History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 47

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

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Banking Institutions .- Nashna has three banks of discount and four savings-banks. The former are the First National Bank, G. A. Ramsdell, president, John A. Spalding, cashier; Indian Head Bank, Ed- ward Spalding, president, Frank A. McKean, cash- ier ; Second National Bank, J. W. White, president, F. A. Eaton, cashier. The latter are the Nashua Savings-Bank, William W. Bailey, president, Virgil C. Gilman, treasurer ; City Savings-Bank, Luther A. Roby, president, Elbridge P. Bown, treasurer; Me- chanics' Savings-Bank, John C. Lund, president, J. W. White, treasurer; New Hampshire Banking Company, Hiram T. Morrill, president, John G. Kimball, treasurer. The deposits in the savings-banks exceed three million dollars.

Nashua Newspapers. - For more than twenty years there have been no experiments in the pub- lishing of newspapers in this city. This is compli- mentary to the two existing papers which, for more than half a century, have represented the two politi- cal parties of the State and country. The Nashua editors have never been belligerent or acrimonious toward each other, or indulged in the offensive per- sonalities which have frequently disgraced the press of this State. Both are decided in their political views, and each is a fair representative of the party whose principles and policy it supports.

The Nashua Gazette has been published by B. B. & F. P. Whittemore since November 25, 1846. The senior partner, B. B. Whittemore, has occupied the editorial chair longer than any other one in the State. It has been the organ of the Democratic party of Nashua since its first publication, in February, 1832.

The Nashua Telegraph was started a few months later than the Gazette, in November, 1832. For twenty-seven years Albin Beard was editor and pub- lisher. The present editor and proprietor, Orren C. Moore, has been the editor for eighteen years. As a Re- publican newspaper it has a distinet personality, is independent in its action and represents the mass of the party rather than the politicians.

Both of the Nashua newspapers have a daily even- ing and weekly issue, and have a fair circulation.

The Telegraph and Telephone .- Nashua has the telegraphic facilities common to the cities of New England. The telephone has its headquarters at the Telegraph building, and has one hundred and eighty- five communications. Miss Anna A. Shedd is manager.

Benevolent and Literary Organizations .- THIE PROTESTANT HOME FOR AGED WOMEN is under the supervision of an association of benevolent women of this city. The plan was devised in 1877. On May 29, 1878, the home was opened on Walnut Street, the premises being the gift of Belinda Blodgett, the former occupant, who died the year previous. Two years later the home was removed to a more spacious and convenient residence, at the corner of Kinsley and Walnut Streets. There are nine beneficiaries at the present time, and the institution is under the ex-

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

cellent management of Mrs. Sarah G. Cummings. The officers for the current year are Mrs. Jane N. Beasom, president; Mrs. AAnne M. Ayer, secretary; and Miss Sarah W. Kendall, treasurer.

THE CHAUTAUQUA LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC CIRCLE, of this city, is a branch of the national organization of the same name. It was established in October, 1882. It has weekly meetings for read- ings, essays and discussions upon historical, scientific and social topics. The members are among the most intelligent women in the city. The officers for the current year are Miss Anna E. Bussell, president ; Mrs. E. O. Blunt, vice-president ; and Miss Ida F. Wallace, secretary.

THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, of this city, is made up of young persons, mostly members of the High School, and at this time a large majority boys. It was formed in November, 1880, and has meetings once a week, eight months of the year. It is a live organization. Its original purpose was the study of natural objects, minerals, plants, birds, and insects. For this end a museum of specimens has been collected by the asso- ciation. Of late a wider scope has been given to the objects of the society,-the cultivation of habits of industry, honesty, promptitude and courtesy. The present officers are Alfred A. Wheat, president ; Frederick E. Twitchell. secretary ; William T. Bailey, treasurer ; Frederick W. Hatch, corresponding secre- tary. Connected with the Agassiz Association, and composed of nearly the same persons, is the APALA- CHIAN CLUB, who make an annual midsummer ex- cursion to the lakes and mountains for health, recre- ation and improvement, most of the time camping out and cooking their own food. The present officers of this club are Irving F. Graves, president ; J. W. Thurber, captain ; Elwyn G. Preston, quarter- master.

