History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 123

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 123
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 123

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The Baptist Church .- The first Baptist sermon delivered in this town was in 1774, by Dr. Samuel Shepherd. He was born at East Salisbury, Mass., in 1739, converted in early life, and united with the Congregational Church July 4, 1756. He was bap- tized and taken into the Baptist Church in June, 1770, and immediately began preaching. Ile was ordained at Stratham, Sept. 25, 1771. Elder Shep- herd commenced his work in this town in 1774. Here in 1780 was organized the Branch Church. Until 1787 the meetings of the Branch Church were all, or nearly all, held in this town, and from 1787 to 1793 the Sunday services were held all the time at South Hampton, and two-thirds of the time at Salis- bury. No reference is made on the Brentwood Church records till 1790 of meetings in Salisbury. In 1793, and forward probably till 1801, the Sunday services were held one-half the time at South Hampton, and one-half at Salisbury ; after 1801 at Salis- bury all the time, at what was known as the "Shoe- string Meeting-House," and the Baptists of this town had the use of the old meeting-house from 1801 to 1833, when the Baptist meeting-house was built, an average of one-third part of the time, Elder True sup-

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plying the Baptists here most of the time. Thus there have been more or less each year Baptist meetings held in this town on the Sabbath from 1774 to the present date.

The Baptist Church of South Hampton was organ- ized Sept. 29, 1830, with the following members: Thomas Flanders, Samuel Flanders, Priscilla Flan- ders, Elizabeth Flanders, Elizabeth Dow, Lydia Jewell, Sarah Barnard, Sarah Barnard (21), Hannah Sawyer, and Betsey Flanders. The first deacon of the church was Thomas Flanders.

The old meeting-house was occupied when it could be obtained, but other denominations had a right to occupy it a portion of the time, and when it was not to be secured the commodious dwelling-house of Moses Tuxbury was freely offered, and was occupied by this church. It was the former residence of IIon. Benjamin Barnard, and the present home of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Wiggin. Mrs. Wiggin is the daughter of Moses Tuxbury. -

In the summer of 1832 the frame of the building for the new church was raised and the corner-stone laid. October, 1832, the church was formally ad- mitted to the Association by letter and delegate.

Jan. 16, 1833, the present house of worship was dedicated. The sermon upon that occasion was by Rev. Elijah Foster, of Salisbury. The enterprise of building the meeting-house was accomplished by six brethren-Moses Tuxbury, Thomas Flanders, Samuel Flanders, Joseph Stockman, Benjamin Currier, and Charles Jewell.

The pastors of the church have been as follows: Jabez True, Samuel C. Gilbert, Otis Wing, Samuel Cook, George Ashby, Samuel Ladd, Palmer C. Hines, John K. Chase, Samuel Ladd, C. HI. Pierson, E. A. Edwards, S. E. Brown, Erastus Willard, Joel Wheeler,1 S. S. White, E. A. Edwards, J. E. Brown,1 James W. Searll, Frank W. Tolman, E. L. Scott, and S. P. Everett, the present incumbent.

The deacons of the church have been Thomas Flanders, from 1830 to 1852; Charles Jewell, from 1833 to 1870 ; Stephen Woodman, from 1842 to 1845 ; George J. Veasey, from 1845 to 1854 ; John Currier, from 1854 to 1880; Abner J. Wiggin, from 1870 to 1880. John Currier was born in South Hampton, 1802; was converted in 1834, under the ministry of Rev. S. C. Gilbert, united with the church in 1835, and in 1854 was chosen deacon, which office he now holds. Abner J. Wiggin was born in Stratham, 1813, and dates his conversion 1827, removed to South

Hampton in 1838, united with the church the follow- . ceased to exist. ing year, and in 1870 was chosen deacon of the church. I have not been able to ascertain who was clerk of the church from 1830 to 1836. At the last-named date Charles Jewell appears as church clerk, and he held the office till his death. He was succeeded by his son, who resigned in 1878, and Brother P. P.

Whitehouse was chosen. Phineas P. Whitehouse was born at Hampstead, N. H., August, 1842, con- verted at South Hampton, during the series of meet- ings conducted by Rev. John Peacock ; was baptized at Muirkirk, Md., in 1868, admitted to this church by letter, September, 1877, and chosen clerk of the church Jan. 31, 1879.

