History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 89

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

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When on December 3, 1831, a church was formed by Elder John T. G. Colby, it was composed of the following named members: William Hol-

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TOWN OF COLUMBIA,

kins. Daniel Rogers, John Annis, Abel Marshall, Samuel Marshall, John P. Daniels, Stephen Smith, Augustus Spencer, Joshua S. Mathes, Elijah Mathes and Phebe Rogers, with this

Profession of Faith .- "We, whose names are herein recorded, agree to consider ourselves a church; to acknowledge Christ our Head, Master, Lord, and Lawgiver, to whom we are to hear in all things. The New Testament our Rule by which to walk, instruct, and admonish each other, without the addition of any Discipline invented by men: and to be known by the name of Christians according to Acts XI., 26. We also agree to strive to love all Christians of any denomination, and to continue in the doctrine of Christ according to Hebrew VI., 12."

The church then chose Bro. Samuel Marshall, clerk: and agreed to hold a regular monthly conference every first Saturday in each month. There being no preacher of this faith in the then sparsely-settled town of Colum- bia, the pastorate was given to Elder Samuel Drown, a Free Will Baptist clergyman from Colebrook. The church struggled along, being occasion- ally visited by Elder Colby and others. Their meetings were held in school- houses and barns, where the whole country around would gather and ex- hibit such a spirit of living Christianity as would put to shame some of our more modern assemblages. In the fall of 1842 Elder Samuel Durgin, of Maine, came to Columbia, and commenced a series of meetings in school- houses and private dwellings. A large number of persons professed to be converted. were baptized, and joined the Christian church: of this number the majority were young people. There were now about thirty-five mem- bers. Agreeably to previous notice, the church met December 10, 1842, and voted to reorganize. Elder Samuel Durgin was chosen moderator to preside in said meeting. Samuel Marshall was chosen clerk, and Elder Samuel Durgin to take the pastoral charge of the church. Bro. John Annis and Bro. Asa Noyes were elected deacons. The church also voted "that the monthly conference be held on the Saturday before the third Sabbath in each month at Bro. Augustus Spencer's, and that the old mem- bers remain at present." Samuel Marshall, John Annis and Asa Noyes were chosen a committee to attend to the prudential affairs of the church.

During all this time everything had moved along harmoniously, but now discord and dissension had their sway for awhile; and, but for their strong faith and trust in God and his wisdom, these Christians would hardly have held their church together. A good number kept up their meetings, however, although after a year and a half they were virtually without a pastor. They continued in this way, with occasional and spas- modic efforts by visiting ministers, until about 1850, when Elder William S. Morrill came, and finally, settling in Stewartstown, took the pastoral charge of this church, preaching alternate Sabbaths. In the summer of 1850 a Union church edifice, with a seating capacity of 250, was erected at East Columbia, in connection with the Methodist church; each society to have its exclusive use alternate Sabbaths, and when not occupied by one society, the other could have the use of it for that Sabbath also. The

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

following named brethren were elected as trustees to take the deed of one- half of the church building and land on which it was located: John Annis, J. W. Emerton, John Marshall, William Pilbro, and Asa Noyes. It now seemed as if the church was well established, and everything moved along apparently prosperously. In the winter of 1854 and 1855, Elder W. H. Nason came here to assist Elder Morrill in a series of meetings which resulted in the greatest reformation that was ever known in all this part of the state, and a large accession was made to the church membership. The spring following, Elder Nason accepted a call to be the pastor, and in connection with that young Christian (Methodist) minister, D. J. Smith, the church experienced its brightest days. They were assisted by a most excellent choir, a most valuable auxiliary in church worship. At this time Rev. Joseph B. Hill, of Colebrook, said " East Columbia is the only green spot in Northern New Hampshire."

At the expiration of two years Elder Nason was succeeded by Elder Seth Ross from Franklin. Elder Ross was a good man, sound in the faith, scholarly, and quite logical in his preaching, but altogether different from Elder Nason. His style was not so well adapted to interest the class of minds belonging to his audience, consequently, what is termed "falling- away " ensued. In the fall of 1838 his wife died: and, as a result of this, he moved away the following spring. From this time until 1863 the pulpit was supplied by Willard McDaniels, William S. Morgan, and other visit- ing ministers. January, 1863, Calvin S. Shattuck came from Vermont to assist in union meetings, which resulted in such an awakening as was only second to that already described under the labors of Elder Nason. The cause of Christ continued to advance for a while, when a controversy arose between the ministers on the subject of baptism, annihilation, and other kindred topics, which led to a division between churches, and between brothers and sisters of the same society; some of the best members removed from the place, and after four years this religious body was virtually a nullity.

