USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Waldoboro > History of the town of Waldoboro, Maine > Part 5
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John Varner,
Martin Hoch,
Jos. Simmons,
George Hoch,
Paul Mink, Jacob Genthner,
John Welt
Peter Orff,
Valentine Mink,
Charles Kaler,
Peter Wichenbach,
Chris'r Walk,
Geo. Hoffses,
Henry Oberlock, John Benner,
Isaac Sargus,
who were probably all from Waldoboro. Christo- pher Newbit lost an arm in the attack on Biguy-
88
HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
duce. The disastrous result of that ill-managed expedition is a matter of history.
George Hoch and John Welt were induced by promises of bounties of land and money to join the English at Castine. Soon seeing their error, they deserted, were captured, tried by court- martial and sentenced to receive each a thousand stripes save one. Welt died under the lash. Hoch survived, but bore to the day of his death, at the age of 99 years, the marks of that terrible punishment.
The close proximity of the enemy caused the milita to be called out frequently, and Capt. Ludwig and a company of seventeen men were again called into service. They did duty on the Medomak river from Sept. to Oct. 1779.
May 22, 1780, the town voted to raise money to pay the soldiers, who enlisted last May for eight months and Oct. 28, 1780, it was voted to raise money to pay for 360 lbs. of beef for the army.
This community like all others in the country had its tories who were every ready to give any information to the enemy likely to injure the patriots. During the haying season of 1780, a party of four tories came from the eastward, in the night, guided by one of their number by the name of Pendleton, and secreted themselves in Capt. Levi Soul's barn. This barn occupied the
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WALDOBORO DURING REVOLUTION.
spot where John F. Soule's barn now stands. When Capt. Soule went to feed his cattle before day, he was made a prisoner. Being in his shirt sleeves, he gained permission to go to the house to see his sick wife and get his coat. Closely guarded, with his arms pinioned, he went to his wife's room. Having obtained a large knife which lay on the table Soule approached the bed and told her to cut the cords confining his hands behind him. Pendleton threatened to fire if he persisted in freeing himself. Soule's reply was, "Cut!" Pendleton then shot him dead, the same bullet breaking one of Mrs. Soule's fingers. Fearing the firing might have raised an alarm, the party were glad to make their escape. The feelings of the poor woman cannot be described. She was wont to relate the story to her descendants, show- ing her crooked finger as evidence of its truthful- ness. Capt. Soule's body was buried on the farm owned by the late Capt. Andrew Storer, but the exact locality is not known. Stephen Pendleton, the perpetator of this deed, lived in Searsmont after the war. Another party made an unsuccess- ful attempt to capture Capt. Charles Sampson, a staunch friend of liberty, on the eastern side.
The coast was infested with marauders from the provinces east of Maine and by tories nearer home. Of the latter class, one Nathaniel Palmer, of Broad Cove, who, about this time (1780), was
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
belived to be the leader of a small gang of pirates infesting the islands of Muscongus Bay and com- mitting their depredations upon coasting vessels, falling in their way, thus adding to the depriva- tions of the people. For this, and probably other similar offenses, he was arrested and tried at Thomaston, by court martial, by order of Gen. Peleg Wadsworth, who had commanded this dis- trict. He was condemned, and the penalty was undoubtedly death by hanging, but made his es- cape from the barn in which he was confined at Wadsworth's headquarters, before the sentence pronounced upon him could be executed. He was handcuffed, but succeded in removing the mana- cles by twisting off a board nail with his teeth. After the war, probably several years, he returned to Broad Cove, and lived there unmolested, but, of course, thoroughly despised by the community."
Nov. 30, 1782, provisional articles of peace were agreed upon with Great Britain, by which that power acknowledged the independence of the colonies, but the definite treaty was not signed till Sept. 3, 1783.
It is impossible to ascertain how many sol- diers Waldoboro furnished for the Revolutionary army. It is said, but it is not believed, that the Dutch Neck alone furnished not less than sixty men. We are unable to learn that any were killed
I. Johnston's History of Bristol.
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WALDOBORO DURING REVOLUTION.
or died in the service, though there must have been some for Maine lost more than one thousand men.
