USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Sheepscot > The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle [Me.] including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time, together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families; > Part 21
USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Newcastle > The history of ancient Sheepscot and Newcastle [Me.] including early Pemaquid, Damariscotta, and other contiguous places, from the earliest discovery to the present time, together with the genealogy of more than four hundred families; > Part 21
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Here the whole matter appears to have rested for a sea- son. 1763, March 22, the town voted to raise a committee of three to procure a minister ; and also instructed that committee to write to the Rev. Mr. Parsons of Newburyport, inviting him "to pay them a visit, " sometime during the summer.
At the same meeting, it was voted to raise a committee to take care of the Meeting House, and Flankers and Gar- rison, and to let the Flankers for the benefit of the town. Robert Hodge, William McLelland, Samuel Nickels and John Cunningham, were appointed on that Committee.
In the Warrant for a Town Meeting to be holden June 14, an Article was inserted, to see if the town will vote to repair the Meeting house ; but the town decided " not to repair the Meeting house yet. "
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Rev. Mr. Ward who was absent, wrote to the town at this time, wishing them to retract their call, and accordingly on the 26th of September, another Meeting wascalled, when it was voted, " that the call that was given to Mr. Ward, be dismissed."
Here the matter ended. Mr. Ward was afterwards set- tled at Plymouth, N. H., and the town was without & minister.
1764. In the Warrant for the March 27th Meeting, an Article was inserted, to see what the town would do about getting a minister, which resulted in appointing a committee for that purpose. But the Article relating to repairing the Meeting house, passed on this wise : that all the inhabi- tants who lived to the west of Sumuel Nickels, should do it. Samuel Niekels lived where Joseph Cargill so long resided. He built that house and for many years resided in it. €26, 13s. 4d, were raised for this purpose. The committee to see the work done, were Samuel Nickles, James Campbell, John Cunningham.
This committee were also to appraise the Meeting house ; and at the June 19th meeting, it was voted to accept of their appraisal. The town also voted to raise £100 for repairing the Meeting house, and for providing a place convenient, on the other side of the town, for public wor- ship ; and they agreed to divide the amount raised equally between the two places. This is the first time the town took any action with regard to supporting public wor- ship on the Eastern side of the town. A committee of five was raised for carrying the design of the town into execution.
Dissatisfaction with these votes was expressed, and at another meeting called for the purpose, on the 17th of July following, an attempt was made to have these votes recon- sidered ; but without avail. The town chose to abide by its former decision. The real objection consisted, in having
e
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a Meeting house built on the Eastern side of the town. But one is resolved on, and it were useless to oppose it. They disagree however as to place.
1765. At the next annual Meeting held March 6, a com- mittee of five for supplying the pulpit, was appointed ; and this committee should have power to appoint a sub-com- mittee, one of their own number, who should go at the town's expense, and "look out for a minister." The town also voted not to accept the report of the committee appointed for repairing the Meeting house; neither to accept of what the other committee had done, relating to the choice of a place, to set the Meeting house, on the Eastern side of the town.
There was dissatisfaction and disagreement. And a Warrant was granted for a meeting to be held on the 4th of April next to see if the town 1, Will grant the inhabitants on the Eastern side of the town the liberty of raising a com- mitttee who should make choice of a place for setting the Meeting house, provided they shall be at the expense of purchasing the lot for the same ; and also land for a bury- ing ground, without any charge to the town ; 2, To see if the town will allow the inhabitants on the Eastern side, the liberty to receive the report of the committee, provided they agree upon the spot where to set the house ; 3, To see if the town will empower said committee to carry on the building by contract : 4, To see if the town will allow the said committee to draw on the Treasurer for money to defray the expense of building, provided they do not exceed the amount voted for that purpose; 5, To see whether the town would limit the time for fixing on the spot ; 6, To see if the town would limit the time for complet- ing the undertaking &c. But the town refused to grant any of these requests. The majority was on the Western side, and none of these things met their views or expectations.
