USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 13
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In closing we append the interesting event of the consecration of Trinity Church in the language of the record.
"To the Rt. Revd Carlton Chase D. D. Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire,
RT. REVd SIR.
"We the undersigned, Wardens of Trinity Church Cornish respectfully request you to consecrate our house of worship to the service of Almighty God.
"CORNISH, Jan. 11, 1846.
"JOHN L. PUTNAM Wardens. "ISRAEL HALL
"A true record, Attest, John L. Putnam Reg" "
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"Diocese of New Hampshire,
"In the name of God, Amen.
"Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God to put it into the hearts of His servants, the people of the Parish of Trinity Church in the town of Cornish in said Diocese to erect and devote a house to His great and glorious name, and whereas the officers of said Parish have moved and requested that the same may be publicly consecrated to Him according to the usages of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States :- Now therefore be it known that I, Carlton Chase, by the grace of God, Bishop of said Diocese in virtue of my holy office, do this day dedicate and solemnly consecrate to God, and to the sacred purposes of the Gospel, this the aforesaid house under the name of Trinity Church, forever separating it from all unhallowed, worldly and common uses, and requiring and enjoining that henceforth it shall be wholly and exclusively devoted to the solemn uses and services of the blessed religion of Jesus Christ, according to the Doctrine, Discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
"In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thou- sand eight hundred and forty six.
"CARLTON CHASE [Seal] "A true Record, Attest, John L. Putnam, Reg" "
Methodist Episcopal Church.
This church was organized November 5, 1838. There were but few members during the first years of its existence, as it was at a time when the other churches seemed to "cover the ground." The doctrines of the Wesleys, however, presented a charm for those who valued an earnest and aggressive, rather than a steady and formal mode of worship.
Rev. John G. Bennett was the first stationed preacher in 1840. As he was a man of earnest piety, joined to other gifts of no mean order, he was enabled to give quite an impetus to the new sect in town.
Rev. Amos Kidder, appointed in 1843, was the next preacher. The additions at first were slow and prospects not very encour- aging. Meetings were held in schoolhouses and in private resi-
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dences. The old brick schoolhouse on the Flat was used several seasons as a house of worship. Here the first and second meetings of the quarterly conference were held, July 1 and September 21, 1843. Jared Perkins was the presiding elder.
During a space of six years, from April 24, 1844, to July 10, 1850, no record of the church is found.
The "Evangelical Congregational Church and Society" had built their neat and commodious meeting house, but they had been frowned out of existence as a church, thus leaving their meeting house and parsonage without an occupant. It was in some respects a blessing to the Methodist Society to have the privilege of occupying the meeting house and pay rent therefor.
Another fortunate thing for the Methodists was this: Many of the members of the former church that were anxious to affiliate with some earnest religious body, united themselves with the new order and became a very important factor with them. More than half of the members of the former church were thus absorbed in the Methodist Church. All were thus greatly encouraged and regarded it as an interposition of Divine Prov- idence in behalf of all concerned. From this time the church took fair rank with her sister churches in the district, and most of the time supported a local preacher of her own. Her members increased, and in various ways the Good Providence seemed to overshadow them. The preachers assigned were men of God and wrought good works, as several revivals evidenced.
Up to 1860, the meeting house in which the Methodists wor- shiped belonged to the former pew owners. On April 22 of this year, a committee was appointed "to negotiate for the mortgage on the church and parsonage, for the benefit of the Methodist Church." On February 5, 1861, the committee rendered a partial report, sufficient, however, to encourage them to persevere in the undertaking.
April 27, 1866, a meeting "to excite an interest in favor of a transfer of the property to the Methodist Church" was called, and further committees were appointed and instructed.
