History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 41

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

USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 41

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).

1 By W. A. Fergusson.

334

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

In November, 1839, a missionary meeting was held, and the meeting-house crowded with a most attentive audience. Rev. Messrs Bird and Smith, who had passed many years in the Holy Land, gave addresses, and a sermon was preached by Rev. Leander Thompson, who was on the eve of departure for Syria as a missionary. The next day Mr Thompson and Ann Eliza Avery were married. About this time the records mention the case of Mrs Mary Piper, who was baptized and joined the church at the age of eighty-six years. Dr Blake's ministry was full of interest from first to last. From 1838 to 1842, sixty-one members were added. The next pastor was Rev. Jeffries Hall. He combined the labors of pastor with those of instructor in the academy. He began at once to work for a new church edifice, traveled in Massachusetts solic- iting aid, and was successful. The church was dedicated January 26, 1847. Mr Hall was strongly orthodox, and had it specified in the deed that the edifice should never be used except by the Congregational order on penalty of for- feiting the entire property. He became acting pastor in 1843, and held that relation eight years. Rev. Nelson Barbour was installed June 16, 1852, and remained till November 27, 1854. Rev. George W. Campbell was here for a time, from May 20, 1855. Rev. Sumner Clark became acting pastor in June, 1856. After three years he went away, but returned in 1864, and preached for four years. During his pastorate twenty-eight members were added. Rev. John Wood filled the pulpit between the pastorates of Mr Clark, and after this resided here for some years as agent of the American Traet Society. From July, 1868, Rev. Leander Thompson, who had given up missionary labor by reason of ill-health, supplied the pulpit for one year. Rev. Thomas A. Emerson began his ministry November 25, 1869, and closed his pastorate May 14, 1873. During his stay, the meeting-house was refitted, furnished anew, and rededicated August 4, 1872. Resolutions are spread upon the records, tendering thanks to L. C. Edgerly, of Boston, for his present of a communion table ; Mrs Charles Rollins, for an " elegant" communion service ; William P'. Libbey, of Brooklyn, N. Y., for a Bible ; Joseph W. Whitten, of Boston, for " our beautiful pulpit chair and other favors." Rev. Robert B. Hall was ordained November 13, 1873, and remained two years. Rev. George H. Tilton was acting pastor from January 1, 1876, to July 1, 1877. We are indebted to an historical sketch of the church prepared by him for most of the data in the preparation of this church history. Mr Tilton further says : -

But a history of this church would hardly be complete without mention of Deacons Rust and Ayers, who were for many years its chief pillars. Thomas Rust was born November 27, 1798, at South Wolfeborough. He was converted in 1834, and continued steadfast in the faith. For more than forty years he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school, and deacon from 1834. During the intervals when the church was destitute of a pastor, he has uniformly taken the lead. Joshua P. Ayers was born at Wolfeborough Neck, November 4, 1815; was converted when twenty-one; was chosen deacon in 18-13, and though residing three miles away

335

TOWN OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

for many years, he was a constant attendant upon Sabbath services, and was often present at prayer-meetings, even in stormy days when those who lived near by would not venture out. After removing to the village he could always be depended upon. His religion was his meat and drink ; the prayer-meeting was his Bethel. He died August 13, 1875.

Rev. Henry Ketchum was acting pastor from January 1, 1878, to July, 1879. Rev. George W. Christie commenced pastoral work January 1, 1880, was installed June 4, 1880, and dismissed by council May 28, 1883. Rev. Joseph A. Tomlinson preached from January, 1884, to November. During his service, June 17, 1884, was observed with appropriate exercises "the semi- centennial anniversary " of the church. Two of the twelve original members were then living, Miss Amy W. Connor and George B. Farrar. Rev. Theo- dore C. Jerome was installed June 17, 1885; his pastorate was abruptly terminated by his death, May 28, 1886, and the pulpit was supplied for some months by Mr Tomlinson. The present clergyman, Rev. Edgar F. Davis, began his pastorate January 1, 1888. He is a man of great originality, good reasoning powers, and in and out of the church makes friends.

The church membership (April, 1889) is about eighty. The officers are Charles F. Parker and Dr. N. H. Scott, deacons ; Mary E. Hersey and Mrs Sarah Clark, deaconesses ; Samuel Avery, clerk.

The Sabbath-school has about one hundred members. Charles F. Parker is superintendent ; Arthur E. Richardson, assistant; Everett N. Severance and Fred E. Meader, librarians ; May Hanson, secretary and treasurer; Rev. E. F. Davis, Arthur E. Richardson, F. H. Safford, Charles F. Parker, Mrs C. F. Parker, Mrs C. H. Hersey, Mrs C. H. Morgan, Mrs A. B. Phillips, Kate E. Parker, Nellie O. Hersey, teachers.

