USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Canterbury > History of the town of Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1727-1912, v. 1 > Part 32
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Following close upon this expression of the Canterbury church of a trained clergy is a resolution of deep appreciation of the gratu- itous service of Elder Jeremiah Clough and a letter of approbation and recommendation to David M. Clough "to improve his gift."
333
BUILDING A NEW MEETING HOUSE.
The next year the thoughts of the congregation were turned to the subject of a new meeting house. Their sanctuary was nearly half a century old, having been completed in 1803. The society was then weak in numbers and few of its members were in more than comfortable circumstances. Now there were connected with the church several very prosperous farmers. The first meet- ing house was inadequate and out of repair. In addition to the necessity for a new building, agitation had already begun for the formation of a second Freewill Baptist society in Canterbury, with the meeting house to be located at the Center. This would divide the present church, and a new place of worship would have a tendency to attract to the later organization.
At the annual meeting in 1851 a committee consisting of David M. Clough, George W. Peverly, Edward Osgood, James H. Her- rick and John Fletcher was appointed to consider the question of building a new church. The structure was to be completed at a cost of $1,400, to be obtained by subscription, the subscribers to be reimbursed from the sale of the pews. The subscriptions were as follows:
George W. Peverly $200.00
Benjamin Cate
$25.00
David M. Clough.
200.00
Gordon Maxfield
25.00
Jeremiah Clough
200.00
William P. Small
25.00
John Kezer
200.00
Joseph Whitney
25.00
Edward Osgood
100.00
D. W. Whittemore 25.00
David Towle
50.00
Stephen Moore. 25.00
James H. Herrick.
50.00
David Morrill, Jr.
25.00
Abiel F. French
25.00
True W. Hill
25.00
W. Y. Hill
25.00
Samuel Hill
12.50
John Fletcher 25.00
Otis Hill
12.50
Josiah S. Fletcher
25.00
John S. James
12.50
George Brown
25.00
Moody Emery
25.00
John Ingalls
25.00
$1,412.50
The old meeting house was sold to John Kezer for $30 and moved about fifteen rods to the east, being finally converted into a horse shed for the accommodation of members of the church. The new building "was raised" June 22, 1852, with appropriate exer- cises, and the record recites that this was done "without accident or harm to any one." Perhaps the significance of this notation is in the fact that the Freewill Baptists of Canterbury had already frowned upon the use of intoxicating liquors. Prior to this time no "raising" of a building was undertaken without a copious supply of ardent spirits to cheer on the workers. There is no
334
HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
record of any dedicatory services when the church was completed, but apparently it was ready for occupancy early in 1853.
The division of that part of the parsonage fund which had been surrendered earlier to the Baptists occurred in 1853 after a series of conferences between the two societies in Canterbury. Both organizations agreed to vote one fifth of their annual income for the benefit of their members who worshiped at the Union Meet- ing House at Hill's Corner so long as the latter maintained serv- ices half the time. In 1869 this allowance was discontinued, those connected with the East Monthly Meeting having failed to comply with the conditions of the contribution.
In 1858 the Oak Hill Monthly Meeting in Northfield requested the privilege of organizing a church and those who desired to join the new society were dismissed.
Several times between 1853 and 1865 Elder Jeremiah Clough asked to be relieved of the care of his pastorate, but, at the urgent desire of the church, he continued his labors. In 1857 Elder Joseph Clough was elected as his assistant. Failing health finally compelled the former to relinquish his charge and he was formally dismissed as pastor May 5, 1865. Elder George W. Richardson was chosen his successor. The latter continued in charge for two years, when Elder Jeremiah Clough was asked to occupy the pulpit "as much as his health will permit." At the annual meeting in June, 1867, the standing committee was author- ized to supply the desk. The records seem to indicate that Elder Jeremiah Clough continued to be recognized as the pastor of the church for some years after, and perhaps he sustained this rela- tion until his death. When the annual meeting was held in 1874, the society "voted to pay Elder Alpheus D. Smith $15 for past services," and a larger sum was voted to him in subsequent years. In 1877 "Mr. Smith's preaching and work were com- mended by resolution. Under date of July 30, 1879, the clerk makes the following record:
"Elder Jeremiah Clough died. His funeral was largely attended at the church August first. He has been for many years a member of this church and its preacher and pastor for a long time. He came to his grave full of years and good works. We shall greatly miss him."
