USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Plymouth > History of Plymouth, New Hampshire; vol. I. Narrative--vol. II. Genealogies, Volume I > Part 20
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The petition, in 1777, of eight residents of Plymouth to be excused from the payment of taxes for the support of a minister not of their faith, with other petitions in other towns, was the beginning of a movement that culminated in a revolution in the method of raising money for the support of ministers in New Hampshire. The number excused from the ministers' rate from year to year increased until the burden upon the remainder be- came onerous. As long as the people of a town were of one faith the system was one of equitable intentions and good results. With an increase in the population and in the number of churches, it became apparent that a town could not exercise the functions of a parish of two or more churches, and in many minor particu- lars this agency of the town was a trespass on the rights of a - minority. In 1819 the toleration act, which severed the rela- tions of the town and the church and authorized the organization of independent parishes, was passed. The societies or parishes organized under the provisions of this act assumed the powers of a corporation without additional legislation.
In the consummation of a measure previously inaugurated the Congregationalists of Plymouth, at the same session, obtained a special act of incorporation as a parish, which was approved June 15, 1819. While these important measures and radical changes were being debated, Mr. Fairbank preferred a request for an increase of salary. The request was reasonable, but it was untimely. Under more favorable conditions an increase of
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salary would have been granted. He was dismissed, at his re- quest, March 18, 1818.
Rev. Drury Fairbank, son of Drury and Rachel (Drury), was born in Holliston, Mass., Oct. 13, 1772. He graduated from Brown University, 1797, and studied divinity with Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D.D., of Franklin, Mass. His first settlement was at Plymouth. After his dismissal here he engaged in Home Missions a short time and was installed at Littleton, where he preached until his dismissal, March 16, 1836. Retiring to a farm, he lived in Littleton until he died, May 21, 1856.
The successor to Mr. Fairbank was Rev. Jonathan Ward, a son of the first pastor of the church, who labored eleven years in the vineyard planted by his honored father. His first pastorate was in Alva, Me., where he was dismissed, at his request, July 22, 1818. He came to Plymouth the following August and preached here, without installation, from year to year until 1829. His farewell sermon was delivered September 20. Mr. Ward was a man of superior powers and unfailing piety. His life is the story of devotion to the spiritual welfare of his fellowmen. If at times he appeared austere and formal, it was more the expression of his devotion to the church than of any failure of sympathy and friendship for his neighbors and friends.
As a preacher his sermons were convincing, his sincerity was impressive, and his anxious concern for his congregation was the silent and enduring force of his preaching.
The departure of Rev. Jonathan Ward had been anticipated, and Mr. Punchard was invited to supply the pulpit the succeeding Sabbath. A severe sickness delayed the coming of the candidate, and Rev. James Hobart preached about six months as a temporary supply. He was a native of Plymouth, and was the pastor of the church in Berlin, Vt., many years. (See Volume II.) Mr. Punch- ard began his labor in this town in the spring of 1830. He was young, ardent, and gifted, an able preacher and a sagacious, active pastor. His power in the pulpit and his influence among the peo- ple are fresh in the annals of the church, and are attested by the
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increase of membership expressed in the statistics of the church at the close of this chapter.
For a brief season the labor of Mr. Punchard was disturbed by local discussions of the anti-slavery cause. It was an incident and not a condition of his ministry. Here was the home of Nathaniel Peabody Rogers, and in the church of which he was ยท a member he raised an issue that an aggressive anti-slavery posi- tion was the first duty of the church. The attitude of the pastor and the sentiment of the church undoubtedly was in harmony with the body of the church of the free States. All were nomi- nally anti-slavery. It was not an issue of principle, but one of degree and intensity. The church and the pastor were assailed in the press, and on account of the bitterness of the discussion the church, in 1841, withdrew fellowship with Mr. Rogers.
Early in 1842 Mr. Punchard's health became impaired and his voice failed. He was absent six months, but was not then able to resume pastoral labor. He made a voyage to Europe, without substantial improvement, and preached his farewell sermon in December, 1844.
