USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 16
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James Ballard, C., David Bill, C., Lemuel Bingham, David Blish, C., David Bliss, Elisha Bond, William Bond, Justus Chapin, Jonathan Church, Jonathan Clarke, Jesse Dart, C., Jonathan E. Davis, C., Aaron Day, C., John Dort, C., Ira Ellis, C., Elisha S. Fish, C., Aaron Hammond, C., Amherst Hayward, C., Silvanus Hayward, C., Berzeleel Mack, C., Berzeleel Lord Mack, C., James M. Mark, William Mark, C., Waldo May, Jonathan Pease, C., Obadiah Pease, C., Israel Plumley, David Smith, Dudley Smith, C., Elijah Ware, C., Obadiah Ware, True Web- ster, C., True Webster, Jr., Nathan White, C., Stephen White, C., Luther Whitney, Edmund Wilcox, C., Eleazer Wilcox, Eleazer Wilcox, Jr., C., Solomon Woods, C.
That there was some preaching during the years from 1816 to 1819, is evident from the Society Records, which show a vote to raise money each year. But how much and by whom is not now known. Rev. Levi Lankton of Alstead, the brother-in-law of Mr. Fish, is known to have been employed during the summer of 1820. He died over 80 years of age at Marietta, Ohio, in 1843.
Under the influence of zealous opposition, the church at this period was made a by-word and reproach among the people. Some of its own members failed in the hour of trial, deserting its ranks to join others of different faith and practice. The few who continued steadfast were feeble and discouraged. But one Sabbath morning in the winter of 1819, the same Mary Wil- cox, (then Mrs. Fish,) whose efforts had previously secured the preaching of Mr. Burt, proposed to repair to the house of Dea. Peasc, and statedly hold a reading meeting, which had been only occasional before, until they should have a minister. The plan was adopted and proved success- ful. A weekly prayer meeting was also established. This movement seemed to be the turning point in the history of the church. Upon the persistent maintenance of these reading meetings the very life of the church seemed to depend. As an apparent result of this effort, the Society increased the sum voted for preaching from 16 to } of one per cent on their taxable property.
In January, 1819, during the intermission one Sabbath, at " a reading meeting " at the house
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of Dea. Pease, Dudley Smith offered to give fifty dollars a year, if preaching could be secured all the time, or to give his proportion with any others. Acting on this suggestion, Elisha S. Fish, not then a member of the church, went round among the people and made strenuous efforts to get others to join in this movement. His journal kept at that time gives a minute account of his exertions and the varied reception he met.
Rev. Ezekiel Rich was employed the following season. He was a man of learning and strong mind ; an able preacher, sound in doctrine, prudent in his measures, and very laborious in the cause of religion. He afterwards became insane, and died at the age of 70 years, somewhere in Connecticut. He resided at Troy, where he had been previously settled. He procured $25 aid for the church, from the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. Through his influence also, assistance was obtained in 1820, from the New Hampshire Missionary Society, which was continued for more than thirty years, in sums varying from fifty to one hundred dollars.
Soon after Mr. Rich came here, June 3, 1819, after a prayer meeting, six Directors were chosen to provide the means for a system of Sabbath School instruction and regulate its man- agement. The Committee consisted of Dea. Pease, Dea. Mark, Esq. Pease, Dr. Davis, Iddo Kilburn, and James M. Mark. June 7, these Directors chose two teachers, Esq. Pease and Anna Dort. What day the Sabbath School first met, I have found no distinct record, but in all prob- ability it was June 13, 1819. June 20, Mr. Fish's journal states, " 11 more scholars have united with the Sabbath School, making forty in the whole." Those above 16 years of age were organ- ized into what was called a Christian Knowledge Society. The Sabbath School has been in operation ever since, save that it has sometimes been suspended during the winter.
Those who united with the church, during these 23 years after Mr. Fish's death, while they remained without a pastor, were as follows : -
David Bill, Susanna Bill, Lemuel Bingham, Lucy wife of Salmon Bixby, Betsey Bond, Mehetabel wife of Col. William Bond, David Brigham (afterwards Deacon,) and Sophia his wife, Abigail Fish, Sarah Fish, Widow Lois Gibbs, Amherst Hayward (afterwards Deacon,) and Polly his wife, Mary wife of Silvanus Hayward, Capt. Robert Lane Hurd and Lydia his wife, Dr. Benjamin Hosmer, Charles Livermore, Berzeleel Mack, William Mark (after- wards Deacon,) and Betsey his wife, Phinehas G. Miller and Sally his wife, Jonathan Pease (afterwards Deacon,) and Anna his wife. Obadiah Pease and Lucy his wife, Oliver Pease, Hannah wife of Israel Plumley, Betsey wife of Dudley Smith, Betsey wife of Jesse Temple, Widow Olive Temple, Sophira Temple, Hannah wife of Eli Thayer, Harriet wife of Col. E. K. Webster, Mary Webster, Rebecca Whitcomb, Eleazer Wilcox Jr. and Esther his wife, Lumund Wilcox (afterwards Rev.,) Mary Wilcox, and Betsey wife of Solomon Woods. Of these forty-two, only two are supposed to be now living; Sarah Fish, the widow of Dea. Amherst Hayward, and Hannah Locke the widow of Israel Plumley.
