USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Windham > Windham in the past > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
91
ECCLESIASTICAL
At a Proprietors' meeting, held Sept. 1, 1743, it was
"Voted, that the sum of seven pounds ten shillings of the last Emission be paid out of the Treasury to be Expended in Ordination of Mr. John Wight." Also "Voted that the sd seven pounds ten shillings be paid to Mr. John Wight to be laid out at his Discretion for his Ordination."
On December 14, 1743, a church consisting of seven members was organized, and Mr. Wight was ordained pastor. We have no detailed account of the affair. Rev. Thomas Smith in his "Journal," under date of Dec. 14, 1743, says, "Mr. Wight ordained." The records of the church in Falmouth tell us that Mr. Smith and Deacons Henry Wheeler and Samuel Cobb were present as delegates, and possibly there were others from the churches to the westward.
As Mr. Wight was the first settled minister of New Marble- head, perhaps a brief sketch of the man may not be out of place here.
Rev. John Wight, the son of Daniel and Anna (Dewing) Wight, was born in Dedham. Mass., April 22, 1699. He grad- uated at Harvard College in 1721, became a teacher in the schools of his native town, and probably studied divinity with some local minister, as was the custom of the times. In 1728, he is mentioned as one of the subscribers to a history written by Thomas Prince and is referred to as "of Bristol, Mass.," where he was then probably preaching. On July 3, 1728, he was married to Mary Pond. daugther of Mr. Jabez and Mary (Gay) Pond of Dedham. They lived for several years in Bristol, where their children, John, Anna, Daniel (or Benjamin), and Mary were born. His wife died in Bristol, June 19, 1735, and he married Mrs. Deliverance Carpenter of Rehoboth, in 1737. They had two children born in Bristol, both of whom died there, in July, 1740. Their son, Elijah, was born in Dedham, Aug. 5, 1742, and died in New Marblehead, Oct. 24, 1744, aged 2 years, 2 months, and 19 days. He was the first person interred in the old Smith Burial Ground at South Windham. Their other children were Eunice, born Apr. 28. 1747, and Benjamin, born Mar. 15. 1753. both born in New Marblehead. As the first settled minister, Mr. Wight owned Home Lot No. 34, and ac- quired by purchase the adjoining lot. No. 35, which was drawn
92
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
to Nathaniel Cogswell, one of the original grantees. He built his house on this lot, nearly opposite the Province Fort, and lived there until compelled by the Indian wars to take refuge with the other settlers in the fort.
At its organization, the following covenant was adopted and signed by the members of the new church :
"Whereas we the Subscribers have by the assistance of the proprietors of this Township an House built for the regular worship and ordinances of God, and have had our hearts in- clined to Combine ourselves into a Church State and relation to God and one another; and after humble confession of our manifold sins, and supplication for pardoning mercy thro' the blood of the everlasting covenant, and the adoration of the boundless, rich and free grace of God which triumphs over our unworthiness; and such of us as were members in full com- munion with other Churches do Solemnly and explicitly enter into covenant with God and one another in the manner follow- ing.
"1st. Having perused the confession of faith set forth by the synod of the Churches held at Boston in New England, we do close with it, as to the substance of it, and promise to stand by it and maintain it; and if need be, contend for the faith therein delivered to the people of God, And if any among us shall go about to undermine we will bear due testimony against it.
"2d. We give up ourselves to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and the only living and true God, avouching him this day to be our God and Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet. Priest and King, to bring us to eternal Salvation. Promising by the assistance of the Holy Spirit to cleave to this God and Mediator now and forever as his covenant, professing to observe the ordinances of Jesus Christ together in an holy society, and communion in the faith and order of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
"3d. We give ourselves to one another in the Lord, Sol- emnly binding ourselves to walk together in the ways of God's worship, and to cleave to his ordinances according to the rules of his holy word.
93
ECCLESIASTICAL
"4th. We give up our children to be the Lord's promising by the assistance of Divine grace to do our utmost to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
"5th. We do promise to submit ourselves to the government of Christ in his Church, according to his institution: Viz: to the ministerial teaching and guidance of the Elder or Eleders of this Church, and in brotherly love to watch over one another in godly, sober and religious life, to the keeping conseienees void of offence towards God and man.
"6. We do also promise and solmenly engage, by all means to study and promote the peace of this Church, and maintain the purity of the worship of God therein. This we do praying the Great Shepherd of his would prepare and strengthen us unto every good work, and vouchsafe his blessing on this his heri- tage; Amen.
