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 23
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The tall steeple of this church was taken down in the spring of 1867. After forty years, people thought its timbers were decayed and unsafe. Consequently they met, threw a rope round the top, sawed off the main supports, and pulled it over. It tipped entirely over and came down with a fearful plunge, far into the ground ! But they found the timbers perfectly sound and safe.
The house was sold at auction, October, 1873, for four hundred and forty-one dollars, to J. B. Woodbury & Son, and was imme- diately taken down. Now the material is all removed, the site is turned into a planted field, and nothing remains to mark the spot. For the information of the next generation, let it be said that the East church stood on the swell of land nearly opposite the East cemetery, being a little farther north than the ceme- tery, and on a commanding spot.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Chiefly by the kind help of Rev. William Hurlin, I am enabled to give the following sketch of the Baptist church in Antrim.
190
ITS PASTORS.
Its early records are very imperfect, rendering a minute history difficult. The church was organized Dec. 17, 1805, at the house of Joseph Eaton, of Greenfield, and was recognized by a council from Mason, Dublin, and New Boston, consisting of the pastors in those places, Elders William Elliott, Elijah Willard, and Isaiah Stone, and eleven delegates. Rev. William Elliott was moderator, and John Brown clerk. Thirteen persons, five males and eight females, were organized under the name of the "Peterborough and Society Land Baptist Church " The name has been several times changed. Aug. 19, 1824, it was voted to call it "Society Land Baptist Church." May 24, 1835, it was changed to "Hancock and Society Land Baptist Church." When Bennington was incorporated, 1842, it assumed the name of " Bennington." Aug. 29, 1857, it was voted to call it the " Antrim Baptist Church." There had been a Baptist church. here before, dissolved about 1841, as stated in the history of the brick edifice over east.
Of the early pastors of the church, very little is known. As far as can be gathered, they were as follows: Elder Elliott ; Elder Westcott, who left under a cloud in 1826, and was after- ward excluded from the fellowship of the church ; Elder Farrar; Elder Goodnow, one year, 1831-32 ; Elder McGregor ; Elder Joseph Davis ; Rev. James A. Boswell, 1835 ; Rev. F. Page, 1836 ; Rev. John Woodbury, 1837 ; Rev. Zebulon Jones, one year, 1837-38; Rev. Amzi Jones, two or three years, from December, 1840; Rev. J. M. Chick, two years, 1845-47 ; S. L. Elliot, a licentiate, one year, 1847-48.
Rev. W. W. Lovejoy commenced his labors as pastor of the church April 26, 1850, and closed them in July, 1855. Rev. W. Kimball became pastor in April, 1856, and his resignation was accepted Oct. 4, 1862. Rev. L. C. Stevens commenced his labors Nov. 1, 1863, and closed them April 30, 1865. Rev. William Hurlin became pastor in March, 1866, and continued till March, 1873, seven years, being the longest period of any pastorate of this church. Mr. Hurlin was a man of critical scholarship, great information, and good life, having the highest respect of all the people of the town.
Rev. E. M. Shaw was ordained pastor Sept. 30, 1873, and closed his work in August, 1877. He was an excellent scholar, a sound thinker, and a sermonizer of high rank. He wrote in a very pure and forcible style, and his manner of delivery, though
191
1
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF BAPTIST CHURCH.
calm, was very impressive. Though a constant sufferer from ill health, he did excellent service, and greatly endeared himself to the church and to all the people of the town. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. H. Fish, who was stated supply from Aug. 20, 1877, to April, 1878. At a meeting of the church, March 1, 1878, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. E. M. Shaw, to resume his labors as pastor, which he accepted, entering upon his work the second Sabbath of May following. , But his old ills again came upon him, and he was forced to resign after about a year's service. His successor, Rev. Horace F. Brown, was ordained Oct. 1, 1879.
The deacons in the church have been as follows : Benjamin Nichols, chosen March 13, 1806 ; Eli Maynard, chosen Nov. 4, 1827 ; Asa Knight, chosen April 16, 1829; Lewis A. Fletcher, chosen July 9, 1835 ; John Higgins, chosen July 7, 1848 ; Jesse R. Goodell, chosen 1851 ; Gilbert P. Hall, chosen June 2, 1864 ; Mark True, chosen June 2, 1864 ; E. Z. Hastings, chosen May 1,1875.
The clerks of the church have been Dea. Benjamin Nichols, William Darrah, Dea. A. Knight, Dea. S. A. Fletcher, Rev. Amzi Jones, Rev. J. M. Chick, Dea. Gilbert P. Hall, John R. Abbott, Dea. Mark True, and the present incumbent, William B. Dodge.
