History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 105

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124

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We profess a firm & cordial belief of the christian Religion as revealed in the holy scriptures, and we receive it in such view as is exhibited in the Confession of Faith received & approved in the congregational churches among us, purposing by the Grace of God, to regulate our whole lives by the Precepts of the Gospel.

We this day make a solemn dedication of ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, avouching him to be our God & Father, our Redeemer & Sanctified. We give ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ to cleave to him as the head of his people in the Covenant of Grace. We receive him in all his offices as Prophet, Priest & King, relying on his Grace to prepare us for his Kingdom of Glory. We acknowledge our obligation to glorify God in all our actions to live soberly righteously & godly, adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things, and particularly do we look on ourselves bound to honor God in all the duties of a church state, to conscientiously observe all the ordinances & institutions of the Gospel & we humbly rely on God in Christ for all needed assistance that we may keep the covenant of our God.

We solemnly engage to walk together as brethren in the faith in a holy obedience to the command of Christ as his Church. We enggage to attend the publick worship of God, to observe the sacrament of the new testament - to adhere to the Government of Christ's visible Kingdom as established in his Gospel, & to religiously observe all his institutions in communion with one another. We mutually promise to avoid all occasion of offence & whatever tends to disturb the peace & order of the Church. All this we promise as in the presence of God, in a humble dependance on the blood of Christ to cleanse us from all sin ; praying that the head of the Church would furnish all needful supplies of Grace, that we may acceptably perform whatsoever he has commanded while here; that hereafter we may be admitted to join the Church of the first born in Heaven. Amen.

This was signed by Timothy Walker, Martha Walker, Abiel Lovejoy, Anna Lovejoy, Thomas Russell, Sarah Russell, Richard Eastman, Abiah Eastman.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

First Minister. - Rev. Dr Porter was installed pastor of "The Church of Christ in Conway " October 28, 1778,1 and continued in this position until his death, November 10, 1836. His latest record on the church books was January 28, 1821; the last years of his life he was assisted by colleagues. Dr Porter was born in Topsfield, Mass., January 14, 1745, graduated from Harvard College in 1768, and was ordained at New Durham and did minis- terial work there for some years. During the Revolution he was chaplain in the continental army when it was encamped around Boston. During his pastorate here his days were occupied with hard labor on his farm, and at night he wrote his sermons, often by the light of pitch-wood, and he endured great privations. Dr Porter was a man with such a well-balanced mind that religious controversies or discussions never disturbed the even tenor of his way or belief. One hundred and six were gathered into the church during his ministry, and three hundred and forty-five were baptized. " His knowledge of the Seriptures and his power of illustrating a subject from facts therein recorded was seldom equaled. He did not aim to excite the passions, but reach the heart and consciences of men by convincing the understanding."

May 28, 1812. The church voted to have ordinance of the Lord's Supper administered six times a year, alternately at each of the meeting-houses. July 15, 1813. Voted to choose a committee to inquire into the instruction and education of baptized children of the church and see that they are taught the principles of religion and what progress they make, and to that purpose visit the several districts and homes where such children are, once in every quarter of the year. Deacon Barnet Walker, Deacon Jonathan Eastman, John Bradbury, and Thomas Russell were chosen.

March 18, 1824. Voted unanimously to give a call to Benjamin Glazier Willey. This call was accepted, and Rev. Mr Willey was ordained associate pastor May 26, 1824, and continued his labors until 1832. During his ministry there were forty-seven additions and forty-two baptisms. He died in Sumner, Maine, April 17, 1867, aged seventy-one years. He was a member of the National Council in Boston, June, 1865, from the Oxford Conference. Mr Willey was born in Conway, February 11, 1796, and was the author of "Ineidents in White Mountain History," one of the most authentic and readable histories of this section. He was early and deeply interested in education. It is said of him "that he was good as a preacher, better as a pastor, and best as a Christian and a man, and he left the world made better and purer by his influence, prayers, and blameless life."

The next pastor, Rev. Allen Gannett, was born at Tamworth, January 5, 1804, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1826: studied two years at

1 A centennial celebration of the settlement of Rev. Dr Porter was held October 28, 1878.

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Andover Theological Seminary, was ordained at Conway, January 20, 1836, having previously acted as a supply for about three years, and here continued till June 22, 1838. From Mr Willey's retirement to Mr Gannett's there were forty-eight additions. Mr Gannett died at Edgartown, Mass., May 17, 1881. Rev. Mr Gannett was the son of Deacon Matthew and Priscilla (Hayford) Gannett, of Tamworth. He had a decided taste for literature, and wrote and read before literary eireles essays on English writers which evinced fine powers of discriminating analysis. There are those who remember some exceedingly fine essays which he wrote upon scriptural topies and read before his association. " A royal Christian gentleman, without guile, full of wit and good humor, with a pleasant word for all, the transparent purity and goodness of his character attracted the confidence and affection of the best men and women."

