USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 10
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When Hilton sold his plantation to Thomas Wiggin's company, and the new company took possession, in the fall of 1633, a new religious element was introduced. The newcomers were reputed to be "of some account for religion," that is to say, they were largely made up of those who entertained Puritan views, as regarded the Church of England religious forms of church government.
So the first parish was organized in 1633 with Rev. William Leveridge, "a worthy Puritan divine," who came with the company that arrived October 10, 1634. That winter they built a log church a short distance down the hill southwest from the present meeting house site that is marked with a wall and a bronze tablet on the road side. Mr. Leveridge served the people two years, then went elsewhere for a more lucrative position. He was succeeded by the Rev. George Burdet, who remained two years, when steps were taken to have a regularly organized church, which was completed in the fall of 1638 with the Rev. Hanserd Knollys as the first pastor of the first church in Dover and New Hampshire. Mr. Knollys served two years and was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Larkham, who had been minister in a Puritan church in Northam, England. He was so popular with the people that they were induced to change the name of the town from Dover and call it Northam, which name it retained about four years and then was changed to Dover, having come under Massachusetts rule in 1642.
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The first parish and the town continued to work together until June II, 1762, when the parish was made separate from the town in the management of business affairs. Up to that time the town built the meeting houses, and there were held the town meetings as well as the church meetings, and the town voted support for the ministers and other current expenses. After 1762 the parish organization did what the town formerly had done, and the parish organization has continued to the present day. All persons are members of the parish who attend divine service at the "meeting house," or pay for sup- port of the minister; and all members of the church are members of the parish ; but members of the parish cannot be members of the church until formally admitted according to the established rules of the church, which have varied from time to time.
That is to say, the town and parish were one until 1762. They built the first meeting house of logs. They voted to have the second meeting house built, and Maj. Richard Walderne was the contractor (he was not a regular major then) ; he was to build it in consideration of the extensive grants the town had given him, covering all the lower falls of the Cochecho, where he had his sawmill and grist mill, with much timber, besides a rent of £12 per annum in boards or plank, bound himself, heirs and administrators, to erect a meeting house upon the hill, near Elder Nutter's residence; the dimensions of it were to be forty feet long, twenty-six feet wide, sixteen-foot studs, with six windows, two doors fit for such a house, with a tile covering, and to plank all the walls; with glass and nails for it, the whole to be finished "betwixt this (April, 1653) and April next come twelvemonth, which will be in the year 1654." Major Walderne completed it according to contract. As there was no bell on it, Richard Pinkham was hired to "beat the drum" on the Lord's Day to call the people to meeting.
December 21, 1658 .- It was voted that the meeting house on Dover Neck be underpinned, and catted and sealed with boards, a pulpit and seats con- venient be made, and a bell purchased, to be paid for by a rate upon each man's estate according to the law of the country. But it appears by the records that the bell was not purchased until 1665, when the selectmen authorized Peter Coffin to agree with some workmen to build a "turrett upon the Meeting House for to hang the bell," which they had bought of Captain Walderne, the cost to be paid out of what credit the Neck had in Mr. Coffin's hands, and if it cost more they engaging to pay him on the town account. And that year, 1665, the bell was first rung on the meeting house, taking the place of Richard Pinkham's drum.
The next meeting house was built on Pine Hill "at Cochecho in Dover," in 1712, and soon after this became the official seat of government in the town. Always before that the seat of government was at Dover Neck, and when- ever Dover is spoken of as a place where somebody lived or something was
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done, that is the place meant ; the other places were simply localities in Dover. Of course religious meetings continued to be held in that house on the Neck for a long time after it ceased to be used to hold town meetings in and con- duct the town business. The minister of the first church officiated at both places. The last public town meeting was held in that house March 10, 1760. A new house had been built in 1758-9, where the present first parish meeting house stands on Tuttle square. That was the fourth house the parish had. It was built of wood. That was taken down in 1828 and the present brick edifice was erected in its place. The town had something to do with its con- struction, but on March 30, 1761, at a public town meeting it was voted to petition the general court for a law to empower the first parish to transact their affairs exclusive of other town business. This petition was granted June 11, 1762. The meeting house continued to be used for town meetings until the courthouse came into use about 1790. That building is now used as Bradley's garage, on Tuttle square.