THE NASHUA FARMERS' GRANGE was organized in 1876. It has semi-monthly meetings for the in- vestigation of agricultural and horticultural topics, with a good attendance of the members. The present officers are Elijah Robbins, master; Marcus O. Lund, secretary ; Charles Lund, treasurer.

THE NASHUA HISTORICAL SOCIETY has its rooms in Telegraph Block. It has a collection of minerals and ancient relies. The officers are O. C. Moore, pres- ident ; J. H. Goodale, vice-president; II. B. Atherton, secretary; Frederick Kelsey, treasurer; Charles Hol- man, George A. Ramsdell, William W. Bailey and V. C. Gilman, directors.

FREEMASONS AND ODD-FELLOWS .- The Masonic order had an early introduction into this city, nun- bering many prominent citizens among its members. The several organizations have commodious lodge- rooms. Of the York Rite, there are the Rising Sun Lodge, Ancient York Lodge, Meridian Sun Chapter, Israel Hunt Council and St. George Commandery. Of the Scottish Rite, are Aaron P. Hughes Lodge of Perfection, St. George Chapter of Rose Croix.

Oriental Council of Princes of Jerusalem and Edward A. Raymond Consistory.

The Odd-Fellows have a numerous membership in this city, with ample halls and the following organ- izations: Indian Head Encampment, Nashua Encamp- ment, Granite Lodge, Pennichuck Lodge and Baker Degree Camp. There is also a Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and of the American Legion of Honor, the St. John the Baptist Society, and two societies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

There are several temperance societies in Nashua, each of which, in its own way, whether as uncon- ditional prohibitionists or non-partisan workers, has labored diligently for the suppression of intem- perance.

CHAPTER XV.

NASHUA -(Continued).

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF NASHUA.

Puritan Ideas-Thomas Weld-Ministerial Support-Primitive Meet- ing-Houses-Church Dissensions-Whitefield's Followers-First Con- gregational Church-Pilgrim Church-Baptist Church-Universalist Church-Methodist Church-Unitarian Church-Episcopal Church- Catholic Churches.

THE first settlers of New England came to this country impelled by religious motives. They were denied religious freedom in the Old, and resolved to obtain it in the New World. They attested their sincerity by the great sacrifice of comfort and re- sources which they made in securing this end. Yet they were not wholly emancipated from the tradi- tional errors of the past, and were not prepared to grant that liberty of conscience and right of individ- ual opinion and of action in religious affairs which is now universally coneeded in this country. The Massachusetts colonial government framed its laws on the basis that church and state were inseparable. They did not recognize any precedent to the contrary. Hence, invariably, as in the charter of Dunstable, in October, 1673, it was required that "the town should build a meeting-house and procure an able and ortho- dox minister within three years." Two hundred years ago there was great unanimity of religious opinion in the scattered colonies of the New England coast. They were essentially Puritan. There is no doubt that the provision in the charter for minis- terial support was in accordance with the views of nearly, if not all, of the early settlers of Dunstable.

At a public meeting in 1674 it was voted that "the meeting-house that is to be erected shall stand be- tween Salmon Brook and the house of Lieutenant Wheeler, as near as may be for the convenience of the farmers." In the following October the house, built of logs, was commenced, but the breaking out of King Philip's War the next year deferred its com- pletion till 1678.

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NASHUA.

During King Philip's War the settlers within the present limits of Nashna retired for safety to the lower towns. The town-meeting for 1677 was held in Wo- burn, when Thomas Brattle, James Parker, Jonathan Tyng and Abraham Parker were chosen selectmen .. 1 et Taverne un orientable - med 175g by the Waytunk where the w House now Ilandy on the Gowill Road was bajt Bing French where Ab. Kendall now lives Juniortry Taylor first anche moreto della calab sma became che Is to the Judeauch head House Cummings Pollard at tu"bentre" at the Alfred Godfrey place, Weld was settled. The date was December 16, 1685. He had already preached to this people seven years. The number of actual members was small, only seven names, all males, appearing on the books. For seven- teen years after ordination Mr. Weld continued to namaak to this small settlement, exposed to Indian , great privations. He died had reached the age of fifty. seventy years his grave at round was marked by a dark 7 years a handsome and ap- ment has taken its place. So a good record.

