History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 117

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 117
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 117

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" Signed by " JONATHAN TILTON, " Moderator."

And at a meeting March 4, 1771, the above vote was " ratified and confirmed," and it was-

" Voted that this parish do hereby heartily Join with that part of the Church in said parish who are aggrieved and Disaffected at the Late and present conduct of the Revd mir Wingate and such of the said church and parish as Juin with him Respecting the Late and present Differences & Disputes Between the said parties in Calling a Council of Elders and Churches," etc.

This is the first allusion in the records to the church as distinct from the parish, and also the first mention of a council. A committee was chosen to make all necessary arrangements for the said council. At an adjourned meeting the first Tuesday in April it was voted to convene the council on the 23d inst. No further reference to this couneil appears, and it is another peculiarity of these old records that docu- ments are often recorded in the spirit of the adage, " Better late than never."

Thus the next record is that of the sale of the pews by the building committee made previous to the erec- tion of the new house :

"It Being Requested by Seavnrel Pearsone that this Report of the Committee Should be Recor'd." Dated Feb. 7, 1769.

Hampton Falls is here written with a large F for the first time in these records.

The following is the last half of a request addressed to Mr. Wingate, signed by sixty-one legal voters, and · dated Dec. 4, 1769 :

" And we, the subscribere, . . . your Parishioners being Desirous that the euid meeting-house may be Solemnly Dedicated to the Public wor- ship of God, aud that the Duties of your Sacred Function may be by you performed there Do hereby eigaify to you our hearty Desire and Sincere Request that you will Come to the said house and Perform the Same. In doing which we Trust and hope you will Honour God, acquit your- eelf Worthily, in your Sacred Office, and Do Great good to your Parish- ioners."

To which Mr. Wingate replies, December 28th, taking the ground that he had no power to change the place of worship; that the petitions of others could not convey to him that power ; and that even the

" vote of the parish to build a new meeting-house Dos not appear suffi- cient of itself to Justify me in Removing the Stated worship from the usual place."

This he states as the opinion of disinterested per- sons with whom he had consulted. And in closing,

"I would recommend . .. to every member of this Society that in addition to your linmble, fervent prayer to God you fail not to be useing your best endeavors to Bring to a speedy issue the present unhappy con- ttoversy which subsists, and that Love and harmony may again reign among us."

The whole reply is quite lengthy .. Next, under date of May 10, 1771, is recorded the delivery of the new house to the parish by the building committee. The next document which contributes to the history of these events is dated Aug. 30, 1770, signed by Nathaniel Ilealey and fifty-seven others, and states that whereas Mr. Wingate refuses "to Perform the Duties of his ministerial Function at Said new meet- ing-house," " agreeable to the Vote of Said Parish and the advice of Neigboring ministers," and they are obliged to hire preaching in the new house at their own expense, they " Do hereby Protest against all and Every Tax & assessment for the salary or support of the said Mr. Wingate." Next on record is the peti- tion to Justices Bryant and Emery, whose order has has already been given in full. It is signed by Na- thaniel Healey and fifty others.

It may be of interest to some to learn the names of those who were legal voters in Ilampton Falls in 1770, and to note the form of names which have since increased, diminished, or become extinct.

" A list of the Polls who Polled for and against Capt. Jonathan Tilton as Moderator of A meeting of the Inhabitants in Hampton Falls in P'ui- suance of a Warrant Signed by Walter Bryant and Noah Emery, Esqrs. Two of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the Province of New- hampshire, holden at the New meeting-house in Said Hampton Falls, near Jeremiah Lanes house on Tuesday, the 30th day of January, A.D. 1770."

These fifty-four names are arranged in three col- umns, each one being numbered :

"Capt Nathaniel Healey

Joseph Sanborn

Joshua Blake

Elisha Prescott

Jacob Green

Benja Sanborn

Sammel Prescutt

Samuel Melcher*

Thomas Sillea #

John Clifford *

Stephen Healey

Richard Moulton

Nathan Tilton

Benja Moulton

John Flood *

Julın Bachelder

Caleb Swain *

Jedidiah Sleeper #

Nathan Brown

Nehemiah Cram

Nathan Tilton Jur

Stephen Swain

Abraham Brown

Saomiel Tilton

Daniel Brown

Saml. Melcher hurt

Redman Moulton

Samuel Jamies *

David Tiltoa

John Brown

Nath' Tiltou

Benja Tilton

Jonathan Tilton Jur

Jeremiah Lane

James Preseutt Jur

John Swain

William Page

William Swain

Melcher Ward *

James Sanborn

Jacob Green Jur

Isaac Green

Josiah Moulton

Caleb Tilton

Henry Blake

Jonathan Burnham *

Jeremiah Blako

Francis Burnham

Jonathan Cram

Joel Cram

Jona. Perkios

Eaton Green William Preecutt

Henry Sanborn.

