USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 88
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able, if not ornamental, foot gear for himself and family; or, what was the earlier mode, waited until some itinerant shoe maker made his annual round with bench and kit of tools, then put him at work in one corner of the big kitchen, where he "pegged away " until the whole family was shod. The local shoe-maker of Columbia for some years was this same James Lewis, who worked up in the winter his share of the leather he tan- ned in summer; while Sam Carr went from house to house to protect the "understandings " of the more prosperous and independent families.
Cloth-Dressing .- In 1810 came here one Marsena Blodgett, a cloth- dresser by trade. He bought the land where his grandson, Byron A. Lov- ering, now lives, and built a small cloth-dressing mill on the small brook, on the south side of his farm, called Beaver brook. He merely "dressed" the cloth woven in the families of the industrious settlers, and the busi- ness was abandoned when the "factory " was built at Colebrook.
Potatoes, Distilleries, and Starch-mills .- The potato has always been a favorite product of the Columbia farmer, and its manufacture into potato-whiskey and potato-starch has involved more capital and enterprise than anything else. One of the road-surveys of 1830 speaks of the "old distillery," which stood on the little brook above George L. Bailey's house. The first of these distilleries was erected at the Valley and operated by Hezekiah Parsons, Esq. Capt. Abel Hobart built one later on the little brook crossing the road just above the house of Samuel I. Bailey. Another that helped to supply the appetite of this people for spirit stood on the little brook that crosses the road near the north line of S. M. Harvey's farm. At these our convivial ancestors were supplied with a spirituous beverage of purity, if not great excellence. These distilleries were abandoned from 1820 to 1830; one at least because the owner, Capt. Hobart, came to think the business a wrong one; others because they "did not pay ": the rest, perhaps, because the revenue tax took all the profit. From this time until 1842 the potato appears to have led a pretty secure life. The writer has been told by his uncle that he secured his stock of potatoes that year by digging from a neighbor's field without charge, and, that, another year he left a large crop that he had harvested to rot in the holes where they were buried the fall before.
In 1842 Huse Lull built a small starch-mill on Sims's stream just above the pond of Bedel's mills, and made starch for two or three years, but high water carried away the dam; and, as it was not profitable, he aban- doned the enterprise. Nothing more was done in starch-making until 1860, when Hazen Bedel built a mill at the Valley. In 1867 Alba Holmes moved his mill from the Nulhegan river, in Vermont, to Roaring brook. The large profits of the business at that time excited the entire community, and a company was formed in 1868, and a large mill built on Sims's stream in "No. 10." In 1869 Rogers, Libby & Co. erected a large one in "No. 6,"
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
and, in 1874, S. M. Harvey built near his residence one of the largest and best equipped factories in the county.
Ferry and Toll-Bridge .- The first settlers of Columbia and of Minehead (Bloomfield) and Lemington, Vt., were in close business and social rela- tions, which necessitated frequent crossings of the Connecticut. This was easily done during the long months of winter upon the ice, but it was diffi- cult and hazardous for the rest of the year. Foot-bridges were readily made by felling the large pine trees that lined the river's bank; but teams had to resort to the treacherous fords. Somewhere about 1820 a toll-bridge was constructed across the river on the farm now owned by W. E. Cone. This was the principal means of communication between the people on the opposite sides until 1840, when it was swept away by an ice-freshet, and they again resorted to the fords and "Uncle" Elihu DeForest's ferry: an old-established and venerable institution, which slowly and unhurriedly crossed the river just above the toll-bridge. and was the only ferry on the Connecticut for over forty miles. Christopher Bailey and Luther Hibbard tried to secure the charter, but the legislature deemed Esquire DeForest the more suitable person, and he was granted the privilege December 24, 1799. The toll-bridge was built in 1844 by the Columbia Union Toll-Bridge Company,-a stock company consisting of those to be benefitted and will- ing to pay $15 a share.
Merchants .- July 20, 1807, the selectmen gave Bellows & Carlisle their " entire approbation to sell all kinds of spirituous liquors by small measure at all seasonable hours at their store." This was the first reference made by the records to stores or merchants, and probably marks the commence- ment of mercantile operations in Columbia, as the sale of "rum and molasses " would be the first thing provided for by a merchant in those days, before the "cause of temperance " had come to trouble men's con- sciences.
