Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 32

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 32
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 32

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).

"Say, 'Lias, my ole Bill's possess-ed with an on-clean sparit; he's gone mad, true's ye live, 'Lias, an' I can't git a-nigh 'im."

The barn lantern was soon brought forth by a daughter of 'Lias Gray- pole, named Perseverance, and after much skirmishing "old Doll," falsely called "old Bill," was shut up in a close stall and left for the night; while the family of Graypole and their guests sat long about the hearth-stone. trying to "dissolve doubts," trying to divine the cause of all these strange happen- ings. These were somewhat extreme cases, as candor compels us to confess, but many a brother who had found consolation at the "gineral meetin'" was disturbed in his slumbers on this eventful night, and unconsciously "talked hoss" in his galloping dreams.

We now hasten to state that the following morning proved a revelation. From the farm-houses near the village to the confines of Buttertown and the policies of Spruce Swamp, men rose to find cause of wonderment. Wisdom and understanding were exercised without avail; this affair was beyond their province ; how far the demoralization extended nobody knew; nor could any- one tell whose horse or mare, as the case might be, had "stray-ed within their

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"A GINERAL MEETIN'."

enclosures." Suffice to say, that for several days in succession, the village square was filled with teams; with horses and sleighs of all colors and shapes "baitin' on a fodderin' o' hay," while "visitin' breth-ring" of various grades were walking about with whip-staffs under their arms, repeating the inquiry : " Have ye seen onything of my hoss; ony-thing of my mare?" Some were successful the first day, some on the second, while some there were whose patience was severely tested by being obliged to wait until the fourth after- noon before finding their own beasts.

It was a remarkable adventure enacted by those cunning boys, resulting in much inconvenience to the delegates, messengers, and visiting brethren and sisters, but nobody was harmed beyond remede, and time, that heals all asperities, mollified these hearts and made all things right.

Many of those mischievous boys have become gray-haired men, while every one of those dear, old saints have gone beyond the bow-shot of the enemy who had caused them so many trials and temptations on this "airthly ball." Peace be to their ashes !

The Cochran Delusion.

ACOB COCHRAN, son of Jacob and Rachel (Webster) Cochran, was born in Enfield, N. H., July 9, 1782, and is said to have taken for his wife Abigail Colcord, of his native town. His father was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, with a numerous family to provide for. The lad Jacob developed some quite remarkable traits in early days; he was keen-witted, sagacious, and prolific of ingenious expedients; that is, the boy was father of the man.

Authorities disagree respecting his advantages for acquiring even a common-school education. Those at whose fireside he was entertained have informed me that Jacob became disgusted with the methods employed by the religious societies known as "the Standing order," and began to preach in schoolhouses where he had been employed to teach. To what extent he enlarged the circle of his operations in the Granite state cannot now be ascer- tained with certainty. The same mist of obscurity enshrouds his coming into the Saco valley. Why he came, none with whom we have conversed can tell. If some one invited him his name has not been remembered.

His creed has been variously represented. Some who listened to him claim that his doctrine was substantially the same as modern Universalism; others, that he was an advocate of a primitive kind of Spiritualism and free- love, upon which he had engrafted many of the ceremonies practised by the Shakers. From a careful sifting of evidence, we conclude that his creed, if it may be designated as such, was somewhat chaotic and remarkably elastic: that it was developed by stages, to suit circumstances, and modified when policy made it expedient.

He must have been a unique and very remarkable character. His intel- lectual, mesmeric, and physical powers were certainly extraordinary. What- ever view we may entertain regarding the soundness of his doctrines, the methods employed by him, or the character of the man, we have no warrant for believing that he was an illiterate, impulsive ranter, who carried forward his work like a cloud driven by a tempest. On the other hand, he was cool, calculating, and deliberate. He arranged and organized his schemes with the consummate precision of a military tactician, compounded his arguments with observant carefulness, and being a master in the law of sequence he was enabled to forecast the culminating results from the beginning with the accu- racy attributed to a prophetic spirit.

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THIE COCHRAN DELUSION.

