History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 121
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 121

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1859 .- Joseph B. Sanborn, E. H. Robinson and Timothy F. Smith, selectmen. Services, $150. Orrin D. Kimball, clerk. Services, $15. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $3524. Silas Green, E. G. Knowles, school committee. Services, $46. In- debtedness of town, $271.15.

1860 .- Ira Osgood, Timothy F. Smith and Samuel

B. Lovering, selectmen. Services, $164. Orrin D. Kimball, clerk. Services, $23. School committee, Silas Green, E. G. Knowles and John B. Moore. Ser- vices, $53. Indebtedness of town, $58.83. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $4217.

1861 .- Ira Osgood, Perley W. Rowell and Levi F. Sleeper, selectmen. Services, $153. J. T. Clongh, clerk. Services, $16. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $4367. Cash on hand, $183.50.

1862 .- Ira Osgood, Levi F. Sleeper and Samnel D. Morrill, selectmen. Services, 8146. Abraham B. San- born, clerk. John B. Moore and William Emery, school committee. Services, $55. John W. Morrill, collector. Amount committed, $4082. War account : the town borrowed money to hire soldiers amounting to $14,792.79, which is indebtedness.

1863 .- Theophilus B. Martin, Samuel D. Morrill and Jeremiah Blake, selectmen. Services, $159. Wil- liam W. Cate, Moses C. Stevens and Alvah H. Bach- elder, school committee. Services, $51. Levi F. Sleeper, collector. Amount committed, $5864. Caslı on hand, $2124.07.

1864 .- Theophilns B. Martin, Jeremiah Blake and John Wheeler, selectmen. Services, $277. William W. Cate and Moses E. Stevens, school committee. Services, $56. Collector, Levi F. Sleeper. Tax com- mitted, $8094. Whole indebtedness of town, $47,780 .- 10.

1865 .- Jeremiah Blake, John Wheeler and Henry J. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $311. Alvah H. Bachelder, clerk. Services, $30. William S. Col- lins, Moses E. Stevens and C. Frank Cate, school committee. Services, $74. Elijah B. French, col- lector. Tax committed, $10,367.32. Actual indebt- edness, $46,232.61.

1866 .- Jeremiah Blake, John Wheeler and Henry J. Osgood, selectmen. Services, 8308. C. Frank Cate, clerk. Services, $25. Actual debt of town, $46,283.85.

1867 .- Jeremiah Blake, John Wheeler and Henry J. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $327. C. Frank Cate, school committee. Services, $26.75. Elijah B. French, collector. Amount committed, $9749.38. Actual debt, $38,714.29.

1868 .- Benjamin Cate, Alvah H. Bachelder and E. B. French, selectmen. Services $286. True W. Center, town clerk. Services, $30. Tax com- mitted, 89956.90. Actual debt, $38,679.73.

1869 .- Benjamin Cate, Alvah H. Bachelder and E. B. French, selectmen. Services, 8315. True W. Center, clerk ; Samuel Neal, collector. Amount committed, $9248.33. Actual debt of town, $39,775.18.

1870 .- Jeremiah Clough, John Jones and Jacob D. Osgood, selectmen. Services, $219. William S. Collins, school committee. Services, 875. James F. Nelson, clerk. Services, $35. Samuel Neal, collector. Amount of tax, §8916.63. Actual debt, 841,720.25.

1871 .- Selectmen, Jeremiah Clough, John Jones

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

and Jacob D. Osgood. Services, $230. Charles E. Sanborn, school committee. Services, $82.75. Sam- uel Neal, collector. Amount of tax, $7738.58. Debt, $39,710.54.

1872 .- Jeremiah Blake, Nathan C. Clough and Samuel Neal, selectmen. Services, $265. Na- thaniel D. Clough, collector. Tax committed, $9120.78. Actnal debt, $30,74.63.

1873 .- Jeremiah Blake, Nathan C. Clough and Sanı- uel Neal, selectmen. Services, $296. Abial H. Clough, clerk, $35. William W. Cate, school committee. Service, $40. Collector, Nathaniel D. Clough. Tax committed, $8629.53. Actual debt, $30,366.85.

