USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 35
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An old Book of Records is extaut, continued to 1860. From that time till 1875 no records have been preserved. Some curious accounts are recorded in this book ; for example, at a Quarterly Conference, August 15, 1816, the following accouut appears, viz. :
20 By Rev. C. S. Cummings.
:356
BALDWIN.
"Collections,
Disbursements.
Brownfield,
$0.42
Solomon Sias, P. E., 0.04
Chatham,
0.25
Francis Dana, Steward, .71
Public Collection,
0.50
Wine, Steward, .42
1.17 1.17"
The estimated salary for one married man was sixty dollars.
From 1839 to 1844, three or four preachers were employed upon the old circuit. After 1848, there was but one preacher who resided at West Baldwin, and divided his preaching services between Baldwin and Hiram. Cornish and Porter had a preacher by themselves. Brownfield and Sebago had but little preaching, and the Methodist societies in those towns gradually died out. The society in Baldwin was later in starting, but was prosperous, and soon became the most important part of the circuit.
In 1826 a lot was secured upon which a plain meeting house was built soon afterwards.
In 1850 and 1851, through the efforts and largely by the labor of Rev. S. W. Pierce, preacher in charge, a parsonage was built. Mr. Pierce went to the woods, cut and hewed the timber ; two rooms only were finished ; improvements have since been made by the preachers.
Now, after thirty-five years, through the efforts of the present pastor, the house has been finished.
In 1854, during the pastorate of Rev. B. Lufkin, the meeting house was taken down, and a new church was built ; Stephen Buswell, Jesse Butterfield and Jonathan Buswell, assumed the whole responsibility, and sold the pews ; the church has a vestry and a bell.
In 1885, through the efforts of the pastor, horse sheds were built. The church has been recently painted outside, and money has been raised for repairs inside. With these improvements this house will be in excellent condition. Two years ago, Jonathan Buswell and wife donated to the society an acre of land joining the parsonage lot, for the use of the preacher, and inclosed it with a substantial fence.
The church property is in good condition, and free from debt. About twelve years ago a chapel was built three miles away, at a cost of five hundred dollars, and conveyed to the trustees, to accommodate the people in that neighborhood. At North Baldwin, five miles distant, there is a Methodist class. A few years since, a beautiful chapel was built by the Methodists and Free Baptists united, at a cost of one thousand dollars.
357
CONWAY AND BARTLETT.
The Methodist society at Hiram has had a diversified experience. The society commenced early and grew rapidly, but as rapidly declined. After about forty years of constant preaching, the society became greatly reduced so that only occasional preaching was kept up. Social meetings were continued.
In May. 1874, Hiram was united with Baldwin, and this arrange- ment continues to this time (1886).
About fifty years ago a parsonage was built in Hiram, but it was sold. and the avails put into the parsonage at West Baldwin.
About 1834, a union meeting-house was built by the Methodists and Free Will Baptists : the Free Will Baptist society declined, and the Methodist kept the house in repair.
In the fall of 1885, measures were taken to erect a new and more tasteful church upon a more eligible site, Mr. Freeman Hatch of Cornish, formerly a prominent member of the Hiram church, giving five hundred dollars towards it. The society pledged six hundred dollars. Others contributed generously. The building will soon be completed, with steeple, frescoed walls and stained glass, without debt. The present outlook at Hiram is very encouraging.
At West Baldwin, Mr. Jonathan Buswell has given five hundred dollars as a perpetual fund for the support of Methodist preaching in that place. Mr. Buswell was baptized sixty-five years ago, and during these years he has been a pillar in the church.
Statistics of Baldwin and Hiram, 1886: On probation, 11; Members, 133; Houses of Worship, 3; value, $4,000; Sunday schools, 2; Officers and Teachers, 17; Scholars, 100.21
CONWAY AND BARTLETT, N. H.
In 1802, Rev. Asa Heath, then preacher in charge of Falmouth Circuit, visited Conway, Brownfield, and other towns.
In 1806, Rev. Lewis Bates preached in Conway, also Ebenezer Newell. and Hezekiah Fields made occasional visits to that place, and in the spring of 1807, they formed the Conway class. In June, 1807, Rev. W. M. Huntress was appointed to Conway Circuit, who regulated the society, received several persons in full and formed classes in other places in the vicinity. The class in Bartlett was probably formed about this time. A Quarterly meeting was held at. Conway July 29th, 1807.
21 By Rev. G. W. Barber.
.
358
CONWAY.
Conway seems to have been included in Falmouth Circuit in 1802. In 1806, it must have been included in Tuftenborough or Center Harbor Circuit, as Lewis Bates and Hezekiah Fields made occasional visits to the place.
