Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 28

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Maine > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 28
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 28

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).

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EARLY CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.

What craning of necks and impertinent glowering on those Sabbaths when it had gone abroad that some newly-wedded couple would " appear out " ! This was a greater attraction then than a church theatre is now; and when, after almost breathless waiting, the rustling of "changeable silk " was heard, and the be-gloved and blushing pair came to their seat, silly maidens "snick- ered," and knowing old women whispered: "She looks real purty" and "her man kinder dandified." Why, it required as much courage to "appear out " in those days as it did for a fluttering heart to approach the marriage altar, behind which stood one of the old-fashioned, frigid ministers.

It was a memorable day when a communion had been announced and a hungry and thirsty boy of the village laid hands on the bread and wine during the morning service, so that when the good deacon's wife had spread the snowy cloth her husband came in, greatly confused, to tell the waiting pastor that the emblems prepared for the solemn occasion could not be found. For- tunately the silverplate was left for the future use of the church.

The most remarkable event that was ever witnessed within the walls of the church at West Buxton was when Dr. Edward Peabody, who had been the choir-leader for many years, was carried there upon a mattress, at his request, and supported upon the rostrum while he addressed the assembled people. He had, during his whole life, neglected the gospel, in which he was a secret believer, and now, when upon his dying bed, wished to make a public confes- sion of his faith.

Second Freewill Baptist Church. - The church was organized by members of the first church who had received letters from that body. Meet- ings were held in a schoolhouse until a meeting-house at Spruce swamp was built in 1839, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Elder James Libby, of Poland. Elder Jonathan Clay was pastor from the organization for ten years, until his death, Feb. 20, 1849. The first deacons were Samuel Elden, who died Oct. 27, 1872, and Elijah Owen, who died Mar. 29, 1879. These were succeeded by Samuel Merrill and Thomas Smith.

First Baptist Church .- The early ministers of this denomination who preached in Buxton were Elder John Chadbourne, and Elder Simon Locke who was a pastor in Lyman. In 1799 an organization, styled the Baptist church of Saco and Buxton, was effected, there being but fourteen members. Abner Flanders was ordained as pastor, and continued preaching in Saco and Buxton until 1825, when the North church was organized at Elden's Corner, now Buxton Centre. Elder Flanders supplied here until 1829, when he retired from the active ministry and devoted his attention to agriculture. Elder Flan- ders was not an attractive person, being tall, loose framed, coarse and angular featured. He was moderate and drawling in his sermons, and his general deportment in the pulpit was conducive to sound sleep and Sabbatic rest. The church in the south part of the town was left without a pastor and soon

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disintegrated. The Baptist society at Buxton Centre has enjoyed the ministry of some able teachers and has become a strong and influential organization. The first deacons of the South church were Samuel Woodsum and Joseph Atkinson; of the North church, Isaac Hancock and Rufus Emery.

Methodist Church. - A Methodist class was formed at North Buxton, under the preaching of Elder Elias Hall, in 1799, with Hugh Moore as leader. Richard Hubbard was pastor in 1802-3. At this time a meeting-house was built, and was superseded by a larger one in 1848. In 1870 there were 127 members.

CHURCHES IN HOLLIS.

