USA > Maine > Oxford County > Rumford > History of Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, from its first settlement in 1779, to the present time > Part 13
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HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
Walker, George M. Park, Elias B. Richardson, John M. Pollock, Arthur McQuillan, William Fairgraves, Edwin R. Knight, Daniel Hall. Benj. W. Stockwell, Orestes E. Randall, Joshua T. Hall, Dewit Clinton Chase, John O. Kidder, Isaac G. Virgin, W. Scott Mitchell, Calvin M. Rose, Livingston Glover, Charles H. Fuller, W. Harrison Child, Benj. Thomas, Joseph H. Gleason, Charles F. Wheeler, Asa A. West, Isaiah L. Newman, Oliver P. Gammon, Robert E. Martin, David McCarty, Carlton T. Gleason, Joseph L. Chapman, Geo. D. Bisbee, Benj. Edmunds, Ezra MeIntire, David O. Gleason, Harvey A. Reed, William J. Wheeler, Edwin R. Abbot, Lyman J. Ripley, W. Wallace Bartlett, William W. Mitchell, John B. Reed, John S. Deane, Benj. Jackson, Joseph C. Holman, Joseph Hirst, Noah W. Jordan, Patrick H. Hoyt, Lesmore D. Kid- der, William H. Fuller, Waldo Pettingill, Daniel E. Durgin, John D. Storer, William H. Wiley, James S. Wright, John F. Holman, Eben N. Harper, Chauncey C. Richardson, John H. Ellis, John F. Stanley, Chas. H. Severy, Ilarrison Storer, Edward HI. Wheeler, Francis S. Blossom, Hiram F. West, George Hayes, Virgil Andrews, George S. Walker, Henry A. Small, Loren Glover, Nathan S. Bishop, Daniel G. Frost, S. Thaxter Putnam, Prentiss M. Putnam, William F. Putnam, Charles G. Hall, HI. N. Robinson, Edwin W. Abbot, Frank Stanley, William C. Marble, Eliphalet H. Hutchins, Lewis A. Thomas, Hiram M. Cox, William P. Brackett, Henry Marble, Benj. P. Putnam, H. H. Cole, George W. Roberts, Florus H. Bartlett, Winfield S. Howe, Ronello M. Dolloff, William D. Abbot, John Howe, William F. Stevens, Jonathan K. Martin, Llewellyn G. Martin, William H. Farnum, Charles K. Fox, Lewis W. Child, John W. Martin, Elisha F. Goddard, John W. Bennett, Bradley C. Frost, Jesse B. Howe, Galen Howe, Edgar H. Powers, Lorenzo D. Russell, Elisha A. Childs, J. H. Spofford, John H. Howe, George E. Merrill, Henry M. Colby, Edwin G. Spotford, William M. Blanchard, Virgil E. Fuller, Fred F. Bartlett, Asa K. Frost.
CHAPTER XXI.
ROLFE'S ROCK.
¿T the head of Rumford Falls, or just over the head of the pitch, near the centre of the river, is a spur of the ledge which is more or less exposed according to the height of the water. In time of freshet it is liable to be completely hidden beneath the surface, but a portion of the rock can generally be seen. The ledge on each side has been worn away, and as this rock stands near the head of the first fall, it is, of course, unapproachable. The river is not very broad here, as the mountains on each side press upon and contract it, and around Rolfe's Rock a mist rises from the seething waters below. The rock, or the part usually above the surface, is not large, some four or six feet across, but the view from it, pro- vided one could reach it, must be grand beyond the power of de- scription. There was once an involuntary visitor to this rock, one who reached it unexpectedly, and who remained upon it much longer than he desired. This visitor gave his name to it, and the story of his adventure is one of thrilling interest.
Among the early settlers in Rumford, was Capt. Benjamin Rolfe, originally from Concord, N. H. He was a man of great energy and push, of remarkable strength of mind and body ; just the qualities to constitute the successful pioneer settler where a home is to be hewn out in the wilderness, and the land is to be subdued and made habitable for civilized man. Mr. Rolfe settled not far above the Falls, and his brother, Henry Rolfe, was on the other side. There was a blacksmith shop, and the nearest one, on the opposite side of the river in 1808, and sometime in the spring of that year, Mr. Rolfe had occasion to cross over to have his horse shod and a broken chain repaired. For the purpose of crossing the river with teams, the carly settlers had a large boat constructed of timber and plank, which was set over by means of a stern oar-the process known as sculling. It was a busy season of the year, and Mr. Rolfe wished to occupy as few of the working hours as possible in attending to the business across the river, and so did not go over
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until toward night. The person having charge of the boat not be- ing present, he set himself across. Now Mr. Rolfe, notwithstand- ing his good sense and other sterling qualities, had a weakness which was but too common with the early settlers of Rumford and other newly settled towns. He indulged in intoxicating liquors, and sometimes quite freely. On this occasion, while the smithy was doing his work, he went to Wheeler's store, and meeting some of his townspeople there, he indulged in a social glass or two, and did not get ready to recross the river until sometime after dark. The evening was unusually dark, it being both cloudy and foggy. His intellect may also have been a trifle befogged by the potations he had imbibed with his friends. Be this as it may, he found it difficult to keep the right course, and while he plied the oar the cur- rent was imperceptibly carrying him toward the great falls.
