History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 201

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 201
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 201

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CHAPTER VI.

MEREDITH-(Continued).

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Vote of Town concerning Town Minister-Rev. Simon Finley Williams -Letter of Acceptance-Dismissal-First Congregational Society-Or- ganization-Pastors-Church Edifices-Rev. Giles Leach-Rev. Charles Burnham - Original Members, Etc .- Second Advent.

"STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, STRAFFORD, SS.

" These are to notify and warn all the Freehoklers and other Inhabit- auts of the town of Meredith, who are legal voters in towa affairs, to meet and asseioble themselves at the North meeting-house, in said town, UD Monday, the second day of January next, precisely at ten of the clock in the forenoon for the following purposes: Vizt. : lly. to choose a moderator for said meeting. 2ly. to see if the town will Vote to give the Reverend Mr. Simon Finley Williams a call to settle in the ministry in said town. 3dly. to see what encouragement they will Vote to give the said Mr. Williams for settling in said town, as above. 4thly. to choose a Committee, of as many persons as the town shall think proper, to treat with Mr. Williams on the matter, and make report to the town of Mr. Williams' aprobation or disaprobation of the encouragement. Voted 5ly. to pass any Vote or Votes in or about the said premises, as the town shall think hest when met.

" Given under our hands and seal at Meredith, aforesaid, this tenth day December A. Domini, 1791.

" WILLIAM DAVIS, Selectmen " RECHEN MORGIN, S of Meredith.

" Meredith, January 2d, 1792 .- We, the subscribers, horeby certify that the within notification for a town-meeting has beon puhlicly posted in said town more than fifteen days last past.

" WILLIAM DAVIS, } Selectmen " REUBEN MORGIN, S of Meredith."

" At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Meredith, held at the north meeting-house, in said town, ou Monday, the second day of Jannary, 1792, for ye following purposes : Vizt. : Firstly, to chooso a moderator to govern said meeting. Secondly, to see if the town will Vote to give the Reverend Mr. Simon Williams a call to settle in the ministry in said town, and to see what encouragement the town will Vote to give suid Mr. Williams to settle in said towo, as above, as town's minister.

" lly. When met chose Capt. Joshua Woodman moderator for said meeting.

" 2ly. the town clerk being absent, choose John Gilman, clerk, P. T., to keep the minutes of the meeting, who was sworn by the moderator, there being no magistrate present.

"3dly. Voted to give the said Mr. Williams a call to settle, as above, and Voted to choose a Committee to consult together what same to offer

to Mr. Williams and report to the town at this meeting for their accept- ance or non-acceptance, and for that purpose chose as a committee Capt. William Davis, L' Joseph Robards, Mr. Chase Robinson, Eos. Robert Bryant, Mr. Gideon Robinson, Ens. Daniel Smith, Ene. Joseph Neal, Lt. Reuben Morgin, John Robarde, Juho Perkins, Moses Merrill, Capt. William Ray, Reuben Marston, William Pike and Jonathan Danforth. After said committee had consulted together on the promises made the following Report, Vizt. : that as their oppinion the town should build a house forty feet in length and thirty-two feet in width, two stories high, for said Mr. Williams, ou the first Division lot, in said town, called the minister's lot, and board, clapboard and shingle said house and make aud compleate a good cellar under the one-half of said house, and build a good stack of chimneys io said house, and finish three rooms in said house in a good workmanlike manner, to be done and compleated by the first of November next, ag a settlement, and to give the said Mr. Wil- liams sixty pounds, as sallery, yearly, so long as he shall continue to be the town's minister, the one-third part of said sum to be paid in cash, the one-third part to be paid in good beef and pork, the above beef and pork to be at the common cash price ; which report the town Voted to receive. The town chose a committee of three persons, Vizt. : _ Capt. William Davis, Capt. William Ray and Lt. Joseph Robards, to present the same to Mr. Williams for his aprobation or disaprobation. The town also Voted that if Mr. Williams should settle in town that he ehall preach in the second and third Divisions their full proportion according to the money they pay towards the support of said Mr. Williams, if requested.

" Attest,-

"JOSHUA WOODMAN, Moderator.

"JOHN GILMAN, Clerk, P. T."

