History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 81

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 81
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 81

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The fourth meeting-house in town was built by the Free-Will Baptist Society of East Andover in 1839. The building committee were James Severens, Josiah Bachelder, Jonathan Cilley, James Bayley, Simeon Rollins, Dearborn Cilley and A. J. Tucker. The building was dedicated December 25, 1839, with appropriate exercises. A bell was purchased in 1841. The building was entirely destroyed by fire May 23, 1871, and soon replaced by the present structure, which is neatly furnished and affords a very pleasant audience-room.

In 1879 a building was commenced at West An- dover by the Union Enterprise Society for religious meetings. The building was completed in March, 1882, and dedicated August 31 of the same year, Rev. William Morrill preaching the dedicatory ser- mon. The society is non-sectarian and its members entertain different religious beliefs. The object of the society is the worship of God, and for this pur- pose was the building dedicated. The pastors have been : William Morrill, Christian ; William Love and James D. Legro, Methodist.

A building was erected at Andover Centre by the Congregational Society during the summer of 1882. It is known as the Chapel, and built for religious worship by this church. This building was dedicated September 26, 1882, and affords the fifth place at present in the town where religious services are con- stantly held.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES .- According to the terms of the grant, "One of the said shares shall be for the first minister of the gospel who shall be settled on the said land, and continue there during his life or until he shall be regularly dismissed, to hold to him, his heirs and assigns; and one other of the said shares to be for and towards the support of the gospel ministry there forever." This condition seems to have been complied with in the drawing of the lots, and we find lots numbered 19 and 62 reserved for these purposes.

The income of these, known as the minister and parsonage lots, was appropriated to the support of preaching, together with such sums as were voted by the proprietors of the township. The entire amount was necessarily. small, only at first enough to secure preaching a portion of the time. The noble character of the earliest settlers is in no way so clearly demon- strated as in the sacrifices made for the support of the gospel ministry. Whatever privations were endured, the minister was supported, not barely to clear the terms of the grant, but freely and generously, as will be seen. The first minister preaching regularly was Rev. Mr. Brown, of whom but little is known. He was here in 1774, two years after the building of the meeting-house, and it seems, for some reason, that the liberality of the inhabitants was not well tested this year, for he received but thirty dollars for his services.

Congregational Society. - Rev. Josiah Badcock preached his first sermon in Andover, August 19, 1781, and this commenced a new era in the religious . history of the town. Mr. Badcock was called to Andover to preach regularly July 8, 1782; was or- dained October 30th of the same year, at East An- dover, and on that day the first Congregational Church was organized with six members. At the time Mr. Badcock was called to the town it was voted to give him one hundred and fifty dollars for the first year, with ten dollars added yearly until it should amount to two hundred dollars per year. It was also voted to build him a house "the bigness of Mr. Samuel Blake's," to give him the use of the parsonage, to give him twenty cords of wood yearly, to clear for him two acres of land each year for five years, to allow him to be absent three Sabbath days in each year. This was the contract under which Mr. Bad- cock came, and doubtless was a low compensation for a man of his fine education and superior natural en- dowments. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1772. It would also seem a liberal sum to be raised by the people of the township, who probably at this time did not number more than three hundred. The minister lot is now known as the Horace Clay farm, on Taunton Hill. The frame of the house now standing is probably that raised for Mr. Badcock, and there he lived the remainder of his life. The church over which he was the pastor increased to about thirty members, and during his pastorate the second meeting-house in town was built and occupied by this society. Mr. Badcock was an active and influen- tial man in the business affairs of the town, and his bold signature is often found in the records. Perhaps no name in the early history of the town is more familiar than that of Rev. Josiah Badcock. He was formally dismissed as pastor in 1809, and died Decem- ber 7, 1831, at the age of seventy-nine years.

After the dismissal of Mr. Badcock there was only occasional preaching, and after a time the Congrega- tional Society informally united with other denomi- nations, under the name of the Union Society.

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ANDOVER.

