History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4, Part 25

Author: Saunderson, Henry Hamilton, 1810-1890
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Claremont, N.H., The town
Number of Pages: 798

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Charlestown > History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4 > Part 25

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In consequence of our sudden departure from the place, we could not personally express our gratitude for your ready sympathy, assistance and attention in our time of trouble, and what we could not do verbally we now do otherwise.

Will you now accept our warmest gratitude for your immeasurable kindness, and wait for your full reward in a house not made with hands, a home which no flames can devour. The Lord bless you all. Accept this as the only offering in the power of your friends.

ever and sincerely, J. CROSBY and E. A. CROSBY."

Rev. Dr. Crosby, m. 1st Apr. 13, 1811, at Wolfborough N. H., Ann Rust Parker who d. Dec. 9th, 1813; m. 2nd, Nov. 14th, 1814, at West- minster, Vt., Huldah Robinson Sage, who d. Apr. 9th, 1835 ; m. 3d, Nov. 20th, 1838, at Brookline, Mass., Elizabeth Allen, Ch.

I. Ann Parker, b. in Charlestown, Dec. 6th, 1813; m. Rev. Caz- neau Palfrey, D. D., May 30th, 1838. Ch .; 1. Henry Goodwin, b. in Grafton, Mass., Oct. 9th, 1839 ; m. Mary Durfee Lovejoy, at Bradford,

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

Mass., Oct. 17th, 1872. 2. Mary Walker, b. Dec. 27th, 1840. 3. Re- becca Salsbury, b. in Barnstable, Mass., May 9th, 1844; m. David N. Utter, in Belfast Me., Sept. 16th, 1872. Ch .; (1) Margaret, b. in Belfast Me., Aug. 9th, 1873. (2) Robert Palfrey, b. in Olympia, Washington Territory, Nov. 23d, 1875. 4. Carl Follen, b. in Barnsta- ble, Mass., July 4th, 1846.

II. Edward, b. Dec. 3d, 1815; m. 1st, Apr. 3d, 1839, Mary A. Nichols, at Walpole, N. H. Ch .: (1) Mary Nichols, b. Dec. 22nd, 1840 ; m. Alfred L. Barbour, at Cambridge, Mass. Ch .: (1) Walter Frank- lin, b. in Cambridge, May 17th, 1865. (2) Robert, b. in Cambridge, March 26th, 1871. Mrs. Mary N. (C.) Barbour died March 31st, 1871, at Cambridge. 2. Grace, b. Aug. 11th, 1844. Mrs. Mary A. Cros- by died April 3d, 1845, and Edward Crosby m. 2nd, Eliza Ann Nich- ols, at Walpole, N. H., Jan. 29th, 1846. Ch .: I. Samuel Nichols, b. April 20th, 1847. 2. Annie Eliza, b. March 18th, 1852. 3. Edward Harry, b. Dec. 14, 1856.

III. Sibil, b. May 3d, 1817 ; d. Oct. 17th, 1817.

IV. William, b. Oct. 23d, 1818 ; m. Mary Elizabeth Bowles, at Rox- bury, Mass., Sept. 9th 1845. Ch .: 1. Mary Huldah, b. May 25th, 1846; m. Thomas Minns Ware, at Roxbury, Mass., Nov. 16th, 1872. Ch .: (1) Thomas Minns, b. Oct. 6th, 1873. (2) Sarah, b. July 2nd, 1875. 2. William Sage, b. Nov. 9th, 1848 ; graduated at Harvard University, 1870; M. D. and M. M. S., 1874, and died at Littleton, N. H., Apr. 6th, 1875. 3. Henry Bartlett, b. Nov. 25th, 1850. 4. Benjamin Lincoln, b. Feb. 3d, 1852. 5. Catharine Lincoln, b. March 17th, 1864.

V. James, b. Sept. 23d, 1820; m. at Charlestown, N. H., June 6th, 1863, Mary L. Pierpont. Ch .: 1. James Allen, b. July 28th, 1864. 2. . Mary Pierpont, b. June 22nd, 1869.

