USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hollis > History of the town of Hollis, New Hampshire, from its first settlement to the year 1879 > Part 22
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The JOHN H. WORCESTER Post of the Grand Army, composed of his surviving comrades in the war, in and about Hollis, was so named, on its organization, from an affectionate aud respectful regard for his memory.
FARLEY, LIEUT. CHARLES H.
son of Dea. Leonard W. and Clarissa (Butterfield) Farley, was born in Hollis July 31, 1835, and died at Lake City, Florida, February 24, 1864, æt. 28 years and six months. Calmly weighing the con- sequences, and acting from a deep sense of duty, he was among the first of the young men of Hollis to enlist in the service of his coun- . try. Early in the fall of 1861 he volunteered as a private soldier in the 7th New Hampshire regiment, and on the organization of Com- pany H he was appointed Orderly Sergeant. June 30, 1862, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, and to Ist Lieutenant August 6, 1863. He faithfully served with his regiment in Florida and South Carolina through the years 1862 and 1863, and till mortally wounded at the battle of Olustee, Florida, February 20, 1864.
Lieut. Farley was one of the gallant band who fought their way · into Fort Wagner on the night of July 18. 1863. Wading the ditch and scaling the parapet under a raking fire of the enemy, he stood by the side of the brave and lamented Col. Putnam, when he fell. fighting the enemy hand to hand with his revolver. He was twice
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23.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
struck with balls, one passing through his clothes, without serious injury, the other warded off by the testament in his pocket which probably saved his life. He remained till the fall of Col. Putnam and the retreat ordered.
The battle of Olustec commenced on the afternoon of February 20, and Lieutenant Farley was mortally wounded in the first part of it. `The Union troops were soon driven from the part of the field where he fell, and he was taken prisoner. and carried by the enemy to Lake City, about twenty miles distant. He was found the next day in a confederate hospital by two ladies formerly from New Hampshire, taken to their own home and kindly cared for by them, and also by the rebel Surgeon. But all efforts to save his life were unavailing, and he expired four days after the battle. His funeral was attended by the Mayor of Lake City, his remains kindly in- terred in the public burial ground, and afterwards removed for burial at Hollis in the family burial lot. Rev. Dr. Day in a tribute to his memory, delivered at his funeral at Hollis, says of Lieutenant Farley, "That at the early age of sixteen he made a public profes- sion of religion and united with the Baptist church in Hollis, and ever after till his death lived a consistent Christian life. He never fell into any of the vices so common in the camp, never resorted to the gaming table, to the intoxicating cup nor to the fumes of the poisonous weed. As an officer he was a universal favorite. The soldiers knew him so well, that for him to indicate his wishes, was authority. He never threatened, censured harshly nor spoke defiantly. His courage was never doubted, and no one ever saw him agitated, hurried or disconcerted on the eve of battle. He was calm, self-possessed and trustful in that Providence in which he had been taught to believe, and which was a cardinal point in his religious faith."
235
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY .- MEMBERSHIP. -- MINISTERS .- MR. EMERSON, MR. SMITH, MR. PERRY, MR. AIKEN, MR. GORDON, DR. DAY, MR. LAIRD, MR. KELSEY, MR. SCOTT .-- DEACONS .- YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION. - THIRD MEETING- HOUSE. - PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY. - BENEVOLENT ASSOCIA- TION .- FEMALE CHARITABLE SOCIETY .- BAPTIST SOCIETY.
In a former chapter I have spoken of the efforts of the first set- tlers of Hollis, while yet a parish. in providing for the support of the ministry-of the building of their first and second meeting- .houses-of the call and settlement of Rev. Daniel Emerson, the . first and only minister of the church for some more than fifty years -of his character, public spirit, the high esteem in which he was held, and his favorable influence in the town through all its early history.
