History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 72

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 72
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 72

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).

" In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esqr., Our Gov- ernor and Commander-in-chief, in and over our said Province of New Hampshire, the tenth day of August, in the fifth year of our reign, Anno Domini, 1763.

"B. WENTWORTIL.

" By His Excellency's command with advice of council.

"T. ATKINSUN, Jun'r, Sec'y.

" Province of New Hampshire.

"August 10, 1763, Recorded in the book of charters, No. 1, Pages 280 and 281.

" T. ATKINSON, Jun'r, Sec'y."

The bounds as made by the survey in 1803 are as follows :

"North, 4 deg. west, 6 miles, 313 rods ; north, 82 deg. east, 638 rods ; south, 4512 deg. east, 1028 rods; sonth, 48 deg. west, 40 rods ; south, 44 deg. east, 160 rods ; south, 46 deg. west, 190 rods ; south, 212 deg. west, 148 rods ; south, 4512 deg. east, 1326 rods ; north, 45 deg. east, 8 miles, 269 rods."

The town of Dunbarton is situated in the extreme southwestern part of Merrimack County, but pre- vious to the incorporation of Merrimack County, in 1852, it formed a part of Hillsborough County; its latitude is 43º 5'; its present area is twenty thou- sand nine hundred and sixty-six acres; there are many bills, but no mountains. Among the highest are Duncanowett, Mills, Putney, Prospect, Jameson and Abbott. The highest point of land is seven hun- dred and seventy-nine feet above the level of the sea. The situation is elevated, the air pure and the water good. The soil is of the best quality, and well adapted to agricultural and horticultural products. No river runs through the town, but several large streams drain it, among them Harris, One Stack, Leach, Tenny, Ray, Settlement and Chisamore Brooks. The largest pond is Gorham, having an area of eighty acres ; the other ponds are smaller, and bear the names of Woodbury (or Kimball), Long, Stark and Purgatory. Concerning the geology of the town, Prof. C. H. Hitchcock divides the formations into distinct groups, viz .:- 1, porphyritic gneiss ; 2, lake gneiss ; 3, montalbon series, including the Con- cord granite ; 4, ferruginons schist ; 5, andaInsite mica schist, with coarse granite veins; 6, Rockingham mica schist ; 7, Kearsarge andalusite group ; 8, Merrimack group, including a little clay slate.

No minerals are found, but an arsenic mine exists in the eastern part. The arsenic ore is included, as a bed, between a strata of mica slate, resting directly in granite. It is from six to eight inches in thick- ness, and is very heavy and rich in arsenic. The bed with the strata is to the south 80°, east 20°, and runs north and south. Large quanties of loose pieces of the ore may be easily obtained on the surface and in the soil. Associated with the arsenical pyrites the green arsenic of ore is found, forming investing layers on the ore, and scorodite, or yellow arsenic of iron, occurs in concretionary masses and thin crusts between the joints and cavities.

A little argentiferous galena was also found in dis- seminated branches and crystals. Radiated block tourmaline exists in the mica slate, and quartz crys- tals are found in the vein and in the soil. Kaoline, or clay from decomposed granite, fills up many spaces between the rocks.

In 1825, by act of the Legislature, the part border- ing on the Merrimack River was disannexed for the purpose of forming a part of the town of Hooksett.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The first census was taken in 1767,-Unmarried men, 16 to 60 years old, 25; married, 16 to 60 years old, 39; boys from 16 years and younger, 70; males over 60 years, 6; females unmarried, 80; married, 45; widows, 4; male slaves, 2. Census, 1775,- Males under 16, 144; 16 to 50 not in the army, 92; over 50, 14; in the army, 14; females, 232; slaves, 1. 1790, 917 ; 1800, 1222; 1810, 1256; 1820, 1450; 1880, 711.

The first saw-mill built in the town was by General John Stark, in the northwesterly section, a lot being granted him with this provision understood. The property and estate is still in the possession of the Stark family and owned by a granddaughter of the illustrious general, who resides in the grand old mansion. The family have a private cemetery near the estate where the remains of Major Caleb Stark, a son of John Stark, lie buried with those of other descendants.

As a farming town Dunbarton holds an even rank, whose well-tilled farms and good farm-houses and buildings speak volumes for the thrift and enterprise of the people.

