USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Chester > History of old Chester [N. H.] from 1719 to 1869 > Part 7
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At a meeting Nov. 19, 1729,
" Voted, That Capt. Thomas Pierce be a Collector for
74
HISTORY OF CHESTER.
portsmouth, and Dr. Edmond Toppin for Hampton, Jon- athan Emerson for Haverhill & Bradford, Mr. Willm Blunt for Andover, Mr. John Calf for Newberry ; and the Above named to Collect and gather ye Rates off those that are propre in Chester and lives in the abovesd precincts."
1730. At a meeting held January 15, 1729-30,
" Voted, That ye Rev. Mr. Moses Hale is chosen to settle wth us in ye work of ye Ministry in Chester.
" Voted, That there shall be 120 pounds in Current money or bills of Credit be Raised for ye Support of ye gos- pel ministry amonge us, to be paid by the inhabitants & proprs of ye town of Chester, to ye Revd. Mr. Moses Hale, out of ye town treasury annually as long as he Shall Continue to be our ministr ; & Said money to be Raised by ye proprs & Inhabitants acording to their interests for five years Ensu- ing, & then to be Raised as the law Directs; and yt sd money be paid annually, according to ye Same Value that it pas- seth for at this present year.
" Voted, That Lieut. Thomas Smith, Mr Ebenezer Dear- bon, Nath" Webster, Willm Willson & Sam" Ingalls, be a Committe to treat wth the Rev. Mr. Moses Hale, & to ac- quaint him wth what ye town hath done, & to Invite him into the work of ye Minis'y among us in Chester, and to Receive his answer and to make Return thereof to the town."
At the annual meeting March 26, 1730,
"Voted, That ye Proprietors of Chester pay two hundred and twenty pounds to defray ye Charges for ye year en- sewing.
" Voted, That ye Revd Mr. Moses Hale have twenty shil- lings apiece of each full propriator's share, which amounts to one hundred and twenty seven pounds, to be payed ye pres- ent year insewing in Money or labor.
" Voted, That the meeting-house be set on the plan it hath bene formerly agreed on and voted for, agreeable to the vote in 1728 entered in the town Book in page 104.
" Voted, That Mr. Willm White, Nathan Webster, Eben- ezer Derbon, a committe to agree with a carpender or carpenders to build a meeting house acording to the de- menshins formerly agreed on and entered in ye town book.
" Voted, A gristmill priviledge to John Aiken." (See History of John Aiken's Mill.)
At an adjournment June 9th,
-
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PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
" Voted, That Doct. Rodgers, Mr. Hughes, Richª Ward, Benj. Russ, be allowed there accounts in suppressing the Ryiot in 1726, five days a man at 6s. per day.
" Voted, Whereas there was formerly a vote past that the meeting honse should be bulte 35 fete in width, that sd meeting house shall be bulte thirty eyght fete in width, and that the comite chosen last meting, Namely, Mr. William White, Nath" Webster, Ebez" Derben, be fully impowered to agree with any Parson or Parsons to build sd meeting house ; and whatever Covenent or agreement they in there capasity shall make, the propriators will Ratify and Con- firme."
At a meeting July 15, 1730, there was a committee chosen "to deliver the minister's lot to Rev. Mr. Moses Hale as soon as he becomes qualified to receive the same," with a proviso that should he be at any expense on it and not be settled, it should be repaid. There was another committee to provide a parsonage.
1731. At the annual meeting held at the meeting-house March 25, 1731, adjourned to May 12, they chose a com- mittee to sell all delinquents' shares.
There was an act passed by the General Assembly April 29, 1731, the preamble of which says, " Whereas the towns of Chester, Nottingham and Rochester labour under incon- veniences in carrying on ye publick affairs, especially sup- orting the gospel ministry," enacting that lands of non- residents may be assessed and taken on execution if the taxes be not paid ; to continue in force three years.
" Voted to Rais money for finishing the meetin hous, £230; and for ordaining the minister the present year, £30; and for the minister's salary this year, £120."