In 1807, Couway was included in Portland District, William Hunt preacher in charge. The Conway Circuit embraced Conway, Bartlett, Chatham, Brownfield, Denmark, Lovell, Hiram and Baldwin.
Iu 1827, a society was organized in Bartlett under a charter from the legislature of New Hampshire.
In 1829, Couway was included in Fryeburg Circuit ; D. Copeland, preacher in charge.
In 1838, the society in Bartlett consisted of twenty-seven members. A lot was bought this year, and a church built upon it the next year ; the building is a plain wooden structure, which has been several times repaired and refurnished. The society held services for many years in North Conway in the Academy, in Masonic Hall, and in the Baptist Church.
During the pastorate of Rev. David Pratt, 1882-4, the erection of a church edifice was commenced, which was finished in 1885, and dedicated September 10th of that year, free from debt. The church is complete, beautifully furnished, a model of good taste and neatness ; seating capacity, about six hundred.
Among the prominent members were James Kilgore, Jr., an ordained local deacon, father-in-law of Bishop H. W. Warren ; Hon. John Pendexter, Samuel Pendexter, father of Rev. M. C. Pendexter of Maine Conference ; Simon Seavey, Daniel E. Pendexter, James McMillan, for many years a member of Maine Conference ; Rev. Durgan Eastman, Rev. Thomas Stilpheu, and Miss Mary Stilplien, who married Rev. J. B. Foote of the Central New York Conference. 22
FRYEBURG.
The early itinerants had occasionally visited Fryeburg, but no record of their labors is found previous to 1828 or 1829.
About that time, a division occurred in the Congregationalist church and a number of the members withdrew ; among this number was Hon. Judah Dana, through whose invitation Methodist preachers held meetings in Fryeburg village. The meetings were in the " Old Academy," as it was called. The congregations were large aud attentive.
22 From Rev. E. Tinker and Rev. Geo. W. Barber.
359
FRYEBURG.
Rev. David Copeland was one of the first to establish regular preaching in the place in 1829. Judge Dana was a man of high standing in the community. warm in his friendship, courteous and polite, an old style christian gentleman, judge of the court of Common Pleas. He, with his wife and two daughters, all excellent people, united with the Methodist society.
The accession of such a family was of great advantage to the Methodists. The excellent home of Judge Dana was always open with welcome hospitality to the Methodist preachers.23 Judge Dana identified himself with Methodist interests. He established the first fund for a prize for excellence in declamation at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and proposed to the Maine Conference to make a donation of wild land, towards the establishment of a college in Maine, to be under the control of the Conference.
Fryeburg, in 1829, became the principal point in a circnit connected with Bartlett. Subsequently, for many years, Fryeburg was a separate charge, supplied by preachers from Conference.
In 1856, this charge was again connected with Bartlett, and from that time to the present, has formed part of a circuit, with indications of only moderate prosperity. Fryeburg is now connected with Stowe.
Statistics, 1885, Fryeburg and Stowe : Members, 68 ; on probation, 19; Churches, 3; value, $4,050: Parsonage, 1; value, $2,000; Sunday schools, 2; Officers and Teachers, 10; Scholars, 84.
Fryeburg is beautifully located on the Saco river, on the line of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad. It is noted for its historic associations ; here was located one of the oldest academies in Maine, of which Daniel Webster was the Preceptor in 1802, on a salary of three hundred and fifty dollars, paying his board at the same time (two dollars a week) by his services, evenings, in the office of the Register of Deeds. In Fryeburg. also, is located the beautiful Martha's Grove camp-ground, donated to the Camp-Meeting Asso- ciation by Eben T. Nutter, and named for his wife.
23 By Rev. D. B. Randall.
.
-
360
SACCARAPPA.
CHAPTER XXV.
CIRCUITS AND STATIONS. SACCARAPPA. GORHAM. SCHOOL STREET. GORIIAM, NORTH STREET. BUXTON. SOUTH STANDISHI. STANDISII. HOLLIS. NEW- FIELD. WEST NEWFIELD. SHAPLEIGH. ALFRED. ACTON. PORTER AND KEZAR FALLS. BIDDEFORD. SOUTH BIDDEFORD AND OAK RIDGE. OGUNQUIT. YORK AND SCOTLAND. SOUTH BERWICK. BERWICK. ELLIOT. SOUTH ELLIOT. KITTERY. KITTERY, SECOND CHURCH. NEWRY AND HANOVER. HARRISON. OTISFIELD. NAPLES. RAYMOND. LOVELL. WINDIIAM. GILEAD. DANVILLE OR SOUTH AUBURN. MAINE METHODISM, 1800-1887.
