USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 8
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Reading of the Scriptures Sermon
Reading of articles of Faith and Covenant
Prayer of recognition and Consecration Right hand of Fellowship
Address to the Church
Ordaining of Deacons
Rev. W. A. Hadley Rev. C. E. Harrington Rev. H. P. Lamprey Rev. E. H. Greeley Rev. Howard Moody Rev. J. M. Dutton Rev. F. D. Ayer
The other ministers of the council were Rev. S. H. Barnum, Rev. Caleb B. Tracy and Rev. Edward Buxton.
Rev. Howard Moody served as acting pastor.
In giving reasons for the formation of this church Rev. How- ard Moody wrote on December 2, 1880:
The Congregational Church of 1841 by force of circumstances had be- come limited to East Andover and affords church accommodations to about one third of the town only.
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Andover Centre being the Centre of two thirds of the town would afford Church accommodations for that portion of the town.
There was no organized Evangelical Church of any denomination at the Centre or any other part except at E. Andover
The Evangelical Christians at the Centre, though of four different denominations, found upon examination of the Principles, Doctrines and Usages of Congregational Churches that they could cheerfully and har- moniously unite in the formation of a Congregational Church.
Being a small Church they felt unable to sustain a minister and were therefore willing to unite with the Church at East Andover in the support of one man whose labors will be divided between them.
The service of one minister for the two churches still continues. The original members of the church were as below :
William A. Woodbury.
Mrs. Luey P. Martin Woodbury.
Leonard Palmer.
Mrs. Lois H. Elliott Palmer.
Mrs. Elizabeth Conant Proctor.
Mrs. Charlotte A. S. W. Thompson.
John S. Tucker.
Mrs. Eliza J. Roberts Tucker.
Eliza Woodbury.
George J. White.
Mrs. Jennie P. Thompson White.
John R. Bates.
Mrs. Nancy J. Morrill Bates.
Mrs. Lucy M. Smith Currier.
Martha J. Clark.
George II. Chase.
Mrs. Nellie M. Martin Chase.
Willis D. Thompson.
William D. Woodbury and Leonard Palmer were chosen dea- cons.
Rev. Howard Moody resigned his pastorate September 14, 1884. Died April 20, 1885.
Rev. F. D. Chester was the pastor from June 1, 1885, to Jan- uary 9, 1887.
Rev. Elisha Ayers Keep preached during 1887.
Rev. George F. Kenngott preached during 1888.
Rev. Frederick Brooks Noyes was the pastor from January 13, 1889, to October 6, 1889.
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
Rev. E. J. Aiken preached from April 6 to November 16, 1890.
Rev. N. F. Carter was the pastor from November, 1890, to April 26, 1891.
Rev. H. W. L. Thurston was the pastor from May 3, 1891, to January 10, 1892.
Mr. E. Ellis, a theological student, preached from January 17, 1892, to April 17, 1892.
Rev Harvey C. Sawyer preached from June 19, 1892, to April 8, 1894.
Rev. John Thorpe was installed as pastor October 30, 1894, and continued until March 1, 1899.
Rev. T. J. Lewis succeeded Mr. Thorpe, and continued until November 28, 1903.
Rev. Ralza E. Andrews assumed the duties of pastor in 1903.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Soon after the formation of the Congregational society in Oc- tober, 1828, a "Sabbath" school, the first in town, was formed by Miss Mary Badcock, assisted by two young friends whose names are not now known. The school consisted of forty pupils, arranged in two classes. In 1829, "Sabbath" schools were estab- lished in six districts, with between seventy and eighty scholars in all.
In 1829, it was reported to the New Hampshire Missionary So- ciety that "Library books are furnished to most of the scholars. There is still much indifference and much prejudice and opposi- tion to the Sabbath School interest." Bible classes were formed in several neighborhoods by Rev. Mr. Kingsbury in 1829.
THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first Freewill Baptist Church in New Hampshire was or- ganized in New Durham, June 30, 1780. This was the first church ever organized under that name, and consisted of seven members, four men and three women. In 1800 there were about fifteen churches of that denomination in New Hampshire.
In 1801 or 1802 a "Monthly Meeting" connected with the church in Gilford, was established in Andover. The meeting for organization was held at the house of Joseph Brown, Sr., on the first fourth day of the sixth month (June 1) in 1803. John Bailey was chosen clerk.