On March 25, 1867, the committees announced that they had secured a "good and sufficient deed of the church and parsonage property within the last quarter" (the date of the deed being February 21, 1867), on condition that $200 should be ex- pended for the repairs of the meeting house. These terms were
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mutually agreed upon. Having thus acquired possession, they immediately appointed a committee for the performance of the necessary repairs on the church. In less than three months the committee reported the repairs completed, and on the 27th of June, 1867, the dedicatory services were held. The trustees formally presented the house for dedication in the following words: "We present this building to be dedicated to the service and worship of Almighty God." Rev. W. H. Clark, presiding elder of the Claremont district, had charge of the services and preached the sermon. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Reverend Mr. Dearborn of Vermont, followed by a voluntary, the doxology, and benediction.
The years 1868-69 were years of gracious outpouring of the spirit and blessing upon the church; perhaps they were the best of all the years of the past. The records of these years are as follows:
Members already belonging 63
Added by baptism during year
18
81
Church property valued at .
$1,500
Parsonage property valued at 500
$2,000
These were years of apparent prosperity.
In 1872 the church reported many and extensive repairs, and also the purchase of an organ at a cost of $106.
After the Methodist Camp Meeting had been established at Claremont Junction, this church took a lively interest in it, and, owing to its nearness, most of the members attended its annual meetings.
In August, 1873, a committee was appointed to select a location among many others, for a tent or building on the camp grounds. A site was selected, agreeable to the minds of all, north of, and near, the preacher's stand. A building committee was at once appointed. Mr. Benjamin S. Lewis, of the committee, had charge of the work, while many ready and willing hands were there to aid, and the house was ready for occupancy in season for the meeting near the close of the month, and was filled to overflowing night
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and day throughout the meetings much to the satisfaction and apparent blessing of all who attended. These seasons of interest at the camp ground meetings continued several years, until, the church, through decline failed to pay its camp ground rent, and thus forfeited its right there and the building was removed. In April, 1875, the society rented its vestry to Cornish Grange, who, wishing it enlarged for their use, agreed to pay the church fifty dollars towards enlarging it, and five dollars per year for the rent of the same. They have occupied it ever since.
The following is the list of preachers, in their order, that have been sent to Cornish, and have mainly resided here during the term of their appointment:
John G. Bennett, Amos Kidder, Lorenzo Draper, John Clough, Richard Newhall, N. S. Bentley, P. Wallingford, John H. Griffin, George F. Wells, B. P. Spaulding, John S. Parker, C. F. Merrill, C. H. Leet, Edward Francis, Josiah Hooper, in all, fifteen. Of these Richard Newhall received a second appointment, and Lorenzo Draper received three appointments to the church. Besides these, several others, chiefly from Claremont, have supplied the pulpit.
Thirteen presiding elders have had the watch care of this church. These, in their order, were: Jared Perkins, Silas Quimby, C. N. Smith, Newell Culver, A. C. Manson, Elisha Adams, John Thurston, W. H. Clark, James Pike, M. T. Cilley, G. J. Judkins, O. H. Jasper, and - Robbins. Since August, 1891, there is no record of any business meeting of either the church or society. Occasional services may have been held, but no record of them is found. In looking over the history of this . church for sixty years, and beholding it, from its small beginning grow to a healthy, happy and prosperous church, and then see it suffering a slow decline, almost to the stage of extinction of name and being, we behold a picture not pleasant to contemplate. Various causes have contributed to this. The death and removal of many of the principal members, and the age and infirmity of the few remaining, and the fact that, as in all other churches of the town, very few of the young are falling into the ranks, to fill the places thus made vacant, are the chief causes of the deca- dence of all of our churches. Yet they have all wrought well in their day, and perhaps all have fulfilled their mission.
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CHURCHES.
Perfectionists, Millerites, etc.
In the early forties of the last century a revolution among the moral, political and religious questions then existing, seemed to be the order of the day. Old doctrines that had heretofore been received with moderation were reexamined and received with fresh inspiration, and became subjects of absorbing interest to the many who embraced them. The minds of the people were inclined as never before, to entertain intense views, on many subjects. Especially did this apply to the doctrines of Sancti- fication and the Second Advent.
