History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 73

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

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This church has always contributed liberally to benevolent objects. Its members were stable Christian men and women. The society has a sinking fund of about $2,000. They also own a parsonage.

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TOWN OF OSSIPEE.

Rev. Thomas Lyford Ambrose was born in Ossipee, June 16, 1829. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College in 1856, passed a year at a theological school in New York, and entered Andover Theological Seminary, but, on account of failing health, left the class in 1858. His religious nature Inclined him to become a missionary. He was accepted by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and was ordained at Centre Ossipee, July 21, 1858, sailed September 2, 1858, and labored among the mountain Nestorians in Persia. For nearly three years he toiled unceasingly, endured privation, and suffered from exposure and fatigue. His labors were greater than his strength, and he returned to this country in November, 1861. It was his purpose to some time return to missionary ground. That he might be prepared to effectually labor for body as well as soul, he studied medicine. He was appointed chaplain of the Twelfth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, and was soon known as a hard worker, ready assistant, true sympathizer, and kind friend. At the bloody battle of Chancellorsville, while caring for his wounded colonel and others of his regiment in a house upon the field of battle, by the retreat of our forces he came under a severe fire. He was entreated to retire, and thus escape capture. This he would not do and leave the wounded men. He was retained by the enemy about two weeks. When his regiment was employed in the trenches in front of Petersburg, he was placed on duty in the hospital in the rear of the army. It was his custom to daily visit his regiment and care for the men. July 23, 1864, he was wounded by a rebel bullet while on this mission, and died in consequence. The Grand Army Post bears his name.

First Meeting-house. - The first definite action taken by this town in rela- tion to a building for religious services was in 1801, when the following article was inserted in the warning for a town-meeting, to be held at the house of Jacob Hayes, March 2: " To see if the Town will agree on any Plan to build a Meeting house, when it should be built and where it should sit." At an adjourned meeting held at the house of Jacob Brown, April 20, 1801, with Major Winthrop Smart as Moderator it was

Voted to accept one half-acre of Land out of the Lot that Aaron Patch sold to Samuel Quarles situate in Ossipee in the Northeast corner of said Lot to set a Meetinghouse on to be free and clear of all expence to the Town. . . . Voted that the above vote be recalled and to begin anew. . .. Voted to set the Meeting House on Mr Polands Land near his Barn provided it can be purchased within thirty days free of cost from the Town otherwise to set on Mr Quarles Land first mentioned Voted to chuse a Committee to be invested with Power to sell the Land given by the Proprietors for the use of a Meeting house and the priviledge of the Pews. . . . Voted to chuse a Committee to build a Meeting house 50 feet Long and 40 feet wide two Stories high provided they will finish said house in a decent manner for the priviledge of the Pews and the Land given by the Proprietors. . . . or agree with any person or Persons to do it in like manner within eighteen Months from the above Date. . . . William Burleigh Nath1 Ambrose Sam' Quarles Chosen Committee for the above Purpose. ... Voted that Phinehas Graves Samuel Smith Samuel Nutter be a Committee to inspect said Meeting House, whether it be done according to the above Vote or not.

Committee's Report .- The land for to set the meeting-house on was procured near Mr Polands barn, the place mentioned in the vote of the town, free of expence to the town, and some time in the fall of the year 1801 some of the Inhabitants erected a frame on the spot. Some time after one of the Committee Mr William Burleigh's decease, it was understood and be- lieved that Mr Jerediah Abbot was chosen to fill the place of Mr Burleigh in the Committee and a bond was made out in the name of Nathaniel Ambrose & Jerediah Abbot as committee of the town, bearing date April the fifth 1802, Signed by Jacob Brown & Samuel Quarles, con- ditions of which was to build and finish a meeting house agreably to vote or votes of the town of Ossipee. But as the committee did not deed the land given by the proprietors agre- ably to the vote of the town, the bond of course was not given to said committee. On the 12th day of April 1802 the pews were sold and according to the record made by Sanborn Blake Town Clerk amounted to 1359 dollars, the conditions of sale were one third to be paid in six months one third in twelve months and the remainder within eighteen months and all those who had done work &c about the frame were to be allowd in part or in whole for pay-

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

ment for a pew or pews. The work commenced on the meetinghouse in July 1802 and went on with spirit and dispatch so that on the last Monday of August of the same year they held a town meeting in it, and continued to occupy it for that purpose for many years In Oeto- ber 1802, the land deeded by the Proprietors to Jacob Brown & Joseph Fogg for the purpose of helping build a meeting house in Ossipee was sold for D351 .. c97 - in Goods.

