USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Charlestown > History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4 > Part 22
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
The meeting then
" Voted, that the town will allow, as an addition to the annual salary they have already voted to Mr. John Dennis, at their last meeting, the sum of three pounds six shillings and eight pence, silver money, at six shillings and eight pence per ounce, as is requested by him, in his an- swer to the proposals made him by the town."
This vote was carried to Mr. Dennis, from the town, and Mr. Dennis was pleased to return the following answer, in writing, viz .-
" HONORED AND BELOVED :- Your further addition to my salary according to your vote in answer to my request in that behalf, con- firms my sentiments of your regard. Accordingly, I accept this, as a
214
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
renewed instance, with all suitable gratitude, and thankfulness; which is all at present.
From yours,
to serve you in the faith and fellowship of the gospel,
JOHN DENNIS.
Charlestown, N. H., July 15th, 1754."
In addition to the above proceedings of the town, found on the 9th, 10, 11th, 12th and 13th pages of the first book of the town records, we find the proprietors in a series of legally notified meetings, taking the following concurrent action :
At a legal meeting of the proprietors held August 15th, 1754, we find them passing the following votes.
" Voted, that the Proprietors will be at the charge of settling Mr. John Dennis in the work of the ministry amongst us.
Voted, that the sum of 350 pounds old Tenor, equal to Spanish dol- lars at 45 shillings, per dollar, be raised and assessed on the proprie- tors for building Mr. Dennis a house, and for fitting and sowing his land.
Voted, that Peter Labaree, Mr. Seth Walker, and Ebenezer Putnam, be a committee, to see that the house voted to be built for Mr. Dennis, be forwarded and perfected; viz., the body of the house set up, and the roof covered by the last day of September next.
Voted, that the sum of 16s old Tenor, be allowed to common labor- ing men per day, and that a carpenter be allowed 25s. per day.
Voted, that any man, who shall provide boards, shingles, or other materials needful for said building, shall be allowed the common price for the same; and that the committee be directed to receive of any person or persons, as aforesaid, so far as they may be needful for said building, provided he does not provide more than to pay his or their rates.
Voted, that the Proprietors will be at the charge of providing for the ministers, and delegates that are sent for to assist in the ordination of Mr. Dennis.
Voted, that John Hastings, Ensign David Farnsworth, and Lieu- tenant John Sawyer, be a committee to agree with some suitable per- son to provide for the ministers and delegates aforesaid.
Voted, that Peter Labaree, John Hastings, and. Thomas Adams, be assessors to make the rates above voted.
Voted, that Peter Labaree be a collector to collect the same."
215
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
This was on the 4th of August, 1754. On the 30th Peter Labaree, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, &c., were taken prisoners by the Indians, (see James Johnson). Another collector was therefore required in his place; and at a legal meeting held at the Fort, January 8th, 1755, Benjamin Allen was appointed to this office ; and instead of the for- mer Committee of assessors Thomas Adams, Ebenezer Putnam, and William Heywood were substituted.
It was contemplated at the time the call was given to Mr. Dennis, that his ordination should take place at Charlestown, but danger be- ing apprehended from the Indians, it was ultimately thought best that the council should be held at Northfield, Massachusetts, and Cap- tain Samuel Hunt of Northfield, father of the distinguished Colonel Samuel Hunt, subsequently of Charlestown, was engaged to entertain the ministers and delegates who should attend.
The Council met at Northfield, Mass., December 4th, 1754, where a church was organized of persons belonging to Charlestown, who had previously subscribed to a covenant, which the Council approved ; and the following was forwarded by the scribe, to be inserted in the town Records.
" To Mr. John Hastings, Clerk of Charlestown in New-Hampshire, Sir : Please to insert the following certificate in your records.
These may certify that Mr. John Dennis, was ordained a minister of the gospel, and had charge of the church of Charlestown in New- Hampshire committed to him on the 4th of December, 1754, by El- ders of the Churches of Swanzey, Sunderland, Deerfield, Hatfield and Northfield.
Attest, JONATHAN ASHLEY, Scribe."
