USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New-Hampshire, being statistics, compiled on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town; May 19th, 1850 > Part 14
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Looking back from this distance of time, it appears aston- ishing that the flock of Christ was not irrecoverably scattered during such a long season of destitution. But the watchful
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providence of God surrounded the church through these years of peril, and preserved it from the fate by which other churches in similar circumstances have been overtaken.
For two or three years, the pulpit was statedly supplied by Rev. Mr. Pickles, whose ministry requires a passing notice. But little is known of his history. He was a native of Wales, and after arriving in this country, appears to have resided in or near Philadelphia. He came to this town some time about 1787 or 8, and excited great attention by his power of preaching. His wife, who was said to be a most estimable lady, soon joined him from Philadelphia. Mr. P. was unfor- tunately, one of those men who have warm friends and invet- erate enemies. He was accordingly the occasion of serious divisions in the town, some being warmly in his favor, and others as much against him. Amid all the conflicting opin- ions concerning his character, there was one in which all agreed, that he had uncommon pulpit talents. "I was but a youth," writes Rev. Mr. Parker of Derry, "when Mr. Pick- les preached in Bedford, and my recollection of him is not very distinct. His person and his manner in the desk, were commanding and impressive ; his voice and elocution, grace- ful ; and so far as I can recollect, his sentiments evangelical, though not very distinguishing." There are some still living among us, who think their attention was first turned to religion, under his ministry.
Sept. 5, 1804. Rev. David McGregor was ordained to the pastoral charge of the church and congregation in this town. As such things were then part of the town business, we find in the town records the call, and Mr. McGregor's answer, with other arrangements connected with such an occasion. Rev. Dr. Morrison with whom Mr. McGregor pursued his theological studies, preached the ordination sermon, from 1 Tim. vi, 20. Previously to this interesting event, there had been an effort to revive the state of things, and prepare the way for the settlement of the ministry. We find in the session book, the following entry : - " At a meeting of church members, at the meeting-house in Bedford, on Lord's day evening, Sept. 25, 1803, according to public notice previously given, it was unanimously agreed, that the sacrement of the Lord's Supper, be administered in this place as soon as con- venient ; and taking into consideration the state of the session, agreed unanimously, that a church-meeting be holden in this place, on Monday, 3d day of October next, at one o'clock,
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afternoon, to elect such, and so many persons, as shall then be agreed on, to be ordained as elders of this church."
" Monday, Oct. 3, met according to agreement, and voted, that, David McQuesten, John Craig, John Houston, Samuel Barr, Phineas Aikin and William Moor, be appointed to serve as elders, in addition to those now in office; and it was agreed, that the elders in office procure a minister, either by applying to Rev. Mr. Morrison, Londonderry, or to the Pres- bytery for the purpose of ordaining the elders elect, and dispensing the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Application having been made to Rev. Mr. Morrison, Friday, 28th Octo- ber current, was appointed as a Fast in this church, and David McQuesten, John Craig, John Houston, Phineas Aiken and William Moor, were set apart and ordained in due form, as ruling elders of the church in this town, by the Rev. Mr. Morrison."
After Mr. McGregor's settlement, the religious aspect of things began to change, sensibly for the better. The church, as a body, became more regular and consistent : affairs were conducted with a greater regard to system; additions were yearly made to their number, and the cause of benevolence and piety advanced with a steady progress.
Session-book, Feb. 16, 1806. " Voted, that elder John Holbrook attend as a delegate at New Boston, for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Ephraim P. Bradford to the charge of the church and congregation in that place."
Feb. 24, 1806. " Voted, that the town be divided into districts for ministerial visitation."
Sept. 8, 1817. Stephen Thurston, John French, John Orr Houston, Richard Dole and Moody Martin Stevens, having been duly elected to the office of ruling elders, were set apart and ordained in due form, as ruling elders, in the church in Bedford, by Rev. David McGregor.