Brief as is the foregoing tribute, it is still most expressive of the life and character of Elder Jeremiah Clough. Kindling in all a
335
ELDER JOHN CHAMBERLAIN.
warm affection by his many kindly deeds as citizen, neighbor and friend, beloved by his people for his continued sacrifices in their behalf, he indeed came to his grave "full of years and good works." He was not only missed by the church to whom he ministered so faithfully and so long, but by the people of the whole town to whom his daily life of helpfulness to his fellowmen was an abiding memory.
An occasional preacher at this church was Elder John Cham- berlain, son of Dea. John A. Chamberlain of Canterbury. The former was ordained in 1858, the services being held in the grove near the Oak Hill school house in Northfield and witnessed by more than fifteen hundred people. This was the same year that the members of the Oak Hill Monthly Meeting had asked to be dismissed from the church in Canterbury to organize the society in Northfield. Elder Chamberlain was first settled over a society in Penacook which he had been instrumental in starting. When the Civil War broke out, however, nearly all the male mem- bers followed him to the front and the church became extinct. After the war, he preached at Canterbury, Meredith, Lisbon, Stark, Gilmanton, Salisbury and Northfield.
He was an evangelist of uncommon power. The year follow- ing his ordination he traveled nearly 5,000 miles, preaching on an average one sermon every day. His opportunities in youth for an education were limited, but he was an omnivorous reader. Having a wonderful memory, he stored his mind with useful information. A close observer of men and events, he was a good judge of human nature. "His sermons were well arranged," says one of his contemporaries, "copiously illustrated and deliv- ered with much pathos. His strong individuality made him seem a bit eccentric in methods and manners, but he was abundant in good works along all ordinary lines of ministerial effort, and he did a good service for humanity that few of his brethren were furnished by nature to accomplish." In the pulpit Elder Cham- berlain had the appearance of deep solemnity and of a preacher terribly in earnest, yet he did not hesitate to illumine his sermons by anecdotes that drew smiles to the faces of his hearers.
In 1885 the death of Edward Osgood left the church without any deacon, and George W. Fletcher and Myron C. Foster were elected to this office. The church statistics that year show that
.
336
HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
there were twenty-nine resident members and thirty-seven non- resident, with a Sabbath School numbering forty-five. The soci- ety had a permanent fund of $1,605, to which were added legacies from Susannah Kezer of $500 and from Joseph Moore of $5.
The death of Edward Osgood was a great loss to the society. For thirty years he had been its clerk and for fifteen years one of the deacons of the church. Tributes to his memory were paid at a meeting held June 6, 1885. One of the resolutions adopted stated truthfully that, "The wisdom and ability which he exer- cised by cheerful counsel, earnest service and liberal gifts will be held in grateful remembrance by his associates."
After the death of Elder Jeremiah Clough in 1879, the care of the church fell to Elder Alpheus D. Smith, who continued as its leader until his death February 9, 1886. Like many of his con- temporaries in the Freewill Baptist ministry, Elder Smith was a self-educated man. His thoughts turned to preaching when he was still young, and he delivered his first sermon when he was twenty-one years of age. After filling various pastorates accept- ably, he came to Canterbury in 1874 and there married for his second wife Mrs. Mary E. Clough. The closing years of his life were devoted to the interests of the church and Kezer Semi- nary. Conscientious and earnest, his labors both as a pastor and a citizen contributed materially to the benefit of the town. Like his predecessors in the pulpit of this church, Elder Smith's work was largely gratuitous from a sense of duty and a love for his fellowmen. He was highly esteemed by the people of Canterbury.
The society now had difficulty not only in securing a pastor, but also in keeping its pulpit supplied. The women of the church, however, volunteered to conduct Sunday services, and for the next few years sermons were read by them whenever a preacher could not be secured. Those who participated in these lay serv- ices were Mrs. Mary E. Smith, Mrs. Frank Fletcher, Mrs. Nellie Peverly, Mrs. Almira J. Sargent, Miss Charla E. Clough, Miss Christiana Clough, Miss Sarah Glines and Miss Belle Davis.
Between 1886 and 1892, the pulpit was supplied part of the time by Rev. F. L. Wiley and by Walter J. Malvern, the latter being at the time a theological student at New Hampton Institution. Charles H. Ayers of Canterbury preached one Sun- day, and during the year 1892 sermons were read twenty-three
.
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337
PROVIDING A PARSONAGE.