Rev. George Punchard, son of John and Kezia (Madbury) Punchard, was born in Salem, Mass., June 7, 1806. He gradu- ated from Dartmouth College, 1826, and pursued the prescribed course of study at Andover Theological Seminary, graduating in 1829. He was ordained at Plymouth, March 11, 1830, and dis- missed, at his request, March 6, 1844. This was his only pas- torate, and on account of a permanent affection of the throat, he seldom preached subsequently. He was one of the founders of the Daily Evening Traveller, of which he was the editor, 1845-57. In 1859 he became secretary of the New England branch of the American Tract Society, and successfully discharged the duties of the appointment until 1867, when he again returned to editorial labor upon the Traveller. While in Plymouth he wrote and pub- lished View of Congregationalism (400 pages) in 1841, which he revised, enlarged, and published in two volumes in 1865, adding a third volume in 1867. At the time of his death Volumes IV and V
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were in press. He married, in July, 1830, Williamine Poole of Hanover, daughter of William Poole of Hollis; she died May 18, 1876; he died April 2, 1880. His ministry in Plymouth was memorable. With the enthusiasm of a fervid nature, and with the tact of genius, he led by persuasion and instructed by example. The genial companion of youth and age, a friend of sinners and a brother of saints, he touched and quickened the moral and intel- lectual forces of the community. His labor in this town, like the course of a river, was onward and enlarging. His preaching was inspiring and his influence was refining. Viewed from any stand- point, the memorable ministry of Mr. Punchard was a fruitful and happy era in the annals of Plymouth.
During the disability of Mr. Punchard, and immediately after his dismissal, Rev. Enoch Corser supplied the pulpit. He preached a considerable part of the time in 1843, 1844, and early in 1845. He was taxed in this town in 1844 and 1845.
Rev. Enoch Corser, son of David and Ruth (Blaisdell) Corser, was born in Boscawen Jan. 2, 1787, pursued a preparatory course of study with Rev. Abraham Wood of Boscawen, graduated from Middlebury College, 1811, and studied theology with Rev. Walter Harris, D.D., of Dunbarton. He was installed over the Congre- gational Church, London, 1817, and dismissed 1837; he supplied at Northfield 1838-43, Plymouth 1843-45, Epping 1845-48, London 1857-59. He died June 17, 1868.
During the time Mr. Corser was supplying the pulpit Rev. John U. Parsons preached a few Sabbaths. By invitation Rev. John Wilde of Conway and Rev. Mr. Saunderson each preached four Sabbaths as candidates, but a call was not extended to either. In the meantime the church invited Deacon David C. Webster to procure a candidate, and he engaged Rev. William Reed Jewett to preach four Sabbaths. A call was extended by the church and society April 24, 1845. The following day Mr. Jewett accepted the call, and a council representing nine churches was convened June 25, 1845. To this council Revs. Drury Fairbank, Jonathan Ward, and Mr. James Hobart were invited and took parts in the
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order of exercises. Mr. Jewett remained a faithful and laborious pastor of the church seventeen years. In a letter dated May 13, 1862, he asked for a dismissal and proposed a mutual council. His request was granted, and the relations were dissolved by a council which convened July 10, 1862.
Rev. William Reed Jewett, son of Rev. David and Rebecca (Reed) Jewett, was born in Gloucester (now Rockport), Mass., Sept. 12, 1811, and graduated from Amherst College, 1831, and Andover Theological Seminary, 1834. He preached as stated supply in Braintree, Mass., 1835-36. He was pastor of the Con- gregational Church, Griswold, Conn., 1837-43; supplied at Lisbon, Conn., 1843-44. After his ministry in this town he was installed over the Congregational Church in Penacook, 1863, and dismissed 1874. He subsequently removed to Andover, Mass., where he died Aug. 26, 1882.
In the discharge of ministerial duties Mr. Jewett was laborious and faithful, and in his relations with the public he was sincere and charitable. His sermons were the expression of an earnest purpose, and in his ministrations upon the sick and bereaved he was kind and sympathetic. In an eminent degree he secured the respect of all and the love of very many.
Rev. Henry Allen Hazen began preaching in this town in October, 1862. A call was extended December 16 following, and a council was convened Jan. 20, 1863. The churches represented in the ceremonies of installation were Laconia, Campton, Hebron, Wentworth, Haverhill, Newbury, Vt., Hartford, Vt., and Wind- sor, Vt. The ministry of Mr. Hazen in Plymouth began in the gloom and depression of the Civil War and ended amid the triumph of victory and the smile of peace. He was dismissed, at his re- quest, by a council which convened July 15, 1868. Mr. Hazen was a diligent pastor and an efficient supporter of every laudable enterprise in church and in town affairs. His sermons were carefully prepared and every duty of a pastor was faithfully performed.
