History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 132

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 132
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 132

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).

After the resignation of Mr. Hutchinson, 1818, Rev. Leland Howard, pastor of the church at Windsor, occasionally supplied the pulpit.

The labors of Mr. Howard are held in grate- ful remembrance. From November 8, 1818, to September 30, 1819, under his supervision, one hundred and ten members were added to the church, among them Alonzo King, who afterward entered the ministry, and, by request of the Baptist Missionary Society, wrote the Memoir of George Dana Boardman, and Baron Stow, afterward Rev. Dr. Stow, of Boston.

In June, 1819, mainly through the efforts of Colonel William Cheney, who was a convert under Mr. Howard, a charter was granted by the Legislature for "The First Baptist Society of Newport." The corporators were James D. Walcott, Elisha Hutchinson and Philip W. Kibbey.

Its first meeting was held August 4, 1819. William Cheney was chosen moderator ; James D. Wolcott, clerk ; and William Cheney, Joseph Farnsworth and Ira Walker, wardens. Women were admitted to membership; the name of Deborah Stow, the mother of Baron Stow, being the first one recorded.

In 1819, October, the church ordained Mr. Parsons, of Boston, as an evangelist. He preach- ed several months and was succeeded by Brad- bury Clay, of Nottingham West, who supplied for a time, but not as pastor.

A revival began in June, 1820, in the New- port Academy under the care of Mr. Shedd, of Boston, and some twenty persons were baptized by Rev. Ariel Kendrick, of Cornish, as the result of this awakening.

During the year 1821, through the energy and enterprise of the leading men of the Bap- tist Church and society, a new house of worship of ample dimensions (sixty-four by forty-four) was erected on its present conspicuous site at the north end of the village park.

On October 11th the church ceased its Sab- bath services in the old house at North New- port, and set apart the new house at the village as its future place for public worship. Rev. J. Ellis preached the dedicatory sermon, from Haggai 2:9-"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts ; and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts."

In July, 1821, Rev. Ira Pearson, of Hart- land, Vt., came to the pastorate. He was a na- tive of Windsor, Vt., and was born September 28, 1791. It is matter of interest to state that when Rev. Biel Ledoyt came forward to receive the right hand of fellowship as the first installed minister, October 3, 1791, his dis- tinguished successor in the pastorate was five days old.

Under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Pearson the church increased in number and strength. With a new house of worship and a new minis- ter, the people " had a mind to work," and the results were most cheering. In 1824 a mem- bership of two hundred and forty-nine was re- ported to the Woodstock Association.

In 1828 the churches on the New Hampshire side of the Connecticut River seceded from the Woodstock Association, and the " Newport As- sociation of Baptist Churches" was formed, taking the name "Newport " on account of the central position and standing of this church.

Since the Association was thus organized it has met with the Newport Church six times, viz : 1836, '42, '48, '55, '65, '79. During his first pastorate of fourteen years, which ended July 1, 1835, Mr. Pearson baptized nearly two hundred persons. In all this time the church was united and prosperous, and the pastor high- ly esteemed.

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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The Rev. Mr. Pearson removed to Chester, Vt., and became the minister of the church there. After his retirement from Newport the pulpit was supplied for a time by Rev. Edward Peterson, of Moriah, N. Y. In the spring of 1836 Rev. Orrin Tracy, of New London, took charge until January, 1838. In the mean time the anti-slavery agitation had become a fruitful source of discord in the community. It invaded the church ; parties were arrayed on either side and it seemed as though the religion of Christ was about to be overwhelmed by the fanatical spirit of the time. In its distracted condition the church turned to its former pas- tor, Rev. Mr. Pearson, as one who could guide it successfully out of its perilous condition. Seeing its great need he left the church at Ches- ter, became a second time pastor, March, 1838, of the Newport Church. In September of this year Mr. Pearson secured the services of Rev. Mr. Grant, and after Grant, Rev. Mr. Waldron. These were noted evangelists, and the attention of the church was thus diverted from the dis- cussion of ulterior questions and enlisted in a grand revival which brought unity, peace and concord to its councils. A hundred and forty new members were added. At the next meet- ing of the Association the church reported a membership of three hundred and sixty-three, the largest number heretofore reported. The results stated illustrate the good judgment of Mr. Pearson in the settlement of an unhappi- ness in the church.