June 14, 1810, the town voted to sell the parsonage right. This right consisted of three lots, each num- bered 62. One was in the second range and sold to Elijah Hilton for nine hundred and seventeen dollars. The remaining two were in the fourth range. One was sold to Moses Fuller for five hundred dollars, and the other, containing eighty acres, to Philip Cilley for one hundred and ninety dollars. The amount re- ceived was sixteen hundred and seven dollars. The interest on this sum was voted for various purposes at subsequent meetings, and the disposition of both principal and interest frequently considered. Its proper division among the various religious denomi- nations soon after represented in town was a difficult question to determine, and finally, on March 8, 1831, the town voted to appropriate the parsonage fund, both principal and interest, for the use and benefit of the town, and this ended all controversy.

January 13, 1829, a Congregational Church was formed, consisting of ten members, and Mr. Samuel Kingsbury settled as its pastor. At this time the church formerly organized was represented by its venerable pastor and one aged member. No records or church documents of any kind could be found. Mr. Kingsbury was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council January 11, 1831.

June 25, 1841, another Congregational Church was formed. May 23, 1843, Rev. Nathan Howard was ordained pastor over the Congregational Churches of Andover and Wilmot, and remained until 1850, at which time the Congregational Society united with others, and employed Rev. Reuben Kimball, who re- mained two years.

In January, 1853, Rev. Nathan Howard was again employed. He remained until the close of the year 1854, after which only occasional Congregational preaching was had until the organization of the First Congregational Church, at East Andover, in the early part of the year 1868.

In January, 1869, Rev. Howard Moody was called to the pastorate, and a portion of the preceding facts in regard to the Congregational Church in Andover are taken from a historical sermon, preached July 9, 1876.

A Congregational Church was formed at Andover Centre November 16, 1880, with eighteen members. John R. Bates, George J. White and William Wood- bury were chosen trustees; Willis D. Thomson, clerk. Rev. Howard Moody was formally installed pastor of this and the church at East Andover September 26, 1882, remaining until his death, April 20, 1885. During the year 1885 both churches were supplied by Rev. F. G. Chutter, of Andover, Mass.

The meetings of the Congregational Society have been held in different parts of the town.

Mr. Kingsbury preached at Taunton Hill a portion of the time, and Mr. Howard at Andover Centre.

It seems that this society, organized by Rev. Josiah Badcock in 1782, has, with brief cessations, held re-

ligious meetings in some section of the town since that date.

Mr. Moody reports one hundred and six united with the church previous to 1876, and several additions have been made since.

Free- Will Baptist Society .- During the noted revi- val among the Free-Will Baptist denomination, in 1801. interest was manifested here by those of this belief. The formation of the society was made and first meeting held in 1803, the association then organ- ized being known as a Monthly Conference, which existed and held religious meetings at East Andover. This association, although not bound by any secta- rian creed, was sustained by those of the Free-Will Baptist belief, and was productive of much good by the sincere worship of its members. The great revival of 1810 brought encouraging success to the work and numbers of this society,-forty addi- tions being made at one time and many others during the year. It was at this time that traces of a second Free Will Baptist Society are found in town, but the records are so meagre as to specify but little regard- ing its location and existence.

Elder Elijah Watson was ordained here in 1803, and was afterwards a zealous worker in this society and church. Ebenezer Chase was also ordained and preached for several years, beginning in 1810. He was afterwards the editor of the only paper ever pub- lished in town. The Free-Will Baptist Church was formally organized at East Andover by Rev. Elijah Watson and Rev. Samuel Robbins, January 7, 1830, with eighty-one members. Elder Watson was for many years the settled pastor, meetings being held in the same church with the Christian denomination until a house was built by this society, in 1839. The name of Elder Watson is very familiar to those ac- quainted with the history of this church, and, per- haps, no one of the early preachers contributed more to its success. He was born in Nottingham, N. H., in 1777, and died in 1857.

The preachers in this church since Mr. Watson have been as follows: Ebenezer Fisk, Cummins Paris, E. G. Knowles, D. Sidney Frost, Oliver Butler, D. Sidney Frost (second pastorate from 1856 to 1859), Uriah Chase, Samuel T. Frost, Alvah Buzzell, N. L. Rowell, W. M. Jenkins, J. F. Smith, C. B. Griffin, F. E. Davison and J. G. Munsey. Preaching has been held almost continually since the organization of the church, in 1830, to the close of 1884.

