USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Cheshire County, New Hampshire > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
Accordingly, and in compliance with this condition, some ten or twelve persons who were then connected with the Baptist society in Dublin obtained papers, certifying that they were paying for the support of preaching at that place. Among this number, the church records give the following names : -
Asa Brewer. Daniel Ball. Josiah Flint. Josiah Lewis. John Greenlief.
William White.
Israel Greenlief.
Elias Hemenway. James Bemis. Isaac McAlister.
133
BAPTIST CHURCH.
September 2, 1791, the Baptists, through an article in the warrant, asked the town to grant them the use of the meet- ing-house a certain share of the time. This request, like the previous ones, was, after repeated refusals, at last granted ; and an arrangement was entered into by which the Baptists obtained the use of the house every fourth Sabbath. For about three years from this time, Baptist preaching was supplied by Rev. Clark Sibley. After this, and until the formation of the church in 1837, there does not appear to have been any stated preaching. Services were held occa- sionally at the meeting-house, and at other times in the school-house, which stood near where John M. Davis now resides, and also at the hall in the "Old Red Tavern." During this period, preaching was supplied mostly by Rev. Charles Cummings, Elder Willard of Dublin preaching occasionally.
In the summer of 1837, agreeably to the request of Rev. Charles Cummings, -
Benjamin Thatcher,
Dudley Clark,
Elias Thatcher,
Joseph Thatcher,
Howard Clark,
Zeruiah White,
Levi Thatcher,
Delilah Bemis,
Anna Farrar,
Lydia Cummings,
Clark Mason,
Jemima Thatcher,
Almira Mason,
Almira Thatcher,
Catharine Thatcher,
Nancy Thatcher,
a council composed of delegates from the churches of Troy, Swanzey, Dublin, and Westmoreland, convened at the old meeting-house June 21, and by their action constituted the petitioners a church, to be known as the BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MARLBOROUGH.
July 6, following, a meeting of the members was held, at which Rev. Charles Cummings was chosen chairman; Clark Mason, clerk; Howard Clark, deacon; and Rev. Charles Cummings, pastor. In December of the same year. a society was formed, and rules and by-laws were adopted. The members of the society were :-
Clark Mason. Benjamin Thatcher.
Levi Thatcher.
Amos Sargent.
134
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Enoch Bemis.
John S. Sargent.
Elias Thatcher.
Gilman Converse.
Jonathan Bemis.
Asa Bemis.
Charles Cummings.
William C. Mason.
Philander Thatcher.
Artemas Bemis.
Simeon Blanchard.
David Thatcher.
Willard Converse.
Jonathan Calif.
Silas Collester.
Charles G. Blanchard.
Allen Woodward.
Almon B. White.
Asahel Collins.
From the society and church records, we gather the following names of ministers and their term of service :-
Rev. Charles Cummings, from July 6, 1837, to March 1, 1839.
Joseph Sargeant, from March 1, 1839, to Dec. 14, 1840.
Daniel P. French, from Dec. 14, 1840, to June 15, 1842.
Henry M. Danforth, from July 3, 1843, to Oct. 27, 1844.
C. L. Baker preached a few months in 1845.
66 S. Dearborn, from Aug. 15, 1847, to Oct. 1, 1849.
N. Clark, from Oct. 1, 1849, to Aug. 3, 1851.
66 J. Q. A. Ware, from Aug. 24, 1851, to July 17, 1853.
66 G. B. Bills, a few months in 1854.
T. B. Briggs, a short time in 1859.
John Quincy Adams Ware was the son of Capt. Benjamin and Martha (Chapin) Ware. He was born in Gilsum, December 17, 1822. When a youth, he was considered a young man of correct habits, strong to labor, of literary tastes, and showing considerable ability in lyceum debates and papers.
After reaching maturity, he embraced sceptical views, though he did not refrain from attending divine worship and listening to the gospel. During the preaching of Rev. Mark Carpenter in Gilsum, while he was settled in Keene, Mr. Ware was suddenly arrested by the power of the Holy Spirit, and immediately yielded himself to the claims of the Gospel.
To prepare himself for the work of the ministry, he pur- sued a thorough course of study at New Hampton, soon after which he came to Marlborough, and entered at once upon the duties of a preacher and pastor.
135
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Mr. Ware was a man of considerable energy, naturally social and generous-hearted. Physically, there were not many his equal. He was full six feet in stature, weighing one hundred and eighty pounds. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, one whose air and mien made his pres- ence felt. His style of composition for the pulpit was that of strength rather than ornament of rhetoric and gloss of diction. His manner of speaking was open, earnest, and impressive.
After closing his labors here, he went to Sanbornton, where he remained four years; thence to Addison, Vt., where he labored two years; and then to Whiting, Vt., where he remained till his death.