SACCARAPPA.
The first Methodist preaching in this village of which we have any account, was by Robert Yallalee, about the year 1799, in the house of a Mr. Conant. Meetings were afterwards held in Mr. Quimby's Mill. Subsequently the place was visited by other itinerants, who preached in school houses, or private houses, encountering bitter hostility.
Among the carly preachers were Asa Heath, James Lewis (local preacher) and Philip Munger. The preachers were entertained by the family of Mr. Pike, though himself not a Methodist. His daughter Hopy, a member of the class in Falmouth, was the first to join the church in this place.
For many years Saccarappa was an unpromising field for Methodism, largely in consequence of the bitter prejudices of the standing order.
Saccarappa was, at first, included in Portland circuit, afterwards it was included in Falmouth Circuit, embracing most of the towns in Cumberland county. Saccarappa was subsequently included in Buxton Circuit. In 1833, in Gorham Circuit. In 1834, Saccarappa was called Westbrook station. In 1840, Saccarappa station.
Early in the history of the society, a Union house of worship was built, and occupied in turn by different denominations, with the usual disagreements attending such an arrangement. In the fall of 1847, the building was consumed by fire, the work of an incendiary.
The first class organized in Saccarappa, was under the pastoral carc of Rev. John Adams, in 1815.
The following persons are believed to have been members : Hopy Pike, George Pike, Mary Pike, Charles Pikc, Charles Small and wife, Nathaniel Hatch and wife, Sarah Newcomb, Margaret Babb, Elizabeth Lary, Mehetabel Henshaw, Sally Proctor and Rebecca Babb.
361
SACCARAPPA.
From this time, there was regular preaching by the circuit preachers, aided by Samuel Hatch and James Lewis, local preachers.
In 1827, there was an extensive revival on the circuit, under the labors of Rev. Richard Schemerhorn, the preacher in charge. The interest continued the next year under the labors of Rev. Aaron Sanderson, preacher in charge.
In 1832, under the labors of Rev. Philip Munger, preacher in charge, a temperance society was organized, productive of much good, and followed by an extensive revival.
In 1833, the vestry in which the meetings were held, was enlarged and called Wesley chapel. There were considerable accessions to the church, and Saccarappa was made a station, with preaching every Sabbath.
The pastor, Rev. Green G. Moore, was much admired as a preacher, but near the close of the year, he fell under suspicion of immorality. He located, was tried, and expelled.
In 1835, there was an extensive revival, under the labors of Rev. John W. Atkins, at Windham, when a class was formed, which was connected with Saccarappa station.
In 1840 and 1841, during the pastorate of Rev. Mark Trafton, to accommodate the increasing congregation, a church was built and dedicated in November, 1841. An extensive revival occurred the next spring, and many were gathered into the church. A heavy debt was upon the church building, which caused great discouragement.
In 1845, under the pastorate of Rev. G. F. Cox, measures were taken to relieve the church of debt, which was only partially successful.
In 1848 and 1849, under the pastorate of Rev. John Hobart, through the strenuous efforts of the pastor, by soliciting funds from other churches, by teaching a singing school, and energetic solicitations from members of the society and others, all remaining debt upon the church and organ was raised. The church thus released from embarrassment, has continued to prosper, under the faithful labors of the pastors.
During the years 1863 and 1864, the Congregationalist church being without a settled pastor, their people, to a large extent, attended worship at the Methodist church. The old prejudice had died out, and the two churches were in cordial harmony.
In March twenty-ninth of this year, the Methodist church was destroyed by fire.
In 1835, Rev. A. W. Pottle, pastor, the society obtained the use of the Universalist church till March, 1866; afterwards Warren's Hall.
362
GORIIAM.
In January, 1866, incasures were taken to erect a new house of worship. About $4,000 was raised by subscription, which, with the insurance, amounted to about $6,000. The vestry was completed and occupied November, 1866, and the new church was dedicated October 17, 1867.
The three years or Mr. Pottle's pastorate were also signalized by an extensive revival, resulting in a large accession to the church. Since that time, the church at Saccarappa has been in a prosperous condition, and Saccarappa is now regarded as one of the most desirable appoint- in Maine Conference. The carly struggles, opposition and discourage- ments, are among the things of the past.1
Statistics : Probationers, 66 ; Members, 238; value of Church, $12,000 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 24; Scholars, 175.
GORHAM. SCHOOL STREET.
On the tenth of January, 1794, Jesse Lee visited Gorham, and by invitation of Rev. Samuel Thomas, a Freewill Baptist elder, preached several times in the meeting-house at Fort Hill. Mr. Thomas, not being pleased with some of Mr. Lee's sentiments and probably being jealous of his influence, caused the house to be closed against him.
