USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Washington > History of Washington, New Hampshire, from the first settlement to the present time, 1768-1886 > Part 9
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The church was supplied by different persons for about three years, some only remaining a short time. Rev. Mr. Gookin a young man yet engaged in his theological studies preached here one year. Rev. Mr. Beavins, a native of England, also remained a year. Rev. E. P. Hoyt also preached here for a time.
Rev. E. A. Edwards came here in Sept., 1883, and is the pastor at the present time. He is much esteemed as a
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
social, Christian gentleman, and his labors in the church are appreciated. We copy from the religious history of South Hampton. "Rev. E. A. Edwards became pastor of the church in 1853. We may regard the pastorate of Mr. Edwards as a most successful one. Since leaving us he has had pastorates in Wilton, New Hampshire, Gay Head, and Mashpee, Massachusetts, and Cape Neddick, Maine. Rev. E. A. Edwards was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1824, converted in 1842, commenced his studies pre- paratory to the ministry in 1844. Pursued a course of study at New Hampton in the Classical and Theological department, finishing his studies at Newton in June, 1853." Mr. Edwards has been appointed Superintending School Committee for this town the present year; he filled the same office while living in Beverly.
Since the foregoing sketch of Mr. Edwards was written he has been called away from the scene of his labors here, by death. He died Nov. 4, 1885, after an illness of one week. Mr. Edwards was faithful in the discharge of his pastoral duties, and had won the regard of the people of his charge. He was a trusted friend and kind neighbor ; and sustained pleasant relations with those he met from day to day, during the two years that he lived here, and those who have enjoyed this friendly intercourse, experi- enced a keen sense of personal loss in parting with him.
Sadly the sorrowing wife and sons bore back to his former home the husband and father, taken from them in the full strength and vigor of manhood, followed by the tender regrets of sympathizing friends.
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CHAPTER XVII.
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CHURCHES.
Universalist Society. Methodist Church on Turnpike. Seventh Day Advents' Church. Methodist Church at East Washington. Free Will Baptist Church at East Washington.
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
MONG the first members of this Society were Church Tabor, Joseph Healy, Thomas Waldron, and David Farnsworth. They were united with a society in Marlow. There were but few Universalist churches organized in the state at that time. The first one was formed at Portsmouth in 1781.
In 1799 Rev. Ebenezer Paine preached in Washington several times, and, being a man of pleasing manners and good pulpit talents, he made a deep impression upon his hearers, and soon after a society was formed, which con- sisted of persons residing in this town and Stoddard, Marlow and Lempster. The proportion of the money raised by the town for religious purposes, which was al- lowed this society, was $ 39.50, for the year 1802. Mr. Paine was a native of Charlestown, Massachusetts. He removed to New York in 1811.
The society had no regular preacher until the year 1820, when it was reorganized, and engaged Rev. Robert Bart- lett and Jacob Wood to preach alternately.
In 1824 Rev. Lemuel Willis commenced preaching and remained here about a year. After he left they had the
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services of Rev. Mr. Dinsmore, T. G. Farnsworth, William Bell, J. D. Williamson, each for a short time. Rev. O. A. Skinner was engaged in 1827, but did not remain long. He was a man of much talent and a prominent clergy- man in his denomination. Rev. David Cooper, a native of Sutton, was engaged in 1832 and preached about two years. He died in Sutton in 1885. In 1834 Rev. Josiah Gilman entered the field and continued his work for sev- eral years. He was a native of Atkinson, a quiet man, and esteemed as a good citizen.
In 1840 Rev. Lemuel Willis bought the farm of Dea. David Farnsworth and preached for this church one year. He then sold the farm and removed from town. Mr. Willis was an able man, and zealous in every good work, especially in promoting the cause of temperance. He was born at Westmoreland, New Hampshire, and died at Warner in 1878. He left three sons-Dr. Willis, of Bos- ton ; Algernon S., of Claremont ; and Harlan, of War- ner. Rev. Nathaniel Holden, who came from Massachu- setts, bought the farm of Mr. Willis, and kept it in his possession one year, preaching during the time.
In 1843 an invitation was given to Rev. Nathan R. Wright to preach for the church. He was a grandson of Col. Jacob Wright, and son of Dr. Nathaniel Wright. He was born in this town, and his estimable wife was also a native of Washington.
