USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 91
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751
TOWN OF TAMWORTH.
1851. Voted to raise $1,200 for schools, poor, bridges and roads, town debts, etc. 69 votes cast in favor, 124 against, the passage of a law to exempt the homesteads of families from execution and sale to the amount of five hundred dollars. Voted to annex 2,200 acres lying in the southwest corner of Albany to Tamworth. 1852. Votes on the amendments to the constitution : on the religious test for holding office 37 for, 138 against ; 170 for amendment of property qualification, none against ; 88 for proposed alteration of constitu- tion, 45 against. Voted to build a town-house, provided a suitable lot shall be deeded to the town free from expense to set the house upon. Voted on the Maine liquor law, 145 for, 43 against. The ticket for electors of President headed by Nathaniel B. Barker received 84 votes, that by W. H. Y. Hackett 60, that by Nathaniel T. Berry 78. 1853. The article to purchase a pew in the new meeting-house was dismissed. $500 additional school money voted. Larkin D. Mason chosen agent to build the town-house the town votes to build at the village, and with the selectmen examine into the titles to the old meet- ing-house, and, if they think proper, take it down and remove it to the village for a town-house. 1854. The vote is close on governor : Nathaniel B. Barker has 117, Jared Perkins 115, James Bell 89. Ebenezer Wilkinson and Joseph Huntress licensed to sell liquor for medicinal and mechanical purposes only. 1856. The ticket for presidential electors headed by W. H. H. Bailey has 225 votes, that by Daniel Marcy 136, that by William Choate 1. 1858. Asa P. Cate has 130 votes for governor, William Haile 228. The town voted to adopt this resolution : -
Resolved, That the selectmen of Tamworth are hereby authorized to cede to a committee of arrangements the land now occupied for a pound near the ordination rock, for the purpose of having it ornamented in commemoration of the event of the ordination of the Rev. Samuel Hidden on said roek - and that if there shall at any time be a celebration of the anniversary of that event -the officers of the town are requested in behalf of the town to participate in the same, and that the selectmen are authorized to draw from the treasury of the town a sum not exceeding twenty dollars to assist in the necessary preparations.
1860. Votes cast in favor of removing the courts from Ossipee 269, for holding them at Tamworth 269; in favor of purchasing a county farm and building a jail 2 votes, against the purchase 264 votes. The selectmen are authorized to build raised seats in the town-house so that order may be kept, and business done with greater expedition. 1861. Voted that when a guide- post be set in town it be a stone one. 1864. Joseph A. Gilmore had 218 votes for governor, and Edward W. Harrington 129. The Republican electors of President receive 176 votes, the Democratic 135. Voted to accept the history of New Boston, presented by its author, Rev. E. C. Cogswell. 1868. Vote for governor : Walter Harriman 212, John G. Sinclair 146. The Republicans cast 186 votes for electors of President, the Democrats 125. Voted to grant
752
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
five per cent. of the valuation of the town to aid the building of the New Hampshire Central railroad through the town by 193 to 27. Refused to aid the Portsmouth, Great Falls, and Conway railroad in the same way. 1872. The Republican electors for President had 196 votes, the Democratic 107. (The later years are with the civil list.)
The town was patriotic in the Civil War. October 12, 1861, $1,000 was raised to aid soldiers' families. August 11, 1862, voted $100 to each citizen who should enlist before the 15th, and $12 monthly to the family of each soldier. October 18, voted to pay volunteers for nine months $200 bounty. January 3, 1863, voted to discontinue town bounties. August 6, voted to pay $300 to each volunteer enlisting for three years in the United States service. October 20, voted to pay each conscript or substitute $300. December 14, the town assumed payment of the state and government bounties, authorized the selectmen to procure men to fill the quota, and voted $10,000 for that purpose. July 23, 1864, voted $20,000 to procure volunteers, and chose Colonel J. J. Chesley agent to secure revision of enrollment. November 8, voted $100 to each man who furnished substitutes a year ago. December 6, reconsidered this last vote, and voted to pay $100 bounty to one year men, $200 to two years men, $300 to three years men, and chose Nathaniel Hubbard agent to fill quotas. January 16, 1865, assumed the state bounty for substitutes, and voted to furnish substitutes.
