USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hudson > History of Hudson, N.H., formerly a part of Dunstable, Mass., 1673-1733, Nottingham, Mass., 1733-1741, District of Nottingham, 1741-1746, Nottingham West, N.H., 1746-1830, Hudson, N.H., 1830-1912 > Part 32
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After the resignation of Mr. Talbot the church had no settled minister for fifteen years, but had irregular preach- ing by different ministers, among whom were Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, a Methodist minister, Rev. Samuel Harris, Rev. Mr. Wheeler, Rev. Mr. Lawrence, Rev. Willard Hol- brook, and others.
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
At an ecclesiastical council composed of ministers and delegates from several Congregational churches convened at the South meeting-house September 29, 1841, the Pres- byterian church organization, after an existence of twenty- five years was dissolved, and its members were organized into a Congregational church to be called the Evangelical Congregational Church of Hudson, N. H. The organiza- tion adopted the articles of faith of that denomination. The names of twenty-six members were enrolled at the time of its organization, and sixty others united as members of the church within the next two years.
A new meeting-house was built in 1842. It was fifty by forty feet, and was located about one-half mile east of Taylor's Falls' bridge, near the Methodist meeting-house, erected two years before.
May 31, 1844, the church and society extended a call to the Rev. William Page, who had been their temporary minister for a considerable time past. He accepted at a salary of $450 a year, and was ordained as pastor, August 14 of the same year.
Mr. Page bought land within a short distance of the meeting-house, upon which he erected a residence, where he lived while he remained in town. His pastoral relations continued until 1852, when his request for a dismissal was granted by an ecclesiastical council, June 28 of that year. During his administration about thirty members united with the church,
The Rev. Daniel L. French commenced preaching as a supply the first Sabbath in November, 1852, and remained until his decease July 20, 1860. Many united with the church during his pastorate of eight years.
In summing up the vital facts relating to the history of this church in Hudson, the Rev. D. L. French, in the History of New Hampshire Churches, has this to say of this church, beginning with its first pastor :
There was no special revival under Mr. Merrill's ministry, but some were added to the church by letter, and some by profession. The princi-
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
pal difficulty which existed in the latter part of his ministry arose from disagreement between the Presbyterian and Congregational view of church polity.
He was considered a good man, although not a great preacher. He died the same year that Mr. Fisher was settled. Mr. Fisher's ministry was not blessed with special revivals.
From Mr. Fisher's ministry to the settlement of Mr. Talbot there was a great deal of division in town, arising from the Baptist and also the Presbyterian and Congregational views. Some years previous to Mr. Talbot's ministry the two churches had united under the Presbyterian form of government. So that the state of things in town seemed more settled, and there was a good deal of revival interest the four years that he was here.
A portion of the church was very strongly attached to him, and were unwilling that he should leave. ' There was a good deal of excitement under his preaching, and probably many false hopes indulged. He was in some respects a peculiar man.
From his ministry to Mr. Page's there was some division. Prior to Mr. Page's ministry the church agreed to give up the Presbyterian plat- form and become Congregational. Mr. Page's ministry was blessed with very pleasant revivals.
From 1861 to 1868 the pulpit was supplied the greater part of the time by Addison Heald, Rev. Austin Richards of Nashua, Rev. S. D. Pike of Nashua, Rev. Benjamin Howe and Rev. Silas M. Blanchard, the last two of whom became permanent residents of this town, and also mem- bers of this church.
For eight years succeeding, no preaching was sustained by this church or society. Then, October 2, 1876, Rev. John W. Haley began to supply the pulpit. Soon after, the society applied to the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society, from which they received material aid. Many were united with the church. Mr. Haley continued to sup- ply the pulpit here until November, 1878, when on the 24th of that month he preached his farewell sermon.
Some difficulties had arisen between Mr. Haley and his people, upon which they were not able to agree. An ecumenical council was called, which convened at the meet- ing-house, December 29, 1878, which gave Mr. Haley a dismissal.
REUBEN GREELEY, EsQ.
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
Rev. S. D. Austin, of Nashua, commenced to supply the pulpit soon after the dismissal of Mr. Haley, and he continued in that position until 1892. Rev. Fred E. Winn, a native of this town, the son of William F. and Lucy M. (Richardson) Winn, born December 14, 1863, supplied for nearly a year following Mr. Austin, 1892-3.
Rev. Franklin P. Chapin became a resident of Hudson in 1893, and preached here as the Congregationalist minis- ter until 1907. During the pastorate of Mr. Chapin, in 1906, the meeting-house, which was built in 1842, was raised several feet, a vestry made in the basement, new windows supplied, a modern heating arrangement put in, and many other repairs and improvements made. These improve- ments incurred an expense to the society of nearly $3,000.
