USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 17
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labors of Mr. Tisdale were by no means without effect. Though there was no marked revival, there was deep seriousness, an earnest religious thoughtfulness pervading the congregation, and eleven united with the church, whose names are as follows : -
Lydia Eveline Miller Abbott, Sarah Ann Church, Hannah More Fish, Martha Paige Fish, Mary Wilcox Fish, Anna Maria Temple, Mary the wife of Truc Webster, Charles Thomas Wetherby and Nancy his wife, Beulah Rizpah Wilcox, and Sally the wife of Eleazer Wilcox. Five of them are supposed to be still living.
June 1, 1846, Amherst Hayward was chosen Deacon in place of Dea. Brigham who had removed to Manchester.
Rev. Abraham Jackson from Walpole, supplied the pulpit one year, but did not care to reside here. He was an interesting and instructive preacher. He died in Connecticut, April, 1874, aged 82.
Rev. Ezra Adams, formerly of Surry, and afterwards of Roxbury, was then hired for a year, and in January, 1851, accepted a call on a salary of three hundred and twenty-five dollars. He was installed March 19, 1851. The services on the occasion were as follows : Seriptures and Prayer, Rev. Bezaleel Smith, Roxbury ; Sermon and Installing Prayer, Rev. Dr. Barstow, Keene ; Charge to Pastor, Rev. S. S. Arnold, Aeworth ; Right Hand, Rev. T. S. Norton, Sullivan ; Address to People, Rev. J. Perkins, East Alstead ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Mr. Aspenwall of the Methodist Church, Gilsum.
Mr. Adams continued pastor till his death in 1864, having been settled 13 years, and having preached here nearly one year before. His death in the midst of life was one of those afflictive, and to us mysterious Providenees, in which God seems to have forgotten the necessities of his people, and the interests of his own kingdom. A page in the church records is thus inseribed :
March 20th, 1864.
This day departed this life much lamented, our beloved Pastor, Rev. Ezra Adams, aged 54, having had this church under his charge Fourteen years.
There were present at his funeral six of the neighboring ministers. Rev. Dr. Barstow preached from Heb. 4 : 9.
Rev. Ezra Adams graduated at Amherst College in 1835, and at East Windsor Theological Seminary in 1838. He was ordained pastor of the Church in Surry, Ap. 28, 1840. After three years he went to Roxbury where he labored seven years, and then removed to Gilsum.
In early life he was sickly, and he considered that his life was prolonged only by his strictly temperate habits. His schoolmates used to tell him, he would certainly be a drunkard because he refused to drink with the rest. But he answered that if he never tasted liquor, it would be impossible. He was a good scholar and a diligent student.
In a little volume which Mr. Adams wrote, entitled " Advice to an Enquirer, or Children led to Christ," we learn that he was early the subject of religious impressions, but being naturally diffident, he kept all to himself, and gave way to a self-righteous spirit ; became opposed to God, and the humbling doctrines of his word. For some years he continued in that condition, when a pious friend spoke kindly to him of the interests of his soul, and the Holy Spirit enabled him to look to the Lamb of God. As a pastor and minister of Christ, all are ready to testify how faithfully and perseveringly he prosecuted his work ; and how discreetly he demeaned himself in all things. The crowning excellence of this beloved man was self-denial and self-sacrifice. That the Missionary Society might be less burdened, he voluntarily relinquished its aid, and thus diminished the little pittance of a salary which lie received.
His sermons were plain, practical presentations of the truth, clear and forcible, and especially free from any suspicion of cant or insincerity. Perhaps his most marked characteristic was a peculiarly unaffected simplicity, free from every semblance of sham. Of few men, in these days, could it as well be said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." He was specially gifted in prayer, seeming to have a nearness and freedom of access to God, granted to but few. He was a wise and judicious counselor, prudent in worldly affairs, with a business tact rare among clergymen. He was beloved by his parish, and highly respected throughout the town for his sterling worth. He served thirteen years as Superintending School Committee.