Sabbaths. The desk was occupied from 1893 to 1895 by Rev. Herbert W. Small, who at the same time was discharging the duties of principal of Kezer Seminary. The immediate successors of Mr. Small were Rev. G. T. Griffin, Rev. L. E. Hall and Rev. John Vance, the latter serving the church as its pastor from the summer of 1900 to March, 1906. Until October following sermons were read by Miss Christiana Clough and Mrs. Almira J. Sar- gent. Then Rev. Dyer M. Phillips was engaged as the regular minister, and he has continued to fill the pulpit to the present time.
In 1890 the question of providing a parsonage came up for consideration. A committee consisting of George W. Fletcher, Myron C. Foster, Alonzo B. Lovering, Moses M. Emery and Charles F. Adams was appointed to raise funds and select a suitable location. In June, 1893, the home of Austin S. Bronson was purchased for $1,300. The principal contributors were Christiana Clough, Mrs. Mary E. Smith, Charla E. Clough, the Baptist and Kezer Union, George W. and Hattie C. Fletcher, Moses M. Emery, Mrs. Charlotte Osgood and George W. Arm- strong of Boston, the latter giving in memory of his mother and aunts.
At the annual meeting in 1906, the treasurer, Christiana Clough, reported eighty years of continuous service in this office by her father, Elder Jeremiah Clough, and herself. Following in the footsteps of her father, she has been a generous contributor for the support of the church, her latest benefaction being the general repair of the parsonage.
In May, 1907, the society received a legacy of $950 from the estate of William Maxfield. Its permanent funds now amount to $2,555. From the income of these and from voluntary offerings the church is able to maintain regular preaching.
23
CHAPTER XV.
A SECOND FREEWILL BAPTIST SOCIETY.1 MEMBERS. A "FREE MEETING HOUSE." ITS DESTRUCTION BY FIRE. NO SETTLED PASTOR. EFFORTS TO UNITE WITH THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCI- ETY IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. LATER COOPERATION.
On the lot south of Mrs. Albert F. Drew's house at the Center stood at one time a Freewill Baptist meeting house. The first gathering of this society was held at the dwelling house of Joseph M. Harper on Monday, the sixth day of March, 1848, at which time a constitution was adopted. Laban Morrill was chosen moderator; Joseph Clough, clerk; Joseph M. Harper, treasurer; and Nathan Emery, Jr., Thomas Clough and Charles H. Ayers, an executive committee. Immediately afterwards there appeared in the New Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette the following notice:
"We, Joseph M. Harper, Joseph Clough, Laban Morrill, Nathan Emery, Jr., Joseph Ayers, Thomas Clough and Charles H. Ayers, all of Canterbury etc. and our associates and successors hereby form ourselves into a religious society for the purpose of promoting the cause of Christianity, by the name and style of the First Freewill Baptist Society in Canterbury."
A house of worship had been erected four years before, prob- ably in the summer or fall of 1844, as the records of the Merri- mack County Mutual Fire Insurance Company show a premium note of $60 signed by Joseph M. Harper, "by order of the building committee," and it is marked "Meeting House in Canterbury." Who were the contributors to the expense of erecting this build- ing the society records do not show, but the original society members were those whose names appear in the published call. A notation, made by the clerk, March 27, 1851, states that on this date the name of Thomas Clough was erased at his request.
1 The only distinction between the titles of the two Baptist societies in Canterbury is that the one in the Baptist School District is known as the First Freewill Baptist Church of Canterbury and the one at the Center is known as the First Freewill Baptist Society of Canterbury.
339
A SECOND FREEWILL BAPTIST SOCIETY.
How soon additions were made to the membership does not appear, but the following were admitted and enrolled upon the records:
Abiel Cogswell, Jeremiah Cogswell, Edward Osgood, William M. Cogswell, Dudley Hill, John Chamberlain, Samuel Huckins, Albert B. Clough, Benjamin McClary, Charles H. Fellows, James S. Elkins, Roxie J. Morrill, Elbridge G. Chase, Frank W. Morrill, Dan W. Morrill, Charles Glines, Joseph C. Sanborn, Charles W. Emery, William F. Sargent, Henry L. Clough, George W. Richardson, Joseph P. Dearborn, E. P. Carter, Sarah J. Miller, George P. Morrill, George W. Lake, Lorrain T. Weeks, Benjamin Morrill, Solomon M. Clifford, Moses Worthen, Plumer Chesley, William P. Small, Thomas L. Whidden, Eliphalet Gale, Jonathan K. Taylor, Beniah S. Cawley, Josiah B. Higgins, Edward P. Dyball, Milo S. Morrill.
