Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 30

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 30
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 30

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).

When the culinary preparations had been completed the "wimmin folks" went about to "rid up the house." The "fore-rume " (no parlors then) was put in trim for company; bed linen aired and changed; laundried curtains hung at the small windows ; the fire-board taken down and the brass andirons polished; and with sweeping, brushing, and dusting, all things wore an air of tidiness and inviting comfort.

The arrival of the "meetin' folk" was both interesting to anticipate and amusing to behold. There were disciples of every grade-elders, deacons, delegates, messengers, breth-ring, sist-ring, convarts, new-lights, and come- outers. Standish Neck and Raymond Gore produced subjects suitable for observation by the students of anatomy and fashion. Quaint, queer old fel- lows, some of these! Many were maimed or deformed in some way. Such costumes! Swallow-tailed coats that had been worn on a wedding-day forty years before; pantaloons "pulled a year too soon" and crooked as a boat- knee; waistcoats of sufficient extent to answer all purposes of propriety; tall hats, bell-crowned and ragged as sackcloth, that formed a materialized para- dox because short; dickeys suggestive of the sides of a wheelbarrow, that

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were calculated to keep one's head level; turn-down collars, over which poured a set of neck whiskers like the water at high flood over a river dam. Some had evidently made a suffering attempt to shave, but their rusty old razor, like a broken-toothed rake, had left many "scatterings" here and there. One had a pair of eyebrows as long and outstanding as the ears of a lynx-cat. Another had, perforce, started a mustache, which had passed the age of " vel- vet " and was then in the "plush." Some of the more venerable breth-ring, who had "fought through many a battle sore," carried canes cut from the forest, crooked as the limbs they were intended to support, forming, thus, a bond of sympathy mutually helpful. The anatomical isthmus connecting head and trunk of these veterans was well swathed in the many-fold thick- nesses of ample cravats, and others, more dignified, wore the wide neck-stock secured by a buckle behind. The more unfortunate had lost an eye, and those who possessed two were afflicted by some "impediment " in them.

Let us pay our respects to the beasts that brought these brethren and sisters. These were of all builds and colors; so were the vehicles to which they were attached by tug and toggle. There were black horses in yellow sleighs, yellow horses in black sleighs; gray horses in blue pungs and white horses in red pungs. Some were wrapped about with segments of a bed quilt, others covered by the skin of a heifer found dead in the pasture. Sleigh-bells all sizes, from that of the "crab apple " to the "pumpkin sweet."

The "gineral meetin'" was convened at last and important conventional business attended to. Elder Linscott was called to the chair to "preside over said meetin'," while Elder Winterwade was called upon to "open said meeting by prayer." What an all-comprehending invocation that was! Considerable time and force were spent in thanksgiving for such "temporal and spiritual blessin's as had been 'sperianced during the past year-ah; for the gracious outpourin' o' the Sparit upon the various pastorial charges; for the presarva- tion of the lives of so many breth-ring and sister-ing-ah." Then he turned the switch and ran on another track; prayed for "wisdom and on-derstanding for the transaction of all deliberations-ah; that a sparit o' unison and mag- nimousness might prevail-ah ; that ministers might be an-ninted with pow-er to preach the word-ah; that the breth-ring and sist-ring might put shoulther to the wheel-ah ; and that the gineral meetin' would resound to the glory o' the Lard and the edification o' the people."

As an interlude a "pennyroyal hymn " was sung; it ran as follows:

"Come, my breth-ring, let us try, for a little season,

Every burden to lay by, come and let us reason."

"The chear is reddy for bizness."

" Move we hear report o' the churches."

" Raymond church fust on the list. Any delegate from Raymond?"

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

The "breth-ring" looked around. A cane rattled in a wing pew, and presently the Raymond delegate, in the person of Deacon Dingley, arose to speak.

" Hem! Ahem! My breth-ring, I'm the missinger from Raymond Gore church. Ahem ! I'm sorry to report a low state o' Zion 'mongst us, my breth- ring; very low state o' Zion. Many are on the background-ah, and some have hanged their 'arps on the willers by the cold streams o' Bab-lon. There have been some signs o' rain, but all signs fail in a dry time-ah. But we hope for better days, my breth-ring. The Raymond Gore church needs the slayin' power-ah ; a terrible shakin' o' the dry bones-ah. We ask for the prayers o' the gineral meetin' for a blessin' on Raymond Gore church."

"Windham church next on the list. Any delegate from Windham?"

