USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 11
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The convention proceeded, and in its report severely censured the pastor and church for their action, and "openly declared that they could not recognize said church as a church of Christ, and that they felt themselves in duty bound to withdraw com- munion and renounce fellowship with them in the special ordinances of the Gospel until they shall be restored to our char- ity by visible repentance."
This church was never again received to the fellowship of the other churches. Reverend Mr. Wellman continued to preach un- til October, 1785, when the churches of Claremont and Charles- town convened in council at Cornish and dissolved the pastoral relation of Reverend Mr. Wellman to the church and town.
Thus terminated the existence of the First Congregational Church in Cornish. Her light went out in darkness after a brief existence of seventeen years and six months. The number of members received to full communion during this time was sixty- four. To half-way communion, forty-two.
The town had been divided (in June, 1781), into east and west parishes by an act of the Legislature upon petition of the citizens of Cornish to that effect. Attempts were afterwards made to establish two separate churches,-one in each parish. The
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Windsor association at first recommended this plan, but after- wards, October 14, 1800, retracted their former decision. A church was partially erected in the northwestern part of the town in 1787, but was never fully completed. Another was erected near the center of the town in 1788. The former was located on or near the farm of Nathaniel Johnson, and the latter on the John Morse farm, situated south, and several rods below the site where the Center Church was afterwards built. This latter was styled the "East Church."
On December 1, 1790, a council was convened at the North- west Meeting house, and Rev. Benjamin Bell was installed for the term of five years as pastor of the two churches in Cornish, beside preaching in Windsor. His services in Cornish were to be ren- dered at the Northwest Meeting house. The brethren of the East Church remonstrated and would not unite with their brethren of the Northwest Church. These two branches or churches soon began to realize the reproach they were bringing upon the Gospel of Christ by their visible estrangement from each other. Reverend Mr. Bell closed his labors in Cornish in April, 1795; and the two divisions or churches began to meet in conference, and proposals for reunion were made by cach and reasonably considered. Such confession and acknowledgments were rendered by individuals of both sections that a mutual agreement was made to unite in one body. This was publicly done December 13, 1795. Although thus formally united, they were not all of one heart and one mind.
In the fall of 1797 and the winter following, Rev. Siloam Short, a faithful and earnest minister of the Gospel, labored among them. The Holy Spirit descended in great power upon the church and community. This brought the church together, and also to its right mind, doing the very thing that brethren, ministers, councils, and associations had failed to accomplish. When "God spake it was done." The church came up from its dark state "beautiful as Tirzah." The brethren were humbled in their own sight. They came together of one accord. Four successive days they spent in prayer, in confession one to another and to the church, and in asking and receiving forgiveness of one another and the church. Converts unto righteousness were multiplied, and seventy-six were added to the church as the result of this gracious visitation of the Holy Spirit.
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The following year (1799), the church, now apparently united, and harmonious, erected a large and commodious house of worship upon the hill near the center of the town. It was the general place for worship for the greater part of the inhabitants of the town, with an average congregation of nearly eight hundred, and in some instances nearly or quite a thousand souls.
On September 24, 1800, Rev. Joseph Rowell was ordained and installed pastor of the church, which relation he maintained until April 1, 1828, when he was dismissed. The church enjoyed three precious seasons of revival during his ministry, and 157 individuals were converted and added to the church. (See Rowell.) November 29, 1828, Rev. Joseph W. Clary was installed pastor of the church for five years. He was born in Rowe, Mass., in 1786; graduated at Middlebury College in 1808; studied theology at Andover, Mass., and was installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Dover from 1812 to 1828. His ministry in Cornish was blessed by two revivals, one in 1829 and the other in 1831, and seventy-six were gathered into the church. He was dismissed in October, 1834.
On October 1, 1835, Rev. Alvah Spaulding was installed pastor of the church, which relation he maintained until February 7, 1865, when he was dismissed. Several seasons of revival were enjoyed during his pastorate. (See Spaulding Gen.) During his pastorate, the peace and harmony of the church was again disturbed. The meeting house on the hill was becoming old and uncomfortable, especially for the winter season, and the subject of locating and building a new house of worship absorbed the minds of the people. The church did not, and would not, agree upon the location of the new house of worship. Some wanted it built southwest of the church hill, while the larger number chose the interval lying north of the same. The majority prevailed, and the new meeting house, the present building, was built in 1841.