VI. Samuel Trevett, b. Dec. 11th, 1822 ; m. Sarah Elizabeth Lincoln, at Hingham, Mass., June 6th, 1848. Ch .: 1. Elizabeth Lincoln, b. Apr. 20th, 1849. 2. Clara May, b. May 29th, 1853; m. Frederic Eu- gene Bryant at Hingham, Sept. 16th, 1873. Ch .: (1) Eugene Lincoln, b. July 18th, 1874. (2) Ethel May, b. Jan. 8th, 1876. 3. Samuel Trevett, b. Aug. 4th, 1856. 4. Helen Baylies, b. Jan. 18th, 1862.

VII. Sylvester Sage, b. March 18th, 1825 ; d. April 7th, 1826.

VIII. Elizabeth Guild, b. July 10th, 1827 ; m. Rev. William J. Bridge, at Charlestown, N. H., Feb. 24th, 1850. Ch .: 1. Elizabeth Crosby, b. at East Lexington, Mass., Apr. 11th, 1851. 2. William, b. at East Lexington, Mass., Feb. 20th, 1853; d. at Bedford, Mass. Feb.

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

22nd, 1854. 3. Ann Palfrey, b. at Bedford, Mass., Dec. 19th, 1854. 4. James Crosby, b. at Dublin, N. H., Jan. 26th, 1857. 5. Henry Whitney, b. at Dublin, N. H., Aug. 16th, 1858. 6. William Frederic, b. at Dublin, N. H., Jan, 12th, 1861. 7. Josiah, b. at Dublin, N. H., June 21st, 1862. 8. Herbert Sage, b. at Dublin, N. H., July 4th, 1865. 9. Katherine May, b. in Peterboro Village, Smithfield, N. Y., March 26th, 1828. 10. Walter Guild, b. in Peterboro Village, Smithfield, N. Y., Sept. 29th, 1869.

IX. Clarissa Sage, b. Sept. 17th, 1829 ; m. Dr. Edward Gilchrist, at Charlestown, N. H., July 12th, 1856. (See Gilchrist.)

X. Sylvester Sage, b. Sept. 2nd, 1831; m. 1st, Elizabeth Capelle at Charlestown, N. H., Sept. 1st 1855. She died Oct. 26th, 1874, in Cam- bridge, Mass., and he m. 2nd, Mehitabel Ackers, at Brookline, Mass., Sept. 15th, 1875.

ASSOCIATE PASTORS.

The following persons have been Associate Pastors with Rev. Dr. Crosby, or Pastors of the society since his decease:

REV. ADAMS AYER was settled June 7th, 1855, and dismissed after re- signing his charge Dec. 12th, 1859. Mr. Ayer graduated at Harvard College in 1848, and at the theological school in 1851. The council in- vited at his ordination and installation was the Cheshire Unitarian As- sociation. Rev. John F. Ware of Cambridge was also specially in- vited to deliver " The customary address to the people."

Mr. Ayer was very acceptable to his parish, both as a preacher and pastor ; and Mrs. Aver (Miss Martha Hinkley before marriage) not only commended herself to minds of the highest culture in the society but left behind her many fragrant memories in the cottages of the poor and lowly.

Mr. Ayer, on leaving Charlestown, removed to Boston and became connected in business with Hinkley and Williams in their locomotive works and foundry on Harrison Avenue.

REV. EDWARD BARKER.

After the dismission of Mr. Ayer, Rev. Edward Barker on the 30th of March, 1861, was invited to become a colleague pastor with Dr. Cros- by for a year, his ministrations to commence on the first of the follow- ing May. The acceptance of this invitation was made known to the parish by a communication addressed to them bearing date April 16th, 1861. The parish records contain no account of his installation, and

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during the brief time that he ministered to the church his conduct af- forded evidence of his entire moral unfitness for the sacred office.

REV. LIVINGSTON STONE,

Having received an invitation from the south Parish Society to be- come associate pastor with Dr. Crosby, addressed to Edmund L. Cush- ing, the chairman of the committee, the following answer of acceptance.

