USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Antrim > History of the town of Antrim, New Hampshire, from its earliest settlement to June 27, 1877, with a brief genealogical record of all the Antrim families > Part 21
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In the person of Dea. Aiken and wife, we find the first germ of the church in Antrim; and to them more than to any other two individuals, probably, belongs the honor of having laid its foundation, and secured its future prosperity.
After a residence of four long years in his wilderness home, Mr. Aiken had the unspeakable pleasure of receiving a neighbor in the person of William Smith, who came from Londonderry and settled near him in 1771. Mr. Smith was a good, Christian man, and there very soon sprung up between these two men a strong mutual attachment, and the confi- dence that each reposed in the other was very remarkable, and continued through life.
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In 1772, Randall Alexander, John Gordon, and Maurice Lynch began settlements at the North Branch, and in 1773 Dea. John Duncan moved his family here from Londonderry, making the seventh in town. The cart that brought his goods was the first one that ever entered the place, and was driven by the Hon. John Bell, the father of two distinguished governors of New Hampshire.
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RESPONSE OF DEA. A. H. DUNLAP.
In 1774, Dea. Daniel Nichols, Dea. Joseph Boyd, James Duncan, Daniel McFarland, and James Dickey settled in the southeast part of the town.
In 1775 the settlement of the town was further increased by Alexander Jameson, Matthew Templeton, Richard McAllister, Thomas Stewart, and John McClary; and in 1778, by Dea. Jonathan and Dea. James Nes- mith, Daniel Miltimore, and Dea. James Carr ; and also in 1784 and 1786, by James Hopkins, Adam and Thomas Dunlap, and Dea. Sutheric Wes- ton. I have thus given by name most of the families who were residents of the town at this time, and I find these same names, with others, amounting to about sixty in all, on the roll that constituted the Presby- terian church in Antrim, as it was organized in 1788. Most of these men and women were descendants of those who settled Londonderry, and kept up their church connection with that people, and would make long journeys with their children to be with them at their regular com- munion seasons.
Being desirous of organizing themselves into a church, Isaac Cochran was chosen an agent by the town to apply to the presbytery of London- derry to authorize a minister to visit Antrim for that purpose. Rev .. William Morrison, of Londonderry, was delegated for that service, and on the third day of August, 1788, the Presbyterian church was organized, and a board of elders elected, consisting of Deacons James Aiken, Isaac Cochran, and Jonathan Nesmith. On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, Mr. Morrison came a second time, and administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper for the first time in Antrim.
The first sermon that was ever preached in this town of which we have any record was delivered by Rev. Mr. Davidson of Londonderry, in Dea. Aiken's barn, in September, 1775.
For several years subsequent, the people here were able, only occa- sionally, to have preaching on the Sabbath, and that was usually fur- nished as a free-will offering by the ministers of the churches in the neighboring towns. To these neighboring churches, not unfrequently would the pious, Christian parents take their offspring, to have conferred upon them the sacred seal of the everlasting covenant ..
Up to this time, 1784, the people of this town had no public place in which to worship God on the Sabbath, or to transact the ordinary busi- ness of the town. It is a singular fact that most of the business relating to the church was transacted in open town meeting, for the reason that most of the adult male population of the town were members of the church.
The center of the town having been previously determined by a sur- vey that had been ordered for that purpose, the people resolutely set themselves to work to build a meeting-house, - a lot of land having been donated for that purpose by Mr. Samuel Gregg. The lot selected, near the center of the town, was a commanding eminence, " beautiful for sit- uation," and overlooking one of the finest views to be found in southern New Hampshire. Such was the enthusiasm manifested by our pious ancestors in this noble work, that, in twenty days from the time the first blow was struck, the timber was cut down in the forest and hewed, and
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RESPONSE OF DEA. A. H. DUNLAP.
the other material got ready, and, on the twenty-eighth day of June, 1785, the first meeting-house in Antrim was erected, - Col. William Gregg, of Londonderry, being master-workman. So overjoyed were the people at the idea of having a house of worship of their own, that, on the very next Sabbath after its erection, they gathered themselves together inside its uncovered walls, beneath the rays of a summer sun, and poured out their hearts to God in grateful acknowledgment for his goodness and mercy in giving them the means to go thus far towards completing a house to the honor of his name. For forty years our fathers " worshiped in this mountain," and to this hallowed spot they came from the most distant parts of the town, in summer and in winter, in sunshine and in storm, bringing with them all the pious characteristics that distin- guished the ancient people of God, as they wound their way up this, the " Mount Zion " of their love.
