History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 33

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390

USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 33

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

for a settlement, and that the old cellar and well are yet to be seen where the road was straightened, near the Goodrich and Webster places. The mill- grant was laid out March 15, 1710. This is the earliest date of records we have found. The deed of the French place is dated June 16, 1710. Benoni Clough purchased the Caleb Webster place in 1715. A part of the Brown place, with improvements thereon, was purchased in 1716. The first land was laid off by the lot-layers, hence no person obtaining land by deed was the first settler or owner of that land.

Capt. John Webster was made a freeman in 1705, and some years later had land assigned him by the lot-layers on the north road, where his son, Jeremy Webster, lived.

The homestead of Ebenezer Webster ( I), one of the grantees of Kingston, which was also the homestead of Ebenezer Webster (2), where Ebenezer Webster (3), who was the father of Hons. Daniel and Ezekiel Webster, was born, was located earlier than either we have named. This place is situated on a moderate eminence on the north side of the Salisbury road or highway leading to Kingston. It is less than a mile west of the railroad station, and half a mile east of the boundary line of Kingston. For a time it was owned by Capt. John Currier, and was set off to his widow as a part of · her thirds. It is known by the family as Old Orchard.

Congregationalists .- We learn from the first church book "That the Gen- eral Court of New Hampshire did, by their act of 17th November, 1738, erect a new parish in the easterly part of the Town of Kingstown, by the name of the . East Parish in Kingstown."

The inhabitants of said parish, after solemn seeking to God for direction, having the pastors of the neighboring churches join with them, and preach according to the direction of the province law in such cases, assembled on the 17th July, 1739, in a parish meeting legally warned, to make choice of some person to be set over them in the work of the ministry, and voting as usual in such cases, they did with the utmost unanimity make choice of and call Peter Coffin, A. M., of Exeter, unto said ministerial employment among them, who after seasonable deliberation did, on the 3Ist of August following, return answer with acceptance of their call.

During the thirty-three years of Mr. Coffin's pastorate there were 691 baptisms, or an annual average of twenty-one. There was rarely over forty or less than four in any one year, generally somewhere midway between these extremes, decreasing in some measure towards the last of his pastorate.

1744, March 28th, it was voted, "That there shall be a tankard full of wine, that shall be left, given to the pastor after every sacrament."

These tankards of wine yielded bitter fruit in the end. It stung "as an adder.'

In 1746, Ebenezer Sleeper and Obadiah Elkins and their wives were charged with absenting themselves from meetings and communions, and "going to Exeter and other places to Separate meetings," thus violating their church covenant. Susannah Morril, "Separatist," Sarah Sleeper, who found it more profitable to attend Separate meetings, and others were charged, examined, and suspended, but all these were eventually restored, and dismissed to more congenial church relations.

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Their defense was, in the language of Sleeper, "That the preachers they heard preach at the Separate meetings at Exeter opened the Scriptures more to their understanding, and they profited more by their preaching than they could by the preaching at home; that God had met and blessed them, and they were not sensible of having done wrong." This was the character of the defense of all.

It is a fair supposition that the preaching of Whitefield was the occasion of the Separate meetings in Exeter and other places. The doctrines of the "New Lights" were more satisfactory to spiritual minds than the meetings at home.

"The failure to settle a minister after the dismission of Mr. Coffin in 1772 was not entirely due to the low state of religion in the place, but to the same causes which unsettled many ministers and which prevented many from settling. The agitation produced by the political state of the country at the commencement of the Revolutionary war called off the attention of men from the subject of religion to other duties, and the drafts of men and of money for the prosecution of the war left the people in many parishes unable to contribute for the support of public worship, so that many preachers, dependent on their salaries for support, were 'liged for the time to engage in other occupations.

For over a quarter of a century exertions were made to support and sustain Congregationalist sentiments, doctrines, and usages. The last of those who supplied the pulpit regularly was the Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy. He preached and resided in the town some time, we are unable to determine how long. He removed to Philadelphia about 1817.

Methodists .- The first preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New England was Jesse Lee, a Virginian, who, in 1789, preached in the State of Connecticut, in Lynn, Mass., and on Boston Common.

The first sermon by a Methodist in New Hampshire was preached by him in Portsmouth, July, 1791. The first society was organized at Chesterfield, in the southwest part of the state, in the latter part of 1795. It is not easy to ascertain when the first sermon was preached here or the first class was formed. We are inclined to the opinion that there was preaching earlier than 1799, but that no society was formed before 1802. In that year Thomas Rawlin and Orin Fairbanks were stationed here and in Poplin. Then fol- lowed a long list of circuit preachers. In 1820 Eleazer Steele and in 1824 Amos Binney and others until 1842, when a commodious house was erected, and James M. Young was stationed preacher, and various preachers had short terms until 1857. Then for seventeen years the conference did not station preachers here.