It was his exhibition of some occult power that materially augmented his influence upon his hearers, and seemed to invest him with formidable boldness that challenged the criticism of his opposers. His public addresses were prepared with painstaking study, delivered with remarkable facility, and embellished with charming flowers of rhetoric. His musical, resounding voice, eye of penetrating fire, and gracefully agile movements commanded the respectful attention even of those whose object in attending his meetings was to cavil and create disturbance.

Men well versed in the sacred oracles, who boasted of their conservative self-possession and went fortified with resolute personal control, were so adroitly besieged by the subtle arguments of this marvelous magician of elo- quence that, before they were aware of the fact, they had surrendered uncon- ditionally and subsequently served with unfaltering and heroic fortitude under his victorious banner.

Women who had been reared under the most puritanical home instruc- tions, whose proverbial conscientiousness constituted them models of virtuous propriety in the communities where they resided, gradually yielded to the delusive spell woven about them by the mesmeric power of Cochran, renounced all allegiance to their former principles and habits of rectitude, and with unblushing boldness and evident sincerity allowed themselves to become involved in such questionable ceremonies as were encouraged in the name of religion by this misguided people.

From our more advanced standpoint, we very naturally ask, like Nico- demus, " How can these things be!" If the delusion had been confined to the ignorant and superstitious, we should not marvel; but it extended to fam- ilies of refinement and intelligence, whose former characters were stainless. The strongest-minded men succumbed to the influence emanating from Coch- ran. The unanimous testimony of several perfectly reliable men interviewed proves this to be true. Many, who afterwards boasted that they were never influenced by the preaching of Cochran, remained at a safe distance, not having the contempt of danger to come within the mystic circle of his power. It has been related to me by those present that some of the coolest and most resolute men in Saco and Buxton were overpowered in the meetings held by the magician. One said he became as helpless as an infant in the presence of the preacher and was willing to do anything. He was assisted to kneel and cried to God for mercy, but was carried away in spirit and became obliv- ious to everything worldly. Of course these were exceptional cases. Those who were not accustomed to exercise the logical faculties with that critical discrimination which is characteristic of more disciplined and scientific minds were easily led by a man of Cochran's mental calibre and judgment of human nature.

Dark-browed superstition, the handmaid of ignorance and unrestrained

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THIE COCHRAN DELUSION.

impulse, had almost universal sway at this period, and attributed all myste- rious manifestation to the supernatural, relegated all intricate problems to the realm of spirit for solution, and boldly stood in the highway of reason to obstruct investigation.

This combination of favorable conditions enabled Cochran to excite the curiosity, win the attention, gain the confidence, and hold the people, for a season, within the province of his power.

From what we have been able to learn of those who were acquainted with him, it appears that Jacob Cochran was no less attractive at the fireside than in public. A fluent and versatile conversationalist, with charmingly polished manners, he became the magnetic centre of every social circle where he was a guest. His urbanity, cheerfulness, and dramatic powers made his presence highly entertaining, and his society was courted by some of the most prominent and refined families within the radius of his acquaintance. His well-stored mind afforded treasures of interesting and useful knowledge, cov- ering a wide range of subjects, and rendered him a desirable personality to many. These manifold attainments greatly facilitated his undertakings of a religious character, and we mention them to throw some light upon the obscurity which hangs over his remarkable sway upon the public.

The question naturally arises, was any good accomplished under the labors of Jacob Cochran? Undoubtedly, very much. Give even the devil his due. In the towns bordering on the Saco several hundred professed con- version under his preaching, and the influence of the "revival " extended from this locality into other towns in western Maine, until, within a year from the inauguration of the movement, about a thousand persons made a profession of religion. Many of these were sincere believers in the New Testament and were never involved in the ridiculous practices encouraged by the leader.

When Cochran first began.to preach in Scarborough and Saco, his com- manding appearance, evident learning, matchless oratory, and the uncertainty existing regarding his creed opened to him the churches, and some of the settled pastors listened to him with amazement. This was when his doctrines were more in harmony with the generally received tenets of the orthodox churches; before the objectionable features of his system had become appar- ent. The sensation was intensified a hundred-fold when churches were closed against him. He had already won many to his standard, and the determined stand taken against him by the more conservative in the community was looked upon as unwarranted persecution by his followers. He posed as a martyr-at-will, and discussion ran wild.

