History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 119

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 119
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 119

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" Voted that the funds of the first Congregational society in Ilampton falls be divided into two parts according to polls and retable estate of the year A.n. 1836 provided the disaffected part of said society, with such other members of said society as may join with them, shall form a separate society, and withabove form this society, producing a certificate from the Clerk of their society that they are actual members thereof."

The common fund at this time amounted to $1500, of which the new society received $450. May 13, 1837, the following names are recorded as having withdrawn : Thayer S. Sanborn, Reuben Bachelder, Emery Bach- elder, Moses Bachelder, Samuel Bachelder, Jonathan Cram, Jr., Luke Averill, Joshua Pike, Jonathan Cram, Stephen Green, Robert S. Prescott, Josiah Bachelder, Sherburn W. Rand, Caleb Tilton, Rebecca F. Cram, and Polly Dow, of whom Deacons Emery Bachelder and Robert S. Prescott are the only survivors. Leav- ing to another the task of sketching the further his- tory of those who remained, the writer will follow

Starting in 1711 and following the course of " the new parrish att Hampton," or "ye new Parrish of . those who went out. 1834. While the Rev. Mr. Jerrett

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SEABROOK.

was preaching in Hampton Falls a meeting was held Sept. 18, 1834, for the purpose of " taking into consid- eration the expediency of uniting the towns of Hamp- ton Falls, Seabrook, and Kensington into one Evan- gelical Congregational Society." This meeting was adjourned from time to time, and as a final result of the deliberations had at these meetings "the Evan- gelical Congregational Society of Scabrook and Hampton Falls" was formed and a meeting-house erected. This stands near the line which separates the two towns. 1835. The people of Hampton Falls united with the people of Seabrook to support the gospel. They attended meeting together at the old meeting-house in Seabrook. The Rev. Jonathan Ward preached for them during the summer. The Rev. David Sunderland was employed during the next season. He preached part of the time in the old meeting-house and part of the time in the new house. 1836. The Rev. D. Sunderland was preaching in the place when the new house was dedicated. He preached iu it for several months. During the remainder of the year and a part of the next the desk was supplied by occasional preachers, principally from the theological institution at Andover. 1837, February. On the first Sabbath in February, 1837, Deacon Timothy Abbott, a native of Andover, Mass., preached for the first time in the place. He graduated at Amherst College in 1833, completed his theological studies at Andover, September, 1836, and was licensed by the Andover Association. After preaching a few months he re- ceived the following communication :

"REV. S. T. ABBOTT :

"Sin,-I am requested to inform you that the Seabrook and Hampton Falls Evangelical Congregational Society, at a meeting on the 24th of June inst., voted that the sum of five hundred dollars for one year be given you as a salary, and request you to settle as pastor of said society. They also request you to return an answer in writing as soon as the Ist day of July next, at which time this meeting stands adjourned.

" JACOB NOYES, Clerk of suid Society.

" SEABROOK, June 27, 1837."

Mr. Abbott accepted July 1st and was ordained on the 12th, at which time twenty-two persons dismissed from the Hampton Falls Church, together with Widow Mchitable Eaton, formerly of the old church in Seabrook, were organized into a church styled "The First Evangelical Congregational Church of Seabrook and Hampton Falls." Rev. Jonathan French, father in-law of Mr. Abbott, and settled at Northampton for fifty years, was moderator of the council, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Sam- uel M. Worcester, of Salem.

August 4th, Stephen Green was chosen deacon, and the pastor was authorized to procure a book and keep the records. Mr. Abbott was a man of historical tastes, and these records are a model, not only por- traying the history of the church minutely, but re- cording the history of each individual member in their church relations. August 6th, Mrs. A. Smith and Mrs. S. Felch, members of the old Seabrook Church, were admitted. Mrs. Smith was brought !

into the meeting-house in her chair, being eighty-five years old and very infirm. "December 7th, Thanks- giving. Pleasant. One hundred and more present." December 31st, Mrs. Clarissa Fifield was baptized by immersion. March 19, 1838, Mrs. Nancy Brown, of Kensington, being dangerously ill, was baptized and received into the church and received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

March 28th, a protracted meeting commenced, and Miss Nancy Brown died.

March 31st, meetings concluded. Meetings full, some conversions. The Baptist and Methodist people met with them.

April 5tb, twenty-two inquirers present, sixteen of whom are hoping.

May 6th, Jefferson Janin and others were admitted. " During the last week an organ was placed in the meeting-house. It was built by Mr. Morse, of New- buryport. Cost about $700. Was purchased by Doct. Edward Dearborn and Miss Mary Knight, and by them presented to the society."

