USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Brookline > History of Brookline, formerly Raby, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire : with tables of family records and genealogies > Part 22
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
professions; and his affability, courteousness, and ability to readily adapt himself to his environments won their respect and esteem. Under his ministrations the church partially regained its weakened prestige, and for many years he was a tower of strength in the church and a power for good in the town.
May 2, 1848, Deacon Thomas Bennett presented the church with a communion service consisting of a tankard and four cups of Brittania ware; for which the church tendered him a vote of thanks.
In 1850, the harmonious relations which had hitherto existed be- tween the pastor and his people were disturbed by the happening of an event which, though insignificant in itself, had the immediate effect of dividing the society and church into two warring factions, and in the end resulted in Mr. Goodwin's withdrawing from his pastoral connections with them.
The trouble originated in an attempt on the part of Dr. Jonathan C. Shattuck to procure the construction of the southerly part of the highway which connects the village Main street with Milford street via the brow of the hill back of the Congregational meeting-house. In 1849-50, Dr. Shattuck purchased of the Congregational society a lot of land on the summit of said hill and erected thereon the dwelling house in which he afterwards made his home, the house being the same which, at the present time is owned and occupied by Albert T. Pierce. At the same time he constructed that part of the road in question which leads in a westerly direction from the house down the hill to Milford street.
Soon after the completion of his dwelling house, Dr. Shattuck be- came desirous of lengthening the road which he had already constructed by extending the same down the southerly side of the hill to Main street. To that end, he applied to the Congregational society which owned the land over which the contemplated extension would necessarily pass for a right of way by purchase of the same. Upon receipt of the Doctor's re- quest or proposition, both the society and church immediately divided into two factions, the members of one faction favoring, and those of the other opposing the same. The objections raised by those opposed to the project were that the construction of the contemplated road would injure the symmetry and beauty of the grove in the rear of the church and, by diminishing its size, diminish its utility as a place for holding out-door meetings, such as festivals and picnics, for which purpose it had long been in customary use.
Thus the trouble began. In the contention which followed, Mr. Goodwin took an active part, siding with those who favored the granting
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
of Dr. Shattuck's petition. Gradually, the entire body of the townspeople was drawn into the fray upon one side or the other. For several years matters went on in this way; the church meanwhile worshipping to- gether beneath the same roof, and both pastor and people in the perform- ance of their ordinary duties as Christians, conducting themselves toward each other with, at least, an appearance of harmony. But year after year the contention over the roadway grew fiercer and more bitter.
At last, from being a contention in which each party was at first disposed to discuss fairly and in a Christian-like spirit the matter in dis- pute, the discussion reached the point where passion and prejudice took the place of reason and Christian fellowship, and merged into a wordy war of personalities, in which the members of each faction exerted them- selves to vilify and abuse those of the other.
While matters were in this condition, the town authorities, acting upon a petition of some of the citizens, laid out and built the entire length of the road in question, in 1853, and the same was accepted as a public highway. It would seem as if this action on the part of the town relative to the roadway should have caused the ending of the dispute between the factions of the society and church. But it did not. On the contrary, it added to its intensity. The road, of course, was no longer a matter of con- tention. But there remained the fact that in the contention over it, Mr. Goodwin had taken sides with those who were in favor of its being built and, by his influence and counsel, aided them in bringing the affair to a result by which the opponents of the road felt that they had been grievously wronged.
This latter faction also argued that Mr. Goodwin, by acting as a partisan, had destroyed his usefulness as pastor of the church. Accord- ingly, they requested him to resign his pastorate.
Mr. Goodwin, who doubtless felt that he had acted in the matter conscientiously and for the best, declined to accede to the request of the majority and, in so doing, was supported by his friends.
Failing in their attempts to obtain Mr. Goodwin's resignation, the majority faction, at a meeting of the church on the 12th day of January, 1855, approached him with a proposition to call a council, ex parte or mutual, and refer the church difficulties to it for a settlement. Mr. Good- win declined to accept the proposition and, with his friends, withdrew from the meeting. After his departure the majority voted to call an ex parte council, and appointed Eldad Sawtell, James H. Hall and Levi Anderson as a committee of arrangements for the same. The committee attended to its duties, and in response to the call, Jan. 12, 1855, an ex
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
parte council consisting of pastors and delegates from the following named churches, Kirk Street Congregational Church, Lowell, Mass .; Congrega- tional Church, Amherst; Congregational Church, Francistown, and the Congregational Church at Lyndeboro, met in the new meeting-house- "For the purpose of hearing the grievances of said majority of the church with their pastor and advising them what to do in relation to their diffi- culties." Mr. Goodwin was present by invitation.
