Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 83

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers
Number of Pages: 1266

USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886 > Part 83

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J. W. Peppard was born in Londonderry, Nova Scotia, in 1827. About 1853 he came to Rumney and has been in the manufacturing business here since. He married Mary G. Merrill in 1854, who bore him two sons, John E. and William, the former of whom died in 1881. Mrs. Peppard died in 1862, and he married Nancy H., daughter of David and Lucy Hutchins. Mr. Peppard represented the town in the legislature of 1872-73.

Charles A. Chase, son of Samuel R. Chase, was born in Campton in 1857 .. He graduated from the State Normal school, in 1873, and in 1881 began mer- cantile business with H. W. Herbert, at Rumney Depot, becoming sole pro- prietor in 1884. He was a member of the legislature in 1885-86, and has been town clerk four years. He married Ida M. Abbott in 1881, and has one son, Charles J.

Rumney Baptist Church .*- Rev. Thomas Niles, Congregationalist, was set- tled by the proprietors as the first minister of the town, October 21, 1767. How long he continued his labors is uncertain. A year or two previous to 1780, the proprietors paid him five hundred pounds for preaching and dam- ages, and in 1789 they settled with the administrator of his estate. His min- istry probably closed some time in the previous year. The society was never large or flourishing and had but one settled minister.

Among the early residents were found people of the Baptist faith, the first one in town being Dea Sanborn, from Deerfield. The ordinance of bap- tism was first administered to six candidates in 1777, by Rev. Hesekiah Smith, of Haverhill, Mass. In 1780 a church was formed and Cotton Haines ordained as its pastor in August of the same year. Mr. Haines was from Deerfield, and had been in town about two years at the time of his ordination. In these early days, there existed in Rumney, as elsewhere, a strong prejudice against Baptist principles and opposition to their promulgation, but by long and persevering struggles, attended with the divine blessing, these prejudices were at length overcome. Where the ordination services were performed, whether on the sand or on a rock, as was the case with Rev. Nicholas Folsom of Meredith, or in some spacious barn, we are not informed-all the tradi- tion that has come down to the present time is that Dr. Samuel Shepard, of Brentwood, took a prominent part in the exercises.

The constituent membership of the church cannot be given, as it has been found impracticable to procure the first volume of records. The earliest names

*By Rev. K. S. Hall.

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

obtainable are those of delegates to the Meredith Baptist Association in 1790 -91-1803, viz .: Thomas Lucas, William Webber, John Hall, Thomas Hodge, Elijah Bean, Samuel Clifford, Jonathan Blodgett, Edmund Webber.

A few meager statistics have been gathered from various sources concern- ing the first pastorate. Among those who have aided in this work is Mr. John C. Folsom, of Laconia, who has kindly granted the use of valuable papers, of early date, belonging to his great-grandfather, Rev. Nicholas Fol- som, the first Baptist minister of Meredith. In 1789, the churches in Sand- wich, Holderness, Meredith, and Rumney united in forming the Meredith association, having respectively as pastors, Revs. Jacob Jewell, Jeremiah Ward, Nicholas Folsom and Cotton Haines. Rumney church had previously belonged to the Woodstock association, its reported membership at this time was eighty-seven. The following year a very extensive revival was enjoyed by which fifty were added, making a total of one hundred and thirty-five as reported. In the minutes of the New Hampshire association, held at Gil- manton, June 9 and 10, 1790, is this record : "Received and read a letter from the Meredith association, by the hands of Elder Nicholas Folsom and Elder Cotton Haines." The original letter, in the hand-writing of Mr. Fol- som, is at hand giving an account of the "glorious work" in Rumney.

According to appointment the association met at Rumney in September, 1790, at which time two churches were added to their number. On this occassion the meetings were held in the barn of Mr. John Hall, a short dis- tance west of where the depot now (1886) stands, that being the most con- venient place that could be procured. The church continued for a time to prosper under the labors of Mr. Haines, but after a series of years greatly declined, until in 1795 it numbered but seventy-eight. About this time, from all that can be learned, his ministry closed under a dark cloud, the precise date, at this writing, is not known. In 1799 he was disfellowshipped by the association.

For nearly thirty years after its settlement there was no meeting-house in town, but private houses and barns were made to serve as places of public worship. A meeting house was erected probably in 1795, on the lot now enclosed as a common. The town paid $1,200.00 towards the cost of con- struction, and the balance was paid by individuals, without regard to denomina- tional preferences. The town was to have no ownership or voice in its man- agement only for town business. It was built in the prevailing style of the period, and continued its use for holding religious and town meeting for about half a century, when it was sold, removed, and converted into a tannery.