It is an interesting fact in reference to these meeting houses that when the Indians began to be troublesome and dangerous the following order was passed in town meeting for building a fortification around the house in Dover :
"4: 5 mno : 1667. It is Agried with Capt. Coffin to Build the forte about the Meeting House on Dover Neck one hundred foot square with two Sconces of sixteen foot square and all the timber to be twelve inches thick and the wall to be eight foot high with sills and braces, and the Selectmen with the military officers have agreed to pay him one hundred pounds in day workes at 2s 6d per day, and also to all persons concerned in the workes on day to help to raise at so many as he shall appoint."
The earthwork in which this timber was set is still preserved. Margery Sullivan Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has had iron rails placed over the earthwork, so observers can easily imagine how the stockade must have looked in Indian war-times. The Chapter also had a nice face wall placed along the east (road) side, on which is placed a bronze tablet.
The meeting house that was erected in 1758 was dedicated December 13, that year. February 16, 1829, the parish voted to sell the old meeting house and build the present brick one in its place; this was done and the new house was dedicated December 30, 1829. The northern end of the old meeting house was removed to Court street and converted into a dwelling house. It is located on the east side of the street, north of where the brook used to be.
MINISTERS OF THE FIRST CHURCH
Mention has already been made of four of the ministers of the first church and parish. There have been twenty-five. All were college graduates and
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held high rank among the Congregational churches with which the first church affiliated.
Daniel Maud, fifth minister, born about 1585, "a man of quiet and peace- able disposition," had been a minister in England, arrived at Boston in 1635, was admitted freeman May 25, 1636, and officiated as schoolmaster for some years. He came to Dover in 1642, being recommended by the ministers in answer to the request of the people of Dover. He died in 1655, his will being dated 17th IIth mo., 1654 (Feb. 17, 1655), and proved June 26, 1655. The second meeting house was built in 1653, in accordance with a town vote dated 5th roth mo., 1652; a bell was placed upon it in 1665, and a fortification built round it in 1667, the remains of which are still visible.
John Reyner, sixth minister, came to America in or near 1635, settled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1636, left that place in November, 1654, and settled in Dover in 1655. "He was a man of meek and humble spirit, sound in the truth, and every way irreproachable in his life and conversation." During the last few years of his life he was assisted by his son and successor, John Reyner, Jr. He died April 20, 1669, aged sixty-nine. His will was dated April 19th, and proved June 30tli, his widow Frances being executrix. He owned and bequeathed an estate in the parish of Batley, Yorkshire, England.
In his time extra services were held at Cochecho on the Sabbath in the winter for several years, William Wentworth, an elder of the church, being employed by the town to preach there.
John Reyner, Jr., seventh minister, son of John Reyner, his predecessor, was born, probably, in Plymouth in 1643; graduated at Harvard College in 1663, and became assistant to his father about 1667. Upon his father's death he was invited, July 22, 1669, to become pastor, and continued to officiate, but was not regularly settled until July 12, 1671. He died at Braintree, Mass., Dec. 21, 1676, "of a cold and fever," says Hull, "that he took in the field among the soldiers." His wife was Judith, daughter of Edmund Quincy, of Braintree. Of him it is said, "he possessed a double portion of his father's spirit."
John Pike, eighth minister, was born in Salisbury, Mass., May 15, 1645; graduated at Harvard College in 1675, came to Dover "for the work of the ministry," Nov. 1, 1678, and was settled Aug. 31, 1681. He was absent some of the time during his settlement here on account of the Indian wars, but he died here in the pastorate, March 10, 1709-10. His wife, Sarah, daughter of Rev. Joshua Moody, died Jan. 24, 1702-3. His will was dated March 6, 1709-10. "He was esteemed as an extraordinary preacher, and a man of true godliness."
Nicholas Sever, ninth minister, was born in Roxbury, Mass., April 15, 1680; graduated at Harvard College in 1701, and was ordained at Dover, April II, 1711. He resigned his charge in the spring of 1715, on account of
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an almost total loss of voice. In 1716 he was appointed tutor in Harvard College, where he remained for twelve years. Not long after he was appointed judge of Court of Common Pleas in Plymouth county, Mass., a station for which he proved himself eminently qualified. He died April 7, 1764.
Prior to his settlement the regular meetings of the Sabbath had been held at Dover Neck, but Mr. Sever preached partly at Chochecho. The third meeting house was erected on Pine Hill, about 1713, but the old one at the Neck was used until about 1720.
Jonathan Cushing, tenth minister, was born in Hingham, Mass., Dec. 20, 1690; graduated at Harvard College in 1712, and was ordained pastor of this church Sept. 18, 1717; during most of his ministry he preached at Cochecho; he died March 25, 1769, having had a colleague for the two years previous. He "sustained the character of a grave and sound preacher, a kind, peaceable, prudent, and judicious pastor, a wise and faithful friend." During his min- istry one hundred and thirty-three were added to the church, of whom nine were by letter.
