USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 40
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About 1809, he married Polly Caldwell, daughter of the late John Caldwell, one of the first settlers of Oxford, and the father of Methodism in that part of the country. Six children were born to
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REV. T. GLIDDEN.
them. Among this number was Hon. John J. Perry, now of Portland, and Rev. T. S. Perry, pastor of the Congregationalist church in Cumberland Center. Mrs. Perry died in 1829.
Mr. Perry was subsequently twice married. He had but limited educational advantages, but was a diligent student of the Bible, and left among his papers, twelve bound volumes of manuscript sermons, and a large number of other papers upon theological subjects. He had good natural abilities and was a good exegetical preacher, of a logical turn of mind.
He was drawn much into controversy with the Calvinists, during the early years of his ministry. His subsequent preaching took on much of the controversial style -(Hon. J. J. Perry.)
TRUE GLIDDEN.
Rev. True Glidden was received on trial in the New England Confer- ence in 1803, and appointed to Bowdoinham Circuit. In 1804, he was appointed to Poland Circuit. After this date his name does does not appear upon the minutes. It is probable that in consequence of failing health, he retired from the itinerant work before he came into full connexion. A name of such excellence should not be allowed to pass into oblivion.
Mr. Glidden, while laboring on Bowdoinham Circuit, upon invitation, preached in the house of his uncle, Deacon William True, then residing in Durham.
In consequence of this visit and the labors of Rev. Timothy Merritt, then located on a farm in Bowdoinham, Durham was taken into the Bowdoinham Circuit.
Mr. Glidden was a young minister of rare promise. Rev. Ebenezer Blake, who was converted in the great revival in Durham in 1804, thus describes True Glidden :
"He was one of the best young men I ever knew. I have often observed him when in prayer, in the congregation, the tears rolling from his eyes and dropping from his face. He literally wore himself out in less than three years. He died of consumption, in the fall of 1806, and was buried in Chester, New Hampshire, where no tablet marks his resting place."
His excessive zeal may have been imprudent, but it is not a little discreditable to the churchi to allow so brilliant and burning a light to go out, without some memorial.
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REV. H. MARTIN.
HENRY MARTIN.
Rev. Henry Martin was a native of N. H. He was received on trial in the New England Conference in 1805, and appointed to Bridgewater, New Hampshire; in 1806, to Poplin and Sandown, New Hampshire ; 1807, Readfield, Maine ; 1808, Hallowell, Maine,
Hallowell Circuit then included all the towns on each side of the Kennebec from Hallowell to Bloomfield or Skowhegan, a field sufficiently extensive for the zeal of the ordinary itinerant. With the consent of his Presiding Elder, Mr. Martin sought to extend his labors to regions beyond, and went, in the latter part of November, to form a new circuit between the Kennebec and Boothbay. After preaching once, he was prostrated by sickness, which terminated fatally.
He died at Parker's Island, Georgetown, December 6, 1808. He endured his sufferings with great patience and fortitude, and passed away with songs of praise upon his lips. He was a young man of amiable disposition. He had a clear understanding of the scriptures, and was a faithful minister of the gospel. He was eminently spiritual, diligent, laborious and persevering, both in private and public duties, and particularly in visiting from house to house, and was remembered with much affection by those who were favored with his labors .- (Minutes.)
ELEAZER WELLS.
Rev. Eleazer Wells is remembered by many in Maine, as an unusually devout and earnest minister and fathful man of God.
He was born in Athens, Vermont, about 1786; no account of his early life has been received, only that he was converted at an early age.
He was received on trial, in the New England Conference in 1806, and appointed to Durham, Maine. He graduated to deacon's and elder's orders in regular course, in 1808, and six years subsequently, bis appointments were in Vermont.
From 1811 to 1814, he was Presiding Elder of Vermont District. In 1815, he was stationed at Portland; 1816, Presiding Elder of Portland District. Then followed three years of superannuation.
From 1820 to 1836, his labors were divided between appointments in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, serving as Presiding Elder of Kennebec and Penobscot Districts from 1823 to 1827.
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REV. E. WELLS.
In 1828, he was appointed to Haverhill, Massachusetts. The rest of his life was spent in Vermont. During seven years of this time he was Presiding Elder ; serving in all, during his ministry, seventeen years in this office. A sufficient evidence of the high estimation in which he was held by his brethren.
In 1836, his name was placed upon the list of superannuates, first in New Hampshire Conference, till 1845, when he became a member of the Vermont Conference.
