USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Lebanon > History of Lebanon, N.H., 1761-1887 > Part 36
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CHARLES H. DANA.
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CHURCHES OF THE TOWN.
president, and appointed delegates from Hanover were present. What Plymouth Rock is to all New England, in a restricted and yet as important a sense, that spot on the east bank of the Connecticut River should be to all the inhabitants of Lebanon. The original proprietors and early settlers assembled there to acknowledge and to worship God before permanent homes were built, and before the permanent schoolhouse and church ap- peared. The other spot of unusual interest is a portion of the field west of the Luther Alden place. It was here that the first meeting-house was erected in 1772. In this first meeting-house, which stood for twenty years, the early settlers met Sunday after Sunday, in a simple form of worship, with Ziba Huntington as chorister, Charles Dana as deacon, and with that earnest and faithful pastor known as Priest Potter, who, like Moses, was the leader of his flock forty years in this wilderness.
The Congregational Church was organized September 27, 1768. Meetings were held in the log schoolhouse and private residences for four years.
The year 1772 stands out conspicuous in the church history of the town. It was in this year when the town, numbering about 300 souls, was ready to take definite steps and organized efforts in several matters. June 24, 1772, saw the small church adopt- ing as its own articles of agreement, a confession of faith and a covenant. One of the articles reads-"the constitution of the church is to be what is commonly called Congregational." On July 6, 1772, the church extended a call to Isaiah Potter to set- tle here in work of the gospel ministry. The ordination ser- vices already referred to took place August 25, 1772. The next enterprise was the building of a church. Upon the loca-
tion for it the people could not agree. But the earnest re-
monstrance of the young pastor brought about harmony. It was finally decided by the strenuous thud of a walking stick owned by the pastor, and by that spot the church was built. The spot has already been referred to, in the field west of the Luther Alden place, near the old burying ground. At a church meeting legally warned October 29, 1772, Mr. Joseph Dana was made choice of for deacon and the first sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per and doubtless in this newly built meeting-house, was on November 15, 1772. Thus if Thanksgiving was observed it
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
must have been a joyous one. From 1762, when four men passed their first winter here, to 1772, when the town had a pop- ulation of about 300 souls, there were many causes for thanksgiving. The town meeting was formed, an organized church was in working order, a settled pastor had come, a school- house was built, and a house for public worship was erected, a deacon and officers were chosen and the Lord's supper admin- istered.
The meeting-house was an old-fashioned building, 48 feet in length, 34 feet in breadth, while the posts which supported the room were 12 feet high. In the reading of the records during Mr. Potter's ministry, one soon perceives that the church paid scrupulous attention to particular cases of discipline which re- sulted in some instances in excommunicating the persons charged with the breaking of a commandment or with the breach of the covenant. July 24, 1777, was observed as a public fast day, on account of the distress of the war and the near approach of the enemy after Ticonderoga was given up. The covenant of the church was solemnly renewed. Several years pass by and the church votes that the Psalms should be sung in public worship without reading, but hymns, for want of books, should be sung line by line. The first chorister mentioned is Enoch Redding- ton, who was chosen to lead the singing. Ziba Huntington was the second chorister to serve the congregation. He was ap- pointed March 7, 1782. At the same meeting a Mr. Waters was asked to build a communion table. On the Lord's Day, April 28, 1782, fifty-two persons united on confession of faith, doubt- less the fruit of a revival led by Mr. Potter, who was regarded ' as one of the successful revivalists in the state. One may judge of the sentiment held by the good people of the town in those early days from an item under date March 3, 1784, which reads as follows: "Voted that the church view it unbecoming the profession of godliness for young people, professors, to practise frolicking and vain mirth, likewise for elderly persons to in- dulge in idleness, in foolish talking and jesting. Voted that they should set a watch about themselves and in the future re- frain." But, alas, how often was this rule broken! There are many today who can heartily sympathize with Molly Esta- brook, Polly Waterman and Otis Freeman who were earnestly
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admonished by the pastor before the congregation one Sunday morning.