There is now to be found no existing record of the original forma- tion of his church, and the well authenticated facts in respect to its history for the first fifty years of its existence are but few. As Mr. Emerson was ordained April 20, 1743, it is supposed that the church was organized either at that time, or but a short time before. It is stated in a short historical manual of the church published in IS71, that its first sacrament or communion service, was celebrated June 5, 1743. It appears from the church records, that on the 31st of July, 1745, a church covenant then "renewed" and adopted, was signed by ten persons. besides the pastor, that number proba- bly including all its male members at that date, viz.
Daniel Emerson, Jerahmael Cumings, Nathaniel Blood,
John Boynton, Benjamin Blanchard, Joseph Fletcher
Henry Barton, Elias Smith,
Samuel Brown, Enoch Hunt,
Jonathan Danforth.
It is shown by the same original records that on the 25th of De- cember. 1745, William Cumings and Thomas Patch were chosen
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236
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
its first deacons, and that February 17, 1747, Francis Worcester. Jun., was chosen the third deacon.
As no confession of faith is mentioned or referred to in the records previously to 1794, it is supposed that none was formally adopted before that time. A Creed or Confession of Faith adopted in that year, and the covenant in previous use, were revised in 1831, and continued without change, (as is stated in the church manual), till 1871, when they were revised and adopted as they now are.
It is said also in the same manual, that for the first fifty years, no records were kept of the members admitted to the church, but that incidental statements show "that from the beginning, it enjoyed the labors of a faithful and successful ministry." In 1755, during the last French and Indian war, Mr. Emerson asked permission of his church to be absent for a time, as chaplain to the regiment of Col. Joseph Blanchard in the expedition of the army to Crown Point. In a meeting of the church to consider the request, it appears that forty-seven members voted, a number nearly equal to one-half of the tax payers at that time, the latter numbering that year but one hun- dred and seven.
The following names of members of the church, copied from this manual, are found on the Hollis tax lists, as resident tax payers be- fore the war of the Revolution, viz ..
Benjamin Abbot,
Thomas Dinsmore,
Abraham Leeman,
John Atwell,
Zedekiah Drury,
Samuel Leeman,
Henry Barton,
Amos Eastman,
Jonathan Lovejoy,
Benjamin Blanchard,
Daniel Emerson, Jun.,
William Nevins,
Nathaniel Blood,
Benjamin Farley,
Enoch Noyes,
John Boynton,
Samuel Farley,
Thomas Patch,
Josiah Brown,
Amos Fisk,
Peter Powers,
Samuel Brown,
Eleazer Flagg,
Moses Proctor,
Ephraim Burge,
Samuel Goodhue,
William Shattuck,
Robert Colburn,
John Goss;
Zachariah Shattuck,
William Colburn,
John Hale,
Elias Smith,
Josiah Conant,
Phineas Hardy,
Jonathan Taylor,
Jerahmael Cumings,
David Hobart,
Nathaniel Townsend,
John Cumings,
Samuel Hobart,
John Willoughby,
Samuel Cumings,
Enoch Hunt,
Francis Worcester,
William Cumings,
Stephen Jewett,
Noah Worcester,
Jonathan Danforth,
Ebenezer Jewett,
Benjamin Wright.
At the close of Mr. Emerson's active ministry, in 1793, the resi- dent members of the church numbered about two hundred.
Rev. Dr. Davis'in his Centennial address before the Hollis as- sociation of ministers in September, 1862, after short biographical sketches of some other of the early members of that association. in
237
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
speaking of Mr. Emerson, says of him, " Of the Rev. Daniel Em- son of IIollis we have more distinct notions derived from sketches furnished by his distinguished grandsons. He was a man of large and active intellect, a convert of Whitefield, and partaking largely of his spirit, he was uniformly evangelical, and often a very eloquent preacher. His chief excellencies in preaching were sound doctrine, deep feeling and zeal at times almost overwhelming. His labors were by no means confined to the pulpit. He was interested in public affairs, serving as chaplain in the army and accompanying it to Crown Point .* An able counsellor, he was often called from home to aid feeble churches. Interested in the cause of ministerial education, and much blessed with revivals of religion, among his own people, he animated a large number of young men to become preachers of the gospel. Very assiduous in his attendance on the meetings of this association, he manifested an energy like that of Baxter, whom in person he was said to resemble. From his talents and position the Hollis minister was for many years a leading mind in the association."