"CHARLESTOWN, N. H., Dec. 12th, 1863. E. L. Cushing, Esq.,

Dear Sir :

Your communication of the 10th instant, containing an invitation from the society of this place to settle with them as their pastor, has been received. In reply, I have to say that after a serious considera- tion of the subject which at first presented many conflicting aspects, I have decided to accept the invitation extended to me, and to take my lot for better or for worse with this society. And let me add, that hav- ing now decided to put my hand to the plough there shall be, on my part, no looking back. Hoping that our connection may prove as happy as present auspices now seem to warrant.

I remain Sir, truly yours,

LIVINGSTON STONE."

The following Unitarian clergymen took part in his ordination, at the South Parish Church, in Charlestown, June, 1864.

Invocation, by Rev. William O. White, of Keene.

Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Thomas Dawes, of Walpole.

Sermon, by Rev. A. P. Peabody, of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Prayer of Ordination, by Rev. A. B. Muzzy.

Charge, by Rev. T. I. Mumford.

Right-hand of fellowship, by Rev. William B. Smith, Walpole, Massachusetts.

Address to the people, by Rev. F. H. Harrington, Cambridgeport.

Concluding prayer, by Rev. William F. Bridge, Dublin, N. H. Benediction, by the Pastor.

The following is Mr Stone's letter of resignation ;

"CHARLESTOWN, N. H., April 3d, 1868. TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH PARISH,

GENTLEMEN :

For some time past, owing to various causes, it has seemed to me that is was not for the best interests of this society, that I should retain

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

any longer my connection with it as Pastor. And now after a ministry of five years, in this place, during which I have met with great and undeserved kindness and forbearance from the people, I am fully con- vinced, that it is my duty to resign my pastoral office. I therefore take this opportunity to present my resignation to the trustees of the Parish, and request that it may take effect the first day of June next.

LIVINGSTON STONE,

Pastor of South Parish, Charlestown, N. H."

The resignation of Mr. Stone was accepted, May 9th, 1868, at which time, Resolutions presented by Dr. Samuel Webber, very complimen- tary to him, both as a preacher and a man, were passed by the society, in which also was extended to him the assurance that he would carry with him the best wishes of the society for his future happiness and prosperity.

REV. JOHN M. MERRICK.

After the dismission of Mr. Stone, Rev. John M. Merrick was invited to become the pastor of the society, with a salary of $ 1,200 a year, in quarterly payments; to commence his labors on the 1st of April, 1869.

The following is his answer of acceptance :

" CHARLESTOWN, February 22nd, 1869.

To Messrs George Hubbard, Joseph G. Briggs, jr., E. A. Tidd, Com- mittee of the Unitarian Society of Charlestown,

I have received through you an invitation to become the Pastor of your society. Please inform the society that I accept the invitation, in the hope, that a connection may be mutually profitable, and that we may co-operate in the diffusion of Christian truth, and in the formation of Christian character. That we may live together in the peace and fel-' lowship of the gospel of Christ is my earnest desire and prayer,

Yours Truly, JOHN M. MERRICK."

Mr. Merrick continued the pastor of the society and church till March 19th, 1870, when he was removed by death. His disease was internal cancer, which caused him, at times, most severe pain, but which he bore with great Christian fortitude and resignation. His min- istry was brief, yet during its continuance, he not only commended him- self by his faithful discharge of duty and gentlemanly and Christian courtesy, to the members of his own society, but to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

Before settling in Charlestown, Mr. Merrick had been Pastor, for twenty-five years, of the Unitarian Church in Walpole, Mass.

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

REV. EUGENE DE NORMANDIE.

Rev. Eugene De Normandie, the present Pastor of the church and society, was invited to become their Pastor May 8th, 1871; to which invitation he gave the following reply :

" MARLBORO, MASS., June 14th, 1871.

To the Parish Committee, South Parish, Charlestown, N. H.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

The invitation, which you have extended to me through the Clerk of the Parish, to become your minister, I have received. Having consid. ered the matter fully, in the weeks that have intervened since your wish was first intimated to me, I reply, without delay, that I heartily accept your invitation, or call. The terms of my settlement, I under- stand to be these : the use of the Parsonage while I am your minister ; twelve hundred dollars per year, paid quarterly ; the Parish year com- mencing June 1st.