From June 22, 1838, to June, 1839, the church was without a settled minister. The fourth pastor was Rev. John Wilde, born in Dorchester, Mass., June, 1803; educated at Phillips Academy (Andover), Middlebury College in 1827, and Andover Theological Seminary in 1831; ordained at Groton, Mass., June 10, 1832, installed at Conway June 12, 1839, and dismissed April 15, 1845. During his ministry many weekday meetings for devotion and business were held, chiefly at private houses, and Mr Wilde was present to expound the Scriptures, preach, sing, and pray. The confession of faith now in use by the church was drawn up by a committee of which he was a member, and adopted. The church was quiekened by a faithful attention to gospel discipline and by the addition of twenty-three new members. The present church rules came into force while Mr Wilde was pastor. Mr Wilde's sermons were elear and logical, pungent, and often contained passages of great poetical beauty. He was a fine classical scholar, and endowed with commanding talents. His death occurred at Alexandria, Va, February 10, 1868. The next pastor was Rev. Samuel S. Tappan, installed July 11, 1849, dismissed July 6, 1852. No additions made to the church.

The Rev. Reuben Kimball came next as acting pastor. Mr Kimball was born in Warner, N. H., April 29, 1803, graduated from Gilmanton Theological Seminary in 1840, was ordained at Kittery Point, Maine, where he served nine years, January 27, 1841, then, after five years at Andover and Wilmot, N. H., began his labors in Conway February 1, 1856, and continued until March, 1869, when he resigned, his strength being insufficient for him to go on with the Master's work he loved so well. Mr Kimball was a man of simple faitli and devoted piety, an earnest and faithful worker in the Lord's vineyard. The distribution of Bibles occupied his last days. His ministry was peculiarly adapted to promote the spiritual edification of believers, and " his parish, under the shadow of the great mountains, was one of the high places of our American Zion." He kept a minute record of meetings, etc., and expended

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much time in collecting and recording sketches of his predecessors, which example Rev. Mr Davis is ably following. There were seventy-one gathered to the church while under his pastoral care. His last entry is in relation to the people of Conway : ---

" The people have been kind and lenient, bearing with my infirmities, supplying my wants, and succeeding in making these the most happy years of my life. That God would ever furnish this church with ministers, and bring into his blessed Kingdom all the present and future generations of Conway, is and will continue to be the sincere prayer of their late acting Pastor Reuben Kimball." His death occurred in North Conway, November 8, 1871.

The church next called Edward Payson Eastman, who was born in Conway, July 15, 1838, and is son of Deacon John L. Eastman. He had studied for. some terms at Bangor Theological Seminary. Mr Eastman served, without ordination, one year from March 1, 1869, and then returned to Bangor and completed his studies with the class of 1871. He was ordained pastor April 20, 1871, and served till December 31, 1872, when he resigned to go to Wilton, Maine. There were thirteen additions. He is now pastor at South Bridgton, Maine.

Rev. S. Girard Norcross, born at Dixfield, Maine, January 21, 1834, educated at Bangor Theological Seminary, 1859, ordained at South Bridgton, Maine, October 11, 1859, came next. Mr Norcross began his acting pastorate June 15, 1872, and continued in office till his death, September 16, 1888, though he was unable to do all the work the last few years of his life. The additions to the first church were forty-eight and to the second, which contin- ued under Mr Norcross's care till the spring of 1888, about thirty. Mrs Clara Norcross died June 16, 1889. She was a laborer in the church of which her husband was pastor, and always took a deep interest in schools, and hardly a year passed that she did not teach either in classes or private school, and at the time of her death she was a member of the school board of Conway. She was an estimable lady, much loved and respected by all.

The present pastor, Rev. R. Henry Davis, born in Frederica, Del., August 28, 1844, graduated at Amherst College in 1868, and at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1871, ordained at Hiram, Maine, November 12, 1872, served as pastor at Granby, Mass., from January 1, 1875, to June 30, 1878, then for nine years was a missionary in Japan under the American Board of Com- missioners for Foreign Missions, and began his labors in Conway, January 1, 1888. He is an earnest, logical preacher of more than ordinary power. He is not merely scholastic, but keenly practical, and a worker whose labors bring substantial results. There have been twelve additions, and in January, 1889, the parsonage was deeded to the church. The Sabbath-school has had an attendance of one hundred and twenty-five different members the past year, J. Waldo Nash, superintendent.