Rev. Edgar F. Blanchard followed Mr. Chapin, and came here in 1907. He was an unmarried man, but made his home in this town. He remained here until 1909.
Rev. Lewis E. Perry commenced to supply the pulpit soon after Mr. Blanchard left. A convenient parsonage, with modern improvements, was erected on Library street in the summer of 1910, and Mr. Perry removed his family there. He remains at the head of this church.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY
The Baptist church was organized May 1, 1805, with sixty-five members who had been dismissed from the Bap- tist church in Londonderry, of which they had constituted a branch for several years, acting in harmony with that church, but sustaining preaching and the ordinances of the church.
The church was organized by an ecclesiastical council, called for that purpose, at the house of Thomas Senter in the north-east part of the town, and was called "The Bap- tist Church of Christ of Nottingham West."
The following are the names of the sixty-five members of the new church :
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
Joseph Hobbs, Jr.,
Maria Hobbs,
Hannah Townes,
James Eastman,
George Mentor,
Zacheus Greelee,
Aaron Senter, Lucy Greelee,
Mehitabel Tarbox,
Polly Sargent,
Esther Senter,
Thomas Senter,
Eunice Senter,
Ebenezer Wood,
Polly Wood,
Moses Greele,
Polly Greele,
Joseph Rowell,
Joseph Chase,
Barnabas Taylor,
Mehitabel Taylor,
Esther Greele,
Moses Hadley,
Mrs. Hadley,
Tabitha Merrill,
Mrs. Atwood,
Anna Blodgett,
Mrs. Blodgett,
Ashael Blodgett,
Polly Farmer,
Asahel Blodgett, Jr.,
Reuben Winn,
Susanna Pollard,
Mrs. Dakin,
Justus Dakin,
Stephen Hadley,
Patty Harda,
Robert Douglass,
Hannah Hadley,
David Cummings,
Mrs. Douglass,
Mrs. Wilson,
Mrs. Cummings,
Richard Haselton,
Mrs. Tallant,
Polly Gibson,
Jerusha Wyman,
Mrs. Tarbell,
Lydia Richardson,
Samson Kidder,
Benjamin Abbott,
David Robinson,
Joanna Kidder,
Noah Robinson,
Martha Robinson,
Susanna Davis,
Rebekah Robinson,
Lucy Dinnis,
Hannah Robinson,
Lydia Page,
Nathaniel Currier,
Betsey Campbell,
Hannah Marshall,
Phebe Miles,
Rachel Merrill.
For several years after its organization the church did not enjoy the labors of a settled pastor, but the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Thomas Paul, (colored), Rev. Robert Jones, Rev. Samuel Ambrose, and Joshua Young.
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
The labors of Rev. Thomas Paul were especially effec- tive, and many united with the church under his preaching.
The first settled pastor of the church was Rev. Ezra Kendall, who assumed charge November 3, 1808, and re- signed March 5, 1810.
It appears that the meetings were held at the North meeting-house when it was not in use by the Presbyterians or Congregationalists, and sometimes at the South meet- ing-house.
After Mr. Kendall resigned, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Isaiah Stone, Rev. John Perkins, and others, until 1814.
June 19, 1811, the Baptist society was incorporated, and all the right of the proprietors to the North meeting- house and the lot of land upon which it stood, was con- veyed to it November 26, of the same year. The pews were owned by individuals as personal property, and their own- ership was not affected by this conveyance.
Rev. Daniel Merrill, who had several years previous, probably as early as 1793, preached in town as a Con- gregationalist minister, was invited to the pastorate of the church in May, 1814. The following extract is from the centennial address, delivered by Rev. Brinton M. Web- ster of Lyme, N. H., May 1, 1905 :
"There is a copy of Mr. Merrill's acceptance in the record book, which occupies several pages and is indeed a remarkable composition, showing that he was a man of no small talent. We pause here to say a few words concern- ing him.
"He enlisted for three years in the Continental army, and after serving probably that length of time, began a literary course at the age of nineteen, which extended seven years and included a course at Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1789.
"Some time after his graduation he became pastor of a large Pedo-Baptist church in Sedgewick, Maine, where he remained for several years; but having, with most of his
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
church, been converted to the Baptist sentiments, he and they received baptism at the hands of Dr. Baldwin and Elisha Williams in 1805, and it became a Baptist church. Some of the older people of this town have related to some now living, that Rev. Mr. Merrill was once a Congrega- tional minister in this place, but that when he changed his views, the Pedo-Baptists became very bitter against him.