1874 .- Henry J. Osgood, Cyrus Bachelder and Nathaniel D. Clongh, selectmen. Services, $281. Albert A. Adams, collector. Tax committed, $8411 .- 84. Actual debt, $31,202.12.

1875 .- Henry J. Osgood, Cyrus Bachelder and Nathaniel D. Clough, selectmen. Services, $271.80. Samuel Neal, collector. Tax committed, $9202.19. Actual debt, $30,175.77.

1876 .- Moses E. Stevens, Abial H. Clough and James F. Nelson, selectmen. Services, $235.80. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $9042.44. Debt, $29,039.36.

1877 .- Moses E. Steveus, Abial H. Clough and James F. Nelson, selectmen. Services, $233. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $8545.67. Actual debt, $27,736.65.

1878 .- Abial H. Clough, Cyrus Bachelder and John L. Buswell, selectmen. Services, $246. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $8584.21. Actual debt, $26,058.76.

1879 .- Cyrus Bachelder, John L. Buswell and Rinaldo B. Foster, selectmen. Services, 8221.75. John Jones, collector. Tax committed, $7463.59. Actual debt, $25,346.89.

1880 .- John L. Buswell, Rinaldo B. Foster and Jeremiah A. Clough, selectmen. Services, $228. Charles D. Carr, collector. Amount committed, $6670.64. Actual debt, $25,748.62.

1881 .- Rinaldo B. Foster, Frederick E> Copp and Jeremiah A. Clough, selectmen. Services, $225. Challis D. Carr, collector. Tax committed, $8911.49. Actual debt, $22,453.74.

1882 .- Rinaldo B. Foster, Frederick E. Copp and Jeremiah A. Clough, selectmen. Services, $246. Newell W. Lovering, school committee. Services, $35. Frank E. Robinson, clerk. Services, $35. Challis D. Carr, collector. Tax committed, $9450.33. Actual debt, $18,485.57.

1883 .- Rinaldo B. Foster, Jeremiah A. Clough and William W. Cate, selectmen. Services, $285. Nathaniel D. Clough, collector. Tax committed, $8077.55.

1884 .- William W. Cate, John F. Ordway and Elbridge G. Sargent, selectmen. Services, $280. Alvah L. Morse, clerk ; Annie M. Osgood, school committee. Services, $55. Nathaniel D. Clongh, collector.

1885 .- William W. Cate, Horace F. Fletcher and Elbridge G. Sargent, selectman; Alvah L. Morse, town clerk; Henry J. Osgood, school committee; Nathaniel D. Clough, collector.

The Religious History of Loudon .- The same year in which the town was incorporated measures were taken for the building of a meeting-house. At a meeting of the parish held in November, 1773, it was " Voted to build a meeting-house, and that it stand upon the southeast end of the school lot, part or all in the road, if the land is best." At a meeting held November 10, 1777,“ Voted to set up a meeting-house by a rate or tax ;" also " Voted to get the timber and haul it to the spot this winter, and that labor be three shillings per day." Eliphalet Rawlings, Abraham Bachelder, Nathaniel Bachelder, Ezekiel Morrill, Jethro Bachelder, Moses Ordway and Jonathan Clough were chosen for the committee to build the house. " Voted to have the house the same size of the Epsom house ;" also " Voted seven hundred dollars to get the frame to the spot, and frame it." December 4, 1778, " Voted to add six feet in length and two feet in width." In the year 1779, " Voted to raise one thousand dollars and lay it out in labor at eight dol- lars per day," also " Voted to sell the pew privileges at auction to the highest bidder, and that the pur- chasers of the privileges be allowed twelve months after the house is raised, boarded, shingled and clap- boarded, and the lower floor is laid, to build their pews in, and that those who do not build in that time, their privilege shall return to the parish." " Voted to buy two barrels of rum for the raising." The se- lectmen's account shows that they paid Josiah Bach- elder for rum one hundred and eight dollars, and paid Reuben Greeley for two quarts of snake-root, for the raising, twelve dollars. " Voted to leave the finding of the supper to the committee." "Paid the Rev. Mr. Noble, for ministerial services at the raising, one dollar and fifty cents ; also paid Mr. Blunt, who lived in the old " Martin house," for the trouble to him at the raising." The parish bought of Mr. Blunt a strip of land in front of the meeting-house in order to have better accommodation. The first meeting held in the house was a parish-meeting for town busi- ness. August, 1789, " Voted to build two porches, one on the east and one on the west end of the house ;" also " Voted to put in joist, lay a rough floor and put up the finish in front of the gallery before the ordina- tion of Mr. Tucker." The house was lathed by Jona- than Smith, plastered by John Sargent and finished in the year 1797 ; the posts in the lower part still bear the figures on the top as painted in 1797. An article was, in 1795, inserted in the warrant to paint the out- side, but failed to pass in the meeting. The honse ap- pears to have been used for religions meetings as soon as it was boarded and shingled. The plan of the house was very peculiar. The pulpit was built upon the back side of the house and was elevated at least six or seven feet from the floor of the room, and was reached