September, 1814, Jonathan Pease was chosen Deacon in place of Deacon Kilburn who died in 1810. July 8, 1819, William Mark was elected to fill the place of Dea. Blish who died in 1817.
For the next ten years, various preachers were employed, mostly in the Summer season. Rev. George Perkins preached here a few weeks, and was considered "a young man of more than ordinary promise." He gave the church six dollars towards a Sabbath School Library. Rev. Sylvester Cochran, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Antrim, was here one season, also Rev. George Freeman. Rev. Isaac Esty preached here two or three seasons. During his stay there were several added to the church. A Mr. Claggett, afterwards of Ludlow, Vt., was here about 1827. Rev. Moses Longley was a candidate for settlement in 1829.
Nov. 15, 1829, David Brigham was chosen Deacon in place of Jonathan Pease, who had died the January before.
In 1830, a parsonage was completed, the money being raised by subscription. It stood a few rods north of the old meeting house, (Map 82,) and is the same house that Daniel Smith now lives in. Dudley Smith gave three-quarters of an acre of land, and Amherst Hayward and
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David Brigham gave nearly the whole of the building material, while others subscribed liberally in money and labor.
March, 1830, the church voted to give a call to Rev. Ebenezer Chase from Enfield, in which the Society shortly concurred. The salary offered was " fifty dollars in the use of the parsonage, One hundred and fifty in produce and those articles of living Commonly wanted in a family, and one hundred dollars in money." It was also stipulated that if they could not make up the full sum, he should be allowed to obtain it by preaching for other societies a part of the time. Mr. Chase accepted this call and was installed Sept. 22, 1830. Lemuel Bingham, Eleazer Wilcox, and E. S. Fish were a Committee to provide for the Council. The ministers invited were Rev. Phinehas Cooke of Lebanon, Rev. Isaac Robinson of Stoddard, Rev. S. S. Arnold of Alstead, Rev. Z. S. Barstow of Keene, Rev. Moses Gerould of East Alstead, and Rev. Job Cushman of . Sullivan, none of whom are now living. Of the installation services there is no record. It is remembered however that Rev. Mr. Cooke preached the sermon, text Phil. 3: 18, and Rev. Mr. Cushman gave the Right Hand.
Rev. Ebenezer Chase "early became a Christian, having been led to anxiety for his own salvation, by seeing the anxiety of his mother concerning her eternal welfare, whom he had sup- posed had long been a Christian. In August, 1807, he began to preach under the care of the Free Will Baptist Church, and was ordained as an Evangelist in August, 1810. In 1809, he edited and published a monthly religious newspaper called the ' Religious Informer,' which was largely circulated in the Free Will Baptist connexion."
" The Christian courtesy of Rev. O. C. Whiton of Troy, N. Y., led to the removal of preju- dices against Congregationalism ; and after careful examination of the system, he united with the Windsor (Vt.) Association of Congregational ministers, Nov. 12, 1828."
April 26, 1833, he was dismissed from the church in Gilsum, at his own request, and labored with good success in Westmoreland for two years. He was pastor of the Congregational Church in West Tisbury, Mass., seven years, and subsequently four years in West Yarmouth, Mass., and several years in Eastham, Mass. " He was more than fifty years in the active duties of the ministry, preached more than eleven thousand sermons, and was blessed with many revivals."
The minister who gave him the charge at his ordination, said, " I charge you before God, when about to preach, never in any case put pen to paper, with a view to assist you in preaching, nor premeditate beforehand what you shall say; but trust entirely to God, who will teach you in the same hour what you shall speak."
Mr. Chase had an eminently spiritual mind, and was heartily devoted to his Master's service. His memory is fondly cherished by those who enjoyed his labors. His daughter writes : -
" Since my earliest recollection my father was an earnest student, always rising very early so as to have several hours for uninterrupted study before breakfast. He was also a faithful pastor, spending most of his afternoons in visiting his parishioners."
