USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900 > Part 27
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Provided that towns between which and any settled minister there is prior to or at the passing of this act a subsisting contract, shall have a right from time to time to vote, assess, collect, and ap- propriate such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for the fulfilment of this contract and for repairing meeting-houses now owned by such town, so far as may be necessary to render them useful for town purposes; provided that no person shall be liable to taxation for the purpose of fulfilling any contract between any town and settled minister who shall, prior to such assessment, file with the clerk of the town where he may reside, a certificate, declaring that he is not of the religious persuasion or opinion of the minister settled in such town.
It provided further that "each religious sect or denomination of Christians " might form societies, and having done so, establish by- laws, and " have all the corporate powers which may be necessary to raise and assess money by taxes upon the polls or ratable estate of the members," for the support of the ministry and maintaining houses of worship, and were given all the powers of town officers in such assessment and collection.
By its provisions the support of Mr. McGregore continued to be a town charge during the remainder of his incumbency, but when that ceased, the support of his successor fell upon those only who were interested in his preaching or in maintaining the Presbyterian church.
The Presbyterian society of the town of Bedford had been formed in 1749, and from that day to this has well sustained the religious interests of the town. Later a Universalist society was formed, and again later a Baptist society, but these have been disbanded, and since 1849, there has been but one church in Bedford, the
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Presbyterian. But about the time of Mr. McGregore's dismissal, a " Presbyterian society " was formed in accordance with the law of the state, and to it the general affairs of the church were committed. There have been several seasons of revival; one under Mr. Mc- Gregore, others under Mr. Savage in 1834, 1842, 1864, and two under Mr. Tyson's pastorate.
A Young Men's Christian Association was organized in May, 1874, and was continued for a few years as an auxilliary to the church. The Sabbath evening district meetings and Tuesday even- ing meetings in the vestry were conducted under its auspices. The first organization was: President, Rev. Ira C. Tyson; vice-presi- dent, O. R. Clark; secretary, Mrs. O. L. Kendall; treasurer, S. C. Damon ; auditor, O. R. Clark; directors, Joseph Gage, Miss Martha R. Woodbury, and Mrs. George M. French.
In 1871, the envelope system for benevolent contributions was adopted, and has been continued until the present time.
In January, 1876, the church adopted the rotary system of elder- ship, electing a full board of twelve elders in three classes to serve four years each. In 1876, the church numbered two hundred and fifteen members, and the Sabbath-school three hundred. The society is entirely free from debt.
NOTES FROM SOCIETY RECORDS.
The following is an abstract taken from the session records since 1831.
Prior to that date the records of the session are missing, and the town records are the only source of information.
June, 1831-" Voted that the committee heretofore chosen be instructed to contract with the Revd Thos. Savage to remain with us so long as it shall appear that he is useful to this people as a min- ister."
The salary of Rev. Thomas Savage was $500 a year, raised by a tax assessed upon the members as town taxes are assessed. At first the sum of the assessment was $500, less the amount received from the town as the society's portion of the income from the ministerial land fund, usually about $100. Later several residents paid an an- nual subscription instead of an assessed tax.
May 2, 1836-" Voted to choose a committee of four to get the minds of said Society in regard to building a Parsonage House."
June 4, 1836 " Voted that the clerk and Assessors draw a sub- scription paper to ascertain what amount of money can be obtained for Mr. Savage at present."
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
May 1, 1837-" Voted to increase Mr. Savage's salary one hun- dred dollars for one year."
Voted to dismiss an article "to see if the Society will raise money by a tax sufficient to meet the necessary expense of warming and sweeping the meeting house." At the annual meeting of 1839, $30 was appropriated for the above purposes.
May 4, 1840-An article to see if the society will make any altera- tion in the method of warming the Meeting House was dismissed.
July 13, 1840-Voted not to have a committee to apply to the Londonderry Presbytery to dissolve the connection between this people and Mr. Savage.
May 1, 1848-Voted to appropriate forty-five dollars for a double bass viol and six hymn books, and Elijah C. Stevens was authorized to expend the amount.
May 7, 1849-Voted to appropriate twenty dollars to purchase singing books for the choir.
May 9, 1850-Voted to appropriate Ten Dollars for the use of the singers. Such an appropriation was continued in 1851-'52.
May 5, 1851-Voted "to choose a committee of three to seat strangers in the house on the Sabbath and take care of the boys around the stoves and in the gallery." Chose Capt. Leonard C. French, Benjamin Hall, and C. Spofford such committee. Similar action was taken at subsequent annual meetings.