The following list of revolutionary soldiers from Waldoboro, is from the rolls in the Adju- tant General's office in Boston :
Captain Jacob Ludwig's company, raised for the investment of Castine, served from Oct. 6, to Dec. 2, 1777,
Jacob Ludwig, Captain,
William Farnsworth, Ist Lieutenant,
Jacob Winchenbach, 2d Lieutenant,
Jonathan Nevers, Ensign,
Caleb Howard, Sergeant,
Godfrey Bornheimer, Sergeant,
Peter Hilt, Corporal,
Andrew Knowlton, Corporal,
William Miller, Private,
Godfry Hoffses,
Henry Overlock,
John Werner,
John Winchenbach, “
Henry Farlin,
Andrew Malcom,
Isaac Sargus,
Michael Andrew,
Francis Young, Ebenezer Jimmison, “
Charles Jimmison, “
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
Ebenezer Davis, Private,
John Hoffman,
John Braizer,
Loring Cushing,
Joshua Smith, 66
It will be seen by these names that part of them were from neighboring towns, probably Warren and Friendship. The following served in different regiments :
Christopher Walck, private in Capt. Philip M. Ulmer's company, Col. Samuel McCobb's regiment, from July 8, 1778, to Sept. 24, 1779,
Daniel Beckler, Ist Mass. Regiment, 3 years.
John Benner, private, Capt. Philip M. Ulmer's company, Col. McCobb's regiment, 2 years, 6 months.
Michael Castner, private, Capt. Adam Wheeler's company, Col. Thomas Nixon's regi- ment.
Joseph Gross, Reuben Gross and Chas Hebner served in Col. Joseph Vose's regiment, 3 years.
Matthew Hebner, Col. McCobb's regiment.
Christian Hoffses, regiment not given. George Hoffses,
John Newbert, (or Newbit) regiment not given.
Christopher Newbert, Capt. Ulmer's com- pany, McCobb's regiment, lost arm at Major- bagaduce, July 28, 1779.
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WALDOBORO DURING REVOLUTION.
Ezra Pitcher, regiment not given.
George Ulmer, ١١ George Ulmer, Jr., “
Henry Storer, private, Capt. Abraham Hunt's company, Col. Joseph Vose's regiment, from May 17, 1777, to May 18, 1780, was at Valley Forge.
Philip Martin Ulmer, Captain and Major in Col. Samuel McCobb's regiment.
Ezekiel Winslow.
Adam Shuman deserted May 8, 1776.
Isaiah Cole, regiment not given, was one of Washington's body guards.
Frederick Schwartz.
Soon after the Revolution Dr. Benjamin Brown, who had been a surgeon in the navy of the colonies, came to Bristol and later to Waldo- boro, where he finally permanently resided.
Soon after the Revolution the property of the Royalists, or tories, was confiscated. In Volume 3 of the Lincoln Probate records, we find the names of Jacob Young, John Smouse and George: Cline recorded as "absentees."
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CHAPTER XIII.
PERIOD FROM THE REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS
As the immediate result of the Revolutionary war, the independence of the Colonies had been achieved, but the return of peace found the country in an impoverished condition, with a constantly depreciating paper currency, and the people burdened with debt. It was many years before Waldoboro was freed from all the obligations in- curred during the war. In the meantime, internal improvements were in progress. Roads were be- ing built, the town lines were renewed, a court house was built, and the Medomak bridged for the first time.
The court of Common Pleas was held at Waldoboro from 1786 to 1799 when it was re- moved to Warren. The first court house was built on Kinsell's hill in 1786, by Capt. Cornelius Turner. It was 30 feet square with 10 feet posts. The court was held in this building in September of that year for the first time. A whipping post was erected, and Mr. Frederick Castner rembered seeing an Irishman whipped there for theft. He was tried, convicted and the sentence immediately carried out; a method of proceeding which has
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REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS.
not been improved by modern courts. According to the best information we can obtain, Court was held at Kinsell's until about 1796, when another court house was erected near Head's store. This building was afterwards remodeled into the present town house.