Bellows & Carlisle traded in the building now occupied by Albert P. Titus as a dwelling-house, and. for those days, carried a respectable stock of goods, being taxed in 1810 for " stock in trade " $1,500. In 1813 James Dewey, who had for some time been clerk for Bellows & Carlisle, succeeded them in trade, and offered his customers a stock of $750, while his com- petitor in trade, Sam Carr, divided the business with him on a stock of $150. In 1816 William Cargill succeeded James Dewey, and traded at the old store. About 1830 or '31 Ephraim H. Mahurin built a store in the south part of the town, opposite his hotel, and commenced trade with a stock of goods valued at $150. In 1832 his son John succeeded him, but- died the same year, and Daniel B. Schoff took the store for the next year. The same year R. G. Atherton and Mr. Jay built and carried on the store opposite the present residence of Jonathan Lang. In 1835 Samuel G. Bishop and Dr. Lewis Snow commenced trade in the Mahurin store, and
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TOWN OF COLUMBIA.
carried on business in a small way for four or five years. The same year Huse Lull got off his peddler's cart, and commenced trade in the small store formerly occupied by Atherton & Jay. The next year he associated Rodolphus D. Atherton with him, and increased the stock of goods from $75 to $400. In 1839 Atherton withdrew from the firm, and Lull con- tinued in trade for another year or two, when he returned to his cart, which he drove through this region for over forty years, and, for far and near, Huse Lull's peddler cart was one of the institutions of this section for two generations.
Trade never drifted readily to Columbia: and while those who engaged in merchandising here never made very heavy failures, neither did they secure great profits, and the abandonment of busi- ness by Lull may be said to be the end of merchandising in this town. though a number have traded in a small way for the accommodation of their neighborhoods. Among these we find Gould Messer. Harvey Hobart, Alonzo Eastman, Erastus Hutchinson, Lorrin Bundy, and Hiram Hammond at " The Valley "; Dr. Lewis Snow, Fred T. Stevens, and Joseph Barnett, in South Columbia; Orson Stevens and Jotham Sawyer. in the old Mahurin store; and Enoch R. Kelsea, who is now doing a small busi- ness for the convenience of the people of the east part of the town.
CHAPTER LXXXV.
Civil List: Representatives, Town Clerks and Selectmen -- War of the Rebellion-Statis- tics of 1886.
IST of representatives from the district consisting of Cockburn (1511 Columbia), Colebrook, Stewartstown, Wales's Location and Shel- burn :-
1799. Lient. Abel Larnard, Cockburn.
1800. Daniel Brainard, Stewartstown.
1801. Henry Sullingham, Stewartstown. 1802.
1803. Joseph Loomis, Esq., Colebrook.
1817. Hezekiah Parsons, Columbia.
1818.
1819. Samnel Pratt, Colebrook.
1820. Samuel Pratt, Colebrook.
1821.
1822. Lewis Loomis. 1823.
1824.
1825. Jeremiah Eames.
1811. 1812.
1813. Jeremiah Eames, Esq .. Stewartstown.
1814. Edmund Keysar, Stewartstown.
1815.
1816. Maj. Jared Cone, Columbia.
1804. Joseph Loomis, Esq., Colebrook. 1805.
1806.
1807. Hezekiah Parsons, Cockburn. 1808. 1809.
1810. Jeremiah Eames, Esq., Stewartstown.
1826. Hezekiah Parsons, Columbia.
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
1827. Hezekiah Parsons, Columbia.
1858. Samuel I. Bailey.
1828. Maj. Roswell Hobart, Columbia.
1859. Samuel M. Harvey.
1829. 1830. William Holkins, Columbia.
1861. John R. Annis.
1862. John R. Annis.
1863. Horatio N. Cone.
1864. Horatio N. Cone.
1834.
1866. Enoch George Rogers.
1867. Horace M. Hobart.
1836. Roswell Hobart, Columbia.
1837. John P. Daniels, (Columbia sends its own representative.)
1838.