An old brother with but one eye responded. His hair was iron gray and "banged" over his wrinkled forehead. With trembling hands he grasped the back of the pew in front, and with a voice that might have been a cross between the chirping of a cricket and the filing of a mill-saw he gave his report. He seemed to be deeply moved by some inward storm, which was indicated by clouds, thick and gloomy, that gathered about his brow ; it burst forth at length, and the rain-drops fell thick and fast from his weeping eyes. Windham had been wonderfully favored. For a long time a few faithful "breth-ring and sist-ring had been crying atween the porch and the altar; long, patiently, and with unfaltering importunity had these wrastled with the Lord until all on a sudden, in an on-expected moment, the winders o' heaven flew open and showers of blessin's came down upon the dry an' parch-ed ground-ah. Many of the gay-minded, bloomin' youth had forsaken the follies and frolics of this world to jine the church ; scores who had wandered and backslidden had come home where there's bread 'nough'n to spare ; fatted calves that had been kept for these disloyal, prodigal sons until they were four-year-olds were now butchered and served up, not as real, but as beef- no great loss 'thout some small gain, my breth-ring-and the weddin' garment and bridle ring bestowed upon them. It was believed that some o' the con- varts would be called to preach and others to prophesy. Old feuds had been settled, and breth-ring who held hardness agin each other for lo! these many years had acknowledged their faultiness, and now took sweet counsel togather."

This report was very well received and the remarks of the delegate from Windham were frequently interrupted by "Amen," and "Bless the Lord," from those who listened to the good news.

"Limin'ton church next on the list. Any delegate from Limin'ton?"

A fine, child-like voice was heard in one of the rear pews and the chair- man recognized " Brother Perkins, the delegate from Limin'ton."

"I am sorry to report," said Brother Perkins, "that the Limin'ton church's in a sad condition, and I'm terribly feared our can'lestick will be

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

remov-ed out o' its place. There seems to be a-a-a skism in the body, a sparit o' disunity an' hardness, my breth-ring. The ole inimy, he seems to be set luse 'mongst us, an' he's caus-ed se-rous trouble in the church an' community. There's Brother Purin'ton an' Brother Emery, theys hard agin one nuther; Brother Purin'ton, he girdled Brother Emery's young orchard, and Brother Emery, he throwed pison inter Brother Purin'-ton's well, he did. Then Brother Purin'ton, he kill-ed Brother Emery's dog, he did, an' Brother Emery, he knocked off the horns from Brother Purin'ton's cattle, he did. Wus than that, my breth-ring, Sister Severings, she backbitted 'ginst Sister Mulberry, and then Sister Mulberry, she called Sister Severings scandle-munger, she did. Well, my breth-ring, things went from bad to wus until Sister Mulberry and Sister Severings, they met one tother down in Sargent Nason's blueberry past- ure; I say these two sist-ring met down there and they gut into a quarrel and then they called one nuther hard names not lawful for me to utter, and then they clinched, they did (groans from the breth-ring), an' tugged, and scratched, and pulled one tother's hair, till Nason's dog, old Jowler, he heared the racket'n come dashin' down the pasture'n Betsey, she run one way, and Sally, she run tother. We hope the prayers of the gineral meetin' will be offered for the church of Limin'ton."

At the close of the foregoing report the chairman suggested a hymn, and Elder Oilytongue struck,

"From whence doth this union arise, that hatred is conquered by love," etc.

Elder Peacemaker moved that a council be called to set with the Liming- ton church and see what could be done to reconcile these alienated ones. The motion was seconded by Deacon Parsons, of Waterborough, and the committee was appointed by the chair.

The evening shadows were now falling, and a brother suggested that "wisdom was profitable to direct," and a motion to adjourn until the call of the chair was carried.

Elder Heatherway, the pastor of the church where the general meeting was convened, then announced that there would be "preachin' at airly can'le litin'," and the session was closed.

"'Cordin' to pintment," the people gathered at the gloaming to listen to the word. The ministers had taken their places in and about the pulpit- the old, high pulpit overhung by the bell-like sounding-board.

Groans from the brethren escaped, sighs from the sisters were heaved; groans came down from the desk and up from the wing pews.

Barney Slocum was seen climbing the rickety singing-seat stairs with the green baize bag that contained what old Sister Dearborn called the "bull-fiddle." Ransum Edwards was to lead the singing; he was waiting with tuning-fork in hand for the coming of Barney, who had now removed

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

the covering from his bass viol and was rubbing the bow upon a piece of resin.