A number of young men from Claremont, having become deeply impressed by the Scriptural requirements regarding heart-purity, came to Cornish and held meetings in the homes of those whose doors were open to receive them. These styled themselves "Perfectionists," claiming Scriptural authority both in doctrine and name. This doctrine was received with avidity by many of the good citizens of the town.
Soon after this, the doctrine of the Second Advent of Christ as preached by William Miller, swept over New England. This, too, received many adherents in our town, and of necessity gave an increased impetus to the former movement. Mr. Miller believed and preached that the world's history would end in 1843; great excitement prevailed among many, believers in his doctrine were thereby incited to liberality and self-sacrifice. Means were readily secured, and a house of worship was erected by the Perfectionists on a tract of land deeded them by Hiram C. Fletcher, said deed bearing date, August 12, 1840.
After Mr. Miller's prophecy regarding the end of the world in 1843 had proved a failure, and "the end was not yet," many, who were ardent believers in both doctrines, were disheartened. Services dwindled and finally ceased; the house of worship became unused and finally closed.
The town, at this juncture being in need of a house in which to hold its meetings, came into possession of said meeting house of the Perfectionists, and have since used it for all its public meetings.
Whatever the result of these extreme views may have been, we are bound to credit those entertaining them with honesty and sincerity. Possibly the results may be greater, grander,
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and more far-reaching than human judgment can determine. At any rate, they led to a more prayerful and considerate study of the Bible, especially in regard to the Second Advent.
Thus we see that every body of Christ's disciples that have lived and associated in Cornish, have had its joyful, hopeful and happy rise; its seasons of substantial prosperity in accomplishing its mission, followed by periods of decline, ending, in some cases, in its death. These monuments of perished hopes lie all around us. The historian would willingly, yet mournfully, inseribe to their memory the foregoing records of the former churches of Cornish.
Independent Parish.
Soon after the opening of the present century, it was found that the Methodist Episcopal Society of Cornish had become nearly extinct, and the church edifice was partly in ruins. A commendable desire prevailed among the citizens of that section to revive religious services, and to repair the house of worship. Rev. P. J. Robinson, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Windsor, was invited to hold services there in 1902. This movement was attended with a good degree of success. The ladies of the vicinity organized a society called the "Woman's Alliance," and accom- plished much for the benefit of the parish. The organization of a church there was effected March 30, 1905, under the name of "The Independent Parish." A constitution and by-laws were adopted; a full quota of officers was chosen from a membership of nearly fifty members, and Rev. P. J. Robinson was chosen as pastor, who served until December, 1905. A petition asking fel- lowship with the "American Unitarian Association" was presented and was duly granted. The committee of the parish now nego- tiated with the remaining trustees of the former Methodist Episcopal Church, for a lease of the church building for a term of twenty years, with the condition that they make certain necessary repairs on the church. This was accordingly done, and the church edifice was thoroughly refitted. Contributions for this purpose had been generously made: By the Unitarian Association, $200; F. A. Kennedy, $200; Woman's Alliance, $180; and other gifts, aggregating $700 in all; besides special gifts of value for furnishing the interior of the house by Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Houston and Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Lang.
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In its new order and dress, the church was again dedicated, December 3, 1906. Rev. Sidney Snow preached the dedicatory sermon. He had served the church from December, 1905, until the spring of 1906, when Rev. J. E. Locke came and preached until August, 1907. He was followed by a year's service from Rev. H. L. Buzzell, who was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. R. S. Barrow, who began his services in the fall of 1909.
"The Independent Parish of Cornish is dedicated to the wor- ship of God, and to the cultivation of that spirit which was in Jesus Christ; and it has no other creed. It is now affiliated with the Unitarian Church at Windsor, whose pastor serves both parishes."
Pentecostal Nazarene.