May 1, 1853-Reverend Savage's salary was increased to $600 for this year.
May 7, 1855-Voted to dispense with the offices of auditors the current year.
In 1863 the raising of money by taxation was abandoned for this and the subsequent year, but was resumed in 1865.
Aug. 30, 1865-Voted to repair the bass viol.
Dec. 14, 1865-Voted to extend a call to Rev. Arthur Little. .
Feb. 4, 1867-Voted to purchase a set of singing books and hymn books for the choir.
May 6, 1867-Voted to pay Mr. Little a salary of $1,200.
Mar. 1, 1869-Voted to give Rev. Ira C. Tyson a call.
May 3, 1869-Voted to pay Mr. Tyson $1,200.
May 5, 1873-Voted to raise the money needed by the Society by subscription.
May 6, 1878-Voted that Mr. Tyson's stay with us as pastor be limited to six months, and that the elders of the church be the com- mittee to inform him.
June 17, 1878-Voted to retain Mr. Tyson.
May 5, 1879-Resolved that it is the opinion of this society that they cannot pay Mr. Tyson the coming year, and request him to resign his charge.
Nov. 20, 1887-Voted to change the time of holding the morn- ing service on the Lord's Day from 10: 30 to 11 o'clock a. m. In 1893 the hour of service was changed to 10:45.
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Jan. 2, 1890-It was voted that two young men be appointed to act as ushers during the service on Sabbath days in the church.
Feb. 2, 1890-Voted unanimously to adopt the method of con- gregational singing in the church during the services on each Lord's day.
Mar. 9, 1890-It was voted that the bass viol belonging to this church and society be given into the charge and care of Elder S. C. Damon.
May 20, 1890-A motion for a meeting of the church to with- draw from Boston Presbytery was presented and laid on the table.
1890-A bequest of Eliza A. (Morrison) Stevens of $400 was announced, the income to be used to aid in the support of evan- gelical preaching in Bedford.
Mar. 29, 1891-Whereas it was voted by this church at its annual meetings in 1889 and 1890, that the members of this session per- form all the duties usually devolving upon deacons in the manage- ment of financial affairs, etc., of this church, Therefore
Resolved, That we assume the title, for the present and future members of this session, of deacons, and the same may be used upon the records of the session and in other positions whenever needed to designate such officers. This action to be in force on and after Jan. 1, 1891. Adopted April 2.
Mar. 31, 1892-Voted that the Trustees of Bedford Public Li- brary have the privilege of locating said library in the chapel.
Dec. 29, 1892-After consideration at two previous meetings it was voted unanimously to have the church bell rung for evening services on the Sabbath. A motion was made at a meeting August, 1893, to discontinue this practice, but it was denied.
Aug. 3, 1893-A legacy of Dea. Frederick Hodgman ($2,000) was announced ; received June, 1895.
Dec. 31, 1895-Voted to change the time of holding the com- munion service from afternoon to morning in connection with the regular service, and that the expense thereof be borne from the treasury rather than from special collections.
The services were held in the town hall from September, 1894, for the remainder of the year on account of the work of repairing the church building.
December, 1894-James W. Clapp, Ernest A. Jenkins, Gordon P. Atwood, and George H. Hardy were elected as collectors of weekly offerings. This work had been done previously by deacons.
December, 1897-Voted that the four collectors of weekly offer- ings should serve as ushers.
July, 1901-Voted that the bell be rung thirty minutes prior to the Friday evening prayer-meeting.
19
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
The first Universalist society of Bedford was organized October 15, 1832, by the adoption of a constitution, although the Book of Records declared the preamble of the constitution " Approved July 3, 1827." This would seem to indicate that the movement was under consideration several years. The original members were : William McFerson, Josiah Walker, John G. Moor, Moses Gage, John C. Mullett, Thomas Rundlett, John Wilson, Robert Dunlap, James Darrah, Samuel Barr, James Gilmore, Andrew Moor, Samuel McAfee, Thomas Barr, Daniel McCain, Otis Batchelder, William Butterfield, John Parker, Samuel Moor, John B. Wilson, James McFerson, Samuel Worthley, Thomas Chandler, Seth Page, John McAllister (Unitarian).
The first officers of the society were: Moderator, Thomas Barr; clerk, John McAllister ; treasurer, James Darrah; executive com- mittee, Thomas Rundlett, Otis Batchelder, Daniel Parker.
