History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

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In June, 1840, Rev. J. P. Appleton was settled as pastor. He baptized twenty-nine. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Tonkin, in April, 1843, who served seven years and baptized eight.

In 1850 Rev. Horace Eaton became pastor. He served four years and baptized eighteeen. From 1854 to 1860, the church had no pastor. During this time three were baptized.

In August, 1860, Rev. Nelson B. Jones became pastor. He baptized eleven and closed his labors in 1864. In December 1866, Brother S. C. Fletcher was ordained as pastor. He served the church seven years and baptized forty-nine.

In 1867, the church and society built a parsonage at Gray's corner.

In 1874, Brother William Libbey was called to be pastor and was ordained in October of that year. He baptized four and closed his labors in March, 1877. The church at once extended a call to Rev. J. H. Lerned, who commenced his labors in May. He held the pastorate sixteen months, but his health per- mited him to occupy the pulpit only a few months. Two were baptized.

February 17, 1881, Brother George C. Trow was ordained and installed pastor of the church.

The church has existed sixty-eight years and has had sixteen pastors. It has winessed many precious re- vivals and has had baptized into its fellowship two hundred and forty-four. Four of these are or have been preachers of the gospel.

Second Congregational Church.2-The Second Congregational Church of Wilton was organized July 18, 1823. It consisted of seventeen members, five male and twelve female. It resulted from the conviction that the views and teachings of the pastor of the church of which these persons were members were not in accordance with the Bible, the chief difference of opinion being in respect to the doctrine of the person of Christ. The new church

1 By Rev. George C. Trow.

2 By Rev. Alfred E. Tracy.

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WILTON.

retained the confession of faith and covenant of the old church, thus showing that they were not dis- senters, but held firmly to the old-time creed. Pre- vious to the formation of the church an ecclesiastical society had been organized, May 16, 1823. It con- sisted of those men who afterward joined in the or- ganization of the new church and some others. Public worship was held for a time in what was known as " the Brick Hall ; " it was over a store at the Centre of Wilton. The church was without an installed pastor until December, 1830, when Mr. Wm. Richard- son, of Andover Seminary, was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the Second Congregational Church of Wilton. During the more than seven years since its organization, publie worship had been maintained, sometimes by the aid of a minister ; often a sermon was read and other acts of worship conducted by " the beloved physician," Ebenezer Rockwood, M.D. The first meeting-house of the Second Congregational Society was erected in 1829. It was dedicated January 1, 1830.

The pastorate of Rev. Wm. Richardson continued till October 27, 1840. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Moore was invited to become their pastor. He declined the call, but served as acting pastor for nearly two years. Rev. Charles Whiting, second pastor of the church, was ordained and installed January 4, 1843; he was dis- missed February 13, 1850. Soon after his removal an attempt was made to unite the two societies. This proved unsuccessful, and the church again opened its house of worship. In the summer of 1851 an invita- tion was given this society to remove its place of wor- ship to East Wilton, where there was no meeting- bouse. September 9, 1851, it was decided to accept this proposal. A house of worship was erected at once, which was dedicated June 10, 1852. From Rev. Charles Whiting's dismissal, February 13, 1850, until February 21, 1856, when Rev. Ebenezer S. Jordan was called, the church was without a settled minister. Rev. W. W. Winchester was with the church two years of this time, but declined to be settled. Mr. Jordan resigned November, 1859. Rev. Daniel E. Adams, of Bangor Seminary, was ordained and in- stalled pastor December 5, 1860. His was the longest pastorate the church has had, terminating May 3, 1876. Rev. J. Newton Brown commenced labor as acting pastor December 1, 1876, and served the church till August 15, 1878. The present pastor, Rev. A. E. Tracy, began his services September 1, 1879, as acting pastor ; was installed May 3, 1880.

The deacons of the church have been: Burleigh French, chosen January 19, 1824; Abel Fisk, chosen September 2, 1831 ; Oliver Barrett, elected September 2, 1831 ; Hermon Abbot, elected June 6, 1852; Wm. Sheldon, elected June 6, 1852 ; Chas. Wilson and Asa B. Clark, chosen December 10, 1875.

Very soon after the formation of the church a Sabbath-school was organized. About twenty mem-

bers comprised its whole number; now it includes more than two hundred. It very soon collected and has ever since maintained an interesting and useful library. The whole number connected with the church since its organization, up to January 1, 1885, was four hundred and eighty-six. The membership at that date was one hundred and forty-seven. An addition of twenty pews was made to the meeting- house in 1857. Again, an addition was made to receive the fine pipe organ, the gift of individuals to the society.