During the season of 1908, a few members of the Baptist Church at the Flat became desirous of establishing meetings by themselves at South Cornish. Obtaining letters of dismission from the parent church, they organized a church at that place, and Benjamin F. Lindsay was ordained as its pastor. It was first organized as a Freewill Baptist Church. While earnestly seeking after the most acceptable forms of worship and spiritual development, Brother Lindsay came in contact with the sect of "the Pentecostal Nazarene." Its doctrines and practices appealed forcibly to his convictions, and the little church, through his influence, readily espoused the doctrines of the sect. It became identified with the denomination, and Rev. Mr. Lindsay was solemnly ordained as pastor, October 25, 1908.
Meetings have been sustained there ever since with a good measure of satisfaction on the part of all concerned. The meetings have been held chiefly in the schoolroom of School Division 10.
It needs the prophetic eye to determine the final results of this movement. It is to be hoped, however, that the moral and religious influences emanating from this little church, will be a potent factor for the uplifting and spiritualizing of many.
CHAPTER IX.
SCHOOLS.
THE early settlers of Cornish were generally educated men and women according to the standard of their times. They came from towns where they had enjoyed the privileges of established schools and, therefore, well appreciated their value.
According to well-authenticated tradition the first schools of the town were assembled around the firesides and under the supervision of intelligent and painstaking parents. Next in importance to the preaching of the Gospel, they regarded the education of their children; therefore, as soon as possible after the pioneers had organized a town, they assembled in town meet- ing and adopted such measures as they deemed best and voted to raise money for the support of schools.
The reservations in favor of schools, provided by the grants, proved an insufficient source of revenue; therefore additional means were soon needed. Then again, the meager income from these lands was, at first, necessarily so slow in coming, that some children might die in ignorance before getting any benefit from it. For many years after its settlement, the town, like many others, was supreme in authority on all matters relating to schools. This was due to the absence of all state law re- garding it. So the early schools of Cornish were not the creation of legislation, but were of spontaneous growth.
The town's records for the years 1785-90 show its action on the subject as follows: On March 22, 1785, the town voted to divide the town into school districts, and raised £30 for schooling. Previous to this time there were no district limits and parents could send their children to school wherever they chose. On March 14, 1786, the town voted to raise £100 for schooling. At this time there were but two school districts in town.
March 13, 1787, voted to raise £80 for schooling purposes.
March 12, 1788, voted to raise £100.
March 24, 1789, voted to raise £30.
#
SCHOOLHOUSE DIVISION .I.
SCHOOL HOUSE. Division .6. CORNISH .FLAT .
SCHOOL HOUSE. DIVISION .7.
SCHOOL . HOUSE . DIVISION . II.
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SCHOOLS.
March 24, 1790, voted the subject of dividing the town into school districts be referred to the selectmen, who should also select sites for the locations and erection of schoolhouses.
The history of the schools of a town in New Hampshire is divided into three epochs. During the first, or voluntary period, which ended in 1827, the schools, as we have shown, were estab- blished and maintained, and schoolhouses were erected by the town. During all this time there were but few and imperfect statutes. The proceedings of the several towns were so constant and uniform that a system was formulated and established with- out the regulation and compulsory influence of law. It was preëminently a town system.
By the statute of 1827, and subsequent amendments, school districts became corporations with authority to choose their own officers, to own school lots, to build schoolhouses and to have a general control of their schools. The towns were instructed to raise money for school purposes, and to choose a committee for supervision. This, the second epoch, extended from 1827, until the abolishment of school districts in 1885.
During this second epoch, the town attained its highest point in population,-over 1,700. Also the number of school districts in town reached their maximum,-sixteen in all. These had been numbered in the order of their need and organization. Numbers 1, 2 and 3 extended the entire length of the town, on the Connecticut River where settlements first took place. Numbers 4 and 5 on the hills east and north of the last, where hardy pioneers had decided to settle. No. 6 on an interval in the northeast part of the town where a mountain stream spread, that invited manu- facturers. Numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 following the intervale south and southwest with the adjacent hillsides, reaching to the north line of Claremont. No. 11, west of these last, embracing the territory east of the river districts and No. 4.
