USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 33
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No. Name of purchaser
Price
No. Name of purchaser
Price
44 Ebenezer Kendall
$28.00
I6 John Page
$12.00
43 Philip Webster
34.00
30
Joseph Sanborn
12.00
42 Abbott Lovejoy
66.00
37
Fry Holt
17.00
41 Richard H. Sawyer
60.00
25
Samuel Smith
30.00
40 William L. Chase
26.00
19
Robert Smith
30.00
22
Jonathan Merrill
10.00
29
George L. Crocker
13.00
24 Samuel Sleeper
16.50
23
Samuel Bryant
11.00
20 Peter C. Carleton
27.00
3 Arthur L. Webster
30.00
26 Moses H. Bradley
35.00
2 Jacob Gurdy
15.00
I8 Nathaniel B. Frost
30.00
38
Levi Bartlett
19.00
28 John Little
22.00
2I
M. H. Bradley
10.00
I Statement of G. W. Mason, son of one of the builders, who was present.
ECCLESIASTICAL- CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
No. Name of purchaser
Price
No. Name of purchaser
Price
3I Gilman Ingalls, Jr.
$8.00
In the gallery
32 Jacob Gurdy
9.00
23
David Sanborn
$7.00
27 John Little
22.00
22 N. F. Plummer
9.50
6 John Merrill
10.00
20
Ebenezer Kendall 8.00
4
Nathan Moore
31.00
21
Josiah Fellows
10.00
5
Josiah Fellows, Jr.
11.50
19
18 Ebenezer Kendall
6.00
7
Solomon Cavis
16.00
I2
Joseph Brown
8.00
17 Benjamin Hall
5.00
17
Moses Johnson
12.00
15
Richard H. Sawyer
4.00
39
Peter Sanborn
16.00
14
Joseph Fuller
4.50
36
Jerahmeel Bowers
11.00
16
Ebenezer Kendall
4.00
34
Benjamin Kelly
12.50
I3
Ebenezer Kendall
6.00
33
Joseph Moore
IC.50
12 Philip Webster
4.00
35
Caleb Whittemore
9.00
II
George W. Truell
4.00
8
Rufus G. Lewis
15.00
IO
Ebenezer Kendall
6.00
9
Daniel Sanborn
10.00
9 Weare Sleeper
6.00
15
Moses Sleeper
10.00
8 Samuel Smith
6.00
I
Ebenezer Kendall
II.50
7 N. G. Upham
6.00
IO John Ayer
7.50
6 Philip Webster
6.00
II
William Pattee
10.00
5
Moses Burns
6.00
14 Cyrus Ferrin
8.50
4 John Allen
6.00
I3
Hezekiah Peck
6.00
3 Nathaniel G. Upham
6.00
2 David Cheney
4.50
I George W. Truell
4.00
The cost of the church was $1,867.56. To meet this, the land was taken at $1,200; $15 was received from the sale of timber from the lot before the transfer, and there was pledged on subscrip- tion, $595. The pews were sold for $935, from which was paid $9.62 for the services of the auctioneer, and $3, each, to the five men who supervised the construction of the church, leaving $910.38 as the net proceeds of the sale. Of this amount, $592.46, mostly in notes, was paid over to the town to provide the fund required by the will, leaving $317.92 available for the use of the society. If the entire amount subscribed was paid, the society had a surplus of $260 after paying all bills, besides the amount paid over to the town.
During 1827, occasional services were held, the rite of baptism was performed, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered by Rev. Jonathan Ward, of Plymouth, Rev. Mr. Bodwell, of Sanbornton, and Rev. Andrew Rankin. The latter part of the year, Rev. Samuel Arnold labored a portion of the time, in connection with the church at Alexandria and Hebron, and so continued till May, 1828. June 1, 1828, Rev. Mr. Corse, of Loudon, officiated. The same month, the Missionary society voted an appropriation for the work in Bristol, evidently with the expectation of naming the man to labor here. The church at the same time engaged Rev. Job Cushman, without consult- ing the society, and the appropriation was withheld. July 20, 1829, application was made to the "Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge" for $100 each year for
M
299
Ebenezer Kendall
6.00
300
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
five years. This appears to have been unsuccessful, and Wil- liam L. Chase was made a committee to apply to the New Hampshire Missionary society for aid. His letter contains so much information that it is here inserted in full.
Bristol, N. H., Aug., 1829.
To. Rev. Abraham Burnham, Sect'y of the N. H. Miss. Society.