May 9, 1785, the town voted to build a bridge across the Medomak at "Lower Falls." John Ulmer, who owned all the land on the eastern side in the vicinity of the falls, appeared in town meet- ing and promised to give a way across his premi- ses for a road two rods in width, to the bridge. This offer was promptly accepted. Cornelius Turner, who seemed to hold himself in readiness for any kind of a job, bid off the building of this bridge for £72 10s. He was obliged by a vote of the town to receive any good man and pay him two shillings for a day's work on the bridge. Col. Farnsworth, George Damuth and Capt. David Vinal were appointed a committee "to view the bridge and see same is well made." Feb. 20, 1786, the town voted to accept the bridge "as it now is made."
At this time the church and town affairs were intimately connected. Committees for hiring the ministers were appointed at the annual town meetings and money appropriated for their sala- ries. After the departure of Rev. Mr. Theobald, the German pulpit was not occupied for the space
96
HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
of a year. In August 1785, the town agreed with Rev. Frederick Gruhner (commonly pronounced Kroner) "to preach the Gospel for twenty-eight shillings per Sabbath for twelve months." Gruh- ner was a faithful follower of his predecessor Dr. Schaeffer. He spent his time in drinking and card playing at the tavern, and horse racing was one of his favorite amusements. Even crimes of a much graver nature were laid to his charge. During his short ministry of four years it was necessary to call him to account continually, and in April, 1788, a committee of five were chosen to draw up articles "that the Rev. Mr. Gruhner is to go by and behave himself accordingly." It is a little queer that Dr. Schaeffer was a member of this committee. Foreseeing that his career would end in his dismissal from the church, he preached his last sermon, which was in German and so nicely balanced that his audience did not compre- hend his object. His text, which was from John, 7th chapter, 34th verse, was as follows: Irh werdet mich suchen, und nicht finden und da ich bin, Konnet ihr nicht hinkommen." His depart- ure was made early the next morning. Neither his church nor his wife were ever after advised of his whereabouts or pursuits.
The Rev. Thurston Whiting, who was located at Warren, must have preached here occasionally to the English, for the town voted May the 5th,
.
REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS. 97 1787, to allow him 24 shillings per Sabbath as long as he should be employed.
During the year 1789, roads were built to Nobleboro and to Warren.
The first census of the United States (1790) comprised an enumeration of the inhabitants of the present states of Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachu- setts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virgin- ia. A portion of the schedules of this Census was destroyed when the British burned the Capitol at Washington during the War of 1812. Fortunate- ly the enumeration for Maine did not share the fate of some of the others. This first Census which represents the United States at the adoption of the Constitution, showed the total population of the country to be 3,231,533. The enumeration
of the towns of Bristol, Nobleboro and Waldoboro, was made by one John Polerezcky, whose name seems to indicate that he was either a Russian, or a Pole. The list of heads of families according to his enumeration, is so incorrectly spelled that in many cases it is difficult to determine what name was meant. The heads of families in Waldoboro in 1790, according to Polerezcky's report, are given without correction :-
hines, Conelis heabner, george
burghart, John
welch, Charles
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
welch, John, jun welch, Christopher werner, John, jun werner, John
benner, mathias Gentner, Jacob wickley, bernhard hoch, george
werner, andrew ·oberlach, John henry
Scwartz, Jacob
Reed, michel
hofses, mathias
keen (widow)
ludwig, Jacob
keen, philip
Stall, henry
keen, niclas
bornheimer, godfried
miller, francis
bornheimer, Jacob
hofses, anton hilt (widow)
wolfgruber, Stofel
Eichorn, Jacob orf, fridrich
keler, Jacob
wilman, Samuel
miler, peter
hoch, michel
winkenbach, Jacob
boseman, Godlieb
oberlach, frank
welt, pleosus
waliser, John
Cramer, peter
gros, peter gros, John
oberloch, John
gros (widow)
keller, william feiler, Stofel Schwartz, peter martin, John
miller, frank, jun
Sterer, christian
Shmit, christian
arius, Isaach
horn, frederich
woltz, andrew
Shuman, philip
Gentner, andrew hilt (widow)
abraham, Susman levenzeler, adam wewer, John
lincoln, Joshua
brown, benjamin
beckler, daniel
Shuman, John hoch, martin
wilman, benjamin
orf, nicolas
weber, george
oberlach, charles
cramer, cristoph
huier, conrad
miller, frank
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REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS.