After the death of his first wife, his three boys, then aged 12, 10, and 8, " became much dissatisfied with the housekeeper. After consulting together the eldest went to his father as spokesman for the whole, and addressed him about as follows. 'Father, we want a mother. When other men lose their wife, they marry again, and we want to have you marry, for we want a mother.' . Father replied, ' Well, my son, who would you like to have me marry ?' ' We should like Eliza Patten for our mother,' was the reply, naming their school teacher." A few months later the marriage took place, " and she proved the wisdom of the children's choice. . . . . At my father's death he left 7 children and 22 grandchildren. . . . . Two of his sons have been editors of newspapers, one a preacher of the gospel, and the youngest is now a Professor of Music in New York. Two of his daughters have written poetry, some of which has been linked to music, and prose articles from the pen of one of them can be found in several religious papers and magazines."
This church had been so long without a pastor, that the coming of Mr. Chase was quite an event in their history. His labors here were productive of good resulting in considerable addi- tions. During his pastorate the following persons, besides himself, united with the church : -
Nancy wife of Luther Abbot, Hannah wife of - Allen, Melintha Bill, Asa Bond and Elmira his wife, Eliza wife of Rev. Ebenezer Chase, Anna wife of Dr. Jonathan E. Davis, Martha wife of Stephen Day, Lucy wife
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of Nathan Ellis, Eliza Gates, Laban Gates, William Hayward, Nancy wife of Hezro Hubbard, Ruthy wife of Ebenezer Isham, Electa wife of John Livermore, Lucy wife of Amasa Miller, Elisha H. Roundy, Hannah wife of John Roundy, Huldah widow of Jonathan Smith, David Sumner, Patty wife of Elijah Ware, Esther wife of Abijah Wetherbee, and Mary Ann wife of Oliver Wilson. Only four or five of these 23 are now living.
After the dismission of Mr. Chase, Rev. S. S. Arnold from Alstead Center came to this church. Finding them much restrained in their usefulness, from the want of a place of worship of their own, inasmuch as the old house belonged equally to other denominations, he urgently advised to build in the village, and recommended the sale of the parsonage to assist in this enterprise. This was agreed to, and under his wise and efficient management the work went rapidly forward, and was completed in the Fall of 1834. The Committee for building were Rev. S. S. Arnold, Dudley Smith, Amherst Hayward, E. S. Fish, and Eleazer Wilcox, all of whom are now dead. A Committee from Keene consisting of Dr. Barstow, Dea. Jacquith, and Timothy Hall, located the Meeting House where it now stands. The cost was near $2000, and was paid through great struggles and self-denial, not only on the part of the larger subscribers, but of those who of their poverty cast in but little. Many contributions were received in small sums from those interested in the place, but resident elsewhere. Some also of the citizens, not mem- bers of the church or Society, kindly assisted in the enterprise. In 1820, Mrs. Mary Baker and hcr son James Ballard had presented the town with a large Bible to be kept in the desk of the old meeting house for the use of all denominations. This Bible is now in possession of Sidney Gates. When the new meeting house was built, Luther Ballard, adopted son of James Ballard, presented a Bible to this church, which remained in the pulpit, till becoming somewhat worn, it was taken for vestry use, and a new Bible for the pulpit was presented by Adam Brown of Wolfeboro, a personal friend of Rev. Mr. Wood.
This church owes a large debt of gratitude to Rev. Mr. Arnold. To his advice and leader- ship the present house of worship is almost entirely due. They would have been glad to have kept him as their pastor, and in November, 1835, gave him a formal call. But he declined to settle, thinking his duty called him elsewhere.
Rev. Seth S. Arnold spent his early life on the farm and in the business of tanning. He fitted for College largely under the instruction of his pastor, Rev. Sylvester Sage, but went to the Academy at Deerfield, Mass., a short time. He graduated at Middlebury College in 1812. The following year " he taught a select school at Bladensburg, Md., with the exception of the months of July and August, 1813, during which time he was first sergeant of a company of volunteers for the defence of Annapolis against Britishi troops." Arms being scarce he carried a stick in place of a musket. This stick he had afterwards made into a canc which is now in possession of his only surviving daugliter, Mrs. Gage of Ascutneyville, Vt. He studied Theology with Rev. J. Breckenridge of Washington, D. C., and with his pastor, Rev. S. Sage of West- minster, Vt. He was recommended as a candidate for the ministry by Windham Association, Sept. 27, 1814. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Alstead Center June 17, 1816. Here he continued for eighteen years and was blessed with three exten- sive revivals. During this period he was one of the Directors of the N. H. Missionary Society, and often engaged in missionary work among neighboring churches.