Rev. Henry Allen Hazen, D.D., son of Allen and Hannah
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Putnam (Dana) Hazen, was born in Hartford, Vt., Dec. 27, 1832. He pursued a preparatory course of study at Danville, Vt., and at Kimball Union Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth College, 1854, and Andover Theological Seminary, 1857. He was ordained as an Evangelist at St. Johnsbury, Vt., Feb. 17, 1858. He preached, without installation, in Barnard, Bridgewater, Hardwick, Barton, and West Randolph, in Vermont, until 1862.
His second pastorate was at Lyme, where he was installed Sept. 2, 1868, and dismissed Sept. 30, 1870. Installed at Pitts- field Dec. 3, 1870, dismissed Nov. 30, 1872. His fourth and last pastorate was at Billerica, Mass., where he was installed May 2, 1874, and dismissed May 4, 1879. Retiring from active ser- vice in the ministry, he removed to Auburndale, Mass., where he subsequently resided.
During his ministry in Plymouth he delivered the Historical Discourse at the Centennial Anniversary of the church, which was printed, and is a valuable contribution to the history of the town and of the church. He is the author of the History of Billerica, Mass., published in 1882. It is an accurate work and one of the best town histories that has been published.
In 1883 Dr. Hazen was elected secretary of the National Coun- cil of the Congregational churches of the United States. In this service he has earned a reputation for industry and accuracy. He prepared with unfailing care and ability the minutes of the council, and was the editor of the Year Book seventeen years. He was secretary of the International Council which met in London, 1891, and of a second meeting in Boston, 1899. In the work of preparation and in the publication of the proceedings he rendered valuable and appreciated service.
Dr. Hazen was a trustee of Kimball Union Academy, 1869- 1900; Howe School, Billerica, Mass., 1875-86; and a member of New England Historic Genealogical Society, New Hampshire His- torical Society, and Vermont Historical Society. He was editor of the General Catalogue of the Andover Theological Seminary,
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1880, and prepared and published Pastors of New Hampshire, and Ministry and Churches of New Hampshire.
Reference is made to the New England Historical and Genea- logical Register, July, 1901, for an appreciative and faithful biog- raphy of Dr. Hazen, contributed by his friend, Rev. Ezra Hoyt Byington, D.D. Dr. Hazen died by apoplexy, Aug. 4, 1900, while visiting his native town.
The year succeeding the dismissal of Mr. Hazen was a season of temporary supply. Cyrus Richardson, then a student in the senior class at Andover, preached three Sabbaths, and a unanimous call was promptly extended. The call was accepted, and Mr. Richard- son was ordained and installed Sept. 30, 1869. Rev. Dr. Tucker, now president of Dartmouth College and then of Manchester, gave the charge to the people, and Rev. Ephraim E. P. Abbot of Meriden extended the right hand of fellowship. The cere- monies were impressive, and a memorable and fruitful ministry was inaugurated under happy auspices. The records of the church is the continued story of contentment and satisfaction. The young pastor was soon called to a larger field of labor, and he was dismissed, at his request, May 1, 1873.
Rev. Cyrus Richardson, D.D., son of Samuel and Hannah (Varnum) Richardson, was born in Dracut, Mass., March 30, 1840, graduated from Dartmouth College, 1864, Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, 1869, and received the degree of D.D. from Dart- mouth College in 1889. He resigned his charge in Plymouth in order to accept an invitation of the First Congregational Church and Society of Keene, where he was installed 1873 and dismissed 1883; he was installed over the First Congregational Church of Nashua in 1883, and remains the esteemed pastor of that church. He has been a trustee for many years of the Home Missionary Society and a member of the executive committee, and for twenty- five years a trustee of Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, and since 1892 a trustee of Dartmouth College.
The church of Plymouth again sought a pastor among the students of the senior class in the Andover Seminary, extending
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a call, in June, 1873, to George Hale Scott. He was ordained and installed Sept. 3, 1873. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. E. C. Wright of Philadelphia. Rev. Mr. Scott was an earnest laborer and a devoted pastor. Early in 1878 his health failed, and he was given four months' leave of absence without loss of salary. He journeyed in Europe, and was absent from late in March until September. His letter asking a dismissal is dated Aug. 30, 1881. The council convened Sept. 9, 1881, and the rela- tions of church and pastor, to the regret of many, were severed.