In November, 1879, the church was reorganized. In 1880 and 1881 Rev. Fred E. White was in charge and in 1882 Rev. Alexander McGregor. Rev. E. May has been assigned as pastor for 1914.

The Baptists .- The Baptists were first known in this town some time between 1750 and 1776. The first Baptist Church in New Hampshire was organized in Newton in 1755, and it is probable that some of its members resided in East Kingston. Seven persons, viz .: Jonathan Blasdell, Henry Blasdell, Samuel Carter, Philip Rowell. Abraham Brown, Edmund Pillsbury,

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

and Sarah Graves, were freed from paying minister tax to the town for the year 1776 and thereafter, they being Quakers, churchmen, and Baptists.

In the winter of 1781, Abraham Brown took his family on an ox-sled to meeting at the old Philip Morrill house, beyond the Falls, where probably a portion of the worshipers were from South Hampton and Newton. Mr. Brown died in February, 1781. The Sabbath previously he attended meeting at Little River, in North Hampton. On his way homeward he was assaulted in the woods, causing a bruise which he carried to his grave the following week. He died on Thursday, at the age of thirty-five years. He evidently was a teacher among his brethren, though not an ordained preacher.

His widow kept open house for public worship and the hospitable enter- tainment of preachers and others.

Dr. Samuel Shepard, who was born in Salisbury, Mass., in 1739, was ordained at Stratham in 1771, and had settled in Brentwood, where a church was formed the same year, which a number of persons from East Kingston joined. Dr. Shepard often preached and baptized at East Kingston and neigh- boring towns accessible to the Baptists of this place. He had the care of the young and struggling churches in this vicinity, and fully earned the title of bishop among them. "In this town and South Hampton there were many converted during the summer of 1792."

Thomas Nichols, of Harvard, Mass., preached here and in various towns in the vicinity. "He was a faithful man, but of slender constitution, whose zeal went beyond his strength in his labors."

Rev. John Peak, a native of Walpole, N. H., removed to Deerfield in 1793, preaching not only there but in this and other towns. In 1795 Mr. Peak settled in Newton, and continued to preach frequently and baptize in East Kingston.

In 1797 the town "voted that the Baptists should have a portion of the parsonage money, and lay it out as they see fit, and have the meeting-house when not occupied." For many years from this there were contentions among the several denominations in regard to their rights in the meeting-house and to the parsonage, sometimes one and then another party prevailing. In 1812 the controversy was partially settled by "allowing the several denominations their proportionate share of the meeting-house and of the parsonage money, and refraining from raising money by tax to support preaching."

Benjamin Paul, a mulatto, preached for a time.

After the removal of Elder Peak from this vicinity, the death of Dr. Shepard and others, the Baptists had meetings less frequently.

Mrs. Corliss died January 13, 1858, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. Mr. Corliss died April 5, 1859, aged eighty-one years. Since their time there has been little effort made to advance the Baptist cause. In 1876, Rev. James Graham came to this place; an interest was awakened, several persons were hopefully converted, and others reclaimed from a backsliding state under his ministry ; but he and his friends thought it not profitable to the cause of God to build up a separate denominational interest.

Other ministers who have labored here, and of whom honorable mention should be made, are Revs. Ferdinand Ellis, Samuel Cook, John Newton Browne, Timothy P. Ropes, and James A. Boswell.

Adventists .- In the autumn of 1839, William Miller gave a course of lec-

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tures in Exeter, which attracted unusual attention. Many from this place went to hear, and were interested. Other public speakers who had embraced Mr. Miller's views lectured in the place, among them the eloquent Rev. Charles Fitch. In 1841 a camp-meeting was held here, which attracted a large crowd.