These were the men and women who laid the foundations of the church in Antrim, and most nobly did they do their work. They knew what it was to be poor. They knew what it was to labor and to wait. They put their trust in God, and most devoutly did they rely upon his promises. A scoffing and gainsaying world may point the finger of scorn at the church, if it will, deride its members, and criticise their faults; but a scoffing world has yet to produce something that is better.
What would Antrim have been without a church? We cannot tell; but we have reason to believe that it would not have been what we find it to-day. Antrim without a church, we think, would have risen but little above the howling wilderness that Passaconaway saw, when he roamed, unobstructed, through its pleasant valleys, and up and down its beautiful streams. We owe'a debt of gratitude to this noble band of Christian men and women, who, through patience and tribulation, laid the founda- tions of the church, and built upon it a superstructure that we are proud to own as a part of our inheritance; and it well becomes us, their sons and daughters, here to-day, to rise up and call them blessed.
It is a matter of special interest to me, as I survey the early history of this town, that I can remember, and was well acquainted with, most of the men and women who were the early actors in the scenes that we now contemplate. They were old people then, just, passing from the stage of active life. But I knew them well. They were men of sterling integrity and of undoubted piety. They were devotedly attached to the ordinances and institutions of the church and of the Sabbath, and would make great sacrifices for their support.
This brief sketch of the founders of the church in this place would be imperfect if I should neglect to speak of the labors and the excellencies of its second pastor, the Rev. John Milton Whiton, D. D. Although he was not among the first settlers of the town, and was not present at the organization of the church, still he was so well known to the early set- tlers and so intimately connected with everything that related to their history and prosperity, that he can, with propriety, be regarded as their spiritual father. He came here a young man, direct from college, and God seemed to have exactly adapted him to this field of labor; and the
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RESPONSE OF DEA. A. H. DUNLAP.
fidelity with which he cultivated it showed how well he was fitted for the work that was put upon him. His sound discussion, fervent piety, and affable manners soon won the love of his people, and for forty-five years he retained their undivided confidence, affection, and support.
Those of us who were children fifty years ago, will remember the deep interest he took in the public schools. Without being authorized by law, or requested by the officers of the town to do so, he rarely allowed a term of school to end without being present at its closing exer- cises, with no hope or expectation of receiving any pecuniary reward. Like a good shepherd, he was keenly alive for the welfare of the lambs of his flock, and this was shown by the deep interest he took in their studies. The questions he would ask, in reference to the different branches they had been pursuing, were well calculated to bring to the surface what they had learned. And at the close of the school, the part- ing advice, solemn warning, and fervent prayer of this good man made a deep and lasting impression on the minds of the children.
Mr. Whiton had the rare good fortune of having for a wife a lady who was almost an exact counterpart of himself, in reference to all those qualities that are lovely and of good report. She was intelligent and refined, modest and retiring in her manners. Her amiable and loving disposition attracted people towards her. She was the acknowledged head of every good work among the ladies of the parish, and she did very much, in her quiet way, towards staying up the hands of her husband, and making him the honored instrument, in the hands of God, of con- ferring great blessings upon this people.
It was my good fortune, for a little while in my early boyhood, to be a member of this Christian household. I saw something of the beauties of its inside working.
I remember the kind consideration that always characterized their intercourse with those who were in their employ; and I have long since come to the conclusion, that no one can be a member of such a family without receiving a blessing. Standing here to-day, Mr. President, I can seem to see this devoted pair, as they appeared many years ago, approaching the house of God at the call of the Sabbath bell, bowing gracefully and greeting with a pleasant smile, as they recognized familiar friends who were standing about the door.
And now, in conclusion, let me say, that it is hardly possible to over- estimate the good influences that proceed from such a man as Rev. Dr. Whiton. His life and labors have been stamped upon the people of this town and their institutions. If he did not plant the church, he watered it with the best dews of divine grace. He watched over it in its infancy, and supported it in its manhood. He gave to it a name and a reputation that it is not possible for a short pastorate to impart to any people. Since he passed away other able and worthy men have labored here, but none more worthy than the young man who now ministers at this altar, wearing, so gracefully and meekly, the mantle that fell from this eminent divine.
