USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > A memorial history of Hampstead, New Hampshire, Congregational Church 1752-1902, Volume II > Part 1
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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 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
HISTORY
ONGREGATIONAL HURCH
1752 1902
HAMPSTEAD, N.H.
=
SAPIENTIA UNIVERSALIS EX LIBRIS UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SITY OF NEM
1866 =01893
SCIENCE
INDUSTRY
HL
ART
1923
DISCOVERY INVENTION INSPIRATION
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
CLASS
N974.28
NUMBER
H21
V .!
ACCESSION
44672
GIFT OF
Sarah E. George.
With best wishes. HEmy C. Undway. October 1903.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 1902
Alemorial history OF
Hampstead, New Hampshire VOLUME II
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
1752 -1902
WITH AN APPENDIX TO VOL. I
ILLUSTRATED
BY
HARRIETTE ELIZA NOYES
(Member New England Historic Genealogical Society, New Hampshire Historical Society: Author Memorial History of the Town of Hampstead; Contributor to the "Annual," Hampstead, England.)
BOSTON, MASS. GEORGE B. REED, 4 PARK STREET 1903
Copyright 1903 BY
HARRIETTE ELIZA NOYES.
PRESS OF NEWCOMB & GAUSS.
2 774 22
2
TO
THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, JULY 2, 1902.
TO THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE CHURCH
THIS MEMORIAL IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
1
0
CONTENTS.
Page
The old church,
1
Early history, 5
Houses for public worship. 14
Congregational Society, 29
Parsonages, 32
Records of Pastorates, Covenants, Old sermons, from 1752 to 1902, 40
List of church members, July, 1902, 126
Sunday School and connected societies, . 128
The Ladies' Societies, Missionary, and Social Circle. . 141
Music, . 166
Baptisms, 179
Proceedings, 150th Anniversary, 214
List of church members, 1752-1903, 295
Sketches of church members, 309
List of persons who owned the Covenant. . 716
Sketches of persons who owned the Covenant. 718
Appendix, additions and corrections to Vol. 1, . 739
Index.
Errata.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page
Page.
1. Church, JJuly, 1902, Frontispiece
2. Old meeting house, 1745 to 1837, .
17
3. Old Pulpit, 18
4. Church, 1861 to 1901, 23
. 5. Vestry, 24
6. Interior, 1894, *
25
37. Mrs. John D. Ordway, 534
26 38. Elizabeth P. Ordway, 538
8. Damaged Church. 1901, 27 39. Mrs. Eliza S. Ordway, 544
9. Leaf from Journal Al- manack, 1753, 33
10. Rev. Mr. True's home, 1767, .
35
11. Brick house, 36
12. Townsend residence, 37
13. Residence, Dr. Lake, 38 46. Mrs. Harriet N. Bullard, 565
14. Parsonage, 1902. 39
15. John Kelly's tracing.
87
48. Sarah J. Brown, .
570
Caleb W. Williams,
574
17. old Organ,
175
49. 50.
Rev. Albert Watson, .
