History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 96

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

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 96

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).

1885. William H. Gerrish, clerk, Clark 11. Ladd, Jacob Dresser, John L. Oswell, selectmen: Herman E. Oleson, treasurer; S. E. Paine, representative.

1886. J. A. Hodgdon, clerk: S. D. Green. W. A. Pingree, Thomas W. Pickford, selectmen ; E. B Marston, treasurer (Daniel J. Daley appointed treasurer October 15, 1886.)

1887. George L. Vincent, elerk; Charles N. Hodgdon, Robert N. Chamberlin Calixte Lambert, selvet- men; H. E. Oleson, treasurer.

Extracts from Town Records .- 1832. January 16. It is recorded that lot 19, range 6, is redeemed by the payment of $1.70 " taxes and cost" by "Tarhole Garish," of Boseawen.

1833. The town meetings were held at private houses until 1833, when, April 15, a meeting was called to meet at " the school-house on Saturday the fourth day of May."

1837. Benjamin Thompson allowed $7. F. I. Bean $6.50, William Evans $2.50 for services as seleetmen in 1836.

1838. March 13. "Chose Edmund Green and Insley Bean Odditers for said town."

1839. March 12. "Samuel Blodget bid of Oliver L. Cromwell and his family towns poor at $2.70 per weak." It was voted "to allow F. I. Bean for paying the entry of the Dead River Road petition $1.20; for getting signers to the petition one dollar.

1844. " Voted to consider Thomas Green's barn yard as the pound."

1853. This year marks the first political strife in the general elections of the town. One contrary fel- low had steadily voted in opposition to all the rest; but now we find thirty-eight votes for Noah Martin, Democrat, for governor, and seven in opposition. From this time polities became a feature of the elections.

1853. It was "voted to allow Benj. Thompson as much for defending the bridge across the Androseg- gin last fall as T. H. Hutchinson for trying to take it down."

Berlin in the Rebellion .- It is sufficient to say that the town was not backward in giving her sons to maintain the integrity of the Union, and more than one half of those who went as soldiers found graves on southern soil. Berlin is credited on state and United States muster rolls with " nineteen three-years men, thirteen one-year men, three nine months men."

This extract from a letter sent to the adjutant-general of New Hamp- shire by the selectmen in 1856, will show why we cannot give such in- formation as we would like :-

" Blanks were distributed, but only one has been returned to us, and this not fully filled out. There is but one man now living in Berlin who enlisted from the town, and of the 13 or 14 who belonged here and enlisted, only three are now living, two of them residing in another state. Berlin has no record of her

798

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

soldiers, papers and documents are lacking; soldiers, their relatives and friends are gone, hence the paucity of facts and material."

Three of Daniel Green's sons were in service; Sullivan D. in the 24th Michigan, Francis D. and Charles V. enlisted from Berlin. Charles died at New Orleans from disease contracted on the Red River campaign, and Francis was killed at Fredericksburgh, Va., December 13, 1862. Of the other Berlin boys of which we have information, Scribner Cates died at Ship Island; D. W. Blodgett, badly wounded in neck, was discharged, and came to a terrible end in July, 1872, by being burned to death in the depot which was destroyed on that date. S. A. Andrews was killed in a skirmish, Ethan A. Andrews died of disease, Nelson Green died at Ship Island, Charles S. Green and Albert Green are now living in Maine, and Jesse Tuttle in Berlin.

Action of Town in the Rebellion .- The second article in the warrant calling the town meeting of August 23, 1862, reads :--

" To see how much money the town will pay to each man who will enlist and be accepted by the Gov- ernment to make up this town's quota of the three hundred thousand volunteers lately called for by the President. Also to see what action they will take in paying drafted men and supporting their families who may need assistance while gone to the war."

1863. A meeting of the voters was called to be held December 2d, "To see if said voters will authorize the selectmen to hire a sum of money for the purpose of filling the town's quota of three hundred thousand volunteers, called for by the President of the United States to be filled on or before the fifteenth day of Jan- mary. 1864." At the meeting held at the appointed time and place (hall of H. Winslow & Co.), voted " to authorize the Selectmen to hire not exceeding five hundred dollars per man for the purpose of raising the town's quota of three hundred thousand volunteers called for by the President of the United States, Dated October 17, 1863, in accordance with the laws of this State enacted July 9, 1862, Said town to have the bene- fit of the State and General Government Bounties."

