History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 56

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

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Under the direction and faithful labors of Rev. Mr. Wiley, the church constantly increased in strength and numbers. In the spring of 1880 he resigned, thus closing a successful ministration of four years. During that time fifty-two were received into the church. In April of the same year Rev. Thomas Spooner, Jr., was invited to assume the charge of this church. The work progressed finely under his ministrations. It was dur- ing this pastorate, which terminated early in 1884, that the parsonage was bought and, while he was here, twenty-seven were received into the church. In April, 1884, W. W. Hayden, of Bates Theological school, was invited to labor with this church. He entered upon his duties at once, supplying the

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church each Sabbath until after his graduation in June. July found him on the ground ready for work. The church at once requested his ordina- tion: accordingly he was publicly set apart to the gospel ministry on August 14, 1584. Up to the present time (1887) twenty-six have united with the church. Present membership 179.

In connection with this society is a large, well-organized Sunday-school of 250 members. A library containing 500 volumes, selected from the best literature, is owned by the Sunday-school.

Church officers: Pastor, Rev. W. W. Hayden: deacons. Alpha S. Bart- lett. Benjamin F. Lane, W. F. Dodge; clerk, W. F. Dodge; treasurer, M. B. Dodge: Sunday-school superintendent, C. E. King.

Congregationalists .- Among the early settlers in Whitefield were many Congregationalists, notably those from Francestown, but at what date a society was organized we are unable to say, and who were instrumental in its formation are not positively known. There was an agent of the "Church of England " here as early as 1814-15, who taught the only school then kept in town; he may have also looked after the spiritual interests of the settle- ment.

In 1820 the Rev. Drury Fairbanks was settled over the first church in Littleton; and, during his pastorate, ministered somewhat to the wants of the Whitefield society, and he may have been the organizer thereof. In 1826 the church numbered but six members. Two years afterward it had increased to eighteen.

In 1830 Rev. William Hutchinson was appointed to the two charges, Bethlehem and Whitefield. He ministered here for five years, when, in 1836, he was succeeded by Rev. Edward Buxton, who remained with the society but a short time, being called to Webster, where, in 1877. he preached his fortieth anniversary sermon. He was then the oldest pastor in the state. The church in Whitefield now numbered about thirty mem- bers. In 1839 came, at the call of the society, Rev. Horace Wood, who for six years gave one-half his ministerial labors here, alternating with Dalton. He was succeeded in 1846-47 by Rev. Joseph Marsh, whose pastorate was, we believe, the last this society enjoyed. Some of its members had passed to other earthly fields, some had gone " where congregations ne'er break up," while others, grown weary of the puritanic creed of our fathers, trans- ferred their interests to the newer doctrines; hence the society dwindled, until in these later years it has not even a nominal existence.

Prior to the building of the town house the Sabbath meetings were held in the school-houses and at the dwellings of the inhabitants; but, in 1831, it was decided by a vote of the people to prepare the new town hall for re- ligious meetings, and here the different societies worshiped according to their convenience until the winter of 1849-50, when, by a union of ortho- dox sentiment outside the Advent church. the first meeting-house in town

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was dedicated, that now standing, almost neglected and unnoticed, saveas a monument of the " long gone years," upon the corner of Lancaster and Jefferson streets.

The Adventists, about the same time, built for themselves a house of worship occupied for the first time soon after "New Years" of 1850 and here, by the peculiar attractions of their faith, they grew prosperous in numbers, wealth and influence. Daring these later years the church lan- guishes-the old pillars have been removed to be united to the everlasting Church of God "over yonder."

The " Union Meeting House." built by the combined endeavors, prin- cipally, of the Methodists and Baptists, served the purposes of the two societies as a house of worship for nearly a quarter of a century; each organization claiming its use upon alternate Sabbaths.

With increase of population came increased demand for religious in- struction and a necessity for more ample and modern conveniences for Sabbath meeting's and spiritual intercourse; therefore, in 1574, the bands of church union were severed: and each society built for itself a house of worship in accordance with its means and needs; both are attractive and commodious structures; that of the Methodlists, near the ancient burying- ground on Lancaster street, and that of the Baptists, a short walk east of the old church on Jefferson street. The original structure, having out- lived its usefulness as a " temple of Gol," will doubtless be turned over to the town to be used for secular purposes.

