USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Cheshire County, New Hampshire > Part 11
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At this time, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman accepted the invitation of their brother-in-law, Dr. Gordding of Winchendon, Mass., who had recently buried his wife, to spend the remainder of their days with him, to remove the desolation of his
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
home. But in this retreat, which God had so kindly pro- vided, Mr. Lyman did not long remain. On the 16th of November, 1872, he was released from his earthly toils and pain, and entered into his eternal rest.
A brother in the ministry well acquainted with him for many years, says of him: "He was ever regarded by his brethren in the ministry as an able writer and thinker. He was likewise an earnest preacher, and very faithful in dealing with his hearers and parishioners. The responsibility of souls seemed to be upon him, and he burned to do his whole duty to them in declaring the messages of God. Though plain of speech in his dealings with sin, and keen in his analysis of the motives of human action, his heart was full of the milk of human kindness, and he had most attached friends in his pastorates. Pure in morals, intelligent, and . fair-minded, he had the respect of all."
Mr. Lyman married, Dec. 14, 1835, Louisa Whitney, daughter of Phinehas Whitney of Winchendon, Mass. She was born in that town, May 30, 1812.
Few elergymen have ever found in a wife a more discreet or safe counsellor, or one better suited to inerease his influ- ence in the pastoral relations. Her warm and affectionate social nature, her cheerful, happy, and friendly manner, and the welcome gush of youthful feeling, attracted many to her, and made them devoted and long-tried friends. She is remembered in this town, where she spent so many years of activity, as a woman of great excellence, gentle, modest. and unassuming in her intereourse, self-sacrificing and yet firm in her convictions of duty, and in her loyalty to truth and to Christ.
At the close of ten years from the commencement of Mr. Lyman's pastorate, the congregation had so increased that it was deemed expedient to enlarge their house of worship, which was carried into effect during the summer of 1851. At this time, the meeting-house, besides receiving the addi- tion of twenty pews and a new pulpit, was painted and carpeted, giving the whole a neat and tasteful appearance.
In 1859, the society, having freed itself from the debt
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
which had clung to it, since the repairing of the church edifice, eight years before, now began to take into serious consideration the expediency of building a house for Mr. Lyman. A meeting of the society was held on the 16th of June, for the purpose of taking this matter into consid- eration. A piece of land having been deeded by Charles Holman to Mr. Lyman, for that purpose, it was voted to build a house thereon.
Asa Maynard, Simeon Whitcomb, and Solon S. Wil- kinson, were chosen a committee to carry this vote into effect. The work was rapidly carried forward, and the house was so far completed that Mr. Lyman took possession of it the 29th of the following December. During the next year, the grounds were tastefully laid out, the high bank in front of the house was properly levelled, and Mr. Lyman, at his own expense, did much toward beautifying the grounds.
To meet the expense incurred by building the parsonage, Mr. Lyman generously advanced $800. The ladies of the " Benevolent Society " took upon themselves the responsi- bility of cancelling this debt, being greatly encouraged by Warren H. Wilkinson of Springfield, Mass., who made them the generous offer of placing twenty-five cents by the side of every dollar raised for that purpose. It is needless to say that the ladies went to work with a will, and that ere long the whole was cancelled.
In April, 1868, Mr. Lyman, having served as acting pastor of church and society for more than twenty-eight years, sent in the following letter of resignation :-
GENTLEMEN OF THE TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY :
I have long felt that I was unable, on account of impaired health, properly to perform the duties of a minister of the gospel to this Church and Society; and with this conviction and on this ground, many years ago, as some of you will remember, I proposed to the Society that they should seek a supply elsewhere. But the Society unanimously, if I rightly recollect, expressed a wish that I should remain, and labor as I might be able with the health I had; and I have acted accordingly.
At the time when your committee waited upon me after the annual meeting of the society in January, I hoped I might be able to go through the labors of another year, something as in the last year, and others
18
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
preceding, though I felt and expressed to them some doubt upon the subject : since that time, however, having narrowly escaped a serious illness, as I think from overtaxing my powers, and having a deep feeling that the work which needs to be done here in my present state of health is beyond my ability to perform, and especially in consideration of the impaired health and serious disability of my wife, requiring relief from care and labor, having sought guidance from God in a matter of such importance, I have come to the decided conclusion that the time has arrived when it is proper for me to resign my charge as your minister, and will do this so soon as you shall procure one to take my place.
