USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 35
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Rev. Lewis Malvern was succeeded by Rev. William C. Hulse, who served as pastor from August, 1876, till February, 1877. Rev. Nathan C. Lothrop assumed the pastorate of this church in May, 1877, coming from Candia, and continued till April, 1881. In January, 1879, the afternoon service at this church was discontinued. Mr. Lothrop fitted for the ministry at New Hampton, graduating from the literary department in 1861. Before coming to Bristol, he was pastor at South Berwick, Me., at Milton, Strafford, and Candia. Since leaving Bristol, he has filled pastorates at Deerfield, where he remained four and one- half years and added forty-two to the church ; at Lebanon, Me., Contoocook, and Strafford Corner, and now at Contoocook.
Aug. 15, 1880, a farewell service was tendered Rev. Eben- ezer Fisk at this church, it being the last Sunday previous to his departure for the West to make his home with his son. The communion was administered. Remarks were made by Rev. H. S. Thompson, of the Methodist church; by Rev. Newell Culver ; Rev. E. L. Jaggar, of the Congregational church ; by Mr. Fisk, and others. The service was very fitting and touch- ing. When the Second Freewill Baptist church at New Hamp- ton disbanded, Mr. Fisk took a letter to the church at New Hampton village, and yet he may appropriately be called the father of the church in Bristol. It was through his liberality that the church edifice was built, and in every emergency he was a liberal contributor. Mr. Fisk was a remarkable man. He was born in Boscawen, Oct. 1, 1802. He studied at the old institution at New Hampton, and when twenty years of age con- secrated himself to God. He was licensed to preach in 1828 ; or- dained by the Sandwich Quarterly conference Nov. 4, 1830, and at once became associate pastor, with his father, of the Second Freewill Baptist church in New Hampton. His father died Feb. 9, 1834, and he continued in charge of this church for twenty years. He was a farmer as well as a preacher, a man of spotless character, possessed an unusual amount of common
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH
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sense and great native eloquence, gifted in prayer, of large sympathy with his fellowmen and great faith in God. He died at Jackson, Mich., Oct. 2, 1890, aged eighty-eight years and one day.
Rev. Geo. O. Wiggin became pastor of this church in April, 1882. He was ordained as a Christian minister and installed as pastor of this church at a session of the Sandwich Quarterly meeting in Bristol, Aug. 24, 1882. These services were largely attended and much interest was manifested. The program was as follows: Invocation and reading Scriptures, Rev. C. W. Griffin, Alexandria ; prayer, Rev. J. W. Scribner, New Hampton ; sermon, Rev. E. W. Porter, Lowell, Mass .; ordaining prayer, Rev. David Calley, Sandwich; charge to pastor, Rev. Mr. Scribner; right hand of fellowship, Rev. E. H. Prescott, New Hampton; charge to church, Rev. J. B. Davis, Meredith. Mr. Wiggin retired in April, 1886.
In July, following the retirement of Mr. Wiggin, Rev. Robert D. Frost became pastor and remained nine months, retiring in April, 1887. Mr. Frost was born in Sugar Grove, Ill., Oct. 15, 1846. He was graduated from Hillsdale college, March, 1873; from Bates, 1881, and ordained at Dover in Feb- ruary, 1874. March 18, 1874, he sailed for India as a missionary and returned in March, 1876. His pastorates before coming to Bristol were Limerick, Me., and Grafton, Mass. From Bristol he went to Block Island, R. I.
Rev. William A. Nealy assumed the pastoral care of this church in June, 1888, and he continued the work till declining health compelled him, in January, 1890, to tender his resignation, to take effect Feb. I. He died June 28, following. Mr. Nealy was a most devoted and faithful man and he spared not himself to minister to his people. Mr. Nealy studied at Green Mountain seminary, and was ordained to the Christian ministry Dec. 22, 1872. Before coming to Bristol he was pastor of the Freewill Baptist church at Franklin, Vt .; Putnam, N. Y .; East Orange and Topsham, Vt .; Tiverton and Arlington, R. I.