1839. Moody Dustin.
1871. William B. Luey.
1840. Moody Dustin.
1872. William B. Luey.
1841. Thomas J. Emerton.
1873. Moody Dustin.
1842. Thomas J. Emerton.
1874. Moody Dustin.
1843. Samuel G. Bishop.
1875. Albert P. Titus.
1844. Samuel G. Bishop.
1876. Albert P. Titus.
1845. Samuel Marshall.
1877. Almon M. Grout.
1846. Harvey Hobart.
1878. Almon M. Grout.
1847. Harvey Hobart.
1848. Joshua S. Mathers.
1879. At November election, 1878, voted not to send representative.
1849. Abner Norcott.
1880. David H. Cook.
1850. Abner Norcott.
1881.
1851. Aaron C. Whipple.
1882. Eben E. Noyes.
1852. Aaron C. Whipple.
1883.
1853. James Lewis.
1884. Samuel M. Harvey.
1854. James Lewis.
1885.
1855. Joseph W. Emerton.
1856. John Marshall.
1857. John Marshall.
1886. Asa P. Lang. 1887.
Town Clerks .- 1798, Abel Larnard; 1799, Chauncey Curtis; 1800-06, Abel Larnard; 1807-12, Jared Cone. Columbia .- 1813-14, James Dewey; 1815, Sylvester W. Cone; 1816-18, Jared Cone; 1819, Sylvester W. Cone; 1820-22, Jared Cone; 1823-25, William Holkins; 1826-36, Roswell Hobart; 1837-38, Pickens Boynton (resigned October, 1838); Roswell Hobart (appointed October, 1838, resigned November. 1843); Harvey Hobart (ap- pointed November, 1843); 1844, to May, 1845, Charles Willard: from May. 1845, Samuel Harvey; 1846-48, Harvey Hobart; 1849-53, Alonzo Eastman; 1854, Harvey Hobart; 1855, Samnel M. Harvey; 1856-58, Samuel I. Bailey; 1859-61, Samuel M. Harvey; 1862-81, William C. Buffington; 1882-83, George C. Harvey; 1884; Hazen Bedel, Jr .; 1885, George C. Ilarvey; 1886-87, Hazen Bedel, Jr.
Selectmen .- 1798, Jacob Terry, Noah Buffington, Abel Hobart; 1799, Lyndon Hibbard, Noah Buffington, Ebenezer Brown; 1800, Noah Buffington, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abel Larnard; 1801-02, Ebenezer Brown, Abel Larnard, Philip Jordan; 1803, Ebenezer Brown, Abel Larnard, Chauncey Curtis; 1804, Ebenezer Brown. Abel Larnard, Jacob Terry, Jr .; 1805, Abel Larnard, Jacob Terry, Jr., Chauncey Curtis; 1806, Abel Larnard, Jacob Terry, Jr .. Jenison; 1807, Jared Cone, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abel Larnard; 1808-11, Maj. Jared Cone, Capt. Abel Hobart, Samuel Harvey, Esq. Columbia .-- 1812, Jared Cone, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abel Hobart; 1813, Jared Cone, Abel Hobart, Marsena Blodgett; 1814-15, Jared Cone, Samuel Harvey, Abel Hobart; 1816, Marsena Blodgett, David Bundy, Simeon Alden; 1817, Samuel Harvey, Marsena Blodgett, Robert Parkinson; 1818, Marsena Blodgett. Abel Hobart, William Wallace; 1819, Sylvester W. Cone. Ebenezer Snow, James Lewis: 1820-22, Sylvester W. Cone. Joshua Mathers, Benjamin Frizzle; 1823, William Holkins. Abraham Boynton, John Annis; 1824, Abraham Boynton, Ephraim H. Mahurin, John Annis; 1825, Marsena Blodgett, Daniel Herrick, Benjamin Frizzle; 1826, Samuel Harvey, Daniel Herrick, William Wallace; 1827, Samuel Harvey, Daniel Rogers, William Wallace; 1828, Samuel Harvey, Samuel Marshall, Samuel Thomas; 1829-30, Sylvester W. Cone, Abel Hobart, Samuel Titus; 1831, Abraham Boynton, John P. Daniels, Roswell Hobart; 1832, Abraham Boynton, John P. Daniels, John Thomas; 1833-34, Samuel Harvey, John P. Daniels, John Thomas; 1835, John P. Daniels, Willard Spencer, John Marshall; 1836, John P. Daniels, Samuel G. Bishop, Samuel Harvey; 1837, Joshua S. Mathers, Abraham Boynton, Samuel Thomas; 1838, Joshua S. Mathers, John Bailey, Moody Dustin; 1839, Moody Dustin, Harvey Hobart, William Gilkey; 1840, Harvey Hobart, Samuel G.