Methodism. - It many not be generally known or recognized that the first teachings of Methodism in town were by a woman; in fact, the foun- dations of this northern Metho list circuit are said to have been laid by her. Many of us remember the pions declaimings of good " Mother Hutchins," as she was familiarly called wherever known in those days. She with her family came to the newly settled Whitefield about 1513. They established their home upon what is now a part of the farm of George Harris, and the spot upon which sto , } their log-house is marked by a pile of stones where once their hearth-fire blazed. Stately hollyhocks nod in the morning wind, and clusters of lilies and he lges of plum trees are all unmistakable evi- dences of a generation that wis, but is not. "Grandmother Hutchins" brought with her from Massachusetts her Methodistic piety, and she shed the new light among her neighbors. Impressed with the power for doing good, she, in the winter of 1-16-17, went to Lancaster, and having obtained permission to speak on Sunday, created an interest which resulted in a series of evening meetings, and twenty conversions were the immediate fruits of her labor. Application was made to the M. E. conference for a preacher. when Rev. H. Divis was sent, by whom twelve were baptized, and a society formed. So it is a fact worthy of note that the first kindling spark of Methodism in Whitefield was struck by Mrs. : Hutchins,

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

about 1815-16. That faithful, pious soul long years since went out of this life (for she was an aged grandmother in our young days), and the children of her grandchildren are now stalwart men and pleasant women. One grandson is Hon. Stilson Hutchins, of Washington, D. C., politician and journalist. Another, William B. Hutchins, Esq., is present postmas- ter of Whitefield.

There was no organized society of Methodists here until after the settle- ment of Rev. Jonathan Chase, who came to town in 1824. The home that he reared for himself and family was located just north of the present "Browns' Mill," and the site is now covered by the lumber sheds of that company, and exactly at the foot of the bank in front of the passenger station at the railway junction. For nearly twelve years he labored as a Methodist for the cause of Christ in this and the neighboring towns, dying suddenly in 1836.

In September, 1831, was held the first camp-meeting in the county of Coos, about where the present Chase homestead is located. Elder J. Hardy was the presiding elder, and one Baker was ministering to the spiritual wants of the local society and those in the neighboring towns of Bethlehem and Dalton. This meeting was continued about a week, and the atten- dance is said to have been from 300 to 400 daily, a large gathering for those primitive days.

Pastors .- The first mention of a pastor for Whitefield in the conference minutes is in 1842. Otis Dunbar is the pastor here and at Bethlehem in 1842-43. 1844, with Littleton, J. S. Loveland, F. A. Hewes. 1845, with Dalton, Pickens Boynton. 1846, with Dalton, Andes T. Bullard. 1847, with Bath, supplied. 1848, with Dalton, Benjamin D. Brewster. 1849, with Littleton, Charles Cowing. 1850, with Dalton, C. Cowing. 1851, with Bethlehem, J. M. Blake. 1852-53, with Bethlehem and Dalton, J. W. Johnson. 1854, with same, Dudley P. Leavitt. 1855, with same and Carroll, James M. Hartwell. 1856, with Dalton, J. M. Hartwell. 1857, with Bethlehem, A. K. Howard. 1858-59, supplied. 1860, with Bethle- hem, D. B. Barber. 1861, with Jefferson, Truman Carter. 1862, supplied. 1863-65, with Bethlehem, L. P. Cushman. 1866-67, with same, Hollis Kendall. 1868, with Jefferson and Bethlehem, J. H. Knott, H. Kendall. 1869, the same, J. H. Knott, W. E. Bennett. 1870, with Bethlehem, J. H. Knott. 1871, same, C. H. Smith. 1872, same, C. H. Smith. 1873, with Carroll, W. E. Tanson. 1874-75-76, alone, William Eakins. 1877-78, George A. Mclaughlin. 1879-80-81, Simeon P. Heath. 1882-83-84, James Cairns. 1885, O. P. Wright. 1886-57. S. E. Quimby.

In July and August, 1875, Rev. Allen Folger held a wonderfully suc- cessful revival here under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A., with the result of largely adding to the church membership. In 1874 there were forty- nine members: in 1876 one hundred and twenty-three.

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TOWN OF WHITEFIELD.

We quote from the report of Rev. T. L. Flood. presiding elder, in 1874 :-

" At Whitefield, the survey of the P. & O. R. R. laid the line of the road through the old Union church, in which the Freewill Baptists and Methodists have held union meetings for a great many years. It was a wise Providence that thus kindly ordered. The results that followed have been these: the Baptists built a new church; the Methodists promptly purchased a piece of land; after conference last spring, they started a subscription paper, commenced the erection of a church edifice, and, about September first, completed it with rejoicing. It is two stories high, with ves- tries, well arranged, on the first floor, good appointments throughout, and an audience room which is a gem of rare beauty. The whole cost was $7,893.43."