March 18, 1854, was organized in connection with this church, a Free-Will Baptist society and due no- tice of the organization appeared in the Independent Democrat, published at Concord, April 20th following. "Notice is hereby given that Henry D. Cilley, Ziba Severens, Henry A. Weymouth, Thomas Haley and their associates have formed themselves into a Reli- gious Society to be known as the Free-Will Baptist Society at East Andover, N. H., assuming all the responsibilities, rights and privileges of the laws of

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the State made and provided." William A. Bachelder was chosen clerk and a board of directors have been annually elected. William Emery, James Connor and Daniel Weymouth were the directors elected at the organization.

This society has a large representation in the families of this community, and during its prosperous seasons has exerted a broad influence for Chris- tianity.

Unitarian Society .- In September, 1879, the First Unitarian Society was organized in Andover. Pre- vious to this time there had been occasional Unita- rian preaching, but no organized society. John P. Carr, Amos H. Proctor, Joseph Baker, Calvin Camp- bell and J. W. Scales were elected as trustees of the organization, and Frank W. Proctor, clerk. The constitution declares the object of the society, "united effort for the study and practice of Chris- tianity." Rev. Calvin Stebbins was the first pastor. Under his ministrations the interest and attendance increased and the society became firmly established as a religious organization.

Mr. Stebbins continued with the society for two years, and was then called to a large and important field of labor. The society parted from him with re- gret, and he has continued to manifest an interest in its welfare and prosperity, and to give it the benefit of his experience and counsel.

Mr. Stebbins was succeeded by Rev. Crawford Nightingale, who remained with the society a year. For the next year the pulpit was supplied, and at the end of that time Rev. T. Thomson was settled. From its organization the society has sustained preaching continuously. About sixty families are represented in the society.

The Sunday-school has a well-selected library. The Ladies' Industrial Society has rendered inval- uable assistance, having raised and contributed to the support of the society the sum of six- teen hundred and sixty dollars in six years; its social and benevolent work has been effective also. The choir, a well-trained quartette, is under the effi- cient direction of Professor Boswell; few societies have expended so much upon the musical depart- ment of worship with such excellent and helpful results. The society has raised and expended for all purposes an average of twelve hundred dollars per year.

The meetings of this society are held in Proctor Hall. Its present condition is good and its future well assured. Its influence and opportunities are in- creasing and it bids fair to continue an enduring power for the development and fostering of the moral and spiritual growth of the community.

Methodist Society .- The Methodist Society was or- ganized at Andover Centre in 1827, Major William Proctor being a leading member at its organization and zealons in its support. Meetings were held in the meeting-house on certain specified Sabbaths in

the year, and were largely attended. The church membership is estimated at thirty during the years in which the society was active. The first preachers were Matthew Newhall and Richard Newhall, in 1827. Following is the complete list of preachers located in this society from 1827 to 1838: 1828, William Kimball and SerenoFisk ; 1829, John Adams and Caleb Bede; 1830, J. B. H. Norris and Sylvester Williams ; 1831, J. B. H. Norris and S. Harket ; 1832, Nathaniel Ladd and S. P. Williams; 1833, J. W. Morey and M. Quimby ; 1834, Jonas Scott and H. Clark; 1835, E. H. Ladd; 1836, John L. Smith (Hallelujah John); 1837, John L. Smith; 1838, A. Folsom and D. Jones. Occasional preaching was held for several years later, but no great prosperity was witnessed by the society after this date.

In 1832 the Andover Circuit was formed, which em- braced the Andover and Boscawen Churches. A grand camp-meeting was held in June, 1834, on the plains near the school-house, by the societies of this de- nomination. Many tents were pitched, a large num- ber of speakers present, and the meeting continued four days. During the prosperous days of the so- ciety in Andover it was widely known for the zeal and interest manifested.

