USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Windham > Windham in the past > Part 11
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"Voted, to send a man to the Proprietors' Meeting to be holden at Boston on the 24th day of this Instant, February 1801, to see if the Proprietors will do anything for the Congregational Society in Windham.
"Voted, to send Peter Smith, Esq., to agree with the said Proprietors.
"Voted, to improve Peter T. Smith, Esq., to transact any business with the Proprietors at their Meeting to be holden at Boston, on the 24th day of February, with Respect to the Con- gregational Society in Windham."
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
Mr. Smith attended the Proprietors' meeting, which, aceord- ing to their records, was held on Feb. 26th, two days later than the town record gives it.
The following appears on the Proprietors' Book of Records : "At a meeting held at Hatehe's Tavern in Boston, Feb. 26th, 1801.
"Voted, that the sum of five hundred dollars, be and hereby is granted unto the Congregational Parish in Windham, to be paid as hereinafter mentioned from the funds of the Proprietors. That is to say, the interest of such sum shall be annually paid to the settled and ordained Minister of said Parish, and for use and account, to assist them in defraying the Salary of such Minister, and during any vacancy of that office in the said Parish, such interest shall be added to the principal sum in augmentation of this fund, until the said Proprietors shall vest and seeure for the benefit of the said Parish and the purpose aforesaid an equal sum in some publie Bank, or otherwise, of which the ineome shall be appropriated to be paid and employed as aforesaid. And it is intended that this sum shall remain to the first Congregational Parish as now incorporated, and for their use solely in ease a Division of said Town for religious purposes shall hereafter happen."
After various delays the ministerial lands were sold and the money funded, after which the Proprietors fulfilled their part of the contraet, as we find by their records that
"At a Proprietors' Meeting held in Boston at the house of Oliver C. Wyman, Feb. 16th, 1804.
"Voted and agreed, that the Treasurer be authorized to vest in the Maine Bank in Portland in the County of Cumberland, the sum of five hundred dollars, granted by the Proprietors to the first Congregational Parish in Windham aforesaid, the in- come thereof to be appropriated for the benefit of the said Par- ish to aid them in the support of their Minister, according to the vote of the Proprietors at their Meeting holden Jan. 26, 1801."
The foregoing is the origin of the Windham Ministerial fund. It has been increased by donations, notably by a gift
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ECCLESIASTICAL
of five thousand dollars from the estate of Mrs. Ann (Johnson) Walker, a native of Windham, who died Sept. 12, 1889, leaving by her will the above legacy to the church for the support of the settled minister. The fund is securely invested, and the ineome is regularly paid to the pastor.
The second religious society to locate in Windham was the Friends or, as they are sometimes called, "Quakers." This sect originated in England in 1644, its founder being George Fox, who was born at Drayton in July, 1624. In about seven years the preachers of their faith had increased in number to such a degree that no less than sixty appeared in Great Britain ; and, before the elose of that century, the doctrine was spread throughout Europe and America.
Adherents to their principles first came to New England in 1656. Here, as well as in old England, they met with cruel persecution ; nevertheless, we find that, before 1696, they held meetings as other Christians for the worship of God on the first day of the week; also at other times, as occasion required, in Boston, Lynn and vicinity.
The first Friends' meeting in the State of Maine was held in the upper part of York, in December, 1662, by three women, who had been whipped and driven out of Dover, N. H. They were Anna Coleman, Mary Thompkins, and Alice Ambrose. Soon after, another meeting was held at Berwick. No account of any other meeting can be found for more than sixty years, when, in October, 1730, one was held by a few families then living in Kittery. Between 1740 and 1743, a few families in Falmouth (now Portland) having adopted the Friends' doe- trine, a meeting was established there, and the rapid spread of their peculiar tenets greatly alarmed the Congregational churches in this part of Maine.