There is a memorandum as follows :
The money raised in the town of Checher in the year 1729, by Samuel Ingalls, Nathan Webster and Wil- liam Wilson, their present Selectmen, and Commit- ted to Constable Haseltine to Colec and gather . 378 00 00
Sd Constable Heseltine has paid 219 00 00
Remains in sd Constabel's hands unpaid .
159 00 00
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HISTORY OF CHESTER.
The money Raised in the town of Chester in the year 1730, by Capt Samuel Ingalls, Ebenezer Dearbon and Nathan Webster, the Present Selectmen and Committee to Constabel John Tolford to Collect and gather is .
282 00 00 which Sd selectmen have not Counted for.
Given under our hands a Comite to Call sd selectmen.
Ichabod Robie, ? Moses Leavit, Comite. march the 24th, 1730-1.
There is an advertisement calling a meeting July 21, 1731 :
" 1. That the Committee that Stand Ingaged to the Car- pendors for Building the meeting hous want their money and must have it this meeting, or Else they are Liabel to be Sued.
" 2. To Lett yo know that the Lands of several that have Leatly been put to sale to pay their Charges, and they that do not pay theirs at this meeting may Expect the same."
At the meeting,
" 2. Many things proposed but nothing acted."
The meeting-house was built, probably by contract, by Thomas Cochran and Peter Cochran of Londonderry, and was so far finished that the annual meeting in March of this year was held in it; but it seems that it was not paid for until 1737, when forty-six acres of land were sold to Thomas Cochran to pay what was due to him and Peter Cochran for building the meeting-house.
At the same meeting June 7, 1737,
" Voted, That Thomas Cochran and Peter Cochran have some gratuity to make up their loss, agreeable to their Peti- tion, and that the Same be to the Value of fifty pounds."
This was laid out in 1743 on the west side of Massabesic pond.
At a meeting held September, 1731,
" Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Brown of Haverhill, Rev. Mr. Phillips, and the Reverend mr. Barnard of And- over, be a comitty to take for gathering and Setling a Church in Chester and ordaining the Reverend Mr. Hail.
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PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
" Voted, that Insign Jacob Sargent, mr. Ebenezer Dear- born, Enoch Colby, Captin Samuel Ingalls, Samuel Emer- son, be a Commity to take Care for provishan of the ordina- tion."
The ordination is said to have been October 20.
1732. There was a provision in the charter that every proprietor should " build a dwelling house within three years and settle a family therein, and break up three acres of ground, and plant and sow the same within four years, and pay his proportion of the town charge when and so often as occasion shall require." At a meeting August 2d there was a committee chosen to enquire and report on this subject. August 23,
" Voted, that there shall be a Comite Chosen, and fully Impowered to here and Determine the pleas of those pro- prictors that are brought in Delinquent in their settlements by the Comitee, Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn, Ins. Jacob Sargent, & Capt. Samuel Ingalls, and to allow or disallow of their pleas for Settlement as they shall see Just Reason, and to grant them sutabel time to perform their settlements, pro- vided they speedily pay their arrears, and that Comite make report of their proceedings to the proprietors of Chester at their next meeting.
" Voted, Moses Leavite, Esq., Deacon William White and Samuel Ingalls be the Comite."
1733. At an adjournment of the annual meeting May 28, 1733,
"Voted, to Rais 127 pounds to be paid this year towards the meeting hous and to Defray other necessary town Charges."
At a meeting September 25, 1733,
"Voted that Doct. Nathaniel Rogers of Portsmouth is Chosen & fully Impowered to Prefer a Petition to the General Court at their next session to get them to make all act in behalf of the Proprietors that are Settled in the town of Chester pursuant to the first article in the Warn- ing."
That is, in regard to delinquents not settling in town. " Voted, Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn, mr. Nathan Webster
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HISTORY OF CHESTER.
& Capt. Samuel Ingalls, to agree with and hier a minister to Preach with us a Quarter of the year."
Mr. Hale's health failed and he became deranged in mind, so that he performed very little ministerial duty in Chester.