Many exaggerated reports were circulated concerning this and other kindred gatherings. That this meeting did not partake of the obnoxious qualities charged against them appears by the following account, written by John G. Whittier, one of the most enlightened and impartial observers :

"On my way eastward," says Whittier, "I spent an hour or two at a camp- ground of the Second Adventists in East Kingston. The spot was well chosen. A tall growth of pine and hemlock threw its melancholy shadow over the multitude, who were arranged on rough seats of boards and logs. Several hundreds, perhaps a thousand, people were present and more were rapidly coming. Drawn about in a circle, forming a background of snowy whiteness to the dark masses of men and foliage, were the white tents, and back of them the provision-stalls and cook-shops. When I reached the ground a hymn, the words of which I could not distinguish, was pealing through the dim aisles of the forest. I know nothing of music, having neither ear nor taste for it. but I could readily see that it had its effect upon the multitude before me, kindling to higher intensity their already excited enthusiasm. The preachers were placed in a rude pulpit of rough boards, carpeted only by the dead forest leaves and flowers, and tasseled not with silk and velvet, but with the green boughs of the sombre hemlocks around it. One of them followed the music in an earnest exhortation on the duty of preparing for the great event. Occasionally he was really eloquent, and his description of the last day had all the terrible distinctness of Annell's painting of the 'End of the World.' Suspended from the front of the rude pulpit were two broad sheets of canvas, upon one of which was the figure of a man, the head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and sides of brass, the legs of iron, and feet of clay .- the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. On the other were depicted the wonders of the Apocalyptic vision,-the beasts, the dragons, the scarlet woman seen by the Seer of Patmos,-oriental types and figures and mystic symbols, translated into staring Yankee realities exhibited like the beasts of a traveling menagerie. One horrible image, with its hideous heads and scaly caudal extremity, reminded me of the tremendous line of Milton. who, in speaking of the same evil dragon, describes him as 'swingeing the scaly horrors of his folded tail.' To an imaginative mind the scene was full of novel interest. The white circle of tents, the dim wood arches, the upturned, earnest faces, the loud voices of the speakers, burdened with the awful symbolic language of the Bible, the smoke from the fires, rising like incense from forest altars, carried one back to the days of primitive worship, when the groves were God's first temples."

From this meeting an influence went out into all the surrounding country. It was a season of awakening and religious zeal, even with those who did not embrace these peculiar views. At this time the believers in Advent doctrines were numerous, and there were many conversions from the world, as well as proselytes from the churches.

From 1841 to 1846 there was a continued interest, and a large number of

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

persons professed to submit themselves to God. Not only in these years, but afterwards in 1847 and 1854, very many were earnest and sincere in looking for the coming of the Lord "in the clouds of heaven." They have as yet been disappointed, but still cling to the hope very firmly, with Scotland's fairest poet, that

"The morn will come, nay, He himself, Brighter than morn's best ray, Shall come to bid the night depart, And bring at last the day."

In July, 1860, Rev. James White, of Portsmouth, preached here, and in the following November moved his family into the town. He stayed nearly two years, and in a letter said, "Forty persons were converted." "Most of the people were favorable."

The Universalists .- We cannot ascertain when the Universalists first came to this town. Revs. Sebastian L. Streeter and Hosea Ballou were early preachers here, and the earliest of which we have certain knowledge. Mr. Streeter commenced his pastorate in Portsmouth in 1815, and closed it in 1824. During this time he occasionally preached here. His "home" or stop- ping-place was with Esquire Edward Greeley, who died November 5, 1817. From the above and traditional accounts our conclusion is that it was not far from 1814.

A lady, born in 1806, remembers well Esquire Greeley and Mr. Streeter, and thinks we are as nearly correct in the time as can be ascertained, unless there are records somewhere to which we have not access.

Rev. E. H. Lake with his family resided in town a number of years, but preached here only a part of the time.

One-fourth of the inhabitants are strongly attached to Universalist doc- trines and usages, and are not favorably disposed to what are usually termed "evangelical views," though they claim that theirs are the most evangelical of any that are promulgated.

There is now a singular apathy existing with them in relation to meetings. They have had but a few for a number of years last past. Several families attend service on the Sabbath in Kingston, where is a prosperous society. The ministers who preached here after Messrs. Streeter and Ballou were: Revs. Russell Streeter, Charles Spear, Thomas G. Farnsworth, Thomas Whittemore, James Shrigley, S. S. Fletcher, Calvin Damon, Willard Spaulding, Henry Jewell. Nathan R. Wright, J. P. Greenwood, J. J. Locke, and Edwin J. Lake. Most of these were men of ability and accomplishments, who were active and fervent in their labors. None of them preached for a great length of time. They have never had a permanent settled pastor.