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Deacons. - Abiel Lovejoy, chosen November 24, 1778, died in office, May 27, 1817. Abiathar Eastman, chosen October 27, 1803, died January 10, 1815. Barnet Walker and Jonathan Eastman, chosen May 28, 1812. Deacon Walker died August 20, 1837. Joseph Wilder, chosen January 3, 1840, died also in office, September, 1849. Deacon Jonathan Eastman continued in office till his death, May 11, 1868. John Langdon Eastman, chosen February 12, 1863, died March 28, 1885. Charles H. Eastman and Alpheus Furber were chosen in May, 1886, for two years, and by reelection are the present deacons.

Conway Church building, erected in 1826-27, has since that time been occu- pied regularly every Sabbath, sharing with the people of North Conway the ministrations of the Lord's servants ; and here for many years, from June, 1873, until 1887, they were blessed with the teachings of Rev. S. Girard Nor- cross, whose faithful labors and worthy example will ever be remembered. February 2, 1881, the members of the church residing at Conway Village became an independent branch of the "First Church in Christ," subject only to making stated reports to the whole church, and to receive and dismiss mem- bers. August 24, 1886, at an ecclesiastical council held in Conway, this branch of the church was recognized as an independent church, under the name of the "Second Church in Christ in Conway." Previous to this, the church building having been repaired and refurnished, on the nineteenth day of August, 1886, it was rededicated to the service of God. In the spring of 1887, John Wright Buckham, a graduate of Andover, was called to the pastorate of this church, and August 9 ordained pastor. There are forty-one members. The officers are : president, Rev. J. W. Buckham; clerk and treas- urer, H. Boardman Fifield ; standing committee, S. C. Hill, D. D. Jackson, S. A. Evans. There is also a flourishing Sabbath-school in connection with the church, with over a hundred members. Daniel D. Jackson is superintendent ; H. B. Fifield, assistant superintendent, secretary, and treasurer ; S. C. Hill, librarian. This Sabbath-school is especially active in good work, and has sustained two branch schools, one on the "West Side," with a membership of about forty under the leadership of H. B. Fifield; the other in Albany, where the pastor and others have gathered together a school of some thirty members. Rev. Mr Buckham is doing a good work outside of his own parish.

The First Meeting-house was built in 1773 by the town. It was located " as near the geographical centre of the town as it was supposed possible to place it, and in a portion of the town deemed eligible for a city, on the plains below Pine Hill and the Rattlesnake projection of the Green Hill range." But this location, after other settlements were made, did not seem to be the right one, and in a few years this first meeting-house (which had never been completed) was taken down and moved near the cemetery at Conway Centre, and here the Rev. Dr Porter commenced his long labors. The next house was erected 1793-95, on the hill between the cemetery and the McMillan House in North

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Conway. In 1826 another house was dedicated at Conway Village, to accom- modate those living in that part. This latter house, after repairs effected on two different occasions, is still used by the Second Congregational church. A fourth meeting-house, to take the place of the second, and to be used alternately with the third as the second had been used, was erected in 1855-56 just north of Mr Benjamin Champney's studio. These three latter houses were all built and owned by proprietors or pew-holders. In the summer of 1880 Mr Reed, of Bath, Maine, gave one hundred dollars to the Congregationalists toward a house of worship in North Conway. This gift served as a nucleus and a stim- ulus, and from time to time other contributions were made, among them a munificent one by Rev. and Mrs Daniel Merriman, D.D., of Worcester, Mass., and Mrs Bigelow. August 23, 1884, one of the prettiest churches this side of Boston was completed and dedicated. Rev. S. G. Norcross and family were great laborers in this worthy enterprise, and it was largely through their endeavors that this result was accomplished. The building cost about ten thou- sand dollars, and was built by voluntary contributions. It is the fifth house of this denomination erected in Conway. The church is of medieval Gothic archi- tecture, and is an ornament to the village. The colors of the outside and tints of the inside walls are all varieties of terra cottas from the russet of the vestry to the dark brick-red of the roof. The main audience-room has seats for four hundred people, and fifty can be seated in the gallery. The communion table occupies a recess in the centre of the platform, and the pulpit is at one end. The vestry, used for prayer-meetings, Sabbath-school, and sociables, can be con- nected with the main room. The ladies' parlor has an open fireplace, and there are kitchens, pantry, etc.

