History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 92

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

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A council met on September 12, 1792, to organize a church and ordain a pastor. But a difficulty arose, as those to be organized into a church were Congregationalists, Calvinistic and Freewill Baptists ; and the only basis on which they could harmonize was entire freedom in regard to the modes and subjects of baptism. The council earnestly discussed the question of organiz- ing a Congregational church on this basis, but at last yielded to the importu- nity of the people, and proceeded to organize a church and ordain Mr Hidden as pastor.1 The ordination was described by one of the council in a letter dated Durham, September 27, 1792: -

1 The members of the church were Samuel Hidden, David Gilman, Thomas Stevenson, Oliver Fowler, Stephen Mason, William Eastman, John Fowler, Jonas Carter, John Ross, George Dodge, Hezekiah Ilackett, Samuel Waymouth, Paul Bradbury, Elizabeth Mason, Sally Carter, Abagail Gilman, Molly Abbott, Zeruiah Cheever, Mrs J. Folsom.

The first church meeting was held September 20, 1792, at the house of William Eastman. Captain George Dodge was unanimously chosen clerk, and William Eastman and Oliver Fowler deacons. At this meeting it was voted " that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper should be administered the first Sabbath in November." I'mtil November Mr Hidden preached in Captain George Dodge's barn, or in some dwelling-house as the selectmen provided. After his marriage to Betsey, daughter of William Price, November 29, 1792, his house was open lo his parishioners; he preached and held services there, and lectured three times a week In other parts of the town. At the close of this year there were twenty-nine members.

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Now, sir, I will tell you about the ordination. After much wrangling between the council and the people, Mr Hidden was ordained on a large roek (20 feet by 30, and 15 feet high, on which 50 men might stand). Ilis foundation must be secure and solid, for this roek will stand till Gabriel shall divide it by the power of God. Early in the morning the people assembled around this rock - men, women, boys, and girls, together with dogs and other domestic animals. It is an entire forest about this place. The scenery is wild. On the north is a high hill, and north of this a mountain called Chocorua touches heaven. On the south, and in all directions are mountains steep and rugged. I had expected to hear the howling of the wolf and the screeching of the owl; but instead of these were heard the melting notes of the robin, the chirping of the sparrow and other birds that made the forest seem like Paradise. The men looked happy, rugged, and fearless ; their trowsers came down to about halfway between the knee and ankle. Their coats were short and of nameless shapes. Many wore slouched hats, and hundreds were shoeless. The women looked ruddy and as though they loved their husbands; their clothing was all of domestic manufacture ; every woman had a checked linen apron and carried a clean linen handkerchief. Their bonnets! well, I cannot describe them; I leave them to your imagination. But think of the grandeur of the scene! a great rock the pulpit, the whole town the floor of the house, and the canopy of heaven the roof, and the tall, sturdy trees the walls. Who could help feeling devotional? This is the place nature has formed for pure worship. Long shall this stand, like the rock on which our Fathers landed. Long may this church make the wilderness and the solitary place glad and the desert blossom as the rose.

In the winter of 1793-94 about thirty persons were converted. At the close of the century the church numbered eighty-eight members. The year 1800 was signalized by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, unparalleled in the annals of church history, if the number of inhabitants is taken into account. The revival originated in a prayer-meeting. It soon spread through the town. Prayer-meetings were held every evening in the week. The principal business for months was religious conversation and prayer. Whole nights were passed in prayer and singing. Mr Hidden had no assistance from abroad. For four months he preached nearly every day. The work extended to Conway, Moultonborough, Eaton, Ossipee, and Sandwich. The results of this revival were nearly 300 converts, of whom about 200 united with this church. In 1809 thirty joined. In 1811 twenty-eight were added. In 1822 there were fifty converts. In 1827 another revival brought about thirty into the fold. In 1830 nearly forty were converted, most of them uniting with the church. In 1831 a protracted meeting was held in the early part of the summer; several ministers were present. The people crowded the meetings, and not less than fifty were the subjects of hope.