The Christians have had for many years an influence and a few adherents. As early as 1792, Rev. Elias Smith, then a Baptist, preached here and baptized. Gradually he separated from the Baptists, and with others started a new party called Christians. After this he preached here and in other towns in this vicinity. He possessed superior talents and was a great favorite with his friends, but was unstable in his doctrinal views. Others who have preached here acceptably are: Revs. Henry Rottle, John Harriman, Elijah Shaw,

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Julius C. Blodgett, Henry Plummer, Simeon Swett, Edwin Burnham, and Daniel P. Pike. But more than any other was Rev. Samuel E. Brown, whose home was here for many years, and who labored without fee or reward.

The Free-Will Baptists have had preaching here in past years, but no' membership, as they at once coalesced with the Christians. The Rev. Benja- min Fernald, who had labored in places not very far distant, came here in 1856 and preached from two to three years, including the years 1857 and 1858, to good congregations and general acceptance. He preached to a Union congregation, and made no efforts to build up his or any other denomination. A number of other Free-Will Baptist preachers have officiated here.

Military Record .- The following is a list of the soldiers of East Kingston in the War of the Rebellion :

John A. James, Co. I, 2d Regiment; enlisted November 30, 1863; pro- moted to corporal January 1, 1865; discharged December 19, 1865.

Daniel McNichols, Co. K, 2d Regiment; enlisted November 17, 1863; transferred to U. S. N. April 29, 1864.

George H. Myron, Co. I, 2d Regiment; enlisted December 2, 1863; pro- moted to corporal July 1, 1864; to sergeant May I, 1865; discharged Decem- ber 19, 1865.

Thomas H. Campbell, Co. H, 5th Regiment ; enlisted December 10, 1863 ; transferred to U. S. N. April 22, 1864.

Henry Dodge, Co. K, 5th Regiment; enlisted December 7, 1863; missing June 3, 1864.

Edward Colcord, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted December 10, 1861 ; dis- charged June 24, 1862.

George H. Marsh, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; re-enlisted corporal December 26, 1863; promoted to sergeant; absent, sick. since June 3, 1864; no discharge furnished.

Elvin Marsh, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861 ; killed August 29, 1862.

Ebenezer K. Mardin, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861 ; discharged June 24, 1862.

Daniel P. Pierce, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861 ; dis- charged August 29, 1862.

John A. Webster, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted December 23, 1863; captured May 28, 1864.

William Carter, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; trans- ferred to V. R. C. July 1, 1863.

Thomas C. Goodrich, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; promoted to sergeant ; discharged June 4, 1865.

John G. Colcord, Co. I, 6th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1863 ; pro- moted to corporal; discharged May 27, 1865.

Evander A. Goodrich, 6th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1863 ; trans- ferred to V. R. C. January 20, 1865; discharged September 3, 1865.

Henry McCabe, Co. D, 7th Regiment ; enlisted November 16, 1864.

Manuel Marks, Co. C, 7th Regiment ; enlisted January 3, 1865 ; discharged July 20, 1865.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

John San Francis, Co. D, 7th Regiment; enlisted November 16, 1864; discharged July 20, 1865.

Franklin Cass, Co. B, 7th Regiment; enlisted September 10, 1862; dis- charged June 26, 1865.

Sylvester W. Bartlett, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted December 20,: 1861; promoted to corporal May 1, 1863 ; killed June 14, 1863.

David D. Lawrence, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1861; died May 27, 1863.

Alonzo L. Tappan, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1861; discharged July 5, 1862.

Smith N. Welsh, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted January 4, 1864; dis- charged October 28, 1865.

James M. Tappan, corporal Co. A, 9th Regiment ; enlisted July 3, 1862; died November 1, 1862.

Benjamin D. James, Co. A, 9th Regiment; enlisted July 8, 1862; dis- charged April 30, 1863.

Charles H. Webster, Co. A, 9th Regiment ; enlisted July 10, 1862.

John Hill, Co. I, 10th Regiment ; enlisted August 11, 1863.

James McDonald, Co. I, 10th Regiment ; enlisted August 11, 1863; trans- ferred to 2d Regiment June 21, 1865; discharged December 19, 1865.

Alexander McDonald, Co. K, 10th Regiment; enlisted August 11, 1863 ; discharged February 22, 1864.

George W. Davis, Co. I, 10th Regiment ; enlisted August 11, 1863.

Peter Frigwirg, Co. D, 10th Regiment ; enlisted August 11, 1863; trans- ferred to 2d Regiment June 21, 1865.

Calvin B. Magoon, sergeant Co. I, IIth Regiment ; enlisted September 3, 1862; died May 17, 1864.

Jacob M. Phillips, corporal Co. I, IIth Regiment ; enlisted September 3, 1862; discharged April 22, 1864.