From a report submitted by Moses Colby for the committee, at a legal meeting held in December, 1819, we are enabled to give the financial status of the "meeting house " at that time.

Your committee are further able to report what has been expended on said meeting house as it appear on the regular books kept by Samuel Quarles Esqr. one of the contractors and supported by vouchers, excepting, two hundred dollars expended by Captain Jacob Brown the whole amount expended on the meeting house appears to be 1473 dollars. . . . It appears that the Contractors have received for lands given to the Inhabitans of this town for aiding the building of a meetinghouse D351 .. c97. Also it appears the Contractors have sold pews and received pay for to the amount of D772 .. c30 making in the whole which the Contractors have received D1124 .. c97. It also appears that the Contractors have expended D348 .. c73 more than they have received. But there appears to be pews sold and not paid for Amounting to D586 .. c70 which if paid for would leave a ballance in the hands of the Contractors to the amount of D237 .. 097.

This report being accepted, they voted "the undertakers to build the meeting house colleet the pay for the pews as far as practicable and go on and finish the meeting house within one year. Mr John Wood was chosen in addition to the committee for inspecting the meetinghouse in the room of Phineas Graves deseased."

In 1822 measures were taken in order that the meeting-house should be given up to the town by the contractor's. For nearly twenty years the town had occupied the house as a town-house free from expense. A committee consisting of Charles Babb, Joseph Pitman, and Joel Furnald, on the ninth of April, 1822, reported "the town quitclaim unto Jacob Brown & Samuel Quarles all the right and title the town has or ever had to any land given by the proprietors towards aiding the building of a meeting house in the town also discharge the said Jacob Brown and Samuel Quarles from all liability and cost or charges for further fencing the meeting house lot. Jacob Brown and Samuel Quarles are to give up the deed of the lot to be for the use of the town for which they gave Josiah Poland a pew and fence the lot. They also are to give up and discharge to the town all their right, claim and demands more or less they hold against several persons for pews."

In March, 1823, the question of repairing as well as finishing the meeting- house was brought up. Although the building had been used as a town hall and as a church for so many years, while part was in an unfinished state, other parts needed repairing, and seventy-five dollars was voted by the selectmen to be " laid out on the outer side of the house ; " also, that "this meeting house is

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considered as a town house to do town business in." It was also voted that any person or persons shall have the right to all the debts due the town for pews, to all the pews belonging to the town, and all the privilege of building pews and selling them (except enough to pay the seventy-five dollars just voted), provided they should give sufficient sureties for the finishing of the inside of the meeting-house "in a decent manner " within one year. A further provision was made that they should not make or sell but one row of pews around the gallery nor have any right to build pews where seats were below, and free the town from any expense for fencing the meeting-house lot.

At the March meeting, 1839, voted, that the town relinquish their right to the old meeting-house to individuals, and at a special meeting held April 29, 1839, it was voted to accept the report of the committee, Jacob Leighton and Brackett Wiggin, relative to the meeting-house, and further voted "that the town will finish so much of the lower part of the old meeting house as is neces- sary for a town house agreeably to a report of the committee, provided individ- uals will finish the remainder for a place of public worship and indemnify the town against owners of pews within three months, and the cost of the same to the town shall not exceed two hundred dollars."

This amount was expended according to agreement, and, March 14, 1840, the pews were sold as follows : 1, Samuel J. Quarles, 2, John Chick 3, John Smith, Jr, 4, Levi Smith, 5, Adam Brown, Moses P. Brown, 6, John Burleigh, 7, Isaac Thurston, 8, Azor Roles, 9, Joseph Nay, 10, Luther D. Sawyer, 11, Joseph Sias, 12, Luther D. Sawyer, 13, A. T. Brown, 14, A. C. Pitman, 15, James Stevens, 16, John Roberts, 17, James Lord, Jr, 18, John Walker, 19, I. G. Stillings, 20, Benjamin Sceggell, Jr, 21, Moses W. Brown, 22, Samuel Quarles, 23, Alvah Moulton, 24, Eli Fall, 25, William Goldsmith, Jr, 26, Nathaniel Goldsmith, 27, Nathaniel Abbott, 28, Richard Stillings, 29, Benjamin Pribble, Jr, 30, Isaac Thurston, 31, Joshua Nay, 32, W. L. Young, 33, Richard Stillings, 34, Brackett Wiggin, 35, William R. Dame, 36, Alvah Moulton, 37, William B. Stevens, 38, John O. Rollins, 39, William R. Dame, 40, Samuel Quarles, 41, William W. Jackson, Sylvanus Dame, 42, Amos Hodsdon.