June 17th, thirteen were propounded for admission. July 1st, " In less than a year 4I have been added to the chh., more than double the original number."

September 2d, Hannah, wife of John Porter, and daughter of Mesheck Weare, Thayer S. Sanborn and wife, and five others were received. "Mrs. Porter is 84 years old."

These records are made without formality, and some- what in the style of a diary. Only the most interest- ing items are here presented.

1839, April 1st, died Widow Abigail Smith, in her eighty-seventh year ; was a member of the old Sea- brook Church, under Mr. Hull.

May 5th, Walter Williams, of Hampton Falls, and two others received. Mr. Williams was an aged man, using a crutch. Was a substitute in the war of 1812. Lived where J. H. Hamilton now resides.

June 18-20, at County Conference at Lamprey River,-now Newmarket,-Governor Phinney, from Liberia, was present and made a statement respecting African colonization.

July 4th, Sunday-school celebration at Hampton. People from North Hampton and this vicinity at- tended. About two hundred children present. Pro- cession of teachers and scholars, about two hundred and seventy-five iu number, marched to music from the academy to the meeting-house, where appropriate exercises were held, and then returned to the academy for refreshments.

1840, January 5th, John Batchelder baptized and admitted. March, M. Merriam appointed superin- tendent of Sunday-school.

June 11th, the pastor presented a letter of dismis- sion from the South Church in Andover, and his wife, Sarah F., one from the church in North Hampton, and were received July 5th.

On the evening of August 26th Rev. Mr. Neigs, a missionary from Ceylon, preached.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

November 12th, Thanksgiving, Rev. Mr. Hadley, of Salisbury Point, preached, ninety-one present.

December 27th, severe snow-storm, only fifteen present, third successive stormy Sabbath.

1841, January 26th, pastor and delegates attended council at Kittery to dismiss Rev. Tobias Horn Miller, father of Frank W. Miller.

February 14th, baptized Adelaide Sarah, danghter of the pastor, born Jan. 6, 1841. Ordinance admin- istered by her grandfather, Rev. Jonathan French.

May 14th, national fast, occasioned by the death of President William H. Harrison. He died April 4th, aged sixty-eight. Eighty present at the meeting.

July 5th, celebration of independence at Hampton by the children. Addresses and refreshments near Mr. Thomas Ward's. About three hundred and fifty walked in procession. The writer of this sketch was present, having just entered his sixth year. July 15th, pastor read a letter of confession from a married female member, who previons to marriage "had been guilty of irregular conduct." Voted to suspend, and a committee was appointed to visit and report. August 19th, committee reported and case deferred. Voted to purchase a pew for the use of the pastor's family. November 25th, Thanksgiving day, May 7th, eight added to the church. July, three received. July 4th, Sunday-school celebration. Gen- 75 present ; temperance meeting in the P.M., and one in the evening in the Methodist house. "Reformed , eral invitation. Eight hundred present at the morn- drunkards addressed the congregation with good , ing services in the meeting-house. Over seven hun- effect."

1842, January 20th. Two females and one male member of the same name brought to trial for bad treatment and bad talk in a family difficulty. They confessed, repented, and were admonished. April 7th, State fast, 75 present. July 4th, Sunday-school celebration at Ilampton, 300 children present. Mary Knight died at Ossipee, May 19th, 1840, leaving by her will half of the organ, and $100 to the church. "July 23d. Last night about ten o'clock a barn owned by Maj. Samuel George and a building owned by Dr. Edward Dearborn, and occupied by Matthew Merriam as a dwelling-house and store, were con- sumed by fire. Brother M. had charge of the eom- munion ware, consisting of two flagons, two plates, ! 1844, February 15th, J. Noyes Sunday-school su- perintendent. February 21st, donation visit by fifty or sixty of the young people. March 29th. State fast, sixty-five present. June 10th, Reuben Batchel- der chosen deacon, Emery Batchelder, Jacob Noyes, six cups, and one baptismal basin. These were all destroyed by fire. The basin and a part of the other things were a present from the ladies and the church at Newbury Port. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary." This was the first fire in this . and Thayer S. Sanborn having all declined. "July vicinity known to the writer.