The plantation of Little Falls was settled as early as 1760, and in 1780 many families had sat down in clearings there, but we do not hear of any set- tled minister or place of worship until 1802, when in the March town-meeting the inhabitants voted to build two meeting-houses. One was built in the field back of the schoolhouse in district No. 4 by Joseph Jordan. Joseph Linscott, Samuel Bradbury, Abijah Usher, Capt. John Smith, Joshua Warren, Jr., and Daniel Smith were the building committee. The other house was built in the southern section of the town, near the celebrated boiling spring, now in Day- ton. It was voted to employ a minister that year, and Elder Timothy Hodg- don was engaged at a salary of $200. He supplied in the two pulpits until his death, in 1825. Many of the settlers of the plantation came from Narra- gansett, No. 1, after the Revolution, and continued members of Paul Coffin's church until 1805, when they received letters, and a society consisting of twenty-five members was organized in Hollis. In 1806 the town appropriated $500 to build a parsonage. This church had occasional preaching until 1832, when John Hubbard was ordained and settled over them as pastor. Under his preaching the cause was in a flourishing condition here, the membership largely increased, and large congregations were assembled weekly to hear the gospel. Elder Hubbard closed his labors here in 1835, and from that day the flock gradually scattered, "like sheep without a shepherd," the services were discontinued, and the meeting-house was allowed to sink into decay. According to the English custom, a churchyard was laid out around the meet- ing-house, and here the early dead in that neighborhood were buried. A few old monuments were there, some leaning this way, some that, and others pros- trate, while the winds had sported with sands under which the bodies had been interred, until, it is said, many of the bones were visible on the surface of the ground. The sheep were running at large there when we last visited the place many years ago, and were nightly folded in the meeting-house. We remember this old place of sanctuary well. It was constructed in the primi- tive style with great, square pews enclosed by rattling doors. The pulpit was

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so high that the preacher's head must have been in the region of clouds- the house was on a high hill -and the ponderous sounding-board hanging above threatened to fall and crush all below. Here the "odor of sanctity" exhaled from tansy, southernwood, spearmint, and the wild flowers gathered by the wayside when on the road to church; and here, at intermission, many a box was opened containing sage-seasoned meat and cheese, and a good sup- ply of "Waterborough doughnuts" to sustain the worshipers through the afternoon services.

Freewill Baptist Churches .- The Provisional Baptists had a society in Waterborough as early as 1803, and many who lived in Hollis were mem- bers. This church was under the pastoral care of Elder Pelatiah Tingley. We do not know the reasons for some peculiar entries on the town records, such as the following: "John Frowarthy, Daniel Townsend, John Young, Hezekiah Young, and Dominicus Smith have for several years belonged to our church." Certified by Elder Tingley. Also Elisha Smith, Joshua War- ren, and Elisha Smith, Jr., were certified on the town records as members of the same church .*

The first Freewill Baptist society, under that name, was formed in March, 1815. Benjamin Warren was the first clerk. There were only twenty-two members. Elder Humphrey Goodwin became pastor and continued to preach until his death, Oct. 3, 1838. Services were held in a schoolhouse until 1834, when a meeting-house was built. This, I suppose, was the well-known "White meeting-house," a name that eventually was applied to the neighbor- hood adjacent. In this house there has been heard such singing as would raise the hair on modern heads. When the three brothers, Benjamin, "Corker Joe," and Clem Smith, had blown the crumbs out of their teeth, "pitched the tewne," and warmed under the inspiration of "Buckfield," such running in and out, and up and down, the scale was seldom heard. As they sang differ- ent "parts," Clem would drop out while Ben and Joe galloped away upon the road of song; then, when out of breath, they would come to a killick, and Clem would "fid in" and sweep all before him for a time. But after thus scouring the track for a while, and when they had reached that point on the home stretch "where lilies show their spotless heads," such vehement tearing along was never elsewhere heard of. These trained, old-school musicians were never out of time. No matter how intricate were the meshes of the tune, how steep the notes to climb, or deep the bass valleys they descended to, the listener could always tell where each was going, and they always came out square on the last line; this, therefore, was a great mystery. But these have long since gone up to unite with those who sing the new song. This

*TOWN RECORDS .- "Hollis, March 2, 1818. This may certify to whom it may come before that Joseph Gilpatrick, of Waterborough, whose property is in Hollis, and John Gilpatrick and Edward Gilpatrick, of Hollis, do belong to the free Society and meet with us."

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church has been favored with excellent pastors, and, although among farmers, has had a strong membership.