The fourth meeting house was dedicated Dec. 13, 1758, and stood upon the site of the present house; the former one was sold in pursuance of a vote passed Nov. 26, 1759. The parish was incorporated distinct from the town June II, 1762.
Jeremy Belknap, D. D., eleventh minister, was born in Boston, Mass., June 4, 1744; graduated at Harvard College in 1762; was ordained colleague with Mr. Cushing, Feb. 18, 1767, and became sole pastor in 1769. He married Ruth Eliot, June 15, 1767. His connection ceased Sept. 11, 1786, and he was installed pastor of the Federal Street Church in Boston (afterwards Dr. Chan- ning's) April 4, 1787 ; he died of a paralytic attack June 20, 1798. In his ministry here forty-three were added to the church, of whom five were by letter.
Doctor Belknap was distinguished for his literary attainments and beloved for his personal character. He was an ardent patriot in the Revolution, and by his writings and correspondence did eminent service. He published numerous works, the best know of which is his "History of New Hampshire."
Robert Gray, twelfth minister, was born in Andover, Mass., Oct. 9, 1761, graduated at Harvard College in 1786, and was ordained over this church Feb. 28, 1787. He married, March 27, 1787, Lydia Tufts, of Charlestown, Mass. His connection as pastor ceased May 20, 1805. He preached after- wards in the western part of Barrington, though he was never again settled, and died in Wolfborough, N. H., Aug. 25, 1822. During his ministry thirty- four were added to the church.
Caleb Hamilton Shearman, thirteenth minister, was born in Brimfield. Mass., in 1779; graduated at Brown University in 1803; was ordained at Dover May 6, 1807, and dismissed May 7, 1812. He left Dover about 1815,
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went to Charleston, S. C., and afterwards to New York State, where he died. Six persons are recorded as having united with the church during his ministry.
Joseph Il'ard Clary, fourteenth minister, was born in Rowe, Mass., Nov. 21, 1786; graduated at Middlebury College in 1808, received his theological education at Andover, and was ordained pastor of this church May 7, 1812.º He was dismissed, by mutual council, Aug. 6, 1828, and on the 29th of Novem- ber was installed pastor at Cornish, N. H .; he resigned his pastoral charge in 1834, and died April 13, 1835, "a good and pious man, a serious and faithful pastor." Mr. Clary was reinterred Dec. 19, 1835, in Pine Hill burying- ground, by desire of this church. During his ministry sixty-nine united with the church.
Hubbard W'inslow, D. D., LL. D., fifteenth minister, was born in Willis- ton, Vt., Oct. 30, 1799; graduated at Yale College in 1825, received his theological education at New Haven and Andover, and was ordained pastor Dec. 4, 1828. In the midst of a promising revival his health failed and he was obliged to leave the place; he was dismissed by council Nov. 30, 1831. During his ministry and previous to the settlement of his successor, one hun- dred and eighty were added to this church, of whom thirty-one were by letter. Mr. Winslow was installed pastor of the Bowdoin Street Church in Boston Sept. 26, 1832, and dismissed in March, 1844. He was in active service many years, especially in charge of seminaries for the liberal education of young ladies. He published various works, mainly educational. He died at Williston, Vt., Aug. 13, 1864, aged sixty-five.
David Root, sixteenth minister, was born in Piermont, N. H., June 17, 1791 ; graduated at Middlebury College in 1816; received his theological edu- cation principally under the direction of Dr. N. S. S. Beman, late of Troy, N. Y .; labored as a missionary some time in Georgia; was ordained pastor of the Second Presbyterian church in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1819; resigned his charge in 1832, and was installed pastor of this church Feb. 6, 1833; his connection ceased Sept. 4, 1839. During his ministry here one hundred and sixty-six were added to the church, of whom thirty-nine were by letter. Mr. Root settled in Waterbury, Conn., in 1840, and afterwards at Guilford. He died in Chicago, Il1., Aug. 30, 1873, aged eighty-three.
Jeremiah Smith Young, seventeenth minister, was born in Whitestown, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1809; received his theological education at Andover, where he graduated in 1839; was ordained here Nov. 20, 1839; his connection was dissolved September, 1843, in consequence of ill health, and he never after- wards settled. During his ministry one hundred and eighty united with the church, of whom thirty-four were by letter. He died in Somerville, Mass., April 26, 1861, aged fifty-two.