Rev. & Dear Sir : - I have been appointed by the Cong. Church in this town their agent to present to the board of trustees of your society their request that a sum of money voted at the semi-annual meeting of said board in June, 1828, to be appropriated to the supplying of mission- ary labors in this place, be paid over to the Rev. Job Cushman, as a com- pensation in part for preaching in this place during the year past.
In presenting this request the attention of the board is solicited to the following statement of facts, viz. That soon after it was known here that the above mentioned appropriation had been voted & that the Rev. Jona. Ward was appointed to procure & employ a missionary for the purpose & he enquired whether there was any one whom the people could select as their minister, Mr. Cushman was introduced to individuals here by Rev. Mr. Sargent, as being a clergyman worthy of confidence, & as being then unengaged. The result was a contract between Mr. C. & the church & society that he should preach to them one year with the exception of 6 or 8 Sabbaths reserved to himself. This contract was entered into with the expectation that Mr. Cushman would receive the sum voted by your board to this place in addition to the avails of a subscription list then circulated here, & also the interest for one year of the fund arising out of the donation of the Hon. Mr. Thomp- son. This contract Mr. Cushman has fulfilled on his part, & from the two last mentioned sources may receive $150 or $160. His labors have been highly acceptable to the church and people. Sectarian prejudices have been much softened, & some instances of hopeful con- versions have been amongst the fruits of his ministry here. In view of these facts it is confidently hoped that the board will deem it proper to grant our request.
All which is respectfully submitted in behalf of said church.
William L. Chase.
To this request a negative reply was returned. Mr. Cush- man continued to supply this church till May, 1829. In 1830, the Missionary society again showed its interest by suggesting that the church at Bristol and that at Hill unite in the support of one man, and Rev. Isaac Knight was sent here as a candi- date. This union did not remain long, if at all, though Mr. Knight served the church at Hill for some years. In 1831, Rev. John Winter, who had been laboring at Danbury, assumed charge of the church at Bristol in connection with that in Dan- bury, spending half his time at each place. The Missionary society contributed $100 towards his support. Mr. Winter took up his residence in Bristol and, in the early part of 1832, Dan- bury was dropped from his field. Mr. Winter remained here till March, 1837, and was succeeded in May, following, by John Wellman, who served till 1841. Rev. Joel Wright served from June, 1841, till the early part of 1842.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BRISTOL, ERECTED 1827
301
ECCLESIASTICAL-CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rev. Daniel O. Morton ' accepted a call to this church Mar. I, 1842. Thus far the church had had no settled pastor and Mr. Morton was to be installed. The church at New Hampton accepted an invitation to cooperate with this church on this occasion ; and the committees of these churches met at the resi- dence of Richard H. Sawyer to make arrangements for the event. The council was composed of the pastors and delegates from the churches at Concord, West Concord, Plymouth, Bos- cawen, Franklin, Sanbornton Bridge, Meredith Village, and Danbury. Dr. Jacob S. Eaton, who was a prominent member of the church at that time, in a communication to the Bristol Enter- prise, Nov. 27, 1880, had this to say of the occasion and the man installed over this church :
The installation of Rev. Daniel O. Morton occurred Wednesday, June 8, 1842. It was an important event for the place. The council was large and talented. Dr. Bouton of Concord preached and Dr. Smith of New Hampton gave the charge. The singing was equal to the other parts-the orchestra consisting of violin and seraphine (Dr. Dana and lady), bass viol (Maj. Wells), and the minor instruments, with the con- joined choirs of Bristol and New Hampton, made a powerful chorus. Among the select music rendered was "Before Jehovah's awful throne, ye nations bow with sacred joy," containing the finest symphonies and choruses of ancient time. The occasion was a source of great joy to all present, and still lingers as a blessed souvenir in many a heart. The redolent June day, the throngs going up to the house of God, the greetings of old friends, and the praise that filled the temple below and ascended to that above, still linger on our memory like the conse- crations and songs of Bethlehem's plains.
Mr. Morton's ten years' ministry was a memorable decade in the Bristol church. His unflagging labors, genial intercourse with all classes, and purity of life won all hearts. A ripe scholar, eloquent preacher, a pillar of truth, his death, which occurred Mar. 25, 1852, ended his labors and caused unfeigned sorrow in the community. Nearly all the council of the installation were present at his funeral, Dr. Bouton again preach- ing the sermon, and Dr. Parker addressing at the grave. Although the deceased was religiously observant of the laws of health, and talked of a green old age, yet he fell at the moderate period of sixty-three years. A mysterious fatality seemed to quench out his valuable life, and was referred to disease of the heart, that beat with a violence almost to break its bony walls. Dilatation of that organ was the settled judgment of the medical faculty, but an examination after death nullified the diagnosis, revealing a perfect heart of moderate size, and all the viceral organs intact, but hardly blood enough to stain the linen drapery, confirming the often repeated fallacies of heart symptoms, the want of blood, and not defect in the vital organ, causing death.
