USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 29
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In the spring of 1842, while the Congregational pulpit was without a pastor, the Methodist conference sent Rev. J. Boyden to Hill village as Junior preacher under Rev. J. C. Cromack, pastor of the M. E. church at Bristol. For three years from the
259
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
spring of 1846, Rev. John Gould had charge of the work in Hill in connection with the Methodist church in Alexandria, probably residing in Alexandria. In 1849, Rev. Reuben Dearborn was resident pastor. He was succeeded, in 1850 and 1851, by Rev. Orlando H. Jasper. The Methodists worshipped in Abram Fow- ler's barn a portion of these years. At the conclusion of these pastorates, the class or classes at Hill again became a part of the Methodist church in Bristol.
In that part of Hill known as the Borough, the Freewill Baptists held regular meetings in the schoolhouse or in Dea- con Eben Avery's barn as early as 1829. In 1834, they were reported in the denominational year-book as an organized so- ciety with a membership of twenty-one. This church was organized by Elder David Fisk, and he alternated with his son, Elder Ebenezer Fisk, in holding meetings here. Rev. Walter Sleeper, a Methodist local preacher, frequently supplied, and Elder Benj. M. McMurphy was ordained, that he might be able to preach and administer the sacraments. The name of Rev. Lincoln Lewis also appears as a supply in 1839. The meetings were largely attended, and, in 1843 and 1844, forty- three members were reported. The society ceased to exist about the time of the organization of the Free Baptist church in Bristol village, and was last reported in 1849.
In 1842, there was a revival of religion on Dickerson hill under the labors of Elder Amos Brown, a Free Baptist clergy- man residing in Alexandria. The meetings were held in the district schoolhouse. In 1843, he organized a church with twenty-one members. 'The largest number reported was in 1848, when there were thirty-eight members. The church had but a feeble existence and evidently ceased to exist about 1866, though it was reported in the denominational year-book as late as 1875. The membership in 1875 was reported as eighteen.
CHAPTER XXII
ECCLESIASTICAL- BRIDGEWATER
There is a Power whose care Teaches thy way.
-Bryant.
In September, 1793, Rev. Thomas Page, pastor of the Congregational church at Groton, organized a branch of his church on Bridgewater hill. This was the first religious organ- ization within the limits of the old town of New Chester. Mr. Page held meetings occasionally in the barn of Benjamin Board- man, and meetings were also held by Rev. Nathan Ward, of Plymouth, by "Father Chaplain," and others. Dea. Joshua Fletcher supplied this people a part of the time from 1793 till 1798, when he removed from Plymouth to Bridgewater, and became the stated supply whenever there was no ordained minister to officiate. This continued till 1818. He was hired and designated as a "public speaker."
In 1798, for the first time, an article was inserted in the warrant for the annual town meeting in Bridgewater, to see how much money the town would vote to raise to hire preaching that year, and the vote was not to raise any. The next year, however, it was voted to raise fifty dollars, "including the interest on the minister's lot." From this it would seem that the town had sold at least one of the two minister's lots within its limits and deposited the proceeds into the treasury, using the interest for preaching. It was also voted that one-half of the fifty dollars be laid out at Moses Pillsbury's, on the hill, and the other half at Josiah Fellows's (where H. N. Emmons now resides) and that the selectmen procure the minister.
It was "voted Oct. 1I, 1799, to build a meeting-house in Ezekiel Worthen's south field as a center place for the town." At an adjourned meeting October 15, the vote was reconsidered, and it was voted to have "but one center to build a meeting house." A committee, consisting of William Pingree, Josiah Fellows, Isaac Senter, Peter Sanborn, and Ezekiel Worthen, was elected " to fix on the spot where the meeting house should be." This committee was to report at the annual meeting in 1800; but, instead of hearing this report, the meeting dismissed the com- mittee, and no further effort was made by the town to erect a house of worship.
261
ECCLESIASTICAL - BRIDGEWATER
As early as 1800, there were a considerable number of the Free Baptist persuasion in town, mostly on the hill. They were sufficiently numerous and united that they sent a delegation to the Yearly Meeting of the denomination at New Durham that year, and were assessed $4 as part of $100 levied on the churches of the denomination that year. In 1804, they were an organized church. Eight years later, the delegates from this church assisted in the organization of the Sandwich Quarterly Meeting. How long this organization existed is not known, but it had ceased to exist in 1818. On the eighth of August, 1819, "Elder Cheney " organ- ized another church which designated itself the "Second Freewill Baptist Church in Bridgewater." As the successor of the First church, it became known only as the First church. This new church, at its organization, consisted of but four members. One of these withdrew soon after, and there were no additions till Sept. 20, 1820, when nine were baptized by Elder Perkins, and united with the church.