After deliberating over the matter at issue, the council united in advising the calling of a mutual council-"To investigate existing diffi- culties in the church and to advise respecting them, with authority to recommend the dissolution of the pastoral relations if in the judgment of the council it be deemed expedient." This recommendation was adopted by both factions of the church; which at the same time united in issuing a call for a mutual council.
May 2, 1855, the mutual council assembled in the new meeting- house. It was constituted as follows:
Congregational Church, Rindge,
Rev. A. W. Burnham, Deacon L. Goddard.
Olive Street Church,
Nashua, Rev. Austin Richards.
Congregational Church,
Milford,
Rev. E. N. Hidden.
Congregational Church,
Francestown, Rev. L. Taylor, Deacon Seville Taylor.
Congregational Church, Mason,
Rev. J. L. Arms, Thomas Wilson.
Mason Village, Rev. E. M. Kellogg,
Deacon Simeon Cragin.
Congregational Church,
Amherst,
Rev. J. G. Davis, D.D. Deacon B. B. David.
First Congregational Church, New Ipswich, Rev. Samuel Lee,
Second Congregational Church, New Ipswich,
Deacon James Davis. Rev. J. Ballard, Deacon Henry Adams.
Congregational Church, Hollis,
First Congregational Church,
Lowell,
Kirk Street Church, Lowell,
Rev. Amos Blanchard,
Deacon Sewell G. Mack.
Congregational Church,
Pepperell,
Deacon Oliver Scripture.
Rev. Linus Child.
Rev. Thomas Morey, N. Cutter.
Congregational Church,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Rev. Linus Child was elected moderator and Rev. Amos Blanchard, scribe.
Rev. B. F. Clark appeared as counsel for the aggrieved members of the church, and Rev. S. C. Bartlett appeared in behalf of the pastor and minority members. Both parties agreed to abide by the decision of the council, with the understanding that letters of dismission and recommen- dation to other churches should be granted to any who might desire them.
After hearing and considering the evidence submitted by each fac- tion in support of the charges and complaints by each made, the council unanimously reported, in substance, that the charges were unsustained; and, further-"That nothing has transpired prejudicial to the moral or ministerial character of Rev. Mr. Goodwin. That no complaint has been made of any want of ability or fidelity in preaching the gospel or in dis- charging his parochial duties-that nevertheless through a variety of causes a portion of the church have been so far alienated towards him as to render his withdrawal and removal to another sphere of labor probably conducive, in the judgment of the council, to his enjoyment and useful- ness."
"The council therefore bear testimony to his abundant self-denying and successful labors for the good of the people and, without advising him to ask for a dismission, they assure him, in the event of his deeming such a step to be expedient, of their cordial sympathy and esteem, and recommend him as an able and faithful minister of Christ."
The pastor and church then concurred in requesting the council to dissolve; which, with renewed expressions of respect and esteem for the pastor and people, and commending the latter to the care of the Great Shepherd, it proceeded to do.
From the date of the dissolution of the council, Mr. Goodwin's pas- toral connections with the church ceased.
Mr. Goodwin's withdrawal from his connection with the church was followed by the withdrawal from its membership of a majority of those who had been his friends and supporters; some of whom united with the church of the same denomination at Hollis, others with the church at Mason, and a few with the church at Dunstable, Mass. Others united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place, twelve being received into its membership in 1858.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
REV. DANIEL GOOD- WIN was born at London- derry, Jan. 25, 1809. He was a son of Joshua and Elizabetlı (Jones ) Goodwin. He prepared for college at Pinkerton Academy, gradu- ating in 1831. He was a graduate of Dartmouth Col- lege in the class of 1835, and of Andover Theologi- cal Seminary in 1838. In April, 1838, he was licensed to preach by tlie Andover Association. Feb. 25, 1839, he was ordained as pastor of tlie Congregational Church in Brookline, a position which he occupied for over sixteen consecutive years, REV. DANIEL GOODWIN he having resigned May 3, 1855. In 1855 he officiated as acting pastor over the church at Hills- borough Bridge, and in 1856 officiated in the same capacity over the churches in Londonderry and Derry. In 1857 he received a call from the Congregational Church in Mason and was installed there April 18, 1860, serving until April 23, 1878, when he was dismissed at his request. After his dismissal he continued to reside in Mason as a private citizen until the date of his death, which occurred Dec. 30, 1893.