"JOHN WIGHT, THOMAS BOLTON, THOMAS CHUTE, JOHN FARROW, THOMAS HASKELL,
SAMUEL ELDER, ABRAHAM ANDERSON.
New Marblehead
Nov. 14, 1743."
Having been duly organized, according to the ancient laws and usages of the Province, as an Orthodox Congregational Church, the members met for the first time, on November 27, 1743, for the transaction of business. The following is a record of that meeting:
"After Solemn prayer for direction and assistance, It was proposed to the brethren to consider what steps may be proper to be taken in order to furnish the communion table with vessels, and after some consideration thereof
"Voted, that the Church borrow vessels if they can 'till they ean either procure them themselves or interceed with some of the Proprietors of this Township, generously, to bestow some on this Church.
94
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
"It was then proposed when it might be proper to have the ordinance of the Lord's supper administered here for the first time.
"Voted, that the sacrament be administered the next Sab- bath for the first time (God willing) It being the first day of the year.
"It was proposed how often the sacrament should be ad- ministered here,
"Voted, that it be administered onee in six weeks if the Elements ean be procured.
"It was further proposed and considered what each com- municant should contribute in order to prepare the Elements for the communion for the first time the Lord's supper shall be administered here and so from time to time 'till the matter be considered before the brethren of this Church; and after some deliberation,
"Voted, that there shall be contributed five shillings by each of the brethren the first time the Lord's supper is administered, and one shilling afterwards by each communicant at every time the Lord's supper is administered till the affair be further settled before the brethren of this Church.
"It was further considered whether the Brethren would choose one of their number to prepare the Elements for the communion at the sacrament; and to take care of the money that shall be contributed from time to time for that purpose 'till another of the brethren be chosen for that purpose.
"Voted, that brother Thomas Chute be chosen for that ser- vice ;
"After prayer the meeting was dismissed."
This is all we know in regard to that first church meeting; yet, in imagination, we can see that little band of devoted Christian believers, as they met together on that December day to regulate the affairs of the infant church. If ever a body of men met under adverse circumstances, it was these. They were surrounded on all sides by a dense wilderness, relieved only by a few gashes made by the woodman's axe, with here and there a log house of the most humble description. Beyond these few
95
ECCLESIASTICAL
marks of civilization stretched the interminable forest, lorded over by savage beasts and still more savage men. Their place of worship was a mere shell, rude and comfortless in the ex- treme ; while, to render the outlook still more gloomy, an Indian war with all its attendant horrors was liable to break out at any moment. Yet, amid all the difficulties and dangers that beset their pathway, they laid broad and deep the foundation of a church that has existed until the present time.
When the Indian war of 1745 came, Mr. Wight accompanied his little flock to the old Province Fort and remained with them until his death, which took place May 8, 1753.
From the church book we learn that, between the years 1744 and 1756, the following persons were admitted to full com- inunion in the church here:
"Feb. 19, 1744. Lois Graffam, wife of Caleb Graffam.
Oct. 7, 1744, Mary Manchester, the wife of Stephen Man- chester.
Mar. 3, 1745, Abigail Farrow, the wife of John Farrow.
Feb. 14. 1748, Edmond Phinney of Gorhamtown.
Dec. 23, 1750. Dorothy Webb. the wife of David Webb.
Mar. 29, 1752, Samuel and Ruth Peabody.
Nov. 11, 1752, Bethia, the wife of Thomas Mayberry.
Nov. 11. 1752, Rachel Haskell and Sarah Haskell, daughters of Thomas Haskell.
Mar. 30, 1756, Micah Walker, Curtis Chute. and Seth Webb.
Nov. 30. 1756, John Farrow. Jun."
Between 1746 and 1756 the following persons owned the church covenant :
"Mar. 17. 1746. Bethia, the wife of Thomas Mayberry.
May 11, 1746. Samuel Conant.
Feb. 24, 1750, William and Mary Elder.
Feb. 24, 1750, Ezra and Mary Brown.
Mar. 11. 1753. William Haskell.
Mar. 18. 1753, Benjamin Brawn (an adult person and bap- tized the same day.)
Mar. 30, 1756, Samuel and Elizabeth Mathews."
THOSE WHO OWNED THE COVENANT FOR BAPTISM
"Mar. 30, 1756, John Manchester.
Mar. 21. 1762. Robert Millions and wife.
.
