History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 84

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 84
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 84

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1 By George Osgood.

SAMUEL MELCHER.

353

KENSINGTON.

is very clear, the White Mountains are visible. The breezes, as they come from the sea or the mountains, are so clear and invigorating that they make the location remarkably healthy. From the reports of the deaths in this town for the years 1880 and 1881, the average length of life was nearly seventy years. Summer visitors who like beautiful scenery, pure and bracing air, and retirement from the noise and dust of the city here find rest, enjoyment, and strength.

The town has a great variety of soils, from the grassy meadows and sandy plains to the large swells of rich land which are well adapted to agriculture. Grass, corn, potatoes, apples, beef, pork, butter, and milk are among the productions. Most of the people are farmers, though some are mechanics, especially those engaged in shoemaking. The markets are very convenient, not only in this vicinity but also by the railroads to the larger cities.

The first settlement in Kensington is said to have been made by Stephen Green near Green's Brook, about a mile to the south of the meeting-house. When the first house was built, it is said that there was not another dwelling between it and Canada except the wigwams of the savages. People used a ladder, it is said, to enter the house, and at night drew in the ladder to prevent the intrusion of the Indians. Tradition tells us how the Indians were seen sitting on the logs in the clearing, how a large dog stood at the window with his paws on a savage who was trying to enter, and how the Indians when kindly treated manifested their pleasure and grati- tude. The Greens, who lived here, were Quakers; and John G. Whittier, the distinguished poet, thinks that his ancestor, Thomas Whittier, married Ruth Green, of this place. The spring brook as it winds along the beautiful valley, the Quaker graveyard, and the surrounding hills and groves remind us of those quiet and cheerful Friends who, after the trials and persecutions of their sect, were glad to find this home of peace and rest.

Of the trials and sufferings of the Quakers, which give some of the saddest pages in our colonial history, we need not speak, as they were before the incorpora- tion of this town and belong to the history of Hamp- ton: The witchcraft delusion had passed away, though some of the earlier inhabitants of this town were not free from the spirit of the age, which condemned those who suffered death as witches. Stories are told of ani- mals and men who were under supernatural influences, and of the two-lock chest, containing the implements of the black art, while Johannah, Kate, and Ruth were supposed to be in league with the devil. Events which were strange and eccentric were attributed to witch- craft, while shrewd and artful women were proud of their superior power and insight. The savages, since Lovell's fight at Pequakett, in 1725, were not trouble- some in this region, though rangers and scouting par- ties were sent to the interior, while bands of French and Indians troubled settlements near the frontier.

Hampton Falls was set off from Hampton in 1712 as the West Parish. In 1732 an attempt was made to form a parish from the west part of Hampton Falls and the east of Kingston, but the plan did not suceeed.

In October, 1734, the Rev. Joseph Whipple wa's authorized, in connection with the people, to employ a minister to preach four months during the winter season, thus forming what was called a winter parish.

In 1735 a similar arrangement was made. It was proposed in the Hampton Falls parish meeting to ex- cuse the people in the upper part of the parish from the ministerial tax, in order that they might employ a minister themselves.

In 1736 the same proposition was renewed, but there is no record of any action on the subject.

Kensington was incorporated in 1837.

By the Governor and General Assembly, John Weare, Ezekiel Dow, and Joseph Wadleigh were appointed to call the first parish-meeting in Kensing- ton.

April 18, 1737. At a legal meeting of the parish in Kensington, Richard Sanborn was chosen moder- ator; Ezekiel Dow, clerk; and Jonathan Prescott, John Weare, and James Perkins, selectmen.

June 18, 1737. The parish voted to call Jeremiah Fogg as the minister of Kensington.

At a meeting of the parish Oct. 10, 1737, it was voted that the fourth Wednesday of October be the day to ordain Mr. Fogg. John Bachelder, James Fogg, Abraham Moulton, John Weare, Ebenezer Brown, Moses Blake, Samuel Page, and Robert Row were the committee to make the arrangements for the ordination.

Oct. 4, 1737. Fifty-seven members were dismissed from the church in Hampton Falls to incorporate the church in Kensington.

October 7th. The church in Hampton voted to dis- miss Mr. Jeremiah Fogg, ye pastor elect, Edward Tucke and wife, Edward Lock, Hannah Shaw, the wife of Joseph Shaw, widow Sarah Bachelder, and Abigail Cram, the wife of Benjamin Cram, to be em- bodied into a church state in the third parish of this town.

Attest, Ward Cotton, pastor.