The church has a membership of 180. The Sabbath-school connected with it was. up to a recent date, much the largest of any one held in the state north of Concord, numbering in 1885 86 over 300 attendants. With its present roll of nearly 240 it is probably, numerically, stronger than any other school in Northern New Hampshire. Richard Lane has been for years its efficient superintendent.

Young Men's Christian Association .- A branch of the Y. M. C. A. was established here in April, 1885. A reading room was opened during the summer. The Association has maintained meetings every Sunday after- noon during each summer in the outlying school districts, and has held Sunday morning and Monday evening prayer meetings. The reading- room is centrally located, and furnished with current papers and maga- zines which are accessible to the public at any time during the day. George Henry is the secretary.

Catholicism .- The first services of the Catholic society held in this town were in the old town house in July, 1871, about thirty five present. Since their first organization, the progress has been steady, sure and marked. To-day from eighty-five to ninety families represent the Catholic society in this village. Through the untiring energy of the pastor, Rev. Mr. Plante, a church has been erected this year (1887) at a cost of about $5,000 for house and lot. The location is a most beautiful one. The society has a ceme- tery of two acres on the Dalton road.

Temperance .- The first temperance movement that can be traced with substantiated facts commenced with the organizing of a Good Templar lodge January 24, 1866. It did a good work for several years, but their meetings were finally discontinued. It was revived and re-organized May 8, 1878. with renewed enthusiasm, having a membership of one hundred. The Grand Lodge supplied a new charter, rituals, manuals, regalias, and everything necessary for the working of the order.

Officers were installed by G. W. C. T. Whittier: C. E. King. W. C. T .; Mrs. L. V. Seavy, W. V. T .: James F. Walsh, W. S .: M. B. Dodge, W. F. S .; J. Q. A. Libbey. W. T .: John L. McGregor, W. M .; C. J. Colby, W. C .; Mrs. M. D. Quimby, W. R. H. S .; Mrs. Riva Parker, W. L. H. S .; Mrs. O. A. Jenkins. W. A. S .; Miss Ida Bray, W. D. M .; Mrs. George Bemis, W. I. G .: Riva Parker, W. O. G.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

A great work was accomplished for temperance by the united efforts of the officers, and other zealous members. Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. A. Libbey are entitled to special attention, having laid a foundation for temperance work, by their untiring faithfulness, and patience with the young men, whom they were pledged, especially, to save from the evils of intemper- ance. The good work which they did cannot be over-estimated. The interest gradually waned, and the charter was surrendered August 27, 1883.

A new branch of temperance was organized November 10, 1878, by M. T. Holden known as the Holden Reform Club, which was successful in temperance reform. The Ladies' Temperance Aid Society was organized at the same time, and, with their co-operation, much good was accomplished. Public meetings were held monthly; earnest teinperance lecturers were frequently secured for the meetings, among whom were Francis Murphy, M. T. Holden, Mr. Kidder, Mrs. Fitzgeralds, Mr. McElery. This society finally merged into the W. C. T. U. in 1885. This was organized January 24, 1884, by Mrs. McLaughlin, of Boston. The following officers were elected: Mrs. James Cairns, president; Mrs. John Libbey, vice-president; Mrs. Richard Lane, corresponding and recording secretary; Mrs. B. F. Lane, treasurer. There has been no change of officers, and Mrs. F. P. Brown has been president since 1885. The Union has a membership of seventy. many of them efficient workers. Among the active ones are Mrs. F. P. Brown, Mrs. J. A. Fowler, Mrs. F. C. Rowell, Mrs. William Bailey, Mrs. E. H Weston, Mrs. David Aldrich, Mrs. W. W. Hayden, Mrs. I. E. Quimby, Mrs. Richard Lane. Prohibition is the aim of the Union, earnest efforts have been made to carry out all the measures of temperance reform. Special attention has been given to juvenile work. A Band of Hope was organized with the names of sixty children enrolled. Temper- ance text-books have been introduced into the district schools. Much work has been done by the Sunday-schools; their libraries are well supplied with temperance books, and temperance literature has been thoroughly dis- tributed.