Rev. Mr Hidden died February 13, 1837, aged seventy-seven years. His pastorate was a long and faithful one. . He labored hard and earnestly, and his labors were blessed. The whole number connected with his church, during his stay, was 504. As a Christian he was meek and humble, active, faithful, and devoted, with a heart and hand of expansive benevolence and hospitality. He was a patron of literature, the friend, guide, and instructor of youth, a lover of sacred music, always leading in this department of worship. In preaching

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the gospel, his promptness, zeal, plainness, happy illustrations, and meltings of his heart for immortal souls rendered him beloved and respected by all. His long day was cheerfully spent in the service of his Lord and Master; and the hope of being soon with his Saviour God inspired his triumphant exclamation in death: "Just draw back the veil and I am there : " and in his last moments he sang : -

" Angels, roll the rock away; Death, yield up the mighty prey." 1

Rev. William L. Buffit was installed pastor, July 19, 1837. In 1838, sixteen publicly professed their faith in Christ. In the fall of 1839. forty made a profession of religion. Mr Buffit was dismissed March 22. 1842. Sixty-nine were added to the church under his labors. Rev. Jeremiah Blake. M.D., was installed pastor June 14, 1843. This year an interesting revival took place and thirty-one embraced the faith. Rev. Mr Blake was dismissed December 3, 1850. During his pastorate fifty-one united with the church. The next three years this church had no regular religious meetings, but they built and dedicated to God a house of worship and purchased and fitted up a parsonage. Rev. John H. Merrill came in 1853; his installation taking place August 17. From that time for fifteen months there was an addition of sixteen members. At this date, sixty-two years from the organization, six hundred and thirty-eight persons had been connected with this church as members. one hundred and seventy-four remaining. Mr Merrill's labors closed August 15, 1860. He died in 1861, in Hollis, N. H., aged forty-four years. His wife died in 1859. A son, J. Evarts Merrill, resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr Merrill was an " able advocate of the doctrines of Christ, a devoted Christian, a beloved pastor, and honored parent." Rev. Samuel H. Riddell was installed August 15, 1860, dismissed July 12, 1871, and supplied until August, 1872. Rev. John G. Wilson was acting pastor from June, 1873, until September 17. 1875. In November, 1875, Rev. Franklin Davis came and was acting pastor until his death. He was born in Bangor, Maine, January 24, 1816, graduated from Bowdoin College in 1839, and from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1845. He was in the ministry nearly forty years. From February 1, 1885, Rev. Edward H. Hackett supplied the pulpit for one year. From September 12. 1886, Rev. E. C. Cogswell officiated as pastor until his death, August 31, 1887. In October, 1887, Rev. C. J. Richardson was employed to supply for one year

1 In 1862 a monument was erected to the memory of Mr Hidden on Ordination Rock, with these inscriptions : south side, " Memorial of the Ordination on this Rock, Sept. 12, 1792, of the Rev. Samuel Hidden as Pastor of the Congregational Church Instituted on that day; " on the base, "Town chartered 1765; " east side, " Born in Rowley, Mass., Feb. 22, 1760. Served in the War of the Revolution, by four enlistments, 1777-1781. Graduated at Dartmouth, 1791. Minister of Tamworth 46 years. Died Feb. 13, 1837. Act. 77;" on the base, " Settled 171; " north side, " He came into the Wilderness and left it a Fruitful Field; " on the base, "40 Families, 1792; " west side, " To perpetuate the memory of his Virtues and Public Services, a Grandson, bearing his honored name, provided for the erection of this Cenotaph 1862; " on the base, "Census of 1860, 1717."

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from December 1. His services terminated December 1, 1888. Since then, although without a regular minister, yet there has been preaching nearly all the time. James J. Chesley is church clerk. The Sabbath-school has forty- eight members. Horace A. Page is superintendent. The deacons sinee the first have been : John Stevenson, David Hatch, chosen in 1797; Samuel Moulton, Larkin Dodge, 1806; Matthew Gannett, 1815; Tufton Mason, 1831 : William P. Hidden, 1832; Ebenezer Marston, 1837; Faxon Gannett, 1854; James J. Chesley, 1876.1

