USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 71
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In 1844, a house was purchased and repaired for a parsonage.
In 1845, Sonthport was made a station. The meeting-house now used was built in 1868. No record can be found of first class or class leader.
BREMEN. BY REV. W. W. OGIER.
(35.) Bremen, formerly part of the town of Bristol, was incorporated
in 1828. This part of Bristol Circuit had Methodist preaching early
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BREMEN. ROUND POND.
in the century, but as there is no early record, facts can be gathered only from the memory of the oldest church members now living.
The first class leader at Broad Cove was Alexander Stevens. Among the first class members were Johnstons, Osiers, Farrars and Keens. Josiah Louden was a prominent local preacher.
In 1819, in the north-west part of the town, the " Wellman neighborhood," Cornelius Irish was called to attend the funeral of Miss Fanny Wellman, and on the way to the funeral, her sister, Nancy, who afterwards became the wife of Major Elisha Hatch, of Walpole, was converted.
At this time, Father Irish left an appointment for meetings. A revival followed, and a class consisting of six members was formed ; Miss Amelia Merritt, leader. Four of the number were members of the Wellman family.
The first Methodist sermon preached in this locality was about six years before. at the funeral of Charles Merritt, a soldier of 1812.
The only house of worship in the town is situated at Broad Cove, built in 1824, by Methodists and Congregationalists. In the north- west part of Bremen charge, in the edge of the town of Waldoboro', is a Methodist chapel, with seating capacity of about two hundred, built during the pastorate of William H. Crawford, in 1860 and 1861. A parsonage was built in 1875, at Broad Cove, the funds mostly raised by ladies of the society.
In 1854, there was an extensive revival under the labors of Ezra Sanborn, assisted by Theodore Scott and Gilbert Ellis. Among the remarkable conversions was of a couple nearly eighty years of age. Nearly every house was open for meetings, and people came from far and near, many on ox-sleds.
Bremen claims the honor of being the birth place of Bishop Joshua Soule, Revs. Lincoln Rhoades and George R. Palmer. Of the thirteen soldiers which Methodist families furnished to the war of the Rebellion, five were sons of Cornelius and Wealthy Rhoades, only one of whom survived.
ROUND POND. BY REV. W. W. OGIER.
(36 ) First Methodist preaching at Round Pond, early in the present century, by Enos Baxter, a local preacher whose only son, John, was also a Methodist preacher.
Father Baxter was converted under the preaching of Jesse Lee. Being present at a meeting at Walpole, at the close of the sermon he
112
ROUND POND.
rushed through the congregation, and kneeling at the feet of the preacher, sought salvation. He left the house a converted man, and was ever after a zealous worker in the Master's vineyard, pursuing his vocation as farmer, and holding meetings at his own house, and attending funerals far and near.
The first class was formed about 1820; John Fountain, leader. Among the members were Samuel Poole and wife, Betsey Yates, Nancy Fountain, William Yates, wife and daughter Nancy, Enos Baxter and wife. The members of the class were probably all baptized by immersion, by True Page. They had only occasional preaching till'1843, when Round Pond became a regular appointment on the Bristol charge, with D. P. Thompson, preacher. The public services were held in the school house, and social meetings at private houses, until 1853 ; when, under the labors of William H. Crawford, a fine church was built, with seating capacity of three hundred, dedicated in September of the same year, by A. Church. The upper part of the house was finished and used as a vestry until 1882, when a chapel was built in the rear of the church seating about one hundred and twenty-five.
The church, at the present time, 1886, consists of forty members and twelve probationers.
In 1834, under the labors of James Thwing and B. F. Sprague, more than seventy were converted, of all ages, from ten to seventy- three years.
During the past thirty years the main supporters of the church have been Bros. Wilson Erskine, Albert and Joseph Leeman, David Hawes, Alexander and Gideon Yates.
Special mention may be made of William Yates' family, consisting of eleven children, nine of whom became members of the Methodist church, one a staunch friend of the same, and the other a Congrega- tionalist church member.
Mention may also be made of " Father " John Batcheller, who came here from Vermont about 1826, the following year married Barbara, daughter of Lemuel Richards of Bristol, and after a quarter of a century of active labor in the Conference, settled in Bristol, and died at Round Pond in 1873. His wife, who was ever an efficient help- meet, survived him some twelve years.
The only local preacher at the present time is J. N. Jones.
Previous to 1856, Round Pond was supplied by the Bristol preachers. Since that time it has formed a charge with Bremen.
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SOUTH THOMASTON. BOOTHBAY HARBOR.
SOUTH THOMASTON. BY REV. S. M. DUNTON.