The Sunday-school connected with the church was organized in 1831, soon after the formation of the church. In 1833 it had seven teachers and fifty pupils. In 1839 the school was suspended for a time, but reorganized in I840. In 1853 we find it one of the five schools represented at the first meeting of the Sunday-school convention. In 1854 the school was largely attended and very interesting. The largest attendance ever reported was in 1857; thirty-seven new scholars were added that year. In 1859 we wel- comed the Sunday-school convention, and it was fully attended. In 1871 the convention again met in this town, and held a very interesting session.

In 1873, Rev. J. W. Searll, our pastor, read the essay before the Sunday-school convention at New- ton. The superintendent of this school read a paper before the same body in 1879, and gave the " histori- cal sketch" in 1880.

Charles Jewell was president of the Portsmouth Baptist Sunday-school Convention in 1867, and the present superintendent was chosen president in 1870, and has held the position till the present time.

The following brethren have served the Sunday- school as superintendents : Rev. George W. Ashby, John Currier, A. J. Wiggin, George J. Veasey, Stephen Woodman, Charles Jewell, P. P. Whitehouse, and the present incumbent.

During the fifty years one hundred and thirty-nine persons have been connected with this church, fifty- two have been dismissed to the fellowship of other Baptist Churches, and nine have been excluded from membership.

We have at present twenty-seven resident, and eight non-resident members. There has always been a determination on the part of the members to main- tain the principles of the Baptist denomination. The church has been assisted in its efforts to sustain pub- lie worship by many citizens of the town; those of other denominations constantly worshiping with us, contributing to the support of the ministry, assisting in devotional meetings, and in every way co-oper- ating with us. Without this help and the aid of the convention this church would probably long ago have

Free-Will Baptist Church .- Aug. 14, 1830, the first Free-Will Baptist Church in South Hampton was organized with seven members,-James Wood- man, Eunice Woodman, Ezra Flanders, William Carr, Mary Carr, and Dorothy Goodwin. The first meeting was held in the house of James Woodman. (His house was on the same site as that now owned by Mrs. Samuel J. Woodman, of this town.) The

1 Stated supply.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

second meeting of the church was held at Brother : Reuben Flanders'; Elder Asa Merrill preached and baptized Nancy and Hannah Pierce. Reuben Flan- ders' house was on the road to Tuxbury's Mills, and is now occupied by John H. Flanders and sister. Jonathan Ring and wife were baptized by Elder Ilenry Pottle October 25th. The first monthly church meeting was held at Levi B. Pierce's, Octo- ber 16th. December 16th, Ezra Flanders and Levi B. Pierce were chosen deacons, and James Woodman clerk. June 14, 1831, Brother Asa Merrill preached at the house of Brother Moses Tuxbury, and on the same day Peter Colby, Hannah Iloit, Moses M. Tux- bury, and Mary, his wife, were baptized. Peter Colby afterwards became a prominent member of the Christian Church in Newton, and Moses M. Tuxbury and wife of the Baptist Church in this place. Elder Bean, Elder Knowles, and Elder James i Merrill frequently preached at this time. The first record of the breaking of bread was on Nov. 20, 1831, at the house of Reuben Flanders. On May 15, 1833, the church united with the New Durham Quarterly Meeting, afterwards was dismissed from that, and united with the Rockingham Quarterly Meeting Oct. the old meeting-house, and on April 6, 1834, at the school-house, District No. 2, and later the same year at the town-house June 22d. Elder Samuel Emmons Brown preached at the town-house; nearly all the meetings of the church were held at the town-house at that time. Brother Charles Stevens, Elder John Kimball, and Elder D. H. Lord were among the preachers who supplied the pulpit at this time.

March. 20, 1841, Elder Hanscom became the subject of church discipline, and the records say that he has had repeated personal entreaties, and he has also been kindly admonished by two or three, and we hope the trial will be settled without entering into church labor. . May 2, 1842, the following certificate appears :

"This certifies that Brother Pelatiah Hanscom expresses to us, the undersigned, that he has no trial with the First Free-Will Baptist Church of Christ, in this town, from which he is dismissed this day.

" CHARLES W. HIOIT. " JAMES WOODMAN. " AZOR G. WOODMAN."

The Rockingham Quarterly Conference was held in the town-house May 24, 1842. The church meet-

ings this year and afterwards were frequently held at Dorothy Woodman's at Amesbury, and at Allen's Corner school-house, Salisbury. In 1844 services were held at the Amesbury Academy, Elder Asa Merrill frequently preaching. In 1845 the meetings were held at Allen's Corner and the Mills village, with an occasional sermon at South Hampton. In 1847 the church is spoken of as being in a lukewarm state. In 1848, Elder Benjamin II. MeMurphy be- came the second pastor of this church. In 1848 and 1849 the meetings were nearly all held at Allen's Corner school-house and Amesbury Academy.