August 11th, the case of female irregularity having once been deferred, was now settled by the restoration of the offender after suitable admonition and advice ; forty-seven dollars paid for the pastor's pew and deed here recorded. Jan. 11, 12, and 13, 1843, special meetings at private honses ; 16th to 2Ist held meet- ings in afternoon and evening in the meeting-house, through the week assisted by other ministers. Attend- ance in afternoon from fifty-nine to one hundred and twenty, and in evening from one hundred and eigh-

teen to one hundred and sixty-eight; abont forty in- quirers; 22d, meetings full and solemn, six or more appear to have been converted during the day. Meet- ings continued the next week with preaching daily by other ministers. Afternoon attendance thirty to ninety-six, evening eighty-four to one hundred and fifty-two. Interest increasing, many indulging hope. January 23d, death of Ann T., daughter of Deacon S. Green, after an illness of two years; a consistent and exemplary member. January 29th, baptized his son, Asa George, born Dec. 23, 1842. February 4th, some meetings held and others prevented by violent storms. February 11th, meetings almost wholly pre- vented by severe and stormy weather. February 18th, meetings through the week, principally in private houses. February 25th, some interesting meetings during the week. March 5th, some meetings, thinly attended on account of the weather. March 23d, weather and traveling have prevented meetings ; much sickness ; letters of Christian greeting were re- ceived from other denominations inviting us to join in their special meetings, and were responded to, and accepted in part. April 6th, annual Fort church and inquiry meeting, also temperance meeting.

dred walked in procession to a grove on land of James Locke. Picnic table one hundred and eighty feet long. From twelve to fifteen hundred present. Addresses and singing for an hour. Ten ministers present and took part. (Most of these entries are much condensed.) July 30th, salary reduced to four hundred and twenty-five dollars, allowing pastor to make up balance elsewhere. September 3d, three received. November 5th, one admitted. November 30th, eighty present at thanksgiving services. De- cember 30th, town of Seabrook voted, ninety-nine to thirty-five, to stop the sale of liquor. Committee of twelve chosen, and two hundred and fifty-eight dol- lars raised for that purpose.

4th, a Washingtonian celebration was held by the ' Rockingham County Washington Total Abstinence Temperance Society' at Boar's Head, Hampton Beach. A prize banner was presented by the ladies of Ports- mouth to the societies of Seabrook and Hampton Falls, whose delegates ranked highest on the score of merit on that occasion." November 8th, another case of female discipline, which resulted in a satisfactory confession, when she was admonished and forgiven. These cases are not here referred to as a matter of gos- sip, but to indicate the advantage of suspension and

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discipline in place of immediate exclusion. Novem- ber 14th, sixty-eight present at thanksgiving services. December, amount collected for benevolent objects, fifty-six dollars.

1845, January 19th, pastor baptized his second daughter, Anna Farrar, born December Ist. Feb- rnary 4th, heaviest snow-storm for twenty years, pre- venting the holding of some special meetings.

March 20th, Samuel Batchelder Sunday-school superintendent. April 17th, annual fast, stormy day, 30 present; P.M., annual meeting of the Sea- brook Temperance Society. May 25th, fire at the meeting-house on account of the cold. July 4th, Sunday-school celebration A.M., 300 in the meeting- house, 400 in procession, and 600 at the collation in Locke's grove. The preparatory lectures were often preached by " Father" Jonathan French. November 27th, Thanksgiving ; meeting prevented by the se- verest rain-storm known for 30 years. December 31st, amount for benevolent purposes, 854; admitted to the church, 1 ; baptized, 4; deaths, 14; marriages, 7. 1846, April 1st, 60 present at fast-day services. May 13th, album visit; about 50 supped, ladies in P.M. and gentlemen in the evening. July 4th, Sun- day-school celebration at North Hampton, 500 in the meeting-house, 600 in procession, and 800 at the table. November 29th, pastor baptized his second son, Al- bert Timothy. December 20th, dismissed to Andover Rhoda, daughter of Deacon Reuben Batchelder and wife of Sylvester Abbott, of Andover. She was one of the earliest school-teachers of the writer. Decem- ber 31st, collection, $62; baptisms, 2; deaths, 12; marriages, 6. 1847, Jan. 5th, funeral of Mrs. Dr. Sewell Brown, a member of the church. April 15th, annual fast and temperance meeting. April 23d, B. F. Cram Sunday-school superintendent ; September 12th, preaching by Rev. J. Sewell, of Maine, aged eighty-seven. November 30th, 51 present at thanks- giving service. December 31st, amount of collections

July 4th, celebration at Hampton Falls, address by E. C. Gilman, of Exeter, picnie in grove, 500 present. November 28th, no meeting Thanksgiving day on account of violent storm. December 24th, church meeting prevented by a tremendous snow- storm. 29th, Sabbath, blocking snow-storm, no preaching. December 31st, deaths, 22; marriages, 6; councils, I; collections, $50. 1851, January 18th, extra meetings nearly the whole week. 25th, special meetings most of the week. January 26th, baptized Harriet Elizabeth, fourth daughter and sixth child for benevolent purposes, $84; deaths, 13. 1848, Jan- of the pastor, born December 10th. February 1st, uary 27th, pastor ill and unable to attend service for the first time in many years. April 13th, 71 present at fast-day services; P.M., temperance meeting in Methodist meeting-house. July 4th, Sunday-school celebration at Hampton. July 2d, pastor baptized his infant daughter, Mary French.