96
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
Mar. 21, 1762, Isaac and Mary Elder. Mar. 21, 1762, Mary Manchester, wife to Stephen Manchester. July 18, 1762, Thomas and Mary Trott."
"DISMISSIONS FROM THIS CHURCH TO OTHERS"
"Dec. 23, 1750. Voted, that Edmond Finney, sometime since admitted to full communion in this Church, be dismissed therefrom to be joined with (or embodied with) a Church speedily to be gathered at a plantation called Gorhamtown near to us. Near the close of the public service the foregoing vote was past."
The death of Mr. Wight was a great misfortune. not only to the feeble church but to the entire community, and his loss was keenly felt. For nearly ten years he had been their spiritual guide and was closely identified with the interests of the settle- ment. He had suffered with them the privations and dangers incident to the Indian wars; had consecrated their children in baptism, and had united in marriage the few who had the cour- age to enter the holy state during that perilous period of the town's history. He had hallowed the last sad rites of their departed friends, and. with words of loving sympathy, had sought to comfort them in their affliction. In short, he was a true Christian gentleman, and in his intercourse with his people, in the language of the poet, "He lured to brighter worlds and led the way." No wonder then that, discouraged and disheartened by their great loss, the people here felt unable to assume the settlement of another minister, even if one could be found will- ing to accept the pastoral care of the church. So several years passed by before they were able to settle their second minister.
However, it is probable that they were not entirely destitute of religious instruction, as we learn from the church book that, between June 9, 1755, and July 18, 1762, the Rev. Thomas Smith of Portland came here on several occasions, held services, and baptized seventeen children and one adult. Also his son, Peter T. Smith, while pursuing the study of divinity, at differ- ent times preached to the people here.
In the mean time, they had applied to the Proprietors in Marblehead for assistance in settling a minister, but receiving no encouragement from them. the inhabitants determined to
97
ECCLESIASTICAL
appeal to the General Court for relief. This they accordingly did in the following terms :
"Province of Massachusetts Bay. To His Honor Spencer Phipps Esq., Lieut. Governor and Commander-in Chief in and of our said Province, the Honble the Council and House of Rep- resentatives in Genl Court assembled, May 29, 1756.
"The Petition of the Inhabitants of New Marblehead so called in the County of York.
"Humbly Sheweth, That sd Inhabitants have all along since their first settling, Labored under great difficulties in support- ing the ministry among them, having themselves during the life of their Late Pastor Revd Mr. John Wight deceased, been at one half the expense of his support notwithstanding it being a Wilderness Place, and under every Disadvantage almost im- aginable. But since the Decease of said Minister the difficulties have been greater than before having had no assistance at all from the Proprietors, by what means they have been a great part of the time without any Preaching at all and when they at any time have had any it has been intirely at their own cost and Charge wh, by reason of their small number has amounted to twenty Pounds Old Tenor each settler for six months, nor had your petitioners ever any proper place to meet in to attend the public worship and now none at all, altho they have peti- tioned the Proprs to build a Meeting-House and to settle a min- ister and have as often been refused; and in case your Petirs can't have Redress in the matter they must be obliged to live like Heathen without the Gospell or quit the Place. Whereas the Proprs of Narragansett No. 7, alias Gorhamtown, (which lies contiguous with New Marblehead) have all along at their own eost & charge built and maintained a proper place for the Publiek Worship. settled and supported a Minister and cleared Roads intirely at their own expense amounting to 10 pounds Old Tenor annually to each Right, and the whole Taxes on New Marblehead, has never since the settlement thereof (which is about 15 years) amounted to Sixty Pounds Old Tenor, on each Right altho said Rights are twice as bigg as the Gorhamtown Rights. The Settlers in Gorhamtown are in no case in any better circumstances than your Petitioners saving the Proprs supporting the Minister and paying all the Taxes whereby they
98
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
have flourished and increased to near three times in number to yr Petitioners, who, as their first Minister drew the Proprs Right through the Town, have nothing to encourage a second and are continually decreasing in Number and must finally brake up. Your Petitioners imagine that their Settling in the Township and cultivating the Land has greatly inhansed the Value of the whole and thereby been of great service to the Proprietors in General, and they are willing now to exert them- selves to the utmost to maintain & support the Interest of the Place, and altho they have all along got Bread in Jeopardy of their Lives, and frequently suffered Wounds Captivity and Death from the Indian Enemy yet would tarry and venture their Lives cheerfully in Case the Proprietors would Settle a Minister among them & defray the publick charges, but they are deaf to all intreaties. Wherefore your Petitioners are Obliged to resort to this Honble Court for Redress Humbly praying your Honours would please to Order the Proprietors to Settle and Support a Minister among them and defray the pub- liek Charges as is Customary in Other Proprieties & your Peti- tioners as in Duty bound will ever pray.
