History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 81

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 81
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 81

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In 1834 " the church sustained a great loss in the death of Dudley Dodge, who during these six years of its existence was ever ready with liberal aid and earnest prayers." Rev. Samuel Cooke was pastor from May, 1835, to April, 1838. During his ministry the meet- ing-house was built and the membership nearly doubled. He was afterwards chaplain of the New Hampshire State prison, and died in Concord in De- cember, 1872. "Rev. Otis Wing came the next month, in the midst of a series of week-day meetings. Eight Sabbaths in succession the baptismal waters were visited, the revival continuing until July. In Sep- tember the church numbered seventy-two." Mr. Wing resigned in December, 1840. In 1876 he was In 1864 the church met with a severe loss in the deaths of Richard Dodge and Simon Winslow. The former was the last original male member and an able supporter. Mr. Winslow married Eliza, daughter of Dudley Dodge, and though a Methodist by profession, was untiring in his efforts to advance the interests of this church. Rev. Jobn M. Driver served as pastor from July, 1867, to October, 1868. His wife, “a woman of great intelligence and rare devotion," died at Beverly, July, 1874, and he has since followed her. "Just here occurs the darkest period in the history of this church. With the exception of twelve Sabbaths' supply by Rev. Otis Wing, the church remained closed until October, 1870, a period of two years and three months. At this time a Mr. Moulton, a licensed preacher from Jefferson, N. H., came and volunteered settled at Newton Junction, N. H., and is now resid- ing there, in the enjoyment of vigor, at the age of eighty-three. From August, 1841, until April, 1842, the pulpit was supplied by Mr. J. C. Foster, since and now a prominent Baptist pastor in Massachusetts. In May, 1842, Rev. O. O. Stearns, preceptor in the academy, took charge of the church until obliged by ill health to leave in July, 1843. He was in Lodi, Wis., in 1875. Rev. A. Briggs officiated for four months, following Mr. Stearns. In November, 1843, Rev. Zebulon Jones, now of East Hubbordton, Vt., came, and commenced the longest and one of the most fruit- ful pastorates yet enjoyed by this church. Mr. Joues also had charge of the academy, besides other engage- ments. He remained nntil the summer of 1851. During his ministry here twenty-six were added to his services, and remained until January. From that

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

time until August, 1872, the church was supplied by students from Newton Theological Seminary, princi- pally by J. T. Burkoe, now settled in Chicago, and H. H. Beaman. Among other students who supplied were George Churchill and Rufus Sanford, now mis- sionaries in India, and Frederick Erileth and B. P. Cross, now in Burmah. In August, 1872, H. Il. Bea- man became the joint pastor of the Hampton Falls and Seabrook Churches, and so continued until April, 1876. After that he preached for three months at Hampton Falls, where he was ordained Oct. 2, 1872, and had resided during his joint minis- try. From here he went to West Bridgewater, Mass., and thence in 1880 to North Oxford, Mass., where be died in August, 1881, three weeks after the death of Mrs. Beaman. Mr. Beaman was a faithful, earnest pastor, and during his ministry a powerful revival was enjoyed, followed by the baptism of more than twenty. Rev. T. J. Burgess was settled as pastor in September, 1876, at a salary of five hundred dollars and house rent, and still sustains that relation. This is the only church in town maintaining regular services through- out the year.

The last surviving original member, Miriam Dodge, died at Dover in January, 1879. Starting with four- teen constituent members in 1828, the additions since bave numbered two hundred and twenty-one ; present number, sixty, of which fifteen are non-residents. The fruitful years have been 1835, twelve additions ; 1838, twenty-nine; 1851, fourteen; 1855, twelve; 1858, twenty-four; 1876, really twenty-eight, though ten of them appear under 1877; since 1877, none.1 Among the causes which led to the establishment of from 1817 to 1824, by Elder True, Baptist pastor at Amesbury. He held these services in the old Christian chapel, afterwards used as a blacksmith-shop here, and now used for that purpose in East Salisbury. Though not a graduate of the schools, Elder True was a man of great natural ability, and well versed in the Scriptures, having read them thirteen times in course before arriving at the age of twenty. He con- dueted a large farm during the week, preached ex- tempore on the Sabbath, filling his appointments on horseback, and receiving one dollar per Sabbath as compensation. Previous to 1852, Dudley Dodge was the only person appointed to act as deacon. At that date William Brown, Richard Dodge, and Micajah Green were chosen. Mr. Brown died in 1856. Mr. Green was dismissed to Seabrook in 1859, and Mr. Dodge died in 1864. None have since been chosen. Mr. Brown was a sort of lay preacher of the Christian denomination before uniting with this church in 1835.

