History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 66

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

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"The Humble petition of us the Subscribers Most Humbly sheweth- that the houses and habitations of your petitioners are in the north easterly part of the town of Hampton at or near Littel Bores Head near Lettel River or near the Sea and that we live most as near upon a Line to the meeting-house at the town as to that of North hill and that it is much easier for us to go to meeting at the town than to North Hill by reason of the Goodness of the way to the town and there not being any way for us to go to meeting at north hill nor ever like to be unless we travil much farther than to go to the meeting-house at the town :

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"Your petitioners Humbly pray that your Excellency and Honours would be pleased to take this petition into consideration and in your grate Good- ness exempt us from paying to the support of the ministry at North hill and that we may still remain-and be taxed to the support of the ministry and the other Publick charges of the town as we used to be and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.

"John Batchelder "Thomas Hains "Jeremiah Page Stephen Brown.

Mosies Lampre Obadiah Marston

"In the House of Representatives, gmo, 25th 1742.

"The within Petition Read and considered & voted to be Dismissed "James Jeffry Clr. Assm"

Moses Leavitt, of this town, was appointed captain in the Continental service, June 13, 1776, and authorized to raise 100 men to join the army in New York. He was on a committee of officers at Hampton, in 1777, to petition the honorable committee of safety to take measures for the defense of the sea-coast. In 1778 he was again appointed to enlist soldiers for the Continental army; was appointed lieutenant-colonel of Third Regiment New Hampshire militia in 1781, and was representative to the General Assembly in 1782 and 1783.

The Congregational Church .- Our forefathers were careful to erect the meeting-house and provide for the preaching of the gospel as soon as they had formed any distinct and considerable settlement. Many of the town- ships originally were large, and as the population extended to the borders of the town, a portion of the people were often obliged to travel a long distance to church. The only way to obviate this difficulty was in forming a separate parish whenever the population became sufficient to support a minister. So it came about that many towns had more than one church of the same denominational order, and not infrequently were there new parishes after- wards incorporated into towns.

Within one hundred years after the first house was built in Hampton a considerable settlement had formed at North Hill, about three miles from the meeting-house. Those settlers suffered many trials because of their isola- tion, the difficulty in clearing the land, and Indian depredations. Their first houses (one of which is now standing) were lined with bricks to make them bullet-proof, and a garrisoned house was built on the green, to which they resorted in time of especial danger. While they felt that they must vigorously wield the axe, and drive the plow, and unceasingly watch the stealthy savage, they grew dissatisfied with their religious privileges, believing that it was needless for them to go three miles on the Sabbath to worship when the preaching of the gospel could be supported in their midst.

With the impression that some steps should be taken towards a better state of things on the 2nd of May, 1719, "Samuel Chapman and others pre- sented a petition to the Council Board" that they might be relieved from giving support for the minister at the old parish in Hampton, and be per- mitted to lawfully sustain the gospel among themselves. This was respect- fully received, and a committee of four persons was appointed to ascertain "the bounds and limits of a parish in the north end of Hampton." On the 34

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29th of May that committee reported that the parish lines should be nearly the same as the present boundaries of North Hampton, with the exception of a part which has since been set off to the Town of Rye. But as the select- men of Hampton remonstrated, the petition was dismissed, and nothing further of account was done towards effecting a separation until 1734, when, on the 9th of October, thirty-five persons petitioned the General Assembly, praying that the parish bounds might be established agreeable to the report of the committee appointed to define them fifteen years before. This request was carefully considered, but on account of the opposition which the select- men offered, and a remonstrance signed by twenty-six individuals who lived within the bounds of the proposed parish, they stating "we rather continue as we are, one parish," the bill passed in the negative. At the beginning of the year 1736 several members of the church living near North Hill obtained the consent of their pastor, Rev. Ward Cotton, to hold religious meetings among themselves on Sabbath evenings. He drew up some articles of agreement to govern the meetings, which all who proposed to attend signed.