The fourth of November, 1802, the "First Religious Society of Bridgewater " was organized. This society was a Congrega- tional organization, but was composed of men of all denomina- tions. Its object was the building and control of a house of worship. The following is a part of the records of the first meeting :
At the above meeting and at the several adjournments a number of men both of the church and congregation signed the constitution and their Pledged their honor to Seport it and Denominated them selves the first Religious Society in Bridgewater.
Now the Constitution and their names will follow Introduction to the Constitution
The gospel in its genewine opperation has a Faborbele effect upon Goverment regelating the morals of the People-and it has an encourag- ing influence to promote Education industery - Agricultures and inter- prise indeed it tendes to advance every sociel blessing which Can be enjoyed by mankind besides it reveals the only Sure foundation of futer happness for presus and immortel Souls So that it is the Duety of all men and ought to be esteemed the preveledge of all who can be favoured with aney of the blessings promated by the gospel to doe their preportion according to their Several abiliteys toward the support thereof.
Constitution. 1802
Therefore we acknoledge our obligation to suporte the worship of God together with his people to be of a moral and devine nater and we hereby promis to govern ourselves and be governd in all matters of practice in this society as every articele in this Constitution may require untill we may be reguarly discharged.
Article I. A majority of two thirds of our Society Shall govern in all maters relative to the Support of Such Candates and minesters as the Church in Bridgewater and society may sea cause to imploy and settell from time to time and further that this society shall settell every matter
I7a
262
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
of Dissatisfaction respecting our individual proportion by a delibrate atention and regular vote
Art. 2. We will annualy meet in the month of March at which times we will a moderator to govern allso a Clerk and two or more men who with the Clerk shall be our Standing Commitey for the whole year and untill others shall be chosen in their room we will allso chuse a Colector whose Duty it shall be shue or inform Each member their proportion soon after he receves the list and indavour to make a full settlement with the Clerk or Treasure by the next annawell meeting so that their may be a recept in full had from the Candedate or paster and if this is not Done he Shall State the matters before the society.
Art. 3. Our Clerk Shall warn the annawell meeting and such other meetings as he shall judge needefull and allso at the request of one fourth part of Said Society-and at all our meetings he shall lead in the Choice of a moderator Ever keep a Carefull record of the Doings of the Society of the of himself with the Commiteys and record all the Equaliteys specifing when they were voted &c-likewise read or cause to be read this Constitution to the society each annuel meeting.
Art. 4. The Commity Shall soon after our annuel meeting being instructed by Society meet to Consult and agree with Such Candedate or minster as the Church and Society wish to imploy as a Candedate or a Steadey pasture and shall endavour to unite with him and each other upon the Sum they Shall think most reasonabel for them to pay as a Compensation for his expences and labours in our sarvices during the term agreed for while he is to Support the liberal Carracter we doe or may wish our Paster to Sustain our Commitey is to make up their Judge- ment by tacking all matters of Considerabell Consequence relitive to the past and present property of the Paster allso his past and present Circumstances together with the past and present Circumstances of the Society under their deliberate Considerations indavouring that one may not be eased and another burdened but their may be such an Equalitey as the trew sperit of the gospel requires and at a meeting warned for the purpose between the annawell meetings and the next our Commitey from year to year shall make their report and if Desired they shall shew the Society the grounds of their Judgement and we will raise a sum annawelly having a due regard to the Judgement of the Committey or to the reasons which they may lay before us and the Committe Shall apportion the Same Sum to the Society accordingly to our Several Polls and Estates Except in Singler Cases Varing as they may think most reasonable and every year by the first day of June they Shall Commit the list to the Colector with ritten Instructions
Art. 5. In Case it should so happen that aney member of this Society Should Become dissatesfied with their membership in this society it will be their duty to appear in Sum full meting of the society and state their Complaint who are entitled to a fair hearing and if their reasons are Satisfactory may be honorabely dismist but if they break away without giving the society satisfactory reasons they are to be Considered unfaith- full unholsom Persons in whom Confidence Cannot be put.