Rockingham Academy.3-In connection with the annual meeting of the Portsmouth Baptist Associa- this church may be mentioned occasional preaching | tion at Chester, in October, 1833, we find the first 1 recorded suggestion of this institution, designed "to promote both science and religion." In the follow- ing December a committee appointed by this Associ- " ation met at Hampton Falls in consultation with a local committee consisting of William Brown and George H. Dodge, and decided to locate the academy at Hampton Falls, " provided the friends of educa- tion in that place will erect a suitable edifice."

His knowledge of the Bible was remarkable, his exhortations being principally composed of quota- tions from its pages, always naming the chapter

and verse. During the first fifty-two years of its his- tory the clerkship of this church continued in one family or its connections, namely, Rev. T. P. Ropes, two years; Richard Dodge, ten years; George H. Dodge, sixteen years; George D. Dodge, twenty-four years. Mr. E. B. Towle is the present clerk since 1880. The statement that the Sabbath-school is the nursery of the church is especially verified in the later history of this church. The first Sabbath-school in Hampton Falls of which we have any knowledge was held in the old school-house near the common, in the summer of 1822, by Miss Hannah Dodge, from Ohio, at that time on a visit to her relatives here. She was assisted by her cousins, Misses Eliza and Mary Dodge, daughters of Dudley Dodge. It is stated that there were no Sabbath-schools in connec- tion with the eight or nine churches forming the Portsmouth Baptist Association in 1828. But this church in 1829 reported one of fifty scholars, with a library of ninety volumes. The two principal points to be noted in its history since are the great fluctua- tions in its numbers at different periods and the fact that in late years the additions to the church have come almost wholly from its ranks. In 1858, un- der the superintendency of George H. Dodge, it reached its highest number, one hundred and thirty- four. George H. Dodge and his son, George D. Dodge, are the only persons who have served as superintend- ents for any considerable length of time.2 The pres- ent superintendent is Mr. E. B. Towle, with a mem- bership of about fifty-five.

Through the agency of a committee consisting of George H. Dodge, Richard Dodge, T. S. Sanborn, and Nathan Brown, "an elegant and commodious build- ing" was promptly erected at a cost of $1900; loca- tion, on the common in front of the Baptist meeting- house; dimensions, thirty-two by fifty feet; two stories, hip-roof, with bell-tower and steeple rising from the centre. On the 10th of September, 1834, this institution was formally opened with appropriate services, including an address by Rev. Baron Storr. The first term of the school commenced at that date, under the tuition of Rev. Oliver Ayer as principal, assisted by Miss Caroline Garland, who shortly after- ward became Mrs. Ayer. Salary of principal, five hundred dollars, and of assistant, five dollars per

1 Three have been baptized since this was written.

2 The latter for thirteen years.

3 By George D. Dodge.

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HAMPTON FALLS.

week. The school was under the control of a board of nineteen trustees, appointed annually by the Asso- ciation, the proprietors of the building having the right to nominate seven of the number. The first annual reportof the secretary, Rev. J. Newton Brown, is a model in matter and style, and portrays a very flourishing condition of affairs. A philosophical ap- paratus had been secured, a library established, and a reading-room fitted up and supplied with current literature. The board of instruction had been in- creased to four ; the attendance at the summer term had been ninety ; the number of different scholars during the year, one hundred and fifty-one ; the income from tuition had been sufficient to meet all current expenses, and ninety-five students had entered for the ensuing fall term. By the second annual report, dated Oct. 6, 1836, we learn that the fall term, under the instruc- tion of Messrs. Ayer and Ladd, and Misses Garland, Merriam, and Dodge, had continued eleven and one- half weeks, and was attended by one hundred and two scholars. The winter term of seventeen weeks, under Mr. Ayer, Mr. Cate, and Miss E. Dodge, had sixty-six pupils, and the summer term, under Messrs. Ayer and Marshman Williams, and Misses Merriam and M. P. Dodge, had ninety-six pupils. Number of different scholars for the year, one hundred and eighty-eight. A charter of incorporation was ob- tained this year, by the terms of which the building reverted to the proprietors whenever the school should remain closed for six months. Mr. Ayer resigned his position at the close of his second year, has been set- tled as a pastor in different places since, and is at

In the summer of 1837 an unsuccessful effort had been made to procure funds for the erection of a boarding-house. It must have been from disinter- ested motives that the residents of the village were willing to fill their houses with student boarders at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents per week, in- cluding lights and washing. And to make their ex- penses even less than this, some boarded themselves in quarters over the village store.