Freewill Baptist Churches. - The Sandwich Quarterly Meeting was organ- ized in 1812, with ten churches: Sandwich, Tamworth, Wolfeborough, Eaton, Burton, Adams, Ellsworth (Maine), Meredith, New Hampton, Bridgewater. The earliest of these was Tamworth, organized in 1781, by Rev. Benjamin Randall, the founder of the denomination, and it was the third church he established. Authorities differ as to whether this church has died or now exists as the Tamworth Iron Works church, but the weight of evidence inclines towards the life of the present church from 1781. During the years 1810, 1811, and 1812, the people often had the opportunity of listening to Rev. John Colby. Although several revivals occurred in 1833, there were but 55 mem- bers in place of the 100 in 1812. Services were held in private houses, barns, and schoolhouses in the Head neighborhood until 1831, when they were changed to the Iron Works schoolhouse. In 1835 a church was built, 21 mem- bers added; in 1837, 10 ; in 1838, 46; yet there were reported this year but 110 members. In 1840 many withdrew, but in 1842 the largest accession was made ever known in its history, 48, making a membership of 163. In 1843, eight were added, and 171 members reported. This wonderful prosperity was largely due to the faithful labors of the venerated pastor, Rev. James Emery, who died November 22, 1844. In the next seven years the number of communicants fell to 102. Rev. John Runnells became pastor in 1852. In January, 1880, he reports : "I have been pastor twenty-eight years, have not missed one of the six communion seasons of each year : only five or six of the members when .I became pastor survive ; in the last seven years but five have been baptized, and fourteen added by letter." The century of its history closes with 96 members on its rolls. In January, 1885, a beautiful new church was completed and dedicated.

Rev. John Runnells was born in Acton, Maine, March 9, 1817. His early life was one of toil and privation. When seventeen years of age he was converted, and thenceforward applied himself zealously in preparation for the Christian ministry ; he taught school and obtained the means of attendance at Parsonsfield Seminary. His first pastorate was at

1 Deacon James J. Chesley was born in New Durham in 1813, came to Tamworth in 1843, and has made his residence here since. He is a farmer by occupation ; has held all of the town offices; served on the board of selectmen fifteen years, and as a Republican represented Tamworth in the legislature in 1856, 1857, 1881, and 1882. He is a man of good education, a faithful town and church officer, and a useful citizen.

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Effingham Falls, from which place he soon moved to Eaton, where he remained nearly four years; here his health became so impaired that he removed to Newport, R. I., where he resided and preached one year; again compelled by enfeebled health to make a change, he returned to Acton for three years ; at the expiration of this time he received a call from the church in Tamworth ; in February, 1852, he removed there and begun a pastorate which only ended with his death, September 2, 1887.

His record is a remarkable one, showing 965 funeral' services attended by him in Tamworth, Bartlett, Jackson, Conway, Albany, Eaton, Madison, Freedom, Effingham, Ossipee, Wolfeborough, Tuftonborough, Moultonborough, Sandwich, and other towns. He also joined in wedlock 227 couples. This was during his ministry in Tamworth. He was chaplain of the state legislature in 1859, then and ever after a Republican in politics, and always a prominent worker in his denomination.

He was a good man, a consistent Christian character, a model pastor, an able preacher, a public-spirited citizen, a devoted husband and father. His pastorate was the longest on record in the denomination.

Rev. Edwin Blake succeeded Mr Runnells in December, 1887, and is the present pastor. Many sons of the town, now residents elsewhere, look back to this church with reverent love, and some remember it with pleasant gifts. Among the deacons have been James Head, Stephen Knowles, Nathaniel Berry, David Brier, Warren Tasker, Alfred Hatch, Robert Nickerson, Joseph F. Gran- ville (Mr Granville was deacon for twelve years, and clerk of the church from September, 1878, until his death December 2, 1885), Benjamin Bickford, Eugene Harriman. Among the pastors have been - Webster, James Emery, Hugh Beede, John Brooks, John Davis, Charles Ames, - Wood, John Runnells. The Sabbath-school, which numbers seventy, is in a prosperous condition. Otis G. Hatch has been an efficient superintendent for thirty- eight years.

The Second Freewill Baptist Church was received into the Quarterly Meet- ing in 1822. It was situated in the Pease neighborhood in the west part of the town, had a membership of thirty, under the pastoral care of Rev. David Bean.1 There was soulful activity here, additions were annually made to its membership, in 1835 twenty-five, the result of a great revival. The number now is more than at any other time, seventy-three members being reported. In 1840 the membership was but fifty-seven, notwithstanding an addition of twelve. Several additions were made later, but the church ceased to exist, and was dropped from the church rolls in 1848, after an existence of twenty-six years.