Mr. Adams's ministry was one of marked usefulness. Through his efforts, and with no small self-denial on his part, as well as others, the aid received from the N. H. Missionary Society was given up, and the church has been self-sustaining ever since. The first year the aid was given
Egna Adams
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
up, it was found the tax would be a little more than 13 per cent on the taxable property. Mr Adams was unwilling the Society should be so burdened, and voluntarily redueed it to one per cent, thus giving up over forty dollars of his salary, and continued to give up from forty to seventy dollars annually till his death. Soon after his settlement, a revival oceurred in which many additions were made to the church, ineluding some of the most active present members. The number of elderly people then brought in was particularly noticeable.
The names besides his own were as follows : - Abigail the first wife of Rev. Ezra Adams, Alice Melissa the second wife of the same, William Bigelow Adams, Aaron Day and Jane his wife, Mary Louisa the wife of Franklin Downing, Elisha Snell Fish, Janette the wife of Moses Fish, Warren Foster and Jane his wife, Elmira the wife of Winsor Gleason, Claudius Buchanan Hayward and Mary Louisa his wife, Sarah Jane Hayward, Martha the wife of Philander Howland, John Livermore, Chilion Mack, Elbridge Smith (afterwards Deacon,) and Mary Ann his wife, Eunice Morse Smith, Rebecca the wife of Solomon Smith, George William Foster Temple (afterwards Dea- con), Eliza Ann the wife of A. D. Towne, Sally the wife of Andrew Towne, Fanny the wife of Capt. Benjamin Ware, and Luther Abram Wilkins. Of these twenty-seven, 12 are now dead.
Nov. 3, 1864, Elbridge Smith was chosen to fill the office vacated by the death of Dea. Mark.
After Mr. Adams's death, the neighboring ininisters supplied the pulpit for two months, for the benefit of the family. Having heard various candidates, it was finally agreed to hire Rev. E. B. Bassett, from Westmoreland. He remained here about two years, and removed to Washing- ton, N. H., in 1866, and is now residing in Shutesbury, Mass. The following persons united with the ehureh during his ministry : -
Lucy D. the wife of Daniel Downing, Emily Graham Hayward, Esther White Hayward, and Harriet Augusta the wife of Lyman G. Pierce, two of whom are still living.
In April, 1867, Rev. Horace Wood from Ossipee, who had been preaching here some months previous, was hired as stated supply, with a salary of three hundred and twenty-five dollars and the use of the parsonage, and continued here till August, 1875. At the beginning of his ministry a parsonage and lot was purchased, Dea. Hayward giving $500 for the purpose. Through the exertions of Mr. Wood $50 was obtained three successive years, from the Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge, which was in part applied to help pay for the Parson- age. It eost $1,100, which has all been paid. The Meeting House was largely repaired, the basement remodeled into a comfortable vestry, and a new Cabinet Organ purchased, all involving an expense of something like $1,300. Mr. Wood obtained some assistance from abroad, and it should be specially noticed that many of those outside the church here generously aided in these important enterprises.
Rev. Horace Wood was converted in the great revival at East Alstead in 1827, when 80 united with the church, 7 of whom beeame ministers. His aneestry as far baek as traeed have been Christian people. On his mother's side the family is deseended from the celebrated band of Waldenses who suffered the terrible persecutions of the 12th and 13th centuries.
Having chosen the ministry as his ealling, in Sept. 1831 he set out on foot for Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, intending to work his way through College. The first term he supported himself, using what he had earned during the Summer, and also continuing some manual labor at the school. He subsequently received aid from Funds given for the purpose of preparing young men for the ministry. After a little more than a year, his health failed from over-work, especially from studying by lamp-light. He was therefore obliged to suspend his studies for three years, and ultimately give up the idea of a Collegiate course. This, he terms the great trial of his life.
In 1836, his health had so far recovered that he was able to enter the Theological Seminary at Gilmanton, and was a member of the first elass that graduated there.