"Richard Mayberry, John farrow, John farrow Jr.,
William Meayberry, Thomas Meayberry,
Stephen Manchester,
Samuel Mathes,
Joseph Starling,
John Manchester,
William Elder
William Maxfield,
Abraham Anderson,
Curtis Chute,
Hugh Crague, Gershom Winship,
William Bolton."
John Bodge,
Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 117, page 147.
This petition was presented in the House of Representatives, October 12. 1756, probably by John "Meayberry" and Caleb Graffam, and the Council took action, on Oct. 26th of the same year. The Petitioners were ordered to serve the Proprietors at Marblehead and elsewhere with a copy of the petition.
Further action was deferred until the defence of the Pro- prietors was received, June 14, 1757; and this is the answer of the Proprietors :
99
ECCLESIASTICAL
"Province of the Massachusetts Bay.
"To the Honble His Majestie's Council and House of Rep- resentatives of said Provinee April ye 8th, 1757.
"The Petition of the Grantees or Proprietors of the Town- ship commonly called New Marblehead in the County of York, in answer to the Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of said Township Dated May 25, 1756.
"Humbly Sheweth, That the complaint of sd Inhabitants in ed Petition is false and without cause. For that sd Inhabitants (as sueh) were never charged with nor Demanded of, any part of the Charge toward the support or payment of any Minister employed or settled among them from the first to the death of the Rev. Mr. Wight. But the whole charge Respeeting anything Relating to sd Township was wholly laid on your Respondents, as Grantees or Proprietors, which sd Inhabitants "Greatfully acknowledged" (as they said) in a Petition to your Respondents Dated 13 of March 1756 & signed by twenty-three of sd Inhabit- ants, (some of which were Grantees). And as to their com- plaint of their small numbers, It is wholly their own fault for several of them are under obligation to several of the Grantees to settle and fulfill the Condition of the Grant of this Honble Court, and have not only obliged themselves to settle one Right each, but have undertaken to settle some two and some three, and not having settled a family on each Right according to their obligation, is the cause of the small numbers they eomplain of. As to their complaint that they never had any publiek place to meet in, to attend the Publiek worship, and now none at all ; Your Respondents (as Grantees and Proprs) in Compliance to the Conditions of their Grant did in the year 1740 Ereet a suit- able Meeting-House there, fitted for a further convenieney for more Inhabitants if need required. But after the War Broke out with the French and Indians, This Honble Court was pleased to send a Committee to sd Township and at the Charge of the Province did erect a Fort or Block-House for the security and Defence of the Inhabitants there, which sd Committee was pleased to build so near the sd Meeting-House (which was built of Hewn Timber fit for defence) That the said Inhabitants were apprehensive of Danger therefrom in ease the Enemy should get Possession thereof and improve it as a fort for them to the
100
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
annoyance of the Block-House (built by yr Hours) On which occasion the Revd Mr. Wight now deceased, wrote to the Comtee of your Respondents Desiring Liberty to pull down said Mcet- ing-House and improve the Timber and other Materials for the Enlargement of the said Fort or Block-House, and other Con- veniences for the use of the Inhabitants, Promising that they would build another Meeting-House in case of want thereof at their own charge; And accordingly the said House was taken down by the settlers before the Grantees or Proprs could be assembled to act thereon; Whereby your Respondents acted nothing Relating to their Request or Desire & by this means only are they without a proper place to meet in as they com- plain. Notwithstanding your Respondents are always willing to bear their proportionable Charge in Calling, Settling and Supporting a suitable Person to preach the Gospel among them Provided they as Inhabitants will agree with and Oblige them- selves to pay said Person, We the Nonresidents paying our part with them according to Our Several Interests, so far as is or shall be appropriated and laid out in particular by Butts and Bounds (although not improved) after the usual custom of Poles are Rated according to law. But we are not willing to pay any thing for our Right in the Common and Undivided Land, for that the Inhabitants have the whole benefit of it as also of the appropriated Land not fenced nor improved, belong- ing to the Nonresidents which we humbly leave to your Honrs Judgment and Direction. Your Respondents further Humbly Petition this Honble Court That you would be pleased to In- form yourselves of the Present Condition of the Settlement made on Said Township, Agreeable to the Conditions of the Grant made by this Honble Court, and Confirm the said Grant to the Original Grantees and their Lawfull Representatives accordingly. And that your Hours would be pleased to incor- porate said Inhabitants into a Town or District, with all the powers and privilegs thereof, that they may Aet within them- selves for the future as your Honrs in your great Wisdom shall see meet. And in Duty Bound your Humble Respondents and Petitioners shall Ever Pray.
in the name and Behalf of the Proprs &c."
