USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 15
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the Outside of the meeting house is to be Coulourd A Bright Orring, Only the Doors which are to Be a Stone Gray the gets and Cornishes and winddows to Be white. The Inside to Be A Stone Gray only the Canopy to Be A Prusian Blue & Pews and Stairs with Banisters. The Pulpit and Canopy to Be made Like Surry's.
It was to be finished off complete by Nov. 20, 1793. If done sooner, the contractor was to be paid sooner. It was made like others of that day with high bird's-nest pulpit, with an over- hanging sounding-board, and high galleries on three sides supported by fluted pillars. It was elegantly carved around the pulpit and ornamented with pilasters around the square pews. The seats were hung upon hinges, so they might be raised to furnish convenient standing place in
* In this word the Town Clerk evidently thought he had found the original of "gal-lery."
1
No. 10. Ebenezer Kilborn 6
4 No. 4. Jehiel holdridge
No. 11. Daniel peck 6
4 No. 5. Samuel Barron Lock 1 17
No. 13. daniel peck 6 4
OLD MEETING HOUSE AND STONE BRIDGE.
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MEETING HOUSE.
prayer time. The Amen was the signal for a rapid succession of slams like the firing of mus- ketry at old-fashioned trainings.
There is no record found of the dedication of this House. We are however able to fix the time very nearly, by an inscription on the manuseript outline of a sermon by the first pastor, which reads thus :- " Preached at Gilsum on the Sabbath after the dedication of their meeting house, Dec. 1, 1793." The text is Judges 11 : 35 : " I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back." As it is well known that in those times, Wednesday was almost uniformly selected for such occasions, there can be little doubt that the dedieation occurred Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1793, just 19 years and one month after the organization of the Church. What ministers were present or who preached is unknown.
The House had been previously occupied for town purposes, but probably not for preaching. March 11, 1794, the town voted to give Jonathan Church 6 shillings for sweeping the Meeting House and keeping the " Kees." Next year a similar vote is recorded in favor of Turner White.
There is nothing further about the House for eighteen years. Sept. 15, 1813, it was voted to raise money to repair the Meeting House. Some idea of the extent of the repairs may be gathered from the next record, that " James M. Mark bid off the repairs for one dollar and fifty cents." After this there were votes repeated about onee in three years instructing the Selectmen to repair the Meeting House. In 1824 it was voted to paint the Meeting House " except the roof."
As usual in those days, no means had been provided for warming the house. In 1826 and again in 1832, an article was in the warrant, to see if the town would furnish a stove, but in both eases it was dismissed without action. Many still remember meeting there in winter with no fire, and how the tavern opposite was crowded at noon by young and old, the women replenishing their little foot-stoves with eoals from the large open fire-place, and the men " taking something " to keep the cold out.
There was a large Common surrounding the Meeting House, mainly on the south ; on the east and south sides of which were rows of horse-sheds. Trainings and public gatherings of almost every kind were held here. There was a tall " Liberty Pole" close by the road at the south- west corner of the Common.
During a period of fifteen years, commencing in 1837, frequent discussions were held in town meeting about moving or selling the " Old Meeting House." Various propositions were made, and Committees appointed, "to inquire into the ownership," "to purchase the Meeting House," (that is evidently the pews,) " for the benefit of the Town," " to consult with the Metho- dist Denomination," and the like. At one time it was almost decided to move it to the " Lower Village," and it was voted that " if the Old Meeting House be moved it be located within thirty rods of Towne's Mill." and A. J. Howard, David Bill, and Jacob Polley were chosen a Com- mittee to attend to " all business respecting the moving of said house." But all these plans failed, and at the annual meeting, March 9, 1852,
Voted that the Selectmen sell at public auction the old Meeting-house, and all the land where the Meeting house is now situated that the town own, the sale of the Meeting house to be seperate from that of the land, and that the proceeds be applied to liquidate the old debts of the town.
The land was bought by Daniel Smith for twelve dollars. The house was bid off by N. O. Hayward for Dr. K. D. Webster at eighty dollars. The pulpit windows may be seen in the west end of C. B. Hayward's barn on Sullivan St., just above " the dug-way." The piazza of C. B. Hayward's residence, (the old Whitney place, Chap. 36,) is supported by several of the pillars that were under the gallery.
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GILSUM.