Rev. Thomas Smith, in his journal, under date of July 30. 1740, says: "The church kept a day of fasting and Prayer on account of the spread of Quakerism. Mr. Jefferey and myself prayed A.M. Mr. Thompson preached. Mr. Allen and Mr. Lord prayed and Mr. Willard preached P.M."
It appears, however, that this effort on the part of the Port- land church failed to produce the desired results, as we find that, in 1743, Mr. Smith says, under date of July 22d, "Many strange Quakers in town."
130
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
In 1752, they built a meeting-house near the present village of Riverton on land then owned by James Winslow.
The next regular meeting of this denomination was estab- lished at Windham, in 1779. Several families of Friends had settled here before this time, as we find by the town records that, at a town meeting held Oct. 13, 1774, it was
"Voted, that all those Persons who call themselves friends or Quakers, whom the Head men of that society shall own to be of their society shall be Exempted from Paying ministerial Taxes."
Also, at a meeting held in the old fort, March 15, 1775, the following "Certificate" was ordered to be inserted in the records :
"Pursuant to an act of the General Court to exempt the People called Quakers from paying Ministerial Taxes &c. and received in this Town December 26, 1774. We the Subscribers being chosen a Committee by the aforesaid Society who meet together for Religious worship on the first Days of the week in Falmouth, to exhibit a list or lists of the names of such Persons as belong to said Society or Congregation, Do certify that Ben- jamin Winslow and sons, Stephen Morrel, Daniel Hall, Isaac Allen, Jun., William Hall, Jedediah Hall, Andrew Hall of Fal- mouth, and Jonathan Hanson, Elijah Hanson, Nathaniel Hawkes, Pelatiah Allen, Ebenezer Hawkes, Amos Hawkes, Chase Stevens and Daniel Cook, Do Belong to sd Society and Congre- gation, or do Frequently and usually attend with us in our meeting for Religious Worship on the first Day of the week we believe are of our Persuasion.
"Signed by ELIJAH POPE, DAVID PURINTON, Committee." JOHN ROBINSON,
Shortly afterwards, several families professing like religious sentiments located here, and in 1793 a "Preparative" meeting was established; in 1801, a "Quarterly meeting," and a "Monthly meeting," in 1802.
Their first meeting-house was erected near Windham Center and stood nearly opposite the residence of the late Nathaniel Cobb. It was a small one-story building at first, but afterwards
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ECCLESIASTICAL
a two-story addition was built and fitted for an academy, in which, for several years, the higher branches of education were taught by competent teachers. This was doubtless the first school of the kind in town, and we are told that, for several years, it was conducted with marked success. We have no means of knowing in what year the meeting-house or the academy was erected, as no reference to either is to be found in the society's records.
The present large and commodious meeting-house of this people is pleasantly located on the main road near the village of Windham Center, and but a short distance from the site of their ancient tabernacle. It was built in 1849.
The Friends, in all their history, have been noted for their sturdy adherence to the principles inculcated by the founders of the sect; hence they bear a positive testimony in favor of peace, religious and social liberty, equality of the race, and strict honesty in all their dealings.
Many of their former customs have been somewhat modified of late years; and, at the present time, it is a rare thing to see a person wearing the peculiar garb that typified the Quaker of "ye olden time." The broad-brimmed beaver hat, the drab- colored coat and long vest, together with the modest but quaint dress invariably worn by the women have given place to gar- ments of modern design. A few of the older members still use the plain language of their ancestors, but these are rapidly passing away, and their places are being filled by young men who are fully abreast of the times. In a little while the stately and mellifluous "thee and thou," so dear to the early fathers of the society, will become a thing of the past, and English, as it is now written, will be used instead.
Several Friend ministers have resided in Windham since about the year 1811, among whom are Obadiah Gould, Phebe Cobb, Pope Cobb, Lydia Allen, Amos Hanson, Joseph Pratt, Eunice Day. Elijah Cook .. Phebe L. Pope. John Cartland, Silas F. Strout, and Thomas J. Ingram. O. J. Hoffman is the present pastor. Their present membership is 77.