Near Mr. Rolfe's residence, or near the south side of the landing for the boat, a brawling brook came tumbling over rocks on its way to the river, and hearing the sound of troubled waters, he concluded that he was near his place of destination. But he was soon unde- ceived. The roaring which he heard was the great cataract, and before he had time to realize his awful situation, the draught of the falls took the boat as though it had been an egg shell and dashed it against the rock in the middle of the river. The concussion threw Mr. Rolfe with his chain upon the rock, and then the boat swung round and was carried over the falls. The horse was also thrown out or jumped out as the boat swung round toward the south bank, and landed near a large rock, but was in such a position that he could not move. The next day he was extricated and proved to be not materially injured.
Mr. Rolfe sat down upon his rock, and his thoughts could not have been of the pleasantest character. He well knew that the roaring of the waters would prevent his voice being heard by his friends, and there was no way but to spend the time until daylight where he was. What added to his discomfort was the rain, which continued through the night, and drenched to the skin, in utter dark- ness, and deafened by the ceaseless thunderings of the maddened waters, he remained in his perilons situation from ten o'clock in the evening until ten o'clock the next morning, twelve long and dread- ful hours. He was constantly tortured by the thought that his friends might not be able to relieve him, even in daylight, and this added greatly to the horrors of his situation.
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HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
In the morning his absence became known to the little neighbor- hood and search began to be made. The ferry boat was missing, but crossing the river in a small boat, it was ascertained at what hour he started on the homeward trip. There was now little doubt that he had been carried over the falls, and preparations were being made to look for his dead body below, when some one * happened to cast his eye along the head of the falls, and saw the outlines of a human being enveloped in mist and standing upon the rock in the midst of the river. The swollen waters nearly covered the rock, so that the lone occupant had little more than standing room.
The whole neighborhood soon gathered at the falls, and some were there from up river, as the news of the probable fate of their respected townsman had rapidly spread. At first they were nearly paralyzed with astonishment, but soon began to devise means for his relief. They first procured a boat, and with bed-cords on each side of the river, let it down to him ; but no sooner had it come into the draft of the falls than it rushed by and was dashed in pieces. They then obtained a light board canoe and let it down the river part of the way, and drew it back to try the force of the water, but this was likewise dashed in pieces and destroyed as soon as it en- tered the swift water on the precipice. They, however, got a rope to him by attaching it to a log which floated down until it struck the rock ; he put it around him and under his arms and made it fast, then took the chain which he had carried over the river to get mended, and which had been landed with him upon the rock, and was placing it over one shoulder and under the other arm, to bring it to the shore with him. By reason of the roaring of the water his friends could not converse with him, but they made signs to him to leave the chain where he was, because he would be too heavily loaded to bring it with him, and he left it. When all was prepared and the rope well manned, Mr. Rolfe coolly and calmly stepped into the water, and the men on the shore ran up stream and brought him safely to the bank, to the inexpressible joy of all his friends there present, and especially of his family. No sooner had he safely landed than he asked for a chew of tobacco, saying "he had lodged at a very poor tavern where they had neither rum nor tobacco." But he trembled and turned pale when he talked of the perilous sit- uation he had been in, and the danger of losing his life while on the
* Some say that Jacob Abbot was the first one to spy Mr. Rolfe perched on the rock; but Henry C. Rolfe, now living aged over ninety, recently informed the writer that he himself was the first to see his uncle Benjamin on the rock.
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rock and in getting to the shore. After this, his friends and helpers being now about forty in number, retired to their homes, and he into the bosom of his family again, rejoicing in his safe deliverance from imminent danger.
Mr. Rolfe was living in 1826, though at that time he is spoken of by Rev. Mr. Gould as old and infirm, and he died soon after. But his roek remains to perpetuate his memory, and generations to come as they gaze upon it, surrounded by the seething waters, will mar- vel at his almost miraculous escape from impending death. Had the boat reached the falls a few feet, or perhaps inches, either way from what it did, there had been no Rolfe's rock, and no longer any Benjamin Rolfe.