498

IIISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" The three Last were objected to by Coll. Weare & others as not being Voters and they were accordingly set aside Joel Cram being under age Jonathan Perkins not being Rated in the Parish and Henry Sanborn Living in that End of his Father's honse which Stands in Krisington. attest Noah Emery Just Peace. The List of Polls against Capt, Jonathan Tilton on the other side

" Ilonbl Mesheck Weare Esqr

Jonathan Fifield *

Enoch Sanborn Joseph Worth

Ralph Butler

Jonathan Fiflekel Jur

Richard Nason

Abner Sanborn

Caleb Sauborn

David Norton #

Nathan Cram

Juna Steward *

Stephen Crass .

William Blasdell *

William Lang*

AAbner Saubern Jur

Sam Prescutt

Joshua Chase

David Bacheller

Nathan Green

Isiah Lane

Jedediah Stanyan *

Jonathan Nason

Gamaliel Knowles $

Ebenezer Meloon #

Dudley Sanborn

Nathan Weare

Josiah White *

Francis Marshall

Philip Burns *

Samuel Weare

Zebulon Hilgard

David Perkins

Stephen Lang

Simeon llilgard *

John Kenny

Chi ist Blako

Elijah Green (chjected to)

Moses Swett *

Malachi Shaw #

Samuel Rubie Stephen Lang

" Richard Mace* (48) was objected to by the opposite party as not being a proper vuter, being supported by the Parish, and was accordingly set nside; also Nathan Cram, Elijah Green, & Christopher Blake were ob- jected to as being too young for Voters, but were allowed." " attest Noab Emery Just. Peace."

This poll shows fifty-one of the new house party to forty-seven of the old house, Mesheck Weare heading the minority. A * marks those family names that have become extinet in this town. At a meeting held the 30th of September, 1771, First, Capt. Jona. Tilton was chosen moderator.

" 2ly. Voted to Dismiss the Rev. Mr. Pain Wingate," etc.

" 3ly. Voted To Chuse a Com . . to Treat nil agree with Mr. Win- gate with Respect to what Compensation shall be allowed and paid by said Parish for the Secular Inconvenience wh. the Dissolution of his said relation exposes hita."

The fourth vote provided for arbitration. By the fifth a committee were to request him to ask for a dismission. After three adjournments this meeting was dissolved November 13th, and among the curi- osities of these records is a call in the next page for a meeting to be held on the 4th of the previous March. The call is recorded seventeen pages after the record of the meeting. The following document closes the controversy between Mr. Wingate and the party of the new meeting-house. It appears that the new meeting-house party outvoted the old, but were out- generaled by Mr. Wingate.

Mr. Wingate's Resignation. A Legal Document.

" Hampton falls Dec 4th 1771.

"To the Parish of llampton falls. Gen' and attested copy of the votes passed at your Parish meeting on the Twenty-fifth of November last has been laid before me & I have observed in them the steps taken by you in order for my Disinission from the ministry in this place and u final settlement Between us-und eince from your proceedings I find no en- couragement to expect peace and Quietness with you in the ministry and hoping that thio' the overruling providence of God it may be most for the interests of Religion in your unhappy circumstances & for my own Comfort and usefulness I Do now agreeable to the decrees of the