In 1858 a vestry was built for social meetings. This was sold, and made into the pleasant home now occu- pied by N. D. Foster, Esq. The present two-story chapel was built in 1867.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES .- Rev. Wm. Richardson, first pastor of the Second Congregational Church, was born in Gilmanton, N. H., March 4, 1801 ; graduated at Andover Seminary, 1830; ordained pastor Decem- ber 15, 1830 ; pastor from 1830 to 1840 ; acting pastor at Lyndeborough 1840 to 1841 ; pastor at Deering, N. H., 1842 to 1846. His eyes failed him and he lived in Manchester, N. H., from 1846 until his death there, September 6, 1869. His wife, Olive Tilton, of Gil- manton, is still living. She was a lady of superior qualities.

Rev. Chas. Whiting, the second pastor of the church, was born at Lyndeborough, N. H., July 23, 1813. He graduated at Dartmouth College, 1839, and at And- over Seminary, 1842; ordained January 11, 1843 ; pastor from 1843 to 1850; acting pastor 1850 to 1851 ; pastor in Fayetteville, Vt., from 1851 till his death, May 5, 1855. His wife, Sarah Wyman, of Greenfield, N. H., survived him, but is now dead.

Rev. Ebenezer S. Jordan, third pastor of the church, was a native of Maine; as also his wife. A graduate of Bowdoin College, of Bangor Seminary ; for a time resident licentiate at Andover ; ordained at Wilton, December 17, 1857 ; dismissed December 5, 1860. He is now settled at Brownsfield, Me., where he has been pastor since 1874.

Rev. Daniel E. Adams was born at Camden, Me., 1832; graduated at Bangor Seminary, 1860 ; installed pastor in Wilton, December 5, 1860 ; dismissed May 3, 1876. He went directly to Ashburnham, Mass., as acting pastor, and is there still. His wife, Ellen F. Kingsbury, of Keene, N. H., died May, 1882. He was married, February, 1884, to Miss Marion E. Center. of Wilton.

Rev. Alfred E. Tracy, present pastor, was born in West Brookfield, Mass., July 2, 1845 ; graduated at Amherst College, 1869, Andover Seminary, 1872; or- dained and installed at Harvard, Mass, September 4, 1872; dismissed September 1874 ; pastor in Ocono- mowoc, Wis., from 1874 to 1878; supplied church in North Springfield, Mo, from November, 1878, till June, 1879; commenced as acting pastor in Wilton, September 1, 1879; installed May 13, 1880. His wife

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

is Kate S. Harwood, born in Bennington, Vt .; her home at the time of their marriage, North Spring- field, Mo.

Liberal Christian Church.1-This church was or- ganized in the East village of this town, two miles from the Centre, in 1869. Its church edifice was erected and dedicated the same year. It contains the usual modern improvements, including a vestry in the basement; also a lecture-room, Sunday- school room, ladies' parlor and kitchen, with all its needful accompaniments ; also a furnace, a fine organ and bell. Its site is very fine, being in every respect one of the best in town. The whole cost about ten thousand dollars. In their organized platform the words church and society are used in the same sense.

The following articles are contained in their plat- form of fellowship :

" Art. I. We, whose names are signed beneath, unite ourselves in a Christian Church and Fellowship for our own religious improvement, and as a means of usefulness to others.

"Art. II. We thus declare and claim to be members of the great union of all Christian disciples, of which Jesus Christ is the living Head, by the will of God.

" Art. III. * * Receiving Jesus as our divinely-given Teacher and Guide, and earnestly seeking to have in us a measure of the Spirit that was in him, we pledge ourselves to follow the truth as it shall be made known to our minds, both in belief and in life.

"Art. IV. We will co-operate by contributing, of our time, interest and means, in sustaining the institutions of religion, and in all Christian work that shall be undertaken by this Union.

"Art. V. Any person may become a member of this Union by signing this form of association, no objection being made by those already mem- bers."

The preceding is an extract from the records of the Society.

Names of settled ministers : Aubrey M. Pendleton, from March, 1869, to 1875; Charles H. Tindell, from April, 1877, to November, 1878; James J. Twiss, from November, 1879, to April, 1884. Several others have preached here as supplies for a limited time during the past sixteen years.

Salaries paid ministers by the society hitherto about one thousand dollars per annum.

The audience room of the church has sittings for three hundred. The society is now free from debt, and has a good amount of pecuniary ability, though its membership is not very large.