The whole town was now embraced within the eleven districts already organized. The five other districts were afterwards formed by the division of districts already established. This was done to better accommodate the children of settlers re- mote from school privileges. No. 12, formerly embraced in No. 6, was formed by those who settled farther up the mountain stream east of the Flat. It bore the unpoetical name of "Poppy Squash." No. 13 was formed in 1828 from the southern por-
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HISTORY OF CORNISH.
tions of districts 9 and 11, and bordered on the north line of Claremont. No. 14 embraced the southeast corner of the town, large in territory, but sparse in population, except a portion of it called the "Hemp yard." No. 15 was a small, sparsely settled district, lying east of No. 1, on "Root Hill," not conveniently accessible either to Nos. 1, 11, or 13, which lay contiguous. No. 16 embraced the northeast corner of the town. It formerly belonged mainly to Grantham and was annexed to Cornish in 1844. This district was thereafter called "Texas."
After 1840, the population of the town began slowly to decline, and this decline continued steadily throughout the remainder of this epoch for forty-five years, or until 1885. During this time the town lost about seven hundred of its former inhabitants, so that its population at this date was only about one thousand. There were fewer families and these had become smaller, and the number of school children was correspondingly less. Some of the hill farms had become abandoned; dwellings had been torn down and re- moved; and the general trend of the remaining population had been to the village, or to more accessible lowland farms. It is easy to see what the effect of these changes would be upon school districts located on the hills and mountain sides remote from the more populous centers.
The districts in town that first suffered from the lack of pat- ronage were the last ones formed, namely : Numbers 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. In some of these a single short term of school was taught during the year, and sometimes none at all. The scholars were so few that it was not always deemed advisable to open a school during the year, as the expense per capita would be so much. The number of scholars in most of the other schools was much less than formerly. To illustrate: The enrollment of the scholars in town in 1851 was 385 between four and sixteen years of age; 80 attended school over sixteen years of age; 465 in all attending school. In 1886 the enrollment was 165 in all, according to the report of these two years.
The causes that have contributed to this change are many. While the population of the country has steadily increased, many of the earlier settled towns of New England have shown a great decline. The increasing tendency of the young men and women of recent years to avoid the severe manual labor of their ancestors; the attractions of the great West with its labor-saving machinery;
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the innumerable professions and trades which offer better wages at a less expense of musele, oftentimes coupled with the charms of city life,-all these and many other causes have been, and are still, at work luring the young men from the rugged hillsides to lives of fancied enjoyment elsewhere; and meanwhile several schools of Cornish had become extinct, and those that remained were but the skeletons of once active and populous schools.
Similar results were manifest in many other towns of our state, some exhibiting even a greater falling off than Cornish.
These conditions invited discussion among the leading educa- tors of the state.
The people generally had become attached to the district system, and had enjoyed the benefit and pleasure of district rivalry and of local control, and although the system had become imperfect in that it denied equal privilege to all scholars; still they were unwilling to admit of any change. They deemed it a sacri- lege for any lawmaker to meddle with an institution so dear to them as the district school system.
But the time had come for a change. A more clastic system was needed. The districts would never have voted it. The leading educators in the state must take the matter in hand, or the district system with its inequality of privilege would continue with a tendency towards worse conditions. The town system seemed to be the only solution of the problem. Therefore, it was duly presented to the legislature; its claims as a panacea for the existing evils fully demonstrated, and the law was adopted in March, 1885. This closed the second epoch of the history of schools in New Hampshire.
With the town system, was inaugurated a new era in the his- tory of the schools of New Hampshire. The little petty republics or districts of the town were all abolished and fused into one dis- trict. The several district officers heretofore chosen by them were needed no longer. The control of all affairs, both prudential and educational, was vested in three well-selected individuals called a "school board," or "board of education." These had power to temporarily locate and maintain schools wherever, in their united judgment, it was thought best; to hire teachers and provide all the needful requirements of the schools; and to super- intend the same. Scholars living remote from the established schools were provided with means of conveyance to the nearest
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