USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > New Boston > History of New Boston, New Hampshire > Part 11
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In the southern and highest part of the cemetery overlooking the congregation of the dead, many of whom he followed to their resting-place during his protracted ministry, an affectionate people buried their beloved pastor, and reared a beautiful mar- ble monument bearing the following inscription : -
In memory of Rev. Ephraim Putnam Bradford, born December 27, 1776. Graduated at Harvard College, 1803. Ordained February 26, 1806. Died December 14, 1845, aged 69. Pastor of the First Presbyterian Society, New Boston, 40 years.
Püissimus, doctissimus, fortissimus et lamentissimus, in populorum suorum umoribus semper vivit.
Erected by subscription of individuals, as a token of respect to their late beloved pastor.
Mr. Bradford's children are : James Barker, born July 6, 1807, and died of spotted fever, April 20, 1814 ; Sarah Putnam, born Feb. 9, 1809, and died of spotted fever, May 19, 1814; William Symonds, born Oct. 2, 1810; Anstis Whiting, born June 8, 1812; Ephraim Putnam, born Feb. 7, 1814; John, born October, 1815; Mary Means, born May 18, 1817 ; Robert Clark, born April 25, 1819, and died at Milwaukee, Wis., March 20, 1852, and was buried at Detroit, Mich. ; James Barker, born April 2, 1822; Joseph Town, born March 5, 1824; Ann Barker, born Sept. 20, 1826 ; Henry Dalton, born Oct. 5, 1829, and died at Detroit, Mich., Jan. 18, 1848, aged 18.
Bufford's Lithography. Boston.
RESIDENCE OF . JOSEPH P. BRADFORD.
LJL 7. TAT:
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William Symonds carly enlisted in the United States army, served through the Florida and Mexican wars, and rose to the rank of a first lieutenant, and was breveted for gallant conduct in Mexico, being the first to raise the American flag on the battlements of Cero Gordo. Becoming disabled, the Thirty-fifth Congress settled a pension for life upon him, for meritorious ser- vices. He spent some years in the hospital at Harodsburg, Ky., and died at Louisville, June, 1863, aged nearly 53 years. His remains lie by the side of his venerated father.
Anstis Whiting became the wife of Waterman Burr, Esq., a successful merchant of New Boston ; and their children are Ephraim Bradford and Emma Lowe, having buried three in early childhood. Jolin is married, and resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, connected with his brothers in an extensive mercan- tile business.
Mary Means became the wife of Robert Cochran, Esq., Oct. 17, 1844, and they live in Gallatin, Mississippi, having two children, Henry Bradford and Letitia Clark.
James B. and Joseph T. are both married, and reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Surrounded by her sons, and with her daughter, Ann Barker, Mrs. Bradford, is passing her old age amid comforts, enjoying christian acquaintances, waiting cheerfully her appointed time, liaving always the prayers of the people for whom she and her husband so many years labored in the Lord. Mrs. Bradford was born Oct. 9, 1785 ; being 78 years old in October, 1863.
In March, 1846, following the death of Mr. Bradford, which transpired December 14, 1845, the services of Rev. E. M. Kel- logg were secured, and he received a unanimous call from the church and congregation, May 5, 1846, with a salary of six hundred dollars. This call was accepted, and Mr. Kellogg was installed pastor June 25, 1846, and was dismissed in April, 1852.
Soon after the dismissal of Mr. Kellogg, the Rev. Alanson Rawson was employed, and received a call to settle. The call was accepted, but subsequently declined because of ill health, though he supplied the pulpit about two years.
In June, 1855, Rev. E. C. Cogswell, the present pastor,
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commenced his labors here, and was installed by the London- derry presbytery October 30, 1855.
The church numbers one hundred and six communicants, and the eldership consists of Samuel Dane, Marshall Adams, Sumner L. Cristy, and Jolm N. Dodge. A precious work of grace has been silently progressing in the congregation to the present time, May, 1864, since the Centennial, in July, 1863, which it is believed will greatly encourage and strengthen the church in which have been reared so many excellent men and women, not only to bless the town, but to strengthen other churches.
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REV. EDWARD BUXTON.