Thanking you most sincerely for all your kindness in the past, and earnestly praying that God will guide and prosper you in obtaining a suitable man to be your minister,
I am most affectionately yours,
Marlborough, April 27th, 1868.
GILES LYMAN.
The resignation of Mr. Lyman was accepted, and a com- mittee chosen to hire a minister. Several candidates were employed, among whom was Rev. Henry B. Underwood. He was the son of Rev. Almon and Henrietta (Platt) Underwood, born at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Dec. 25, 1839; graduated at Williams College, 1862, and Andover Theolog- ical Seminary, 1865. He labored at Ringwood, Ill., and at East Long Meadow, Mass., previous to his coming to Marl- borough. He remained here only about seven months. He afterwards preached at Baxter Springs, Kansas, and also at Hillsboro' Bridge, where he was installed pastor, March 7, 1871, dismissed July 7, 1872. In 1873, he was acting pastor at Algona, Iowa, where he married, July 8, 1875, Emily. daughter of Capt. Elkana and Sarah (Willey) Rich of that place. He died at Algona, Sept. 2, 1875.
In the spring of 1869 occurred a very powerful revival, the result of a series of protracted meetings held by Rev. A. B. Earle, an evangelist. During the year, forty-three were added to the church, many of them heads of families, and among them some of our most influential citizens, thus raising the church from the feeble position it had hitherto held, to one of the strongest in the county.
In April, 1869, Rev. Silas P. Cook of Keene commenced his labors here. After preaching some two months, he
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
received a unanimous call from the church and society, which was accepted; and he was ordained pastor, June 24, 1869. Mr. Cook, at his own request, was dismissed Feb. 23, 1870, since which time he has labored in Windsor and Ludlow, Vermont.
Rev. John L. Merrill commenced his labors here in April, 1870, and was installed pastor, May 2, 1871. He was born in Haverhill, N.H., May 24, 1833, the son of Abel Kimball and Mary (Leverett) Merrill; fitted for college at the Haver- hill Academy and Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N.H .; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1856, and at Princeton Theological Seminary, 1859. Commenced to labor at once with New Harmony Church, Chanceford, Pennsylvania. Ordained by presbytery of Donegoll (now Westminster) as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of New Harmony, Oct. 31, 1860. Was dismissed in November, 1865, and accepted the position of principal of the combined high schools of Lancaster City, Penn. Resigned in April of the next year, to accept a call from the Congregational Church in Acworth, N.H., where he was installed, June 13, 1866, dis- missed March 1, 1870, and removed to Marlborough, where he still labors.
In the summer of 1869, Hon. Rufus S. Frost of Chelsea, Mass., made known to the society his wish to present them a new organ, to be placed in the meeting-house whenever it should be prepared to receive it.
At a meeting of the society, August 16, Elisha O. Wood- ward, George G. Davis, and William M. Nason, were chosen a committee to examine the meeting-house, and procure plans for enlarging or remodelling, and repairing the same. and report at a future meeting.
Another meeting was held August 30, at which the com- mittee rendered their report, and it was voted unanimously to repair the house. At the same time, E. O. Woodward, Geo. G. Davis, and Wm. M. Nason were chosen "a com- mittee to solicit subscriptions for making the necessary repairs and additions." At a subsequent meeting, these gentlemen were chosen a committee "to make suitable repairs and additions."
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Through the untiring and earnest efforts of this com- mittee, the sum of $1,427.99 was raised by subscription, which amounted to nearly enough to defray the expense of the repairs. Of this sum, $300 was generously donated by Warren H. Wilkinson of Springfield, Mass.
A recess was built upon the east end of the building to receive the organ, fourteen new pews were added, the ceiling frescoed, and the interior tastefully painted. Shortly after the repairs were completed, the following letter was received by the officers of the society : -
CHARLES E. HOUGHTON, 1 Trustees of the J. WHITNEY LAWRENCE, CHARLES RYAN, - Trinitarian Cong'l Soc. of Marlboro', N.H.
GENTLEMEN,-I hereby present to you and your successors in office forever the Organ recently erected in the meeting-house of the Society which you represent, for the use of those who may worship God with said society. Although I desire to make no conditions herewith, I trust that the wisdom of your successors may prevent their ever creating a debt which may endanger the possession and use of this organ by those for whom I have designed it.
Your friend, RUFUS S. FROST.
Marlboro', N.H., July 25, 1870.