1 Rev. David Bean was born in Brentwood, May 10, 1767, and died in Tamworth in 1843. He was son of Captain Josiah and Jane McGaffey Bean. He married, November 16, 1794, Anne, daughter of Captain Joshua Prescott, of Sandwich, and located on the farm now owned by James M. Pease in Tamworth. He was ordained in 1808. The first meeting-house of the Quakers in Sandwich, built in 1790, and long unused, was purchased in 1835, moved here, rebuilt and remodeled, and ealled the " Beau meeting house." It was burned in 1849. Of Mr Bean's children the last in town was David Q., born In 1797. He lived fifty-six years here, and moved to Sand- wieh. By his second wife, Anne N., daughter of James Triekey, of Jackson, he had a son, David Marks Bean, born March 30, 1832, graduated at Yale in 1858, and Andover Theological School in 1862, and became a Congre- gational minister, and died January 23, 1884, after useful service in church and educational labors in Massachusetts.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

The Third Freewill Baptist Church was organized in 1843, with forty-nine members, near Fowler's mills. After 1850 it was called the " second " church. Rev. W. S. Merrill was its pastor, and in 1851 it had a membership of sixty. This was reduced to thirty-eight in 1853, when its last report was made. In 1854 it disappears from official records.

The South Tamworth Freewill Baptist Church was received into the Quarterly Meeting in January, 1852, with sixteen members, W. S. Merrill, pastor. This had a feeble existence, was reorganized as the "Sandwich and Tamworth church," but had a corporate life of but sixteen years from the first organization.

In 1863 another "second " church was organized, which existed until January, 1871.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at South Tamworth was organized about 1824, and in 1832 the society erected its first house of worship. In 1860 this building was rebuilt, and the present value of the church property is twenty- five hundred dollars. The number of members is seventy-five ; the pastor is now (1889) Rev. David Calley. The Sabbath-school has an average attend- ance of thirty-seven. Charles J. Ames, Sr, is superintendent. There is also a Sabbath-school in the " Hooper district." This is said to be the largest one in town, and was organized and is supported by Mr Ames.

Through the courtesy of Hon. Larkin D. Mason, we are enabled to give these extracts from his graphic " Reminiscences of Rev. Samuel Hidden," delivered as an address, September, 1888: -

The house then (1816) had a very high roof. It was lathed inside, but no lime had as yet been applied. It was filled above and below with square pews, two long seats in each pew. Some of the pews had three seats. There were no arrangements for heating except the foot- stoves of the women. At half-past ten o'clock A.M., the minister came in, condueting a small aged lady, who I learned was his mother. He conducted her to a pew immediately near the pulpit, and taking leave of her he bowed as though he was to be long absent from her. He walked up the pulpit stairs followed by Colonel David Gilman, who always sat in the pulpit on account of deafness. There was a box in front of the pulpit to which was attached the communion table, and in the box sat Deacon Jacob Eastman. When prayer was announced every person in the house, not excused for disability, rose. To have failed to do so would have been a breach of the rule and might have called out the tithingman. Every seat was turned up during prayer, to give a better standing position. When the prayer was concluded and the seats were turned down there was a startling concussion for a few minutes. In due time the morning service closed, the benediction was pronounced, and everybody remained standing in their pews till the minister came down and walked the entire length of the broad aisle, bowing right and left at every pew, leaving no one unnoticed.

The cause of education received more assistance from his personal efforts than from any other person I ever knew or ever read of. Every school was visited by him frequently (mostly without remuneration) ; every scholar encouraged and even stimulated by his visits. I, have never met a person who could educate people as rapidly as he could. It might be a child, or it might be a person advanced in years, he knew exactly what to say to them. This extraor- dinary gift of teaching was not confined to literary teaching ; as a teacher of sacred music he