Of the ministers employed before 1794, very little can be ascertained. Rev. John Hubbard of Northfield, Mass., (Genealogy,) was among the first. He baptized Jennet Mark, now Mrs. Hathhorn, in May, 1783. He also married her sister Jean to Elijah Bond Sept. 10, 1789. Rev. Edward Goddard from Shrewsbury, Mass., then laboring in Swanzey, often preached here, also Rev. Elias Fisher who afterwards settled in Lempster. He had a son Elias baptized here, probably by himself. Rev. Aaron Hall of Keene, and probably other neighboring ministers, often rode over from their own towns to preach to the destitute parish of Gilsum. At ahnost every town meeting of which we have the record the subject of hiring preaching was discussed.
June 8, 1790 Voted to Join with Surry to Hire preach the Gospel with us
Voted to Rais Fifteen pounds to Be paid In wheat Rye Indian corn and Flax weat at 5/ -pr. Bushel Rye at 3/6-pr. Bushel Indian Corn at 2/8-pr. Bushel and Flax at seven pence pr. pound Likewise Chose Aaron Hammond Stephen Bond A Committee to Find A minester to preach with us.
Surry records show that on May 31, 1790, they appointed " Capt. Samuel Smith, Nathaniel Darte & Ely Darte a committee to hire preaching in connection with Gilsum." July 19, 1790, Gilsum " Voted to Give Mr. Newel Four Dollars and Half pr. Day For preaching." Sept. 13, 1790, the vote of June 8, was reconsidered, the plan of union with Surry being abandoned. It was also " Voted to pay Mr. Newel out of the Salts rate," that is the Salts of Potash mentioned above.
Oct. 18, 1790 " Voted to give Mr. Gad Newel A Call Upon probation " and "Chose Justus Hurd Jonathan Adams & thos. Dart Committee to Consult with mr. newel."
For some reason which is not now known, Mr. Newel was not finally called to a settlement here, but settled in Nelson in 1794, where he was pastor for forty-two years, and died aged 95.
Nov. 28, 1791. Voted to Have Mr. Colton Stay with us this winter then voted to Give mr. Abishai Colton A Call for Nine months Upon trial In order for Settlement Voted to pay Mr- Colton in Cattle or Grain at Cash price At twenty Shilling pr- Day for preaching Chose Stephen Bond Thos- Dart Justus Hurd Eben"- Bill Aaron Hammond Esqr- Blish & Ebenr. Kilborn A Committee to report the doings of Sd. meeting to m'- Colton.
Aug 27 1792 Voted to hire m" Abisha Colton two Sabaths on trial for Settelment
m' Jonathan Addams mr Justus Hurd m' Justus Chapin a Committe to treete with mr Colton on trial for Set- telment
Sept. 10 1792 Voted to Hire mr Abisha Colton one year to preach the Gospill and Give him fifty pounds and bord him if Sullivan will form a union with us and hire him one half the time
This Sullivan refused to do, and how long he remained is not known. He is remembered as a " good looking man with a fine voice." He settled for a time in Stoddard.
March 13, 1792, " Voted to Pay m" Eanock Bliss for his preaching with us." No further information of this man has been found.
Rev. Elisha Fish of Windsor, Mass., having been dismissed from his pastorate there, had been preaching at Bath, N. H., and on his way home stopped in Gilsum. He was recommended by Rev. Aaron Hall of Keene. Mrs. Dea. Bond, by whom he was entertained, told him that the Lord had sent him. In September, 1793, he was hired three months on probation at twenty shillings per Sabbath. Feb. 15, 1794, the church voted to invite Rev. Elisha Fish to settle with them as their pastor and teacher, requesting the town to concur. The same day the town voted 41 to 6 to give Mr. Fish a call, giving him " Fifty Pounds to rise with the Levy of s'd town to Sixty pounds lawful money for his annual salary." Samuel Whitney, Lev't Daniel Wright, and Capt. Jchiel Holdridge were the Committee to act with a Committee of the Church. It was voted to give Robert L. Hurd nine shillings to notify Mr. Fish. In May following, a Committee was voted to make provision for the Council. Mr. Fish's reply to his call is recorded in the Town Book and is as follows : -
To the Church and Congregation in Gilsum.