On the 13th of September, 1865, the town cele- brated its centennial of incorporation with exercises of great interest, and the sons and daughters located in other states and sections came home again to mingle in and enjoy the festivities of the occasion, and the event will long be a treasured one to all who were present, and notable in the history of the town.

CHAPTER II.

DUNBARTON - ( Continued).

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

CLOSELY identified with the town is the religious review, and first we give the

History of the Congregational Church. - The history of the Congregational Church is largely the religious history of Dunbarton, for this organization is at once the oldest and largest Christian body in the town. The ancestors of many of the early in- habitants were men and women who, in 1619, had left fair Scotland, their native land, because of religious persecution, and had settled in the north of Ireland. Being strict Presbyterians, they did not find there the freedom which they had expected, but were forced to contribute towards the support of the Established Church. A century later their descendants sought in America a home where they could freely worship God, and their children who came to Dunbarton brought with them the religious spirit of their fathers. They early felt their need of the preaching of the gospel and of public means of grace.

In 1752 a vote was passed at the second meeting of the proprietors that a meeting-house should be |

erected ; but for some reason it was not finished till about 1767. This building was located at the Centre, in what is now the public common, and was a low- framed structure, furnished only with seats of rough plank and a pulpit of rough boards. It was thirty feet square, and had no means by which it could be warmed. This house remained the only place of public worship for twenty years. Previous to the completion of this building the people enjoyed oc- casional opportunities of hearing the Word. The first sermon is said to have been preached by Rev. Mr. McGregor in the open air. At different times several ministers were employed to preach ; but not till nineteen years after the erection of the first meet- ing-house was there a settled ministry.

In 1773 an attempt was made to settle a minister, Rev. William Fessenden, but previous to his confer- ence with the committee which had been appointed by the town he had become established in another place. The Revolution placed a check upon religious effort. From 1780 to 1783 only twenty-four days' preaching were hired. In 1785 an attempt was made to settle Rev. Mr. Bradford, but his doctrinal views proved unsatisfactory. Again, in 1786, an unsuccessful at- tempt was made to settle Rev. Mr. Williams. On October 30, 1788, a committee was appointed to en- gage Rev. Walter Harris " for one year, or a shorter time, to preach on trial." On the 26th of January, 1789, it was voted to extend him a call.

.On June 18, 1789, the Congregational Church of Dunbarton was organized with ten members. A church covenant was framed, and the Westminster Confession was adopted as the standard of faith, in the following words : " We do profess a firm belief of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, and understand them for the most part as they are ex- plained in the Westminster Confession of Faith ; at least, we view that as the best human system now ex- tant." Rev. Walter Harris was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church on August 26th of the same year, and he held his charge for more than forty years, the leader of the people, not only in spiritual matters, but in all things essential to their welfare. So largely was Dr. Harris instrumental in moulding the character and determining the prosperity of the inhabitants of Dunbarton that no history of the town is complete which does not give him prominent notice. He was born June 8, 1761, in Lebanon, Conn. His father died shortly before his birth, and he was left, with his brother, to the care of his pious mother. Each day, taking her boys by the hand, she held them at her side while she read from the Bible and offered her fervent prayers to God. Thus was the seed of piety sown, afterwards to spring up and grow into a pure and noble character. When he was sixteen years old his mother died, and he and his brother were left to care for themselves. The War of the Revolution soon breaking out, the brothers en- listed to defend their country, and fought side by

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side till the elder was killed by a British cannon-ball. Dr. Harris served uninjured in the war for three years. Having received an honorable discharge, he purchased a lot of land in Lebanon, N. H., and began to clear it. While at this work the thought of a higher sphere of usefulness came to him. One day he sat down upon a tree which he had just felled, and there argued aloud his case. At length he declared, " I will go to college," and striking the axe into the tree, he left it there, a present to the finder, and started to execute his new resolve. In 1787 he graduated with honor from Dartmouth College, having the Hebrew oration. He then studied theol- ogy under Dr. Emmons. In mental power and in ability to defend the truth he was nearly the equal of his illustrious teacher. On coming to Dunbarton, · he found the people greatly needing instruction in evangelical doctrines, and he began his work by setting forth and expounding these. During his en- tire ministry his preaching was characterized as doctrinal, - "God's sovereignty, man's depravity, salvation through the blood of Christ, by the effec- tual working of the Holy Ghost; standing on this foundation, he preached." He was a natural orator, possessing a voice of great power and pathos. At first he would carry the judgment of his hearers by his convincing logic, and then persuade them with his eloquence. He possessed the power of impressing himself as well as what he uttered upon the people, and so had the two great essentials for leadership. All reverenced him. The inhabitants came to him for advice upon all matters. Rev. S. S. Parker says : "The impression he made upon my heart in child- hood was that God Almighty was first and Dr. Harris was second." Not only did he teach by word, but by example. In all things he tried to be a pattern for the people. His life was blameless. He cultivated his farm with great care, kept all things in order and was a model farmer. As a winner of souls his Master owned him. In the third year of his ministry there was a great outpouring of the Spirit, and eighty per- sons were ad.led to the church. Dr. Harris believed in revivals and worked and prayed for them.