CHAPTER XXII.
CHURCH HISTORY .- THE CONGREGATIONALISTS.
HE Congregational Church of Rumford had a small beginning in eighteen hundred and three, but it increased rapidly in numbers and influence and soon became the leading church and society in the town. Its early records were well kept, more especi- ally during the pastorate of Rev. Daniel Gould, but since that time there have been many omissions. Previous to the organization of the church, there were a few members of what was then called the standing order in town, persons who had been members of the churches where they had previously lived. There had been occa- sional preaching in town by itinerants and missionaries of this form of faith, and among those who came and preached and baptized the children, were Rev. Joshua Crosby, Rev. Jotham Sewall, and Rev. Daniel Gould who had been settled over the church in Bethel. The latter was here in April, one thousand eight hundred and one, for he records the fact that on the fifteenth day of that month he bap- tized a child for Nathan Adams by the name of Harriet. On the fifteenth of June following, he baptized a child for Silas Howe by the name of Hannah. On the following day he baptized four chil- dren for Benjamin Farnum, by the names of Polly, Merrill, Azubah and Sally. Two years after, July thirty-first, he baptized a child for John Howe by the name of Calvin.
The following document records the beginning of the church or- ganization :
"Joshua Graham, Benjamin Farnum, Hezekiah Hutchins, Sarah Farnum, Betsey Whittemore and Polly Hinkson, having passed examination, and giving satisfaction that they were proper subjects of gospel ordinances, and giving satisfaction to each other, they were by our assistance embodied into a Congregational Church of Christ, and as such they are acknowledged and declared."
JOSHUA CROSBY,
JOTHAM SEWALL, S Missionaries.
RUMFORD, August 5, 1803.
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HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
At this meeting Joshua Graham was chosen moderator and clerk.
At a meeting holden at the house of Abel Wheeler in September following, Sally Hutchins and Olive Hinkson were admitted into the church. Olive Hinkson, before admission, was baptized by Rev. Mr. Strong.
At a meeting held at the house of Hezekiah Hutchins in April, eighteen hundred and four, Polly Elliot was examined and then baptized by Rev. Mr. Chadwick. August nineteenth, Nathaniel F. Higgins was examined, baptized by Rev. Jotham Sewall, and ad- admitted into the church. September sixteenth following, John Whittemore was admitted and his children were baptized by Rev. Vincent Gould.
Meetings were held nearly every month at dwelling houses, for the church had no other place of worship and no pastor. In August eighteen bundred and six, a child was baptized for John Whitte- more, and was named John. January fourth, eighteen hundred and seven, a letter of dismission was given to Betsey Whittemore, who was about to move from the town. The first discipline of a member is recorded this year, when one is suspended "for taking an order from Joshua Graham and denying it." Rev. Alvan Sander- son, Rev. David Smith, and Rev. Noah Cressey preached in town and baptized children in eighteen hundred and eleven. August third of this year, the church voted unanimously to extend an in- vitation to Rev. Samuel R. Hall, who had preached more or less for them, to become their pastor. He was ordained November four- teenth following. On the seventeenth, Benjamin Elliot, Elias Bartlett, David Hutchins, Caleb Eastman, Molly Sweat, Hannah Hutchins and widow Silver, were baptized and taken into the church. August second of the following year, Nathan Adams, Isaac W. Cleasby, Molly, wife of Israel Glines, and Mary, wife of Joseph Hinkson, were admitted to the church. October twenty-first, Asa Howard of Howard's Gore, and wife Lydia, were admitted to the church and their children baptized. Dr. Elisha Howe was among those admitted in July, eighteen hundred thirteen. In December of this year. there were admitted Hannah, wife of JJoshua Graham, Dolly, wife of Benjamin Morse, Dorothy, wife of Increase Dolly, John Bunker, Abel Wheeler, Cotton Elliot. Ephraim Carter, Mary Cleasby. Gratia Elliot, Hannah Carter, Susanna Hoyt, and Eliza Adams. In January following, Aaron Moor, Thomas Carter and Cyrus and Sarah Putnam.
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HISTORY OF RUMFORD.
In the month of February, eighteen hundred and fourteen, Rev. Mr. Hall was taken seriously sick, and the church through a com- mittee invited Rev. Daniel Gould, who had been dismissed from the Bethel church, to supply the pulpit temporarily. November fourteenth Mr. Hall died. Hezekiah Hutchins had previously been chosen deacon and also clerk of the church. March fifteenth the church invited Mr. Gould to become their pastor, in which invitation the town at its annual meeting, concurred, as it also had done in case of Mr. Hall. Mr. Gould accepted the invitation April fifteenth, and was duly installed May third. The officiating clergymen were Rev. John Strickland and Rev. Nathaniel Porter, D. D. At a meeting June twenty-fourth following, Benjamin Farnum and Joshua Graham were chosen deacons. At this meeting, it was voted that no children should be baptized unless one or both their parents were members of some church, and in good standing.