Mr. Lee's preaching produced a sensation, and his labors were followed with preaching, occasionally, in different parts of the town, by Asa Heath, Timothy Merritt, Joshua Taylor and others. The meetings were held mostly in the north part of the town.
In the warrant for a parish meeting to be held September, 1801, there is the following article, namely :
" To see if the parish will direct the assessors to abate the parish taxes of those persons who have obtained certificates from a Methodist minister."
The Parish voted to dismiss the article. At a parish meeting held April, 1803, it was voted " That when Methodists produce a certificate to the parish assessors, agreeably to law, they may omit taxing such persons."2
One of the first Methodist converts in Gorham was James Lewis, belonging to one of the first familes in town and possessing a good estate. Mr. Lewis became a local preacher. He was zealous and active to old age, and continued to render valuable service to Metho- dism in all that region. He was highly estecmed for his fervent piety.3
1 From Records of Saccarappa Church.
2 History of Gorham, by Josiah Pierce, 1862.
3 See Biographical Sketch of Rev. James Lewis, Chapter XXX.
363
GORHAM.
The first class was formed by Timothy Merritt, in the north part of the town. about 1798 or 1799.
In 1823, Melville B. Cox was appointed to Buxton Circuit, which included Gorham, Limington and Saccarappa.
This year, for the first time, Gorham village was supplied with Methodist preaching once in five weeks. The meetings were held in the " Free meeting-house" built the previous year, now (1886) used for a town house.
The labors of Mr. Cox were successful and a class was formed in the village.
In 1825, Gorham Circuit was set off from Buxton Circuit, and Phineas Crandall was appointed preacher in charge.
The preachers' estimated salary was as follows, namely : "Table expenses, $70 ; quarterage, $80 ; total, $150." It does not appear from the records. whether the whole amount was paid.
In 1843, through the active exertions of the pastor, Rev. I. Lord, an eligible lot was purchased and arrangements were made for building a church in the village. The enterprise was discouraged by the dominant society in the place. Mr. Lord managed to obtain possession of a lot adjoining the young ladies' seminary. for which he advanced the money from his own funds, and proceeded to have the lumber for the building hauled to the spot. To prevent the erection of a Methodist church in such close proximity to the Seminary, a lot was offered them in a much more convenient location. The new church was finished and dedicated in the fall of 1845.
The old vestry had formerly been moved into the village and finished into a dwelling house for a parsonage. This important arrangement concentrated the forces of the society and formed a new epoch in its history. Since that time, Gorham has been a station, supplied by preachers from Conference. Revivals have occurred from time to time. The church and parsonage have been several times, repaired and improved.
In 1861, Rev. James Warren, a local preacher residing in Gorham, died, leaving, by his will, to the trustees of the Methodist church in Gorham, the sum of one thousand dollars.
In 1879 and 1880, during the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Tyrie, a. new and elegant church was built, at a cost of $9,659. The old church and parsonage were sold and the proceeds put into the new enterprise.
The new church was dedicated April 21, 1881, by Bishop J. T.
364
GORHAM, NORTIL STREET.
Peck. Rev. J. W. Hamilton, preached in the evening. A sufficient amount was raised on the occasion, to pay the balance of the debt.3
The society in Gorham is now well established. One of the most prominent members of the church in Gorham was John Johnson, 4 a wealthy farmer, and liberal supporter of the church and its institutions. He contributed at one time, one thousand dollars to the funds of the Wesleyan University, and in his will, bequeathed a large part of his property to the trustees of the Maine Conference, for the benefit of conference claimants, subject to a life claim of his widow. A comparatively small part of the property has reached the object for which it was intended.
Statistics, 1886 : Probationers, 50 ; Members, 87 ; value of Church, $12,000 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 11; Scholars, 130.
GORHAM, NORTH STREET.
The first Methodist preaching in this part of Gorham, of which we have an account, was by Rev. Isaac Ames,5 one of the preachers in charge of North Yarmonth and Buxton Circuit which included Gorham. The first church building was purchased and moved from that part of Gorham, called White Rock. North Gorham has usually been connected with Gorham, North Buxton or some other place within convenient vicinity.
In 1870, a new church and parsonage were built under the pastoral care of Rev. H. F. A. Patterson. During the same year, there was an extensive revival.
In 1885, during the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Marshall, the church was repaired and remodeled ; and a revival was in progress at the same time.