In another connection I have spoken of the interest Mr. Emerson manifested in the cause of popular education and of the indebtedness of the youth of Hollis to him on that account.
Upon the monument erected over his grave in the Hollis central burial ground is inscribed the following epitaph :
"Beneath this Monument lies the Mortal part of Rev. Daniel Emersor. He was born at Reading, Mass., May 20, 1716. Graduated at Harvard University, 1739 And was ordained April 20, 1743 to the Pastoral care Of the Church and Congregation in Hollis Which then consisted of only 30 Families. He was an honest man, given to Hospitality; An affectionate Husband and tender Parent; A faithful Friend and Patriotic Citizen; An Evangelical, zealous and unusually successful Preacher Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Highly Esteemed by his people, his praise was in all the Church es. A. D. 1793, he voluntarily relinquished one-half his Salary To promote the settlement of a Colleague, From which time his pious walk and occasional labors Evinced an unabating love for the cause of Christ, Until nature failed and he fell asleep in Jesus, September 30, 1So1, aged $5 years.
*When at Crown Point it is said of him that when the men of his regiment were ordered to present their arms for inspection, Mr. Emerson presented his Bible to the inspecting officer as his weapon.
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238
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Upon the same monument is also inscribed the following cpit ... in memory of his beloved and venerated consort.
" Here are also deposited the remains of Hannah Emerson, wife of the above and Daughter of Rev. Joseph Emerson of Malden. She lived a pattern of filial obedience, respect and affection, And an example of conjugal love and duty; A most tender, indulgent and faithful Parent,
The delight of her Friends and ornament of the Church ; She lived the life of a true Disciple of Chiist, In the constant exercise of active faith in His promises, And died in triumphant hope of everlasting life in those Regions where Charity never faileth, February 2S, 1S12, aged go."
Mr. Emerson and Mrs. Emerson were the parents of thirteen children-seven sons and six daughters. Two of the sons. Josep !: and Samuel, were graduates of Harvard College. (q. v.) Hannah Emerson, the oldest daughter, married Manasseh Smith of Hollis, three of whose sons were also graduates of Harvard College. (q. ~. )
SMITH, REV. ELI
second mihister. On the 27th of November, 1793. Rev. Eli Smith was settled as colleague pastor of the Hollis church with Rev. Mr. Emerson. Mr. Smith was born at Belchertown, Mass .. September 17, 1759, and was a graduate of Brown University in 1792.
Rev. Dr. Day in a biographical sketch of Mr. Smith, written for the " History of the New Hampshire Churches," says of him : " That he was a man of strong natural talents. a firm and energetic defender of the truth and a successful pastor. During his pastorate of a little more than thirty-seven years, between four and five hun- dred persons were admitted to the church. The great revival of his ministry was in the years . 1801 and 1802. At that time one hundred and forty-two new members were united to the church. In ISHI there was another revival when thirty or forty persons were added to the church. In ISI7 there was still another. of which about fifty more were made subjects. Mr. Smith was dismissed, (at his own request.) in February, 1831, and died in Hollis, May 11. IS47."
Mr. Smith, like his predecessor. Mr. Emerson. was an active and zealous friend of the public schools, and such was the interest he took in them, that some years after his settlement, the town mani- fested its appreciation of his services by a cordial vote of thanks. From 1806 to 1830. inclusive. he was annually elected chairman of the school committee. a position he continued to fill with much
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 239
fidelity and advantage to the schools. He was settled upon an annual salary of £go and twenty cords of wood, which is not known to have been materially changed during his pastorate.
