a long time.
No statistics of the ehureh in Industry, during these early years are extant.
In 1822, a Methodist meeting-house was built in the neighborhood of Captain Thompson's, mainly through his exertions. This was a small roughly finished building, the only house of worship on the eircuit for many years, owned exclusively by the Methodists. It was known as the "red meeting-house." For many years large eongrega- tions met for worship in this house, and the red meeting-house" became famous for lively religious services. Mr. Thompson had a
313
INDUSTRY. MEMORABLE CAMP-MEETING.
large family, they were good singers, and all members of the church. The songs of praise and shouts of joy were heartily rendercd. These early worshippers at length, one after another, removed to other places, or joined the worshipping hosts above.
Other houses of worship were built in surrounding neighborhoods, and in 1874, the "old red meeting-house, " sacred for its hallowed associations, was removed to Industry Centre, and converted into a cheese-factory.
In 1825. the records of Industry Circuit were commenced anew and continued to the present time. At that time Industry Circuit included Industry. Stark, New Vineyard and parts of New Portland, Anson and Strong.
There were four classes in Industry.
Class No. 1 : Twenty members ; Robert Thompson, leader.
Class No. 2 : Thirty-five members ; Nehemiah Howes, leader.
Class No. 3 : Twenty-one members ; Peter Daggett, leader.
Class No. 4, at West's Mills : Thirteen members ; Matthew Benson, leader.
These classes, especially the class at West's Mills, increased considerably in numbers and influence.
In 1825, a camp-meeting was held in a grove near Captain Thompson's. The preacher's stand was roughly built, at a cost of eleven dollars. Some twelve or fifteen large cloth tents were the extent of lodging accommodations.
Rev. E. Wells, the Presiding Elder, presided at the meeting. A large number of people assembled, and there was the usual number of preachers. The meeting was a success. The most conspicuous of the converts, was John Allen, then thirty years of age. His conversion was sudden and thorough, marked by lively demonstrations. He subsequently became a preacher and a member of the Maine Conference, and is known as " Camp-meeting John Allen." A second camp-meeting was held in the same place in 1826, when nearly one hundred persons were converted.
About the year 1827, a Union meeting-house was built at West's Mills, about one-half of which was owned by the Methodists. This house was burned in 1882 or about that time.
A parsonage was built or bought many years ago at West's Mills, which has been several times repaired, and which is still occupied for this purpose.
About the year 1828, a Union meeting-house was built near Industy
314
NEW PORTLAND. NEW VINEYARD.
Centre, about onc-quarter of which is owned by the Methodists.
About 1868, a neat and convenient church was built by the Methodists, in Stark village.
In 1830, New Portland and New Vineyard were sct off as a separate circuit.
Industry Circuit however, continued to prosper. Revivals werc frequent. There was an extensive revival under the labors of John Allen, the preacher in charge, in 1841, more than one hundred persons were converted in two months ; most of whom were received into the church. Zebulon Manter, an intelligent and useful member of the church, about this time, received license to preach, and joined the Conference on trial. He located in 1846, and having embraced what were deemed erroneous doctrines, he was suspended by a council of local preachers, and joined the " Christian Band Society."
Like other circuits in the rural districts in Maine, the Industry Circuit, once strong and flourishing, has greatly declined in numbers and ability.
Ministers originating in Industry : Asa H. Thompson, Zebulon Manter. Local preachers, John Thompson, Daniel Collins, Shubael West.
Statistics, Industry and Stark : Members, 100; on Probation, 25 ; value of Church, $2,500 ; value of Parsonage, $500 ; Sunday Schools, 2; Officers and Teachers, 21 ; Scholars, 80.5
NEW PORTLAND AND NEW VINEYARD CIRCUIT.
These places were for a number of years, included in Industry Circuit and were visited by the circuit preachers. The records of these early ycars are lost. A few items only have been gathered from the few surviving elderly members.
In 1815, a Quarterly meeting was held in the barn of Henry Norton, then living in the South part of New Portland; Joshua Soule, Presiding Elder.
The first class, of which any record can be found, was organized in 1822, consisting of Elkanah Dyer, leader, Sarah Dyer, Peter Thompson, Marcilla Thompson, Micah Wethren, Priscilla Wethren, Abel Thompson, Susan Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Cynthia Thompson.
New Portland and New Vineyard were set off from Industry Circuit in 1830.
5 From sketch by Rev. J. Robinson.
315
WEST NEW PORTLAND. NEW VINEYARD.
A Union Church was built at West New Portland, many years ago, which is occupied by Methodists and Free Baptists.
