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 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122
Silas Dole John Burns
John Orr James Wallace Robert Alexander
Jesse Worcester John Aiken
Joseph Wallace
September 26, 1785. " Voted to give Mr. Allan a note for what is due to him from the town."
December 5, 1785. " Voted to pay Mr. Ebenezer Allan the notes he has against the Committee for preaching."
March 13, 1786. " Voted to give Mr. Ebenezer Allan a note upon interest for fifteen Spanish Milled Dollars which is due to him for Preaching."
April 26, 1786. " Voted to apply to the Presbytery to have Mr. Robert Annan on probation eight Sabbaths."
In the warrant for March 29, 1786, there was an article "To see if the town will allow John Orr anything on account of his late mis- fortune, viz; breaking his leg when going to Boston for Mr. Annan, and if they vote in the affirmative, to see how much and in what manner." The vote was to dismiss the article.
At the same time it was "Voted to hire John Patten to keep the dogs out of the meeting house on Sunday."
It was also " Voted to employ the Rev. Mr. Morrison to preach a lecture."
As might be expected in such a state of things the ordinances were neglected, divisions came in, and the interests of piety suffered a decline. It is a maxim universally true, that if a people would enjoy the blessing of God, and promote the best interests of them- selves and their children, it behooves them to sustain the regular institutions of religion.
"During the long period of nearly thirty years," writes the late Rev. Mr. Goffe, of Millbury, Mass., in a letter to the present pastor (Rev. Thos. Savage), "the people hired a great many candidates and preachers, from time to time, but I do not remember that they ever gave one a call to settle with them. In the meantime the cause of religion ran very low, the church was diminished and scattered, pro- fessors lived like other men, and it was scarcely known who they were, only when they came from time to time to the communion- table. As to spirituality in religion, it was scarcely to be found : and here I would say, with deep emotion, that I never knew a revi- val of religion in town until of late years ; and though I hope some souls were born of God, yet they were few and far between."
1
297
MINISTRY.
Looking back from this distance of time, it appears astonishing that the flock of Christ was not irrevocably scattered during such a long season of destitution. But the watchful 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.
An effort was made to divide the use of the meeting-house so that Mr. Pickles' friends should hear him in it at certain times and the rest of the town at other times, and this vote was passed :
March 21, 1792. Voted on the 10th article in the affirmative, and that it stands on record as it stands in said article, which is as follows (viz.) " If the town will vote to let those who have protested against paying taxes to the Rev. Mr. Pickles to have their proportion of money, voted by the town to be raised for hiring preaching for the year 1790 and 1791, provided they will accept of the Meeting House one-fourth part of the time and expend said proportion by supplying the pulpit and draw upon the selectmen for the money as soon as they expend same."
Mr. Pickles' principal opponent seems to have been Jesse Worces- ter, who brought an action against him, which so inflamed his friends that February 15, 1793, it was " Voted that Jesse Worcester be not: allowed to set in the deacons' seat on the Sabbath."
One of the difficulties with Mr. Pickles seems to have arisen over some incidents in his early history that required explanation. After much protest and counter-protest, it was finally agreed that William Riddle, who was town treasurer and a man universally respected, should go to Philadelphia, make personal examination and careful inquiry regarding Mr. Pickles' early career, and his findings and report should be taken as conclusive.1 He did so, making the jour- ney on horseback all the way, and his report, favorable to Mr. Pickles, silenced his opponents. Mr. Riddle was a partisan of Mr. Pickles', as were all the members of his family, one of his children and grandchildren being named after Mr. Pickles' wife, Margaret Tregallos, and one of his nephews, locally famous as General Riddle, was named William Pickles Riddle.
