USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Troy > Historical sketch of the town of Troy, New Hampshire, and her inhabitants from the first settlement of the territory now within the limits of the town in 1764-1897 > Part 9
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"Long time in even scale- The battle hung; "-
When circumstances occurred which rendered it much more desirable on the part of Fitzwilliam to lose the trouble- some member than to retain it at the expense of entailing upon herself a perpetual quarrel. At this time the meet- ing house there had become dilapidated, was too small, and, in most other respects poorly fitted for the comfort and convenience of the congregation. It was found neces- sary to build a new one, and a contention arose as to its location.
The matter was brought before the town as early as
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INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.
1796, but the project of erecting a new edifice was voted down, and though it was called up again and again in the succeeding years, for a long time it met with the same fate, the friends of the new town holding the balance of power between the different parties, were sure to defeat all their efforts. Some argued that the new house should stand upon the site of the old one, others that the village was the only proper place, and there were various places named, each of which had its own points of advantage.
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MILL STREET.
The localities which received the most consideration, were the old place near the cemetery, the spot where the pres- ent town hall stands, and a lot near where D. H. Reed now lives. After a time, a compromise was effected be- tween those who were in favor of locating the house where the present town hall stands and the people in this part of the town, and uniting their forces at the polls, carried both measures by a large majority. In this way did Fitzwilliam relinquish her title to that portion of her territory claimed for the new town, and was then enabled to settle her own domestic quarrels, although a large and
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HISTORY OF TROY.
influential party were disaffected and stood aloof from erecting the new house of worship.
Marlborough learning that Fitzwilliam had yielded in the controversy, called a meeting, and voted to give up about two-thirds of that part of the territory asked for by the petitioners.
Thus matters stood on the assembling of the Legisla- ture in June, 1815, and when the subject was brought before that body, the committee reported unanimously in favor of granting the prayer of the petitioners.
At the public hearing of the parties, Samuel Green of Concord was employed as counsel for the petitioners, and John C. Chamberlain of Charlestown for the town of Marlborough. After hearing the testimony and the argu- ments of counsel, the petitioners were allowed by the court to bring in a bill for all they asked, excepting the Haskell farm.
The following bill was brought in and passed :
"State of New Hampshire, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.
An act to incorporate the inhabitants of the southerly part of Marlborough, the northerly part of Fitzwilliam, and L. S. the easterly parts of Swanzey and Richmond, into a sepa- rate township, with all the privileges and immunities of other towns in this state.
WHEREAS, a petition signed by a number of the inhabitants of the towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond, praying to be incorporated into a separate town, has been presented to the General Court of this State, and the prayer thereof appearing reasonable therefore,
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives in General Court convened: That all the lands and inhabitants within the following limits, namely: beginning at the southeast corner of lot number twenty-one in the fourth range of lots in Fitzwilliam on the west line of Jaffrey, thence running north eighty-seven degrees west two hundred and fifteen rods, thence north eighty-two degrees west three hundred twenty-six rods, thence south one degree west two hun- dred twenty rods, thence north eighty degrees west one hundred sixty
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INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.
rods, thence south four degrees west ninety-five rods, thence north eighty- four degrees west one hundred sixty rods, thence south six degrees cast one hundred rods, thence north eighty-two degrees west one hundred sixty rods, thenee north eighty-seven and a half degrees west two hun- dred ten rods to the east line of Richmond, thence northerly on said line two hundred sixty-two rods, thence north seventy-two and a half degrees west two hundred and forty-three rods, thenee north one and a half degrees east sixty rods, thence south eighty degrees west forty-seven rods, thence north one degree west one hundred forty-five rods, thence south eighty-four degrees cast fifty-two rods, thence north eighty rods, thenee north twenty-three degrees east ninety-two rods, thenee north thirty degrees east twenty-seven rods, thence north one-half a degree west one hundred seventy-three rods, thence east ninety-eight rods, thence north one-half degree west two hundred thirty-five rods, thenee south eighty-two and a half degrees east one hundred thirty-two rods to the line between Marlborough and Swanzey, thence north four and a half de- grees east on said line two hundred sixty-three rods, thence north eight degrees east on said line one hundred ninety-four rods, thenee east two hundred fifteen rods to the Branel Turnpike Road in Marlborough, thence southerly on said road to the south line of lot number nine in the fourth range in Marlborough, thence sonth eighty-seven and a half de- grees east sixty-two rods, thence easterly on the north line of the fifth range of lots in Marlborough to lot number one in said range, thence south on the west line of lot number one in said fifth range one hundred sixty rods, thence east one hundred rods to the line between Jaffrey and Marlborough, thenee southerly on said line of Jaffrey seven hundred forty-eight rods to the bounds first mentioned, be and the same are in- corporated into a town by the name of Troy, and the inhabitants who now reside, or shall hereafter reside within the above mentioned bounda- ries, are made and constituted a body politie and corporate and invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which other towns in this State are entitled to enjoy, to remain a distinct town, and to have con- tinuance and sneeession forever.