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CLOSING EXERCISES.
1
CLOSING EXERCISES.
At a little past four o'clock, P. M., a procession was formed, nearly in the order of the morning, and about twelve hundred, stirred by inspiring music from the two bands, marched up to the " Old Parade Ground," or " Old Common, " on Meeting- House Hill. No such procession ever marched there before. It was like a pilgrimage to the fathers' graves. The clear and beautiful day was drawing to its close. The distant prospect, strangely sweet, the present scene, so tender and suggestive, con- spired to make that the grandest hour of the day. The speakers occupied the spot where the first meeting-house stood, while the company covered the old common and thronged the ancient cem- etery in the rear. A statement of past associations that hallowed the spot, bringing up the scenes of other days, was then made by Rev. W. R. Cochrane. Prayer was offered by Rev. Harry Brickett, of Hillsborough Bridge, after which a " Dirge over the Old Century," by the New Boston Band, plaintive and touching, swelled on the air, while the large audience listened with thoughtful faces and bowed heads.
Very happy and able remarks were made by Rev. William Clark, D. D. Then a hymn, written for the occasion, as printed in the programme, was sung to the tune of " Auld Lang Syne " ; and the long procession returned, under the same escort, to the church, where the service of the day commenced, from the steps of which at setting sun, by request of the president, Rev. W. R. Cochrane spoke some closing words, and called upon Rev. J. M. Whiton, Ph. D., of Easthampton, Mass., to pronounce the benediction.
Thus ended a day which will long be kept in remembrance by the sons and daughters of Antrim. It was every way a success. No intoxicating drink was on the ground, - no drunkenness, - no noise, - no fighting, - no accident. No loss was suffered by any person. The Antrim Cadets, under Capt. S. R. Robinson, did the escort duty of the day, with honor to themselves and the town. The police arrangements, care of grounds, and distribu- tion of dinner, were in charge of George A. Cochran, Esq., who managed them with great coolness and wisdom. The cost to the town, in addition to all contributed food and labor, was $661.25.
The following was said of the Antrim centennial by one every way qualified to know and speak : -
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NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.
I was not prepared for the high-toned entertainment you gave us. I think it was the best-arranged celebration I ever saw, and reflected credit upon the executive ability of its managers. None need be ashamed of their ancestry who looked upon that stalwart company in their native town. I, at least, never looked upon a better-looking or a better-behaved crowd. While memory does its office, I shall never cease to be thankful for having been present !
NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.
The following notice of the celebration appeared in the " Nashua Telegraph " of June 28, 1877, and is given as a sample of the newspaper comments, - all of which were exceedingly favorable and pleasing. It should be added, that the oldest An- trimite present was Chandler B. Boutwell, Esq., aged ninety-one, while a dozen of eighty and upwards stood upon the ground.
The one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Antrim - the original settlers of which were representative men and women from the Scotch-Irish families of Londonderry - occurred on Wednesday. It was a gala day for the old and young of village and farm; for the multitude of her visiting sons and daughters; for the people who were present from the neighboring towns; for the "strangers within their gates." The weather was perfect; the highways in the best possible condition for travel, and the mountains and valleys - hills, dales, and streams - in their finest robes. In fact, everything imaginable contrib- uted to make the day memorable and of historic pride to the children and children's children of those who participated, to the latest generation.
The decorations were general, and in many cases very beautiful. There was hardly a dwelling-house or other occupied or unoccupied building that did not display the American flag, while in many instances evergreen streamers and floral devices were conspicuous over doors and win- dows, on trellises and convenient places. Among those who made fine displays were the following : S. A. Peaslee, on the site of the first house - a log cabin - built in the town, the Carter House, John B. Woodbury, Bennett Buckminster, Mrs. Anna Woodbury, Mrs. Mary Woodbury, N. W. C. Jameson, Melvin Poor, John M. Duncan, D. H. Goodell, E. D. and L. W. Putney, the Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyte- rian churches, the town-house, - over the door of which, in large letters, was the word "Welcome," - the armory, high-school building, stores, shops, and innumerable dwellings in the three villages and environs.
