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 15
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1835. A Baptist Church was formed in the town, consist- ing at the time, (June,) of thirty-two members. Rev. Horace Eaton was ordained pastor of the Church, October, 1842, and continued till 1844. Officers of the Church when constituted, Ralph, and Ebenezer Holbrook, Deacons ; Thomas G. Hol- brook, Clerk. The brick meeting-house at the centre, formerly occupied by the Universalist Society, was sold by a vote of the Society, at auction, April 20th, 1846, for $700 to five individuals of the Baptist Society, viz. : Isaac Darrah, and the brothers Ralph, Ebenezer, Thomas G., and Abiel Holbrook.
MEETING-HOUSES.
Old Presbyterian Meeting-House .- At the first settle- ment of the town, immediately after the old burying-ground was located, a long time before any portion of the town had been taken off to enlarge the town of Merrimac, the inhab- itants were anxious to have a meeting-house, Without a suitable place of worship, the privileges of religion cannot well be enjoyed. This they early felt ; it became a frequent
# Deceased,
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MEETING-HOUSES.
subject of discussion ; and it was unanimously agreed to build the house on a rise of land north of the old grave-yard, which took the name of meeting-house hill, and is so called to this day. Between this time, 1737, and 1750, the town of Merrimac had been incorporated, 1745, and a large tract of land had been taken off, on the southern part of Bedford, to enlarge the town of Merrimac. On this account, the inhab- itants of Bedford were under the necessity of changing their location for a place of worship, to one more central.
At a meeting held at Matthew Patten's barn, Jan. 24th, 1750, it was, " Voted, - To build a meeting-house, either at the east or west side of the Bell hill, so called, on the 9th or 10th range, provided John Bell and John Mclaughlin would give 2 acres of land, accommodated also with a road-land." J. Bell lived on lot No. 9, at the west end of Bell hill ; [J. Bell, the father, it is said, lived on the east end, where the ruins of an old cellar are still seen.] J. Mclaughlin lived at east end of said hill, on lot No. 10, and the old road lay near where the brick school-house now stands, on lot No. 10, and ran up on the brow of the west end of said hill.
Not being able to agree on which of the two places the house should be built, at a town-meeting, called April 15th, 1752, " Voted, - That Capt. Andrew Todd, Capt. John Mitchell, and Lieut. Robert Cochran, all of Londonderry, be a committee to locate the spot, at the east or west end of Bell hill, on lot No. 9 or 10.2'
At an adjourned meeting, held Thursday, May 7th, 1752, the above Committee made their report, as follows : -
" To the Proprietors, freeholders, and inhabitants, of Bed- ford: Gentlemen, - That, whereas you were pleased to choose us, the Subscribers, a Committee to judge in regard of two places to set your meeting-house on, (viz. : ) at the east or west end of Mr. Bell's hill ; and our Judgment is this, That we look upon the east end of said hill, at or near where the Stake stood, to be the most convenient place ; and for this or these reasons, - Because it is a little more con- venient for the present inhabitants, who have borne the burden and heat of the day; and we look upon the west end of the hill to be but a piece of poor, dry, barren ground, and exceedingly much exposed to the west and north-west winds, very hard to be suffered here in this, our cold climate. And, Gentlemen, this is our joint judgment in regard of these
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SKETCH OF THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY.
two places, and hope you will be as unanimous about the place, as we have been, which is from, Gentlemen, your hearty and sincere friends,
ANDREW TODD, JOHN MITCHELL, ROBERT COCHRAN."
(Directed,) " To Mr. Samuel Patten, Moderator of a meeting to be holden the seventh day of May next, by adjournment, at Bedford. To be communicated."