Rev. J. W. Thomas succeeded Mr. Nealy. Mr. Thomas was ordained by the Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut conference in 1866, before he had reached the age of twenty years. He labored with marked success among the churches of southern Massachusetts till 1877, when he went to the Pacific coast on account of his health, and became connected with the Golden Gate association of the Free Baptists. In 1890, he came east, and in August of that year assumed the pastoral care of this church and continued till May, 1894. Mr. Thomas was an efficient and faithful worker, and did good service for this church. He was ably assisted by Mrs. Thomas, who was an excellent gospel singer. She also took charge of the social meetings and filled the desk on the sabbath when her husband
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could not be present. Since leaving Bristol, Mr. Thomas has filled pastorates at Brunswick, Me., and Rockland, Me. He is now living in Roxbury, Mass.
The church edifice was further improved in the spring of 1894, when the pews were reset, the orchestra placed at the right of the desk, carpets laid, colored glass windows put in, walls refrescoed, and the steeple rebuilt. The church was rededicated Thursday, June 28. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Geo. L. White, of New Hampton. Revs. G. O. Wiggin, David Calley and N. C. Lothrop, all former pastors, assisted in the service, and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. A. B. Meservey, Ph. D.
Rev. Simeon J. Weed commenced his services as pastor of this church May 1, 1895, and continued till March 31, 1897. Mr. Weed was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March II, 1854. He was ordained in September, 1877, and was settled over the Harrisburg, Ohio, church. His other pastorates before coming to Bristol were Jennersville and Dunnings Creek, Pa .; Cotton- wood, Ill., and Colebrook and Green, Ohio.
Rev. Albert W. Jefferson was pastor of this church from June 1, 1897, till Mar. 1, 1900. This was Mr. Jefferson's first pastorate. He was a fine scholar and an eloquent speaker, and the church made substantial gains during his pastorate. His retirement was a great loss to the church and the community. On Saturday evening, before his departure, a reception tendered him was largely attended and he was presented with a quilt con- taining the names of 500 people. On leaving Bristol, Mr. Jeffer- son assumed the pastorate of the Free Baptist church at Paw- tucket, R. I.
Rev. Taplin J. Winslade succeeded Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Winslade was born in London, Eng., in 1870, and came to the United States when twenty years of age. He took a course of study at the Gordon Missionary Training school in Boston and then labored for some years as an evangelist. He first preached as a supply for this church Mar. 8, 1900, and Mar. 27, follow- ing, a call was extended to him to become its pastor, which he accepted. Jan. 30, 1901, he was ordained in the Free Baptist church. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. Daniel On- stott, pastor of the Methodist church ; the sermon was by Rev. J. Franklin Babb, of Ashland; presentation of candidate, by Rev. F. L. Wiley, of Laconia ; prayer of consecration, by Rev. J. Erskine, of Meredith, who was joined in the laying on of hands, by Mr. Wiley and Rev. O. D. Patch, of Manchester ; charge and conferment were given by Mr. Patch ; the right hand of fellowship was extended by Mr. Davis ; address to the church, Rev. E. G. Eastman, of Meredith ; welcome to the field, Rev. John W. Savage, pastor of the Congregational church ; benedic- tion by Rev. Mr. Winslade. Mr. Winslade was an indomitable
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worker, and under his labors the attendance at church and the social meetings largely increased and that of the Sunday-school doubled. He closed his pastorate here June 30, 1902, and ac- cepted the pastorate of the church at Orr's Island, Me., and at the same time, began a course of theological study at Cobb Divinity school, Lewiston, Me. In October, following, he as- sumed the pastorate of the Free Baptist church at Lisbon Falls, Me., continuing his studies at Lewiston. Mr. Winslade was succeeded by Rev. H. E. Wilson, who is now serving this church.