The several members having been dismissed from their respective churches requested some of the neigh- boring ministers to join with them in keeping a day of fasting and prayer, to organize them into a church state in this place. Accordingly, October 6th, the following gentlemen assisted in the meeting: the Rev. Ward Cotton, of Hampton, began with prayer; the Rev. John Odlin, of Exeter, preached from Isaiah lvi. 6: " And taketh hold of my covenant." The Rev. Joseph Whipple, of Hampton Falls, then propounded to those to be organized the church covenant.

November 23d. Mr. Fogg was ordained. The Rev. Joseph Whipple, of Hampton Falls, preached the sermon, while the neighboring churches were doubt-

354

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

less well represented by the ministers and deacons as witnesses and delegates.

The Rev. Jeremiah Fogg, the son of Seth and Sarah (Shaw) Fogg, was born in Hampton, May 29, 1712; graduated at Harvard College in 1713 ; studied theology with the Rev. Joseph Whipple, of Hampton Falls; preached in Kensington more than fifty-two years. He solemnized four hundred and two mar- riages, and baptized twelve hundred and thirty-five persons.

In the latter part of his ministry complaints were made against the soundness of his doctrines. The Congregationalist ministers in his time were divided into Calvinists and Arminians, and he was ranked with the latter class. The Arminians gradually de- parted from the Calvinistic system, and forbore to urge its tenets. They omitted to press the Athana- sian creed, or to use the Trinitarian doxology, but preferred Scripture expressions on these disputed points. They did not insist as a preliminary to the or- dination of a young man to the Christian ministry on his professing a belief in the Trinity, or of the five points of Calvinism. "The Rev. Jeremiah Fogg," says Bradford, "was ranked with the Arminians,- with the Rev. Drs. Samuel Webster, of Salisbury, Thomas Barnard, of Salem, John Tucker, of New- bury, William Symmes, of Andover, Henry Cum- nings, of Billerica, and the Rev. Messrs. Edward Barnard, of Haverhill, Thomas Carey, of Newbury- port, Ebenezer Thayer, of Hampton, and William Balch, of Bradford. There had been some opposition to his doctrines for some years, and a council met Jan, 20, 1789, which did not result in his dismissal. The second council met at the house of Newell Healey, July 7, 1789, and advised the Rev. Mr. Fogg to leave the ministry.

Of this council the Rev. Samnel McClintock, D.D., of Greenland, was moderator; Rev. Joseph Dana, of Newburyport, scribe ; S. Marsh, Esq., assistant scribe.

Mr. Fogg did not appear before the council, but a remonstrance was offered in behalf of the church, signed by Caleb Shaw, John Lane, Winthrop Rowe, Dea. Paye, and E. Potter.

Sept. 21, 1789. The parish, by a vote of fifty-three to fifty, voted to dismiss Mr. Fogg.

Nov. 2, 1789. The parish voted to give the Rev. Jeremiah Fogg the sum of fifteen pounds, and to de- liver him at his house five cords of good hard wood during his natural life, while he gave up his minis- teriał and pastoral relation to the town and the church. Within a month after this transaction he died after a short sickness, Dec. I, 1789, aged about seventy- eight.

He was known in the vicinity as an effective and popular preacher, while for years his friends re- membered him with great interest and respect. He was distinguished for his wit and humor, and used expressions which were too strong and startling for the more serious-minded of his people. Once, when

dining with some clerical friends, he found the pud- ding too hot, and put a small piece in his pocket. Some one said, " What ! pocketing pudding, Brother Fogg ?" He replied, "Oh, I thought I would save a piece till after dinner to light my pipe !"

The council that dismissed him charged him with saying that " No man has a right to believe anything in religion which he cannot fully comprehend." The sentiments contained in this article we conceive to be unjust, for every dictate of reason and Revelation teaches us the existence of the Deity, but who can fully comprehend him ? Some conceive the doctrine of the trinity to be a clear doctrine of Revelation, yet no man pretends fully to comprehend it .- Report of Ecclesiastical Council.

From a letter which he wrote to the council held in January we may form some idea of Mr. Fogg and of the nature of the controversy. He says, " Rea- son, that divine mark of distinction in human na- ture, was given us by the same Being who gave us the Scriptures, and I have ever made it my practice to exercise it in reconciling the more difficult pas- sages in the sacred writings; and whenever 1 find gentlemen of education and abilities, I find an incli- nation as well as a duty to converse freely on subjects of controversy, that all may be the better established in ye religion of Christ."

From what we can learn from the old records and from verbal traditions, especially from those who lived at the time of the controversy, we must con- clude that personal prejudices and passions, as well as doctrinal differences, contributed to the removal of the minister who for more than fifty years had the love, confidence, and respect of the best families in the parish.