From 1840 until 1860 no repairs were done; at this time the building was reshingled by private contribution. The old meeting-house did good service as a house of worship and as a town-house without any further attention until 1880, and wind and weather, with assistance from the hands of idle men and boys, had rendered it a gloomy and almost dilapidated ruin. The old house was like the silent Irish beggar, whose ragged apparel and miserable looks told a most touching story. So with this old building. It said never a word, but hearts were touched by its forlorn appearance ; thoughts reverted to those who in other days had built and consecrated this place for divine worship, and it was determined to restore the sacred edifice to its oldtime beauty or a still more comfortable condition. Great reforms move slowly. Other religious

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

edifices had been built in various parts of the town, and it was reserved for private enterprise to make the first step to the furtherance of this worthy object.

March 15, 1880, a subscription paper was drawn up at the request of Mrs Abbie A. C. Q. Beacham, " For the purpose of repairing the meeting-house at Ossipee." The signers were: Adam Brown, $50; Francis P. Adams, $50; Samuel D. Quarles, $100; Joseph Q. Roles, $50; Mrs A. C. Q. Beacham, $50 ; Frank Weeks, $25; L. D. Sinclair, $5 ; A. Stillings, $25 ; Charles W. Fall, $15 ; Sanborn B. Carter, $10 ; George B. Sias, $15; E. P. Allen, $15; Mrs Hannah Brown, $5 ; Nathaniel F. Goldsmith, $50; George O. Sceggel, two days' work ; Josiah Thurston, $5; Mary B. Hardy, $10; a friend, $10; John Ayers, $10; John H. Young, $3; Samuel Burleigh, $5.25; George C. Thurston, $5; a friend, $2; Joseph V. Quarles, $10; Mrs Mary E. Deering, $10; Mrs Lizzie Stevens, $10.

Meeting with such success in individual aid, a town-meeting was called to see what action the town would take in repairing the house if the people would move it and turn the end toward the road. The town voted to indefinitely postpone the matter. Mrs Beacham, however, was not discouraged, and with her wonted energy and executive ability proceeded to finish the work she had commenced. She engaged workmen to turn the edifice around with its end to the highway (which was done in September) and personally assumed the responsibility of the repairs. These continued in operation for some time, and in November a subscription was circulated by Aldo M. Rumery for funds to be used in "putting a belfry on the meeting-house and repairing the same." The subscribers were : Luther D. Sawyer, $25; Belinda B. Thurston, $20 ; Frank Weeks, $5 ; Moses W. Brown, $10; Sarah M. Rumery, $10; Aldo M. Rumery, $10; Elizabeth Roles, $5; W. Canney, $10; William A. Smith, $5, and several of less amounts. To these were added later Asa Beacham, $25 ; Ellis U. Buswell, $12; a total of $152.93. The work was carried on to com- pletion and the belfry erected and the pews repaired in the summer of 1881, and the house reopened for public service in the fall. The next year a bell of over a thousand pounds was placed in the belfry. This cost $331.79 in Boston ; the purchase money was raised by subscription. The largest sub- scribers were : Josiah Thurston, $25; Charles B. Gafney, $25; Samuel D. Quarles, $25; Asa Beacham, $25 : Frank Weeks, $10; Elisha P. Allen, $20; Porter W. Brown, $10; M. A. Harmon, $25; Joseph Q. Roles, $20 ; Aldo M. Rumery, $10. A chandelier was also procured this year. Aside from indi- vidual subscriptions, entertainments were held and various means devised to aid in this noble work. The total expense was over $1,800. The remodeling, repairing, etc., were supervised and completed through the personal efforts of Mrs Beacham, to whom the town owes a permanent debt of gratitude. She expended her time and money freely.

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TOWN OF OSSIPEE.

Mrs Susan P. Adams gave the carpet for the aisles and body of the church, and a pulpit set, consisting of a marble-top table, reading-desk, bouquet-stand, and chairs. Mrs Nellie M. Towle, daughter of Dr Alvah Moulton, of South Boston, deserves mention for her assistance in raising thirty-three dollars towards the price of an organ. Mr and Mrs Nathaniel F. Goldsmith contrib- uted four side lamps to match the chandelier, a valuable pulpit Bible, etc. Mr and Mrs Moses Hanson, of Boston, presented two hanging-lamps. Bion E. Tripp, of Wells, Maine, also gave two lamps.