"This accounts for some things that have been said of him in other histories, that he was a zealous and able de- fender of the sentiments of the Baptist denomination. His controversial writings exhibit discrimination, scholarship and untiring zeal in the cause in which he felt himself par- ticularly commissioned. He made the distinguishing sent- iments of the Baptist very prominent, and it was not diffi- cult for a stranger, having heard him preach one sermon, to decide with what Christian denomination he had cast his lot.
"While in Nottingham West, in 1819, he wrote a vol- ume of two hundred pages at the request of Pedo-Baptist churches in New York, stating his views of the Baptist doctrine and his reasons for adopting them.
"During his stay in Nottingham West he was chosen to deliver the election sermon before the governor, council, senate and house of representatives of the state of New Hampshire, June 5, 1817. His subject on that day was
'The Kingdom of God.' His name is found as chairman of a committee from Maine, then a part of Massachusetts, who obtained a charter for an educational institution, which afterwards became Waterville College, and then Colby University.
"One of his sons, Rev. Thomas W. Merrill, assisted in starting a school which led to the founding of Kalamazoo, Michigan, College. Another son, Moses Merrill, was a missionary to the Indians, writing a history of the Gospels, in the Indian language for their instruction. Others of his children settled in this town, Joseph Merrill, and Jo- anna, a daughter, who married Reuben Greeley.
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
"After Mr. Merrill had settled it became necessary to make choice of two deacons, and October 30, 1816, Moses Greeley and David Burns were chosen, both serving faith- fully in that capacity for many years. It is said that their official relations were marked with uncommon unanimity and entire satisfaction to the church, until their resignation in 1834, on account of declining years. Dea. Moses Gree- ley died August 15, 1848, aged 84 years, and Dea. David Burns died April 20, 1876, aged 87 years and seven months, about sixty years after he was chosen to the deaconship.
"Dea. Moses Greeley presented the Baptist church with the first bell hung in this town, and also the commun- ion set which was used until recently. The bell was cracked several years ago and replaced by a new one.
"Dea. David Burns presented the church with the clock over the main entrance.
"At a church meeting held November 22, 1817, it was voted to allow the use of the meeting-house 'the second Lord's day in February, May, August and November, and also the first fifth Lord's day which shall come in any month of the year,' to the Presbyterians, provided 'we have their meeting house when they have ours.' Joseph Winn, Reuben Greeley and Elder Merrill were chosen a committee to confer with the Presbyterians and inform them of the action of the Baptist church. It was also pro- vided that their meeting-house should be accepted by the former at confirmation times and conference, with the un- derstanding they should enjoy the same privilege with the Presbyterian house.
"This exchange of privileges should be explained by saying that about two years before, on the 15th of October, 1816, the Congregational church united with the Presby- terians, there being eleven of the latter denomination and thirteen of the former. These parties owned and occupied the South meeting-house, and still owned pews and desired to worship a part of the time in the North meeting-house, for the accommodation of a part of their people. In Oc-
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
tober, 1818, a bond was given by the Presbyterians to the Baptist society, giving them the right to hold services in their meeting-house at certain times. Thus two denomi- nations worshipped at both meeting-houses, alternately, when the Baptists were at the South the Presbyterians were at the North."
Mr. Merrill resigned in September, 1820, and during the next two years the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Isaac Wescott and Rev. Otis Robinson.
In May, 1823, an invitation was extended to Rev. Jos- eph Davis to take the pastoral charge of the church after ordination. He accepted and was ordained June 18, 1823. Under his ministry the church enjoyed a good degree of prosperity and several persons were baptized. He resigned November 5, 1824.
Then there was another period of over three years in which the church had no settled pastor, although the desk was supplied most of the time. Among the supplies were Rev. Otis Robinson, Rev. George Evans, Rev. Samuel Elliott and Rev. John Peacock.
In the winter of 1827 there was an extensive revival, when sixty-one persons are reported as being baptized in the year named, it being the largest number in any year of the church's history.
In April, 1828, Rev. Benjamin Dean assumed the pas- torate, but the outcome seems to have been an unhappy one. His ministry is reported as "a dark and trying time for the church." His connection with the church termi- nated under painful circumstances June 26, 1830. He was deposed by an ecclesiastical council and excluded from the ministry for immoral conduct.
Following this unpleasant experience the church re- mained "in a tired and desolate state, without an under shepherd for nearly four years." During the period Rev. Otis Robinson, Stephen Pillsbury, Amos Haynes and others supplied the pulpit.