orf, Stophel Sidenspire (widow) Sidenspire, charles keller, Jacob, Jun Remly, mathias
lear, peter hossies, christian
From Port Royal
mink, philip keizer, francis
Simons (widow) haupt, John heisler, martin
Stall, philip miller, henry walk, henry
fitchgearald, John Sider, cornelius
kalor, charles
farnswort, william, Jun
farnswort, william
farnswort, Robert
cramer, John Sidlinger, martin Sidlinger, charles Sidlinger, daniel kintzel, John
morgin, James
Sprague, nathan
howard, Joshua burghart, henry
ewell, henry
walter, peter hunt, John
houpe, Joseph heat, John
fielhauer, daniel bradex, John
Simons, Stephen
Studley, John wihal, francis Jones, luke hevener, mathias cumerer, Joseph hossies, godfried Mink, valantin
Payson, John
warner, george oldham, peleg
loring, judah pitcher, nathl brow, Joseph turner, alexander
drawbridge, John
feiler, jaspar
farnswort, Isaac
pitcher (widow)
Sprague, michel Rota (widow)
Mcgayer, thomas cramer, Jacob cramer, charles cramer, fridrich turner, cornelius leicht, george leicht, peter kohn, paul winal, david
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
keen, abner
keller, charles
Claus, george
Schwartz, friderich demut, george demut henry
leicht (widow)
lish, paul
bracht, peter
leisner, george
bracht, John
chapman (widow)
wagner, william
chapman, abraham
wagner, andrew
howard, caleb
freeman, barnabas
cole, Jabish
Eichorn, george
Cole, Isaack
benner, John
Isley, michel
benner, martin
kaastner, ludwig
Snaudel, william
nash, Church
werner, george
andres, Sthephen
Eichorn, daniel
Sides, loring
Eichorn, John
newbert, Stophal
hedwic, Joseph
newbert, John
lach, asmus
filor, John
talheim, george
thomas, Joshua
Eichorn, michel
walk, peter
Reed, Jacob
heavener, charles
brodman, Charles
burns, cornelius
feller, Charles
warner, John, Jun
benner, John, Jun
pilcher, abner
Snouteigle, John
winchafsaw, henry
benner, charles
wade, jacob
benner, Jacob
Simons, barnabas
benner (widow)
winal, ezechial
ulmer, John
Swatland, Samuel
Razor, charles
coles, ables, Russell, Lewis
koon, george, jun
werner, John
werner, charles
prior, John fitch, william
Schwartz, (widow)
fogler, John
REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS.
101
Sidenspire, John
Samson, charles, Jun
andrew, michel
Simons, Eckiel (Hungh Is- land)
mink, pacel
Simons, Zebede
Simons, Joab (Hungh Island)
Simons, Joseph
Simons, Isaac (Hungh Island)
lasse, John
Sidenspire, george
Shenck, Andrew
thomas, waterman
kesler, John
payson, Samuel
Shanemar, christian
Sole (widow)
Shenk (widow)
Sole, Josephus
Starow, mathias
morphi (widow)
Starow, andrew
hofses, george
Samson, charles
maning, Edward
winchapaw, John
The population (1790) was 1206.
Samuel Sumner Wilde, Esq., who had prac- ticed law here a short time, removed to Warren in 1794
Rev. John Martin Shaeffer died in Warren, April 20, 1794.