Baptist Church. - In the early days the town built the meeting-house, hired the minister, and every freeholder was taxed for his part of the minister's salary, which they were obliged to pay unless they could prove that they paid toward the support of a minister of another denomination. The town church usually called a clergyman of the Congregational faith. This protest will show that independence in religious thought early existed in Conway : -

Gentlemen Seleetmen of Conway Know ye that I Thomas Densmore of Conway aforesaid haveing on the twentieth day of Jenuary one thousand Seven hundred and ninety five Arrived to the age of twenty one years do hereby esteem it as a Priviledge as well as a duty inde- pendent of any human coersion prerogative whatever, to make choise of that Religious Persuasion which is most agreeably to my own Conscience, and acording to my aprehention the most Consistant with Divine Revelation, for the worship of the Supreme Being Do hereby acknowledge and Conscienciously belive the Denomination called Baptist, to be the right and most Evangelical method of worshiping the Father, in Spirit and in truth. And hereby dissent from all Persuasions and Denominations in Religion of what kind or Establishment Soever thay may pretend to be of; Except that of the order and Establishment of the Bap- tists, and do in consequence thereof acknowledge my Self as one of that Society in full belief of the Rectitude of that Persuasion and the purity of its practise. And do also from a Consciencious principle deny and utterly refuse to Contribute by way of Compulsive

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taxation to the Suppourt and maintainance of any other order persuasion or establishment whatever in witness thereof I have hereunto Set my hand this Eighteenth day of April 1795. Thomas Densmore.

John Thompson gave in a similar protest April 23, 1795. Isaac Chase and Enoch Merrill also rendered a protest soon after. July 4, the same year, Austin George makes his religious opinions known to the public in like manner. Amos Merrill and Captain John Chase also certify that "they have given themselves as members of the society of that Branch of the Baptist Church of Christ in Sandwich belonging to Eaton, and do Support the Preaching of the Gospel hear to our Sattisfaction."

The organization of the Baptist Church was at the house of Samuel Willey, August 26, 1796. At this meeting it was " voted the brethren to be a distinct Church of Christ." At a church meeting holden at the dwelling- house of brother Samuel Willey in Conway, 28th day of August, 1796, voted, " Brother Elijah Densmore sent Moderator; Samuel Willey, clerk ; brother Amos Merrill, Deacon." October 19, 1796, Richard R. Smith was ordained minister by a council held at the house of brother Elijah Densmore, Senior. A farm was purchased for Elder Smith, the place now occupied by Frank Allard. Elder Smith remained only about two years, and the farm was redeemed by the church.

Conway, May 6, 1800. " The Inhabitants of Conway voted to exempt the Baptists from all the Minister tax that now stands against them provided the sd Baptists Petition the General Court the next Session to be Incorporated into a Separate Society and that the town will give their Approbation."

Petition of the Baptists for Incorporation. To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Convened at Concord in June A.D. 1800 Humbly sheweth your Petitioners; that we formed ourselves into a society in the year 1794 by the name of the Baptist society in Conway, and have ever since been in regular standing in the Baptist Meredith Association : and laboring under many difficulties for want of an Incorporation - We therefore Humbly pray your Honors to take our case into your wise consideration, and grant us an Incorporation by the name of the Baptist Society in Conway, and we your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. Elijah Densmore, Elijah Densmore Jun, Stephen Densmore, Thomas Densmore, John Densmore, James Daniels, Hezekiah Randel, Amos Merrill, Hubbard C. Harriman, Phillip Hariman, John Hariman, Isaac Chase, Thomas King, Thos Merrill, William Knox, Moses Harriman, Solomon Thompson, John Hart, Jonathan Runels, Thom F. Odell, Samuel Bickford, Samuel Knox, Daniel Burrows, William Brotton, Enoch Merrill Jr, John Hariman. Conway May 23, 1800.

November 10, 1800, Noah Eastman and Leavit Hill, selectmen, certify to the General Court " That the Majority of the town is in favor of the incorpora- tion Prayd for in said Petition." November 25, the petition was granted, and the Baptist Society incorporated by an act approved December 10, 1800.