1734. At the annual meeting March 28, 1734,
" Voted, that there shall be a Counsell Called to Dissolve the pastoral Relation Between Mr. Hale and the Church in Chester."
At a meeting held June 27, 1734,
" Voted, that there shall be men chosen to wait on the ministers at their next associate meeting to urge a Counsel for the Dissolving the pastoral Relation between mr. Hale and the Church in Chester."
At a meeting held August 15, 1734,
" Voted, that the first Wednesday in September next be held as a day of fasting and Prayer for advise for another minister.
" Voted, that there shall be 5 men Chosen to receive the advise of the ministers at the fast.
" Voted, that Capt. Samuel Ingalls, Lt. Ebenezer Dear- born, Lt. Thomas Smith, Mr. Jolm Calfe, John Sherala and John Aken be the men.
" Voted, that Lt. Smith and Mr. John Calfe wait on the Revd Mr. Thompson of Londonderry to acquaint him when the fast will be.
" Voted, that mr. nathan Webster wait on the other min- isters to acquaint them when the fast will be."
At an adjournment September 1, 1734,
" Voted, that the Result or Determination of the Councell be Excepted by the proprietors.
" Voted, that after three sabbath Days from this time, that then the pulpit Shall be Supplied three months at the publick Charge of the proprietors."
The Presbyterians, who were the Scotch Irish settlers, had previous to this hired the Rev. John Wilson, and ten of them protested against paying for the support of another minister.
79
HISTORY OF CHESTER.
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
At an Ecclesiastical Council held at Salisbury, August 13, 1734, consisting of the Elders and messengers of the Churches following, viz. :
Churches. Elders.
Messengers.
Salisbury 1st chh,
mr. Caleb Cushing,
mr. Justes Bradbury.
Salisbury 2ª chh,
mr. Joseph Persons, Deach Jabez True.
Exeter,
mr. John Odlin, Deacn Joseph French.
Hampton Falls, Mr. Joseph Whipple, Dea. oniseferos Page.
Bradford,, Mr. Jos Persons, jun' Dea. Jona. Woodman.
Newbury,
m' John Lowel,
Dea. Edw'd Emerson.
Kingston, mr. Ward Clark,
Dea. moses Elkins.
Amesbury, 2ª chh,
mr. Pain Winget,
Dea. Joseph Bartlet.
Being Regularly assembled by virtue of letters sent from the chih. in Chester to the aforesaid Churches to here, advise and direct the said Chh. of Chester what may be most proper for them to do under their present difficult circum- stances, by Reason of the Revrd mr. moses Hale the Pastor being wholly Disabled from Serving them in the work of the ministry, and having made dne inquiry into the Case and circumstances of the said minister and people, we find that the said mr. Hale, Having done Lettel or no service among them, and being by the Providence of God brought under greate disorder of body and distraction of mind, and for a time bereaved of his reason and understanding, and thereby Rendered uncapabell of Discharging the work of the ministry among them, and so Remaining without any present appearance or prospect of being restored to his ministry, and therefore we Judge and determine that it is the wisdom and Duty of the chh. and people of Chester to proceed in Regular steps to Call and Settle a gospel minis- ter among them, that so they may no Longer be Destitute of the word and ordinances of Christ ; and would also ad- vise and direct the said chh. and people of Chester that be- sides allowing the said mr. Hale the town Right which accrued to him upon settlement and what also was then given him to Incourage his settlement, they should not for- get their obligations to be Redy to Contribute to his sup- port and Relief according to their power and ability. So
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HISTORY OF CHESTER.
Commending them to the God of grace and peace we sub- scribe your Brethren in Christ.
Caleb Cushing, moderator. John Odlin, Scribe.
In the name and behalf of the Council.
1735. The annual meeting held March 28, adjourned to May 14, 1735.
" The matter, after it was fairly set forth Relating to mr. Hale's circumstances, It was put to vote whether mr. Hale had given satisfaction that he was Qualified for taking the full Charge of the ministry and whether the people Could Receive him as such. it past in the negative.