Mr. Goodwin was scribe of the Hollis Association seventeen years. Many of his sermons and sketches were published, among which were the following: Sketch of the Church, Brookline, 1845-True Piety and its Reward-Funeral Sermon of David Harris, M. D., Brookline, Jan. 29, 1849-Funeral Sermon of Mrs. Abigail Hill, Mason, April 29, 1849- Sketches of Deceased Members of the Hollis Association, 1862-Sketches of Towns and Cities of Hillsborough County, in the History of New England, 1880.
Mr. Goodwin was thrice married. His first wife was Julia Ann, daughter of Eben and Lucy (Cross) Shute of Derry, to whom he was united in marriage, Feb. 12, 1839. She died at Brookline, Sept. 10, 1845. Aug. 24, 1846, he married Martha, daughter of Eli and Mary (McDonald)
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Boynton of Pepperell, Mass. She died in Mason, April 14, 1875. His third marriage was with Mrs. Lucy Jane Boynton, daughter of John and Susan (Jewett) Blood of Pepperell, Mass., Oct. 3, 1876. His last wife survived him, and at this date is residing in Pepperell, Mass.
During his residence in Brookline he was a member of the school board in 1840-41, 1844-45. In Mason he was town clerk, 1870-75; su- perintendent of schools, 1858, 1873-75 and 1884-85; member of the school board, 1889-90; justice of the peace, 1876-93; notary public, 1872-93; postmaster, 1869-78 and 1884-86. He represented Mason in the Legislature in 1885-86. He died at Mason, Dec. 30, 1893, aged 84 years, 11 months, and is buried in the village cemetery in that town.
The Pastorate of Rev. Theophilus Parsons Sawin.
Oct. 11, 1856, the church and society united in extending a call to the Rev. Theophilus P. Sawin, then in charge of the City Missionary Society of Manchester, to become their pastor. By the terms of the call Mr. Sawin was to receive a salary of six hundred dollars per annum and to be provided with a home suitable for himself and his family.
Mr. Sawin accepted the call, and was installed as pastor of the church and society Dec. 11, 1856.
The installing council comprised the following named pastors and delegates :
Amherst,
Pearl Street Church, Nashua,
Church in Hollis,
Church in Pepperell, Mass.,
Church in Francestown,
Franklin Street Church, Manchester,
Church in Milford,
S. B. Melendy, del. Rev. E. E. Adams. Mark W. Merrill, del.
Rev. Pliny B. Day. Noah Farley, del. Rev. Edward P. Smith,
Deacon A. J. Ames, del.
Rev. L. Taylor. Deacon Serville Starrett, del. S. Benton, del. Rev. E. N. Hidden. Rev. Humphrey Moore, D.D. Daniel Burns, Jr., del.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Order of Exercises.
Reading of Scriptures and prayer, Rev. Edward P. Smith.
Sermon,
Rev. E. E. Adams.
Installing Prayer,
Rev. L. Taylor.
Charge to the Pastor,
Rev. E. N. Hidden.
Right Hand of Fellowship,
Rev. L. Taylor.
Address to the People,
Rev. Pliny B. Day.
Closing Prayer,
Rev. Humphrey Moore.
Benediction,
Pastor.
Mr. Sawin entered upon the performance of his ministerial duties under more than ordinary discouraging circumstances. The church was weakened by the loss of nearly one-half of its members, who withdrew from its communion in 1855, and also by a corresponding diminution in the number of those who constituted its society membership. In addition to its loss in membership it was also considerably involved in debt. But the new pastor set himself energetically to work to remedy the situation. In his efforts to that end, he had the full and cordial support of the church and society. Under the combined efforts of pastor and people the church soon regained a great measure of its former prosperity; and, gradually, confidence in its future, which had been weakened by the recent unhappy episode in its history, was restored to its members, and at the close of Mr. Sawin's pastorship it had practically resumed its normal condition before the war.
After serving as the church's pastor for a period of nine years, four months and twenty-six days, on the 7th day of May, 1866, Mr. Sawin tendered his resignation; and at a council called to consider the same, on the 18th day of May, following, it was voted that it be accepted. He went from here to Manchester to engage in Home Mission work.
During Mr. Sawin's pastorate in Brookline the total increase in his church's membership was 48; of which number, eight were admitted by letter and 38 by profession of faith.
As a preacher and exponent of the gospel, Mr. Sawin never hesitated to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as he under- stood it. No one ever questioned the soundness of his theology. Yet, while earnest and explicit in expressing his own religious convictions, he was always mindful and respectful of the religious sentiments of those who differed from him. To this spirit of tolerance, combined with the evident sincerity of his belief in his own religious convictions, is, doubt-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
less, to be ascribed, under Providence, his success as a laborer in the Lord's vineyard in this place.