After twenty years' standing the old meeting-house was par- tially destroyed one night, and some of the timber removed near by the dwelling-house of Henry Farnam. The record of May 18, 1792, informs us that the church voted to suspend those members for the present who were active in pulling down the meeting- house. This necessitated new quarters for the religious exer- cises of the town. (I have been unable to find any definite in- formation about the rebuilding of the church near by Elihu Hyde's place, or as now owned by Farnam. The timbers have been shown me, but tradition alone, without any particular records, is not always a safe guide. It may be that the church was temporarily rebuilt on the hill to accommodate the increased population, but the records, where are they ? My belief is that for the short period from spring to early winter in 1792, wor- ship was conducted in private dwelling-houses and occasionally in the old meeting-house that was only partially destroyed.)
A new meeting-house for the benefit of all in the town was erected on the common in 1792. The records, however, imply that in 1793 meetings were held in the old as well as in the new meeting-house.
During Mr. Potter's ministry 372 names were inscribed upon the roll. Out of this number 12 were ministers of the gospel, among whom were Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., of Boscawen, Rev. Walter Harris, D. D., of Dunbarton, Rev. Benjamin Wood of Upton, Mass., Rev. John Griswold, Rev. Experience Porter, Rev. Reuben Mason and Rev. Luther Wood. Mr. Potter was en- dowed with a splendid physique and possessed unusual strength. For awhile he was chaplain of one of the New Hampshire regi- ments in the Revolution. In mental power and grasp he was above the average. His ministry was crowned with success. Through his untiring efforts the church grew in numbers and in religious fervor, and had great influence in the county and state. After a long and useful life he died July 2, 1817, aged 71, having been connected with this church as supply and settled pastor about forty-five years. His death occurred in what is called the Breck farm, now owned by G. A. Miller. When he
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
was ordained there were about forty families in town and shortly after his death the population was 1,710.
THE DECADE 1817 TO 1827.
From 1817 to 1827 church matters were in an unsettled condi- tion. During this period there was one meeting-house for the whole town. One of the members writes: The pulpit was sup- plied by the labors of several ministers for a few Sabbaths each and under a joint committee of the church and people, whose object was to procure a great popular preacher to suit all de- nominations, so that all would help support the minister and the minister's tax be light. The church was soon made to feel how small her influence was when merged in the population of the town.
A condition of indifference set in. On August 18, 1818, the church withdrew from the town meeting-house, being virtually excluded from it, and remained out for at least two years and had no stated meetings. Occasionally, however, religious ser- vices were held at the dwelling-house of Ira Gates and again at the schoolhouse near Eliel Peck's, and again at the schoolhouse near Mr. Abbot's. Thus from 1818 to 1823, a period of five years, this church had no abiding place. In February, 1823, the town assumed the right of controlling the occupancy of the meeting-house on the common, and portioned out the use of it among all the denominations in town. The Congregationalists were given fourteen Sabbaths in the year, the Independent church, whose pastor was Rev. John Foord, twenty-two Sabbaths, the Universalists twelve and the Baptists four. By a new ar- rangement in 1827 the Congregationalists were given twenty Sab- baths in the year.
The church during this period extended a call to Rev. John Foord of Piermont. He was a thorough scholar, as judged from part of his library, now in the possession of Mr. Goodrich in this town. He was a liberal in his theological views, far ahead of the average minister of his day. With all his faults he possessed some excellent traits of character and doubtless set the orthodox party thinking. After serving the church for a brief period it was voted not to engage him longer to minister to this people or
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to administer the sacraments. The date of this action was Oc- tober 14, 1819. On June 5, 1821, a communication was received when 32 members withdrew fellowship to unite with the Inde- pendent church under charge of Rev. John Foord.
March 23, 1823, the church takes action on the low state of religion in the community. A committee of eight was appointed to go two by two from house to house to pray with and converse with the people in the interests of religion. In the spring of 1823 Rev. Calvin Cutler is the preacher. To him a call was extended August 11, 1823, and he accepted. The council for ordination was October 5, 1823. It is an interesting day. The council met at the dwelling-house of Stephen Kendrick; the ex- amination of the candidate was held at the schoolhouse which stood on the corner of Prospect Street by the Catholic Church, and the ordination service was held in the town meeting-house on the common. President Tyler of Dartmouth preached the sermon and the address to the people was given by Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., of Boscawen.
