History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 97

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 97
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 97

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As the parsonage-house was too small for the in- creasing family of the pastor, a section of eighteen feet was put on to one end in 1753. In order that it might better accommodate the minister, the house was afterwards moved to a place opposite the present parsonage, and nearer the meeting-honse, on to a lot of land secured by exchange with Capt. Abner Fogg. There it was occupied by different ministers until the year 1800.

The first meeting-house had never been fully fin- ished. There was nothing costly about it. Even the pulpit was unornamented and simple, although of good workmanship, and the only pew was not elabo- rate. There had arisen a feeling that the old house was inadequate to meet the wants of the increasing congregation, and withal it was probably inferior to houses of worship in the neighboring parishes, so after much discussion and planning they decided to erect a new one. The work was begun, and for the main part of the bouse completed in 1761. It was forty by fifty-eight feet, with galleries after the style of those days, and was built in a substantial manner, being unique and comfortable, except in the cold weather, when the windows would rattle and the people would shiver, and the preacher would try to wax warm over his well-written manuscript. The days of carpeted floors, elastic cushions, anthracite burners, and steam-pipes had not come. The addition of a steeple to the meeting-house was earnestly discussed, some wanting it on the west end, some on the east end, and some not caring to have it at all. Because of this diverse feeling the whole matter was dropped,

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

and it was fifty-five years before the tower was erected and the much-needed bell pealed forth its invitations to worship.

After the completion of the meeting-house the in- terests of the church and parish moved on without especial innovation or jar until the 22d of October, 1766, when Mr. Gookin was removed by death, after faithfully laboring for the salvation of souls and set- ting before his people a worthy example for twenty- seven years.

His ministry was marked by many of the hardships which pioneers of the gospel necessarily experience- He is said to have been "a sound divine, a serious, plain preacher, a wise counselor, and a much-beloved pastor of his flock." He was thrice married,-first to Miss Judith Coffin, daughter of Eliphalet Coffin, of Exeter. His second wife was Miss Anna Fitch, daughter of Rev. Jabez Fitch, of Portsmouth, by whom he had three children. His third wife was Mrs. Love Wingate, by whom he had eight children.

After the death of Mr. Gookin the town generously provided for liis widow, furnishing a comfortable home for a while at least, and giving her fourteen pounds lawful money.

As the most of the early church records have been lost, the number of members when organized and the additions during the first pastorate cannot with cer- tainty be given, but it is probable that the original number was quite small, and that about forty belonged to the church at the time of Mr. Gookin's death. A]- though it was a sad day to the church when their first pastor laid off his care and entered into everlasting rest, yet they were not long willing to be without , in Portsmouth, was invited to supply the pulpit for a some one to break to them the bread of life. Accord- ingly, Mr. Joseph Stacy Hastings, a native of Newton, Mass., thien twenty-five years of age, was invited to preach as a probationer. So highly pleased were the -- people that they at once gave him a call to settle with them as minister of the town. Feeling that " a great and effectual door was open" to him, he accepted the call, and was ordained over the church on the 11th of February, 1767. He was a good and true man, He was a native of Boston, twenty-eight years old, and graduated from Yale College seven years before. He was a man of high culture, good judgment, and pleasing address, and for twenty-three years (1777 to 1800) was one of the trustees of Dartmouth College. His Alma Mater gave him the degree of D.D. in 1803. although somewhat eccentric, keenly sensitive, and sometimes impatient of human weaknesses. He deeply mourned over the worldliness and cold for- mality of Christians, and earnestly labored to effect a greater spirituality in the church. He believed that every Christian life should be luminous with love. He accomplished a worthy work during his ministry As the colonies were at war with the mother-coun- try when he was settled, having but a few months before declared themselves independent, as things in the political world were in an unsettled state, as ex- citement on all great national questions ran high, as the country was comparatively poor, and as no human mind could forecast the future, it was a trying period to commence a pastorate. Since national affairs were of absorbing interest, great effort was needed to make men feel their accountability to God. But under the wise and judicious labors of Mr. MeClure the church of seven and a half years, receiving fifty persons to church membership. He adopted the Sandemanian doctrines and notions, after which he declared the resignation of his ministry in a brief and decided manner on the 3d of July, 1774. Although informal, the church courteously acquiesced in his decision. He was treated with great kindness by the people. They voted to make him a present of one hundred and twenty dollars, the crops on the parsonage for that year, and the use of the parsonage-house until