In August, 1865, Bro. Rufus F. Marshall was chosen deacon, and Bro. Warren R. Marshall clerk. In the summer of 1867 Elder Shattuck closed his labors with the Christian church, and Stephen Andrews, a young man from Massachusetts, preached a few months. He was succeeded by Elder R. B. Eldrich. an educated and experienced preacher, and a devoted Chris- tian gentleman. He labored for two years; but with all of his eloquence and religious example there was but little accomplished in Zion's cause. The church remained without a pastor for a year after. Then W. S. Morrill, a former pastor, preached a part of two years; he was followed by A. H. Francis, who labored for a few months, and during this time the church edifice was repaired. In the winter of 1875 Elder W. H. Nason came back to his old society to find the members in a very unsettled and

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TOWN OF COLUMBIA.

unsatisfactory condition. He had faith in the revival of the religious spirit, and thought best to stay with the church. After a year and a half, on account of illness. he was unable to perform his ministerial labors, and returned to Springfield, where his earthly life was finished and he entered upon his inheritance in Heaven. He had served his Lord and Master long and zealously, aided by his good and faithful Christian wife. Although they were not successful in restoring the church to its former life, still they were worthy of the encomium "well done. good and faithful servants." and its accompanying reward. Elder Nason's successor was a young man, E. R. Amazeen, who preached three years. Since that time this society has been without a settled pastor, and the Methodists Have held all the services until the present writing.

In this connection mention should be made of Dea. John Annis, who was born in Goffstown. N. H., October 11, 1797. He is, probably, now (March, 1887) the only living member of the original Christian church of East Columbia. His house was, and always has been, the home for all the visiting preachers, not only of his own denomination, but those of other sects have been made welcome to his generous hospitality. His barn was often used for holding religious meetings in earlier years. By his consistent Christianity, which controlled all his acts, he was universally known, and was esteemed by a large number of ministers and Christians. He is now nearly ninety years of age, and until three years ago, when he was enfeebled by a stroke of paralysis, his memory of the early history of religious societies was quite marked and vivid. By him and such as he, the church was sustained through all its vicissitudes; he was never falter- ing in his efforts to maintain the church service: and. even now, under the burden of his four-score years and ten, his love for the church and all good people seems stronger, if possible, than in the strength of his early manhood. Dea. Annis is now quite infirm; his hearing is imperfect, and his eyesight impaired so that he is unable to read. In the beautiful words of the hymn he is

"Only waiting till the shadows Are a little longer grown: Only waiting till the glimmer Of the day's last beam is flown; Till the light of earth has faded From the heart once full of day; Till the stars of Heaven are breaking Thro' the twilight soft and gray."

STRATFORD.

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

Introductory-Woodbury-Names of Grantees-Difficulty Concerning Boundaries-Transfers Prior to 1722 -- Proprietors' Action-Call for Meeting-Gov. Wentworth's Decision.

N the extreme western part of Massachusetts, in Berkshire county, at the foot of Saddle mountain, rises the Housatonic river. The Indian name, "Potatuck," signified " the river with many falls." This river runs nearly south to Dover and New Milford, Conn., then, turning sharply to the southeast, flows to the sound through Litchfield and Fairfield count- ies. In nearly the central part of Connecticut, measuring north and south, and about twenty miles east of the Housatonic, rises the Naugatuck, a smaller river, which makes its way to the sound in almost a southern course. Midway between these rivers, and about thirty miles from the sound, is situated the township of Woodbury, while on the shore of the sound, at the confluence of these streams, is the ancient territory called " Old Stratford." From these townships in the "land of steady habits" came the first inhabitants of what is now Stratford, N. H.

This town was first incorporated as Woodbury, and at least forty of the sixty-three proprietors were residents of Woodbury, Conn .; while, of the seventy-two proprietors of the later town of Stratford, thirty-two, at least, were residents of "Old Stratford." "Old Stratford " was settled in 1639 by a company formed by Rev. Adam Blakeman, at Wethersfield, and was the seventh plantation in the Connecticut colony within the limits of the present state. In a fence-list, published as early as 1651, the names of Wells, Judson, Curtis, and Beardsley appear; beyond question they were the progenitors of the settlers of those names in Stratford.