At this meeting, the old building committee were dismissed and a new one appointed, but nothing was accomplished till 1754, when this committee also was dismissed, and a new one appointed. At a meeting held at William Holmes' barn, on Monday, April 15, 1754, a new location was contemplated, on land of Noah Thayer. In the meantime, the last committee had got a house-frame hewed, and drawn to the west side of the Bell hill, near where Joseph Bell's cider-mill used to stand, on lot No. 9. Here the frame lay, until a meeting was called at John Bell's Barn, 22d September, 1755, when it was "Voted, unanimously, That all votes and conclusions that. have been voted and concluded, concerning fixing a place to build a meeting-house on, in this town, be, and hereby are, null and void."
These particulars are given, to show that the people encountered the usual difficulties in deciding on a building- spot. They even put an article into the town-warrant, at the above meeting to refer the subject to a Committee from the General Court, but it was decided in the negative. At the above meeting, " Voted, unanimously, That the meeting-house be built on a piece of land which William Moor bought from Noah Thayer for the town, for that purpose, and being part of Nos. 13 and 14, in the 10th range, in said Bedford."
The following is a copy of the Deed from Noah Thayer to William Moor.
" Consideration of £1. 6s. Lawful money, in behalf of Bedford town. A certain piece of land in Bedford, containing 14 acres and sixteen rods, by measure, lying in the 13th and 14th lots, in 10th range, said piece of land being 13 rods in length, and 12 rods in breadth, each line being strait. Said piece being 9 rods on 13th lot, and 4 rods on 14th lot,
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MEETING-HOUSES.
which makes the length of said piece of land, including the highway, of 3 rods from the said lot, to the 9th range, between said 13th and 14th lots; said piece of land being intended for the use of the said town of Bedford, for a meet- ing-house for the worship of God in that place, and other public use in said town, to be and be held.
(Dated,) "13th September, 1755. " Lib. 52, Fol. 348."
This effort was successful. The meeting-house was raised on the spot last designated, where it now stands, on the 14th and 15th October, 1755. A man by the name of Warren, hewed the frame. The first day they raised the house up to the plates, and put on all the beams but two ; the second day finished raising. It was 40 by 50 feet, and two stories high. The meeting-house was finished very gradually, as will appear by the following votes, which are given here, as matter of curiosity, and as furnishing a striking contrast with the modern, railroad despatch in doing business.
March 13th, 1757. "Voted, -That Capt. Moses Barron, Robert Walker, and Samuel Patten, be a committee for boarding and shingling the meeting-house." S. Patten declined, and William Moor was put in his place. John Bell, jr., and John Wallace, were a committee to provide glass and sashes ; Hugh Riddle was employed to underpin and do the stone-work.
June 6, 1760. "Voted, - Benjamin Smith, Gawn Riddle, and James Little, be a committee to seat the meeting-house with long seats." For a number of years the people sat on long seats, - males probably on one side of the house, and females on the other. "Seating the house," as the phrase was, was an annual custom in some parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The members of the Congregation were seated every year, according to age, rank or property. The chief seat was the first pew at the right hand, entering at the front door.
Jan. 16, 1764. " Voted, -To build a pulpit, and that Matthew Patten, John Wallace, and John Bell, be a committee to build it." Thomas Warren made the pulpit in 1766.
March, 1767. " Voted, - That the same committee who built the pulpit, paint it, and paint it the same color the Rev. Mr. McGregor's pulpit is, in Londonderry."
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SHETCH OF THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY.
It appears that Glass and Oil for the meeting-house, had been obtained sometime in 1766, but not wishing to use it then, it had been lent out to the various inhabitants of the town, by Matthew Little. The following may seem too' minute for insertion here, but as a transcript of the times and showing the estimation put upon glass in those times, when it was scarce and costly, it may not be without interest.
June, 1768. " The meeting-house glass lent out ; Mat- thew Little's account of the same. David Moore had from Matthew Little, six squares of the meeting-house glass ; Dan- iel Moor had 4 squares of the same, Dea. Gillmore had of the same, 24 squares. November 20, 1768, The Rev. Mr. John Houston, had 24 squares of the same ; Hugh Campbell had 12 squares of the same ; Dea. Smith is to pay Whitfield Gillmore 6 squares of the same; James Wallace had 15 squares of the same ; John Bell had 9 squares of the same ; Joseph Scobey, one quart of oil.