At the time of the division in the Limington quarterly-meeting there was a separation between members of this church, and a considerable faction formed another church, since known as the "Bullock society." A meeting- house was built in the "Buttertown " neighborhood, and Elder Jeremiah Bul- lock and his wife preached occasionally for many years. Among others who have supplied here we remember Benjamin Hawkins, Luther Perry, Samuel Boothby, and David House. John Alds and William Johnson were deacons.

The old, dilapidated house has been thoroughly renovated, and made not only comfortable, but attractive. In that humble sanctuary the author delivered his first apology for a sermon; forced to the front, unwillingly, by the relent- less importunity of the deacons in the absence of Elder Perry. Elliot Gil- patrick was both chorister and choir here for many years; there were others who sometimes "fell into line," but were all left in the shade by the charming voice of this old musical magician, who was born with his mouth full of songs.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- A Methodist evangelist, Elder Lewis, came into the town early, and created considerable religious interest in that neighborhood between Hollis Centre and Waterborough. In 1809 fourteen persons "polled off" from the support of any other church, and a record of the transaction was entered upon the town book, according to law. The names of these first members of the Methodist Episcopal church were:

CALEB LOCKE, JR., CAPT. DANIEL DOW, JOSEPH CHADBOURNE,

AMOS MASON, HEZEKIAH GOODWIN, WIDOW LOCKE,

ROBERT CLEVES, SIMON PLAISTED, THOMAS LOCKE,

THOMAS WADLIN,

CHARLES CLARK,

SILAS WARD.

ROGER EDGECOMB, ANDREW GORDON,

A meeting-house was subsequently built, and a society organization has been continued.

CHURCHES IN LIMINGTON.

Few towns in the Saco valley can furnish an ecclesiastical history equal to Limington, and the early religious horizon was much clouded by dissen- sions and divisions. Some of the first settlers of the township were staunch members of Paul Coffin's church, in Buxton, and went down there to worship for some time. A Congregational church was organized in town, Oct. 1I, 1789, consisting of six members, whose names we subjoin:

JONATHAN BOOTHBY, DANIEL DVER,

AMOS CHASE, FRANCIS SMALL, ISAAC ROBINSON, ASA EDMUNDS.

At the first town-meeting, held in 1792, 614 was voted for the support of the gospel and a committee chosen to have it "preached out." At a meet-

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ing held in September of the same year, the town voted £15 additional for the ministry. In November the town voted to call Mr. William Gregg to settle over them and an annual salary of £80. A meeting-house was begun in 1793. Petitioners called for the settlement of Jonathan Atkinson, and he was ordained pastor, Oct. 15, 1794. Amos Chase and Daniel Dyer, the first dea- cons, were chosen Jan. 17, 1795. The meeting-house was rebuilt and enlarged in 1835. The society increased in membership under the labors of its efficient pastors and became strong.

Freewill Baptist Church. - The powerful preaching of Elder John Buzzell in Parsonsfield was an attraction which drew away many whose ideas were not in sympathy with the cold, formal ceremonies of the "tandings order" in adjoining towns. From the Limington town records we find that John Stone, Isaac Ward, Asa Hubbard, and Dominicus McKenney were released from the ministerial tax in their own town and recorded as being members of the Parsonsfield Provisional Baptist church. Between 1804 and 1810 many of the inhabitants of Limington "polled off " and united with the Freewill Baptist church in Parsonsfield. Elders Christopher and Jeremiah Bullock, father and son, were early and successful preachers of the faith held by Elders Buzzell and Tingley, and many were converted. The first church was organized by Elder Jeremiah Bullock, and increased until it was deemed advisable to divide into three separate branches, in different sections of the town; this was effected in 1814. In that year the North church had 68 members. The three branches had a membership of 248 in 1823. During 1834 the leading ministers of the Parsonsfield quarterly-meeting heartily espoused the temperance cause and earnestly preached against intemperance. Elder Bullock opposed this action as unprofitable. The mission question fol- lowed and engendered still greater opposition. A division soon occurred, and the followers of Elder Bullock from that day to date have been called " Bul- lockites," but they themselves recognize no name but Freewill Baptists. As a distinguishing designation the larger body has been called "Star Baptists," in consequence of publishing, as their denominational newspaper, the Morn- ing Star.