Woodbury was chartered June 30, 1762, by Gov. Benning Wentworth. It contained 23,040 acres, allowance of 1,040 acres being made for high- ways and unimprovable lands. It was bounded thus :-

[Much of the early history of Woodbury and Stratford has been furnished by Rev. L. W. Prescott .- ED.]

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TOWN OF STRATFORD.

"Beginning at a Tree, marked, standing on the Easterly Side of Connecticut river at a place called the Upper Coos, and at the North-westerly corner Bound of Stonington, thence Running up North-easterly as the said river trends, till the contents of Six Miles upon a straight line be accomplished, thence carrying that breadth of six miles back south-easterly so far as that a Parallel line with the Straight Line aforesaid will make the contents of Six miles square."

Name of Grantees .- Those marked W are from Woodbury, Conn. John Prindle, Israel Beardsley, Matt Mallett. Joseph Trowbridge, w, Benjamin Bunnell, Sam Brownson, w. Ebenezer Strong, w, Ebenezer Doun, w, Ebenezer Hinman, w. William Rowland, w, Ebenezer Brownson, w, Sam Wheeler, Gideon Johnson, w, Isaac Stiles, Jr., w. Gideon Porter, w, Gideon Hinman, w, Abijah Tambling, w, Thaddeus Curtis, John John- son, w. Justice Doyle, Elijah Hinman, w, Agur Tomlinson, Amos Hickok, w. Francis Hinman, w, Daniel Smith, w, Aaron Donn, w, Jacob Glaser, w, Gideon Tuttle, w. Jolin Garritt, w, Ichabod Tuttle, w, David Johnson, w, Jacob Meek, w. Huthuit Tuttle, w. Gideon Bristol, w, Seth Curtis, Peter Nichols, Timothy Os- born, w, Moses Johnson, w. II .zekiali Porter, w, Eldad King, w, John Skeel. w. Bushnel Benedict, w, David Munn, w, Eleazer Knowles, w, Stephen Brownson, w, Abijah Hinman, w. Caleb Baldwin, Esq., Caleb Baldwin, 2d, Arthur Wooster, John Leavenworth, w, John Peck, Ant. Cole, w, Asa Johnson, w, Israel Curtis, w, Sam. Jenner, Jr., Justice Hiekok, Eli Demming, Ezra Demming, Samuel Averill, Lt. Joseph Wright, Capt. Jona- than Carlton, Hon. Joseph Newmarch, James Newton, Esq., William Temple.

None of these became identified with the settlement of Stratford. The Elijah Hinman who came to Stratford was probably not the innkeeper at old Woodbury who was a grantee of the new town. We cannot deter- mine whether Ebenezer Strong, the Johnsons. the Curtisses, the Baldwins, and Nicholses were related to those who became settlers here, but it is probable that they were.

The Woodbury charter was renewed; and, as early as 1772. settlements, or rather "pitches," had been established, and people had come here. We extract from the " Proprietors' Records" their action in reference to the diffi- culty concerning the boundaries, caused by the "shoving-up " of Lancas- ter (see History of Lancaster for full account and particulars), and also concerning the chartering of Stratford. The first meeting of the propri- etors of Woodbury was called by Samuel Averill at the house of Elijah Hinman in Woodbury, Conn., August 11, 1762. At the second meeting "Gideon Tuttle, John Garrett, and Eleazer Knowles were chosen as a com- mittee to view and survey the township of Woodbury lately granted in the Province of New Hampshire, and to lay out said town, if they shall think it best for the interest of the proprietors, and to bring back a true account of the soil and situation of the land, and deliver it to the proprie- tors' clerk by the first Monday of December next ensuing," and it was voted "that the said committee be paid by the proprietors, Thirteen shil- lings and six pence per day to each man while they are gone on said busi- ness, if performed." No record of their report, nor of any other meeting can be found until 1773. Nothing permanent towards settling the new town had been done. Visits of prospecting were made, some "pitches" established, and confusion had arisen about the south boundary; North- umberland, claiming over one mile of the present territory of Stratford, and up the river above the present homestead of Guy Burnside. These difficulties and contentions led to the re-chartering of the territory embrac- ing Woodbury as Stratford. Forty-two or more transfers of land in the

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

new settlement are found in the records of the Connecticut Woodbury: so, much had been done in allotting, if no real improvement had been made. No less than twenty-three of these deeds are given by Samuel Averill, while quite a number of transfers to him are recorded. He operated largely in Woodbury lands as early as 1767, twenty deeds from him being dated in that year. One of these is to Gov. John Wentworth, another to John Wendell, Esq., of Portsmouth. Many were given to residents of Stratford, Conn., and this probably accounts for the change of the name to Stratford.

