USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Northwood > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 42
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Nottingham > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 42
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Deerfield > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 42
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November 7, 1780, a meeting of such as were in sym- pathy with Congregationalism was holden, when it was " voted to build a meeting-house forty-five by thirty-six feet." During the following year such a building was erected, with the understanding that those who were identified with the Baptist congregation should not be at charges for the same. This meeting-house was erected near the center of the town, a committee having been ap- pointed to " ascertain the center by measuring the length of the town in its longest direction ; and, also, its width through the center of its length." This committee re- ported the center to be a few rods south-west of where the town-house now stands. Hence that gentle swell of ground was chosen on which to erect the first meeting-house built by the action of the town. This was built according to the style of the times, with two large porches, one at cach end.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
It was at first imperfectly boarded and battened, and rude benches provided, with a ruder elevation for a pulpit for the minister. But it was where they could worship God in spiritual services. Here, March 5, 1781, a warrant was issued warning " all Qualified by Law to vote in Parish affairs, Exclusive of Quakers and Baptists to meet at the house of Mr. Jonathan Clarks, in-holder, on the twentieth day of same month to see if they will Raise any money for to hire Mr. Ebenezer Allen to preach with us, and if so agreed to 3ly to See how Long a time they will hire for." At that meeting it was voted to raise money for the pur- pose indicated in the warrant, and " to hire Mr. Allen six months ; and Benjamin Johnson, John Sherburn and Ben- jamin Wadleigh were appointed a committee to see upon what conditions he would preach with them." On the thirtieth day of October, 1781, Benjamin Johnson, Lieut. Samnel Johnson, Solomon Bickford, jr., Nathaniel Chan- dler, and Levi Dearborn, were chosen a committee to sell the pew privileges in the meeting-house, and to expend the avails in furnishing the house. For reasons not known, Mr. Allen left town after a service of six months, and was settled, October 25, 1792, as pastor of the Congregational Church in Wolfeborough.
The pew privileges on the ground were sold June 3, 1784, ranging from twelve dollars to nineteen dollars and fifty cents, to
Wm. Prescott, Solomon Bickford, Thomas Piper, Nathaniel Garlan, Lt. Samuel Johnson, Esquire Jennes, Lt. Daniel Hoyt, Jonathan Clark, J. Crockett, Benja. Jolinson, John Harvey, Benjamin Johnson, Thomas Piper, a second Pew, Jona". Sanborn, L'. Samuel Johnson, a second privilege, Jonathan Clark, a second privilege, Ensn. John Neeley, Benja. Johnson, a second privilege, John Harvey, a second privilege, John Harvey, a third privilege, Samuel Sherborn.
LT SAMUEL JOHNSON, SOLN BICKFORD, BENJA JOHNSON, JOHN HARVEY, WVM PRESCOTT,
Committee Men.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
This same committee, on the twenty-eighth of the same nionth, sold to lowest bidders small lots of work to be done in boarding and shingling the house, as they say, " that every won that Hath Purchased privaledges of pews in Said house may have an opportunity of paying their Pro- portion in work." " The Lots of work, Boards, Shingles, Nails, or any other article that Shall be wanting on Said fraim Is to be struck off to the Loest Bidders for Boarding and Shingling Said frame."
Thomas Piper bid off the westerly half of the fore side to board, at three dollars and two shillings; William Pres- cott, the easterly half and the southerly hali of the east end, for seven dollars and two shillings ; Jonathan Clark bid off the northerly half of the east end, for four dollars ; Benjamin Johnson, the easterly half of the back side, at three dollars; William Prescott, the westerly half of the back side ; John Crockett, the north half of the west end ; Thomas Piper, the fore side of the " Ruff " to board ; Jon- athan Sanborn, the back side of the " Ruff ; " Thomas Piper, the shingling of the westerly half of the fore side, and John Crockett, the east half ; Benjamin Johnson, the shingling of the easterly half of the back side, and Thomas Piper, the westerly half. One agreed to make and put in the window-frames on the fore side. another on the back, another on the east end, and another on the west. Benja- min Jolinson was "to put in the Cobern Jice and Case them ; " Mr. Piper was " to put in half the sleepers and cut the gains," and Mr. Crockett the other half. Thomas Piper was "to underpin the four side with face stones neatly ; " Jonathan Sanborn, the east end ; Jonathan Clark, the west end; and Samuel Johnson, the back side, in the same manner. These fragments of the work were done for sums ranging from two dollars and two shillings to eight dollars and fifty cents. And then Solomon Bickford " bid off 4 thousand of shingles at 14 shillings per thou- sand ; " Samuel Johnson, " 3 thousand for the same ; " and
Bufford Boston
Joviale Berline !