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by ascending a flight of eight or nine stairs. It was finished with pine wood and displayed the best of skill and workmanship. The minister, while speak- ing, stood upon an elevation of about seven inches, and the Bible in front of him was at that height, that he could swing his arms above it when speaking with earnestness. Above the pulpit and over the minister hung the sounding-board, which was built in an oc- tagonal shape, and was at least six feet across it, and was suspended from a large beam in the roof by an iron rod, one and one-half inches square. The work- manship displayed in the finish of this sounding- board was of the highest order. When taken down at the time of making the alteration, in 1845, it re- quired the strength of about ten men to lift it. The deacon's scat or pew was directly beneath and in front of the pulpit, with a half-round table at his right, constructed in such a manner that when not in use it dropped down, and was held by hinges to the top rail of the pew. Upon the left of the pew was a smaller stand or table of the same form and supported the same, which was used to hold the tankard of wine and the wine-cups. The pulpit and surroundings were painted of a lead color, while the tables were painted a dark brown.

The pews were square in form, and the outside row next the wall around the house were elevated to the height of three steps from the floor. Seats were placed upon the four sides and were bung with hinges, and during prayer were turned up to prevent any one from sitting during that very important part of the service. A walk extended in front of each around the house. Upon the floor below this row were placed four other groups of pews with four in a group, with an entrance from the walk mentioned. Upon the right and left wings, and almost in front of the pulpit, were built long, narrow seats, which were used and known as the " anxious " seats in time of revival. When not thus used, they were occupied by persons who were unable to purchase or own pews. One side of the aisle was used only by the men, the other by females.

The gallery extended around three sides of the room, with pews corresponding in form and location to those beneath. The singers' seats were in the gal- lery, and were situated directly in front of the pulpit. The entrance to the gallery was only by the porches upon either end of the house, which consisted of sev- eral flights of stairs, winding around upon each of the four sides. The frame was of the strongest and best of timber, the posts being of white oak; the beams are of old growth pine, and were hewed fourteen and sixteen inches, while the roof is self-support- ing, the rafters being double-trussed. In the year 1845 two stories and two rooms were made by ex- tending the gallery over the whole of the upper story, which is used for a meeting-house, while the lower story is used for town and other purposes. A belfry was added, in which hangs a bell, the gift of

Captain Solomon Caverly to the society worshiping in the upper story.