It is estimated that the gathering numbered between twenty-five hun- dred and three thousand people, and that fully five hundred turnouts were made fast in this vicinity. Among those from Nashua who were on their native heath, were Major A. H. Dunlap, Mrs. Charles Williams, Mr. John J. Whittemore, Mrs. B. F. Kendrick, Mrs. Charles R. McClary, Mr. Silas Brackett, Mr. James Steele, Mr. Anson Swett, Mrs. Horace Gillis, and others. Among the Nashuans who are natives and were not present are Mrs. E. S. Russell, Messrs. Alzathan Barker, Alvin Brown,
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NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.
John M. Hopkins, and others. There were also present sons and daugh- ters of Antrim from far and near. Among the number, Dr. Gilman Kimball of Lowell, whose mother was the first person born in the town; C. E. Car- ter and G. P. Dadmun of Lowell, Dr. James Stickney of Pepperell, Hon. Charles Adams, Jr., of Boston, Dr. Whittemore of Boston, and Col. S. I. Vose of Peterborough. Among the guests were Hon. David Gillis, Hon. Charles Williams, George A. Ramsdell, Esq., Mr. John A. Spalding, Charles R. McClary, Hon. Albert Mckean, Mr. Horace Gillis, and B. F. Kendrick, Esq., of Nashua.
At an early hour a procession was formed on the Branch road in the following order : -
Chief marshal, M. B. McIlvaine. Aids, - Col. S. I. Vose, of Peterborough, and Col. Silas Dinsmore, of Stoddard. New Boston Brass Band. Granite State Cadets, - forty men. Waverly Lodge, I. O. of O. F. The president of the day, Col. Reed P. Whittemore, orator, poet, speakers, invited guests, clergymen, town officers, and others in carriages.
The procession, which was very creditable for a country place, pro- ceeded to the church at the Center of the town, where the president of the day made an address of welcome, which was followed by exercises as follows : Invocation of divine blessing by the Rev. James Whiton, reading of the Scriptures by the Rev. William Clark, select singing by the choir, prayer by the Rev. Mr. Clark, reading of the town charter by C. B. Dodge, Esq., music by the band. The oration was then delivered by Prof. James E. Vose, of Ashburnham, Mass.
Following the address, H. D. Chapin, Esq., read a poem which was written for the occasion by Prof. J. W. Barker, of Buffalo, N. Y ., formerly of the town. These exercises were concluded shortly after twelve o'clock, and an hour was spent in social intercourse upon the green, in listening to the music of the band, in partaking of an excellent collation hospita- bly served by the people of the place, and such other recreation and pleasures as the meeting of such a large number of old friends suggests.
Then, after very favorable comment on the various responses of the afternoon, the " Telegraph " speaks thus of the closing exercises of the day : --
The procession of the morning was re-formed, when it proceeded to Meeting-House Hill, where the Rev. W. R. Cochrane made an historic statement, a dirge over "Old Century " was performed, and a hymn sung to the tune of " Auld Lang Syne." The closing words were spoken by the president, and thus was ended a celebration which did honor to the people and adds to the good name of one of the most thrifty and honored old towns in New England.
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FIRST SERMON IN ANTRIM.
CHAPTER V.
ITEMS OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Up to the year 1836 the town and the church were united, the town in public meeting calling the minister, and paying him out of the town treasury, like any other town officer. The first town warrant that was ever posted in Antrim had in it an article " To See What Money they Will Rease to Get preaching." It is not known how much they " Reased," but it is certain that they had several Sabbaths of preaching in that year. As to the first known preaching in Antrim, I quote from my memorial sermon, Nov. 5, 1876 : -
For many years there was no religious meeting of any kind in town. Probably there was not even a prayer-meeting for thirty years after Riley began in 1744. The first sermon in Antrim was preached in Sep- tember, 1775, in Dea. Aiken's barn, which stood about half-way between the old Aiken house and the barn now Mr. Gove's. May be some future generation will erect a monument there, marking it as holy ground. What an audience it was ! A picture of that scene and company would be worth a fortune now. The speaker, Rev. William Davidson of Lon- donderry, was a gray old divine, a dull and sleepy preacher, but an affec- tionate and holy man. He was personally acquainted with those to whom he was speaking, for they were the children that had grown up about him in his long ministry at home. The rough-clad settlers - the hardy wives in their homespun, ribbonless as Eve was in Eden -and bare-footed children made up the group. Seated on rough planks and bits of logs, or leaning against the hay-mow, listening, hushed and rever- ent, to the words of life, - fitly they worshiped Him who was born in a manger " where the horned oxen fed."
