USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > Historical sketches of Peterborough, New Hampshire : portraying events and data contributing to the history of the town > Part 24
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Here is the correspondence :-
Ashby, 14th of June, 1797. Dear Sir: '
Agreeable to promise, I improve the present, as a convenient time to inform you of my conclusion with respect to my returning to Peter- borough.
I have, as far as I am capable, taken into view every circumstance in relation to the state of your church, the disposition and opinion of some of them with respect to the method · of church government and discipline, the situation of your meeting house, and the improbability of its being altered very soon for the better, with some other things relative to the place which do not afford so agreeable a prospect as I could wish. After weighing every circumstance with impartiality and a further determina- tion to pursue the path of duty, I have concluded not to return.
I am sensible this determination
will not accord with the feelings and expectations of many of the people in Peterborough, but I firmly believe that it will by no means be promotive of the happiness or good of the place for me to return. I cannot consistent- ly agree to adopt the mixed mode of church government and discipline which has been mentioned. I have attended to the matter more particu- larly than when I saw you. I desire the town, if it be consistent, would proceed no further with respect to giving me a call. Whatever offers they may make me in Peterborough or any other place, they will have no influence so long as unanimity, har- mony and agreement be wanting. The probability in my own mind has been heretofore that I should tarry with you longer, and that possibly 1 should make that the permanent place of my residence. Had not this been the case, I should not have re- turned to you this last time or in the spring. But I now sincerely desire that the town and people do not pro- ceed any further in relation to me.
For the respect you have shown me, and the kindness you have in various instances manifested, I feel myself obliged to you and to the people in general, and for them all I most sin- cerely thank you. I shall have them in grateful remembrance.
Wishing you peace and happiness, I am, dear sir, yours, ZEPH SWIFT MOORE.
On receipt of this letter, the people, so much did they desire to have Mr. Moore for their minister, drew up and sent to him this petition:
We, the Subscribers, are of opinion that Mr. Moore was impressed with wrong ideas respecting the mode of Church Government in this Place.
[*This letter was addressed to Deacon Robert Morison.]
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The mixed mode of Government that Mr. Moore expresses his disapproba- tion of in his letter to Deacon Morri- son would by no means ever meet our approbation. We think it would not be conducive of that peace and harmony which is the ornament of every church. We are in favor of settling a minister in the Congrega- tional way. We look upon the differ- ence between the two modes of ad- ministration as not among the essen- tials of Religion. Our wishes are to settle Mr. Zephaniah Swift Moore as our Minister, if his objections are principally founded on the mode of Church Government proposed to him we think they were well founded. We wish Mr. Moore to return · and settle with us, unless he has other objections and such as would not be in our power to remove.
Peterborough, Sept. 5, 1797.
This petition was signed by 107 men, and probably by others whose names are torn off. Apparently the name of about every man in town is attached to it, whether a member of the church or not. It shows the strong impression Mr. Moore's preaching and personality had made upon the people.
To this unanimous call, Mr. Moore returned the following answer: To the Church of Christ and Society in Peterborough. Greeting. Christian Brethren and Friends:
In addition to those trials and afflic- tions which are common in the present life to those who are followers of Christ there are many others which are peculiar to those who worthily sustain the office of his ministers. Among these may be reckoned the unfruitful- ness of his labors-the levity and in- constancy of a very large portion of mankind in their conduct relative to religion and those things of which that professedly treats through opposition
with which they often meet in the performance of their duty, and the contempt and reproaches of the pro- fane and irreligious. The mutual exertions which are requisite in order for a faithful discharge of ministerial duties are such as are above all others calculated to debilitate and hasten the decay of the human constitution: These are trials almost peculiar to those who sustain the minister's office and they render their course of life and duties peculiarly arduous. Hence, they above all others need to be clad with the Christian's armour and to possess the spirit of their Lord and Master. Their labors and en- ployment have very near relation to the day of Judgment, and an endless state of retribution. No trust can be more important than that to them committed. Viewed in its conse- quences, the connection formed between a minister and people is infinitely solemn. On it are suspended things of the highest moment relative to him and their relation to time and eternity.