July sixteenth, eighteen hundred and sixteen, Jeremiah Glines was admitted by letter from the church in Concord, N. H. The pastor was chosen librarian to receive and loan out to members the books given to the church. At a meeting a month later, Mrs. Sarah Dane and the widow Sutton were admitted by letters from the church at Concord. About this time the church began to have serious trouble with some of its members. One man violated the eighth commandment and was accused of prevarication to cover it ; he confessed and was allowed to remain. Others were guilty of the "foul sin of intemperance," and this vice, so prevalent at this time with all classes, made no end of trouble. Deacon Joshua Graham resigned his office as such, and the same was accepted. Many old members at this time waxed cold, and were visited by committees of the church. Some were severely dealt with, the extreme penalty, that of excommunication, in some cases being enforced. October first, eighteen hundred twenty, the pastor and Deacons Hutchins and Farnum were chosen delegates to go to North Yarmouth and assist in the installation of Rev. Noah Cressey. Two years after, February tenth, the same delegates were sent to Bethel to assist in the installation of Rev. Charles Frost. June second of this year, the church voted to invite James Godwin, Eben Virgin and Henry Martin to assist and take lead of singing in public worship. June twentieth, eighteen hundred and twenty-five, John Dane and wife were dismissed to the church in Fayette. Sat- urday, June thirtieth, eighteen hundred twenty-seven, was set apart
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and observed as a day of fasting and prayer "for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit," etc. Elizabeth Ray, wife of Elijah Ray, was admitted to the church by letter from the church of Watertown, Mass. Near the close of this year the church purged itself by turning out several members who had been guilty of very grave offences.
October twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, "the meeting house at the Centre was solemnly dedicated to the worship of God." Colman Godwin was chosen deacon, but declined, and thereupon Daniel Hall was chosen, and accepted. During the latter part of eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, and the year following, there was a remarkable revival in the town of Rumford, during which fifty-six members were added to the Congregational church. In two communications to the Christian Mirror, Mr. Gould gave a very interesting account of this reformation and its outgrowth, the building of "a new and elegant church edifice at Rumford Centre." He has left on record "that the whole gracious work of the revival was carried on with great solemnity, regularity and order, and was not attended with that blind zeal and enthusiasm which often attend revivals." "It is surprising," he continues, "what a great change it has made in the town, among the citizens at large, within the compass of a year. Public opinion has changed for the better, a spirit of love, kindness and benevolence prevails among the inhabi- tants, and few, if any, are opposers of the work."
November tenth, eighteen hundred twenty-eight, the church joined the Oxford County Conference. April third of the following year, Henry Martin accepted the office of deacon. At the same meeting, it was voted that Sunday meetings should be held alternately at the Centre and at the Point. October twenty-eight, fourteen members were added to the church. July seventh, eighteen hundred and thirty-one, by request, Alice K. Parker was dismissed to "Dr. Beecher's church in Boston City." June second, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, Miss Abi Trumbull was admitted by letter from the church in Lowell, Mass. August twenty-fourth of the follow- ing year, at a meeting of the church, "voted that Sally Farnum, Aaron Virgin, William Delano, Abigail Delano and widow Polly Virgin, be no longer considered under the watch care of this church, they having, without liberty, "left their communion and gone to the Methodists." September thirteenth, two leading members of the church were directed to make public acknowledgment for bad be-
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havior in the singer's gallery, in each naming a different tune, and then disputing about it before the congregation. Mr. Gould hav- ing become enfeebled by age, N. W. Sheldon was made associate pastor.
As is nsual in such cases, a reaction followed the great revival before spoken of, and there were but few accessions to the church for some years. There was also trouble between the senior pastor, Mr. Gould, and Asa Graham, which was a disturbing element in the church and retarded its progress. Otis C. Bolster and Samuel S. Snow were admitted to the church in eighteen hundred and forty. Mrs. Jeremiah Wheeler was dismissed to the church in Concord. Mrs. Dolly Bolster had previously been admitted to the church.