It would appear that everything in this society was not ideal, as this brief item in the record of the annual meeting of 1835 indicates : " Voted to dismiss John Wilson from the rights and privileges of this society."
The subscription for 1832 was $66.50; for 1833, $97.34, of which $16.84 was from the town, being undoubtedly the members' portion of the income from the ministerial fund, which later came to- be about $30 a year. The subscription for 1834 was $112; 1835, $143.
In 1835, it was was voted to build a "brick meeting-house," and John McAllister, William McD. Ferson, and Andrew Moor were chosen the building committee. The meeting-house was "not to exceed 40x50 feet on the ground, and wall not exceeding 16 feet high, and the expense not to exceed $2,000." The land was bought of Isaac Riddle, and is the lot where the parsonage now stands.
The building was completed and formally dedicated Wednesday, July 13, 1836, Rufus Merrill, Thomas Rundlett, and Andrew Moor being the committee of arrangements for the latter The total cost as given in the report of the building committee was $2,109.15. The sale of pews was made by auction, August, 1836, the highest price being paid by Thomas Rundlett, $116 for two.
In 1838, leave was given "one or more of the proprietors of said house to build horse sheds on the North or West side on the pro- prietors grounds."
.
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THE CHURCH.
It was voted at a meeting May 21, 1839, that " the meeting-house be let to the Baptist Society of Bedford the coming year one-half of the time at the rate of 3 % on one-half the cost."
As early as 1840 it was proposed to dispose of the building, for at a meeting of December 19 it was voted "to sell said house," and Moses Gage was chosen to make the sale "under the following in- structions, that is to sell said house for $1,500, or one-half of said house for $750, or rent said house for one-half the time for $30 per year."
At a meeting held March 21, 1846, the committee was instructed to sell the house at auction. The sale took place April 20, 1846, under the following conditions : Art. 1. The highest bidder is the purchaser. Art. 2. Should any dispute arise with respect to the highest bidder, the house shall be put up again. Art. 3. The pur- chaser of the house shall have the land if they choose at $100.
The house was struck off to Isaac Darrah for $590, and he chose to take the land at $100; he also bought the stove at $10.
The property was, however, deeded to Isaac Darrah, Ebenezer Holbrook, Thomas G. Holbrook, Abial Holbrook, and Ralph Hol- brook. Because of the pew rights and rights to seats in said house, held by John McAllister, 3; Thomas Chandler, 1; Samuel McAfee, 2; John G. Moor, 1; Josiah Walker, 2; Robert Dunlap, 1; Moses Noyes, 2; John McConihe, 1; Widow Robins, 1; and "John McAllister, Samuel McAfee, Josiah Walker and Moses Noyes, each one-fourteenth part of fourteen pews not sold," the sum of $260.33 was deducted from the sale price.
The division of the money was completed and the transactions of the society ended November 26, 1846.
The first settled minister was Rev. J. N. Wilson, who came to Bedford in 1833, but preaching services had previously been held by Rev. H. Beckwith, who was also in charge of a church at Amoskeag. Rev. F. A. Hodgdon was settled in 1834 and continued until 1837, when the society ceased to engage a stated pastor.
THE BAPTIST SOCIETY.
June, 1835, a Baptist society was formed in the town consisting at the time of 32 members. The officers of the church when organ- ized were: Ralph and Ebenezer Holbrook, deacons; Thomas G. Holbrook, clerk.
Preaching services were first conducted under the auspices of this
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
society by Rev. John Peacock, who preached also in Amherst. The first settled minister was Rev. George Evans, who was over the church in 1838. He was succeeded by Horace Eaton, who was set- tled in 1842 and continued till 1844. The last pastor of the society was the Rev. J. Upton, whose services ceased in 1848.
Ministry.
The religion of the first settlers was for the most part that of the Church of Scotland, to which country their ancestors originally belonged, and from which they emigrated nearly a century before their children came to America.
Of this church the acknowledged founder was John Knox,1 who had learned from Calvin, in Geneva, the form of ecclesiastical gov- ernment that is known as Presbyterian. The Scotch Kirk, as it is called, was the true child of the Reformation, being, from the first, strongly opposed to the Church of England, which was viewed by them as not having come out from the abominations of Babylon the great; but only as having shaken off a few of the grosser corrup- tions of Rome.