Early in 1799, a general religious interest was awakened under the preach- ing of Rev. Ezra Wilmarth, from Cheshire, Mass. September 18th, follow- ing, he was publicly installed as minister of the church and congregation, in accordance with the invitation of the Baptists and Congregationalists. Rev. Samuel Currier, of Wentworth, offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Walter Powers, of Gilmanton, preached the sermon ; Rev. Nicholas Folsom, of

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Meredith, gave the charge, and Rev. Walter Powers gave the hand of fellow- ship, and offered the closing prayer. "The town voted to pay Mr. Wilmarth a salary of ninety pounds per annum for the first three years, and sixty pounds per annum after that time; two-thirds of which was to be paid in grain, the other third in money." His labors were crowned with success in the ingathering of large numbers into the visible fold ; but with these acces- sions came peculiar trials His mode of settlement, arranged by the joint action of the church committee, and a committee of the town, savored some- what of a union of church and state, was not according to the general prac- tice of the denomination, nor was it calculated to develop peace and har- mony. As a natural result, irregularities crept into the church, to the grief of osme of the members ; but in November, 1805, a vote was passed, which re- stored harmony by a return to Baptist usage. The returns to the association in 1803, give an addition of twenty-eight, and a total of one hundred and four. Among those baptised by Mr. Wilmarth, in 1806, was Rev. Pelatiah Chapin, pastor of the Congregational church at Campton, who was afterward ordained in Rumney, as an evangelist, Rev. John Crockett, of Sanbornton, preaching the sermon. The second volume of records begins in 1808, and gives one hundred and thirty-seven names on the roll, in regular standing. In the autumn of 1810, commenced the "great reformation," and from Septem- ber 2, of that year, till November 3, of the following, there were added one hundred and seventy one, most of them by baptism, raising the member- ship to over three hundred. Rev. Mr. Wilmarth was dismissed at his own request, January 2, 1813.

Ten years later a committee was appointed to invite him to resume the pastorate ; but the invitation was not accepted, and for thirteen years after his leaving, the church was without a pastor, depending on supplies for its pul- pit ministrations. Among these were Revs. Stephen Pillsbury, Oliver Bar- ron, Pelatiah Chapin, Shubael Tripp and Caleb Clark. During these years there were alienations and backslidings ; but the ordinances of the Lord's house were observed, and church meetings regularly held, at which the prin- cipal business seems to have been the appointment of committees to labor with offending or delinquent members. Some of these committees were given letters of "adminition," to deliver or not, at their discretion, to the desig- nated brother or sister. Some were reclaimed, many excluded, and many withdrew to unite with other churches. A portion of these last formed a church of the Christian order, which continued a few years, and then became extinct. Whatever else may have been neglected during this long season of trial, the discipline of the church seems to have received faithful attention. At different times the territory was divided and committees appointed to look after all the members in their allotted districts. The membership, in the early years, extended over several of the neighboring towns, where there were no churches of like faith, and from time to time, as new organizations were effected, members were dismissed to assist in forming Baptist churches where they resided.

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

Caleb Clark was ordained as an evangelist, January 25, 1826, Revs. Will- iam Taylor, Stephen Pillsbury, Pelatiah Chapin and Shubael Tripp officiating. He labored with the church until April 23, 1827.

July 1, 1829, Noah Nichols was ordained as pastor, on which occasion the introductory prayer was offered by Rev. E. E. Cummings ; sermon and ordain- ing prayer, Rev. N. W. Williams ; charge, Rev. Shubael Tripp; hand of fellow- ship, Rev. Caleb Clark; address to the church and congregation, Rev. George Evans ; concluding prayer, Rev. Stephen Pillsbury. The ministry of Rev. Mr. Nichols was the beginning of a prosperous era in the history of the church. Large and valuable accessions were made to its membership, and its legiti- mate work was prosecuted with vigor. A temperance society was formed and sustained with interest from year to year, as also Sabbath-school and mission- ary societies. A parsonage built near the close of the last century, with thirty acres of land, was purchased at a cost of $500. This has been occu- pied by the several pastors to the present time. The land has been dimin- ished by repeated sales, to provide means for altering and repairing the parsonage, until but two acres remain. A building, previously occupied as a store, was first used as a vestry in the autumn of 1832 ; two years later it was purchased and repaired, a gallery being built across the end, at a cost of over $200.