Mr. Wright.entered upon his duties in the spring of 1843, and remained here thirteen years. He was much beloved by his church, and respected by his townsmen, who elected him a member of the school board for twelve years, in which position he did efficient work. He was for some years connected with the Tubbs Union Acad- emy, both as trustee and president of the board. In measures of reform he took a lively interest, and did a great deal to promote the cause of temperance. As a minister of the gospel he was called upon, from far and
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near, to visit the sick and attend funerals. He was always ready to give a word of cheer to the desponding, and to lend a helping hand to the needy. His faithful wife has gone to the better land, leaving the memory of good deeds among those who knew her ; while he, enjoying a good degree of vigor, still continues the work to which his life has been devoted. Mr. Wright removed from Wash- ington to Reading, Massachusetts, and afterwards to Lynn, where he now resides. He has one daughter, and two sons-The Hon. Carroll D. Wright, of Boston, and Lu- cius B. Wright, of Everett, Massachusetts. Another son, Wallace W., together with his wife, perished in the catas- trophy which befell the ill-fated City of Columbus in 1884.
In 1868 the Rev. Lemuel Willis was once more en- gaged to preach here a portion of the time. Since that year the society has not employed any regular preacher, and for several years meetings have been discontinued.
METHODIST CHURCH ON THE TURNPIKE.
The Methodist meeting house, situated on the turnpike, near the Windsor line, was built in the year 1839. The religious interest in that section of the town and the ad- jacent neighborhood, at that time, was the result of the efforts of Miss Sarah A. Orne, an evangelist, who, while an operative in a cotton mill at Nashua, commenced to preach and exhort as she had opportunity ; and on com- ing to Hillsborough and Windsor, she travelted from house to house, and spent her time in religious labors. Rev. Amon S. Tenney was the first preacher in charge of the church. Meetings were held here regularly by the Meth- odists for ten years or more, after which time, only occa- sionally. The Baptists and Adventists also sometimes used the house for their meetings. The church building was fast going to decay, and the trustees finally decided to dispose of it; and in 1880 it was removed from the spot.
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SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHI.
The following account of the Adventist church was furnished by Mr. Cyrus K. Farnsworth :
The church building was built by the Christian denom- ination, in the year 1841. The principal founders were Amos Russell, Stephen Russell, Simeon Farnsworth, Daniel Farnsworth, John Ball, Dea. Jonathan Clark.
In 1843-4 a large number of the church became Ad- ventists, and in 1845, through the influence of Mrs. Ra- chel Preston, they commenced the observance of the seventh day of the week, and the church property subse- quently passed into their hands.
In 1862 they were organized into a church, taking the name of Seventh Day Adventists. There were fifteen members at that time. Their present membership is forty-five.
As a body they believe that the Bible plainly teaches the near coming of Christ, and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is still binding. Their only creed is " The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
EAST WASHINGTON METHODIST CHURCH.
There had been for many years a few persons residing in East Washington and vicinity who were believers in Methodism, and they, having received some additions to their number by others moving into the village, decided to form a class and church in connection with the class already existing in the south-eastern part of the town, on the turnpike, where a church building had been erected about the year 1840.
The church was organized by Rev. S. S. Dudley in June, 1858, and primarily consisted of eleven members. The first stewards chosen were Thomas Peaslee, Elbridge Bradford of the Centre class, and Philbrick Curtice. Samuel A. Clogston was the first class leader. They
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held their meetings in the Hall for a year, when the so- ciety built a church, which was dedicated in the autumn of 1859. The trustees chosen were Thomas Peaslee, Philbrick Curtice, Samuel A. Clogston, Woodbury Dres- ser, Reuben Monroe. Mr. Dresser was afterwards ex- cused from serving, at his own request, and James A. Crane appointed to fill the vacancy. The record that the trustees made at this time was as follows: "The said House is to belong to the Methodist society, to be used by them when they wish, but to be free to all other Chris- tian denominations, when not used by the Methodists, by applying to the secretary of the trustees."
The last meeting of the trustees was held March II, 1873. To fill vacancies the following men were chosen as trustees. Reuben Monroe, Philbrick Curtice, James A. Crane, Samuel A. Clogston, Simon Ayer.
The Quarterly Conference was at first held in connec- tion with the church in Stoddard ; but, in 1859, the East Washington and Centre classes met in conference by themselves.