In 1841, the meeting-house was reconstruct- ed by raising the auditorium in such a manner as to make space for a lower story, which was fitted up for school purposes, and occupied for several years by the Newport Academy. The room was also used for social meetings. The second pastorate of Rev. Ira Pearson continued four years and eight months, closing in Novem- ber, 1842. The two pastorates extended over a period of nearly nineteen years, during which time about four hundred additions were made to the church. After brief pastorates at Lowell

and Plymouth, Mass., and at Milford, N. H., Mr. Pearson removed, in 1853, to Ludlow, Vt , where he continued nineteen years as pastor, and in 1872 closed a career as a set- tled minister, aggregating fifty-six years. On his retirement from active ministerial work, 1872, he selected the town of Newport, from all others known to him in New England, as the home of his declining years. His ninetieth birthday was celebrated August 28, 1881, by a grand ovation at the town hall. It will be seen that his life runs parallel, nearly, with that of our country under the Constitution, and with that of the Baptist Church during its first hun- dred years. He died August 22, 1882.

Rev. Joseph Freeman, of Cavendish, Vt., came to the pastorate in 1842, and so continued until 1846. During his ministry the Millerite excitement prevailed, and it required much of skill and prudence to tide the church through the trial, and preserve its unity. Mr. Freeman was succeeded in 1847 by Rev. William M. Guilford, who continued until February, 1851. At this time the membership had become reduc- ed to one hundred and seventy-five. Rev. Paul S. Adams came from Georgetown, Mass., and commenced pastoral work here October 1, 1851. Mr. Adams was pastor of the church five years. During this time the membership was raised to two hundred and eighty. He was dismissed at his own request to the church in Brattleborough, Vt. At this crisis Rev. Ira Pearson was called a third time to the pastorate but declined. Rev. James Andem was called April 1, 1857, and installed June 18 and closed his labors in August of the following year.

Rev. Mylon Merriam, of Sharon, Mass., was pastor from October 17, 1858, until September 4, 1859. The pulpit was then supplied by Rev. S. G. Abbott, of Bradford.

It appears on the record that on August 17, 1859, the church was "called to mourn the death of Brother Amos Little, one of its most ardent friends, firm supporters and main pillars." Rev. W. H. Watson, of West Acton, Mass.,

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was settled in 1860, and dismissed in May, 1861. David T. James settled June 4, 1862; dis- missed in the spring of 1866. Rev. Foster Henry was settled July 8, 1866. He came here from Danvers, Mass. His labors were ac- ceptable to the people, and quite a number were added to the church. The parsonage was built during his pastorate-1867-at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and in 1870 the church edifice was rebuilt at an expense of about nine thousand dollars. The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Mr. Pearson July 8th, with ap- propriate ceremonies.

Rev. Foster Henry closed his pastorate of nearly six years on June 1, 1872. During his ministry thirty-two members were added to the church.

Rev. Halsey C. Leavitt, of Governeur, N. Y., came to the pastorate October 1, 1872. The church prospered. In 1875 a new vestry was erected at an expense of about one thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. Leavitt closed his labors on the last Sunday in September, 1878. Sixty- five members were added during his ministry.

Rev. Charles F. Holbrook, of Saco, Me., came to the pastorate January 1, 1879. The centennial anniversary of the church was cele- brated with appropriate services on September 23d of that year. After an interesting and successful ministry of somewhat over four years, Mr. Holbrook was dismissed, at his own request, to accept the pastorate of the Baptist Church at Hallowell, Me. Sixty members were added to the church while under his pastoral care.

Rev. Frank T. Latham, of Suffield, Conn., assumed the duties of the pastorate August 5, 1883. His discourse on the occasion was from Luke 22 : 27 ;- " I am among you as one that serveth."

The Baptist Church of Newport has the honor of having furnished twelve candidates for the Christian ministry, viz. : Baron Stow, D.D., Alonzo King, William Heath, Elias Mc- Gregor, Enoch and Elijah Hutchinson, John Learned, Simeon Chamberlain, F. W. Towle,

Elijah Baker, Caleb Clark and Julius Leavitt. It has had fourteen deacons, viz. : Seth Wheeler, Elias Metcalf, Asaph Stow, Jeremiah Nettleton, Abel Metcalf, William Cheney, Jona- than Cutting, Joseph Farnsworth, Israel Kelly, Timothy Fletcher, Parmenas Whitcomb, James Tandy, Austin L. Kibbey, Henry A. Jenks. It is estimated that about one thousand mem- bers have been connected with it since its organ- ization, over one hundred years ago. Our sketch leaves its interests, spiritual and temporal, in the hands of Rev. F. T. Latham, pastor, and Henry A. Jenks, George F. Whitney and E. M. Kempton, deacons. The future will call upon them for an account of their stewardship.