Recorded Transfers prior to 1772 .- Beach Tomlinson, of Stratford, Coun., to Thomas Blodgett as a settler; Hezekiah Burritt of same place to Isaac Johnson as a settler; Agur Tomlinson of the same place to Ar- chippus Blodgett as a settler; Joseph Moss to Joseph Barlow; Joshua Lamkin to Oliver Lamkin: Judson Bur- ton to Timothy DeForest as a settler; Asa Johnson, of Woodbury, Conn., to Joseph Holbrook; Thomas Olcott to Stephen Curtis (father of James, Aaron, and William Curtis), all of Stratford; Ebenezer Doun, of Wood- bury, Conn., to Elijah Hinman, consideration, two pounds; Sammel Wheeler to Elijah Hinman, consideration fine pounds; Samuel Averill to Jabez Baldwin. Samuel Averill deeds to Isaiah Brown, father of James Brown, in 1767.

This establishes the fact that several had become settlers, in anticipa- tion if not yet in reality, before the issuing of the charter of Stratford, and were residents here later. Timothy DeForest, who was conveyed a lot by Judson Burton " as a settler," abandoned the field, and did not per- form the duty which was the consideration, and the sum of $10 in lawful money was paid to Mr. Burton by the proprietors to make him whole. The earliest deed preserved is dated in 1763. It is from Hezekiah Porter to Samuel Averill, showing that the latter had commenced his purchases im- mediately after the obtaining of the charter.

1773. The next meeting of which we have record was held March 31, 1773, at Stratford, Conn.

The proprietors voted Agur Tomlinson, Esq., and Mr. Joseph Holbrook "a Committee, and fully Im- powered to proceed forthwith to Portsmouth, and in connection with John Wendell to act in the settlement and compromise of all matters and things relating to a controversy subsisting between the proprietors of Woodbury and Northumberland, to be determined and decided by his Excellency the Governor of New Hampshire, and to surrender and give up the old charter of said Township, and the renewed charter of extension, if neces- sary; also, that a tax of forty shillings on each right be laid and immediately collected of the Proprietors that they may be enabled to pursue the settlement proposed to with the proprietors of Northumberland, and to survey the township. That when his Excelleney, Gov. Wentworth shall have determined the controversy and fixed the bounds between the two townships of Woodbury and Northumberland, Messrs. Holbrook and Tomlinson, or either of them, are to proceed to survey said township of Woodbury, and, after that is done, and the first Division allotted, either shall return to Portsmouth for the new charter." It was also voted " that Lieut. Elijah Hinman be, and is appointed, a committee to proceed to said township and assist in allotting the first Division, and second Division if they think proper, and that the proprietors and settlers who first proceeded last year, and had their choice of pitch for allottment, do take their first choice this year, and the rest of the settlers who get their next by succession, have their next successive choice of settle- ment; also that the committee, Messrs. Holbrook, Tomlinson and Hinman, or either two of them, do lay out a Town Plot in said Township; and that the same be laid upon the hill, if they think proper, and the Place most convenient, and that they draw lots for each Proprietor's Right or situation, leaving first a Suitable quantity of Land in the most convenient Place for public use."

This was the last meeting of proprietors in Connecticut, the next being held at Portsmouth, and made legal by this request and warning, the request being dated at Woodbury, N. H .:-

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TOWN OF STRATFORD.

" To the Worshipful Samnel Penhallow, Esq'r, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Rockingham, etc. We, the Subscribers, being owners of more than one-sixth Part of the Township of Woodbury, desire that you would call a meeting of the Proprietors of said Township at the House of Capt. Jacob Tilton, Innholder in Portsmouth on the Seventh Day of May next, at two o'clock, P. M., then and there to act upon the following matters and things:

"1. To choose a Moderator for s'd meeting.

"2. To choose a Proprietors' Clerk, pro tempore.

"3. To choose a Proprietors' Treasurer, or any Collector or Collectors that may be found necessary.

"4. To agree upon some method to call all future meetings.

"5. To adopt, confirm, and establish all such votes and transactions at any former meetings held at Stratford, Conn .. or elsewhere out of said Province of New Hampshire, agreable to the Records of such meetings as they now stand Recorded in the Proprietors' Book.

