USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of Hampton Falls, N.H., Volume II > Part 4
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The Presbyterians built their meeting house in 1763. Mr. Wingate was not ordained until December 1 of that year. There is no notice of the matter until 1765 upon our record, when they asked for a new parish to be located in the south part of the town to be of the Presbyterian persuasion, and to be relieved from their rates which had been paid for the support of the minister settled by the town. To be allowed the minister tax, assessed upon their polls and estate, to be used for the support of their own minister. They asked for a new parish to be formed in the town, but did not
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want to be made a separate town. At a parish meeting, Septem- ber 2, 1765, all these requests were voted in the negative. But at. the same meeting it was voted that they be set off as an entirely separate parish in all matters and become a separate town.
A petition was sent to the General Assembly signed by fifty-six persons, asking to be allowed to form a new parish within the town of Hampton Falls to be of the Presbyterian persuasion, setting forth their reasons for so doing.
The parish, by a committee chosen for the purpose, sent an answer to this petition in which they show some pretty sharp practice on the part of the petitioners, and remonstrating against the prayer of the petitioners. The result of the movement was the incorporation of the town of Seabrook in 1768.
As there were some living in the new town who were not Pres- byterians, and some who professed to be Presbyterians living in Hampton Falls, these people were allowed, within two months after the act forming the new town went into effect, to elect in which town they would be taxed with their polls and estates. This was called polling off. This provision was made so that each man could pay his tax to the support of the church in which he was in sympathy and belief, whether Congregational or Pres- byterian, the idea being that Hampton Falls would always remain a Congregational parish, and Seabrook would always be Presby- terian. Quite a number in each town availed themselves of this privilege. More polled from Hampton Falls to Seabrook than from Seabrook to Hampton Falls. Non-resident tax-payers elected in which town they would be taxed. The right to poll off was extended to minors, quite a number of whom availed them- selves of the privilege. By reason of this act many persons living in Hampton Falls held office and were sent to the legislature from Seabrook. This act continued in force until 1790 when some trouble arose in relation to the highway tax when it was repealed.
The Presbyterian meeting house was built in Seabrook in 1763. This house is still in existence, has been remodelled and is used, the lower part as a town house and the upper as the Baptist church. The church was organized in 1764 and Rev. Samuel Perley became their pastor January 31, 1765, and continued until May 22, 1775. He was afterward pastor of the church in Moul- tonboro and in Groton. In 1784 he was installed over the church in Gray, Maine. He ceased to preach in 1791. He died in Gray,
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Maine, in 1821, at the age of eighty-nine. There were fourteen added to the church in Seabrook during Mr. Perley's ministry. The Presbyterian church in Seabrook appears to have ceased active work on the removal of Mr. Perley. The Boston Presby- tery met at Seabrook in 1775, and was divided into three, prob- ably Boston,-Salem and Londonderry. Mr. Perley then became a member of the Salem Presbytery.
On November 17, 1780, the members who had withdrawn from the ordinances under Mr. Wingate's ministry, contrary to order, and also put themselves under the care of the Presbyterian church, returned, made confession and were restored. At the same time those who had gone off to the Presbyterian church presented their dismission which read as follows:
"Voted to grant the petition of the society of Hampton Falls that they are disowned from this body. Simon Williams, Synod Clerk."-Extract from the Minister's Synodical Council at Salem September 11, 1774.
On February 3, 1799, letters missive were received by the Hampton Falls church to attend the ordination of the Rev. Elias Hull at Seabrook. The church at that time had become Congre- gational, and quite a number of its members were living in Hamp- ton Falls. It may be well to record its proceedings.