At a society meeting, August 1, the following preamble and resolutions were presented, and unanimously adopted : -
Whereas, this Society have been engaged in enlarging and repairing their house of worship, and have been abundantly blessed and prospered in completing the same, therefore be it
Resolved, That we devoutly acknowledge the good hand of the Lord in uniting the hearts of the people, and in enabling them to complete this work speedily in harmony and good-will.
Resolved, That we duly appreciate the kind motives and benevolent feelings of Hon. Rufus S. Frost, manifested to the Society by the wise and judicious means he has employed in promoting the best interests of this Society.
Resolved, That we tender to Mr. Frost our most sincere and hearty thanks for the valuable Church Organ which he has presented to this Society.
Resolved, That we return thanks to Mr. W. II. Wilkinson for the liberal and timely assistance which he so generously bestowed upon this Society.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Resolved, That we tender our thanks to the executive committee of the Society for the faithful discharge of all their duties as such committee, and for their untiring and successful efforts in bringing this work to so speedy a termination.
The society, having long felt the inconvenience of having no stated place in which to hold their weekly meetings. voted, at their annual meeting in January, 1875, to purchase the old school-house, in District No. 2, for a vestry. This vote was immediately carried into effect, and during the summer the building was remodelled, and neatly and taste- fully fitted up for that purpose.
Since the organization of the church, thirteen persons have officiated as deacons. The following list gives their names, with the date of their accession to the office, and that of their retirement: -
Acceded.
James Flood,
July 5, 1779,
Retired. June 24, 1790
Eliphalet Stone,
July 8, 1790,
Feb. 9, 1817
Silas Fife,
June 22, 1791,
Sept. 3, 1815
Jacob Woodward,
Dec. 28, 1815,
Feb. 22, 1827
Kimber Harvey,
Dec. 28, 1815,
Feb. 22, 1827
James Farrar,
Feb. 22, 1827,
Nov. 3, 1861
Asa Holman,
Feb. 22, 1827,
Mar. 14, 1830
Simeon Whitcomb,
June 24, 1830,
Jan. 1, 1869
Luther Wiswall,
June 24, 1830,
Sept. 29, 1837
Charles E. Houghton,
Sept. 2, 1864,
- 1875
Charles D. Tarbell,
Sept. 2, 1864,
Dec. 8, 1867
William M. Nason,
Sept. 2, 1870.
Levi A. Fuller,
Oct. 30, 1874.
The church numbers, at present, two hundred and thirty members.
The Sabbath-school connected with this church was estab- lished in 1816, by Cyrus Stone, afterwards a missionary in India, who was also the first superintendent. The school was held during the first two years in the school-house, which then stood on the east side of the common. The exercises consisted of recitations of chapters from the Bible, hymns, and the catechism committed to memory. No lessons were given out, but each youth in attendance chose one for himself.
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
All under twelve years of age received prizes according to the number of Bible verses committed. When sixty verses had been learned, the child received a ticket valued at one cent : when he had received tickets to the value of ten cents, he received a book of equal value. These tickets were printed on stiff paper, with a passage of Scripture on one side.
This method lasted for sometime. Then a quantity of tracts were procured, which the children were permitted to take home and read during the week, to be exchanged on the following Sabbath.
About 1827, by the kindness of two former residents, Miss Polly Barker and Mrs. Philinda Lane, the school was able to have a library which consisted of about one hundred volumes of second-hand books, procured by these ladies from the Sabbath-school libraries in Boston.
The whole number of scholars for the year ending May 1, 1878, was two hundred and fifteen; average attendance, one hundred and fifteen.
CHAPTER VII.
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST, BAPTIST, AND UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES.
FIRST METHODIST PREACHING IN TOWN. - A CLASS FORMED. - FORMA- TION OF THE CHURCH. - CLASS LEADERS. - A MEETING-HOUSE BUILT IN POTTERSVILLE. - REMOVAL TO MARLBOROUGH VILLAGE. -A PARSONAGE BUILT. - EARLY PREACHERS. - LORENZO DOW. - LIST OF PREACHERS. - REV. D. S. DEXTER. - BAPTISTS FIRST MEN- TIONED IN TOWN RECORDS. - THEY OBTAIN LEAVE TO OCCUPY THE MEETING-HOUSE. - OTHER PLACES OCCUPIED BY THEM FOR WOR- SHIP. - A SOCIETY FORMED. - NAMES OF MINISTERS EMPLOYED. - DEACONS. - A NEW MEETING-HOUSE. - THE SOCIETY UNABLE TO SUPPORT PREACHING. - THEY DISBAND. - MEETING-HOUSE SOLD. A UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY FORMED. - REV. E. PAINE. - SUNDAY SCHOOL. - A LIBRARY. - A MEETING-HOUSE BUILT. - PASTORS. -- CHURCH FORMED. - PARSONAGE.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
THE first Methodist preaching in this town was at the house of Mr. Daniel Emerson in the year 1793 by the Rev. John Hill, of Needham Circuit, New London District.