The following is from a brief memoir in the minutes of Vermont Conference :
"Though possessed naturally of a healthy constitution, the arduous duties and severe exposures, to which the early itincrants in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, which composed his field of labor principally, were subjected, combined with his earnest, untiring zeal in his work, sapped the foundations of his health, and led to premature superannuation.
His piety was undoubted, deep and uniform. He possessed a good, well-balanced mind, and, as a preacher, was original, earnest and successful. Gracious revivals of religion were the result of his labors. He was ardently attached, to use his own language, to the doctrines, discipline, and simplicity of the usages of the Methodist church."
The goodness of his heart and suavity of his manners, secured him friends wherever he went, who loved and revered him. He still lives, and will forever live, in the fond recollection of thousands who shared the benefits of his acquaintance and ministry. His last sickness was short, his exit triumphant. He died April 25th, 1852.4"'
The following is from a letter of Rev. J. Currier, of Vermont Conference :
"I knew Eleazer Wells more than a score of years ; during the last four years of his life, I met him frequently. He was an earnest and successful preacher, filled with the spirit. He was highly estecmed and greatly beloved by all the friends of Jesus. He was a patriarch among the tribes of Israel. I visited him in his last sickness. He desired that no culogy should be pronounced at his funeral, only that he had been an unprofitable servant, a sinner saved by grace. He kept the faith and endured to the end."
4 The extract above given was furnished by Rev. R. W. Allen.
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REV. C. FOGG.
CALEB FOGG.
Rev. Caleb Fogg was born in Epping, N. H., March 17, 1761. He was married to Miss Olive Prescott, in his native town, January 4th. 1781. In September of the same year he removed to Monmouth, Maine, which was ever after his home.
He was converted in 1795, licensed to exhort in 1798, and received -a local preacher's license in 1800.
He was admitted on trial, in New England Conference, in 1806, and continued in the itinerant service twenty-four years. The following is a statement of his receipts for several of the first years of his itinerant service, viz. : 1806, forty dollars ; 1807, thirty-eight dollars and seventeen cents ; 1808, forty-eight dollars and fifty cents ; 1809, thirty-five dollars. It is not strange that the itinerants of those days, were often compelled to resort to some other means of supporting their families.
After his location in 1830, "on account of the infirmities of age," he retired to his home in Monmouth, but continued his labors as a minister, so far as his health would allow, until within a few months of his death, which occurred September 6th, 1839.
Mr. Fogg was no common man. He was remarkably original. He copied no man either in or out of the pulpit. Shrewdness and wit were prominent characteristics. He was a careful student of the Bible ; clear and decided in his convictions ; plain and forcible in his preaching, and severe in his assaults upon what he believed to be error. He entertained a special abhorrence of the harsh points of Calvinistic doctrine, current in his time, and he would usually, in his preaching, take occasion to give some hard thrusts at this, to him, odious system of theology.
In his last sickness, a christian brother called to see him and in the course of conversation, asked the following questions :
"Brother Fogg, in reviewing your life, are you conscious of having neglected any particular duty ?" "I am not sure," said the dying man, "that, in my preaching, I have been severe enough on Calvinism."
His closing days were peaceful. "I have peace with God" "All is well," were his words to his brethren in the ministry, who called upon him in his last sickness.
JOHN WILKINSON.
Rev. John Wilkinson came to this country in 1801, then twenty-three years of age. He brought with him a certificate of membership and
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REV. J. WILKINSON. REV. P. AYER.
leadership in the Bamfoot Methodist Society in Ireland. He joined the society in Buckstown (now Bucksport,) and in 1805 was licensed as an exhorter by Rev. E. Mudge.
In 1806, he was received, on trial in the New England Conference, and appointed to Livermore Circuit, and graduated, in regular course, to the office of deacon and elder.
He continued in the traveling connection till 1817, when, his health failing liim, he located and took up his residence in Bath, and estah- lished himself in business as a druggist. He remained an acceptable member and local elder in Wesley church till the Master called him home.
While in Bath he was married to Miss Pierce, a worthy woman. Several children were born to them. Mrs. Wilkinson died several years before her husband.
In his prime, Father Wilkinson was regarded as an acceptable and and effective preacher. He was studious and laborious in his habits, and, in many of his appointments, he was very successful. His occasional sermons, during the later years of his life, gave ample evidence of a well-trained and richly stored mind, and sound theological views.