" Voted, that the proposals made by mr. Hale, Febr 6th 1734, Shall be a Direction to us ; and forasmuch as by Vote of the town mr. Hale appears not to have given satisfaction to the people, we with mr. Hale do apply to the Elders and messengers of the Churches therein mentioned, who are Desired to Consider and Determine all matters Relating to mr. Hale and us as in their wisdom they Shall Judge Right.
" Voted, that the Elders and messengers meet at the hous of Deacon Dearborns in Chester the first Wednesday in June next at one o'Clock in the afternoon."
This council probably dismissed Mr. IIale.
At another adjournment held June 10th, 1735,
" Voted that the town of Chester apply to the Neighbor- ing towns for help in our Difficulties by a brief for paying mr. Hale's arrears."
John Calfe, Capt. Samuel Ingalls and Lieut. Ebenezer Dearborn were chosen for that purpose.
" Voted that Licut. Ebenezer Dearborn, mr. Nathan Webster be Chosen and Impowered to take Care and pro- vide a gospel minister to suply the pulpit, and also for a further Suply in order for settlement when occasion shall be."
Sixteen of the Presbyterians entered their protest against " hireing, calling or settling any other minister in this town than what we now have." At the request of a major part of the church a meeting was called and held November 6, 1735.
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PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
" Voted the Revd mr. Timothy White Chall be the min- ister of the town of Chester."
A salary of £120 was voted, and a committee, consisting of Deacon Ebenezer Dearborn and Messrs. Nathan Web- ster and John Calfe, chosen to treat with Mr. White and receive his answer.
At an adjournment held November 27, 1735,
" Voted, that whereas there was 120 Pounds Voted for Mr. White's Salery per annum, so long as he should Con- tinue the minister of the town, it is Intended by it that the money Shall be accounted at the same Value that pa- per money was when the agreement was made with mr. Hale."
The money to pay the minister and all other purposes had been voted and raised by the " Proprietors," by the "Proprietors and inhabitants," and now "the Freeholders and inhabitants" are warned to meet. The proprietors of the common and undivided land held separate meetings distinct from the town after this time; but the money to support the minister was raised from the whole town.
In building the meeting-house and supporting Mr. Hale, the Presbyterians were active; but they now have their own minister, and claim that a proviso in a certain statute legally exempts them from paying a minister tax, and at the meeting of Nov. 6th they enter another protest, signed by thirty-one men.
At a meeting, held June 23, 1736,
" Voted, That the Revd Mr. Ebenezer Flagg shall be the minister of the town of Chester.
" Voted, that there shall be one Hundred and twenty Pounds Paid to the Revª ME Ebenezer Flagg, as silver at twenty shilings an ounce, per anum, During his ministry in Chester."
The following protest of the same tenor, and more numerously signed than those before mentioned, was en- tered :
We the Presbeterian Congregation and Propriators, In- habitants and Freeholders of Chester afforsaid, do Enter
6
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HISTORY OF CHESTER.
this our Protest and Desent against hiring, calling, or set- tling, any other ministers or minister in this town other than the Revd M' John Wilson our Pastor, and also we pro- test against paying any charges or charge or salary that shall arise from or by such hiring, calling or settling any other minister then we have as afforsaid, or giveing or setling any Lands for that or any other uess. given under our hands the day and year above. and farther we Insist upon the Benefit of the Province Law with Respect to the suport of the ministry, and also we declare this meeting Ilegall.
James Wilson,
James Wilson,
Robert Grimes,
Elexeandr Crage,
James Quanton, James Whiting,
William Wilson,
John Boid,
John Carswell,
James Croset,
William Carswell,
William Craford,
John Sherala,
William White,
Thomas Smith,
Thomas Glen,
Robert Wilson,
Robert Grames,
Robert Gillereast,
James Farson,
William Wilson, Andrew Crage, Joseph Neill,
John Steel,
John moore,
Thomas megce,
Charls moore,
James Wilson,
Robert mills,
Thomas Colwell,
John aiken,
John macmurphy,
John Dickey,
John mills,
Paul mcferson,
John Tolford,
John mills,
Thomas Horner,
Patrick melven,
John Ramsey, William Patterson,
Hugh Wilson,
William Tolford,
archebald Canigham, James Campbell, John Wadell,
Samuel Brown.