For a long time this house convened all the people in the town. There was but one creed and belief in religious matters in all the town, and that was known as Congregationalism. The church and state were one and inseparable. The laws of the State com- pelled people to support the gospel and the ministry, and the selectmen of the town raised and assessed upon property of the inhabitants sums as large as were thought to be expedient and necessary. In the year 1774 there was raised by the town the sum of fifty dollars, and the same in the years 1776; and in 1777, " Voted one hundred and fifty dollars." In 1779, " Voted three hundred dollars for preaching." In the year 1780 the article in the warrant was, "To see if said Parish will vote to raise a sum of money for the use of preaching and how much: and if voted, to sce if they will vote to pay it in corn or grain next fall." And it was " Voted, to take the money the Par- sonage was let for preaching." In 1781, " Voted to hire preaching for only eight Sabbaths." In 1782, " Voted not to raise any." In 1783, " Voted to raise thirty pounds." Previous to this year no per- son had been settled as minister. The Rev. Mr. Blydenburg had preached more than any other one, he at that time being the owner of a lot of land lying and adjoining the parsonage and school lot upon the north. A minister tax was assessed for the first time, the list embracing the names of ninety-one of the tax-payers of the town.

The Rev. Israel Day was given a call to settle with the people at this time ; but, upon examination, his belief upon certain doctrinal points was not in accord- ance with that of several of the people, and he declined the call. The following, taken from the records of the town, had some effect upon the matter, probably :

" LOUDON, March 15, 1784.

" By these Lines, we, the subscribers, do enter our dissent against Mr. Israel Day heing settled as a preacher iu Loudon.

"Garshom Mathes, Abel French, Joshna (his X mark) Rawlings, Eng Josiah (his X mark) Rines, Philip Brown, Nathan Bachelder, John Drue, Moses Morrill, Daniel Ladd, James Silver, Joseph Smith, Charles Sargent, Jr."

Mr. Day, in his letter, says,-

" Another difficulty that is flung in my way in this affair is the church to which 1 belong have declined to give me a dismission and recommen- dation, for sufficient reasons, as they suppose.

" Dated this first day of May, 1784. (Signed)

" ISRAEL DAY."

In the year 1785 thirty pounds was raised. In 1786, " Voted, to lay out the back money, and to hire the Rev. Mr. Cummings three Sabbaths." In 1787 no money was raised, as appears by the town records. Several difficulties arose within the parish upon local matters, which divided the people, and from the fre- quency of holding town-meetings it may be con- cluded that much unpleasantness of feeling existed. These difficulties were, iu part, the feeling caused by the letter and course pursued by the Rev. Mr. Day,

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and a further division came up in regard to the location of the meeting-house. Several meetings were held in order to change the location and build the house near the south part of the town, but all such propositions were voted in the negative. Then a meeting was called " To see if the town will vote to Set off all the southwest corner of the town, and have the same annexed to Concord or Canterbury, as may be most convenient, commencing at the town line and running southeasterly to the mouth of Pine Island Brook, and then follow the river to Bow line." This was voted in the negative. In the year 1788 the Rev. Jedediah Tucker commenced preaching to the people of the parish. At a town-meeting held the 17th day of January, it was " Voted to give the Rev. Mr. Tucker a call, and chose a committee, consisting of Joseph Tilton, Nathaniel Bachelder, Stephen Wells, Jeremiah Clough and Daniel Ordway, to agree with Mr. Tucker and report at the next meeting."

At a meeting of the parish, held on the 14th day of February, " Foied to give the Rev. Mr. Tucker that piece of land bought of Mr. Blunt for a settlement in Loudon." Also, " Voted to give him the income of the parsonage during his ministry in Loudon, with the privilege of cutting his wood with prudent usage." Also " Voted to give him sixty pounds for the first year, sixty-five for the second, seventy for the third, and seventy-five for the fourth year of his ministry." Also, " Voted that he shall have three Sabbaths yearly to visit his friends."

" LOUDON, June 22nd, 1789.

" By these lines, we, the subscribers, do enter our dissent against Mr. Tucker being settled in the ministry in Loudon,

" Daniel Smith, Levi Chase, Dimon Furnald, James Morrill, Nathaniel Rawlings, Isaac Lowell, Samuel Jacob, Joseph Drue, Robert Drue, Abial Chamberlin, Nathan Clough, Ebenezer Parker, Jonathan Wiggins, Jona- than Clough, Jonathan Chase, Moses Rawlings, John Clough, Samuel Morrill, Samuel French, Captain John Sanhorn, John Drue, Jacob Tole, Samuel Hill, Renhen Collinge, Stephen Cate."