Impressed with a belief. of these truths, and aware of the danger of determining hastily, I have con- sidered with deliberation the request and proposal you made to me to take the charge of you in the Lord as your pastor and religious instructor. I have endeavored to form an accurate estimate of your circumstances, and of those of the church and society in Leicester. Since you made your pro- posals to me for settlement among you, my mind has been perplexed with anxiety. I have looked to the Father of lights for aid and direction, and have searched diligently that I might know what the will of the Lord is and of course, what I ought to do. I have consulted those whom I conceived to be disinterested and impartial judges. With their opinion in favor of it and with a belief that all circumstances
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The Call of the Church to Zephaniah Swift Moore.
taken into account I ought thus to do, als. Motives drawn from the com- I have this day concluded to accept the call and invitation of the Church and Society in Leicester and shall manifest my acceptance of the same tomorrow by an answer given public- ly. I have, therefore, concluded and do hereby manifest my conclusion not to accept the call and invitation which I received from you.
As it may afford a degree of satis- faction to some of you at least to know the comparative circumstances between your church and society, and those of the church and society in Leicester as they exist in my view, and as they relate to the invitations and proposals I have received, I would observe that motives presented from the prospect of acquiring property are decidedly the strongest at Peter- borough. I do not, neither can I rationally expect more than to main- tain myself in the state which is ne- cessary by the salary which they offer in Leicester. The salary which you offer is generous and such that I might lay up something annually which would be handsome. The unanimity is as great in Peterborough as I ever expected, it is not so great as I could wish-how high the dis- affection with the proposed salary would rise, I am not capable of dcter- mining with perfect accuracy. I do not, however, according to the best judgment I am capable of borrowing, think it would ever arise at any great height. A more perfect union with respect to salary would have been far more agreeable. At Leicester, there has appeared no opposition as to the terms of salary and settlement; for aught that has appeared, they are unanimous. From the informa- tion of those perfectly acquainted with the place, it appears that there was scarcely an individual but that attended the meeting at which they gave me a call and made the propos-
parative unanimity of these two places are in favor of Leicester. From the most accurate information I can obtain, it appears that Leicester has been quite as unhappy, and I believe more so than Peterborough in being divided in their opinions and efforts to obtain a settled minister. The bad consequences which would come to Leicester were I to give them a negative answer, I am very positive would be greater than at Peterbor- ough. It is true we cannot foresee future events, but we may form a probable judgment from present cir- cumstances which may be in time to comc. The conveniency of attend- ing public worship, and the disposi- tion to attend it, particularly when the season is inclement, are decidedly in favor of Leicester. The labor and fatigue which must arise from the per- formance, of parochial duties will be in some respects greater and in some less in this place than in Peterborough. From the circumstances of the two places, the prospect at present is that I can be more useful in building the waste places of Zion, in promoting the happiness of man and the glory of God in this place than in Peterbor- ough.
I give you my sincerest thanks for the repeated tokens of friendship, kindness and respect which as indi- viduals and as a people you have manifested toward me, particularly for your invitation to settle among you as a pastor and religious instruc- tor. I acknowledge my unworthiness of the respect you have shown mc and my unworthiness to sustain the office of Ambassador of Christ.
The spirit of condescension which has appeared among you is particu- larly agreeable and pleasing. The importance of unity, peace and chari- ty is acknowledged by everyone. Their beneficial effects are visible
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among those who are peaceable, charitable and respeeted. The fatal effect of contention and animosities are but too often seen at the present day. These are not the effects of that religion in which we profess ourselves interested. The religion of Christ is a religion of peace and of love. These are its genuine fruits and will ever appear in those who are influeneed by its principles and actuated by its motives.
1 most ardently wish that the poisonous blossoms of the seeds of discord may never appear among you, but as citizens of Zion may you keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Remembering you to the care of Him whose providenee and goodness are extended to all, and fervently supplieating that the great Shepherd of Israel would ever have you in his holy keeping, send you a faithful teacher, one in whom you shall be united, and that he would preserve you in the hollow of his hand and prepare you for the realness of eternal blessedness, 1 am, Christian Brethren and Friends,
Yours affectionately,
ZEPHANIAH SWIFT MOORE." Leicester, 9th of December, 1797.