In 1816 forty new converts were added to the church, and again, in 1826, eighty persons became members. Dr. Harris was always deeply interested in the cause of education, and for many years visited all the schools in town twice annually, and it was a long time before the people appreciated his labors and thought to thank or recompense him for this work. Dr. Harris' influence was felt throughout the State. In church affairs and in the defense of evangelical doctrines he was an acknowledged leader. Declining health compelled him to resign his charge in 1830, but he still remained in Dunbarton an inspiration and a power. He died December 25, 1843. He was succeeded in the church by Rev. John M. Putnam, who was installed pastor by the same council that dismissed Dr. Harris, July 8, 1830. Mr. Putnam was

born in Sutton, Mass., February 26, 1794. From eight until fourteen years of age he worked on a farm. Then he worked as a jeweler and in a printing-office till he was twenty-one. He studied at Kimball Union Academy from 1815 to 1817, and entered Brown Uni- versity at the age of twenty-four. Ill health pre- vented graduation. Having studied theology under Rev. Jacob Ide, D.D., of Medway, Mass., he was ordained December 13, 1820. His first pastorate was at Ashby, Mass. He remained there five years, and then became editor of the Repository and Observer. From 1827 to 1830 he was settled at Epsom, N. H., from which place he came to Dunbarton. He was a worthy successor to Dr. Harris, and for thirty-one years labored faithfully for both the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people. Under his ministry the church greatly prospered. Only eight months after his installation there was a revival which brought fifty new members into the church. In 1858 another revival resulted in an addition of twenty- three persons to the church. These were nearly all heads of families.

Mr. Putnam, like Dr. Harris, took great interest in education. For many years he visited the schools throughout the town. He also published two works on English grammar. His other publications are "Helps at the Mercy Seat " and several sermons. As a preacher, Mr. Putnam differed somewhat from Dr. Harris. His preaching was less legal, though scarcely less effective. He was a powerful speaker and a most excellent pastor. He resigned his charge from ill health, and was dismissed October 9, 1861. On the same day his successor, Rev. Sylvanus Hay- ward, was installed. He was pastor till April 12, 1866. Thus for more than seventy-seven years the Congregational Church has the remarkable record of not being one day without a settled pastor.

Rev. George I. Bard was installed pastor November 20, 1866, and was dismissed December 3, 1872.

The next pastor was Rev. William E. Spear, or- dained and installed October 16, 1873. His letter of resignation was accepted August 1, 1878. Mr. Spear is now a practicing attorney in Boston.

Rev. James Wells succeeded him as acting pastor for nearly two years, and gave much acceptance.

The present pastor, Rev. Tilton C. H. Bouton, was ordained and installed July 14, 1881, coming fresh from Andover Theological Seminary, and is an earnest preacher of the Word and a beloved pastor.

In 1860 there were one hundred and twenty-nine members. Now the church-roll presents one hundred and twenty-three names.

In the early years of the church the discipline of its members was of the strictest character. Many of the cases of church discipline would seem almost in- credible to the present generation. The following is quoted from the records :

" Jan. 27, 1794 .- A complaint was presented to the church by- - against our brother, - - , for unchristian-like behaviour.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

in suffering himself to be carried, in a light and vain manner, upon a man'e Sholder to the length of one-quarter of a mile."

The church accepted this complaint, and summoned the brother before it. He appeared and confessed his fault and was pardoned.

In 1789 it was "Voted to erect the second meeting- house." This vote was carried into effect. The building was erected on the spot where the first log church was built, at the centre of the common, where it still stands, now nsed as the town hall.