SECTION 2. And be it further enacted, That all the moneys that are now assessed in the towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond for the support of schools shall be divided between the remain- ing towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond and the several parts of the town of Troy disannexed from said towns according to their present proportion of the public taxes, and the lands which the
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HISTORY OF TROY.
said towns of Marlborough and Fitzwilliam now have for the support of schools shall be divided between the remaining parts of Marlborough and Fitzwilliam and the town of Troy according to the present propor- tion of the public taxes paid by the remaining towns of Marlborough and Fitzwilliam and the parts of Troy disannexed from said towns, and the inhabitants of the town of Troy shall pay all the taxes assessed on them by the several towns from which they are hereby disannexed, and the said town of Troy shall after the next annual town meeting, sup- port all the present poor inelnding all those supported in whole or in part who have gained a settlement in the towns of Marlborough, Fitz- william, Swanzey and Richmond, by living in that part of either of said towns that is now ineluded within the town of Troy, and shall support any poor person now residing in any other towns, which by law the towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey or Richmond may respec- tively be liable to relieve or support, that have gained a settlement in either of said towns, by residing within the limits of the town of Troy.
Provided nevertheless that this, act shall not effect the interest of any of the inhabitants of the said remaining towns, or the town of Troy, in any schoolhouse now built within the same.
SECTION 3. And be it further enacted, That Joshna Harrington, Es- quire, and Daniel W. Farrar or either of them, be empowered to call a meeting of the inhabitants of the said town of Troy, for the purpose of choosing all necessary town officers, to continue in office until the annual meeting of said town for the choice of town officers which shall forever be holden in the month of March, and the said Joshua Harrington and Daniel W. Farrar, or either of them, shall preside in said meeting until a Moderator be chosen to govern the same, which meeting shall be holden in the month of July next, and shall be warned by posting up a notifi- cation at the meeting house in said town of Troy, fifteen days prior to the day of holding the same.
Provided however that all town officers residing within the limits of the town of Troy and chosen by the towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey or Richmond, shall continue in their respeetive offices during the time for which they were elected, with full power to exeente the same ; and provided further that all public taxes which the towns of Marl- borough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond shall or may be compelled to assess, before a new aet for proportioning the public taxes among the several towns in this State shall pass, may be assessed, levied, and col- lected, by the proper officers of the towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam,
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INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.
Swanzey and Richmond, upon the inhabitants of the town of Troy, in case the Selectmen of the town of Troy neglect to assess, levy and col- lect their proportion of such public taxes, and pay the same seasonably into the treasuries of the towns of Marlborough, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey and Richmond, in the way and manner as if this act had not passed, anything hierein to the contrary notwithstanding.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
In the House of Representatives June 17, 1815.
The foregoing Bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted. Sent up for concurrence.
GEORGE P. UPHAM, Speaker.
In Senate June 19, 1815. This Bill having been read a third time was enacted.
MI. P. PAYSON, President.
Approved June 23, 1815.