These soldiers served in organizations outside of the state : Charles Sanborn, Third Massachusetts ; Charles R. Jackson, Second Regiment, Co. G, U. S. S. S .; James M. Gilman, Second Regiment, Co. G, U. S. S. S .; Oliver P. Mason, Thirty-fifth Massachusetts; Leverett C. Felch, Co. B, Twenty-eighth Massachusetts ; Benjamin F. Twombly, Second Regiment, Co. G, U. S. S. S., killed in battle ; John W. Sanborn, Second Regiment, Co. G, U. S. S. S .; Noah Sanborn, Second Regiment, Co. G, U. S. S. S .; Uriah Perkins, Second Regiment, U. S. S. S., Co. G ; Edwin J. Woodman, Thirteenth Massachusetts : Merrill Perkins, Twenty-third Massachusetts, Co. G ; Calvin Perkins, Thirtieth Massachusetts, Co. A; John Mills, Fourteenth Maine, died in service ; George O. Berry, Thirteenth Massachusetts, killed at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862; Samuel and John Berry, Thirteenth Massachusetts ; James B. Wiggin, Nineteenth Massachusetts, died March 20, 1865, from disease contracted in the army; David Bickford, Second Massachusetts ; George A. Langley, Second Regiment, Co. G, U. S. S. S.
CIVIL LIST .- 1778, Timothy Medar, clerk; William Eastman, Timothy Medar, Bradbury Jewell, selectmen. 1779, Timothy Medar, clerk; William Eastman, Timothy Medar, Bradbury Jewell, selectmen. 1780, Timothy Medar, clerk; Bradbury Jewell, Timothy Medar, William Eastman, selectmen.
1781, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Folsom, David Gilman, Timothy Medar, selectmen.
1782, David Folsom, elerk; David Folsom, Timothy Medar, Bradbury Jewell, selectmen.
1783, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Timothy Medar, Bradbury Jewell, selectmen.
1784, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Bradbury Jewell, Timothy Medar, selectmen.
753
TOWN OF TAMWORTH.
1785, David Gilman, clerk; David Gilman, William Eastman, Israel Folsom, selectmen; David Gilman, representative.
1786, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Stephen Mason, Timothy Medar, selectmen.
1787, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Folsom, Stephen Mason, Timothy Medar, selectmen. Voted not to send any representative.
1788, Timothy Medar, clerk; William Vittum, David Folsom, Timothy Medar, selectmen.
1789, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Timothy Medar, Jacob Gilman, selectmen; Daniel Beede, Esq., representative.
1790, Timothy Medar, clerk; Stephen Mason, Timothy Medar, Jacob Gilman, selectmen.
1791, Timothy Medar, clerk ; Stephen Mason, George Dodge, Timothy Medar, selectmen.
1792, Timothy Medar, clerk; Israel Gilman, Jacob Gilman, James Mason, selectmen; JJacob Blasdel, representative.
1793, Timothy Medar, clerk; Benjamin Gilford, Edward Hayford, George Dodge, selectmen.
1794, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, Israel Gilman, James Mason, selectmen.
1795, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, Israel Gilman, JJacob Eastman, selectmen; Jacob Blasdel, representative for Tamworth, Eaton, Burton, and Locations.
1796, Timothy Medar, clerk; Israel Gilman, Jacob Gilman, Jacob Eastman, selectmen.
1797, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, JJacob Eastman, Timothy Medar, Thomas Shareman, Samuel Danforth, seleetmen.
1798, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Thomas Whitman, George Dodge, selectmen; Jeremiah Gilman, representative for Tamworth, Eaton, Burton, and Locations. Jeremiah Gilman, having accepted an office under the General Government, was disqualified as representative and David Gilman was chosen.
1799, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Jacob Gilman, Thomas Sherman, selectmen.
1800, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, David Gilman, Benjamin Mead, selectmen.
1801, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, Jacob Gilman, David Howard, selectmen; David Gilman, representative for Tamworth, etc.
1802, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, George Dodge, David Howard, selectmen.
1803, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Gilman, George Dodge, David Howard, selectmen; David Gilman, representative.
1804, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, Timothy Medar, Thomas Sherman, selectmen; David Gilman, representative.
1805, Timothy Medar, clerk; Thomas Sherman, Timothy Medar, Jacob Gilman, selectmen; David Gilman, representative.
1806, Timothy Medar, clerk; Timothy Medar, John M. Page, Jacob Gilman, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman,
representative.