The ministry of Mr. Dennis thus auspiciously begun, was brought to a termination in a year, and a little less than four months ; as he was dismissed March, 31st, 1756. Through imprudences on his part, dissatisfaction very soon arose, which resulted in difficulties which rendered it best that the pastoral relation should be dissolved. This was done by an ecclesiastical council, mutually invited by Mr. Dennis and the town, consisting of the following Pastors, viz., Rev. Ezra Carpenter, of Keene and Swanzey ; Rev. Joseph Ashley of Sunder- land ; Rev. Jonathan Ashley of Hatfield ; Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, of Deerfield ; and Rev. John Hubbard of Northfield.
Both the conduct and course pursued by Mr. Dennis, were severely „censured by the Council, who went so far as to say to the people of
216
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
the town, that "They thought it a favorable Providence that he had left them."
According to previous agreement, Mr. Dennis gave the following discharge to the Town of Charlestown.
" MR. DENNIS' DISCHARGE.
To all persons to whom these presents may come. These are to cer- tify, that I, the subscriber, John Dennis, who was lately ordained, and set apart to the work of the gospel ministry among the people of Charlestown, on Connecticut River, in the Province of New-Hamp- shire, do hereby relinquish, remise and re-convey to the inhabitants, and Proprietors of said Charlestown, or Number Four, in the Prov- ince of New-Hampshire, all right or title to any lands that might accrue to me, in said town, either by an act of the General Court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, or any vote or votes of the inhab- itants and Proprietors of said Charlestown, or any other way what- ever, ou account of my being ordained a minister of the gospel to said people. And I do hereby forever acquit and discharge said peo- ple from all obligations to me, by virtue of any votes respecting a settlement among them as a minister of the gospel, as witness my hand and seal, this 20th day of April Anno Domini 1756.
JOHN DENNIS.
Signed, and sealed at Deerfield
In presence of
Thomas Williams. Isaac Williams.
Hampshire ss, Deerfield, April, 20, 1756.
Then Mr. John Dennis, subscriber to the foregoing instrument, ac- knowledged the same to be his act and deed.
Before me, Isaac Williams, Justice of the Peace." (See page 17 First B. T. Records).
After leaving Charlestown Mr. Dennis became pastor of the South Precinct of Harwich, Mass., where he continued till 1760, when he resigned his pastorate and brought an action in Court for the stipend which the Precinct had promised him, but which he alleged had not been paid; after which, nothing is known of him save that he died September 2nd, in 1773, having nearly completed his 65th year, but at what place has not been ascertained.
In his acceptance of his call to Charlestown, Mr. Dennis makes al-
217
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
lusion to his large family. His children, by his wife Ruth, were as fol- lows :
I. John; II. William ; III. Nathan; IV. Moses ; V. Martha, who married Abraham Safford. VI. Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Griffin ; VII. Lucy, who married William Roberts.
After the dismission of Mr. Dennis, the times, on account of the war, were very much disturbed and the citizens of the town did not for some time attempt again to secure the ministrations of the gospel. That they had preaching occasionally, for a Sabbath or two, by the neighboring ministers, is probable, but no stated or regular supply be- fore the advent of Mr. Olcott.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER XIV.
ANCESTORS OF MR. OLCOTT AND THE OLCOTT FAMILY-BULKLEY OLCOTT- HIS EDUCATION -- SETTLEMENT IN CHARLESTOWN-CHURCH RE-ORGANIZED AT THE TIME OF HIS SETTLEMENT-HIS USEFULNESS-HONORS CONFERRED UPON HIM-HIS FAMILY-ACCOUNT OF HIS DEATH-DAN FOSTER AND THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH TILL THE INCORPORATION OF SOUTH PARISH.
S EV. Bulkley Olcott, the 2nd settled minister of Charlestown, was descended from Thomas Olcott, who emigrated from England, about the year 1635, and became one of the first settlers of Hartford, Connecticut where he died in 1654, at the age of about 45 years. He had five children; from Thomas, Jr., the eldest of whom, the line of descent of the subject of this memoir, is traced as follows : Thomas Olcott, son of Thomas Olcott, Jr., married a lady whose Christian name was Mary, and, like his father, settled in Hartford. There were six children by this marriage; of whom Timothy, the young- est, was born in 1677. Timothy married and settled first in Coventry Connecticut, but afterwards, removed to Bolton, in the same state, where he became an officer in the Church. He died greatly respected, April 5th, 1754.