Mrs Fannie M. Newell, a member of this church, offered her services in missionary work in 1881 to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, was accepted, and assigned to Broosa, Turkey, as teacher in the girls' school. She sailed in June, 1882, from Boston. In 1885 she was transferred to Constantinople as city missionary. Before leaving Wolfe- borough she organized the "Newell Mission Circle " among the children. The circle has sent eighty dollars annually to be applied equally to her salary and to her mission work.

North Wolfeborough Church. - Previous to the formation of the church at Smith's bridge the Freewill Baptists and the Christian connection had each formed two or more churches and erected houses of worship. Missionaries of the Congregational denomination had preached in schoolhouses to accom- modate the different sections of the town. But at the Bridge a village had been forming, and the teachers of the academy held public worship in that building. This continued through Rev. Mr Blake's ministry. Meantime, North Wolfeborough (Dimon's Corner), six miles from the Bridge, attracted Mr Blake's attention, and in connection with licentiates from Gilmanton

336

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Theological Seminary and two Methodist preachers, he commenced a protracted meeting April 6, 1839. Thirty persons were converted, and Robert Fuller, one of the licentiates, was engaged by them to preach two thirds of the time for a year.

June 13, 1839, the Congregationalist Church in North Wolfeborough was organized by a council composed of Rev. John S. Winter and Deacon Daniel Smith, of the church in Ossipee; Rev. Joshua Dodge, from the church in Moultonborough : Rev. Nathaniel Barker, from the church in Wakefield ; Rev. S. H. Merrill, from the church in Centre Harbor; Rev. Giles Leach and Mr James Fullerton, from Sandwich ; Deacon Thomas Rust and Deacon John Fox, from Wolfeborough Bridge. November 13, 1839, Thomas J. Tibbetts and Richard Bickford were chosen deacons. September 24, 1843, Rev. J. Doldt was installed as pastor of the church. November 29, 1848, his pastoral relation ceased. November, 1850, Rev. Stephen Merrill, a native of Conway, commenced his ministrations over this church, and continued until his death in June, 1860. Rev. Horace Wood was here from June, 1863, until 1866, preaching one half of the time. Since then the church has not had a resident pastor, but has had preaching a portion of each year by theological students. Thomas L. Whitton has served as deacon.

First Freewill Baptist Church. - A Baptist church was formed by Elder Randall October 19, 1792, at the house of William Rogers, and John Snell was baptized, becoming the eighth member. The church then adopted this

COVENANT. - We whose names are here underwritten, feeling the spirit of adoption whereby we cry " Abba Father," though most unworthy, and by his grace having a fellowship with each other as brethren of one family and children of one Father, finding our souls knit together like David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi - believing it for the declarative glory of God, our Heavenly Father, that we should embody and walk in the ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ : do now, in this solemn manner, in the fear of God, calling on him for his aid and assistance, covenant together and promise, by grace, to walk in the ordinances and com- mands of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we do or shall understand. We will take the Scriptures of truth, which we believe to be an unerring rule, for the rule of our practice in our conversa- tion, dealing, and commerce; and if any of us are convicted of not walking according thereto, or of violating thereof, we shall be deemed disorderly, and be dealt with as such, as the aforesaid rule shall direct.

Isaac Townsend. John Snell.

Benjamin Libbey. Thomas Chase.

William Rust. Experience Townsend.

Jesse Whitten. Tabitha Chase.

October 25 a council of ordination composed of Elders Benjamin Randall, Samuel Weeks, Joseph Boodey, and John Whitney ordained Isaac Townsend as its minister. Boodey made the ordaining prayer and extended the right hand of fellowship. Weeks preached the sermon, and Randall gave the charge.

337

TOWN OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

The next month William Lneas and Mary Rogers joined this church. Among those who united with this organization during the next decade, or a little later, were Israel Piper, Mrs Lucas, Isaac Jones, Polly Jones, Stephen Fall, Jonathan Brown, Lydia Allard, Thomas Cotton, Valentine Wormwood, Richard Marden, Neal Cate, Reuben Daniels, Hannah Whitten, Susannah Rust, Jane Cate, Charlotte Clark, Dolly Willey, Sally Willey, Mary Hawkins, Betsey Wormwood, Josiah Willey, Thomas Frost, James Grant, Joseph Grant, Ebenezer Kent, Edward Dow, and Thomas Hawkins. October 28, 1833, seventeen members, residing in the northeastern part of the town, separated themselves from this church to form the Second Freewill Baptist Church. This left the old church with fifty-five members, which, by 1843, had risen to a membership of one hundred and twenty. It now (1889) numbers seventy- two members.