1807, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, Timothy Medar, John M. Page, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative. 1808, Timothy Medar, clerk ; Tufton Mason, John M. Page, Timothy Medar, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative.
1809, Timothy Medar, clerk; David Howard, Jacob Gilman, Timothy Medar, selectmen ; Benjamin Gilman,
representative.
1810, Timothy Medar, clerk; Jacob Gilman, John M. Page, Timothy Medar, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative.
1811, Timothy Medar, clerk; Benjamin Gilman, Jeremiah Mason, John M. Page, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative.
1812, Timothy Medar, clerk; John M. Page, Jacob Gilman, Timothy Medar, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative.
1813, Timothy Medar, clerk; Israel Gilman, Ward W. Folsom, Ford Whitman, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative.
1814, Timothy Medar, clerk; Ford Whitman, Parker Plumer, Samuel Gilman, selectmen; Benjamin Gilnan, representative.
1815, Timothy Medar, clerk; Ford Whitman, Ward W. Folsom, Jeremiah Mason, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1816, Timothy Medar, clerk; Ford Whitman, Ward W. Folsom, Jeremiah Mason, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1817, Timothy Medar, clerk; Parker Plumer, Jeremiah Mason, Ford Whitman, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1818, Timothy Medar, clerk; John M. Page, Jeremiah Mason, Ward W. Folsom, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1819, Ford Whitman, clerk; Ford Whitman, Ward W. Folsom, Samuel Shaw, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1820, Ford Whitman, clerk; Ford Whitman, Ward W. Folsom, Tufton Mason, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1821, Ford Whitman, clerk; Ford Whitman, Tufton Mason, Ward W. Folsom, selectmen; John M. Page, representative.
754
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
1822, Simeon Whitman, clerk; John M. Page, Tufton Mason, Simeon Whitman, selectmen ; Ford Whitman, representative.
1823, Simeon Whitman, clerk; John M. Page, Wm Eastman, Tufton Mason, selectmen; Ford Whitman, repre- sentative.
1824, Simeon Whitman, clerk; John M. Page, Ford Whitman, Ward W. Folsom, seleetmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1825, Ford Whitman, clerk; Ford Whitman, Samuel Shaw, Uriah B. Russell, selectmen; Ford Whitman, representative.
1826, Wm Eastman, clerk ; Samnel Shaw, U. B. Russell, Ward W. Folsom, selectmen; Benj. Gilman, repre- sentative.
1827, Wm Eastman, clerk; Samnel Shaw, Uriah B. Russell, A. S. Howard, selectmen; Benj. Gilman, repre- sentative.
1828, Wm Eastman, clerk; Nathaniel Hubbard, Tufton Mason, Joseph Gilman, selectmen; Benj. Gilman, jr, representative.
1829, Benjamin Gilman, clerk; Charles M. Page, James Remiek, Joseph Wiggin, selectmen; Benjamin Gilman, representative.
1830, Benjamin Gilman, clerk; Enoch Remick, Moses Titcomb, Nicholas W. Staples, selectmen; Enoch Remick, representative.
1831, Benjamin Gilman, clerk; Algernon S. Howard, Daniel Q. Bean, Obed Hall, selectmen; Enoch Remick, representative.
1832, B. Gilman, clerk; N. W. Staples, Daniel Q. Bean, Enoch Remick, selectmen; John Woodman, repre- sentative.
1833, Obed Hall, elerk; Obed Hall, Algernon S. Howard, Levi Folsom, selectmen; John Woodman, repre- sentative.
1834, Obed Hall, clerk; Daniel Q. Bean, Timothy Cook, Jonathan C. Gilman, selectmen.
1835, Enoch Remick, clerk; Daniel Q. Bean, Timothy Cook, Jonathan C. Gilman, selectmen : Moses Titcomb, representative.
1836, Fisher A. Page, clerk; Horatio N. Cate, Newlon S. Hlatch, Joel Sargent, selectmen; Enoch Perkins, representative.
1837, Fisher A. Page, clerk; Iloratio N. Cate, Newlon S. Hatch, Joel Sargent, selectmen; Enoch Perkins, representative.
1838, Isaac Gould, clerk; Timothy Cook, Ebenezer Marston, Daniel Q. Bean, selectmen; Daniel Q. Bean, representative.
1839, Joseph Gilman, jr, clerk; Timothy Cook, Ebenezer Marston, Daniel Q. Bean, selectmen; Daniel Q. Bean, representative.