This action resulted in a division of the church, and the withdrawal of the minority from its fellowship. This included several families of influence and caused a sore loss to the church.
After a while the church seemed to recover from the effects of this trial; and her history since then has afforded few striking events, but rather a prolonged chapter of blessings.
Soon after the close of Reverend Mr. Spaulding's pastorate,
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Rev. Philander Bates became "acting pastor," serving the church nearly five years, or until December 28, 1870. He was born September 26, 1810, and died April 19, 1873. He was a graduate of Amherst College.
In May, 1871, Rev. Charles M. Palmer, from Harrisville, be- came pastor of the church. His connection with it ended in March, 1873, when he received a call from the church in Meriden, which he accepted. (See Palmer Gen.)
On December 17, 1874, Rev. James T. Jackson of Danbury, was ordained and installed pastor. In this capacity he served the church nearly twenty-two years, until failing health induced him to ask for a dismission. This was granted, and he removed to Merrimac, Mass., March 12, 1896. (See Jackson Gen.) His union with the church was a very happy and pleasant one both for pastor and people. Social and kind-hearted, he, with his equally gifted wife, endeared themselves to the people of their charge, as well as to all others by their kindly minis- trations. The Old People's Visit (which see), since so famous and popular, was originated by this worthy couple in August, 1877. Since the close of Reverend Mr. Jackson's pastorate the church has had no settled pastor, but only short terms of service, by "acting pastors." Chief among these were the Reverends Silas G. Tucker, Maurice J. Duncklee, Perley Grant, J. E. Heath, A. J. Bailey of Meriden and D. T. Davies.
It was on November 6, 1781, in the midst of solemn services in- cident to such occasions, that men of God, having due authority therefor, pronounced this "East Church of Cornish," a "Church of Jesus Christ." On November 9, 1881 (the sixth, being on Sunday), in the midst of Rev. James T. Jackson's pastorate, the church again assembled and celebrated its centennial with thank- fulness and joy. Invitations had been extended to all former pastors, officers and members then living, and a very gener- ous response was manifested. The season was a very enjoyable one,-a real home-gathering occupying the day and evening. The history of the church was given by the pastor and also by Rev. Joshua W. Wellman. Letters were read, and remi- niscences of great interest were given, interspersed by religious exercises and choice selections of music appropriate to the occasion.
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The Second Division.
The outcome of the minority that withdrew from the parent Congregational Church furnishes an interesting, though brief and sad chapter.
After the location of the present meeting house had been set- tled upon in 1841, and active measures adopted for building the same, a large and important portion of the church in the southern and western parts of the town felt aggrieved, and decided they could no longer remain in fellowship with the other portion. The "high hills" of separation arose between them. It was a grief to each portion, and especially so to the minority, but the "die had been east," the new house was being erected and these, feeling themselves ostracised from the main body, took counsel and agreed to associate themselves together and set up worship by themselves. Accordingly they called a meeting on June 4, 1841, and chose a committee to prepare articles of association. These were soon reported, and also a code of by-laws, all of which were adopted, and the new organization assumed the name of "The First Congregational Society of Cornish." Public-spirited men among them, at their own expense, erected a parsonage with vestry attached, during the first year. This they located near the junction of the two roads leading towards Windsor. This is the church parsonage building of the present day.
On the September following they took united action about building a new meeting house (42 x 56 ) on ground in the rear of the new parsonage, to be completed on or before November 1, 1842, and chose the necessary committee to carry out their plans.
The house was completed within the specified time. The pews were all engaged or sold and the horse sheds erected during the year. The avails from the sale of the pews were insufficient to meet the expenses incurred, thus leaving them considerably in debt. This they were never able to fully liquidate.
In 1843, they invited Rev. Rufus A. Putnam of Epsom to preach for them. Opposition from outside was soon manifested, but he was employed nevertheless, and preached for them until October 18, 1846, when he was dismissed.