His christian character was above reproach. He was always kind and considerate in his intercourse with others. The few closing years of his life were darkened by disappointed hopes ; yet while he was nearing his final rest, his faith was unwavering, and he passed triumphantly to the shining shore. He died March 15, 1861, at the age of about eighty-three .- (Extract from Records of Wesley Church. )
PHILIP AYER.
Rev. Philip Ayer was born in Buxton, Maine, Nov. 11, 1778. No account has been received of his early life and religious experience. He received license to preachi, and, in 1806, was admitted to Confer- ence on trial, and appointed to Stanstead, Canada. His subsequent appointments, with the exception of two years in New Hampshire, were in Maine, and were continued, excepting one year of location, till 1835, when he received a supernumerary relation, and, in 1836, he located, having served nineteen years as an itinerant minister, on circuits widely distant from each other, in Canada, New Hampshire and Maine.
Mr. Ayer was twice married, his first wife was Miss Richardson of Monmouth, Rev. Rishworth J. Ayer was a son by this marriage. His
417
Z. GIBSON.
second wife was Mary Ann Moody, daughter of Rev. Gilman Moody, who died August 6th, 1850. Four daughters and one son were born of the second marriage. One daughter married Rev. John Hobart and soon died ; one is the wife of R. B. Dunn, Esq., and one the wife of M. G Palmer, a merchant of Portland.
Mr. Ayer, after retiring from the Conference in 1836, settled upon a farm in Monmouth, where he passed the remaining part of his life preaching, as occasion required. Highly esteemed by his neighbors, he died in March, 1857.
ZACHARIAH GIBSON.
Rev. Zachariah Gibson was born in Henniker, New Hampshire, September 3, 1781, and moved with his father's family, Capt. Timothy Gibson, to Brownfield, Maine, in 1798.
His early advantages for education were such only as the common school afforded, in addition to the culture of a good home. For about seven years, he was engaged with his father upon their large farm.
In 1805, under the ministry of Rev. Alfred Metcalf and Rev. Dan Perry, he was converted. He at once became a member of the Methodist church in Brownfield.
In 1806, he received license to exhort.
In 1807, he was licensed to preach, and was admitted on trial to the New England Conference, and appointed to Northfield Circuit, New Hampshire. He continued in the itinerant work, receiving ordination as deacon and elder in regular course.
In 1809, he was appointed to Hampden, Maine.
In 1810, to Hallowell, an appointment of special importance to him personally, for he there became acquainted with Miss Theodati Bennett, who, during the next year, became his wife.
In 1813, he located, on account of the failure of his health, and retired upon a small farm in Winthrop, where he remained most of the time till the death of his wife, which occurred August 17, 1825.
During his superannuation, he supported his family by the labor of his hands, rendering service as a local preacher as he was able.
Soon after the death of his wife, he sold his farm and removed to his former home in Brownfield.
During their residence in Winthrop and vicinity, six children were born to them, three sons and three daughters, most of whom lived to
27
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Z. GIBSON. E. BLAKE.
maturity, and gained honorable positions in life. One son, Luthier S., graduated at the Theological Seminary, at Princeton, New Jersey, entered the Presbyterian ministry and settled as pastor of the Presby- terian church in Houston, Texas. He died in 1853.
Mr. Gibson was twice married after his removal to Brownfield. He remained in that place till his death,. December 6, 1839.
A daughter by the third marriage, Mrs. E. A. G. Stickney, resides in East Brownfield, Maine; another daughter in East Somerville, Massachusetts.
Mr. Gibson gave early promise of great usefulness in the itinerant work. His location, through failing health, removed him, in a great degree, from public notice. He, however, retained the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was one of the first corporate members of the Board of Trustees of Maine Wesleyan Seminary. His love for the church continued, without abatement, to the end of his life. His influence was strongly felt in the vicinity of his home.
The following is from his obituary in Zion's Herald, May 15, 1840 : " Brother Gibson's piety was enlightened, deep and uniform ; his deportment grave, consistent, always becoming a man of God. His religious principles were permanently fixed, and though he ever cherished a Catholic spirit, his affection for his own denomination was undeviating. He was a faithful friend and safe counsellor of the preachers.
" His pulpit sketches indicate careful investigation and judicious arrangement.
" In the spring of 1839, a revival occurred in Brownfield, in which he labored with great earnestness, at one time spending a whole night in prayer for the salvation of those who had become interested. This was his last work. He was soon prostrated by sickness, and after a few weeks of patient suffering and holy triumph, he fell asleep."