The first preacher in charge was Rev. S. S. Dudley, a native of Sudbury, Massachusetts. He commenced preaching in Stowe, Massachusetts, in 1838. Mr. Dudley has started and aided in building four churches in new fields, and has filled all the offices in the church from a private member up to an elder ; has had twenty different charges, and travelled many hundred miles to fill these appointments. He is now living in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, and is seventy-nine years of age.
In 1859, Mr. Dudley was succeeded by Rev. B. E. Whipple. He preached for this church and at the chapel on the Turnpike, alternately, for about two years, when Rev. C. N. Lewis took his place. He left here in 1861, and died a few years later. After Mr. Lewis left, the church was supplied with preachers from the Methodist Theological school, which was then located at. Concord,
Ren OFgriswold
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
New Hampshire. Some of these men only preached for a few Sabbaths, and we have not the means of ascertain- ing their subsequent fortunes, as they were mostly from places far distant from here, and, in the itinerant practice of the church which they represented, their locations were not easily followed. Edward Richardson preached here in 1862. He was a young man of quiet, unobtrusive manners, and won the regard of the people in his charge. J. H. Lane succeeded him in 1863. He was from Bloom- ingsburg, New York, where he had received a license to preach. He possessed considerable ability, and was afterwards a successful minister in his native State. Cornelius V. Pegg came here in 1864. He was quite a young man, the son of a clergyman, in Troy, New York. He was of more than average ability, quick and ready in speech, and fearless in the discharge of what he considered to be a duty. He is still remembered with kindly feelings by the few who remain of his charge. He has since be- come a preacher of considerable influence in the state of New York. Thomas Chippafield and Mr. Mccutcheons preached here for a few months at a time. In 1875 and 1876 Rev. S. S. Dudley once more supplied the church since which time there have been no meetings held here.
This church was for some years in a prosperous condi- tion and exerted a strong religious influence in this place and vicinity ; but the fathers passed away, and none arose to fill their places, and at this time there remain only eight living members of what once constituted this church.
EAST WASHINGTON FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Free Will Baptists originated in this state. Elder Benjamin Randall of New Durham was called the found- er of this order, and the first church was organized in 1780.
The East Washington Free Will Baptist Church was organized Feb. 18, 1873 consisting of thirteen members.
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Samuel Fletcher and Auren Peaslee were chosen deacons. Rev. G. B. Tewksbury preached for one year. He was from Wilmot, New Hampshire, where he still resides.
March, 1874, chose Rev. E. Smith, pastor. He remained with 'the church ten years. Mr. Tewksbury supplied the succeeding two years, with others occasionally taking his place. Rev. Thomas H. Smithers, from England, preached here for a few months in 1877 and 1878. After his depart- ure Rev. John Willis preached for the church two years. Since he left the church has had no pastor, although the church organization still exists, and they continue to hold their Monthly Meetings for business, and social religious intercourse.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW WHO HAVE PRACTICED IN WASHINGTON.
INCE the incorporation of Washington as a town, almost one hundred years ago, but five attorneys have practiced law here. Of these, two were contemporary, living in town during the first half of the present century ; both able men, and having more than a local reputation for professional ability, and both greatly respected as citizens. Mr. Heald was a resident of Wash- ington for a little more than forty years ; Mr. Story not for so long a time. They both came to the town in the earlier years of its history, and doubtless much of its prosperity and honorable record was due to their influence.
DAVID HEALD, EsQ. Mr. Heald was of the fifth gen- eration in descent from John Heald, who came from Ber- wick, in England, and settled in Concord, Massachusetts. The cognomen John, was transmitted to the fourth gener- ation. Our barrister was the son of Oliver, and Lydia Spaulding Heald, who settled in Temple, New Hamp- shire. He was born in that town, March, 1768, the same spring that Col. Kidder gathered his little company together and encouraged them to attempt the founding of a township amid these wooded hills and vales. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, in the class of 1793, and then studied law at Northampton, Massachusetts.
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He came to Washington about the year 1800, and lived at the place where the house now stands which is owned by his descendants. He married in 1810, Miss Phebe Bur- bank of Washington. His family consisted of three chil- dren-Miss Phebe Heald, who is still living, Lucy O., who died in 1844, and David Heald, jr., who died in Waverly, Massachusetts, in 1881. He was for a long time a provi- sion dealer in North Market St., Boston, a man of good business talent and strict integrity.