The Methodists were never numerous in Windham, but they had a small meeting-house at Windham Center, erected in 1792. This house was abandoned several years ago and was taken down. Subsequently, they had one in the south part of the
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
town. It stood on the land of the late Stephen Harris. It was, at one time, used as a schoolhouse and afterwards was moved to the farm of Jeremiah Brackett and converted into a work- shop by his son, Melville. At the present time they have no house for public worship in town.
The Free Will Baptist Society in Windham dates from about the year 1820, when Elder Clement Phinney, a native of Gorham and a great-grandson of Capt. John Phinney, the first settler of that town, becoming a convert to the doctrines pro- mulgated by Benjamin Randall, the founder of the sect, came to this town and held religious services at the house of Josiah Little. Being a man of good education and persuasive elo- quence, he soon had a large following.
In 1822, a meeting-house was erected on Mr. Little's farm near the Mallison Falls. For several years it was filled to its utmost capacity with large and enthusiastic congregations. It does not appear that any church was gathered at this time, and the excitement seems to have, in a great measure, died out.
On the first page of their "Book of Records" we find the following entry, which speaks for itself :
"November 4, 1827, a church was organized in Windham, Maine, which is called the first Freewill Baptist church in Windham and is a member of the Gorham Quarterly Meeting. From the time the church was organized to August 17th, 1835, there has been no records kept, only a sketch showing that a church was organized at the time above named, and also the names of those persons who have become members of the church, and showing that some members have been dismissed, and some have been excluded. No person has taken the pastoral care of the church, and but little exertion has been made to establish and keep order; some attempts have been made, but to little purpose. The church is now much scattered and the prospect very small; notwithstanding the unfavorable appear- ance it is thought best by some to make some exertion and if practicable to establish order in the church. To this end a Church Meeting was called to be holden at William Bacon's Aug. 17, 1835.
WILLIAM BACON, Clerk."
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ECCLESIASTICAL
"Aug. 17th, 1835. Met at William Bacon's for church meet- ing agreeably to appointment. Organized by choosing Sargent Shaw Moderator. 2d chose William Bacon, Clerk. 3d voted to dismiss Sarah Page from the church, at her request, to join with a Freewill Baptist church in New Market, N. H. 4th voted to Adjourn our meeting to the 31 inst. at the meeting house near Horse Beef.
WILLIAM BACON, Clerk."
The early Freewill Baptist preachers in this vicinity were Elders Clement Phinney, Joseph White. Samuel Hathorn, Joseph Phinney, Andrew Rollins, Sargent Shaw, Charles Bean, Jeremiah Bullock, and David Swett, none of whom, however, were settled as pastors of the church here. It was their usual custom to travel from place to place, preaching, visiting churches, organizing new ones, and baptizing those who were converted under their ministrations. In short, they were the avant couriers of the new doctrine; and as such, in a self-deny- ing spirit, gave their earnest endeavors to promote its best interests.
Between 1835 and 1839, Elder E. G. Eaton appears to have preached for this church and baptized several candidates. He afterwards went to other fields of labor.
In 1840, Dr. James M. Buzzell came here and commenced the practice of medicine. He was also an ordained minister of the Free Will Baptist denomination. Although in a short time he had an extensive practice as a physician, he accepted a call to become pastor of the church. He was liberally educated, pos- sessed an active, inquiring mind, and was gifted with the most generous instincts. His pulpit efforts were eloquent and often emotional, while. as a physician, he was an unqualified success. As a matter of course, he was extremely popular, not only with the church, but with the people generally. His fervid style of preaching attracted large congregations; and, in a short time, old meeting-house was filled to overflowing, and it became neces- sary to find other and larger quarters. So, in 1840-1, a lot of land was purchased at Little Falls on the Gorham side of the river, and a convenient meeting-house was erected, which they at once occupied.