He then resorted to schoolhouses, dwellings, and barns. His principal stronghold, and the hot-bed of his delusion, was at the northern section of Saco, and on the borders of Buxton. Of his dominion there was no recog- nized limitation; wherever a family lived, the members of which had embraced

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THE COCHRAN DELUSION.

his creed, there his influence was supreme. In the "Heath neighborhood " and on the "Buxton road," so-called, the Cochranites fairly reveled in the enthusiasm of their mock worship and disgraceful practices; and one who lived there at that time recorded with his pen that "these Cochranites out- Mormoned Joe Smith and all his deluded crew."

In Saco village there was an old house in which Cochran "held forth " after he was prohibited from entering churches. During the intermissions between the services that were open to the public and such as were held for the exclusive benefit of the followers of Cochran, the leader would marshal his hosts upon the street, and with shouts, singing, and marching create a sensation only equaled by the Salvation Army of modern times. Following these open-air exercises, services were opened for the "elect " and continued until the day-dawn, if unmolested. At these meetings Cochran gave exhibi- tions of his mesmeric power. It has been said by those who witnessed the performances that as men and women joined hands, forming a circle around the room, Cochran would, by passing his hand across their foreheads, cause them to sing, shout, dance, fall unconscious to the floor, and go through vari- ous grotesque contortions of body not suitable to delineate on the printed page. It is claimed that by placing his hand on the heads of strong men he could make them sink down, foaming at the mouth as if in the agony of con- vulsions. Experiences of this character were considered necessary for the enjoyment of the richest .possibilities of the faith.

When Cochran had secured a firm foot-hold in the community, his creed evolved a new and startling phase. He preached against the legal marriage bond, and in the ideal state pictured by him the inhabitants were neither married nor given in marriage; this should begin on earth, being God's stand- ard for society, and be as nearly approximated as mortal conditions would admit of. The affinities were to be all spiritual and were infinitely superior to any relations formed by natural affection. He admonished all who had been united in the bonds of matrimony according to the laws of the land to hold themselves in readiness to dissolve such union and renounce their vows. All revelations to this end were to come through Cochran, of course, and in the allotment of the spoils the leader, by virtue of his rank, was sure to get the "lion's share." Tradition assumes that he received frequent consignments of spiritual consorts, and that such were invariably the most robust and attractive women in the community.

As we have intimated, he had a sort of permanent wife, locally known as "Mrs. Cochran "; but his loyalty to her was subject to such revelations as he might receive anent his duty (?) to others. Some who were conversant with these affairs, now living, relate that on one of Cochran's professional visitations he informed one of his male followers that he had, while at prayer in his house that morning, received a communication direct from Him who

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THE COCHRAN DELUSION.

dwells above the stars that embodied, inter alia, a requirement of a peculiar character, namely, that he and the brother addressed should, for the time being, exchange wives. To this, as from the Lord, via Cochran, his medium, the layman consented, and leaving Cochran to assume the government of his family, he immediately went to pay his respects to Mrs. Cochran. Now this woman was somewhat skeptical in regard to her husband's doctrines and practices, and when she responded to the knock at her door and inquired about the nature of the man's errand; when he told her about her husband's new revelation, with clenched fist and flashing eyes she replied: "You go straight back and tell Jake Cochran his God is a liar."

In place of figure-drawings upon a black-board to illustrate scriptural incidents, he employed the more impressive mediums of flesh and blood. One of the favorite tableaux introduced by these fanatics was the personifi- cation of our first parents, as they were supposed to have appeared before fig-leaf aprons were in fashion. We have not found a description of the stage scenery used as accessory to this performance, but a part of the programme was for the disciples present, both male and female, to sit upon the floor in a circle while the ideal Adam, in the person of Cochran, and Eve, in the person of some chosen female, came into this extemporized "Garden of Eden."

When a knowledge of these ridiculous practices reached the authorities at Saco, Cochran was summoned to the bar of justice and required to give bonds for his future good behavior, being warned that if such conduct was repeated in his meetings the most severe penalty of the law would be visited upon him. Although the ceremonies of Cochran's meetings continued to be decidedly dra- matic, the performers afterwards appeared in costumes of ample dimensions.