"MEREDITH, January the 28th, 1792. " Gentlemen :

" As God the Supreme has seen meet to bring me among you to preach the glad tidings wbich the gospel affords, and has disposed the hearts of the people of this town to manifest so strong an attachment towards me as to make choice of me in so public and united a manner to settle among you as a guspel minister, as appears from the Votes Committed to me as a committee, chosen by the town at a legal meeting for that purpose, 1 have, in the most serious and prayerful manner, attended to your invita- tion, wishing not to keep you in long suspense respecting the matter, have thought it to be my duty to give this, my answer, in the affirmative, praying that the God of peace may so rule in each of our hearts that the connection may be for the advancement of His glory and our mutual happiness ; that I may be enabled, by divine assistance, to serve you in the sacred office, and being faithful to my Lord in performance of the solemn vows already taken upon me, and that you all may ever hear the word with joy and be nourished thereby, that I may, to the end of my short life, have abundant reason to adore the God who sent me to feed his flock in this place by our adhearing to the rules of the Gospel chall at some future day be my crown and joy in the Lord.

" I am, Gentlemen, with all possible esteem,

" Your friend and pastor-elect,

SIMON FINLEY WILLIAMS. "To CAPT. DAVIS, - " CAPT. RAY, " LIEUT. ROBERTS, -

Commillee of the Town."

The pastorate of Mr. Williams did not result in as much good as might have been expected from these sonorous expressions, as his private life was not in conformity with his belief and caused much discon- tent and scandal. Cognizant of this, in 1797 he asked for his dismissal; but the town voted not to dismiss him, but appointed a committee "to coufer and arbitrate with him." "He had to give up all the back-pay due him of one hundred and fifty pounds,- 40 pounds in back sallery and six acres of land, and 80 pounds lawful money, in other pay, and an addi- tion of 9 acres of land." And finally, six months after his request, the town " Voted to dismiss Rev. S. F. Williams from this ministry, he giving up fifteen acres of land and all the back sallery."

Congregational Church-FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY .- The Congregational Church in Centre

844

HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Harbor and Third Division of Meredith was organized February 20, 1815, by the assistance of Rev. Edward Warren, missionary. Moses Morse was elected dea- con of said church. On March 11, 1817, the town took action on the article in the warrant calling the meeting, "to see if the town has any objection to a society being incorporated in the Third Division of said town, to be known by the name of the First Congregational Society in Meredith," and "Voted that Ebenezer Pitman, Jr., the representative, be instructed to care for the bill of incorporation before the Legislature, that the town funds may not be em- braced in the act of incorporation."

March 24, 1817, Rev. Daniel Smith was installed over said church. The meetings were held half the time on Centre Harbor Hill, and the other half in the Third Division of Meredith, in a church built a mile and one fourth north of Meredith village, which was raised in 1808, and owned by Congregationalists and Calvin- istic Baptists. Rev. Daniel Smith died in Meredith August 18, 1824. The next mention we have of a settled pastor is January 1, 1829, when Rev. Reuben Porter was installed, and, April 27, 1830, was dismissed. He was followed by the Rev. Joseph Lane, who entered upon his pastorate April 20, 1831, and was dismissed in April, 1833.

April 19, 1831, this church "Voted to assume the name of the First Congregationalist Church in the Third Division of Meredith." A new church edifice was built one-fourth of a mile north of Meredith vil- lage by this church and society, and was dedicated February 7, 1833.

After the dismissal of Rev. Joseph Lane, for nearly three years, Rev. Abram Wheeler acted as pastor. March 28, 1838, Rev. Eli W. Taylor was installed, and his dismissal took place September 12, 1841.

Rev. Giles Leach was installed over this church November 23, 1842. A brief sketch of this earnest and fervent preacher of the gospel, and of one who left a pleasant memory of his life and ministry in Meredith, is in place here. Mr. Leach was born in Bridgewater, Mass., April 1, 1801. He graduated at Amherst College in 1826 and at Andover (Mass.) Theological Seminary in 1833. His first parish was Sandwich, N. H .; from there he was called to this town, where he remained nearly twelve years, severing his connection with this church May 23, 1854. His next pastorate was in Wells, Me .; then he went to Rve, N. H. Here his wife died, and at the urgent solicitation of his four daughters, he resigned his charge, and made his home with them, passing the different seasons of the year at their homes. At present writing he is rapidly approaching the dark river of death, having had paralysis. He is a man of whom it can truly be said, "In him there is no guile."

Rev. Charles Burnham became pastor of the church January 8, 1857 ; his pastorate was one of the longest ever known in its history. His dismissal took

place April 19, 1871. He was a scholarly man and an eloquent preacher. In November, 1872, Rev. George J. Bard succeeded Mr. Burnham, and was dismissed November 28, 1882. Rev. John E. Wildey was ordained and installed as pastor February 28, 1883, and is the present clergyman.

