USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > Historical address given at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of the town of Lyndeborough, N. H., September 4, 1889 > Part 5
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Gentlemen : This may certify that I differ from Rev. Nathaniel Merrill's religion, and therefore I refuse to pay him any minister tax and shall not.
These changes in ministerial support led Mr. Merrill to resign, and he was dismissed July 28, 1835, after twenty- three years and eight months' service. Many years have now elapsed, but he has not ceased to be lovingly remem- bered. Ile was a genuine son of consolation, and his min- isterial brethren used to speak of him as the "Beloved Mer- rill," and he was often called by them to assist in revival work, for which he had peculiar qualifications.
Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, son of Thomas and Sarah ( Friend) Merrill, was born in that part of Rowley now Georgetown, Mass., December 4, 1782, and died there, while on a visit, July 4, 1839. He prepared for college at Dummer arad-
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emy, was graduated at Dartmouth college in 1809, and studied theology with Dr. Elijah Parish, at Byfield, and with Dr. Samuel Spring, of Newburyport. He married Betsey Carpenter, at Norwich, Vt., January 22, 1812. Three of his sons were graduated at Dartmouth, and one, Rev. James Hervey, was pastor at West Andover. Mass., for many years. After leaving Lyndeborough, Mr. Mer- rill was settled in Wolcott, N. Y., in September, 1835, and was pastor there at the time of his death at his old home in Georgetown, where he was buried.
The Sabbath-school was established in 1819, but the first mention made of it in the records is a vote of the church, November 8, 1821, "That a contribution to defray the expenses of the Sunday-school be taken on Thanksgiving Day."
On January 2, 1822, the town voted that certain indi- viduals have the privilege of ereeting a stove in the meet- ing-house. Until this time there had been no way of warming the house, except as foot-stoves were carried, filled with coals. This question of introducing stoves was dis- cussed with a good deal of excitement, and was opposed in this town, as in many others. One old Revolutionary hero is reported as saying,-" I have attended church these fifty years ; I have fought the British seven years ; I have slept in a tent on the frozen ground with nothing but a blanket to cover me ; I have trod the snow-path with bleeding feet nearly naked,-and if Mr. Merrill wants a fire, let him go to the place where they keep one all the year round."
October 27, 1835, the first mention of a society or parish is found, and a vote was passed to raise the salary by vol- untary contributions. Later they seem to have taxed the members of the society, and sometimes all the members of the church, though not members of the legal society. Some of these brethren neglected, on the plea of poverty, to pay the assessments, which made considerable trouble, but the matter was referred to a committee from other churches,
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and in the case of one brother they recommended that "he first pay all he thinks he ought to and not be mean, and then reflect upon paying the remainder."
Rev. Jacob White supplied the church late in 1835, and was ordained January 13, 1836. The sermon was by Rev. Silas Aiken, of Amherst; ordaining prayer, by Rev. E. P. Bradford, of New Boston; charge, by Rev. John M. Whiton, of Antrim ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Austin Riel- ards, of Francestown ; address to the church, by Rev. Hum- phrey Moore, D. D., of Milford.
Mr. White was a thoroughly educated man, a sound theologian, a good writer, and an able and instructive min- ister of the Gospel. He was pastor four years and a half, and was dismissed June 30, 1840. Fourteen united with the church during his pastorate. It was during this time that the present church and parsonage were erected. The church worshipped in the old meeting-house for the last time, November 26, 1837. Mr. White on that day preached a historical sermon from the text, Zech. I : 5, " Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever?" An original hymn was sung, written by Dr. Israel Herrick. The new church was dedicated three days later, Novem- ber 29, 1837, with a sermon by the pastor, and prayer of dedication and consecration by Rev. E. P. Bradford, of New Boston. Another original hymn by Dr. Herrick was sung.
Jacob White was born in East Bridgewater, Mass., No- vember 20, 1806, and died in Lyndeborough, while on a visit, April 3, 1865. He secured the means for his educa- tion through great personal effort, graduating at Brown University in 1832, and at Andover in 1835. The year after leaving Lyndeborough, he suffered from ill health, but supplied for nine months in Plymouth, Mass. He was pastor at Orleans, Mass., from 1841 to 1861, and resided in Orleans until 1865, when he removed to Bridgewater, his early home.
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For two years the church was very acceptably supplied by Rev. William Richardson, who had just closed a pastor- ate of ten years at Wilton.