Art. 6. This Constitution is not designed to regard aney one Denom- ination in preference to another neither Sectery or Purswasion Minester Paster or teacher But such as the Church or the Church & Society may fellorship and wish to imploy the periveleges hearin granted are that each Denomination Shall Injoy as equell priviledges as our Several Sentements will admit of-and this Constitution is designed to be Purpetual but ought to be revised whenever two thirds of our members think it is expedient-And furdemore we take this method to express our Vews of duty and that we may set our selves in Order to uphold the worship of god together with his People in the world and that we may so Conduct as that we may have Som ratinal hope of the Eternal Enjoy- ment of god through Jesus Christ our Lord.
263
ECCLESIASTICAL - BRIDGEWATER
Now follows the names of the Subscribers to the above Constitution
Benjamin Boardman
Samuel King
Caleb Pilsbury Jun
Elias Boardman
Daniel Martin
Nathan Pilsbury
John Fellows
James Varnum
Philip N. Robey
Isaac Senter
Joseph Morse
Joshua Fletcher
Daniel Morse
Benjamin Rowe Jr
William Mills
Moses Pilsbury
David Thurston
John Morse
Caleb Pilsbury
Daniel Sleeper
Enoch Melven
Charles Mitchell
John Kidder Jun
Robert Mitchell
Peter Starns
James Sargent
Joseph Fletcher
Daniel Ordway
John Pilsbury
Benj. Rowe
Benjamin Smith
This society decided, Sept. 26, 1803, to build a meeting- house. William Pingree, Maj. Benj. Boardman, Daniel Sleeper, and Caleb Pillsbury were made a committee to select a building site. This meeting was adjourned twelve days, and, on reassem- bling, it was decided to build a house forty-nine by thirty-eight feet and "set it at the north end of Enoch Malvern's house," agreeable to a plan presented by James Sargent. All pews were to be sold to the highest bidder ; one-third of the purchase money to be paid Nov. 1, 1803 ; one-third, Nov. 1, 1805, and the balance, Nov. 1, 1806, or on completion of the house.
The sale of the pews took place Nov. 7, 1803. The follow- ing is a list of the purchasers, the number of the pews, and the amount paid for each :
No.
$
No
$
Daniel Sleeper
I
40
Capt. Caleb Pilsbury
23 44
John Pilsbury
2
46
James Sargent
24
65
Elias Boardman
3
41
Peter Starns
25
61
Ensign Robert Mitchell
4
38
Isaac Senter
26
45
Elias Boardman
5
40
Thomas Crawford, Esq
27
40
Simon Harris
6
40
Peter Sterns
28
42
Robert Crawford
7
42
Charles Mitchell
29
40
Joshua Fletcher
8
40
Ezekiel Worthing
30
40
Shurbon Tilton
9
32
Joseph Prescot
3I
65
Peter Sleeper
IO
40
Capt. John Fellows
32
63
Abraham Doliff
II
47
Lieut Daniel Brown
33
4I
Isaac Senter
I2
54
Samuel Woord
34
40
Enoch Melvin
13
50
Isaac Senter
35
40
John Kidder Jun
14
45
William Miller
36
40
Isaac Senter
15
41
Samuel King
37
42
Joseph Fletcher
I6
33
Minister Pew
38
James Sargent
17
40
Joseph Fletcher
39
46
Simeon Batchelder
18
45
Moses Pilsbury
40
65
Daniel Ordway
19
46
M Benja Boardman
4I
65
Peter Starns
20
41
Nathan Pilsbury
42
46
Abraham Vickery
2I
35
Enoch Melven 43, $1I & dore stand
Abraham Dollif
22
43
Capt Daniel Morss
44
40
Galery Pews
No
$
No
$
Isaac Senter
I 2I Abel Fuller
13
17
Capt. John Fellows
2
I2
Capt Caleb Pilsbury
14
I5
264
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
No.
$
No.
$
Moses Pilsbury
3
16
John Haron
I5
I3
William Pingree
4
I5
Lieut Daniel Brown
I6
13
Enoch Melvin
5
15 Joseph Prescott
17
I4
Enoch Melvin
6
I3
John Kidder Jr
18
20
Moses Pilsbury
7
I3
Elias Boardman
19
15
Parker Morrill
8
16
James Sargent
20
15
Robert Glover
9
I8
James Sargent
2I
20
Benjamin Smith
IO
21
Peter Sleeper
Smith
II
20
Shurbon Tilton
23
16
Daniel Kentfield
12
21
-
The church edifice was a two-story structure after the style of that day, thirty-eight by forty-nine feet, twenty-two foot posted. There was a gallery on three sides. On the first floor, were forty-six box pews; the gallery contained twenty-four pews, besides four for the singers in the center, opposite the pulpit, and eight free seats. The pulpit, on the north side, was reached by a flight of stairs, and had the usual sounding-board over it. The main entrance was in the center, opposite the pulpit. On each end of the building was an extension ten feet square containing a side entrance and stairs to the gallery. The building was lighted in the first story with eighteen win- dows of twenty-eight small lights each. In the second story, were nineteen windows of twenty-four lights each, and there was one large window over the pulpit. There were no provis- ions for warming the house.