It is only just to say that Mr. Dean afterwards made a
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
public confession of his wrong-doing, and asked forgiveness of the Baptist and Presbyterian churches, both of which were present at the South meeting-house. He had previ- ously asked forgiveness of the former church. In after years he was restored to the membership of the Baptist church.
The next pastor was Rev. Bartlett Pease, who assumed charge of the church in March, 1834, and his pastoral la- bors terminated in April, 1839. Thirty-six are reported to have been baptized during these five years, and in 1838 Enoch S. Marsh and Benjamin Kidder were chosen dea- cons.
During the summer and autumn of 1839 the desk was supplied by Rev. Stephen Pillsbury. The succeeding reg- ular pastor was the Rev. John Upton, who commenced his labors in November, 1839, and resigned in August, 1841.
The attention of the church and society had been for several years turned to the object of having a more conven- ient house of worship, but a difference of opinion respect- ing location, with some other circumstances, had prevented any decisive action. In 1841 an agreement was reached, a suitable site selected, and a deed secured from Reuben Greeley to the Baptist Society, so that the house was erect- ed and dedicated that year.
In September, 1841, Rev. Jonathan Herrick assumed the pastoral care of the church. He was a very zealous laborer in his calling, and many united with the church under his ministry. In 1842, forty-one were baptized.
Mr. Herrick was dismissed at his own request, Sep- tember, 1843, and the desk was supplied for a few months by William H. Eaton, a student connected with Brown University. On December 4, 1843, Rev. Joseph Storer began to preach for the church as a supply, and continued as such until January 1, 1845, when he became the regular pastor.
During the year 1845, a joint stock company made up principally from members of the church, built a parsonage
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
for the accommodation of the minister, which was a few years later presented to the society.
Mr. Storer was a very zealous and faithful minister, loved by all connected with his church and society, and universally esteemed and respected by his townsmen. He was retained in his position as pastor until May, 1855, longer by nearly five years than any other pastor of this church, when, in consequence of failing health, he was com- pelled to resign. Among the aged and prominent mem- bers removed by death during his pastorate were Dea. Moses Greeley, Amos Hills, Abigail Dakin, Betsey Cutter, Rebecca Hadley and Abigail Pollard. Twelve were bap- tized in 1849.
It was during the pastorate of Mr. Storer, about 1850, that the first organ was purchased. Dr. David O. Smith, then a newly settled physician in town, was chosen as music director. The following is an extract from a resolu- tion passed May 27, 1855 :
Resolved, That in Brother Storer we realize the enlightened and dis- criminating Gospel preacher, the devoted and affectionate pastor, whose sole aim is to promote the kingdom of Christ in the salvation of souls, also a judicious counselor, a sincere and confiding friend, as well as a beloved and respected citizen.
In 1853, Isaac D. Colburn was appointed by the church "to study for the ministry and use his gifts in public." He became a minister, and served as a missionary in Burmah for many years, but returned, and died in Nashua in 1907.
Rev. W. H. Dalrymple began to supply the pulpit of this church in June, 1855, and was settled as its pastor in the following August, retaining the position until March, 1858. A large number of young people united with the church under his pastorate.
The next pastor was Rev. George L. Putnam, who was ordained July 16, 1858, remaining until November, 1863, when he resigned.
During Mr. Putnam's pastorate, the parsonage, built in 1845, was presented to the society. In 1860, extensive and
.
From Photo by C. E. PAINE
BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE, 1841
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
substantial repairs and alterations were made to the audi- torium of the church, the pastor contributing of his own handiwork the pulpit.
Following the resignation of Mr. Putnam, Rev. Bart- lett Pease, a resident minister, supplied the pulpit for nearly one year.
Rev. Henry Stetson was pastor from October, 1864, to June 1, 1868, when he was dismissed at his own request. During his pastorate Dea. Enoch S. Marsh died, December 19, 1865, and Dea. Benjamin Kidder resigned. Hiram Cummings and John M. Thompson were chosen to fill these vacancies October 4, 1866.
November 1, 1868, a call was extended to Rev. A. W. Chaffin, which was accepted by him. Public recognition services were held December 23.
Mr. Chaffin gained the love and respect of the entire community. Thirty-three were baptized during his pas- torate. In 1872, Mr. Chaffin became quite feeble physi- cally, and his mental faculties were impaired, but he was retained as pastor until April, 1873. He soon removed from the town, but his health continued to decline, and he died soon after his removal.
Rev. George A. Glines, the next pastor, held that posi- tion from September 1, 1873, to April 1, 1875, when he resigned.
