History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 19

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 19
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 19

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It appears that divine worship according to the forms and rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church was conducted here, almost without interruption, from the beginning of 1817 to the spring of 1823, a lay reader being employed when the ministrations of a clergyman could not be procured.

In 1819 a committee on the state of the church in the Diocese of New Hampshire, appointed by the Diocesan Convention, reported thirteen families and ten communicants in this parish. During its con- tinuance as St. Thomas' Chapel the rite of con- firmation was administered to seven persons, and there were about twenty baptisms.

On the 13th of July, 1835, St. Paul's parish was or- ganized, and the Rev. Moses B. Chase was chosen rector. Mr. Chase held services once each month in this parish, from May, 1835, to March, 1836, and each Sunday evening during July and August of the latter year. He resided in Hopkinton, and was rector of St. Andrew's Church.

Rev. Petrus S. Ten Broeck became rector in Novem- ber, 1836. The services at this time were held in the court-house, which occupied the site of the present city hall. At this time there were ten communi- cants.

In the summer of 1836, John West, a gentleman devotedly attached to the church, set himself about obtaining, by subscriptions and donations, funds to build a church, but had hardly more than made a be- ginning when sudden death brought his earthly labors to a close, and one of the first offices which the new rector was called upon to discharge in the parish was the sad duty of consigning to the dust the mortal remains of this warm and active friend of the church.

The first church edifice 1 was completed near the close of the year 1839, and on the 1st of January, 1840, it was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God by the venerable and beloved Bishop Griswold, bishop of the Eastern Diocese, of which New Hamp- shire was a part. Bishop Griswold also, on the fol- lowing day, instituted the Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck rector of the parish.

July 16, 1843, Albe Cady, for many years senior warden of the parish, deceased. Mr. Cady was among the first to move for establishing the church here and labored earnestly and faithfully for its success.

In October, 1844, Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck, on account of failing health, resigned his charge of the parish and removed to Danvers, Mass., where he resided till his decease, in 1849. He was a faithful minister. The number of communicants at the close of his labors in the parish was about forty, as against ten at its com- mencement.

Rev. Darius R. Brewer succeeded Mr. Ten Broeck, having been elected the 25th of November, 1844. Mr. Brewer reported to the convention, the following June, forty-five communicants, thirty families, and the number of persons attending public worship from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. After two years of faithful and devoted service, he resigned to take charge of Trinity parish, Newport, R. I. He has since died.

Mr. Brewer was succeeded immediately by the Rev. Thomas Leaver, from the Diocese of Rhode Island. Mr. Leaver's ministry in the parish was very brief. He commenced his labors here on the first Sunday in December, 1846, and conducted his last service on the first Sunday in December, 1847. After a severe illness of a few days, he died on the 23d of the same month. During the brief period of his ministry Mr. Leaver proved himself a faithful shep- herd, and his death was a deep affliction to the parish.

On the 27th of February, 1848, the Rev. Newton E. Marble, of the Diocese of Massachusetts, was elected to the rectorship, and soon after entered upon its duties. At this date the number of communicants was forty-four, the number of families thirty. During Mr. Marble's ministry, of a little more than nine years, the parish had a steady growth in numbers and a correspondingly widening influence in the com- munity.

Mr. Marble resigned the rectorship of the parish April 1, 1857, and soon after moved to Newtown, Dio- cese of Connecticut, to assume charge of Trinity par- ish, which relation he sustained during the remainder of his life. He died about three years since, much beloved by the people of his charge and by every one who knew him.

From Easter, 1857, to Easter, 1858, the parish was

1 The building committee consisted of Albe Cady, L. C. Virgil and Hon. Isaac Hill.

CONCORD.

without a rector. For the first two months or more of this time the Rev. Dr. Henry A. Coit, either by him- self or by the Rev. Francis Chase, his assistant at St. Paul's School, kindly supplied one service on Sundays. For the balance of the year the Rev. Edward Ballard, then residing at Hopkinton, filled the position of minister of the parish, accepting therefor, without stipulation, such compensation as the parish could of- fer. The ministrations of these clergymen, as well as their helpfulness in many ways, is gratefully re- membered by the church people of those days.