During the winter of 1794-95 the meeting house, which had stood on the eastern side of the Medomak, was moved across the river on the ice and erected on the western side. Rev. Mr. Ritz was installed as pastor in 1794.
In the spring of 1791 the dams on the river were carried away by a freshet, and the bridge was either carried away or so much damaged as to be impassable.
Persevering efforts were made to have the plantation of Medumcook, now Friendship, an-
102
HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
nexed to this town. The proposition for annex- ation was regularly brought up in town meeting for several years, and as regularly voted down. Whether this desire for annexation was on the part of some of our own people, or the residents of Medumcook, we are unable to say.
At this time it was the pactice to warn all new comers out of town, to prevent their gaining a residence and claiming assistance from the town in case of poverty. Every fresh arrival, rich or poor, met with this inhospitable reception. In the town record we find many copies of these warn- ings. This custom was not peculiar to Waldo- boro, but was in vogue in all the towns at that period.
In 1792 the town was for the first time visited by that direful disease, the small pox. A town meeting was called and measures adopted to pre- vent the disease spreading. A committee was chosen to procure a suitable hospital, and another committee to prosecute any person found spread- ing the small pox by inoculation. In 1800 the small pox made its appearance in Waldoboro and Warren. A special meeting was called in March, and a unanimous vote passed that no inoculation would be allowed. But in June permission was given Dr. Benjamin Brown to erect a hospital on Isaiah Cole's hill, for the purpose of inoculating persons with the small pox. Dr. Brown was re-
REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS. 103
quired to give a bond of $2,000 for the faithful performance of his duty; and it was stipulated that no part of the expense should be borne by the town.
At this time (1795) there were seven saw mills and three grist mills in town.
A custom house was establised at Waldoboro by act of Congress approved March 31, 1789, and Waterman Thomas, Esq., appointed "Inspector of Revenue." His commission, dated June 13, 1795, and bearing the signature Washington, is in the possession of Miss Elizabeth F. Genthner of this place.
Previous to 1795 no regular mails had pene- trated further east than Wiscasset, but his year, on petition of the inhabitants of the towns interested, postmasters were appointed and the Waldoboro Post Office was included in the number established. The mail was sent once a week on horseback. The post-office was located on the western side of the river, near the present town house, which was then the business part of the place. The first postmaster was John Head. During the war of 1812, the mails were detained here and a room- full accumulated. The exposed condition of this quantity of mail offered inducements for robbery which were not overlooked. During the night the building was broken into and a large amount stolen.
104
HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
At the close of the century the nucleus of the village was forming at the head of the tide, the principal business part being on the western side. The German language continued to be spoken. Eaton says agriculture had made some advances. Farmers were supplied with more and better implements, particularly plows and carts. Horse wagons were unknown and ox wagons were but just coming into use. The usual conveyance for persons and light burdens, was on horseback. Men and boys rode to mill with two or three bags beneath them. Kegs of molasses and rum were carried home in the same way. The practice of "riding double," as it was called, was universal. Whether to church or to the ball, the man rode before on the saddle, the lady on the pillion be- hind him. But this mode of conveyance was be- ginning to yield, during the winter months, to sleighs which, both double and single, were now becoming common. But there were, as yet, no robes of buffalo or other furs, for the protection of man or beast, though the feet were sometimes relieved by portable foot stoves, both on journeys and at church. Tea and coffee were in general use. Ardent spirits, which were formerly used only on extraordinary occasions, were becoming
more dangerously common. Hospitality still abounded; and no occasion was lost for getting up a frolic. The women had their spinning bees and
REVOLUTION TO 1800. FIRST CENSUS. 105 wool-breakings; the men, their huskings and wood-haulings. When a building was raised, a vessel launched, or the militia mustered, every- body attended and everybody was treated.
CHAPTER XIV.
PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
The second U. S. Census, taken in 1800, showed an increase in the population of the town to 1516.