late Conncil ask n Dismission from my ministry among yon to take place at the time & after the manner specified as follows (viz) That I shall re- ceive Fifty pounds Lawfull money of the Parish to be immediately paid or sufficiently secured to me with interest until paid and shall still con- tinne a settled minister of this Parish by virtue of the agreement made at my Settlement in this Place and shall Enjoy all ministerial Rights auml privileges as heretofore except those I shall Resign by a mintnal agreement Between me & the Parish-that I shall be exempt from all taxes in the Parish & shall Retain the free quiet & faith possession En- joyment & improvement of all the parsonages Buildings & Lands now in my possession the Repairs to be kept good by the Parish, all the aforesaid right Priveledges & Enjoyments as a Settled minister of the Parish to Continue secure to me for the space of four years from next March & no Longer : that. I shall be wholly released from performing any ministerial Service in or for the Parish except what I shall voluu- tarily consent to after the usual term of the present year & shall have Liberty tu resign my ministerial Relation whenever I shall see fit short of the four years and Remove out of the Parish and in that case the Parish warranting to make Good the improvement of the Parsonages Buildi: gs and Lauds as above During the aforesaid term of four yents the above sum of money to be paid & all the aforesaid priviledges and improvements to be continued to me as an equitable & Immble compeu- bation for the secular inconvenience of my Removal and I Do not ouly ask a Dismission to take place at the time & after the manner specifyed But I Do hereby Give to the Parish a full acquitance from that part of their contract which is to pay to me fifty- five pounds sterling annually as a salary and I Do hereby Likewise promise & holl myself oblidged in the sum of two hundred pounds Lawfull money to be well & truly paid to the Parish in case of forfeitme that I will not improve my ministerial Right and Priveledges by continuing a Settled minister of the Parish any way to involve them in the Least Charge as their Settled minister except in the liespects above mentioned or for the hindrance of a quiet & peace- able settlement of another minister speedily-and that I will quit my ministerial Relatlon & Resign all the Parsonages & ofher privelidges as a Settled minister of this Parish at the time & after the manner specified above all which is upon condition & firm Dependence that the vote above liervited shall be truly & fully complyed with on the part of the Parish- given minler my hand and seal this fourth Day of December in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and Seventy-one & in the twelfth year of the reign of king George the third of Great Britton &c

" Signed Sealed & Delivered

Paine Wingate

" in Presence of us " Stephen Chase " Joshua Chase " attested pr Benjamin Tilton Parish Clerk"

On the next page are copies of three receipts given by Mr. Wingate for notes received of the selectmen. It is with a sense of relief that we come to the close of this controversy, which has been so fully narrated for the special benefit of those people in Hampton Falls who expatiate on the good old times when there was but one church in the place, and the Congrega- tional lion, the Unitarian lamb, the Presbyterian ox, and the Baptist walrus lay down lovingly together in Monument Square. Distance ever lends enchantment to our views. Rev. Paine Wingate, fourth pastor of the Hampton Falls parish church, was born in Anies- bury, Mass., in 1739; graduated at Harvard in 1759; was ordained Dec. 14, 1763, and "resigned March 18, 1776." " After his dismission he turned his attention to civil affairs, was honored with office, and was for many years one of the judges of N. H. Died in Strat- ham, N. H., March 7, 1838, aged ninety-nine years."

Mr. Wingate lived with his one wife more than sev- enty years, and the births of two children are recorded. When after his dismission he was a candidate for the State Senate and for Congress, he received a full vote in Hampton Falls. On the 22d of June, 1772, six months after the arrangement with Mr. Wingate,

Nathan Cram

Obediah Worth &

Pain Roove #

499

SEABROOK.

it was voted to raise twenty pounds lawful money for the support of preaching that year, to be expended by the selectmen. In 1773, June 15th, a call for a meeting was issued by John Phillips, of Exeter,

" Pursuant to an act or Inw of said province passed in the present year of his Majesty's Reign Eutitled an net for dissolving the annual meeting of the Inhabitants of the parish of Hampton Falls, and authorizing the holding n new meeting."

It remains for future investigation to determine the object and bearing of this act. This meeting was held June 28th, and "The Honabel Con1 John Phillips, Esq', Being appointed Moderator to Govrin Said meeting," the usual parish others were chosen and the usual business transacted without any reference to ministerial affairs. At a meeting July 13th, it was voted to pay the expense of petitioning the General Assembly for the aforesaid act. It was also voted to raise forty pounds lawful money to be expended by the selectmen in hiring " some proper Gospel preacher in this place this year," and "to have preaching in the Congregational order." It is presumed that "this place" meant the new meeting-house, where the legal meetings of the parish had been held since its erec- tion. At a meeting, June 27, 1774, called for the pur- pose of seeing if something could be done toward set- tling a minister, it was merely voted to raise money for six Sabbath-days' preaching, and a committee chosen to supply preaching "for fore Sabbaths to come." And at another meeting on the 14th of No- vember, held for the purpose of making arrangements for further preaching, Capt. Tilton, the moderator ; Mr. Jeremiah Lane, grandfather of Levi Lane ; and Mr. David Bachelder, grandfather of Deacon Emery Bachelder, were chosen a committee-

"* to Go and treat with the Lower Eand of the parish consarning the Dificultys that Subsists in the parish,' and upon the second adjourn- ment of this meeting it was voted to raise 15 pounds for preaching, and a Com was chosen 'to apply to the association for advice and for to apply to some sutable candidate or candidates to suply the Parish with preaching.' Jan. 9, 1775, ' Mr. Paine Wingate' was chosen one of five Deputies 'to join with Deputies from other Towns und Parishes in the choice of Delegates for the Congress proposed to be held at Philadelphia the 10th day of May next.'"