The old tabernacle at Horse Beef that had so often echoed
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
to the eloquent words of the fathers of the denomination was left desolate and alone. It stood for several years unoccupied, but was finally taken down, and thus passed away the first Free Will Baptist meeting-house erected in Windham.
The General, or Association, Baptist Society was the out- growth of a schism that took place in the Free Will Baptist churches, principally in York and Cumberland counties, in re- gard to an educated ministry, instrumental music, and choir singing, with some other minor points of church polity.
An association was formed chiefly through the influence of Dr. Buzzell, who had sometime before this located at Limerick, Me., where he established a weekly newspaper called the "Free- will Baptist Repository," designed to be the organ of the new dispensation.
Many of the churches were affected by the movement, the one at Little Falls among the rest. Some of its most valued and influential members favored the new scheme, but the majority adhered to the old order of things. The excitement ran high, and considerable ill feeling was manifested by both parties. This at last culminated at a meeting held April 20, 1847, when it was voted to dismiss twenty-nine members to join the associa- tion. The names of these seceders were: I. W. Leighton, Robert Cobb, E. J. Leighton, Comfort Cobb, Isaiah Hawkes, Vashti Cook. Rachel Hawkes, Thomas Smith, Mary L. Shaw. Susan Smith, Charlotte Thomas, Thomas Bodge, Russell Cole, Betsey Bodge, Elizabeth Cole, Liba Bachelder, Josiah Bodge, Rebecca Bachelder, John A. Bodge, Hiram Chase, Lewis Cobb, Mary J. Chase, Eliza Ann Dorset, Eliza Cloudman, Susan Williams, Esther Sanborn, Lewis Hanson, Reuben Elder, Rebecca Hanson.
At the same meeting it was
"Voted, that the Clerk should give them a line, all in one, to join the Association."
This being done, they immediately withdrew; and, in a short time, a church was organized in Windham, of which Hiram Chase and Robert Cobb were chosen deacons. For several years the new organization flourished under the preaching of Elders A. W. Hobbs, Joseph Whitney, John A. Bodge, Walker Parker, Thomas Strout, and Orrison Gamman; but, in the course of time, most of the older members died, others moved away, and
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ECCLESIASTICAL
the church became nearly extinet. We have recently been in- formed, however, that there is a church of this denomination which has a meeting-house in the northern part of Windham, where religious worship is maintained each Sabbath under the preaching of Rev. George Stevens.
The Free Will Baptist Church at Windham Center was or- ganized in 1878, as we find on the records of the church at Little Falls that, on April 16th of that year, they "Voted to dismiss the following members to form a Church at Windham Center: John T. Fellows, Daniel R. Tukey, Sarah E. Fellows, Walter Varney, Ellen Jordan, James Fellows, Ellen Hall, Adelia Fellows, Carrie Webb, Edwin M. Varney, Martha Var- ney, Sarah Proctor. W. S. Proctor, Edgar Varney, Anna Whit- ney."
No difference of opinion ever existed between these people and the parent body, and their first pastor, Rev. W. J. Twort, ministered to both congregations with good success for several years. After his departure, several ministers of the denomina- tion occupied the pulpit for short periods, among them Mr. D. F. Small of Falmouth, who preached here for some time to the entire satisfaction of the people. Since his tragic death they have had no minister. They have a convenient meeting-house at Windham Center, and their membership includes many of the best people in that vicinity.
UNIVERSALISTS
The records of this society begin on Feb. 8, 1840, when, at a meeting of the "First Universalist Society in South Wind- ham," held in the schoolhouse in District No. 2, it was
"Voted, that Capt. James Loveitt be Moderator.
"Voted, Thomas L. Smith, Clerk, Collector and Treasurer, and pay the subseriptions for the support of Rev. Leander Hus- sey to him and take his receipt for the same.