1808 There were 9 locuri between the V.A. and Jungsboro line 1803 Rob Fletcher's canal boaturas built and launched July 4 skristen to "Nenhua"and grow what time . no village Took what name asse Bowen house or notarbor was built Itook dovedall in 175g. - frame was the and meeting house built in 19 4 Sim Whether Guilt Borg Tyler Kort in 1803

had been vecupicu villy si years, have been abandoned so soon, had not the Tyng family and others living farther down the river pro- posed to contribute freely to build a better structure, provided it should be located nearer to what is now the town of Tyngsborough. The poverty of the Salmon Brook people led to the acceptance of the offer, and a new and better meeting-house was built near the present State line. On its completion Mr.

r. Weld there were temporary 's, till the settlement of Rev. 1 1720. He was pastor for ed February 15, 1737, at the said to have been "a good inscription-stone marks his burial-ground. About two a Swan was settled. He was ter farmer than pastor, and on unconscious that it was the hired men to go into the field of a leading parishioner con- r. In 1741 the State line was a source of controversy by the congregation citizens of still greater dissension was ching of George Whitefield, e New England colonies and presenting, with rare eloquence, 'ss doctrinal views of religion. 1, in his historical discourse a : "The church in Dunstable ted by this great Whitefieldian le too soon. Many churches formal, and vital godliness was Swan resigned in 1746, became ind died at an advanced age. as settled in 1747 as the fourth lent follower of Whitefield, and of the "New Lights." There to his settlement by the " Blan- ong approval by the "Lovewell had more wealth, the latter igth. The result of this con- cches and two meeting-houses, ping in the new meeting-house, dence of J. L. II. Marshall, and ouse, near the State line.

The contest in regard to Mr. Bird was ended by his removal to Connecticut, but the church troubles in Dunstable continued. Sixteen years of dis- sension followed, but at length both parties, weary of strife, made a compromise. Both of the old meeting- houses were taken down, and a new one-the fourth- was built on the "triangle" at the Centre. Rev. Joseph Kidder, a native of Billerica and just grad-

190

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

cellent management of Mrs. Sarah G. Cummings. The officers for the current year are Mrs. Jane N. Beasom, president ; Mrs. Anne MI. Ayer, secretary; and Miss Sarah W. Kendall, treasurer.

THE CHAUTAUQUA LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC CIRCLE, of this city, is a branch of the national organization of the same nar in October, 1882. It has wer ings, essays and discussie scientific and social topics. ] the most intelligent women in for the current year are president ; Mrs. E. O. Blunt, v Ida F. Wallace, secretary.

THE AAGASSIZ ASSOCIATION, of young persons, mostly meml and at this time a large major: in November, 1880, and has eight months of the year. It Its original purpose was the s minerals, plants, birds, and in museum of specimens has beer ciation. Of late a wider scope objects of the society,-the ci industry, honesty, promptitud' present officers are Alfred Frederick E. Twitchell. secreta treasurer ; Frederick W. Hate tary. Connected with the Ag composed of nearly the same ] CHIAN CLUB, who make an a. cursion to the lakes and moun ation and improvement, most out and cooking their own food of this club are Irving F J. W. Thurber, captain ; Elwyn. master.

THE NASHUA FARMERS' G in 1876. It has semi-monthly vestigation of agricultural and with a good attendance of the n officers are Elijah Robbins, Laid, secretary ; Charles Lund

THE NASHUA HISTORICAL SO Telegraph Block. It has a colle ancient relies. The officers ar ident ; J. H. Goodale, vice-presi secretary; Frederick Kelsey, tre man, George A. Ramsdell, Wi V. C. Gilman, directors.

Oriental Council of Princes of Jerusalem and Edward A. Raymond Consistory.

The Odd-Fellows have a numerous membership in this city, with ample halls and the following organ- izations: Indian Head Encampment, Nashua Encamp- T 1

FREEMASONS AND ODD-FELI order had an early introduction into this city, num- bering many prominent citizens among its members. The several organizations have commodious lodge- rooms. Of the York Rite, there are the Rising Sun Lodge, Ancient York Lodge, Meridian Sun Chapter, Israel Hunt Council and St. George Commandery. Of the Scottish Rite, are AAaron P. Hughes Lodge of Perfection, St. George Chapter of Rose Croix, I pletion till 1678.

191

NASHUA.