As a citizen, Mr. Sawin was popular and respected. He was frank and social in his nature, democratic in his ways, witty, and possessed of a large fund of humor which he used readily and aptly, as occasion demanded. For example: on one occasion, a citizen, an easy-going man about town, presented him with a fine string of brook trout which Mr. Sawin received with thanks. A day or two after the donor, meeting him on the street, asked him if he enjoyed the trout. "Very much indeed, they were excel- lent," replied Mr. Sawin. "Well, parson," said the citizen, "I forgot to tell you that they were caught on Sunday." "Very likely," came the quick response, "but that wasn't their fault."
REV. THEOPHILUS PARSONS SAWIN, son of Bela and Becca (Barber) Sawin, was born in Natick, Mass., Feb. 4, 1817. After passing through the public schools of Natick and Lynn, he succeeded in obtaining an academic education. Subsequently he taught in the public schools of Lynn; at the same time studying theology with Rev. Parsons Cooke, D. D. of that city. He was a graduate of An- dover Theological Seminary and was ordained to the ministry at Saugus, Mass., April 14, 1843. Soon after his ordination, Mr. Sawin REV. THEOPHILUS P. SAWIN was settled as pastor over the Congregational Church at Harwich, Mass., where he remained until 1851. In the latter year he severed his connection with the church in Harwich and removed to Manchester, N. H., where he officiated as city missionary until he was called to the church in Brookline, in 1856.
May 7, 1866, he resigned his pastorate here and returned to Man- chester, where, for the three years following his return, he occupied his former position as city missionary. Subsequently, and for various lengths
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
of time, he was pastor over the churches in Revere, Mass., Middleboro, Mass., and Lyndeborough, N. H., the latter church being his last charge. He died at Medford, Mass., Jan. 19, 1886, aged 68 years and 11 months.
His children: Theophilus Parsons Sawin, Jr., born Jan. 14, 1841; James Milton, born Jan. 27, 1842; Henry Chapin, born Aug. 22, 1843; Martha Anna, born 1845; Lura Sabrina, born Dec. 25, 1846; William Mason, born Aug. 10, 1849; Martha Ellen, born 1851.
Rev. Theophilus Parsons Sawin, Jr., died in Troy, N. Y., Nov. 13, 1906, after a pastorate of eighteen years in the First Presbyterian Church of that city; Henry Chapin Sawin died in Newton, Mass., April 28, 1905, after serving as principal of the Bigelow School in that city for thirty-one years, continuous service; James Milton Sawin resides in Providence, R. I., where he has been princiapl of the Elm-Point Street Grammar School since May 18, 1868, a period of forty years continuous service; Lura Sabrina now resides in Lynn, Mass., as a companion to a lady ; William Mason resides in Bedford, Mass., and is a manufacturer of brushes, and a merchant in Boston, Mass. The other two girls died in infancy.
Pastorate of Rev. John H. Manning.
The Rev. Mr. Sawin's pastorate was followed by that of Rev. John H. Manning. Mr. Manning was called by the church and society through their committee, James H. Hall, John Burge and Francis A. Peterson. The call fixed his salary at seven hundred and fifty dollars per annum and the free use of the pasonage. He accepted the call, and was ordained in the Congregational meeting-house March 6, 1867.
In the council of ordination the following churches were represented by their pastors and delegates:
Amherst,
First Church, Nashua,
South Church,
Rev. J. G. Davis, D.D. Francis Peabody. Rev. E. C. Hooker. Virgil C. Gilman. Pepperell, Mass., Rev. S. L. Blake. Asher Blood. Andover, Mass., Rev. Charles Smith. Nathan P. Abbott. Milford, Rev. F. D. Ayre, A. C. Crosby.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Hollis, Rev. Pliny B. Day,
John Perkins.
Mount Vernon, Rev. B. M. Frink,
William H. Conant.
Mission Church,
Manchester, Rev. T. P. Sawin.
Order of Exercises.
Reading of Scriptures. Anthem by the Choir.
Invocation and Reading of Scriptures.
Rev. B. M. Frink. Rev. E. C. Hooker.
Prayer, Hymn.
Sermon,
Rev. Charles Smith.
Ordaining Prayer,
Rev. J. G. Davis.
Charge to Pastor,
Rev. P. B. Day, D.D.
Fellowship of Churches,
Rev. F. D. Ayre.
Charge to the People,
Rev. T. P. Sawin.
Prayer,
Rev. S. L. Blake.
Anthem.
Benediction,
Pastor.