The town and the inhabitants on the Eastern side, are
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at variance on this question ; but in May, a Warrant was issued calling a meeting the 14th of that month, to see if the town will choose a committee of three persons living out of town, who shall have power to fix upon a place. for setting the Meeting house ; and that the town pay the expenses of the Commission. This was granted. The persons chosen were James Boyd of Pemaquid, Thomas Rice, Esq., of Wiscasset and John Stinson, Esq. And it was agreed that if any of this committee should fail in attendance, the other two should have power to fill the vacancy. The town also fixed on the dimensions of the Meeting house ; forty feet in length, thirty feet in width, and eleven feet " stnd." The building committee were Jolin Cunningham, Joseph Jones and Samuel Perkins.
This committee were also invested with power, as soon as the location is decided on, to agree with one man or two to do it " by the great ;" or any other way they may think for the benefit of the town.
The town also voted to petition the General Court, to remit their " Province rates, " for that year, as a subsidy for building the Meeting house ; they being hardly able to meet the expense of both. This action satisfied the inhabitants on the Eastern side, and they and the town were again reconciled.
At a meeting of September 11, an effort was made to have the gospel preached among them, and also to fence the Burying ground ; but without effect.
1766. At a meeting held February 26, the town raised a committee to "treat " with Rev. Job Lain respecting his settlement among them. And they also refused to allow John MeNear anything farther for his trouble in going to Boston about settling with Mr. Ward.
At the Meeting in the following March 26th, it was agreed to make an alteration in the Meeting house frame, of six feet in width, and seven feet in height. This was for the purpose of building a tier of six pews on the
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South side of the house, six feet square. Nathaniel Bryant and Joseph Glidden undertook the alteration ; and they came under an obligation to give the inhabitants on the Western side of the town an equal chance with those on the Eastern side, in the purchase of those pews. And if there were no purchasers for them, then they should be upon the hands of the committee who should bear the expense incurred by them, and they could sell to whom they please.
They also chose a committee of five to supply the pulpit and to "treat further with Rev. Mr. Lain about settling with us. "
At a Meeting held April 18th, John Cunningham, James Brown and Samuel Nickels were appointed a committee to carry on the building of the Meeting house on the Eastern side of the town, and power was given them to draw on the Treasury to meet the expense. The place that the Referees had chosen to set the house, was opposite Eben- ezer Farley's present residence, where Mrs. Barstow's barn now stands. And, at the same meeting, Benjamin Woodbridge, Robert Hodge and Samuel Nickels were appointed a committee to repair the Meeting house on the Western side of the town, and "seat it properly and decently, and build a pulpit in said house. " The expense was to be met from the Treasury.
July 14, the town voted to give Mr. Job Lain a call to settle with them in the ministry, with a salary of £66, 13s. 4d, lawful money, and also the benefit of the Ministerial lot. His settlement money was to be £66, 13s. 4d, lawful money. And in case of his accepting the call, he should be entitled to all the contribution that has been, or shall be, raised before he goes home, together with all that shall be taken three months after his return. He appears to have been exceeding popular with the town; and they made him liberal offers to retain him ; but all to no pur- pose. He did not see fit to settle with them.
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1767. At the March meeting, a committee of three were appointed to obtain a supply for the pulpit ; and if there was no immediate prospect of obtaining a minister, then one of them, Spencer Bennet," should go "in quest" of one, and his expenses be paid by the town. It was a little anterior to, and during, this time that this region was vis- ited with a powerful work of divine grace. It commenced in Boothbay, under the labors of Rev. Mr. Murray and spread in the towns around. Its influence was felt in Newcastle ; and many there were hopefully converted to God. This made the people there more anxious than usual, for the settlement of a minister among them.
On the 5th of May, it was voted that £5, 6s. 8d, be paid to Kenelm Winslow for one acre of land on the East side of the town where the meeting house frame now stands, "bounded as Samuel Nickels shall think to be most com- modious for the town." A "sufficient" deed was required, to run to the Treasurer of the town, and be given before the money for the land, was paid.
July 8, the town "impowered" three men, David Hopkins, Spencer Bennet and Sam'l Perkins, to extend a call to the Rev. Samuel Perley, who had been settled at Seabrook, N. H., to become their pastor. They pledged him a salary of £80 lawful money, and £100 lawful money as a settlement. But Mr. P. declined their invitation.