During King Philip's War the settlers within the present limits of Nashua retired for safety to the lower towns. The town-meeting for 1677 was held in Wo- burn, when Thomas Brattle, James Parker, Jonathan Tyng and Abraham Parker were chosen selectmen for the ensuing year, and it was then voted,

" That as soon as may be, a minister be settled in the town of Dun- stable, the time and man being left to the selectmen, his pay to be in money, or if in other pay, to add a third part more. The sum shall be fifty pounds each year."

Rev. Thomas Weld, a native of Roxbury, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard, was the man selected, and consequently he was the first minister of Dunstable. When he began to preach is not recorded, but on April 7, 1680, at a town-meeting, it was voted, "That he be invited to a continuance and settlement with us -that the charges for maintenance of the minister shall be borne by the proprietors according to their respective shares in the township." Further action imposed by the charter was also taken to give Mr. Weld a convenient farm to be settled upon him and his heirs for his encouragement in the ministry. This farm consisted of a thirty-acre lot, which is now included in what is known as the " Highland Farm," in the south part of the town, with a general claim to a share in all the ungranted lands of the township, amounting to about five hundred acres of wild land.

At a meeting held September 9, 1683, it appears from the records "that there was due Mr. Weld for the settling of his four years' salary, ending last May, twenty-three pounds," and the names of those who were in arrears to the minister were publicly called, and they were required to pay within a limited time, under penalty of having their lands seized and sold.

It is well known that in those early times, and for a century after, the raising of money for the building of houses of worship and the support of preaching was compulsory, a tax for this purpose being laid upon all property-holders. It was easy to do this when the great body of the people were of the same way of thinking upon religious subjects. But when the sects began to multiply, and men began to appreciate their individual rights, it became necessary to provide for greater liberty of conscience. While it is not strange that such a law should exist in 1683, it is surprising that it was not repealed for more than a third of a century after New Hampshire became an indepen- dent State.

In 1684 the log meeting-house, which probably stood upon the present city farm, was abandoned. It had been occupied only six years, and would not have been abandoned so soon, had not the Tyng family and others living farther down the river pro- posed to contribute freely to build a better structure, provided it should be located nearer to what is now the town of Tyngsborough. The poverty of the Salmon Brook people led to the acceptance of the offer, and a new and better meeting-house was built near the present State line. On its completion Mr.

Weld was settled. The date was December 16, 1685. He had already preached to this people seven years. The number of actual members was small, only seven names, all males, appearing on the books. For seven- teen years after ordination Mr. Weld continued to preach to this small settlement, exposed to Indian massacres and suffering great privations. He died June 9, 1702, before he had reached the age of fifty. For one hundred and seventy years his grave at the Old South burial-ground was marked by a dark slab; but within a few years a handsome and ap- propriate granite monument has taken its place. So far as is known, he left a good record.

After the death of Mr. Weld there were temporary supplies for many years, till the settlement of Rev. Nathaniel Prentice, in 1720. He was pastor for seventeen years, and died February 15, 1737, at the age of forty. He was said to have been "a good sermonizer," and an inscription-stone marks his grave at the Old South burial-ground. About two years later Rev. Josiah Swan was settled. He was said to have been a better farmer than pastor, and on one Sunday morning, unconscious that it was the Lord's day, ordered his hired men to go into the field to work. The arrival of a leading parishioner con- vinced him of his error. In 1741 the State line was established, and was a source of controversy by making a majority of the congregation citizens of another province. A still greater dissension was caused by the preaching of George Whitefield, who came over to the New England colonies and aroused the people by presenting, with rare eloquence, more practical and less doctrinal views of religion. Rev. Frederick Alvord, in his historical discourse a few years since, says: "The church in Dunstable was more or less affected by this great Whitefieldian revival. It came none too soon. Many churches had become cold and formal, and vital godliness was sadly declining." Mr. Swan resigned in 1746, became a farmer in Walpole, and died at an advanced age.