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
others, greater or lesser numbers for nearly the same amount ; others furnished boards, for about seven dollars per thousand. Benjamin Johnson furnished " one thou- sand Dubel Bord Nails for two dollars five shillings ; " Dudley Hill, the same. Thus, in due time, the outside of the building was covered, though in a rude style, pews were built up and rendered inviting, the singers were provided for, and the " Deakons Pew " was set apart, as well as one for the minister and " two for the poor."
Other clergymen were employed for limited periods, among whom was a Mr. Abisha Clark, who seems to have been employed as a missionary to look after feeble churches and to preach to scattered families 'in new localities. Mr. Josiah Prentice began to supply the pulpit some time in the year 1798, it is believed, about one year before a call was given him. January 14, 1799, we find the following rec- ord : " Voted and Joined with the church in said North- wood to give Mr. Josiah Prentice a Call to settle in the ministry in said Town." The church was organized on the 29th of November, 1788, consisting of Solomon Bickford, Jonathan Blake, Simon Batchelder, John Sherburne, Eliz- abeth, his wife, Susan Clarke, Deborah Bickford, and Sarah Harvey.
Having voted a call to Mr. Prentice, the town chose Sherborn Blake, Levi Mead, Samuel Sherborn, Samuel Johnson, George Frost, Henry Batchelder, and Jonathan Clark, " a committee to consider what is necessary to give Mr. Prentice as a Settlement and Salary for his Support as a Minister of the Gospel in said town, and report to this meeting." This committee subsequently reported as fol- lows : " The town give Mr. Prentice as a Settlement Six hundred Dollars or David Rawlins House and barn and all the land he bought of Doct. Kelley as a Settlement, with this proviso, he preach with us eight years, or propor- tion for a lesser time ; - also report as a Salary for the first year one hundred and fifty Dollars, fifty Bushels Corn,
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
twenty Cord wood, and to keep his horse ; -- also report Sal- ary after the first year be two hundred Dollars, fifty bush- els Corn, twenty Cord wood and a parsonage that shall keep one Horse, two Cows and six Sheep, summer and winter or provide produce wherewithal to keep said Horse, Cows and Sheep, and so on annually."
January 18, 1739, at an adjourned meeting, the report was discussed, and the following action taken : " Voted to give Mr. Josiah Prentice Six hundred Dollars as a Settle- ment with this provision. &c.," as the committee had re- ported. At the same time, "Voted and chose Jonathan Clark, Henry Batchelder and Samuel Durgon be a Com- mittee to Join such of the Church as they may appoint to present to Mr. Josiah Prentice the above votes for his con- sideration and attention, if he shall think proper."
At an adjourned meeting, May 6, 1799, it was " voted to add five cord wood more a year to Mr. Prentice annual Sal- ary if wanted which will make twenty five cord a year to be corded up at his house in Northwood." It was also " voted that Mr. Prentice take four Sundays in a year to himself, if he wants them."
January 18, 1799, the inhabitants of the town, "except Baptists and Quakers," decided upon the conditions of Mr. Prentice's settlement, and to assure him of the pay- ment of his salary, and to allay any uneasiness on the part of Baptists and Quakers lest they should ever be required to pay any part of this salary, fifty-two men entered into a solemn obligation, both to Mr. Prentice and the town, that they would pay their proportion, severally, of the salary to be raised from year to year.
Obligation signed Northwood, January 18, 1799: -
We the Subscribers do hereby by subscribing our names agree to the foregoing votes respecting Mr. Josiah Prentice Settlement and Salary to be our proportion thereof during his ministre in said town of Northwood as witness our hands.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
Eliphelet Dade.
Asa Bickford.
John Harvey.
Valentine Mathes.
Moses Norris.
Nathaniel Garland.
Plinehas Swain.
Jonathan Foss.
Stephen Hoitt.
Samuel Dow.
Nicholas D. Hill.
Dudley Leavitt.
James Edgerley.
John Doe.
Benjamin Colcord.
Samuel Brown.
Samuel Hill.
Johu Bartlett. Samuel Sharbon.
Reuben Brown.
Thomas Buuck.
Alexander Johnson.
Sanmel Johnson, jun. Jonathan Blake.
David Rowlings.
John Crockett.
Samuel Jolinson.
John Bickford, jun".