Mr. Burbank was succeeded by Rev. Timothy P. Ropes, " formerly an esteemed pastor within this As- sociation, but for several years past the successful preceptor of an academy in Lexington, Mass." The tuition at this time was fourteen dollars for the year of three terms, with an attendance of forty-one, forty- two, and fifty-seven. Owing to ill health Mr. Ropes resigned his position at the close of the summer term, 1839. He died in 1874.

Under different teachers the division of the school year alternated between three and four terms. By the sixth annual report, dated Oct. 8, 1840, we find that for three-quarters of the preceding year the school had been under the charge of Mr. Samuel Lunt Caldwell, and the year had been finished by a Mr. Humphrey Richards. "The building is now closed !" is the record.

It was opened, however, during the winter by Rev. J. W. Poland, assisted by his nephew, John W. Dodge. But from want of sufficient encouragement Mr. Poland resigned, and left Mr. Dodge to finish the year. Mr. Poland, who is now living at Goffstown, N. H., held at different times the positions of member, president, present residing at North Oxford, Mass. Resolutions . and secretary of the board of trustees, besides acting as a collecting agent at one time.

of high commendation were accorded Mr. Ayer and his assistant, N. Marshman Williams, who resigned at From the close of the fall term, 1840, the school remained closed until the 1Ith of May, 1842, when, after a revival of interest and repair of the building, it was again opened under the tuition of Rev. O. O. Stearns, assisted by Mrs. Stearns. Besides his duties in the school, Mr. Stearns supplied the pulpit of the Baptist Church on the Sabbath. This arrangement continued for one year to the satisfaction of all con- cerned, but the double duty proved too much for his strength. In 1876, Mr. Stearns was in Lodi, Wis. The fall term, and possibly the summer, was taught by Prof. A. Briggs, who also preached in the adjoin- ing church. the same time. Mr. Williams is now settled as a pastor at Warner, N. H. These were the prosperous days of Rockingham Academy. To the want of a permanent fund, and the consequent inability to secure or retain teachers of commanding ability, may be ascribed the fitful course of the institution thereafter, and its final dissolution at the age of vigorous manhood. A propo- sition had been made at the start to raise such a fund, but those interested in the place had done all they were able in the erection of the building, and its patrons elsewhere were not wealthy. Still if its imperative ne- cessity had been fully realized something of the kind might have been done at first more easily than de- On the 12th of November of this year, 1843, Rev. Zebulon Jones signed a written agreement taking charge of the school on his own responsibility. This ficiencies were afterwards met. These deficiencies commenced with the second year, and continued thereafter, except at such times as the principals . arrangement continued until the summer of 1851, could be induced to assume the responsibility them- selves.

Mr. Ayer was succeeded by Mr. Moses Burbank, a graduate of Waterville College, who took charge of the school in the fall of 1836, and resigned in May, 1838. During this time there had been a decided decline in attendance, owing to the ill health of the principal.

thus proving the longest as well as one of the most successful engagements in the history of the school. Mr. Jones was a man of iron constitution and great executive ability. Burdened with au invalid wife, he performed the duties of a pastor during all these seven years and a half, and during a part of the time conducted a large boarding-house, and at one time held the office of county school commissioner. His

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

school numbered at one time seventy-five scholars or more, but suffering from his absence the attendance declined. Mr. Jones is now living at East Hubbard- ton, Vt.

From Nov. 6, 1848, to Sept. 8, 1853, the records are a blank, but during this time occurred one of the best administrations in the whole history of the school, that of Lysander Dickerman, for six quarters, com- meneing with the spring of 1852.