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Voted that it was "expedient to have a record book and that brother William True procure the same. " The next meeting was "at brother Elijah Watson's and several offered themselves for baptism and went forward." Elder Elijah Watson was or- dained as pastor of this church, or society, June 23, 1803.
The meetings were generally held on the first fourth day (Wednesday) of each month.
In the record of the meeting of the eighth month we read : "find union, harmony and determination. Glory, glory, glory to God, there has been eight added by baptism since our last meeting and our number is forty and one."
At a meeting in March, 1804: "took up a labor with brother Joseph Woodbury. Chose Rev. Elijah Watson to write the let- ter of admonition." Another letter was written in April. In May it was voted to reject Woodbury; but finally the Quarterly Meeting was requested to send a letter of admonition. In com- pliance with this request a letter signed by William Dana, Jr., and Benjamin Randel was sent to Woodbury and he found him- self "disowned and rejected as a disorderly walker."
In 1804 the meeting was divided into classes, and "leaders" were appointed.
In August "set off a class at New Chester."
In September "chose Bro. Pevere class leader at Beech hill; Bro. Brown at the river and Bro. True at New Chester."
In October "chose Bros. Brown and Sawyer class leaders at Beech hill; Bros. Sawyer and Pevere at the river and Bros. Hun- kins and True at New Chester."
In October, 1804, the incorporation of the meeting or society was proposed and favored by Elijah Watson and James Tueker, but a considerable number of members opposed it and the plan was abandoned.
November, 1804, "Found difficulties between the meeting and brother Watson and agreed to send for elders Richard Martin and Joseph Young to adjust it."
December, 1804, "Brother Watson manifested that he felt to be out one side."
March, 1805, "After a tedious labor the Council being present approved the proceedings of the church with brother Watson and he made confession and we hope all difficulties are at an end." " A dark time with us and the ways of Sion mourn."
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
April, 1806, "A letter of admonition was written to sister Abi- gail Hilliard for neglecting to meet with the brethren and sisters when she had opportunity."
May, 1808, "Concluded it fit to request liberty for the Quar- terly Meeting to sit in the Meeting house"
Voted : "to provide half a load of hay at the meeting house for horses."
It was expected that Elder Benjamin Randel, the founder of these meetings, would be present at the quarterly meeting, but ill health preventing, he sent a letter in which he denounced the doc- trine of the "annihilation of the wicked," and declared that be- lievers in that idea should not be fellowshipped. (Elder Benja- min Randel died October 22, 1808, aged fifty-nine years, seven months and twenty-six days.)
January 4, 1809, "Met at Brother James Tucker's and a pow- erful time such as we have not had for some time and all trials fled."
May 3, 1809, "the power of God came down and a wonderful travil for backsliders,-two came forward and confessed, and three or four fell on the floor and lay more than half an hour in travil."
November 7, 1810, "Met and found Frances Brown and Lucy Tucker still obstinate .- voted to reject them from our faith and fellowship and note them as brawlers and contentious persons.
In January, 1811, it was proposed to dissolve the quarterly meeting, but the Andover monthly meeting voted unanimously for its continuation.
On several occasions in the history of this organization various persons were publicly voted to be "disorderly walkers."
The names of those who, at the time of the organization in 1803, or soon after, became members of the Andover "Monthly Meet- ing," are given below :
Bailey, John
Brown, Mary
Bailey, Mary
Brown, Mehitable
Brown, Elizabeth
Brown, Sarah
Brown, Elizabeth, Jr.
Cilley, Hannah
Brown, Francis
Colby, Dolly
Brown, Hannah
Colby, Elizabeth
Brown, Isaac
Elkins, Anna
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Fuller, Hannah
Sawyer, Martha
Gove, Dolly
Scribner, David
Gove, Hannah
Sleeper, Elizabeth
Hilliard, Abigail
Towle, Ruth
Hilliard, Eunice
True, Betsey
Hobbs, Joanna
True, Sarah
Hobbs, John
True, William
Hunkins, Jonathan
Tucker, Abigail
Hunkins, Mary
Tucker, Ebenezer
Knowles, David
Tucker, James
Knowles, Sarah
Tucker, Mary
Ladd, Caleb
Tucker, Mary
Pevere, Nathaniel
Tucker, William
Pevere, Nathaniel, Mrs.