The Bullock faction soon formed an organization known as the "Liming- ton quarterly-meeting" which has been maintained until the present time. The first meeting-house was built in 1810; the second, now standing, in 1852-3. The first three deacons were Ezra Davis, Jr., Andrew Cobb, and John Man- son, ordained June 5, 1816.

In 1831 a council met at the house of John Lord and organized the North Freewill Baptist church, consisting of forty-two members by letter from the old first church. The first deacon was Ebenezer Cobb; the first clerk, Humphrey McKenney. This church was disbanded in 1848, and in 1852, Elder S. Rand and fifty others took letters and formed the Freewill Baptist

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church in Cornish. Their last record is short and pathetic. It reads as follows :

"Ост. 30, 1848.

"Met according to 'Pointment capacity. Chose Bro. Frost Gubtill Moderater. Voted to give each brother and sister a letter to join some other church. Voted to disband this church. Voted to dissolve this meeting. Prayer by brother Boynton. Parted in good union. STEPHEN MESERVE, Clerk."

CHURCHES IN STANDISH.

Congregational Church .- It was necessary to have a church of seven members before a minister could be ordained; accordingly, John Tompson, John Pierce, George Freeman, Michael Philbrick, Josiah Shaw, Peter Moul- ton, and David Sanborn were the original pillars of the body ecclesiastic. Following the initiatory step a council of ministers, belonging to the Congre- gational order, was formed and the Rev. John Tompson was ordained, Oct. 26, 1768. He continued to preach in town until 1781 ; then was dismissed and settled in Berwick, where he preached many years, dying in 1828, aged 88. During the ministry of Mr. Tompson in Pearsontown the persons whose names.follow were admitted to the church :

Mary, wife of Josiah Shaw, May 14, 1769 Jonathan Philbrick, to full communion, June 18, 1769. Ebenezer Shaw and Anna, his wife, Aug. 18, 1769.

Caleb Rowe, from Kensington, N. H., Apr. 8, 1770. Sarah Tompson, to full communion, Nov. 4, 1770.

Dominicus Mitchell, admitted June 9, 1771. Daniel Sanborn and Jane, his wife, Dec. 8, 1771.

Daniel Hasty and Martha, his wife, Oct. 25, 1772.

Mary, wife of Michael Philbrick, July 4, 1773.

Thomas Shaw, to full communion, Sept. 19, 1773.

Ebenezer Shaw, Jr., and wife Sarah, to full communion, June 4, 1774. Anna, wife of Dominicus Mitchell, July 24, 1774. Joanna, wife of Peter Moulton, Apr. 2, 1775. Daniel Cram and Sarah, his wife, July 16, 1775.

Daniel Harmon and Sarah, his wife, Feb. 4, 1775.

Joseph Butterfield and Mary, his wife, Mar. 24, 1776.

John Dean, admitted June 30, 1776. Stephen Sanborn and Mary, his wife, Apr. 13, 1777. Sarah, wife of John Wood, May 11, 1777. John Ayer and Elizabeth, his wife, May 11, 1777. Sargent Shaw, to full communion, Sept. 19, 1779.

Reuben Burnham and Enoch and Anna Perley, to full communion, 1779.

George Freeman and Jonathan Philbrick were deacons of Mr. Tompson's church. After he went away two ministers supplied before a regular pastor was ordained.