After the death of Mr. Fogg the parish heard sev- erał candidates, of whom Mr. Jonathan Osgood and Mr. Peter Coffin were invited to settle, but both de- clined.

November, 1792, Mr. Naphtali Shaw was invited to become the minister of the parish. Mr. Shaw was ordained Jan. 30, 1793, and after a ministry of nearly twenty years was dismissed April 20, 1812.

Rev. Naphtali Shaw was born in Bridgewater, Mass., June 20, 1764. He worked at shoemaking until he was twenty-one, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1790, married the daughter of Dr. Craft, and died in Bradford, Vt., at the age of ninety.

After leaving Kensington, he became a farmer in Bradford, Vt. On his visit to Kensington he refused to preach, but seemed glad to meet his former friends, who regarded him with great interest and respect. His letter of resignation was written in an excellent spirit, and manifests the wisdom and goodness of his life. From what we can learn of his character, it seems evident that his removal was a great loss to the town. Since he left, the loss of a good pastor, who had the love, confidence, and esteem of all the families in the parish, has been sadly felt.

355

KENSINGTON.

June 13, 1813, Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy was in- stalled in Kensington. He was dismissed July 1, 1816.

" Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy was a native of Ireland, educated in Glasgow, Scotland; was ordained in Litchfield, Conn. ; was installed in Litchfield, N. H., April 12, 1809. He resided in Philadelphia as a teacher, where he died in 1843-44. From what we can learn the people were not well united in his min- istry, and had not perfect confidence in his character.

In April, 1822, Joseph Augustus Long was or- dained as an evangelist in Kensington, but preached only a year. Mr. Long was the son of Nathan Long, of Amesbury, Mass., graduated at Harvard College in 1818, graduated at the Cambridge Divinity School, was settled in Hookset, N. H., where he died.

For a number of years Kensington had no settled minister, though quite a number supplied the pulpit a part of the year. Rev. Mr. Barrett, Rev. Mr. Whit- ing, Rev. Peter Holt, Rev. Hosea Hildreth, Rev. Mo- ses Downs, Rev. Stephen Farley and others may be remembered.

Dec. 22, 1841, the Rev. Jacob Caldwell was ordained in Kensington over the Unitarian Societies in Ken- sington and Hampton Falls. The Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, of Portsmonth, preached the sermon. Dur- ing Mr. Caldwell's ministry the parish was in excel- lent condition.

The Rev. Jacob Caldwell was born in Lunenburg, Mass., graduated at Harvard College in 1828, studied theology in the Cambridge Divinity School, taught the academy in Farmingham, Mass., preached in Calais and Standish, Me., and now resides in Newton, Mass. Professor George Caldwell, in the Department of Chemistry in Cornell University, is his only son.

Rev. Increase Sumner Lincoln, who was born in Warren, Mass., and graduated at Yale College, was installed at Hampton Falls over the churches in Kensington and Hampton Falls in 1848. The Rev. Thomas T. Stone, of Salem, preached the sermon of installation. Mr. Lincoln resided in Kensington, and resigned in 1851. Since then he bas preached in Rowe, Mass., Warnick, Mass., and other places, and of late years in Wilton, N. H., where he now resides, at the age of eighty-three.

The Rev. A. M. Bridge succeeded Mr. Lincoln in 1851, but resided in Hampton Falls, Mr. Bridge was born in Lancaster, Mass., studied theology at the Cambridge Divinity School, was ordained in Norton, Mass., was settled in Standish, Me., and Bernardston, Mass., and died in Marshfield, Mass., very much la- mented, in December, 1865, but was buried in Hamp- ton Falls, beside the Rev. Samuel Langdon, D.D.

The Universalists .- For many years the Univer- salists bave had occasional preaching in town, and quite a number of people have professed to belong to that denomination. In 1864 the Rev. Rowland Connor, who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and edn- cated at the Theological Seminary in Canton, N. Y.,

was ordained over the Universalist Societies of Ken- sington and Kingston. Mr. Connor was settled over the Universalist Church in Concord, N. H., and as a colleague to the Rev. Dr. Miner, in Boston. He is now preaching in East Saginaw, Mich. Ile was a very popular preacher, and interested the people out as well as in the pulpit.

The Rev. Willis Bradley, of Brewster, Mass., was installed in Kensington, Mass., in 1866, over the Universalist Societies in Kensington and Kingston, but after remaining a year removed to Ayer's village, Haverhill, Mass., and is now in Brewster, Mass.

Since the removal of Mr. Willis the society has had . different preachers, among whom the Rev. Lemuel Willis, of Warner, and the Rev. Willard Spaulding, of Peabody, Mass., are remembered with great interest and respect.