The first Sabbath school in Lebanon was organized at the house of Ira Gates on April 11, 1825. Abner Allen united with the church October 19, 1826. In that same year there was a flourishing singing school in town. A church fast was declared December 7, 1826. Rev. Calvin Cutler ended his ministry in this town September 13, 1827. Mr. Cutler was an able, faithful and laborious minister, and his labors were attended with divine blessing. There were 49 persons received into fellowship from the close of Mr. Potter's ministry in 1817 to the dismission of Mr. Cutler September 13, 1827.
From Lebanon, his first pastorate, he went to be the religious leader of the Presbyterian Church at Windham, of this state. He remained there as pastor till his death in 1844. His son, Rev. Charles Cutler of Talmadge, Ohio, born in Lebanon 80 years ago, recently bore the expense of a memorial tablet of Italian marble in memory of his father. The tablet is placed upon the front wall near the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church at Windham.
With the coming of 1828 a new lease of life was experienced. It is a conspicuous year in the church history of Lebanon. A number of brethren had already met together to take council
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
concerning their future course of action. It was decided that a separate church building should be erected and one which should be entirely under the control of the members. For this new enterprise subscriptions poured in and encouraged the brethren to go forward. Sufficient money being on hand the foundation was laid and the building started. The frame was built April 24, 1828, and the house dedicated August 13, 1828. The cost of the church building and the lot of land amounted to $3,162. A dwelling-house and some land adjoining were gen- erously donated by Deacon Nathaniel Porter, to be used as a parsonage. In addition to all this material prosperity, the church raised a fund of $1,000, the annual interest of which was to be devoted to the support of the gospel. Thus with a place of worship of their own, with a parsonage under their control and a fund already on hand, the church began to seek for a pastor. Before the year closed they were ready to call Principal Newell of Meriden Academy, but the call was not extended to him until January 23, 1829, when Mr. Newell saw fit to decline. Feb- ruary 7, 1829, Rev. Phineas Cooke of Acworth was invited to preach to the congregation, and the result was a call extended to him to become the settled pastor. He accepted the call and on May 18, 1829, he was installed. On June 4, 1829, Rev. Phin- eas Cooke, Stephen Kendrick, Nathaniel Porter, Sr., and Nathan- iel Porter, Jr., and Deacon Isaac Allen were appointed a com- mittee to examine the records of the church and to report what alterations and improvements in their judgment they may deem expedient for their day. September 23, 1829, the committee reported and the result was a unanimous vote of the recom- mendations. This meant the adoption of a revised confession of faith and articles of agreement and covenant. Now the people and pastor were happily united for Christian service in a new environment and under new conditions. The church prospered year by year.
January 17, 1833, this resolution was adopted : "No person shall be admitted as a member who will not engage to abstain from making, selling or using ardent spirits as an article of drink or luxury. In 1835 sixty-seven persons united and 39 at one communion. In 1841 appears the first manual giving the confession of faith and covenant and a catalogue of pastors, dea-
REV. PHINEHAS COOKE.
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CHURCHES OF THE TOWN.
cons and members from its organization in 1768. Mr. Cooke ended his ministry here May 13, 1848. The records give full evidence that he was a successful pastor; 233 persons were re- ceived into membership during his time. He was tall and of a commanding figure, possessing remarkable social qualities. He was a judicious and faithful pastor and an able minister.
Near the close of the ministry of Mr. Cooke, there arose a dif- ference of opinion with reference to the continuation of his ser- vices. To some extent matters were adjusted temporarily. The separation that immediately followed seemed inevitable. Rev. Charles A. Downs was the supply during the rest of the year 1848. However on the records the first mention of Mr. Downs is January 11, 1849. It is with the view of having him settle in Lebanon. The call was extended July 9, 1849, and the church voted on September 8 to give Mr. Downs $450 as an annual sal- ary, with the use of the parsonage.
The records inform us that a communication signed by 37 members was read. The purpose was to organize a new church at West Lebanon. Letters of dismissal were asked for and the requests were granted. The mother and daughter have lived in harmony. The church at West Lebanon was organized by council convened for that purpose November 8, 1849, and the pastor-elect, Mr. Downs, and Deacon Abner Allen were ap- pointed to represent the mother church.
November 21, 1849, Mr. Downs was ordained and installed as pastor of this church. At this council the candidate was privi- leged by having present as moderator and also speaker chosen to give the charge to the pastor his maternal uncle, Rev. Nathan- iel Bouton, D. D., of Concord. Dr. Richards of Hanover preached the sermon. The daughter church was represented by the acting pastor, Rev. Charles B. Haddock, and Mr. Joseph Wood as delegate.