(37.) The first Methodist preaching in this town was in 1855, by Rev. William T. Jewell, who was then preaching at Thomaston.
The first class was formed by Father Hutchings, a local preacher of Rockland, under the direction of Brother Jewell. This class met at the house of Joseph Newhall, leader, June 10, 1856, and the following persons were present : Joseph Newhall and wife, James Newhall and wife, Thomas Meservey and wife, and two other persons.
About this time Brother Newhall fitted up a hall in the loft of his mill. where Methodist meetings were held on the Sabbath for a few years.
In 1876, during the pastorate of Brother David H. Sawyer, the present chapel was erected and dedicated. Much credit is due Brother Sawyer for his indefatigable labors and personal financial sacrifice in this enterprise.
The church now numbers twenty-five, with a very flourishing Sabbath school.
BOOTHBAY HARBOR. BY REV. W. F. CHASE.
(38.) The first regular Sabbath preaching by Methodists at Boothbay Harbor, was in 1858, when Rev. S. F. Strout was stationed at Boothbay. In consideration of the poor prospect of any permanent success at the Center, where meetings had formerly, part of the time, been held, and there being meetings in the Congregationalist church at the Harbor only every other Sabbath, it was decided to discontinue the meetings at the Center, and hold them half the time at the Mills (East Boothbay), and half the time at the Harbor. The hall over the store of Paul Harris was secured, seated, and occupied two years. After two years' use Mr. Harris declined letting it longer because of its unsafety, which necessitated building. Brother Marshall Smith offered a lot, and an effort was at once made to build a chapel, which was completed in 1860, at a cost of about eight hundred dollars. This chapel was used till 1879, when the church on Center street was built, at a cost of about five thousand dollars. The charge was then divided, B. C. Wentworth remaining at the Harbor, and A. J. Clifford being stationed at East Boothbay.
In 1882, a nice parsonage was built, costing, with the land, about sixteen hundred dollars,
:
VIII
114
WINDSOR.
The first elass was formed in 1854 ; Rev. D. W. Sawyer, leader, who is a local prcaelicr, and has done much to sustain and build up Methodism here. He paid largely towards the ereetion of the chapel, church and parsonage. He is still active for God and the church, and always ready in any good eause.
WINDSOR.
(Material for the following brief statement has been collected with earefulness from an old book of reeord, well written and preserved, but which for want of dates, is not readily comprehen- sible .- Editor.)
(39.) "Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Windsor Cireuit."
The first Methodist preaching in the town of Windsor was in 1814, by Elders David Young and Joshua Nye. The former preached here often for several years, and his preaching was greatly blest.
In 1817, Windsor was annexed to " Bristol and Pittston Cireuit," which embraced Pittston, Woolwich, Georgetown, Wiscasset, New- eastle, Bristol and Boothbay.
In 1829, Windsor was annexed to East Hallowell, and so continued till 1837, when Windsor, East China and North Whitefield were made a circuit ; Rev. Samuel Jewett, pastor.
Windsor has been favored with several revivals. During the pastorate of Rev. E. F. Newell, there was a great revival among the children. During the incumbency of Rev. Samuel Jewett, twelve or fifteen were added to the church. During the first year of Rev. M. Donnell's pastorate, thirty-four were added, and during the same year, 1838, the old meeting-house was burnt, which was built about 1819, after the old style of gallery on three sides. There was also some revival during Brother Donnell's second year in China, and several joined the church. The " new meeting-house" was built, and dedicated August 29, 1839.
In Windsor, Class No. 1 (no date, but probably about 1837) consisted of James Linn, leader, Moses Donnell, local preacher, and thirty-five others. Class No. 2, John W. Jameson, leader, and twenty-six others. No. 3, John Merrill, leader, and nineteen others. No. 4, William Woodbury, leader, and sixteen others, four of whom were Cunninghams, and four Murrys. No. 5, Samuel Trouant, leader, and fifteen others.
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SEARSMONT.
In China, No. 1, Daniel Steritt, leader, and fifteen others. No. 2, Jason Chadwick, leader, and five others.
Whitefield, No. 1, Jared Bates, leader, and thirty-two others, nine named Wear, and five Davis. No. 2, George Marson, leader, and nine others, of whom seven were Pattridges.
Augusta class, Richard Turner, leader, and eleven others.
In the several classes are twelve Linns.
In 1872, good parsonage buildings were completed. A chapel has- also been finished at North Windsor, an important part of the circuit. Years ago some of the best members colonized in the west, which,, with incidental reverses, has weakened the society ; but the present: pastor, Samuel Bickmore, local preacher, says " Methodism is here to. stay."