Groans and sighs !

"Lard, help!"

"Du, Lard !"

" Hev marcy !"

" Du, Lard !"

Groans ! Sighs !

Elder Pinkhorn slowly arose in the pulpit with open pennyroyal hymn- book in hand, and after looking benignantly over the waiting congregation, said: "We will now begin the sarvice by the use of hymn ninety-six, common, pertick'ler metre; hymn n-i-n-e-ty-six." He then began to read with deep intonation of voice,

"Hark! from the tomb a doleful sound."

The rise and fall of his voice was like a boat bounding over small bil- lows-solemn, musical, singular. When the last and eighth stanza had been read there was a pause, followed by the rap of Ransum's tuning-fork, the accompaniment of a twang from Barney's instrument of three strings, and the voice of the leader, "do-me-sol-do-o-o." And then the congregation arose and the choir started in. The congregation had been invited to "jine in the singin'" and some "jined."

Now the leader was a man of time and didn't wait for anybody. Whether they sang high or sang low; whether they sang fast or sang slow, it was all the same to him, and he pushed right on to the end of the stanza. If others kept pace it was all well, but if they were not to the front in season, Ransum boldly waded into the next verse, and away they went, nip and tuck, hip and thigh, tooth and claw, on the "home stretch." Ransum was leader, and he led, whether or no.

And Barney had but one tune for all measures; that he had learned to play in his youth; it was set to the words, "Fire on the mountains, run, boys, run." Notwithstanding the galloping character of this "worldly tune," Bar- ney declared that by going fast or slow, he could adapt it to the rollicking hymn of "Ca-ne-an, bright Ca-ne-an," or "Old Hundred." Taken all in all, it was powerful music and served in good stead in those old-time and unme- thodical services. What was wanting in harmony was made up in noise ; consequently, if somewhat inartistic, abundant in quantity.

The congregation seated. Silence for a brief space.

Groans from ministry and laymen.

An awful hush like a lull in time.

"Lard, help!"

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

"Du, Lard !"

"Hem! Ahem!"

Elder Muchamore moves forward in prayer. With hands clasped over the pulpit cushion, face uplifted, and one eye closed, he opens with the fol- lowing words :

"It is through a well-directed train o' thy Providence that we're spar-ed, the monuments o' thy marcy ; had thou dealt with us 'cordin' to our de-sarts, we should long ago been cut off as cu-cumborers o' thy ground. Hear thou in heav-un, thy dwellin'-place, an' answer us upon airth. - We would not utter the prayer o' the republican, but that o' the sinner. Visit thy vine-yard. Send co-pious show-ers o' grace. Du thou a-nint thy sarvants with holy ile; make 'em sharp thrashin' instruments havin' teeth. May they give the trumpet a sartin sound. Bless thou the breth-ring and sist-ring who hev come so far over hills and through valleys to 'tend this gineral meetin'; du, Lard. Hev marcy on the on-faithful and on-consarned. We be all 'tar-nity bound crit- ters ; all goin' to the judgment where the wor-rum dieth not and the fire is niver squinched. Marcy! Marcy! Marcy! Du help the brother who hez the word to preach. May he hev the two-edged se-word that divides the jints an' the marrow. Let the word melt harts as wax upon a hot rock. Re-vive thy wark. Pour down thy Sparit. Marcy! Hev marcy-for thy name an' marcy's sake, warld without eend. Aman."

Elder Hardhack now arises and reads hymn forty-five, long metre. The congregation is again cordially invited to "jine in the singin'."

"Rap!"

"Ring !"

"Twang !"

" Do-me-sol-do-o-o-o."

"When strangers stand and hear me tell."

Away goes Barney's viol at the tune of "Fire on the mountains, run, boys, run." Away went Ransum, as leader, as determined as ever to be on time. But this was a somewhat difficult piece, and the various singers were soon entangled in the complicated intricacies of the old tune, and like sheep were running in all directions. Some were trying to follow Barney, some Ransum, and some sang independent. This was too much for Elder Hard- hack, and he called a halt by shouting, "That'll do, that'll do; omit the last six stanzas."

Sermon-time has come at last, and old Elder MacGravity rises to address the congregation. His introduction was as follows:

" My beloved breth-ring and sist-ring, I feel very on-warthy to arise before ye, but my mind has been deeply impressed with a passage o' Scripter, which, if it be the will o' the Lard, I shall use as the foundation o' my re-

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

marks. The text may be found in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, first verse: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be liken-ed unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.'