Thus auspiciously began the second longest pastorate in the history of the church. As supply and settled pastor for a quar- ter of a century, Mr. Downs was closely identified with the life of this church. Work prospered under his care and leadership. The financial condition of the church was excellent. The so- ciety never failed but once in 25 years to pay the pastor his sal-
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
ary on the day it was due. For benevolent causes a systematic plan was adopted and in 1854 $210 was raised for benevolence.
During the civil war some of the best sermons and public ad- dresses of the pastor were brought out. In 1869 forty-four per- sons united. In 1873 at his own request Mr. Downs resigned the pastoral office. He was a faithful leader, a choice peace- maker and a Christian comforter. The influence of his person- ality extended far beyond the limits of the parish. His studious turn and ready wit, his preaching ability, his public spirit and patriotism, and his advocacy of the cause of freedom and union when it cost something to stand squarely for honest convictions, and in addition to this his skill in mathematics and natural taste for language and historical research-all tended to launch him out into the open and make of him a leader in, town, county and state matters. He served in several important public offices very creditably and "his works do follow him." Just before his death, September 20, 1906, he was the oldest living member of the church, uniting at the same time along with his wife Jan- uary 4, 1850. During his ministry here 226 persons were re- ceived into membership and some of these are the faithful and loyal supporters of the church today. For many years Mr. Downs was collecting data for this history of Lebanon.
During the fall of 1873 and the spring of 1874 the pulpit was supplied by several ministers. At the preparatory lecture, May 1, Rev. Walter H. Ayers was voted in to be received as a member by letter. During the intervals between the pastorates in 1772, 1828, 1848, the church called special meetings to consider the advisability of making improvements and changes if deemed necessary. So now in 1874 improvements were made. Several articles were added to the rules of government of the church. The first recorded annual meeting was started. The second manual appears. An effort was made to do away with the after- noon services, and about this the Methodists and Baptists were consulted. It was the purpose now to get along with two ser- vices instead of three. After such clearing up the church was again ready to search for a pastor. A call was extended to Rev. Walter H. Ayers, June 18, 1874. Within ten days it was ac- cepted. Mr. Ayers was born in Canterbury, N. H., April 26, 1847. He graduated at Dartmouth, 1868, and at Andover The-
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ological Seminary in 1872. He was ordained at the Congrega- tional Church, Winooski, Vt., July 16, 1872, and from there he came to take up the work in Lebanon. The installation service was held July 7, 1874, and thus began the shortest pastorate in the history of this church. As the months went by 13 persons were admitted into fellowship by letter. As a surprise the letter of resignation was read September 12, 1875. A council met and assented to the action of the pastor and church. Mr. Ayers was a diligent student, a faithful preacher and a devoted pastor.
The church voted February 14, 1876, to extend a call to Rev. John Mason Dutton, who was at that time a senior in Yale Di- vinity School. April 1 the call was duly extended through an appointed committee. The salary was stated at $1,400. Under date April 10 the acceptance of the call appears. Mr. Dutton was ordained June 20, 1876. As the months and years went by pastor and people were happily united. This pleasant harmony shows in results. All the work progressed under such healthful religious conditions. The Sunday school reached an enrollment of 200. The benevolent offerings steadily increased. In 1878 thirty-one persons united and some of these are faithful workers today. In 1879 the state association met with the church. His resignation was a surprise to all. During his pastorate of nine years, which ended May 20, 1885, a debt of $4,000 was paid, the church edifice was repaired and 118 persons were received into membership. The resolutions that were passed at the dismissal council voiced unanimously the sentiment of the parish. The spirit of unity and harmony that prevailed resulted in the pros- perity and growth of the church and society in every respect. Mr. Dutton never forgot the people of his first charge and ac- cording to his wish he rests from his labors in the cemetery close by the church he served so well. Three of the pastors lie buried in Lebanon cemeteries.