In 1818, there was more than ordinary attention to religion, and on Sabbath, May 31st of that year, fourteen persons were admitted to the church.
April 17, 1825. Mr. McGregor presented to the session, the following communication :-
" Bedford, April 16, 1825.
" To the Session of the Church in Bedford.
" GENTLEMEN, I hereby apprise you of my desire of an immediate dismission from my pastoral charge in this place. My reasons for this desire, are, first, that my bodily infirmi-
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ties render me incapable of fully discharging the requisite ministerial duties of so large a parish; and second, that nearly two-fifths of those subject to taxation for my support, have expressed their willingness, that a dissolution of our relation as pastor and people, should take place."
Accordingly, at the meeting of the Londonderry Presby- tery, held at Nottingham-West, now Hudson, on the last Wednesday in April, 1825, the pastoral relation subsisting between Mr. McGregor and the church, was by mutual consent dissolved.
Mr. McGregor was born in Londonderry. He was grand nephew of Rev. David McGregor, and great grandson of Rev. James McGregor, the first minister of Londonderry. After completing his collegiate course at Dartmouth College, in 1799, he devoted himself for some time to the instruction of youth. Among other places, he taught at Cambridge, Mass., with great credit and success. About this time he was united in marriage, to Miss Butterfield, of Groton, Mass., who was soon removed by death. After his settlement at Bedford, he was married to Annis, daughter of Hon. John Orr, and this connexion was soon sundered by death. His third wife, who still survives him, was Miss Rebecca Merrill, of Falmouth, Maine. He had no children. Mr. McGregor, in the early part of his ministry, was absent from his people some months, on a missionary tour in the Northern section of the state, and was one of the first missionaries sent out by the New Hamp- shire Domestic Missionary Society. The writer of this notice heard Rev. Mr. Fairbanks of Littleton, N. H., say, that Mr. McGregor's labors were blest, and that he had met with individuals in that part of the state, who retained a pleasant remembrance of his preaching. An account of his tour was published in a religious journal of the day. While engaged on his missions, the following incident occurred. In that part of the country, there was at that time a prejudice, to some extent, against the use of notes in preaching. On one occasion, Mr. McGregor engaged in a controversy on the subject, with a preacher not remarkable for his learning. He affirmed that it was anti-scriptural to use written notes, in the desk, citing as proof of his position, the passage, -" Take neither purse nor scrip," and taking " scrip" evidently to mean anything written. Mr. McGregor applied this construction to the "scrip" into which David put the stones when he slew
20
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Goliah ; thus showing the absurdity of confounding the difference between a manuscript and a bag or wallet.
Another anecdote is related of him while on this missionary tour. In the wild and thinly settled country near the White Mountains, he arrived on a summer evening, after a toilsome day's journey over a mountainous road, at a rude cabin in the bosom of a dark forest, and was so fatigued, that he immedi- ately retired to bed, knowing nothing of the inmates of the house. After a season of sleep, he was aroused by footsteps in the house, and by an undertone conversation between persons in an adjoining room. He listened, caught here and there a word, and began to suspect that he had fallen into bad hands, who were plotting against his life. Putting himself in the best attitude of defence in his power, he lay awake the rest of the night. Morning dawned, and found him safe. On rising, he soon discovered that he was with a very poor but pious family, and that the undertone talk and footsteps, which had excited his suspicions, arose from their joy at seeing a missionary, and from the preparations they had made in the night to give him in the morning the best reception their poverty would admit. Several of Mr. McGregor's sermons were published, one of which was occa- sioned by the sudden death of Mrs. Isaac Riddle, who was killed by a fall from a horse, April 6th, 1804. Text on the occasion, 1st Samuel, xx. 3. Mr. McGregor made himself very useful after his dismission, as an instructor of youth. He encouraged many to get an education, who owe to his benevolent interest in their welfare, much of their subsequent success in life. He was a man of fine social qualities, and often made himself very interesting by his powers of conver- sation. In 1831 he removed to Falmouth, Maine, where he engaged in promoting the interests of learning and religion. He died there very suddenly, October 18th, 1845, aged 74.