At a meeting held on the 15th of March, the town raised a committee of three, taken from both sides and middle of the town, " to carry on the finishing of the meeting house." Benjamin Woodbridge represented the West, N. Bryant the East, and Samuel Nickels the middle of the town.
The Meeting house on the East side of the town, though never completed, was so far done, as to accommodate the
* He was gone ten days to the Westward on this business and received for his services ten dollars. James Brown also brings in a bill of £4, 17s for boarding M. Lane which was allowed.
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Town Meetings and the schools kept in that district. And from this time, the town began to divide. The meetings alternated between the West and East side of the town. And, on the 14th of March 1769, the meeting was held, for the first time at the new Meeting House, on the East side of the town. And a committee of three was raised to procure the services of a " good preacher, a minister that is likely to settle in this place as soon as may be."
At a meeting held April 3, 1769, the town extended a call to Mr. William Southmayd to settle with them in the min- istry, with the promise of a salary of £80 lawful money, and £100 as a settlement, together with the use of the ministerial lot. But he declined their call. The people, though disappointed, were neither discouraged nor without hope. Another minister soon appears among them. He meets their wishes and answers their expectations.
1770. At the Annual Meeting held on the West side of the town, March 14, an invitation was extended to Rev. Joel Benedict, to settle with them in the ministry, with the promise of the same salary and settlement that had been made to Mr. Southmayd ; but he declined their call. Before Mr. Boyd came, it is not certain that any church had been gathered in this town, though there was one during his min- istry there and William MeLelland was chosen Deacon of it .* At the time of Mr. Boyd's settlement, the whole thing appears to have been managed by the town, without any recognition of a church, and at the meeting of the Boston Presbytery held May 1754, William Hodge was accused before that body for some offence, when he was remanded back to the church at Newcastle where he belongs, to give satisfaction to them "as soon as that church shall be duly organized."
From this, it would seem, that, at the time of Mr. Boyd's ordination, the initials had been taken to organize a
* Miss Mary Murray.
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church, though it had not been done ; and one of the coin- plaints brought against Mr. Boyd, as appears in Town Record March 23, 1757, was, that the Sacrament had not been administered. But the church which he gathered was neither large nor very efficient, and was destined to a speedy death. Mr. Boyd was a Presbyterian ; and he was settled and removed by the action of the town, in connec- tion with the Presbytery, and the church was not named in the proceedings.
At the time of Mr. Ward's proposed settlement in 1760, two years after Mr. Boyd's dismissal, the Council was chosen and all the other arrangements were made by the town and people, without any reference to a church ; and if one minister had been settled in this way, it is not strange that the people should think of settling another in the same manner.
At the date of Feb. 1769, I find the following bill made out by Samuel Nickels, Innholder, against "Gentlemen Committee of Newcastle." To 19 mngs of flip, £4, 15s : To 8 dinners, £2, 8s ; 4 suppers, 12s; 2 lodgings, 4s ; 2 breakfasts, 10s; 1 horse keeping, 15s; use of barn for preaching several times, 12s ; one week's board of Mr. Leison, 6s, 8d; 2 mugs, 10s; which it is presumed the town duly considered and paid.
1770. It is certain that no church existed here when this year was ushered in ; for, from the Town Records, it would seem, that one of the reasons which induced Mr. Benedict to decline the call to settle here, was, there was no church in town ; and this explains the reason for the following movement.
At a meeting May 22, called for the purpose, Thomas Humphries was chosen a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Emerson of Georgetown and Rev. Mr. Eaton of Harpswell and request them to choose a third minister, and come to this town for the purpose of gathering a church ; with the hope that the church when gathered, will
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give Mr. Benedict a call to settle with them in the min- istry. Samuel Nickels, Esq., was the person selected to extend the call in case the church should be organized. Mr. Benedict was out of town ; but Mr. Niekels was to use his influence with him to persuade him to come, as soon as he was able, when the call would be properly presented. If, however, he should be unsuccessful, then he should take advice of ministers and other good men abroad, and "get a good, sound minister of the gospel, well recommended," to come and preach on probation for settlement here.