"Voted, that Edmund Boody, Esq., Capt. James Loveitt, Gen. Elias Baker, Joshua Hanson and Joseph B. Harding be a committee to manage the prudential concerns of the first Univer- salist Society.
"Voted, that James Loveitt, Ezra Brown and Charles Purin-
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
ton be a committee to ascertain the cost of a lot for a site for a Meeting-house in Little Falls Village, also the size and cost of a meeting-house, the cost of pews, and the number persons who will subscribe for the same, and make a report of their doings to the society as soon as it can be conveniently done. At a subsequent meeting, Edward Anderson and William Silla were added to the building committee, it therefore consists of five members.
THOMAS L. SMITH, Clerk."
Their next meeting was held June 8, 1840, at which time the following report was made:
"We, the undersigned, feeling anxious for the promotion of religion and morality, and feeling that the same might be greatly promoted by erecting a house for public worship in the Village of Little Falls, or its vicinity ; do agree to unite ourselves into a company for the purpose of building such a house as we may hereafter think proper; and further agree to establish and abide by the following laws.
"Article 1st. This company shall be called the Little Falls Meeting-house company.
"Article 2d. There shall be as many shares as there are pews in the house.
"Article 3d. The first meeting shall be called by notice given by the three first subscribers.
"Article 4th. There shall be a Clerk chosen, whose duty it shall be to make all records of the company when assembled for business.
"Article 5. There shall be a Treasurer to collect all money due the company and pay over by the order of a committee.
"Article 6. There shall be chosen a committee whose duty it shall be to purchase a site to set the house upon and attend to, and superintend the building of the house as the proprietors, or a majority of them may agree.
"Article 7. Every subscriber shall be holden to pay for as many shares as he subscribes for.
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ECCLESIASTICAL
"Article 8. Each share shall entitle its owner to one vote in all business of the company.
"Article 9. When the house is completed there shall be a board of Trustees chosen to take charge of the house."
The subscribers to the foregoing were: James Loveitt, John Webb, Jr., William Silla, Josiah Freeman, Charles E. Purinton, S. W. Freeman, Joseph B. Harding. D. W. & Richard Dole, George K. Harding, Freeman Harding, Ezra Brown, Jr., Joshua Hanson, Nathaniel Harding, Thomas L. Smith, Thomas Bodge, Jr., Daniel Libby, Mark H. Stevens, Hall Staples, Henry Kal- loek, Josiah Moulton, Edward Anderson, Ebenezer Moulton, Sewell Boody, P. Jordan & Jefferson Mabry, Charles W. Hard- ing, William Smith, Edmund Boody, Fredrick Smith, Samuel Elder, Hiram C. Loveitt, Joseph W. Parker, John Goodale, David Purinton, John & N. Anthoine, Enoch White, Sumner Waterhouse.
"At a meeting held June 15, 1840, the following proceedings were had. Viz:
"The meeting was called to order by James Loveitt.
"Chose James Loveitt, Moderator.
"Chose Thomas L. Smith, Clerk.
"Chose William Silla Treasurer.
"Chose James Loveitt, Ezra Brown, Jr., Chas. E. Purinton, William Silla and Edward Anderson a committee to superin- tend the building of a meeting-house.
"Direeted the committee to purchase a site to set the house upon.
"Directed the committee to build a house thirty-eight feet wide, and forty-eight feet long, with posts seventeen feet high.
"Voted, to build the house with belfry, steeple, dome and spire.
"Directed the committee to finish the house in such a manner as they in their judgment may think proper.
"Direeted the committee to assess on the owners of shares a tax equal to twenty five dollars on each share, to be paid in four equal installments, to the Treasurer, the first installment
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
on the first day of Sept. next, the second, the first day of Oet. the third, on the first day of Nov., the fourth, the first day of Dee. next."