At a meeting in September, 1789, “ Voted to choose a Committee of seven to join Mr. Tucker in ap- pointing a day for Ordination. And chose Nathan Bachelder, Esq., Moses Ordway, Thomas Bachelder, Abraham Bachelder, Joseph Moulton, Timothy French and Nathaniel Bachelder." This committee appointed the 21st day of October following, to be the day. Also, this committee chose the following gentlemen to compose the council :

Rev. Mr. Adams, of Stoughton, Second Church ; Rev. Mr. Howard, of Stoughton, First Church ; Rev. Mr. Robins, of Milton ; Rev. Mr. Tucker, of Loudon ; Rev. Mr. Thatcher, of Dedham ; Rev. Mr. Upham, of Deerfield; Rev. Mr. Colby, of Pembroke; Rev. Mr. Evans, of Concord ; Rev. Mr. Smith, of Gilman- ton ; Rev. Mr. French, of Andover; Rev. Mr. Bab- cock, of New Andover; and Rev. Mr. Merrill, of Plaistow.

The selectmen paid the expenses of the ordination, and Mr. Tucker continued to preach for nearly thirty years. He also was the practicing physician and

surgeon for the parish, making no charge for such service within its limits.

" We, the Subscribere, Inhabitants of London, hereby notify the Con- gational, Society in said London that we consider it both illegal and unconstitutional for any society whatever to lay a tax on any person or persone by the authority of a majority of a Town or Society vote. And we, the undersigned, hereby give notice that we are determined to pay no more ministerial taxes for the purpose of the support of any preaching or minister whatever in that way after this date.

" London, March 14, 1803.

(Signed)

"Stephen Pickering, Jamce Palmer, Isaac Smith, Archelane Moore, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Eliphalet Swain, Thomas Bachelder, John Carter, Elisha Sweatt.

" A true copy. Attest.

" ENOCH WOOD, Town Clerk."

Mr. Tucker, as minister of the gospel, united nearly all the people in town who were married, commenc- ing in 1795. The records of the town show that he married two hundred and thirty-two couples, with one or both of the parties living in Loudon.

In the years 1812 and 1813 he also served as chair- man of the Board of Selectmen for the town. In looking at the record books of the town, one may gaiu an impression of the man, particularly in the boldness of the signature of his name, which is imi- tated by no other person. It seenis that after his dismissal he gave his attention more to public busi- ness and to the practice of medicine. The reason for the vote of dismissal is unknown. It might have been at his own request or from other causes. Just before the vote of dismissal the following dis- sents are recorded :

" This is to let you know that 1 do not believe in paying minister rates to Mr. Tucker.

" DANIEL LOVERING. (Signed)

" March 19, 1804."

"I do enter my dissent against paying taxes to Mr. Tucker, as I do not belong to his Society. (Signed) " JOHN CATE.

" March 9, 1804."

"Ido hereby enter my dissent against paying a Minister tax to Mr. Tucker. (Signed) "JONATHAN LOUOEE.

" April 15, 1805.""

" I do hereby enter my dissent against paying a Minister tax to Mr. Tucker. (Signed) " NATHAN MAXFIELD.

" March 31, 1808."

After the dismissal of Mr. Tucker, in 1810, by vote of the town, the Rev. Enoch Courser was ordained as minister, in 1816, and continued as such for a num- ber of years. The Rev. Samuel B. Dyer and the Rev. Enoch Courser both continued to preach to the churches of Loudon for nearly thirty years. They lived in the same neighborhood, and as the sectarian strife which had grown up in the parish continued to increase, unkind feelings existed between the two men. Both were strong and powerful men, of large and well-proportioned bodies, unyielding in disposi- tion, and the consequent result was that feelings of the most bitter animosity, as individuals, existed be- tween them, which extended to the churches over

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which they were the pastors. The Rev. Mr. Dyer was a member of the Legislature from the town of London in the year 1818. While at Concord he boarded with one Mr. Davis, with fifteen others, four of whom were ministers. On Friday noon a convention was held at the boarding-house, Mr. Dyer, chairman, and it was "Voted that we will not drink any ardent spirits till the session closes."