they should want it. During Mr. Hastings' ministry the people became agitated about the subject of sing- ing. Different opinions were entertained concerning what they should sing, but in the month of May, 1771, the town voted "to sing one of Dr. Watts' hymns once every Sabbath," and in the following April a special parish-meeting was called to see if they would introduce " Dr. Watts' Psalms and Three Books of Hymns," to be sung in the church and con- gregation. It was decided to use those hymns in their worship which proved to be satisfactory; at least the subject was not seriously agitated again.

Soon after the pulpit became vacant a Mr. Cotton preached for a few Sabbaths, and so much were the people pleased with his services that on the following February they invited him to settle as their minister, but he was not disposed to comply with the request.

After this their attention was turned to Rev. Samuel Morril, and although they were not harmonious, yet he received a call to become their pastor and teacher in September, 1775, which was accepted. The oppo- sition to settling became greatly intensified, and it was agreed to call a council to advise upon the matter. After much trouble the parish voted not to settle Mr. Morril, and requested him to withdraw his acceptance of the call. Next, Mr. Jeremiah Shaw preached ac- ceptably to the people for a few Sabbaths, and on the 7th of August, 1776, was formally asked to become their minister, but for reasons not now known that vote was reconsidered twelve days after. Thus they were obliged to look further for a pastor. Rev. David McClure, who had just declined a call to the church time. Being highly pleased with his ministrations, the people invited him to settle with them, offering as a stipulated salary "eighty-five pounds, lawful money, together with the home parsonage and the buildings on the same." With unanimity of feeling he was installed on the 13th of November, 1776, twelve churches having been invited upon the coun- cil.

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and parish prospered, and during his nine years of ministration twenty-two were added to the member- ship. Soon after his settlement depreciation in the currency of the country became alarming, and at times the prospect of supporting a family seemed discouraging. The people nobly exerted themselves to relieve him. During his first year they gave him one hundred dollars more than they had agreed. The next year they gave him five hundred dollars additional. In 1779 the town added one thousand dollars, and afterwards increased it by one hundred bushels of corn; and in 1780 hisssalary was raised to twelve thousand dollars and twelve cords of wood! He bravely struggled on, receiving the affections of his people, and carefully calculating how to make his thousand dollars a month purchase the necessities for himself and family. Finally he felt it his duty to resign his charge, which he accordingly did in Au- gust, 1785. Having been dismissed, he moved to East Windsor, Conn., where he preached until his death in 1820.

As the pulpit was again vacant, the church called a fast, and consulted with several ministers of neigh- boring churches in reference to securing a pastor. Mr. Benjamin Thurston, of Bradford, Mass., then about thirty years of age, was recommended, and being well liked, he received a call for settlement, and was ordained on the 2d of November, 1785. Al- though an able preacher, he was not very Christ-like in character, yet during his ministry of about fifteen years fifty-three were added to the church. A debt was contracted of considerable amount, to pay which a portion of the parsonage was sold. Agreeable to the known desire of the people, he tendered his resig- nation, and was dismissed on the 27th of October, 1800.

The parish chose a committee to look up another minister, and Col. Thomas Leavitt, chairman of that committee, went to Andover, Mass., with the purpose of inviting Mr. Jonathan French, son of the beloved pastor of the South Parish in that town, to preach as a candidate. He gave up the prospect of another field of labor, and agreed to spend a few Sabbaths in town. The people were well pleased with him, and without delay he was requested to become their min- ister. He was ordained on the 18th of November, 1801, being twenty-three years of age, and having graduated at Harvard College three years before. Little then did he realize the work which God had marked out for him in North Hampton. Little did he think that he would be instrumental in moulding the character of more than one generation in the same parish. Little did he suppose he should write a his- tory on human hearts that would cause his name to be fragrant in memory long after he should rest from his labors. It is well that he could not divine the future. Me proved to be the right man in the right place.