The raising of this meeting-house took place in 1804. It was a great event occupying two days. People came from a distance of thirty miles, many camping near by for lack of places of entertainment. Among the number were those who erected booths for the sale of spirituous liquors. The selectmen were troubled at this, and decided it would be a disgrace to the town for men to be obliged to buy liquors on such an occasion, and they therefore purchased all the liquors on the ground and offered them to the crowd gratis.
The church was finished in June, 1806, and dedicated soon after, Rev. Drury Fairbanks, of Plymouth, delivering the dedi- catory sermon. On this occasion, brandy and punch were freely used.
Four different denominations were interested in the building of this church, and the agreement was that each should use it in proportion to its interest in the building. Under this arrange- ment, between the first of April and the last of December of each year, the Congregationalists were entitled to use it fifteen Sundays; the Methodists, ten; the Freewill Baptists, nine ; the Universalists, five. No provision was made for public worship in January, February or March. In practice, the Congrega- tionalists occupied the pulpit most of the time.
M Benj Boardman
22
2I
Lt Daniel Brown
265
ECCLESIASTICAL - BRIDGEWATER
The First Religious society started off in 1802 by raising $30 as a minister tax; the next three years, $50 was raised annually ; in 1807, $75. From 1809, money for the support of preaching of the Congregational order was raised by subscrip- tion. That year, the subscription amounted to $74, of which amount Dea. Fletcher was paid $70. Enoch Malvern was the first janitor of the house, and his compensation was $2 for the year. For this amount, he opened the house each day it was used, and swept it four times during the year. The large salary paid the janitor caused so many to desire the position that it
00
THE BRIDGEWATER MEETING-HOUSE.
was thereafter put up at auction each year. The lowest price paid was fifty-nine cents ; the highest, $1.25. At each sale the stipulation was that the house should be swept four times during the year.
In 1813, the New Hampshire Missionary society came to the aid of the struggling Congregationalists on Bridgewater hill ; and Rev. William Rolfe and Rev. Mr. Sawyer spent some time with this people. For the year 1814, the society appropriated $300 for the work in Bridgewater, Alexandria, and Danbury. It was hoped that a missionary could, with local aid, be kept in
266
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
this field the entire year. Rev. Leonard Jewett was sent here this year; but he relinquished the work in the middle of the year on account of ill health, and Rev. Hosea Wheeler succeeded him for a brief service.
A Congregational church was organized here Feb. 4, 1818. The council was composed of Rev. Ebenezer Price, Boscawen ; Rev. Abraham Bodwell, Sanbornton; Rev. William Patrick, Canterbury ; Rev. Samuel Wood, Boscawen, and delegates from these churches. At this time, those in Bridgewater who had been members of the Groton church withdrew, and helped form the new church. Dea. Fletcher appears to have been a frequent supply here after the organization of the church, as well as before, for the means and interest of the people had not from the first been sufficient to support a pastor, and under a church organization there was no improvement. In 1824, Rev. Benj. Sargent visited this people and stated that the Lord's Supper had not been celebrated there for three years. During the year 1825, Rev. Mr. Sargent labored for sixteen weeks here and in Alexandria, and Rev. Mr. Bowles labored a brief time ; but the people were evidently discouraged, and, in March, 1826, voted not to pass a subscription paper that year. This vote seems to have created a reaction in the sentiment of the community, and renewed efforts were made to pro- long the life of the church. The proprietors of the meet- ing-house secured a charter of incorporation, Chase Fuller, Daniel Cass, and their associates being the incorporators. A call was then extended to Rev. Charles Bowles to become' the pastor of the church, the people agreeing to support him half the time. He accepted, and was installed Oct. 11, 1826. The installing council consisted of Rev. Abraham Burnham and Dea. Abraham Bodwell, of Pembroke, Rev. Jonathan Ward and delegate, of Plymouth, and Rev. Jonathan L. Hale and delegate, of Campton. The Missionary society evidently assisted each year in the support of Mr. Bowles ; in 1828, to the extent of $84. During his pastorate, the church attained its highest prosperity. He continued here till 1830, when he was compelled to resign on account of the inability of the people to support him, and he was dismissed by a council, Apr. 13 of that year. At that time, the membership was thirty. The aid from the Missionary society the last year was $129.