The law which authorized the selectmen to tax the citizens for the support of the minister was very dis- tasteful to many of the tax-payers. The town became involved in lawsuits in consequence of it. The case of Isaac Smith was one of expense. The largest tax assessed against him in any year was $1.60, which he positively refused to pay in any manner. He was arrested and put in jail for one day and released. The town carried on the lawsuit for some years, until the expenses in the case amounted to two hundred and seventy-five dollars, after which the law was repealed.

The hardness of feeling growing out of the work- ings of this law led several persons to organize a so- ciety, to be known as the first Free-Will Baptist Society in London, which was done by John Sanborn, Jona- than Clough, Abner Clough and Nathaniel Martin, in the year 1807, and held meetings one-fourth part of the time in the old meeting-house, with the Rev. Sam- uel B.Dyer as minister.

In May, 1823, one-half of the old meeting-house was given up to the Free-Will Baptist people. The Congregational Society made a renewed effort in 1826 to build a new house, to be located nearer the south part of the town, and the following year erected a new one at the village. This led to an unhappy division. Mr. Courser preached the dedicatory sermon, but declined further services. In 1837 the condition of the society became discouraging ; he was dismissed and left the town after twenty years of labor. The rapid rise of the Free-Will Baptists was its first shock. A severer one was from its own division, attended by the personal difficulties of Mr. Courser with some of his church members. Both the churches for several years were supplied by several preachers for short periods of time. In the year 1839 a new church edifice was erected near the old one, at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars. The Rev. Cyrus W. Wallace was the first minister. The church and society failed in settling him, for want of pecu- niary means. Parker Pillsbury followed, and further divided the church upon the question of slavery. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Le Bosquet, followed hy Rev. Ezekiel Dow, Jonathan Ayres, E. F. Abbott, Jarins Ordway, Rev. Mr. Caswell and finally the ven- erable Rev. Mr. Courser returned and preached for one year or more, which was the close of his life-work in the gospel ministry. The Second Church at the vil- lage has had but two ordained pastors,-the Rev. Henry White and the Rev. Thomas N. Jones. Other supplies, such as Calvin White, Henry Wood and the Rev. Charles Willey, have preached to this people. In the

year 1883 the Rev. C. Roper was the pastor of this people, and largely by his efforts the church was re- paired. The Methodists have had a church for sev- eral years in this place, and the Rev. Silas Green, during some years, was the preacher of both the Meth- odist and Congregational Churches. Since, the preach- ers have been of the Methodist order, and at this time, 1885, no preaching is sustained by either.

About the year 1847 the Free-Will Baptists, by a vote of the town, obtained control of the old meeting- house for meeting purposes, by altering and making an upper story, which they have occupied as a place of worship, at a cost of one thousand dollars. The Rev. John Norris was called as the pastor of this people after the alteration. He was succeeded by William A. . Sargent, who was ordained as a minister. During the stay of Mr. Sargent a meeting was held for several weeks under the labor of Elder Phinney, of Maine, in which the Rev. E. F. Abbott, of the Congregational Church, joined, which resulted in large accessions to either church. Elder Sargent was followed by the Rev. E. G. Knowles, Rev. Josiah P. Stinchfield, Rev. S. S. Brooks ; and the Rev. John George was ordained and remained three years. After his removal the church was thoroughly repaired, and alterations made upon the inside, a new pulpit and furniture purchased. At the same time Captain Solomon Caverly, a former citizen of the town, presented the society with a church-bell. The house was rededicated, and Carter E. Cate, a townsman and graduate from Dartmonth College, was engaged and ordained as a minister of the gospel by the Free-Will Baptist denomination, and remained for one year. He was followed by the Rev. Charles E. Hurd, who remained four years, and was succeeded by Rev. D. I. Quint, who is the present minister in the year 1885.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 121

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520