After leaving Alstead he came to Gilsum where he remained two years. His wise counsels and hearty assistance were of the greatest value to the church here.
In 1836 he returned to Westminster, Vt., to care for his aged father, now over ninety years of age. While here, he supplied the church in Walpole two years, and that in Westminster the same length of time. A powerful revival attended his labors.
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After the death of his father, he preached four years in Halifax, Vt., from October 1852 to March 1856, two years in Roxbury, six years in West Townshend, Vt., from 1858 to 1864. At the age of 75, he retired from the ministry and removed to Ascutneyville, Vt., where he was " an active worker in the eause of Christ, in the Sabbath School, in prayer mecting, and visiting from house to house."
As a preacher, Mr. Arnold was instructive rather than sensational. His sermons were always prepared with care, in language simple, such as his hearers would readily understand. As a man he was of noble form, erect, and dignified in all his actions, courteous in his treatment of all men, a lover of hospitality, prudent of speech, a wisc counselor, a true friend, in all respects a Christian gentleman. He was specially remarkable as a wise counselor and eminently skillful in adjusting and pacifying old difficulties and church quarrels. " Blessed are the peace- makers."
The new Meeting House was dedicated Nov. 11, 1834, and the occasion was made the begin- ning of a four days meeting. Rev. Mr. Arnold preached the sermon from 2 Chron. 6: 40, 41. The Hymns were the L. M. and C. M. versions of the 132ª Psalmn. Rev. Z. S. Barstow offered the dedicatory prayer.
After Mr. Arnold left, Rev. William Hutchinson came in 1836, and in July, 1838, a call was extended to him, which he declined.
Rev. William Hutchinson was ordained at Bethlehem, Jan. 27, 1830. After three years he went to Dalton, where he remained two years before coming to Gilsum. While at Bethlehem and Dalton he also supplied the church at Whitefield. After leaving Gilsum, he went to Plainfield, where he was installed May 28, 1839, and where he died in 1842.
He was a godly, sincere man, of limited education, and very humble estimate of his own powers. He was a useful minister, not fearing to declare the whole counsel of God. He was in early life a successful teacher of music and had a fine voice both for speaking and singing.
He was unusually favored in his marriage relations. His first wife was " a very devoted self-sacrificing christian. In dying, she committed her four little ones to the care of a covenant keeping God, praying, that Nathaniel Merrill, a babe of six weeks, might 'become a vessel of mercy.'" It is worthy of notice that he is now a missionary. (Chap. 31.)
His second wife, Mrs. S. M. Bingham of Lempster, was a woman of rare gifts, and lovely christian character. She proved a mother indeed to the orphaned children. One of them testifies that she was " a faithful wife, a loving, conscientious mother to us all, a devoted christian woman, a bright light in society and church, an original thinker, born to lead. She was one in a hundred. With us she yet lives, her example will always be felt."
In 1839, a call was given to Rev. Henry White, which he accepted, but on assembling of the Council, unexpected opposition led him to take back his acceptance. He was a plain, practical man of sedate bearing, and apparently of very earnest piety ; a sound preacher, but without the brilliant qualities which attract the multitude. He was the author of a valuable book ealled, " The Early History of New England." He labored here one year, and died somewhere in Maine, Dec. 8, 1858, aged 68 years.
In the following year several ministers preached for a short time. Rev. A. R. Livermore staid three months, and a call was given him which he declined. He is still living in Connecticut.
Rev. George Langdon preached here a year and a half but declined a call to settlement. He was a man of ability but feeble in health. It is not known whether he is now living or not. His name is not found in the list of Congregational ministers at the present time. He was a descendant of Capt. Samuel Gilbert.
Mr. Langdon's ministry closes a period of about ten years after Mr. Chase's dismission, during which the mecting house had been built, and though there was no special revival, there had been some additions, and it was on the whole a season of prosperity and gradual increase of strength.