He was son of Capt. Benjamin Buxton. He was born Aug. 17, 1803, and was educated with pious care at home and in the district school. Having great desire for knowledge, he became an excellent English scholar, and made no ordinary progress in the classics, with little aid from any teacher. He studied medicine with Dr. John Dalton, of New Boston, Dr. James Crombie, of Francestown, and Dr. Edmund Buxton, of Warren, Me., and taught many schools, district and select.
At length he felt constrained to turn his attention to the study of theology, and placed himself under the instruction of Rev. Samuel W. Clark, of Greenland, and was ordained as an evangelist, April 19, 1836, and installed pastor of the Second Congregational Church of Boscawen, in that part of the town now known as Webster, December 13, 1837; the pastoral charge of which he still retains.
Mr. Buxton married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Asa McFar- land, D. D., of Concord, June 12, 1838. Mrs. B. died Sept. 11, 1842, leaving two children : Elizabeth M., who was born April 2, 1830, graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, and is a christian lady and a successful teacher; and Edward, who was born May 25, 1841, and died Dec. 6, 1844, evincing much evidence of piety, even at that early age.
Mr. Buxton married Lois, daughter of Jacob Jewett, Esq., of Gilford, Sept. 27, 1843, for his second wife, and they have an adopted son, Edward B., born Nov. 2, 1845, giving promise of usefulness as a christian. Few pastors have been more suc- cessful, or commanded more the respect and affection of their flocks, than Mr. Buxton ; though his estimate of himself is very humble, and perhaps will be pained by even this truthful assertion.
Mr. Buxton was present on the Centennial occasion, and added much to the interest of it.
J.H.Bufford's Lith
yours very Vinily Edwi Busten
RESPONSE OF REV. EDWARD BUXTON.
REV. EPHRAIM P. BRADFORD, - whose mantle, if dropped, few would dare take.
MR. PRESIDENT, -
To equal the theme on which I am expected briefly to speak, would require for my feeble pinions too adventurous a flight. This sentiment revives in my heart the feelings with which, fifty years ago, I learned to regard the Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, who then endeared himself to me by acts of paternal kindness, and from that period, through the struggles of my childhood and youth, stood by me as a faithful and sympathizing friend. I love to cherish those feelings of deep veneration through which I must ever contemplate the character and influence of that excellent man. While I summon up my early recollections of him, his manly form rises before me, with his wonted cour- teousness of manners, his noble bearing, and his open counte- nance beaming with the social and benevolent affections which ever came welling up from the depths of his generous heart. I catch the inspiration of his voice, ever powerful and finely · modulated, whether in conversation or in public discourse. Though the places which once knew him will know him no more forever, yet with those places where we were most accus- tomed to see him, and where we received our deepest and most sacred impressions of him, he is in our minds inseparably asso- ciated. Some of us can, in imagination, reoccupy the old meet- ing-house, on some seat in its large, square, unpainted pews, in the midst of a congregation the elders of which now slumber with their beloved pastor in the adjacent cemetery. Still, as I revisit those Sabbath scenes of my early recollection, he rises up before me in the pulpit of olden style, under the quaint and, for him, needless sounding-board, and, as few have the ability to do, carries with him his audience in prayer and praise,
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in testifying repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, and in vindicating the doctrines of our holy religion. Again, I meet him at the week-day gathering, in the school-house or a private dwelling, where he could, with rare ability and effect, extemporize on the great themes of the gos- pel. Again, let us go with him to the house of mourning, where he poured out his heart in solemn discourse, and most affectionately and appropriately addresses himself to the several members of the mourning circle. Again, let us enter his hospitable mansion, where we were all so cordially welcomed that we severally felt we enjoyed a particular interest in his pastoral regard. I love to think of him as, with meditative and uplifted countenance, he leisurely rode through the town, recognized at a glance and with pleasure wherever he went, and with no surprise, if the truth were ever so conspicuous, that he did not think to put on his better coat before he left home. His ministerial work he pursued in a forgetfulness of him- self, and through the manifestations of this fact we were the more sensible of those traits of his character by which he was greatly endeared to us. His religion was not gloomy and forbid- ding. He was a pleasant man. He had a vein from which he . could put forth as much keen wit and good humor, and as aptly point a satirical remark, as any man. But he never opened this vein unseasonably. He habitually paid a strict regard to the injunction, " Let your speech be always with grace, sea- soned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." He was a literary man, and thirsted for intercourse with literary society, and still was happy in accommodating himself to all classes of persons, in the spirit with which the apostle says, " To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak ; I am made all things to.all men, that I might by all means save some." He made himself as much at home in the lowliest cottage as when he was felt to be primus inter pares in the society of his ministerial brethren. His spirit was eminently catholic. From the benevolence of his heart he was a friend to everybody, and, from the charity which " seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil," he em- braced the whole household of faith in whom he discovered evidence that they loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