Rev. Elias Hull, ordained over the Congregational church at Seabrook February 6, 1799, was born in Tolland, Conn., in 1778, and died at Seabrook February 22, 1822, twenty-three years after his settlement. During the latter part of his life he had become unsteady and died an inebriate. He preached only occasionally during his last years. When he was first settled he was an accept- able preacher and drew a full house. He was not a college gradu- ate, preached without notes, and was a fluent speaker. He once favored Methodist views but was settled as a Congregationalist. The records, if any were kept during his ministry, have been lost as now no knowledge of them can be found. There were but few male members of Mr. Hull's church. Mr. Hull's sad ending had a bad effect upon the religious welfare of the town, and there was no settled minister in the town for several years. At times there was preaching by men of different denominations, or supplies from the missionary society. Quite a portion of the time they were des- titute and had no religious service. Things went on in this way until 1834 when sixteen persons, who had withdrawn from the
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Hampton Falls church, went to Seabrook and united with others in that town and formed what has since been known as the First Evangelical Congregational Society of Seabrook and Hampton Falls. A few of the surviving members of Mr. Hull's church united with this new society.
The following seems to have emanated from those who were opposed to Mr. Wingate's settlement and was addressed to the church :
"Being that the great interesting doctrines of Christianity as explained in the catechism and orthodox confession of faith are not preached by those that are settled in the ministry among us, that they have been put upon enquiry, and from enquiring into doctrines have been led to search into church discipline do cor- dially embrace the doctrines contained in the Assemblys Shorter Catechism and the Presbyterian form of government."
The above is copied from the records of the church in Hampton Falls, and appears to have been copied from some paper or docu- ment containing the reasons why a new church should be formed in the south part of the town. To these reasons the church in Hampton Falls replied as follows:
" We desire it to be remembered all these great things were done in about a fortnight or three weeks. They further contend that the thing was done hastily. That no objections were made to Mr. Wingate at the time of his settlement. That those who have withdrawn have done it in an irregular and disorderly manner. That if they have received new light they ought to have imparted it to others. That some who desire a new church cannot judge whether the truth has been preached or not, as they have been constant neglectors of public worship, and that the Presbytery are ignorant of the true state of affairs."
After the formation of the new parish in Seabrook the balance of the old parish was disturbed, the majority living in the upper part of the town. On October 20, 1768, it was voted to build a new meeting house two miles west of the old meeting house on the road toward Exeter. To this there developed a strong opposition in the lower part of the parish, who did all in their power to pre- vent the vote being carried out for building the new meeting house Those who opposed the building of the new meeting house claimed that there was a tacit agreement when Mr. Wingate was settled that the place of worship should not be changed during his min- istry; and also on account of the expense; that some of the par-
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sonage property was held conditionally and might be forfeited in case of the removal; that no attempt had been made to come to an amicable adjustment of difference before commencing the work of building; that the location was an improper one, and that undue haste was made in forcing the vote.
At a town meeting held December 19,1768, it was voted that a new meeting house forty by fifty-five feet in dimension be built on the vacant lot near Jeremiah Lane's; that John Tilton, Abner Sanborn and William Prescott, selectmen, and Elisha Prescott, Samuel Prescott and Jonathan Cram be the building committee, and that the committee sell the pews to the highest bidder, and make a report at an adjourned meeting the first Tuesday in Feb- ruary. Immediately a dissent was made which concluded as follows :
"That the whole proceedings tend to bring the parish into con- fusion as it is evident from the notification itself, which says that there are disputes about the place the meeting house shall be set, as to accommodate the inhabitants. And yet would force a vote without trying any proper measures of accommodation wherefore we protest against all the proceedings as illegal, and against any part of any cost or charge in consequence of said vote."
This dissent was signed by Meshech Weare and twenty-two others.
A committee was chosen to centre the parish. This was done territorially instead of finding the centre of population. They found the centre of the town to be near a large rock just south of the cemetery on the cross road-and the meeting house was lo- cated as near this as was practical, on the road. It has been claimed that if the meeting house had been located near the site of the present town house much trouble would have been avoided, and the future history of the town would have been much differ- ent. The house was built in 1768, and was ready to be dedicated in 1769.