The following are the names of those who united with the church during this period : -
Mary Ann Arnold, Sophia Arnold, Elsea wife of Lemuel Bingham, Eliza Bragg, James Downing and Lydia his wife, James Downing, Jr., Susanna wife of John S. Farrar, Eunice Fish, Luna Foster, Rossa Gates, Lyman Gerould and Susan his wife, Elizabeth Hathhorn, Lydia Hodgkins, Lucy widow of Zachariah Howes, Arnold
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Bryant Hutchinson and Martha his wife, Ebenezer Hutchinson and Thomasin his wife, Senah wife of Rev. Wil- liam Hutchinson, Abijah Wilder Kingsbury (afterwards Deacon,) and Lovina his wife, Fanny Mark, Rachel wife of Dea. William Mark. Rachel Esther Mitchell, Ashbel Whitney Rouse, Nancy Smith, Orinda Smith, Mary Fiske wife of Capt. George W. F. Temple (afterwards Deacon,) Andrew Dexter Towne, Isaac Wallis and Susan his wife, Herriet L. Way, Esther wife of Rev. Henry White, Hannah White, Julian Caroline White, Mary Emmons White, Edith wife of Joel Wilson, and Emeline Wood. Of these forty, sixteen are supposed to be living.
Soon after Mr. Langdon left, in the Spring of 1842, Rev. James Tisdale from Dublin was employed. Not wishing to settle, he was hired by the year and remained for seven years.
Rev. James Tisdale graduated at Brown University in 1821. He then taught an Academy at Darlington Court House, S. C., two years. He had embraced infidel views in College, but while teaching was converted " by reading the sermons of Dr. Emmons." He studied Theology with Rer. A. Cobb of West Taunton, Mass., and was approbated as a candidate for the ministry, Oct. 25, 1825. Sept. 29, 1830, he was ordained at Guildhall, Vt., where he remained six years. He next labored at Dublin for about the same length of time, till he eame to Gilsum. After leaving Gilsum he went to Shutesbury, Mass., where he remained nearly eight years. He then removed to Toniea, Ill., where he preached two years. "His last labors were at Lowell, Ill., to the Con- gregational Church of Vermillion."
Mr. Tisdale was a man of learning and unusual ability. His preaching was not what would be called eloquent, perhaps, though sometimes well worthy the name, but it bore marks of deep thought, and careful research, and was eminently instructive. Few preachers impart so much instruction in a year as he. He was a man of strong passions, which he kept under such control that they were for the most part a power to increase his usefulness ; while, if at any time his temper gave way for a moment, he was quick to apologize in the most satisfactory manner to whomever he might have offended. He won the good-will and respect of all who knew him. No one who lived near him could long remain his enemy. One neighbor who said in a passion, that Mr. Tisdale should not stay in town another year, tried the next year to have him sent to the Legislature.
Of intense radical convictions, he was an earnest reformer, embracing the causes of Anti-slavery and Total Abstinence in the days of their unpopularity. Very few men have done so much for the Temperance cause in Gilsum as Mr. Tisdale. He was also deeply interested in education, and held the office of Superintending School Committee four years. He had a very deep religious experience leading him to exalted views of God and his kingdom. His favorite Hymn was the 4th Select, commencing,
"Keep silence all created things, And wait your Maker's nod, My soul stands trembling while she sings The honors of her God ! "
He selected it to be sung at his funeral.
Many still remember the fervor with which he was accustomed to read this hymn, as also the 152ª Select, beginning,
"Now for a hymn of praise to God."
His heart was evidently set on the kingdom of Christ. He delighted to study the prophecies. In them he thought he found the richest food, the strong meat of the Bible, while the doctrines which many call strong and hard, he regarded as only " milk for babes in Christ." Remarkably clear and forcible in the presentation of the great doctrines, it was in the contemplation of the promised reign of Christ on the earth, that his heart warmed and his eye kindled, and he rose almost to ecstasy in view of the wonderful glories then to be revealed. He was accustomed in preaching and other instructions to speak much of entire submission to God, one of his most fre- quent expressions being, "We must make God all-in-all and ourselves nothing." His last days gave full evidence of this complete resignation to God's will. He thought much of the value and efficacy of prayer, and frequently referred to the " golden vials full of odors which are the prayers of saints." About a week before his death, the last time he was able to pray with his family, after praying individually for them, he prayed earnestly for each of the parishes where he had labored.
" A plain white marble slab marks his resting place, on the top of which is carved a hand holding a Bible open to the text, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.'"
During Mr. Tisdale's ministry here, the debt of the society, $1,100, which had been ineurred in building the meeting house, was paid up. There were also extensive repairs on the meeting house. The basement had been remodeled onee or twice, and variously used for tenements. The town being without a Hall, an effort was made in 1849 to make arrangements to finish off rooms for their use in said basement. But the town deelined to eousider it. This period was as heretofore a time of self-denial and struggles to support the institutions of religion, yet, on the whole, it was a season of general prosperity to the church. The instructive preaching and private
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