The following epitaph is inscribed upon his monument in the central burial ground.
" Rev. Eli Smith.
Born September 17, 1759. Graduated, 1792. Ordained, 1793. Was Pastor of the Church in Hollis 37 years. Died May 11, 1847. Mr. Smith was distinguished for energy and decision of character,
for piety, faithfulness and success in his ministry."
Mr. Smith was twice married. His only son by Catharine Shel- don, his first wife, was Rev. Eli Smith, Jun., a graduate of Dart- mouth college, (g. v.). By his second wife, Ama Emerson, daughter of Dea. Daniel Emerson, he had six children-four sons and two daughters. The oldest of these died in childhood. Lu- ther, the third son, was a graduate of Brown University, (q. v.). Joseph E., the fourth, settled in Hollis, as a farmer, upon the pater- nal homestead, who, beside being elected many times to important town offices, was chosen representative to the New Hampshire General Court in :S3S and 1839. John R., the youngest son, studied medicine, and settled in his profession in Missouri. Ama, the oldest daughter, married Rev. Noah Emerson, of Baldwin, Me. ; the youngest, Catharine H., Rev. Darwin Adams of Camden, Me.
.
PERRY, REV. DAVID
the third minister of this society, was born at Worcester, Mass .. July 26. 179S, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1824, at the The- ological Seminary at Andover in IS27, and was ordained at Cam- bridgeport. Mass., May, 182S. He was dismissed at Cambridgeport. afterwards installed as pastor of the church in Hollis, February 23, IS31, and dismissed, at his own request, June 13. 1842, after a pas- torate of some more than ten years. During his ministry not far from one hundred and fifty persons were admitted to the church by profession or letter .* Mr. Perry died at Wareham, Mass., Aug. 27, 1876, æt. 78, and was buried in Hollis, where he had resided for several years near the close of his life.
-
. AIKEN, REV. JAMES
the fourth minister, was born at Goffstown. New Hampshire, Nov. 14, ISIo, graduated at Dartmouth College in IS39. and at Union Theological Seminary in 1842. Mr. Aiken was ordained as pastor
*New Hampshire Churches, p. 186.
1
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240
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
of the church and society in Hollis, August 30, 1843, and retained his office as pastor near five years, in which time about sixty mem- bers were added to the church. Dismissed July 3, 1848 .*
GORDON, REV. MATTHEW D.
fifth minister, was born at Blantyre, Scotland, Dec. 10, 1812. He came to this country with his parents in 1817, graduated at Middle- bury College in 1840, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1846. March 21, 1849, he was ordained as pastor of the church at Hollis, as successor of Rev. Mr. Aiken, and dismissed in consequence of ill health June 7, IS52. Died at Hoosic Falls, N. Y., August 21. 1853, æt. 40.
DAY, D. D., REV. PLINY BUTTS
sixth minister was born at Huntington, Mass., April 21, 1806, graduated at Amherst college in 1834, and at the Theological Semi- nary at Andover in 1837. Dr. Day was ordained as pastor of the church at Derry, N. H., Oct. 4, 1837, dismissed at Derry in IS51, and installed as pastor of the church and society in Hollis, July 7, 852. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from Dart- mouth college in 1861, of which institution he was a trustee for several years previous to his death. Died at Hollis July 6, 1869, æt. 63. The annual salary of the three ministers next preceding Dr. Day was $600. That of Dr. Day was at first $700, but after- wards increased to $1000.
The esteem in which Dr. Day was held by his brethren in the ministry, and also by the people of Hollis, is well expressed in the following resolution of the Hollis Association of ministers, adopted August 2, 1869, at its first meeting after his decease.