Rev. Ivory Kimball was installed December 28, 1842, on a salary of four hundred dollars, with the use of the parson- age buildings and land and parsonage pew, which he accepted on condition that he should be paid punctually. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. T. Savage, of Amherst; installing prayer, by Rev. E. P. Bradford, of New Boston ; charge, by Rev. John M. Whiton, of Antrim ; and right hand of fellowship, by Rev. William Richardson, of Deering. Mr. Kimball labored faithfully and successfully, but continued ill health led him to resign, and he was dis- missed February 24, 1846, after. a little more than three years' service. One of the remarkable events of his pas- torate was the vote of the church, April 4, 1844, endorsing strong resolutions condemning slavery as a "system of fear- ful wrong-a sin against God-at war with the letter and spirit of the Bible and the dearest rights of man for time and eternity ; " and asserting that the emancipation of the enslaved ought to take place without delay. One hundred and twenty voted in favor of these resolutions and only six against them, showing that the church took strong ground for those times on the vital question of slavery.
Ivory Kimball was born in Wells, Me., September 21, 1805. Studied theology at Bangor Seminary in 1834; was ordained at Limington, Me., where he was pastor to 1841. After leaving Lyndeborough, he resided at Edge- comb, Me., and was pastor there from 1851 to the time of his death, July 24, 1853.
Rev. Erastus B. Claggett was ordained at Lyndeborough, September 30, 1846. The sermon was by Rev. Jomm Woods, of Newport ; ordaining prayer, by Rev. Jonathan MeGee, of Francestown ; charge, by Rev. Bezaleel Smith, of Mont Vernon ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Leonard Tenney, of Jaffrey ; address to the people, by Rev. Albert
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Manson, of Bennington. In his letter accepting the pasto- rate, Mr. Claggett said,-
Beloved Brethren and Friends : The invitation extended me through your committee to become your pastor and religious teacher has occupied my deliberations until the present time. The solemn responsibilities of the pastoral office, the nature of the field to which you invite me, and the amount of labor needed there dis- suade me from so great a work. But when I consider the provi- dences which introduced me to your acquaintance, the unanimity with which your invitation is extended, and the numerous expres- sions of kindness I have received from you, I am induced to believe that the Great Head of the church bids me labor among you in the Gospel ministry. I therefore accept the call you have given me, hoping that He who has thus far seemed to lead the way will aid and strengthen me in promoting the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom in your place.
This letter shows the spirit with which this man took up his life-work, and it was continued unto the end. He was thoroughly devoted to his calling, and was eminently qual- ified, by his literary attainments, his warm, sympathetic nature, and his entire consecration, to do a noble work in his Master's service. He entered heartily into every inter- est of the town. He advocated and sustained lyceums and public lectures for the benefit of the community, and was the prime mover in establishing the Franklin Library Association. For thirteen years he served as superintend- ing school-committee, and was instrumental in greatly rais- ing the standard of scholarship and in securing new and improved school-houses. He encouraged the scholars to continue their studies beyond the common school, and gave his time, cheerfully and without compensation, in teaching them in preparation for academy and college.
He was a warm friend of the cause of temperance and of the oppressed colored race, and by his words and efforts greatly stimulated those who went forth in defence of the
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Union. He was devoted to the spiritual interests of the whole town. If the people could not, or would not, come to the church, he was really, with much bodily discomfort, to go to the out-districts and hold meetings. His labors were not in vain. Ninety united with the church during his pastorate, and many of the young people were trained in mind and heart for fields of usefulness in town and else- where. Through his influence a large number of them attended the neighboring academies, and several entered upon a professional life.
His interest in the town is well illustrated in these words spoken to his people near the close of his ministry :
When I first came among you I thought there was character here, and I found I was not mistaken. It was my aim to inspire the people with self-reliance and self-respect, with the conviction that they could do something and be something themselves, and so regard this place as not the least among the princes of Judah. We have had common schools and high schools worthy of commenda- tion ; libraries and periodicals have not been wanting ; fairs, exhi- bitions, and lyceums have evinced talent, taste, and liberality more than creditable. Your sons and daughters have acquired an educa- tion, not a few have been successful teachers, and some have entered professional life. Lyndeborough has lived not for herself alone. Her influence, though not made conspicuous, is really wide and extensive. And now can you regard your mission as accom- plished ? Will you yield to discouragements, and let your light, like the waning moon, go ont ? You are not prepared for any such thing. You have too much regard for old Lyndeborough, for your- selves, and for the cause of Christ and humanity. If, then, you mean to live and thrive and maintain your standing, you must be interested and earnest, public-spirited and liberal.