In 1832, Rev. James Hobart divided his time among Bridge- water, Alexandria, and Danbury, in the employ of the Mission- ary society ; and, in 1834, Rev. James Saunders labored here a few weeks.
In 1839, Rev. John Suddard labored a few months, and, in 1848 and 1850, Rev. J. K. Whittemore labored a part of the time. At this time, he reported the "membership, twenty-four, six of whom were widows, and two over ninety-one years of age.
267
ECCLESIASTICAL - BRIDGEWATER
Dissentions threaten its ruin." From that time, there were only occasional services. In 1860, the reasons assigned for this state of affairs were: "Its geographical position, mountainous surface, constant emigration, and conversion of farms into pas- tures."
Apparently, the last meeting of the First Religious society was held Mar. 8, 1867, when the following record was made :
State of New Hampshire Grafton SS. Mar. 8, 1867
Met according to adjournment a mosion was made to a journ to the eight day of June next
Jesse Prescott, proprietors clerk Mar. 8, 1867.
In the year-book of the denomination in 1872, the Congre- gational church of Bridgewater was considered extinct.
The Freewill Baptist church, for a few years after its organ- ization, held regular monthly meetings. In time, however, the interest and attendance declined, and it maintained a struggling existence for many years. One potent cause of weakness was dissensions within the church. In 1887, the church voted against a proposition to disband, the members to take letters to the churches at Bristol and Ashland. Another conference was held at Union Hall, Oct. 11, 1889, at which Rev. J. W. Scribner and Rev. E. C. Clark were present. There were then on the rolls forty-seven names -twenty-three resident, and twenty-four non-resident. Of these, only ten were present, and only one signified a willingness to take a letter to another church. There was some disposition shown to revive the monthly meetings ; but, as far as appears from the records, only three meetings were held after this date. The Free Baptist year-book, in 1900, reported a membership of thirty-six, of whom seventeen were non-resident ; but this report is starred, indicating that no report was received from the church.
Rev. Paul Perkins was at the head of this church for many years previous to his death, in 1843; and Rev. Daniel Batchel- der succeeded him and retained the position for many years. The deacons were Joseph Rollins, Seth Glover, David Batchelder, Simeon Batchelder, and Rodney Hammond. The ruling elders were Abraham Smith, Joseph Rollins, and Abraham Tilton.
In 1830, the town was asked to appropriate $100 for the repair of the building in return for using it for town purposes. After considering the subject for six years, it appropriated $50, and the society raised $15.15 for the same purpose. About 1849, the town finished off the second story for a town hall ; but the original arrangement of pews in the gallery was not dis- turbed. At the same time, the society laid a tax of four cents on the dollar on the price of the pews, thereby raising $77.16,
268
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
the most of which was used in repairing the first story of the building. In 1861, the town was asked to clapboard and paint the upper part of the house "down as far as they apply."
In 1881, this historic building was cut down one story, reduced in length about twenty feet, the roof turned round, and the church made into a modern chapel, suited to the wants of the reduced population. The sounding board was preserved by placing it over the single entrance to the building. The build- ing is now used only as a town hall and for occasional religious meetings.
In 1838, what was designated and known as the Second Free Baptist Church in Bridgewater was organized in the east part of the town and a church edifice was erected on the river road. This society never had a settled pastor, but had preach- ing on Sundays as opportunity offered. Frequent supplies were the professors and students of the theological school at New Hampton. In 1855, a membership of fifty-one was reported. James Brown and Luther Barrett were the deacons. This church was dropped from the rolls of the denomination in 1881, and the building was sold and torn down in 1882.
For a series of years, there have been religious services at Union hall, near Newfound lake, a portion of the time, and occasional services in the chapel, while in the north part of the town, near the Plymouth line, the people gather at the brick schoolhouse on Sundays for Sunday-school and social meetings. There is now, however, no organized religious society of any denomination in town.
CHAPTER XXIII
ECCLESIASTICAL-THE METHODIST CHURCH
"Tis the divinity that stirs within us ; 'Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter, And intimates eternity to man.
-Addison.
In the closing years of the eighteenth century, the Metho- dist itinerant pressed his way into the wilds of New Hampshire. In 1796, Rev. Jesse Lee was presiding elder of a district that embraced nearly the whole of New England. That year, the Methodists of New Hampshire numbered sixty-eight persons.
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