" A true record :
" Attest, WILLIAM WHITE, Town Clerk."
At a meeting held April, 1784, it was voted to let out and sell the wall pew-ground, to any inhabitant of Bedford only, and that the money arising from the same, be expended in finishing the meeting-house, and if there should not be enough, the same be expended in supplying the pulpit. One condition of the sale was that the purchaser should not be allowed to sell it to any person, unless an inhabitant of Bedford.
In about twenty years, the house was completed ; for we find, September 27, 1785, the meeting-house being finished according to vote, they vendued off to the highest bidder, all but the minister-pew, and his name was put on that. Sam- uel Vose, Vendue-master, and Josiah Gillis, Clerk of the meeting. Maj. John Dunlap was the workman who finished the pews. There were 27 pews sold on the pew-ground, the highest selling at $36, and the lowest at $23,50, on the lower floor. In the gallery, 16 pews; highest price, $13, lowest, $5,50. Some additional improvements were made from time to time, such as green velvet for the pulpit cushion, in 1792; and in 1802, a pew for the singers in the front gallery. In 1813, some of the long seats for the aged, were made into body pews.
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MEETING-HOUSES.
In 1838, the old meeting-house was remodelled, the lower part being appropriated for a Town-house, and the upper part for a School-room and Selectmen's room. The estimated expense was $530,32. The house was turned round, and moved back twenty-five or thirty feet. The whole work was not completed till August 1839, when it was voted to let the lower part for public worship, and the upper part for a school-room.
New Presbyterian Meeting-House. - As some readers may be ready to think the following details too minute, it should be remembered that though not of so much interest now, yet to those who live a hundred years hence, they may be matter of curiosity, and even of value ; especially if the meeting- house be permitted to stand till that time. The first public intimation about a new meeting-house, we have as follows.
"NOTICE is hereby given, that the inhabitants of Bedford are requested to meet at the old meeting-house in said Bed- ford, on Tuesday, 29th day of August, current, at 4 o'clock, P. M .:- To see what method they will take, to pay the expenses of installing Rev. Thos. Savage : - To devise some way to collect the subscription money for Rev. Thos. Sav- age : - And to see if they are desirous of building a new meeting-house. PETER P. WOODBURY.
" Bedford, 22d August, 1826."
There was, however, no decided action on the subject of a new house; it remained a subject of occasional discussion, but nothing was done till the 19th April, 1831, at which date the following measure was adopted.
" We the subscribers do associate and agree for the purpose of building a meeting-house. The condition of this paper is to obtain subscribers for fifty shares in said house ; and when said shares are taken, Doct. P. P. Woodbury will call a meeting of the subscribers, for the purpose of locating the spot for said house; which location is to be made by a majority of the share-holders, each share to count one vote, and of choosing a building committee, to carry the plan into effect ; each share to be assessed and paid as the money is wanted, as in their wisdom they shall direct when assembled. And we, the undersigned, do agree, for the above pur-
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SKETCH OF THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY.
pose, to take the number of shares set against our names, respectively.
Peter P. Woodbury,
Daniel Gordon,
Isaac Riddle,
William Patten,
Cyrus W. Wallace,
Daniel Mack,
James Walker,
Samuel McQuesten,
Richard Dole,
Stephen Thurston,
Josiah Walker,
John G. Moor,
Isaac Gage,
Willard Parker,
Samuel Patten,
James French,
David Atwood,
Leonard C. French,
Daniel L. French,
John Houston, jr. Hugh Riddle,
John Houston,
Isaac Atwood, jr.
Rufus Houston,
John W. Barnes,
William Riddle, jr.
William Riddle,
John D. Riddle,
Nathan Cutler,
Joshua Vose,
Samuel Chandler,
Aaron Gage,
William P. Riddle,
John Armstrong,
William Chandler,
David Stevens, jr.