THE METHODIST CHURCH in Newport traces its origin to an event of minor importance which occurred about the year 1815. It seems that Peter Wakefield, a resident of Northville, then a member of the Baptist Church, became dissatisfied with the stringent doctrines ad- vanced by Rev. Elisha Hutchinson, his pastor, in regard to election and the final perseverance of the saints. All efforts to reclaim him to Calvinistic views failed and he was dismissed from the church. At that time he had never heard a Methodist discourse or read a Method- ist book, but found himself, on examination, unconsciously in sympathy with the leading doctrines of Methodism. In this state of mind he sought spiritual aid and comfort from Rev. Elijah Hedding, afterward Bishop Hedding, who at that time preached occasionally in the town of Wendall (now Sunapee).

At the suggestion of Father Wakefield he visited this town and, in all probability, preached the first Methodist sermon ever heard in Newport. In 1830 a class was formed con- sisting of six persons ; these brethren were af- terwards supplied by preachers from the Goshen Circuit.

Of these were Eleazer Jordan, Guy Beck- ley Nathaniel Ladd, Amos Kidder, Joseph Baker, John Cummings and others, who preached to them in turn most of the Sabbaths

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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

from 1829 to 1836. About the year 1840, ob- jections being made to their using the school- house, Father Wakefield built a chapel in which religious services were held and which is still standing at Northville and open for the use of all evangelical Christians. In 1843 the Miller excitement brought disaster to this infant society, then in a flourishing condition. The only male members that proved faithful and consistent were Peter Wakefield and Nathaniel O. Page. The flock was scattered and they were cast down ; cast down, but not destroyed.

Events afterward proved that Methodism had not yet accomplished its mission in Newport. About the year 1850 the dissensions that troubled the Congregational Church, then un- der the pastoral care of Rev. John Woods, re- sulted in the secession of quite a number of its influential members. Whether this departure was caused by a change of views in regard to creed or for merely personal reasons, we are not qualified to state. At all events, the seceders, with some disaffected Baptists, proposed a per- manent union with the Methodist remnant at Northville, which, being agreed upon, they asked the New Hampshire Conference for a preacher. Accordingly, in May, 1850, Rev. Warren F. Evans was stationed here and the Universalist Chapel secured as a place of wor- ship.

On October 30, 1852, a society was organ- ized under the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, consisting of N. O. Page, I. B. Hurd, N. Batchelder, F. Kelley, James Baker, Abner Whipple, Jacob Robinson, Jo- seph Sawyer, Jr., Thomas A. Twitchell, Elna- than Hurd, Henry Chapin and their associates. Steps were taken to erect a church edifice, and a central site was selected on the east side of Main Street near the south end of the village park. Such was the progress of the work that on December 25, 1851, they were able to dedi- cate their house to the worship of Almighty God. Rev. Mr. Evans remained two years. They have since enjoyed the pastoral care and

offices of Sullivan Holman, A. C. Manson, J. W. Guernsey, D. P. Leavitt, John Currier, James Thurston, S. G. Kellogg, C. M. Dins- more, Charles Young, C. W. Mellen, Charles E. Hall, Elijah R. Wilkins, O. H. Jasper, A. W. Bunker, John W. Adams and James Noyes.

In 1854 a lot was purchased and a parsonage built at an expense of about two thousand dol- lars.

About the year 1880 the church edifice was thoroughly reconstructed at much expense, and a convenient vestry erected and finished. A fine organ stands in the chancel and desirable im- provements have been made on the outlying grounds. The Methodist Church in Newport is one of the best-appointed in this section of the State.

With such a record of prosperity, a rapidly- increasing membership, a large and flourishing Sunday-school, great good may be expected as a result of the rise and progress of the Method- ist Episcopal Church in this town.

THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH, which held a somewhat conspicuous place in this town for many years, grew out of a division in the Baptist Church at Northville, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Elisha Hutchinson, 1815-16.

The first pastor of this denomination was Rev. Solomon Howe, a disciple of Arminius, and the leader of the opposition to Mr. Hut- chinson.