Mr. Dutton was born in Craftsbury, Vermont, April 14, 1847. He attended Craftsbury and Johnson schools; graduated at Kim- ball Union Academy in 1869. His college was Dartmouth, where he finished the course in 1873. He graduated at Yale Di- vinity School, 1876. His first regular pastorate was Lebanon, where he served nine years, his second regular pastorate was Somersworth, N. H., where he served for eight years, his third
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
regular pastorate was at Newtonville, Mass., where he served for seven years. His last pastorate was at Newport, Vermont. His persistency and energy and abounding vitality contributed much to the building of the handsome church edifice at Newtonville, Mass. For several years he was superintendent of schools at Som- ersworth, N. H., and a trustee of Kimball Union Academy. In his short pastorate at Newport, Vermont, he won a position of influ- ence in the whole community. After a brief illness he died June 17, 1900, aged 53 years. The funeral was conducted by Rev. E. M. Chapman assisted by Rev. C. H. Merrill, D. D., and Rev. C. R. Flanders. The memory of such a religious leader in this town is part of the rich spiritual legacy of this church.
During the summer of 1885 two prospective candidates for the vacant pastorate were considered, but no definite plan was con- summated. The men were Rev. Gulick and Rev. W. A. Bartlett of Hanover. In September and October a call was extended to Rev. Edgar T. Farrill of Hopkinton, salary $1,650. Mr. Farrill accepted and the new relations began on the first Sunday in No- vember, 1885. Installation services were held December 17, 1885. The sermon was preached by Rev. Franklin D. Ayer, D. D. of Concord, Scripture was read by Rev. N. F. Tilden of the Baptist Church, Lebanon, and the invocation by Rev. Calvin Stebbins of the Unitarian Church, Lebanon. The address to the people was given by the preceding pastor, Rev. John M. Dutton. Thus auspiciously began the ministry of the seventh pastor and fourth in length of service. In 1887 Grafton County Confer- ence held its fifty-ninth anniversary with one church. The be- nevolence as reported for the same year was $800. In 1893 the 125th anniversary of the church was appropriately observed. Special services were held during the anniversary week. Year by year new additions to membership came, so that during Mr. Farrill's ministry from 1885 to 1902, a period of 17 years, 125 persons were enrolled as members. Rev. Edgar T. Farrill resigned and the resignation went into effect October 31, 1902.
Mr. Farrill was born in Providence, R. I., August 21, 1854. After receiving his early training in private and public and mili- tary schools he entered Brown University, from which he grad- uated in 1879. He graduated from Andover Theological Sem- . inary in 1882, and he was ordained to the gospel ministry Sep-
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tember 27 of that same year. His first pastorate of three years was at Hopkinton, N. H., from which charge he was called to labor in Lebanon. From Lebanon he was called to his third pastorate, where he now labors, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Mr. Far- rill has been an active worker for the temperance cause and the Sunday school and Christian Endeavor. He has already served as trustee of Kimball Union Academy and on the Lebanon school board.
The present pastorate began September 1, 1903. To the end of 1906 thirty-five persons have united with the church. Benev- olence for the same year, 1906, $800. Confession of faith, cove- nant and rules of government revised and the third manual has appeared.
The church has had eight pastors, 14 clerks, 26 deacons and 1,161 members.
THE WEST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
In the year 1848 the west part of the town, embracing the Connecticut valley from Hanover to Plainfield, having become quite thickly settled and the selection of this point as the ter- minus of the Northern Railroad having settled the question of the future village, whose population were four miles from church privileges, a meeting was held at the house of Oliver Stearns on May 22, at which ten members of the church at the Centre were present, viz .: Richard Kimball, Ebenezer Kimball, Henry G. Wood, John Wood, Thomas Wood, Oliver Stearns, Daniel Rich- ardson, Elias H. Richardson and Aruna Hall. The meeting was duly organized and it was "voted to appoint a committee to se- lect a site for a meeting-house somewhere in West Lebanon, to be improved at a suitable time." The committee chosen made choice of the location where the present house of worship and parsonage now stand. In the autumn of 1849 the house was ready to be dedicated. On November 8 a council called by 37 members dismissed from the Centre and seven others assembled. The church was organized and the house dedicated. On Decem- ber 27 three deacons were chosen, Samuel Wood, David Richard- son and Nathan B. Stearns, the last named still holding that of- fice. The pulpit was supplied by the professors of Dartmouth College till the summer of 1851. On June 26, Rev. Rufus Case 27
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