1864. March 5, voted "to take up the notes given by the selectmen to hire money to fill the town's quota to H. Winslow." August 2, Warrant issued for a town meeting to be held August 18. "To see if said voters will authorize the selectmen to hire a sum of money for the purpose of filling the town's quota of three hundred thousand volunteers called for by the President of the United States, to be filled on or before the fifth day of September. A. D. 1864."

1864. August 18, Voted "to authorize the selectmen to hire money on the best terms they can, for from one to five years, for the purpose of filling the town's quota of volunteers under the last call for troops, and pay such volunteers or substitutes, or pay any person that will pay and put in a substitute, the highest terms authorized by the Legislature of this state, to meet the present call for troops."

1865. January 11, Voted, " to authorize the selectmen to hire money at the lowest rates of interest it can be procured, for the purpose of filling the town's quota of soldiers under the last call by the President for three hundred thousand volunteers and pay volunteers or substitutes the highest sum authorized by the Legislature of this State, to meet the present call for troops."

Voted, "to have the selectmen excente the previous vote with promptness."

799

TOWN OF BERLIN.

CHAPTER XCVI.

Ecclesiastical: Church of Christ -- Formation-Original Members -- Confession of Faith -- Action of Church Meetings -- Pastors -- Progress of the Church-Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor -- The Sunday-School -- Organization of Parish -- Church Structure .-- Origin, Etc., Uni- versalist Church -- Meetings -- Articles of Faith-Parish Society Organized -- Church Building -- Sabbath-School .-- Catholic Church -- Priests -- Church-Parsonage .-- St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Parisb -- Members -- Pastor .-- Second Advent Meetings.

6 HURCH of Christ .- In June, 1875, Rev. Arthur J. Benedict of Bethel Conn., a graduate from the theological seminary at Yale college, came to Berlin. Young, earnest and hopeful, highly educated and vigorous, he commenced laboring to build up a church and society in the town. He was ably seconded by the cooperation of the better class of the citizens, and as a result of their combined efforts, November 6, 1877, the following letter was addressed to the Congregational Church of Christ in Gorham, N. H .:-

"Dear Brethren: A number of believers on the Lord Jesus Christ in this place, feeling that we may best serve the Master by becoming associated as a Church of Christ in fellowship with the Congregational Order. We respectfully invite you, by your pastor and delegate to meet in Council at Berlin Mills Hall Nov. 22, at 2 o'clock to consider the expendiency of the course pursued by us and advise us in reference thereto, and should the formation of such a Church be deemed expedient, to assist in the public service appropriate to its for- mation and recognition

"Cordially yours "In the bonds of Christian Fellowship "A. J. Benedict ) Com. of those

" John Wilson proposing to become "L. T. Parker a Church."

The council called met on the day appointed. This was composed of pastors and delegates as follows: Rev. C. E. Harrington, Dea. W. P. Freeman, from Lancaster; Rev. A. J. Benedict, Bro. Orrin Tubbs, Gorham; Rev. C. L. Mills and Bro. David F. Brown, Rev. David Garland, Bro. A. W. Valentine of the first and second Congregational churches in Bethel, Me .: Rev. Henry Farrar of Gilead, Me., Rev. E. Y. Hincks and Bro. W. W. Brown, of Portland, Me. The afternoon was passed in reading and discussing the articles of faith and the covenant; examining letters, and persons desiring to form the church; listening to statements by Rev. A. J. Benedict relative to the organization and the religious character of those proposing to become members of the church. These statements being satisfactory, the council advised that a church should be formed upon the basis of the submitted articles of faith. The council then adjourned until evening.

The order of exercises for the evening was carried out according to assignment by the council. and the church was constituted with these men-

S00

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

bers: Arthur J. Benedict, John Wilson, Sarah M. Bean, Lizzie Parker, Almira Beattie, Lowella Coffin, Lettie A. Parker, Effie Smith, Hannah M. Oleson, Lucy S. Spaulding, Betsey A. Wheeler, Hannah M. Wilson, Eva Hobbs, Frank M. Coffin, and this

Confession of Faith .- " We confess our faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, the only living and true God; in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who is enabled to be our Redeemer and King; and in the Holy Comforter, who is present in the Church to regenerate and sanctify the soul.