The First Congregational Church was formed in May, 1859. After hearing various preachers, the Rev. George Campbell, of Bradford, Mass., was employed for a year or two. Mr. Campbell was a graduate of Union College, and a classmate of the Hon. W. H. Seward, and was a gentleman of superior culture and ability, and highly esteemed by his friends. He died in Bradford, Mass.

In 1862 the Rev. E. D. Eldredge, of Alton, N. H., took charge of the church, but was not installed until June 30, 1864. He was dismissed in January, 1875, and died in Georgia, April 18, 1876. He and his wife are buried in Hampton, N. H.

Rev. Erasmus Darwin Eldredge, the son of Dr. Micah and Sally (Buttrick) Eldredge, was born in Dunstable, Mass., March 10, 1804, graduated at the Andover Theological Seminary, taught in Pepperell, Mass., and Pembroke, N. H., was ordained in Hamp- ton, N. H., April 4, 1838, and dismissed May 7, 1848, installed at Salisbury, N. H., June 12, 1848, and dis- missed Nov. 1, 1854. From Salisbury he went to Georgia, and taught and preached in Monticello and Milledgeville. He was installed in Alton, N. H., Jan. 4, 1861, and removed to Kensington in 1862, where he preached about thirteen years. He easily gained the sympathy, confidence, and love of the people, and to an eminent degree that wonderful apostolic gift of being all things to all men. He married Isabella Hill, of Portsmouth, N. H., by whom he had one daughter and two sons. Mary, his daughter, married the Rev. Dr. Lane, of Georgia, who was a chaplain in the Con- federate army. Though born in Hampton, her sym- pathies were with the South, more especially as Sherman's soldiers, on their "march to the sea," fed bountifully on her chickens. His son, the Rev. Henry E. Eldredge, was born in Hampton, graduated at Am- herst College, studied theology at Hartford, Conn., or- dained in Becket, Mass., settled in Weymouth, Mass., Blood Brook, at South Deerfield, Mass., Turner's Falls, Mass., where he now resides. His youngest son, Fred- eric E. Eldredge, was born in Salisbury, N. H., grad- uated at the New Hampshire Agricultural College in

356

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Hanover, has taught school several years in New Eng- land, and is now a teacher in Washington Territory.

The Christian Baptists .- Elder Elijah Shaw, the son of Elijah and Deborah (Nudd) Shaw, was born in Kensington, Dec. 19, 1793, was ordained in Ken- sington, March 31, 1814, and died in Fall River, Mass., May 5, 1851. Portland, Me., Franklin, N. H., Exeter, N. H. (where he edited the Christian Herald), and Fall River, Mass., and many other places in New England, New York, and the West, were the fields in which he labored in the ministry. He regretted that he had not the advantages of early education, yet by reading, traveling, and visiting he must have gained much knowledge of the world and of human nature which was valnable to him as an editor and a preacher. He used to say, "I never feel satisfied to leave the people of my congregation just where I found them, for I want evidence that an impression of good is made on their minds." He had the confidence and sympathy of the Christian denomination, and will long be remembered by a large circle of friends as a true, faithful, and earnest man.

Elder Julius C. Blodgett, the son of Edward Blodgett, was born in Franklin, N. H., Sept. 6, 1806, was ordained in Sanbornton, N. H., June 20, 1831. He preached in Newton, Franklin, Exeter, Kensing- ton, and other places, and at one time was one of the editors of the Christian Herald. He spoke with great energy and force, and was quite an effective preacher. He preached about fifty years, and died in Kensington, Nov. 26, 1878, aged seventy-two. He had excellent colloquial powers, a taste for literary studies, and was interested in the education of his children.

Elder Daniel Prescott Pike, the son of Sewell and Mary (Prescott) Pike, was born in Hampton Falls, March 1, 1815, but moved to Kensington when he was about a year old. He was educated at Phillips' Acad- emy in Exeter, taught school several years, and was ordained in the Christian Chapel at Hampton Falls, July 5, 1837. After preaching in various places he ' moved to Newburyport, where for many years he has been distinguished as an earnest and popular preacher. At one after a revival he baptized ninety-five persons in the Merrimac. He was editor of the Christian Herald for years, a member of Gen. Gardner's Council, and deputy collector in the custom-house. As a bold and earnest reformer he has done much to restore the vicious and intemperate to sobriety and virtue.

The Rev. F. D. Chandler moved to Kensington in 1875, and was installed over the church March 9, 1876, and dismissed May 28, 1880. Mr. Chandler was a native of Vermont, was educated at the Methodist Theological School in Concord, N. H .; preached in various Methodist Churches; joined the Congrega- tionalists; was settled over the Congregationalist Church in Hampton. From Kensington he went to Alton, and from Alton he removed to the West. He was a very active and earnest man, and tried very hard to build up the church.