Party feeling in politics ran high in the beginning

of the present century, and as the parish included the whole town, this feeling was expressed in ecclesistical as well as civil affairs, and was pronounced in an ap- parent opposition to the settlement of Mr. French. Great wisdom was needed to meet such a state of things, but the young pastor was equal to the occa- sion, and so deported himself as to command the re- spect of all classes.

It was one condition of the call for settlement that the parish should repair the parsonage-house or build a new one. They found it advisable to build. The work was undertaken in earnest, and in 1803 they completed a substantial and commodious house after the style of those days. About this time the pastor was married to Miss Rebecca Farrar, of Lincoln, Mass., a lady fair to look upon, lovely in spirit, and possessed of sterling virtues. As he was returning to his home with his bride, after having taken a short vacation, the people, desirous of showing their esteem, sent a delegation to meet him just beyond the border of the State, while the greater part of them went out to escort him from the Hampton line to the recently finished and furnished parsonage-house, and to make the occasion complete a grand reception was held in the evening. This auspicious beginning was followed by years of peace and prosperity, the pastor continu- iug to receive that high respect, and sometimes rev- erence, which people of those days were accustomed to give to ministers of the gospel, while his words of instruction and counsel were received without much serious questioning or even mental dissent. In those days it required great boldness, and certainly it was a violation of the sentiment of the people, to make a public issue with the minister. In such a state of society the pastor's influence was potent and usually prevailing. He was consulted on temporal as well as spiritual interests, and often became the final ar- bitrator when parties disagreed.

In the year 1816 the parish decided to add a tower to the church and place in it a good-sized bell. This was what their fathers felt the need of and long talked about. Its completion was a matter of con- gratulation, as it gave new life to the community by being rung to regulate their daily labors, as well as to summon them to worship.

Although the parish included the town, yet all the inhabitants of the town were not in sympathy with the church. For a generation some had entertained the belief and sentiments of the Baptists, and had protested against the support of orthodox worship. This number increased until a Free-Will Baptist So- ciety was formed. Many of this class early availed themselves of a statute law, by which their minis- terial tax could be used for other than the support of orthodox Congregational worship. This prepared the way for a proportional claim of the parsonage property. A period of great trial now came on. Nothing more difficult to manage had occurred sinee | the North Hill parish was formed, nearly one hun-

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

dred years before. Party feeling was strong, and it became needful to support the preaching of the gos- pel independent of the town. This necessitated the formation of the North Hampton Congregational Society in 1834, although the constitution was not adopted until the month of June, 1835.

In order to equitably divide the parish property, the town voted to sell the parsonage for sixteen hun- dred dollars, and that each voter should say to which religious society his proportional part should be given. Much the larger proportion was given to the Congre- gational Society. On the 27th of April that society voted to purchase the parsonage for the sum specified. In payment of this they had to tax themselves only for the amount which the Baptist people had received.

As the town ceased to provide ministerial support after the sale and transfer of the parsonage, Mr. French was employed by the Congregational Society. So strongly attached was he to his people that in their period of trial he proposed to relinquish one- fourth part of his salary, when the entire amount was scarcely sufficient to maintain himself and family. But the people never knowingly allowed him to be in want.