Mr. Claggett never had robust health, but with the ex- ception of two months, after his return from the Christian Commission in 1864, he was always able to attend public worship, and administered the communion on every occa- sion except as above. After twenty-four years of service
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he was dismissed, September 30, 1870. Hlis salary had been ery small, but with the help of some private income he kept the church from seeking Home Missionary aid. A debt of four hundred dollars was resting upon the church at the time of his ordination, which was afterward paid, and a bell costing three hundred dollars was procured, which was replaced by another when broken.
Erastus Baldwin Claggett was born in Newport, May 9, 1815; entered Dartmouth college, but did not graduate on account of ill health, and was graduated at Andover in 1844. After his pastorate at Lyndeborough he resided for a time at Nashua, and afterward was acting pastor for several years at New Fairfield, Conn., where he died May 16, 1877.
After the dismissal of Rev. E. B. Claggett, the church was supplied for several years by pastors without installa- tion. Rev. George Smith, Rev. Newton I. Jones, Rev. William L. S. Clark, Rev. Lyman F. Rand, and Rev. Lin- coln Harlow served in that capacity.
Rev. Theophilus P. Sawin was installed November 20, 1878, and resigned on account of failing health, August 14, 1885. He was not dismissed however, and died in office January 19, 1886.
Theophilus Parsons Sawin, son of Bela and Becca ( Bar- ber) Sawin, was born in Natick, Mass., February 4, 1817. Studied at Phillips academy, and took a theological course with Rev. Parsons Cooke, D. D., of Lynn. He was ordained at Saugus, Mass., April 19, 1843, and dismissed April 20, 1848. Installed at Harwich, Mass., March, 1850, and dismissed March 11, 1851. City missionary at Manchester, 1851 to 1856, and from 1866 to 1869. Installed at Brookline, December 11, 1856, and dis- missed May 18, 1866. He was acting pastor at Revere, Mass., from August, 1869, to April, 1874; at Middle- borough, Mass., from January, 1875, to December 1, 1877. He married, January 1, 1838, Martha, daughter of Robert and Phebe ( MeIntire ) Mason.
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On the 14th of November, 1888, Rev. Alexander C. Childs was installed pastor of the church.
During the history of the church nine hundred and forty- one have united with it, and eleven have been licensed to preach the Gospel. The present membership is sixty-two.
Throughout these one hundred and thirty-two years of its history, a noble work has been done, making as Rev. Mr. Claggett once said, "Christian men and women for the rest of the world." Its representatives or their descendants are to be found in all parts of the country, giving proof of the solid foundation of character laid by the faithful and godly ministers who have served this church throughout its history.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first services held in town by the Baptists were in 1824, under a large elm in the yard of Moses Pearsons, a place toward the west part of the town since owned by Miss Anna Fish. William and Susan Pearsons were then baptized in Rocky river, south of the Crosby place, by Rev. Joseph Elliott, of New Ipswich. The Baptist church was recognized December 10, 1829, and consisted of twenty-one members, who brought letters from Wilton and Milford. David Putnam was chosen deacon, and Daniel Cram, clerk. The meetings were held for a time in the school-house, and, when shut out of that, in the grove near by. The meeting- house was raised in 1832. Rev. David Burroughs writes that " Ephraim Putnam gave the lot on which to build, Miss Stephenson the timber in the woods, and the farmers turned out with teams to draw it; Captain Israel Putnam gave the saw bill, and I was one who gave some days work with the axe." Thus the structure came into shape and position, though for several years it was occupied in an unfinished condition for lack of means to complete it.
The pastorates have been many and brief. Rev. Charles Cummings was among the first. Rev. John Woodbury and
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Joseph Sargent served one year each. There have been long pastorless intervals, when the church had such supplies as were available, some of them excellent men whose labors God richly blessed. But often no one could be obtained, and then sermons were read, or a prayer-meeting held. Among the supplies of the church may be mentioned Revs. John Atwood, John Peacock, Asaph Merriam, Miles Brou- son, and J. C. Foster.
In 1850, Rev. David P. French became pastor, and served the church one year. In 1854, Rev. E. J. Emery began a pastorate of three years, the longest to that time. Since 1858, the following have been pastors : Revs. Joseph B. Mitchell, E. J. Whittemore, S. B. Macomber, W. B. War- ner, H. G. Hubbard, G. B. Smith, and the present pastor, D. Donovan.
The church has given licenses to preach to four members, -David Burroughs, David P. French, Daniel Putnam, and Jason Putnam. Two of its present members are looking forward to the ministry. During the present pastorate the divine blessing has been granted; the house of worship has been reseated and repaired; twelve have been baptized into the membership, and several have been received by letter, some of whom, having the ability, have given very liberally towards the support of the church. It had for many years been aided by the state convention in the sup- port of its pastor, but, through divine favor, it is now a self-supporting body.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
There is only time to enumerate the professional men of the town, and natives who have made a record elsewhere. The list is incomplete, but enough are given to show that Lyndeborough has sent out her share of the leading men of the country.