September 5, 1799, Elder Roswell Mears became pastor, and resided on the

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" parsonage farm." May 6, 1802. Voted to grant the request of Eaton church for Elder Mears to preach with them half of the time for six months ; also, to hold the meetings on the Lord's Days at Brother J. Densmore's through the ensuing suminer. From a bill rendered for services on the "parsonage house " we take the names of Deacon E. Densmore, Elijah Densmore, Jr, Solomon Densmore, Thomas Densmore, Deacon Amos Merrill, Samuel Willey, E. L. Hall, Elder Mears, Miles Thompson, Phillip Harri- man, Thomas Merrill. June 2, 1803. Voted to hold the meetings one half the time at Captain John Hart's through the summer. August, 1804, made a request of the proprietors of the upper meeting-house for the use of the Association. Elder Mears was succeeded in the fall of 1807 by Elder Samuel Simmons, of Shapleigh, Maine. He was dismissed February 4, 1811. Ebenezer Bray was here in 1813 and was received as pastor, September 2, 1815. March 6, 1819, James Willey was chosen clerk. Elder Bray's pastorate ended in 1822 and the church records are discontinued.

Reorganization. - "In compliance with the request of the Baptists of Con- way, an ecclesiastical council convened at the academy in Conway, June 14, 1836, to organize the Baptist brethren and sisters into a church with these members : Deacon Amos Merrill, Lois Merrill, Samuel Willey, Elizabeth Willey, James Willey, Elijah Densmore, Lydia Densmore, Solomon Densmore, Gideon Randel, Thomas Quint, Nathaniel Gile, Sister N. Gile, Polly Thomp- son, Hannah Barnes, Betsey Eastman, Lydia Kenniston." At this council, this resolution was passed unanimously : -

Resolved, That we will not make use of ardent spirits only as a medicine, neither will we admit to our fellowship any who use ardent spirits as a drink. June 15, the church was organized according to the usages of the Baptist denomination.

1837, Angust 8. Stephen Willey was chosen deacon. This year Mrs Betsey Whitaker, now the oldest living member, joined the church. Her husband, Luther Whitaker, was made a member soon after. Luther Whitaker, James Willey, Deacon Stephen Willey, and Jonathan Thompson built the church in 1838. At the vendue of the pews, held November 14, 1838, enough was received to pay the cost of erecting the building. Previous to this, meetings had been held in dwellings, barns, and schoolhouses.

Elder Barzilla Pierce became pastor in 1842 and died November 27, 1845. Edwin W. Cressey succeeded him in May, 1846, and was dismissed in 1849. Benjamin G. Young was chosen deacon in 1843, and August 25, 1855, Ithamar Seavey was chosen deacon to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Deacon Stephen Willey. This year there were eleven dismissed from the church, two deaths, none added, leaving a membership of fifty-three. Rev. Caleb Brown came September 4, 1852, and was dismissed in 1854. The church, from its organization until 1854, enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. In 1861

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Thomas Quint was chosen deacon. Elijah F. Dinsmore was chosen deacon in 1863. In 1868, Fox Dinsmore and William Parsons appear as deacons. From November, 1865, until his death, May, 1866, Rev. William Baker did pastoral work here. Rev. J. Parker Chapin was sent here by the New Hampshire Baptist Convention, and commenced his services in January, 1867, and resigned January, 1872, on account of failing health. During his pastorate, November 10, 1869, the church was rededicated after extensive repairs. He was an energetic worker, a zealous and earnest minister. "If goodness be greatness, Bro. Chapin was a great man." Rev. W. H. Bigley preached for a few months. July 5, 1872, a call was accepted by Rev. William A. Depew, who was installed October 9, 1872. He resigned June 24, 1873. Rev. Mr Chapin and others preached until October, when Mr Chapin was unanimously invited to again become pastor, accepted the invitation, but was obliged to resign again in November, 1874, on account of failing health. Rev. D. Gage then supplied for a time. November 3, 1875, the Rev. Theodore C. Gleason was ordained. Levi Seavey, October 20, 1875, was chosen deacon. November 23, 1879, Mr Gleason closed his labors. January 25, 1880, Rev. George F. Pay received a call, and commenced his ministerial work in March, and continued until February 24, 1884. Rev. Hannibal M. Sawtelle began to preach in North Conway April 10, 1884, became pastor, and served until his death, September 11, 1887. He was born in Sidney, Maine, February 11, 1824; educated at Effingham Academy and Newton (Mass.) Theological Institution, was acting pastor at Freedom and Parsonsfield in 1859, and February 11, 1859, was ordained at Waterborough, Maine, where he remained eighteen years. His next pastorate was for six years at East Lebanon, Maine. "In all these churches his labors were crowned with success. He was a good preacher and a most faithful minister of Jesus Christ. As a man, he was above reproach or suspicion, and those who knew him best respected him most." He was a cousin of Rev. H. A. Sawtelle, D.D., Baptist missionary to China, who died in 1885. In August, 1889, Rev. William O. Ayer, of Everett, Mass., commenced his pastoral labors in this church.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 105

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co. Number of Pages: 1124

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124