Rev. Jonathan Gould was the second pastor. He was ordained in Stan-

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dish, Sept. 18, 1793. But few united with the church during his pastorate. He died suddenly of consumption without being confined to his bed for a day, and on Thursday following he was followed to his grave by a great concourse of people; not a relative present. On his grave-stone the following inscription appears :

" In memory of the Rev. Jonathan Gould late pastor of the Church in Standish son of Deacon Jonathan Gould of New Braintree and Abigail his wife, who departed this life July 26, 1795, in the 33d year of his age and 2d of his ministry. He was a fervent and zealous preacher of the gospel very exemplary in his Life & conversation & bid fair to adorn the ministerial character with peculiar honour.

So sleeps the saints & cease to mourn, When sin and death have done their worst, Christ has a glory like his own That wants to clothe their sleeping dust."

The persons whose names follow were admitted during his pastorate:

James D. Tucker and wife, Mary, Nov. 24, 1793. Widow Linnell, by letter from Eastham, 1794. Daniel Boynton and wife, Jan. 26, 1794. Joseph Paine, to full communion, Aug. 10, 1794. Stephen Sparrow and wife, Sarah, Feb. 1, 1795. Abigail Muzzey, admitted Mar. I, 1795.

John Pierce, admitted Mar. 15, 1795. Dorcas, wife of Myrick Paine, 1795. Enoch Linnell and wife, Susanna, Apr. 26, 1795. Daniel Cram and wife, Chloe, and Zacheus Higgins, May 3, 1795. Joseph Hopkins and wife, Sarah, June 15, 1795.

After the death of Mr. Gould, Deacon Freeman read printed sermons on Sabbath days for some time. The Rev. Daniel Marrett was ordained Sept. 21, 1796, being settled by the town. During his ministry he received mem- bers to the church who lived in town and some from adjoining towns. By reason of dismissals, excommunications, removals, and deaths of the members of the church the parish collector found trouble in collecting Parson Marrett's salary, which had been fixed at £80 per annum. Some who did not attend the services had their property taken by the collector and sold at auction. This resulted in bitterness against the parson and much ill-will among the towns-people until the laws were changed after Maine became a state, in 1820.

Some of the members of the church lived to venerable years, as the following deaths will show:

Deacon Freeman, d. Mar. 1, 1829, aged 90. Deacon Philbrick, d. May 4, 1821, aged 82. John Pierce, d. during the Revolution, at Boston. Michael Philbrick, d. in Thorndike, Me., in 1813. Josiah Shaw, d. Aug. 7, 1810, aged 70. Peter Moulton, d. June 3, 1812, aged 70. David Sanborn, removed to Baldwin.

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Ebenezer Shaw, d. Mar. 18, 1783, aged 68.

Daniel Sanborn, d. Jan. 14, 1786, aged 65. Caleb Rowe, d. in Belgrade, Me., 1819, aged 84. Dominicus Mitchell, d. September, 1822, aged 78. Daniel Hasty, d. in 1818, aged 69. Daniel Cram, d. Mar. 3, 1815. Joseph Butterfield, d. Sept. 12, 1819, aged 78. John Dean, Esq., d. May 6, 1826, aged 83. Stephen Sanborn, d. in 1779.

It appears that a party of intoxicated soldiers entered the old meeting- house on a training day and dismantled it. The lines subjoined were written by Thomas Shaw, who said there were no schools in town until he was twenty- four years of age and he never attended a day in his life. He was self-taught to the extent that he could read, write, and cast accounts. The spelling and punctuation are defective.

DESTRUCTION OF THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE, 1805.

"A training was in Standish town

Before the old house was torn down, That once did stand in the broad road Where people met to worship God. And after men did drink their fill Of liquor fit all flesh to kill And night came on to hide their deeds,

To wickedness they did proceed.

After that they bewich-ed were

By Satan, they began to tear The meeting-house in the highway

A shame it is unto this day. The devil's servants entered in To worship there they did begin ;

Both in the pulpit and the pews

All over the house their prayers arose ;

They pray-ed then for to distroy The house with weopens in great joy.