SEARSMONT.
(40.) Rev. S. S. Gross says of Searsmont, "The old church record having been lost, I will give you all I can find."
In July, 1829, Searsmont, Lincolnville, Hope and Belmont were set off from Thomaston, and constituted a circuit ; Rev. Benjamin Jones,. preacher in charge. The church was built in 1845, and the parsonage: in 1858.
As the Muzzy family has been a prominent feature of Methodism in Searsmont, the following from Rev. E. M. Fowler will not be out of place here: "The family ancestors came from Massachusetts to George's river, which they ascended, and by spotted trees found their way to Searsmont, then an unbroken wilderness, where they made an opening, clearing and making a farm.
" The first baptism in the township was of Joseph and Sally Muzzy's children, which was administered by Rev. Lovejoy, a Congre- gational missionary, and father of the Lovejoy of Abolition fame.
"Mrs. Muzzy, though not a church member, soon became anxious. for the means of grace for her family and the few settlers, and having learned about 1816 or 1817 that a Methodist Conference was soon to be held in Boston, she sent her son, Baldwin, on horseback, to a settlement in Lincolnville, to ask ' young Benjamin Jones' to request the Bishop to send a preacher, whose support she would look after." (The minutes show " B. Jones, 1816, Union and Hampden."-Editor.)
Brother Fowler further says, "while in charge here in 1872, I attended the funeral of Mrs. Muzzy." And then adds, " Mrs. Muzzy was a Miss Baldwin, in whose family the famous Baldwin
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CLINTON.
apple was produced from a wild apple found in the woods, to which attention was drawn by its ruddy complexion."
In 1879, the church in Searsmont was rebuilt, and reconstructed inside, at a cost of one thousand dollars.
CLINTON. BY REV. J. R. BAKER,
(41.) Clinton Circuit now embraces the towns of Clinton, Burnham :and Benton.
As nearly as can be ascertained, the first class was organized in 1802. Among the members were Jonathan Brown and wife, Betscy Michaels Brown, Polly Brown, who died in the faith June 4th, 1885, aged nearly ninety-three years, Lydia Flagg, and soon after, James and Joab Harriman and their wives, Asa Brown, and Eliza Weymouth, daughter of Jonathan Brown.
Mrs. Weymouth was of a family of twelve children, eight of whom :are now living, and a singular fact in the history of this family is that no two children were born the same month, whereupon a wit of the family facetiously remarked, that, had there been more months the family might have been larger. Mrs. Weymouth remains a devoted and honored member of this church.
History does not record the first class leader, but Jonathan Brown was early appointed, who faithfully discharged the duties of leader till about ten years previous to his death, which occurred February 4th, 1861.
John Flye, now known as Father Flye, succeeded Jonathan Brown, and was distinguished for promptness, devotion, directness and quaintness of speech. He commenced his meeting precisely at the appointed time, even if no one but himself was present, and he has surprised the first to enter by his earnest supplication in the opening prayer.
The next appointee was Arthur McNally, who is still an official member, and whose voice is now often heard in social meetings.
Rev. L. Wentworth, a man of strong faith and consistent walk, and a man of God in the pulpit, was next appointed. He still lingers, but ever ready to depart.
Charles Jaquith was the next appointcc, who still holds the position. To the weary itincrant, the latch-string of his dwelling is ever on the right side of the door. and he is greeted with a genial smile.
This little christian band worshipped in school houses and dwellings, and later in a so-called " Union church," but with the " Union " left out.
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CLINTON.
Early in the pastorate of the irrepressible man of God, Rev. H. P. Blood. measures were taken to build a house of worship, which was. dedicated September 27, 1866. It was for free use, and was free of debt, and so remains.
A parsonage was built in 1861, during the pastorate of Rev. B. B. Byrne.
The church building has been enlarged, repaired, and much improved. A chapel has been erected, and so connected with the church building that by upward sliding glass doors, a large audience room is practi- cable. The old parsonage has been sold, and another purchased near the church.
About three thousand dollars have been expended on the church property, largely the gift of W. W. Brown, Esq., of Portland ; H. W. Dodge, a trustee and steward, who is ever ready to aid any church enterprise, contributing one hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. Brown put a memorial window of his parents, Jonathan and Betsey Michaels Brown, in rear of the pulpit. It is now known as the Brown Memorial Church, and was dedicated January 4th, 1885, by Rev. C. A. Plummer, Presiding Elder, during the pastorate of Rev. J. R. Baker.
For taste and convenience, the church buildings rival any country church in Eastern Maine.