Agreeably to the foregoing votes and directions, the com- mittee at onee purchased a lot on which to build the meeting- house at Little Falls, of William E. Brown, for the sum of one hundred dollars, said lot being more particularly described in Brown's deed to the company, "and said committee have also caused a meeting-house to be built and finished in conformity to the foregoing votes, said house containing fifty pews. The committee estimated the whole cost of the meeting-house and lot at fifteen hundred dollars."
Their book of records contains the following notes in the handwriting of Thomas L. Smith, then Clerk of the Society.
"The Universalist Meeting-house in South Windham was raised September 1, 1840. The frame, without the belfry, was raised in three hours and ten minutes; the belfry in two hours. No accident occurred. Prayer was made by Rev. Leander Hus- sey. The company separated highly gratified after partaking of a eolation, and listning to the performance of several Anthems on the floor of the meeting house, under the direction of Edwin W. Quimby of Westbrook. Samuel Elder was the master framer. The meeting house was dedicated to publie worship May 12, 1841. Rev. George Bates preached the dediea- tion sermon. Among the elergymen present were Zenas Thomp- son, Leander Hussey and Henry H. Baker."
On May 22, 1841, the committee sold at auction the following pews :
$ ets.
"No. 2. To Ezra Brown,
for 32.50
5. William Silla, 66
40.50
66 7. " Ebenezer Moulton,
35.50
9. 66 Thomas Bodge, Jr.,
35.50
11.
66 Samuel Elder,
39.00
66 13. Charles Loveitt,
47.25
66 66 15. Ezra Brown, Jr., 48.00
17. Henry Kollock, 44.50 66 66 35.75 19. Daniel Libby, Jr.,
21. David Silla, (1/2 pew),
16.75
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ECCLESIASTICAL
No. 24. To Hiram C. Loveitt,
for 32.00
25.
" David Purinton,
35.00
20. " Sewell Boody, 36.00
18. " Josiah Moulton, 66 35.50
16.
" James Loveitt,
48.00
14. " Charles W. Harding,
36.25
31. Mark Knight,
25.00
12. 66 William Silla,
36.00
10. " Freeman Harding,
38.75
8.
J. & J. Parker,
35.50
6. Mark H. Stevens,
31.121/2
45. Sumner & Gardiner Waterhouse,
31.50
43. Josiah Freeman,
37.50
41. 39.
" Wm. & Fredrick Smith,
37.50
37. Charles E. Purinton,
37.00
66
35. " Jeff. Mabry & G. W. Tukey,
32.50
27.
" J. Frink & E. Libby,
31.50
66 30. 32.
66 John Webb,
36.75
" John Webb, Jr.,
35.50
34.
" G. & N. Harding,
35.25
66
38. " Hall Staples,
44.00
40. Edward Anderson, "
47.00
42. " Joshua Hanson,
44.50
44 " Thomas L. Smith,
36.00
50
66 Richard & D. W. Dole, 41.00
49. " Thomas Webb, " 20.00
47. " Enoch White, " 20.00."
At a meeting of the proprietors held Feb. 1, 1851, the fol- lowing pews were sold, Viz .:
"No. 14. To Jonathan Hanson, for $14.00
" 6. " John Frink, 11.00
" 26. " Mathias Taylor, (since sold to Johnson K. Allen) 66 10.00
1/2 of No. 21 to Mr. D. P. Caswell, 5.00."'
No. 6 was formerly sold to Mark H. Stevens and No. 14 to
" John Goodale,
38.00
33. " Edward Anderson, 6 6 32.50
36. " Stephen W. Freeman,
37.50
46. " Strong Cram,
32.00
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
Charles W. Harding, neither of which were paid for, and the title reverted to the proprietors.
Their first pastor was Rev. Leander Hussey, but the records of the society give no information as to when he came here or how long he remained as pastor; neither do we know positively who his successor in the pastoral office was, but we think it was the Rev. William Bartlett who was here in 1842-3. Later came Revs. - Goldsmith,, , Mass., Henry H. Baker, and others whose names are now forgotten, none of whom remained for any great length of time.
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