Mr. Manning came to this church from Andover, Mass., his native place. He was educated in its public schools and Theological Seminary, of which latter institution he was a graduate. His ministry over the church in Brookline was very brief, extending over a period of only one and one-half years in duration. It was ended by his death after a brief illness, Aug. 19, 1868. His sudden demise was sincerely mourned by the citizens, who had learned to respect and esteem him as an honorable citizen and a faithful pastor.
On the records of the church, under the date of Aug. 19, 1868, is the following entry :
"Rev. John H. Manning died after an illness of about ten days of brain fever, aged about 44 years. His funeral was attended at the church on Friday, Aug. 21st, by a sad and sorrowing people.
The exercises were conducted by Rev. J. G. Davis, D. D., of Amherst, Rev. P. B. Day, D. D., of Hollis, and Rev. S. L. Blake, of Pepperell, Mass. His remains were on Saturday attended by liis family and a dele- gation of his people to Andover, Mass .; where, after further appropriate exercises, they were interred to await a blessed resurrection."
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
The Pastorate of Rev. Francis D. Sargent.
For about one year succeeding the death of the Rev. Mr. Manning the church remained without a pastor. Aug. 10, 1869, its members united in extending a call to Rev. Francis D. Sargent. By the terms of the call the salary was fixed at eight hundred dollars per annum, the free use of the parsonage and four or five Sunday vacations yearly. The committee of arrangements consisted of James H. Hall, John Burge and Amos Gould on part of the church, and William J. Smith, and J. Alonzo Hall in behalf of the society.
Mr. Sargent accepted the call and was ordained as pastor of the church, Oct. 20, 1869.
Council of Ordination.
Amherst Congregational Church,
East Wilton Congregational Church,
Milford Congregational Church
Rev. George E. Freeman,
R. D. Bennett, Del.
Rev. David Perry.
A. H. Wood, Del.
Rev. G. H. Morse.
Noah Ball, Del. Rev. George F. Merriam.
Elisha B. Barrett, Del.
Chelsea, Mass., "Winnese,"
Rev. A. H. Plumb.
Samuel D. Green, Del.
John D. Proctor, Del.
Rev. Seth H. Keeley,
Deacon William Conant, Del.
The council was organized by the election of Rev. J. G. Davis as moderator and Rev. George E. Freeman as scribe. The order of exercises of ordination was as follows:
Reading results of Council, Reading of Scriptures, Sermon,
Rev. George F. Merriam. Rev. G. H. Morse. Rev. A. H. Plumb.
Rev. J. G. Davis, D.D. Eli Sawtelle, Del.
Rev. D. E. Adams, Zebediah Abbott, Del.
Hollis Congregational Church,
Townsend Congregational Church,
Mason Village Congregational Church,
Nashua First Congregational Church, Mount Vernon Congregational Church,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Ordaining Prayer, Charge to Pastor, Right Hand of Fellowship, Address to the People,
Concluding Prayer by the Pastor of local M. E. Church,
Rev. J. G. Davis, D.D.
Rev. David Perry. Rev. D. E. Adams.
Rev. George E. Freeman.
Rev. Alonzo Draper. Pastor.
Benediction,
Mr. Sargent was a graduate in the class of 1866 of Amherst College, and also of Andover Theological Seminary; having graduated at the latter institution the same year in which he was ordained as pastor of the church in Brookline.
He entered upon his duties as pastor with the zeal and enthusiasm of one who had thoughtfully and prayerfully devoted himself to a life of labor in and love for the work to which he felt he had been called of God. He was welcomed by his church with a respect which soon ripened into esteem, and eventually quickened into love which never failed, but grew stronger and more abiding during the entire course of his ministry here.
Under his ministrations, the church and society enjoyed, perhaps, the highest degree of prosperity in its history. Peace and harmony prevailed in its councils, and year by year it grew in grace and in the knowledge of God.
During his pastorate the total increase in the membership of the church was ninety-six (96); of this number, seventy-three (73) joined on profession of faith, and twenty-three (23) were received by letter.
Jan. 5, 1871, the church voted to revise its articles of faith and cove- nant, and appointed as a committee or revision, Rev. Frank D. Sargent, Deacon John Peabody and Francis A. Peterson. The committee attended to its duties and the same year made a report, which was accepted by the church, in which it recommended the acceptance and adoption of revised articles of faith and covenant, which were adopted by the church, as follows:
Articles of Faith and Covenant, 1871.
"Art. I. We believe that there is one God, the Creator, and Pre- server of the universe, infinite in all natural and moral perfection.
"Art. II. We believe that the Scripture of the Old and New Testa- ments were given by the inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient rule of religious faith and practice.
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