History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 67

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 67

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"In Hodgdon I found a class of four members, and put it in my list of preaching placcs.

"Houlton I regarded as an important point ; and as the Unitarians had no minister, they invited me to occupy their church. In October I organized a Methodist society there.

"I commenced a protracted meeting in Hodgdon, in January, 1839,

J. G. PINGREE AND AROOSTOOK MISSION.

under seemingly, very unfavorable circumstances. The able bodied men were mostly in the woods, lumbering. The meeting progressed in interest, till many were converted, when it took a different turn. The converts began to pray for their absent friends, and in a short time, one after another came home from the woods under deep conviction, and gave their hearts to Christ, till forty souls were converted. The good Baptist minister became very much interested, and urged the converts to be baptized, giving them intimations of his willingness to administer the ordinance. I felt that I had rather get a Methodist minister to baptize them, and went some eighty miles to Cooper and secured the services of Brother D. P. Thompson for three Sabbaths. A place was prepared, through the ice, and six or cight were immersed and one spinkled. The next Sabbath about the same number were baptized, and as to mode, about equally divided. The third Sabbath, one was immersed, and others were sprinkled. A few weeks later, the other converts were baptized at the communion table. During the year, a class of four was increased to forty-four.

"At the Annual Conference in 1839, I was appointed to 'Aroostook Mission,' a new field, part of which had just come under the jurisdic- tion of the State, upon the settlement of the North Eastern boundary. No bounds were set to the mission, and no special instructions given, except that I was to open my commission on the Aroostook road and go through to Fort Fairfield. Traveling on horseback, I left the military road, and took the State (Aroostook) road, at the junction, about twenty miles above Lincoln, and seven miles brought me to a settlement of three families, in number one.

"In the Catholic township, number two, (Benedicta) I could do nothing, and so went on to number three, (Golden Ridge) containing a small settlement, where I fancied I could see the foreshadowing of better days. Number four, (Patten) had a large and thrifty settle- ment, but no Methodist society, and no place that I could call home. As the State road was built no further, I must leave my horse, and with satchel on my shoulder, containing Bible, Hymn Book, writing utensils, Book of Study, &c., go through numbers five, six, seven, eight, nine to number ten, (on Presque Isle river), a distance of forty miles. I dashed on through the mud, eighteen miles, the first day ; the second day, twelve miles ; the third brought me to number ten, where I preached the next day, Sabbath. On visiting from house to,. house, I found only one person making any religious pretensions.

"August nineteenth, I went, by water, to Fort Fairfield, where I. introduced myself to the Captain, who invited me to preach to the:

J. G. PINGREE AND AROOSTOOK MISSION.

soldiers and others, who might attend. He also proposed to furnish a boarding place during my stay. I visited every family, and was sur- prised at the moral and religious destitution. But few American families resided there. My hostess, Mrs. Johnson, was a highly cultured and pious lady of Scotch descent, holding her membership, as a Methodist, in the Province.

"As I was about to leave, the Quarter-master came to my room and presented me ten dollars, from the officers and soldiers. On leaving the settlement, I crossed to Presque Isle, where I found an extensive settlement, but mostly from the Province, and destitute of the privileges essential to thrift. I remained about ten days, found a few American families, some of whom had been Methodists, of whom I organized a small class. I then went to number eleven, where I spent a Sabbath. Having been around the mission, and having taken a general survey of the ground, I decided to have Sabbath preaching in number three (which township afterward became the residence of Brother Edwin Parker, an intelligent local preacher, also a politician, who was known in the Legislature as the ‘Gentleman from Golden Ridge'), in Patten, in number eleven and at Presque Isle.

" In number three, I found a class of seven members. Patten was thickly settled by an intelligent and industrious class, from distant parts of the State, who farmed on a large scale. Brother William Marsh, during the preceding Conference year, being stationed at Lincoln, visited Patten, and spent two weeks, which resulted in conversions ; but being obliged to go back to his work, the field was left to others. The Lord however gave us some prosperity, and I organized a society of twelve members, scattered over three town- ships.

" I next organized a class of four members, in number eleven. The settlement consisted of a good class of people. The next organization was Presque Isle, of twenty-four members, though all possible means were used by " new lights, or Hamiltonites" to prevent its growth. An aged minister, laboring among them, and professing great humility, after preaching, got down on the floor, and rolling over, said, 'that is the way to be humble.'

"The last class, in the order named, was in what was called the Reach settlement, five miles below Presque Isle, consisting of ten members.

" Thus ended my two years' service on Aroostook Mission, and I reported fifty-seven members, as part of the result."