About 1842 the church building was removed to its present location. In 1871 it was enlarged and thoroughly repaired at an expense of over four thousand dollars. In 1878 the society built a chapel near their church. February 20, 1885, this church cele- brated its seventieth anniversary.

The following were the thirteen original members of the church : Ephraim Doton, David Robinson, Moses Morse, Jeremiah Towle, Joshua Norris, Stephen Norris, Hannah Morse, Elizabeth Robinson, Mary Ladd, Abigail Norris, Dorethy Sturtevant, Sarah Norris, Susannah Doton. During its existence there have been enrolled three hundred and ten mem- bers, and its present membership is eighty-three. The church and society are free from debt. The Sabbath-school numbers eighty scholars and eleven teachers.

We copy, as worthy of notice in these days of " woman's rights," one of the rules published by this church in 1829 :

"Resolved, that it is the duty of Parents and Guardians to require the children and members of their respective families punctually to attend the public worsbip of God on the Sabbath and at other seasons, as op- portunity may present, and utterly to forbid their attending the meet- ings of Female preachers or speakers."

The present deacons are Moses Morse, John Osgood, John Sanborn, Richard Furber, Daniel Norris, Levi Leach, Horatio N. Newell, George N. Wiley, Charles Maloon. Clerk, James Seavey.

Second Advent .- In 1843, Rev. William Miller and Rev. Joshua V. Himes held the first Millerite, or Second Advent meetings in the town, and from that time there has been occasional preaching by various persons. The number of believers in this faith was once quite large, and a meeting-house was erected on the "Neck," but no organized society was formed and no stated services held regularly. At present meetings are held at the town hall.

CHAPTER VII.

MEREDITH-( Continued).

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY-( Continued).

The Original Baptist Church-Character of Its Members-Elder Folsom -Description and Fate of the Old Meeting-House-Petition for Vote of Town Concerning, and Incorporation of, the Society-Elder Parker Fogg-Elder Lewis Caswell-Other Pastors-Disbanding of the Society -Second Baptist Church-Organization-First Place of Worship- Brick Meeting-House-Pastors-Meredith Village Church-Member- ship-Sabbath-School.

The Original Baptist Church of Meredith .- The village church of the denomination, being part heir.

845

MEREDITH.

and successor, was founded in 1779, a little more than a decade after the incorporation of the town. In the hundred years and more which have passed the successive societies have had their seasons of great usefulness and prosperity, and have also had their dark days of trial and adversity. Through their chosen elders and teachers they have ministered to the spiritual needs of four generations of the Meredith people. This church was founded during the War of the Revolution, when men and the country were nn- settled, when opportunities of education were very limited and the code of morals different from the present time, when the demoralizing influences of war-which one generation can hardly live down- were upon the people and when everything was more or less in a state of chaos. The men who founded this first Baptist Church were "men of strong convictions concerning the truth, and considered doctrinal views essential to church membership, withdrawing the hand of fellowship on more than one occasion from those who dissented in some way from the articles of faith. They took the Bible as their counselor in all spiritual matters, and they refused to walk in fellow- ship with those who perverted and ignored the ordi- nances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. They were also zealous in propagating the peculiar tenets of their faith. Yet it was not only purity of doctrine, but purity of life and conduct, for which they earn- estly strove. The records of their times show that it was not only considered a matter of discipline for any church member to indulge in intemperance or any other vice, but, as now, it was in some degree an occa- sion of social ostracism." In this brief tribute we clearly perceive that they followed the dietates of their consciences with firmness. Of the original settlers in Meredith (originally New Salem), the larger half came from towns in Rockingham County. They settled near the Parade (see Meredith's Parade, in this history), and from time to time, probably commencing as early as 1770, they received the spiritual ministrations of Dr. Samuel Shepard, of Brentwood, a skillful and learned physician, an eloquent preacher and a Baptist missionary. Through his efforts, the cause of the Master was so strengthened that on the 4th of November, 1779, the people met at Mr. William Mead's and, without cere- mony, formed themselves into a church. They adopted the name of Anti-Pedo Baptist Church of Meredith at a meeting held Aug. 3, 1780, and adopted Calvinistic articles of faith. On the 21st of August in the same year nineteen male and eight female mem- bers were added to the church, and at the meeting held to vote on their reception John Gilman was chosen clerk of the society. Nicholas Folsom and Abram Swain were chosen ruling elders, and Jonathan Edgerly and Brother Crocket deacons. The right hand of fellowship was given to the deacons by Elder Folsom, and the ordination prayer was made by John Mead. John Kimball and Gideon Robins assisted in