MEMBERSHIP
In 1850, the membership of this church was reported as 34 ; in 1860, as 69 ; 1870, 70 ; 1880, 126 ; 1890, 107 ; 1895, 101 ; 1900, 100; 1902, 105.
PASTORS
David Calley, Oct. 3, 1848-May 1, 1849.
Francis P. Newell, May 1, 1849-May 18, 1850.
S. P. Fernald, May 18, 1850-September, 1853. David Calley, September, 1853-May 20, 1860. H. S. Sleeper, May 20, 1860-March, 1862.
David Calley, March, 1862-March, 1870. George J. Abbott, June 1, 1870-September, 1873. Lewis Malvern, September, 1873-March, 1876.
William C. Hulse, August, 1876-February, 1877. Nathan C. Lothrop, May, 1877-April, 1881. A. B. Sherwood, supplied four months. E. C. Clark, supplied four months. George O. Wiggin, April, 1882-April, 1886.
R. D. Frost, July, 1886-April, 1887.
W. A. Nealy, June, 1888-Feb. 1, 1890.
J. W. Thomas, August, 1890-May 1, 1894.
S. C. Eldridge, supplied a few months. George W. Sanborn, supplied 24 Sundays. S. J. Weed, May 1, 1895-Mar. 31, 1897.
Albert W. Jefferson, June 1, 1897-Mar. 1, 1900. Taplin J. Winslade, March, 1900-July 30, 1902. H. E. Wilson, Aug. 1, 1902.
DEACONS
Favor Locke, October, 1848-June, 1870. William Eaton, October, 1848-Sept. 1, 1852. Joseph Rollins, Sept. 1, 1852-June 1, 1870. Moses W. Favor, June 1, 1870, resigned. Nicholas T. Chase, June 1, 1870-Nov. 27, 1893. Everett J. Gordon, Aug. 1, 1901. Noah L. Sinclair, Aug. 1, 1901.
CHAPTER XXVI
ECCLESIASTICAL-CATHOLIC CHURCH
Shall I ask the brave soldier who fights by my side In the cause of mankind, if our creeds agree ? Shall I give up the friend I have valued and tried, If he kneels not before the same altar with me? -Moore.
The first Catholic service in Bristol was held by Rev. Father Timothy W. Coakley in 1888. At that time, there were within five miles of Bristol village, one hundred communicants of that faith. From that time, services were held monthly, or when- ever convenient. In January, 1900, Rev. Father Coakley be- came the resident pastor of these people. He estimated that there were in this vicinity, at that time, two hundred communi- cants. Father Coakley is a fine French and English scholar. He was educated at Phillips-Exeter academy, and at the Grand seminary in Montreal, where he was graduated in 1886, and at once entered the priesthood.
On coming to Bristol, Father Coakley at once took steps for the erection of a church. The site selected was the corner of School and Mayhew streets. Plans were drawn by Chickering & O'Connell, architects, of Manchester; work was commenced May 1, 1900, by the builder, Frank X. Laflamme, of Man- chester, and the church was completed in August, following. This church is 40 x 75 feet, and is provided with all modern conveniences. The ceiling and walls are finely frescoed. There are nine memorial windows, the chief one being that in the or- gan loft, which represents St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music. This was the gift of Rt. Rev. Dennis M. Bradley. The marble altar was the gift of Sisters of Mercy, Manchester. The seating capacity is three hundred. The entrance and anterooms for the officiating clergy are on Mayhew street, the balcony for the choir and bell tower on School street. It is called St. Timothy's Catholic church.
This church was dedicated Sunday, Aug. 23, 1900. The ex- ercises began by Low mass at 8 a. m., celebrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Bradley of Manchester, assisted by Rev. Father McGill, of St. Joseph's cathedral, Manchester, and Father Coakley. The High mass began at 10:30, and was sung by Rev. Father Finnegan, of Claremont, assisted by Mr. Burke, of Boston, and the regular choir of Ashland. At this mass, a serinion was
ST. TIMOTHY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
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preached by the Rt. Rev. Bishop, who took for his text the fol- lowing : "Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say unto you that many prophets and kings have de- sired to see the things that you see and have not seen them, and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them." The sermon was preceded by an address, in their native tongue, to the French people present.