Rev. Isaac Townsend was pastor about forty years, until old age incapac- itated him for the duties. His successors were Hiram Holmes, John Chiek, Enoch T. Prescott, Oliver Butler, Cumins Paris, Tobias Foss, Uriah Chase, Elbridge G. York, H. F. Diekey, G. C. Andrews, A. D. Fairbanks, Daniel C. Wheeler, Ira Emery, C. L. Plummer, Henry B. Huntoon, and Lincoln Given, the present pastor.

The Sunday-school has for its superintendent Israel B. Manning ; assistant, Jasper H. Warren ; librarian, Bert W. Parker; teachers, B. F. Parker, A. M. C'ate, A. S. Libbey, E. J. Remiek, Helen M. Warren, Lydia F. Remiek, Mary Smith, Abbie Libbey, Harriet B. Parker. Number of scholars, one hundred.

The following elergymen have been members of this church : John L. Cooley, Stephen Coffin, James J. Wentworth, William K. Lucas, Moses Hanson, J. F. Locke, and J. M. Brewster. Lucas and Brewster were natives of the town. Mr Brewster was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and for some years assistant editor of The Morning Star, the leading newspaper of the Free Baptist denomination. Lorenzo S. Coffin, a son of Stephen Coffin, is a preacher in Iowa. The deacons have been Thomas Cotton, Valentine Worm- wood, Pelatiah Lord, Hamilton Locke, Benjamin F. Parker, Samuel W. Teth- erly ; and the elerks, Isaac Townsend, William Lucas, Israel Piper, Neal Cate, Hiram Holmes, Hamilton Loeke, and B. F. Parker.

Rev. Isaac Townsend, born in Newmarket, December 18, 1756, died in Wolfeborough, August 30, 1846. Early left an orphan, when sixteen he apprenticed himself to a tanner and served five years ; then shipped on a privateer, which was captured five days later, and was a prisoner in Halifax for some months. About 1790 he came to Wolfeborough, and after his ordina- tion was a public preacher for many years. He was an acceptable minister, an earnest Christian, and an industrious citizen, acquiring considerable property by his own labor. This he left to religious and benevolent causes.

Deacon Benjamin Franklin Parker, son of Samuel G. and Sarah T. (Kelley)

338

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Parker, was born in Stratham, April 21, 1817, and is of the Massachusetts Parker family. He came to Wolfeborough in 1831, attended the old academy in its palmy days, and was a schoolmate of Henry Wilson. He began teaching when nineteen : taught in this town, Alton, Brookfield, and Tuftonborough, and was a popular teacher. In 1848 he commenced merchandising, and con- tinued until 1888. Originally a Free-soil Democrat, he has affiliated with the Republicans for many years, but his pronounced temperance views have caused him to take an active place in the ranks of the Prohibitionists. He has been moderator and selectman, and assistant clerk of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. A member of the Free Baptist Church for many years, he has been a deacon for half a century. He is a straightforward, honest man, and active in all reform measures. The people of Wolfeborough owe him a debt of gratitude for his painstaking researches in its history. - EDITOR.

The Second Freewill Baptist Church was organized in 1834 with fifteen members. In 1845 it numbered seventy members and now has twenty. The population of the locality has much lessened within the last forty years. Its first pastor was Hiram Holmes. William K. Lucas served in that capacity many years. Several ministers have preached for the church, but have not been pastors. Its deacons have been Valentine Wormwood, Thomas Cotton, Thomas Cotton, 2d, Timothy Y. Cotton, and George H. Gage. The two last named are now acting officers.

For more than ninety years a portion of a Methodist society has worshiped in the easterly part of the town, with members of the same faith in Brookfield living near the line. Decrease of the population in that section has materially lessened the number of its members.

First Christian Church. - For several years previous to 1812 Elder Mark Fernald, of Kittery, Maine, a "Christian," had preached considerably in Wolfeborough. He was quite popular with the people, and had a controlling religious influence in the town. January 3, 1812, he organized a church, which is known as the First Christian Church in Wolfeborough. Its members at organization were George Yeaton, Levi Mason, Polly Clifford, Eleanor Rust, Betsey Keay, and Hannah Doe. There were soon added to the membership Bradstreet Doe, Sally Pinkham, Nathaniel Rust, Martha Thurston, Pamelia Welch, Elisabeth Banfield, Joseph Leavitt, Phebe Leavitt, William Cate, Betsey Cate, Abigail Tibbetts, Sarah Ann Dealing, and Mary F. Warren. Elder Fernald visited the church annually, frequently several times in a year, and retained his pastoral relations until 1838, when he was succeeded by John T. G. Colby. In 1858 Mr Colby was succeeded in the pastorate by Thomas Bartlett. The pastors since then have been : Seth Hinckley, William H. Nason, James Rowell, Samuel B. Bowditch, C. P. Smith, and Lewis Phillips. The deacons have been Nathaniel Rust, John Folsom, and David Blake. In