1 His enemies charged him with dissolute habits in Philadelphia, but the charge was stoutly denied by his friends. At length the strife waxed so warm and became so pointed that Lieut. John Orr offered to lay a wager of fifty dollars that the charge was true. The wager was taken by Mr. Pickles' friends, and Mr. William Riddle was agreed upon as the agent of the party to proceed to Philadelphia and investigate the charge. His report was to be final. Mr. Riddle went to Philadelphia on horseback, investigated the matter, found the charge untrue in every particular, returned and reported the results. There was great exultation on the part of the winners, and they met at the store of Isaac Riddle, Esq., to rejoice over the victory. Mr. Riddle was designated as their agent to go to Mr. Orr's and get the wager. Heaccordingly waited upon Mr. Orr, and made known the result of his investigation. Without mak- ing a remark Lieutenant Orr went to his desk and paid over the money. Mr. Riddle took the money back to the winners, and it was spent at the counter in liquor for the multitude. (Hist. Disc., Rev. I. C. Tyson.)
298
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
A letter of Matthew Patten, dated December 1, 1790, contains the following statement :
Last March meeting we voted to use Dr. Watts Psalms and Hymns in public worship And our Minister Viz. Mr. Pickles (Who I mentioned in my last letter to you one of the greatest, best and sensiblest preachers that ever I heard) Reads the psalm or hymn over.
Amid all the conflicting opinions concerning his character there was one in which all agreed, that he had uncommon pulpit tal- ents. "I was but a youth," writes Rev. Mr. Parker of Derry, "when Mr. Pickles preached in Bedford, and my recollection of him is not very distinct. His person and his manner in the desk were com- manding and impressive ; his voice and elocution graceful ; and, so far as I can recollect, his sentiments evangelical, though not very distinguishing." There are some still (1850) living among us who think their attention was first turned to religion under his ministry. Mr. Pickles ceased to "supply " at Bedford in 1804, when he re- moved from this state to Maine, where he resided until his death.
In the warrant for the meeting of December 10, 1802, there was an article "To see if the town would vote to raise some money or appropriate some interest money to hire Mr. Cochrane to preach some more in said Bedford the present season, and if voted in the affirmative, to choose a Committee to agree with him."
At the meeting of March 2, 1803, it was " Voted that Mr. William Milltimore be invited to preach out the above sum of $200."
September 5, 1804, the Rev. David McGregore was ordained to the pastoral charge of the church and congregation in this town. As such things were then a part of the town business, we find in the town records the call and Mr. McGregore's answer, with other ar- rangements connected with such an occasion.
Monday, Feb. 20, 1804. Met according to adjournment. Voted that the town give Mr. David McGregore a call to the work of the ministry in said town.
Voted that David Patten, Esq., John Orr, Esq., Samuell Smith, Samuel Chandler and David McQuesten, Thomas Wallace, Andrew Aiken, John Holbrook and Phineas Aiken be a committee to take into consideration and report to the town certain conditions on which Mr. David McGregore may be settled in the work of the ministry in said town.
The Committee appointed by the inhabitants of Bedford at a legal meeting of said inhabitants, holden on the nineteenth day of Jan- uary, 1804, for the purpose of taking into consideration what sum ought to be paid as an annual salary to the Rev. David McGregore,
299
MINISTRY.
(in case the town present him with a call to settle in the town as a minister of the Gospel, and he accept such call) having met, agree to report that in their opinions the sum of four hundred dollars, in- cluding all the profits arising from ministerial lands, would be a rea- sonable annual salary for the town of Bedford to pay the said Mr. David McGregore so long as he shall be their minister.
Bedford, Feb. 9, 1804. Signed by John Orr, George Orr, P. Aiken, Joseph Bell, James Moor, Nathan Barns, Wm. Moor, Samuell Chandler, Josiah Gordon, David McQuesten, Jno. Houston, Isaac Atwood Jun., Jas. Darrah, Jun., and John Holbrook.
A true record, Attest, PHINEAS AIKEN, Town Clerk.
Voted that Capt. William Moor, John Orr, Esq., and William McAfee be a Committee to present Mr. David McGregore with the foregoing call to the work of the ministry in the town of Bedford, and the votes of said town relative thereto.