The interest in the temperance educative law and its enforcement is steadily increasing in the town. Sunday night meetings have been held monthly: with lectures, discussions and temperance readings.

Whitefield has been justly called the banner temperance town of Coos county. That there is liquor sold in Whitefield cannot be denied. Occa- sionally a drunken man is arrested, or the rum seller arraigned for viola- tion of the law; but there are no paupers or criminals made by the liquor traffic. The annual " drink bill" is less than any other town in the county, according to population. There are no families that suffer for the neces- saries of life, because their means are squandered for liquor.

Schools .- Among the early residents of Whitefield not a few were

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men of education. and these were deeply imbued with regard for educa- tional advantages for their children, and as soon as it was practicable they took active measures towards providing them.

In 1505, at a town meeting, it was voted to build a school house, and $100 was appropriated. The first school-house was of logs, and located near the site of the present school building in district number one. It was also voted " to raise ninety dollars to hire schooling." As there were but five families in town, and their total valuation of property but $18.45, this was a liberal sum for them to assess the non-resident proprietors. The school-house was probably built that year, as in November, at a business meeting of the town, action was taken for supplying the school building with fuel. In 1806, $50 was voted for schooling; in 1807, 880 was raised, and in 1810 the yearly sum was increased to $100, and a petition was pre- sented for a school house to be erected at the east part of the town. This was granted, and $60 appropriated for the building thereof, but it was not finished for many years.

The First Board of School Inspectors was chosen in 1811. These were John Burns, Joseph L. Kimball, and Solomon White. The first public school-teacher was Elder Catlin. Some families residing at a distance from the school probably had private teachers. In 1815 it was voted to divide the town into school districts. In 1$17 the appropriation for schools was $150. In 1818 the first framed school-house was built in the first dis- trict on the same lot of the original log one. This cost $143, and only eighteen residents were taxed for this sum. In 1821 the first school build- ing was erected in Whitefield village (No. 3). This was repaired in 1825, in 1832 was destroyed by fire, and the "old red school-house " took its place. (This is now used as a blacksmith's shop.) In 1824, $235 was voted, and it was directed "that a school-house be built in the second district before January, 1825." February, 1825, district number four was set off from number one. In 1828 a fifth district was made by dividing number three. and a school building was put up the same year. In 1829 there were 215 pupils attending school in the five districts. From 1828 to 1838 the town raised from $200 to $250 per year. In addition to this was the state literary fund. The next ten years $350 per year was appropriated for school purposes. In 1841 school district number six was organized. In 1845 the district known as number seven was erected; and, in 1849, the eighth district for schools came into existence. The district schools were well supported and attended; but the town increased in wealth and popu- lation, and the growing needs of the young people required a school for higher culture and improvement. This might be obtained in their native place by the establishment of a high school. Accordingly one was organ- ized, under a special act, August 18, 1885; and the first term was com- menced September 16, 1885. This school has had a prosperous existence

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

for over two years. A board of education has been established, and the educational opportunities of Whitefield now compare most favorably with wealthier towns.

St. John's Lodge, No. 58, I. O. O. F., was instituted September 14, 1875. This was brought about by the influence and earnest personal efforts of Thomas C. Grey and J. G. Trulan. The first N. G. of this lodge was Ira S. M. Gove. He was followed by Thomas C. Grey, E. H. Blossom, John S. Coffin, John G. Trulan, Frank E. Sanborn. George E. Hutchins, Dr. George S. Gove, Horace D. Hicks, Richard H. Rickaby, M. N. Small, Fred C. Fearin, James C. Trickey, Dr. George E. Huntley, Andrew B. Elliott, Harlow Connor, H. L. Walker, James F. Walsh, D. E. Jeffers, John M. Quint, Dr. George H. Morrison, and A. W. Lane, all of whom, except three. are still members. The total membership is ninety-one. Since this lodge was organized it has paid about $2,000 for the benefit of sick brethren, widows and orphans; and the treasury is in condition to meet any demand likely to be made. H. L. Walker, secretary.