576
18. New Organ, 176 51. Mrs. Albert Watson, . 577
19. Organ and pulpit, 178
20. Harriette E. Noyes, 236
21. Jonathan Kent, . 441
22. Jacob Irving, 457
55. Clara A. Clark. . .
582
56. Moses B. Little, 583
24. Mrs. Sabra F. Colby, . 471 57. Joseph G. Brown, 585
25. Rev. J. M. C. Bartley, 477
58. Horace R. Sawyer,
586
59. Will P. Shannon and SON, 590
27. Dr. Isaac Tewksbury, 496 60. Charles W. Garland, . 592
28. Mrs. Mary (Haselton)
29. Dr. Francis J. Stevens, 514
30. Joseph D. Bartley, 521
31. John C. Drew, 522
32. Mrs. John C. Drew, . 522
33. Rev. Theodore C. Pratt, 526 William II. Davis, 529
35. Mrs. T. C. Pratt, 531
36. Rev. Geo. O. Jenness, 532
7. Pulpit, 1901, .
40. John C. Little, . 549
41. Clara Irving Davis, 551
42. Almira W. Sawyer, 555
43, Frank II. Little, 557
44. Martha II. Williams, 560
45. Rev. E. W. Bullard 563
47. Sarah A. Rowe. . 567
16. Evelyn W. Randall,
186
52. Mary E. Eastman,
579
53. Albert E. Eastman
580
54. John H. Clark, 581
23. Mrs. Isaac Tewksbury, 470
26. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Merrill, . 490
61. John S. Corson, . 593 Davis, 508
62. Mary E. Corson, . 594
63. Charles W. Pressey, . 598
34.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page
64. C. Park Pressey, .
98. H. Clifton Davis, 678
65. S. Lizzie Hunkins. 600
99. HI. Ethel Spinney. 679
66. Mrs. Priscilla Sawyer. 601
100. Rev. Rufus P. Gardner, 682
67. Sabrina D. Noyes, .
Washington Noyes. . 605 102. Addie B. Gardner,
68. 69. Elizabeth M. Coaker, 613 70. 71. John C. Sanborn, 620
103. Olivia A. Tabor, 686
Charlotte E. Townsend, 619 104. Josie F. Tabor, . 689
105. Mary G. Davis, . 690
John W. Garland, 623 106. Alice G. Spinney, 691
72. 78. Tristram Little. 624 107. Amasa W. Hunt, 692
74. Mrs. Betsey P. Little 625
626
109. 110.
Minnie M. Fitts, 700
77. Abbie M. Tabor, 634
78. Ada E. Garland, 635
112.
Myrta A. Little, 706
79. George E. Lake. 637
113.
Leona C. Garland, 707
80. Abbie I. Little, . 639
114. Jesse E. Emerson, 708
115. Agnes F. Osgood, 709
116. Mildred B. Osgood, 710
117. Idla M. Clark, 712
Rev. Walter H. Wood- sum, 713
119. Mrs. Grace B. Wood- SIM, 714
120. Mrs. Mary R. Thomas, 715
Dr. George S. Emerson, 658
86. 87. Mrs. George S. Emer- son. 659
88. Adin S. Little, 662
123.
David Little, 752
J. Peasle Little. 752
90. Minnie E. Emerson, .
665
125.
Helen J. Woodsum. 752
91. Frank W. Emerson. 666
126. Annie Little Woodsum, 752
92. Annie B. Sanborn, 669 127.
93. Lester A. Williams, 670
128.
Julia A. Martin, 757
94. Forrest E. Merrill, 673 129. Olive M. Noyes, . 758
95. Lillian D. Ranlett, 675 130. Florence P. Noyes, . 758 96. Carrie E. Snook, 676 131. Isaac Heath, . 760
97. Jane R. Davis, .
677 132. Frederick S. C. Grover, 763
108. Lois J. HInnt. 693
75. Hannah B. Griffin,
Mrs. Lydia M. Wells. 695
76. Mary E. Spollett, 630
81. Fannie B. Williams, 644
82. Mr. and Mrs. Albion D. Emerson, 649
M. Etta Tupper, 651
118.
J. Herbert Emerson, . 652
122. 121. No. 5 Schoolhouse. 741 No. 6 Schoolhouse, 741
89. Fannie C. Little, 663
124.
Stephen S. Shannon .
754
83. 84. 85. Mrs. JJ. Herbert Emer- son, 653
111. M. Frances lleath, 701
604 101. Mrs. Rufus P. Gardner. 683 685
Page 599
INTRODUCTION.
TO MY FRIENDS :-
After the Memorial History of Hampstead was received by the publie in the winter of 1899, many valuable records and interesting items came to me from people who were in some way interested in our town, which suggested the thought of preparing an Appendix to the history, which, if not published, could be preserved in the Public Library for the use of future generations.