J. G. PINGREE AND AROOSTOOK MISSION.

Brother Pingree then adds, "Some of my personal experiences," abbreviated as follows :

" A drunken spree! On my first round of the mission, as I entered township number ten, (Masardis?) Saturday eve, I reported myself at the public house, as a Methodist missionary, and requested lodging, with the privilege of preaching to the people the next day. I retired early to a small sleeping apartment, adjoining the front hall. As it grew dark. the people commenced coming in, till the house was filled with roughs of the place, and from the lumbering camps in the vicinity. When liquors, tamborine and fiddle were ready, the word was given, 'three cheers for the Methodist missionary.' Now a song with music, then a dance, three cheers again, and then a drink, with loud, rude speech. This was continued through the night by the crowd, consisting of men, women and children. On my return to this settlement. I went directly to this same house, where I was received with great rejoicing. My host and hostess met me with the exclama- tion : 'we are glad you have come back ! You was shamefully abused when you was here. We thought you a renegade preacher, but when we found that you was a regularly appointed missionary, we felt heartily ashamed of our conduct ; and now come to our house whenever you please, and stop as long as you wish, both yourself and horse, and you shall be well treated,' which promise was literally fulfilled.

' Providential Escape! After spending several weeks in August and September, 1839, at Fort Fairfield, wishing to go up the river, thirty miles, to number eleven, there being neither boat or road, I was necessitated to follow the shore. Recent rains had so overflowed the beach, that friends endeavored to dissuade me from the perilous shore route ; but, believing success possible, I started on foot and alone. After traveling five miles, a man in a camp told me that I could not ford Beaver Brook, eight miles distant, and said, in the morning, he would, in his canoe, take me past that point, which he did, leaving me, about noon, seventeen miles through an unbroken wilderness, to number eleven, the nearest settlement. I sat me down to take my lunch, but the long, lean, lank, hungry mosquitos literally covered me. Just then it began to rain ; but, knowing I had no time to spare, putting my satchel, as well as I could, under my coat, I dashed forward through the tall, wet weeds and shrubbery. Where the bluffs came to the water's edge, I was necessitated to leave the shore. Often getting entangled, my strength would fail, when I

J. G. PINGREE AND AROOSTOOK MISSION.

would drop as though shot, and lie till I could rally, and then up and on again, as best I could. At length I came to 'Little Machias " river, which I tried in vain to ford; whercupon I sat down utterly exhausted, wet and cold, the night being intensely dark. Just then I heard a voice and response, which I thought to be wolves ; but, hearing it again, nearer and more distinet, I was assured. It proved to be two belated men, who had been out surveying, and were on their way, in a boat, to the settlement. They took me along, and at the settlement I was tenderly cared for.

" Facing a Panther ! In the summer of 1841, while traveling on foot the newly cut road through the twenty-five miles woods, from Presque Isle to number eleven, I frequently saw animals crossing the road, of which I took little notice. In one instance, about thirty rods ahead, I saw what I supposed to be a deer; but getting nearer, I decided it must be a panther. He was directly in my way, and looking steadily at me. I dared neitlicr to stop or to pass him. I held in my hand a pocket knife, resolved to stick him should he spring upon me. When not more than six rods apart, we were glaring at each other with all the intensity of madness. My brain was active beyond expression. My danger, the needs of the mission, and the results to follow, all rushed through my mind, as in a moment. We were now not twenty feet apart, when the fiercely looking creature dropped his eyes, and showing signs of fear, quickly departed. Meeting an Indian soon after, he said it was a panther, and, if he had been in a tree, most likely he would have sprung upon me. I have always believed that God defended me through my unnatural and fierce gaze.

"A bad fix! In January 1840, desiring to go from Patten to Presque Isle, by way of Smyrna and Houlton, the road being cut through only part of the way, and used only as a winter road, and no travel since a heavy fall of snow, while on the way, an extremely cold night overtook me. My traveling outfit consisted of horse-sled, called a ' jumper,' a box for a seat, and a horse blanket. I was thinly clad, my disciplinary allowance of $100, being quite inadequate to my comfort. It was difficult to keep the road, often running against the trees, and just when my anxiety was at its highest point, my sled wrecked, leaving me on my box. Having secured my horse and looked over the situation, I exclaimed, ' this is a bad fix'; when I knelt and prayed with much feeling, but with victory. I then repaired my sled as best I could, and went on, having a wonderful sense of the Divine

J. G. PINGREE AND AROOSTOOK MISSION.

presence ; arriving late at the settlement, where I was more than welcomed by kind friends.