Several years ago, the Universalists built a meeting-house in the village, for their own use, which is seldom occupied.
In 1877. a convenient house was bought for a parsonage, at West New Portland, largely through the generosity of a Brother Conforth, who died several years ago.
At North New Portland there is quite a thriving village and a neat Union church, in which a few Methodists own a very small part. There was once a small class in this part of the town, but there are now but very few members. New Portland is a large town, containing many excellent farms, and two considerable villages, with excellent water power.
The Methodist society has never attained to much strength. The same may be said of other denominations.
NEW VINEYARD.
New Vineyard, for many years, has been connected with New Portland as a circuit. The circuit has sometimes included Kingfield, Freeman and Dead River. For several years past, the last three named places have formed a circuit by themselves.
A Union meeting-house was built at New Vineyard Mills in 1833, owned by the Free Baptists and Methodists.
Rev. Howard Winslow, a local preacher, was a resident of this town, and for many years rendered good service as a preacher in New Vineyard and the neighboring towns. This circuit has been regularly supplied with preachers from Conference, or by local preachers.
At West New Vineyard, formerly East Strong, a house of worship was built about the year 1814. A class was formed in that neighbor- hood and meetings were held in the meeting-house for many years. The society there has declined, and for several years there has been no preaching in that house.
The principal preaching places on New Portland Circuit, at present, are at New Vineyard Mills, Talcott's Corner (New Vineyard) and West New Portland. A sweeping revival, on this circuit, is greatly needed.
Statistics, (New Portland Circuit) : Members, 75; on Probation, 10; an interest in two churches, value prohably $800; value of parsonage, $500; No report of Sunday School; Union Schools. Ministers from New Vineyard, Henry Butler, Howard Winslow, Jr.,
316
KINGFIELD CIRCUIT.
David Pratt. Local preachers, Howard Winslow, Elias Bryant. (From letters of Dr. W. H. Stevens, G. W. Clark and C. T. Whitten.)
KINGFIELD CIRCUIT.
Methodism was introduced into Kingfield by Rev. Howard Winslow a local preacher from New Vineyard.
In 1830 and 1831, Kingfield and the towns adjacent, were included in Anson Circuit ; Moses Lufkin, preacher in charge. Mr. Lufkin organized a class in Kingfield consisting of Renben Blethen, Water- man Washburn, Joseph Tuffts, Nancy Gilbert, Eliza Pillsbury, Lovecy Haskell, Orpha M. Curtis, Asenath Washburn, and some others.
During a low state of religion, three or four devoted women of Kingfield, agreed to meet to pray for a revival. The principal merchant of the place, passing by the house in which the women were assembled, heard the sound of prayer. He stopped a few minutes to listen, became deeply impressed with a sense of his spiritual needs, and was soon converted. This was the beginning of an extensive revival.
The Free Baptists and Methodists are the principal religious denominations of Kingfield and the surrounding towns.
A union church was built in the village about twenty years ago, owned and occupied by those two denominations.
In 1839, the New Portland Circuit, including New Vineyard, Kingfield, Freeman and Salem, were set off.
In 1866, Kingfield and other contiguous towns were set off as a separate circuit, and this arrangement is continued to the present time.
In 1881, through the energetic efforts of the pastor, Rev. J. R. Masterman, a small, unfinished house, on a convenient site, was purchased and fitted for a parsonage.
The circuit as now arranged is in a fairly prosperous condition.
Kingfield has sent two ministers into the itinerant service, Rev. C. D. Pillsbury and Rev. R. B. Curtis, who for many years were members of East Maine and Wisconsin Conferences ; their wives, Miss Orpha M. Curtis and Miss Mary Ann Gilbert, were members of the first class in Kingsfield. They both met the responsibilities of the itinerant life with great faithfulness. 6
6 From letter of Rev. C. D. Pillsbury of Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. Pillsbury and Mr. Curtis were prominent and able ministers in East Maine Couferenee, and were highly esteemed in their field of labor in Minnesota. Mr. Curtis died several years ago .- S. A.
317
DEAD RIVER. CHAPEL BUILT.
Rer. A. W. Pottle. now Presiding Elder of Augusta district, was from Salem. Mark D. Welcome, for some time a useful local preacher, was from Salem ; also Rev. Jonathan Jordan, a local preacher.
Statistics, 1866: Members, 88; on Probation, 12; one-third of Church, value probably, $500 ; Parsonage, $500.
DEAD RIVER.