The meeting-house still belonged to the town, and an unsuccessful effort was made to secure its transfer to the new society. They now began to feel that they must have a house of their own in which to worship. This feeling deepened, and they soon decided to build on the parsonage land. Arrangements were made for executing their purpose, and on the 21st and 22d of June, 1838, " the frame of the new meeting-house was raised. Prayer was offered by the pastor on the foundation before the raising commenced. No ardent spirit or other intoxicating liquor was furnished at the raising. It was accomplished without noise and without injury to any one." The house was dedicated to the worship of God on the 31st of October of the same year, the sermon being preached by the pastor from John x. 23. This was a little more than one hundred years after the first meeting-house was built in town, and seventy-seven years after the dedication of the second house. Nine years afterwards a new bell was hung in the tower, and in the year following that important addition measures were taken by the ladies to purchase the hall in the old brick school- house, which years before was built for a lodge of Freemasons. This was fitted up for a vestry, and dedicated on the 31st of January, 1849, and was one of the many improvements secured to the church and society by the Ladies' Sewing Circle.

No social meetings of a religions character were held when Mr. French entered upon his ministry. In 1816 he wrote: "Taking into consideration the low state of religion in our church and parish, and viewing it to be exceedingly desirable that professors of religion should be awakened to a spirit of piety and a life of godliness, and that religion should be revived in this place, Mrs. French and myself retired

in the evening of August 2d after our commu- nion lecture, and united in a prayer especially for a revival of religion in our own hearts and family, and in the church and town." He was greatly in earnest to secure a higher type of godliness. At the close of the public lecture on October 3d he " pro- posed a religious conference at the parsonage-house at seven o'clock in the evening, and invited the mem- bers to whom such a meeting would be agrecable and convenient to attend." Eight persons were present. That was the beginning of the weekly church prayer- meeting, which has never since for any considerable period been omitted, and which has been of incalen- lable benefit to the people, the seed-corn of repeated revivals of religion.

The membership of the church was about one hun- dred when Mr. French became pastor, but additions were frequently made during his ministry. In 1806 ten were received into the church, in 1817 eleven were added, in 1823 there was an increase of forty-two, in 1827 twenty-five were admitted, in 1832 thirty-four publicly confessed Christ, and in 1839 the church was strengthened by thirty-five new members. Dur- ing this active pastorate of fifty-one years two hun- dred and eighty-five were admitted to the church, increasing the actual membership to one hundred and forty-five. One year before having a colleague the pastor was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Dartmouth College. On the 13th of De- cember, 1856, he died among his beloved people and surrounded by his large family, until this time unbroken by death, at age of seventy-eight years, having been ordained over this church a little more than fifty-five years before.

Mr. John Dinsmore, from Bangor Theological Seminary, was ordained as colleague pastor on the 18th of November, 1852. At that time the church and society were in a healthy condition, and there was reason to suppose that the severest days of trial and hardship were over. Under his ministration the interests of the church strengthened, and the growth steadily continned. The demand for seats in the meeting-house became greater than the supply, so an addition to one end was made sufficient for six- teen pews in 1855, the greater part of which were soon purchased by different individuals. Essential changes were made in some of the parsonage build- ings, and in other respects the pastorate was memorable for harmony and general prosperity. "The word of God grew and multiplied." The church retained her good report among sister churches, and the door was opened for increasing usefulness in the future. Sixty-six were received to the church during Mr. Dinsmore's pastorate, securing a net gain of eighteen. After about ten years of faithful service he resigned and accepted a call to Winslow, Me.

The church did not care to be long without a pas- tor to break to them the bread of life, and being highly pleased with the temporary ministrations of Rev.

F.ESIDENCE OF DR. MOSES L. HOBBS, NORTH HAMPTON, N. H.

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Elijah Cutler, they invited him to settle with them, but he did not see fit to comply with the request.

After this Mr. John O. Barrows, from Andover Theological Seminary, by his pleasing address, fine culture, and unquestioned piety, won the hearts of the people after a few Sabbaths' supply, and received a unanimous call from the church and society to become their pastor. He was ordained on the 9th of June, 1864.

During his pastorate of two years there was con- siderable religious interest, and thirteen were received into the church. Believers were enjoined to be active in every department of Christian labor, and the pure and perfect standard of Christ was constantly held up for imitation. The greater part of the parsonage farm was sold about the time of his settlement, while a legacy of two thousand dollars had just been left the society by Rufus Leavitt, Esq., and at a subsequent period Miss Ohve Hobbs left one thousand dollars for the society. Mr. Barrows asked to be relieved from the pastoral office, and was dismissed on the 8th of September, 1866, soon afterwards being installed over the First Church in Exeter.