GENTLEMEN : - The invitation which you some time since gave me to settle with you in the work of the gospel ministry, I have seriously and I trust maturely considered. I have availed myself of the advice of friends and
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have frequently I hope with humble dependence on Divine illumination, applied to the throne of grace that I might be directed to give you a wise and right answer, and now considering the providential manner of my being intro- duced among you. the union which has since taken place and still appears to exist, and the place which you have given me reason to believe I hold in your affections, I am prone to think that your call is the call of GOD and that I am therefore bound in duty to accept, which I accordingly do. And now my friends you will readily agree with me, when I observe, that the office of a watchman on the walls of God's spiritual Jerusalem is an awful charge. If the watchman be unfaithful and the people of his charge perish on his account, as he has reason to expect they will, their blood will be required at his hand. But if lie be faithful, and they refuse to hear and obey, his faithful- ness will be a surprising aggravation of their final overthrow. The settlement therefore of a minister should be undertaken with the most deliberate and devout seriousness. When you and I think of a connection of this kind, we should consider that our contract if consummated will be attended with eternal consequences.
If God should see fit to settle me here in the work of the Gospel ministry, I pray him to give me instruction and grace to be both skillful and faithful, and give you hearts to receive the ingrafted word in love, and that he would enable us to be workers together with him in the building up of his kingdom, and hereby become helpers of each others joy. With these devout wishes in my heart I subscribe myself, Your Friend,
ELISHA FISH.
The Council met on the 29th of May at the house of Capt. Ebenezer Kilburn. It was com- posed of Rev. Edward Goddard and Dea. Thomas Applin from Swanzey, Rev. Elias Fisher and Dea. Elijah Bingham from Lempster, Rev. Aaron Hall and Dea. Abijah Wilder from Keene, Rev. James Briggs and Dea. Ebenezer Snell (father-in-law of Mr. Fish) from Cummington, Mass .. and Rev. Holloway Fish (brother of the pastor elect) and Dea. Eliphalet Stone from Marlboro. Rev. Mr. Goddard was Moderator and Rev. Mr. Hall Scribe. The services were as follows : - Introductory Prayer, Rev. Mr. Fish ; Sermon, Rev. Mr. Briggs ; Installing Prayer, Rev. Mr. Fisher ; Charge, Rev. Mr. Goddard ; Right Hand, Rev. Mr. Hall ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Mr. Briggs. There is no record of the singing.
In the Town Book is the following record : -
Voted to allow Mr Hammonds Act. for Bording Rev. Mr Fish 21 weeks £5: 5:0:0 more to keeping his horse- 2: 8:0 more for Carring Letters missive to the Counsill
Voted to pay Capt Kilborn for keeping the Counsil that Reinstalled Mr Fish 0:12 : 0
£5: 0:0:0 Voted to have Revr Mr Fish Sallary Be paid to him the first of December annualy.
Thus commenced the pastorate of Mr. Fish. The records of town or church give almost nothing further in reference to his ministry, till we come to his death. One page of the church records is thus inscribed : -
March 28th, 1807.
This day departed this life, much lamented, our beloved Pastor, The Revd. Elisha Fish, aged 51, having liad the charge of us in the Lord
Twelve years and Ten months.
The only town record is a vote allowing $21.62 for his funeral expenses. They also voted to continue his salary nine Sabbaths after his death, the preaching being given by the members of the ministerial Association to which Mr. Fish belonged.
Rev. Elisha Fish graduated at Harvard University in 1779, and studied Theology with his father at Upton, Mass. He was ordained at Windsor, Mass., June 16, 1785, and was dismissed July 5, 1792. While here, he received an accidental injury, which resulted in the amputation of one leg. This may have been a remote cause of his comparatively early death. In 1806, there had been a revival in which between twenty and thirty were hopefully converted, and twelve heads of families united with the church. During this revival Mr. Fish was unwearied in his labors for their instruction, even beyond prudence, doubtless thereby hastening his premature decease. During his last sickness he prayed much for the people of Gilsum, but expressed a willingness to leave them, if they would only turn to the Lord. A short time before his death, he is remembered to have spoken earnestly for some minutes in a language unknowu to the family, supposed to be Latin, and apparently in prayer.
106.
GILSUM.
The following particulars are from a journal kept by Mrs. Sibyl Bond : --
He began to fail in the Fall of 1806, and didn't preach for a number of Sabbaths. Jan. II, he was present and assisted some. Jan. 18, he preached and administered the Sacrament. Jan. 25, he preached for the last time, after which he lived nine weeks, and died on Saturday, Mar. 28. He was buried Wednesday, Ap. 2, just after a very severe snow-storm. Rev. Aaron Hall of Keene preached the sermon from 2 Timn. 4 : 6, 7, and 8th verses. Few ministers were present on account of the great snow. Rev. Mr. Newell of Nelson started on snow-shoes, but was obliged to turn back.