On the 3d of May, 1775,

" Voted that Col. Mesheck Weare and Reyd Mr. Paine Wingate be the Delegates To Set in Congress ut Exeter, the 17th of May Instant."

About this time several of the legal meetings of the parish were held in the old meeting-house, and in the warrant for one to be held June 7, 1775, was an article " To see if the Parish will agree to hire some Sutable Person ... to preach alternately One half of the time at the New meeting house," etc. But no refer- ence to this article appears in the record. The chief subjects of interest at that time were the choice of delegates to Congresses and the providing of soldiers' arms, ammunition, and provisions. A warrant dated Nov. 27, 1775, concludes with this :

" N. B. the Congress for this Colony have Resolved that no Person be allowed a Seat in Congress who shall by Himself or any Person for him before said Choice trent with Liquor &c any Electors with au appareut view of Gaining their votes or afterwards on that account."

At the annual parish-meeting March 12, 1776, it was

" voted the Parsonago Ilouse and Parsonage Lands be approprinted and used for the benefit of Schooling and for the Support of the Poor the ensning year."

And on the next page, same date, is recorded an agreement by Mr. Wingate to

" Quit my Ministerial Relation and Resign all the Personages and Other Privileges ns n Settled Minister of tho Parish,"

allowing a few days for the removal of his effects.1 At a meeting the 6th of May, 1776, it was voted to hire preaching for two months, the services to alter- nate between the old and new meeting-houses; and before that time had expired it was voted to provide for six Sabbaths' preaching in the new house and for four Sabbaths in the old. Here was an evident pur- pose to gradually wean the people about the old house from their place of worship, and this purpose devel- oped itself at the next meeting, October 21st, when it was voted to have three Sabbaths' preaching and a thanksgiving sermon, all at the new house. And in- cidentally it is stated that they had been supplied with preaching by a Mr. Thurston.

At the annual meeting, March, 1777, it was voted that the income of the parsonage property for the ensuing year be equally divided between the two ends of the parish. In the warrant for a meeting, March 31st, was an article in reference to hiring preaching, but no recorded action was taken on it. On the 21st of July it was

" Voted to hire Some Sutable Person or Persons to Preach in this Parish upou Probation in Order for a settlement Amongst us."

It was voted to invite the neighboring ministers to preach among them, and to ask their advice in the matter. It was also voted to hire preaching for four months in the new meeting-house, and that the rent of the parsonage property should be laid out for preaching.

" And all Those that Incline to Lay out their Money for Preaching at the old Meeting House Signify it to the Select Men Seasonally."

" Malachi Shaw Dissents against the above Votes."

By a warrant dated Sept. 1, 1777, it appears that the selectmen had received from Hon. Jonathan Moulton, Esq., an offer of a tract of new land lying in Moultonboro' Gore, or addition, to be used in sup- port of the gospel in the parish forever. On the 16th of September, Benjamin Sanborn, Jeremiah Lane, and Nehemiah Cram were chosen a committee to go and inspect said land. They reported at an adjourned" meeting, November 4th, that it " appeared to them to be good and valuable land." A committee was chosen to thank Col. Moulton and seek some statement of his terms for " Bringing to and carrying on the pro- posed form." This meeting was adjourned to No- vember 18tlı, for the evident purpose of hearing a report of the last committee, but the following is the

1 The stipulated four years of occupation being expired.

500

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

sole record of that meeting: "The Moderator says this Meeting is Dissolved." At a meeting held De- cember 29th following, for the purpose of making some arrangement about preaching, it was voted to exempt from ministerial tax that year those persons who had supported preaching at the old meeting- house and constantly attended upon the same. And it was also voted to extend a call to Mr. Ebenezer Dutch, on the same terms on which Mr. Wingate set- tled, viz. : the use of the parsonage property and fifty- five pounds lawful money . . "Good Indian Corn at four shillings per Bushel, and Other things equal thereto." The next record concerning preaching is under date of April 27, 1778, when

" It was voted that the Lower Part of the Parish have what is com- monly called the Lower Parsonage's Buildingsand flats (salt marsh ) And the upper part of the l'arish to have what is called the Upper Parsonage for the present year.