This is the name of the most northerly settlement in the western part of Maine. The settlement embraced the valley of the Dead River, so called from its sluggish flow. This valley was once covered by a forest of magnificent pines, which, long since, disappeared before the axe of the lumberman. There is much valuable land under successful cultivation. This settlement is separated from other settlements, by a wide extent of forest unsuitable for cultivation.
The first Methodist preaching in this region of which we have any account, was by Rev. Howard Winslow, a local preacher from New Vineyard, about 1830.
In 1831-2, Rev. Moses Lufkin, preacher in charge of Anson Circuit, extended his labors to this place, and organized a class of about fifteen persons.
From 1846 to 1851, Dead River was included in New Portland Circuit, and was visited by the preachers in charge.
In 1871, Rev. P. E. Norton, a local preacher from Farmington, was engaged as pastor. A revival attended his labors. Rev. J. Colby. Presiding Elder, held the first Quarterly meeting at this place that year.
In 1872-3, Rev. David Pratt, a local preacher from Anson, held meetings once in four weeks at Dead River There was a revival under his labors, and measures were taken to build a house of worship. A lot was sccured in a central location in Eustis. The lumber was cut in the fall of 1876, and under the advice and encouragement of Rev. P. Jaques, the Presiding Elder, the work was carried on, the people giving their labor ; a neat and convenient chapel was finished, and dedicated in September, 1880, free from debt. Dedicating sermon by Rev. S. Allen, Presiding Elder. This is the first house of worship in the Dead River region. The dedication was an occasion of great interest.
For some years, Dead River was included in Kingfield Circuit. During the last few years, it has been supplied by a local preacher as a separate charge.
(Letter of C. D. Stevens.)
318
PHILLIPS.
QUARTERLY MEETING. CHURCH BUILT.
Statisties, 1886, (Eustis) : Members, 31 ; on Probation, 2; value of Church, $1000; Sunday Schools, 2; Officers and Teachers, 9; Scholars, 40.
PHILLIPS.
The Free Will Baptists were first established in Phillips, and for many years have held a predominant religious influence in the place.
In the year 1810. Mr. Peasley Hoyt, a Methodist local preacher, moved to the place. He was the first Methodist resident in Phillips. A year or two later, Col. Theodore Marston moved to Phillips and established himself as a merehant. His wife was Polly Soule, daughter of Captain Joshua Soule of Avon, and sister of Bishop Soule ; she was a woman of great foree of character and a decided Methodist. Colonel Marston, though not a professed christian, was in full sympathy with his wife's religious views. He built up a sueeessful trade and long continued a prominent and public spirited eitizen.
In 1822, Dr. J. L. Blake moved to the place and commenced praetiee as a physician, soon securing an extensive practice. He and his wife were Methodists, and their influence added mueh to the strength of the little society. Meetings were held and occasional visits from the circuit preacher were seeured.
In 1826, a Quarterly meeting was held in Dr. Blake's barn. The oceasion was one of much interest. The barn was filled with people to its utmost eapaeity.
About that time Colonel Joseph Dyer and his wife were converted and united with the Methodist ehureh. These were people of intelli- gence and moral worth. Their three daughters were afterwards converted and united with the Methodist church, of whom one beeame the wife of Dr. N. Houghton, and one the wife of Rev. Dr. Hoyt, of Ohio Conference.
Benjamin F. Eastman, Esq., moved to Phillips about this time. He and his wife and children became members of the Methodist church ; one son, B. F. Eastman, is a sueeessful merehant in Portland and a prominent official member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1835 a Methodist Church was built in Phillips, largely through the active exertions and liberality of Dr. Blake, Colonel Dyar and Colonel Marston.
For many years Phillips was included in Strong Circuit. In 1836
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319
NEW CHURCH BUILT. EAST WILTON.
Phillips Cireuit was set off, embracing all the region on the Sandy River above Strong, ineluding the settlement at Rangely. The Methodist society on this eireuit beeame strong and prosperous for some years. At length a large number of the leading families of the ehureh removed from the place. The church was located, as was usual. in the early history of Methodism, some distance out of the village, and in the mean while the village had grown rapidly in the opposite direction. A new church more conveniently located was deemed a necessity.
About 1860, a new and tasteful ehureh was built in a eentral loeality. The contractor failed before his job was finished, involving the society in serious trouble and expense. The society was greatly reduced in numbers and sadly discouraged. Through the active exertions of the pastor, Rev. E. W. Simmons, in 1878, the house was freed from debt, and the society was encouraged by an extensive revival at West Phillips.