Mr. Morton was a man of heavenly spirit, and but few men attain that position of dignity, reverence, and love that was accorded him by all classes of the community. In the summer of 1884, a memorial tablet was placed in this church to his memory. It occupies the niche at the right of the desk, and is
I See Genealogies.
302
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
three feet, four inches in width, by about six feet in height. It is wrought from Italian marble, highly polished, and is supported in position by marble brackets, and finished at the top with moulded scroll cornices, surmounted by a gothic cross. The inscription, engraved in plain gothic letters, reads as follows :
IN MEMORY OF REV. DANIEL OLIVER MORTON, PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN SHOREHAM AND SPRINGFIELD, VT., AND WINCHENDON, MASS., FROM 1812 TO 1841, AND OF THIS CHURCH FROM JUNE 8, 1842, TO THE DAY OF HIS DEATH MARCH 25, 1852. "THEY THAT TURN MANY TO RIGHT- EOUSNESS SHALL SHINE AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER." ERECTED BY HIS SON, LEVI PARSONS MORTON.
In 1843, the Congregational church at New Hampton dis- banded, and thirty-four of its members took letters to the church at Bristol. These, with an addition of thirteen by profession that year, increased the membership to eighty, and the Bristol church became self-supporting.
In 1844, the meeting-house was remodeled. The gallery was taken out, and the windows of the two stories united. The box pews were removed, except a few in the west end, and more modern slips took their places, but pew doors were retained. At this time, the pulpit was changed from the east to the west end of the church.
In June, 1852, Rev. Joseph Garland commenced his labors here as a stated supply, and continued till January, 1857. Mr. Garland was a man of average ability, and his labor was marked by his constant attacks on the institution of slavery. He had some unhappy traits of character and "his life was a stormy one." His family left him and in later life he became a subject of charity. The next Sunday after Mr. Garland closed his work with this church, Rev. John Clark, of Plymouth, succeeded him, and continued till June 1, 1858, at a salary of $400 and parsonage.
In August, 1858, Rev. John Wood was called; but he declined on the ground that the salary was insufficient. The pulpit was supplied by professors of the New Hampton Biblical Institute and others till February, 1859, when Rev. William Spaulding began his labors here. The next month he was engaged for two years as a stated supply.
Apr. 14, 1861, Rev. Charles F. Abbott was engaged for one
303
ECCLESIASTICAL- CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
year, and $467 was raised by subscription for his support. Mr. Abbott was born in Lemington, Vt., Nov. 27, 1831. He was graduated from Middlebury college in 1858, and from Andover Theological seminary in 1861. He was ordained in Bristol as an evangelist, Jan. 2, 1862, together with Rev. J. W. Picket, of Wentworth. The invocation was offered and the Scriptures were read by Rev. H. S. Sleeper, pastor of the Free Baptist church in Bristol; prayer was offered by Rev. John Currier, pastor of the Methodist church in Bristol; the sermon was by Rev. C. W. Wallace, of Manchester; ordaining prayer and charge, Rev. A. P. Tenney, West Concord; right hand of fel- lowship, Rev. J. Boutwell, Sanbornton Square; concluding prayer, Rev. S. H. Amsden, Hill. Mr. Abbott continued his labors with this church till July 1, 1866, when failing health compelled him to resign. At this time, he was under an en- gagement of five years at $500 per year. He died at his home in Bristol, Sept. 20, following. Mr. Abbott was a man of ability, a devoted Christian, and was greatly loved by the people whom he served.
The dwelling, now the Congregational parsonage, on School street, once stood just north of the residence of Levi Bartlett, on the east side of Central square. This house Mr. Bartlett pur- chased, moved it to its present site, and refitted it for a parson- age. Nov. 14, 1868, Mr. Bartlett died, and in January, follow- ing, in accordance with his will, this property was deeded to the Congregational society for $500, its value over and above this amount being a gift. The $500 paid for the parsonage was placed in the hands of Hon. Josiah Minot, there to remain for three or four years. If, during that time, the church should be rebuilt, this money was to be paid as Mr. Bartlett's part towards this object. If the church should be repaired, $300 of this sum was to be paid as his subscription to this object.