While a member of the Addison County Baptist Associa- tion of Vermont, he occupied a position of influence and prominence, showing that he had a power which he could wield for good in the Association. He was many times chosen its moderator, and took a more or less conspicuous part in all its deliberations. The people of Whiting, while he was a resident there, paid him a tribute of respect - not only as a minister, but as a man -in choosing him moderator of their town-meetings, which duties he ably discharged, and by his influence sometimes carried measures which otherwise would have failed.
The history of the church in Whiting, over which he was pastor six years, shows what his influence was to build up a society ; and although his record was not so great as he himself could have wished, yet it was very creditable.
Being a man of good physical constitution, he was able to perform and endure more mental labor than many of his contemporaries. While on business at his sister's in Surry, he was taken sick, and died suddenly, August 29, 1865.
Howard Clark, Clark Mason, Elias Thatcher, and S. Blanchard served as deacons, and Clark Mason, Asahel Col- lins, Curtis W. Capron, Charles G. Blanchard, and N. Clark, as church clerks.
During the six years following the formation of the church, there was an addition of thirty members. The next year,
136
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
1843, there -seems to have been a greater degree of both temporal and spiritual prosperity than in any previous, or subsequent years of the church. A new house of worship (the one now owned and occupied by the Methodist society) was dedicated July 4, and also the same year, there was an addition to the church of seventeen members.
The next eighteen years of this church are marked by no events of particular interest. There was no special revival, and the removal of church and society members by death and from other causes greatly outnumbered the accessions, in consequence of which the church was yearly growing weaker, and less able to sustain stated preaching. Under these discouraging circumstances, the faithful few remain- ing struggled on, till, no longer able to bear the heavy burden placed upon them, they reluctantly decided to sell their church-property and disband the church. Accord- ingly, a meeting was called, and convened at the house of Silas Stone, August 20, 1862, at which time it was " voted to divide the money belonging to the Baptist Church equally to each of the male members who signed the deed of the house. Voted to disband the aforesaid Baptist Church, and report to the Dublin Baptist Association."
The meeting-house had a short time previous been deeded to Thomas L. Fowler for the Methodist society.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF MARLBOROUGH.
The history of this society reaches back nearly to the eighteenth century. The first records of the society bear the date. "Oct. ye 14th 1805." At this time, the first consti- tution of the society was framed. There had probably been some Universalist preaching in the town before this. Be that as it may, in 1805 the laws of New Hampshire recog- nized Universalists as a distinct religious denomination ; and, availing themselves of this change in the laws, a society was formed, with the following constitution : -
We the undersigned do firmly believe in the "restitution of things "
137
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
spoken of "by the mouth of all God's holy prophets since the world be- gan "; or, in other words, that God will in his infinite mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, restore all men to a state of happiness. Know all men, therefore, by these presents, that we have formed ourselves into a Christian regular constitutional independent society, with a full determi- nation to support that gospel which brings glad tidings to all men, so far as our abilities will admit.
This constitution was signed by the following individuals :
John Wiswall.
Jonathan Capron, Jr.
Jacob French.
Joseph Willson, Jr.
Samuel Collins.
Luther Hastings.
Nathan Wild.
Joseph Cutting, Jr.
Oliver Wright.
Tisdale Howard.
Joseph Follett.
William Goodenough.
Christopher Harris.
Eli Capron.
Thaddeus Hastings.
Benjamin Goodenough.
This constitution gave place to a better one in 1816. Only two of the original men, Samuel Collins and Joseph Willson, signed the new one. This one was followed by another in 1833, and this by another in 1835, and this by still another in 1851, which was amended in 1875. One hundred and thirty-nine persons have belonged to this society, most of them heads of families.
The first society was probably formed as the result of the preaching of Rev. E. Paine, who preached occasionally in 1805, and once a month in 1806. Only one person now living remembers attending his meetings. Mrs. Sarah Davis, then a girl of fourteen, remembers the excitement occasioned by the preaching of doctrines so different from those usually preached at that time. The meetings were held at the house of Lieut. Oliver Wright, near the old meeting-house on the hill. Rev. Mr. Paine lived at Wash- ington, N.H. He removed to New York State in 1811. From 1808 to 1816 there was only occasional preaching. Rev. Russell Streeter, the oldest living preacher in this denomination, says he preached here once in 1810.
We have no means of knowing definitely all those who preached here, the records of the society are so incomplete.
20
138
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
It is, however, well known that Rev. Hosea Ballou, Sen., a native of the town of Richmond, Revs. Caleb Rich, William Farwell, Thomas Barns, Elhanan Winchester, Zebulon and Adam Streeter, Joab Young, and James Babbitt, were preaching frequently in Cheshire County about this time. At this period, the Universalist elergy, like the Methodist, were mostly itinerants, and preached in places where they could obtain a hearing; and, to the credit of this early time, it may be said that the people liked to go to church so well they gave all who came a respectful hearing. Some of the oldest citizens are quite confident that they have heard in this place Rev. Hosea Ballou and James Babbitt about the year 1812.