During the year between Mr. Jones and Mr. Dick- erman the school was taught for one or more terms by a Mr. Pitman, a good scholar and a good man, but lacking in executive talent. Mr. Dickerman was a graduate of Brown University, had been serving as associate principal of Pierce Academy, Middleboro', Mass., and attracted from thence a fine class of young men. His administration was characterized by thoroughness of instruction and strictness of disci- pline, in both of which qualities the school had some- times been deficient. Mr. Dickerman is now settled as a pastor in Massachusetts.

Following Mr. Dickerman, the school was taught for several terms by Mr. Francis M. Dodge, a popular teacher, from Wenham, Mass. Mr. Dodge was a graduate of Waterville College, and has since fol- lowed the profession of teaching with success. He resigned the position in November, 1855, because the . always members of the board of trustees, and the lat- trustees would assume no pecuniary responsibility.

In November, 1855, the trustees resolved to make an effort to secure an endowment of twenty thousand dollars, one-half to be a permanent fund and the other half to be taken up in scholarships. Nothing was ac- complished in this direction, though Hon. George H. Dodge offered fifteen thousand dollars towards such a fund, provided the balance was raised. The reason was said to be because the Baptist Academy at New London had just sent out an agent for a like pur- pose.

The winter term of 1855 was taught by Mr. George B. Elden, of Maine. The last recorded report to the Association was made in September, 1856, by Rev. Samuel E. Brown, secretary. From that time to September, 1864, the records are silent. But in the interval the school had been taught several terms by Rev. Alfred Colburn, who had pastoral charge of the Baptist Church from October, 1859, to May, 1863. The last term was taught by him. Thus ended the prolonged struggles of this institution, which started with such bright prospects. At the annual meeting of the board of trustees in September, 1864, Rev. N. Hooper was chosen president, Rev. W. H. Walker clerk, and George D. Dodge treasurer, and the presi- dent and clerk were instructed to ascertain the pro- prietors of the academy building. They reported as follows: Richard Dodge nine shares, George H. Dodge seven shares, T. L. Sanborn three shares, John W. Dodge five shares, D. Jannin two shares, and John S. Tilton one share. In 1865-66 the same officers were chosen, and at the latter date the president and

clerk were instructed to ascertain the legal claims of the Association to the academy, and recommend some course for final action. Thus closes the record. The building was occupied in 1871 as a shoe manu- factory, and was finally destroyed by an incendiary fire at midnight of April 30, 1875.

Previous to the erection and occupation of the Bap- tist meeting-house in September, 1836, church ser- vices had been held for two years in the academy hall; and up to 1871 this hall had been more or , less occupied for religious services, sometimes on the Sabbath, but more especially for evening services. The academy bell was melted in the conflagration. It cost about one hundred dollars, three-fourths of which was contributed by the citizens and one-fourth by the trustees. It had always been used by the Bap- tist Church, and was the only bell ever hung in this town. It was tolled for the first time on the death of Dudley Dodge in 1834. The following is a list of those most prominently connected with the institution as trustees : Revs. Silas Ilsley,* William Lamson,* N. Hooper,* C. W. Flanders, Oliver Ayer,* Samuel Cooke, and J. W. Poland ;* Deacons Samuel Cleaves, G. C. Brown,* Peter Sanborn,* William Brown, Rich- ard Dodge, and George H. Dodge. (Those marked * are still living.) Richard and George H. Dodge were

ter acted as treasurer almost withont exception. This institution exerted a very beneficial influence on the place in awakening a desire for culture and affording the means. The self-denying efforts of its founders were not wasted, for its alumni have an honorable record. Its annual exhibitions were occasions never to be forgotten. As Rev. N. Hooper recently re- marked, he had never seen them excelled. Let the present inhabitants of this quiet village picture the time when the number of students exceeded its pres- ent population. Let them think of this addition to the Sabbath congregation. And let them in imagi- nation listen to the frequent ringing of the academy bell, and the laughter of the merry throng hastening to obey its summons.

The Weare Monument.1-Around the little trian- gular common 2 at Hampton Falls village cluster sev- eral points of historic interest. On its bosom repose the ashes of Rockingham Academy, once the life and pride of the place, while across the highway stands its surviving twin institution, the Baptist Church, beneath whose shade rest the remains of some of their founders, whose names are honorably connected with much that is best in the history of their native place. Near its apex, on one side, is located the new school-house, erected in 1877, the third at least on the same spot, to make room for which its predecessor, erected in 1839, was moved across the common to where it now stands, on the premises of Mr. J. W. Green. The unpainted hip-roofed one removed in

1 By George D. Dodge.

2 Sometimes called Monument Square.

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HAMPTON FALLS.