The immediate occasion of this was, Mr. Emerson not believing exactly in the doctrinal views of the Congrega- tional and Baptist denominations, and hearing of a new sect called Methodist, determined to hear for himself of their faith.
Accordingly, he mounted his horse and rode to Ash- burnham, Mass., which was then the nearest place where Methodist preaching was held, and it is said by the old ministers to have been the year of its introduction there,
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
· only three years after the first Methodist appointment within the State of Massachusetts, and five years from the first introduction of Methodism into New England. Mr. Emerson was so well pleased with the views and manners of this new sect that he earnestly besought Mr. Hill to come to his house and preach, which he did in the year above named.
According to the best information we have, the people of this town enjoyed the first regular Methodist preaching in this State. At this time there was no circuit in New Hamp- shire, Maine, or Vermont. But, although the first to hear it, they probably were not the first to form a class and join the church, as they do not seem thus to have moved for three years ; and, as Chesterfield is mentioned in the old minutes first, it is probable that town was the first to act in this regard.
Till 1796, we have no evidence that even a class had been formed in Marlborough which seems strange when we remember the early customs, and especially the success of the first itinerants of the Methodist Church. The reason for this may be accounted for by the strength and influence of the other denominations who held regular meetings in the town, and naturally drew many away from a meeting held irregularly, or at most monthly, and many times on week-days.
During this year (1796), Phillip Wager preached a power- ful sermon from Luke xiii., 7: "Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" After which, he extended an invitation to all to join the class, and seven enrolled their names as follows :-
Mehitable Metcalf. Mehitable Metcalf, 2d. Lucy Emerson. Josiah Newell.
Coley Smith.
Nathaniel Metcalf. William Comstock.
This class was presided over by J. Coburn, of Rindge. To this time, then, we may refer for the foundation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Marlborough. Although the
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METHODIST CHURCH.
church proper was not formed as a separate organization till some time subsequent, yet this was the starting-point, and may be said to be the true beginning.
In 1801, the church was more fully organized ; and Alfred Metcalf was appointed leader, which position he continued to hold until about 1802, when he was licensed to preach. We find on his class papers the names of fourteen members. Now the church seemed to be well established. Ministers appointed for this station were holy men, filled with the spirit of reformation.
In 1802, a powerful revival progressed for a long time, and the church increased in influence and numbers. About this date, Mr. Ebenezer Herrick was appointed leader, and the meetings were removed from Mr. Emerson's to his house. In 1807, Mr. Herrick was succeeded by Nathaniel Metcalf. In 1808, Mr. Metcalf was licensed as a local preacher, and Mr. Ebenezer Wallingford was appointed leader. On his class papers are found the names of twenty- seven members. There was some trouble in the church from 1812 or 1813 until about 1820, and during this period the circuit preachers did not regularly supply this station ; yet there appears to have been preaching a part of the time, either by the regular circuit riders, or local preachers, under the sanction of the presiding elder.
In 1820, their meetings were held at the house of Thomas White. In 1826, they were again held at Daniel Emerson's ; and Abner Russell was appointed leader, in which office he continued faithfully, doing what he could for his Master, till death called him to the rewards of the righteous in 1855.
Nothing worthy of note seems to have occurred from this time till 1842, when a meeting-house was erected in Potters- ville. Previous to the building of this, quarterly meet- ings were often held in barns, and not unfrequently in the "Cooper barn," which formerly stood on the old road leading to Pottersville, but is now a part of the blanket-mill of Whitney & Clark.
The meeting-house was built in Pottersville for the reason that it was the most central place, many of the members
19
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
residing in Dublin, Roxbury, and Nelson. Preaching was continued here without interruption until 1859, when Thomas L. Fowler was appointed to the charge. During the summer, he commenced preaching one-half of the time in the meeting-house then owned by the Baptists, and situated in our village, which had long stood unused, owing to the fact that they, being few in numbers, were unable to support preaching. Mr. Fowler afterwards pur- chased this meeting-house of the Baptist society, and made it over to the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The preaching was then wholly removed to this town, and the meeting-house in Pottersville was sold.