Mr. Nichols closed his labors March 12, 1837, and was succeeded May 14, by Rev. Henry Tonkin. The following year, the present meeting-house was erected on land donated by Josiah Quincy, Esq., at a cost of about $3,000.00. It has a seating capacity of three hundred and thirty-six. Mr. Tonkin re- mained till the close of 1840.

January 24, 1841, Gilbert Robbins, then a student at the New Hampton Theological Institution, commenced to supply. He was ordained as pastor October 14, of the same year. Sermon by Rev. J. Newton Brown ; ordaining prayer, Rev. Benjamin Congdon ; charge, Rev. Levi Walker ; hand of fellow- ship, Rev. David Burroughs ; address to the church, Rev. George W. Cut- ting. Rev. Mr. Robbins continued his ministry until July 19, 1846.

Rev. Phineas Bond was pastoor from September 4, 1847, to January 5, 1851; Rev. Jonathan S. Herrick from May 3, 1851, to March, 1856, and Rev. George B. Bills from April 1, 1856, to April 1, 1858.

Rev. John K. Chase was settled in May, 1858. The following summer, the vestry now in use was built at an expense of $400. Additions were made to the church and a good degree of harmony and prosperity enjoyed, during the pastorates of each of Mr. Nichols's successors ; but no extensive religious awak- ening was experienced until about the commencement of Mr. Chase's labors. Dr.ring his ministry large numbers were added to the membership, but with the joy of large accessions were mingled bitter trials. Mr. Chase closed his term of service January 7, 1866.

Rev. George W. Bixby was settled May 5, 1866. Two years subsequently, extensive repairs and alterations were made on the meeting-house and par-

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sonage, at a cost of nearly $2,000 ; about one half of which was defrayed by the late Hon. Josiah Quincy. Mr. Bixby left September 1, 1870.

Rev. Joseph B. Breed was pastor from January 1, 1871, to December 15, 1877 ; Rev, Irving W. Combs from June 1, 1878 to October 3, 1880. Rev. King S. Hall commenced as supply, October 24, 1880, was settled as pastor April 17, 1881, closed his labors October 1, 1883. The last pastorate of this church was entered upon with many misgivings, on account of the impaired health of the pastor ; but his services continued unbroken till the autumn of 1882. From that tinie onward, there were many interruptions by severe sick- ness, until they were brought to a close by the urgent advice of physicians. The pulpit was supplied nearly every Sabbath, during the indisposition of the pastor, mainly by Rev. George W. Kinney, of Pittsfield, in all about five months. Rev. George T. Raymond, of Lebanon, commenced to preach the first Sabbath in October, and continued as stated supply until June 21, 1884, when the church, numbering one hundred and twenty-nine members, dis- banded.

The following have been licensed to preach by the church : Mihill Jewett, February 3, 1827 ; Hiram D. Hodge, November 2, 1833 ; King S. Hall, Sep- tember 8, 1840 ; Amos Webster, September 27, 1840 ; Dudley C. Bixby, January 31, 1869.

The deacons of the church have been Junia Ingraham, Daniel Smart, John Hazeltine, Mark H. Chapman, Joseph Spaulding, Ebenezer Blodgett, George M. Stevens, David S. Buck, Moses C. Abbott, John W. Chase, Byron M. Craig

The clerks have been Asa Fuller, Mark H. Chapman, Noah Nichols, Ben- jamin H. Bradley, Joseph L. Spaulding, John L. Emerton, John L. Davis, Joseph W. Pease, Byron M. Craig.

In 1864, an unhappy division arose in the church, as the result of which a new church consisting of forty-nine members, mostly from that body, was formed, February 23, 1866. This organization, known as the Baker's River Baptist church, was publicly recognized by a council, July 17, of that year, with the following order of exercises: Reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Samuel T. Frost ; introductory prayer, Rev. Amasa Brown ; sermon, Rev. Lucien Hayden, D. D .; reading of church covenant and prayer of recognition, Rev. Franklin Daman ; hand of fellowship, Rev. Jeremiah D. Tilton ; address to the church, Rev. Valentine E. Bunker ; concluding prayer, Rev. Timothy B. Eastman.

The unoccupied Universalist meeting-house was at first hired for the use of the congregation, but was purchased in 1868, at a cost of about $2,000.00. Rev. Samuel T. Frost was pastor of the church from May 3, 1866, to May 5, 1867 ; Rev. George A. Glines, from November 2, 1867, to June 1, 1873 ; Rev. Jeremiah D. Tilton, from August 18, 1873, to May 1, 1882 ; Rev. George W. Clough, from November 12, 1882, until the church disbanded, June 21, 1884, at which time it numbered eighty-three members.