339 -

TOWN OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the spring of 1840 a remarkable religious interest prevailed in the church and society. On the third day of May thirty-six persons received the rite of baptism. In 1844 ten persons left the church, assigning these reasons : "First, we consider all the nominal churches Babylon, and are commanded to come out (see Rev. 28: 4) ; secondly, we view ourselves as unequally yoked together with unbelievers, and that the time has arrived for these bonds to be broken (see 2 Cor. 6 : 14-17) ; thirdly, we believe that on the tenth day of the seventh month, which is either the twenty-second or twenty-third of October, that this world will be on fire, and Babylon will be destroyed." There have been 276 persons connected with the church, and its members now number 102. The Sabbath-school numbers sixty; George P. Gridley is superintendent. Joseph Banfield, a member of this church, became a preacher.

The Second Christian Church was organized January 10, 1822, at the house of John Burley, of Ossipee, by Elder Mark Fernald. It was declared to be "a church of Christ, with no other covenant than the name of Christ, His Spirit and word to unite and keep," of the society called "Christians." Its members resided in the west part of Ossipee and the east part of Wolfe- borough. They were Benjamin Prebble, George Stevens, Valentine Willey, Polly Prebble, Sally Hyde, Peggy Hyde, Betsey Smith, Abigail Willey, Catharine Tibbetts, Jemima Triggs. A few months later John Chamberlain, Dudley Chamberlain, Stephen Burke, Joanna Chamberlain, Abigail Chamber- lain, and Hannah Burke united with the church. Elder Fernald remained pastor for a few years, and was succeeded by Joseph Banfield, who, about 1830, left the denomination and the town. John T. G. Colby took his place and was pastor for some years. The last pastor was Rev. Daniel Wiggin, of Tuftonborough. Its deacons have been Valentine Willey, Mark A. Young, and Frank Kenney. Mr Willey acted as deacon for about half a century. In 1830 it had about sixty members.

Second Adventists. - This society holds meetings every Sabbath in Central Block.

A Sabbath-school is kept up at South Wolfeborough, with Miss Eliza Rust as superintendent. There is one at East Wolfeborough, Mrs T. Y. Cotton, superintendent. Centre Wolfeborough Sabbath-school is now held at Pine Hill schoolhouse, C. H. Tibbetts, superintendent.

First Unitarian Society. - The address of Charles H. Parker at the dedica- tion of the beautiful church edifice of the Unitarian Society gives in a graphic and concise form the growth of liberalism here, and the development and formation of the Unitarian organization. As such it is well worthy a place.

MORE or less of liberal Christian sentiment has existed in this town for many years. For quite a number of years we had a small society of Univer-

340

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

salists ; among its adherents were some of the most intelligent and substantial citizens ; their numbers, however, were small, and they had only an occasional service. The association, I think, has ceased to exist. Other denominations have. perhaps unconsciously, sown more or less liberal seed. Many of the Christian denomination, so called, which prevails quite largely in this region, are moderately Unitarian in their views, to say the least. A large portion .of the Adventists, of whom there are many in this region, are in harmony with the liberal teachings to the extent that they regard the doctrine of endless torment of the wicked as " unscriptural and God dishonoring," and so teach. What are known as the strictly evangelical denominations, although adhering tenaciously to their creeds, for many years have less persistently urged upon the attention of the people the dogmas obnoxious to persons of liberal thought upon religious matters. The publication of sermons and speeches delivered by men of liberal thought and progressive ideas of all denominations in the city and other papers have unquestionably led to deeper thought and broader views upon religious subjects. Notwithstanding this general tendency toward a more liberal and enlarged view of the relation existing between God and man, and man and man, very little was known in this region of Unitarians or Unitari- anism, except by well-read people, until quite recently. Little more than a quarter of a century since a Unitarian clergyman from Boston or vicinity spent his summer vacation in the family of a leading member of the Free Bap- tist denomination. His manner and conversation, especially upon religious subjects, so pleased his landlord and family that he was invited to preach several discourses from the Free Baptist pulpit. His sermons were not of a doctrinal character, but tended to show that the Christian religion is applicable to everyday life and matters pertaining to this world. The people were pleased and instructed, and some of the seed thus sown bore fruit. These were probably the first sermons preached in town by a Unitarian minister. Some years since the Unitarians commenced holding grove meetings at Weirs. Communication by steamer between this place and that being very convenient, many of our people attended the meetings. To say that they were edified, instructed, and often surprised to hear sentiments so much in accord with their own that the remark was not unfrequently heard, " Well, if this is Unitarian- ism, then I am a Unitarian," is but to say the truth. Then arose the question whether it were not possible to have at least an occasional service at Wolfebor- ough. By invitation of the commander of the steamer, a man of liberal views by the way, Rev. Mr Powell, then pastor of the Unitarian church at Laconia, held service two Sabbaths in succession on the deck of the steamer. The con- gregations were not large, but the excellent sermons were appreciated. In 1883 Rev. S. C. Beane and other Concord friends, and perhaps friends in other localities, became interested in the Wolfeborough movement. Mr Beane pre- vailed upon Rev. Mr Brown, of Charleston, S. C., to spend his summer vacation