" We confess the common sinfulness and ruin of our race, and acknowledge that it is only through the work accomplished by the life and expiatory death of Christ, that believers in him are justified before God, receive the remission of sins, and through the presence and grace of the Holy Comforter are delived from the power of sin, and perfected in holiness.

" We believe also in the organized and visible Church, in the ministry of the Word, in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, in the resurrection of the body, and in the final judgment, the issues of which are eternal life and everlasting punishment.

" We receive these truths on the testimony of God given through prophets and apostles, and in the life, the miracles, the death, the resurrection of His Son, our Divine Redeemer; a testimony preserved for the Church in the Scriptures of the old and New Testaments, which were composed by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

" Affirming our belief that those who thus hold 'one faith, one Lord, one baptism,' together constitute the one Catholic Church, the several households of which called by different names, are the one body of Christ, and that these members of his body are sacredly bound to keep 'the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,' we declare that we will co-operate with all who hold these truths. May He to whom 'all power is given in heaven and earthi' fulfil the promise which is all our hope: 'Lo, I am with you alway even to the end of the world' Amen."

Rev. A. J. Benedict conducted the services of the newly-organized church in connection with the church at Gorham, of which he was pastor, the meetings being held in Berlin Mills hall. 1877, December 27. Rev. A. J. Benedict was chosen clerk of the church. Bros. Frank M. Coffin and John Wilson were elected deacons. Bro. Coffin was chosen treasurer. 1878, January 10. It was voted that the thanks of the church be tendered to Bro. W. W. Brown, of Portland, for his gift of a beautiful communion service. 1879, June 17 and 18. The session of the Oxford county con- ference was held with this church. During these two years additional members were admitted by profession and letter. There had been no set- tled pastor, Rev. A. J. Benedict having been the acting pastor from June 1, 1876. 1881, April 12. Meeting called to order by Deacon Duke; prayer by Deacon Wilson. A motion was made to support a pastor independent of the church at Gorham. Carried unanimously. Voted to raise $700 for salary of pastor the ensuing year. April 19. Meeting called to order by Deacon Duke. Motion made by Deacon Wilson not to extend a call to Rev. A. J. Benedict to become their pastor. Not carried. In the interval from April to June, Rev. Mr. Benedict must have wished to resign his charge, as on the 10th of June a remonstrance meeting was held by church members and citizens to ask him to withdraw his resignation. Unani- mous vote in favor of Rev. Mr. Benedict. 1882. Mr. Benedict continued to act as pastor until June, 1882. 1883, April 19. The church voted to give Rev. A. J. Benedict and Mrs. Ida R. Benedict a letter of dismissal from this. church and a letter of recommendation to the church in Kensington, Conn. ..

801

TOWN OF BERLIN.

at their request. 1883, May 17. At a meeting held in the vestry, it was voted to nominate Albert Donnell as pastor of this church and to recom- mend to the parish society that a call from the church and parish be for- warded to him. This was carried unanimously, and in June the call was extended to and accepted by Albert Donnell, and June 27 the ordination and installation services took place. 1584, April 6. Gospel meetings were held by Brothers Allen Folger and C. L. Jackson, by invitation of the church in this place. Much interest was shown by the people, especially by the young boys of the Sabbath school, and the meetings were well at- tended. 1885, April 11. Rev. Albert Donnell tendered his resignation as

pastor of this church and minister to this people. June 3. This resigna- tion was accepted, and the council dissolved the pastoral relations existing between Rev. Albert Donnell and the Church of Christ and parish in Ber- lin. 1855. June 1. Rev. S L. Bowler is acting pastor of this church. 1886, July S. The subject of installing Rev. S. L. Bowler was discussed, and July 22 a unanimous vote was taken, that the Rev. S. L. Bowler be installed August 10th. The installation services were very edifying. Rev. G. F. Tewksbury, Prof. E. Y. Hincks, Rev. E. H. Greeley, Rev. George F. Wright, Rev. A. J. Benedict, and the pastor taking part. 1886, October 6. The annual meeting of the East Coos Bible Society was held in the church building. Many questions of vital importance were ably discussed by Rev. J. D. LeGro, Rev. S. L. Bowler, and others.