"We onderstand this to be one of our Marster's most strikin' and im- pressive parables. It has to do with events of the most momen-tus character. " The event employed as an illustration is that of an Eastern weddin', an oriental weddin', my breth-ring, and the-the-the weddin' precession. They who was tu take part in the precession had torches, and carried vessels of ile into which they dip-ped them now'n then to keep 'em burnin', my breth- ring-ah. But the bridegroom on this occasion delay-ed his comin', an' the onwise vargins they burn-ed up all their ile, they did; burn-ed up all their ile; and when they all slumbered and slep' there was a shout, ye see, . Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.' And these onwise vargins exclaim-ed, 'Our lamps be gone out.' Ye on-derstand they had no ile, my breth-ring, no ile in their vessels. The ile means grace, my breth-ring. Hev ye any grace in yer hearts, my breth-ring, any grace-ah, in yer hearts-ah ? Behold, the bridegroom cometh! Go-ye-out-to-meet him. See tu it that ye don't git caught like foolish vargins without any ile; without any grace."

For want of space we cannot report the sermon in full. It was an extem- pore undertaking, plain, exhortive, and practical; well adapted to the times and conditions, and left upon the minds of the hearers, who were not sound asleep-a deep and, we trust, lasting impression.

The visiting brothers and sisters now repaired to the homes of the farmers round-about to which they had been assigned by the pastor in charge, and while the horses were "baited " at the barn the company gathered about the cheerful fire to discuss the business transactions of the morning session, the sermon to which all had listened, and the " state of Zion " at large.

Here was an opportunity for observing primitive fashions and quaint speech. Among those entertained at the good home of Brother and Sister Hunchcome was Elder Hornbeam. This "sarvant o' the Most High" had passed over the ridge-pole of life and was venerable in years. He was tall and well formed; his head high and intellectual; his visage elongated; com- plexion fair. His mild blue eyes, beaming from under heavy brows, gave to his calm face a benignant and compassionate expression. A wavy "temple- lock " was allowed to flourish at the side of his cleanly shaven face. His coat was of "snuff-color," double-breasted, and "swallow-tailed"; neck well pro- tected by a broad, white neck-cloth. His voice was deep and sonorous; his pronunciation moderate and distinct.

Deacon Steadfast was also a guest at the home of the Hunchcomes. How can we draw his portrait with tardy pen? He was short and inclined to corpulency; broad, expanding, and well-fed. His form was somewhat bent by hard toil, and his bowing knees indicated too much weight from above. If the

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

pious deacon had a neck it was not visible, and his large, square head seemed to rest upon his trunk. Long, shaggy eyebrows were in vogue when the deacon's creation was effected; in the ingredients there was no lack of hair. His face was fat and ruddy; his nose large, wide at the end, and pugnacious; his lip, broad and full; his chin, square-cut, well turned up, and firm as granite. Little bright eyes twinkled with exuberant good nature, but in depths far removed from the outer world. The garments constituting the deacon's attire were of ample circumference, giving evidence of a superabundance of cloth when the several articles of apparel were formulated; but the wool had been taken from his own flock, the "full-cloth " woven by his good wife, and what cared he how much was required. He was a man of liberal soul, who wanted his limbs to articulate with unobstructed freedom. There were no buttons behind for ornament without use-that would savor of vanity-but two neigh- borly rows in front, with button-holes to match, of course. His voice was thick and husky. Such is an outline of Deacon Steadfast, traveling com- panion of Elder Hornbeam, as seen in the home of Bro. Hezekiah Hunchcome.

Numbered among the female guests at the fireside were two matronly- looking sisters whose antipodal physiognomy and costumes require descrip- tions of extreme contrast. Sister Warpingstick was tall, thin, sharp-featured, fidgety. Her face was as white and rigid as the chiseled marble; her thin, compressed lips seldom opened in speech, but her piercing, black eyes scin- tillated with unmistakable determination. Her attenuated form required small space on earth, but reached heavenward wonderfully. Her passage through this world displaced but little atmosphere, but she could look down upon common folk. In all her attire, order and extreme tidiness were observable. There was no superflous flummery, no attempt at display. A small, simple cap set lightly upon her abundant, white hair; a white kerchief was pinned neatly about her shoulders. Not more than six yards of plain, worsted stuff were used in making her dress. Her movements were nervous and pro- nounced, her words few and pointed. When she violated the rules of her code of conduct by speaking, it was evident that her views were seasoned and unbending. To sum up, Sister Warpingstick was a pure-minded, keen- witted, critical, unsympathetic woman, held in respect for her spotless integ- rity, uncompromising dignity, and precision of life.