But disintegrating elements were now beginning to disturb the system. The fact that the preaching of Cochran had the effect to destroy domestic peace, and ruined the home life of many who had become identified with the movement, produced a more healthy reaction than the leader had anticipated. Married men embraced the doctrines promulgated, while their more virtuous or level-headed wives would have no part or lot in the matter. On the other hand, women who had hitherto lived consistent and respectable lives became infatuated with Cochran and his preaching, while their husbands were decid- edly averse to both.

These conflicting elements in the home were stimulated rather than con- ciliated by the leader, and hatred was eventually engendered between heads of families which culminated in separation. For these family discords Coch- ran was justly held responsible by the law-abiding inhabitants, who favored sobriety and good order, and threatening denunciations increased in vehe- mence as such melancholy events followed in the wake of the delusive move- ment. However, the cunning leader, who was well read in law, sagaciously steered clear of any open violation of the statutes for many years. He was

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THE COCHRAN DELUSION.

held in such esteem by his followers that they were ready to make any sacri- fice for his financial support.

Meanwhile, secret meetings had been held by the municipal authorities and a vigilance committee formed to watch the conduct of the Cochranites. Emboldened by what seemed to be a calm upon the sea of public sentiment, Cochran recklessly introduced his old ceremonies and practices into his ser- vices. These transactions were promptly reported, and muttering thunders of discord and violence again filled the air. Summary measures were to be resorted to. This reached the ears of the Cochranites, and a midnight meet- ing was held behind barred doors, watched from without by vigilant sentinels, to consider what means should be used to thwart the purposes of their enemies. Being forewarned, they used every precaution to prevent any interference with their plan of operation. For a time their meetings became models of good order, and the leader conducted himself with decorum. This change allayed the bitterness of public feeling for a brief space, and those who were opposed to Cochran, having become used to the sensation, grew more and more apathetic. In this instance, at least, what proved to be sauce for the goose was applied to the gander, and well-laid traps into which it was believed the leader would put his foot were skilfully avoided, and schemes for his betrayal into the hands of his enemies adroitly circumvented. Moreover, Cochran managed to have eagle-eyed spies in the camp of his opposers. Men supposed to be in full sympathy with the town authorities were present at the "indignation meetings" of the citizens and reported all that was said and done to their spiritual commander. Thus he out-generaled a well-organized body of men who sought his overthrow, and continued to "hold the fort."

There were two especial factors made prominent in the meetings held by the Cochranites, after the leader had his machinery in full operation, that should have attention as we proceed with our treatment of this subject; factors that excited more curiosity, and attracted more people to Cochran's meetings, than all other forces at his command. We allude to the lively sing- ing, to rollicking tunes, of their songs and the "swooning away" of those who had taken the higher degrees of the mysterious system. The songs, or hymns, were attended with clapping of hands and dancing that certainly resembled 'the evolutions of the society of Shakers when engaged in their worshiping ceremonials. When some of the elect had sunk down upon the floor, evidently unconscious, an impressive hash would prevail in the assem- bly while the expectant people waited for the resuscitation of the fallen brother or sister. When those who had thus wandered away from the "things of time and sense," on their excursion to the realms of spirit, returned to the scenes of activity, they were wont to tell, with astonishing exhibitions of inspiration and burning language, of the marvelous revelations made to them while "absent from the body."

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TIIE COCHRAN DELUSION.

Sometimes these choice mediums would so far lose their strength that they were laid upon a bed in an adjoining room until their returning spirit gradually acclimated itself to a terrestrial state; this was not always accom- plished on the first night, and they were allowed to remain where the services had been held until they recuperated. On one occasion a certain sister, named Mercy, who was a maiden of great personal beauty, sank down upon the floor in a house at Saco, and failing to come back to this sublunary world in season to relate her experiences while wandering so far about the celestial hills, they put her to bed and went home. A meeting was held at the same house on the following evening, and what occurred there was related to me by an intel- ligent old man, still living to verify, if need be, what I write. Mercy had not come back to deliver her lecture on her observations while absent in the spirit world, and as her relatives were becoming fearful that she would be led onward by the sirens of that land until she became weaned from all kindred connections in her old home, they importuned Brother Cochran with great manifestations of solicitude, imploring him to exercise all his powers to restore this sister to their embrace.