The town through the selectmen paid Mrs Beacham $450 for the repairs done on the town-house, and in 1883 the pew owners were assessed $360 ($10.60 each) for the payment of changing and painting the pews. The old building has taken on a new lease of life, and in its double capacity of church and town hall bids fair to be of service for many years.

This meeting-house has always been free to every denomination. The first minister was Wentworth Lord, of the Calvinistic Baptist faith, who preached here in the early part of this century. There was no church organization existing at the Corner so far as we can ascertain until that of the Fourth Freewill Baptist in 1836. A Congregational society had an existence for a time, but no record remains of its duration or action. Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist preachers officiated in the early years, and since the Freewill Baptist Society came into being, the pulpit has been occupied about alternately by Congregational and Freewill Baptist speakers.

About 1876 Rev. Edward P. Eastman, Congregationalist, held services for three years, and a number of persons united to keep up meetings, not however forming a regular society. They have since been served by Rev. H. T. Barnard, Freewill Baptist, for nearly two years ; he was succeeded by Rev. A. H. Thompson for two years ; Rev. Nelson Bailey preached here one half the time from May, 1886, until April 1, 1889.

The First Freewill Baptist Church in Ossipee was for several years a branch of the "Church of Christ" in Parsonsfield, Maine. The first considerable revival began in the fall of 1806, under the preaching of Elder Benjamin Randall, and continued through the winter and spring under the preaching of Elder John Buzzell. During this revival quite a number became believers, and July 16, 1807, were baptized Seth Fogg, John Goudy, Peggy Leighton, Martha Hodsdon, Ebenezer Tasker, Sally Kelley. The ordinance was adminis- tered by Elder Buzzell. From this date the church may be said to date its existence, as a " conference " was established, and the converts mentioned, in connection with Samuel Tasker and others, who had previously experienced religion and been baptized in New Durham, met once a month to relate their minds to each other, and made a report of their standing by their messengers to the church meeting at Parsonsfield. The revival continued in marked results, and eighteen were baptized during 1808. At the monthly conference

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

held on Thursday in the first week of February, 1809, a large number met at the house of Seth Fogg, and forty-one "related the travel of their minds." At the close of the religious exercises Seth Fogg and Ebenezer Tasker were set apart to the office of deacons. The first communion of this church was on the first Thursday in June, 1809. They continued as a branch of the Parsonsfield church, making monthly reports, until 1811. The ministers laboring here were Elders John and William Buzzell, Jacob Norton, Jeremiah Bullock, and Samuel Burbank. The old church is said to have been built about 1818, although it is not mentioned in the records until April 18, 1832, when it is said that this meeting was at the "meeting house." Jacob Leighton gave the lot, and mostly built the house. After this there appears no record until September 14, 1826, when Daniel Jackson was ordained as an evangelist, and either a reorganiza- tion effected, or the old one resuscitated, for, although in the Sandwich Quar- terly Meeting territory, it did not appear in the list of churches when that quarterly meeting was formed in 1812. The members were principally resident in the east part of Ossipee and north part of Wakefield, and September 29, 1826, were recorded : Samuel Tasker, John Buzzell, Isaac Demerritt, Deacon Seth and Elizabeth Fogg, John Goudy, Dodavah Scates, Ephraim Leighton, Peggy Leighton, Susan Buzzell, Deacon William Sanders, Lois Sanders, James Fogg, Hannah Fogg, Nathan Fogg, Abigail Fogg, Mehitable Scates, Aaron Hanson, Judith Horsom, Lydia Tasker, Sarah Sanders, Polly Ames, Catharine Mathes, Abel Sanders, Betsey Sanders, Huldah Davis, Hannah Glidden, Sylvanus Wentworth, John Wentworth, Mary Wentworth, John Hill, Lydia Hill, Eunice Morrill, Nathaniel Meserve, Abigail Wentworth, Walter Cate, Mary Cate, Susan Ames, Jacob Leighton, Anna Wentworth, Betsey Horsom, Patty Hods- don, Benjamin Buzzell, Joseph Buzzell, William Buzzell, Sarah Buzzell, David Allen, Sally Scates, Sally Hodsdon, Anstres Scates, Azariah Brackett, Elizabeth Brackett, Nathaniel Nason, Lucinda Brackett, Elizabeth Buzzell, Daniel Glidden, Elder Daniel Jackson. Elder Jackson appears to have been a faithful servant until December 14, 1832, when the church gave him a letter of commendation. Up to this time the church meetings had been held mostly at Ephraim Leighton's house, although frequently at Elder Jackson's. January 20, 1835, James Roberts was made ruling elder, John Wentworth clerk, and it was voted that Elder John Walker take charge of the church. October 19, John Wentworth resigned his office and Daniel Wentworth was chosen. August 18, 1839, delegates were chosen to the Wolfeborough Quarterly Meeting. September 4, Samuel Seward was ordained deacon. Elder James Emery appears to be here in 1841. Elder Hobbs was chosen pastor in December, 1842, and was here until August 31, 1843. February 2, 1843, a church temperance society was formed, the members pledging themselves to abstain from the use of all spirituous liquors except as a medicine. Many of the church joined, but "some refused to sign." Soon after the subject of securing Elder John Runnels as pastor was in consider-