Watson, Elijah
Proctor, Rhoda
Watson, Miriam
Sanborn, Phœbe
Woodbury, Joseph
Sawyer, John
During the next seven years the following persons became mem- bers of the "Meeting" or society :
Bachelder Josiah
Philbrick, Joseph
Bachelder, Mark
Philbrick, Samuel
Brown, Joseph
Rollins, Mrs. Eliphalet
Cilley, Joseph
Sleeper, Ruth
Cilley, Susanna
True, Ebenezer
Gove, Sally
Tucker, Abigail
Green, Aaron
Tucker, Ebenezer
Green, Molly
Tucker, Jane
Green, Stephen
Tucker, Lucy
Hilton, Henry
Tucker, Stephen
Kimball, Elizabeth
Welch, Mrs.
Marston, Jeremiah
According to the record a large addition, as given below, was made to the membership on April 19, 1810 :
Ash, Dolly Bachelder, Reuben Bailey, James Bailey, Friend
Bartlett, Nathaniel
Blaisdell, Polly
Blaisdell, Sally
Blaisdell, Stephen
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
Brown, Isaac, Jr.
Mowe, Nancy
Brown, Joanna
Pevere, Hannah
Brown, Ruth
Philbrick, Jedediah
Cass, Benjamin
Rowell, Eliza
Cass, Enoch
Sanborn, John
Cass, William
Sleeper, Jonathan
Cilley, Eliza
Sleeper, Nehemiah D.
Cilley, Samuel, Jr.
Sleeper, Stephen
Colby, John
Stephens, Esther
Colby, Nancy
Stephens, John
Davis, Betsy
Tilton, Jonathan
Dudley, Polly
Tilton, William
Fellows, Polly
True, Polly
Fellows, Stephen
True, William
Fuller, Moses
Tucker, Ebenezer
Green, Mary
Tucker, Eliza
Green, Polly
Tucker, James
Green, Stephen, Jr.
Tucker, Joanna
Heath, Sarah
Tucker, Polly
Howe, Pearson
Tucker, Sally
Marston, Israel
Tucker, Sukey
In 1813, Miriam Bachelder, Elizabeth Mowe and Elizabeth Philbrick were admitted to membership.
In 1814, the following names were added :
Bailey, Sarah
Mowe, Sally
Brown, Polly
Palmer, Rebecca
Cilley, Charles
Parker, Abigail
Cilley, Judith
Quimby, Daniel
Cilley, Dea. Samuel
True, Lydia
Forbes, Betsey
Tucker, Eunice
Heath, Isaac
Tucker, John
Hazzard, Polly
Marston, Polly
The first meeting in the meeting-house at East Andover, after the resignation of Mr. Badcock, was appointed in March, 1811. Rev. Hezekiah Buzzell was expected to preach, but was unable to come. Knight Smart, William True, Nehemiah D. Sleeper, William D. Cass and Edward B. Rollins, all young men
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
recently "converted," begun the meeting as a prayer meeting- and continued it without intermission "until sundown." All of these men afterwards became prominent ministers of the gospel.
On July 1, 1811, the Andover monthly meeting met at the meeting-house and voted that "for the future the monthly meet- ings shall be wholly for worship and no other business." Pre- vious to this time the meetings had been religious, social and busi- ness gatherings.
In the spring of 1813 the society or church voted to "request Elder Peter Clark to labor with the people of Andover half the time the season coming."
Of the meeting of September 18, 1813, it is recorded: "had a wonderful heavenly, powerful, refreshing time, and the Lord owned us by filling our Souls with Joy and gladness. Amen."
On September 20, 1814, James Tucker was chosen "Ruling El- der." In September, 1815, "the church is satisfied that it is the lot of brother Tucker to stand as Ruling Elder."
The following extraet from the town records relates to a nota- ble ineident in the religious history of the town :
This may certify to whom it may concern that this day William True Jr. and Nehemiah D. Sleeper both of Andover in the County of Hills- borough and State of New Hampshire were ordained and set apart to the work of the Ministry at the meeting house in this town with fast- ing, prayer and the laying on of the hands of the undersigned :-
William Blasdell Elijah Shaw Jr. -
Peter Clark Benjamin Calley -
John Knowles
John Sweet
Elders
Noah Piper
Andover June 19, 1817
The above is recorded by the request of the aforesaid Elders.
Attest, Rob't Barber, Town Clerk.
On July 23, 1817, the monthly meeting convened again in the meeting-house.
Troubles in the society or church became frequent, and the in- terest so waned that no more meetings are recorded until Sep- tember 4, 1819.
A lack of unity and various other disorders had already de- stroyed the vitality and the organization of the "meeting" or church.