Rev. Samuel Bird was settled in 1747 as the fourth pastor. He was an ardent follower of Whitefield, and hence was called one of the "New Lights." There was strong opposition to his settlement by the " Blan- chard party " and strong approval by the "Lovewell party." The former had more wealth, the latter more numerical strength. The result of this con- troversy was two churches and two meeting-houses, the Bird party worshiping in the new meeting-house, built opposite the residence of J. L. H. Marshall, and the other in the old house, near the State line.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

uated from Yale, was ordained pastor, March 18, 1767, and was the town minister for nineteen years. In 1796 his connection with the town ceased, but his relation to the church continued till his death, in 1818, though he ceased to preach in 1814. When the fifth church was built, in 1812, known as the "Old South," he had the satisfaction of being the first occupant of the desk. On November 3, 1813, Rev. E. P. Sperry was installed as his colleague, and succeeded him in his labors. Mr. Sperry was dismissed April 4, 1819. This was the year of the passage of the " toleration act " by the Legislature, and church and state ceased to have any connection in New Hamp- shire. The result was due to the progress of civ- ilization and enlightened public sentiment.

In the mean time Nashua village grew rapidly in numbers, and in 1825 the Nashua corporation erected a meeting-house on the site of the present Pilgrim Church. It was bought by the Congregational society in 1826, and on the 8th of November, Rev. Handel G. Nott was installed as pastor. He was highly suc- cessful. During his eight years of labor three hun- dred and fifty-five were added to the church,-an increase of sevenfold to the number when he took charge. In 1834, to the surprise of most of his con- gregation, he announced that, believing that infants were not suitable subjects for baptism, he could no longer administer the ordinance to them. To-day the announcement would hardly cause a ripple of excite- ment, but at that time it led to a division of the church. The dissenting party held their first meeting in Greeley's building, and having a small majority of the members, formed an organization under the title of the

First Congregational Church of Dunstable .- On January 1, 1835, Rev. J. McGee was installed as pastor ; a meeting-house, located on Main Street, was built the same year. It was a wooden structure, and was burned in 1870. A new brick church was com- pleted, at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars, the same year. The membership of the church is between four hundred and four hundred and fifty.

The following is the list of pastors and their time of ministerial service in this church since its reor- ganization, in 1835 :

Jonathan MeGee, installed January 1. 1835 ; dismissed June 8, 1842. Matthew Hale Smith, installed October 19, 1812 ; dismissed August 20, 18-45.

Samuel Lamson, installed April 8, 1816 ; dismissed April 7, 1848.

Daniel March, installed January 3, IMI9; dismissed January 9, 1855. George B. Jewett, installed May 21, 1855 ; dismissed September 1, 1856.

Charles .J. Hill, installed January 27, 1:57 ; dismissed April 3, 1861. Elias (. Hooker, installed September 13, 1865 ; dismissed August 13,

Frederick Alvord, installed July 6, 1869 ; dismissed May I. 1883. Cyrus Richardson, installed August 30, 1883 ; in charge.

Olive Street Congregational Church .- After the withdrawal of a part of the members of the church under the charge of Mr. Nott, the others continued religious services under their pastor on Olive Street.

At the close of the year Mr. Nott removed, and after- wards became a Baptist minister. The church then gave a call to Rev. Austin Richards, and was organ- ized under the name of the Olive Street Congrega- tional Church. It continued a distinct and indepen- dent organization for forty-four years, until its union with the Pearl Street Church, in 1879. The following is the list of its pastors during its distinct organiza- tion :

Austin Richards, installed April 6, 1836 ; dismissed November 16, 1866.

Hiram Mead, installed December 17, 1867 ; dismissed September 22, 1869.

James S. Black, installed March 31, 1870; dismissed June 29, 1874. S. S. Martin, installed December 17, 1874 ; dismissed Jannary 1, 1876. J. K. Aldrich, employed November 1, 1876 ; dismissed May 27, 1879.

Pearl Street Congregational Church .- In 1846 some of the members of the Olive Street Church thought the increasing population of Nashua would justify the formation of a third orthodox church. The plan was carried into effect, and the new church organized the following September. A new brick edifice was erected at the corner of Main and Pearl Streets, which was dedicated November 21, 1847. It is now the property of the Universalist society. The Pearl Street Congregationalist Society continued an active organization till it united with the Olive Street to form the present Pilgrim Society. During its thirty years' existence it had the following list of pastors :

Leonard Swain, installed June, 1847 ; dismissed December, 1852. Ezra E. Adams, installed August, 1853 ; dismissed December, 1857. Edward H. Greeley, installed February, 1858; dismissed May, 1860. Benjamin F. Parsons, installed November, 1871; dismissed June, 1876.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 47

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