The pews were sold before the house was built and the proceeds used in construction. The meeting house had a gallery on three sides, the men's gallery on the east, the women's on the west and the singing gallery in front of the pulpit, which was a high one with a sounding board over it
The new meeting house was ready to be dedicated in 1769. Mr. Wingate refused to go there and dedicate the house, or to
4
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preach therein although urged to do so. On January 30, 1770, a parish meeting was held. This meeting was called by Walter Bryant and Noah Emery, two justices living at Exeter, the select- men being opposed to the new meeting house having refused to call the meeting. The whole parish participated in this meeting. The test vote on moderator was hotly contested and the new meet- ing house party won by three votes on the vote for moderator, electing Capt. Jonathan Tilton moderator. The vote was cast on nearly sectional lines, the upper part of the town being solid for the new meeting house and the lower part as solid against. The new meeting house party was led by Nathaniel Healey, then up- ward of eighty years of age, the opposition by Meshech Weare, and is the last record of his appearance at the town meetings.
At this meeting it was voted that Mr. Wingate should go to the new meeting house and "dedicate and preach in said house to the public worship of God, as conveniently as may be." Mr. Win- gate was duly notified of this vote in a memorial signed by sixty- one persons, but he declined to act in accordance with the vote for reasons which he assigned, declaring that he could not settle the controversy and it was unwise for him to attempt it. Neither did he consider a vote of the parish a sufficient reason for chang- ing the place of worship. Mr. Wingate was sustained in the position he had taken by influential members of the parish living in the lower part of the town, and it was claimed that some of the ministers in the neighboring towns advised him in the course he pursued.
In consequence of Mr. Wingate's refusal to preach in the new meeting house, a meeting was held December 7, 1770, when it was voted that there be no rate or assessment made or raised upon the polls or estate in the parish for the salary or support of Mr. Win- gate for the current year and that the selectmen "be and hereby are directed not to make nor raise such tax or assessment." This vote was confirmed and ratified at a meeting held March 4, 1771. It appears that a protest signed by fifty-eight persons had been received by the selectmen declaring that they would not pay any minister tax for the support of Mr. Wingate.
We have no knowledge when the new meeting house was first used for holding religious meetings, but in a protest dated August 30, 1771, it was stated that they were obliged to hire preaching at their own expense, at the new meeting house.
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At the annual meeting in March, 1771, it was voted to concur with the church in calling a council to advise and assist in regard to existing difficulties and to defray the expense of said council. A similar vote was passed at an adjoined meeting, and the time for holding the council was fixed for the 23d of April. There is nothing upon the record to show that this council was ever held, or if held of what churches it was composed. But from Mr. Wingate's letter of resignation and other sources we believe that the council was held, and that it recommended the dissolution of the relations which had existed between Mr. Wingate and the parish.
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At a parish meeting, September 30, 1771, it was voted to dis- miss Rev. Mr. Wingate; to choose a committee to treat and agree with him. with respect to what compensation should be allowed him, to be paid by said parish for the secular inconvenience to which the dissolution of his said relations exposed him. In case the committee and Mr. Wingate failed to agree, to provide for arbitration. The meeting which passed these votes was ad- journed three times and finally dissolved November 13. This was a victory for the new meeting house party.
Mr. Wingate resigned his pastorate December 4, 1771, the resignation to take effect four years from the March following which would be in March, 1776. He was to receive fifty pounds lawful money to be paid immediately, or if not paid at once he was to receive interest thereon until paid. He was to have the use and enjoyment of the parsonage property rent free during that time, and to be exempt from all taxes. All repairs upon the parsonage buildings and fences were to be made by the parish. He was not to be relieved from ministerial duties unless he chose to do so voluntarily. He also agreed not to stand in the way or to oppose the settlement of any other minister should the parish desire to do so during the four years. At the end of the four years he was to quit all ministerial relations and resign the par- sonage. He released the parish from paying him his annual salary of fifty-five pounds during the four years.
Mr. Wingate continued to live in the parsonage until March 12, 1776, when he asked for a little time to remove his effects. At that time he signed a paper in which he quit his ministerial rela- tions and resigned the parsonage, and all privileges as a settled minister. Many have considered that Mr. Wingate made a
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pretty sharp bargain with the parish in the terms of his resigna- tion. The course Mr. Wingate persued in relation to the new meeting house caused a great deal of trouble which resulted in the permanent injury to the parish. He was sustained and en- couraged in his course by quite a large minority in the parish.