. The eldest son of Deacon Timothy Olcott, Timothy Olcott, Jr., born in 1703, married, Nov. 31st, 1732, Eunice White, of Hatfield, Massa- chusetts and died January 5th, 1746, at the age of 43. By this mar- riage there were seven children ; Bulkley, born October 28th, 1733; Simeon, born October 1st, 1735; Eunice, born, May 15th, 1737; Sarah, born in 1739; Timothy, in 1741; Elias, born February 28th, 1744; Hannah (posthumous) born April 19th, 1747. Four of the above, Bulkley, Simeon, (see Honorable Simeon Olcott,) Sarah, and
219
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
Hannah, ultimately settled in Charlestown, of whom Bulkley and Simeon were for many years, among the most prominent men and use- ful citizens.
Bulkley Olcott graduated at Yale College, in 1758 ; at which time he was about 25 years of age. With whom he studied for the min- istry has not been ascertained. The following is the first account which we have of him in connection with his ministry in Charlestown.
" At a legal meeting of the town, held at the Old Fort, on the 11th day of August, 1760, it was voted, that the town will choose a Com- mittee to go and discourse with Mr. Olcott, and see whether he will be prevailed upon to stay and preach with us a longer time; and that Lieutenant Isaac Parker, John Hastings, Seth Walker, Lieutenant John Sawyer, Mr. Seth Putnam, Captain John Spafford, Peter Laba- ree, (and) William Heywood, be a committee to discourse with Mr. OI- cott on the premises."
It appears that at this time he had preached only a few sabbaths ; but that, in accordance with the wishes of the people, he readily con- sented to remain with them longer ; and that he still continued to make a favorable impression may be inferred from the fact that, on the 14th of November following, the town extended to him a regular call for settlement. The salary offered was the whole of the right of land commonly called the ministerial right, which Mr. Dennis had relin- quished, and one hundred pounds lawful money of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. But this salary was not satisfactory; and in ad- dition to the ministerial right, in the place of the one hundred pounds, the following votes were substituted. " Voted, that the town give Mr. Olcott the sum of forty-five pounds sterling or silver or gold equiva- lent thereto, for the first year ; after the first year the town will add to his salary the sum of thirty shillings per annum, until his salary shall amount to the sum of sixty pounds sterling, or silver or gold equiva- lent ; which sum to be his stated or standing salary during the time he shall continue to be our minister ; the one half of the above men- tioned salary to be paid him at the end of half a year after he shall accept of our proposals ; the other half at the year's end and so year- ly, the time he shall continue our minister."
In addition to the above it was " voted that the town will give or provide Mr. Olcott thirty cords of wood, annually brought to his door, during the time he shall continue to be our minister: to begin to provide him his wood, as above-said at the time he shall keep house by himself."
220
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
Messrs. Ebenezer Putnam, Joel Matthews, and Lieutenant Parker, were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Olcott with these votes, which they did, and received his answer as follows.
" Charlestown in New-Hampshire, Feb. 17, 1761.
The church and congregation in this town having given me a call to labor with them in the work of the ministry, and this being the day proposed to give them an answer, I have therefore determined in the fear of God, and having my reliance upon Christ, the great head of the church, to accept of their call, and settle with them in the work of the ministry, if nothing shall appear, betwixt this and the time of my ordination, to set my duty in a different light.
BULKLEY OLCOTT."
On this, another meeting of the town was called on the 20th of April, 1761; and the following persons were appointed a committee to consult with Mr. Olcott in reference to his ordination ; viz., Mr. Seth Walker, John Hastings, Captain Spafford, Lieutenant Parker, and Ebenezer Putnam. This committee was also authorized to agree with some suitable person, or persons to provide entertainment for the ministers and delegates, who should be invited to assist at the ordina- tion.
The ordination took place on the 28th of May, 1761 ; but who com - posed the council or took part in the service, owing to the loss of the Church records in the burning of the house of Rev. Dr. Crosby, can- not now be ascertained ; but very probably most of the churches were represented in the council, which had been represented previously in the ordination of Mr. Dennis.
Such had been the changes in Charlestown, owing to the war and the circumstances of the dismission of Mr. Dennis, that it was deemed best, at the ordination and installation of Mr. Olcott, that a new Church should be organized, which was accordingly done. This con- sisted, so far as males were concerned, of Mr. Olcott and ten others ; viz. Isaac Parker, Seth Walker, Seth Putnam, Stephen Farnsworth, Ebenezer Putnam, Thomas Putnam, Joel Matthews, William Hey- wood, and John Spafford. Of this Church Ebenezer Putnam was in- stalled the first Deacon. The female members owing to the loss of the Church records cannot now be ascertained.