Jesse Bickford.
Joshua Hoitt.
John Wille.
Jacob Swain.
Jonathan Clark.
Gedion Bickford.
John Nealley.
Sherburn Blake.
Samuel Edgerly, 2d.
Trueworthy Hill.
Samuel Bartlett.
Ephraim Small.
George Frost.
Simon Batchelder.
William Watson,
Solomon Bickford, jun". Samuel Durgin.
Levi Mead.
Taylor Clark.
Joseph Shute.
Nathaniel Watson.
Jonathan Jenness.
52 in all.
Thus the way was nobly prepared for the permanent set- tlement of a minister. The people had shown a generous and considerate regard for the temporal support of him they had elected as their pastor. We are not to believe, however, that all these men proved true and fulfilled their covenant, but when one proved recreant, some one else took his place, so that, by succession, the society retained its ability to ful- fill its engagement. One thing only was neglected until after his ordination ; and that was, deciding the time wlien his salary should begin. This they established July 8, 1799. " Mr. Prentice salary shall begin on the ninthi day of April, 1799, and so on annually." And the honorable- ness and integrity of the town may be seen in a receipt of Mr. Prentice for pay for past service, - service prior to this date of the beginning of his salary, - and part payment of his " settlement."
NORTHWOOD, March the 3th, 1800.
Then Sealled accounts with the Select Men of Said town in regard of my Supplying the Desk in said town and have received my pay for the same up to the eighth Day of April 1799. Likewise Rec'd of Sher-
Jonathan Hill.
Solomon Bickford.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
burn Blake and Jonathan Blake Collectors two Hundred and twenty four Dollars and Seventy five Cent- for which they Received my Re- ceipt for the Same which is toward my Salary and Settlement to Com- mence April 9th 1799.
JOSIAH PRENTICE.
The ordination of Mr. Prentice took place May 29, 1799. The council was composed of Rev. Timothy Upham of Deerfield, who was chosen moderator; Rev. E. Hasel- tine of Epsom, who was chosen scribe ; Rev. Isaac Smith of Gilmanton, who preached the ordination sermon ; Rev. Messrs. Lanckton of Alstead, Carpenter of Chichester, and Coe of Durham, and delegates from these churches. All ordination in those days was an important event, and when Mr. Prentice was ordained the people of the town had made elaborate preparations and were early at the meeting- house, and large numbers came from towns both near and remote. The occasion was one of great interest, and elderly people used to speak of it as the great event of their lives.
Mr. Prentice, at his ordination, was twenty-seven years old. He was born in Grafton, Mass., February 17, 1772, whence, subsequently, he removed with his father's family to Alstead, in this state, Hc was graduated at Dartmouth College in the elass of 1795. He studied theology with the celebrated Rev. Drs. Emerson of Franklin, Mass., and Burton of Thetford, Vt. The carly years of the ministry of Mr. Prentice passed quietly and happily amid a united and satisfied church and people; the population of the whole town being, at his ordination, about one thousand. During the winter of 1809 and 1810 a great religious ex- citement prevailed, especially in the east part of the town. Rev. Eliphalet Merrill was then pastor of the Baptist Church, a man of striking peculiarities, of both mental and moral character. The reformation, as it was termed, was as peculiar as he who conducted it. "There was a most singular preparatory step to conversion among many of the
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HISTORY OF NORTIIN'OOD.
proselytes ; it was chiefly confined to the young of hoth sexcs, but more especially to females. They were seized with what was termed spells, which very much resembled fits of a nervous character, that came upon them, it was thought, at the time of conviction, and generally continued to visit them, at intervals, until conversion was realized. They seemed in much agony during their continuance, striving and shricking in a frightful manner, until ex- hausted." Mr. Merrill baptized, as the fruit of this refor- mation, about one hundred. This excitement entered many a family belonging to Mr. Prentice's church and con- gregation, taking one and another of the heads of families, but more of the sons and daughters, who became uncharita- ble towards the Congregationalists, and fearfully bitter in their feelings towards them ; while there was no excess of charity towards the subjects of this excitement. As a re- sult, families became permanently divided in religious sen- timents and sympathies, and the cause of religion in the town has never recovered what it lost during this fearful reign of wild fanaticisni ; while the church, which then scemed most to prosper, traces to this period the beginning of its long and dreary decline.
In 1827, the Congregational meeeting-house was repaired. " The old porches were torn down, and something very much in imitation of one of them was erected on the center of the front side. On the top of this was built a small steeple," but, to the disgrace of the town and congregation. a hell never hung there.