July 5th, 1826, Rev. Thomas Savage was installed pastor of the church and congregation in this place, by Londonderry Presbytery. Sermon on the occasion by Rev. Dr. Whiton, of Antrim, from Luke ix., 60, - " But go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Mr. Savage was ordained to the work of the ministry without pastoral charge, by the Presbytery of Mississippi, August, 1822, and preached two years at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Several changes and improvements took place in Bedford
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about this time, that were favorable to the interests of religion. The Sabbath-school had been attended with rather a divided interest, in two or three school-houses; it now began to be held during intermissions, at the meeting-house, and with very happy effects. A stated prayer-meeting com- menced October 11th, 1827, which has continued to be observed, on Thursday, from that time to the present. On Thanksgiving day, 1829, Dr. Justin Edwards delivered a discourse on Temperance, which awakened great attention and proved the commencement of a great Temperance reformation. A Temperance Society was immediately formed, which exerted a good influence and was suc- ceeded by another, excluding all alcoholic drinks.
The year 1831 was memorable for revivals throughout the land. This church partook largely of the influence, and in September, of that year, ninety-one united with the church, of whom many have died, some have fallen from their pro- fession, and a goodly number live to be ornaments in the church, and blessings to the world. At subsequent periods, also, there have been seasons of religious interest, which have resulted in additions to the church. The church at present is in a diminished state, owing to deaths, removals, and a long season of religious dearth, in which few additions have been made by profession, Of those who were once members of this church, numbers have gone to do good, it is hoped, in Wisconsin, Michigan, and other parts of the country. In the work of foreign missions, in the ministry at home, and in Western fields, among the Indians of our own country, and the sable children of Africa, laborers have gone forth from this church, who, we trust, will meet their reward in heaven.
Rev. Thomas Savage was born in Boston, Sept. 2d, 1793. Completed his collegiate course at Harvard College, 1813. Pursued the study of theology for some time at Cambridge, and finished his preparation under the care of the Mississippi Presbytery, 1822. He was married at St. Francisville, Louisiana, to Miss Lucy Woodruff, by whom he had the following children, -Julia Ann, born at Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; James, Lucretia, and Frances born in Bedford. Mrs. Savage was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, August 10, 1790, and died May 16, 1847. A sermon on the occasion of her death, was delivered by Rev. Mr. Allen. October 12th, 1848, he was married to Miss Sarah Webster, of Haverhill, N. H. Mr. Savage is lineally descended from Maj. Thomas
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Savage, who came over to this country, in 1635, and married Faith, daughter of the celebrated Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, so well known in the early history of New England. As Bedford was one of the townships granted to soldiers who served in the Narraganset war, it may be interesting to notice that Maj. Savage commanded the forces of Massachusetts in the early part of that war. In Gookin's account, is the following curious certificate, signed by him, bearing testi- mony to the good conduct of the praying Indians, who joined him as allies :
"These do certify, that I, Thomas Savage, of Boston, being Commander of the English forces at Mount Hope, in the beginning of the war between the English and Indians, about July, 1675, and afterwards, in March, 1676, at Menu- mene and Hadley, in both which expeditions, some of the Christian Indians belonging to Natick, were in the army; as at Mount Hope were about 40 men, and at Menumene, 6. I do testify, on their behalf, that they carried themselves well, and approved themselves courageous soldiers, and faithful to the English interest. Dated at Boston, the 20th day of Dec'r, 1677. THOMAS SAVAGE."
In the Proprietors' records, previous to the incorporation of the town, is found the name of a son of Maj. Savage, Perez, who probably inherited a right from his father, and in the town records, down to a late period, is seen the name of Habijah Savage, on the non-resident tax list, who was a grandson of Maj. Savage, and great grandfather of the present minister of Bedford. In the possession of Hon. James Savage of Boston, there is a printed sermon, (the only copy, probably extant, ) preached by Rev. Samuel Willard, second minister of the Old South Church, Boston. The title runs thus, - " The righteous man's death, a presage of evil ; a funeral sermon upon Maj. Thomas Savage, from Isaiah, lvii., 1: 1681."