The Sullivan County Association, having jurisdiction over all the Congregational churches in the county, had never looked with favor upon this offshoot from the main body. It was their
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mind that the members who withdrew in 1841 should have acquiesced with the will of the majority, hence their opposition to another and separate church in Cornish.
On the other hand, the new organization felt its cause to be just, and so moved vigorously forward, as if there was no opposi- tion. October 15, 1845, they met for the purpose of organizing a church to be connected with their society. This was affirmed by an unanimous vote and committees were appointed to perfect all necessary arrangements; they afterwards appointed November 11, 1845, as the day for convening a council and organizing the church. The numbers of the council present were not sufficient, therefore the event was postponed until December 10, 1845, when the council was present, and the church was organized and pronounced a religious church of Christ, and in fellowship with the churches of Christ. The first called meeting of the church was on January 29, 1846, when they voted that their name should be: "The Evangelical Congregational Church in Cornish."
The second meeting of the church was March 20, 1846, when it was voted that, under existing circumstances, it was advisable that the church receive to its membership all those having no letters of dismission from the parent church, as that body had refused to acknowledge them as a separate body.
About this time the Sullivan County Association assumed a more determined attitude against them. In the Congregational Journal of May 12, 1846, an account was published of the Association's proceedings against them stating that they refused to acknowledge this new church as one of their body. Its doom, as a church, was now sealed. It was compelled to die. This action of the Association called forth a lengthy and vig- orous protest from the church, in which they set forth in a very able manner their grievances and claims; but all to no use. The powers were against them. The following October, Rev- erend Mr. Putnam and wife were dismissed from the church, and no other preacher succeeded him, only as an occasional one may have chanced to render a service.
"Loving the Gates of Zion," the people often assembled in their new and beloved house of worship, sometimes having the benefit of preaching, but oftener otherwise. In this way matters continued until the 26th of December, 1850, when they voted "to
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give letters of recommendation to any and all of their members, desiring to unite with any other Evangelical Church.
This was the last meeting of the "Evangelical Congregational Church of Cornish."
"The First Congregational Society of Cornish," associated with said church, continued to exist (only in name) a little longer. Its last recorded meeting was held March 7, 1853, and signed by Jesse O. Wyman, clerk. The house was then closed.
Baptist Church.
Among those who first came to Cornish were individuals who believed in the principles and practice of the Baptist denomina- tion. These principles or tenets briefly stated, are:
(1) "Liberty of conscience. (2) That civil magistrates have no authority from God to regulate or control religion. (3) Bap- tism by immersion."
Reverends Jedediah Hibbard, Job Seamans, Abiel Ledoyt and several other missionary preachers of this persuasion occasionally visited the town, and aided in laying the foundation of a church of this order.
The church was duly organized July, 1789, in a barn owned by Moses Barrows, situated about forty rods southwest of the summit of "Furnald Hill" and about one mile northwest from where the church now stands. There were but nine mem- bers, Jonas and Zilpha Richardson, Moses and Elizabeth Barrows, Samuel and Rebecca Meekers, Nathaniel Dustin, Elizabeth Thompson and Charity Barrows. An addition of six members was made during the following year.
It was organized by Rev. Jedediah Hibbard, who became its first pastor. He held this position until 1796, preaching but a part of the time in Cornish, as his duties as a missionary preacher often called him abroad.
No records of the church have been preserved earlier than June 24, 1791. On this date the following votes were passed :
"1st That Bro. Richardson act as moderator to govern sd. meeting.
"2d Chose Moses Weld, standing Clerk.
"3d Chose Samuel Hibbard, Deacon.
"4th Chose Elder Hibbard, standing moderator.
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"5th Voted that Deacon Hilliard act as moderator in the absence of Elder Hibbard.
"6th Voted to Commune the third Sunday in every second month."
On the 17th of September, 1791, the following record was made:
"1st Voted to join the Woodstock Vt. Association, with their consent.
"2d Chose Elder Hibbard, Deacon Hilliard, John Weld and Moses Weld messengers to said association.
"3d Chose Moses Weld to write a letter to the association from the church."