July 18th and 19th, Piscataqua Association met here. August 19th, Aaron, son of Moses Batchelder, buried, aged thirty-three. November 16th, Thanks- giving ; fifty present. November 22d, " A dwelling- house having been erected a few miles west of the meeting-house on the borders of Hampton Falls by the united efforts of the Pastor & his people, was oceu- pied first when partially finished on the 20th inst. A church meeting was held there this P.M., and in the evening there was a dedicatory lecture." December 31st, deaths during the year 23, including I away from home, 1 at sea, 4 lost at sea, and four members of the church. Collections, $56. Admitted by profession,

1. 1849, February 3d, funeral of Hannah, wife of John Porter, and the last of the children of Hon. Mesheck Weare, aged ninety-four years and eight months, She had been a member of the church about ten years, during which time church meetings were often held at her house and communion occasionally celebrated there. March 20th, B. F. Cram Sunday- school superintendent. A female member suspended. April 5th, State fast; forty-seven present; P.M., an- nual temperance meeting. June 6th, donation visit ; seventy-five present ; sixteen dollars in cash, besides other gifts. July 4th, general Sunday-school cele- bration in Hampton. August 3d, national fast on account of the prevalence of the cholera. About one hundred present. August 6th, ordination of S. P. Fay at Hampton. November 15th, Thanksgiving ; pastor siek ; Dr. Dimick, of Newburyport, preached. Decem- ber 31st, deaths, 21 ; baptisms, 3 ; marriages, 4; contri- butions, $83. 1850, March 3d, " During the night Dr. Sewell Brown committed suicide by hanging in a fit | of mental derangement, aged fifty-two. He was one of the founders and most efficient supporters of the society. He was an excellent physician and citizen, and his loss is deeply deplored. He was buried on the 5th from the meeting-house. Hundreds followed him to the grave." March 19th, F. Cram, superin- tendent. April 4th, fast ; violent storm ; fervent. Jan- uary 19th, donation ; 100 present; $18.

special meetings most of the week. 8th, meetings most of the week. 15th, meetings when the weather allowed. 22d, a few meetings, six or eight converts. March 6th, "Edward Dearborn, M.D., died at his residence in Seabrook. He had been a practicing physician in the place more than fifty years. A valu- able citizen, an influential man, he dies mueh la- mented. He was one of the founders and principal supporters of the society. He was buried from the meeting-house on the 10th. Large numbers followed him to the grave." March 24th, B. F. Cram, super- intendent. April 3d, fast and temperance meeting. June 14th, " Died of smallpox, at his residence in Seabrook, Jacob Noyes, Esq., aged 65. He was one of the founders and a prominent supporter of this re- ligious society, and a consistent and influential member of this church." July 4th, no celebration. Septem- ber 10th, the will of Dr. Edward Dearborn was proved in court. He bequeathed $4000 to the society, pro-

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

vided there should be no change in its doctrines. He also provided means for the establishment of Dear- born Academy, in Seabrook.

December 31st, whole number of deaths, including those away from home and at sea, fifty-two; mar- riages, seven ; received to the church, six ; one church- member died; baptisms, five ; benevolent contribu- tions, forty-one dollars. 1852, Jan. 26, a female member restored, after a course of discipline. March 16th, died in the seventy-fifth year of her age, Phebe, widow of Dr. Edward Dearborn, and a descendant of Mrs. Hannah Dustin of famous Indian memory. She relinquished her right of dower in favor of Dearborn Academy. April 2d, voted about two hundred vol- umes of Sunday-school library to the destitute in Prince Edward's Island, to be delivered by Capt. William Sanborn. S. Brown, superintendent of the Sunday-school. June 30th, the church called an ex- parte council to consider the propriety of the dissolu- tion of the pastoral relations between themselves and Rev. S. T. Abbott. The two churches in Newbury- port, the two in Exeter, and those in Durham and Amesbury were represented by pastors and delegates. The report of the council is a diplomatic document. After complimenting those who called the council, the report proceeds to speak of Mr. Abbott in the highest terms, and in substance to advise his continu- ance in the pastoral relation.