Homer Barrowes, eighteenth minister, was born in Wareham, Mass., Dec.
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19, 1806; graduated at Amherst College in 1831, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1834; was ordained pastor of the Second church in Middle- boro', Mass., June 1, 1836; left that place in 1842; was stated supply at Norton, Mass., for three years, and was installed pastor of this church July 9, 1845. His connection was terminated by a mutual council held July 6, 1852. During his pastorate fifty-eight were added to the church, of whom twenty-seven were by letter. Mr. Barrows was installed pastor of the church in Wareham, Mass., Oct. 27, 1852, and was afterwards, from 1859 to 1869, acting pastor at Plaistow, N. H.
Benjamin Franklin Parsons, nineteenth minister, was born in Wiscasset, June 22, 1820; graduated at Bowdoin College in 1841 ; received his theological education at New York and Bangor, graduating at Bangor Theological Semi- nary in 1846. He was ordained as the first minister of the Congregational church at Watertown, Wis., Jan. 25, 1847; installed as first pastor of the First church at Waukegan, Ill., Nov. 1, 1848; resigned his charge in October. 1852, and was installed pastor of this church Jan. 12, 1853. He was dismissed Sept. 3, 1856, and at once became pastor of the Belknap church in this city, from which he was dismissed Oct. 24, 1861.
Elias Huntington Richardson, twentieth minister, was born in Lebanon, N. H., Aug. 11, 1827; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1850, and at Andover in 1853; was ordained pastor of the church in Goffstown, N. H., May 18, 1854; dismissed Oct. 30, 1856. He was installed over this church Dec. 10, 1856, and dismissed Dec. 10, 1863. He was settled in Providence, R. I., Dec. 30, 1863, afterwards in Westfield, Mass., and in 1872 became pastor of the First church in Hartford, Conn. During his ministry ninety were added to the church, and thirty by him after he was dismissed.
Avery Skinner Walker, twenty-first minister, was born in Union Square, Osage county, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1829; graduated at Oberlin College in 1854, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1857. He was ordained by the Third New York Presbytery, June 14, 1857, and was acting pastor at Lodi, N. Y .. from 1875 to June, 1860. He was installed pastor at Rockville, Conn., Feb. 13, 1861, dismissed Sept. 20, 1864, and was installed over this church Nov. 16, 1864. He was dismissed Sept. 7, 1868, and was installed pastor at Fairhaven,
George Burley Spalding, twenty-second minister, was born in Montpelier. Mass., from which place he removed to Gloversville, N. Y.
Vt., Aug. 11, 1835; graduated at the University of Vermont in 1856, studied law at Tallahassee, Fla., entered the Union Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1858, remaining two years, graduated at Andover Theological Semi- nary in 1861 ; was ordained and installed as minister at Vergennes, Vt., Oct. 5, 1861, dismissed Aug. 1, 1864: installed over the North (now Park ) church in Hartford, Conn., Sept. 28, 1864, dismissed March 23. 1869; installed over the First church in Dover, N. H., Sept. 1, 1869. Doctor Spalding remained
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here fourteen years, then went to Manchester, N. H., where he served two years. He then became pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Syracuse, N. Y., where he was pastor twenty-five years. He is now retired.
George E. Hall, D. D., twenty-third minister, was born Feb. 23, 1851, in Jamaica, West Indies ; graduated from Oberlin College, 1872; graduated from New Haven Theological Seminary, 1875 ; pastor of the Congregational Church at Littleton, Mass., September, 1875-February, 1877 ; pastor of Congregational Church at Vergennes, Vt., May, 1877-December, 1883; was installed pastor over the First Church in Dover Jan. 2, 1884; received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth College in 1893. Under his administration the brick chapel was built in 1888, at a cost of $16,218. It was dedicated April 21, 1889. Doctor Hall closed his ministry July 1, 1908, completing twenty-four years and six months service. During his pastorate 374 members were added to the church roll. Doctor Hall became western secretary of the American Mis- sionary Association, with headquarters in Chicago. Ile resigned after one year's service, on account of failing health.
Evarts WV. Pond succeeded Doctor Hall and served two years.
Wl'alter A. Morgan, the twenty-fifth and present pastor, was installed in January, 1913. The longest pastorate was that of Rev. Jonathan Cushing, fifty years.