J. T. GILMAN, Governor."
The following is a copy of the warrant for the first meeting, and the record of the proceedings :
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Agreeable to an Act passed by the Legislature of said State at the June session 1815, authorizing the subscribers to call a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Troy, for the purpose of electing all the town officers in said town, to continue in office until the animal meeting to be holden in March next, we hereby request and warn all the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Meeting House in said town, ou Thursday the twentieth day of July instant, at twelve of the clock at noon, for the following purposes, viz :
ARTICLE 1st. To choose a Moderator to govern said meeting.
ARTICLE 2d. To choose all necessary town officers to continue in office until the annual meeting to be holden in March next, and transact any other business that shall be thought proper when met.
Signed, JOSHUA HARRINGTON, DANIEL W. FARRAR.
Dated Troy, July 4, 1815.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHESHIRE SS. July 20, 1815.
Agreeably to the power vested in us by the act of incorporation of
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HISTORY OF TROY.
the town of Troy, we hereby certify that we have notified and warned all the legal voters of the town of Troy, to meet at the time and place and for the purposes mentioned in the within notifieation, at the Meet- ing House in said Troy, fifteen days prior to the above date.
Signed, JOSHUA HARRINGTON, DANIEL W. FARRAR.
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHESHIRE, SS.
At the first legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Troy. warned by Joshua Harrington, Esq., and Daniel W. Farrar, who were authorized by the incorporating said town to call the first meeting, held at the Meeting House in said town, the twentieth day of July A. D. 1815, at twelve of the clock at noon, the meeting being opened by the said Joshna Harrington and Daniel W. Farrar, proceeded to business.
ARTICLE 1ST. Chose Col. Sylvester P. Flint, Moderator.
ARTICLE 2D. Chose Daniel W. Farrar, Clerk, who appeared and accepted of the office, and took the oath of office before Joshna Harring- ton, Esq.
Voted to adjourn the meeting for one hour.
Met agreeable to adjonrnment. Voted to choose three Selectmen. Chose Daniel W. Farrar, William Barnard and Sylvester P. Flint, their Selectmen who appeared and accepted the office, and took the oath of office before Joshua Harrington, Esq. Voted that the Selectmen be the overseers of the poor.
Chose George Farrar, Town Treasurer, who appeared and accepted the office, and took the oath of office before Joshua Harrington, Esq.
Chose Abraham Coolidge, Constable and Collector of taxes, who appeared and accepted the office, and took the oath of office, before Joshua Harrington, Esq.
Voted to have two Tything-men. Chose Peter Starkey, and Joseph C. Davenport, Tything-men.
Voted to have two fence viewers. Chose Joshua Harrington, Esq. and James Godfrey, Fence viewers who appeared and accepted the office and took the oath of office, before the Hon. Nahum Parker.
Voted and chose Luke Harris, Sexton.
SYLVESTER P. FLINT, Moderator.
Voted to dissolve the meeting.
Attest, DANIEL W. FARRAR, Town Clerk."
CHAPTER VII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
EARLY RELIGIOUS HISTORY .- RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES .- CHURCHES .- CLERGY- MEN .- CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY AND CHURCH .- BAPTIST SOCIETY AND CHURCH .- THE LIBERAL UNION OR UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
It appears that the early settlers of this region were men who placed a high estimate upon the institutions of religion, and their efforts to establish and sustain such institutions were worthy of praise; and the first efforts of our early settlers after getting settled in their new homes were generally directed to establishing a Christian minis- try, showing that the spirit which actuated the Puritan fathers was possessed by their children.
The most, if not all, of these men had been religiously educated, and even those who made no pretensions to per- sonal piety showed great deference to the outward forms of religion, and never thought of living without having some one to officiate for them in the sacred office.
Their first places of worship were rude and uncomfort- able, but their souls were in the work, and their zeal, energy and personal sacrifices in maintaining the stated ministration of the gospel, might be studied with benefit by many of their descendants.
The history of the rise of the Puritans will show that they performed all their duties under an all-pervading sense of moral obligation. Each town was under obligation to support a minister, this being one of the fundamental con- ditions of the charter given them, and therefore could not be left discretionary with individual owners. The minister had a claim upon the town for his salary, and he coukl
15
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HISTORY OF TROY.
invoke the power of the law in case of delinquency upon the part of the town.