As soon as their sham prayers were done Then devastation soon begun. With axes and with hamers they Pulpit and pews all in their way Tearing the boards off of the frame As if the house was cnrsed by name. When Satan's servants then had done Then homeward they quickly did run And each one of them hid his head Under a sheet or coverlead. And the next morning, appearing bright Their deeds of darkness came to light And stared them in the face When e'er they look-ed on that place. Then through the house we all see Wondering what the cause might be For it was open to behold The works of darkness there was bold.

The seats were scattered all abroad And boards stove off the house of God. And under foot all seemed to lie

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As if the house they did defy.

As strangers passed by the same They wondered how that it became A mark for Satan to shoot at Carrying the news abroad at that.

And when we abroad did go People then did to us throw

That our old house had had a fight With Satan on a training night.

Ye servants of the wicked one, Review the deeds you have done And never [again] do such a thing For a scandal upon all to bring. One scabby sheep affects a flock So a bad name they all have got One sinner also corrupts a town Which has a bad name all around. So then Standish has a bad name By bad men that live in the same And good and bad now must it bare And every one his equal share. And now there Satan chose to dwell Because the people suit him well For fire and brimstone soon will fall Upon them and consume them all

- Lord save us when we to thee call."

CHURCHES IN BALDWIN.

Congregational Church. - Religious meetings were held in Flintstown soon after the proprietors had effected a settlement, these being conducted by evangelists, or local laymen, who had the "gift of tongues," an attainment sometimes supplemented by the "gift on continuance." However, the pioneers were engaged in subduing the wilderness and seem to have allowed religious matters to care for themselves until Rev. Noah Emerson was settled as regu- lar pastor of the Congregational society. About this time, say 1824-6, the " Emerson meeting-house " was built on an elevation westerly from the " Emer- son brook," so-called, on the right side of the road leading to West Baldwin. This sanctuary was of the conventional pattern in vogue at the time- nearly square, with two rows of windows, one for that part filled with the pews, the other for light in the gallery. The square pews were supplied with doors to keep intruders out and the children and dogs in : also, with "clapper seats," hung on hinges, to make a racket and wake the sleepers when the con- gregation arose to receive the benediction. This house was set some distance from the road, and the lot is now covered with a growth of pines.

The Methodists formed a society about the same time of the organization of the church known as "the Standing order," and claimed a share of the ministerial appropriations voted by the town; but the Orthodox brethren believed they were the "elect" and held on to the "filthy lucre" with a close grip; they were "in favor at court" and won their case; the poor Methodists, meanwhile, left to shift for themselves. However, with that persistency

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characteristic of the followers of Wesley, they maintained their foot-hold in the town, and today the two churches worship in two neat chapels, the Methodists at the west, and Congregationalists in the east, section of the town.

The Baptists of various shades of doctrinal views, Calvinistic or " Hard- shell," and "Freewillers," have held services in different parts of the town, and one or both have built, at some time, a house of worship there.

CHURCHES IN CORNISH.

"Elder" John Chadbourne was an exhorter who early settled in Cornish and held religious services in private dwellings of the pioneers. He was there more than a century ago, building wheels and wooden plows on week days, and holding forth with gospel sword on the Lord's day. A church was organ- ized in 1792, and Mr. Chadbourne ordained about 1795. He traveled exten- sively as an evangelist, and was successful in gathering churches. He was grandfather of Ex-Secretary of State Sumner J. Chadbourne, Esq., of Augusta. Elder Levi Chadbourne, a kinsman of John, also labored in Francisborough, now Cornish, on the religious line, being an exhorter, who was afterwards ordained; but some said he was a "naughty man," who retired to secular employment. Meetings were held in the log-house of Dea. Joshua Chad- bourne, another descendant of the original Humphrey, who kept "ye great house at Strawberry Bank." Another leader of spiritual services in the early days was "Daddy" Allen, whose character was above reproach; a man greatly beloved by his contemporaries, who died while a favorite hymn was being sung at his request.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 28

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Portland, Me., The author Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424