Mr. Fish was called a Hopkinsian, and was firmly attached to what he believed to be God's truth. At one time, when on a council for ordination, he insisted on a thorough examination of the candidate's belief, and finding him lax in doctrine, he alone of the ministers present, refused to take part in his ordination, and with five lay dele- gates entered a protest against proceeding. For this he was severely rebuked by some of the members, but he valued the approbation of his own conscience more than the praise of man. Thoughi thus fearless in defence of the truth when occasion seemed to require, he was no lover of controversy. He was decided and clear in his preaching, declaring what he believed to be the whole counsel of God, but when men came to the town preaching other views, he kept right on in his own course without turning aside to attack any. Definite in his own views of evangelical truth, his preaching was of no doubtful character. None could mistake his ideas of truth or duty. His style was simple, clear, and forcible. Heeding the injunction " Feed the flock of God," he aimed not merely or mainly to move the feelings, but rather to instruct his people. He once remarked, " If my people knew a hun- dred times as much as they do, it would be a great deal easier teaching them." None doubted his sincerity and piety. Even those who refused his doctrines, were for the most part friendly to the man. He was unusually social and genial in his intercourse with the people. Some one in Cummington, Mass., said of him, " Ile is the most agreeable man, I ever knew."
Doubtless many anecdotes might have been preserved illustrative of Mr. Fish's ministry and the peculiarities of the times. The following serves to indicate the terms of familiar intercourse between Mr. Fish and his people : -
One Sabbath he preached a very plain sermon against worldly-mindedness. Having occasion the next morning to borrow some farm tool of his neighbor, John Mark, he arrived at his house before Mr. Mark was up. After getting him the desired article, Mr. Mark said, "You preached yesterday against worldly-mindedness, but you are more worldly-minded than I am, for you are attending to your work before I get up."
On occasion of a severe drought, the church appointed a Fast to pray for rain. An ungodly man, in token of his unbelief, engaged an unusual number of hands, and cut down several acres of his best grass. A storm came on that very night and nearly ruined the whole. " Who hath hardened himself against God, and hath prospered ?"
" Madam Fish," as it was then the custom to call her, was Abigail Snell, sister of Rev. Thomas Snell, D. D., of North Brookfield, Mass, and of Mrs. Bryant, the mother of the poet. She was an amiable and excellent woman. The portrait on the opposite page was taken in her 83ª year.
In giving the names of those who united with the church during Mr. Fish's ministry, it is proper to notice that he himself united by letter from Windsor, Mass., on the day of his Instal- lation, and before the Installation services began. The following persons were added to the church during his pastorate : -
James Ballard and Molly his wife, Lucinda wife of Daniel Beverstock, Lydia the wife of Samuel Bill, Susanna wife of David Bill, Hannah Bingham, Jonathan Clark and Delilah his wife, Samuel Clark and Mercy his wife, Jesse Dart, John Davis, Elisheba wife of John Dort, Polly wife of Fortunatus Eager, Eunice wife of John Ellis, Martha wife of Moses Farnsworth, Orinda wife of David Fuller, Claudius Drusus Hayward, Luther Holmes and Mary his wife, Zadok Hurd and Mary his wife. Sarah wife of Ebenezer Kilburn, Rachel wife of Berzeleel Mack, Joseph Plumley and Rachel his wife, Sally Redding, Dudley Smith and Hannah his wife, David Thompson and Molly his wife, Hannah wife of Ananias Tubbs, and Hannah wife of Turner White.
Before the settlement of Mr. Fish no deacons had been chosen. Ebenezer Dewey and Stephen Bond had probably officiated in that capacity, as they were called by that title, and had perhaps held the office in the church from which they removed here. The first choice of Deacons in this church was Aug. 28, 1794, when David Blish and Ebenezer Kilburn were elected. They signified their acceptance of the office Oct. 2, 1795.
From the death of Mr. Fish to 1818 the records are very defective, the church remaining without a pastor till 1829. A prominent reason for this long vacancy in the pastorate was the great variety of religious opinions then prevailing. Probably few towns as small as Gilsum, have had so great a variety of beliefs intermingled and confused together from before the begin-
MADAM ABIGAIL FISH.
HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO., BOSTON.