In 1818 a Universalist Society was incorporated. In 1819 the first church was gathered in Andover, under the name of the Christian Denomination. The numbers of this society were large, and at its forma- tion had one hundred and seven members. A second church of this denomination was formed in May, 1820, with twenty-five members, and these churches were under the pastoral care of Elder Peter Young and Elder Nehemiah Sleeper. A third Christian Church was organized at Andover Centre August 19, 1843, with seventeen members. The meetings were held in the meeting-house in connection with other societies, and Elder Elijah Shaw will be remembered as a leading man in this church during its early days. The creed to which their signatures were attached was, "To recognize each other as the Church of God, receiving the New Testament as the rule of faith and practice." Other religious denominations have been represented in town, but if ever formally organized here, their records have not been found.

Schools .- Perhaps no town in the State, with no larger population than Andover, has had better school advantages. Whatever difference of opinion may have existed regarding other public affairs, the necessity of providing for the intellectual training of the rising generation was realized by the original grantees, and the means of instruction have since been fully supported by the inhabitants of the town.

We find in the grant of the township certain lots of land reserved for the maintenance of schools, and in the early days of the settlement of the town, be- fore school districts or school-houses had an exist- ence bere, schools were kept in dwelling-houses and in barns.

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ANDOVER.

The character of the first settlers was such as to perceive the necessity of at least the rudiments of an education, and the first instructor in these primitive schools is familiarly known as Master Randall. He taught school in the winter season, usually in barns, without the comforts of a fire or the luxury of doors to the building. Various places are pointed ont as the location of these schools. This first instructor is buried in the southeastern part of the town, and in an unmarked grave. Other instructors followed Mr. Randall, and as early as 1783 the town voted seventy dollars for the support of schools, and for several years following, appropriations were almost annually made for this purpose. The division of the town into school districts, probably, was not contem- plated by the proprietors at the time of the grant. It was not until 1799, or nearly fifty years after, that the selectmen were voted a committee to divide the town into school districts, each district to build its own school-house. The town was divided into seven districts, and was afterwards kept in a state of con- stant perplexity by the changing of district lines. In 1779 the town voted to sell one of the school lots at public auction, and expend the money for school- ing. Whether a school lot was sold and the money thus expended we have been unable to determine. Undoubtedly it was, for the second lot was sold in 1810 for one hundred and ninety dollars, and the remaining lot in 1829, the proceeds of both heing appropriated for the support of schools.

In 1829 the town received its proportion of the literary fund, which, added to the amount realized from the sale of school lots, was placed at interest. In 1835 this had amounted to $1219.37, and the in- come of this has been annually expended in the sup- port of schools.

At the time of districting the town, in 1799, eight hundred dollars was raised for building school-houses in the several districts. In 1808 the town was re- districted into eleven, and in 1863 into fifteen dis- tricts. In 1875 Districts Nos. 14 and 15 were annexed to No. 12, and District No. 6 was abolished by being united to the several districts adjoining. In 1884 Nos. 12 and 13 were united, and eleven is the number of districts existing in the town to-day.

The first superintending school committee was chosen in 1809, and consisted of Rev. Josiah Bad- cock, John Weare and Ephraim Eastman. A com- mittee was only occasionally elected until 1846, since which time they have been annually chosen by the town or appointed by the selectmen.

The annual report of the superintendent of schools was first published in 1858, again in 1860, since which time they have been annually issued in printed form.

In 1875 a history of the schools of the town was prepared by Rev. Howard Moody, the committee of that year, and published in the annual report of the State superintendent. For several years following 1858 the schools of the town were under the super-

intendency of Hon. John M. Shirley, who brought to them such invigorating discipline and system as to produce beneficial effects for many years. Per- haps no superintendent has taken a greater interest or given more time to the welfare of our schools than did Clarence E. Carr in 1876.

The citizens of the town have manifested great liberality in later years by appropriations for the support of schools, and have otherwise shown such a kindly interest in their success as to produce most gratifying results.

At varions times local schools have been successful and well supported. The Noyes High School, liber- ally endowed by Mr. Joseph Noyes, was, for a time, noted and prosperous in that part of the town now Franklin. Schools at East Andover, Taunton Hill, Andover Centre and West Andover have at different times been successful in aiding the district schools and academies in advancing the standard of education within the limits of the town.