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He was constituted - physically, mentally, and morally - for exerting a controlling influence. Even those who were the most disposed to glory in feats of physical violence, stood in awe of him. This may be illustrated by an occurrence in the early part of his ministry. Having preached a lecture in a part of the town somewhat distinguished for the pugnacious dis- position of the people, as he came out of the house, an affray took place, in which one of their fighters, having prostrated an- other and seized him by the throat, was forcing streams of blood from his nostrils. He immediately rushed forward into the scene of contention, and with one hand patted the prevailing combatant on the shoulder, saying pleasantly to him, " Don't kill the man ! don't kill the man !" while with the other hand he broke his hold from the throat of the prostrated man, and then separated them, and held them apart till they promis- ed for the present to keep the peace. By that transaction, he gained the reputation, in that section, of being, not a pug- nacious, but a powerful, kind-hearted, and fearless man. His influence was not superficial and transitory. He was raised up by divine providence and grace, for laying the foundations of morality, religion, and mental culture deep in the mind and heart of the rising community in which he was established, and in which, during a period of more than forty years, he prosecuted his labors in the gospel ministry. In our centennial review of this community, our minds are thrown back still further than the period of its incorporation, to its germ, which was planted in the families with which it commenced, a hundred and thirty years ago. How important the elements of physical, intel- lectual, and moral character, which then began to take root in it, and to spread out their influence through its successive gen- erations. What matter of grateful praise to God it is, that early the principles and spirit of sound morality, evangelical religion, and of true christian patriotism were planted and became predominant in it. With an honest pride we call to remembrance the families that have passed away, having trans- mitted to us the elements of character and the spirit with which we are assembled on this joyous, sacred, and solemn occasion. With a just appreciation of this precious inheritance on this birthday of our national independence, we must feel the solemn
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responsibilities and obligations which are pressing upon ' us. We must forecast the consequences of our present position and influence, and what inheritance we shall transmit to our pos- terity, who shall observe our next centennial celebration. While I am anxiously inquiring for the future, - and " coming events cast their shadows before," - I hear voices from the past.
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congregation rises up around me, in which I see the familiar countenances of our venerated fathers. They speak anxiously of our national concerns, and of the national inheritance which they hoped to transmit to many generations of their posterity. In regard to this inheritance, they admonish us of our duty. Among them I discover the venerable form of our dear old pastor and friend. He seems with great affection to look upon us, and in the words of the apostle Paul to say, " God is my record : how greatly I long after you in the bowels of Jesus Christ." He reminds us of the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he preached to us as the perfect law of liberty. He says to us, "If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?" He assures us that the foundation of all which we should hold dear, as participators in this centennial celebration, and as American citizens, must be laid deep in our hearts by the spirit and principles of the Christian religion. But the dear man is gone. He has done with earth ; and, though we may not take his mantle, may we earnestly desire to have a double portion of his spirit.
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REV. JOHN ATWOOD.
He was born in Hudson, then Nottingham West, October 3, 1795, where he united with the Baptist church at the age of twenty-one. Soon after, he began to study, with the ministry in view, under the instruction of Rev. Daniel Merrill. In May, 1817, he entered the Literary and Theological Department of Waterville College, in which he remained five years, under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Chaplin. June 1, 1824, he began to labor with the Baptist church in New Boston, and was ordain- ed May 18, 1825, and married, Nov. 28, 1826, Lydia, eldest daughter of Dea. Solomon Dodge. Being dismissed from the church in New Boston as their pastor, after spending a short time in Francestown, he removed to Hillsborough, where he remained seven years.
In 1843, Mr. Atwood was elected State Treasurer, which office he retained six years, a part of which time he served as chaplain to the State Prison.
In 1850, Mr. Atwood returned to New Boston, where he still resides, occupying his time in cultivating his farm, and occa- sionally supplying churches destitute of pastors, enjoying the confidence and respect of the community, whom he has repre- sented in the legislature five years, viz., 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835 and 1859.