The first Sabbath school was formed in 1825, at Benton Falls, then part of Clinton. The school was conducted by Rev. Hobart Richardson, Mrs. Benjamin Hinds and Moses Brown. Mr. Brown, the next year, assisted by his sisters, Mrs. Harriman and Mrs. Blackwell, and Miss Lottie Hunter, formed a school at Hunter's Mills, near Clinton village. Miss Ruth Chadwick, afterwards Mrs. Oaks, says she attended the first school at Hunter's Mills, and being a mile below, and on the east. side of the Sebasticook, she followed a foot path through the woods to. the river, which she some times crossed on a small raft.
This church now numbers one hundred and three members, and thirty probationers, and others, recently converted, most of whom are of Methodist families have not yet joined on probation.
A bright future is before the Clinton Methodist church, if faithful to the trust Providence has committed.
A class of nine persons has just been organized at Benton Falls,. and eight have since started in the christian life.
In this charge the coming pastor will find Godly men, and a goodly number of. "elect ladies," who " coveting earnestly " the best gifts, with which to serve Christ and His church, can invoke divine influence-
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WOOLWICH CIRCUIT.
on the waiting congregation, and exhort with a zcal and eloquence which can come only from hearts full of the divine spirit.
WOOLWICHI CIRCUIT. BY REV. JAMES BIRAM.
(42.) In 1831, there were only three members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Woolwich.
Rev. John Young, then in charge of Pittston Circuit, appointed lectures, and there being some prospect of a revival, a three-days meeting was held, and, as an immediate result, twenty persons gave evidence of a change of heart, and a class of more than fifty members was formed.
The members of this society requested that they might have the gospel preached to them, and, at the Conference of 1832, Rev. John Young was appointed to the charge. The circuit consisted of Woolwich, the part of Dresden known as the Cove, and Swan's Island, the latter being taken from Pittston Circuit.
Some years prior to this period, a small class was formed, but the members were soon scattered ; the class ceased to exist, and the few remaining members were connected with a class in the north-west part of Wiscasset.
At the first Quarterly Conference in Woolwich, October, 1832, five stewards were chosen as follows: Benjamin B. Carney, Recording Steward, Eben Hatch, Seth Hathorn, 2d, Ulrich Reed, Nathan Webb, Jr.
At a Quarterly Conference held October 1st, 1835, N. Webb was licensed to preach. At a Quarterly Conference in February, 1836, a resolution as follows, was adopted :
" Whereas, the example of drinking ardent spirits, on ordinary occasions, is, in our opinion, not only unpopular, but irreligious in the extreme, therefore, Resolved, that any member of the church, who will be guilty of drinking, as above, be considered guilty of violating the most sacred obligations of his profession."
At a Quarterly Conference June 11, 1836, Brother Nathan Webb was recommended as a suitable person to be admitted to the Annual Conference.
May 13th, 1837, Brother Robinson laid before the Conference his doings in the purchase of a district parsonage; which was, that he had contracted for a house in Pittston for four hundred dollars, for which he wished our approbation, " voted that we approve of the same, and pledge ourselves to pay our part, which would be about twenty cents a member."
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MONTVILLE AND PALERMO.
At the same Quarterly Conference, "Sundry resolutions were presented by the Presiding Elder, E. Robinson, from the Wiscasset Quarterly Conference, in regard to the propriety of representing the subject of American slavery to the next Annual Conference."
Brother Robinson does not appear as Presiding Elder the following year. Perhaps those resolutions cost him his Presiding Eldership.
Brother Alfred Reed, whose age is now eighty-eight years, who was a steward in 1843, still holds the official position.
At this Quarterly Conference (1837), Woolwich and Westport Circuits were united, and so remained till 1848, when Georgetown was united with Woolwich, and in 1855 "Woolwich and Dresden" again appear.
B. B. Carney remained Recording Steward till 1852.
A specimen of Quarterly Conference Book-keeping :
"Account of Collections on Woolwich Circuit for the Conference year, commencing July, 1832, and ending July 3d, 1833.
Woolwich .- Lemuel Trott's Class, No 1,
$110.85
John Hanson's Class, No. 2, 44.09
Ferry class, No. 3, 7.44
Dresden .- Francis White's class, No. 1,
24.21
George Allen's class, No. 2,
7.63
S. Island, Jonah S. Tallman's class, No. 3, 27.25
Fuel, 12.00
$233.47
DISBURSEMENTS :
Paid John Young, circuit preacher, Quarterage,
$100.47
House rent,
12.00
Table expenses,
104.00
Fuel,
12.00
Traveling expenses,
5.00
$233.47
Received at four quarterly meetings,
13.00
Paid E. Streeter, Presiding Elder, for services,
13.00
MONTVILLE AND PALERMO. BY REV. J. W. PERRY.