On the 11th of August, 1760, before the settlement of Mr. Olcott, the town voted to build a log house for public worship, of the following dimensions, viz .: 34 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 8 feet between joints;
221
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
and to place it on meeting house hill. They voted also twenty pounds lawful money to be levied on the inhabitants for building the house, provided so much should be needed. A committee was appoint- ed to see to, and forward the building, with directions that it should be completed by the last day of the following September. On the 17th day of the following October, the town voted, to raise the fur- ther sum of ten pounds lawful money for the purpose of " finishing the house so far as to build seats, glaze the house, finish the pulpit, so far as needful, make window shutters, and calk the said house."
On the restoration of peace in 1763, when the long continued fears of the people had at length become fully quieted, they instituted prepa- rations for the ereetion of a building, more suitable to their growing condition and the circumstances of the times. It was to be forty- eight feet long, thirty-eight wide, and twenty-five between posts. For this purpose they raised the sum of sixty pounds. " Of the progress of the work for more than two years and a half from its commencement," says Dr. Crosby in his Annals, " we have merely the information that a preparation of materials and the selection of a site for the building" were the only results of their exertions. In August, 1765, some unex- pected occurrences, probably deficiencies in means, so weakened the hands of the builders, that the work ceased till October, 1767. At this period they resumed the work, and again obtained a vote, to raise the sum of sixty pounds. In December of the same year, a committee was appointed to superintend the ereetion and covering of the frame. By gradual progression, it became a place of worship in 1768." Dr. Crosby then adds, " thirty and five years was this temple in building ; for accessions and renovations continued till 1798, when it received its last repairs and last additions."
At the time of the settlement of Mr. Oleott, the nearest ministers were at Northfield, and at Swanzey and Keene; and though Charles- town had been settled over twenty years, these places, even then, could not be easily reached. The little church, over which he was ordained, was really, then, without the use of a figure, a church in the wilder- ness, though it was not destined to be so long ; for very soon, under the changes that resulted from the reduction and conquest of the Canadas, the settlements, both north and west, began very rapidly to multiply and increase ; and such was the desire of the people for the privileges of the gospel, that wherever in a township a few families were gath- ered, measures were early taken for the employment and settlement of a minister ; and Mr. Olcott was the man to whom all the surrounding
222
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
communities looked for counsel and advice. On the 10th of June fol- lowing the ordination of Mr. Olcott, a church was formed at Walpole, and Rev. Jonathan Leavitt was ordained over it. In 1763, a church was formed in Hinsdale, and Rev. Bunker Gay, a graduate of Har- vard college in 1760 was made its pastor. In 1764 November 7th, a church was organized in Westmoreland, and Rev. Willianı Goddard, a graduate of Harvard in 1761, was settled the same day.
In 1768, a church was also formed at Cornish, under Rev. James Wellman, who had previously been pastor in Sutton, Massachusetts, where many of his parishioners had originally lived, and who called him to be their minister on that account. Thus the church at Charles- town was not long a solitary church on the Connecticut River in New- Hampshire, but was permitted to rejoice in the fellowship of others of the same communion. As the earliest settled minister in the region, Mr. Olcott usually had a very important part to perform in the organ- ization of all the new churches. Nor did he cease to exercise a wide and beneficent influence in establishing churches, and introducing ministers into the new settlements, till at the close of nearly thirty- three years of active ministerial life he was called to rest from his la- bors.
By the settlement of Mr. Dennis, great injury undoubtedly accrued. The example and life of Mr. Olcott, on the contrary, greatly contribu- ted both to the spiritual good and temporal prosperity of the place. He was an able and faithful minister, whose mind never lost the equi- librium of good sense, and whose counsels, therefore, were so judicious that they were always acceptable, whether they related to the interests of the church or the affairs of the town. No important matter, there- fore, could come up for consideration, or be undertaken in the commu- nity, in relation to which his opinion and advice had not previously been sought. This confidence of the people reposed in him greatly enlarged his usefulness among them, and gave him frequent opportu- nities of benefiting them in matters not usually considered as lying within the sphere of ministerial duties. It was no unmerited praise, then, which was bestowed, when it was said of him, that " During his whole ministry his solicitude for the happiness of his parishioners was conspicuous in the benefits which he conferred."