Rev. George Hale Scott, son of Thomas W. and Jerusha (Shattuck) Scott, was born in Bakersfield, Vt., April 23, 1839, and graduated from Williams College, 1855. After a preparation for the profession he was a lawyer at Vergennes, Vt., until 1870, when he entered Andover Theological Seminary, graduating in 1873. After his successful pastorate in Plymouth, Mr. Scott pur- sued a post-graduate course at Andover, and became acting pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church of Lawrence, the oldest and largest Congregational church in Kansas. He remained two years. Returning East he was pastor one year at Rockland, Me., and was installed over the First Church of Ipswich, Mass., Dec. 31, 1884. He was dismissed 1891, and he has been pastor of the Congregational Church of Atkinson since April 1, 1893.
During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Scott there were two seasons of revival, and he left the church enlarged and united, and a suc- cessor was chosen with an unusual expression of unity and satis- faction. For a third time the prayer of the church was answered at Andover. From the senior class of the seminary, the bountiful mother of the ministry, a candidate was selected. Rev. Henry Porter Peck was ordained and installed June 1, 1882. The sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, D.D., of Boston. The charge to the pastor was by Rev. Henry A. Hazen, D.D., and the address to the people by Rev. Cyrus Richardson, D.D.
The ministry of Mr. Peck was successful and unusually satis- factory to the church and the congregation. He is an able and instructive preacher and a generous friend of all the people. His
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church and parish duties were well performed, and the memory of his ministry is pleasant and enduring. He was dismissed, at his request, Sept. 16, 1889.
Rev. Henry Porter Peck, son of Rev. Henry North and Ada (Porter) Peck, was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., Oct. 25, 1853. He was left an orphan in infancy and passed the years of child- , hood in the home of his grandfather, William Kellogg Peck, in Norfolk, Conn. He graduated from Amherst College, 1878, and pursued a two years' course of study at Auburn (N. Y.) Theo- logical Seminary. He entered Andover Theological Seminary in 1880, graduating in 1882. After his appreciated labors in this town he was installed over the Second Congregational Church of Winsted, Conn., where he remained nearly three years. He was pastor of the Congregational Church in Milford nearly seven years, resigning in 1899. After two years of rest and study in Boston he became pastor of the Congregational Church in Mount Vernon and principal of the McCollom Institute. (See Volume II.)
Mr. Peck left the church and society in a prosperous condition, and an early effort to settle a worthy successor was eminently suc- cessful. Rev. Frank G. Clark was installed Jan. 2, 1900. The services were memorable in the introduction of several ministers well known to the people of Plymouth. Rev. Cyrus Richard- son, D.D., delivered the sermon, Rev. Arthur N. Ward the charge to the pastor, Rev. Henry A. Hazen, D.D., the address to the people. The invocation was by Rev. F. J. Ward, and the in- stallation prayer by Rev. John L. Merrill.
Mr. Clark came to Plymouth with the established reputation of an able preacher and a wise and efficient director of parish affairs. During his ministry the church has been united and over one hundred have been added to the roll of membership. The parish has been strengthened, the congregation has increased, and the annual contributions to benevolence have exceeded any former period in the history of the church.
The ministry of Mr. Clark in Plymouth was one of solidity, strength, and progress. Knowing every member of the congrega-
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tion, he faithfully ministered to all. His labors were incessant, and his influence and instruction will be permanent and salutary. In the midst of his usefulness his health failed and he asked for a dismissal. A mutual council convened, and with sincere ex- pressions of regret on the part of the assembled clergy, and sorrow on the part of the church and congregation, the relations were dissolved in 1904.
Added to his pastoral labor in this town, Mr. Clark attended many councils and the stated meetings of the clergy. During the term of his ministry in Plymouth he was an active member of the Home Missionary Society, and was one of the presidents of the Central New Hampshire Congregational Club. In the work of the auxiliary societies Mrs. Clark was willing and efficient, and her labor and counsel are kindly remembered.