Stephen French, jr.
Eleazer Dole,
Moody M. Stevens,
John French,
William Moor, jr.
Rufus Merrill,
Moses Noyes,
John Patten,
Isaac Gage, jr.,
Gardner Nevens,
John Holbrook,
Ebenezer French,
Phineas Aiken,
F. A. Mitchell,
Solomon Woods,
Nehemiah Kittredge,
John Craig,
Benjamin Nichols.
John P. Houston,
Jesse Hartwell,
These subscribed for one share each, making fifty-six.
(A true copy, ) "SAMUEL CHANDLER, Clerk."
The above subscribers held a meeting at Capt. Isaac Rid- dle's hall, May 9th, 1831. Dea. John Holbrook, Chairman, Samuel Chandler, Clerk. A committee was chosen, consisting of Doct. P. P. Woodbury, Mr. James Walker, Ebenezer French, John French, and Capt. John Patten, to ascertain on what terms a suitable spot could be obtained, on which to erect the meeting-house ; which committee reported, that "an acre of land, east of Capt. William Riddle's, at the Oak trees, may be had without any expense ; that an acre of land on the hill north of the road, and west of the burying-ground. can be had for one hundred dollars ; that an acre east of the burying-ground, and between that and Isaac Riddle's store, can be had for one hundred dollars; or, that an acre can be had north of the school-house, (near the Baptist meeting- house,) for one hundred and fifty dollars." These four described places were numbered from 1 to 4, and voted for by ballot ; No. 1, that north of the school-house; No. 2, between, the store and burying-ground ; No. 3, on the middle hill ; No. 4, east of Capt. William Riddle's. The vote was as follows : - No. 1, had three votes ; No. 2. thirty votes ; No. 3, two votes, and No. 4, four votes.
May 28, 1831. The shareholders formed themselves into a regular society, adopted a constitution and by-laws, and
-
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MEETING-HOUSES.
organized by the choice of officers, agreeably to an act of the Legislature of the State, passed July 3d, 1827. A super- intending building committee was chosen, consisting of Capt. William Patten, Dr. P. P. Woodbury, Col. William Moor, Capt. John Patten, and John G. Moor, with which committee it was left discretionary to make any alteration as to the size of the house, basement-story, and general construction, as they may think best, and to finish the work at their discre- tion. In the meantime, the society, rejecting all other locations, voted to build the contemplated house on the Houston hill ; the title to the land being more satisfactory. The committee made a contract with Thomas Kennedy, of Goffstown, N. H., to build a meeting-house, 71 feet in length, by 51 in width, to be finished according to a plan exhibited ; the said Kennedy to do all the work, outside and in, to find all the materials for the same, finishing of the windows, glass, doors, painting, the belfry, plastering and brick-work, shingling, boarding, and the qualities of stock, &c.
" The undertaker agrees to do everything, whether expressed in the agreement or not, that ought to be done, and in a workmanlike manner ; and to have the work completed in September, 1832. For the above work, the Committee agree to pay $3700. (Signed,)
P. P. WOODBURY, Building
WM. PATTEN, Committee.
JOHN G. MOOR,
THOMAS KENNEDY, Undertaker.
A true copy, SAMUEL CHANDLER, Clerk."
The basement-story underpinning was done by Benjamin Riddle, for $418. The finishing of basement-story was done by J. Langley, at an expense of $321. The frame was raised on the spot where the house now stands, June 20, 1832. Rev. Mr. Savage offered prayer, Dr. Woodbury made an address on the occasion. The house was raised without the use of intoxicating liquors, and the whole work was accomplished without a single accident, even to the bruising of a finger. The house was solemnly dedicated to the worship of God, on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1832. The pastor of the church preached on the occasion, from Haggai, ii, 9. Rev. Mr. Aiken, of Amherst, and Rev. Mr. Adams, fo
22
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SKETCH OF THE CHURCH AND MINISTRY.