1840, Joseph Gilman, jr, clerk; Timothy Cook, James Remick, Josiah Bean, selectmen; Obed Hall, represen- tative.
1841, Horatio N. Cate, clerk; Newlon S. Hatch, Daniel Q. Bean, John Bryant, selectman; Obed Hall, repre- sentative.
1842, Horatio N. Cate, clerk ; Daniel Q. Bean, Newlon S. Ilatch, John Bryant, selectmen ; Timothy Cook, rep- resentative.
1843, Joseph Watson, clerk; Daniel Q. Bean, John Bryant, Newlon S. Hlatch, selectmen; Timothy Cook, repre- sentative.
1844, Joseph Watson, clerk; Timothy Cook, True Perkins, Thomas Stevenson, selectmen; Horatio N. Cate, representative.
1845, Joseph Watson, clerk; Daniel Q. Bean, Trne Perkins, Thomas Stevenson, selectmen; Timothy Cook, representative.
1846, Joseph Watson, clerk; Timothy Cook, Joshua Nickerson, Daniel Q. Bean, selectmen.
1847, Joseph Watson, clerk; True Perkins, James J. Chesley, Joshua Nickerson, selectmen; John Bryant, representative.
1848, Joseph Gihnan, jr, clerk; True Perkins, Josiah P. Cushing, James J. Chesley, selectmen; John Bryant, representative.
1849, Joseph Gilman, jr, clerk; James J. Chesley, Josiah P. Cushing, Moses James, selectmen; no choice for representative.
1850, Joseph Gilman, jr, clerk; True Perkins, James J. Chesley, Jeremiah D. Ballard, selectmen; Jeremiah Blake, representative.
I85I, Asa Jewell chosen clerk, but declined, and Levi E. Remick was chosen; True Perkins, Faxon Gannett, Wyatt B. Marston, selectmen; no choice for representative.
1852, Levi E. Remick, clerk; True Perkins, Faxon Gannett, Wyatt B. Marston, selectmen; Ebenezer Wilkin- sou, Larkin D. Mason, representatives.
1853, Levi E. Remick, clerk; Wyatt B. Marston, James J. Chesley, Stetson Blaisdell, selectmen; Ebenezer Wilkinson, Larkin D. Mason, representatives.
1854, Levi E. Remick, clerk; James J. Chesley, Stetson Blaisdell, Noah S. Watson, selectmen; Samuel Merrill, Nathaniel Hubbard, representatives.
1855, Levi E. Remick, clerk; Noah S. Watson, Amos Burbank, Stephen Stanley, selectmen; Nathaniel Hubbard, Samuel Merrill, representatives.
755
TOWN OF TAMWORTH.
1856, Charles P. Cook, clerk ; Timothy Cook, Amos Burbank, Stephen Stanley, selectmen; James J. Chesley, True Perkins, representatives.
1857, Charles P. Cook, clerk; Stephen Stanley, Jason Marston, Otis G. Hatch, selectmen; True Perkins, James J. Chesley, representatives.
1858, Charles P. Cook, clerk; Jason Marston, Otis G. Hatch, Ezra Standley, selectmen; Stetson Blaisdell, Joseph Gilman, representatives.
1859, Charles P. Cook, clerk; JJason Marston, Ezra Standley, Jonathan Nickerson, selectmen; Stetson Blals. dell, Joseph Gilman, representatives.
1860, Charles P. Cook, clerk; JJason Marston, Ezra Standley, Jonathan Nickerson, selectmen; Larkin D. Mason, James Emery, representatives.
1861, Charles P'. Cook, elerk; Ezra Standley, James J. Chesley, John G. Robinson, selectmen; James Emery, Jeremiah H. Merrill, representatives.
1862, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Ezra Standley, James J. Chesley, Charles P. Cook, selectmen; Jeremiah H Merrill, Levi E. Remick, representatives.
1863, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Jason Marston, Charles P. Cook, Stetson Blaisdell, selectmen; Levi E. Remlek, Stephen Standley, representatives.
1864, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Charles P. Cook, Stetson Blaisdell, John Standley, seleetmen; Stephen Stand- ley, Nathaniel Hubbard, representatives.
1865, Joseph Gilman, elerk; John G. Robinson, John Standley, Lowell Ham, selectmen; Otis G. Hatch, representative.