341

TOWN OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

in this place, and hold services Sunday afternoons. Mainly through the influ- ence of Mr James S. Libbey, of New York, who was visiting friends in town, and who took much interest in the liberal movement, the Christian society kindly permitted the use of their church for these meetings. A portion of Mr Brown's discourses were of a doctrinal character, and were much enjoyed by those who listened. Rev. Mr Shippen, of Washington, D. C., spent a Sabbath in town, and by invitation of Mr Brown preached a very eloquent discourse upon "The School of Life." During the year 1884, service was held less frequently ; no convenient place could be obtained. We had, however, several discourses by Mr Brannegan, a student who was spending his vacation in a neighboring town, Rev. Mr Payne, of Manchester, and Hornbrook, of Newton, Mass. During the years 1885 and 1886, service was held nearly half of the Sundays. Rev. Mr Beane, as missionary of the Unitarian Association, having taken our interests somewhat under his care, supplied the desk quite a large portion of the time, and when not able to come himself, sent others. In this way, during these years, we had opportunity to listen to Rev. Messrs Williams, Mullet, Bradley, Moore, Gardner, Pratt, Reynolds, and perhaps others, of Boston ; Reverends Israel and Hosmer, of Salem; Sheaf, of Dover; Gilman, of Con- cord ; McDugall, of Rockland; St John, of Haverhill; Nickerson, of Exeter ; Pardee, of Laconia; Lefavor, of Williams College, and E. C. Smith, of Cam- bridge Divinity School, and others whose names I may have omitted. We can no longer, with any degree of propriety, plead ignorance of Unitarians or Unita- rianism. During these years our meetings have been held in an inconvenient hall up two flights of stairs, and we came to the conclusion, something more than a year since, that to make the movement a success in any degree we must have better accommodations.

Wolfeborough has a territory of thirty-six square miles, and a present population of not less than 2,500, with good prospect of a large increase in the near future. Previous to the organization of this society, there were in town two Congregationalist, two Free Baptist, two Christian, one Methodist, and one Advent society. Formerly there was a society of Friends and of Universal- ists, as before mentioned. There were seven church edifices. Only three of these societies have pastors and services the year round. The others have service a greater or less portion of the time. The question has naturally arisen in the minds of some, Why the necessity of another society and another church edifice ? Might not the people find ample accommodation already pro- vided ? In reply we have this to say: At least four fifths of the population reside upon the westerly side of the town. Here are located one society of each denomination, Methodists excepted. From the best information I can obtain, I learn that the average attendance upon public worship in the whole town should be set down at less than five hundred per Sabbath. Some well- informed people say the number will fall very much below these figures. But

342

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

suppose it to be as high as five hundred, what are we to say of the remaining two thousand ? A portion of them, no doubt, attend meetings more or less. But that a large majority of them are without a religious home there can be little doubt. The reason cannot be wholly from indifference to religious sub- jects. Many of these people do not find a genial home in the other societies.

In 1886 a society was organized in legal form to be known as the First Uni- tarian Society in Wolfeborough. Very little effort has been made to increase its membership, it being thought best to first secure a place convenient for worship. From present indications, we think we may hope to have, within a reasonable period, a strong and useful society. Whatever may be the outcome of this movement, we congratulate ourselves over the fact that it has neither been conceived nor prosecuted from any feeling of animosity toward existing denominations. It is not the outgrowth of any bickerings, heart-burnings, disappointments, personal or other quarrels in or with the other religious socie- ties. The First Unitarian Society is not here to tear down any good thing, but to help build up and improve, so far as they may be able, the moral and religious interests of the community ; to act in conjunction with others if they may, alone if they must.

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.

History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 41

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