USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Orford > Centennial celebration of the town of Orford, N.H. : containing the oration, poems and speeches delivered on Thursday, September 7, 1865 : with some additional matters relating to the history of the place > Part 3
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" And it is resolved, that no person shall be allowed a seat in Congress, who shall, by himself or any person before said House, treat with liquor any electors with an apparent view of gaining their votes, or afterwards on that account." Israel Morey was elected the deputy. Here was manifested a determination to comply with the recom- mendation of the General Congress as to the form of gov- ernment, however loudly the British lion might roar and threaten hostilities. Here, too, was manifested a salutary fear of the influence of intoxicating drinks in perverting the minds of men, and suborning them to act contrary to strict integrity. Well would it have been if this demon had been thoroughly exorcised from every exercise of elec- tive franchise, and from all legislative bodies to this day.
But the patriotism of the early occupants of this soil did not all evaporate in a town-meeting ; nor was it dissipated by passing resolutions and electing deputies to a conven- tion. Guns, powder, and lead were purchased, and scouts were employed " to make discovery of the enemy if any there were." At another meeting in 1776, Oct. 15, it was "voted to raise a tax of thirty-five pounds to purchase sixty weight of powder and one hundred and twenty weight of lead for a town stock."
Often, in past years, have I looked upon the large old head stone in the burying ground, commemorating a sol-
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dier of the Revolution, by the name of Jeremiah Post, who fell in the battle of Bennington. The terrible scenes of war, as drawn by imagination, were pictured in my mind, and I wondered at the courage and patriotism which led men thus to peril and sacrifice their lives.
At a legal meeting, April 19, 1777, it was decided " to raise sixty pounds lawful money, to hire three men to enlist into the continental service to make up the town's proportion of forty-three men for three years." At another meeting in July, a committee was appointed " to hire scouts in conjunction with Fairlee, and provide provisions for them, and deal it out to them,-also to provide four men each night, and one each day, to watch the water craft and the streets." Morey was to be hired to pay these scouts and watchers ; and " the school-house on the parade to be a guard-house for them."
The next year, 1778, the town voted "to adopt the Articles of Confederation and perpetual union, proposed by the Continental Congress." The traitorous doctrine of ".state rights " of our day, which claims the right to abro- gate the most solemn political pledges and oaths, to break up the national compact, and secede from the union at will ; a doctrine which has involved us in the most relent- less and desolating war known in modern times, had not been broached in the days of our patriotic fathers. They felt that the national safety and welfare depended on a well cemented and perpetual union.
Near the close of the year 1777, a move was made respecting the dismission of Rev. Mr. Noble from the min- istry in this town, and it was voted that in case he should relinquish his pastorate, he should receive forty-two pounds lawful money, over and above his regular salary. A com- mittee was appointed " to join with a committee of the church for the calling of a council" to carry this into effect. Mr. Noble came into the meeting and accepted the
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terms proposed. The Rev. Peter Powers and the Rev. Wm. Conant and their delegates constituted the council, and Mr. Noble was dismissed December 30, 1777. It may be noticed that the town moved in this matter, and also in giving a call, before any action by the church ;- a pro- ceeding which, according to our ecclesiastical polity, is irregular, as all power to do ecclesiastical acts, inviting a pastor, ordination, installation, and dismission is vested in the church itself. In the three succeeding years Mr. George Morey, Mr. Ripley, and Mr. Gaylord were the preachers, and the rate of compensation was nine pounds per day. At the March meeting in 1779, a committee " was raised to consult with a committee of Fairlee, and agree on terms of union with this town in hiring preaching."
In the next year Mr. Noah Miles was invited to settle in the gospel ministry ; his settlement to be two hundred pounds lawful money to be paid in wheat ; and that sum to be increased two pounds annually until it shall amount to eighty-six pounds. If the English pound was the same as it is now, the gift at starting, called a settlement, was about one thousand dollars, and the salary three hundred to be increased till it amounted to four hundred and thirty. Very few ministers in country towns have experi- enced such liberality during the last fifty years. It does not appear that Mr. Miles accepted the invitation.