It is my earnest wish and prayer, and shall be my great purpose, to do all for you, that, with the strength God has given me, I may be able to do. Let me say in Apostolic language, 'I desire not to have dominion over your faith, but to be a helper of your joy.'

Yours in faith, hope and charity, EUGENE DE NORMANDIE."

Rev. Eugene De Normandie, son of Dr. James and Sarah (Yardley) De Normandie, was born in Philadelphia, January 3d, 1832, and mar- ried, November 1st, 1860, Anna Tobey Nye, daughter of Abram and Nancy (Tobey) Nye, of Sandwich, Mass.

They have six children, born in the following order :

I. Abram E. b. Dec. 25th, 1861; II. Richard, b. June 24th, 1863 ; III. Eugene Fitzwilliam, b. May 15th, 1865; IV. Sarah Yardley, b. June 26th, 1867 ; V. Henry Nye, b. Nov. 8th, 1868; VI. Annie Mag- dalene, b. April 8th, 1872.

Mr. De Normandie was educated at the University of Louisburg, in Pennsylvania ; graduated from the Meadville Theological Seminary in 1855; was ordained at Littleton, Mass., February, 1857, and remained eight years ; was settled in Marlboro, Mass., in October, 1865, and re- mained five years ; was settled in Charlestown, July 1st, 1871, and has ministered successfully to the church and society. He closes his min- istry, greatly to the regret of a large portion of his society and of the community generally, April 1st, 1876.

OTHER CHURCHES IN THE VILLAGE

CHAPTER XVI.

HISTORY OF THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-OF THE EPIS- COPAL CHURCHI FROM ITS ORGANIZATION IN THE TOWN, AND OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN THE VILLAGE.

R EV. Dr. Crosby, at the time of his settlement, was supposed to be a Congregationalist ; accepting that word as embracing both the polity and general doctrines of that Church ; for, though less Calvanistic in his views than many of his brethren, he was still, by the Council, regarded as holding opinions sufficiently sound to entitle him to an ordination. He was, consequently, ordained, and, as we have reason to believe, continued to preach with very great accept- ance to the whole people for a number of years. Unitarianism, at that time, was in the churches only as a leaven and had not, as yet, created that ferment which it ultimately produced ; and a doubt may be entertained whether Dr. Crosby ever would have preached it as decidedly and ful- ly as he did, had it not been for the general controversy which arose concerning it, on the publication of the sermon preached by Dr. Wil- liam Ellery Channing, at the ordination of Rev. Jared Sparks, May 5th, 1819, over " The Independent Church in Baltimore." This ser- mon being widely circulated, a controversy was at once instituted, which waxed hot through all Massachusetts, and, to a considerable ex- tent throughout New-England ; the result of which was, that many of the parishes threw off the faith of the fathers, and embraced Unitarian views, while those, in them, who thought that their spiritual life demand- ed a different order of preaching and doctrines, asked for dismissions, and formed new churches where they could have ministrations more in accordance with their convictions of truth. For about fifteen years, this controversy was carried on with a violence, of which those who did

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not see something of it, can have little conception. It then, as nearly all the divisions had taken place which were likely, immediately, to oc- cur, lost much of its hold on public attention and gradually died away. A great number of churches in Massachusetts went over to Unitarian- ism, but the greatest defection in New-Hampshire did not exceed four or five.

Dr. Crosby was much interested in this controversy, and early show- ed his sympathy with the party of innovation, and the hearts of a large majority of his church and parish were, moreover, undoubtedly with him. And though the church did not become distinctively Uni- tarian till some years after the initiation of the controversy, yet such were the circumstances of its condition, that the result was not doubt- ful, from the beginning. If we regard, then, only the substantial fact, the church was lost to Congregationalism as early as 1820, though Mr. . Crosby's connection with Congregational organizations did not cease till some years after that time.