Rev. James H. Eames, D.D., entered upon his duties as rector on Easter Day, 1858, and continued until his death, which occurred December 10, 1877. The parish had granted Dr. Eames leave of absence for the winter, and, December 7th, in company with Mrs. Eames, he started from New York for the Bermudas, and died on the 10th of the same month, just as the vessel dropped anchor in the harbor of Hamilton.

Very soon after Dr. Eames began his work here signs of a new and deepening interest in the church's work were visible, and soou it became evident that the little church would not long accommodate the congre- gation. The following appears on the parish records :

" At a meeting duly notified, and held in the church, May 24, 1858, a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. J. H. Eames, David Davis, E. Symmes, A. C. Pierce, John M. Hill, William L. Foster and Charles P. Gage, to take into consideration the expediency of enlarging the old church or building a new one, to report at an adjourned meeting to be held in one week."

It was finally decided to build a new church, and the following were appointed a building committee : Ebenezer Symmes, Augustine C. Pierce, George Minot, John M. Hill and Abel Hutchins. Of these gentlemen, John M. Hill survives.

On Wednesday, the 25th day of May, 1859, the cor- ner-stone of the new church was laid. Two excellent addresses were delivered on the occasion,-one by the Rev. Dr. Burroughs, of Portsmouth, the other by Hon. Josiah Minot. Under the watchful supervision of the building committee the new church went on to com- pletion, and on the 15th day of December, 1859, was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Carlton Chase, of this diocese, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Clark, of the Diocese of Rhode Island, preaching the consecration sermon.

The cost of the church and furnishing was about seventeen thousand dollars.

A chime of wine bells was placed in the tower of the church in 1868, through the liberality of members of the parish. Three of these bells were given by the ladies of the parish ; the others were personal gifts from John H. Pearson, Mrs. Eliza C. Davis, Edward L. Knowlton, Edward A. Abbott and Mrs. William Butterfield. They were first rung on Easter morning, April 12, 1868.

In the summer of 1877 extensive repairs of the church were made. While these repairs were going on services were held in Rumford Hall, kindly offered by Mr. Franklin Low, junior warden.

It had been arranged, by vote of the parish, pre- vious to the departure of Dr. Eames, that the bishop of the diocese should have charge of the matter of supplying the services during his absence. This ar- rangement continued till the 24th of the following April, when, at the annual parish meeting, it was

" Voted, That the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese be invited to ac- cept the rectorship of St. Paul's parish."

At a subsequent meeting the bishop nominated the Rev. Daniel C. Roberts, of Brandon, Diocese of Ver- mont, to be vice-rector, and the clerk was directed to notify the bishop that the wardens and vestry ap- prove of the nomination, and that he is desired to communicate with the Rev. Mr. Roberts accordingly. The Rev. Mr. Roberts, having accepted the vice-rec- torship, entered upon its duties in June of the same year.

On the 2d day of December, 1879, the ceremony of unveiling the beautiful window to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Eames, which had been procured by the parish and placed in the front end of the church, was held. Johu M. Hill, in behalf of the committee ap- pointed to procure the memorial, made an appropri- ate address and unveiled the window, after which Bishop Niles and the Rev. Mr. Roberts also made addresses.

At a meeting of the wardens and vestry, held No- vember 14, 1882, the subject of a chapel, which had been discussed at the previous annual meeting of the parish, was further considered, and the Hon. Josiah Minot made a proposition that, with money then in the savings-bank belonging to the ladies of the parish, and designed originally for a like purpose, amounting to about $1000, he would agree that a chapel should be built, the cost not to exceed $3000. The wardens voted to accept the offer of Mr. Minot, and the follow- ing summer the chapel was completed at a cost of 83,926.86, Mr. Minot contributing 82,233.75 ; Mr. James R. Hill, for land, $300; Mr. John H. Pearson, for steam-heating, $300; Mr. John M. Hill, for gas- fixtures, etc., $147.50 ; ladies' fund in savings-bank, $945.61. Other individuals have contributed for set- tees for the chapel, and recently Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Stevens have contributed a beautiful lecturn.

During all these years the parish has had, without stint, the services of members of the congregation in the important department of music. We have avoided, as far as possible, mentioning names, particularly those now living, who have contributed in their several ways to the church's work and worship, and that restraint is upon us now. But they are gratefully remembered by those who have witnessed their faith- fulness and profited by their unselfish devotion.