In the following month, October 25, it was " voted to build a meeting-house somewhere nigh Major Ephraim Morey's dwelling house." Also, " to receive Fairlee into union with Orford in settling a minister," and farther, " to empower the selectmen to hire a Grammar school master for six months from November 1st." It is pleasing to see that the education of youth was regarded of highest impor- tance, next to the ministration of the Gospel. The com- mon school system which originated in New England, has been, in connection with its ministry, the chief instrumen-
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tality in making it what it is, ' decus et gloria patric,' from which the light of science and religion has been diffused far and wide. These have made New Hampshire with its sterile soil and rigorous climate one of the principal states for the exportation of liberally educated men and women.
August 4, 1786, Mr. John Sawyer was invited to settle as pastor,-" the settlement to be six hundred and sixty- seven bushels of wheat at six shillings per bushel, his sal- ary to commence at two hundred and forty bushels of wheat, and to increase annually eight bushels until the expiration of twelve years." These proposals were accepted. He was ordained October 3, 1787. Three years later, viz., January 5, 1790, it was " voted to build a meeting-house at the corner of Samuel Phelps' field." The vote of the previous year not having been carried into effect.
At the annual meeting in March following, it was " voted to lease the school lot on the river road for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years to Capt. John Mann, his heirs and assigns, at the rate of fifteen pounds per year,-the selectmen to make out the lease accordingly." This shows how that lot came into the possession of my father.
At an adjourned meeting a few days after, it was voted to build a meeting-house forty feet by sixty, with posts eighteen feet, and a porch at each door, on the rise of ground by Lieut. Dame's. Messrs. Mann, Todd, Tillotson, Dame and Simpson were the committee to inspect the building of the house, and to proceed immediately to sell the pews to defray the expense. In succeeding years votes were passed to build a house of worship, all of them dif- fering as to the dimensions and precise location, though generally agreeing to place it on the plain near where Mr. Tillotson now lives.
There a house was erected, as I well remember, but
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never finished. It was taken down and placed on the "height of land between the Connecticut and Baker's rivers, a most uncomfortable and unsuitable location, especially in the piercing cold and drifting snow of winter. There were no sheds for the protection of horses, and no stoves within for the comfort of the people. Indeed for many years after this, stoves, except such as were carried in the hands of individuals, were luxuries in churches rarely to be found. I do not recollect ever to have seen one through the early years of my ministry. To be cold in the pulpit is bad enough, but to be destitute of animal and spiritual warmth in the pews is worse. The hardy people of those days willingly suffered from cold for the sake of partici- pating in the benefits of public worship. We have since learned that it is consistent with religion to unite bodily comfort with spiritual edification. In summer anc the milder part of autumn, we regarded it rather a pleasure to walk the three miles, on alternate Sabbaths, to the house of God on that breezy hill. From the year 1794, the meet- ings on the Sabbath were usually held one half of the time in this village, and one half in the east part of the town.
Canada thistles, those most unwelcome visitors, began to infest the town, and in 1795 the selectmen were directed to prepare " a petition to the General Court to pass an act to prevent the growth of thistles in this State." I never heard what was the success of the petition, but I believe that neither the petition nor the doings of the Court have exterminated that pestilent weed ; and that in spite of legislation and careful husbandry it continues to grow and annoy.
In 1799 the Rev. Wm. Forsyth was engaged to preach, and was offered four hundred dollars salary on condition, that if ordained, and " the town shall be unwilling to have him remain as their minister, it shall be discharged from him, and from paying him further salary." The provis-
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ion for admission at the commencement of a pastorate which anticipates trouble before it comes, in contrariety to the Saviour's words, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," is not altogether a new invention in these, our days of progress. Mr. Forsyth was a true Scotchman, and whether the people were inclined to be chary of the sons of good old Scotia, I know not. Certain it is that we have much reason to hold them in high estimation. He was educated in the University of Edinburg ; was thoroughly acquainted with the classic languages, and sometimes quoted the Greek of a scripture passage in his sermons. He was an able preacher,-had passed the middle period of life,-was venerable in appearance ;- his hair was always powdered white as snow, and his whole bearing was dignified. I had good opportunities for know- ing him and receiving catechetical instruction from him, for my father's house was his home through his brief min- istry.