Rev. Frank Gray Clark, son of James Lindsay and Hannah (Baldwin) Clark, was born in Lyndeborough Feb. 22, 1838, and graduated from Amherst College, 1862, and Andover Theological Seminary, 1869. He was the principal of Francestown Academy, 1862-67, and was a delegate of the Christian Commission at Petersburg, Va., in the summer of 1864. Mr. Clark was ordained at Francestown, Sept. 2, 1869, and he hopefully and successfully entered upon the labors and responsibilities of the ministry at Manchester, where he was the city missionary over three years. In this field of labor, with constant sympathy, he delivered the divine. messages of his Master to the poor and the neglected, and com- forted the sick and the bereaved in many homes. His industry and success were warmly commended by the clergy of the city. His first pastorate was in Rindge. He was installed June 3, 1873, and dismissed, at his request, Dec. 31, 1878. He had previously received a call from the Evangelical Congregational Church (now Trinity) of Gloucester, Mass., and was there installed Jan. 28, 1879, and dismissed April 1, 1888. He resided about two years in West Medford, Mass., supplying the First and the Pilgrim churches in Nashua ten Sabbaths each, and was six months acting pastor at Arlington, Mass. Since his ministry in this town he
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has resided in Wellesley, Mass., removing from Plymouth in May, 1904.
Mr. Clark was succeeded by Rev. Clinton W. Wilson, who began his labor in July, 1904, and who has preached as stated supply until the present time.
Rev. Clinton W. Wilson, son of Rev. Amos E. and Frances (Parker) Wilson, was born in Phoenix, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1864. He is a representative of a ministerial family. His father has filled important pastorates at Lansing, Mich., Lowell, Mass., and is now pastor of the Free Baptist Church at Dover. His grandfather, Rev. Joseph Wilson, was a faithful pastor in New York and New Jersey until a few years previous to his death in 1877.
Mr. Wilson was educated at Mexico (N. Y.) Academy and at Hillsdale and Hamilton colleges, taking his degree from Ham- ilton in 1887. Before he entered the ministry Mr. Wilson studied law and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court at Bing- hamton, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1887. He early decided to enter the ministry, and became the pastor of the First Congregational Church at Hartford, N. Y., where he was ordained May 15, 1890. He pursued a course of theological study, which was sup- plemented by a special course at Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1891 and 1892. He has filled important pastorates over the First Congregational Church, Ogdensburg, N. Y .; Park Avenue Congregational Church, Meadville, Pa .; and the Centre Street Congregational Church, Ashland, O. During his ministry in this church his health has not been firm, and he has been denied the pleasure of the full amount of parish work that his devotion to his profession has prompted. He is an able and accomplished preacher. His sermons are prepared with care, and he preaches without the aid of notes or manuscript.
If ready to accept some enlargement of its creed, the church of Plymouth has remained steadfast to the fundamental prin- ciples of the Congregational order. Over the church nine min- isters have been installed; and in this connection there should be
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a mention of the ministry of Rev. Jonathan Ward, who preached eleven years without installation. The church has been fortunate in the selection of pastors; none have died in office, and all were dismissed at their request and with the regret of the church and congregation. Each pastor has been an earnest laborer in the vineyard planted by the fathers in the wilderness and has gathered fruits according to the measure of his faith and tillage.
During the ministry of Mr. Ward two meeting-houses were built by the town. The first house of worship was built in 1768, or four years after the first settlement. In March, 1767, the town voted to build the meeting-house " on the hill west side Mr. Ward's house," and amended this location by a vote "that Mr. Josiah Browns and half a mile above the foard way over Bacors river on the Cohos road be the two extremes to Mesher from and Build the meeting house in the midway between them." This vote also was reconsidered, and in April, 1767, it was determined that " the meeting house shall stand on Lott number six on Baker's river raing." In March, 1768, the town voted to re- consider all former votes, and began again at the beginning. During the discussion of twelve months concerning the location of the contemplated meeting-house, the opinions of all were matur- ing, and at this meeting the town apparently unanimously voted " to set the Meeting house on the fifth lot in number on Bakers River Raing in the most convenient place near the Road." This vote was not changed. At the same meeting the town chose Jacob Merrill, David Webster, and James Hobart " to build the meeting house as soon as may bee." These votes were not changed, and without further instructions from the town the first meeting- house in Plymouth was built at the foot of Ward Hill.
The house was occupied during the following winter, and at the annual meeting in March, 1769, the town directed " that the committee chosen to build the meeting house proceed to make the meeting house comfortable to meet in." This vote was re- peated in March, 1770, by instructions that the committee " pro-
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ceed to finish the meeting house so far as to make it comfortable to meet in."
The committee evidently completed the work to the satisfaction of the town. No additional measures were proposed until the final vote in March, 1772, " to sell the ground for Pews, as it now is, to the highest bidder, viz. those Pews on the left hand of the Pulpet at Six o' the Clock this evening at the house of Ensign David Webster."
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