Rev. Samuel Abbott became a member of this church in 1847, and remained so till his death in 1853. He was never pastor of the church. His son, Rev. Stephen G. Abbott, united with this church at Hancock, in 1838. At that time the church wor- shiped at Society Land, and maintained a branch church at Hancock. He was licensed, by the mother church, Aug. 11, 1848. Since then he has been almost constantly preaching, and is able and vigorous in the presentation of the truth.
Owing to the imperfection of records, it is impossible to ascer- tain how many persons have been members of this church. The names of three hundred and two have been found, divided thus : constituent members, thirteen ; baptized, one hundred and twen- ty-six ; by letter, one hundred and six; experience, six ; unknown, fifty-one. 'The largest number of members at any one time was eighty-four, which occurred in 1851. The present membership (1878) is seventy-five.
It is not known where they met for worship the first year. The first meeting-house was built before 1812, in Greenfield,
192
METHODIST CHURCH.
near the Samuel Dascomb place. In Society Land, now Ben- nington, a meeting-house was built before 1826. In April, 1851, it was " Voted to hold the meetings on the Sabbath half the time at South Antrim for the present." Jan. 2, 1852, it was " Voted to hire Woodbury's hall for one year, for worship." Feb. 6, following, they " Voted to hold the meetings all the time at South Antrim," since which time this has been the location of the church. Several unsuccessful efforts were made to build here, but the church continued to worship in Woodbury's hall till 1871, when, during the pastorate of Mr. Hurlin, they resolved to rise up and build God blessed the effort, and they were enabled to dedicate their attractive and commodious house Oct. 25, 1871, free of debt. The total cost was six thousand two hundred dollars. The parsonage was built in 1879.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The first preaching under this order was at the Branch, and at the East meeting-house. The first preacher was Rev. Ezra Wardwell, in 1838, or possibly in 1837. Wardwell was a young man. He died in Sullivan, September, 1850, aged thirty-eight. After him, a Rev. Mr. Heath, a Rev. Mr. Jones, and a Mrs. Orne preached in town occasionally. Antrim was included in a cir- cuit with other towns, and was supplied a part of the time. The first Methodist class, the beginning of the Methodist church, was formed in 1838 at the Branch, and was connected with the Hen- niker charge. The persons forming it were Harvey Stacey, Nathan Barker and wife with three sons, Ira Knowlton, Arnold McClure, and Anson Fletcher. This organization was, however, soon lost.
About 1840, by exertion of Rev. Ezra Wardwell and others, a class was formed at Woodbury Village, now South Antrim. Solomon McGee was leader of this class, and it was connected with the Deering charge. Mr. Wardwell preached about one quarter of the time for a year or two in the East house, and occasionally, for several years following him, students from Con- cord preached there. In 1851, Rev. S. S. Dudley came to Antrim, and spent that and the following year in labor here, preaching half the time in the East house, and half the time in the hall in the three-story house at the Branch, the hall being fitted up about 1851 for that purpose.
The class was re-formed at the Branch, under the leadership
211 Premont St. W
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BAPTIST CHURCH AND PARSONAGE.
193
ITS PASTORS.
of Harvey Stacey. Considerable interest was awakened under the labors of Mr. Dudley ; quite a number were added to the classes ; and by his labors, it is believed in 1852, these were brought together into a church. It numbered fifty-one at its or- ganization. They held their meetings in the hall at the Branch, chiefly, though in part still at the East house, and sometimes in the school-house in South Village. During the winter of 1863-64 new interest was awakened ; through the exertions of Harvey Stacey, Harold Kelsea, and Alvah Dodge, funds were raised by contributions of the citizens, for the purpose of build- ing; and on the 9th of October, 1864, a new hall was opened in South Antrim, which, with several improvements and enlarge- ments, is now the Methodist church, and is a very neat and con- venient edifice. Its dedication was attended with very happy exercises, including the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper.
The several pastors of this church are given below : Rev. S. S. Dudley, Rev. R. Gregg, Rev. D. W. Barber, Rev. Irad Tag- gart, Rev. Charles H. Smith, Rev. John Clough, Rev. Jesse Wagner, Rev. Mr. Stinchfield, Rev. Otis Cole, Rev. Leroy Stow, Rev. A. E. Drew, Rev. C. W. Miller, Rev. E. A. Howard, Rev. A. A. Cleveland, Rev. J. W. Fulton, Rev. C. E. Dorr, Rev. Lewis Howard, Rev. Jacob F. Spalding, Rev. J. W. Cooledge, Rev. J. R. Bartlett, Rev. J. L. Felt, 1876-79, and Rev. Mr. Curl.