Neither did the followers of Knox sympathize cordially with the Puritans, or Congregationalists, as they are now called. The great Puritan principle of church government, that every congregation ought to be governed by its own laws, without being subject to the authority of synods, presbyteries, or any ecclesiastical assembly whatever, was a principle from which the Presbyterian dissented. This, however, was about all the difference. "It is in this," says Mosheim, "their notion of ecclesiastical government, that the differ- ence between them and the Presbyterians principally consists ; for their religious doctrines, except in some points of very little moment, are almost entirely the same with those that were adopted by the Puritans."
About 1650, quite a number went over from Argyleshire, in the west of Scotland, to the counties of Londonderry and Antrim, in the north of Ireland. Warmly attached, as might be expected, to the Presbyterian doctrine and discipline, in which the Church of Scot- land was united,-these Scottish emigrants were exposed to the per- secutions in which the Protestants of Ireland were involved during
1 The dwelling-house of Knox is still standing in Edinburgh. This interesting relic, which has narrowly escaped destruction, is now in course of repair and res- toration, and it is said will, when completed, resist the ravages of time probably for as long as period as has elapsed since the Reformer's era. McCrie's Life of Knox, just republished, would be a valuable accession to the family library.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
the reign of Charles I and James II, until 1680, the period known as the British revolution, when William and Mary ascended the throne. They then enjoyed more toleration, but still, as they dis- sented from the Church of England, they were subject to many embarrassments, among which not the least was being obliged to support a minister of the established religion. Besides, they were continually liable to great hardships and dangers, and many of them suffered in the siege of Londonderry, that memorable affair in 1689, when James II, with a powerful force from France, made a descent on Ireland. Accordingly they resolved to emigrate to America.
Springing from such an origin, as did most of the early inhabitants of this town, it might be expected they would be decidedly Presby- terian in doctrine and discipline. That they were so, appears very early in their petitions to be incorporated as a town, in which they say,-" Your petitioners, as to our particular persuasion in Chris- tianity, are generally of the Presbyterian denomination." The Church of Scotland has been prolific in great and good men. From her bosom have gone forth sons who have been luminaries in the church and the world. Ralph Erskine, George Campbell, and Thomas Chalmers are names that will go down with lustre to the latest generations. It is a church dear to the hearts of multitudes now in heaven, and multitudes still on earth. The sacramental sea- sons, the service at the tables, adapting instruction to the old, the middle-aged, and the young who took seats in succession, the tokens that have now disappeared, but were then solemn, and perhaps necessary, the preparatory days and the Monday service, the gathering together, when the country was thinly settled, on Friday or Saturday, from different and sometimes distant towns, to hold sacred communion with God and each other, furnished altogether a most thrilling occasion, and must have had a most happy religious influence on those who enjoyed the privilege. It was not uncom- mon to go from this town, and from New Boston, and even Antrim, to Londonderry, on these sacramental festivals, which occurred only twice a year.
The first Presbytery in New England was constituted in London- derry, April 16, 1745, and was called the "Boston Presbytery." It was by this body the church in Bedford was organized, according to the Presbyterian form of government, on August 15, 1749.1 Im-
1 It was composed of Rev. John Moorhead of the Federal Street Presbyterian church, Boston; Rev. Robert Abercrombie, of Pelham, N. H., and Rev. David Mc- Gregore, of Londonderry, with the congregations under their charge. The elders who met with them were: James McKean, Alexander Conkey, and James Heughs.
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MINISTRY.
mediately on the the incorporation of the town, they turn their attention to the settlement of a stated ministry. At the first town meeting after the charter, we find the following vote : "Voted, That the ministers be entertained at Sam'l Patten's, at the charge of the town.".
A call was given to three candidates in succession, but without any important results : 1
At a General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Narragansett Town No. 5 Meet at Mr. Luke Vardy's in Boston Wendesday the Eighteenth Day of June 1740 at ten a Clock forenoon, 1st Chose The Honourbl William Dudley Esqre Moderator & Then ajourned at Three a Clock afternoon & ajourned accordingly Meet again at the Time ajourned To. 2ndly To see whether they Will Proceed to Build a Meeting House Voted in the Negitive.
3dly Voted that after Thirty days from ye Date hereof The Com- mittee Shall Proceed to Dispose of the Delinqquents Lotts that have not payed their Ten Shillings first voted for preaching & their five shillings after Voted Which is fifteen Shillings Each share. to follow the steps of the Law & giving the warning of the sale.