Rev. Stephen L. Bowler is a native of Palermo, Waldo county. Me .. and a graduate of Waterville college (now Colby university) in 1847. He attended medical lectures at Castleton, Vt., and Harvard Medical school, and graduated at Bangor Theological seminary in 1832. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational church at Machias. Me., June 5, 1853, remained one year: was acting pastor at Orono, Me., eight years; he then entered the U. S. Christian Commission, and served as delegate and financial agent until September, 1863, when he was made superintendent of the Washington department of this organization, and was in this service until May 15, 1865; a portion of the time he was engaged in organizing the home work in Maine and New Hampshire. He was the pastor of the Congre- gational church in Hampden, Me., from September 3, 1865, till September 1, 1871; for three years in Saccarappa, Me. ; then in Machias from November 28, 1874, until May, 1879; from that time his ministerial charge was in Bethel, Me., until June 1, 1855, when he came to Berlin, and is now actively engaged in preaching the Gospel. promoting the cause of public education and all social reforms. The pleasant parsonage which he occu- pies with his estimable wife, was completed in January, 1586, at a cost of $2,000.

The church has slowly but steadily increased in numbers since its estab- lishment a decade ago; the small band of fifteen members, in 1877, was.

802

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

angumented to thirty in 1882, and at present, May, 1887, that number is more than doubled. Forty hopeful conversions have occurred during the last five months, of which sixteen have united with the church. During the past two years the pastor has baptized twenty children. This church is called in the Oxford conference to which it belongs the " banner church for infant baptism."

A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized May 29. 1877. Officers: Fred R. Oleson, president: Elmer Bean, vice-president; Miss Mary E. Wilson, secretary; Miss Gertrude L. Vincent, treasurer. This society is an organized effort to lead young people to Christ and into his church, to establish them firmly in the faith, and to set them at work in the Lord's vineyard. The main point upon which the constitution insists, is the weekly prayer meeting; which each active member pledges himself or herself to attend, unless necessarily detained, and to participate in, if only by the repetition of a verse of Scripture.

The Sunday-school, in 1882, numbered seventy-five members. It now has a membership of 150, having in the last five years doubled its mem- bers. Irving Stearns is superintendent.

Organization of Parish .- W. W. Brown and associates did, on the 27th day of June, 1881. by written articles signed by each member, form and organize themselves into a religious society in Berlin, Coös county, state of New Hampshire, by and under the name of " Parish of the Church of Christ," agreeably to the provision of Chapter 153 of the General Laws of this state. The society was organized by the choice of W. W. Brown, chairman; H. E. Oleson, clerk; James W. Parker, treasurer and collector; J. D. Duke, Franklin Wheeler and John Wilson, executive committee.

The beautiful Congregational church, which is such an ornament to the town, had its origin in the church association which owed its formation largely to Mrs. S. D. Green, who drew up and circulated this compact and obtained the signatures :-

" We, whose names are hereunto annexed, do agree to constitute ourselves an Association to be called the ' Church Association of Berlin.'

"Our object in becoming members of this Association shall be to promote church work in this place, and to nse every honorable means in our power to have a church edifice built in Berlin :- one that will be pleasing to God and our fellowmen.

" We also pledge ourselves to cultivate an interest in each other, and to remember each other, and par- ticularly our Association in our daily visits to the throne of Grace.

" To this end we agree to meet, unless providentially hindered, on the first Wednesday in each and every month; and to pay into the treasury -- or in other words, lend to the Lord-what in our judgment we can best afford.

" Berlin, N. H., January, 1879.

" Mrs. S. D. Green, Mrs. J. W. Parker, Mrs. John Wilson. Mrs. Frank Wheeler, Mrs. S. A. Spaulding, James W. Parker, Miss Lettie Parker, John Wilson, Mrs. H. M. Andrews, S. D. Green, A. J. Benedict, Mrs. Ida R. Benedict, Mrs. C. C. Bridges, Mrs. J. D. Porter, Mrs. Hannah Oleson, Mrs. L. M. Farrington, Mrs. Fannie E. Duke. Mrs. S. M. Bean, Mrs. H. C. Sawyer, Mrs. Condon, Mrs. Huntley, Mrs. Warren, Miss S. Wardwell."

Through the active efforts of the ladies a fund of $200 was accumulated. Then a meeting of the society was called and it was resolved to build a

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BERLIN MILLS, N. IL.