'. Walking on snow shoes ! In April, 1841, I started, on foot, from Presque Isle to go to number eleven, on the ice, which, much of the way, was covered with water. I traveled seventeen miles, and put up for the night at a camp, having neither floor or chimney, and the next day, arrived at the settlement. While there, the rain broke up the ice in the river, making it necessary for me to return by road, twenty- five miles through the woods, the snow being over two feet deep, and where there had been no travel during the winter. It was suggested that possibly I might go through on snow shoes ; but, as I had never used them, I practiced in the yard till I concluded I could succeed ; whereupon, being furnished with provisions, flint, steel and tinder, I was off, hoping to get through by daylight. In the forest, the snow was very soft, and in walking on descending ground, the toe of the snow shoes would dip a little, causing a head-long plunge ; when, naturally, I threw out my hands, which, going through to the ground, would bury my face in the snow ; and still worse, my pack would be jerked from its place on my back, striking the back of my head, driving it deeper into the snow. Immersed as I was, with my feet at the top, fast in the snow, and my arms useless, I could extricate myself only by rolling over as best I could, and floundering till I could regain my feet. This experience being frequently repeated, I concluded I could only make headway minus the snow shoes. The swamps were so covered with snow-water, that I was obliged to take off my snow shoes and wade to high land, when I would take off my boots and wring my stockings. By this time my strength had so utterly failed, and night coming on, I prepared a bed of hemlock, on the snow, in the ruins of an old camp, struck up a fire, had supper, and after reading the scriptures, and prayer, I lay me down to rest. When morning came it rained, and continued through most of the day. I started early, with seventeen miles yet to travel, and arrived at Presque Isle before night, and filled my appointment the ensuing Sabbath.

" Thus God preserved me to finish the work he had given me to do on the Aroostook Mission."

(NOTE : In 1842, Rev. J. G. Pingree was appointed to the "Liberia Mission." On his return he brought numerous specimens of African productions, which he presented to the East Maine Conference Seminary).

CHURCH IN BRISTOL.

BRISTOL.

(10.) In 1795, that eminent servant of God, Jesse Lec, passed through Bristol, and preached a sermon from 2d Peter, 3d chapter, 14th verse ; which was the first sermon preached in town by a Metho- dist. There were occasional sermons till 1798, when the town was embraced in what was called Bath and Union Circuit.

In the latter part of 1798, a class was formed by Rev. Aaron Humphrey, and during the year God revived his work and numbers were added to the church. In 1799, Bristol continued to belong to Bath and Union Circuit, John Finnegan and Comfort C. Smith, preachers. 1800, Timothy Merritt and Reuben Hubbard, preachers. 1801, Timothy Merritt and C. C. Smith. 1802, the circuit was divided ; Bristol belonging to Union, Daniel Ricker and Joseph Baker, preachers.

In the fall of this year a powerful revival commenced, and was carried on in a glorious manner during the winter. Probably over one hundred were converted. 1803, the circuit was again divided ; Bristol with some adjoining towns, constituting Bristol Circuit, C. C. Smith, preacher in charge. 1804, Samuel Hillman, preacher. 1805, Bristol, with Nobleboro, New Castle, Wiscasset, Pittston and Dresden, constituting a circuit, Daniel Ricker, preacher. .

The first class was composed of Elisha Hatch, leader, Philips, Rebecca and Fannie Hatch, Alexander, Mary, George, David and Catharine Erskin, Simeon and Mary Jones, Enos and Jane Baxter, Lemuel and Sarah Richards, Josiah and Catharine Lowden, Sarah Saunders, Martha Day, Benjamin Woodbury, Thankful Crooker, and Martha D. Clark.

For many years the society worshipped in the Town House, in dwellings, school houses and other places.

In 1823, a church was built, and was dedicated by Rev. David Hutchinson, Presiding Elder ; Rev. James L. Bishop being preacher in charge. The house was after the old style of New England, and stood on the high hill, a half mile north of the Mills Village. It was soon found that a great mistake had been made in the location ; but it was not until 1868, that it was taken down and a new church constructed of the material of the old, in the north part of the village, and dedicated by Rev. Charles B. Dunn, Presiding Elder.

Bristol has been favored with extensive revivals, one in 1830 and one in 1831, under the labors of Revs. John Libby and S. P. Blake, another in 1840 and 1841, Josiah Higgins in charge.

BEAR HILL, DOVER.

Of local preachers, two, father and son, deserve special mention .. The father, Enos Baxter, was a man of much useful work ; during the week laboring on his farm and preaching on the Sabbath. John E., his son, preached some very interesting sermons, and was highly respected by the citizens.

There are now four Methodist churches under the supervision of Trustees of the Methodist churches of Bristol.