" Resolved that while we humbly submit to the Divine Provi- dence that has thus removed our greatly esteemed and beloved brother, we feel deeply pained and bereft at his departure. Rev. Dr. Day we received as a true, Christian gentleman ; courteous. amiable, possessed of superior mental endowments, judicious, wise ; his mind well trained and furnished with extensive, varied and useful knowledge ; a sound theologian, an able sermonizer ; an earnest, impressive preacher ; a faithful teacher, pastor and spiritual Christian ; and an eminently discreet and useful minister of Jesus Christ.
*New Han pshire Chu ches, p. 186.
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24 1
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
We record our deep conviction of the loss sustained in his death by this Association-by the church and people of which he was so long pastor and teacher-by the Congregational churches throughout the State ;- by our State college of which he was an esteemed trustce ; -by the interests of education generally-of patriotism-of Christian benevolence-of sound morals-and of philanthropy."
The published writings of Dr. Day are Letters from Europe, J851 ; Two Sermons, the Sabbath after his installation, 1852 ; New Year's Address. 1854 ; Sermons : at the funeral of Benjamin F. Nichols, IS54 ; at the funeral of John H. Cutter, 1860; Fare- well to Soldiers, 1861 ; in memory of John H. Worcester, 1864 ; Victory and its Dangers, 1865 ; in memory of Abraham Lin- coln, 1865 ; at the funeral of Benjamin M. Farley, 1865. Dr. Day was also a valued contributor to the Congregationalist and Con- gregational Journal.
LAIRD, REV. JAMES
seventh minister. was born at Huntingdon, Canada East, Septem- ber 4, 1833. Fitted for college at Monson, Mass. Entered Amherst College in 1857, passed the first two years of his college course at Amherst, the last wo at Oberlin College, Ohio, at which he gradu- ated in 1861. Hle afterwards entered the Theological Seminary at Andover. Graduated at Andover in IS64. Was ordained as pastor of the Congregational church at Guildhall, Vt., March 15, 1866 ; dismissed at Guildhall and afterwards installed as pastor of the church at Hollis, May 25, 1870. Died at Hollis after a long and lingering sickness, May 25, 1870, æt. 36. The annual salary of Mr. Laird was $1,250.
KELSEY, REV. HIRAM L.
eighth minister, was born at Wheclock, Vt., August 31, 1835. Graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., 1861. Was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, April 16, 1865. Mr. Kelsey was installed as pastor of the church and society at Hollis, June 1, 1875, and dismissed, (at his own re- quest,) March 1, 1878. About two months after his dismissal at Hollis he was installed as pastor of a Congregational church at Brockton, Mass., where he now resides.
Annual salary of Mr. Kelsey at Hollis, $1,500 and use of the parsonage.
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242
DEACONS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
SCOTT, REV. D. B.
from Milton, N. H., in the fall of 187S, was engaged as minister of the society for one year and is now the acting pastor of the church.
DEACONS OF THE HOLLIS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
William Cumings,
chosen 1745,
died September 9, 1S5S,
aged 46 years.
Thomas Patch,
..
1745,
May
1, 1754,
40
..
Francis Worcester.
1747,
October 19, 1800,
..
79
So'
67
61
66
Abel Conant,
. .
175,,
..
May
2, IS44,
..
SS
Ephraim Burge,
Thomas Farley,
ISO3,
..
March
17, IS32,
63
Stephen Jewett, Jun ..
. .
ISOS,
..
February
22, IS29,
.6
75
Benoni Cutter,
IS14,
January
17, 1816,
44
Enos Hardy,
IS16,
.6
May
IS, IS57,
SS
٠٠
76
. William Emerson,
..
IS32,
1832,
February
25, IS74,
90
John B. Hardy,
IS3S,
Rev. Leonard Jewett,
IS46,
February
16, 1862,
66
74
Rev. James D. Hills,
..
IS57,
Noah Farley,
Enoch J. Colburze
..
1 863.
Perry M. Farley,
IS75,
George M. Bradley,
..
IS75,
.
THE HOLLIS YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE LAST CENTURY.