"EBENR STACEY, NATHAN BOWEN, WILLM GOODWIN,
101
ECCLESIASTICAL
Upon the petition and answer given above, the General Court took action, and a committee of both houses was appointed to report. This report was to the effect that the original record of the grant was destroyed when the Boston townhouse was burnt, and it was asked that the Proprietors should lay before the Court their original grant at the next session. This report was accepted and passed both houses, on January 12, 1758.
The settlers, however, had become impatient at the slow motion of both Proprietors and Court; and after waiting till near the beginning of another year, they sought again to move the Court with another petition, presenting their grievances in a somewhat new light. This, together with the answer of the Proprietors and accompanying papers, still preserved in the Massachusetts Archives, gives us so many important facts relat- ing to the early history of Windham that we give them complete below.
The death of Mr. Wight to whom the usual minister's right had been given was a great disaster to both Proprietors and Settlers. The Proprietors had fulfilled their obligations in set- tling a minister, and his right descended to his heirs. The Proprietors could not grant rights to successive candidates. They had no inducement for a second minister, and they felt it to be a hardship that the settlers should call upon them to make further sacrifices in settling another, as they were, in no wise, to blame for the loss of the first. To the General Court they presented the claim that they had fulfilled the condition of their grant, and their records show this conclusion. The records show also that they passed several votes appointing committees to investigate the condition of the settlement and the needs of the settlers, and granting them assistance in sustain- ing the ministry in the township; but the committees failed to serve until the patience of the settlers was exhausted, and their discontent found expression in petitions, the result of which we see in the report of the committee previously given.
John Wight, son of the first minister, being by his father's right a Proprietor, and also being well acquainted with the conditions of the settlement, became quite active as an agent for the Proprietors. He was chosen again, after the report made April, 1759, at a Proprietors' meeting held June 22, 1759, to collect the unpaid taxes of the delinquent Proprietors. His
102
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
report is valuable, as showing the changes in proprietorship, which the first twenty years of the township had made. It will be noticed that many of the grantees had sold out entirely to new settlers or to other grantees, and that a majority of the original Proprietors were dead. The following is the report as it appears on the Proprietors' records :
"TAX LAID UPON THE ORIGINAL RIGHTS IN NEW MARBLEHEAD, JUNE 22, 1759
"Lot No. 1. The Heirs of Calley Wright.
2. The Heirs of Robt Parramore.
3. The Heirs of Rev. George Pigot.
5. Michael Bowden.
6 & 24. Ebenr Stacey.
7. The Heirs of Ebenr Hawkes. Jr.
8 & 50. Richard Dana.
66
9. Capt. Dunn. Representative.
10 & 12. Thomas Chute.
11, 19, 26, 38 & 57. William Mayberry.
13 & 30. Nathan Bowen.
14. Thomas Stevens.
66 15. The heirs of Peter Coleman.
66
16. The heirs of James Sharrah.
17. The heirs of John Farmer.
18. The heirs of Benj. Dodge.
20. Jonathan Procter.
31. Heirs of James Skinner.
66 34 & 35. Heirs of Rev. John Wight.
36. Abraham Anderson.
37. Heirs of Samuel Lee, Esqr.
38. Benjamin Wait.
66 40. Edward Holyoke.
41. John Oulton's heirs.
66 42. Isaac Mansfield.
43. Phineas Jones' heirs.
44. Joseph Howard.
45. Heirs of Joseph Swett.
46. Brown & Putnam.
47. John Stevens.
66 48, 53 & 56. Joseph Smithhurst's heirs.
103
ECCLESIASTICAL
"Lot No. 49. Heirs of Wm. Ingals.
51. John Felton; Harmson's heirs.
52 & 61. Joseph Blaney, Esqr.
22. Major Richd Reed.
23. The heirs of John Bailey.
66 25. The heirs of Harmson.
27. The heirs of Moses Calley, Esqr.
66 28. Robert Hooper, Esqr.
29, 32 & 60. Ebenezer Hawkes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.