1831. 1832. Abraham Boynton, Columbia, (Colebrook and Columbia.)
1833.
1865. Enoch George Rogers.
1835.
1868. Horace M. Hobart.
1869. Willard Spencer.
1870. Rev. Moses C. Pattee, [afterwards declined to serve and town unrepresented. ]
1860. Samuel M. Harvey.
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TOWN OF COLUMBIA.
Bishop, John Annis; 1841. Samuel Marshall, Samuel Harvey, Roswell Hobart; 1842. Samuel Marshall, John P. Daniels, Samuel Thomas; 1843, Samuel Thomas. Roswell Hobart, Abner Norcott; 1844, Moody Dustin, Thomas J. Emerton, James Lewis; 1845, John P. Daniels, James Lewis, Abner Norcott; 1846, John P. Daniels, Abner Norcott, William Gilkey; 1847, Roswell Hobart, Joseph W. Emerton, John S. Lyman; 1848, Samuel G. Marshall, John S. Lyman, George Parsons; 1849, John S. Lyman, Joseph W. Emerton, George Par- sons; 1850, Enoch Rogers, Josiah Atherton, John Mathers; 1851, John S. Lyman, John Mathers, Willard Spencer; 1852, Daniel Rogers, Rodolphus D. Atherton, Edward Dimick; 1853. Harvey Hobart, John S. Ly- man, Hezekiah Colby; 1854, Harvey Hobart, Willard Spencer, Aaron C. Whipple; 1855, Charles S. Osgood, John R. Annis, John S. Lyman; 1856, John Mathers, David Legroe, John Cilley: 1857, John Mathers, Samuel I. Bailey, Orson Stevens; 1858, John Mathers, Samuel Marshall, Jolin Cilley; 1859, William Wallace, Hiram H. Kenny, Jonathan Gilman; 1860, Jonathan Gilman, William Wallace, Charles S. Osgood; 1861, Charles S. Osgood, Eben E. Noyes. Horatio N. Cone; 1862, John S. Lyman, Eben E. Noyes, Horace M. Hobart; 1863. Russell Darling, Albert P'. Titus, Horace M. Hobart; 1864, Horace M. Hobart, Almon M. Grout. William G. Lyman; 1865, Horace M. Hobart, William G. Lyman, John R. Annis; 1866, John R. Annis, Willard H. Keach, Seth Eames; 1867, Seth Eames, Willard H. Keach, Willard Spencer; 1868, John S. Lyman, Willard Spencer, Alfred H. Bundy; 1869, Alfred H. Bundy, Stephen Richardson, William E. Cone; 1870, Samuel I. Bailey, John H. Libby, William E. Cone; 1871, Samuel I. Bailey, John H. Libby, Jonathan Gilman; 1872, Samuel I. Bailey, John H. Libbey, Jonathan Gilman; 1873, Samuel I. Bailey, Daniel Q. Cole, Albert H. Barnett; 1874, David H. Cook, Horatio N. Cone, Stephen Richardson; 1875, David H. Cook, Horatio N. Cone, Almon M. Grout; 1876, Samuel M. Harvey, Charles C. Titus, Almon M. Grout; 1877, Samuel M. Harvey, Charles C. Titus, John F. Locke; 1878, David H. Cook, Chauncey H. Fitts, Charles E. Howe; 1879, David H. Cook, George A. Cur- rier, William C. Lyman; 1880, David H. Cook, Charles E. Howe, Freeman G. Marshall; 1881, David HI. Cook, Frank P. Lang, Coleman P. Tibbetts; 1882, Frank P. Lang, Edwin J. Belville, John F. Locke; 1883, Edwin J. Belville, Ethan A. Titus, John Cook; 1884; John Cook, Chauncey H. Fitts, Freeman G. Marshall; 1885, David H. Cook, Frank P. Lang. Edwin J. Belville; 1886, Chauncey H. Fitts, John A. Bailey, James B. Colby; 1887, David H. Cook, Holman J. Tibbets, Fay Whipple.