PROCTOR ACADEMY .- The school association, from which Proctor Academy originated, dates its first for- mal meeting July 8, 1848, a list of thirty-six names having been previously obtained and duly chartered for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a school. Hon. Samuel Butterfield was chosen pres- ident of the corporation, Wolcot Hamlin secretary, and the school named Andover Academy. The noted instructor, Dyer H. Sanborn, was the first principal, and Miss Eliza Wingate preceptress. Four terms of twelve weeks each were held annually, and the in- struction included the languages, drawing, painting and needle-work. A catalogue, published at the close of the first term, gives an attendance of one hundred and five scholars. Professor Sanborn re- signed during the second year, and Moses L. Morse, A.M., was chosen, remaining in the school until August, 1851. The duties of preceptress were per- formed by Miss Louisa J. Clark and Miss Hannah J. Sanborn. During the two years of Mr. Morse's man- agement the school was exceedingly prosperous. Among those fitted for college was John Wesley Simonds, who entered the sophomore class from this school, graduated with honors, was afterwards an instructor here and a leading educator of the State. Two hundred and fifty-two scholars are reported for the two years. Thomas W. Bruce, A.B., was then chosen principal, and Miss Marcia E. Foster precep- tress, and at the expiration of two years Mr. Bruce was succeeded by George Dustan, A.B. The school was well sustained, the names of two hundred and five students appearing in the catalogue issued April, 1854. Johu W. Allard, A.B., was the next principal, chosen in August of this year. Sickness soon after caused disturbance and excitement in the school, and finally produced its discontinuance. In July, 1856, the property and appurtenances of Andover Acad- emy, by vote of the trustees, were transferred to the members of the New England Christian Conference,

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

and the name changed to the New England Christian Literary and Biblical Institute. On the 18th of Feb- ruary, 1857, school was opened under the new or- ganization with John W. Simonds principal, O. D. Barrett, A.B., and Miss D. E. Payne assistants. At the close of the first term Mr. Barrett and Miss Payne were succeeded by George O. Dodson, A.M., and Miss Mary J. Ambrose, who remained one year. The students number one hundred and ninety-six at this time. Mr. Simonds remained at the head of the school until the fall of 1858, effecting a thorough aud systematic organization in the various departments of instruction. Rev. S. W. Whiting was principal until November 10, 1859, and was succeeded by John M. Haley, A.B. In October, 1860, the management of the school was restricted to the New Hampshire Christian Conference, and the name changed to the Andover Christian Institute. Rev. John Burden was chosen president of the trustees, and Rev. Thomas Bartlett elected principal. Mr. Bartlett retained his position until 1865, when the school was discontinued at Andover, and soon after removed to Wolfborough. This academic institution had been in operation in Andover, with only brief cessations, for seventeen years; and, although controlled by different parties and under different names, its methods and operation were not materially changed. It was well supported by the citizens of the town, and bad an average an- nual attendance of one hundred and thirty scholars. For several years no school was regularly sustained. In 1874, having closed its work in Wolfborough, the liberality of the citizens of Andover induced the officers of the corporation to return the school to its former location. The school buildings and four thou- sand dollars for repairing and enlarging were pre- sented to the association, which was incorporated by the Legislature of New Hampshire, June 24, 1874, under the name of Proctor Academy. It was named in honor of Hon. John Proctor, a wealthy citizen of the town, one of the grantees of the charter and a liberal contributor to the school. It was organized here and managed, for a brief time, by Hon. J. W. Simonds. Following are the names of the principals in this academy since its reorganization in Andover: 1874, Miss Annie P. Little; 1875, Frank P. Adams; 1875-76, Alvah H. Morrill; 1876-77, Alvah H. Mor- rill; 1877-78, Alvah H. Morrill; 1878, Henry Mel- ville; 1878-79, B. A. Field; 1879-80, George W. Stone; 1880-81, Herbert B. Dow; 1881-82, W. J. Loyd; 1882-83, Herbert B. Dow; 1883-84, Herbert B. Dow; 1884-85, Herbert B. Dow. During this time one or more assistants have been employed. Mr. Dow is a graduate of Dartmouth in 1879, and his earnest efforts in this school are bringing gratifying results.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 81

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