Catholic Churches.2-The first Catholic services were held in Wilton in 1867 by Rev. Father O'Don- nell, then residing in Nashua. The entire Catholic population at that time was seventeen families. At this period there was already a small Catholic church in Milford, where services were held regularly once a month by Rev. Father O'Donnell.

In 1879 Rev. P. Holahan was placed in charge of the Catholic populations of Milford, Wilton and Greenville, then Mason Village. Father Holahan resided in Milford. From that time Catholic services were held in Wilton twice a month. In four years the Catholic population of Wilton trebled itself. In

1877 Rev. E. E. Buckle was appointed to the above missions, Father Holahan going to Keene.

In the autumn of 1881 a Catholic church was built in Wilton by Rev. E. E. Buckle, who took up his residence there. The Catholic population at this day is about five hundred souls.

Church Edifices .-- The First Congregational Church has had three houses of worship, all of wood : 1. A log church, 1752-1772, which was taken down after being used twenty-one years; 2. The large old-fash- ioned church which was burned after being in use for about eighty-four years, 1775-1859; 3. The one now standing, 1861-1885.

The Baptist Church has had one brick edifice, which has been in use as a house of worship for about fifty-eight years, 1827-1885.

The Second Congregational Church has had two houses of worship, one at the Centre, 1830-1851, and at the East village, 1852-1885, both of wood.

The Liberal Christian Church has one house of worship, built of wood in 1869, and still in use, 1869- 1885.

The Catholic Church was built of wood in 1881- 1885.

Eight houses of Christian worship have been built in Wilton, first and last, of which five still remain.

Not far from fifty clergymen have been engaged in the ministry here in all the various churches.

CHAPTER VI.

WILTON-(Continued.)

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS AND EARLY REMINISCENCES.

So simple, yet so graphic, a picture of the New England manners and customs of the earlier times is given by one of the honored sons of Wilton, Dr. Abiel Abbot, that we give it entire. It is contained in the Wilton Centennial :

"I will say a word about Sunday of olden times. On Saturday even- ing the work of the week was finished. My father, after washing and putting on a skillet of water, would get his razor and soap, sit down by the fire and take off his beard ; after which he would take his Bible, sometimes some other book. My mother, after washing the potatoes, ete., and preparing for Sunday food, used to make hasty pudding for supper, which was eaten in milk or, if that was wanting, with butter and molasses. The little children were put to bed ; early in the evening my father read a chapter in the Bible and offered a prayer, soon after which the younger part of the family and the hired help went to bed- indeed the family every night went to their rest soon after supper, espe- cially in the summer. Saturday night and Sunday and Sunday night a perfect stillness, no play going on, no laughing. Those of us who were old enough took the Testament, or learned the Catechism or a hymn, and read in the Testament or primer to father or mother in the morning. For breakfast, when we had milk sufficient, we had bread and milk ; when this failed, bean and corn porridge was the substitute. Some time after the Revolutionary war, for Sunday morning tea and toast were often used. As we lived at a distance from meeting (nearly three miles), those who walked sel out pretty soon after nine o'clock, and those who rode on horseback were obliged to start soon after them ; the roads and pole-bridges were very bad, and the horses always carried double, and often a child in the mother's lap and sometimes another on the pommel

By Rev. I. Sumner Lincoln.

2 By Rev. Edmund E. Buckle.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE I. DOE WILTON, HILLSBOROUGH CO., N. H.

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of the saddle before the father. All went to meeting except some one to keep the house and take care of the children who could not take care of themselves. The one that stayed at home was instructed when to put the pudding, pork and vegetables into the pot for supper after meeting. Those who went to meeting used to put into their pockets for dinner some short-cake or dough-nuts and cheese. We used to get home from meeting at four o'clock, often much later. Immediately the women set the table, and the men took care of the horses, and in the winter the other cattle, etc. In the short days it would often be sundown before, or very soon after, we got home. The sled with oxen was often used for meeting when the snow was deep, or by those who did not keep a horse. After supper the children and younger part of the family were called to- gether and read in the Testament and Primer, and, if there was time, said their Catechism (the Assembly's) and some short hymns and prayers. Soon after this, in the summer, before my father read in the Bible and offered prayer, the cows were brought from the pasture and milked. No work was performed except what was deemed absolutely necessary ; the dishes for breakfast and supper were left unwashed till Monday. Every person in the town able to go to meeting went ; if any were absent it was noticed, and it was supposed that sickness was the reason. If anyone was absent three or four Sundays, the tithing man would make him a visit ; this, however, was a rare case. The Sabbath was not unpleasant to me ; early habits, I suppose, rendered the restraint by no means irk- some. I do not recollect feeling gloomy or disposed to play, or wishing Sunday was gone or would not come. I don't think of anything more to say about Sunday, except that the meeting-house was well filled.