The old Class Book of fifty years ago, shows the names of Hanson Newcomb, leader, Ebenezer Lambert, Simeon Libby, Edward Libby, Benjamin Libby, Matthew Johnson, Timothy Blake and their wives.6
Statistics, 1886 : Members, 74 ; on probation, 22 ; value of Church, $3,500 ; Officers and Teachers in Sunday school, 11; Scholars, 130.
3 Sketch by Rev. F. A. Bragdon.
4 Mr. Johnson lived in North Gorham.
5 Mr. Ames was a member on trial of the New England Conference, 1817-18. After that time, his name disappears from the minutes.
6 By Rev. M. B. Greenhalgh.
365
LABORERS IN BUXTON.
BUXTON.
This town was originally called Narragansett, No. 1, and was noted as the home of Rev. Paul Coffin, the first settled minister of the town. Mr. Coffin was a Unitarian Congregationalist, and served as pastor in this place sixty years. His strong antipathy towards the Methodists did not prevent the hated sect from becoming established in his neighborhood.
The first Methodist sermon preached in this town was by Elias Hnll, on invitation of Hugh Moore, in the year 1795. Mr. Moore removed from Ireland in 1770, and settled in the North part of Buxton, where he procured a lot of land and cleared and cultivated a farm. He was a worthy patriotic citizen, and served some time in the Revolutionary army. A daughter of Mr. Moore, became the wife of Rev. Asa Heath.
A class was formed in Buxton in 1798, consisting of thirteen members, Hugh Moore was leader. The first Quarterly meeting held in the place was held May 7th and Sth, 1803, in Mr. Moore's house, he generously removing the partitions to accommodate the people. A house of worship was built about that time, the deed of the church lot bearing date 1803.
The society had become so well established in Buxton, that this place was selected as the seat of the New England Conference in 1804. The session commenced July 13th of that year, and was attended by a wonderful out-ponring of spiritual power.7
A remarkable camp-meeting was held in Buxton in the early part of June, 1806.8
Large additions were made to the society in this place under the labors of John Adams in 1815 and 1816.
In 1820, Buxton was a charge by itself, and so appears in the minutes, with occasional exceptions, for many years.
In 1840, there was an extensive revival under the labors of James Thwing and John Hatch, Buxton and Gorham being united. Other revivals occurred from time to time.
James Lewis, a local preacher from Gorham, rendered valuable service in the early history of Methodism in Buxton ; according to tradition, Mr. Lewis preached his first sermon in the kitchen of Hugh Moore's house. It is related of the preacher on that occasion, that he
7 A more particular account of this occasion is given on page 70 of this volume.
8 See page 72 of this volume.
366
STANDISH.
was so bashful that he could not look at his audience. Hc soon overcame liis diffidence, and was highly esteemed as an carnest and faithful minister.
In 1848, through the efforts largely of Alpha Turner, the preacher in charge, the old church was replaced by a new one. This house is still standing and is in good repair (1886). In 1855, a parsonage was bought. This is a convenient house and pleasantly located.9
SOUTHI STANDISII, OR STANDISHI CAPE,
The first class in this place is supposed to have been formed in 1804, under the pastoral charge of Alfred Metcalf and Dan Perry.
The meetings were held in the school house and in private houses until 1826, when under the pastoral care of Green G. Moore, a house of worship was built. This house was well located. It has been several times remodeled and repaired, and is now in a good condition. Standish and South Standish were, at that time, included in Buxton Circuit.
In 1841, Standish, probably including South Standish, is first mentioned in the minutes, in connection with another place. At one time the mectings in this place, were sustained several years, mainly by the women.
In 1840, this place shared largely in the fruits of the revival under the labors of James Thwing and John Hatch, preachers in charge of Gorham and Buxton Circuit.
In 1863, a parsonage was built in South Standish, on an ample lot of land, given for that purpose by John II. Davis, since deceased.10
Statistics, South Standish and Buxton : Members, 106 ; on probation, 35 ; Sunday schools, 2; Officers and Teachers 25; Scholars, 87; Churches, 2; value, $2,500 ; Parsonages, 2; value, $1,100.
STANDISH.
Standish, sometimes called Standish Corner, first appears in the minutes of 1847, in connexion with North Gorham, as a circuit.
In 1849, a church was built at Standish, and dedicated by Rev. J. H. Jenne, Presiding Elder, December fourth of that year.
The first Board of Trustees consisted of Jonathan Moore, Joseph Moody, Freeman Paine, and Leonard Chase.
After the building of the church, Standish continued sometimes a
9 By Rev. S. D. Brown.
10 Ibid.
367
HOLLIS.
charge by itself, and sometimes connected with some contiguous place as a circuit, till 1875 ; after that time, it disappears from the minutes.
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