In November, 1866, Rev. Silas Ketchum was engaged as stated supply at a salary of $600. He was ordained Sept. 17, 1867. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. David Calley ; the ser- mon was by Rev. W. R. Jewett, of Penacook; the ordaining prayer, by Rev. Corban Curtice, of Northfield ; the charge, by Rev. Liba Conant, of Hebron; the right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John LeBosquet, of Danbury ; closing prayer, by Rev. Mil- ton L. Severance, of Boscawen. Mr. Ketchum's pastorate was highly successful. He was a ripe scholar, a close student, and a fine preacher. The first of December, 1869, the pastor com- menced a series of revival meetings, continuing them for nine weeks, five or six evenings each week. As the result, thirty were added to the church. In April, 1869, Mr. Ketchum re- ceived a call to Fremont, Neb .; but his salary was raised to $1,000 and he was induced to engage himself for two years longer.
304
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
In the summer of 1870, the church edifice was enlarged and repaired. The present modern pews were put in and twenty feet added to the west end of the edifice, making the seating capacity four hundred and fifty. The total cost was near $7,000, of which sum the Ladies' society paid $1,600 for carpets, chandelier, fur- nace, and upholstery. There was assessed on the pews $1,000, and the rest was paid by subscription. While this work was under way, the people worshipped in the town hall. The church was rededicated Nov. 10, the sermon being preached by Rev. William T. Savage, of Franklin.
In the early part of 1871, it was decided to erect a vestry. For twenty-three years, the society had used the "academy" for all social meetings. This building was erected about 1848 by Levi Bartlett, for private schools and social meetings, and was the same as now stands just north of Hotel Bristol, used by Fred S. Fall as a marble shop. It had fixed benches and had a steeple in which was a bell. It was proposed to remove this building, purchase additional land, and erect the vestry on its site. Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M., was to unite with the society in the erection of the building and own the second story; the vestry was to be in the first story. A part of the necessary funds were raised, the lumber purchased, and every thing was in readiness to go on with the work when the deed to the additional land was withheld. The vestry was not built, and the academy con- tinued to be used for vestry purposes till Dec. 8, 1872, when it was used by the Congregationalists for the last time. It was then opened for a memorial service. The society then moved into modern rooms in Charles Boardman's new block which was hired at an annual rental of $150. These rooms were used for the social gatherings of the church as well as for religious meetings.
Jan. 1, 1871, this church united with the other two churches of the village in holding revival services conducted by Henry F. Durant. Mr. Durant continued these services seventeen days, preaching to the church-members in the afternoon and to the un- converted in the evening. Four hundred made a profession of religion. Union meetings were continued by the pastors after Mr. Durant left, and extended into the out-districts, where meet- ings were held in the schoolhouses. The revival spread into neighboring towns, and the pastors of this village held meetings, by invitation, in nearly every meeting-house within a radius of ten miles. In Hebron, twenty-six were baptized; in Hill, fifteen ; a large number in New Hampton, and some in Alexan- dria, Danbury, and Bridgewater. Mr. Ketchum preached eighty- three times between Jan. I and May 28.
Aug. 27-29, the General Association of New Hampshire met with this church, and two hundred and fifty ministers and delegates were entertained by the people.
REV. SILAS KETCHUM
305
ECCLESIASTICAL - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
To meet an indebtedness of the society which had accumu- lated from various causes, a mortgage of $1,000 had been placed on the parsonage. In March, 1870, Solomon Cavis contributed $800 towards liquidating this claim, which was then paid.
Rev. Mr. Ketchum tendered his resignation Feb. 5, 1875. His last sermon was preached May 2, when the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. During his pastorate, one hundred and one were added to the church, and for the last few years he was paid a salary of $1,000 and parsonage.
Mr. Ketchum's retirement was a great loss to the church and the community. He was emphatically a self-made man. While struggling with ill health and poverty, he pursued a three years' course at the Bangor Theological seminary, from which institution he was graduated in 1863. In December, fol- lowing, he accepted a call to the church at Wardsboro, Vt., and during a pastorate of less than two years his congrega- tion was twice doubled. He then engaged in editorial work at Brattleboro, Vt., in connection with the Vermont Record and the Vermont School Journal, where he remained till he came to Bristol. His zeal in his work, his indefatigable labors for the good of others, and his noble heart that always beat in sympathy with the afflicted, embalmed his memory in the hearts of the people. In all matters of public interest he was outspoken and positive. He was a diligent student, and his stock of infor- mation was extensive and varied. He took special interest in historical and antiquarian matters, and was the founder of the New Hampshire Antiquarian society and its chief moving spirit. He was corresponding member of the New Hampshire Histori- cal society. To the last named society he presented over five hundred volumes ; to the Antiquarian society, 1, 200 volumes and over 3,000 pamphlets, and to the Congregational association, Boston, over three hundred and fifty volumes. His own library numbered 2,500 volumes. He was a voluminous writer. (See Bristol in Literature.)