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could make everything so plain on the blackboard that none could fail to understand, but he (lisplayed his great gift as a teacher best when pursuing his sacred calling. He could explain to the whole assembly, young and old, saint or sinner, how God could be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus, and no other minister I ever knew could make this point so plain. In his Sabbath-school his custom was to read a few verses and have the school ask questions on the lesson for him to answer; and the more questions he could raise, the better he liked it, as it indicated study. . . . There never was a man among us so beloved by so large a portion of the community. If he met a child he always had a smile and a pleasant word well calculated to open his little soul and make it bigger. If he met a middle-aged man he would say something to him to strengthen him for the battle of life. If he met the aged he gave them words of cheer and consolation, and all classes loved him. I remember some seventy years ago Tristram Mason taught the school in the old district No. 2 with about eighty scholars. He was somewhat of a military man, and used to occasionally form the school into lines. One day a scholar came in and told the teacher Mr Hidden was coming. We were ordered out and formed into two lines in front of the schoolhouse. A young man acted as orderly, and held Mr Hidden's horse while he passed between the lines, bowing right and left. The school closed up around him, and in his smiling, loving way he gave us good advice. A visit from George Washington would not have cheered us more. When he married a couple he was very sure to give them a lecture to set up housekeeping with. In one of these lectures I heard him say : " When God took the woman from the man he did not take her from his feet to be trampled on by him; he did not take her from his head to rule over him; but from nearest his heart, to be loved by him; from his side, to stand by him, his equal." lle showed no mercy to slavery, nor gave flattery to slaveholders. The cause of temperance had been agitated but a few years before his death. The moment there was a dawn of light on that subject, he bceame a zealous advocate of real prohibition.

Education. - The Tamworth residents were especially favored in having for their spiritual teachers men of liberal education, enlarged ideas, and progressive movements. They taught them the value of extensive reading, and scarcely four years had passed after Rev. Samnel Hidden became pastor here, when the Tamworth Social Library was established, with six hundred volumes. Ten years prior to Mr Hidden's residence in town, the voters had agreed to build two schoolhouses, " one as nigh the centre as the land will admit between Captain Jewell's and Lieutenant Fowler's, the other between Captain Mason's and Mr Remick's," and in 1792 there were four schoolhouses. The first schoolmaster was Elijah Hutchinson. In the earliest days, schoolbooks were rare, and the catechism and Bible were used to teach the children to read, and also to commit portions to memory for lessons. After Mr Hidden's advent a new impetus was given to education. Fresh from college, young, ardent, and enthusiastic, no task seemed too great for him to undertake, and he early engaged in teaching, qualifying the young for teachers, and the schools and scholars increased in numbers. " He induced the town to devise more liberal measures for the support of the common schools : accordingly they raised more annually than the law required. He had the entire care of the schools, and when the common schools were not in operation, he opened his own house and instructed classes in the higher branches. Latin and Greek were his favorites, and he read Greek with great fluency." Not only did the young

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people of Tamworth have the benefit of his teaching, but many from the neighboring towns shared in their pursuit for knowledge, and some came from a distance of fifty to sixty miles. He prepared many for the study of law and medicine, and fitted several for college. He was also a teacher of vocal music, and on the Sabbath was always the expounder and explainer of the Scriptures. He was the educator of the people. This anecdote is told of him : At one time at town-meeting, some persons objected to the minister casting his vote, saying, " Ministers have no right to vote." Thereupon Parson Hidden, raising himself to his utmost height, exclaimed in righteous indignation, "I - no right to vote? I, who fought for you, prayed for you, and educated you ? Who among you has a better right ?" He voted.

In 1801 the school money was divided in each district according to the number of children from three to sixteen years old. In 1802 Rev. Samuel Hidden, Captain George Dodge, and Jacob Gilman were school committee. This year ten school districts were bounded and established. In 1804 Rev. Samuel Hidden, Captain George Dodge, Captain David Howard, Jacob Gilman, Esq., were committeemen to inspect schools. In 1807 it was voted that " when Rev. Mr Hidden visits any school and finds the master defi- cient, he is to report him to the selectmen, and the schools kept by women shall be inspected in the same manner." By this vote, we see that Mr Hidden had imbued;the people with the right spirit in regard to the education of their children, that they should be well and thoroughly taught. In 1819 four hundred and fifty dollars were raised for school purposes. In 1821 it was voted that "no school instructor shall be allowed to teach unless their certificate is signed anew or have new ones." In 1822 Rev. Mr Hidden, John M. Page, and Tufton Mason were a committee to examine teachers ; Rev. Mr Hidden to be the only visiting committee ; and it was voted that twenty dollars of the school money should be expended in purchasing books for the poor.

The character of the schools has been well preserved. Many eminent professional men have acquired or laid the foundations of their education in Tamworth, and a deep reverence for scholarship and higher culture has ever been manifested.1

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 92

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