As the people assembled, they were, old and young, permitted to satisfy their curiosity by viewing the vacated casket in which Sister Mercy had domi- ciled for much of the time for eighteen fleeting years. My informant described her appearance, as he remembered her, while lying upon the bed. She was recumbent upon the outside of her couch, dressed in a long, white night-robe. Her classic features were as white and rigid as the marble, and her profusion of dark hair floated in marked contrast over the snow-white pillow. Her eyes were nearly closed, and the long, silken lashes lay upon her pale cheek. There was no movement or change of expression observable as the long line of spectators silently filed through the room to gaze upon her saintly face and graceful form. About the bed her relatives stood weeping. When all had been seated around the large outer room. Cochran announced in a solemn and pathetic voice that Sister Mercy had now been so long away that her spiritual attractions were too strong for her to release herself from them unas- sisted; that her relatives were exceedingly anxious for her return, and that her usefulness among them, as a religious community, seemed to require that all should earnestly pray for her presence. He then entered her room, and, passing his magic hand across her fair brow, said: "Mercy, arise." In a twinkling she sprang from the bed with a scream and swept through the congregation. It came to pass that some wide planks had been braced against the outside door to prevent any intrusion, and becoming conscious of her exposed condition in such ethereal garments, Mercy took shelter for the time being behind these. Her prudent mother handed her a sheet, and with this wrapped about her lithe figure she went back to her room and dressed.

All were now excited to the highest pitch, and rejoiced with timbrels and

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clapping of hands. Great news from the spirit world was looked for. Mercy was a person possessing a pleasant voice and rare descriptive powers; and having been so long among the shining ones, and her own spirit all fragrant with the blissful odors brought from the unfading flower-banks of the celestial regions, those present anticipated startling revelations from her inspired tongue-and were not disappointed. She stood forth in the midst, pale, trembling, and with a far-away look in her mellow eyes. She told, in super- human language, of the wonders seen by her during her absence from her brethren and sisters. Breathless silence reigned in the assembly while the amazed people listened to Mercy's recitation of her vision. We have seen a portrait of this woman, taken when in middle life, and it certainly represented one of the most beautiful of her sex. It has been stated that some of these devotees of the Cochran system had been subjects for the display of Coch- ran's power for so long that they had the appearance of ghosts; they became pałe, attenuated, and seemed to dwell continually on the debatable borders of the spirit world.

This resurrection event caused great commotion in the community, and the public rage became menacing. Commensurate with the spread of this tidal wave that inundated society were the disfavor and denunciation that pre- vailed when the summit of Cochran's ascending popularity had been reached. Broader and darker grew the impending storm, until the threatening fore- winds became ominous of disaster and ruin. This moral cyclone burst at last and the leader found it expedient to resort to a new code of tactics. He was moved from house to house in Saco and Buxton under the cover of dark- ness, his whereabouts known to his followers all the while, for some time; but learning that a determined movement was on foot to apprehend him, Cochran abdicated his local throne of power and went into limited exile. This hasty retreat from the vortex of the storm obviated the inconvenience of removing an adhesive combination garment woven from feathers and tar. He did not go far away, but held meetings in Limington, Limerick, and Parsonsfield, while the prejudice down on the Saco subsided. Some of his followers had removed from Saco and Buxton into Limington and welcomed Cochran to their new homes. Wherever he preached he employed the same rotation of methods. There were no objectionable or very striking features in his meetings at first, but his forms were much like the primitive Freewill Baptists. But as the people became acquainted with his style, and the prejudice that preceded his coming wore away, he would excite curiosity and stimulate sensation by introducing some novel ceremony or by making startling statements in his sermons. He found unyielding opposition in these last-mentioned towns. Elder Clement Phinney, the keen-eyed evangelist, had encountered Cochran when he first came to Scarborough and penetrated his mask instantly. The two had dined together at a farmer's house near where Jacob was holding

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 32

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