Whether this was done as a compromise to quiet the known restlessness is not quite certain. However, it was not sufficient to meet their desires for religious advantages. It rather deepened their sense of deprivation, for, in 1737, they renewed their request to be constituted a distinct parish, but this effort also proved fruitless.

There were persevering men in those days, especially in things which they knew were right. Accordingly, on the 2d of November, 1738, another petition of a similar nature was presented to the General Assembly, then held at Portsmouth. On the 17th of the same month a bill granting the request passed the House of Representatives, was concurred in by the Council, and received the indorsement of the provincial governor.

Thus the parish at North Hill was formed, on the condition that they would support a minister and a schoolmaster, and would pay their annual proportion of the grant which the town had made to Dorothy Gookin, widow of Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, who at his death had been minister of the town twenty-four years.

Although the exact date cannot be determined, yet prior to 1734 a meeting- house was erected a little south of the center of what is now the common. It was 30 by 40 feet, framed for galleries, and was without pews for years, notwithstanding an agreement had been made that one range of pews should be laid out adjoining the walls of the house, to be valued from ten pounds to fifteen pounds, "according to the dignity of the pews." The evidence is only inferred that meetings were held in that house until the parish was legally formed.

The first parish meeting was called by Daniel Sanborn, on Christmas day, 1738, when a committee was appointed to agree with Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, son of the lamented minister of the first parish, to preach to the society for three months.

The first annual meeting which, by act of the General Assembly, must occur in March, was held on the 20th of that month, 1739, at which they agreed to employ a minister for one year. But at an adjourned meeting, held on the 8th of May following, they voted to settle a minister within twelve months. To aid in making a right choice, they proposed to follow the usual custom of those days by calling a fast and inviting neighboring

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ministers to spend the day with them in prayer and consultation. Agreeable to the advice then given, the parish chose a committee on the 12th of June "to treat with Mr. Nathaniel Gookin to settle with them in the work of the ministry." They voted to procure for him a parsonage of at least ten acres of land, fence it, and build upon it a convenient house and barn, to furnish him annually sufficient firewood, and to give him 110 pounds a year, adding five pounds each succeeding year until the amount should reach 140 pounds, and if it were needful, and they were able, further additions should be made. This was to be given him, even if, because of sickness, he might be unable to perform Sabbath service. Surely such was a generous offer for those times.

After due consideration the call was accepted. In his letter to the parish committee, he said, "I accept your invitation, demanding of you, as you will answer it at the great day, that you give diligent heed to the truths I shall bring you from the gospel of Jesus Christ, and practice according to them; also that you be continually earnest at the throne of grace for me, that I may be a faithful and successful laborer in the gospel among you." He at that time was twenty-five years of age, having graduated at Harvard College seven years before.

As yet there was no church organization, but on the 23d of September, 1739, those persons living within the bounds of the new parish who belonged to the First Church made application for letters of dismission, that they might organize a church at North Hill, but the purpose was not favorably regarded, and their request was refused. Nothing daunted, the North Hill people called an Ecclesiastical Council, ex parte, of course, which met on the 30th of October. The Council and brethren sent a declaration to the First Church, but they were not recognized. Afterwards a public conference was agreed upon and held, yet the church refused to grant the required letters of dismission. Smarting under such treatment, on the day following, the Council and brethren took matters into their own hands, and organized what they called "the Fourth Church of Christ in Hampton," and at the same time ordained Mr. Gookin as pastor. This was a bold stroke, but it proved to be a wise one. The First Church afterwards acquiesced in the movement, and within three years they granted letters of dismission to several persons and recommendation to the church at North Hill.

After much perplexity and deep feeling the desire of the people in the north part of Hampton was secured so far. But as in all new public enter- prises there are many calls for money and labor, so the North Hill Parish found many things which needed attention.