As a preacher, Mr. Atwood is evangelical and instructive, and as a pastor, faithful, affectionate and conciliatory ; and his min- istry in New Boston served greatly to enlarge and strengthen the church to which he ministered. He has always cordially sought to advance the cause of education, and to promote every enterprise that promised to benefit the community. And the Government and the Union find, in this hour of peril, in Mr. Atwood, an unwavering friend and supporter, planting no thorns
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for the pillow of his declining years by neutrality or opposition to a just government. Courteous, hospitable, and generous, he binds to himself all good men, both as a christian gentleman and an upright citizen.
Mr. Atwood's children are Lydia D., Sarah E., John B., Roger W., Ann J., Mary F., Solomon D., and John H. The latter and John B. died in infancy, Sarah E. married John L. Blair, and resides in Alton, Ill.
Ann J. became the wife of Rev. J. L. A. Fish, and resides in East Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
Solomon D. married Florence A. Dodge, of Francestown, and is of the firm, Joseph Whipple and Atwood, who have " Young America " combined with caution, and infuse great activity into their business.
T. Bufford's Lith,
John Atwood.
HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV. JOHN ATWOOD.
From records which have been consulted reaching back about seventy-five years, it appears that the Baptist church in New Boston took its origin from one previously existing in Amherst, and entirely distinct from the present church in Amherst. The Amherst church was organized December 6, 1787, and consist- ed of persons residing in New Boston, and in those parts of Amherst which were subsequently formed into Mont-Vernon and Milford, few or none residing in what is now called Am- herst. In the course, however, of twelve years it had become so diminished in numbers as to afford little hope that the enter- prise would be permanently successful. In the mean time several persons in New Boston had made a public profession of religion, and united with the church in Weare. Rev. Mr. Elliot, of Mason, also baptized fourteen persons in the town, on the 4th of October, 1799, though at the time they united with no church. In view, therefore, of the number of Baptist profes- sors that were resident in New Boston, it was mutually agreed, by members of the church both in Amherst and New Boston, at a meeting holden at John Whipple's in New Boston, Nov. 23, 1799, that the Amherst church should in future be known by the name of " The First Calvinistic Baptist Church in Amherst and New Boston." Whereupon, those persons who had lately been baptized, and those who had joined at Weare, united with this church, whose number was also increased, dur- ing the year 1800, by the addition of nineteen others.
In the year 1801, Rev. Josiah Stone commenced his labors with this church, and, in this and the three succeeding years, fourteen persons were added to its fellowship. In 1804, the church, by advice of Council, took the name of " The Calvinistic
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Baptist Church in New Boston." The same year the church agreed upon the erection of a meeting-house, which was com- pleted the year following. This house was located in the west- erly part of the town, three miles from the present place of worship. Its dimensions were forty feet by thirty-two, and one story high.
During this year the church united with the Warren Associa- tion, with which it retained its connection until the formation of the Boston Association, when it fell within the limits of that body. The same year, also, Rev. Josiah Stone was installed as permanent pastor of the church. From this time to 1816, the number received into the fellowship of the church was twenty. At the expiration of this period, a case of discipline arose which resulted in the division of the church into two bodies, the one being retained in the Boston Association, the other uniting with the Salisbury.
In.June, 1824, Rev. Mr. Stone resigned the pastoral care of the church, but remained in the place until his decease, which occurred in 1839.
Rev. John Atwood, then a licentiate, commenced his labors with this people on the first Lord's day in June, 1824. He was ordained the 18th of May, 1825, and closed his pastoral rela- tion the last Sabbath in January, 1836. During his ministry ninety-nine persons were added to the fellowship of the church.
February 23, 1825, the two churches were dissolved, by mu- tual consent, and the members, forty-six in number, reorganized into one body, and united with the Salisbury Association. In 1826 a pleasant revival of religion took place, in which thirteen were added to the church. In 1828 the church was dismissed from the Salisbury, and united with the Milford Association.
A more central location for public worship being very desirable, in 1832 a meeting-house was erected in the lower village, and was dedicated to the worship of God on the 6th of February, 1833.
In 1835 a precious revival of religion was enjoyed, during which fifty-three persons were added to the church.
In February, 1836, Rev. A. T. Foss became pastor of the . church, which relation he continued to hold during eight years, .. till January, 1844.