Among the clergy in the sanctuary were Rev. Daniel W. Murphy, P. R., of Dover, and Rev. P. J. Finnegan, of Clare- mont. Rev. Father McGill ably assisted the choir in rendering Leonard's mass, and Miss Mary Little, of Ashland, was a valua- ble assistant to the choir. The organist was Mrs. W. P. Norris, of Ashland.
Immediately preceding the High mass came the dedicatory services of the church, with its various prayers, the exorcisms, the sprinkling with holy water, and other ceremonies, all point- ing to the withdrawal of the edifice from profane purposes to the sacred work of the church.
Father Coakley continued to reside in Bristol till May, 1901, when he removed to Enfield ; but Bristol is still included in his parish, and he holds services here monthly, or oftener, as occa- sion requires.
2I
CHAPTER XXVII
EDUCATIONAL
There in his noisy mansion, skilled to rule, The village master taught his little school.
-Goldsmith.
The proprietors of New Chester set aside one share, con- sisting of four lots of land of one hundred acres each, for the benefit of schools. These lots were No. 25, in the First Divi- sion, Nos. I and 37 in the Third Division, and No. 89 in the Fourth Division.
In 1775, an article was first inserted in the town warrant to see if the town would raise any money for schools. Instead of raising any, the town voted to sell the timber on Lot No. 37, for the benefit of schools. That a part of this timber was sold seems probable from the fact that, in 1784, it was voted to call in the money due for timber for the benefit of schools. In 1776, it was voted that "there should be money raised for schools"; but the record is silent as to how much, if any, was voted. In 1777, $40 was raised, and Peter Sleeper was made a coinmittee to hire a schoolmaster. This small amount appears to have been all the extra money raised for schools previous to 1785.
It is apparent that the people were not indifferent to the necessity for schools, and yet the difficulties in the way of their support were so great that one year passed without any school being held in the town. For this neglect a complaint was filed with the grand jury at the September term in 1785, and the town was indicted and fined fifteen shillings and four pence. As trivial as this fine may appear, the town discharged the addi- tional burden in two annual payments.
In December, following the indictment of the town, a town meeting was held, and $60 was voted for schools. Thomas Crawford, Ensign Reuben Wells, and Carr Huse were made a committee to hire schoolmasters and mistresses. At the annual meeting in March, 1786, a like sum was raised, and the next year eighteen pounds. In 1788, $80 was voted, payable in In- dian corn, grain, or neat stock, and the next year twenty pounds was raised, payable in the same way. In1 1790, twenty pounds was again voted, and a committee was elected consist- ing of Theophilus Sanborn, Cutting Favor, and John Smith to look after the pine timber on the school lots. From the first
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EDUCATIONAL
settlement of the town, depredations were committed on all the public lots, thus constantly annoying the people.
Lot No. 37, in the Third Division, was next west of the mill lot on Smith's river, extending on both sides of the stream a long way westward. In 1778, Joshua Tolford, the owner of the mills on this stream, asked the privilege of flowing this lot, and it was voted at the town meeting that year, "that Joshua Tol- ford, Esq., Should have a Privilege of Flowing a Part of the School Lot at the Lower End of the Town By his Giving an obligation not to Damnify Sd Lot But the Sd Tolford is not to Flow Sd Lot if it Does Damnify it."
In January, 1791, the timber on this lot was sold at auction, in lots of ten thousand feet each. The advertisement for the sale was as follows :
New Chester, 24 Jany, 1791.