the laying on of hands. After this their numbers so increased that, in 1782, it was voted, after a season of prayer and fasting, to set apart Nicholas Folsom to the work of the Christian ministry. Accordingly, on the second Wednesday in September of the same year, a council of the ministers and delegates from the churches in Brentwood, Madborough, Gilmanton and Sandwich, met and ordained Mr. Folsom, the sermon being preached by Elder Hooper, of Brent- wood. In the same year an effort was made to make Elder Folsom the town minister, but the town voted not to receive him. He was generally respected, but the voters objected to his doctrinal views. Elder Folsom, however, continued to preach until near the close of the eighteenth century, one-half the time in Meredith and one-half in Sanbornton, during which time the Meredith Church lost forty-five members. who removed their membership to Sanbornton, it being nearer their homes. These meetings of the church were held at school-houses and private resi- dences, in the three divisions of the town, and were called branch or neighborhood meetings. In the absence of Elder Folsom, some of the associate elders or deacons officiated.

Elder Folsom received no compensation for his services except by the voluntary contribution of the people. He rode about the country on horseback, and whatever he received by way of donation found a place in his capacious saddle-bags. He owned a good farm in Meredith, which he cultivated.

He is mentioned as being a plain, direct and forci- ble preacher, preaching what he believed the truth, without fear or favor. Many of the older people recollect hearing their parents relate his witty sayings, and homely but telling illustrations.

There are several versions concerning the fate of the old meeting-house, which was probably built during the last decade of the century. The following is from one of the old citizens :

" The original meeting-house was about the size of a district school- house and stood on the left-hand side of the highway. Early in this century it was set on fire by a Mrs. Morgan, an erratic woman, and wholly destroyed. She lived in the neighborhood and was offended be- canse the people came to her house at the intermission of services to warm themselves, for in those days places of worship were not warmed, and declared she would have relief from the annoyance. ller husband paid for the building destroyed."

The society then worshiped in the town-house, which stood on the Meredith village border of the Parade, occupying it one Sunday and the Congrega- tionalists the next, and also alternating in the occu- pancy of a meeting-house in the Third Division of the town. The town-house had the old-fashioned high- back pews, a high pulpit, above which was a sound- ing-board, and a gallery on the highway end, under which was the entrance. This arrangement could not have lasted many years, as a second place of wor- ship was built near the General Wadleigh place, where the Union School-house now stands. The cottage near the Wadleigh house was the parsonage.

846

HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

From 1800 to 1820 little of note occurred. The church was compelled to discipline some of its mem- bers, and to wage a continnal war against the besetting sin of the times, intemperance, but the branch and neighborhood meetings were continued, and the mem- bership increased. Elder Folsom, whose life had been one of self-sacrifice to duty, began now to show signs of age. He had gone cold, weary and hungry for the Master's cause, and knew little of the comforts of this generation. Even his fireside, which, however poor and humble, might have been pleasant, was made uncomfortable. It is said he tried to keep the church records upon birch-bark. He wrote by the light of a tallow dip, and npon complaining at one time to his wife of the poor light, she seized the records and threw them into the fire, saying she would make it light enough for him. The records were rewritten from memory.

Rev. Nicholas Folsom was born in Brentwood, N. H., in 1747. His father was an Englishman, named John Smith, who took the name Fol-ham from his native town after he came to America, and be- came a settler in Meredith in 1778, accompanied by his son Nicholas, who, in his youth, was a soldier in the Indian War, and who, in July, 1777, enlisted in Cap- tain Chase Taylor's company of volunteers from San- bornton, and fought valiantly in the battle of Ben- nington. He was in service until September 18, 1777. He lives in the memory and traditions of Meredith as a man of more than ordinary gifts, fond of telling, both in and out of the pulpit, incidents of warlike experience. Tall, dark-complexioned, well-propor- tioned he was one who never thought it necessary to be stern, even in moments of religious excitement. He was thoroughly in earnest, however, and deeply impressed that he was a chosen instrument to preach the gospel to the pioneers. It is stated that he often started from home without his breakfast, preaching in Meredith, Moultonborough and Sandwich the same day, reaching home at night after a travel of almost forty miles, and going supperless to bed. This was his life for many years. After the ordination of his suc- cessor, Elder Fogg, Elder Folsom passed the remain- der of his life upon his farm, where he died Decem- ber, 1830, aged eighty-three years.