Large additions were made to the church in 1832, 1834, and 1838. In all there were added to the church, during the ministry of Mr. Prentice, about two hundred. The old meeting-house was used as a place of public worship until 1840, after which, as a town-hall until March 10, 1847, when it was consumed by fire.
The second Congregational meeting-house was erected in 1840. There had long been felt a necd of a new and more
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
convenient house of worship, but there was a reluctance to abandon the house of their fathers, hallowed by so many pleasant associations. The very dust on its moldings was sacred, and the clatter of its seats had music in it. Be- sides, the pastor was already in the vale of years, and could not lead in such an enterprise as one in the vigor of manliood. Still there was ability enough in the parish - wealth and talents -to accomplish the work if some im- pulse could be given. At this juncture, a son of Mrs. E. Coe, by her former husband, the Hon. David Barker, a youth of much promise, and prepared to enter college, sick- ened and died. When his body and intellect could no longer be aided by parental ministrations and further expenditures, the mother said within herself, " It would have required five hundred dollars to pay the college bills of our son; we had set apart this amount for this purpose, and had conse- crated him to Christ and the church. The Lord Jesus has undertaken the completion of his education and the supply of his wants. This money is no longer needed for him. But here are some of God's dear children longing for a more appropriate place of worship, for their spiritual good and the honor of Christ. If this money should be given towards the erection of a new sanctuary, may it not, in the comforting and strengthening of his people, and in its in- fluencing for good the youth that may be taught in it, accomplish as much for his glory as if expended as we first purposed ? " Her husband is made acquainted with these reflections, and cordially approves of the plan; and to- getlier, in that chamber of sorrow hallowed by the death- scene of a pious son, they bowed their hearts before the Good Shepherd, and consecrated to him and his people what it would have cost them to educate that now sainted boy if his life had been spared to them. Wiping away their tears, and blessing God for the privilege, they announced to the people their determination to give five hundred dol- lars towards a building fund ; Mr. Coe added to the same
Mary M. Coe
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
the sum of five hundred dollars, while the Hon. John Harvey gave five hundred dollars, and others of their smaller means contributed, and a beautiful sanctuary, - beautiful for its symmetry of proportions and admirable taste, - was erected at an expense of three thousand dollars, and was consecrated to the worship of God amid great rejoicings of the people, wherein an entire generation has worshiped, and young and old have alike reaped the benefits resulting from that affliction and that God-sug- gested conception of a plan of doing good. That gift blessed the givers and receivers ; for it made this sanctuary the special care and object of tender interest of the givers as long as they remained with us, and held them bound to us in tender affection when removed, until the one, of blessed memory, ceased to pray for the people to whom he was held bound by tender ties, and still holds the other to us in affections heightened by lapse of years, whose daily prayers are for the church in whose bosom her children nestled, and by whose prayers and sympathies she was com- forted in her repeated afflictions.
The pastor whose strength and manhood was consecrated to this church in 1799, who baptized the children, married the young, and buried the dead, and comforted and in- structed the living, closed his pastoral labors with this people, by the action of a council called at his own request, May 10, 1842, honored and beloved by the children and children's children of the men and women who welcomed his coming to them in 1799, after a ministry of nearly forty- three years, including the year preceding his ordination. He died October 28, 1855, aged eighty-three years.
After the dismissal of Mr. Prentice, the services of Rev. Benjamin F. Clarke were secured for a few weeks. Through the agency of the committee of the church and society, con- sisting of Mr. James C. Locke, Dr .. Moses Hill, and Nathan H. Leavitt, E. C. Cogswell was introduced to this peo- ple the first sabbath in July, 1842, and was ordained the
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
third day of November following, by a council consisting of Revs. Winthrop Fifield and S. N. Greeley, Prof. Aaron War- ner who preached the sermon, Rev. E. N. Hidden who gave the hand of fellowship, Rev. Daniel Lancaster who addressed the people, together with their delegates, among whom was . the Rev. Nathaniel Wells. Rov. Josiah Prentice gave the charge to the pastor.
Mr. Cogswell was dismissed July 18, 1848, and was suc- ceeded, the following year, by Rev. Otis Holmes, who was installed January 1, 1850, having commenced his labors here May 1, 1849. He was dismissed November 3, 1857, and removed to York, Me. Subsequently he returned to Sandwich, where he began his ministry in 1842, and at a later period he removed to Long Island, where he still re- sides. 1878, in active service as pastor of a church.