With regard to the paternal descent of the present pastor, it may be remarked, that all his ancestors, from the one who came over, were born in Boston, for several generations, and were members of the Old South Church, and were engaged in military or mercantile pursuits. The first ministers in the line, are the present pastor, and Rev. William T. Savage, Franklin, N. H. Ezekiel Savage, Esq., father of Rev.
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Thomas Savage, was for many years a civil magistrate in Salem, Massachusetts, well known in Essex county. He died in Salem, June, 1837. The mother of Rev. Thomas Savage was a daughter of Col. Joseph Vose, of Milton, who commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary war, and had a horse shot under him in one of the actions connected with the capture of Burgoyne. The saddle-blanket, is still pre- served in the family, with the perforation made by the ball. Miss Lucy Woodruff, first wife of Rev. T. Savage, was descended from the Griswold family, in Connecticut. His present wife is daughter of the late Benj. Webster, of Haver- hill, N. H., whose father, William, was brother of the late Judge Webster, of Salisbury, N. H., who was father of the Hon. Daniel Webster. They came originally from Hampton, N. H. Julia A., daughter of Rev. Thomas Savage, married S. N. Robb, Esq., and now resides near Rodney, Mississippi.
Of Ezekiel Savage, Esq., it should be added he was born in Boston, October 17, 1760; received degree at Harvard College, 1778. While he was a member of College, it was removed to Concord, Mass., the College buildings being occu- pied by our troops. The writer has heard him say, that while at College at Cambridge, he one day went to Win- ter Hill to see our troops that were posted there, and that while on the hill, a cannon ball fired from Boston, then in possession of the British, came so near as to throw up the dirt upon him. In early life he prepared for the ministry, and preached a short time, but want of health obliged him to abandon it. He studied divinity with Rev. Mr. Smith, of Weymouth, Mass., one of whose daughters married the first President Adams, and was mother of John Q. Adams.
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FAMILY CHART OF REV. THOMAS SAVAGE, OF BEDFORD.
THOMAS SAVAGE,* ISSUE.
Habijah, t Hannah, THOMAS,{ Ephraim, §
Dyonisia, Perez.
Thomas, Scottow,
HABIJAH, Elizabeth, Arthur,
Faith, Lydia.
Habijah,
Hannah, THOMAS, T
Arthur, Samuel.
Thomas,
John,
EZEKIEL, ** Habijah, Alexander, Hannah,
Sarah.
Sarah,
Margaret, THOMAS, tt Mary H. John H.
Ann.
* Came over in 1635, and married Faith Hutchinson. Rev. John Cotton says of the mother of Faith,-" She was well beloved, and all the faithful embraced her conference, and blessed God in her fruitful discourses." But he adds, "She had two great errors, 'That the Holy Ghost dwells personally in a justified person, and that nothing of sanctification can help to evidence to believers their justification."
i Graduated at Harvard College in 1659. Married Hannalı, daughter of G. Tyng, Esq.
į Born in 1640.
§ Graduated at Harvard College in 1682.
|| Born in 1674. Graduated at Harvard College in 1695.
TT Born in 1710.
** Born in 1760. Graduated at Harvard College in 1778.
tt Born in 1793. Graduated at Harvard College in 1813.
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CHURCH.
THE following is a list of those who have served as elders in the church, with the date of their election. It seems from the town records, that, formerly, elders were chosen in town meeting. A number are mentioned as being thus chosen, who never served.
1757.
James Little, James Gilmoor, Benjamin Smith, William Moor, James Moor.
John Craig, John Houston, Phineas Aiken, William Moor.
1804. John Holbrook .*
1836. Daniel Mack.
1786.