Charles M. Burleigh, Co. I, IIth Regiment ; enlisted September 3, 1862; promoted to corporal; discharged June 4, 1865.

John W. Nichols, mustered Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 2, 1862: discharged in general hospital ; authority and date unknown.

Gilman N. Dow, Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; dis- charged January 13, 1863.

Kingsley L. Hale, Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862 ; dis- charged June 4, 1865.

Nathaniel Swett, Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862 ; died January 11, 1863.

George Swett, Co. I, TIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; dis- charged June 3, 1865.

Charles Crocker, 12th Regiment ; enlisted December 8, 1863; supposed to have deserted en route to regiment.

John Rossengrist, Co. C, 12th Regiment; enlisted December 12, 1863; transferred to 2d Regiment June 21, 1865.

Jacob Anderson, Co. I, 12th Regiment ; enlisted December 8, 1863 ; trans- ferred to U. S. navy April 29, 1864.

Philip Smith, Co. D, 13th Regiment ; enlisted August 11, 1863.

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Henry H. Titcomb, Co. D, 14th Regiment; enlisted September 23, 1862 ; promoted to corporal October 31, 1864; discharged July 8, 1865.

William Miller, Co. F, 14th Regiment ; enlisted August 11, 1863.

Joseph Terry, Co. E, 14th Regiment; enlisted July 28, 1864; discharged July 8, 1865.

Charles E. Batchelder, sergeant Co. A, H. Artillery ; promoted to Ist ser- geant October 26, 1854; discharged September II, 1865.

William F. Currier, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted July 18, 1863; dis- charged September 1I, 1865.

Amos M. Batchelder, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted February 19, 1864; discharged September 11, 1865.

Charles C. Marsh, Co. A, H. Artillery ; enlisted July 18, 1863; discharged September 11, 1865.

George W. Marden, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted February 19, 1864; discharged September II, 1865.

Daniel P. Pierce, Co. A, H. Artillery ; enlisted July 18, 1863; discharged August 7, 1865.

Charles T. C. Pierce, Co. A, H. Artillery ; enlisted August 10, 1863; dis- charged September 11, 1865. .

Andrew J. York, Co. A, H. Artillery ; enlisted July 22, 1863; discharged September II, 1865.

James R. Gray, sergeant Co. E, H. Artillery ; enlisted September 5, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865.

Warren Balch, Co. E, H. Artillery ; enlisted September 5, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865.

Adoniram J. Sawyer, sergeant Co. G, H. Artillery; enlisted September 6, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865.

George B. Kendall, Co. D, H. Artillery; enlisted September 4, 1864; dis- charged June 15, 1865.

Edwin S. Sweatt, Co. E, H. Artillery; enlisted September 5, 1864; dis- charged June 15, 1865.

Isaac H. Heath, Co. E, U. S. S. S .; enlisted September 9, 1861 ; discharged April 1, 1863.

Lewis B. Morrill, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; drowned at Big Black River, Miss., July 22, 1863.

Edward Colcord, Veteran Reserve Corps; enlisted December 2, 1863; date of discharge unknown now.

Charles Freeman, U. S. C. T .; enlisted January 3, 1865 ; date of discharge unknown now.

Edward Davis, U. S. C. T .; enlisted December 30, 1864; date of dis- charge unknown.

Henry H. Titcomb.

Amos F. Varney, sergeant Co. G, 18th Regiment ; enlisted November 16, 1864; reduced to ranks March 13, 1865; discharged July 29, 1865.

Frank Clark, enlisted July 28, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given.

David Roberts, enlisted July 29, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given.

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Abel Gale, enlisted August 2, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given.

John Smith, enlisted November 17, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given.

James R. Grey, corporal Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; discharged January 22, 1864.

The East Kingston Public Library was established July 11, 1894, under the library law. Its 1,418 volumes are located in the town hall. Annie M. Buswell is the librarian.

CHAPTER XXVI

EPPING

Geographical-Topographical-Petition for a Parish-Petition of the Inhabi-

tants of Epping for Men to Protect Them, 1747-Parish Taxes, 1748- War of the Revolution-The Lottery Bridge-Military Record-Soldiers of the War of the Rebellion-Ecclesiastical-Native Ministers-Physi- cians-Public Officials-Attorneys-at-Law-Banking-Origin of the Name of the Town-Public Library.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 33

Author: Hazlett, Charles A Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Number of Pages: 1390

Author: Hazlett, Charles A
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold
Number of Pages: 1390