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
THE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
On September 4, 1819, the Christian Baptist Church was or- ganized. John Colby, Stephen Sleeper, Isaac Heath, Person Howe, Peter Young, Nehemiah D. Sleeper and several others, who afterwards withdrew or whose names are not now known, were the original members.
The record reads: "these names are all that started at first except some that with drew, and some Sisters."
The members of this organization called themselves simply "Christians."
THEIR DECLARATION OF FAITH.
We, whose names are underwritten, taking into consideration the situation of the people of God in this place do believe that it is for the glory of God that they should be united; therefore, we do agree to unite together as a Church of God and take his word as the only rule of faith and practice, and to watch over each other for good and deal with each other as the word of God directs :- May God give us grace to live to his glory and at last to be found in his kingdom.
Stephen Sleeper, Joseph Fellows, Nathan Woodbury and Caleb Robie were the first deacons.
On February 9, 1820, Stephen Sleeper was elected the first clerk of the church. During April and May, in 1820, the meet- ings were held in the meeting-house and called "conference meetings." Soon after the church was formed Elder Peter Young settled in town and preached for this church several years.
In 1820 large additions to the membership of the church fol- lowed a notable revival of religious interest in the town. This was generally known as the "great revival." The list of church members in 1820 is as given below :
Brown, Betsey
Cilley, Josiah
Brown, Joanna
Cilley, Judith
Brown, Polly
Cilley, Rhoda
Brown, Sally
Cilley, Susanna
Buswell,
Cilley, Susanna, 2d
Cilley, Betsey
Colby, John
Cilley, Charles
Davis, Betsey
Cilley, Jonathan, Jr.
Dow, Elizabeth
.
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Durgin, Mercy
Philbrick, Betsey
Durgin, Miriam
Philbriek, Betsey W.
Eastman, Jane
Philbrick, Jedediah
Emery, Abigail
Pingry, Osgood
Emery, Dolly
Robie, Caleb
Emery, Nancy
Robie, Paine R.
Emery, Sarah
Robie, Susanna
Fairfield, Clarissa
Rollins, Betsey
Fellows, Elizabeth
Rowe, John, 4th
Fellows, Jonathan
Rowe, Nathaniel
Fellows, Joseph, Jr.
Sanborn, Hannah
Fellows, Joseph E.
Scribner, Phebe
Fellows, Mary
Seavey, Enoch
Fellows, Polly
Simpson, Nathaniel
Fuller, Hannah
Sleeper, Andrew
Fuller, Moses
Sleeper, David, Jr.
Glines, Jane
Sleeper, Mary
Gove, Edward
Sleeper, Nehemiah D.
Gove, Nancy
Sleeper, Ruth
Green, Martha
Sleeper, Stephen
Hancock, John
Stevens, Esther
Heath, Isaac
Stevens, Lydia
Heath, Sally
Thompson, Jesse
Hilton, Nancy
Thorn, Thiah
Howe, Caleb
True, Abigail
Howe, Mary
True, Betsey
Howe, Merey
True, Hannah
Howe, Person
Tucker, Abigail
Judkins, Hannah
Tucker, Benjamin
Judkins, Sarah
Tueker, James
Kenerson, John
Tucker, Jane
Ladd, Anna
Tueker, Joanna
Leeds, Sally
Tucker, Mary
Marston, Polly
Woodbury, Elizabeth
Mikillog, Herrot
Woodbury, John
Mowe, Betsey
Woodbury, Nathan
Mowe, Jane
Young, Mary
Page, Dolly
Pevere, Benjamin
Young, Peter
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
In April, 1821, the record reads, "the brethren and sisters came together like clouds full of rane."
Subsequently the following persons became members of this church :
Emery, William
Rowe, Eliza
Green, Sarah
Sanborn, Sally
Hilton, Elijah
Sanborn, Sophia
Hilton, Nancy, 1st
Scribner, Jonathan
Jackman, Daniel
Stevens, George
Marston, Polly, 2d
Stevens, John
Rollins, Simeon, Jr.
Tilton, Mary
Rowe, Betsey
In addition to the above lists there were fourteen members residing in Boscawen and one in New Chester.
At a meeting on February 9, 1820, Stephen Sleeper was chosen clerk. At the meeting of December, 1821, the society recog- nized its "duty to give brother Asa C. Morrison a Recommend or Credential to preach the gospel of peas to a dying world."