Of the physicians in town, Dr. Leman is mentioned very
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early in the transfer of real estate, but nothing farther is known of him. The same is true of Dr. Daniel Russell, but as he owned property near Peter Russell who came to town from Merrimack, the doctor anay have been his son.
Dr. Benjamin Jones, the ancestor of the other prominent families of that name who lived in town, bought lot 67, May 5, 1774, on the side of the mountain where Mr. Jos- lyn lives, and occupied it for a long time. He afterwards built where George Spalding lives, and died there January 12, 1819.
Dr. Daniel Wardwell, son of Solomon and Bethiah Ward- well, of Andover, Mass., was born in Hollis, January 11, 1784, and married, 1816, Sarah Osgood, of North Andover, Mass. He practised in town from 1816 to 1821 or '22, and lived in the parsonage with Rev. N. Merrill. He after- wards removed to Andover, where he died.
Dr. Nathan Jones, son of Dr. Benjamin, was settled in town from 1828 to 1834, and then removed to Wenham, Mass.
Dr. Israel Herrick, son of Edward and Mary ( Holt) Her- rick, was born July 9, 1794, and died February 18, 1866. He began practice in town February 19, 1821, and remained seven years; then, after an absence of six years, he returned through the influence of Rev. Mr. Merrill, and continued in practice the remainder of his life. There is much that ought to be said concerning his life and influence in town, but there is no time now for eulogy.
Dr. William A. Jones practised in town for many years, and died in Wilton, December 18, 1880.
Dr. Moses Atwood and Dr. Aaron Hardy Atwood prac- tised in North Lyndeborough for a time.
It is said that only one lawyer ever tried to make a liv- ing in Lyndeborough, and he found the people so peaceable and law-abiding that he gave up his profession and devoted himself to the manufacture of wooden measures, in which he was very successful.
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Of the lawyers who were natives of the town, five names have been found,-Nathaniel, son of Rev. Nathaniel Mer- rill, Walcott, N. Y .; Peter, son of Peter and Jane (Aiken) Clark, born April 29, 1810, and died at Nashua, May 29, 1841; Alfred Byron, son of Edward Page and Mary (Dodge) Spalding, born August 16, 1849, died November 9, 1881; Fred S., son of Charles G. and Elizabeth (Blanchard) Hatch, born March 5, 1859, and residing in Larned, Kansas ; and William Henry Grant, who is with us to-day and will speak for himself.
The names of twenty physicians have been found who were natives of the town, all of whom have made a good record in their profession. Only their names and place of service can now be given. Nathan Jones, Wenham, Mass; Jacob Butler, Maine, N. Y .; Nehemiah Rand, Nelson ; Benjamin F. Hadley, Jasper, N. Y .; Willard Parker, New York city, one of the most distinguished physicians in the country ; Aaron Hardy Atwood, Richmond, Va .; Charles P. French, Denver, Col .; William A. Jones, already men- tioned; Harvey G. McIntire, Concord; E. Joseph Donnell, Stockton, Kan .; William T. Donnell, Dakota; Surgeon- General Alfred F. Holt, Cambridge, Mass .; J. Newton Butler, Lempster; Stephen W. Goodrich, New York city; J. Milton Rand, Newark, N. J .; Henry E. Spalding, Bos- ton, Mass .; Henry W. Boutwell, Manchester; Herbert B. McIntire, Cambridge, Mass .; George G. French, Lake For- est, Ill .; George W. Hatch, Wilton.
So far as known, eighteen natives of the town have stud- ied for the ministry, thirteen Congregational and six Bap- tist, and all but three had years of service. Only the briefest mention can be made of them :
CONGREGATIONAL.
William, son of Ebenezer Hutchinson, born April 4, 1794; died April 20, 1842. Preached in Plainfield, and other places in New Hampshire.
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Benjamin F., son of William and Sarah (Barron) Clark, born February 23, 1808; died May 28, 1879. Pastor at North Chelmsford, Mass.
William Clark, brother of B. F., born January 31, 1791; died June 25, 1853. Pastor for many years of Presby- terian church, Carlisle, N. Y.
Ira H., son of Eleazer and Rachel (Houston) Wood- ward, born June 15, 1811; died January, 1830, before entering the ministry.
James Boutwell, son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth (Jones) Boutwell, born May 14, 1814; died at Sanbornton, April 21, 1865. Pastor at Brentwood and Sanbornton.