1866, Joseph Gilman, clerk; James J. Chesley, Ezra Standley, William G. Gannett, selectmen; Otis G. Hatch, representative.
1867, Joseph Gilman, clerk; James J. Chesley, Jonathan W. Pollard, William G. Gannett, selectmen; Con- sider Gannett, representative.
1868, Joseph Gilman, clerk; James J. Chesley, Jonathan W. Pollard, William G. Gannett, selectmen; Con- sider Gannett, representative.
1869, Joseph Gilman, clerk; James J. Chesley, Lowell Ham, Albert Drew, selectmen; James M. Pease, representative.
1870, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Jonathan W. Pollard, Lowell Ham, Nahum Gilman, selectmen; James M. Pease, representative.
1871, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Jonathan W. Pollard, Nahum Gilman, Consider Gannett, selectmen; Ezra Standley, representative.
1872, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Jonathan W. Pollard, Consider Gannett, David J. Sanborn, selectmen; Ezra Standley, representative.
March 11. 1873, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Jonathan W. Pollard, David J. Sanborn, Lowell Ham, selectmen; Charles P. Cook, representative.
1874, Joseph Gilman, clerk; John Sawyer, Albert Drew, Joseph F. Roberts, selectmen; Charles P. Cook, representative.
1875, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Ezra Standley, Joseph F. Roberts, Jonathan Nickerson, selectmen; John M. Stevenson, representative.
1876, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Jonathan Nickerson, Joseph F. Roberts, James J. Chesley, selectmen ; John M. Stevenson, representative. Voted to sell the town farm, also to fund the town debt. Republican electors for President have 175 votes, Democratic 146. Nathaniel Hubbard elected delegate to Constitutional Convention.
1877, JJoseph Gilman, clerk ; Jonathan Nickerson, Joseph F. Roberts, George W. Roberts, selectmen ; Joseph T. Carr, representative. Voted to accept the new state constitution. To raise $2,000 for the poor, highways and bridges, town debts, etc.
1878, Joseph Gilman, clerk ; Charles P. Cook, George W. Roberts, George C. Whiting, selectmen; Charles HI. Remick, representative. Voted $4,000 for highways.
1879, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Charles P. Cook, George W. Roberts, John D. Boyden, selectmen.
1880, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Charles P. Cook, Levi E. Remick, John H. Nickerson, selectmen; James J. Chesley, representative. Voted to exempt the rake manufactory to be built by Henry M. Bartlett from taxa- tion for ten years.
1881, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Levi E. Remick, John II. Nickerson, Newton J. Nickerson, selectmen.
1882, Joseph Gilman, clerk; John H. Nickerson, Newton J. Nickerson, George C. Whiting, selectmen; David M. Gilman, representative. Voted 84,000 for roads and bridges; $2,500 for town purposes; to add 30 per cent. and $72 to the school money.
1883, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Charles P. Cook, Joseph F. Roberts, Lowell Ham, selectmen.
1884, Joseph Gilman, clerk ; Charles P. Cook, George C. Whiting, Lowell Ham, selectmen ; Arthur E. Wiggin, representative.
ISS5, Joseph Gilman, clerk; Charles P. Cook, Joseph F. Roberts, Edward S. Pollard. Voted that the town take charge of " Ordination Rock " and grounds surrounding, and keep it in good repair as a town park.
1886, Henry Q. Noyes, clerk; Charles Robertson, Lowell Ham, David Morrill; John D. Boyden, representa- tive. 64 votes for, 52 against calling a constitutional convention. The selectmen are authorized to build a suitable place in the town hall for the preservation of the records, and the 500 books donated by Mr John Price, of Manchester, a native of this town.
756
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
1887, Orrin S. Kimball, clerk ; Charles Robertson, Lowell Ham, David Morrill, selectmen. Voted to pay the G. A. R. post for decoration of soldiers' graves. Also " that the representative use his influence to have the schools back in the original state."
1888, Orrin S. Kimball, clerk ; Lowell Ham, David Morrill, Francis P. Remiek, selectmen; Thomas B. Mason, representative. Arthur E. Wiggin delegate to the constitutional convention. Harrison has 192 votes for Presi- dent, Cleveland 123, Fisk 9.