In 174I a parsonage-house was built, of dimensions 25 by 30 feet, with a lower addition on one end. During the same year the first pew in the meeting- house was built, having the extent of 5 feet on the wall from the pulpit stairs, and 5 feet front, covering an area of 25 square feet. In this the family of the minister sat, while the rest of the people had to arrange themselves as best they could, for there were no other regular seats built in the house until 1746. In the year following a parsonage barn, 20 by 24 feet, with twelve-feet posts, was built. This completed the agreement of the society in providing a parsonage. It must have been at great personal sacrifice that they provided so much ; and had not relief been given by their right in some of the first parish property, their struggle would have been very severe and prolonged.

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On the 30th of November, 1742, the parish was incorporated as a town. This act brought up new matters for adjustment between the two parishes. The second minister of Hampton, Rev. Timothy Dalton, who died in 1661, left a large ministerial fund for the town. When North Hampton was incor- porated the tax-payers felt that they were justly entitled to their proportion of that property, and in a friendly way they requested that it might be con- veyed to them. For some unexplained reason the request, which was several times repeated, was not granted ; and it was found necessary to carry the case into court, where, after some delay, it was decided in favor of the com- plainants. As nearly as can be ascertained, about one-fifth part of the old par- sonage property was conveyed to North Hampton. This greatly aided in the support of the minister. Especially helpful was it, since about that time the colonial currency began to depreciate in value, so that the parish was obliged to add to Mr. Gookin's salary. At first they increased it five pounds, then twenty, then ninety, afterwards adding more and more every year until it became 1,200 pounds.

As the parsonage-house was too small for the increasing family of the pastor, a section of eighteen feet was put on to one end in 1753. In order that it might better accommodate the minister, the house was afterwards moved to a place opposite the present parsonage, and nearer the meeting- house, on to a lot of land secured by exchange with Capt. Abner Fogg. There it was occupied by different ministers until the year 1800.

The first meeting-house had never been fully finished. There was noth- ing costly about it. Even the pulpit was unornamented and simple, although of good workmanship, and the only pew was not elaborate. There had arisen a feeling that the old house was inadequate to meet the wants of the increasing congregation, and withal it was probably inferior to houses of worship in the neighboring parishes, so after much discussion and planning they decided to erect a new one. The work was begun, and for the main part of the house completed in 1761. It was 40 by 48 feet, with galleries after the style of those days, and was built in a substantial manner, being unique and comfortable, except in the cold weather, when the windows would rattle and the people would shiver, and the preacher would try to wax warm over his well-written manuscript. The days of carpeted floors, elastic cushions, anthracite burners, and steam-pipes had not come. The addition of a steeple to the meeting-house was earnestly discussed, some wanting it on the west end, some on the east end, and some not caring to have it at all. Because of this diverse feeling the whole matter was dropped, and it was fifty-five years before the tower was erected and the much-needed bell pealed forth its invitations to worship.

After the completion of the meeting-house the interests of the church and parish moved on without especial innovation or jar until the 22d of October, 1766, when Mr. Gookin was removed by death, after faithfully laboring for the salvation of souls and setting before his people a worthy example for twenty-seven years.

His ministry was marked by many of the hardships which pioneers of the gospel necessarily experience. He is said to have been "a sound divine, a serious, plain preacher, a wise counselor, and a much-beloved pastor of his flock." He was thrice married-first to Miss Judith Coffin, daughter of Eliphalet Coffin, of Exeter. His second wife was Miss Anna Fitch, daughter

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of Rev. Jabez Fitch, of Portsmouth, by whom he had three children. His third wife was Mrs. Love Wingate, by whom he had eight children.

After the death of Mr. Gookin the town generously provided for his widow, furnishing a comfortable home for a while at least, and giving her fourteen pounds lawful money.