Charles Whiting, son of Oliver and Hannah ( Marshall ) Whiting, born July 25, 1813; died at Fayetteville, Vt., May 5, 1855. Pastor at Wilton seven years.
James H. Merrill, son of Rev. Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Merrill, born October 16, 1814; died October 28, 1886. Pastor at Montague and Andover, Mass.
Ethan Allen Hadley, son of Joshua and Betsey ( Will- iams) Hadley, born November 13, 1809. Preached in Jas- per, N. Y., and died at Dix, N. Y., April 24, 1867.
David F. Palmer, son of Asa and Mary (Fletcher) Pal- mer, born in Pelham, February 27, 1809, but grew up in Lyndeborough. Pastor of Royal Oak Presbyterian church, Marion, Va., twenty-four years, and died June 30, 1868.
BAPTIST.
David P. French, son of Isaac P. and Clarissa (Barnes) French, born February 1, 1817; died at Nashville, Ill., April 29, 1886. Pastor in New Hampshire and Illinois.
Eben E. Gardner was brought up by Deacon David Put- nam, and preached in Trumansburg, N. Y.
Jason, son of Deacon David and Tryphena (Butler) Put- nam, born November 25, 1817; died May 18, 1841, before entering the ministry.
Rev. David Burroughs, son of Asa and Sarah (Butler)
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Burroughs, was born August 11, 1810, and has entered upon the fifty-seventh year of ministerial service ; is now laboring in Cineinnatus, N. Y.
There are also four1 Congregational ministers living,- Rev. William T. Boutwell, Saint Paul, Minn .; Rev. John Jones, Colorado Springs, Col .; Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, D. D., of Newburyport, Mass .; and, lastly, the speaker, who by his long address has already reminded you of Ten- myson's words about the brook,-
"Men may come and men may go, But he goes on forever."
ADDENDA.
Rev. John Jones, son of Joseph and Anna (Richardson) Jones, was born September 8, 1812, and was graduated from Dartmouth in 1834. He taught the next year in Gloucester, Mass., and was graduated at Andover in 1838. He was ordained at Chittenden, Vt., July 1, 1841, and was pastor until 1844. Then agent of New Hampshire Bible Society from 1844 to 1846; teacher at Sandusky, O., 1848 to 1852; acting pastor at Danville, Ind., and Earlville, Ill., 1853 to 1855; agent of American Bible Society, Illi- nois, 1855 to 1862. Resided at Meriden, III., and Colorado Springs, where he died in August, 1889.
Rev. William Thurston Boutwell, son of Nehemiah and Elizabeth (Jones) Boutwell, was born February 4, 1803. Prepared for college at Hancock and Exeter academies, and was graduated at Dartmouth in 1828 and at Andover in 1831. Ordained at Woburn, Mass., June 7, 1831, he was sent by the American Board as a missionary to the Objibway Indians at Mackinaw and other places about Lake Superior, where he labored until 1845. After that he
1 Since this address was prepared, Rev. W. T. Boutwell, Rev. John Jones, and Sur- geon-General Holt have died, brief sketches of whom are added,
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resided at Stillwater, Minn. He was a pioneer home mis- sionary in that state, preaching the first sermon at Still- water and at Saint Paul, in which places he sustained preaching services for several years. He died October 11, 1890.
General Alfred F. Holt, the son of David and Ann (Cochran) Holt, was born December 16, 1838. Studied at Appleton academy, Mont Vernon, at Harvard Medical College, and at the University of Vermont, where he re- ceived his M. D., June, 1860. He began practice the same year at Cambridge, Mass. April 16, 1861, he joined, as a private, the first company of volunteers organized for the war; was soon appointed hospital steward, and in Decen- ber of the same year was made assistant surgeon of the Thirtieth Massachusetts Regiment. In 1862 he was pro- moted to surgeon of the First Texas Cavalry, with which he served until December, 1863, when he left the medical department and was commissioned major, and, later, lieu- tenant-colonel of the same regiment, serving in this capae- ity to the close of the war. During this time he partici- pated in nearly all the battles and campaigns of the De- partment of the Gulf. He at once resumed practice at Cambridge, and in July, 1879, was appointed medical examiner, and in January, 1884, surgeon-general of Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia, with rank of brigadier-general. These positions he ably filled, in a manner acceptable to all. He was a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Cambridge Society for Medical Improvement, the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science, the Loyal Legion, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He stood high in his profession, and was celebrated as a microscopist, hav- ing been for many years an authority in the study of mor- bid anatomy. He died at Martin, Fla., whither he had gone for his health, December 28, 1890.
HOPPE
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