The town was earnest in its desires and efforts, but without avail. Those ministers did not see fit to comply with the request of the town-it being an unusual mode of procedure, and probably the suitable materials for a church were wanting-neither did Mr. Benedict accept the invitation. Their hopes are disappointed, and the pulpit is once more left unsupplied.
On the 4th of September the town had a meeting and raised a committee to provide a minister.
1771, March 12, Town Meeting. A committee of three, one from the Eastern, one from the Western, and one from the center of the town, was raised for supplying the pulpit. One year afterwards, the town was destitute ; and on the 4th of March, 1772, a committee was chosen to provide "a good, sound minister," to come and settle with them.
At this meeting an Article was inserted in the Warrant, to see what the town would do about Meeting houses ; whether the town will finish the one on the Eastern side and build a new one on the West side ; or whether they will build one Meeting house near the center of the town, where it will accommodate all the inhabitants. And the result was, a vote to build one Meeting house near the center of the town. This would do very well for those who lived at Damariscotta and Sheepscot ; but it was com- pelling those at the Head of the Tide to travel a long dis- tance to meeting.
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The same difficulty now occurred that happened when the new Meeting house was in progress of erection on the Eastern side of the town; they could not agree where to set it. So they employed the same committee which they had before, with one exception, to come and locate the Meeting house.
This committee, consisting of Thomas Rice, Esq., Wis- casset, John Stinson, Esq., and James McCobb, Esq., of Georgetown," met and selected a spot in due order ; but they had less success than before. Their choice did not give satisfaction ; and the town at a meeting held September 21, 1772 voted "not to accept the spot laid out for a Meeting house." The spot was on the hill, West of David Given and near the Head of the Reach Road. And if the town was never to have but one Meeting house, and the people at the Head of the Tide were never to go off, it might have been a judicious location. But other men were to live, other times to occur, and other interests prevailed.
1773, March 11, the usual vote was passed, to raise a committee for supplying the pulpit ; and James Cargill was deputel special messenger to go and seek a minister, till he could find one.
At this meeting, an effort was made to revive the mat- ter of Meeting houses, but without success; the town refuse.l to do anything about it then. But, at a meeting held on the East side, Sept. 13, 1773, they got a vote to finish the Meeting house on the East side of the town, and to do it at the town's charge. The Eastern men were in the majority. This house, at that time, was only boarded, not clapboarded, with the roof shingled. No pews had been put up, and they voted, not to do anything about finishing the Meeting house on the Western side of the town. The Eastern star was in the ascendancy.
* Samuel Nickels was employed by the town to entertain them.
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This, of course, gave great dissatisfaction to those liv- ing on the West side; and they hurried along another meeting which was held Oct. 5, when, not being able to elect a Moderator, the meeting broke up in confusion. This meeting was held on the West side of the town.
On the 11th, another warrant was issued, calling a meet- ing to be held on the 28th inst., on the West side of the town. James Cargill had reported favorably ; the services of Mr. Jesse Reed had been secured as minister ; and the second vote passed, was to give him a call for settlement. The terms were, £100 settlement money; and £80 yearly salary. A committee was raised to present this call and to receive the candidate's answer. . It was in the negative.
The Westsiders had now the best chance. Their star was in the ascendancy. David Hopkins was in the chair, and they easily carried the vote, to reconsider the vote passed March 4, 1772, not to have but one Meeting house in town ; and they also decided not to add any more to the committee for carrying on the building of the house, on the East side of the town ; and they still farther agreed, to build a Meeting house, on the West side of the town, on the Ministerial lot, near the town road.
1774. At the next annual meeting, March 14, the whole subject came up again. This meeting was on the East side. Nothing had been done, not so much as a stick cut or a board sawed, towards building the Meeting house on the West side ; though a committee of five had been chosen for that object ; and the house on the East side, remained "in statu quo." The Western men were at this meeting in force, when they agreed that the expense of the Eastern house should be borne by the town; and that the town should build a Meeting house on the West side, fifty feet in length and forty feet in width. At this meeting, they invited the Rev. Samuel Wheeler "to preach the gospel on probation for settlement."