Mr. Ketchum took an active interest in the cause of educa- tion and was for several years identified with the schools of Bristol as superintending school committee. He was especially happy in inspiring the young with an ambition to make the most of their opportunities. He was a charming conversationalist, and his presence was welcomed to the most cultured circles. A few months after leaving Bristol, Mr. Ketchum was installed as pastor of the Congregational church at Maplewood, Mass. He re- signed his pastorate there, and, in July, 1877, assumed the pastoral charge of the Second Congregational church at Windsor, Conn., in that part of the town known as Poquonock, and was installed Aug. 1, 1879. In the spring of 1880, while on a visit in Boston, he was stricken with the illness that terminated in his death, April 24, in the prime of life.
20
306
HISTORY OF BRISTOL
Rev. A. W. Moore succeeded Mr. Ketchum as stated supply at the same salary. He labored here two years. Rev. J. M. Hart was engaged as Mr. Moore's successor for one year ending the first Sunday in May, 1878, at a salary of $750 and parson- age. A council met at the church Nov. 3, 1877, called for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Hart as an evangelist. This council consisted of Rev. Samuel F. Lougee, and Rev. Robert Ford, Danbury ; Rev. Austin H. Burr, Franklin ; Rev. Moses T. Run- nels, J. Brackett Calif, Sanbornton ; Rev. Geo. H. Scott, Ply- mouth ; Rev. Quincy Blakely, Campton ; Rev. J. B. Cook, Hebron. Mr. Hart's certificate of approbation to preach the gospel from the association of Congregational ministers of New Haven, Conn., was read. The candidate stated his religious experience and motives for entering the ministry, and gave his doctrinal belief. The custom of the church in assisting to ordain ministers without installation was stated by Dea. Nathan B. Buttrick. At this point the proceedings were arrested and the council voted to be by itself. It was then voted, three to two, not to proceed with the ordination. At two o'clock, the congregation again gathered, when a statement of facts was presented. The reasons for their action were, that since 1852 this church had had no settled pastor; that some of its members were not in favor of settling a minister; that Mr. Hart had been laboring for four months with entire satisfaction to this people, and that no reasons appeared why he should not labor as pastor rather than as acting pastor. In view of these facts they did not feel justified in proceeding, believing it would be contrary to Congregational usage, and derogatory to the best interests of the churches. Mr. Hart continued his labors here till the first of May, following.
Rev. E. L. Jaggar was stated supply for two years ending May 10, 1881. During this time, he spent a vacation of three months in Europe. During his absence, union services were held by the Congregationalists and Free Baptists, Rev. Nathan C. Lothrop, pastor of the last named church, officiating. A thanksgiving service was held at the Congregational church Aug. 5, 1879, for the safe return of the pastor, all the churches in town uniting.
Jan. 31, 1879, Frederick H. Bartlett, a member of this church, while laboring at Fabyan's, received from the American Home Missionary society an appointment to the Black Hills, South Dakota, and requested ordination. This was assented to by the church, a council was called, and he was ordained at Bristol Feb. 20, 1879. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. C. E. Harrington, and the right hand of fellowship was ex- tended by Rev. Quincy Blakely.
Rev. Hervey G. Pillsbury commenced his services as stated supply in May, 1882. He was ordained and installed Sept. 28,
307
ECCLESIASTICAL- CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
following, by a council of which Rev. F. T. Perkins was moder- ator, and Rev. Quincy Blakely scribe. The opening prayer was made by Rev. James Pike, D.D., pastor of the Methodist church, and the Scriptures were read by Rev. Geo. O. Wiggin, pastor of the Free Baptist church. The sermon was by Rev. S. F. French ; the ordaining and installing prayer, by Rev. M. T. Runnels. The charge to the pastor was by Rev. Frederic T. Per- kins, the right hand of fellowship by Rev. Henry P. Peck, and the charge to the people by Rev. Quincy Blakely.
In 1884, a revised "Statement of Doctrine " was adopted by this church as follows :
I. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible ; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who is of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who is sent from the Father and Son, and who, together with the Father and Son, is worshipped and glorified.
2. We believe that the Providence of God, by which he executes his eternal purposes in the government of the world, is in and over all events; yet so that the freedom and responsibility of man are not impaired, and sin is the act of the creature alone.
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