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TOWN OF THORNTON.

George M. Stevens, George W. Fletcher and Baxter P. Hardy served this church as deacons. Abiel M. Buzzell was clerk during its entire existence.

Repeated efforts were made, through a series of years, to unite these dis- severed bands, but all attempts proved futile until June 21, 1884, when both churches met in their respective places of worship, as by previous agreement, and each voted to disband in order to form a new organization. Immediately after disbanding they met in the meeting-house of the first church and sub- scribed their names to the articles of faith and covenent, by which they formed themselves into a new body to be known as the Rumney Baptist church. The constituent membership was one hundred and fifty; present number one hundred and fifty seven.

Rev. Horace F. Brown, the present pastor commenced his labors Decem- ber 7, 1884.

The deacons are John W. Chase, George M. Stevens, Byron M. Craig, Solomon A. Smith. William J. Spaulding was chosen clerk, but after a short term of service resigned, and Baxter P. Hardy now fills that office.

The first Sabbath-school was formed in 1826, consisting of four branches, having four superintendents, twenty teachers, one hundred and twenty-five scholars and an interesting library. This institution has been maintained vigorously and successfully until the present time, in the first, the Baker's River and the new organization. Superintendents and teachers have been laborious, self-sacrificing and efficient. Number of teachers as by last report thirteen ; scholars, one hundred and fifty two; average attendance one hun- dred and eleven.

The Methodist Episcopal church, at Rumney village, was organized by Rev. Mr. Hatch, in 1856, Rev. Truman Carter being the first pastor. During that year a church building was erected, in union with the Universalists, which did service until 1861, when it was superseded by the present structure, a wood building capable of seating 250 persons and valued at $1,800.00. The society has ninety-three members, with Rev. James Crowley, pastor.

The West Rumney Universalist church was organized by Rev. John G. Adams, in 1835. Their church building cost originally only $1,500.00, but in 1884 it was repaired extensively and re-dedicated, and is now valued at $3,000.00. It will comfortably accomodate 250 persons. The present pas- tor is Rev. J. M. Usher. The society has also a flourishing Sabbath-school, with Burgess Hall, superintendent.

T HORNTON, a triangularly outlined township, lies in the eastern part of the county, in lat. 43° 54' and long. 71 40', bounded northeast by Livermore, Waterville and small part of the county line, north and west by Lincoln, Woodstock and Ellsworth, and south by Campton, with an area of 28,490 acres. The township was granted to Matthew Thornton and 40*

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TOWN OF THORNTON.

others, in seventy-three shares, July 6, 1763, to contain 23,000 acres. It was named in honor of Mr. Thornton, who subsequently became a member from this state of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. No settlements were attempted under this grant, and a new charter was issued October 21, 1768, including additional territory enough to make 40,07 1 acres in the whole, which was to be divided into ninety shares. The grantees were mostly men of Londonderry and vicinity, and the town was not incorporated until November 24, 1781. A large amount of the town's terri- tory was lost through overlapping the territory of Woodstock, or Peeling as it was originally named, and also several other changes have been made in its- original boundaries, viz .: By an act of the legislature approved June 16. 1807, the jurisdiction of Thornton was extended over a tract of land called Blan- chard's Gore, lying easterly of the town, and June 14, 1807, Capt. Jotham Cummings, Jr., of Plymouth, was appointed agent on the part of the state to meet an agent of Thornton and establish the easterly line of the town. June. 23, 1842, a strip of land containing about eighty acres, known as Waterville Gore, was severed from Waterville and annexed to Thornton, and finally, in July, 1867, a portion was set off to Campton. To following petition addressed to the General Court in 1797, by Matthew Thornton, relative to a dispute between the towns of Peeling and Thornton, fully sets forth the story of the grant, etc., of Thornton, viz .:-