(43.) Palermo Circuit was set off from Unity Circuit, at the Annual Conference of 1830, Rev. E. C. Evans in charge, whose labors were not in vain.
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MONTVILLE AND PALERMO.
At the first quarterly meeting, November 20th, 1830, stewards were chosen as follows : James Farmer, recording steward, Benjamin Stevens, Jonathan Prescott, Henry Woods, and Stephen Wentworth ; and Eli Ayers' license to exhort was renewed.
In 1831, left to be supplied, and William McGray was employed, who, after laboring about eight months, had a limb broken by falling from his horse, by which he was disabled. In 1832, Moses Palmer was appointed, whose health failed, obliging him to leave, and the charge was supplied by a young man by the name of Brackett. In 1833, Ariel Ward was appointed, who preached acceptably, but could not do full work, because of ill health of his wife, who died within the year.
In 1834, official members were as follows : Thomas Ayer, James Farmer, Nathan Bachelder, William Durham and Jonathan Prescott, stewards ; William Durham, James Farmer, Daniel Ricker and Eli Ayer, local preachers. Class leaders : Palermo class, Eli Ayer ; South Freedom, William Durham ; Liberty, Albert Cargill ; Montville, Thomas Ayer.
The society meetings were held in school houses and dwellings, till about 1860, when a building was purchased, at Ford's corner, which was put in order and used for worship.
At an early date, in the history of this society, the Clifford family moved from New Hampshire, and settled in Palermo, where members of the family have resided till within a short time.
Brother W. J. Clifford, whose father was an exliorter, has been a local preacher, for a number of years, and has labored with success on this circuit and elsewhere, until failing health compelled him to retire from the work. He has, for some years, been afflicted with cancer ; but has been wonderfully sustained by grace sufficient, and in patience, has ever possessed his soul. His excellent wife, in all his labor and suffering, has ever been a helpmeet indeed. Three of four sons have become Methodist preachers, and the fourth, who died in the army, had the same work in vicw. The only daughter is the wife of a member of the East Maine Conference. A remarkable family !
In 1860, Montville and Palermo, with parts of Liberty and Freedom, were set off from Knox Circuit, and made a separate charge, and the Presiding Elder put Brother George Herrick in charge.
April 16, 1878, voted to build a church at McFarland's corner, Montville, and, in due time, a very neat and comfortable house of worship, was completed. A. P. McFarland was much interested, and
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EAST KNOX AND MORRILL.
helped much toward this building. Prior to the erection of this church, Rev. W. C. Clifford preached in the school house, and about 1860 and 1862, there was an interesting revival at the corner.
Brother James Lewis. a local preacher, has labored with success, as opportunity occurred. There have been several seasons of revival and, in many respects, this has been quite an important circuit.
CHAPTER X.
EAST KNOX AND MORRILL. BY REV. WILLIAM B. ELDRIDGE.
(44.) The church at East Knox was built about fifty years ago by Methodists, Christian Order and Baptists, as a "Union house." The land was given by a Mr. Brown. It was dedicated by Elder Nutter, and the first Methodist sermon was preached, apparently, about 1816, by Rev. Oliver Beale.
The land for a parsonage was given by Brother Jacob Dutton, who was one of the most liberal contributors towards the erection of the house. The deed specifies that so long as it is occupied as a parsonage it shall be the property of the Methodist Episcopal church ; but when it ceases to be so occupied, the land shall revert to the heirs of the donor.
Brother Jacob Dutton was the first class leader, and among the early members of the class were Francis Banan and wife, parents of the wife of Rev. George Pratt, Henry Sherman, Oliver Ray and Sister Blake.
As local preachers and exhorters, are the names of Elder Greenlaw, Father McGray and Samuel Plumer.
Brothers Seth Webb and John Stevens were connected with this class more than thirty years.
The earliest revival among the Methodists was under the labors of Rev. Henry True.
The church edifice, about thirty by forty feet, has a high gallery over the entry. It has been out of repair for some years, and has been almost abandoned, as a place of worship, except for funerals and Quarterly meetings in fine weather. Abont eight years ago, the congregation removed from this old church to a school house in the vicinity, in which they still continne to worship. A small Methodist church building is much needed in this locality.
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UNION.
There is also a "Union House" in Morrill, built by Methodists, Baptists, Free Will Baptists and Christian Order, built about thirty- seven years ago, and dedicated by Rev. Eben. Knowlton. It is thirty- six by forty-four feet, with pulpit and gallery by the door.
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