"6. To choose a Committee of one or more Proprietors to defend any of the Proprietors, or others act- ing under them, in any suit or suits for supposed Trespasses committed in the Bounds of Woodbury brought by the Proprietors of Northumberland as supposed to have been done within the Bounds [of] Northumber- land, and to impower the said Committee to com[promise] Disputes by a reference of the whole to one or [more persons] for the better ascertaining and establishing the true Limits and bounds of both Townships, and to impower said Committee to join in a mutual agreement of any Committee that may be appointed by the Proprietors of Northumberland to submit the settlement of the dividing Lines of both Townships to any such person or persons that may be mutually chosen as the Arbitrator of said Limits, and further, if need be to make a surrender of said Charter and its renewal for the better and more final adjustment of all con- troversies about said Limits or Boundaries.

"7. To determine at what place to hold Proprietors' meetings in future.

"William Samuel Johnson, Joseph Holbrook, Samuel Beers, Samuel Averill, William Thompson, Stephen Curtis, John Wendell, Agur Tomhnson, Isaiah Brown, Elijah Hinman, Daniel Judson, Joseph Tomlinson, Issekiah Wetmore."

Call for Meeting .- "In pursuance of above request I do hereby notify and warn a Meeting of said Pro- prictors of Woodbury, at the time and place above requested, then and there to act upon the several matters therein requested.

"Portsmonth, April 21, 1773.

Samuel Penhallow, J. P."

Notices of the meeting were published in the New Hampshire Gazette, and the proprietors met in due form. At this meeting "Agur Tomlinson. John Wendell, with Joseph Holbrook, or any two of them were appointed a committee to defend all suits brought for trespass on land claimed in Woobury as belonging to Northumberland at the expense of the proprie- tors." They were also empowered to refer the whole matters at issue be- tween the townships "to the judgment and wisdom of His Excellency John Wentworth, Esq., (if he will be pleased to condescend to take so much trouble upon him) to decide and determine where the boundary line be- tween the townships shall be," etc., etc. Legal proceedings had been com- menced, for the joint committees of the towns, in their petition to the gov- ernor requesting his decision, deprecate the contest, and fear that the progress and settlement of both townships may be retarded, and offer to waive the appeal to law and to abide by his decision.

Gov. Wentworth's Decision .- " First, That all parties interested, do, from this day, obliterate all former transactions that have happened, and that they be and remain in perfect amity: rendering to each other all kind offices as fellow citizens embarked in one common cause of mutual benevolence and prosperity-Northum- berland to quit-claim and release to Woodbury all the lands in their Township from the Elm Tree, being their Northerly corner on the River, down by the said river as it runs unto the Southerly line of Lot No. 15, and to extend from the end thereof in the same course as said line, until it meets the boundary line of North- umberland which runs from a certain Elm Tree on Connectient River South, 55° East, four miles, two hundred seventy-five rods to a certain spruce tree marked 'S. S. D.C. 70,' all the lands within these described lines includ- ing Lot No. 15, as marked and delineated upon a plan returned by Edmond Morse, to be quit-claimed to Wood-

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

bury-That there be granted to Woodbury a certain gore of land lying and being between Northumberland and ' Whiting's Woodbury' (so called), surveyed by Edwards Bucknam, containing Eight Thousand Seven Hun- dred Fourteen and one Half acres, as by his plan returned appears-That a new Patent be granted to Wood- bury to include Whiting's Woodbury, The Gore. and the Quit-claimed lands out of Northumberland, allowing five years to complete the settlement, and free from Governor's fees-That Woodbury shall quit-claim to Northumberland all claims or pretentions to every other part of that town-That Woodbury pay the cost of the survey of the Gore they obtain-That there be granted to Northumberland such a Tract of ungranted or vacant land adjoining to the sonth Seven degrees East, line of Northumberland as the Governor shall direct, free of his fees; Northumberland to pay the cost of survey-That each town shall pay their own cost incurred hitherto-That if any useful labor has been done on the land on either side, it shall be valued on oath by one man, chosen by each party, and a third by those two, which three, or any two of them, shall award how much shall be paid by the possessor for labor done on his land-That all parties forthwith carry this judgment into execution as far as in them lies."

Woodbury continued from June 30, 1762, until its charter was given up May 26, 1773. Few of the people of the county to day are aware of the existence of such a township.

CHAPTER LXXXVIII.

Stratford-Conditions of Charter-Grantees' Names, with Number of Lot-First Settlers-First Woman Settler-Contest of Skill-Brief Description of Settlers and their Families-Description and Topography of Town-The First Settlements-Pitches Allotted-Extracts from Proprietors' Records; Concerning Mills, Town Plot, Lots and Roads, Trouble about First Grist-Mill-First Settlers have First Pitches.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 89

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