The Rev. Philip Titcomb was born in Newburyport, Mass., graduated at Yale College, studied theology in Andover, has preached in Cherryfield, Me., Kenne- bunkport, Me., in the West, and at Plympton, Mass., came to Kensington, where he now resides.

Elder David Murray, the son of David Murray, was born in Newmarket, N. H., and ordained in the Christian Chapel at Kensington, Sept. 17, 1867. After preaching a year or two he left and preached in Northampton and other places, and now resides in Manchester, N. H.

Since the removal of Elder Murray there has been no settled minister in the Christian Church, though meetings have been held for a part of the year or oc- casionally.

Quakers .- There were quite a number of families of Quakers in the town who belonged to the meeting in Seabrook, though we do not learn that they often held meetings in Kensington, or that any one of their number was an approved minister. In 1761 the parish voted that the third selectman should be a Quaker, and for many years Jonathan Purington held that office. In 1776 the Quakers refused to sign the test act, but most probably not because they were loyalists, but because their ideas of the Christian re- ligion would not permit them to bear arms. Some people doubtless joined the Quakers, as that was the only way by which they could avoid paying parish rates. Elihn Chase, who gave the land for the meet- ing-house and graveyard, was disappointed because he could not have a desirable pew, and joined the Quakers, though he was friendly to Mr. Fogg, and made him presents after he had left the meeting. Some doubtless were the descendants of families who had lived and suffered in the persecutions of Quakers in this country and England, and from the journals of the early Friends, and from the ministers who visited their meetings and their homes, learned the principles and the spirit of their religion. While the plain dress and the plain language of the Quakers may not often be found among us, yet their principles are seen not only in their descendants, but among people of other denominations. The spirit of truth and righteousness, of order and temperance, of sim- plicity and beauty, of kindness and love, which in- spired the lives of the early Friends, has not lost its influence on society.

The first meeting-house was built on the west side of the brook, near Charles E. Tuck's, but was taken down and removed to some place nearer the centre of the town. The land for the meeting-house was given by Elihu Chase, but as a pew was not reserved for him he left the parish and joined the Friends. May 12, 1771, being the last Sunday in the meeting-house, the Rev. Jeremiah Fogg preached, the CXXVI Psalm, "We wept when we remembered Zion."

The second meeting-house was built in 1771, on the same spot. Ezekiel Worthen, Jonathan Brown, Moses Shaw, and Ebenezer Lovering were the build-

357

KENSINGTON.

ing committee. The plan was made by Ezekiel Worthen. This house was taken down Saturday, March 28, 1846. The present town-house, which was built from its timbers, was placed on the same spot in August, 1846.

The first Christian (Baptist) meeting-house was a plain, unpainted structure, without pews or pulpit, and is now the dwelling-house of Jeremiah Dow.

The Second Christian (Baptist) meeting-house was built on the place of the first in 1838. Elder David Millard, one of the most distinguished ministers of the denomination, preached the dedication sermon.

The Union meeting-house was built in 1839, on the old meeting-house lot, hy the Unitarians, Univer- salists, and Congregationalists. It was dedicated in the morning by the Unitarians, when the Rev. An- drew P. Peabody, of Portsmouth, preached the ser- mon. In the afternoon it was dedicated by the Uni- versalists, when the Rev. Mr. Bacon, of Providence, preached the sermon. The bell was given by Asa Gove and Emory Brown.

the north of the town-house in 1865, and dedicated March 28, 1866. The Rev. E. D. Eldredge preached the sermon. The bell was given by John Locke, of New York. He came to Kensington in 1822, where he died Aug. 10, 1845, aged sixty-three. He married Elizabeth Fogg, and had two daughters and three sons. He was interested in agriculture and moral reforms, and in literary studies. The only work which he left in print was an oration, delivered July 4, 1810, in the Rocky Hill Church, at Salisbury, Mass.

CHAPTER LIII.

KENSINGTON .- ( Continued.)

Physicians-Military, Etc.

Physicians .- Dr. Benjamin Rowe, the son of Rob- ert Rowe, was born Oct. 3, 1719, and died March 28, 1790. He died of the dropsy, was tapped sixty-seven times, and two thousand three hundred and eighty- five pounds of water were drawn from his body.

Dr. Benjamin Rowe, the son of Dr. Benjamin Rowe, was baptized July 22, 1750, and died on Nov. 7, 1818. He was an assistant surgeon in the army.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 84

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