When it was found that Dr. Crosby was a Unitarian, there were some in the church, who felt that they could not go with him. They loved their pastor, but they could not follow him as their teacher in what they considered a denial of the great doctrines of salvation. They, therefore, reluctantly left the church; some of them uniting with the church in Acworth, and some with the church in Springfield, Vermont, where they waited till God in His providence, should open to them again the means of grace in the preaching of doctrines and principles, which should accord with their convictions.

In the language of one of this number, " It was a long night that they had to wait, but at length there came a dawn." A sufficient number of persons were found at length, who believed in the generally received evangelical doctrines to form a church. These on consulta- tion concluded to call an ecclesiastical council to organize them into a church, if they deemed such an organization expedient. This coun- cil was called, and met at the house of Mrs. Almira Conant, August 1st, 1835. After duly considering the matter, a church was organized which consisted of twenty-three members ; seven of whom were males, and sixteen females. Great excitement was produced by this move- ment, to which there had been no little opposition; and if there were some ill-advised proceedings on the part of a few, it can be scarcely probable that they were regarded with general approbation.

The first minister who preached to the church for any time was Rev. Joseph Curtis, then making his home in Windsor, Vt., who sup-

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

plied them for about a year. He was an excellent man, and his preaching produced a deep impression. Then after brief supplies from several individuals, among whom was Rev. Moses Gerould, they secured for a year the services of Rev. John C. Wilder. The services were held in the old Court house, known better to the present genera- tion as the old town house. This building was purchased by J. G. Briggs, Jr., in 1872, and moved to a position directly south of his shoe manufactory, where it has been transformed into a tenement house for the use of his workmen.

In 1839, a meeting-house was finished and dedicated. The means for building it, were mainly obtained through contributions from the neighboring churches. Most of these were obtained through the en- deavors of Mr. Gerould and Mr. Curtis who were deeply interested in the little church and who spared no labors to secure its success.

In September, 1840, Rev. J. De Forest Richards came by invitation to preach to them. Up to this time the church had not increased but rather diminished. It had only three male members residing in town, and less than twenty in all. But Mr. Richards entered hopefully upon his work which, as results proved, was in the end to be crowned with considerable success.

Though Mr. Richards had many apparent difficulties to encounter when he first came to preach to the church, they soon gave place to encouraging prospects. A spirit of prayer prevailed among a few ; and it was not long before there were some conversions and additions to the church. The consequence was a gradual increase in the con- gregation and a greater thoughtfulness in the community, till the lat- ter part of the following winter, when a still deeper interest became manifest. In the account which Mr. Richards gave of this interest he said " Professors of religion were greatly revived and encouraged, and sinners began to enquire what they must do to be saved. The result was a happy revival, a precious refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the fruits of which were some twenty-five hopeful conversions."

On the 26th of May, 1841, Mr. Richards was ordained and in- stalled as pastor of the church. As a salary the society voted "That they would exert themselves to pay $ 300 and would apply to the Home Missionary Society for $ 150." But the Home Missionary So- ciety appropriating to them only $ 100, his real salary became $ 400 which was fifty dollars less than he had reason to expect.

On the 13th of June following the ordination of the new pastor, nineteen were admitted to the communion of the church. During the

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

same year there were also others admitted mostly the fruits of the revival of the winter previous.

In the fall of 1842, and the following winter, there was again a wide spread religious interest ; and to employ the language of Mr. Richards, "Christians were greatly quickened and animated, and were led to humble themselves, to confess their sins, and to consecrate themselves to God more entirely." The result was twenty-five or more hopeful conversions, a large majority of whom were adult per- sons and heads of families. In several instances husband and wife at the same time confessed themselves subjects of the same great saving change. Family prayer was established in ten households, and twenty-four persons, nineteen by profession, and five by letter, were added to the church.