1839 is said to be now standing in South Seabrook. In its rear stood the old engine-house, which has been moved four times since about 1848, and now stands on the premises of Mr. George D. Dodge. And near it formerly stood the gun-house, where was kept a brass six-pounder to roar on muster days.

On the opposite side stands the venerable Weare mansion where, in the early recollection of the writer, resided Mr. John Porter, who married Ilan- nah, daughter of Governor Mesheck Weare. Anti- quated in speech and dress, he wore a queue, and used to inquire for my "sire." He died in 1847, at the age of seventy ; his wife in 1849, aged ninety-five ; and Miss Nabby Lang, a granddaughter of the Gov- ernor, and the last of this household, in 1864, at the age of ninety. George H. Dodge was the ex- ecutor of the wills of Mr. and Mrs. Porter, and by that of the latter he was instructed to erect a monu- ment to the memory of her distinguished father, the first Governor of New Hampshire. The sum at his disposal being insufficient to erect a suitable one, Mr. Dodge applied to the Legislature of 1852 for an appropriation for this purpose. These were the times of close economy in public affairs, and no appropria- tion of the kind had ever been granted by our Leg- islature. And it was not until the following session that a resolution was passed, authorizing the Gov- ernor and Council to appoint a committee "to cause to be erected over the grave of Hon. Mesheck Weare, in Hampton Falls, a suitable monument to his mem- ory, to his patriotism and many virtues." The fol- lowing persons were appointed as this committee: George H. Dodge, of Hampton Falls, J. Everett Sargent, of Wentworth, and Jolin H. Wiggins, of Dover. This committee attended promptly to the duty assigned them, and as the result of their efforts a monument was completed in the fall of 1853, its lo- cation being the base of the common bounded by the old stage-route from Portsmouth to Boston. It stands at a favorable elevation, facing the sea, its chaste column kissed by the first rays of the morning sun as he rises from his briny bed. It is about thirty rods distant from the Weare mansion, while the re- mains of the Governor lie with his family at about the same distance in the opposite direction, in an an- cient cemetery formerly a part of the Weare home- stead. A simple monument marks the spot, which was not considered a suitable location for the larger one, while the surviving relatives were unwilling that his remains should be removed. The family monu- ment, erected at a later date, is inscribed to " Prest. Weare," probably as the result of some criticism on the inscription of the public one to " Gov." Weare. The title of "Prest." is undoubtedly the strictly cor- rect one, while that of "Gov." is the more intelligible one at the present day.

The lot where the public monument stands was graded and fenced by the town, quite an area being at first inclosed with posts of granite and rails of

wood. Afterwards, in 1875, an appropriation of three hundred dollars was obtained from the State, for the inclosure of a smaller space by an iron fence of meat design. In the almost thirty years which have elapsed since its erection, both the stones of the small boy and the tooth of time have made their marks on its structure, the latter being the deeper and more serious of the two. It is an interesting histori- cal fact that this monument marks the site of the first meeting-house erected in Hampton Falls. To Allen Treat, of Portsmouth, the committee intrusted the execution of their design, at an expense of two thousand five hundred dollars.

At the time of its erection this monument was said to be the finest in the State. Its base is eight feet square, composed of two granite blocks two feet in thickness. Upon this base rests a single granite block six feet square, and something more than two feet thick. Above this rises the monument of Italian marble, composed of plinth, die, cap, shaft, and urn, making a height of twenty-nine and a half feet.

The marble plinth is three feet ten inches square, and seventeen incbes in height. The die is five feet in height, affording ample space on its four sides for the necessary inscriptions, as follows. On the front :

" He was one of those good meu

Who dared to love their Country and be poor."

This side would be the plainest of all, but for the inscription

"GOV. WEARE,"

in long letters and bold relief on the front of the cap over the die. And on the shaft above, a shield in- closes a finely-executed design of the State seal in the form of a shallow hemisphere.

On the right side-

" ERECTED 1853, by the State of New Hampshire, to perpetuate the memory of her illustrions Son, whose early efforts, sage councils, and persevering labors contributed largely towards establishing his Country's independence, and shaping the future destiny of his native State."

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 81

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