To be sold by us Subscribers this Day at Public Vendue the whole or part of the pine timber on the School Lot in New Chester, to be struck off to the highest bidder the Conditions of sale are as follows Said Tim- ber Shall be Sold by the Thousand and the pay shall be in Corn three shillings rye four or wheat five or neat stock at that reckoning first the highest bidder shall be the purchaser. 2d the purchaser shall have thirteen months to Move Said Timber, thirdly the pay shall be made in thirteen months from the Sale and fourthly wee in our Capacity engage the purchasers liberty and privilege to Cut and Carry off what they shall purchase provided it is within thirteen months and We in our Capacity Bind our Selves in the Penal sum of fifty pounds Lawful money for the proper performance of the above articles &c.
Theophilus Sanborn, John Smith, Committee. Theophilus Sanborn, Vendue master. John Smith, Clerk.
N. B. the above purchasers are to Cut and Carry off pines that will make a board 13 inches wide.
Seven lots of ten thousand feet each and two lots of twenty thousand each were sold at the uniform price of two shillings and three pence per thousand. Joshua Tolford, John Smith, Joseph Hoyt, Jonathan Merrill, Elijah Sanborn, and John Colby were the purchasers.
Two months after this sale, the town voted to sell a lease of the lot for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and it was sold at auction April 8th of that year. This lot was then described as an "exceedingly good lot. of land with a good privilege for mills upon Smith's river, which runs across the whole width of said lot, Lying on Coos road with a large quantity of good white pine timber with a considerable quantity of intervale with good upland well situated for a farm containing 105 acres." The conditions of this sale were that the interest on the purchase money was to be paid annually in gold or silver, grain or neat
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
stock; that the principal was to be paid as soon as the pur- chaser desired, and that the purchaser was to have no right to the timber sold at auction till the thirteen months had expired. The lot was sold to John Smith for $398.33.
These sales provided a prospective income to the town for the benefit of schools, and evidently stimulated the interest in education. The same year the town voted $150 for schools, payable in grain ; but the next year, when the interest money began to be available, the town voted to raise by taxation only such an amount as the law required. After this date, small sums were voted each year till 1799, when again the vote was not to raise any school money.
The collection of interest due the town was the source of much trouble, both at this time and for many years later. In 1797, a committee was elected with power to bring suits for its collection.
The school advantages of these years were indeed meagre. The schools were held at private houses in various parts of the town, as was most convenient, no district lines existing, and the scholars traveled long distances to attend. The schoolmasters were usually residents of the town and their availability was evi- dently as much considered as was their fitness for the position.
New Chester was first divided into school districts in 1795, the selectmen being a committee for this purpose. They divided the town into seven districts as follows :
No. I. From the Franklin line through Hill village to the southerly line of Cutting Favor's farm.
No. 2. From Cutting Favor's south line to the northern slope of New Chester mountain, including Profile Falls, called the "Mountain District."
No. 3. From the north line of the Mountain district to Newfound river.
No. 4. Southern part of Hill west of District No. I.
No. 5. Hill Center.
No. 6. Burrough and Murray hill.
No. 7. All that part of the town lying west of Newfound river and lake.
The earliest name mentioned as a schoolmaster is that of Truman Sawyer, who taught two months in 1786 in the "lower district"- Hill village. He also taught two months in other parts of the town, presumably in what is now Bristol and Bridge- water. Nathaniel Merrill taught three months in the winter of 1788-9, a part of the time in the "lower district." Samuel Woodman was schoolmaster on Hemp hill in 1788, while Ed- ward Flint taught in various parts of the town for twelve years or more previous to 1800. From 1789 to 1795, Allen Minor, Benjamin French, Benjamin Emerson, Nathaniel Howe, and Onesiphorus Page each taught one term or more in the Mountain
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EDUCATIONAL
district. One of these teachers boarded with Sherburn San- born, and another with Cutting Favor. In the winter of 1792-3, the school in the Mountain district was of two months' duration, and in 1794 it was of the same length in the lower district. Other persons that appear as having taught previous to 1800 are Caleb Welch, Samuel Woodman, Stephen Moses, Elias Howard, "Master" Hobbs, "Master" Forbes, Edward Evans, Samuel Wells, William Gale, and "Master" Bowers who received $16 for teaching two months. In 1800, Betsey Sleeper was paid $12 for teaching three months, and $7.34 was paid for her board for the same time.