In the latter part of the summer of 1883 a choir of boys was organized, under the direction of Mr. Frank E. Brown, The cost of the necessary changes in the chancel was defrayed by special gifts from generous friends, notably that of Mr. Henri G. Blaisdell, who gave the avails of an entertainment given by him with

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

his orchestra, assisted by ladies and gentlemen and children of the parish. On the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, September 23, 1883, the choir of three men and twelve boys, vested in cassocks and surplices, came into church at morning prayer, singing the 232d hymn,-

"Onward, Christian soldiers."

The choir was formally presented by the vice-rector, and received by the bishop of the diocese, the same being also rector of the parish, with a short service of benediction. From that date to the present time they have continned the good work with augmented num- bers, increasing interest and zeal on their part, and growing favor on the part of the congregation. This service is rendered without salary, and has been given with enthusiasm and constancy.

During the last twenty-five years there have been three hundred and ninety-five baptisms,-two hundred and sixty-six infants and one hundred and twenty- nine adults. Three hundred and six persons have been confirmed. Present number of communicants in the parish, two hundred and sixty.

The contributions of the people for missions, through the offertory and otherwise, have been $5054.07, distributed as follows : Diocesan, $3851.61; domestic, $848.60 ; foreign, $353.86. There has also been given within the twenty-five years, for other objects, about $50,000.

Of the latter sum, probably about seven thousand dollars was devoted to objects within our own parish, such as the chime of bells and church repairs ; the bal- ance has heen given to church and charitable work, for educational purposes, Orphans' Home and sufferers by fire aud flood, etc. This sum includes very little, if anything, for the maintenance of public worship here during these years.

Hon. Horace A. Brown, the senior warden of the church, was born in the town of Cornish, N. H., near Windsor, Vt., October 3, 1823, and is consequently fifty- four years of age. When but a few months old, his parents moved to Windsor (now West Windsor), Vt., where he lived till he was nine years old. At this early age he started out in life, working on a farm for his board and clothes for several years. Undoubtedly becoming imbued with the idea that agricultural pur- suits were not adapted to his tastes and a desire to learn a trade, he first entered the office of the Demo- cratic Statesman, at Windsor, in January, 1837, as chore-boy. Being of an industrious turn of mind, he also learned the art of type-setting, and acquired such other information about the business as the facilities of the office presented. In September, 1838, he be- came a " printer's devil " in the office of the National Eagle, published at Claremont, N. H., by Weber & Warland, where he served an apprenticeship of four years, remaining two years longer as a journeyman in the same office. In September, 1844, we find him in the employ of the Claremont Manufacturing Company as compositor, and occasionally running power-presses.

It was in this office that he first gained an insight in the most important branch of the "art preservative," press-work, which subsequently became his constant employment. In November, 1847, he commenced, in connection with Joseph Weber, Esq., the publication of the Northern Intelligencer, but remained only a few months in that capacity. The following year he be- came foreman, for a short time, of the Granite State Whig, after which he printed for the proprietor the Philharmonic Journal, a semi-monthly musical quarto. In September of the same year he became employed in the office of the National Eagle, where he remained three years. During the winter of 1851-52 he engaged himself as pressman for the Claremont Manufacturing Company, running an Adams press. In June, 1852, he entered the employ of McFarland & Jenks, former proprietors of the New Hampshire Statesman, and in August of the same year was appointed foreman of the press department, in which capacity he has been constantly employed up to the present time, a period . of more than a quarter of a century.

Mr. Brown long ago acquired the reputation of being one of the best pressmen in the State, and at the completion of twenty-five years' service received many flattering notices from the press of New Eng- land. A conscientious workman, of noble aspirations and character, he has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is intimately associated. He has heen a prominent member of the Protestant Epis- copal Church for many years, and was elected secre- tary of the Diocesan Convention in 1857, which office he has since held. An Odd-Fellow and Mason, high in the respective orders, he has done much to elevate and promote the interests of these organizations.

Mr. Brown is well-known to the public as a high- minded citizen ; they have shown their appreciation of his many accomplishments by electing him, from time to time, to many positions of trust and honor in the city government. He was elected mayor in 1878 and re-elected in 1879, and discharged his duties with eminent ability. He long acted as secretary of the Republican City Committee, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1875-76. By strict economy in business relations, combined with untiring industry, he has acquired a reasonable competence, which will smooth the downward path of life, and afford rest and comfort in his declining years.