In 1800, November 23, the town gave Mr. Sylvester Dana an invitation to the pastorate, and offered him four hundred dollars as a salary, and six hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-seven cents as a settlement. This was accepted, and he was ordained and instituted pastor of the town, May 10, 1801. In that office he continued twenty- one years. His dismission took place April 30, 1822. He was a good man, sound in doctrine, an earnest and affectionate preacher, faithful and conscientious in the performance of ministerial duty.
The division of the town into two parishes, the eastern and western, had been agitated, and when Mr. Dana's pastoral relation to the town ceased, it was voted unani- mously, " that it is not expedient to divide the town into two parishes." For this decision the large number of one hundred and thirty-four votes were given.
Immediately, however, a new church of twenty-eight
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members was formed in this part of the town called the " West Church." It was organized on the day of the dismission of the pastor and by the same council, April 30, 1822. Measures were soon taken to constitute " a perma- nent society for the support of the gospel on the river road in Orford and Fairlee." On the 30th of December follow- ing, it was unanimously voted to give Mr. Dana an invita- tion to become the pastor of the West Church, and he was installed February 19, 1823. He continued the pastor ten years and resigned January 1, 1833. During that period his labors were greatly blessed to the conversion of many of his flock ;- ninety-seven were added to the church ; fifty-eight of that number in one year.
In the year 1813, an event occurred which is worthy of record, and should not pass into oblivion ;- an event which shows that God does mercifully interpose in answer to the prayers of his people. The spotted fever was exten- sively prevalent in the town, and new cases were occurring almost daily.
Riding out one morning I came opposite a house in which an old man lived whose name was Fisher. He hailed me and came up saying that it was a solemn and alarming time with us, and asked if there ought not to be a day of fasting and prayer. I assented and promised to go immediately to the pastor and propose it, which I did. Wednesday of the following week was fixed upon for the duty, and announcement was made accordingly on the Sab- bath, the service to be in the east meeting-house. Being a licensed preacher, it was my lot to preach in the fore- noon and Mr. Dana in the afternoon. It was a peculiarly solemn day. Many were sick with that strange and often quickly fatal disease. It was not expected that the two aged deacons, Taintor and Niles, would live through the day. God heard and answered the earnest supplications of his people. The two deacons recovered, and those who
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were sick were restored to health. From that day to this, a period of fifty-two years, there has not been a case of that fearful disease, to my knowledge, in this town.
The Rev. James D. L. Farnsworth succeeded Mr. Dana in the pastoral office, and was ordained and installed Jan- uary 1, 1823. He was distinguished for sociability and facility of accommodating himself to all classes of people, and was abundant in pastoral visitation and labors. His ministry closed April 9, 1832.
The Rev. Daniel Campbell was next invited to take the oversight of the flock, and was installed May 29, 1833. His ministry continued a little more than fourteen years, in which time eighty-three were added to the church. He was an energetic and faithful preacher, active in parochial labors, and a bright example of christian virtues. His health having become greatly impaired, he requested a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and was dismissed September 7, 1847.
The Rev. Wm. Clarke succeeded him and was ordained and installed May 17, 1849. After a ministry of three years he relinquished his charge, and was dismissed agree- ably to his request, April 22, 1852, and became a Mission- ary of the American Board for Foreign Missions, and was stationed at Arabkir, in Eastern Turkey. His successor was Rev. Ira Case, who was ordained November 29, 1852. His dismission took place June 14, 1854.
The Rev. Windsor A. Smith was his successor, and commenced his pastorate November 1, 1854. Being in ill health he resigned and was dismissed August 15, 1860, having had a ministry of six years.
The present incumbent is the much esteemed Rev. Moses T. Runnels.