It was a common practice for the teacher to collect his pay directly from the taxpayer. Here are some receipts and orders showing the manner of doing the business connected with the schools :
New Chester, Mar. 17, 1787.
Then received of Carr Huse and Thomas Huse ten shillings and three pence which is in full for their school tax for the year 1787 which is in full for their part for seven months and six days schooling in New Ches- ter. I say received in full per me.
Edward Flint, school master.
To Carr Huse :
Please pay to my father, Joseph Flint, the sum of two pounds and fourteen shillings in corn or grain and you will greatly oblige your friend, Edward Flint.
March 13, 1789.
New Chester, Mar. 18, 1788.
Received of Nathaniel Sanborn five shillings & eight pence L M for the school tax that was made the year 1787 Received by me. Edward Flint.
New Chester, Mar. 18, 1793.
To John Smith, Esq., please to pay unto Thomas Huse twenty two Shillings & three pence L M to be paid in corn or grain it being for his boarding School Master Karr for the Lower District in New Chester five weeks and four Days & his Receipt Shall be your Discharge for the Same and we will allow it to you out of what is coming to the town from you for the interest Due and for the pay for the timber Sold off the School lot.
Carr Huse, Selectmen
William Murray, of Theophilus Sanborn, ) New Chester
New Chester, Mar. 18, 1792.
Then received of Ephraim Webster the sum of six shillings being for his school tax for the year 1787. I Say Received by me.
Edward Flint.
Feb. 21, 1788.
Received of Mr. Alexander Craig Seven Shillings and six pence towards his School Rate it being for one week's Schooling as Witness my hand.
Samuel Woodward.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
With such methods as these in vogue it is not strange that the school taxes were soon in an inextricable tangle. As the only way out of the difficulty, it was voted to wipe out all unpaid school taxes assessed previous to 1788.
In 1800, New Chester for the first time elected a school committee for each district to hire teachers. This committee was as follows : District No. 1, Carr Huse ; No. 2, Cutting Favor ; No. 3, Peter Sleeper ; No. 4, John Brown ; No. 5, Thomas Favor ; No. 6, William Murray ; No. 7, Samuel Sleeper.
In '1795, it was voted that each district should build its own schoolhouse and keep it in repair. This vote was repeated the next year, and in 1797 the town passed, without action, an article to see if the town would build a schoolhouse in each district. In 1801, however, the town voted to raise $400 for schoolhouses. It would thus seem that no schoolhouses existed in town at this latter date. In 1802, the district lines were changed, making nine districts instead of seven. From 1801 till 1805, $1,300 was raised and expended on schoolhouses.' A building committee, one for each district, consisted of Carr Huse, John Merrill, Daniel Sanborn, Jr., John Wadleigh, Capt. Phineas Sargent, William Murray, Philip Ferrin, Moses Watts, and Jonathan Dickerson. After these schoolhouses were completed, each dis- trict was left to maintain its own school buildings.
With the erection of schoolhouses, a new era dawned on the educational advantages of the town. From 1803 till 1819, when the town was again divided, from $200 to $500 was raised each year for schools, and longer and better schools was the result.
In 1811, for the first time, a superintending committee of three was elected, and this committee was continued each year thereafter.
BRIDGEWATER
At the first town meeting in Bridgewater, Mar. 10, 1789, nine pounds was raised for the support of schools in addition to what the law required. In 1794, a petition to divide the town into districts was considered, but the only action taken was to divide the upper part of the town into two districts. In 1796, however, a committee of seven was elected to divide the town into school districts. This committee consisted of Moses Sleeper, Benjamin Emmons, Daniel Morse, Benjamin Boardman, Daniel Sleeper, Jacob Gurdy, and John Harriman. The districts estab- lished were as follows :
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