Rev. Dr. Belknap says that "mention is made of persons with the title of elders from 1647 to 1662, and it appears that there were three elders, viz .: Nutter, Wentworth, and Starbuck." (They were called elders as early as 1638, and probably were chosen when the church was organized. )
Elders : Hatevil Nutter, died 1675; Edward Starbuck, left Dover 1659, and went to Nantucket; died Dec. 4, 1690, aged eighty-six; William Went- worth, died March 16, 1697, aged eighty-one.
Deacons: 1655, John Hall, died about 1693, aged seventy-two; 1675, John Dam, died Jan. 27, 1601; 1717. Oct. 15. Gershom Wentworth, died March 2, 1731, aged eighty-two; 1717, Oct. 15, Samuel Tebbetts, died Dec. 9. 1738: 1731. March 2, John Hayes ( 2). died July 3. 1759, aged seventy-three ; 1745, April 11, John Wood, died July 27, 1773, aged sixty-five; 1758, April 20, Shadrach Hodgdon, died Nov. 1, 1791, aged eighty-two; 1758, April 20, Daniel Ham, deposed July 6, 1774, died 1803, aged eighty-nine; 1769. Dec. 27, Thomas Hayes, died April 7, 1774, aged fifty-nine ; 1774, June 12, Ephraim Kimball, died March 19, 1792, aged sixty-six; 1780, Nov. 5, Benjamin Peirce, died Sept. 12, 1823, aged eighty ; 1790, Dr. Ezra Green, dismissed Feb. 13, 1829, died July 25, 1847, aged one hundred and one years and twenty-seven days : 1823, -, John Wingate Hayes, left Dover 1838, died Nov. 11, 1845, aged sixty-eight : 1829, -, Peter Cushing (2), died June 6, 1874, aged seventy-eight ; 1838, Dec. 30, Andrew Peirce, died Sept. 4. 1862, aged seventy- six : 1838, Dec. 30, Edmund J. Lane ; 1838, Dec. 30, Isaac A. Porter, dismissed
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to Belknap church April 24, 1856, died April 15, 1860, aged eighty-one; 1858, Aug. 9, Joshua Banfield, removed to Hampton 1867, died March 20, 1869, aged sixty-six; 1869, Jan. 19, Nathaniel Low; 1869, Jan. 19, James H. Wheeler; 1869, Jan. 19, Alvah Moulton; 1874, Oct. 27, Oliver Wyatt; 1874, Oct. 27, George Quint, died Oct. 22, 1877; 1878, Jan. 15, John R. Varney, died May 2, 1882 ; 1878, Jan. 15, John R. Ham.
CHAPTER VIII
HISTORY OF DOVER ( IV)
LATER RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES IN DOVER
Next in order of age to the First Church in Dover is the Society of Friends. The first mention we find of any Quakers in Dover in any history, is that in 1662 three missionary Quakeresses, who had been lecturing among the residents on Dover Neck and had caused much annoyance and disturbance in the First church, of which Rev. John Reyner was minister, were whipped out of town by a court order issued by Maj. Richard Walderne.
Doctor Belknap says in his "History of New Hampshire," that the Friends once comprised a third part of the citizens of the town. At present their num- ber is not very large, but very respectable. They did not become sufficiently numerous to organize a "meeting" until 1680, so the society is about forty years the junior of the First Church. Their meeting house was on the west side of High street, Dover Neck, about one-third of a mile north of the one built by the First parish in 1654. The exact year when it was built is not known, but it was between 1680 and 1700. It was taken down about 1770 and removed across the river and set up again in Kittery, now Eliot, where there was quite a settlement of Friends. It stood there a hundred years or more and then was taken down. The Friends built a second meeting house at "Cochecho in Dover" about 1720, a few years after the First parish built their meeting house on Pine Hill, a short distance northwest of the Cushing tomb. This second Quaker meeting house stood on the southwest corner of what is now the junction of Silver and Locust streets. Their third house was the present one on Central avenue, at Pine Hill, which was built in 1768; soon after that the old house at Dover Neck was sold to the Friends in Kittery, now Eliot.
The first "monthly meeting" was established in 1702, and their records extend back to that time. The records of this society are the best kept of any ancient records in Dover, and have been carefully preserved. In matters of family records they are of great value. The first "quarterly meeting" was established in 1708, and have been held regularly ever since.
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ST. JOHN'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Up to 1819 the First church and the Society of Friends supplied the citizens of Dover with their religious instruction, but that year the first Methodist Episcopal meetings were held at the "upper factory" village, which was called Williamsville, from the name of the founder of the manufacturing concern which was established there about 1814, and the village at one time had three hundred or more inhabitants, the larger part of whom worked in the (cotton) mill.
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