In many towns preaching was maintained when there was no church organization. It was a habit of those early times for every one to attend church, and although the meeting house was far distant, and the way along winding paths blazed through the forests, or over roads from which the rocks had not been removed, in the sum- mer almost the whole population would be assembled on Sunday. In the bright midsummer days, when the woods were filled with the songs of birds, when the wild flowers were blooming in the meadows, the weekly Sabbath jour- ney, on horseback or even on foot, may not have been regarded by the sturdy men and women of that day as any great hardship; but in the short winter day, when the snow was lying breast deep in the woods, or piled in drifts along the fences, with the mercury at zero, the long- ing for religions service and the lofty sense of moral obli- gation must have been greater than that of the present day in order that the toilsome journey should be made. Very often the sun would be sinking behind the hills and the twilight deepening before they would reach their homes. Wagons were not in use and it was a period of horseback riding, although when the snow was on the ground some would go with an ox sled.
The sermons were often long and forcible, occupying from an hour to an hour and a half, morning and after- noon. Possibly there were other motives than a sense of moral obligation for attending meetings under such cir- cunstances, for in those early times there were no newspapers, with daily or weekly mail, and in many places no postoffice, and therefore no means of conveying information other than by special messenger on urgent public business.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The meeting house therefore became the chief center for the dissemination of news-the news exchange-when on Sunday noon all could hear what had taken place during the week. No bell summoned the people, and in winter there was no fire to abate the keenness of the biting air other than the hearthstones of some neighbor, save that obtained from a small foot stove.
In summer the men and boys would convene in squads about the horse sheds, when there were any, and the women would assemble in the pews, and religion, politics and business would be discussed.
In the cold winter's day, the pronouncing of the amen of the benediction would be the signal for a quick move- ment toward the neighboring houses, when blazing fires would be found burning in every kitchen ; luncheons would be eaten, and the foot stoves would be filled with live coals preparatory to the long service in the afternoon. Such are the scenes recited to us by our grandmothers and contrasted with the religious observances of the present day.
The grant to the proprietors of the township Monad- nock No. 4, or Fitzwilliam, was on condition that one share of the one hundred and twenty-nine shares must be reserved for a gift to the first settled minister, and of another share he was to have the use; while within five years a meeting house for public worship should be erected, and after one year more, they should maintain constant preaching. A failure to fulfill these, with other conditions, should forfeit the grant.
Nov. 14, 1769, the proprietors chose a committee "to provide stuf and build a meeting house in said township so far as to inclose the outside and Lay the Lour floor."
The frame for the house was raised in the month of May, 1770, and it was a number of years before it was
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HISTORY OF TROY.
fully completed. It was a substantial but very plain looking building, quite spacious and convenient. The pulpit was at one end, and over it was a huge structure, to be found in all of the meeting houses at that time, called the sounding board, which was supposed to aid in the acoustic properties of the house. The central or body part was furnished with long slips or seats, which appear to have been free, while around the walls, both below and in the galleries, were arranged large, square pews, which were private property, and probably built at different times by their respective owners. This, with some occasional repairs, was the religious home where the larger part of the people of Troy worshipped for nearly forty years.
For several years before the meeting house was occu- pied, the people held Sabbath services in private houses or at the inn of James Reed, as circumstances required. As early as 1768 preaching was maintained for at least a part of each year. During the autumn of that year and a considerable part of the winter following. Mr. Nehemiah Parker, a graduate of Harvard College in 1763, was the preacher, and who soon afterwards became pastor of the Congregational church in Hubbardston, Mass. About the middle of the year 1770, the proprietors made out a formal call to Mr. Benjamin Brigham to settle with them in the gospel ministry. Mr. Brigham was a native of Marlborough, Mass., and had graduated at Harvard College in 1764. The following provisions for his pecu- niary support was tendered him. Two lots of land of one hundred acres each had been reserved for the first settled minister, and two lots more had been reserved for the use of the ministry, of which he would have the proper benefit. A settlement of eighty pounds lawful money was also offered in addition to his salary, which was to be fifty-three pounds, six shillings, and eight pence sterling, which after
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three years was to be increased by two pounds annually till it should amount to sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence sterling, or something more than three hundred and fifty dollars.