March 6, 1804. Met according to adjournment in the meeting house. Upon a motion being made to accept the draft of a call and certain conditions on which Mr. David McGregore may be settled in the work of the ministry in said town. After some amendments, the said draft was voted to be accepted in form following :
ยท The congregation in Bedford being on sufficient grounds, well satisfied of the Ministerial qualifications of you, Mr. David McGre- gore, and having good hopes from our past experience of your labors that your ministeration in the gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interest do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pastoral office in said congregation, promising you in the discharge of your duty, all proper support, encouragement and obedience in the Lord. And that you may be free from worldly cares and avocations we do hereby promise to pay you the sum of $400 annually, includ- ing all incomes from ministerial lands, during the time of your being and continuing the regular pastor of this congregation.
Provided, That if you should continue our pastor until disabled from performing the ministerial duties of your office by reason of old age, then in that case, one-half of said salary shall cease, and you shall afterwards during life receive two hundred dollars annu- ally. Provided, also, that if it should so happen that we should be united in the relation of minister and people, and difficulties from unforeseen events should take place, in consequence of which a major- ity of those subject to taxation for the said Mr. McGregore's salary, become dissatisfied with the minister and desire that a dissolution of their relation should take place, they shall in writing by them signed make known their desire with the reasons of it, and present it to the minister in a regular manner, and if the cause or causes of dissatis- faction cannot be removed to the satisfaction of said majority, but they still continue in their request, in such case, a Presbytery shall be requested to attend at the meeting house in said town at the end of one year from the time of such presentment, whose business it shall be to hear the parties, state the true character of each as re-
300
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
lates to said dissatisfaction and dissolve the pastoral relation subsist- ing between them, at which time the said salary shall cease. And the dismission may take place before the expiration of the year above specified, if the minister consent to it and a presbytery attend at said place whose business shall be as above. And if the minister be dissatisfied with the congregation and wishes to be dismissed from his charge, he shall in writing by him signed make known his desire, with the reasons of it, and present it to the elders of the church and the same mode of process shall be observed as when the congregation are dissatisfied. And if the minister be sick or other- wise disabled from performing the duties of his office (except it be the disability of age) his salary shall continue for one year after the beginning of such sickness or disability, and then cease until the day he shall begin to officiate and continue to officiate as usual. This, however, is not to infringe upon the proceeding.
If the desire of a dismission shall have been manifested prior to such sckness or disability, the dismission shall take place at the end of the year from such presentment, but a desire of separation shall not be manifested in the time of such sickness or disability unless it continue more than one year.
A true record,
Attest PHINEAS AIKEN; Town Clerk. .
To this the Reverend McGregore replied as follows :
Londonderry, May 5, 1804.
To the Town and congregation of Bedford
Honored and Beloved :
It is now near 12 months since you honored me, with a request by your committee to supply your desk, in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After having the pleasure of granting your request as much as my incompleteness would possibly admit, you were pleased, in the month of February last to honor me still further by voting me a call to settle with you in the important work of the Gospel ministry. This your particular attachment to me, in your free suffrages to one of the most honorary and important imployments in human life, was explicitely declared by your committee on the 21st day of last March, when they presented me your call agreeable to said vote. This expression of your affection I have duly con- sidered, and sensibly feel the force of this public testamony of your respect for me ; and I trust to the institutions of Christ. My sense of gratitude is the more lively, since I am informed that no objec- tions were made to the vote of the town on that subject.
Long delays in giving an answer to a call after it is honorably and fairly made, I have never considered honorable nor just on the part of the candidate.
Ergo, having asked counsel of God in prayer, and maturely con- sidered the subject, and not being desirous to keep the town of Bedford any longer in suspence, I have finally resolved to answer your call, and do hereby answer the same in the affirmative.
301
MINISTRY.