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ation ; and the "new " church was built in 1856. The builders were Samuel B. Ames, Simon P. Hill, James Stevens, Ira Hanson, Daniel J. Sanders, Nathan- ael Meserve, Mark Wentworth, and Joseph Pray. There are no records until April 16, 1857, when the church was reorganized with fourteen male and seven- teen female members, in this manner. The First Ossipee Church met and dis- banded, and a new organization was formed on Freewill Baptist principles, and called the " First Ossipee and Wakefield church." Rev. True W. Hill was chosen pastor ; Samuel Seward and Samuel B. Ames, deacons; Joseph W. Woodman, clerk. In 1864 O. F. Russell was pastor, and on November 23, 1865, resigned his pastorate on account of different theologieal views from those sustained by the church, and his resignation was accepted, and he dismissed from the denomination by a council called to consider his case, which gave him a certificate of good moral character. He seems to have been an excellent man, who became more in accord with Methodists than with the Freewill Baptists. May 16, 1867, Rev. A. D. Fairbanks was chosen pastor. Daniel J. Sanders was now, and had been, clerk for some years. The record ends in 1870, and we ean only say that the church has had a steadfast prosperity since under the watch- ful care of faithful ministers, of whom Rev. L. A. Jones elosed a pastorate of about five years, June, 1888. A nice church has been built near Leighton's Corners, and is kept in good repair, while the Christian efforts of the society have borne good fruit. Timothy Young is the present clerk of the church.

The Bullock Church, as it was called, an offshoot of the Freewill Baptist church, had an organization for about twenty years from 1856, under Rev. Jere- miah Bullock. It controlled and occupied the old church building at Leigh- ton's Corners, but the organization is now practically extinct.

The Second Freewill Baptist Church (Chickville) was organized by Elder John Chick, an uneducated but powerful speaker, who settled on the place now occupied by Tobias M. Fernald, near the Chickville meeting-house, and by his earnest labors built up a large society, which contained the membership of the Fourth Church, organized in 1836. The Second Church has main- tained a good standing in character, but has decreased numerically so as to be no longer able to maintain a pastor, and is connected with the Water Village church in the ministrations. The Dore family, especially Hon. John C. Dore, of Chicago, Ill., has taken great interest in the society, and it has received many substantial tokens of this.

The Third Freewill Baptist Church was disbanded years ago.

Fourth ( Ossipee Corner) Freewill Baptist Church. - " There being a num- ber of brethren living remote from the main body of the Second Church in Ossipee to which they belong, they being situated near Ossipee Corner, and the field of labor so extensive around, it was thought that it might be for the glory of God and good of precious souls to have a church organized in this place which would strive to walk in gospel order. Accordingly the subject was

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

taken up in the Second Church in Ossipee, and agreed that if on examination the brethren in this place (Ossipee Corner) thought they could keep house, the Second Church would consider them dismissed. Therefore met, according to a previous appointment on the 25th day of June, 1836, at brother Moses Hanson's house. Elders present : Jesse Meader and John Chick, Jr. Agreed agreeable to the faith of the Freewill Baptist connexion to organize a church of eleven members (4 absent) that live on the south side of the Abbott and Roberts road, so called, that to be the line between the Second and Fourth churches, Ossipee Corner church to be the Fourth Freewill Baptist Church." - Church Records.

Action of First Meeting. - " 1st, Agreed that Bro. John Rogers be church clerk. 2d, Chose Elder Jesse Meader pastor of said church. 3d, Agreed to have Brethren Moses Hanson and John Rogers act as deacons. 4th, Agreed that the Monthly Meeting be held on the first Wednesday in every month. 5th, Agreed to have a weekly conference on Saturday afternoon. 6th, Agreed that the Quarterly church conference be held on the first Saturday of every month that the Quarterly meeting is held in, at one o'clock in the afternoon. 7th, Agreed to have a communion quarterly when convenient. 8th, Agreed that this church be known by the name of the Fourth Freewill Baptist Church in Ossipee."

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 73

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