Rev. Paine Wingate, Jr., M. A., was ordained pastor of the church at Hampton Falls December 14, 1763, having been first received upon his dismission and recommendation from the second Church of Christ in Amesbury, and then elected to mem- bership in Hampton Falls church. Rev. Mr. Coffin of Kingston made the first prayer; the Rev. Mr. Googin of Northhill preached from II Corinthians 1:6; the Rev. Mr. Lowell of Newbury in- troduced the charge. When the Rev. Paine Wingate, Sr., of Amesbury, father of the candidate, gave it, Rev. Mr. Cotton of Hampton gave the right hand of fellowship; Rev. Mr. Fogg of Kensington concluded with prayer. His active ministry con- tinued about eight years. His pastoral connection with the church and parish continued more than twelve years. During this time, 184 were baptized; 45 couples were married, belonging to Hampton Falls; 274 other marriages were consummated, of parties living elsewhere. Many coming from Massachusetts were married by virtue of a license from the Governor rather than to be published in the old form at home. Mr. Wingate's ministry was greatly disturbed by the unhappy contentions which existed in the parish and which continued for a long time after his re- moval.
Mr. Wingate was born May 14, 1739, and graduated from Harvard College in 1759. He married Eunice, daughter of Dea. Timothy Pickering of Salem, Mass., and a sister of Hon. Timothy Pickering, the well-known, distinguished statesman and member of Washington's cabinet.
Upon his removal from Hampton Falls Mr. Wingate settled upon à farm in Stratham where he continued to make his home during the remainder of his life. He and his wife transferred their church membership to the church in Stratham. After leav- ing Hampton Falls he did not preach a great deal. He supplied, for a time, the North Church in Portsmouth, but soon after ceased to preach at all, and turned his attention to political and judicial matters where he became distinguished. In religious sentiment he was a Trinitarian and was in accord with Henry Watts and
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Doddridge. After he became a layman he was forward to render his pecuniary support and example to maintain the ordinances of religion which, as a minister, he had labored to preserve and promote.
In 1787 he was chosen a representative to the first Congress. In 1789 he was chosen a United States senator, with John Lang- don to the first Congress. Mr. Wingate drew the short term and retired from the Senate in 1793. He was chosen that year to the House of Representatives for one term, which terminated his congressional career. When a candidate for office he received a full vote in Hampton Falls although he was opposed as a minister. In 1798 he was appointed a justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire which office he continued to hold until 1809 when he retired by limitation, having become seventy years of age. He outlived all the members of the college at the time he was there. At one time he was one of 1,006 living graduates of Harvard College. At a later period he was supposed to be the only sur- vivor of the 1,006. Hon. Timothy Farrah of New Ipswich was the only member of the court with whom he was associated who survived at the time of Mr. Wingate's death. He outlived all who were members of either house of Congress at the time he was a member. He died, March 7, 1839, having attained the great age of ninety-nine years. His wife, with whom he had lived more than seventy years, survived him and died in 1843 in the one hundred and first year of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Wingate were buried in the cemetery at Stratham.
Rev. Paine Wingate, Sr., father of Rev. Paine Wingate, Jr., was born in Hampton, N. H., in 1703, and graduated from Harvard in 1723. He was settled as pastor at West Amesbury in 1726, and died, February 17, 1786, at the age of eighty-three. He was buried at West Amesbury.
Extract from Mr. Wingate's letter of resignation:
"By reason of the difficulties which have for several years past divided the church and parish and discovering no prospect of peace and usefullness in my ministry in this place, I have nothing more to add save my most sincere wishes for the peace and wel- fare of this church and people, and that God in his merceful Provi- dence will prepare and dispose you for the speedy resettlement of the gospel among you, and above all that he would enable each of us to regard our character and profession as Christians that we may be admitted to join the church triumphant in the kingdom of his glory."