Londonderry, took part in the exercises. The day was pleasant, and a numerous audience attended .*
January 14, 1833. The pews were disposed of by sale, one pew being reserved for the minister, to be by him selected. The pews were sold to the highest bidder for their choice. An appraisal had been previously made, and whatever was bid over and above, was added to the appraisal, as the price of the pew. It had also been agreed that if the pews should sell for more than enough to pay for the house, the surplus should be appropriated for the purchase of a bell for said house ; and if there should still be money remaining, it should go for building a parsonage. At this public sale, 85 pews were sold, and money enough raised beyond the estimated expense of the building, to purchase a bell. The remaining pews being disposed of, except two or three reserved, the aggregate result thus stood :
Whole number of pews, 91.
Of these 88 were sold for, - $5200,00
Amount sold exceeding appraisal, 527,00
Whole Amount received, - $5727,00
The house was warmed originally by a furnace. This was taken out about ten years since, and its place supplied by stoves.
Brick Meeting-house. - Built, 1835, and finished, 1836. Dedicated, July 1st, 1836; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Hodsden. The dimensions of this house are as follows: 40 feet wide, 50 feet long, one story high. The mason-work was by James McPherson; stone-work by George Fletcher, and wood-work by Thomas Kennedy and Joseph Little, both of Goffstown. This house was built by the Universalist Society at the cost of $2000. In 1846, it was sold to the Baptist Society, who occasionally occupy it as a place of worship.
Piscataquog Meeting-house. - James Parker, Esq., Gen. William P. Riddle, and Mr. Jonathan Palmer, superintended the building of this house, the frame of which was raised in May, 1820. The timber for the frame was hewn, framed and raised by Dea. Heath of Sutton. A Mr. Kimball, of
* See Appendix.
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MEETING-HOUSES.
Hopkinton, finished the house, outside and in. It was dedi- cated to the worship of God, and a sermon delivered by Rev. E. P. Bradford, Nov. 15, 1820, at which time there was good sleighing. No minister has ever been settled here as pastor, but in former years there was a stated supply for months at a time, and to the present day, there is occasionally a third service on the Sabbath.
March 29, 1842. The upper part was modelled into an Academy, the lower part being still retained for public wor- ship. It is a neat edifice, of good architectural proportions, and besides its important uses, adds much to the beauty of the village.
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GRAVEYARDS, SCHOOLS, BRIDGES, ETC.
GRAVEYARDS, SCHOOLS, BRIDGES, POUNDS, REMARKABLE EVENTS, ETC.
GRAVEYARDS.
The Old Graveyard, at the south-east part of the town, was made use of to deposit the dead, from the first settlement in 1737. Here were laid the first settlers of the town, with their children ; here sleep the forefathers and their families. April 14, 1752. At a town-meeting held in Matthew Patten's barn, it was " Voted, To fence the burying-ground, and that it be fenced 10 rods square, with stone wall; the wall to be 5 feet high." John Orr, John Moor, and Hugh Riddle, were the committee to see the work done. " They shall employ the inhabitants of the town to do the work; a man to have fifteen shillings a day, and oxen ten shillings, old tenor. Each laborer to begin work at 8 o'clock, A. M., in the months of August, September, and October." It was voted at the same time to pay for a moor cloth, or pall. 80 pounds were appropriated for building the wall, and the ground was to be cleared at the expense of the town. The oldest inscriptions now found in the yard, are Ann Burns, July, 1745 ; John, father of Hon. Matthew Patten, April, 1746; Catherine Bell, 1746 ; also, John Goffe, father of Col. Goffe, and John Bell, 1746. At the period of 1760, there had been numerous interments. It is now, (1850,) occasion- ally used as a burying-place. Though in an unfrequented part of the town, it is an interesting spot, and with certain improvements, might be made a place of solemn resort and profitable meditation. Here, within sound of the railroad whistle, the forefathers sleep. Here we stand, where tears were shed a hundred years ago for departed friends. Here is still the old stone horse-block, where mothers and wives and sisters mounted, having followed in procession some loved one to the grave. Here are the gravestones of the first minister, and the elders, who often consulted together for the welfare of the church.