3rdly to see whether the proprietors will allow any more money for Preaching to the inhabitants Voted to Raise Ten Shillings Each share for Preaching for six or seven months to come. Ye Commit- tee for that Purpose is John Goff Moses Barron & Samuel Patten & the said money to be Raised as the Law directs after The Time is out for Preaching.
July 26, 1750. " Voted, There be a call given to the Rev. Mr. Alexander Boyd, to the work of the ministry in this town." At the same meeting it was " Voted. That Capt. John Goffe, Dea. John Orr, and Mr. Hugh Riddle are to present a call to the Rev. Mr. Alexan- der Boyd, to the work of the ministry in this town, and are commis- sioned to prosecute the call to the Presbytery, and to all intents needful thereto." 2
They voted " To act so far as their present circumstances would permit them, ac- cording to the Word of God and constitution of the Presbyterian Church of Scot- land, agreeing with that perfect rule." At a meeting held in Boston, 1746, this Pres- bytery licensed its first candidate to preach the gospel. His name was Daniel Mitchell, a native of the north of Ireland, and a graduate of the University of Edin- burgh. (Hist. Disc., Rev. I. C. Tyson, p. 17.)
1 At a meeting of the Presbytery of Boston, held in Boston, Nov. 11, 1747, we find the first reference to Souhegan East. The following is the minute upon the records of Presbytery: " Upon application made by Andrew Cochran in ye name of the inhab- itants of Souheggan and Litchfield, for Mr. Mitchell to supply them for a time, the Presbytery appointed him to supply them until the second Sabbath of March next." At a meeting held in Pelham, June 14, 1748, Mr. Mitchell reported "that he had obeyed the appointment of Presbytery and their committee."
There were doubtless other men who supplied them before this, but Mr. Mitchell's name is the first which appears in any of the records-certainly the first sent them by the Presbytery. In their application we observe their attachment to Presby- terian order and their desire to secure the institutions of religion among them. Mr. Mitchell was afterwards settled over the Presbyterian church at Pembroke, and died on December 16, 1776. (Hist. Disc., p. 7.)
2At the same meeting of Presbytery, at which Mr. Mitchell reported, Pelham, June 14, 1748, another petition for supply was made for " Swaheggan." At the same meet- ing Rev. David McGregore presented the name of Mr. Alexander Boyd, a young
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
March 28th, 1753. " Voted, Unanimously, to present a call for Mr. Alexander McDowell, to the Rev'd Presbytery, for the work of the ministry in this town." 1
Oct. 1st, 1754. " Voted, To give Mr. Samuel McClintock a call to the work of the ministry in the town of Bedford."
May 31st, 1756, " Voted, Unanimously, to revive their former call to Mr. Sam'l McClintock to the work of the ministry in this town."
Rev. Mr., afterwards Dr. McClintock, was settled at Greenland, in this state, and for many years was an able and faithful minister. Rev. Mr. Bouton, in his discourse, entitled " Fathers of the New Hampshire Ministry," mentions Dr. McClintock as " among the New Hampshire pastors, who, more or less, had divinity students." His ministry continued forty-eight years. The day before he died he said "that his entire dependence and hope was on that gospel which he had preached to others." 2
man of liberal education. He produced certificate of attending the study of divinity at the University of Glasgow, and, having submitted to thorough examination and subscribed to the confession of faith, he was licensed to preach the gospel.
At the next meeting of Presbytery, Londonderry, October 4, 1748, Presbytery thought proper that Mr. Boyd should supply Kingstown the next three Sabbaths, and then immediately after, four Sabbaths for Litchfield and " Swaheggan."
It would appear from a subsequent minute that Mr. Boyd, having received a call to Kingstown, did not fulfil his other appointments.
It is doubtful whether this call was ever formally presented to Mr. Boyd. I find no record of it in the proceedings of Presbytery, and an article in the town warrant called for January 21, of the following year, was " To inquire what is the reason why the Committee for providing preaching to the town are so negligent in that busi- ness." It is probable these brothers had good reason for their "neglect," as Mr. Boyd had been sharply "rebuked " by his Presbytery for effecting a clandestine marriage before leaving Glasgow, and passing himself in this country for an unmar- ried man. The Presbytery, however, continued his appointments, on his making a full acknowledgment, expressing his sorrow, and promising to adhere to her as his wife. This acknowledgment was not satisfactory, and Mr. Boyd was after sum- moned before a committee of Presbytery to account for his conduct. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that negotiations for his settlement in Bedford were at once terminated. (Hist. Disc., I. C. Tyson.)
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