Rev. George W. Kinney assumed the pastorate Janu- ary 1, 1876, and resigned in 1879, after which time the pul- pit was supplied by several ministers until May, 1881, when an invitation was extended to Rev. William P. Bartlett, who accepted. He was ordained June 28, 1881, by a council called by the church, and he was dismissed at his own re- quest in March, 1883.
Lewis L. Fish was chosen deacon October 12, 1881, and Eli Hamblet in April, 1882.
Rev. T. M. Merriman was next called to officiate in May, 1883. He remained with the church a little over three years, when he resigned October 3, 1886.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
A week later, October 10, the Rev. Charles C. Spear was invited to become the pastor, and he accepted the offer. During the years 1887 and 1888 extensive repairs and alterations were made in the auditorium. An alcove was built for the pipe organ, new pews were purchased, a pulpit set and colored windows were put in. A new set of Baptist hymnals was bought. Mr. Spear resigned January 11, 1891.
Rev. David L. Wentworth was next called to the pas- torate and he was ordained by a council, April 30, 1891. He resigned on the same day and month two years later. As an appreciation of his services resolutions were read and adopted.
During Mr. Wentworth's term William G. Cross and Marcell H. Smith were chosen junior deacons, June 6, 1892. Dea. John M. Thompson died January 27, 1893.
October 22, 1893, Rev. C. D. Swett accepted a call to the pastorate; March 21, 1898, he resigned.
In 1897, a long needed vestry, a two-story building containing assembly hall, dining-room, kitchen, ladies' par- lor, and coat room, was erected and presented to the society by Dr. David O. Smith, his wife, Hannah P. Smith, and her brother, George W. Haselton, who jointly bore the en- tire expense of erecting the building.
September 4, 1898, Rev. George W. Kinney, a former pastor of this church, was called to a second term, and he accepted, remaining a little more than two years, to re- sign November 1, 1901.
Rev. Bernard Christopher was the next pastor called, in January, 1902, and remained a little over five years, re- signing February 1, 1907.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
On Monday, May 1, 1905, the one hundredth anniver- sary of the little Baptist church of Christ, organized in Nottingham West, May 1, 1805, was celebrated with appro-
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ADDITIONAL CHURCH HISTORY
priate services. Rev. Brinton M. Webster, of Lyme, N. H., formerly of Hudson, delivered a very interesting his- torical address. He stated that during its existence of one hundred years the church had had twenty pastors, of whom the following were then living: Rev. George Kinney, Rev. William P. Bartlett, Rev. T. M. Merriman, Rev. Charles C. Spear, Rev. David L. Wentworth, Rev. George A. Glines, and Rev. Bernard Christopher, the pastor then serving.
The largest number of members at any time was 167, in 1828. In 1847, the number was 139; in 1878, 117; in 1885, 125; in 1905, 94. During the century the church had had thirteen deacons, as follows: Thomas Senter and Nathaniel Currier, chosen May 7, 1805; Moses Greeley and David Burns, chosen October 30, 1816; Enoch S. Marsh and Benjamin Kidder, chosen April 1, 1838; Hiram Cum- mings and John M. Thompson, chosen October 4, 1866; Lewis L. Fish, chosen October 12, 1881; Eli Hamblet, in April, 1882; William G. Cross and Marcell H. Smith, chosen junior deacons June 6, 1892. Marcell H. Smith re- signed the office in 1901, and William C. Haselton was chosen to fill the vacancy, April 6, 1902. Of these, eight had died at the time of the centennial: Nathaniel Currier, date not given; Thomas Senter, December 25, 1834, aged 83 years; Moses Greeley, August 15, 1848, aged 84; Enoch S. Marsh, December 19, 1865, aged 69; Benjamin Kidder, February 16, 1874, aged 77 years and 7 months; David Burns, April 20, 1876, aged 88 years and 7 months; John M. Thompson, February 27, 1893, aged 62; Eli Hamblet, August 5, 1896, aged 86 years and 2 months. Five of the deacons were then living: Hiram Cummings, Lewis L. Fish, (a resident of Windham), William G. Cross, Marcell H. Smith and William C. Haselton. Of these, Hiram Cummings died January 10, 1910, aged 88 years and 3 months.
The deacons at the present time (1912) are William C. Haselton and Charles H. Chase.
Rev. C. R. Upton was pastor from September 22, 1907, to August 27, 1909.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
In the spring of 1909, the parsonage erected in 1845 by members of the church and later presented to the soci- ty, was totally destroyed by fire. A new one was built in the fall of the same year.
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