" Now what more shall I say? A word about schools. These were poor enough. We used to read, spell, write and cipher after a sort. Our teachers were not taught. The primer, Dilworth's spelling-book and the Bible or Testament were the books. No arithmetic ; the ciphering was from the master's manuscript. My father became sensible that the schools were useless, and in the winter of 1782 hired Mr. John Abbot, who was then a sophomore in college, to teach a month or five weeks in his vacation, and invited the district to send their children gratis. This gave a new complexion to the school in the south district, and for a number of years after qualified teachers were employed about eight weeks in the winter, usually scholars from college. Soon after the im- provement in the south district, some of the other districts followed in the same course. To this impulse, I think, we may impute the advance of Wilton before the neighboring towns in education, good morals and sound theology. I venerate my father and mother, more than for any- thing else, for their anxiety and sacrifices to give their children the best education, literary and religious, in their power. And it gives me, as I have no doubt it did them and must you and all the rest of their de- scendants, the highest satisfaction that their desires were so well grati- fied and their labors successful. Their children, grandchildren and so on to the twentieth generation will have reason to bless the memory of parents of such true worth.

" Now for something else. For breakfast in olden times were bread and milk, as soon as the cows were milked, for all the family. When milk failed, bean porridge with corn. About nine o'clock there was a baiting, or luncheon, of bread and cheese or fried pork and potatoes. For dinner a good Indian pudding, often in it blue berries and suet ; pork and beef through the winter and spring, potatoes, turnips, cabbage, etc. At four or five o'clock, P.M. in the summer, some bread and cheese or the like. For supper, bread and milk. When milk failed, milk por- ridge, hasty pudding and molasses, bread and molasses, bread and beer, etc. When there was company to entertain, chocolate for breakfast, no coffee. Pewter basins or porringers and sometimes wooden bowls were used when spoons were required. Trenchers or wood plates were used at dinner; when a friend dined, pewter plates were used by father and mother and the friend. You probably remember the pewter platters and plates usually standing on the shelves. None but pewter spoons. The cup for beer was pewter. After which came the brown mug. If a neighbor came in for any purpose he was asked to drink beer or cider. When women visited their neighbors they went early in the afternoon, carried their work, and returned home before sundown to take care of milking the cows and so forth. Their entertainment was commonly short-cake, baked by the fire, and tea, except in the early part of the Revolutionary war. For the visit they often put on a clean chequered apron and handkerchief and short, loose gown.

" In the winter several of the neighbors would meet for a social even- ing, and would have a supper. There were no select parties; all were neighbors, in the Scripture sense. The maid and boy in the family the same as the children in all respects. I do not recollect ever hearing a profane word in my father's family from any of his hired men, nor at

school at Wilton or Andover Academy. I do not think that profane lan- guage was used by any in the town till after the Revolutionary war. Industry and economy were the order of the times. I do not remember seeing my father or mother angry ; they were sometimes displeased, no doubt. My father, in the winter, used to go to Salem or Marblehead to market with shook-hogshead staves, rye, puik, butter, etc., and procure salt, molasses, tea, rum, etc., for the year, as there were no traders in the new towns. Rum was not used except in haying and harvest and on particular occasions of hard service and exposure, such as washing sheep, burning large pieces of wood, etc. Intoxication was very rare. I do not remember more than one man being intoxicated. Rum was com- monly used at raising buildings ; half a gill was a good dram. After raising a building, if finished before night, the amusements were wrestl- ing, goal, coits, etc. Goal was the favorite play with boys the day after thanksgiving and election days, which were all the holidays I remember. Good humor and cheerfulness always prevailed in our family, and it was generally so, I believe."

Speaking of the mothers, the same writer as above says :

"They came to houses not finished, not painted, not ceiled as we seo them now ; they had no parlor, no carpet, no curtains, no sofa ; for some of these every-day conveniences they had no word in their vocabulary. But they were happy,-happiness is the property of the mind. They took good care of the household. They wrought flax and wool ; the eard, the spinning-wheel and the loom were the furniture of the house. All were clothed with domestic prodnets ; articles were also made for the market. They were healthy and strong ; they and their daughters were not en- feebled by luxuries and delicacies, nor with working muslins and em- broidery ; tea and cake were rarely used ; coffee was unknown. Their dress was plain, and adapted to the season and their business, -one dress answered for the day and the week. Their living and dress produced no consumption as now.