At this time the village, if it could be called by that name, still presented the appearance of a new settlement. Business was about equally divided between the eastern and western sides of the river. On the eastern bank, which afterwards became the business portion of the place, the land had been cleared, the Barnard Tavern had been built, the old Sproul house stood in the north corner now occupied by the Sproul block, and the next building south was Thompson's house standing near where the residence of the late John H. Kennedy now is. Thompson's store was on the opposite side of the street. From these buildings the dwellings of Major Razor, Mr. Kuhn, George Vannah™ (who afterwards moved to Nobleboro), Mr. Schwartz (who died in the Rev- olutionary army), Mr. Demuth and Mr. Lash formed a row along the hill some distance from the road. Between the road and the river there
I. This house was burned in the great fire of 1854.
107
PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
were no buildings except Thompson's Store, where Mrs. Luella Winchenbach now resides and Doctor Walleazer's house which was where Governor Marble formerly resided. During this period Henry Flagg, who was the efficient town clerk several years, built what was afterwards known as the Brown place, on the corner where E. R. Ben- ner's drug store now stands, and the Groton house had been built on the opposite corner. On the western side of the river, was the court house, Head's store and Smouse's store opposite, and Smouse's house in the field. Smouse afterwards traded in a store on his wharf. At Kaler's corner Joshua Head was engaged in erecting the large dwelling now owned by G. W. Clouse. Soon after this Mrs. Trowbridge, familiarly known as "Aunt Lydia," opened a tavern on the Warren road near Waltz's Corner.
During the period from 1800 to the "separa- tion," many new citizens were attracted hither. Among these may be mentioned Isaac G. Reed, and Gorham Parks, lawyers, Samuel Morse,' Isaac Hibbard, a hatter, Denny McCobb, Joseph Farley, Alfred and James Hovey, John Currier, Ezekiel Barnard, William Sproul, Payn Elwell, Thomas Willett, William Fish, Dr. John Manning, Avery
I. Samuel Morse taught school several years; afterwards operated a tannery.
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HISTORY OF WALDOBORO.
and Horace Rawson, Charles Bruce, Henry Flagg, Robert Chase, John Brown, a saddler, and John Ayers. Dr. John Haupt, an educated German physician, who came here from Germany previous to 1790, and married Mary Waterman, went to Wiscasset where he died in the early part of this century. Some of these people lived and died here; others have removed and been forgotten.
Gen. Denny McCobb came to Waldoboro from Bath and was Collector of Customs here a number of years. He lived near the school- house where Levitt Storer's house now stands. His daughter, Huldah Marie, married Gen. John T. Castner.
In 1803 the town purchased the old court house and repaired it for a town house. The amount paid for land and building was $230. It still does service as a place for holding town meetings.
In 1806 the town built a bridge at the outlet of Medomak pond. William Sproul built the bridge for $200.
Oct. 25, 1806, Gen. Henry Knox, who, after the Revolution, took up his residence in Thomas- ton, died at his palatial home in that town. His
I. Avery Rawson built the house on Cole's hill which he sold to William Cole and then built the house now occupied by Mrs. Dora York. Horace Rawson (father of M. M. Rawson), built the house now occupied by his son and granddaughter.
109:
PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1820.
death was caused by his swallowing one of the minute sharp bones of a chicken, which, lodging in the æsophagus, or stomach, produced an inflam- mation which could not be controlled.1 Many of the land deeds in Waldoboro bear the signature of Henry Knox.
So many of the citizens now used only the English language, that complaint was made against having the Gospel preached exclusively in Ger- man, and May 10, 1806, a committee appointed by the town, reported that "It is expedient and will in our opinion be conducive to union and harmony, if the sum of money to be raised for the support of the Gospel, shall be assessed on the polls and estates of all the inhabitants of the town, without making any distinction between the German Society and the inhabitants of the town; that the German Society ought to draw from the treasury of said town $208 for the minis- ter; that the sum exactly equal to that which the- German Society draws, ought to be drawn for the hire of an English minister. The report was ac- cepted and this arrangement continued for several years, the amount raised varying from $500 to $1,000.
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