David Heald was for forty years a member of the bar for the counties of Cheshire and Sullivan. He was chosen to represent the town in the state legislature in 1802, and continued to serve as representative for twelve years. He held many other positions of trust in the town, and his services were constantly in demand as a counsellor, both in public and private affairs. His death occurred in this town in 184I.
It can be said of David Heald as of nearly all men who have risen to honorable positions in the state,-he was a self made man, attaining eminence by his own native talent and energy. He was of modest worth, and unpretending manners. All could trust him and all respected him. Gifted by nature with more than common ability, he became a thorough scholar, and at a time when educational advan- tages were not within the reach of all. He was always in- terested in the schools and exerted his influence for the advancement of the town in educational matters.
ABRAHAM BURNHAM STORY, EsQ. A. B. Story was a native of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, born in 1776. He was a graduate of Brown University, in the class of 1799. He practiced law at Northwood, New Hampshire, for a short time, living there about the year 1803. Soon after that he removed to Washington, where he remained until the year of his death.
Mr. Story was married to Letitia Cochran in 1804. This lady lived only twenty months after her marriage,
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dying at the early age of twenty-eight years. A daughter, also named Letitia, survived the mother, and is now living in Madison, Wisconsin. Three years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Story was married to Theodosia Willard of Charlestown, New Hampshire, where she lived after the death of her husband and where she was buried. Mr. Story was the son of David, and Thankful Story; and he died in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, September 16, 1830, and he now rests beside his father and mother in the Cemetery at Dunbarton Centre. David Story died in March, 1834, aged eighty-eight years ; and Thankful, his wife died in May, 1822, aged seventy-six years. A. B. Story was of good address, affable and pleasing in his manners ; one of the "old school gentlemen," courtly and kindly. A man of culture and refinement and who prac- ticed that true politeness, the source of which is a really kindly nature.
The following brief sketch of Christopher G. Newton, is by his cousin, William F. Newton Esq., of Newport.
CHRISTOPHER G. NEWTON, son of Erastus Newton of Newport, New Hampshire, was born January 15th, 1803. His boyhood was spent in assisting his father in farming, and after a preparatory course of study in the Newport Academy, he entered the Middlebury College, Vermont, where he graduated. On completing his collegiate studies, he commenced the study of law in the office of Hubbard Newton of Newport, which he pursued until he was ad- mitted to Sullivan County bar, and shortly after opened an office at Washington, where he continued in practice for many years and then removed to Lawrence, Massachu- setts, where he remained until his death, February 15th, 1871. He married Harriet Hubbard of Washington, June 9th, 1835, whose death occurred prior to his at Lawrence.
DUDLEY BAILEY, Eso. established a law office in East Washington in the autumn of 1846. He taught the village school during the following winter and remained in law
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practice until the autumn of 1847. He afterwards went west, and is now a resident of Kansas.
BROOKS K. WEBBER, EsQ. Mr. Webber, the only other lawyer who ever located in East Washington, remained but a year in the village, the law business of that place not being sufficiently extensive to meet the expectations of a rising attorney.
Mr. Webber is the son of Maximillian J., and Clarissa (Swett) Webber; born in Boscawen (now Webster), New Hampshire, in 1837. He obtained his education at the schools in Hopkinton, Newport and New London, New Hampshire. Read law with Barton and Bowers at New- port, New Hampshire, and Converse and French, Wood- stock, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar September, 1859. He commenced the practice of law at East Canaan, New Hampshire, the same year.
In March, 1861 he came to East Washington, and re- moved to Antrim the following spring. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 16th Regiment New Hampshire Vol- unteers. He was appointed 2nd Lieut., of Co. I., and after- wards, Ist Lieut., by promotion. At the expiration of his term of service in the army he returned to Antrim. Mr. Webber was married Dec. 1, 1863, to Miss E. Francelia Gage, daughter of Isaac N. Gage, Esq., of East Washington. Miss Gage was a lady of cultivated mind and pleasing man- ners. She died at Hillsborough Lower Village, in 1870.
Mr. Webber removed to Hillsborough Lower Village in 1865 and from that place to the Bridge village, where he is still located. He has held the position of Superintending School Committee in Hillsborough, and was town repre- sentative for the years 1868 and 1869, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1876.