But the condition of things was not satisfactory. Oppo-
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sition was found to these votes of the town, and an appli- cation was made to the Selectmen for another meeting which they refused. The dissentients then applied to Justice Rice of Wiscasset for authority to call another meeting, and he acceded to their request. The meeting was held July 21, 1774, when an attempt was made to reconsider the vote for building a Meeting house on the West side of the town, but it failed. The town chose to abide by its former decision. An attempt was then made to remove the Meeting house frame which had been pre- pared and was ready for raising, to the spot where the old Meeting house stood, taking that away, or "to some other place as shall be agreed upon ;" but this also failed. The town was inflexible.
1774. In the Warrant for a meeting, to be held Septem- ber 22, on the East side of the town, the second Article was to see what sum of money the town will raise, to carry on the building of the two Meeting houses ; but the Article does not appear to have been acted upon. The whole matter slumbered for a time. Jacob Greely, however, was appointed in room of Alexander Robinson who had moved out of town, a committee, to secure the services of a min- ister.
1775. At the next Annual meeting, March 22, the town voted to raise a committee of three, who should endeavor to employ Rev. John Urquhart as minister. And if he should decline to preach on " probation for settlement, " then the committee are to take " all prudent care to pro- vide a good minister of the gospel, to come and preach on probation." But for some reason, Mr. Urquhart, like Mr. Reed, did not tarry with them. During the summer, Mr. Thurston Whiting, a student of Cambridge, came into these parts, and was engaged to preach in Newcastle. And on the 14th of December, the town voted unanimously to continue him in preaching, the ensuing winter, with a view of settlement.
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1776. March 14, a unanimous vote was passed by the town, inviting. him to settle with them. They promised him a settlement of £100 and a yearly salary of £80, together with the use of the Ministerial lot, for his services.
Arrangements were soon made for his ordination. And on May 9, Mr. Whiting appeared in town meeting, when the choice was given him to settle on the Presbyterian or Con- gregational platform, as he might elect. He said, he did not wish to decide for the town ; but his preference would be Congregational. Therefore the town voted to ordain him on the Congregational Platform. And from that hour, Presbyterianism disappears from Newcastle and never recovered ascendancy or influence again.
Major John Farley, David Hopkins and Samuel Nickels were appointed a committee in behalf of the town, to invite the ministers from abroad to the work of ordination. The Council were, Rev. Ezekiel Emerson, Georgetown ; Rev. Samuel Eaton, Harpswell; Rev. Crestian Gillman, North Yarmouth ; Rev. Alexander McLean, Bristol ; Rev. Thomas Moor, Pownalboro'; and Rev. Francis Winter of the North Parish in Georgetown.
The second Wednesday of July was fixed as the day of ordination. David Hopkins, Samuel Nickels and John Farley were the committee of arrangements. June 24, town voted to ordain Mr. Whiting in Samuel Nickel's barn. This place was chosen probably because it was central. There were two Meeting houses in town, though in an un- finished state, and a Meeting house frame on the Ministerial lot at this time. But there were powerful parties on the East and West sides of the town, growing out of the location of the Meeting houses ; and this choice of Esquire Nickel's barn, was probably the commencement of a compromise which resulted in abandoning the Houses, on both the West and East sides, and uniting in one minister and one House in the center of the town.
The matter of entertaining the ministers was left with
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the committee of arrangements. It was a new thing in the history of that town, and the people came from near and far, to witness it.
1778. These times were Revolutionary, the people poor, and corn was scarce. The subject of Meeting houses slum- bers; on the 21st of July it was again agitated in town meeting; but without success. The town had been dilatory in meet- ing their engagements with Mr. Whiting ; therefore an Arti- cle was inserted in the Warrant for a Meeting to be held the 10th of November, to see if the town would give Mr. Whiting the Ministerial lot, in lieu of his settlement money ; but the attempt failed ; the town could not legally dispose of it, in any such way.
The times were hard, prices high, and Continental money was depreciating rapidly in value. Therefore, at a Meet- ing held December 22, the town voted to add £50 to Mr. Whiting's salary. It was also voted to sell the old Meeting house on the West side of the town, and the Moderator, James Cargill was " Vendue Master. " It was sold at that meeting. David Somes was the purchaser. Price $35, five of which were paid that day into the treasury of the town.
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