The whole incident marked a crisis in the church which had an important influence upon its future history. When it occurred the spirit of liberality had so far got possession of a majority of the people that they had already cast aside the denominational form of conducting the musie and were now ready, in order to settle a man they liked, to rejeet another and still more important form of Presbyterian church government. It shows that scetarian forms and methods had lost their hold upon the people. It is a fruitless speculation to conjecture what would have happened if Mr. Moore had become its minister. It may be re- garded as a probability, however, that while it may have become Con- gregational in government and doc- trine, under his strong and able lead- ership, it would have remained in the Evangelical fold. As it was, the in- quiring progressive spirit of a majority of its people continued uneheeked until the tide became too strong to be stayed, and the end of it all is too well known for repetition here.
[ From page 199 to here was published in the Peterborough TRANSCRIPT, Aug. 13, 1914.]
ANNALS OF PETERBOROUGH
BY JONATHAN SMITH.
Rev. David Annan and his Ministry.
The first minister of the town, Rev. John Morrison, left in 1772. From that date on to 1778, the church was without a pastor and its history dur- ing those years is a blank. Mr. Morri- son's ministry was an unfortunate one, but bad as it was and scandalous as was his conduct, the town was fated to undergo worse trials with his suc- cessor. Rev. David Annan was born in Cupar, Scotland, in 1754. He came to this country when young and graduated at Rutgers College, New Jersey, about 1776 or 1777. At the time of entering the ministry he be- longed to the Walkill, N. Y., Presby- tery. His brother, Rev. Robert Annan, was, at the time, minister of the Federal St., (Boston) Presbyterian Church, which was afterward Dr. Channing's. He was an able man and stood high in ability and influence in the ministry. His residence in Boston may account for his younger brother coming to New England.
Rev. David Annan first preached in Peterborough early in 1778. He had just graduated from College and was 23 years of age. He had never before been settled and this was his first and probably his only parish. There must have been something attractive about him either in his personality or preaching, or the prac- tical, hard-headed men of the church would scarcely have selected him out of all the candidates they had been hearing for six years for their minister. He had created a favorable impression and there appears to have been no opposition to his settlement.
The church was then a town affair, and all business relating to it or its minister was transacted in open town
meeting. The first mention of Mr. Annan is found in the record of a town meeting held April 29, 1778, when it was "Voted, that Mr. Annan should have four pounds per Sabbath for preaching; also, voted that the town should give Mr. Annan a call to be our minister. Voted, that Samuel Moore should prepare our call to Mr. Annan to the prosbrety; voted seven- ty pounds yearly salary and that it should be three for that sum the present year." Town Records, page 53.
The meaning of the last clause is obscure, unless it was intended that while Mr. Annan should have four pounds a Sunday for preaching up to that date, he should receive but three for the remainder of the year. At four pounds per Sunday, the yearly salary would be two hundred eight pounds. It was fixed in currency which was then worth only 2.55 per cent of its face value, so that his pay was one pound per Sunday in silver, or $3.50 of present money.
Mr. Annan preached through the spring and summer with increasing favor and on the 8th of the following September, the town
"2ndly. Voted, that the former call for Mr. David Annan to be our minister should be confirmed. 3dly. Voted, that two of a committee, vis., James Templeton and Samuel Moore, should present out call to the Pres- betree. 4th, Voted, that the town should request the Presbrity that is to be held at Wallkill in October next, to ordain Mr. Annan to the town of Peterborough. 5thly. Voted, that if Mr. Annan should settle a Gospel minister in the town of Peterborough, that he should have sixty-five pounds
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S.M. (silver money) for yearly salary the money to be as good as it was in the year 1775. Voted under same article that there should be a parsonage to the value of one thous- and pounds S.M. (silver money) for the use of Mr. Annan or any other minister that shall settle In said town as long as they continue to be our minister." Records page 53.
In the meantime, between April and September, the value of paper money had fallen from 2.512 per cent to 1.414 per cent in silver, but sixty- five pounds a year was a decided increase over that for his Sunday supply.