The facts and records were safely treasured with that aim in view, until the greatly appreciated honor was extended to me to be the historian of the church at its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. In accepting the invitation my efforts to search deeper into the annals and traditions of the town were increased, and a resolve was made to prepare Volume II, as a Memorial of the Church, to include an Ap- pendix to the town history.
In the preparation of this work many family and town his- tories have been consulted ; professional genealogists have rallied to my aid ; and people in town and out have been earnest in extending words of encouragement and help. Nearly eight hundred letters have been sent to past and present members of the church and descendants, soliciting records, or to verify data, with the result that only three requests have remained unanswered. While a few members have asked that their ages be not recorded, and other persons have requested a brief mention, all have sent best wishes for the success of my undertaking.
But for this generous aid and kindly interest from pas-
INTRODUCTION.
tors, members and friends of the church and society, my work would have been almost impossible, not being a mem- ber or connected with any church organization, and residing away from even the sound of the church bell.
I extend to all who have aided me by records. photo- graphs or illustrations. or by cheering words of encourage- ment, my sincere thanks.
The memorial histories of the town and of the church were not prepared with the idea of pecuniary profit, but their publication has afforded the broader contribution of giving and receiving of knowledge and of pleasure.
The first volume has found a place in the homes of nine hundred residents, natives or friends of Hampstead, residing in nearly every State and Territory of the Union, and in England, France, and Germany, eliciting expressions com- plimentary to its value, as well as words of hearty approval.
Thomas Fuller, D. D., described as " a man of excellent learning and great benevolence," wrote more than two hun- dred and fifty years ago, " History is an interesting study, and a recreation work." I trust that this volume, the com- piling of which has been a pleasurable recreation, may at least find friends who can view its possible errors with kindly discrimination.
" Whoever thinks a fautless piece to see;
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor ne'er will be."
With renewed feelings of friendship for you all, with affection for my native town, with great respect for the lives and character of the founders of the Congregational Church, and with becoming pride in its history and histori- cal associations, I am,
Sincerely yours,
HARRIETTE E. NOYES.
HAMPSTEAD, N. H., June 15, 1903.
THE OLD CHURCH.
The Old Church on the hilltop sleeps,
Through storms and sunny weather. About its walls the wild wind sweeps. The drifting rain its grey roof steeps. Or mellowing sunbeam silent creeps, In cold or heat together.
Around its tower that stately rears, An ever warning finger, Like Minaret whence the faithful hears At morn and eve, the call to prayers. The pale moon flings her silver-spears, And rosy sunsets linger.
Within are timbers brown and bare, The pulpits high insistence, And circling gallery rising fair. O'er empty pews now silent there, In sunlight that through windows bare Streams in without resistance.
The Deacons' seat stands well in view, With sounding board above it, And just before their narrow pew The table bare where they renew From month to month their promise true To church, and vow to love it.
On sunny summer day when long We sit in idle dreaming, We hear the strains of sacred song From pew and gallery rising strong, And stately parson drones along, His words with terrors teeming.
(1)
·2
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
Around, the circumjacent air Is full of spirit faces. The old, with visage lined with care. The happy child, the maiden fair, And tottering age with silver hair, Filling their old time places.
Dear Old New England. proud and stern. Thy old traditions keeping. Thine ancient creed failed to discern The love that made the Man Christ yearn O'er sinful souls, nor could you learn The Godhead, in them sleeping.
A broader faith for human need To-day thy pulpit preaches. The bulwarks of thy iron ereed Have sunk so low that all may read The promise given, and claim the meed Thy heavenly message teaches.
But yet through all New England strong Thy influence still we cherish, The love for right, hatred of wrong, Fair freedom's high and holy song, Faith in that truth that suffered long That naught that lives shall perish.
All praise to those who wisely laid Foundations past upheaving, Who through grim forests undismayed, By sea and mountain lonely strayed. And with their blood and labor made The blessings we're receiving.
Their forms in lonely graveyards rest, A mossy headstone telling, Unlettered for the searcher's quest, Nor heed they friend or stranger guest No answers give to their request. But yet they're with us dwelling.