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The church voted his dismission from the pastoral relation, and also voted him and his wife letters of recommendation to the church in Stratham.
On July 14, 1773, it was voted to raise "forty pounds in lawful money, to be expended in hiring some proper gospel preacher in this place, preaching to be in the Congregational order." This money was to be expended by the selectmen.
On November 14, 1773, it was voted to raise fifteen pounds for preaching and a committee was chosen to try and compromise the difficulties between the two ends of the parish, also to apply to the association for advice as to some suitable candidate for settle- ment. There is no record of the committee of compromise. A later attempt in 1775 appears to have met with some success, as a minister was hired to preach alternately in each meeting house. In 1776 the income of the parsonage was devoted to the use of the schools. It was voted that the Thanksgiving sermon be preached in the new meeting house. In 1777 the income of the parsonage was divided between the two ends of the parish. At a meeting held December 29 it was voted to exempt those persons from ministerial rates who had supported preaching at the old meeting house and had been constant attendants of the same, also to ex- tend a call to Mr. Ebenezer Dutch upon the same terms under which Mr. Wingate was settled, viz., fifty-five pounds lawful money and the use of the parsonage. He was to receive good Indian corn at four shillings per bushel and other things equal thereto. The call was not accepted by Mr. Dutch.
On April 27, 1778, it was voted that the lower part of the parish should have the use of the lower parsonage and flats (salt marsh) and buildings, and the upper part of the parish should have the use of the upper parsonage. The same year an effort was made to unite with Seabrook in hiring a preacher. There is no report of the success of this movement. The votes for raising money for the past few years appear to favor holding meetings in the new meeting house, opposition to which appeared to be gradually yielding.
In 1777 Col. Jonathan Moulton of Hampton proposed, upon certain conditions, to give the parish a tract of land in Moulton- boro Gore, or addition for the support of the gospel forever. A committee was appointed to look at the land, which they did and reported favorably, and were then sent to Colonel Moulton for
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some modification in the terms, and to report at an adjourned meeting. There is nothing further upon the record in relation to the matter. Moultonboro Gore is now the town of Tuftonboro.
In 1781 an attempt was made to get the town of Seabrook, to- gether with the lower part of Hampton Falls adjacent, incorpo- rated into a new town to be known as New Hampton Falls. The parish of Hampton Falls voted to oppose this movement. In 1783 the attempt to get the town of New Hampton Falls was re- newed. The town chose a committee to oppose it before the assembly and were successful in defeating the project. Who were the instigators of this movement does not appear and proba- bly will never be known as the record contains no information in relation to the matter. The church troubles probably had something to do with it.
At the annual meeting, March 9, 1779, it was voted to appro- priate the income of the parsonage to the support of the gospel the year ensuing. Those who opposed this vote received their proportion of the income according to their estates. On May 13, same year, it was voted to hire Mr. Zaccheus Colby to preach two months in the new meeting house. Mr. Colby was probably an acceptable preacher, as June 14 it was voted to give Mr. Zaccheus Colby a call to settle in the gospel ministry. It was voted to give him the use of the parsonage free of tax and sixty pounds in lawful money as a salary. It was also voted that Mr. Colby should preach in Seabrook a part of the time in proportion to the sum they paid for his support. Mr. Colby declined the call. He was born in Newton, N. H., and was settled in Pembroke in 1786, in Chester in 1803; he died August 10, 1822, aged seventy-three years.
The old meeting house having become much dilapidated, and the people having become more reconciled to the situation, a meeting was called January 3, 1780, but, owing to a violent storm, it was not held until the 12th, when it was voted to sell the old meeting house at auction and appropriate the proceeds to the support of the poor. There seems to be no record as to how much was realized from the sale. The parsonage was dis- posed of in the same manner as in the year previous. On May 2, it was voted to hire Mr. Thurston to preach two Sabbaths.
On December 11, 1780, it was voted not to hire anyone on pro- bation but to extend a call to Rev. Samuel Langdon to settle at a
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
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