Sept. 26, 1849, the Free-Will Baptist meeting-house was dedicated. It was situated near the residence of Mr. James Quimby in Salisbury.

During the nineteen years' history of this church forty-eight persons were admitted to its membership. Both of its deacons are still living,-Deacon Ezra ' Flanders, son of Deacon Thomas Flanders, in this town, and Mr. Levi B. Pierce, at Haverhill, Mass. The church is still continued at Amesbury, it being considered advisable to change its location to that thriving and prosperous town.

Other Religious History .- The population of 7, 1835. On July 7, 1833, their meeting was held at . South Hampton in 1775 was 498; in 1790, 448; in 1855, 472; and in 1880 it is 383. The income of the parsonage from 1800 to 1833 averaged between $70 and $80, and the town usually raised a sum not ex- ceeding $150 a year for preaching. This, together with the interest on the North Parsonage money, $263.33, was expended by a committee, consisting of two or more persons with the selectmen, and was divided among the different religious denominations In 1837 we find the church record dated Salisbury for the first time. In 1838 meetings were frequently held at Allan's Corner school-house. July 4, 1840, Pelatiah Hanscom was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and became the first regular pastor of the church. proportionately to their tax. In 1810 the Congrega- tionalists had about three-tenths of the income, the Methodists two-tenths, and the Universalists one- tenth. In 1820 the Methodists had about one-fourth, the Congregationalists one-fifth. the Universalists a little less than one-third. In 1830 the Unitarians had A general rule was established that at church meet- ings each member present should make a verbal statement of God's dealing with him for the month past, and those who did not attend were required to send a written excuse. one-twelfth, the Methodists one-ninth, the Congrega- tionalists one-seventh, and the Universalists one- third. From 1825 to 1830 the Universalists employed as preachers Rev. Messrs. Case, Farnsworth, King, 1 Adams, and others; the Congregationalists, Rev. In 1841 the services were nearly all held at the town-house and the school-house in District No. 2. Messrs. Barrett, Sawyer, Cook, Milton, Grovenor, Babbitt, Walsh, and others; the Methodists, Rev. Messrs. Brooks, Peasley, Bulfinch, and others; the Unitarians, Rev. Mr. Turner; the Christians, Rev. Elijah Shaw; the Baptists, Rev. Jabez True, Rev. James Barnaby, Rev. Benjamin Harris, and others ; the Free-Will Baptists, Miss Nancy Towle and Rev. Messrs. Boothby, Ambrose, Marsh, and others.

In 1830 the subject of selling the parsonage began to be agitated. Already the barn had been sold for a small sum, and two acres of land leased for nine hun- dred years. In 1832 the present town-house was lo- cated. The next year the standing wood was sold, the site for the Barnard school-house granted and that of the Baptist Church, and in 1834 the burying-

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ground was laid out, and the remainder of the prop- erty sold in 1842. The amount put to interest for religious purposes was $2585.97. The income of this money in 1834 and 1835 was divided among the fol- lowing societies : Deists, Naturalists, Second Uni- versalists, Congregationalists, Quakers, Unitarians, Episcopalians, Baptists, Free Baptists, Methodists, Philanthropists, Free Thinkers, and Universalists.

The Second Universalist Society was simply an ac- commodation for some who had little or no religions belief, to secure a part of the income of the parsonage fund. The regular Universalist society was at this time at the height of its prosperity. It is probable that when Rev. George Richards was settled in Ports- mouth, from 1793 to 1809, the seeds of that faith were sown in this town, and when, later, Hosca Ballou was settled in the same place, his biographer says, "He did not hesitate sometimes to leave the dear people of his charge and journey to other places. He went into other parts of New Hampshire, and sometimes extended his visits in Massachusetts." Among the Universalist ministers who visited the town was Rev. Sebastian Streeter, and a society was formed as carly as 1815, with Joseph Jones as clerk. The prominent citizens who embraced Universalism were Benjamin Barnard, founder of the Barnard School, Col. Abel Brown, Nathan Brown, Richard White, and Jacob Jewell. In 1828, at a meeting of the Rockingham Universalist Association, held at Kingston, Mrs. Rich- ard White was the only lady present. In 1830 the Universalist society at South Hampton was reported in a flourishing condition ; the old society had been reorganized, and Benjamin Clifford was clerk. The Rockingham Association met in this town for the first time in 1832. Among the speakers present we can name Rev. Messrs, Farnsworth, Thomas King, Hosea Ballou, Thomas Whittemore, and Sebastian . benevolence.