3
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
We see them in the fertile land Its richest harvests giving. We feel them in each strong right hand. The pulpit voices their command, And public schools a record stand, As tokens of their living.
What lessons do the rolling years, Filled full of labor and of tears, So swiftly waning day by day, Leave with us as they glide away ?
Our fathers chose the better part, In living near to Nature's heart. Contented in their humble lot, Though now in later years forgot.
What matters though their earthly name Live not upon the roll of fame ?' They labored for each passing day, Then silently they stole away.
They counted their life work well done If they could say at set of sun, To-day I've seen Thy power increase, Lord, let Thy servant go in peace.
What though the narrow way they made Still narrower for the feet that strayed. The eye that saw a sparrow fall A constant watch kept over all.
With ostentation, pomp and din, We seek the way to enter in, The weak ones crowding to the wall, What wonder that so many fall.
What use in all this constant strain. This toil and trouble, care and pain, I'nequal fighting with our lot, Appearing to be what we're not ?
4
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
What matters when our work is done And we have reached life's setting sun, If sleep we 'neath the lowly sod, Forgotten by all else but God ?'
Our need is for a simpler life, With more of Nature's teachings rife, The nearer we to Nature stand We surer feel God's guiding hand.
Beneath the rush of busy marts We lose the beat of suffering hearts. And where the flag of freedom waves We congregate, a race of slaves.
Slaves to the eager rush of gain, Slaves 'neath strenuous labor's strain, Slaves to ambition's stern command. Slaves e'en to pleasure's beckoning hand.
With many corded lash they smite, And ever urge us in the fight, Not that dread whip that scores the back, But want and greed and passions pack.
Their lashes take no bloody toll, But striking inward sear the soul. And while they leave no throbbing sear, Our whole eternal welfare mar.
We need less madness in the strife. More dignity in daily life, Remembering that the Father's gaze. Unruffled. sees our devious ways.
Well knowing, when the strife is past, His love will fold us safe at last. And close 'neath His protecting arms. No more we'll fear the world's alarms.
GEORGE ROBY BENNETTE, M. D.
EARLY HISTORY-1620-1733.
In 1640, it was said, " the events of history, in New Eng- land, are recorded with ever increasing rapidity, and give promise of surprising changes."
The emigration of the Puritans to New England, as shown by the historians of early days, began about ten years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Few attempts were made to form other settlements until seventeen ships, with more than a thousand persons, came in 1630. More and more the exodus increased, until 1640, when twenty- three thousand representatives of English blood settled on lands adjacent to Massachusetts Bay.
They were men and women who had left their homes, their friends, and their native land, for an abode in a bleak and lonely wilderness, that they might enjoy in peace an austere religion which they regarded more highly than all of the comforts and pleasures of the world.
At a session of the General Court held in Boston May 11, 1640, a petition was received from " Mr. Nathaniel Ward and Newberry men " for permission " to begin a settlement on the Merrimack." The right was granted them to consider Pentueket (Haverhill ), or Cochichawick (Andover), provided they give answer in three weeks and build before the next Court." Mr. Ward and his associates chose Pentucket, and commenced a settlement before the following October.
The first company of settlers were William White, Sam- uel Gile, James Davis, Henry Palmer, John Robinson, John Williams, Christopher Hussey, and Richard Littlehale of Newbury, Abraham Tyler, Daniel Ladd, Joseph Merrie, and Job Clement of Ipswich, all of whom had come to America within a short time.
(5)
6
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
Rev. John Ward, son of Mr. Nathaniel Ward, the peti- tioner for the location, and grandson of Rev. John Ward, a worthy and distinguished minister of Haverhill, England, took up his residence with them as soon at they could break ground for the new settlement and prepare for the coming of a minister.
The settlers received the deed of the land of Pentucket Nov. 12, 1642, from the Indians Passaquo and Saggahew with the consent of Passaconaway, which they named Haver- hill, in honor of Haverhill, England, the birthplace of Rev. John Ward, and as a token of respect and thankfulness for his settling with them in the work of the ministry. The deed of the land of Pentucket gives the bounds " eight miles in length westward, six miles northward, and six miles east- ward, with ye Ileand in ye rivver, that ye Ileand stands in, that is fourteen miles in length, for and in consideration of sum of three pounds and ten shillings."