Many of these, from personal acquaintance, the writer can speak of in high terms ; especially Rev. Jesse Wagner, who married a daughter of John G. Flint, Esq., and is one of the best preachers in the denomination ; and Rev. J. L. Felt, who has furnished most of the items of this sketch, and whom I take pleasure in claiming as a personal friend.
The Methodist church has slowly yet constantly increased, has considerable support from adjacent towns, and, notwithstand- ing removals and deaths, it now has a membership of one hun- dred. And it has been a power on the side of truth and good morals in the place.
The Luke Thompson house was bought and fitted up for a parsonage in 1879.
13
194
FIRST MILITARY COMPANY.
CHAPTER VI.
THE MILITARY RECORD OF ANTRIM.
SEVERAL of the citizens of Antrim were out in the British service against the French and Indians, but, as that service was prior to their settlement here, I will commence at the opening of the Revolution. I have already stated the remarkable fact, that every man (and boy of size sufficient) marched for Lexington at the first sound of battle, except John Gordon, and that he soon enlisted for the whole war. There was not a male in Antrim that did not respond to his country's call. Some only served a short time ; others were absent for years. Quite a number of young men came here and began their " clearings," but left at the sound of war to enter the ranks ; most of them returning, on the establishment of peace. Their settlement here is put at the later date by Mr. Whiton, -though they were here years before, and enlisted from this town. A few, however, of the list given herewith, did not strike a blow in Antrim till after the war, and then, seeking a settlement somewhere, were led to this place.
It is not possible to fix the exact date of organizing the first military company in this town. No doubt, however, it was immediately on return from the march to Lexington in April, 1775, as they were then all together, and in the war spirit. They had marched under Capt. Isaac Butterfield, of Society Land, but, on return, they wanted a company of their own. They chose John Duncan, captain ; Thomas Nichols, lieutenant ; and James Dickey, ensign. No doubt that the organization, and choice of Duncan as captain, immediately on return, or perhaps before return, gave rise to the statement once made by Dr. Whiton (Half-century Sermon, p. 13), that the company march- ing to Lexington was commanded by Duncan instead of Butter- field, and that Duncan " had previously been commissioned as captain over the few militia of the places above named." I find he is called " Capt. John Duncan" in a state pay-roll, 1775. The company under Butterfield marched as far as Tyngsbor- ough, Mass., and there were met by Gen. Stark, " who told them there were men enough near Boston, and advised them to return and plant their corn, holding themselves ready to march at a
195
NEW HAMPSHIRE MEN AT BUNKER HILL.
moment's warning; adding, that, however rusty their guns, he knew of no men with whom he would sooner trust his life in the hour of battle." (Dr. Whiton.) On this they 'returned, organ- ized, for convenience of meeting, the company of their own men, planted their corn, met to drill, and awaited the next call. It is a mistake to say that no citizen of Antrim was in the battle of Bunker Hill, soon following. Judge Nesmith, who, like myself, has hunted up many old papers, and who is an authority in such matters, says : "I suppose you may claim, with entire confi- dence, that Dea. James Aiken was in the battle of Bunker Hill." He received a small sum in payment for "property lost " in the battle. John Burns was also in the fight. And James Hutch- inson lost his life by a wound received after the battle was over.
At Bunker Hill the New Hampshire men took position behind the rail fence between the redoubt and Mystic river. Part of the way they made a stone wall before them, and brought up the rail fence to the wall. Three times the foe were driven back by the terrible fire from this rail fence ; and even in the last onset, and after the fall of the redoubt, the New Hampshire men were victorious, and rushed over the fence in pursuit of the flying foe. But Stark, perceiving the fate of the redoubt, drew back his men, and retreated, being the last to leave, and marching off in good order.
All this was before the incorporation of Antrim as a town. Subsequently there was hardly a town meeting without some action concerning the war, until peace was declared. Aug. 20, 1777, five months after incorporation, an article was in the war- rant to choose a " Committee for to Regulate the Expense The Town has been at in Respect of the War," on which they chose the selectmen to be the committee. From this it is inferred, that, though few and poor, they assumed their part of the expenditure at once.