"Our fathers and mothers were benevolent, hospitable and kind ; the stranger was received, as in the most aneient time, with a hearty wel- come. In their own neighborhood and town they were all brothers and sisters. There was an admirable equality, a home-feeling and a heart- feeling among all. Their visits were not formal-ceremonious and heartless, -but frank, cheerful and cordial. Their sympathy for the sick, unfortunate and distressed was expressed by their ready assistance and kindly-affectioned help. When prosperous, all partook in the com- mon joy ; when sickness or calamity befell any, all were affected ; the sorrow was mutual, and aid and relief, as far as possible, were afforded. They were indeed one family-all members of one sympathizing body."

The following reminiscences are by Mrs. Achsah Sawyer Allan, of Marion, Me., eighty-four years of age :

" Received a postal from Wilton saying if sufficient encouragement is given it is proposed to publish a history of Wilton. It would be very pleasing to read the history. Had I the pen of a ready writer in my ad- vanced age, I should enjoy giving to the history early recollections of my life in that town.

"The little I can give in my capacity is meagre compared with ablo writers, and what I write may be written by others that will give clearer views in a more concise manner. Yet, I will try to state some of my early recollections from a child to twenty years of age, when I left for one of the eastern counties of Maine.

" My father, Nathaniel Sawyer, a Revolutionary soldier three years, married, came to Wilton in 1781, commenced on the farm now owned by Henry Gray ; he toiled eighteen years on his farm. Hon. Jacob Abbot traded in the town when my father moved there ; he kept a full supply of goods for a country town ; he was a man of unblemished character, ever ready for every good work. When he left the town it was con- sidered a great loss to the people ; his general name was Esq. Jacob, which I heard from my parents. He closed his business about 1797. My father began in his stead, as a store was very much needed. He built the store which, I presume, stands elose to the dwelling-house of Mr Gray ; about 1796 or 1797, he filled his store. The old books which I have in my possession show that his trade was good. I see many names from all the surrounding or adjoining towns which traded at his store, or rather exchanged produce for goods, such as butter, cheese, pork, beans, rye, oats, flaxseed, ashes, etc. llere is a small sample of a bill I took off, of charges, etc., February, 1803.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" ' Debtor to Nathaniel Sawyer.

£ s. d.

'Feb. 3, 1 1b. of sugar, 18. ; I mug of toddy, 1s. 0 2 0

' 6, 1 qt. new rum

1 5

' 10, 75 pt. brandy, 1 mug of flip . 0

C1 0

' 13, Credit to 21/2 bushels of ashes, at 9d .. 1 11

' 14, 2 qts. of new rum, 28. 9d. ; 1 qt. Molasses, 18. 0 3

' 20, 2 yds. Calico, 6s. ; I fur hat 1 2 6

' 23, 1 qt. of gin, 28. 6d. ; 1 lb. shells, Is. 3 6

" Credit by 27 bushels of oats, at ls. 6d. per bushel ; 2 bushels of beans.'

"Federal money had not taken the place of pounds, shillings and pence, but came in practice soon after.

"It was common to go to the store with small articles of produce to exchange for goods ; it was often a little stimulus would be called for, with the mistaken idea that it would lighten the cares and labor would be more easily borne : very few accounts were entered without many charges of the vile beverage. The mng holds a quart, the half mug a pint. In winter flip was commonly called for, which was made from beer ; an iron, called the hottle, was kept hanging in the fire-place to have it quickly heated to warm the beer. West India rum, with loaf- sngar, a toasted cracker and nutmeg grated over it, made a drink worth the price ; toddy was a mixture of rum, sugar and water, with other fix- ings if required ; blackstrap was simply rum and molasses. Spirituons liquors were anciently much used in good families; no collection of people, no parties, no benefits to a neighbor such as huskings, etc., but something stronger must be served than the precious ale which was drawn from the well. Who would have thought of holding a glass of pure cold water to the lips of a poor, sick child or a friend sick of a fever ? No cooking-stoves were used before 1815 in the families, but fire-places were large enough to admit a large log at the back, with another not as large ou the audirons in front, with a good supply of wood on the top. These made a fire that was a joy to all the family, and often a pine would be an addition to make a little more light for the children to study their lessons by for the morrow's school. Our brooms were made from the yellow birch, stripped ; at times we had to use small hemlock twigs.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168