After the dismission of Mr. Farnsworth, who was pastor of the town, the First or East Church was destitute of a pastor for eleven years, and was served by ministers em-
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ployed for a longer or shorter time, Mr. Andrew B. Fos- ter was ordained and installed June 26, 1845. A small, neat parsonage house was built, connected with which were a few acres of land. His health failed, and at his request he was dismissed November 22, 1847.
Rev. Jotham Sewall commenced his labors with that society in October, 1851, and was installed February 16, 1853. His dismission took place in 1855.
What I have said respecting churches and pastors has. exclusive reference to those of the Congregational denom- ination. For about forty years the only church and society in the town was of that faith and order. About the year the Methodists began to hold meetings in the north- eastern part of the town, and after a while formed a church and built a small house of worship, which, as I think, was never completed. For a number of years their small com- munity flourished and gathered strength.
For many years there were individuals of the Univer- salist persuasion, who, with their families usually attended public worship with the mass of the people and aided in its support. In about the year 1840, they erected a house of worship in this village, and commenced public religious services as a separate congregation.
Among her sons, whom Orford has reared, who have reflected honor upon her, I may be allowed to mention two other of my brothers, the elder of whom was the Hon. Benning Mann, for many years a lawyer in the city of Hartford, Ct. He had been Judge of Tolland County Court, United States Marshal for Connecticut, Senator in the Legislature of the State, and successively Justice and Clerk of the Police Court of that city. At his death the Hartford Bar passed these resolutions: "The genial kindness, the unvarying sympathy, the sterling sense and the unbending integrity of our late venerable associate, who for many years has been connected with us
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in the practice of our profession, will long be commemo- rated in the hearts of the Bar of this county.
Resolved, That in the administration of the public trusts committed to his care, he discharged official duties with an honesty which has made his name proverbial, and has left a memory ever to be cherished in the respect and esteem of the community.
Among the resolutions passed by the officers and mem- bers of the Police, were the following :
" Resolved, That his unobtrusive goodness, his untiring usefulness, his equable disposition, his incorruptable integ- rity, and his unswerving fidelity to the right, shall embalm his memory in our hearts, and incite us to emulate his virtues.
Resolved, That as an administrator of justice he was faithful and considerate, as an adviser and counsellor, reli- able and trustworthy, as a citizen, patriotic, as a man, honorable, as a neighbor, kind and courteous, and as a friend, ' true as steel.' "
The other brother next older to myself was Rev. Cyrus Mann. He graduated at Dartmouth College, was Prin- cipal of Gilmanton Academy two years, was Tutor in the College five years, and was pastor of the Congregational church in Westminster, Mass., twenty-six years. An obit- uary article states concerning him : " By his personal efforts an Academy was founded and sustained in that place, which was of great service to the cause of education in that region, and which still exists as a monument to his name." "His memory dwells in the evangelical churches of Worcester County, (several of which he helped to found,) as one who preached the gospel with plainness, power and love, not fearing man, but only God." His ministry was signalized by numerous and powerful revi- vals. He died in 1859, aged seventy-three.
Rev. John Wheeler, D. D., was reared here from his
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youth. It was when he was in college, if I mistake not, that he became a subject of divine grace and commenced the life of a shining, useful Christian. He received his theological education at Andover, and was settled as pastor of the Congregational church in Windsor, Vt. He was a popular preacher, graceful in style and manner, and faithful in exhibiting divine truth. He was President of the University of Vermont for several years, and filled that office with much acceptance. His influence and qualifications contributed largely to the prosperity of the Institution.
Hon. Leonard Wilcox, after receiving his collegiate education, read law with his father here. He became a judge in one of your courts of justice, and was for a short period a member of the United States Senate. All these have finished their course and have passed away from earth.
Every loyal man is willing to do honor to our brave defenders who have periled their lives to save our country from the ruin attempted by traitors and rebels. Among those who constitute a bright catalogue of townsmen yet living, I may be allowed to mention Gen. Gilman Marston, a practitioner of law, a wise and upright legislator who laid aside the business of his profession, took the sword and gallantly defended the cause of freedom, humanity and national life.