There is an Episcopal Church Mission, which wor- ships in Merrimack Hall, on East Penacook Street. Rev. Mr. Roberts is rector in charge, and Colonel J. S. Pecker, warden.

Universalist Church. 1-The Universalist society was organized January 5, 1842, although there was occasional preaching by clergymen of this denomina- tion, the services being held in the old court-house room, the building then standing near the site of the present city hall. Among the earliest of the preachers

1 By Rev. A. P. Rein.

CONCORD.

were Rev. J. G. Adams, now residing in Melrose, Mass., Rev. Thos. J. Whitemore, late editor of the Trumpet, one of the earliest religious papers of the New England Universalists; Rev. Hosea Ballou, Rev. Messrs. N. R. Wight, G. W. Anderson and William Bell.

In 1841 a vigorous attempt was made to sustain regular preaching services all the time, a thing then not easy to do, as there at this time were not many professed Universalists in Concord. Success, how- ever, attended the effort, and Rev. N. R. Wight and Rev. G. W. Anderson supplied the society for one year.

In June, the first Sunday, Rev. Dr. Ryder, now of Chicago, Ill., then a student at the Gymnasium Academy, in Pembroke, preached for the society. Subsequently, and because of the impression then made, Mr. Ryder was settled as permanent pastor. The following article may be regarded as the basis of the society :

" Article 2. The object of this Society shall be the promotion of truth and morality among its members, and also in the world at large ; and as the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is calculated above all truth to in- epire the heart with the emotions of benevolence and virtue, this Society shall deem it one of its main objects to support the preaching of the Gospel, according to the Society's ability, and to aid in any other practicable manner in spreading a knowledge of it among men."

Among the most active and efficient of the early lay members of the society were S. S. Sweet, who was the society's first moderator; J. C. Danforth, the first clerk; A. B. Currier, Chase Hill, Aaron Carter, W. H. Wyman, J. Fox, Nathaniel White and others. The wives of these gentlemen were equally active and efficient in every good word and work.

December 28, 1843, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Ryder, the church organization was formed, with about thirty members.

Rev. Ezekiel Dow, for a short time prior to Mr. Ryder's regular pastorate, served the society as a sup- ply. Simultaneously with the organization of the society was a movement to secure the erection of a meeting-house. The first meeting-house was erected on the site of the present church edifice, and com- pleted and dedicated in October, 1842, the dedica- tory services occurring October 6th, Rev. Otis A. Skinner, of Boston, preaching the sermon. The new meeting-house cost four thousand dollars. Later, the society ontgrowing its church-home, the building was sold to the Free-Will Baptist society, a new brick edi- fice taking the place of the frame one sold, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. The clergymen who served the society as supplies and as pastors were Rev. Messrs. N. R. Wight, G. W. Anderson, E. Dow, J. F. Whitherell, Rev. W. H. Ryder (1843, the first pastor), Thompson Barron (1846), John Moore (1850), familiarly known as Father Moore. He was suc- ceeded, in 1855, by his son, J. Hawly Moore, whose pastorate continued for eight years. In order, Rev. A. J. Canfield, 1862; Rev. Rowland Connor, in 1865; Rev. F. E. Kittridge, 1867; Rev. E. R. Sanborn, 1869;

Rev. E. L. Conger, 1873; Rev. A. P. Rein, the present pastor, who began his settlement January, 1881.

In 1841, Mr. and Mrs. Joel C. Danforth organized a Sabbath-school with but six members. The school now has grown to be one of the most efficient in the city.

In 1869, at the time of holding the annual meeting, an important departure was made in the management and membership of the society, ladies then, for the first time, being allowed to become eligible to mem- bership in the parish and society organizations, Mrs. Armenia S. White, wife of Nathaniel White, be- coming the first lady member of the prudential committee.

The Universalist society has always been an active and influential factor in the life of Concord, and its pastors, or the most of them, had many friends out- side of their immediate parish and church associates. Rev. John Moore, who suddenly died in the street, of heart-disease, was a man highly respected and dearly beloved, and when his funeral was held, the trustees of the Baptist society offered the use of their church edifice in which to hold the funeral services, the auditorium of this church being larger than that of the Universalist Church.