The facts in the foregoing sketch are from Mrs. E. A. G. Stickney, of East Brownfield, Maine.
EBENEZER BLAKE.
Rev. Ebenezer Blake was born in Durham, Maine, April 27, 1786. Hle was converted in the great revival in Durham in 1804. He joined the New England Conference on trial in 1807, and was appointed to Tuftonborough, New Hampshire ; 1808, Lunenburg ; 1809, Canaan ; 1810, Falmouth, Maine; 1811, Bethel; 1812, Durham ; 1813, Scar-
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D. KILBURN.
borough ; 1814, '15, Poplin, New Hampshire, thence forward eighteen years in Connecticut and seventeen years in Massachusetts. He was an active, laborious and successful minister. He was superannuated in 1854, and died at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, January 2, 1868, in the eighty-second year of his age.
DAVID KILBURN.
Rev. David Kilburn was born in Gilsum, New Hampshire, Oct. 24, 1784. When seventeen years old he was converted, and received into the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1805, he was licensed to preach, and after three years' labor as a local preacher, was received into the New England Conference on. trial, and appointed to Union, Maine ; in 1809, to Readfield Circuit ; the next year, to Stanstead, Canada, then Barnard and other places. in Vermont; in 1821 and 1822, at Portland, Maine ; 1825-8, Presiding Elder of Portland District. The remaining part of his itinerant life was spent in the New England Conference.
After several times retiring temporarily to the supernumerary or superannuated ranks, he finally located in 1859, and died in Hartford, Vermont, July 13, 1865, in the eighty-first year of his age.
Mr. Kilburn was a man of great endurance, and constitutionally qualified for the immense labor he performed ; of sound judgment. clear understanding, strong will, earnest and conscientious in the performance of duty. He was eminent for administrative abilities, and highly esteemed by all who knew him.
The closing of his life was in harmony with his career of active life. He came to the final hour with confidence and serene composure. In the final arrangement of his temporal affairs, the claims of benevolence, and especially the Missionary Society of the Methodist. Episcopal Church, were generously remembered .- (Extract from Memoirs in Minutes of New England Conference, 1866.)
EBENEZER F. NEWELL.
Rev. Ebenezer F. Newell was born in the North Parish of Brookfield, Worcester county, Massachusetts. His parents were members of the Congregational church of that place. On reaching maturity, he engaged in school teaching and continued in that employment several years. After "laboring under doubts and fears in consequence of errors imbibed in childhood from the Westminster Assembly's Catechism," he came into the liberty of the gospel in the spring of 1801.
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E. F. NEWELL.
In 1806, he commenced preaching under the Presiding Elder.
In 1809, he was received on trial in the New England Conference, and appointed to Hallowell Circuit, Maine.
In 1810, he was appointed to Norridgewock Circuit, and during this year, was married to Miss Fanny Butterfield of Sidney, in the following unique manner : At a Quarterly meeting, as described in his journal, " at the close of the afternoon sermon, I arose and informed the people of our intention, and gave some reasons for our wishing to be married in public. I then kneeled and prayed, and while praying, a broken hearted sinner cried aloud for mercy. When I rose, I went and took Fanny Butterfield by the hand, we stepped forward and our beloved brother, Gideon Wells, Esq., in a most solemn and impressive manner, performed the ceremony, and proclaimed us lawfully married, husband and wife, agreeably to the laws of the state, and the written word of God. He then gave us good advice, and Elder O. Beale followed with a most appropriate and affecting prayer. After the · ceremony, I went and assisted in spreading the sacramental board on the green in the door yard."
Miss Butterfield was a young woman of remarkably fervent piety, after the style of the famous Hester Ann Rogers. She proved to be a valuable helper to her husband in his itinerant work. She died, in the triumph of faith, April 24, 1824.
At the first Conference held in Maine, at Gardiner, Mr. Newell was appointed an agent to solicit aid for the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He continued in the itinerant work, mostly in Maine, till 1831, when he was transferred to the New England Conference, and remained in that Conference till advanced age.
Mr. Newell was a man of moderate talents, a faithful and devoted minister, systematic, earnest and successful in his work. He died March 8, 1867, aged ninety-one ; sixty-one years in the ministry.
DANIEL WENTWORTH.