Silas Dole,
James Wallace, John Orr.
1817. Stephen Thurston, John French, John Orr Houston,
James French, Phineas French.
1803. David McQuesten,
Richard Dole, Moody M. Stevens.
The following is a corrected list of Members of the church. With regard to non-resident members, the rule adopted is this : - The names of those who have been absent but a short time have been retained, and the names of those who may be still living, and appear not to have removed their relation, but have been long absent, and reside at a great dis- tance, are omitted. The list is alphabetically arranged, male and female.
MALES.
David Atwood,
Samuel Gardner,
Adam N. Patten, William Patten,
John D. Armstrong, John Barr,
Robert Houston,
Gawn Riddle.
William Bursiel,
John Houston, Nathan Kendall,
Chandler Spofford,
Thomas Bursiel,
Oliver Kendall,
Nehemiah Kittridge,
David Stevens,
Daniel Barnard, Nathan Cutler, Stephen French, Leonard C. French, William French, Phineas C. French, John U. French,
Solomon Manning, Joseph Manning, James Morrison,
Moody A. Stevens,
William B. Stevens, John Shepard, Joshua Vose, Joshua Vose, jr.,
Frederic French,
Peter P. Woodbury,
Solomon Gage, Isaac Gage, jr.,
Samuel B. Needham, Gardner Nevens, Blanchard Nichols, Benjamin Nichols, Willard Parker,
Robert Walker.
Benj. F. Wallace.
* From the third Church, Cambridge, now Brighton, Mass.
Abijah Hodgman,
1832. Thomas Atwood, Samuel McQuesten, Daniel L. French.
1847.
John T. Spofford, Brooks Shattuck, !
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FEMALES.
Margaret Adams,
Annis Gage,
Esther Nevins,
Sally Adams,
Mary Gault,
Comfort Nichols,
Elizabeth Aiken,
Nancy Gardner,
Phebe A. Noyes,
Martha P. Anderson,
Dolly A. Gage,
Sarah A. Paige,
Anna Armstrong,
Sally J. Gage,
Mary Patten,
Mary Atwood,
Anna Goffe,
Achsah Patten,
Mary Atwood, 2d.
Jane Goffe,
Clarissa Patten,
Clarissa Barr,
Mary E. Goffe,
Hannah Patten,
Rhoda Barr,
Ann J. Goodwin,
Jane Parker,
Anna Baldwin,
Sally Harnden,
Anna Parker,
Margaret Chandler,
Mary Harris,
Harriet E. Putnam,
Elizabeth Cada,
Hepzebah Harris,
Dolly Riddle,
Susan J. Clark,
Abigail Hodgman,
Rebecca Riddle,
Mary J. Conant,
Maria Hodgman,
Sarah Savage,
Elizabeth Cutler,
Submit Holbrook,
Lueretia Savage,
Submit Darrah,
Nancy Houston,
Dolly Sanborn,
Cynthia Darrah,
Lettice M. Houston,
Mary Shattuck,
Charlotte Dole,
Elizabeth Kendall,
Lucy Shepard,
Nancy Dow,
Betsey R. Kendall,
Margaret Stevens,
Mary Dowse,
Sophia Mack,
Sally F. Stevens,
Hannah French,
Mary A. Mack,
Mary J. Stevens,
Nancy French,
Susan C. Merrill,
Abigail Stevens,
Rhoda French,
Letitia Merrill,
Eunice Stevens,
Harriet N. French,
Jane McPherson,
Mary Sprague,
Annis C. C. French,
Fanny Mclaughlin,
Mary Vose,
Sally D. French,
Margaret McQuesten,
Maria Vose,
Lucy French,
Hannah Moore,
Mary Walker,
Isabella French,
Sybil Moore,
Sarah Walker,
Almira N. French,
Margaret A. Moor,
Rebecca Wallace,
Sarah R. French,
Hannah Morrison,
Polly Wallace,
Sarah French,
Eliza A. Morrison,
Fanny W. Wallace,
Sophronia French,
Jerusha Mclaughlin,
Olive Wallace,
Dolly French,
Sarah E. Mullet,
Margaret A. Wallace,
Nancy Flint,
Jane Moore,
Eliza B. G. Woodbury.