"Humbly shews the Subscriber that in the Year 1763 His Excellency Ben- ning Wentworth Esq Governor &c of the then Province now State of New- hampshire, granted to Daniel Peirce, your Petitioner and Associates, a cer- tain tract of Land in the County of Grafton and State aforesaid lying North of the Town of Campton, and adjoining thereto, and gave it the name of Thornton, some time after the Charter was signed, Your Petitioner examined the out lines of the Grant with more attention than he did before he received the. Grant, and easily perceived it coud never be convenient for one parish, and extremely inconvenient for two. Your petitioner therefore took no care to procure Settlers, and let the time expire, that by the Conditions in the Grant the settlement of said Town shou'd have been compleated-Therefore Said Grant reverted to the Grantor, and the Charter conveyed no title to the Grantees, His Excellency John Wentworth at this time being Governor. Your petitioner waited on him shewed him the plan, and by his direction ob- tained a Second Grant of said Thornton, only varying the lines of said Town. as soon as your petitioners received this second Grant (which was dated Oct'r 2 Ist 1768) proceeded and laid out the Home lots, and about one half the second divisions and procured Setlers as fast as possible, and notwith- standing its being a Fronteer town, and the late War at time raging between Brittain and America, yet as I paid for Building Grist and Saw Mills and made the term of settlement easy, the settlement went on considerable rap- idly, and is now become a fine flourishing Town, which was but a short time past a howling Wilderness. The inhabitance have lived quietly and happy until the Year 1793, at which time there arose a controvercy, between a Town called Peeling, and the Town of Thornton. the history is as follows The Grant of Peeling bears date the 23 of Sep't 1763, and was Regranted in the Year 1771 December 17th to other Grantees by the name of Fairfield-Some time after the date of the Charter of Peeling, the Grantees sent a Committee

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TOWN OF THORNTON.

to run the out lines of their Township, and after runing about one & an half miles, held a Council and concluded it not worth the notice of the Grantees, and so returned home called a meeting of the Grantees, the Grantees when met approved of their Committee's report. nothing was done until the year 1790 then some Gentlemen purchased of the Original Grantees, for a very trivial sum their rights as Grantees-some time in the year 1793 Run the out lines of the Town called Peeling ex-party, by which they took in a consider- able part of Thornton as it was laid out by the Second Grant, and some of Goffs location they immediately put on one or two Settlers on that part of Thornton which they say fell within the limits of Peeling, but none on any other part of their Grant,-

"Therefore your petitioner humbly prays that your Honors wou'd take his Greiveance into your wise consideration and Confirm the Charter of Thorn- ton as laid out by the second Grant and incorporate-or call those pretended proprietors of Peeling to answer for not fulfilling the conditions of their Grant or otherwise relieve your petitioner as in your wise Judgement shall appear just and equitable, and your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray "M. Thornton."

The surface of the town is rough and uneven, in some parts mountainous, though there is much good farming land, 13,462 acres being under cultiva- tion, while the soil is deep and fertile, there being some especially good inter- val land along the rivers. Of the beauties of the scenery the territory boasts, it is perhaps superfluous to say more than that the picturesqe valley of the Pemigewasset extends through nearly the center of the township, north and south. The stream has several tributaries here, the principal of which are Mill brook, from the east, and Bagley brook, from the west. Mad river, hav- ing also several tributaries here, passes through the southeastern part of the town, to unite with the Pemigewasset in Campton. There are good water privileges afforded by these streams, while on Mill brook there is a beautiful cascade, the water falling from a perpendicular rock forty-two feet in height. Peaked hill pond, a small body of water, lies in the southwestern part of the town, and Cone pond, a still smaller body, lies in the southwestern part.

In 1880 Thornton had a population of 774 souls. In 1885 the town had ten school-districts and ten common schools. Its ten school-houses were valued at $3,000.00. There were 184 children attending school, eleven of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by two males and twelve female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $26.50 for males, and $20.64 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes dur- ing the year, was $1, 156.83, while the expenditures were $1,048.48, with John L. Barnard, superintendent.

WEST THORNTON, a small post village and station on the P. V. R. R., has a store and about half a dozen dwellings.

THORNTON (p. o.) is located in the central part of the town.

Frank Fox's grist-mill, on road 15, was built about fifteen years ago. It has two runs of stones, and does custom work.

Lewis J. Mardin's bobbin-shop, on road I corner 2, built in 1882, turns out about 500,000 bobbins per year.

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TOWN OF THORNTON.

Danforth Foss's saw and shingle-inill, on road 36, was built by George Durgin, about 1840, and came into Mr. Foss's hands in 1851. He manufac- tures about 150,000 feet of lumber per annum.

James N. Mc Coy's saw-mill, on road 19, built in 1882, gives employment to sixteen hands, and turns out about 1,000,000 feet of lumber per year.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 83

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers Number of Pages: 1266

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers
Number of Pages: 1266