803

TOWN OF BERLIN.

church. The site was given by the Berlin Mills Company, and W. W. Brown has been a most generous contributor to the society and its buildings. The church was erected in 1882 and is an elegant structure. The value of the lot and building is estimated at $10,000. It is modelled after the Will- iston church in Portland; is irregular in form, and measures 410 feet around it. The audience room is thirty-five feet in height; the vestry is adjoining it, with sliding doors, and the main room can accommodate from 800 to 1,000 persons. The organ and choir occupy a recess in the side of the church. The windows are of stained glass in different forms. Back of the pulpit is a beautiful memorial window, circular in form, of fine European work and most artistic design. This is to commemorate the memory of Mrs. Emily Hart Brown, a most zealous and generous friend of the society. This is by far the finest church edifice in the county. Our patrons are in- debted to W. W. Brown for the engraving in this work.

The Universalist Church .-- Previous to 1805 the laws of New Hamp- shire had not recognized Universalists as Christians or allowed them the privileges of other religious bodies. To be a Universalist in those days re- quired not a little moral fortitude. Of course there were and are some in this communion, as well as in all others, who profess to believe the faith, but fail to live it; thereby proving that they are not its disciples, and should never be regarded as its representatives. There is no other Christian test than the one that the Master gave, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

Among the early inhabitants of Berlin there were some who believed in the final restitution of all souls, but they were few in number, their means were small, and they were unable to build a house of worship or pay a settled pastor. Services, however, have been held for several years at Eagle Hall, and different clergymen engaged. The veteran minister, Father Thompson from Maine, Rev. A. Bosserman from Bethel. Me., Rev. B. K. Russ, of Somerville, Mass., and others have preached here of love to God and men. The Articles of Faith of the Universalists of this town are :-

"Article 1. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

"Article 2. We believe that there is one God, whose nature is love, revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness.

"Article 3. We believe that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to maintain order and practice good works; for these things are good and profitable unto men."

About two years ago (1885) Mrs. G. C. Paine and other ladies, who were interested in having a church building, circulated a subscription paper, and, as a result, a parish society was organized in October, 1886, and a new church completed this year at an expense of nearly $4,000. It has a finely sounding bell. This cost $180. The building is thirty-eight feet by sixty feet. The land on which it is situated was donated by Daniel Green, No- vember 16, 1886. The building association was formed November, 1886. A. H. Gerrish, E. W. Scribner and Xerxes F. Wardwell, executive com-

804

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

mittee; Moses Hodgdon, Samuel E. Paine and Wilson A. Pengree, build- ing committee; Moses Hodgdon, contractor.

A Sabbath-school was organized April 10, 1887. Present membership, fifty scholars. L. B. Paine, superintendent; Annis Gerrish, secretary. It has a fine library of nearly 400 volumes, the gift of friends.

Catholic Church .- Among the people who settled in Berlin in 1850, were many of the Catholic faith, and, in 1860, there were about twenty- five families. Father Noiseux, a priest of Lancaster, used to come and visit them three or four times during the year. They held their services in a private house. Later on Berlin was attended from Gorham; first by Father Sullivan, afterwards by Fathers Charland, Gorman, and Walsh. Father Charland first agitated the question of building a church, and bought the land on which the church was erected in 1880 by Father Gor- man. This edifice, by virtue of its handsome design and arrangement, does credit to the Catholic communicants in Berlin. The Catholic popula- tion increased so rapidly that in August, 1885, a resident pastor was deemed necessary, and Right Reverend D. M. Bradley sent Rev. N. Cournoyer to minister to them. The congregation of St. Ann's church now numbers about 1,500 souls, the greater portion being of the French nationality. Father Cournoyer erected a fine parsonage soon after his arrival.

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish (Scandinavian) was or- ganized at Berlin Mills. May 16, 1887, with fifty-seven members, Nels Erickson, secretary: H. E. Oleson, treasurer; and an executive committee of six members. Services have for some time been held monthly, and a Sabbath-school has been conducted. Rev. George T. Rygh, acting pas- tor, comes from Portland to preach.

The Second Advents have held numerous meetings here. Rev. J. T. McLucas preaches at the present time, but there is no organized society.

CHAPTER XOVII.

Education-First School -- First Teacher-School Districts -- Amos Mann-Berlin High School.

T THE history of education in this town is briefly told, for it is not much over a half century since the earliest settler planted his cabin here, and a much less period since the organization of the town and the es- tablishment of schools. And yet it stands, perhaps, as a type of many, if not most, of the new and backwoods towns of the northern portion of the state. Lying amid the wild, Alpine scenery of the White Hills, hemmed

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 96

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