War of the Rebellion .-- Columbia promptly responded to all calls of the general government for soldiers throughout the war of the Rebellion, and, giving freely of both men and money, showed that the same patriotism and love of country that burned in the breasts of the ancestors of her child- ren, needed but the breath of danger to their country to fan their slum- bering embers to flames as bright, and deeds as brave as theirs. Men past the years of military service, boys, striplings in strength, and men in the flush of power, alike offered their services to guard the nation's life; while those who staid behind gave time and money to care for their families at home and the brave soldiers in the field. The women gathered in societies to prepare such articles as go to lessen the hardships of a soldier's life; and while, with brave hearts, they had parted with those who were dearer than life itself, they felt that no sacrifice was too great to make for their country, and no one can tell the sadness, the prayers and tears with which the bundles of bandages, the rolls of lint, and "the boxes, " were pre- pared and sent to their " Boys in Blue."
The first action of the town was taken January 16, 1862, in voting to "raise $100 to expend for the benefit of soldiers' families." August 18, 1862, it was voted to pay each man that volunteered for three years $125.
Following this was the largest enlistment made at one time in the town, fifteen in number. [Their names will be found in the article by Col. H. O. Kent, "Coos in the Rebellion," in County History .- EDITOR.] October +, 1862, it was voted to pay $125 to men who enlisted for nine months. From this time until the first of 1864, few enlistments were made, but during
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
that year the number of enlistments were very large. The following votes were taken by the town September 1, 1864, and under them a large enlist- ment was made :-
"To pay to enrolled men who enlisted for one year to fill quota $1,000; if drafted, $200; if hiring a sub- stitute #100." February 8, 1865, the town voted as follows: "To pay $900 to each enrolled man who enlists for one year, and $1,500 to each enrolled man who enlists for three years."
Soldiers enlisted from Columbia not credited elsewhere: G. A. Bedel, Thomas Kinnery, Charles Rogers, Wesley Noyes, Aaron Simpson, Richard Dunn. Valentine McSherry, Enoch Whipple, Ruel D. Colby, David Coats, John S. Lyman, Bushrod Smith, Orrin Lombard, Wesley Chase, William Cooper. Scivillian M. Gilkey, Julius Mahurin, Charles Jordan. Of Colum- bia's boys in the army, a few were killed in battle; some died in hospitals; but a larger per cent. than the average returned at the end of their service in health; none, as we learn, in disgrace, but many with credit for great bravery.
Statistics of 1886 .- There were 174 polls, 312 horses, 98 oxen, 528 cows, 395 neat stock, 948 sheep, 10 hogs, 11 carriages, 3 starch mills, 3 grist-mills, 4 saw-mills. Land valuation $187,440. Total valuation $269,622. Total tax for the year $4, 526, 10. Population 752.
CHAPTER LXXXVI.
Church History-Early Services-Columbia Church-Christian Church-Profession of Faith- Preachers-Church Edifice-Deacon John Annis.
T THE settlers of Columbia were a moral, God-fearing people, accus- tomed to the observance of the Sabbath, and the enjoyment of relig- ious worship. They sorely felt the want of the opportunities to which they had been used, and we find that at a special town meeting, held January 13, 1803, the following article was inserted in the warning: "To see if they will accept the request of their committee in order for to obtain preaching of the gospel," and it was "voted to agree upon some measure for to obtain meeting." But this agreement shared the fate of many other promises, and for many years the people had no regular religious services in town, but depended upon the irregular services of itinerants, upon "deacon's meetings," and attendance at the churches of Colebrook and Stewartstown. It was a common thing in those days of strong men and hardy women for them to go some ten or fifteen miles to Stewartstown to attend meeting, often riding on horseback, the man
739
TOWN OF COLUMBIA.
in the saddle and the woman on the pillion behind him. and so "riding double." The itinerants were more noted for strength of lungs and fervor of spirit than for depth of erudition or grace of diction; and many of their utterances as handed down by tradition, wore decidedly unique. One preacher called on the Lord to "come down the bank, pass over the river, and up through the bushes, and bless brother Bishop": evidently laboring under much the same error as to the residence of the Lord that the little girl did who wound up her evening prayer by bidding the Lord " good-bye, as she was going to New Jersey in the morning." We recall the appeal of another of these men, who asked the Lord to send a "ram-shackling, devil-killing, hell-destroying, rim-racking time."