In taking this important step, I trust I shall not be found rash or presumptous, for I give this answer, with diffidence, remembering the apostolic interrogative, " Who is sufficient for these things ?" When I sat out at first to prepare for the ministry I had many dis- couragements to encounter from various quarters, but the kind hand of Providence has supported and carried me through thus far, and I have still reason to acknowledge that hithertofore the Lord hath helped me, and now although I have attained that station and em- ployment in life, which of all others is the most pleasing and satis- factory to me, yet I am very far from supposing that troubles may not still await me, for Christ himself informed his ministring ser- vants that they should have tribulation in the world, though for their encouragement he added, "Be of good cheer; I have over- come the world." Relying on his promised presence, I am willing to preach his gospel to you, my dear friends, confiding in you as the people of my charge, as you are already of my choice. Should this my answer prove agreeable to you, I humbly trust you will strengthen my hands and comfort my heart in the good work of the Lord, and that you will unite with me in fervent prayer to Almighty God, for Zion's prosperity among you under my ministry. Let me observe, that in giving that encouragement to each other, which im- perfect creatures stand in need of, in the present life, the exercises of mutual forbearance and tenderness, are never to be forgotten. For as I look for no perfection in any people, I arrogate none to myself, and you are too understanding to expect it of me. In the meantime it is my earnest wish and sincere desire through grace to set that example before you which is worthy the important vocation whereby I am called, not doubting but that you will readily coin- cide so far as I follow Christ. And, my dear friends, notwithstand- ing I acknowledge your honorable and generous spirit in your offer for my annual support, yet give me leave to make one small request from your benevolence, which is a privilege of two or three Sab- baths annually for myself.
This privilege is frequently granted to ministers at their settlement and often proves necessary for their future convenience. In favor- ing me in this request you will increase the obligations I am already under to the people of Bedford.
I shall only add that if divine Providence should see fit to estab- lish the pastoral relation of minister and people between us, may it be strengthned by the cords of mutual love ; may it be cemented by the blood of Christ, and the meliorating influences of his Holy Spirit, and may we never have reason to repent the day we first commenced our acquaintance.
And when our connection on earth is at an end, may we then be joined to that fair society above where they need not instruction from men, but the Lord God giveth them light forever.
I am with every sentiment of respect, yours in the Gospel,
DAVID MCGREGORE.
A true record Attest PHINEAS AIKEN, Town Clerk.
302
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
The Rev. David McGregore was ordained to the pastoral care of the congregation in Bedford on the fifth day of September, 1804. Attest, PHINEAS AIKEN, Town Clerk.
Thereupon the town took the following action :
May 31, 1804. Chose John Craig a commissioner to petition the Presbytery to attend at Bedford, at such time as may be agreed upon, for the purpose of ordaining Mr. David McGregore to the work of the ministery in said town.
Voted that the first Wednesday of September next be the day appointed for the ordination of Mr. David McGregore.
Voted that the Rev. Mr. Burnap and the Rev. Mr. Barnard, with such delegates as their churches may appoint, be invited to associate with the Presbytery at the ordination.
Voted that Stephen French, Capt. William Moor and John Hol- brook be a committee to agree with some person to entertain the Presbytery and their associates while attending at the ordination.
Voted that John Houston, Jun., Capt. Thomas Chandler, Samuel Chandler, Capt. Richard Dole and William Dole be a committee to arrange the musick.
Voted that David Patten, Esq., Lieut. Samuel Barr, Lieut. Nathan Barns, Capt. George Shepard, Phineas Aiken, Andrew Aiken and Joseph Patten be a committee of arrangements.
Voted that Mr. McGregore shall have two Sabbaths at his own disposal annually so long as he shall continue the regular minister of Bedford, provided his circumstances be such as to require him to be absent so many Sabbaths.
Rev. Mr. Morrison, with whom Mr. McGregore pursued his theo- logical studies, preached the ordination sermon from I Tim. 6: 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 Bed- ford, on Lord's day evening, Sept. 25, 1803, according to public notice previously given, it was unanimously agreed, that the sacre- ment of the Lord's Supper, be administered in this place as soon as convenient; 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 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, Phin- eas 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. Morri- son, Londonderry, or to the Presbytery for the purpose of ordain-
303
MINISTRY.
ing the elders elect, and dispensing the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Application having been made to Rev. Mr. Morrison, Fri- day, 28th October 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. Morrrson. -
After Mr. McGregore'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 num- ber, and the cause of benevolence and piety advanced with a steady progress.