Mr. Webber has established a reputation for honorable and upright dealing, and is considered a safe and judicious counsellor, always exerting his influence to promote har- mony, instead of strife among his patrons.
CHAPTER XIX.
PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE LIVED AT THE CENTRE VILLAGE, WASHINGTON.
HE physician in the olden time was quite as im- portant a personage as the preacher of the Gos- pel. Indeed all who had received a liberal edu- cation, of whatever profession, were regarded with esteem by those who were less favored, and learning commanded the respect which is sometimes accorded to wealth.
The physician was, perhaps regarded with less reverence than the popular clergyman-the relation he sustained to the public being less spiritual in its tendency, and more in harmony with human nature's every day conditions. Children reverenced and feared the minister, they respect- ed and loved the family doctor. The best room was opened to receive the visits of the former, the latter was welcomed to the kitchen when his calls were social rather than professional. The physician was generally less aus- tere than the minister, but even he was something of an autocrat in appearance, the result of being often called on for counsel on general matters, and having his decisions usually regarded.
DR. DAVID HARRIS, the first physician who came to Washington to remain for any length of time, may be considered a good type of the old fashioned M. D. He had a kindly, genial disposition, somewhat given to jesting, and always ready with a word of cheer or pleasantry for
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all whom he chanced to meet. He was familiarly known to almost every family in town, and all confided in him as a friend, and trusted him as their physician.
He travelled on horse back the roads and bridle paths that led over the hills, which when he came here were mostly uncleared, with saddle-bags well filled with the drugs and medicines then in use. Doubtless they were often nauseous as well as remedial, but the good doctor had a way of his own of sugar-coating the bitter pills for children at least, gently urging them to receive the med- icine and they should have some sugar "for Grandsir has got a pound." His fee for medical attendance in any portion of the town was seventeen cents. He could not have acquired a competence from his practice. He should be given all honor, even now when honor's voice can no longer fill his heart with joy or pride, and praise or blame fall alike unheeded.
Dr. Harris held many of the town offices, and was con- sidered a wise counseller in all public business. He was chosen town clerk in 1782, which office he held for many years. He was made a Justice of the Peace in 1784, and was a member of the convention that met at Concord to form a State Constitution in the same year. The town records kept by him are remarkably neat and legible, the penmanship being good, and the work carefully executed.
It is not known for a certainty where the birth place of Dr. Harris was, but it is supposed to be Hardwick, Mas- sachusetts. He was born April 14, 1752. Where he was educated is not known; but it is said that he was quite learned for the times in which he lived. He was married to Miss Rebecca Woods, and had a family of six children. He died in Newport, New Hampshire, May 10, 1830. His wife died in 1831.
During the life time of Dr. Harris there were several physicians who lived here for a brief period. Dr. Thomas 1 .. Brown we find mentioned in the early records of the
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town. Dr. Studley remained here a short time and then moved away.
NATHANIEL THAYER, M. D. Dr. Thayer, seventh in descent from Richard Thayer, was the son of Nathaniel and Dorcas (Faxon) Thayer, born in Braintree, Massa- chusetts, November, 1781, in a house now standing on Washington St., near the Cranberry brook in the south part of the town. He studied medicine with Dr. Jonathan Wales of Randolph, Massachusetts, practiced his profes- sion in Washington only a short time, was a Surgeon in the U. S. Army in the war of 1812, and died in the hos- pital at Buffalo, New York, Aug., 1814, aged thirty-three years.
While living in this town he built a large house on the turnpike, a third of a mile from the village, which was burned while in the possession of the Jefts family. He was married in 1811 to Miss Betsey French of Washing- ton. His only child, Cornelia Farnsworth, born in Brain- tree in 1813, died at Florence, Ohio, in 1838. Dr. Thayer was a brother of Gen. Sylvanus Thayer, who was the founder of Thayer Academy at Braintree, and the Thayer School of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Dart- mouth College.
OZIAS MATHER, M. D. Dr. Mather was born at East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1787. Nothing definite is known with regard to his education, but it is supposed that he was not a college graduate. He received his diploma from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, and located in Lempster about the year 1808. He married Miss Harriet Brainard of that town, and, with his wife's father, removed to Washington in 1810. He lived in what was known as the Brainard Tavern stand, which was consumed by fire in 1830. He died in 1813, being only twenty-six years of age; but even at that early age he had given promise of a life of usefulness, and his death was deeply regretted by the community.
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