As the most of the early church records have been lost, the number of members when organized and the additions during the first pastorate cannot with certainty be given, but it is probable that the original number was quite small, and that about forty belonged to the church at the time of Mr. Gookin's death. Although it was a sad day to the church when their first pastor laid off his care and entered into everlasting rest, yet they were not long willing to be without some one to break to them the bread of life. Accordingly, Mr. Joseph Stacy Hastings, a native of Newton, Mass., then twenty-five years of age, was invited to preach as a probationer. So highly pleased were the people that they at once gave him a call to settle with them as minister of the town. Feeling that "a great and effectual door was open" to him, he accepted the call, and was ordained over the church on the IIth of February, 1767. He was a good and true man, although somewhat eccentric, keenly sensitive, and sometimes impatient of human weaknesses. He deeply mourned over the worldliness and cold formality of Christians, and earnestly labored to effect a greater spirituality in the church. He believed that every Christian life should be luminous with love. He accomplished a worthy work during his ministry of seven and a half years, receiving fifty persons to church member- ship. He adopted the Sandemanian doctrines and notions, after which he declared the resignation of his ministry in a brief and decided manner on the 3d of July, 1774. Although informal, the church courteously acquiesced in his decision. He was treated with great kindness by the people. They voted to make him a present of $120, the crops on the parsonage for that year, and the use of the parsonage-house until they should want it. During Mr. Hastings' ministry the people became agitated about the subject of sing- ing. Different opinions were entertained concerning what they should sing, but in the month of May, 1771, the town voted "to sing one of Dr. Watts' hymns once every Sunday," and in the following April a special parish- meeting was called to see if they would introduce "Dr. Watts' Psalms and Three Books of Hymns," to be sung in the church and congregation. It was decided to use those hymns in their worship which proved to be satisfactory ; at least the subject was not seriously agitated again.

Rev. David McClure, who had just declined a call to the church in Ports- mouth, was invited to supply the pulpit for a time. Being highly pleased with his ministrations, the people invited him to settle with them, offering as a stipulated salary "eighty-five pounds, lawful money, together with the home parsonage and the buildings on the same." With unanimity of feel- ing he was installed on the 13th of November, 1776, twelve churches having been invited upon the council.

He was a native of Boston, twenty-eight years old, and graduated from Yale College seven years before. He was a man of high culture, good judg- ment, and pleasing address, and for twenty-three years ( 1777 to 1800) was one of the trustees of Dartmouth College. His Alma Mater gave him the degree of D. D. in 1803.

As the colonies were at war with the mother-country when he was settled,

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having but a few months before declared themselves independent, as things in the political world were in an unsettled state, as excitement on all great national questions ran high, as the country was comparatively poor, and as no human mind could forecast the future, it was a trying period to commence a pastorate. Since national affairs were of absorbing interest, great effort was needed to make men feel their accountability to God. But under the wise and judicious labors of Mr. McClure the church and parish prospered, and during his nine years of ministration twenty-two were added to the mem- bership. Soon after his settlement depreciation in the currency of the country became alarming, and at times the prospect of supporting a famliy seemed discouraging. The people nobly exerted themselves to relieve him. During his first year they gave him $100 more than they had agreed. The next year they gave him $500 additional. In 1779 the town added $1,000, and afterwards increased it by 100 bushels of corn; and in 1780 his salary was raised to $12,000 and twelve cords of wood! He bravely struggled on, receiving the affections of his people, and carefully calculating how to make his $1,000 a month purchase the necessities for himself and family. Finally he felt it his duty to resign his charge, which he accordingly did in August, 1785. Having been dismissed, he moved to East Windsor, Conn., where he preached until his death in 1820.

As the pulpit was again vacant, the church called a fast, and consulted with several ministers of neighboring churches in reference to securing a pastor. Mr. Benjamin Thurston, of Bradford, Mass., then about thirty years of age, was recommended, and being well liked, he received a call for settlement, and was ordained on the 2d of November, 1785. Although an able preacher, he was not very Christ-like in character, yet during his ministry of about fifteen years fifty-three were added to the church. A debt was contracted of considerable amount, to pay which a portion of the parsonage was sold. Agreeable to the known desire of the people, he tendered his resignation, and was dismissed on the 27th of October, 1800.