The invitation was accepted. Mr. Annan was ordained at Walkill in October and at once removed to Peterborough. For the first year, all went well. He seemed satisfied, the people liked him and the outlook appeared to indicate a successful ministry. But at the end of the first year, trouble between minister and church began.
On Nov. 29, 1738, the proprietors had set apart Lot No. 71 for the first settled minister and lot No. 76 to the second settled minister of the town. Proprietor's Records, page 11. March 25, 1767, at the request of the people of the town, the proprietors granted to Rev. John Morrison (the first settled minister) and to his heirs lots 15 and 78 on condition that he continued as minister of the church seven years from his ordination or to his death. If he did not continue as minister of the church for seven years, and survived, then lot 78 was to go to the town "for their next settled minis- ter." Proprietors' Records, page 67. Mr. Morrison was ordained Nov. 26, 1766, and ceased to be minister of the church in March, 1772, less than six years, so that lot No. 78 reverted to the town for the "next settled minis-
ter." At the same time before 1779, the town had through tax sales prob- ably, the deed is not on record, come into possession of some portions of the Gridley Estate on the Dublin road. In voting to build a parsonage, the town does not intimate the lot on which it was to be. The vote of the proprietors was passed before Mr. Annan was settled, and the expecta- tation was, without doubt, that it was to be on either lot 76 or 78. It made no difference to the town whether it was erected on those or on other lots owned by it. Probably Mr. Annan himself suggested the Grid- ley lots,considering the land as better and the location preferable, and asked the town to build the parsonage there. The town consented, and on January 25, 1780,
"Voted, that Mr. David Annan have
. his choice of the lots No. 2 and No. 3 in Gridley farm, one of which to be granted to him by the town to him his hears and assigns and that he have a grant of two thousand pounds and have ten acres on the lot he shall choose to be well seeded and fenced, all which is to be in full for the parson- age heretofore granted him by said town." Records, page 58.
By this vote it would seem either that the town for some reason, had thought better of its plan to build a parsonage, or else Mr. Annan pre- ferred the money that he might do it himself, and himself asked for the change. From subsequent action, it is evident that the agreement was really to seed and fence ten acres of the lot selected each year, though the vote does not so say in terms. The town, through a committee, conveyed lot No. 3 out of the Gridley tract to Mr. Annan by a deed dated August 7, 1780. The deed recites in full the terms of the contract. The deed conveyed 100 acres.
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Whether at this time Mr. Annan had laid claim to lots 76 and 78 does not appear, but it is evident there was a quarrel or controversy on between the two parties over the parsonage, and also about the salary. On June 16, 1780, the town "Voted, Lieut. Henry Ferguson, Capt. David Steele, and Mr. David Varnum, be a com- mittee to treat with Mr. Annan in regard of the 'parsonage heretofore voted. Voted under the same head that the Selectmen assess Mr. Annan's salary this year according to our contract with him which is to make it as good as the money was in the year 1775." Records page 60. Committees were also chosen to adjust the salary in 1779.
It was probably during the year 1780 that Mr. Annan made claim of title to Lots 76 and 78, which the proprietors had granted to the town for the second settled minister. In 1781, after voting a salary of sixty- five pounds for the year in hard money the town on May 15,
"Voted, not to clear, seed and fence the ten acres on Mr. David Annan's lot in the Gridley Farm this year, and like wise, Voted, not to deliver up the deed to Mr. David Annan that is in the town's custory of the two fifty acre lots (76 and 78) all voted on under the fourth article." Records, page 66.
Nothing appears of record for 1782, but the controversy went merrily on with steadily Increasing bitterness. Both parties were Scotch and neither would yield. There is danger of doing injustice to Mr. Annan owing to the absence of all information outside of the town records. But the action of the voters, as officially recorded, . clearly places him in the wrong, and to be of a contentious and grasping disposition.