In 1836 the present church edifice was built, which covers the spot where the house of Colonel William Stark, a brother to General John Stark, was located. It was repaired and remodeled in 1884, furnished with an elegant and costly set of pulpit furniture by repre- sentatives of one of the earliest families, and is now one of the most pleasant houses of worship to be found in our State, outside of the cities. The church also owns a good parsonage, built in 1883, and a vestry.

In the early years of the church the minister's salary was obtained by a tax levied upon all ratable polls and estates in the town. This system, in time, led into much difficulty, and was abolished. It was succeeded by a tax upon all members of the society which exists in connection with the church. It is now raised by subscription. The church is at present in a prosperous condition, and, with the blessing of God resting upon it, it will continue to be in the future, as it has been in the past, a mighty instrument for the temporal and eternal good of the people.

The Baptist Church .- In 1795, as the result of the visits of Rev. Hezekiah Smith, D.D., of Haverhill, Mass., there was a Baptist Church formed in Bow, several members of which lived in Dunbarton, and when the Bow Church disbanded, in 1816, the Dun- barton members united with the Baptist Church in Goffstown. In 1827 a young man who was working at Amoskeag village began to hold meetings in a school-house near Montalona on Sundays, attending to the work of his trade during the week. Soon the school-house could not contain his hearers, and a large, unfinished blacksmith-shop was floored and provided with seats for a congregation, which soon filled them to overflowing.

Encouraged by these meetings, the Baptists of Dun- barton met November 9, 1828, and voted to obtain letters of dismission from the churches of which they were members, and to petition the Baptist Churches of Goffstown, Bow, Weare and New Boston to send delegates to a council to be 'held December 15th, at nine o'clock A.M. Joel Wheeler and Jonathan Colby were chosen deacons, and Isaac Westcott (the young man who for several months had been their preacher and leader) was appointed to receive the hand of fellowship. To the request for a council were the signatures of nineteen persons.

Two other subjects were also under consideration at this time, viz .: buildinga new meeting-house and the ordination of Mr. Westcott. The former was acted

on immediately, and the new house was finished in the summer of 1830; the latter was postponed a few months, and though a council was called in the autumn of 1829, Mr. Westcott was not ordained until after he left Dunbarton.

The council of recognition met according to invita- tion at the house of Joel Wheeler, the churches of Goffstown, Bow and Weare being represented, and chose the Rev. Joseph Davis moderator, and Mr. Joseph Peacock clerk. It having been voted to ex- tend the hand of fellowship to those desiring it, ser- vices of recognition were held, Rev. Joseph Davis, of Weare, preaching the sermon. Immediately after the recognition services the church retired and received two new members.

During the first ten years of its history there are but few items of interest to be found in the records . of the church.

The church was supplied by Mr. Westcott until February 20, 1831, and afterwards by Rev. Messrs. Ellis, Strong and Wilmarth ; meanwhile licenses to preach had been granted to Christie Wheeler and to Joel Wheeler, Jr.

Apparently the first settled pastor of the newly- gathered flock was Rev. Stephen Pillsbury, who was called and settled in the spring of 1835, and remained until the close of 1838.

In July, 1839, Mr. Horace Eaton, then a student, agreed to supply the church until October. He found the state of religion very low, there being no attempt to sustain a prayer-meeting. In August he obtained a promise from one of the deacons to meet him at the place appointed for a prayer-meeting the next week.

At the first meeting three were present, at the second, twelve, and at the third, a full house. These meetings were the beginning of a series, during the continuance of which several were converted and fifteen were baptized and joined the church. At the close of the year the total membership was fifty. Rev. Levi Walker was received by letter from Hanover April 15, 1840, and became pastor of the pulpit for a year, when he removed to Campton. After this Rev. Stephen Pillsbury supplied the pulpit half the time for several months, and the membership of the church was increased to seventy.

In accordance with an invitation from the church, a council assembled March 21, 1843, and ordained Abner Mason, a member of the Worthen Street Church, Lowell, Mass., to the work of the ministry and as pastor of the Dunbartou Church.

In December, 1844, Jonathan Wheeler was chosen church clerk, a date worthy of mention, from the fact that he faithfully discharged the duties of his office for thirty-two consecutive years, during twenty- nine of which he lived four miles from the meeting- house. Rev. Abner Mason having been dismissed in November, 1844, he was succeeded by Rev. N. W. Smith, who acted as supply for about a year.