When other means of worship failed, what was known as "deacon's meetings" were held at some convenient school-house. These. for many years, were conducted by Deacon Bancroft, who offered the usual prayer and reading from the Scriptures, and then read one of Baxter's stirring sermons, and "deaconed off" the hymn. Many efforts were made to build a church, but they could only agree to disagree, though they once got as far in the matter as to hew the timber for the frame: dissentions, however, arose as to the location of the house, resulting, finally, in the in- definite postponement of the enterprise, and the rotting of the timber on the ground where it was hewed. Finally, in 1850, the Methodist confer- ence took the town in charge, and sent Mr. Watkins here as a minister. He was a stirring, not-easily discouraged man: and, by the assistance of Pickens Boynton, a young preacher not yet connected with the conference, the people were stirred up, and taking the matter in hand, two meeting- houses were erected-one, in East Columbia, in 1850, and one on the river the following year. Until about 1870 the two churches supported only one minister, who occupied the pulpits of either church on alternate Sun- days. Now both societies maintain a minister throughout the year.
Columbia Church .- In the years of the early settlement of Columbia there was no priest nor prophet in the town, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes. About the year 1820 a Congregationalist minis- ter by the name of Rankin came and preached, and labored among the people for a time. The people were also spiritually instructed by Mr. Hale, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Holmes. The latter lived on the hill in the brick house now owned and occupied by Mr. George Hammond. Mr. Holmes divided his time and services between the people of Columbia and Cole- brook. Mr. Samuel Holt labored here as a missionary. In process of time Mr. Bradford was settled over this people, and lived on the farm now occu- pied by Mr. Charles Russ. There were no churches in those days, and religious services were held in dwelling-houses, school-houses, and barns. On one occasion, when a service was being held in the barn of Major Cone, a certain man, whose hearing was defective, climed up and sat on one of
740
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
the cross timbers of the barn close to the speaker The day being warm and the sermon somewhat lengthy, Eutychus, Jr., sank into a deep sleep and fell from his high loft.
Sometime previous to 1835 the Methodist circuit riders made their ap- pearance with their Bibles, tracts and saddle-bags. They were rough and ready, uncultured. unpolished and often unwelcomed, but their burning zeal, earnest piety and enthusiasm gave them a hearing, and, afterwards, followers. Among those circuit riders we have the names of Manning, Goddard, B. Fales, W. M. Mann, C. Olin, Woodard, Adams, Robertson, Beard, S. Wiggins, W. Johnson and E. Pettengill. They encountered a certain amount of opposition, but, in spite of all hindrances, they achieved a fair degree of success; and the cause of religion gradually increased in numbers and strength until 1850. Mr. Warner was minister in charge at that time, and the church was blessed with an extensive revival of religion. They now felt the need of a building in which to assemble to worship God, and Pickens Boynton secured subscriptions sufficient to warrant the success of the enterprise. Horatio N. Cone gave a lot of land for a building site, and the services of J. F. Luke were secured to erect the church, which was finished in 1851, and dedicated by Henry H. Hartwell, Pickens Boynton and Mr. Warner being in attendance. Regular services were now held. The following is a partial list of the ministers who were sent by the New Hampshire conference to serve the people: J. W. Spen- cer, - Watkins, D. W. Barber, - Tabor, -- Bryant, - Barnes, N. Martin, D. J. Smith, - Kendall. After Mr. Kendall's term of service expired there was no regular preaching for some years. The pulpit was supplied a portion of the time by transient laborers, among them Mr. Evans, a theological student, Miss Fickett and Elder Pattee .. In 1875 or '76 A. B. Russell became pastor in charge of the society and held this con- nection three years. He was followed by W. H. H Collins, who remained one year, and was followed by J. T. Davis, who labored with the people two years, during which time a parsonage was built on a lot of land given by Mr. William E. Cone. Joseph Hayes followed Mr. Davis and remained three years. Mr. Hayes was succeeded by Mr. John Olin, who was here three years, closing his appointment in 1887.
Christian Church, East Columbia .- The Christian church was first organized December 3. 1831. Previous to this time, as there were here a few members of this church, they were occasionally visited and some meet- ings were held in the school-house by preachers from different parts of the state and Massachusetts; among whom Mark Fernald, Joseph Banfield, John T. G. Colby. O. P. Tuckerman, Simeon Sweatt, Daniel P. Pike and Elijah Shaw were grand representatives.
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