Robert Boyes,
Joseph Steel,
Rev. Ebenezer Flagg was ordained Sept., 1736. The selectmen continued to rate the Presbyterians and some rates were collected, and the Presbyterians presented the following petition to the General Assembly :
1
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PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher. Esq. Govr and Com- mander in chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New Hampr, the Honble His Majesty's Council, & House of Representatives for the Province aforesaid.
The Petition of sundry of the Inhabitants of Chester in the Province of New Hampshire, Humbly Showeth :
That your Petitioners, though at present Inhabitants of Chester aforsd, formerly belonged, most of them, to the Kingdom of Scotland & Ireland, where they were educated in the principles of Kirk of Scotland, for which they have a great Veneration : That while Mr. Moses Hale was the Minister of the Town, your Petitioners paid taxes towards his Support, tho' they went many of them to Londonderry to meeting, & most if not all of them constantly to receive the sacraments, not then being in a Condition to settle a minister of the Presbyterian order ; After Mr. Hale's mis- fortunes had necessitated him to lay aside the work of the Ministry, the Town being Destitute of a Gospel Minister, your Petitioners proceeded to call & ordain a Minister of that Denomination among them, tho' Scarce able to pay the charge, that they might worship God & enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel in a way (which they apprehend) more agreeable to Scripte & the primitive pattern, at least more agreeable to their consciences than they could among the Congregation- alists : That during the time that ye Town was Destitute of a minister of the Congregational order, your Petition's often invited the Brethren of that Denomination to join with them, if not longer at least till they were better pro- vided for, & that such Conformity should be no Expense to them, for that your Petition's would support their own Min- ister themselves ; But they refused to accept the orffer : That about two years after Mr. Hale had left Chester those of the Inhabitants who Differ in Sentiments from your Petition's, in conjunction with the non-resident Proprietrs, proceeded to call and settle in the town a Congregational Minister who is still there: That your Petition's, appre- hending that those who had called & settled such a min- ister would be for supporting him by a tax on all the In- habitants, representing to them in their Public meeting & to the Selectmen of the Town that it was highly unreason- able and unkind, all things and circumstances considered, to oblige your Petition™ to pay towards the support of a minister they did not call, nor hear when settled, &c., & prayed they might be Exempted, & the rather because they conceived themselves to be such Persons as were Intended
84
HISTORY OF CHESTER.
and Exempted by the Proviso in the Law of the Province, Entitled an Act for maintenance & Supply of ministry within this Province. But all would not prevail ; the Selectmen of said Town rated all the inhabitants without Exception of any sect, & have Distrained & Imprisoned some of your Petitioners for such Rates. Your Petition's therefore pray the aid of this Court as the Dernier Resort of the Distressed, that you would be pleased in your Great Wisdom and Goodness to explain the Proviso in the aforesd act & say whether your Petition's are Exempted thereby from being taxed to the Settling & Support of the said minister. And if your Excellency & the Honble the other Branches of this Court shall not think the law already made excuses your Petition's from the aforesaid charge, that you would be pleased to Commiserate the case of your Petition's (being as it now Stands they must either act against their own Judgment, or dearly purchase the Liberty of the Contrary) and make a special act whereby they may be Discharged & Exonerated from any part of the Burthen of Settling & supporting any minister except their own, & from paying the aforesd Rates already made ; and that such may have their money allowed them from whom the Same has been distrained by virtue of the aforesd Rates. And yor Petition's in duty bound shall ever pray.
his
hig
Alexander + Crage, mark. James Campbell,
William + Poul, [Powel] mark.