Streeter. The discourse of the latter was especially affecting, and as he spoke of those who had recently passed away, Benjamin Barnard, Richard White, and Jacob Jewell, the audience was melted to tears. In 1838 the Rockingham Association again met in this town. Revs. Messrs. Sebastian Streeter, Daniel Smith, and Thomas Whittemore preached. Of this meeting Mr. Whittemore said, " We know that if we described this meeting as we viewed it and felt it, we should be regarded as too enthusiastic; nevertheless, we must say that taken altogether it was one of the most precious meetings we ever attended. The con- ference and praise meetings were peculiarly interest- ing ; all the addresses were marked by sound wisdom and deep evangelical feeling." In 1851, the Rock- ingham Association again met at South Hampton. Sermons were delivered by Rev. William Bell, Rev. S. S. Fletcher, Rev. N. Goldsmith, Rev. T. J. Green- wood, and Rev. L. B. Mason. Rev. Samuel Ladd, of the Baptist Church, was an attentive listener. In 1856 a new impetus was given to the Universalist society through the activities of the Ladies' Sewing Cirele.

Rev. A. J. Paterson and Rev. G. V. Maxham came to this town under the direction of the United States Convention, and regular meetings were established at the town-house. Messrs. B. F. Eaton and J. J. Woodman read sermons, with occasional preaching in the summer months by Rev. Messrs. Greenwood, Patterson, Spaulding, Chambre, and others. A Sun- day-school was organized with J. W. Eaton as super- intendent, and a library of more than two hundred volumes secured.

The summer of 1859 closed these lay services. The Rockingham Association met in this town in 1864. The preachers were Rev. Messrs. William Bell, S. S. Fletcher, A. St. John Chambre, and T. J. Borden. While at Portsmouth, Rev. Mr. Patterson was much interested in the people of this town. A large num- ber of the inhabitants still hohl the doctrines of the Universalist Church. No services have been held here for several years except on funeral occasions. Since the removal of the pews from the town-house, the Baptist meeting-house has been freely offered to any who desired it for funeral services for the mem- bers of any religious denomination.

There were quite a number of Methodists in the town between 1810 and 1835, and Rev. John Brodhead | frequently preached here. lle was stationed.at dif- ferent times in nearly all the surrounding towns of the county. He was a very prominent man, chaplain to the Legislature, member of the State Senate, and for four years member of Congress. In whatever situation Mr. Brodhead was placed, he considered it his chief honor to be a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He spent twenty-eight years of his ministerial life in this immediate vicinity, and died at Newmar- ket, April 7, 1838. He had a commanding personal appearance and eyes beaming with intelligence and

Another prominent Methodist divine who preached in this town was Rev. Martin Ruter; he was stationed at Salisbury in 1815. He was born at Charlton, Worcester Co., Mass., and was thirty years old when he preached here. The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon him five years later. His preach- ing was adapted at once to please, to instruct, and to awaken.

Rev. Elias Smith, a member of the Christian Church, and the father of Matthew Hale Smith, occasionally preached here.

In 1867 the Young Men's Christian Association of Amesbury, Mass., by a delegation, the leaders of which were Mr. Thomas Quimby, Mr. Joseph O. Hutchins, and Mr. Carpenter, established a lay meeting at the school-house in Distriet No. 2. A Sabbath-school was organized and a very good Sabbath-school library se- eured. The meetings were well attended, and the Sabbath-school concerts attracted attention. These services continued about two years.

In 1874, St. Paul's Church, Newburyport (Epis- copal), organized a mission meeting at the residence

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

of Mr. E. P. Downing, which was for a few months well sustained; Mr. C. T. Bruce, a layman, and a select choir from that church assisting. Their meet- ings were held on Sabbath afternoons.

Sabbath afternoon services are frequently held during the summer months at the school-house in District No. 3 by pastors of the churches at Ames- bury, Salisbury, and this town, and also by the resi- dent elergyman, Rev. S. S. White.

The distribution of the parsonage money, which occurred in 1842, was a blow to all denominations except the Baptist. Our fathers set apart certain property for the maintenance of religious worship, and we cannot but regard the disposal of the property and the distribution of the proceeds among the in- habitants of the town was a great wrong.

As we review the religious history of one hundred and forty years, can we discern any progress? ITas light come to the people ?

There has at least one great problem been settled,- the question of religious toleration.