Mr. Richards continued his labors in Charlestown till the 14th of October, 1851; when he was dismissed by a mutual council, who cor- dially recommended him to the churches as an able and faithful min- ister of Christ. The dismission was by his own request; but the rea- son of that request was in the conduct of a few of the members of the church towards him, which so detracted from his usefulness, as to ren- der it expedient that he should seek another field of labor. He loved Charlestown, and would gladly have remained and devoted himself to the best spiritual interests of the people, but as is too often the case with Christian ministers he felt that there was a moral necessity laid upon him to leave them, owing to the defection of a small number by which his usefulness and happiness were both greatly impaired. So he left his beautiful home (the place now owned by J. G. Briggs, Jr.,) never to find another which pleased him so well, and his people, who have never found a more devoted or faithful pastor.

The facts in the life of Mr. Richards, before and after his settle- ment, at Charlestown, not contained in the above account, may be briefly summed up as follows. " He was the son of Joel and Miriam (Smith) Richards, and was born in Hartford Vermont December 28th 1809. He taught in Thetford Academy two years before completing his course at Dartmouth College, at which institution he graduated in 1836. After graduating at Dartmouth, he was appointed tutor in Marietta College, Ohio, where he remained a year. He then entered upon the study of Theology, first at Union Theological Seminary, and afterwards, at Andover ; at which last mentioned institution he grad- uated in 1840. After leaving Charlestown, he was installed at Ches- ter, Vermont, in June, 1853, where he remained in a successful pastor-

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

ate till 1858 ; when he removed to Weathersfield, Vermont, and sup- plied the church at the Center. In 1863, he went to College Hill, Ohio, to the charge of the Ohio female Seminary, but the death of Major Jarvis, a brother of his wife, in the war of the Rebellion, recalled him to Vermont in 1865. He subsequently went to Wilcox county, Ala- bama, and purchased a plantation, and while residing there was elect- ed a state senator, and to a professorship in Alabama University ; but the ostracism of northern men by southern opinion would not allow him to retain this place. He died at Mobile in Custom House service December 2d, 1872, in the peace and hope of Christian faith. He was a man of warm heart, genial and cultivated, and of true piety, and fills a large place in the memory of those who best knew his worth."

REV. WORTHINGTON WRIGHT.

After the dismission of Mr. Richards, Rev. Worthington Wright came by invitation, November 8th, 1851, to labor with the church for a season; and, March 4th, 1852, he received a call to become their pas- tor, which having accepted, he was installed on the 16th of the same month. His salary was four hundred and fifty dollars; one hundred and fifty of which he received from the Home Missionary Society. Mr. Wright labored with the society for three and a half years during which time the usual attendance on public worship on the Sabbath, in good weather, was from eighty to a hundred. Mr. Wright was dis- missed through failure of his health, October 23d, 1855. Twenty-three were added to the Church during his pastorate.

Mr. Wright was a native of Windsor, Massachusetts ; a graduate of Williams College, in the class of 1806; and of Andover Theological Seminary in 1810. After a short pastorate at Woodbury, Connecticut, and some Missionary service in Pennsylvania, his eyes became so se- riously affected that, unable to continue his ministrations longer, he turned his attention to the study of Medicine, which was the profession of his father ; and passed through a regular course, and practised in the profession for sixteen years. But having again attained the use of his sight, he returned once more to his favorite work of preaching the gos- pel ; and was settled at Woodstock, Vermont, where he remained thir- teen years. From Woodstock he went to Boston for a short time ; thence to Charlestown, where he closed his ministerial labors. He spent the last eighteen years of his life peacefully in the family of his son, Rev. Edwin S. Wright, D. D., who was for a number of years pastor at Acworth ; and of his daughter, Mrs. J. O. Putnam. He experi-

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HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.

enced little pain even in his last sickness, but gradually lost his hold of life, and at length, like a satisfied child, fell asleep. His memory will be long cherished in the places where he labored, as that of an able and faithful pastor, who was affable and childlike, yet always dignified and strong, by the graces of the Master, for any emergency. He died in Buffalo, New-York, on the 25th day of October, 1873, at the house of his son-in-law, Honorable James O. Putnam, in his 89th year.

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History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4, Part 25

Author: Saunderson, Henry Hamilton, 1810-1890 Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Claremont, N.H., The town Number of Pages: 798

Author: Saunderson, Henry Hamilton, 1810-1890
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Claremont, N.H., The town
Number of Pages: 798