In the summer of 1777 there was great alarm in Vermont and New Hampshire, on account of the invasion from Canada by Burgoyne. The legislature of New Hampshire was convened, and voted to raise two brigades for defense. They were none too fast; for Burgoyne detached a force to go through the " New Hampshire Grants " and put down the few people in this part of the country. Being excited with success, he supposed the thing would easily be done. The east New Hampshire brig- ade, under Col. Whipple, could not be ready in season ; but the
196
ANTRIM MEN AT BURGOYNE'S DEFEAT.
west brigade, under Gen. Stark, hastily assembled, and, march- ing with haste, were able to meet the invaders before they had made great progress in " subjugating New England." A com- pany was mustered in at New Boston, July 23, in which it is believed there were eight or ten men from Antrim. The rest were from Deering, Francestown, Lyndeborough, and New Bos- ton and Greenfield. I have not been able to find the roll of this company in season for insertion here. Peter Clark was cap- tain; Daniel Miltimore, of Antrim, first lieutenant ; Benjamin Bradford, second lieutenant; and William Beard, of New Bos- ton, ensign. The company was attached to Col. Thomas Stick- ney's regiment of ten companies. Col. Moses Nichols had a ' regiment of ten companies, of which William Gregg was lieu- tenant-colonel. Col. David Hobart, of Hollis, had an incomplete regiment of five companies. The battle of Bennington occurred Aug. 16, 1777. The company in which were the Antrim men went on with the others, and took part in the series of contests which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne. The names of those from this town cannot be given with certainty. Capt. John Duncan was among the number at Burgoyne's defeat, but it is probable he was not in the company when first mustered in at New Boston. Like some others, he probably followed as a volunteer, and served as a lieutenant in the several battles. William Smith, also, was known to be of the number from Antrim. His son John had enlisted, but Dr. Whiton says : " The father, on reflection, volunteered to take the place of the son, giving as his reason, that, should he himself fall in battle, he trusted he was prepared to meet his Judge in peace ; while, should his son go and be killed, he could cherish in relation to him no such hope! " A beautiful instance of fatherly devotion and sacrifice ! So the father went, at the age of sixty-two, but returned, without serious hurt, and lived till he was eighty-five. John Nichols and John McAllister were in the company of Capt. Peter Clark. At a meeting May 7, 1778, they chose John Dun- can, John McCleary, and Daniel Miltimore a " Committee to Set- tle the Ware Expense in Antrim and Proportion the Seame." Various taxes were laid on the people, and when they could not pay money there was a tax in beef. In the " Beef Tax " of 1781, the proportion of Antrim was two thousand seven hundred and ninety-one pounds, which, with their small amount of live stock, was a very heavy load. The selectmen delivered one
197
WORK OF THE TOWN FOR SOLDIERS.
thousand four hundred and ninety pounds ; and the town is marked deficient for one thousand three hundred and one pounds, in the fall of that year. But the people had a town meeting ; " Voted that Sam1 Gregg & Daniel Miltimore Provide the Beef for this year's Proportion ;" and it seems, by great effort, they paid the whole tax.
The town of Antrim exhibited great zeal to keep full its quota of men. In 1781 and 1782 this town had nine men in the field. An old report of men required from the several towns in 1781 gives the number to Antrim, nine ; to Amherst, four ; to Bed- ford, eleven ; and so on. That this was squarely met by this town, appears from the following document : -
ANTRIM Sept. 1st, 1781.
This may Certify that Moses George has passed Muster before Genl. Nichols for the town of Antrim 3 years Likewise Samuel Dinsmore and Randall Alexander to the Last of December which the Quoto Demanded.
Attest JOHN DUNCAN & Select SAMI. MOORE men.
When men were called for to defend Rhode Island, a detach- ment went from New Hampshire, in which William Boyd was the only one from Antrim, so far as known. For this service both State and town paid a bounty.
State of New Hampshire to the Selectmen of Antrim Dr. July 20th 1779 To Cash paid William Boyd a Soldier enlisted in the Conti- nental Service for the defence of Rhode Island.
Bounty £30 -. Travel 120 miles to Providence £12.
Errors excepted in behalf of the Selectmen of Antrim.
Pr. ISAAC ANDREWS.
The action of the town was as follows : " Voted william Boyd have five hundred Dollars for his Sarvice at Road island."
The town was faithful in its care for the families of absent soldiers ; and if the soldiers had made beginnings, which the old records call " choppings " or "pieces of chopped wood," the town went right on with their work for them. It was the cus- tom to fall the trees on a certain piece of ground, let them lie one season to dry, and then burn all where it fell, even though the best of timber. After these pieces were burned over, all the heavy logs would remain, in immense quantities, charred, black, and hard to move among the stumps. These were next cut, piled, and burned, involving great labor and considerable time.
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FIRST AMERICAN REGIMENT.
For months these fires burned on a single lot, not being extin- guished even by long and heavy rains. Thus to subdue this rocky soil, covered with gigantic trees, and prepare the ground for a crop, was a great work. This the town did by public vote, for every soldier that needed it. It was not done by money tax, but by apportionment of labor. They had no money, but they had strong hands and determined wills. The amount of labor done by the few men left at home was incredible, -or would seem so now. They worked late and early, and by moonlight,- men and women and children, - as though their fingers were iron and their bones were steel.