I think it pertinent to the History of the society and church. and as some evidence of the moral and religious training and culture of the youth of Hollis one hundred years and more ago, to present in this connection the following articles of association signed by nearly one hundred of them. The document was preserved among the pa- pers of Miss Mary S. Farley. the generous benefactor of the Hollis High School, and whose grandfather, Christopher Farley, was a member of the association. There is no date upon the paper, but the fact that two members of the association, whose names were signed to it, were killed at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, and one of them at Cambridge two days after, is conclusive evidence that the association was organized before that time.
It may interest some persons who belong to the Young Men's Christian Associations of the present day to know that the like associations existed in New Hampshire three generations ago, and
1
..
1750,
:755,
1770,
..
May 23, ISO3,
75
. Daniel Emerson. Jun.,
Josiah Conant,
66
I-87,
.. August
March
3, 1543,
-S
6+
Phillips Wood,
IS20,
.. January
14, ISSS,
.. December
3, IS73,
66
Isaac Farley,
..
1775.
October
4, 1820,
21, ISO7,
.. September, 1796,.
Enoch Noyes,
- John Boynton,
..
October
29, 1757,
Stephen Jewett,
7+
76
IS60,
.. April
4, IS76,
ISO3,
-
243
YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
also to learn in what manner they were organized and conducted. They may also have some curiosity to know somewhat of the qualifications for membership in this ancient association-of the duties of its members to each other, as well as to the community at large-of its rules for the admission or expulsion of disorderly or unworthy members-and of the trust and confidence reposed by these young men in the pastor and deacons of the church, in making them the final arbiters in all matters that might disturb their harmony.
".THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION."
"Hoping that we are disposed by the influence of the spirit of God to seek those things which are above and made in some measure sensible of the danger of bad company by which many have fallen into temptation and the snare of the devil, and calling to mind that we are given up to God in holy baptism, as well as desiring to remember our Creator in the days of our youth and become the unfeigned servants of the Lord Christ, we determine to associate in the following manner, viz. :
Ist. Wesvill endeavor to spend about two hours every Sabbath evening in praying, reading and singing in the ensuing order. first asking God's presence and blessing. then reading a portion of sacred Scripture, then each one praying in his turn beginning with the oldest, then sing part of a psalm or hymn. then read a sermon or a part of some profitable book. then another prayer, then sing. then ask a question in the Assembly's Catechism to every member by the person who prayed last.
2nd. By Christ strengthening us we will watch over each other with a spirit of love and concern-not divulging one another's infirmities but lovingly inform them of what we shall know or hear to be a fault-nor will we manifest ourselves offended when we are charitably reproved, although the reproof be not administered in such manner as we should wish. but endeavor immediate reformation.
3d. If any of our members shall fall into scandalous sin we will admonish and suspend him for a longer or shorter time, according to the nature of the offence, nor will we receive him again without visible tokens of repentance and reformation.
4th. We will spend the evening of the fourth Lord's day in every other month in prayer for the increase of the kingdom of our
٢
244
YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
blessed Lord and Saviour through the world, especially for the con- version of the young people where we live, and invite one or two brethren of the church to join with and lead us on said evenings when these articles shall be audibly read.
5th. If any member shall absent himself for more than two eve- nings successively without known reason we will send one or two to enquire, and if no answer be given, but such as discovers apos- .tacy-without reformation. in one month his name shall be exposed before the society.
6th. Any one who is desirous of joining with us shall be pro- pounded by one of the members, one evening beforehand, and if allowed shall present himself the next, when, hearing our articles, if he pleases to sign them, it shall be his admission into our number.
7th. We will cheerfully contribute each of our parts towards the necessary expenses of the society.
Sth. If there arises any difficulty between any of us which we cannot heal among ourselves we will submit the whole affair to our Rev. Pastor and deacons of the church for the time being, and their judgment shall be the final issue of the difficulty"
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