He was ordained and installed over the Congregational Church in Dalton, July 10, 1839,
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where he remained six years, preaching also a part of the time in Whitefield. In 1845, he removed to Gilmanton, where he supplied the pulpit of the first Church for three years. In 1848, he began to preach for the Church at Center Ossipee, and was acting pastor there for fifteen years, having also supplied their pulpit in connection with Ossipec Corner one year more. Herc he buried his first wife and their adopted daughter. He then resided two years at Ossipee Center, supplying the pulpit there and also at. North Wolfeboro.
In August, 1866, he began at Gilsmm, where he remained as acting pastor for nine years, six of which he served the town as Superintending School Committee, and where he still resides. His health having somewhat failed, he found himself obliged to give up preaching in the Spring of 1875, sinee which he has preached only rarely. For 36 years previous, he very seldom lost a Sabbath, and he frequently speaks of his great enjoyment in the work of the ministry, and his thankfulness to God for continuing him so long in it.
The Lord's Day, Oct. 27, 1872, being the Centennial Anniversary of the church, was com- memorated by a discourse in the morning, by Rev. Mr. Wood. Text, - Ps. 48 : 12-14. Sub ject, - Zion's beauty, strength, and safety. The Lord's Supper was observed in the afternoon, and in the evening a manuscript sermon of the first pastor was read. It was prcaehed by him Dec. 15, 1793. Text, - Exodus 3 : 14. On Monday following, Rev. Silvanus Hayward, then of South Berwick, Mc., delivered an historical address which was published in pamphlet form, and from which a large part of the preceding church history has been taken.
During Mr. Wood's ministry the following persons besides himself united with the church : - -
Ann Cuthbert. Margaret Cuthbert, Franklin Downing, William Hayward, Nancy Houston, George Learoyd and Ann his wife, Elmina wife of Chilion Mack, Vienna Dort Mack, Lydia Caroline wife of Chester Nichols, Lyman Gilbert Pierce, Mary wife of James Rawson, Hannah Theodosia Spaulding, Lucy widow of Asa Whittemore, Almaria Wilder, Sarah Ann wife of Rev. Horace Wood, and Jane Elizabeth wife of George Wright, all but one of whom are still living.
In June, 1875, Rev. Silvanus Hayward supplied the pulpit for Mr. Wood. On the resignation of Mr. Wood he was invited to become the acting pastor of the church with a salary of a thousand dollars and the use of the parsonage. He continued to hold the office for four years. The most important action of the Church, during his ministry, was the adoption of new Rules, and the remodeling of the Creed and Covenant. None of the old doctrines were omitted, but were expressed more entirely in Scriptural language, and the conditions of membership were made such as to exclude no one who gives credible evidence of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
July 9, 1876, the Nation's Centennial was observed by the Church. The Meeting House was trimmed with evergreen and flowers. The pastor preached from Eccl. 7 : 10, and an interesting Centennial service was conducted by the Sabbath School.
The following persons besides himself, were received into the Church during Mr. Hayward's ministry. One has since died.
Sarah F. wife of Levi Barrett, Jane F. Crichton, Robert Cuthbert and Margaret H. his wife, Mason Guillow and Elizabeth C. his wife, Bell Hayward, Grace Hayward, H. Elvira wife of Rev. S. Hayward, Theron Hayward and Emilie E. his wife, A. J. Howard (now Deacon, ) and Rizpah M. his wife, Francis C. Minor and Emily F. his wife, Gustave Polzer and Ardella R. his wife, Huldah B. wife of George B. Rawson, and Carrie H. wife of John A. Smith ; also Dea. Elbridge Smith and Mary A. his wife were received back from the church in Keene to which they had been dismissed.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The history of this church is necessarily imperfect, very few records having been found. For the following account I am largely indebted to Rev. S. E. Quimby, Clerk of the N. H. Con- ference, and President of the Seminary at Tilton.
Methodist preachers first came to Gilsum just about the beginning of the Century, possibly a
Horace Wood.
The Heliotype Printing Go. 211 Tremont StBoston.