A council was convened at the house of Peter C. Virgin, Esq., at Rumford Centre, October fourteenth, eighteen hundred and forty, for the purpose of installing Rev. Eliphalet S. Hopkins over the church in Rumford. Rev. Charles Frost was chosen moderator, and William V. Jordan, scribe. Rev. Anson Hubbard of Andover, Rev. William V. Jordan of Dixfield, Rev. Charles Frost of Bethel, Rev. Henry Richardson of Gilead, and Rev. Thomas T. Stone of Machias, were present and participated. "The services were per- formed in their assigned order."
December twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and forty-two, Rev. E. S. Hopkins and wife were admitted to the church by letter from the church in New Portland. A better condition of things seems to have followed the installation of Rev. Mr. Hopkins, and addi- tions to the church were more numerous. Among those who joined were Peter Thompson, Ajalon Godwin, Sarah and Melinda Elliot, David Holt, William Morse, Francis Cushman and wife, Timothy Holt and wife, Joseph Holt and wife, Mrs. Mary S. Snow, Nathan W. Elliot, John S. Colby, Henry Abbot, Wm. H. Furness. Many others were admitted during this and the following year. The Millerite craze probably had something to do with it, as this excite- ment awakened a temporary interest in all the churches in the town and vicinity. Mrs. Mary E. Dearborn was admitted by letter from the church in Pembroke, N. H. May first, eighteen hundred and fifty-two, voted to recommend Samuel S. Snow and wife to the church in Saccarappa. February twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, the pastor asked for a dismissal, and the same was referred to an ecclesiastical council consisting of Rev. Mark Gould, Rev. John H. M. Leland, Rev. David Garland and several lay dele-
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gates. The council granted his request, but expressed sincere regret thereat. He had been a faithful and conscientious pastor, and the severing of the relations between him and the church was deeply regretted by both.
After the dismissal of Mr. Hopkins, the church was supplied during the spring and summer, and near the close of the year extended a call to Rev. Josiah Goodhne Merrill, who had been sup- plying somewhat for the year past. Mr. Merrill came in January, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, but the church records give no account of his installation. Some difficulty between Mr. Merrill and one of his parishioners occurred, and March twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven. a committee was chosen "for the purpose of settling it." This committee recommended that the trouble be dropped. and be agitated no more in religious meetings. Miss Phebe N. Merrill was admitted to the church this year, and Henry Martin chosen clerk. He made but few records. Chauncey Holt was admitted to the church August third, and died three days after. Charlotte K., wife of William Elliot, was admitted in eighteen hundred and fifty-nine. In eighteen hundred and fifty- four, the following were admitted : John E. Elliot, Josiah K. Elliot, Lucretia Elliot and Benjamin Elliot. No account is given in the record of Mr. Merrill's dismissal, but it is stated that Rev. Josiah G. Merrill, Harriet Merrill and Miss Phebe M. Merrill were given letters of dismissal July twelve, eighteen hundred and fifty- eight. It was probably a year later. The letter was not used, at least so far as it related to Miss Phebe M. Merrill, for in eighteen hundred and sixty. July twenty, she was dismissed by letter to the church in Salem, Mass.
The next pastor was Rev. John Elliot. There is no account of his installation on the church record, but he moved to Rumford Point from Auburn, November thirtieth. eighteen hundred and fifty- nine, and became acting pastor. He held the pastoral relation over the church until his death, which occurred very suddenly, March fifteenth. eighteen hundred and seventy-nine. During Mr. Elliot's pastorate he kept the church records, but few entries are made except of marriages, deaths and communion services.
since the death of Mr. Elliot, the church has had no settled min- ister. The summer following, the pulpit was supplied by Samuel V. Barnaby, a student of Amherst college, and during the summer of eighteen hundred and eighty. Mr. Barnaby again supplied. Rev.
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HISTORY OF P.UMFORD.
Joseph Garland was the next supply, followed by Albert Donnell of the Bangor Theological Seminary. August twenty-first eighteen hundred and eighty-one. a communion service was held and preach- ing by Rev. David Garland of Bethel. who exchanged with Mr. Donnell. The following persons were admitted to the church on that day : Cordelia Ray. Jenette J. Peabody. Marie D. and Emma A. Elliot, and Arabella M. Elliot. These were the first additions for eleven years. and the largest number received by profession during any year since the revival of one thousand eight hundred and forty-three. During the summer of eighteen hundred and eighty- two there was preaching by J. A. Jones, a student in Middlebury College. August twenty-sixth. Martha Elliot. Henrietta W. Smith and Maria Ray were baptized and united with the church. Mr. Jones continued to supply for the two following summers. The next supply was by W. J. Cole of Andover Theological Seminary. and during the summer of eighteen hundred and eighty-eight. Thomas MeBriar of Boston. from the Bangor Theological Seminary. supplied the pulpit. During all these years. the church has been closed in winter.
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