In the warrant for a inceting October 19th allusion is made to a plan for uniting with the parish in Sea- brook to hire preaching between them. The Sea- brook parish was at that time destitute of a settled pastor, Rev. Elias Hull, the second pastor, not being installed until Feb. 6, 1799. At the said meeting it was voted to hire preaching for two months in the new meeting-house. Then follow four adjournments of the same meeting without any recorded action, and with one of Samuel Weare's flourishes of the pen closes the first volume of the Hampton Falls records, numbering five hundred and fifty-four pages.

The first entry in the second volume of the parish records is the warrant for the annual meeting of 1799. Samuel Weare, son of Mesheck, parish clerk for three years previous, continued to act in that capacity until 1788, twelve years in all. In 1787 he was one of the se- lectmen, his associates being (first) Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge and (third) Peter Tilton, and was afterwards a representative to the General Court. At this annual meeting it was voted to appropriate the income of the parsonage property for the support of the gospel in the parish, and all those who were dissatisfied with this arrangement could have their proportion by call- ing for it. May 18th, it was "Voted to hire Mr. Colby to preach at the New meeting House two months, Including the two Sabbaths that are already past." And at a meeting held for the purpose June 14th it was voted to invite Mr. Zacheus Colby to set- tle at a salary of sixty pounds, besides the parsonage, and that he should preach at Seabrook such a part of "the time as they should pay for. No further refer- „ence is made to him. At the annual meeting in 1780 the same disposition of the parsonage property was made as in the year previous, and at a meeting May 22d the committee were instructed to agree with Mr. Thurston to preach two Sabbaths. At a meeting December 11th it was voted not to hire any one to preach on probation, but it was voted to extend a call to Rev. Dr. Samuel Langdon to settle at a salary of fifty pounds lawful money aunually, or forty-two

pounds and eight cords of good merchantable fire- wood.

" Three and sixpence of said money to be as good as one Bushel of Indian Corn ; four Pence Equal to One Ponud of Pork ; Two Pence half Penny Equal to One Ponud of Good Beef."

And the buildings and outside fences of the par- sonage were to be kept in repair, "as has been usual in tintes past," the lands to be free of taxes. The following is Mr. Langdon's letter of acceptance :

" Whereas the Inhabitance of the Parish of lInmpton Falls att a Legal Meeting held the Eleventh Day of December, 1780, by their vote nt said Meeting gave me a call to be their Minister; and by a subsequent vote made provision (here he proceeds to carefully state the terms) all which votes have been communicated to me by their Committe : There seri- ously attended to the foregoing Call to devote my Lalumirs in the minis- try of the Gospel to tho Service of this Parish, and Notwithstanding sonte Discouragements which have appeared in my way, and the Earnest Ap- plications which have been made to me by some other Parishes when there was a prospect of a Peaccable and Comfortable Settlement, I can- not but apprehend it to be my Duty to Comply with the Call of this Parish Considering the unhappy divided state they have been in for so many years past, and hoping I am not mistaken in Judging it to be a call from God, by the Intimations of his providence I do hereby Deche my acceptance of their Call, together with the provision nudo for that part of my support which is granted by the parish, the Deficiency of which is to be made up by the Brethren of the Church and Congrega- tion only reserving to myself the Liberty of choice as to the alternativo mentioned in the fifth vote. And relying on the gracious assistance of our Lord Jesus Christ I shall make it my constant Care, and Labonr to fullhil the Duties of the Gospel Ministry in this place to the utmost of my abilities, so Long as God shall continue me among this people.

" SAMUEL LANGDON, D.D.

" Hampton Falls. Jannary 7th, 17SI.

"For the parish clerk, in Hampton Falls, to be Recorded in the Parish Book."

It seems by a subsequent allusion of the records that Dr. Langdon chose the eight cords of wood in the place of the additional eight pounds lawful money. Good merchantable wood seems to have meant hard wood. It may be of interest to state that Rev. Paine Wingate was a candidate for State senator in 1786-87, and in 1788 a candidate "for Representative for the Federal government," which probably meant a mem- ber of the national House of Representatives, of which he was a member at some time. In all these cases he received a full vote in Hampton Falls, but in the latter case there was no choice, and at the election that followed his name does not appear as a candi- date. Among the few allusions during Mr. Lang- don's peaceful settlement, the following occurs in con- nection with the annual meeting, March, 1787 :

"The Article Relativo to making an addition to Doctr Langdon's Sulary was taken under consideration, and no vote was passed upon it."

The following record occurs in January, 1788:

" Tho Revd Doctor Samuel Langdon, D.D., was Chosen and Appointed for a Delegate for the Convention to be held at Exeter on the Second Wednesday of February next, for the purpose of adopting a Constitu- tion for the United States."

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 117

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714