Rev. Daniel Wentworth was born in Rochester, New Hampshire, in 1783, and died in Skowhegan, Maine, October 20, 1869, aged eighty-six years.
He was converted in Portland, Maine, and licensed to preach in Milton, New Hampshire, by Rev. Elijah Hedding. He joined the New England Conference on trial, in 1809, and was appointed to Salisbury, Massachusetts. He graduated to deacon's and elder's orders in due time, and continued in the itinerant work, mostly in
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D. WENTWORTH. J. LULL.
Maine, with the exception of 1822, when he was on the supernumerray list, till 1830, and then was compelled, by feeble health, to take a superannuated relation, in which he remained from that time till his death.
In 1814, he was married in Hampden, to Miss Elizabeth Holt. Twelve children were born to them, most of whom lived to mature life. His widow died April 7, 1887.
Father Wentworth was long and favorably known during the sixty years of his connection with the Conference.
During his superannuation, from 1830, he suffered from inflammatory rheumatism, and was for a long time entirely disabled. He was, however, always ready to respond to calls for labor, filling vacant pulpits and attending funerals when his health would permit. He bore his protracted and painful sufferings with great patience. He was highly esteemed by his neighbors as an exemplary christian, of genial manners and warm sympathy. He was a fluent and earnest preacher. His sermons were clear, methodical and original.
His closing hours were peaceful. "I am going home, I long for the day of my release," were among the last utterances of his life .- (Memoirs. Minutes of 1870.)
JOSEPH LULL.
Rev. Joseph Lull was born in Pembroke, New Hampshire, January 2, 1788. He was converted at the age of fourteen, and in 1810, was received on trial in New England Conference and appointed to Canaan and Bridgewater, in New Hampshire.
In 1813, he was appointed to Norridgewock Circuit, and thence forward, with the exception of three years of location, he laborcd in the itinerant work in Maine till 1847, when he was superannuated .. The last few years of his life he spent in Casco, Maine, where he died, November 2, 1850.
Mr. Lull was an upright, sincere man, a plain, faithful preacher, and successful in his labors. His last days werc, in almost every respect, his best, and his last hours his happiest .- (From Minutes.)
CYRUS CUMMINGS.
Rev. Cyrus Cummings was born in Bridgewater, New Hampshire,. April 23, 1791. He was converted October 29, 1809, and the next year received license to exhort.
October 10, 1810, he was licensed as a local preacher.
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C. CUMMINGS. B. BURNHAM.
In June, 1811, he was admitted on trial in the New England Conference, and appointed to Durham Circuit, Maine. He continued in the itinerant service till 1816, when he located on account of failing health, but continued to supply North Yarmouth Circuit for two years.
In 1816, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Curtis, of Bucksport, an estimable christian woman.
In 1818, he removed to West Cumberland. To the church and people there, he preached fifteen years. During this time, he was diligent in business, to support his rising family, in the mean time visiting the sick and attending funerals, some times riding ten or fifteen miles for this purpose, with very little compensation.
In 1833, he removed to Westbrook, where he continued laboring with his hands, and attending to ministerial services as occasion required.
In 1848, he removed to Portland, and was employed by the city authorities for several years as chaplain for the poor, frequently occupying the pulpits in the city and surrounding country.
In 1852, he was re-admitted to the Conference as a superannuated preacher, and continued in that relation till his death, which occurred September 9, 1859, aged sixty-eight years.
Father Cummings possessed a well balanced mind and remarkably sound judgment. He was a safe and valuable adviser. His general intelligence, sense of justice and other excellent qualities, secured to him a large circle of acquaintances and friends.
His death was peaceful ; he left seven surviving children all settled in life, most of them members of the church,
The eldest son, for many years President of the Wesleyan .University, is now (1887) President of the North Western University.
BENJAMIN BURNHAM.
Rev. Benjamin Burnham was born in Rumney, New Hampshire, Dec. ·6, 1791. He was converted under the labors of Rev. Leonard Frost, .at Center Harbor, New Hampshire, in 1819, and soon joined the Methodist Episcopal Church
He received license to preach in 1811, and the next year was admitted on trial in the New England Conference, and advanced in regular course to deacon's and elder's orders.
His first appointment was to Lunenburg Circuit, Vermont, embracing :twelve towns,
In 1817, his appointment was in Maine, where he afterwards
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D. HUTCHINSON.
resided, with the exception of four years spent in New Hampshire Conference, and the last five years of his life in Groton, Vermont.
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