A new element of trouble had now
crept in. In those days a minister did not lose character or caste by moder- ate indulgence in intoxicating liquor, for this habit was general among the people. While there is no certain knowledge, Mr. Annan probably had the habit when he was settled, but from that time on, it grew upon him, and by 1783 his abuse of it had be- come a scandal. Mr. Moore in his charges plainly hints at this form of delinquency as well as of other griev- ous faults. At a town meeting held April 8, 1783, the clerk records that "On the seventh article, a number voted that they were not satisfied with the Rev. Mr. Annan's adminis- tration of the Gospel and some were satisfied, but the number was not taken on either side, though a large majority of the former." Records
page 78.
This vote shows that Mr. Annan had lost the confidence of the people, and that his usefulness as a minister was at an end.
The next year, 1784, the town voted to reduce the salary to sixty pounds for that year, but subsequently, February 15, 1785, reconsidered this action and restored It to the former figure. Records, page 103.
But the differences and ill feeling grew apace, and spurred by the im- portunities and conduct of Mr. Annan, the town, in 1786, flatly refused to deed to him lots 76 and 78, and took other important action relating to the controversy. On August 28, 1786, it was "Voted, that the Town will not give the Rev. Mr. Annan a Quit- claim deed of the Lots No. 78 and 76. "Voted the Town refer the dispute in regard to Mr. Annan's title to No. 78 and 76 to a committee and voted Jeremiah Smith Mathew Wallace and Wm. Robbe Jr., be said Commit- tee.
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Voted under the third article that there be a committee chosen with full power to refer the dispute aforesaid between the Rev. David Annan and the Town of Peterborough to any indifferent men mutually to be chosen by the sd Committee, and the sd Annan, and that the Town abide the final judgment of the arbitrators so to be chosen, and that the said Com- mittee give bonds to the Reverend Mr. Annan and take bonds of him that both parties abide the final judgment of said arbitrators so to be chosen as aforesaid." Records, page 129.
These votes may be explained by the probability that Mr. Annan 01 his friends objected to referring the controversy to citizens of the town, who were interested parties, and that the town "seeing the point" made the change indicated. But still Mr. Annan quarreled and insisted that the hearing take place out of town. This was the last straw. The patience of the voters was exhausted and five days later, on September 2, (1786), they "Voted, that the committee to settle with Mr. Annan in behalf of said town relating to the two Lots No. 76 and 78, do not consent to hold any arbitration out of town, and voted that the said committee go to- morrow morning and take possession of Lots No. 76 and 78 in behalf of said town." Records, page 134.
This action apparently brought Mr. Annan to terms and led ultimately to a settlement of the trouble, though it was not finally adjusted until the following year. The town had not cleared and fenced the ten acres on the Gridley lot as they had voted to do In 1780, which was a genuine grievance on Mr. Annan's part, and in the final adjustment the town agreed to do this by paying commu- tation therefor. And so, on April 24,
1787, it was "Voted under the third article that the Rev. David Annan have interest for thirty pounds law- ful money for six years for laying out of the benefit of ten acres of land, voted by the Town to be seeded and fenced in 1780 upon the conditions he Quitclaims two Lots of land that is in dispute between him and the Town, viz., No. 76 and 78." Records page 143.
A month later it was further
"Voted under the third article to choose three of a committee to give the Rev. David Annan security for the clearing, seeding and fencing ten acres of land to fullfil a former vote of the town, and likewise to take a Quit- claim deed of two lots of land in behalf of the Town from the Rev. David Annan, the second settled minister in Peterborough.
"Voted that Jeremiah Smith, Capt. William Allds and Robert Smith be the Committee." Records, page 143.
Mr. Annan gave the deed as re- quired by the terms of settlement and on June 18, 1787, the town
'Voted to accept of the Quitclaim deed dated this 18th day of June and read in the town meeting from the Rev. David Annan to the Committee chosen by the Town to receive said deed in behalf of the Town of Peter- borough from the Rev. David Annan, the second settled minister in Peter- borough, it being Lots 76 and 78.
"Voted to approve of the bonds dated the 18th day of June, 1787, to clear, fence and seed with rye and grass seed ten acres of land for Mr. Annan to be signed by Jeremiah Smith, William Allds, and Robert Smith, or a ma- jority of them."
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