Statisties, 1886, (Phillips and West Phillips) : Members, 63; on Probation. 14; value of Church, $3000; Sunday School, 1; Officers and Teachers, 8; Seholars, 40.7
EAST WILTON.
East Wilton, with other towns in its vieinity, was originally ineluded in Readfield Cireuit. The first class was formed in 1801 or 1802.
The early records have not been preserved. The following is the earliest list of members extant :
Cyrus Hatch, Betsey Hatch, and their son, Jonathan Gordon and wife, John Ditson and wife, Jonah Green and wife, Henry Clark and wife. Starling Clark and wife.
East Wilton was ineluded in Wilton Cireuit from 1834 until 1862.
Sinee that time East Wilton has been connected with some other plaee. sometimes with Weld, sometimes with Temple ; at present it is connected with Temple and Weld.
A house of worship was built many years ago by the different denominations. The Methodists occupy it one-half the time.
Statisties, East Wilton, Temple and Weld: Members, 135; on Probation, 10; Churches, 2; value, $3000; value of Parsonage, $800; Union Sunday Sehools.
WELD.
Weld is a thriving rural town beautiful for situation, surrounded
7 From letter of B. F. Eastman.
-
320
WELD. UNION MEETING HOUSE. TEMPLE.
with mountains ; having a large lake near the centre, and a stream of water affording a valuable water power, which is used for various manufacturing purposes. The people are enterprising and intelligent. The first Methodist society in Weld was formed in May, 1858, by Rev. S. W. Pierce, then stationed at Phillips. The meetings were held in the school-house. The members were Major Phillips and wife, George Lufkin and wife, Edward Bates and wife, Mrs. Ira Huston, and Mrs. S. Parlin.
Rev. H. W. Latham of Farmington, and Rev. J. Farrington of East Wilton, supplied the society two or three years.
In 1862, Weld was connected with East Wilton, and R. H. Kimball was the preacher in charge. About this time, the Methodists and Free Baptists united in building a neat and convenient house of worship, each denomination owning one-half and occupying it, alternate Sabbaths.
In 1878, Weld was connected with Phillips, under the pastoral care of E. W. Simons, who preached on alternate Sabbaths at these two places.
In 1881, Weld was again united with East Wilton. The society has had an encouraging growth, but the place is isolated and the opportunity for increase of business and population is limited. The society can hardly hope to be able to sustain preaching more than half the time. The little society in Weld has furnished its full quota of candidates for the ministry : J. R. Masterman, D. B. Holt and A. E. Parlin, members of Maine Conference.8
Statistics included with East Wilton.
TEMPLE.
A class was formed in Temple in 1814 ; Joseph Perry, leader. No early records are extant. A small house of worship, very roughly finished, was built in 1817.
In 1848, a Methodist church was built at Temple Mills, the old house being sold for a town house. Mr. John D. Mitchell, a prominent member of the Methodist society, was especially active and generous in the building of the new church,-cutting the timber and hauling it to the place of building.9
The church was thoroughly repaired in 1880, through the active
8 Rev. D. Pratt.
9 Letter of George Mitchell, of Chicago.
321
WILTON. CHURCHI BUILDINGS.
efforts of Rer. M. E. King, under whose labors there was an exten- sive revival.
The society in Temple is small, and it has always been connected with other places in the support of preaching. For some years it was included in Wilton Circuit ; sometimes connected with East Wilton and Weld and sometimes with Farmington.
Temple is now connected with East Wilton and the statistics are included with those of that place.
Ministers from Temple : Harvey Crane, Randall Mitchell, for some years in Maine Conference, and many years in New England Conference, Noah Hobart, many years in Maine Conference.
WILTON.
The first class in Wilton, then called Tyngtown, was formed by Rev. Enoch Mudge, in 1795, then preacher in charge of Readfield Circuit.
In 1814, the circuit was divided, and Wilton was included in Vienna Circuit.
In 1825, the circuits were re-arranged, and Wilton was included in Strong Circuit.
In 1834, Wilton first appears as a separate charge. In 1839, a class was formed at East Wilton. In 1844, Wilton was classed with Temple. In 1862, Wilton was again a separate station, and has so continued till the present time, except in 1869, when Wilton and East Wilton were united.
In 1820, the first Methodist church was built in Wilton, about a mile and a half from the village, on the Temple road, a small coarsely finished building, furnished withi rough benches. This building was occupied for public worship till 1830, when a better house of worship was built near the cemetery, at a cost of $1,900. A condition was incorporated in the constitution of the society forever prohibiting the use of instrumental music in the house.
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