May 22, 1822, "Chose Jonathan Cilley, Clerk and Joseph Fel- lows, Deacon."
A portion of the record for May, 1826, reads, the members "met in conference, had a good time and parted in peace."
"In 1822 the membership was 107."
The religious interest was strongly stimulated at this time by frequent meetings at private houses. The houses generally of- fered for such gatherings were those of
Dea. Joseph Fellows, Willard Emery, Sr., Benjamin Scribner and Ichabod Robie, at East Andover. Jonathan Cilley, at Boston Hill.
Jonathan Brown, at Beech Hill.
Moses Tucker, at Little Plain.
Simeon Rollins, at Flag Hole.
These meetings were generally appointed for "early candle light, the Lord willing."
At a meeting on May 9, 1827, at the house of Moses Tucker, the church "manifested a desire that things should be set in order."
James Tucker, Elijah Hilton, Jonathan Cilley, Nehemiah D.
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Sleeper and Joseph E. Fellows were appointed a committee for that purpose.
At a meeting on May 22, 1827, the above committee reported that their revision of the church list showed 117 members in good standing. Chose Jonathan Cilley, clerk; James Tucker, elder; and Joseph Fellows, deacon.
The following list exhibits the names of the members of the Christian Baptist Church, as reported by the committee on May 22, 1827 :
Bachelder, Harriet
Durgin, Miriamı
Bailey, Dolly
Durgin, Nathan
Bailey, Eliza
Emery, Abigail
Brown, Abigail
Emery, Dolly
Brown, Joanna
Emery, Dolly
Brown, John
Emery, Elias
Brown, Joseph, 3d
Emery, H. Gates
Brown, Polly
Emery, Joseph, 3d
Brown, Polly
Emery, Nancy
Brown, Sally
Emery, Naney, 2d
. Brown, Sally
Emery, Ruth
Brown, Susan
Emery, Sarah, Sr.
Cilley, Abigail
Emery, Sarah
Cilley, Betsey
Emery, Willard, Jr.
Cilley, Betsey, 2d
Emery, William
Cilley, Charles
Fellows, Joseph
Cilley, Dearborn
Fellows, Joseph E.
Cilley, Jonathan
Fellows, Mary
Cilley, Mary
Fellows, Polly
Cilley, Stephen
Fuller, Hannah
Cilley, Susan
Fuller, Moses
Cilley, Susan, 2d
Gove, Nancy
Cilley, Susanna
Graves, Abigail
Clark, James
Green, Sarah
Clark, Mary
Hilton, Elijah
Dow, Eliza
Hilton, Hannah
Dow, Seward
Hilton, Harriet
Dimon, Polly
Hilton, Nancy
Durgin, Merey
Hilton, Nancy, 2d
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
Hilton, Polly
Rowe, Elsa
Hobart, John
Rowe, Jacob
Hobart, Judith
Rowe, John
Hobart, Sanders
Sanborn, Almena
Judkins, Edith
Sanborn, Anna C.
Judkins, Sarah
Sanborn, Esther
Ladd, Anna
Sanborn, Hannah
Langley, Isaiah
Sanborn, Maria
Marston, Polly
Seavey, Enoch
Mowe, Jane
Scribner, Benjamin
Osgood, Benjamin
Simonds, Abigail
Osgood, Joseph
Simonds, Peter
Page, Dolly
Sleeper, David
Pevere, Lucy
Sleeper, Mary
Philbrick, Betsey W.
Sleeper, Nehemiah D.
Philbrick, Eliza
Stevens, George
Philbrick, Jedediah
Stevens, Lydia
Prilbrick, Lucinda
Tilton, Mary
Philbrick, Polly
Tucker, Betsey
Philbrick, Sally
Tucker, Betsey
Philbrick, Samuel
Tucker, James
Philbrick, Samuel, Jr
Tucker, Jane
Philbrick, Tryphena
Tucker, Joanna
Robie, Paine R.
Tucker, Mary
Robie, Susan
Tucker, Moses
Rollins, Betsey
Webster, Nathaniel
Rollins, Simeon
Weare, John
Rowe, Betsey
Weare, Polly
Rowe, Daniel
Woodbury, Nathan
Rowe, Elizabeth
The last record in the church book is of a "conference at brother Moses Tucker's," December 12, 1827.
On account of various internal dissensions, the Christian Bap- tist Church suffered a gradual disintegration and from the re- mains there arose two new organizations, known as the Freewill Baptist Church and the Christian Church.