Joseph Nill, [Neal]
Andrew Crage,
William Carswell,
William Whit,
Robert Kilcrist,
Franciss Cooks,
John Dickey,
Robert Mills,
Thomas Colwell,
William Colwell,
Hugh Willson,
James Wilson,
David Crage,
John Carswell,
William Graham,
Samuel Brown,
Thomas Glen,
John Waddel,
James Whit,
Robert Graham,
Jolın Akan,
John Boid, John Karr,
John Smith,
Robert Wilson,
James Whiting,
James Quenton,
Samuel Ingalls,
Paul McFerson,
William Crafford,
James McFerson,
Robert Dayer,
William McFerson,
William Patterson,
William Willson,
Samuel McFerson,
Thomas Smith,
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PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
Robert Knocks,
John Tolford,
Robert Grimes,
John Mills, Junr.,
his
John + Pouel, mark.
John Mills, Senr.,
James Crossett,
John Sherala,
Robert Campbell,
Charles Moore,
James Willson,
John Waddall,
James Willson, Junr.,
John Boid, Jun."
The petition was received in Council March 23, 1736-7, and sent to the House, who voted an order of notice, which was served on the selectmen of Chester by John Sherala. It was postponed to the next session, when the parties were heard. The House voted to dismiss the petition ; the Council non-concurred, being of the opinion that the peti- tioners are within the saving clause of the act of this prov- ince, " Entitled an act for the Maintenance and supply of the ministry within this Province," in which the House concurred Oct. 19, 1737, and Gov. Belcher assented Oct. 20. So the Presbyterians had the decision in their favor.
The act referred to was passed 1714, and provided that the freeholders of the respective towns in this province in town meeting might choose a minister, and agree upon a salary, and he should be considered the settled minister of the town ; and the selectmen shall make rates and assess- ments upon the inhabitants of the town, for the payment of his salary, &c .; "Provided always that this act do not at all interfere with her Majesty's grace and favor in allowing her subjects liberty of conscience ; nor shall any person under pretence of being of a different persuasion be excused from paying towards the support of the settled minister or minis- ters of such town aforesaid ; but only such as are conscien- tiously so, and constantly attend the public worship of God on the Lord's day according to their own persuasion; and they only shall be excused from paying towards the support of the ministry of the town."
The following is the reply of John Calfe, John Tolford, Ephraim Haselton and Enoch Colby, selectmen of Chester, to the Presbyterian petition : ---
86
HISTORY OF CHESTER.
. " That after the Rev. Ebr. Flagg was Settled in sd Town a considerable No. of persons petitioned the Gen. Court for an explanation of the law of Liberty, Supposing they, being Presbyterians, were exonerated from paying Mr. Flagg, which was explained in their favor. Since which time they have proceeded in a cordial manner, and have endeavored to take the best method the circumstances will admit of to Raise money for the Respective ministries as follows: at a Town Meeting warned for that purpose they voted separate for Mr. Flagg's salary, and the Presbyterians voted a Salary for the Rev. Mr. Jno. Wilson their minister, and the select- men Signed the Respective Warrants to ye Constabel or Collectors to collect the same.
" If this method were not agreeable to the G. C. they pray for particular directions.
" It was ordered Ang. 6, 1740, that the two congregations act separate."
The tradition is that John Tolford and James Campbell were imprisoned for their minister rate, and that they sued for false imprisonment and recovered. That somebody was imprisoned is made nearly certain by the words, " some of your petitioners have been distrained and imprisoned," in the Presbyterian petition. But I have examined the court records pretty thoroughly, and cannot find any lawsuits there.
There was a petition, dated Aug. 20, 1735, preferred to the selectmen, representing that " Whereas it often hap- pens that Business of Importance Requires Consideration Relating to the Common or undivided Land in Chester which Cannot be so well accommodated at a general town meeting as by the Respective Proprietors of said Lands dis- tinct." The petition is signed by seventy-three individuals with their respective interests attached to their names in rights and quarters of rights. They represent sixty-seven rights and three quarters. Of these seventy-three, so far as I can tell, thirty-eight were residents and thirty-five were non-residents. They asked to have a meeting called, which was done by John Calfe and Samuel Emerson, selectmen of Chester, and held at the meeting-house Oct. 16, 1735. I have already given, under the heads of Settling the Lines
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