By her side sat Sister Comfortmaker, with an enormous area of facial territory upon which the sun never seemed to set. Jovial good nature was in every lineament of that combination of features; it glinted from her full, blue eyes, radiated on her plump, ruddy cheeks, played pranks about her. broad mouth, and capered around her robust nose. A great, rich smile sat on her ample face as faithfully as a brooding fowl. Her voice was low and plaintive; fragrant her words of gentleness, sympathy, and goodness of heart. The full ruffles of a great lace cap enframed her face, a string of gold beads

AT THE HOME OF BROTHER HUNCHCUM.

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

encircled her fat neck, a broad collar lay well out over her figured dress, and laundried cuffs formed the terminal ornaments of her full sleeves. About her broad forehead a profusion of fluffy hair was seen, while a stray, curling lock escaped from her cap behind. Her sturdy form must have considerable room upon earth ; high altitudes to her were unknown. A motherly, much- beloved, useful, happy-hearted woman was Sister Comfortmaker; a soul that would be greatly missed and deservedly lamented when removed from her neighborhood and from the church.

Between the elder, deacon, and Brother Hunchcome conversation ran into religious channels, and waxed warm and vehement as doctrinal themes were considered. With great gravity and much evidence of ripe learning, the man of God elucidated the fundamental principles of the sacred system, but with considerate complacency gave place to those with whom he held converse. When he saw that his brethren were becoming too much intensified with ardor, he prudently turned the trend of thought and guided the discussion to more practical matters.

There had been some unusual elements developed at the business session of the general meeting; especially so, the report from the Limington church. The elder thought the delegate had been imprudent in dealing with particu- lars and personalities ; that these should not have been alluded to in public, but relegated to some committee whose wisdom prepared them to deal with such matters. But Deacon Steadfast argued that business of an ecclesiastical character should never be done in a corner, and thus excite the suspicions of an observing world; that such matters should be exposed and publicly denounced that others might take warning and not fall into the same unbe- coming example. But all agreed that there was a sad state of affairs at Limington, which should be attended to without delay. As the brethren and sisters there were not now under the restraining influence of grace, but given over to the Old Enemy, it would require great wisdom and discreetness to bring about an amicable settlement between the offended and offensive parties.

To all these words the modest sisters at the other side of the hearth-stone gave respectful attention. Sister Warpingstick sat bolt upright in her high- backed chair, with a face as expressionless as a loaf of unleavened bread ; while dear old Sister Comfortmaker, with elevated face, gazed upon the brethren from beneath her gold-bowed spectacles with great manifestation of interest, nodding assent occasionally, as she caught the elder's eye. But the discussion was abruptly discontinued by the announcement, by Sister Hunch- come, that supper was "reddy."

"Come, my breth-ring," called Brother Hunchcome, "gather round now and make yerselves to-home."

Rattle of chairs.

Impressive silence.

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

Brother Hunchcome nods to the elder, who understands the suggestive hint and rises to " exercise marcy." All eyes were reverently closed, and, save the subdued voice of the elder, it was so still one could have picked up a pin. The grace done, the responsive nostrils dilated with blissful anticipation when touched by the savory odors of the steaming pudding and toothsome brown bread. The great spoons were handled with alacrity and familiar dexterity as the platters were handed from guest to guest. To say that these visitors were abstemious, or that they did not do honor and justice to the cooking of Sister Hunchcome, would be a wide deviation from the truth of fact; and when all had sufficed and moved from the bountiful board, Elder Hornbeam was seen to cast a lingering, lonesome glance at the wholesome remains of the repast, as if lamenting his inability, in consequence of want of capacity, to continue the delightful employment of feeding the "outward man."

The church bell at the distant village was now reminding the resting and refreshed brothers and sisters that there was no time to be squandered, and all haste was made to reach the house of worship in season.

Brother Hunchcome hastily lighted his tin "barn-lanthern," clapped the broad ring upon his stubbed thumb, and was off to get the horses. Then was heard the loud voices of the men mingling with the merry jingle of rapidly- handled sleigh-bells. Meanwhile, hoods, shawls, and mufflers were put on by the women, and when the horses were led to the door and Deacon Steadfast shouted "all reddy," they stepped aboard, white-oak whip-staffs were applied, and away went the cavalcade of disciples.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 30

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