Dolly Gage,
Abigail Needham,
During the last twenty-five years, there have been added to this church, by letter and profession, 332 members. By death, dismission to neighboring churches, and emigration to the West, united with absence of any special interest in religion, the number is greatly diminished. Notwithstanding the endeavor to make the list of members correct, there may still be some errors in names.
With regard to the religious character of the people of this town, it may be remarked, that from the first they have been distinguished for their attachment to the house of God. The first settlers of the town, were under the necessity of attend- ing public worship at Londonderry. They performed the journey on foot, and generally carried one or two children with them, -a distance of twelve miles. They passed
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Merrimac River in a canoe, or on a raft. They did not always walk, though, as appears by the following incident. Mr. James Walker, one of the brothers that first settled the town, was remarkable for his attachment to the horse, and always kept the very best in his stable. One Sabbath morning, while a young man, he mounted a beautiful black horse, and started for meeting. He crossed the river at Goffe's Falls, and there found Col. John Goffe and wife, also about to start for meeting, in Londonderry, it being the fashion in those days to ride two on a horse. Col. Goffe's daughter Esther, was then a little girl; she was crying to go to meeting with her parents, but they had no way to carry her. Mr. Walker saw the difficulty, and said to Mrs. Goffe, "Set her on behind me, and I will carry her to meeting." They soon had her ready, and as the Colonel handed her up behind Walker, he said, "She is a little girl, now, but she may be your wife, yet." And in fact, it turned out to be so. That little girl was grandmother of James Walker, Esq., of Piscataquog Village.
The following circumstance is related illustrative of the general regard for the sanctuary. Rev. Mr. Houston and his neighbor, Gawn Riddle, joined, -their farms bordering on each other. One Saturday they met, and had some sharp and unneighborly talk together, about their fences and cattle. Some townsmen were present, and heard their altercation. On the next day, (Sabbath,) Mr. Riddle, was punctually at meeting. Some of his neighbors, who had heard the contest on the day before, looked astonished, and said, " Mr. Riddle, we thought you would not be at meeting to-day, to hear your neighbor Houston preach, after having such a quarrel with him." Said Mr. Riddle, "I'd have ye to know, if I did quarrel with my neighbor Houston, yesterday, I did not quarrel with the gospel."
The church has from time to time sent forth laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. The following are the names of those who have gone to preach the gospel.
Rev. Joseph Goffe,* Millbury, Mass.
John Walker, Vermont.
66 Silas Aiken, Vermont,
Isaac Orr,* Never settled.
Rev. C. W. Wallace, Manchester.
66 Daniel L. French, Nelson.
Lemuel Spofford, Wisconsin.
66 Ebenezer Chase.
* Deceased.
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The following are the names of members of this church who have married ministers.
Mrs. Philomela Garret, previously second wife of Samuel Newell, late mis- sionary in India.
Mrs. Jane Harris Dunbarton. Mrs. Dolly Bryant, South Africa.
Mary J. Smith, Greenfield, N. H. " Nancy French .*
Ann Worcester, Cherokee Miss .* Polly French, Nelson,
Mary Moor, Milford, N. H. " Sally Chapin, Greensborough, Vt.
Harriet M. G. Wood, Concord, N. H. Mrs. Mary Miltimore.
Mrs. Sarah Eaton, now of Wilton, and Mrs. Hannah Beck- with, New York, - natives of the town, but not members of this church, also married ministers.
1832. A Universalist Society was formed, consisting of forty male members. 'They have had preaching occasionally. Rev. Mr. Beckwith, now in the State of New York, and Rev. Mr. Hodsden, of Maine, continued longest in town. There was a church organized, consisting of about twelve members.
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