During the anti-slavery agitation, and during the progress of the Rebellion, the friends of this society were loyal friends of the North, and advocates of the rights and helpers of the enslaved and unfortunate. Rev. J. H. Moore took an active part in the work of advocating the rights of the enslaved.

The Universalist society is at present in a most healthy and prosperous condition. The church edifice has just been remodeled at an expense of four thou- sand dollars, the improvements giving a chapel, a ladies' parlor, kitchen and dining-room and other necessary rooms, all of which have for some time been needed to keep pace with the wants and activities of the society. The parish at present contains many who are active in the commercial and active pursuits of life. Its church and Sunday-school organizations, and its Ladies' Aid Society, incorporated early in the history of the society, as well as its minor bodies, are large, active and efficient.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first Methodist services in this vicinity were held on the east side of the river as early as 1816. In 1822 the first class was formed on Stickney Hill by Jotham Horton and E. Stickney. March 12, 1825, the first Method- ist society in Concord was formed, and among its first members were Stephen Webster, A. Webster, Philbrick Bradley, Timothy Bradley, B. H. Weeks, John Sherburne, James Goodwin, Richard Flanders, John Johnson, John Clough, David Culver and J. Abbott. Meetings were held only occasionally, how- ever, until 1830, when S. Kelley was appointed pastor, who was the first Conference preacher sta- tioned here. He was chaplain of the prison, and received for his services one dollar per week.

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

In 1831 the first church edifice was erected on the site occupied by the present building. It was dedicated December 1, 1831, and was about forty-two by fifty-four feet in size, with sixty pews. The church has several times been repaired and improved.

The following is a list of the pastors from its or- ganization to the present time: Revs. Samuel Kelley, 1830-31 (D. C. Robinson, 1831, supply) ; John G. Dow, 1832; George Storrs, 1833-34; S. Hoyt, 1835; J. W. Mowry, 1836; J. M. Fuller, 1837-38 ; W. H. Hatch, 1839-40; John Jones, 1841-42; C. L. Mc- Curdy, 1843; E. Smith, 1844; C. C. Burr, 1845; E. Peaslee, 1846-47; Charles Adams, 1848-49; F. A. Hews, 1850-51; W. F. Evans, 1852-53; S. Kelley, 1854-55 (Professor S. M. Vail, supply, 1855); S. Beedle, 1856-57; Elisha Adams, 1858-59; O. H. Jasper, 1860; J. H. McCarty, 1861-62; D. P. Leavitt, 1863-65; S. Holman, 1866; E. Adams, 1867-68; E. A. Titus, 1869-70; A. E. Drew, 1871-73 ; M. W. Prince, 1874; Leon C. Field, 1875-76; O. W. Scott, 1877-78 ; E. C. Bass, 1879-80; L. C. Field, 1881 ; J. H. Haines, 1882-84, present (February 26, 1885) incumbent. The present membership is about two hundred and fifty.

Baker Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.1 -- The organization of a Christian Church in any com- munity is an event worthy of note. The good in- fluences it may exert in the formation of the charac- ter of the people in the place where it is located, the elevating power of the pulpit, together with the teachings of a Sunday-school in the giving of correct tone and purpose to the young, will be found salutary in every part of the world; truly radical in its op- position to vice, immorality and sins against the life and property of the individual, and strongly con- servative in all things pertaining to faith and doc- trine, such a church will materially assist in giving permanence, stability and peace to all.

For several years previous to the organization of Baker Memorial Church it had been manifest to all that something must be done to give additional church facilities to the increasing Methodist element in this city ; the old church was small, the vestry accommo- dations bad and insufficient and the location of the church was too far from the centre to accommodate the Methodist families in the south part of the city. Several attempts were made by some of the zealous friends of Methodism to have repairs made,-enlarge- ment of the old house, or a new church built in a more central part of the city. To this end the Rev. Alfred E. Drew, then preacher in charge, by a strenu- ous effort, obtained a subscription of thirty thousand dollars for a new church, and many felt that relief was at haud. But some of those who opposed the measure sought to show that the subscription was faulty in many particulars, and so earnest and per- sistent was the opposition on the part of the minority,

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 19

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