Rev. Henry C. Fay was installed December 29, 1858, coming from the State of Maine. He was dismissed Novem- ber 15, 1864, and removed to Norton, Mass.
Mr. Cogswell, who was dismissed from this church July 18, 1848, where he commenced his work the first sabbath in July, 1842, immediately entered upon pastoral duties with the Congregational Church in Newmarket, where he re- mained until the summer of 1855, when he removed to New Boston, to which place he had been invited the previous year, and was there installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Having suffered much from over-taxed eyes, and with exhausted strength, he was dismissed in the autumn of 1865, and, by invitation, returned to Northwood immedi- ately, to do what he might be able for the destitute church and people for one year, but whom he continued to supply as pastor until May, 1876, and, during the last nine of those years, was principal of Coe's Northwood Academy, in which many successful teachers have been trained, and numbers fitted for college ; and, during the last five years, the materials for these pages have been collected and ar- ranged for the press.
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Heliotype Printing Co.
Boston.
FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Freewill Baptist Church was organized June 4. 1833, in the Mountain school-house, through the influence of Rev. Daniel P. Cilley, consisting of thirteen members, five males and eight females. Its present membership is about one hundred and seventy.
Some five years after the organization of the church, their meeting-house was erected on Clark's Hill, and pro- vided with a bell. Since then, their sabbath congregations have been quite large. S. P. Fernald became their pastor, May 26, 1838, and was dismissed May 2, 1839, followed by John Kimball, May, 1839, dismissed March, 1843, followed by W. D. Johnson, October, 1843, and dismissed May, 1845. Mr. Johnson was an excellent man and an able preacher, whose influence restrained unruly passions, lie presenting religion in a rational and attractive form. He removed to South Berwick, Me., where he and his wife soon died. He was succeeded in May, 1845, by Mark Atwood, and he by W. D. Johnson, in May. 1846. Jolinson has since died. F. Moulton came, April, 1850, and left, April, 1853 ; has since died. S. P. Fernald came in April, 18553 ; left, April, 1855. Horace Webber came April, 1855 ; left, 1858, and has since died. R. D. Richardson came May, 1859 ; left, May, 1861. B. S. Manson came May, 1861; left, January, 1863. Edwin Manson came January, 1863, left October, 1864, followed by E. H. Prescott, October, 1864, who left, January, 1868. James Rand came May, 1869 ; left, February, 1870. L. P. Bickford came, April, 1870, left, April, 1875, followed by G. W. Gould, May, 1875, to leave, March, 1877. Mr. Gould was succeeded, April, 1877, by H. P. Lamprey, born in Groton, November 3, 1833, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1862, and from New Hampton Institute in 1865, and married, July, 11, 1867, Miss Nellie S. Hardy of Groton.
Thus, from May, 1838, to May, 1878, there were sixteen pastors, and an average pastorate of two and a half years.
1
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
CHAPTER II.
SCHOOLS.
Coe's Academy. - Seminary. - School-houses. - First Sabbath. - School Or- ganized.
COE'S NORTHWOOD ACADEMY.
[The following historical sketch of Coe's Northwood Academy was prepared for exchange with kindred institutions, on the centennial year of our country, and is changed only to adapt the record to 1878.]
THE town of Northwood is located in the northern part of the county of Rockingham, on the old turnpike road leading from Portsmouth to Concord, the capital of the state.
The distance from the nearest station on the Suncook Valley Railroad, at Epsom, is seven miles. The principal street runs through the center of the town, over a beauti- ful swell of land, affording views of lakes, hills and valleys of great attractions. The first settlements were made in 1763, by families from Hampton. A population, industri- ous and religious, soon took possession of the rich soil found on all our hills and valleys, which they dotted with comfortable dwellings.
The town was incorporated in 1773, and its one hun- dreith anniversary was appropriately celebrated September 6, 1873, by calling home those who had removed from the town, and by an historical address and various memorial services. As the fruit of this. a volume is soon expected to be issued from the press, containing the doings of the celebration and the history of the town, together with his- torical sketches of Deerfield and Nottingham, the two for- mer having been set off from the latter, after a united history of more than fifty years.
J
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
This book is to be embellished with portraits and land- scape views of the town, and copies of it to be presented to the leading institutions and libraries of our country. The population of the town is one thousand four hundred and thirty, aeeording to the last census. The elimate is health- ful, and there is an unusual freedom from incentives to rest- lessness and irregularities, so that great safety is guaran- teed to the morals of the young.
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