December 31st, deaths, twenty-five ; marriages, ten ; contributions, sixty dollars. 1853, Jan. 16, Rev. Jonathan French, D.D., baptized John Alden, third son of the pastor, born December 12th, Sabbath day. March 28th, T. S. Sanborn, Sunday-school super- intendent. Collectors appointed as usual for the different benevolent objects. December 6th, the church called another ex-parte council to seek ad- vice about difficulties existing between church and pastor. The following churches were represented by pastor and a delegate : The Belleville, North, and Whitefield of Newburyport, North of Portsmouth, First Church Exeter, Byfield, Mass., Hampton, and Amesbury. The following resolution was presented and adopted : Resolved, that the pastoral relation ex- isting between the church and Rev. S. T. Abbott be and is hereby recommended to be dissolved.

December 15th, at a church meeting, voted, that, whereas, etc., the pastoral relation between this church and Rev. S. T. Abbott be now dissolved. December 25th, notwithstanding the wardens had notified Mr. Abbott that his services were no longer needed and that the house would be closed, he preached as usual. December 31st, deaths, 27; mar- riages, 8; councils, 2; baptisms, 2; contributions, 844. 1854, January 8th, Sabbath. Although the war- dens had notified Mr. Abbott that they had engaged some one else to preach, he appeared, claimed the pulpit, and preached. The wardens then obtained a legal injunetion, which was served on Mr. Abbott on the following Saturday. Mr. Abbott then called

an ex-parte conncil, composed of pastors and delegates from twelve churches at a distance, none of whom had participated in the other councils. The following is the substance of their report. Leaving out of view . then the question whether he should remain so, the council are unanimously of the opinion that he is still pastor of, etc., . . . his pastoral relation having never been dissolved according to the usage and prin- ciples recognized of the Congregational Churches of New England and by the civil courts. December 31st, during the past year the pulpit was supplied by ministers from abroad, for the most part of Rev. Martin Moore, of Boston, and a Mr. Wallace.

1855, March 28th, after the injunction was served on Mr. Abbott he preached in his own honse until a few weeks before his death, which occurred March 28, 1855. Mr. Abbott was not a handsome man, nor sprightly in his delivery, but he possessed a sound, sensible, and well-educated mind, and the substance of his discourses was good, and it cannot be denied that he labored faithfully for the welfare of his church and community. He stood stiffly upon his ecclesiastical rights, desiring to remain where he had built himself a house and spent seventeen years of his life; while, on the other hand, the leading men of the church probably considered that they should be permitted to say who should minister to them. Under a more flexible system there might have been Jess friction. March 31st, during the past three the pulpit has been occupied by Rev. Theodore Cook and others. April 1st, Rev. L. G. Marsh boarded in the place, and preached six Sabbaths from this time. July 29th, the pulpit has been occupied every Sabbath this year, but by different persons. To-day Rev. Mr. Bushnell preached. October 27th, he preached for the last time here. October 28th, Rev. Henry A. Lounsbury, of New York, preached. No- vember 30th, voted to invite Mr. Lounsbury to be- come the pastor, and under date of December 24th Mr. Lounsbury accepted in a brief note of four or five lines, and named February 13th as the date of his ordination, and he was accordingly ordained at that time, the sermon being preached by Rev. Dr. Dimmick, of Newburyport, who had participated in the ordination of Mr. Abbott, nearly nineteen years previously.

Under date of Sept. 16, 1857, in a communication of five lines, Mr. Lounsbury resigned his pastoral charge, and was regularly dismissed by a council called for the purpose. Brevity characterized both his com- munications and his pastorate. He preached his last discourse October 11th. December 31st, services have been held in the church every Sabbath during the year. 1858, March 7th, Rev. John Moor, of Andover, has preached for nineteen Sabbaths. April 25th, Rev. Edward Abbott, of Andover, has supplied for seven Sabbaths, and many extra evening meetings have been held. He has visited and preached to the people of South Seabrook. Mrs. Debora W., wife of Thayer

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SEABROOK.

S. Sanborn, died 1859. December 11th, Rev. Mr. Thompson, of Stratham, has supplied since May 2, 1858, Voted to close the church for the present (1866). Urgent request having been made that the house should again be opened for public worship, a meeting was held Tuesday evening, May 15th, at which about one hundred and fifty persons were present, including S. Y. Spaulding, D.D., of Newburyport, Rev. Edward Rand, of Amesbury, and Rev. J. W. Dodge, of Hamp- ton, and a vote was then taken to ascertain the views of the congregation about opening the house. And notice was then given that the house would again be opened on the first Sabbath in June, with preaching by Rev. Mr. Rand, of Amesbury. December 30th, the pulpit has been supplied every Sabbath since June by different clergymen.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 119

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