The church bad thus far, during nearly twenty

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years of its history, worshiped in the meeting-house at Montalona; but the members found it hard work to support preaching even a portion of the time. Some members of the Baptist Churches in Hopkinton and Bow, all of whom resided in Dunbarton, having ex- pressed a desire to attend church in their own town, and being willing to contribute toward building a new house of worship, the church met April 29, 1847, in a hall, which, with a lot of land, had been recently purchased at the centre of the town, and received by letter fourteen new members from the churches in Hopkinton and Bow.

The church having no pastor, Rev. J. W. Poland was received by letter June 4, 1847, and became their pastor for a season.

The failing health of Mr. Poland would not per- mit him to continue his labors, and February 3, 1848, Rev. H. D. Hodge was received by letter as member and pastor of the church, and remained during the year. Meanwhile, work was progressing on the new meeting-house, and the building was completed so that the first services were held in it Sunday, December 1, 1848.

In the spring of 1849, Rev. Samuel Cook became pastor, and remained until the latter part of 1853, when he removed to Concord. For about a year the church was without a pastor, but January 7, 1855, Rev. Horace Eaton and wife were received by letter from the church in Wilton, and under his pastorate the following spring there were several additions.

Mr. Eaton remained with the church nearly five years.

After irregular supplies for several months, Rev. J. M. Coburn supplied the pulpit very acceptably for one year, and was succeeded by his brother, Rev. W. L. Coburn, who was ordained at Dunbarton February 28, 1861.

For reasons which do not appear in the records, this pastorate was a short one. In May or June, 1862, Rev. John Peacock was engaged as a supply, and continued with the church until September, 1863.

In September, 1863, Mr. Stephen Pillsbury (son of the Rev. Stephen Pillsbury, who was settled in 1835) commenced his labors. He preached about a year as a licentiate from the New London Baptist Church, and, in October, 1864, was ordained and settled as pastor. Mr. Pillsbury remained with the church until the close of the year 1865, when he removed to Mt. Holly, Vt. During the year 1866 the church had no stated supply.

Hopkins, at that time pursuing his studies in Newton Theological Institution, began as a supply for the summer, and, in accordance with the request of the church, continued, while pursuing his studies, to supply them through the following year.

He was ordained pastor of the church September 27, 1876, and remained with them until October, 1879, when he accepted a call to the adjoining town of Hopkinton. During his pastorate twenty-five new members were received by the church,-seventeen by baptism and eight by letter.

The first Sunday in October, 1879, Rev. L. Hayden, D.D., began to preach as a supply, and at the close of the year was formally recognized as pastor of the church. He remained until July, 1885, when he accepted a call to become pastor of the Baptist Church in Shutesbury, Mass.

Doctor Hayden was one of the town's most respected citizens, ever taking an active interest in every good cause of public, educational or religious welfare, and his removal from town was an extended cause of deep regret, and that the remaining years of a well-spent life may be in green pastures and beside the still waters of a Father's love, is our benediction on this noble man and servant. of God.

In the antumn of 1882, owing to a bitterness of feeling engendered by political excitement, a portion of the members withdrew, thus seriously impairing the financial and spiritual strength of the church. The church is at present without a supply.

The Universalist Society was formed in 1830, and the Methodist Society in 1847, both of which have been disbanded.

St. John's Episcopal Chapel .- In the westerly part of the town, on land donated by the Stark family, stands the St. John's Episcopal Chapel, a very neat and inviting edifice. Services are held regularly, to the support of which the Starks lend cheerful aid.

In the preparation of the history of the two larger religious societies, we acknowledge the kindly aid rendered by Rev. Mr. Bouton and Rev. Mr. Hopkins.

CHAPTER III.

DUNBARTON-( Continued).

SCHOOLS AND MILITARY.

Early in 1867, Rev. T. B. Eastman was called and IN granting townships, the lords proprietors usually set apart a right called the "school lot." Such a right was reserved in this town. At the proprietors' meeting, March 2, 1752, after voting the parsonage lot, another lot was voted, as the record states, "for the use and maintenance of a school forever." settled as pastor. Mr. Eastman was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Whittemore, who, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Woodbury. Mr. Woodbury remained for two years and then removed to Pembroke, Me. In the summer and autumn of 1874 the church was supplied by Mr. A. S. Stowell, then a student at New- At the meeting in March, 1771, the sum of thirty dollars was appropriated for a town school, which ap- ton Centre, Mass., and afterwards ordained pastor of the church at Salem Depot. In May, 1875, Mr. A. J. I pears to be the first for that purpose upon record.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 72

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