The germ of all the trouble in regard to religious liberty is found in that compact made in the "May- flower" before the Pilgrim Fathers had stepped upon the rock in Plymouth harbor. The question was raised, How shall the ministers of the new country be supported ? It was ordered that houses be built for them at the public charge, and their salaries were cs- tablished. Those people who had fled from persecution themselves did not fully comprehend the principles of religious liberty or possess its spirit. In this com- pact of the Pilgrims was the union of church and State, and immediately following this was a law for the suppression of anti-church and State seets, and banishment from the colony was the penalty for not sustaining this unjust law.

People were compelled in those days to pay for churches they never entered, for teaching they never heard, and clerical services they did not desire. The Quaker, the Baptist, the Methodist, and the Univer- salist was taxed for the support of a religion he did not believe.

Barstow, in his "History of New Hampshire," says, "That all ministers not of the standing order were viewed as thieves and robbers, as wolves in sheep's clothing, who had gained a dishonest entrance into the fold, and whom it was the duty of the stand- ing order to drive out."

been dipped ;" thereupon Bartlett retorted, "Neither is he a Congregationalist, for he has not proved that he has ever been sprinkled."

The law of 1791 recognized only one religious sect, and the agitation for its repeal shook New Hampshire from seaboard to mountain.

When the toleration bill was pending, in 1819, Mr. IInbbard said, "Pass this bill, and the temples now consecrated to the worship of the Saviour of the world will soon be deserted and forsaken."

Ichabod Bartlett, a young and talented lawyer of Portsmouth, espoused the cause of toleration, and finally the bill became a law, and all religious de- nominations in the State were possessed of equal rights and privileges.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JOHN C. EVANS.

John C. Evans, son of Miles and Sally (Chase) Evans, was born in Seabrook, N. II., Nov. 27, 1829. His grandfather, Lemuel Evans, was a native of Ryc, Rockingham Co., N. H., and settled in Strafford County when a young man, married a Miss Willie, and had thirteen children, of whom Miles was one. He was an early settler in Strafford County, where he followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, which occurred at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a minister of the gospel. His wife survived him many years, and lived to be ninety-seven years of age. IIere we have a striking example of what a close at- tention to the laws of health will accomplish. This veteran couple reared a large and intelligent family to habits of industry and sobriety, and attained the wonderful age as above shown. Having done their life's work well, they welcomed the voice of their Master which called them to a better country, and they "wrapped the drapery of their conch about them and lay down to pleasant dreams."

Miles Evans, son of Lemuel, was born in Strafford, N. H., was twice married, first to Sally Chase, daughi- ter of Abram Chase, of Seabrook, and had six chil- dren, three of whom died young, and three-Arthur L., John C., and Charles A. - grew to maturity. Mr. Evans left his native town and settled in Seabrook, where his children were born. His wife died Sept. 25, 1835, and he married for his second wife Susan Clifford, of Gilmanton, N. H.

Persecutions were frequent, and the parisli collect- ors might be often seeu taking from the home of poverty the chairs, tables, and andirons, or selling at auction the corn of some poor laborer. Humorous Miles Evans was a farmer in Seabrook and South incidents were sometimes connected with these trials. | Hampton. He was a Democrat in politics, and a In one case the plaintiff had secured the services of member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He died in South Hampton, Oct. 20, 1877. John C. Evans, the immediate subject of our notice, was reared on the farm, receiving such advantages for an edneation as the common schools afforded. At sixteen years of age Mr. Smith and Jeremiah Mason, and the defense John Sullivan and Ichabod Bartlett, as counsel. Mason contended that the defendant, whose defense was that he was a Baptist, could not avoid the payment of his tax, because "he could not prove that he had ever | he commenced building whale-boats, and followed

JOHN C. EVANS.

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that business some three or four years, when he pur- territory. Until the locality of Hilton's grant, Marchi i 12, 1630, is more definitely settled, perhaps we may suppose that Hilton himself interpreted the grant as including his settlement at Newfields. In 1633 the chased the farm in South Hampton, where he now resides, before he was twenty years of age. He now owns some two hundred acres, which is in a good state of cultivation, and is justly considered one of authorities at Portsmouth and Dover agreed that the the best, if not the best farmer in town. Hle also owns and runs a saw-mill, etc., and is quite exten- sively engaged in the lumber business.

In politics he is a Democrat, and as such is one of the leading men of the town. IFe has held the various offices, such as selectman, etc., of his town with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. In 1871-72 he was a member of the State Legislature, serving on the Fish Committee.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 123

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