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized at a meeting held at the house of Moses Tucker on January 7, 1830. Elder Elijah Watson and Elder Samuel Robbins attended. James Tucker, James Sever- ance and Joseph Fellows were chosen deacons, and James Bailey was elected clerk.
The original members of this church were:
Bailey, James
Fuller, Moses
Cilley, Betsey
Hilton, Deborah
Cilley, Dearborn
Hilton, Hannah
Cilley, Jonathan
Robie, Paine R.
Cilley, Sally
Rollins, Betsey
Cilley, Susanna
Severance, James
Dickerson, Watson
Severance, Sally
Dow, Eliza
Tucker, Betsey
Dow, Seward
Tucker, Eunice
Emery, Joseph
Tucker, James
Emery, Ruth
Tucker, Mary
Emery, Sarah
Tucker, Moses
Fellows, IIuldah
Weare, Polly
During the year 1830 the following persons became members of the church :
Bachelder, Josiah
Fuller, Susanna
Bailey, Sarah
Robie, Susan
Buzzell, Ruth
Rollins, Simeon
Emery, Dolly
Severance, Abigail
Emery, H. Gates
Severance, Judith
Emery, Naney
True, Ruth
Emery, William
Weare, Abigail
Until 1839 the Freewill Baptists and the Christians jointly occupied the meeting-house, now North Church, but in 1839 the Baptists built a church of their own, occupying it with varying prosperity until May 23, 1871, when the building was burned.
The committee for building the church in 1839 consisted of seven members: Dea. James Severens, Jonathan Cilley, Henry
Emery, William
Weare, John G.
Fellows, Joseph
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
Dearborn Cilley, Dea. Josiah Bachelder, James Bailey, Simeon Rollins and Andrew Jackson Tucker.
The land for the house was bought of Elder Elijah Watson for $50, the deed providing that it was to be "occupied by the Free- will Baptist people of Andover for a meeting-house, and for that alone."
The Freewill Baptist Church organization was incorporated March 1, 1839, under the provisions of the statute passed June 3, 1827. Through the efforts of Dea. Josiah Bachelder a fine toned bell, the first in town, weighing 1,027 pounds, was mounted in the tower of the Freewill Baptist Church February 20, 1841, at an expense of $299.15. This bell was first tolled on the death of Mesheck Weare, April 29, 1841.
It has been claimed by members of the Freewill Baptist Church that the modern custom of hand shaking was unusual in this town at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and that the habit, now so prevalent, was introduced, mainly, by the members of that church as an indication of their warm, brotherly fellowship. At first the custom was not fully understood by most of the citizens. It is related by a member of that church, that an ardent lover, in the eastern part of the town, having seen a pious brother cor- dially shaking the hand of the jealous swain's sweetheart in pub- lic, soon sought an opportunity to assure his fair Ruth that, upon the repetition of such familiarity, he "should consider her no longer his friend or affianced." Probably the offense was not repeated, for the happy pair were the ancestors of many de- scendants.
In 1854 the members of the Freewill Baptist society decided to perfect a new organization.
At a meeting on March 10, they adopted the following consti- tution :
We whose names are hereunto annexed agree to form ourselves into a religious society to be known as the Free Will Baptist Society at East Andover N. H. assuming all the responsibilities rights and privi- leges of the Laws of the State made and provided; and subjecting our- selves to the following Constitution.
Article 1. This society shall hold its annual meeting the first Satur- day in February, except the first, which shall be the third Saturday in March, at such time and place as shall be stated in the notice for the same. The first, however, to be regulated by agreement.
7
98
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Article 2, At each annual meeting the society shall decide by vote what sum of money shall be raised for the support of preaching and other expenses for the current year.
Article 3. At each annual meeting the society shall choose a Modera- tor to preside, a Clerk who shall also act as Treasurer and a board of directors consisting of three.
Article 4. The duties of the Moderator and the Clerk and Treasurer shall be the same as is usual to such offices.
Article 5. The Directors shall superintend the raising and expending of all moneys voted by the society and shall see that all other votes of the society are properly and faithfully executed and that all liabilities are regulated and met agreeable to the statute made and provided,
Article 6. The Directors may call special meetings if they think proper and it shall be their duty this to do whenever a majority of the members shall request. Notices of all meetings shall be given by post- ing up two warrants, one at the place of worship and the other in some public place in the vicinity, at least eight days before the holding of said meeting, with the exception of the first meeting which shall be as before stated.
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