It will be seen that these members were from all parts of the town, several being from the Hill's Corner school district. It was not, therefore, for the sole convenience of those attending its services that this society was formed and its meeting house built at the Center. The records of both this society and that in the Baptist School District show conferences between the two from 1849 to 1853 regarding the division of that part of the par- sonage fund which at an early date had been allotted to the Baptists of Canterbury. It seems that this fund was in the hands of the treasurer of the society at the Center at the time of the formation of this later organization. There does not appear in the records of either society to have been any differ- ence of opinion as to the proportion each was to receive, but there was a contention over the wording of the resolutions adopted providing for the division of the funds, and apparently an apprehension that the action taken might be construed as embracing more than this one subject. The final settlement is thus set forth:
"The First Freewill Baptist Church and the First Freewill Bap- tist Society in Canterbury, also the West Monthly Meeting, mutu- ally agree to settle forever by way of compromise all difficulties and disputes between them growing out of the money they hold as parsonage or church funds as follows, namely:
"The treasurer of the Society to pay over to the treasurer of the Church two hundred dollars and interest from the first day of April 1853, which with the funds they now hold shall
340
HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
be forever for the use and benefit of those who worship at the Freewill Baptist Center Meeting House.1
"The understanding is that both branches of the fund are for the sole use and benefit of the people called Freewill Baptists, and that each party, church or society holding the same shall pay over to any person authorized to receive it one fifth part of their annual income for the benefit of those who worship at the Union Meeting House in the east part of the town2 so long or whenever they shall so keep up a Freewill Baptist meeting there one half of the time.
"Before collecting the fifth the treasurers shall deduct what they have to pay the yearly or quarterly meeting for assess- ments made by them on the church or churches if divided; the assessment to be paid in the ratio six bears to seven, that is the church to pay seven while the society pays six.
"And it is further understood and agreed that the West Monthly Meeting have no further claim on the old church funds, whether the church should be hereafter divided or not."
Then follows a copy of the receipt dated April 1, 1853, and signed by Jeremiah Clough, treasurer of the Freewill Baptist Church, acknowledging the payment to him of two hundred dollars by Joseph M. Harper, treasurer of the Freewill Baptist Society.
At the annual meeting in 1854, David M. Clough for the church and Joseph M. Harper for the society made a supplemen- tary report which states that nothing in the action of the above bodies in dividing the parsonage fund "shall be so construed as to effect anything further than simply a division of the funds, other matters, if any, embraced therein being left out."
What the other differences were, or from what cause arising, the records of neither of these Baptist organizations show. The reason for the promotion of this second Baptist society is equally obscure. The motto over the pulpit was, "If the Son, therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." The pews were free to all and no contribution was asked of the people attending service. There was no church organization as distinct from that of the society. It is therefore probable that a desire for freedom from the regulations of older Baptist churches led to the formation of this religious body.
1 The church edifice at what is now known as the Center in Canterbury is called in the records "the Free Meeting House," while that in the Baptist neighborhood is referred to as "the Center Meeting House."
2 At Hill's Corner.
341
A SECOND FREEWILL BAPTIST SOCIETY.
Misfortune early attended the second Baptist Society in the destruction of its place of worship by fire. This occurred some- time between January 18, 1853, when a meeting was called to take into consideration "the propriety of erecting horse sheds near said meeting house," and February 26, 1853, when the records of the Merrimack County Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany show that the company voted "to pay Joseph M. Harper two thirds of his interest in the Free Meeting House recently burned." No attempt was made to rebuild, but the society has kept up its organization to the present time, worshiping in the halls at the Center for the most part until the last decade.
Ministers were engaged soon after the meeting house was built but no settled pastor was ever installed. In 1849 it was voted to pay one dollar a day for preaching. This compensation was doubled within the next ten years. Like the early pay of school teachers, the gratuity voted the minister included his board while he remained in town, unless he was a resident. The itiner- ant Baptist preachers came with their teams on Saturday and preacher and horse were cared for over the Sabbath. Then they departed, unless the church desired them to hold protracted meetings during the week following.
Perhaps the earliest preacher heard by this society was the Rev. Edmund B. Fairfield, who preached in this neighborhood in 1847-48 before the society was organized. The Rev. Samuel T. Catlin filled the desk in 1849 and the Rev. Plumer Chesley in 1852-53. Elder Preble preached certain Sundays, probably once a month, from 1855 to 1860, receiving at the latter date two dollars per Sunday. From 1865 to 1868 there is a record of the payment of the Rev. George W. Richardson for preaching. He was at the time the pastor of the other Baptist Church. From 1869 to 1877 the Rev. Josiah B. Higgins supplied the pulpit about a fourth of the time at a compensation of a hundred dollars a year. He may have served for a longer period.