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METHODIST CHURCH.
year or two earlier. The first positive record is in 1801. Their meetings were first held in one of the private houses in the edge of Keene ; - which house is not now known, perhaps in different places. Soon after, they came to Dea. Kilburn's, and held meetings in his house and barn. His daughter Jemima was the first person in Gilsum who joined their church. Afterwards they received many from different parts of the town. Some of their strongest supporters, as the Kilburns and the Blishes, came from the Congregational Church.
Rev. John Gove (Appendix E) was probably the first preacher. He was here in 1801, and it was through his influence that Elder Kilburn was converted. He was here also in 1803, and perhaps later. Rev. John or Joshua Crowel was here about the same time.
Rev. Martin Ruter, then only 16 years of age, preached here that year, and was considered " a prodigy." He was born in Charlton, Mass., Ap. 3, 1785. With no advantages for education, except the common school, his taste for study stimulated him to gather knowledge from every available source. Converted in 1799, the next year he was licensed to preach, and in 1801 was appointed on the Chesterfield circuit, during which appointment he preached in Gilsum. In 1803, he was ordained Deacon at the New York Conference, and the next year was stationed at Montreal. In 1805, at the age of 20, he was ordained Elder and appointed to Bridgewater circuit in N. H. The same year he married Sibyl Robertson of Chesterfield. He was after- wards stationed at Northfield, Portsmouth and Nottingham, and in 1808 at Boston, Mass. In 1809, he returned to N. H. and married Ruth Young of Concord. He was appointed to Portland, Me., in 1811, and afterwards resided at North Yarmouth, Me., " and preached in the vicinity." In 1815, he was at Salisbury, Mass., and two years following at Philadelphia, Penn. "In 1818, the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Asbury College, Baltimore, Md., and he was appointed to take charge of New Market Wesleyan Academy. In 1820, he was elected Agent of the Cincinnati Book Concern and honored with the degree of D. D. by the University at Lexington, Ky." In 1828 he was appointed President of Augusta College, Ky. Four years later he resigned, and was stationed at Pittsburg, Penn. "In 1834 he was appointed President of Alleghany College, where he remained until, at his own request, he was sent a mis- sionary to Texas in 1837, and was appointed by Bishop Hedding, Superintendent of the Texas Mission. Having accomplished the objeet of his mission, he started for home, but was taken sick and died at Washington, Tex., May 16, 1838. He was buried there, and a handsome monu- ment erected by public subscription, marks the spot."
He was a man of rather feeble constitution, much devoted to God, more than ordinary preaching abilities, very studious ; - a self-taught scholar, he was not only acquainted with his mother tongue, but had a good knowledge of the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French languages, and paid some attention to the Arabic and Persian.
Bishop Hedding, who knew him intimately, says, " He was never known, accused, or even suspected of having done a mean action."
Rev. Thomas Ravlin preached here in 1802, and Rev. John Tinkham in 1804 and 1805.
Rev. Elijah Hedding preached here about 1806, and four years after, married a daughter of Dea. Blish " and took up his residence at Winchester." " As a boy he evinced more than ordi- nary physical and mental power, and an adventurous spirit. He led a somewhat wild life " till his conversion in 1798. Having preached two years under license, he was admitted to the N. Y. Conference in 1801. In 1803, he was on the Bridgewater circuit in N. H. In 1807-8, he was Presiding Elder on the N. H. District, and the following year on the New London District. He was stationed three times at Boston, Mass , also at Lynn, Mass., and Portland, Me. In 1821-2, he was Presiding Elder on the Boston District. "In 1824, contrary to his own strongly expressed wishes, he was elected Bishop, and brought to the position all that zeal, devotion, industry, and strength of purpose, which characterized his previous life."
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" His family residenee was in Lynn, Mass., from 1824 to 1837, when he removed to Lansing- burg, N. Y., and in 1842 to Saratoga Springs, from there in 1844 to Ponghkeepsie, N. Y., where he died."