The ability of Mr. Olcott was duly acknowledged, not only by his own immediate people, but in all the country around. When in the second union with Vermont, of the towns lying east of the Connecticut River, the Vermont Legislature met at Charlestown, October 11th
223
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
1781, Mr. Olcott was appointed to preach the election sermon, and was also made chaplain of the assembly for the session. In 1786, the honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Dartmouth college, which was the highest degree conferred for many years after the establishment of that institution. At the meeting of the New- Hampshire Legislature at Charlestown, in 1787, Mr. Olcott was hon- ored with the chaplaincy as he had been previously by Vermont. In 1788, he was appointed a trustee of Dartmouth college, in which office he continued till his decease. He was moreover honored by the courts with an invitation to open their daily sessions with religious exercises whenever they met in Charlestown.
It is the habit of some persons, because the early inhabitants of our townships were not blest with the privileges which they enjoy, to as- sume that they were ignorant and characterized by a want of refine- ment. Such an assumption, so far as Charlestown is concerned, would be neither just, nor in accordance with facts. For whoever knows anything of the character of its early inhabitants, or the state of its society, during a considerable portion of Mr. Olcott's ministry, must, at least, be convinced that there was in his congregation a class of persons who possessed a degree of mental cultivation, refinement, and dignity of manners, which has not since, been surpassed. When we consider that Mr. Olcott was constantly called to preach to such men as Honorable Simeon. Olcott, Honorable Benjamin West, Honorable Samuel Stevens, Honorable John Hubbard, Dr. William Page, Dr. Samuel Crosby, and Colonels Samuel Hunt and William Heywood, we shall understand that the ability which could give satisfaction to an audience of which they were members, from year to year, could not have been inconsiderable. Yet we have reason to believe that satis- faction was not only given, but a profound respect for his talents and services inspired.
As has already been intimated, Mr. Olcott became an efficient agent in helping forward the prosperity of the place. Under the in- fluence of his guiding and directing mind, the church prospered, edu- cation made progress, and society became both more cultivated and orderly ; and he did much in every respect by his instrumentality for laying that foundation of prosperity and respectability, which the town for a long series of years, so abundantly enjoyed.
As Mr. Olcott was established in Charlestown anterior to the set- tlement of the townships, on the north and west, he was often called upon, before they obtained pastors, to attend weddings and funerals at
.
224
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
a great distance. In such cases, guides were usually despatched to conduct him to the places where his services were required; and when the services were over, to accompany him back again. This be- came necessary, inasmuch as the roads were only bridle paths, and there was danger, without such guidance, of his getting lost in the in- tricacies of the forest. It is a tradition, that he was thus conducted to solemnize the first marriage which ever took place in Claremont. Moses Spafford had built a log house, and had brought to it his in- tended, who was desirous of seeing the place where she was to live, before the nuptial ceremony was performed. It was a very rude structure, with a stationary pine-board table, and no furniture but such as Moses had made, and the utensils for house keeping were not many, nor elegant. Yet with the superadded idea that Moses would be her constant companion, all was pronounced very good ; and it was agreed between them that Moses should go to Charlestown and bring up Mr. Olcott to perform the marriage service. When he was about starting, the lady reminded him that they had nothing to drink in the house, and that as Mr. Olcott might be faint on his arrival, it might be well for him to take a bottle and get a pint at Charlestown. This was accordingly done ; and Mr. Olcott, on his arrival, was treated to a generous glass of Blackstrap. He then solemnized the marriage, and after partaking of some refreshments was re-conducted to his home in Charlestown in the same way that he had come. The earliest issue by this marriage, was the first white child born in Claremont, to whom the parents gave the good old name of Elijah.
Rev. Bulkley Olcott, married Martha Pomeroy, daughter of Colonel Seth Pomeroy of Northampton, Massachusetts. His children by this marriage were,
I. Theodosia, who married Honorable Lewis R. Morris of Spring- . field, Vermont ; who was from May 15th, 1797, to March 3d, 1803, rep- resentative in Congress from that State. II. Martha, who married Jacob Smith, a respectable lawyer of Royalton, Vermont. Mr. Smith graduated at Dartmouth college in 1790, and died in 1814, aged forty- four. III. Theophilus, who graduated at Dartmouth college in the class of 1800, studied law and practiced his profession in Royalton, Vermont, where he died in 1816, aged 34. IV. Lucretia.
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.