Their union with the Woodstock Association was effected, and they remained connected with it until 1828.
"On Sunday ye 2ª of October, 1791, the church pasd. the following vote: Chose Elder Hibbard, Dea. Samuel Hilliard and Bro. Moses Weld to sit in Council at Croydon on the 12th of October inst. for the purpose of installing Elder Abiel Ledoyt as pastor of the Baptist Church in Croydon."
July 3, 1792, the church expressed their "approbation that Dea. Samuel Hilliard should improve his gift in public."
"On Sept. 20, 1792, John Weld was chosen deacon and Moses Weld as leader in singing. At the same time a committee was chosen to confer with the Plainfield Baptist Church in regard to supporting preaching together."
"May 3ª, 1794, voted to raise twenty pounds for preaching, each man paying according to his property."
"December 19, 1794, voted that the meetings be held at the center meetinghouse during the pleasure of the church."
During several of the first years, the church held its meetings in various places, generally in the families of its mem- bers; sometimes in the Center Church, and sometimes, in warm weather, in barns and groves. A building of one roof, standing near Arunah Burnap's house on the Flat, and bearing the unpoet- ical name of "Salt Box" was used for a considerable time as a house of worship.
March 4, 1797, a committee was appointed to confer with the Newport Baptist Church about joining it as a branch of said church. This project failed of success.
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After the close of Elder Hibbard's labors with the church, Dea. Samuel Hilliard performed the duties of a preacher, rendering acceptable service for some time, at one time receiving forty dollars compensation therefor.
In the year 1798 there was a great spiritual awakening in Cornish and Plainfield through the ministry of Rev. Siloam Short, an evangelist. Many were added to both Congregational and Baptist churches during this season.
On the 26th of December, 1798, the church voted to provide the first utensils for communion service at the expense of the church and chose Dea. John Weld to procure them.
February 13, 1799, the church voted "that it is the opinion of the church that we are not able to support preaching statedly the ensuing year." A vote on February 27, 1799, was passed to attempt to unite with the Congregationalists in joint worship, each paying their proportion for preaching. After careful con- sideration, this project was abandoned and the vote was recon- sidered July 11, 1799. Differences of opinion on this matter caused some alienation of feeling but on June 9, 1800, it was voted "to bury all unkind feelings and walk together in fellow- ship and brotherly love."
Thus every attempt to unite with other religious bodies failed.
In the year 1801, when numbering about thirty members, the church invited Elder Ariel Kendrick, who was about elosing a pastorate in Salisbury, to become their pastor. He accepted their invitation and came and continued as pastor for nearly twenty years. After this, still remaining in town, he supplied the pulpit in the interim between two or three succeeding pas- torates. He was a humble and unpretentious preacher, but well versed in Scripture and sound on the tenets of the sect. During his pastorate, the church enjoyed three seasons of revival,- thus strengthening her graces and adding many to her numbers. (See Kendrick Gen.)
In the year 1803, during the second year of Elder Kendrick's ministry, the church erected a new meeting house on the hill at the Center of the town, in close proximity to the Congrega- tional Church (already erected there in 1799). It remained there until the summer of 1818 when, for various reasons, it was taken down and removed to its present location on Cornish Flat. The dedication sermon of 1803 and the re-dedication sermon of
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1818 were both preached by Rev. Aaron Leland of Chester, Vt., from the same text: Gen. 28:17. Following the erection of the church in 1803, the records show a term of prosperity and peace. Officers were chosen and measures adopted that promoted the welfare of the church.
In June, 1805, it was voted "to provide clothing for the poor, so they could all attend meeting."
After due consideration about introducing a bass viol into the church choir, it was voted to do so March 19, 1810.
September 2, 1810, "it was voted the duty of every family to maintain the worship of God in their families."
In 1811 an unpleasantness occurred involving both pastor and people. It was due to the pastor's interference in the domes- tie affairs of some of his parishioners. Although well intended, it wrought some bitterness, but it afforded a good lesson of wisdom for future guidance. From this time until the autumn of 1816, the church seemed to gain but little either in numbers or spiritu- ality. But after the disastrous season of 1816, when Nature failed to reward the husbandman for his toil, the minds of the people were disposed to receive blessings from beyond the reach of frost. and drought. Under such conditions, a work of grace began which lasted several months. During this time large numbers were converted, thus showing that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." During this revival about forty souls were added to the church.