This Baptist Society appears to have worshiped in the Congre- gational Church at the Center as early as 1863, for the records show that allotments for "the care of the meeting house" were made from that date until 1877. Ten years later an effort was made to unite the Baptist and Congregational Societies in the support of public worship. A public meeting was held early in
342
HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.
the year 1887 at which this proposition was considered, and the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
"Whereas-it occurs in the Providence of God that for the first time in many years this parish is without a resident pastor and is dependent upon aid from without, and
"Whereas-it is very desirable that a parish that has the religious and moral character as well as the wealth, intelligence and enterprise that this has should, for its own good and its own credit, have a minister within its limits, and
"Whereas-all denominations worshipping here are practically in accord in their religious belief and ministers of different names have worked together harmoniously for a number of years past, and
"Whereas-neither of the two leading denominations is able alone to support a resident pastor properly, but if all were to unite for the support of one a reasonable salary could easily be raised, and
"Whereas-a large majority of those who attend church here are in favor of union of effort, Therefore,
"Resolved that it is the sense of this meeting that the best interests of this community require that all denominations should unite upon some one man who shall minister to us in holy things and shall be our pastor, teacher and friend and that we cordially and heartily support him.
" Resolved that we respectfully ask the two societies, Congre- gational and Freewill Baptist, to call meetings and take such action as may be necessary to secure the services of some minister of the Gospel."
A copy of the foregoing was sent to Jeremiah Cogswell, clerk of the Freewill Baptist Society, by Joseph G. Clough, clerk of the meeting, in a letter dated February 14, 1887. The Baptist Society was called together March 7 following to take action. A committee consisting of Charles H. Ayers, Charles W. Emery, Jonathan K. Taylor and Jeremiah Cogswell were appointed to confer with a like committee of the Congregational Society. At an adjourned meeting held March 17 the committee of the Baptist Society reported "that under all the circumstances no agreement to unite could be made." This report was accepted.
Although this effort failed, it did not discourage the promoters, for in 1891 the Baptist Society "voted one hundred dollars toward hiring the Rev. Irving W. Coombs a part of the year, provided the Congregational Society will furnish a sum sufficient to hire him the balance of the year." Mr. Coombs was at that time the
343
A SECOND FREEWILL BAPTIST SOCIETY.
pastor of the Congregational Society. This arrangement was completed and continued until 1895.
At the annual meeting of the Congregational Society in 1899 it was "voted that the Baptist Society could occupy the Congre- gational Meeting House Sunday afternoons when not otherwise used."
The present officers of this Baptist Society are Jeremiah Cogs- well, clerk, and Albert B. Clough, treasurer.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE WORSTED CHURCH AT HILL'S CORNER. ESTABLISHED FOR
JOINT USE OF CONGREGATIONALISTS AND BAPTISTS. THE COM- ING OF MRS. MONMOUTH. HER DECORATION OF THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AND HER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY. LOSS OF HER PROPERTY AND HER LAST DAYS.
Situated on the brow of the hill, as one comes from the Shak- ers and descends into the village of Hill's Corner, is the Worsted Church, so called. Seldom used at the present time, it repre- sents the efforts of a generation seventy years ago to main- tain regular religious services in this part of the town. It was erected as a union church for the use of all denominations, although the Baptists and Congregationalists predominated in this community. The old "Shell Church" at Hackleborough had been destroyed and the nearest churches in town were the Baptist Meeting House and the Congregational Church at the Center. The prime mover in the enterprise to build a house of worship at Hill's Corner was Amos Cogswell, who was a member of both the Congregational and Baptist Societies in town. The undertaking was started by the Freewill Baptists who put up the frame and boarded the building. Their funds being ex- hausted, a proposition to make it a union church was made and accepted. The Congregationalists then contributed to the completion of the structure. Lumber and labor were un- doubtedly freely given by the inhabitants of this school district, but the larger expense connected with the erection of the church was met by the sale of pews after it was finished. Nearly all of the well-to-do families in this section of the town owned pews, and there appears to have been no dissenting voice in the com- munity to the spirit promoting the movement. The build- ing was completed in 1839. The Congregationalists organized as the Second Congregational Society of Canterbury, the prin- cipal members being at that time members of the Congregational Society at the Center who were regularly dismissed for the purpose of organizing the society at Hill's Corner.
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