In the autumn of 1641 they gathered their first church, consisting of fourteen members, eight males and six females.
Tradition says " they assembled the first seven years for prayer and public worship beneath the branches of a large tree which stood in what is now the Old Pentucket burial ground, and at their homes, which were all in the immediate vicinity."
They erected in 1648 a rough one-story building of hewn logs. The house was twenty-six feet in length by twenty feet in width, as their meeting house, and in which also to execute all town and civic affairs, " at ye Lower End of ye Mill Lott," now occupied by the Pentucket and Linwood cemeteries.
During the winter of 1655 Thomas Davis was allowed three pounds by the town " to gound pin and daub it," on condition that he " provide the stone and clay for the under- pinning," the town to be at their own expense to bring the clay into place, and " ye plaitering of ye walls up to ye beams."
7
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The house was enlarged and repaired, seats and a gallery added a few years after. In 1672 a store house to secure the stock of powder and ammunition and a stockade of smooth poles sixteen feet tall were set close together for a more secure defence against the Indian attacks. The watch- house and whipping post were in front of the meeting house : the pound for cattle occupied a corner of the lot, and the " nooning house," with the big fireplace beside which the more distant families could eat their lunch during intermis- sion. The burial ground was behind the meeting house.
In September, 1642, the town voted to give Mr. Ward, their teacher, a salary of £50, and in 1645 Richard Little- hale was selected to beat a drum to call the people together. but "in 1652 Abraham Tyler was chosen to blow his horn in the most convenient place, for the same purpose, every Lord's day, about one-half hour before meeting time, and also on lecture days, for which he was to have a peck of corn from every family for the year ensuing." In 1652 the herds- man, James George, was " not permitted to turn the flock of cattle into the common herd until after the second beating of the drum."
One of the duties of the Seleetmen in 1674 was to have the meeting house " swept duly, decently, and orderly."
In 1681 the question of building a new meeting house was raised, and a compromise of erecting a new gallery on the east side was made,
Rev. John Ward, the first pastor of the church, became enfeebled with age, and Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, of Newbury, Mass., began to preach in the autumn of 1689 as an assistant of Mr. Ward. The town voted " to pay him forty pounds per annum, in wheat, rye, and Indian, and his diet and board," and " that Mr. Ward should have his full salary, provided he boarded Mr. Rolfe at his own cost." Mr. Ward died Dec. 27th, 1693, " just entering his eightieth eighth year," and his assistant for four years was ordained pastor, April
8
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
29, 1693, "at a salary of £60 in wheat, rye, and Indian, and he to find personal quarters for himself as he shall think good, and " there shall be paid him a sufficient quantity and stock of good sweet dry, and sound hay, for the keeping his horse through the winter, at such place in Haverhill as he shall appoint."
The question of repairing the old house, or building a new meeting house, came up in town meeting in 1694, and by a vote of thirty-five for the old place to fifty-three votes against it, and for a location on "the Commons."
It was voted in 1697 " to build a new meeting house, near the Watch house and school house, which had been built on what is now City Hall Park, July 28, 1697. The committee chosen reported that "they had been abroad at several places. taking dimensions, of several meeting houses, and having an account of the cost of them, and after bartering with several workmen, had found Sergeant John Haseltine the most inclinable to build of any one." He offered to " build a meeting house, fifty feet long and forty feet wide, and eighteen feet stud, finishing the same, within and with- out, with seats, pulpit, galleries, windows, doors, and stairs, after the pattern of the Beverly meeting house, and doing the sides after the styles of the Reading meeting house, finding all materials, for four hundred pounds money." even to " the turning of the key, and building a turret for a bell."