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GRAVEYARDS.
The Central Graveyard, has been in use 50 years. The first body buried in this yard, was that of a son of Isaac Riddle, Esq., Oct. 8, 1799. Mr. Riddle gave half an acre of land for the purpose. In 1847, half an acre more of land was obtained, and a stone wall built on the north, south, and west sides, and on the east side, a stone and wooden fence, with iron posts. It is a solemn, interesting spot, and had it been laid out at first with a view to walks and alleys, it would have added much to its attractions as a cemetery. As it is it well repays the visitor. The inscriptions are often impressive to a stranger. To notice one ; -
IN MEMORY OF MR. ROBERT BURNS, MEMBER OF JUNIOR CLASS, DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, WHO DIED FEB. 22, 1810, AGED 25.
The name being the same with the Scottish poet, his being a member of College, and his early death, all create an interest, and the interest is increased, when it is known that he was a young man of great promise, and at the time of his death, was instructing a district school in town, to help pay his way in College. One other epitaph may be given ; very appropriate, probably a selection. It is on a young lady who died of consumption, aged 20.
" A marble marks thy couch of lowly sleep, And living statues there are seen to weep, Affliction's semblance bends not o'er thy tomb, Affliction's self deplores thy youthful doom."
West Parish Graveyard. - The land was given by Jesse Worcester, Esq. The first burial there, was Hannah, an infant child of Mr. Benjamin Sprague, June 9, 1789. The oldest gravestone to be seen, is that of Mr. David French, father of Dea. John French, June 13, 1790.
South Graveyard. - The land for this yard was given by Maj. Stephen Dole. The first burial in it was a child of Silas Martin. The oldest inscription found there is William Gerrish, February 20, 1793, and Judith Gerrish, October 10, 1794.
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GRAVEYARDS, SCHOOLS, BRIDGES, ETC.
Piscataquog-Village Graveyard. - William Parker, Esq., gave half an acre of land for this purpose. The first inter- ment was that of a child of James Griffin, 1814; the second was that of Edward, son of Wm. Parker, Esq., April 8th, 1815. These are all the public burial-places in the town. A Roman Catholic cemetery, for Manchester, has [lately been laid out, a little west of Piscataquog-village, on land lately owned by A. J. Dow, and formerly belonging to the Parker estate. On the Beard place, (so called,) now owned by Gen. Riddle, are a few graves, belonging to the Lincoln family. In 1836, a human skeleton was dug up, by Mr. Willard Parker, at the fork of the road, near his house. On the place occupied by Mr. Ames, west of the Catholic Cemetery, are two or three graves.
SCHOOLS.
THE subject of common school education very early engaged the attention of the people of this town. On recurring to the town books we find the following record : - " March 28, 1753. Voted, to have a school kept six months, the ensuing year in the town." The next year the town voted to have a school kept eight months during the year. The division of the time in different parts of the town is curious : - " Voted, to have the school kept this year in the following manner, beginning at the south-westerly corner of the town, and to continue there one month, and then to be kept at the north-easterly corner one month, and so alter- nately, one month in each of the aforementioned places, in rotation as before mentioned, until the whole eight months be completed."
June 28, 1755. " Voted, not to have a school this year." What was the occasion of such a vote, the only one of the kind on record, cannot now be known. The schools were then kept in private dwelling houses, and children had to go a great distance. The first school house erected in the town, stood on an eminence about a quarter of a mile north of the place now owned by Mr. Samuel Patten, then belonging to John Orr, Esq. It is said some of the material of the old building forms part of the barn of Mr. Calvin Snow. Among the names of the early school teachers, that of O'Neil, is handed down as memorable. Many a luckless urchin smarted under the effects of his discipline. Among those who have
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