In the summer of 1867, a move was made to build a par- sonage. A lot was purchased ou Frost Street, the work commenced, and so far completed as to be occupied by Rev. D. S. Dexter who was appointed to the charge of the church in the spring of 1868.
We have found it impossible to give a complete list of all the Methodist ministers who have been stationed over this church. In the early days of Methodism, it was not unfrequently the case that the presiding elder transferred preachers from one field to another after three or six months, where it was thought they might be more useful.
Several of the ministers who were appointed to this circuit in its early days became in after years distinguished and eminent men. Among these were the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, Bishop Hedding, and Martin Reuter, afterward Presi- dent of a Southern University, and also a Bishop in the Southern Branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Lorenzo Dow preached here in November, 1796. This was ascertained from his diary. Under date of Nov. 21, 1796, he says: "I preached in Rindge, thence to Marl- borough, where our meetings were not in vain." Mr. Dow was born October 16, 1777, and was only nineteen years of age when he preached in this town. He is described as being tall and of very slender form. His countenance was serious and solemn, but not dejected; and the words delivered by him cut like a sword. Abel Stevens, LL.D., in
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METHODIST CHURCH.
his History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, says of him, "He was a right-hearted but wrong-headed man, labored like a Hercules, did some good, and had an energy of char- acter which, with sounder faculties, would have rendered him as eminent as he was noted."
The following list comprises all who have been stationed over this church since 1842 :-
1842. John Smith.
1861. Hiram A. Matterson.
1843. Samuel S. Dudley.
1862.
1844.
1863.
Samuel S. Dudley.
1845.
Lorenzo Draper.
1864.
Anson C. Coult. 66
1847.
O. Watkins.
1866.
Irad Taggart.
1849.
J. C. Allen.
1868.
D. S. Dexter.
1850.
Ira Carter.
1869.
66
1851.
66
1870.
66
1852. J. G. Johnson.
1871.
L. Draper.
1853.
1872.
A. K. Howard.
1854.
G. W. Bryant.
1873.
1855.
1874.
J. H. Hillman.
1856.
John Clough.
1875.
1857.
1876.
Noble Fisk.
1858.
Thomas L. Fowler.
1877.
1859.
66
66
1878.
1860.
66
1879. A. C. Coult.
Of the above list, none have had a greater influence on the hearts and minds of the people than Rev. D. S. Dexter. The following, in relation to him, was kindly furnished for our use by Rev. Irad Taggart :-
Rev. Deming S. Dexter was born in Newark, Vt., June 15, 1815, and died in Marlborough, Aug. 20, 1873. He was converted under the preaching of Rev. Eleazer Smith, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1829. He was early convinced that it was his duty to preach the Gospel. He spent a few terms in Newbury Seminary, pre- paring for his life-work.
He began to preach when about eighteen years of age. He was ad- mitted on trial in 1846 to the Vermont Conference, and with great acceptability filled various appointments for nearly twenty years.
In the spring of 1870, he was transferred to the New Hampshire Conference, and appointed to Marlborough, having supplied the church for two years previous. During his three years' pastorate of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Marlborough, he endeared himself to the
1846.
Ezra Wardwell.
1865.
1848.
Rufus Tilton & J. C. Allen.
1867.
66
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HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
people of his own congregation, and also of the town. The citizens of the town honored him by sending him for two years as Representative to the General Court of New Hampshire.
Mr. Dexter was a Christian gentleman, an affectionate husband, and a loving and kind father. He was a good preacher and a faithful pastor, respected and beloved by all who became intimately acquainted with him. Aug. 20, 1873, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and passed to his reward in glory. His funeral was attended by a large number of the people of Marlborough. His body rests in the cemetery, in hope of a glorious resurrection.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first mention of persons in Marlborough calling them- selves Baptists is found in the town records under date of Nov. 9, 1778, it being about two years subsequent to the incorporation of the town, and some two or three months after the settlement of Rev. Joseph Cummings as its first gospel minister. In a warrant of that date for a town- meeting is an article which reads as follows: "To see if the town will relinquish those of other professions from paying taxes to the minister of said town." The action on the part of the town was a refusal to grant the request of the peti- tioners. A second similar request made at the next annual meeting, was also refused. The petitioners, not being dis- couraged by these repeated denials, the third time asked the town for a redress of their grievances, and the action of the town, as recorded March 14, 1780, was as follows: “Voted not to excuse the Separatists or Baptists without a cer- tificate."
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