The town by a unanimous vote granted the acceptance of the new house Oct. 24, 1799, and to "dispose of ye old meeting house, for ye public benefit of ve said town for ye use of a school house, or a watch house, or a house of shel- ter, or a shed to keep horses in, or any other way as they ean meet with chapmen."
The people were seated in the house Nov. 20, 1699, by a committee chosen "to place or seat the people in the new meeting house so that they may know where to sit & not
9
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
disorderly to crowd upon one another, and be uncivil in the time of God's worship."
This house had a door in the end, six windows on each side, and a watch house and school house connected to it. A porch and steeple were built about 1760.
In 1709 several persons were given permission to " build seats for themselves to sit in, in the hind seat of the west gallery, if not built so high as to hinder or damnify the light of them windows in the west end."
Permission was given in 1713 to "build a women's pew in the meeting house."
The first church bell in Haverhill was purchased for this parish in London in 1748, and a belfry was built on the ridge of the meeting house, and the bell rope descended to the broad aisle, and it was voted "to Ring the bell, at one of ye clock, every day, and at nine every night, and on Sabbaths and Lectures," and one hundred pounds were raised (old tenor) towards defraying " the charges of building the stee- ple and Ringing ye bell."
The meeting house became too small for the parish, and as it was much decayed it was finally decided to build a new one in 1765, and an appropriation of three hundred pounds was granted, but more than one thousand pounds were used for the purpose.
The dimensions of the new house were not to exceed sixty-six feet in length and forty-eight feet in breadth. The whole of the ground floor (excepting the aisles) was occu- pied by pews, which were built by the parish, appraised by the committee, and sold at auction. The " men's seats " and .. women's seats " were then confined to the galleries.
This meeting house, when built, was set " at the northerly side of the old meeting house, as near to it as may be con- venient, and was on the Common, about midway between Main and Winter streets, a little north of the foot of Pleas- ant street, with the principal end to the northeast." This
10
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
house remained standing till 1837, when it was taken down.
From 1765 to 1770 Baptists were continually asking for a release of their minister rates towards the First Parish Orthodox preacher. Denominational troubles were becoming numerous in the parish from time to time until 1828, which finally led to a separation and division, the Orthodox portion founding the Centre Congregational Church, and the Univer- salists and Unitarians, being in the majority by five votes. removed the old meeting house in 1837, and built their new house on the site of the present First Parish Unitarian Church, north of City Hall Park.
Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, their pastor, was slain, with his wife and daughter Mehitable, Sunday morning, August 20, 1708, by a desperate band of French and Indians, at the door of his house, which stood near the north corner of Main and Summer streets. They were buried in one grave near the south end of the old Pentucket burial ground, over which the ladies of Haverhill erected a neat and substantial monu- ment in 1847.
" This worthy man was born in Newbury, Mass., in 1662, was graduated from Cambridge 1684. A pious and upright man, ardently devoting his time and talents to forward the cause of his Saviour." "He was beloved and respected by his people."
Sept. 15, 1708, a committee was chosen to "supply ve pulpit for ye present & for ye coming winter."
Mr. Nicholas Seaver preached regularly till the next February, when he was thanked for his pains and labors among them, and a call for a continuation of the labor, which proposal was declined. He was succeeded by Rev. Richard Brown, and after he preached twenty-four Sabbaths, he was also given a call, but declined. They then purchased "the house for a parsonage where Mr. Rolfe was killed, and invited Mr. Joshua Gardner to settle with them, at a salary of £70
11
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
per annum, one-half in good passable money, one-half in merchantable corn at money price, and the use of all of the parsonage, and housing & lands, & meadows."
He was ordained Jan. 11, 1711. but died of consumption March 21, 1715, at the age of twenty-eight years.
During his ministry "he admitted 48 persons, baptized 150, and 17 owned the Covenant." He was eminently dis- tinguished for piety in early life. He became a hopeful sub- ject for divine grace at the age of thirteen years, and soon after began to prepare himself to preach the gospel. lle entered Harvard College at the age of sixteen, and graduated at twenty ; commenced preaching at the age of twenty-one, and was ordained at twenty-three.
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