1889, Orrin S. Kimball, clerk; Lowell Ham, Francis P. Remick, Arthur E. Wiggin, selectmen. The town cast 74 votes in favor, and 53 against the prohibitory amendment; voted "that the selectmen should examine the manuscript of the history of Tamworth by Rev. E. C. Cogswell, and assist Mrs Cogswell in publishing the same as they saw fit, not exceeding three hundred dollars." Also, to raise $20 for decorating soldiers' graves, one half for Ossipee G. A. R. post, and one half for Sandwich if they do their work. Also, that the selectmen appoint three fire-wardens at the sonth, north, and east parts of the town. The inventory this year shows 287 polls, 26,127 acres, 397 horses, 278 oxen, 376 cows, 280 young cattle, 466 sheep.
CHAPTER LXIV.
Church History. Arrangements for Settling Mr Samuel Hidden - Parsonage - Letter of Acceptance - Organization and Ordination - Original Members - Rev. Mr Hidden's Pastorate - The Hidden Monument - Other Pastors - Deacons - Freewill Baptists - Rev. John Runnels - Second, Third, and South Tamworth Baptist Churches - Rev. David Bean - Methodist Episcopal Church - " Reminiscences of Rev. Samuel Hidden " - Education.
C
HURCH HISTORY. - The first minister that preached in this town was Rev. Joshua Nickerson from Cape Cod. He ministered occasionally until about 1778. In January, 1792, a special town-meeting was called, and a committee chosen to obtain preaching. They procured Rev. Samuel Hidden, of Gilmanton, who had just completed his collegiate and theological studies. He arrived in Tamworth, January 14, 1792, and preached the next Sabbath. Many had strong prejudices against "college learned men," and one woman declared, when she saw him coming, that "she had as lief see the devil." However, these feelings and prejudices were quickly dispelled when they listened to his earnest and well-adapted sermons.
At the annual town-meeting, March 13, 1792, it was voted to pay Mr Samuel Hidden for what he has been preaching here by a town tax ; also,
" That it is the unanimous desire of the Inhabitants of Tamworth 1 to settle Mr Samuel Hidden in the Ministry in this town, provided it can be done upon such terms as they think themselves able to comply with," and a committee of fifteen persons was chosen "to inform Mr Hidden of the minds of the Town, to know of him if he will settle with ns if reasonable proposals were made, and (in case he should give encouragement) to invite him to preach a certain time, and in the meantime to draw up some proposals to make to said Hidden." April 2 the committee report, concerning the parsonage and Mr Hidden's salary, " we propo-e to build a House for Mr Hidden one story high 28 & 38 or 30 & 40 feet as said Hidden shall
1 It is said there were forty voters at that time.
757
TOWN OF TAMWORTH.
think best and to Clapboard Glass shingle build a stack of Chimnies with four Smoaks dig a Cellar under one end of said House stone the same and underpin the remainder of said House and to finish one-half of said House in the inside said House to be finished as above mentioned in two years from December 1791. Also that Thirty Pounds, L My be the sum offered to Mr Hidden for his yearly support part to be paid in cash and part in produce, ete."
The report was unanimously accepted, and a committee appointed to present the proposals, and "if he accepts make arrangements for his ordination and carry the whole matter through."
Letter of Acceptance. - Rev. Mr Hidden's letter of acceptance of the invitation to settle at Tamworth bears date May 8, 1792.
You have thought it expedient, after mature consideration and earnest prayer to God, as I trust, to give me an invitation to settle with you in the Gospel ministry, and have voted certain things for my encouragement and support in that important office. I am conscious of inability rightly to conduct in so important a station. But that God, by whose remarkable Providence I am what I am, I have no reason to distrust; on his mercy I wish to rely for strength to discharge what he in his Providenee may call me to perform. After serious consideration and earnest prayer to Almighty God for direction, I have thought fit and do hereby accept of your proposals, if there is a church peaceably formed. As I live at considerable distance from my friends, I would reserve four Sabbaths in a year to visit them, if I please. Also if I am taken siek while laboring among you, you must grant me my support until I am again able to discharge the duties of my office. You are sensible, my friends, the duties of a minister are great and important, therefore I hope you will be ready to assist me, by punctuality in payment, advice in difficult cases, and by your constant attendance on God's preached word and ordinances, and your constant, fervent prayer that I may be faithful to God, to myself, to your souls, and those of your children; that we may all appear at God's right hand, in the day when he maketh up his jewels. SAMUEL MIDDEN.
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