The settlement was a gift as an inducement to accept the call, and such gifts were the rule a century ago. This settlement was estimated to be worth a little over two hundred and sixty-six dollars. This, with the annual salary and the income from two hundred acres of land, was a very liberal support and a sufficient inducement, for in January, 1771, Mr. Brigham accepted the call that had been extended to him, and preparations were soon made
for the ordination of the first pastor, which occurred on the 27th of March following. As the meeting house was not in a suitable condition to be used, the services took place at the inn of James Reed, which was upon the old military road, and in sight of the house formerly occupied by Gilbert C. Bemis, in Fitzwilliam, which was burned a few years since. The proprietors paid Mr. John Mellen the sum of twenty-five dollars for providing for the council and the clergymen that might be in attendance.
It seemed necessary that a church should be regularly organized before the pastor should be ordained, which was done by the council previous to those services. A cove- nant had been previously drawn up, to be accepted and signed for this purpose; and as showing something of the outer and inner life of the Christian people that first settled in this region, the ancient document is given entire.
COVENANT.
"A. D. 1771, Monadnock No. 4, in ye Province of New Hampshire. March 27. We whose names are herennto subscribed being in- habitants of No. 4 aforesaid, knowing that we are very prone to offend and provoke God ye Most high, in Heart and life, thro' ye prevailing of sin that Dwelleth within Us; and ye manifold temptations from without
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HISTORY OF TROY.
Us; and for which we have great reason to be unfeignedly humbled be- fore him from Day to Day, Do in ye name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with dependence upon his gracions assistance and influence of the holy ghost, solemnly enter into Covenant with God, according to God as followeth :-
" (1.) That having Chosen and taken ye Lord Jehovah to be our God, we will fear him and cleave to him in Love, and serve him in Truth with all our hearts; giving up ourselves to be his people; in all things at his Disposal and Sovereign Direction, That we may have, and hold Commn- nion with him as Members of Christ's Mystical Body according to his revealed will, to our Lives End.
"(2.) We further Promise to keep Close to ve Truth of Christ, En- deavoring with lively affections towards it in our Hearts to Defend it against all opposers thereof, as God shall at any time call us therennto -- which that we may Do, we Resolve to Use ve holy Scriptures as our Platform, whereby we may discern ye Mind of Christ, and not ye new found inventions of men.
" (3.) We also Bind ourselves to Bring up our Children and Servants in ye knowledge and fear of God, by holy instruction from ye sacred Scriptures, - (a Summary of which we have in ye Catechisms of ye Ven- erable assembly at Westminster,) that true Religion may Be maintained in our Families while we live, and among such as live when we are Dead and gone.
"(4.) We also Engage to have a Careful inspection over our own hearts, so as to Endeavor by Virtue of ye Death of Christ, ye mortifica- tion of all our sinful worldly frames and disorderly affections, whereby we may be with Drawn from ye Living God."
"(5.) Moreover we Oblige our Selves to ye faithful improvement of our abilities and opportunities to worship God, according to all ye par- ticular institutions of Christ for his church, under Gospel administration ; as, to give Reverent attention to ye word of God, to pray unto him, to sing his praises, and to hold Communion with Each other in ye use of Both ye seals, viz. Baptism and ye Lord's Supper.
"(6.) We likewise promise that we will peaceably submit to ye holy Discipline appointed by Christ in his Chh. for offenders, obeying them that rule over us in the Lord.
" (7.) We Bind also ourselves to walk in Love toward one another, Endeavoring our mutual Edification; Visiting, Exhorting, Comforting as occasion serveth; Warning any Brother or Sister that offends; not Divulging any Private offences unnecessarily ; But Heedfully following
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
the several precepts of Christ laid down for Chh. Dealing, Matt. xviii: 15, 16, 17, willingly forgiving all that manifest to ye Judgment of Charity that they truly Repent of all their miscarriages.
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