Excelsior Chapter, No. 5, Order of the Eastern Star, Adoptive Ma- sonry, was instituted in Whitefield, November 28, 1876, with these mem- bers: Mary D. M. Quimby, Kate H. Brown, Ora A. Conner, Mary T. Hill, Hannah P. McGregor, Lillie M. Fletcher, Sarah R. T. Seavey, Frances Hicks, Clara C. Fearin, Julia M. Proctor, Susan R. Parker, Annie Sart- well, Lizzie Eakins, Nettie L. Lane, H. D. Bowen, Mary Whitcher, Mar- tha Fiske: and the following officers installed by Thomas Fletcher, D. D .: L. D. Whitcher, Worthy Patron: Mary D. M. Quimby, Worthy Matron; Annie E. M. Sartwell. Associate Matron; Nettie L. Lane, Secretary; Maria P. Gove, Treasurer; Kate H. Brown, Conductress; Frances Hicks, Asso- ciate Conductress: Ora A. Conner, Warden; E. Webster Parker, Sentinel; Martha Fiske, Ada; Hannah P. McGregor, Ruth; Aurelia C. Libbey, Esther; Lillie M Fletcher, Martha; Sarah R. T. Seavey, Electa. The Worthy Patrons have been, L. D. Whitcher. Joel M. Sartwell, Asa Hill, John Q. A. Libbey, Daniel Proctor and James C. Trickey; Worthy Matrons, Mary D. M. Quimby, Annie E. M. Sartwell, Nettie L. Lane, Luseba Trickey. The degrees have been conferred upon 108 persons, and they were made members of the order.

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TOWN OF WHITEFIELD.

CHAPTER XLVI.

Records Concerning School-House, Indian Stream Soldiers and Town House-Action of the Town Concerning the Rebellion-Representatives -- Town Officers.

T OWN Records Concerning School-House, Indian Stream Soldiers and Town House .- 1821. " Voted to give 50 dollars towards building a School-house in the 3rd school district, that it might be large enough to do town business in.

1838. " Voted by motion of Aurin M. Chase that the soldiers who went from this town to defend the Indian Stream Territory in 1835, should receive a sum in addition to what they received from the State sufficient to make their severall wages up twelve dollars per month for the time they were there."

1828. " Voted to raise the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of building a Town house. Chose Solomon Cole, Asa King and Perley Foster a committee to draw a plan of the Town House. Voted that the town house be set on the plot of ground between the burying ground and Jefferson Road so called near the school house in third school district. Voted that the town house be buikled 36 ft wide and 45 ft long, and 14 ft posted.

"Jan. 28, 1830. The First Town meeting was held in the Town House."

Action of the Town in the Great Civil War .- August 20, 1862. At a special meeting called by the selectmen to answer the call of the governor issued July 10, 1862, calling upon towns to encourage enlistments.

" Voted that the town authorize the selectmen to raise the sum of three thousand dollars and to pay each volunteer that may enlist from this town ia the three years service of the United States agreeable to an order from the secretary of war, the sum of one hundred dollars. Also that the selectmen should hire money to pay families of volunteers, till the money can be refunded by the State."

October 17, 1863. A town meeting was called to meet November 3d to act on the following :-

" To see if the town will vote to raise in money all or any part of the commutation fee for men now drafted to go into the service of the United States from this town and who pass medical and enrolment board and pay to such conscripts as either enter the service of the United States them- selves or furnish a substitute, ten days after said conseript or substitute shall be mustered into said service, and to see what action the town will take in regard to raising money for the benefit of meu now drafted in this town to go into the service of the United States."

November 3, 1863. " Voted to raise three hundred dollars for each conseript or substitute mustered into the U. S. Service, ten days after said conscript or substitute is mustered into said service, and to pay each liable man who passes the board of enrollment or his substitute the sum of three hundred dollars ten days after being mu-tered into said service of the United States."

November 28, 1863. " Voted to raise a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars for each of the fourteen men called for by the President and toauthorize the selectmen to procure the men at as cheap a rate as they possibly can but not to exceed the sum of one hundred dollars to each man mustered not exceeding the fourteen men called for."

" Voted to cash the bounties offered by the general government, so that each volunteer shall be paid in full when mustered into service."

January 4, 1864. " Voted to raise one thousand dollars in addition to what has been raised already at the meeting of November 28, 1863, and that it be left with the selectmen to hire the money on the credit of the town."

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

August 9, 1864. a town meeting was held to vote on raising and paying bounties to enlisted, drafted men and substitutes and responded to all arti- cles in the warrant by voting for the selectmen to hire the money neces- sary to pay large bounties to all that should serve their country in its need.

January 11, 1865. "Voted to pay six hundred dollars for those that enlist from this town to fill the quota of this town under the last call of the President of the United States for 300,000 troops, for the term of one year; then voted to increase the amount two hundred dollars making the bounty eight hundred dollars."

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 56

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194