BEAR HILL, DOVER.

(11.) So far as appears of record, covering a wide territory, including Dover, the first appointee in charge was, 1830, David Stimpson, to " Atkinson," and 1831, to "Sebec."

The receipts for the first named year were as follows : Atkinson, $27.41 ; Sebec, $14.56 ; Kilmarnoc, $15.13 ; Hammond Tract, $1.87; number two, $2.25 ; Howland, $6.87 ; leaving a deficiency of $274.64 ; and the second year the claim being, $286 ; the receipts were : Sebec, $5.75 ; Kilmarnoc, $19.60 ; Howland, $21.89 ; Milo, $6.50 ; Lagrange $5.25 ; number two. $3 ; Atkinson, $37.25 ; Brownville, $3 ; deficiency, $183.76.

What in 1885 appears in the minutes as "Dover, Atkinson and Bear Hill, G. G. Winslow, preacher in charge," has, since 1836, passed through several forms. The first form was "Bear Hill in Dover," and the records show organization as follows :

" The Methodist Episcopal society at Bear Hill, in Dover," was incorporated under a warrant issued by Ebenezer Lambert, Justice of the Peace, in response to petition signed by Gideon Robinson, Abram Fuller, John Robinson, David P. Robinson, Ebenezer L. Pierce, Caleb B. Robbins, and Ephraim Garey, dated January 4th, 1836. At which meeting, after organization and providing for a code of By- Laws, officers were chosen as follows: Gideon Robinson, Clerk ; John Pitts, Society Treasurer ; Ebenezer Lambert, John Robinson, John Pitts, Trustees ; Abram Fuller, Joshua Dyer, Caleb G. Robbins, Assessors ; Cyrus Norton, Collector. Also "voted to choose, Gideon Robinson, Peter Burgess and Caleb G. Robbins a committee to prepare and present a vote of thanks to Esquire Merrick, for his generosity in building and furnishing this society with, a convenient house of worship." Also, "Voted that the Trustees lease the pews of this meeting-house for one year, for the interest of what they were appraised at, by adding the bid money with the appraisal of the pews."

DOVER. CUTLER.

At the meeting held January 8, 1838, " voted that persons taking pews, give their notes for the payment of the interest ;" and, " voted that we proceed to bid off the pews."

Because of a lapse of the annual meeting in January, 1852, application was made to Paul Douglass, Justice of the Peace, and a warrant issued calling a meeting, to be held October 4, 1852, at which the society was re-organized, and officers chosen.

In December, 1868, the society voted to raise, repair and paint the meeting-house ; which work appears to have been completed in 1870. January 15, 1870, certain persons named, were recognized as "owners of pews in the, meeting-house on Bear Hill, in Dover, by paying $10; their title to be secured by a deed, given by John Merrick, of Hallowell, to the Trustees of the Methodist society of Bear Hill, in Dover."

In a "Dover and Atkinson church record book," May 18, 1855, L. L. Shaw, preacher in charge, the following entry appears :

"I revise the list of church members, from the fact that they are somewhat confused, and are mixed with Bear Hill members." Then follows a list of 138 names, a few of which have been more recently recorded by another hand."

In the same set of books, in 1831, there appears a record of members as follows :

" Sebec Village, 24," including John W. Dow, local preacher, and " belonging in other parts of the town, six ;" in " Williamsburg, four ;" in "Atkinson, 19 ;" including "Wm. Hutchins, leader and local preacher ;" "Kilmarnoc, John Hitchburn, leader, 19;" "in Milo, William Frost, leader, and Ammi Smith, local preacher, 13 ;" "Lagrange, Linus Chase, leader, and Thomas Chase, local preacher, 37;" "in Lincoln, 16."

In Quarterly Conference May 27, 1836, " voted to recommend Brother John W. Dow, to the next Conference, to travel." "Voted that Dover, Foxcroft, Sebec and Atkinson, constitute a circuit, separate from Sangerville and Guilford." "Voted that brother William Withie be recommended to the next Conference."

In 1841, local preachers were recorded as follows : "Caleb Robbins, Elkanah Lane and Joseph Smith."

(NOTE: The compiler has put the foregoing, widely scattered extracts from several books, in as clear form as possible.)

CUTLER.

(12.) The first Methodist preacher in Cutler, was Rev. James

FRANKLIN. PITTSFIELD.