David Kilburn says, " He was a man of commanding appearance, large and well-built frame, manners perfectly simple, and yet dignified, energetie, and a truly great and good man."
Almost nothing ean now be told of the next thirty years of Methodism in Gilsum. There was preaching from time to time, in private houses, and at the old Meeting House, but we have no record of appointments here.
In August, 1829, a Camp Meeting in charge of Elder John W. Hardy was held in the woods sonth of the old Keene road, above the Kilburn plaee, very near the town line. The spring stoned up for their use, also several stone fire-places for cooking can still be seen. (See map.)
About 1834, meetings were held in Day's Hall at the Factory Village, and at the house of Capt. John Taylor. One of the more prominent Methodist preachers at that time was
Rev. William H. Brewster. - a native of Claremont, - " a self-made man," entering the ministry at the age of 21. Early espousing the cause of Anti-slavery, in the struggles which arose he was led to sever his connection with the Methodists, and joined the Congregationalists. " A greater part of his ministerial labor has been in cities, - twelve years in Lowell, Mass .; five years in Providence, R. I. ; eleven years in Cleveland, Ohio." Sinee 1868, he has labored in various fields in Illinois, and is now at Blue Island, near Chieago. "During 45 years of ministry, he has been absent from his pulpit only a few Sabbaths on aecount of ill healtlı, has taken but four vaeations, neither of which exceeded four weeks, is now able to preach twiee on the Sabbath and attends S. Sehool."
At a Quarterly Meeting held in Gilsum in November, 1835, Rev. Lorenzo D. Barrows first received a " local preacher's license," and is remembered to have preached here oeeasionally while located at Keene soon after. At the time of his death in 1878, he was President of Tilton Seminary, and had for many years held a prominent position in the M. E. Church.
In November, 1842, Rev. Samuel S. Dudley eame to Gilsum and held meetings at the South School House. Quite a revival followed, bringing in the young people especially. The following year, he organized the Methodist Episcopal Church in Gilsum. Mr. Dudley was stationed here again in 1859, and after laboring in various fields, is now at Fitzwilliam.
In 1845, the meetings were held in Dort's Hall, and many eonversions were reported, some of whom went to the Baptists. Very soon after, the movement for a Meeting House was taken hold of in earnest. The work was accomplished in 1848, at a cost of $1,450. The building Committee were Milton Silsby, Osman McCoy, and Justus Chapin In 1876, this House was sold to the Town for $700.
The ministers stationed or laboring here after Mr. Dudley were as follows : -
Rev. Henry C. Henries was here a short time in 1847. The next year Rev. Amon S. Tenney took his plaec. He was followed in 1849-50 by Rev. Nathaniel W. Aspenwall who subsequently removed to Vt., where he died. Rev. Joseph Hayes who joined the N. H. Con- ferenee in 1840 was stationed here in 1851-2, and after laboring in various plaees is now at North Charlestown. Rev. John M. Blake was stationed here the next two years. For the next six years Gilsum was classed with churches in the neighboring towns. In 1860-1, Elder Kil- burn, then residing in Keene, supplied the ehureh. Rev. A. K. Howard now at South Aeworth began here in 1864, and continued his serviees about three years. Rev. James Fitch from Conn. preached here a year or two, returned to Conn., and is reported to have beeome a Congre-
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gationalist. Rev. A. J. Howard subsequently preached for this church some two or three years. In 1869, they were supplied by Rev. H. W. Merrill who afterwards became a Baptist. The last regular supply of this church was Rev. G. A. Tyrell in 1870-1.
The Conference reports give the membership here mostly in connection with some neighbor- ing church. The largest number separately reported is 41 in 1861. The last report gives 25 in 1874. About this time, the church was disbanded, and its membership was transferred to the M. E. Church at Marlow.