Whenever needed to " solemnize marriages and attend funer- als," which events then were rare, neighboring clergymen came in, and their services were gratuitous previous to the incorpora- tion of the town. Rev. Jonathan Barnes, settled in Hillsborough Center Nov. 25, 1772, was for a few years almost as much a minister of Antrim as of his own town. A noted meeting was held in the barn of Dea. Robert Hopkins, of Francestown (Gib- son place), in October, 1775, and several sons and daughters of Antrim were carried there for baptism. In those days, meetings in barns took place in many towns. According to custom, " the ladies were accommodated with seats in the center," and men
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EFFORTS FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
and boys got in as best they could. In 1776 and 1777, there was occasional preaching here, mostly gratuitous, a sermon a year each, from Rev. John Morrison, of Peterborough ; Rev. Sewall Goodridge, of Lyndeborough ; Rev. Solomon Moor, of New Boston ; Rev. John Houston, of Bedford ; and the faithful Mr. Barnes. The scattered settlers had but few religious privileges ; yet in these and preceding years they were not negligent of re- ligious things. They taught their children at home. The Bible and the Catechism were the chief literature in every house. They kept the Sabbath with great reverence. Nobody could even walk the rough paths of the forest without being liable to be called in question for breaking the day of God. Having no trash to read, or for their children to read, they studied over and over the Holy Book, and came to hold its great doctrines rigidly and intelligently. Yet they longed for a stated preaching of the Word, and at their first March meeting, 1778, voted thirty-two dollars for that purpose, and in July of the same year voted one hundred dollars more. This, considering their feebleness and their poverty, was a very generous outlay. It would be about like nine thousand a year for Antrim now !
At a meeting Oct. 8, 1778, one article in the warrant was " To See Where the Town Will Chuse To have Their preaching for the futer ; " and they " Voted that All meetings for the futer be held at Sa1 Gregg's." March 9, 1779, they " Voted Eight Dayes preach- ing the presen Year ; " and it may be added, that, as every person went, and they had about four hours of actual preaching, the ratio of annual hearing was not so far behind the present time. The first candidate for the ministry ever in Antrim was Rev. Aaron Hutchinson, of whom a brief notice may be found in the genealogy. He preached here several times in the summer of 1778, but for some reason the question of giving him a call never came up ; and he settled as a lawyer in Lebanon. Some- time previous to 1779, a Rev. Mr. Clarke preached here a few Sabbaths. He was a highly educated Scotchman, direct from over the sea ; but his oddities were such as to make it undesira- ble to keep him. In 1779, Mr. James Miltimore (see genealogy) preached here most of the summer. He was a brother of Daniel Miltimore of Antrim. April 20, 1779, the town " Voted . . . Three Days' Work of Each man to be Worket out at ye Center for preparing for a meetinghous."
March 14, 1780, the town " Voted Twelve Days preaching, " -
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VARIOUS TOWN VOTES.
a smart increase on the preceding year. They also " Voted Mr Miltimore to Preach the above time, only to exchange as much with an Ordained Minisster as the town Sees Needfull." The people were so much pleased with Mr. Miltimore that at a special town meeting, Aug. 22, 1780, years before there was church organization or church building within its borders, the town voted a call to him, and chose James Steel, William Smith, and John Duncan, a committee " to treat with him." They also voted to send Daniel Miltimore to Portsmouth to purchase a lot of land " for a settlement for a minister." They wanted their minister to have a farm. Mr. Whiton says they offered him a farm and $233 per year. This does not appear on the record, but no doubt it is correct, as probably Mr. Whiton received it from the lips of the parties themselves. It was a remarkably generous offer. Probably, with the same interest, Antrim could raise $10,000 as easily now as $233 then. Mr. Miltimore, it was said, declined the offer on the ground that it was too much for the people to pay. But he continued to preach here summers, part or all, for five years. March, 1781, the town " Voted the Select- men find preaching ; " and they hired Mr. Miltimore. At the same meeting they voted to keep the 19th of May, the first anni- versary of the Dark Day, as a town fast. I mention this at some repetition, as expressive of the strong religious sentiment of the people.
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