In the spring of 1867, Rev. Thomas V. Haines, then preaching at Ossipee Centre, was invited to the va- cant pulpit. On the 5th of May he became acting pastor, which relation he sustained to the church until the 27th of April, 1870, when, under the guid- ance of a marked Providence, he was installed.

The people caught the spirit of external improve- ment which was becoming quite general among the churches, and as the old vestry purchased by the ladies twenty years before was inconvenient and much out of repair, and withal by some regarded as unsafe, the meeting-house was raised in 1869, and large and comfortable rooms added as a basément for social meetings, lectures, and Sunday-school purposes. For several Sabbaths the church was necessarily un- occupied, but the work was pushed to completion, and the dedicatory services were held on the 26th of October. This was a much-needed improvement, which the people appeared to appreciate.

In 1874 the interior of the meeting-house was re- modeled, finely finished, and beautifully adorned. New furniture was provided by the generosity of J. W. F. Hobbs, Esq., who at a later period added stained windows tastefully designed. A pipe-organ was se- cured and set up, and the finishing touches were given, so that the rededication services were held on the 2d of July.

Several seasons of religious awakening have oc- curred within the present pastorate. In 1872 seven- teen were gathered into the church. In 1876 occurred the most remarkable revival known in the history of the church. The entire town was deeply moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Christian re- ligion became the great theme of conversation. Pro- fessors were awakened to a fuller sense of their responsibility, while many entered upon a new relig-

ions life. Seventy-five united with the church. In 1879 nine were received into church-fellowship. During the fifteen years of the present pastorate one hundred and twenty-one have taken upon themselves the covenant relations of this church, giving a net gain of fifty-seven members, the present number being two hundred and four. The growth of the church has been slow but steady from the beginning. More than seven hundred have been enrolled among the membership.

Benevolent causes for the evangelizing of the world have received attention. Soon after the great idea of missions to heathen lands had been projected a re- sponse was given by this church. One missionary- Rev. Simon L. Hobbs, to the Choctaw Indians-has gone from the membership.

In 1814 the Female Charitable Society was organ- ized, which accomplished a good work for fourteen years. In 1817 the Gentlemen's Charitable Society began operations, and liberally contributed for ten years. In 1818 the Juvenile Charitable Society was formed, in which active work was done for twelve years. In 1845 the Female Cent Society, auxiliary to the State society of the same name, was started, which is still helpful to the cause of missions. In 1873 the Women's Missionary Society took shape and activity, which is doing a good work for foreign lands. In 1878 the Young People's Mission Cirele had its rise, and is characterized by commendable zeal. In 1818 the Sunday-school was started by Rev. Dr. French, in which the children repeated texts of Scripture and were catechized. It has been maintained with greater or less interest, and has grown to be a service of much importance, being promotive of earnest study of the Scriptures, and having a membership at the present time of two hundred and ninety-three, embracing all ages, and standing second only to the preaching ser- vice in methods of accomplishing good. The present superintendent, Deacon Frank R. Drake, has filled the office for the past eleven years.

This church and people have generally been in- terested in the great events occurring around them. They have been true to their convictions, loyal to their God and the great principles of our political government. Some of them suffered much during the last French and Indian war. When the Revolu- tionary war began they raised minute-men, paying them seven dollars a month, and six out of the num- ber were required to guard the coast of this town each night from sunset to sunrise. They furnished soldiers when called upon, and those at home deprived them- selves of comforts to pay the bounties.

During the great Rebellion the largely prevailing sentiment was truly loyal, and a considerable number of the young men experienced the hardships of the battle-field. During our national existence the people have been patriotic and truth-loving, always indus- trious, and, manifesting ordinary frugality, never dis- posed to create lines of easte in society, or to live re-

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 97

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