The following list is as nearly complete as it can be made from memory of aged persons, and a few of the later records now in possession of F. A. Howard, Esq. : -
Mary A. Austin, Robert Austin, Thomas Austin and Lucy his wife, Wesley Austiu and Emily his wife, Hiram Baldwin and Elvira his wife, Dimmis S. Banks, Eliza V. Banks, Charles M. Barrett, Mary Ella Barrett, Ebenezer Bill and Elsea his wife, Emily Bill, Anna Blish, David Blish, Jr., John Blish, Lucy Blish, Lucy wife of Dea. David Blish, Zeruiah Blish, Lucinda wife of James Bolster, Ansel Borden, Mrs. Selden Borden, Sen., Reuben Brown and Sena his wife. Davis Carpenter and Livonia his wife, Jedediah Carpenter and Eunice B. his wife, Fanny Chapin, Martha Chapin, Charles Cobb and Louisa his wife, Dolly wife of Abram Converse, Loena Converse, Sophronia wife of Charles E. Crouch, Alexauder Cuthbert and Allison his wife, Daniel Day, Jr., and Hannah G. his wife, Anna wife of John Dustin, Nathan Ellis, Jr., Ephraim P. Everdon and Sally his wife, Maggie N. wife of Rev. James Fitch, Cyrus Gates, Marvin Gates (steward,) Winsor Gleason, Josiah Grimes, Nancy Grimes, Sally wife of John Grimes, Effie R. Guillow, Daniel W. Gunn, Elijah Gunn and Louisa his wife, Elisha W. Gunn and Martha A. his wife, E. Nelson Gunn, Martha E. Gunn, Mary L. Gunn, widow Polly Gunn, Eunice Hall, Sarah H. wife of Rev. Joseph Hayes, Edith T. Hayward, Mary Hendee, Fanny Houghton, Daniel Howard and Sally his wife, Francis A. Howard (steward) and Eliza E. his wife, Francis C. Howe and Sarah his wife, Ebenezer Jones, Mary A. and Rhoda Elvira his wives, John Clark Kendrick and Rebecca his wife, Clarissa Kilburn, Rev. David Kilburn, Iddo Kilburn and Abigail his wife, Polly Kilburn, Dr. Timothy S. Lane and Mary his wife, Dr. I. Albert Love- land, Nabby Loveland, Sally Loveland, Sarah T. wife of Israel B. Loveland, Stephen Mansfield and Nancy his wife, Luther W. F. Mark (steward) and Emily Z. his wife, Elizabeth wife of George H. McCoy, Hattie E. McCoy, Osman McCoy (steward) and Miranda L. his wife, Francis C. Minor (steward) and Emily his wife, Abigail M. Nash, Elizabeth wife of Jacob D. Nash, Hannah Nash, John Nash and Ruth his wife, George K. Nichols (steward,) John B. Otis and Mary C. his wife, Calvin Randall and Sarah his wife, Ivory Randall and Sally his wife, Peter Rice and Lucy his wife, Milton Silsby and Betsey his wife, John H. Sparhawk, Catherine H. Taylor, Caty L. wife of Capt. John Taylor, Emeline Taylor, Simeon Taylor and Eunice his wife, Fanny M. wife of Milan Towne, Charles T. Townsend, Martha wife of Capt. Benjamin Ware, Rachel S. wife of David Ware, Samuel B. Ware, Theoda Ware, Amos Weeks, Butler A Whittemore and Julia A. his wife, Maria C. Whitte- more, George W. Willis, Harriet C. Wilson, Mary wife of . Calvin Wilson, Jonathan Winch, Oren Wyman and Robert P. Young. About sixty of these 137 are supposed to be still living.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
There seems to have been no preaching regularly by the Baptists in this town, till a com- paratively recent date. Persons of that persuasion went to Alstead, at first, where Elder Higbee was pastor. Probably there was occasional preaching by him and others in some parts of Gilsum, but the principal Baptist influence that extended to Gilsum, was from meetings held in the north part of Sullivan by Elder Higbee, and others, about the beginning of the present century. Feb. 11, 1806, a " Baptist Society " was organized at Sullivan. There are 21 names signed to the Constitution, but there are no incans of determining just how many joined at that time. Of these names the following seven will be recognized as Gilsun men :
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