Buffinis Lithographs Boston
PARTIST MEETING HOUSE
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On the first Sabbath in February, 1845, Rev. David Gage commenced his ministerial labors with this people, and contin- ued with them ten years, during which time sixty-four were added to the church. His pastorate closed in March, 1855.
November 1, 1855, Rev. J. N. Chase began his permanent labors in the place ; was recognized as pastor December 19, 1855, and dismissed May 1, 1859.
Rev. Franklin Merriam succeeded him in the pastoral office, in May, 1859, and closed his labors in the place October 5, 1862.
The pastorate is now filled by Rev. Thomas Clarkson Russell, who entered upon his labors with this church the first Sabbath in June, 1863.
The most reliable statistics to be found, show that from the formation of the church in Amherst, in 1787, to the present time, two hundred and eleven persons have been added by bap- tism ; ninety-two have been received by letter from other churches ; seventy-three have been dismissed; thirty-one ex- cluded ; and seventy-two have died. The present number, July, 1863, is seventy-six.
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MINISTERIAL FUND.
The grant of New Boston was given on condition that one sixty-third part of the township should be appropriated to the first-settled "learned and orthodox minister " for his encour- agement to settle in a new region of country, among a sparse population, unable to pay a full and adequate salary. Further to encourage and aid the people in maintaining the worship of God, it was required that another sixty-third part of said town- ship should be appropriated to the support of a " learned and orthodox ministry forever." And when the Masonian heirs increased the size of the town, they reserved a like proportion of the " Addition " for the same purposes. Thus lots num- bered 61 and 70, in the old limits, and 6, in the " New Addi- tion," were appropriated to the first minister ; and lots 36, 123, and an unnumbered lot set off in a then unsurveyed portion of the town, were appropriated to the benefit of the ministry in perpetuity.
When the Rev. Solomon Moor was settled as the first minis- ter of the town, he took possession of his lots, and disposed of them as he pleased. He also had the use of the " ministry lots," and whatever income he could derive therefrom until his death.
When the Rev. Mr. Bradford was ordained, the town paid him what they deemed an adequate salary, and made him a donation of four hundred dollars, " reserving to the use of the town all ministerial rights and privileges," meaning the minis- try lots. It was known that Mr. Moor derived but little profit from them, and the town resolved that Mr. Bradford should not be embarrassed by them, and thought they might be made to yield a greater income, under different management. Ac- cordingly, in 1804, the town sold, or leased for nine hundred
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and ninety-nine years, a portion of the ministry lands; and subsequently, at different times, the remaining portions were in like manner disposed of to great advantage, being covered with valuable timber. The amount received for the ministry lands reached nearly seven thousand dollars, which the town denominated " the funded property for the ministry," and a special treasurer was chosen annually by the town, for many years, to have charge of this money, and to make an annual report, showing to whom loaned, and the income thereof.
The grant of the town required, also, that another sixty-third part of the town be appropriated for the benefit of schools ; and these lands were in like manner disposed of, earlier than the ministry lots, and the amount received for them was much less than that for the ministry ; and the treasurer for "the funded property for the ministry " became the treasurer of both funds. William Clark was repeatedly elected to that office, and others were chosen after him. At length the care of these funds was devolved on the town treasurer, and he made a distinct report of their condition annually. Immedi- ately after the sale of the ministry lands, the Baptist church, first known as the "Calvinistic Baptist Church in New Boston," in 1804, claimed a part of the income ; and in August of 1805, agreeably to a recommendation of Livermore Langdell and Lieut. Samuel Gregg, it was " Voted, That the Baptists that were on their parish-book last March have their proportion, according to poll and estate, to the present ycar." Up to March 10, 1807, all tax-payers were taxed for the support of the minister of the town, unless excused by special vote. At this time the town voted " to excuse those that in good faith belong to the Baptist Society, from paying taxes to the Rev. E. P. Bradford." Octo- ber following, the town voted " to raise annually five hundred dollars, including the interest on funded property, four hundred dollars of which to be paid to Mr. Bradford, and one hundred dollars to Josiah Stone ; and that this should continue during the ministry of Mr. Stone," then the pastor of the Baptist church. Owing to trouble in the church, the town subse- quently refused to appropriate any to the two Baptist societies, the original society having become divided into two. In 1823 the town gave them thirty-five dollars ; and the following year
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