It may be added, that, though we had no very distinguished men in the field, this town did its full share, and a little more than its full share, of the hardship and sacrifice by which our national independence was won. And some of our Antrim men were among the very last that left the public service. For a large part of the war, the regular quota for New Hampshire was three regiments, - though probably seldom full regiments. Jan. 1, 1781, by order of Gen. Washington, the Third.New Hamp- shire Regiment was merged in the other two. A second reduc- tion of the army took place Jan. 1, 1783, in which the Second New Hampshire was consolidated into the First, leaving one full regiment in the service from this State.
Nov. 3, 1783 (the treaty of peace was signed in Paris Sept. 3, 1783), the army was disbanded, except such as Gen. Washington specially designated to remain on duty for the honorable services attending the close of the war. For this purpose the general picked out the First New Hampshire, among others. This regi- ment remained, therefore, and took part in the various ceremonies of the evacuation of New York by the British, Nov. 25, 1783. The last official act of Gen. Washington, before resigning his commission, was the designation of a small force to remain on duty after Jan. 1, 1784. For this purpose, he chose a small artillery force, a few companies from Massachusetts, and Capt. Israel Frye's and Capt. Joseph Potter's companies from New Hampshire, the rest of the reserve force being discharged. Members whose times were out were discharged from these companies and their places filled by those from other New Hamp- shire companies who had a year or two longer to serve. These several companies reserved after Jan. 1, 1784, formed what was called the " First American Regiment," and was put under com-
199
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
mand of Col. Henry Jackson of Massachusetts. By act of Congress, June 2, 1784, this last regiment was honorably dis- charged, and the last of the army of the Revolution disappeared. Thus the First New Hampshire Regiment, through these two companies, had a continuous service of nine years and two and one-half months, - being the longest service rendered by any reg- iment in the whole army. And in this last disbanded force were certainly several men from this town ; among them Joseph Clark, Moses George, Isaac Patterson, Thomas McClary, and probably Dinsmore, Alexander, and others. I append the list of Revolu- tionary soldiers, which is undoubtedly correct, embracing all that were really mustered in : -
1. James Aiken (was at Bunker Hill and Bennington).
2. Randall Alexander.
3. Thomas Brown.
4. Thomas G. Breed (only a lad, but was surgeon's servant, and saw danger).
5. John Burns.
6. Daniel Buswell.
7. Abijah Barker.
8. Tobias Butler.
9. Peter Barker.
10. George Bemaine (killed at White Plains).
11. William Boyd.
12. Joseph Clark.
13. Stephen Curtice.
14. Samuel Caldwell.
15. Capt. Isaac Cochran.
16. Elias Cheney (three years, one for himself, one for his father, and one for his brother).
17. Lemuel Curtice.
18. John Case.
19. Samuel Dinsmore.
20. Capt. John Duncan.
21. Thomas Day.
22. Adam Dunlap.
23. Daniel Downing.
24. David Downing.
25. James Dickey (killed).
26. Samuel Downing (last survivor army of the Revolution, died Feb. 19, 1867, aged 105 years, 2 months, and 21 days).
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REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
27. Samuel Edes.
28. Thomas English.
29. George Gates.
30. John Gordon.
31. Samuel Gregg.
32. Alexander Gregg.
33. Simeon George.
34. David George.
35. Jonathan Grimes.
36. Michael George (part of time for Londonderry).
37. Moses George.
38. James Hutchinson (killed).
39. James Hopkins.
40. Josiah Herrick.
41. Pitman Howard.
42. Hugh Jameson.
43. Thomas Jameson.
44. Taylor Joslyn (served for Antrim, afterwards for Deering).
45. William Lakin (badly wounded at Stillwater, Oct. 7, 1777, on account of which he was soon discharged).
46. David Lufkin (badly wounded in second battle with Bur- goyne, Oct. 8, 1777, whence soon discharged).
47. John McAllister.
. 48. Robert McClary.
49. Thomas McClary ("Freed of Reats " April 2, 1782).
50. John McClary.
51. David McClure (one year for Antrim).
52. John McCoy.
53. Daniel Miltimore (first lieutenant at Bennington and Saratoga).
54. Robert McClure.
55. James Nesmith.
56. Daniel Nichols (served short time).
57. John Nichols (was at battle of Bennington).
58. Thomas Nichols (in service short time).
59. Adam Nichols (enlisted on Antrim's quota one year, July 20, 1779).
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