During the pastorate of Elder Folsom this society was incorporated, and became a legal body, as is shown by these documents.

The following is a copy of the petition of the Bap- tist Society for an incorporation, 1797.

"To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire convened at Concord June, 1797 :

" Humbly Sheweth the Petition of the undersigned that they are aad have been a Religious Society in the town of Meredith for a Number of years Past Known by the Name of the Baptist Society and have Erec- ted a meeting-house and ordained a Leading teaching Elder But we Labour noder Some Disadvantages for Not being Incorporated into a Body Poletick so far as to manage our Parroshall affairs and Being unconnected with the other Society in said towa we your Humble Petitioners pray this Honorable Court to pass an act to Encorporate Said Society with full Power to transact their own matters as Concera

them at noy time as are Incident to a Religious Society we Desire that said Incorporation may be such that any Person or Persons may here- after have Liberty at any time to Joyn this Society or withdraw them selves therefrom as they may see fit and as ie Duty Bound we your humble Petitioners Shall Ever Pray

"Meredith April 1797

"Abraham Swaie, John Mead, Stephen Mead, Ebenr Pitman, Eben Pitman, Jr, Eliaa Swaio, Jun., Edward fox, Elisha Piper, Daniel Piper, Daniel Smith, 34, Samuel Edgerly, Jesse Plumer, Moses Plumer, Amos Plumer, oathan plumer, Taylor Pearson, Levi Leavitt, Joseph Pearson, Joshua Woodman, James Sanborn, Jesse Plumer, Jur, Jethro Pearson, Nathaniel Plumer, Joseph Goss, W= Raodlett, Eooch Gordeo, Jamea Gorden, Levi Randlet, Amoa Levitt, Jobu Robinson, Nathanael folsom, thomas Dolloff, Joshua Moses, Joseph Meses, Joshua Crocket, thomas Crosbie, David Boyatoa, Jr, Jeremiah Pike, Juho Swain, Samuel Sibley, William pike, Benjamin Peas, Timothy Wamouth, timothy morrill, Benjamin Crosbie, James Peas, Nicholas Smith, Joseph Pease, Jonathan Farrar, Philip Connor, Bradstreet Wiggio, John McDaniel, hesekiah swain, David Lawrence, Stephen Farrer, Job Judkins, Jonathan Killey, Gordon Lawrence, Abraham Drake.

"the under Sigoed have no objections to the prayer of the within Pe- titiva being Granted we being Inhabitants of said meredith-

" may 1797-

" Ebenezer Smith, Daniel Smith, Isaac farrar, Robert Bryant, Eheer Weeks, Reuben morgia, James Nichols, John Cate, Jonathan Page, Elias Philbrick, John Perkius, Daniel Colby."

A copy of the foregoing was posted at the house of "David Boynton, Inholder," and served on the select- men. (See following docnment).

VOTE OF THE TOWN RELATIVE TOTHE BAPTIST SOCIETY, 1797.

"Strafford ss Meredith August 28th 1797

"At a Legal town Meeting this day holden at the North Meeting- House ie said towo the fourth article in the Warrant for said Meeting to Consider of the Petition of the Baptist Society of this town at the Gen- eral Court of this State Praying for an incorporation

"Voted that they would not uppose the Petition of the Baptist Society at the General Court praying for au incorporation-

"The Above is a true Coppy from record Atteat-

" DANIEL SMITH Jr Town Clerk "

The society was incorporated by an act passed De- cember 14, 1797.

About the time Elder Folsom's health and powers declined, at a meeting held at the house of John Wadleigh, Parker Fogg was admitted to member- ship in the church by letter. He was a brilliant and enthusiastic young man and apparently zealous in building up the cause. Accordingly, it was voted to give him ordination, the exercises to take place in February, 1821, at the meeting-house in the Third Division. There is no record of the ordination. Elder Folsom died soon after, and Mr. Fogg became sole pastor.

" At first Elder Fogg was an acceptable preacher and instrumental in doing good; but he had inherited a strong appetite for intoxicating liquor, which proved his ruin and was the cause of great sorrow and trial to the church. After he had been pastor for a number of years it became evident that he lacked the powers of self-control, and indulged too freely in the use of intoxicants. Many became dis- satisfied with him as pastor and declined to hear him preach. Noticing the change in the feelings of the membership towards him, he resigned his charge and engaged in missionary labor for the State Con- vention. The evil habit, however, increased npon him until it completely destroyed his usefulness as a

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 201

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