Mr. Howe was a native of Hillsborough and was licensed to preach at Washington, N. H., in 1815, and ordained in Newport July 5, 1819, and was here until 1827, when he re- moved to Smyrna, N. Y.

That he suffered persecution as an outgrowth of the religious dissensions at Northville may be inferred from the following certificate, which has come to the knowledge of the writer, and which was publicly circulated about the year 1826. It is just to Mr. Howe that he should have the benefit of this vindication from a

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malicious charge. He died at the age of seventy-two, in 1858.

"We the undersigned having been appointed a committee to investigate an accusation brought by Mr. David Fletcher against Rev. Solomon Howe for taking apples from a tree belonging to Mr. Wm Knapp on the 14 Oct. 1824, which accusation was supported on the part of Mr. Fletcher by the testimony of three of his children all being under 13 years of age. Mr. Howe in defence brought forward Mr. Knapp, aud his wife, who testified that they gathered the apples from the aforesaid tree before the 15th Sept. except- ing a few, probably less than one half bushel; and they further testify that their brother went to the tree on the 27th of the same month with a basket to get some apples and did not bring home but a few. They thought it was impossible that there could be any apples there at the time the said Howe was accused of taking them from the fact that the tree stood in a pasture and the apples were ripe in the month of Au- gust. We therefore upon the above stated evidence and several circumstances connected therewith do unanimously report that in our opinion the said Howe is not guilty of the accusation.

(Signed) " MOSES P. DURKEE, " JOSEPH KIMBALL,

" SILAS WAKEFIELD, JR.,

"NORMAN MCGREGOR.

" Newport, March 27, 1826."

Other preachers after Mr. Howe were elders Elijah Watson, Mr. Goodale, L. H. Stevens- and David Marks. For many years Nathaniel Wheeler and Abel Wheeler were deacons of this church, and afterwards Abel Wheeler, Jr., and Ira Wakefield.

The organization and successful progress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this town has had a tendency to gather up and appro- priate to itself the members of the Free-Will Baptist Society, and the organization has not been sustained since 1834-35.

THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF NEWPORT. was organized February 11, 1830. Meetings were held at the town hall and court-room until 1837, when their chapel was built. Among those who have ministered to this so-

ciety are Revs. John Moore, William S. and A. S. Balch, W. S. and Levi Ballou, Walter Har- riman (afterwards Governor of the State), Eze- kiel Dow, Lemuel Willis, Luther Walcott, Thompson Barron, J. T. Powers, Joseph Bar- bor and James Eastwood. The pastorate of Mr. Eastwood closed January 1, 1885, and the pulpit has since been vacant.

THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY was formed Sep- tember 30, 1873. Rev. G. F. Piper was called to the pastorate which he filled for one year.

He was succeeded by Rev. A. S. Nickerson. During 1876-77 the Universalist chapel which the Society has occupied was reconstructed and modernized. In 1878 Rev. Geo. W. Patten was engaged as pastor. He continued about one year and had no successor.

ROMAN CATHOLIC .- In the development of the various interests which have added to the wealth and importance of the town of Newport, many people, individuals or in families, of Irish birth and others reared in the faith and forms of the Roman Catholic Church have come into town at different times as operatives or laborers, and by industry and economy ac- quired property and social standing, and become, collectively, an important element in political and religious affairs. The Church, ever mind- ful of the welfare of her children, has not, however, suffered them to wander beyond her protecting care.

The first Roman Catholic service in this town was held in the year 1854. A mission was then established, of which the Rev. Father O'Sullivan, the pastor at Claremont, had charge, and regular services at stated times continued to be observed. During the ten years from 1873 to 1883 the mission occupied the old Masonic Hall, in Burke's building, near the bridge on Main Street.

At length the increasing need for more con- venient accommodations for worship created a sentiment in favor of erecting a church edifice, and active measures for the accomplishment of this object were commenced. Three lots of

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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

land-two by Dexter Richards and one by Patrick Herrick-were donated, on which to erect the building, and on June 22, 1882, work on the foundation was commenced. The work was carried steadily and successfully forward, and on Christmas, December 25, 1882, services were held in the new house for the first time.

The architect builder was Kira R. Beckwith, of Claremont. Its entire cost was five thousand six hundred dollars. The external appearance of the building is very attractive. It is of the Gothic style of architecture, and is located at the corner of Chase and Winter Streets, in the northeastern part of the village, and being situated on a commanding eminence, may be seen at quite a distance from many surrounding points and approaches.