Thurston, (appointed to East Machias, ) in the summer of 1839. The only church here, then, was Baptist. Mr. Freeman Maker, a Baptist member, having heard Rev. Mark Tuell preach, and, being very anxious that he should come to Cutler, went in pursuit, and found him holding meetings in Whiting. Brother Tuell hesitated, but told Mr. Maker if he would wait fifteen minutes, he would tell him. Soon his voice was heard in earnest prayer in the woods. He soon came back and told Mr. Maker that the Lord said he might go. A revival was the result of the labor of Brothers Thurston and Tuell. A class, with John Almore, leader, was soon formed.

In 1856, Joseph King was appointed to Cutler, and thirty were converted. Methodist meetings were held in the Baptist house, till 1871. when a Methodist house was built and dedicated by Rev. C. B. Dunn, in February, 1872. The house cost about $5,000. It could not have been built, but for S. B. French, M. B. Stevens and Isaac Wilder.

The church now has, 1885, twenty-five members, and ten probationers.

E. A. CARTER, pastor.

FRANKLIN.

(13.) It has been impossible for me to get the following information about Methodism until now.

The first Methodist sermon was preached by Josiah Higgins, in 1835.

The first class was formed in 1840 ; its leader, Washington Springer,

The first meeting-house was built in 1847.

The other questions I am unable to answer.

Yours fraternally, C. L. BANGHART.

(NOTE : From the meagerness of which, and the difficulty of getting even so much or so little, the legitimate conclusion is either : 1st. That the church [charge] has had no recording steward; 2d. That if any, he has not done his duty ; or 3d. That the record has been left to care for itself .- Editor) .

PITTSFIELD.

(14.) Methodistically, Pittsfield is of modern origin, and has a brief history.

For years Universalism was the only faith preached in town ; then the Free Baptists came in. James Merrill and Moses Gould were the first Methodist families. The first Methodist sermon was in 1868, by

NORTH AND WEST WALDOBORO.

Rev. James M. Hutchinson, or Rev. G. G. Winslow. The first Quarterly meeting was held in this same year. The first class was formed about this time, James Merrill, leader.

A house of worship, a very plain building, without steeple or bell, and furnished with settees, was erected in 1875. Joseph Hill, the Merrills and the Goulds, have sacrificed nobly for the church. The church, connected with neighboring towns, has had a pastor regularly since 1875. Rev. Frank H. Osgood was recommended to the Annual Conference from this church. It has been seriously embarrassed by debt, for ten years, and, in 1885, owed $1,200.

W. H. CRAWFORD 2d, pastor.

NORTH AND WEST WALDOBORO.

(15.) North and West Waldoboro as reported by Rev. W. B. Jack- son. This was formerly part of Union Circuit. In 1828, the societies in Friendship, Waldoboro and Washington were set off, and called Friendship Circuit. In 1842, the society in Waldoboro was set off from Friendship, and called Waldoboro Circuit.

The first class formed in Waldoboro was in the neighborhood of Charles Kuhn, by Rev. William McGray, in February, 1819. In March following, he organized another class in the Peter Ludwig neighborhood. In 1820, Rev. Henry True formed a class in the Godfrey Ludwig neighborhood.

There was a Methodist meeting-house built in the west part of Waldoboro, and dedicated November 20, 1839, by Rev. Charles Baker. The second Methodist Episcopal church built in town was at North Waldoboro and dedicated in November, 1843, by Rev. C. C. Cone.

The following appointments are inserted here because of their significance. Others may be found in the Appendix :

In 1819, Rev. William McGray, a revival and two classes organized. 1820, Rev. Henry True, some revival and one class formed. 1824, Rev. S. Bray, revival. 1832, Rev. James Thwing, revival. 1833, Rev. John Cumner, an extensive revival. 1838, John Cumner, pros- perity. 1839, John Cumner, and Nathan Webb, a year of revival. 1841, J. Harriman and John Benson, a glorious revival. 1842 and and 1843, Edward Brackett, revival. 1853, Paris Rowell, revival. 1857, John M. Henney, revival. 1878 and 1879, Wilson Lermond, revival. 1880, D. P. Thompson, revival. 1881, '82 and '83, S. Bickmore, revival. 1884 and 1885, W. B. Jackson, revival.

REV. HENRY MARTIN.

GEORGETOWN AND ARROWSIC.

(16.) The date, or by whom, Methodism was introduced into Georgetown and Arrowsic, is not certain. Caleb Fogg was probably the first Methodist Episcopal Preacher, (1811.) Parker, Hillman, J. Wilkinson (Wilkinson to Boothbay, 1810) ; Newell, J. Lewis, J. Marsh (Marsh to Pittston, etc., 1816), were among the first, and perhaps Timothy Merritt. (Only Fogg and Wilkinson appear, as appointees, in minutes .- Editor).

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History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 67

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888 Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146