Session-book, February 16, 1806. " Voted that elder John Hol- brook 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."
February 24, 1806. "Voted, that the town be divided into dis- tricts for ministerial visitation."
September 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 or- dained in due form as ruling elders, in the church in Bedford, by Rev. David McGregore.
It became necessary to divide Mr. McGregore's time, as appears by the following petition and the town's action upon it :
Petition.
To the selectmen of the town of Bedford, Gentlemen :
We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Bedford, hereby wish you to call a meeting of the inhabitants of said town, and insert in the warrant therefor the following article. To see if the town will vote that Mr. McGregore should preach one-fourth part of the time in the westerly part of said town, or transact any busi- ness relative to his preaching in that part of the town.
Samuel Roby, Nathaniel Baldwin, Joseph Sprague, Benjamin Sprague,
Moses Dennis, David Sprague, Nehemiah Kittredge, Benjamin Sprague, Jun., Alex. Caldwell,
A true record Attest PHINEAS AIKEN Town Clerk.
This petition was denied at the next town-meeting, but this vote was passed in its place :
.
304
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
Voted that all who live in that part of the town heretofore peti- tioned to be disannexed shall have their proportion of Mr. Mc- Gregor's salary preached in the Westerly part of the town, if they desire it.
In 1818 there was more than the ordinary attention to religion, and on Sabbath, May 31st of that year, fourteen persons were ad- mitted to the church.
Mr. McGregore's ministry was not, however, perfectly satisfactory, for the following draft of a letter to him is extant, and although it has no signers and no date, seems to have been very carefully made up, and to be the expression of the opinion of responsible men. The criticisms offered to the reverend gentleman's sermons and conduct sound strangely now, but carry a certain air of truth about them which would argue that the church attendants in Bedford at that time had more real interest in and knowledge of theology than they have now.
Rev & dear Sir,
The object of the Town meeting lately holden, is undoubtedly known to you. Certain individuals are to be found among us, who would willingly sever the relation that subsists between you and this people, and thereby, we fear, deprive the Town of the blessings of the Gospel. To every effort of this nature we have thought our duty to give our united difent, Desirous that a preached Gospel may be continued among us and that every obstacle, that impedes your use- fulnefs may be removed, we have thought it a duty affectionately to remind you of several things, which, in our opinion, tend to dimin- ish your usefulnefs among the people of your charge. We shall not state them as articles of charge against you but only mention them, hoping and believing you will cheerfully do every thing in your power speedily to remove them out of the way.
The first and principal thing we would mention is too much atten- tion to worldly concerns. When you took the oversight of this Flock we did expect you would give attention to redding, to ex- hortation, to doctrine, that you would not neglect the gift that was in thee, but that you would give yourself wholly unto them that your profiting might appear to all. But in this reasonable expectation we have been in a measure disappointed. Farming, building, manufac- turing and litigation have in turn engrofsed your attention and, we think, led off your mind from the spiritual concerns of your Flock. When the mind is placed on worldly things vital religion is easily pafsed over in conversation, for subjects better suited to the taste and inclination. From this cause, we fear, when you have visited your people, your conversation has been more about their temporal than their spiritual concerns. Have you made it a point in your pastoral visits, (which have been to unfrequent) to inquire into the
305
MINISTRY.
individual state of your hearers, and persuade them to become recon- ciled to God? Has their salvation at such seasons been uppermost in your mind, and have your conversation and intercourse with them been calculated to promote so desirable an object? We trust you will not say it is other persons businefs to introduce religious conver- sation. Ministers are especially enjoined to be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Pious people, Sir, have been often grieved to find your time and conversation so much taken up in worldly things, and have often spoken on the subject to each other, but perhaps have been to neg- lectful of mentioning the subject to you. The enemy, Sir, alledge these things against you. They say you have broken your contract in these particulars and we must confefs to you when we hear these things we hardly know what to reply.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.