The interior appointments of the house are very attractive. The frescoing, window stain- ing and the elegance of the altar, which was donated to the society by Mrs. Patrick Herrick, are especially noticeable.

The formal dedication of this, (St. Patrick's) church took place in accordance with the forms and ceremonies of the Catholic Church, on Thursday, November 29, 1883. The sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Bishop James A. Healy, of Portland, Me.

The Rev. P. J. Finnegan, of Claremont, has charge of the society in connection with his duties as pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Claremont.

MUSIC was early in Newport. It came with the fathers and mothers of the town,-a jolly party, considering their Puritan proclivities. But men and women must sing or acknowledge themselves fit for " treason, stratagems and spoils."

From the earliest times the people of old Con- necticut have been noted as singers; and wherever they have gone in all the earth, they have continued to sing.

In contrast with their vocal organs, to them musical instruments were high-priced and inconvenient. They had few harps to hang

upon the willows. The harp of a thousand strings, with which they could work and sing, was all sufficient.

The voice of song was undoubtedly heard in the worship under the tree on that first Sabbath morning after their arrival near the road-cross- ings across the intervale.

We have heard how they sang Mear and Wells and others of these ancient tunes, at their meetings in the old Proprietors' House. We have also heard how neighboring families would come together for an evening, and in a circle around the great open fire-place, with back-log and fore-stick aglow with light and heat, blend the songs of Zion with their kindly social intercourse. Love-making and psalm-singing went hand-in-hand. In fact, they are going that way still.

The shows known nowadays as "Old Folks' Concerts" affect to illustrate the manner of ye olden time in dress, as well as the rendering in nasal vocalization of the old contrapuntal music, apparently so exhaustive of breath and effort. Among the early singers were Matthew Buel, Philip W. Kibby and the McGregors and the Elder Aldolphus King. Of those who came afterward, 1825 to 1840, no one was more conspicuous, or did more for the advancement of musical culture in this community, than Elnathan Duren, of Charlestown. He was a man whose whole being was enlisted in his work, and he had the ability not only to illus- trate music as an art, but to fill it with spirit and understanding, and clothe it with elo- quent expressiveness.

The music in our churches is, properly con- sidered, a part of publie worship, and has been carefully sustained in all the years. The ma- terial out of which choirs are constructed has sometimes proved combustible, or explosive, and the cordial relations between minister, singers and people have been much strained, if not out of joint. But the retirement of some, and a wise reconstruction bv those that remained, have resulted successfully.

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Such troubles have come and gone as clouds that sweep thesky, leaving an improved serenity in the atmosphere. A hindrance of years ago to the culture and progress of church music was an objection on the part of the more Puritanical of the brethren to the introduction of musical in- struments other than the pitch-pipe and tuning- fork, to aid the voices and fill up the harmony. The viol, and the harp, and the organ were re- garded as unsanctified, mechanical and devilish accessories to worship, unnecessary, if not sin- ful.

Their inspiration and effect was to cause some of the more sensitive hearers to retire from the house of God with an emphasized alacrity. But this sentiment in our community has entirely disappeared, or remains only as a historical fact.

The existence of an instrumental band in this town has been somewhat intermittent, particu- larly since the old militia system was aban- doned.

But martial music in the later years has had good attention, especially since the organization of the " Newport Cornet Band," which consists of about twenty pieces, and is handsomely uni- formed and prepared to do good work at fairs, festivals, military parades and on other public or social occasions. Its services are well ap- preciated in this community.

In 1879 a handsome band-stand was erected at a central position on the common, which af- fords a desirable opportunity for open-air con- certs during the summer months.

The "Arion Quartett " is a society of long standing, and often appears at social gatherings, and sometimes has charge of the music on fu- neral occasions and at public meetings in the town hall in connection with the band, and is always well received.

We might follow the musical sentiment of our people to their homes, in many of which are pianos and organs, and choice selections of church and secular music, with other evidences of musical culture, which is an important

factor in the social and domestic life of our citizens.

The first piano in Newport was brought here by Dr. John B. McGregor, about the year 1830, for the use of his daughters, one of whom, Mrs. Marion (McGregor) Christopher, was the organist of the Tabernacle Church, Rev. Dr. Taylor, Thirty-fourth Street and Broadway, New York City, for more than twenty-five years, up to 1885.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 132

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200