The parish chose a committee to look up another minister, and Col. Thomas Leavitt, chairman of that committee, went to Andover, Mass., with the purpose of inviting Mr. Jonathan French, son of the beloved pastor of the South Parish in that town, to preach as a candidate. He gave up the prospect of another field of labor, and agreed to spend a few Sabbaths in town. The people were well pleased with him, and without delay he was requested to become their minister. He was ordained on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1801, being twenty-three years of age, and having graduated at Harvard College three years before. Little then did he realize the work which God had marked out for him in North Hampton. Little did he think that he would be instrumental in moulding the character of more than one generation in the same parish. Little did he suppose he should write a history on human hearts that would cause his name to be fragrant in memory long after he should rest from his labors. It is well that he could not divine the future. He proved to be the right man in the right place.

Party feeling in politics ran high in the beginning of the present century, and as the parish included the whole town, this feeling was expressed in ecclesiastical as well as civil affairs, and was pronounced in an apparent oppo- sition to the settlement of Mr. French. Great wisdom was needed to meet such a state of things, but the young pastor was equal to the occasion, and so deported himself as to command the respect of all classes.

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It was one condition of the call for settlement that the parish should repair the parsonage-house or build a new one. They found it advisable to build. The work was undertaken in earnest, and in 1803 they completed a substantial and commodious house after the style of those days. About this time the pastor was married to Miss Rebecca Farrar, of Lincoln, Mass., a lady fair to look upon, lovely in spirit, and possessed of sterling virtues. As he was returning to his home with his bride, after having taken a short vacation, the people, desirous of showing their esteem, sent a delegation to meet him just beyond the border of the state, while the greater part of them went out to escort him from the Hampton line to the recently finished and furnished parsonage-house, and to make the occasion complete a grand recep- tion was held in the evening. This auspicious beginning was followed by years of peace and prosperity, the pastor continuing to receive that high respect, and sometimes reverence, which people of those days were accus- tomed to give to ministers of the gospel, while his words of instruction and counsel were received without much serious questioning or even mental dis- sent. In those days it required great boldness, and certainly it was a vio- lation of the sentiment of the people, to make a public issue with the minister. In such a state of society the pastor's influence was potent and usually pre- vailing. He was consulted on temporal as well as spiritual interests, and often became the final arbitrator when parties disagreed.

In the year 1816 the parish decided to add a tower to the church and place in it a good-sized bell. This was what their fathers felt the need of and long talked about. Its completion was a matter of congratulation, as it gave new life to the community by being rung to regulate their daily labors, as well as to summon them to worship.

Although the parish included the town, yet all the inhabitants of the town were not in sympathy with the church. For a generation some had enter- tained the belief and sentiments of the Baptists, and had protested against the support of orthodox worship. This number increased until a Free-Will Baptist Society was formed. Many of this class early availed themselves of a statute law, by which their ministerial tax could be used for other than the support of orthodox Congregational worship. This prepared the way for a proportional claim of the parsonage property. A period of great trial now came on. Nothing more difficult to manage had occurred since the North Hill Parish was formed, nearly one hundred years before. Party feeling was strong, and it became needful to support the preaching of the gospel independent of the town. This necessitated the formation of the North Hampton Congregational Society in 1834, although the constitution was not adopted until the month of June, 1835.

In order to equitably divide the parish property, the town voted to sell the parsonage for $1,600, and that each voter should say to which religious society his proportional part should be given. Much the larger proportion was given to the Congregational Society. On the 27th of April that society voted to purchase the parsonage for the sum specified. In payment of this they had to tax themselves only for the amount which the Baptist people had received.

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History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens, Part 66

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