Major Frederic Edgel, the Chief Marshal of the day, is another of the brave officers of our noble army, and has rendered important services in our late war, and also in the war with Mexico,-services by which he has well merited the promotion he has received.
And now I leave it for you, fellow citizens, and for pos- terity to judge whether the good town of Orford has not just reason to be proud of such sons as these. This town has given a collegiate education to more than thirty young men who were born or reared here.
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I have now taken a survey of the more important events of our dear native town, from its infancy to its mature growth of a hundred years. The Granite State has some gems in her civic diadem, and good old Orford is one of them. May it ever shine with undimmed brightness, reflecting honor on those noble men and women who ven- tured into the dark recess of its forests, whose well directed labors have given it so much to admire.
We began these historic reminiscences in a solitary wilderness, among the lofty monarchs of the forest. We end in the midst of a lovely landscape, adorned with highly cultivated and luxuriant fields, rewarding the industry of a happy people, and exhibiting the bountiful- ness of the Creator. We began in a hastily constructed log cabin with bark for its covering, unadorned by the skillful use of the carpenter's chisel and plane. . We end in a smiling village, ornamented with tasteful and commo- dious dwellings, whose occupants want no good thing. We began without roads,-with crooked paths like an Indian trail, and bridgeless streams. We end with smooth highways through leveled hills and uplifted valleys.
We commenced the journey of our fathers and mothers adventurously mounted on horseback or travelling on foot, advancing a few miles only in a day, lonely and weary, to a land they knew not. We end with the puffing, scream- ing engine, whirling its thundering train of cars almost with the speed of the frightened birds. We commenced with the pounded corn and the omnifarious potatoe for food, and beachnuts and wild berries for fruit. We end with rich gardens and fruitful orchards, showing a taste and skill in horticulture, floral culture and fruit growing which challenge competition.
We commenced our century with no building for imparting the elements of education and for developing the powers of the youthful mind ; where the school-mis-
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tress lays the foundation of future usefulness and honor- able distinction. The great teachers then were nature and God. We end amidst flourishing schools with the best text books ever prepared ; with an Academy soon to be filled, I hope, with earnest lovers of learning, and with a neighboring college which ought to have been located here. We began with no sanctuary but the solemn forest and the blue empyreal arch. We end with handsome church edifices, with faithful preachers of the gospel, the admin- istration of the divinely instituted ordinances, and the people called to the house of God by the mellow sound of the bell sending its echoes among the hills and mountains.
We commenced in the quietness and the solemn still- ness of a vast wilderness, the extent of which the royal grantors of charters had never imagined. We close our centennial review at the termination of a gigantic civil war ;- the cessation of the uproar and carnage of mighty contending armies ;- the capture of defiant and almost impregnable fortifications and their restoration to the national government from which they were stolen. Thank God, the slaughter of our brave, patriotic fellow citizens on the battle field, and their murder by starvation in southern prisons have ceased. The deadly struggle for the preservation of national life and the vindication of gov- ernmental authority has ended in a God-given and glorious victory. To what an epoch have we come! What a momentous crisis have we reached ! Never has the world seen its equal. Never have the precious interests of man- kind, civil and religious, present and future, been so imperilled, so staked, as on the issue of this unparalled contest. May its termination be followed by the breaking of every yoke of oppression,-the enjoyment of freedom by every robbed and helpless bondman, and the practical enforcement of the great self-evident truths, " that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator
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with certain unalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." May the horrid barbarities which have marked the progress of the late conflict be succeeded by the beneficent reconstruction of the rebellious states, the establishment of schools, the planting of churches, the diffusion of all gospel truth, and the inauguration of that long looked for period in which universal good will and brotherhood shall pervade our land and the world.
Let us, fellow citizens, imitate the virtues of our departed ancestors. Let us cherish an ardent love of our divinely favored country. Let us maintain, defend and diffuse those great political and religious truths, obedience to which constitutes true greatness. And when this memorable and delightful reunion shall be past, and we scatter to our homes, near and remote, may we so pass the remainder of life as to have a felicitous reunion in a brighter world.
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