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ning of the present century. We find in the town records, as far back as 1788, and for twenty years following, certificates from sixteen different citizens stating cither their disbelief in, and consequent unwillingness to support the preaching provided by the town, or more frequently excusing themselves on the ground that they had become supporters of the Universalists, or Baptists, or Methodists, mostly in Surry, Sullivan, and Alstead. (Appendix E.) Had they been united in any one of these beliefs, they might probably have carried the vote of the town, so as to have obtained and supported a minister of their own persuasion. But being so divided, they could only prevent the maintenance of the " Orthodox " preaching which they mutually disliked. In 1804, an article was inserted in the warrant " to see if the town would release the Universalists, the Methodists, and Baptists from paying Minister tax in this town," but it was dismissed without action. Similar efforts with the same result were made in 1805 and 1807. But in March, 1808, -
Voted to raise $120 for preaching on the following plan, that every individual shall have liberty to pay to which denomination he pleases, the money to be preached out in the meeting house, if they please.
Maj. Bill, Esqr. Blish, Daniel Converse, and Iddo Kilburn were the Committee to carry the vote into effect. This plan seems to have been pursued thereafter as long as the meeting house was used for religious purposes, the last Committee for dividing the house having been appointed in March, 1833, consisting of Iddo Kilburn, David Brigham, Daniel Day, Timothy Dort, and Simon Carpenter. The next year, the Congregationalists having built a Meeting House at the village, the other denominations no longer asked for a division of the old house.
The only money raised by the town for preaching, after Mr. Fish's death, was the $120 in 1808, $100 in 1810, and the same sum in 1814, making in all $320, in each case to be divided among the different denominations. In other years the subject was cither left out entirely, or if named in the warrant, was dismissed without action, or in one case, in 1811, after voting to raise money for preaching it was reconsidered and nothing donc. The only reference to a particular preacher, during this time, is an article in the warrant for Oct. 6, 1808, " to see if the town or any part of them will take any method to obtain the Rev. Sam'l Goddard to preach with them," on which no action was taken. Mr. Goddard was however employed some months, and regret was expressed that more effort was not made to retain him. Hc afterwards preached in Concord, now Lisbon. A Mr. Hutchins, who had been Preceptor in Chesterfield Academy, was next employed for two seasons, and after him Rev. Broughton White, for the same length of time. Mr. White preached here occasionally till 1819. He afterwards laborcd in varions places, and died at Acworth in 1861, aged 88 years.
The church at this period was much discouraged and had but little preaching. Sometimes a neighboring church would let their pastor come a Sabbath and administer the ordinances, and occasionally a young man just commencing would happen along, and by taking up a contribution they would hire him a Sabbath or two. About the year 1814, Mary Wilcox, not then a member of the church. was moved to make an effort to secure preaching, and herself went to all the sisters of the church asking them to give something for that purpose. The women thus raised money enough to hire the Rev. Gideon Burt of Long Meadow, Mass., eight weeks. As a result of his preaching the church became more engaged and four persons united by pro- fession, among them the one who started the movement.
In 1816, a change in the laws, more fully completed in 1819, frecd the town from responsi- bility in reference to preaching, and left the support of religious institutions, as now, entirely voluntary. Though this change was undoubtedly wise, and on the whole better for the cause of religion, yet it was mainly brought about by the factious and ignorant opposition of those who
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hated the influence of the pure gospel, and wished to be frec, not to support different forms of religious instruction, but no form at all, choosing utter ungodliness as their portion. Not all who favored the change were of this class, but the leaders and managers in the State were nearly ull, men who hated any form of vital religion. Nor was it strange that good men should have been greatly discouraged, and doubtless gave utterance to unwise and unguarded expressions in reference to the enactment of such laws. They were mistaken in supposing that it would be the overthrow of evangelical religion. Both the hopes of one party and the fears of the other were unfounded. " The kingdom of God cometh not with observation." The more entirely distinct church and state become, the better will religion prosper. What was intended by the adversary as a blow at piety and godliness, proved, in the hands of a mightier than he, the very means to nurture and extend the influence of pure and undefiled religion. A religion main- tained by law is comparatively worthless. It speedily becomes dead and corrupt. But that which springs voluntarily from an abiding principle in the soul, vitalized by the Spirit of God, has a self-propagating power, pouring out blessings in ceaseless and increasing flow upon the people where it once gains a footing. :
An article in the warrant for a town meeting in September, 1815, to sce who wish to form themselves into a Congregational Society, was passed by without notice. In the following year a successful effort was made to obtain a charter for a Corporate Body by the name of the Con- gregational Church and Society. It is dated June 28, 1816, and was granted to “ Obadiah Pease, Elisha S. Fish, Dudley Smith, and Jonathan Pease, and their associates, and all such as may hereafter associate with them." There were forty signers to the petition, twenty-five of whom signed the charter. None of these forty are now living. The following arc the names, C. signifying those who finally signed the Charter : -
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