In the year 1819 a still greater work was wrought, and the records show a list of sixty-four names added during the year.
On January 6, 1821, the church dismissed several of its mem- bers to assist in organizing a Baptist Church in Claremont.
Sometime during the year 1821 (date not definite), Elder Kendrick resigned the pastoral care of the church. From this time until June 29, 1826, the church had no pastor. Several different preachers came but evidently none of them were chosen.
On this last-named date, the church invited Elder Simeon W. Beckwith to become their pastor. He came and rendered very acceptable service, endearing himself to all the church and community, but death claimed him the following year on May 22, 1827. His remains rest in the cemetery at the Flat. A tablet was inscribed to his memory by the Free Masons of which fraternity he was a beloved member.
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On August 30, 1827, the "First Baptist Society" of Cornish was organized and incorporated. This continued in existence, exercising its functions until February 15, 1904, when, as laws had been passed empowering churches to become corporate bodies, and to manage their own financial affairs that formerly had devolved upon the society, the society was of no further use, and on this date ceased to exist.
Early in the year 1828 Rev. Gibbon Williams, who was born March 13, 1797, in Monmouthshire, Eng., became pastor of the church. A solemn and impressive preacher and of agreeable manners, he proved an excellent pastor and the attachment between him and the church was very strong.
The Woodstock Association, of which the church was a member, was divided about this time, and a new one formed on the east side of the Connecticut River called the "Newport Baptist Association," and the Cornish church became a member of this body in September, 1828. During this year a parsonage was provided, in which was a room furnished for a vestry for social meetings. This building still remains standing at the west of the cemetery on the Flat.
In April, 1829, a donation of five hundred dollars was received from Dea. John Weld, the income of which was to be annually expended for preaching. Elder Williams closed his labors in Cornish, January 1, 1833, after a successful ministry of five years.
During Elder Williams' pastorate, a great revival occurred which is thus described by Mrs. Marcia L. Fletcher, an eye- witness, and also "one of them." It had its beginning in the old red schoolhouse at the "City," so called. She says: "The few isolated disciples there realized that a very large class of young people there were giving their early years to worldly pleasures and felt something must be done to save them. With fervent prayers they felt that works must unite with faith. So they requested Elder Williams to hold a meeting at the schoolhouse on a Sabbath evening at 'early candle light.' The appointment was given, although the pastor's faith at first was weak, thinking the effort would prove abortive. But to his happy surprise, the house was filled with a very attentive audience composed largely of young people. This strengthened his faith, so he appointed another meeting. This was in the autumn of 1830. The Wood- stock Baptist Association was holding its anniversary with the
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Windsor Baptist Church of which Elder Leland Howard was pastor. It was customary to send some of the ministers assem- bled to hold meetings in the neighboring districts in the evening of the first day of the session. So Elder Packard of Mt. Holly, Vt., was sent over the river to preach in the 'city' schoolhouse. The house was filled to its utmost capacity and a powerful sermon delivered from Gen. 24: 58. On returning to Windsor, he said to Elder Howard: 'There is going to be a revival over in Cornish and you had better go over and hold meetings there.' 'I will when there is a moon,' said Elder Howard. 'Don't wait for a moon,' replied Elder Packard, 'the Holy Spirit is there.' From that time meetings were held two and three times a week by Elders Williams and Howard through the winter of 1830-31. Young people would walk several miles even on dark nights to attend the meetings. The climax was reached on a certain evening at a dwelling house, when, aided by brethren from Clare- mont, the Holy Spirit came in power. Old and young, strong men in the meridian of life, yielded to the sweet influences of the Spirit and it was estimated that nearly three hundred were con- verted during that revival. 'Those happy hours. How sweet their memory still!' It was a marked feature that very few of those professing conversion at this revival ever returned to the transitory pleasures of the world, thus evidencing a genuine work of grace in their hearts."
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