The society was reorganized in 1816, probably by Robert Bartlett, who was that year ordained. Mr. Elijah Gates remembers Mr. Bartlett as a young man of twenty who stayed at his father's frequently. As the records for the year 1816 show that Elijah Gates, Sen., was collector and one of the committee, this tends to fix the date of Mr. Bartlett's services here.
The following names were affixed to the new constitution :
Samuel Collins.
Walter Gates.
Joseph Willson.
Windsor Gates.
Enoch White.
Artemas Collins.
Varnum Fiske.
Paul Newton.
Elijah Gates.
Stephen Rhoades.
Calvin Harvey.
Robt. Emerson.
Caleb Emerson.
Josiah Fisk.
Jonah Davis.
James Davis.
Moses Maynard.
William Lincoln.
John B. Farrar.
Daniel Cutting.
Joseph Haskell.
Among the preachers that are known to have labored here, some from 1818 to 1835, were Warren Skinner, Otis A. Skinner, I. D. Williamson, Dr. Ithiel Smead of Roxbury, formerly a Methodist minister, Mathew Hale Smith, Thomas Whittemore of Boston, editor of the Trumpet, Robert Bart- lett of Jaffrey. Oliver Wright and Joseph Wright, two
139
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
brothers, grandsons of Lieut. Oliver Wright and cousins to Col. Converse and Jairus Collins.
In October, 1835, Rev. J. V. Wilson of Jaffrey, formed a society of forty members, and since that time the records show greater regularity and more of the evidences of per- manence and piety.
A Sunday-school was formed in 1838. Willard Converse, who had been a Baptist preacher, was superintendent; Edwin and Elisha Davis, Mrs. M. P. Allison, Elijah Boyden, and Mrs. Boyden were teachers. This school, however, was short-lived. Possibly the number of societies that occupied the meeting-house made it impossible to continue it. Mr. Boyden who is now known as a humorist insists that his scholars, a fine class of boys, all rose to eminence as a result of that year's instruction. If the record of the rest of the school equals that of one of the scholars, S. H. McCollester, D.D., late president of Buchtel College, we certainly would recommend Mr. Boyden to resume his duties as Sunday-school teacher.
One of the young teachers, Mr. Edwin Davis, a few years afterward became an efficient and zealous clergyman.
A library of about seventy volumes of theological, moral, and historical books, was bought in 1835, and called the Marlborough Moral, Religious, and Historical Library. This library was only to be used by the clergy of the place and the families of the stockholders. These books are now in the library of the Universalist Sunday-school.
In 1847, an effort was made to buy or rent an interest in the Baptist (now the Methodist) Church, but unsuccess- fully. In 1851, a church-edifice was built by Asa Greenwood and others, at a nominal cost of $1,200. Forty-eight shares of $25 each were taken as follows :-
Asa Greenwood,
4 |Amos B. Tenney, 2 .
Jonah Davis, 4 Jonathan Jones, 2 George Harvey, 4 Samuel Allison,
2 Elijah Boyden,
4
John C. Stone,
2 William Boyden,
4 Luther Hemenway, 1 Cyrus Piper, Jr., . 3
J. D. Barker, . 1 Rufus W. Piper,
3 Thaddeus L. Barker, 1
140
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
H. E. Greenwood,
2 Nelson Converse, 1
Fred'k R. Greenwood, .
1 James Knowlton, 1
F. R. Thurston, 1 Augustine P. Snow. 1
But Mr. Greenwood was the prime mover in the enter- prise. He furnished the lot, built the church, paid all the bills himself, and received nothing until the time of the sale of the pews, which were taken at the appraisal by the subscribers, to an amount equalling the number of shares subscribed by each, they bidding for choice. The pews remaining unsold being the property of Mr. Green- wood, he, after his removal from town, generously deeded to the "Ladies' Sewing Circle" connected with the society.
The church-edifice was dedicated Jan. 6, 1852. Rev. Lemuel Willis preached' the dedieatory sermon. The Sunday-school was reorganized in April, and a choice selection of Sunday-school books obtained. The school has since greatly increased in numbers and usefulness, and has for several years enjoyed the reputation of being the "banner school" of the denomination in this county. The Ladies' Society was also organized, which has since done efficient work for the society, having raised and expended $3,812.92 for preaching and current expenses.
The progress of the society since the building of their house has been more marked, and the regularity of worship a decided improvement upon that of former years. With the exception of about two years in war times, the pulpit has been supplied and the Sunday-school maintained.
The following statistical table gives the names of all the pastors and all suppliers who preached six months or more. Most of these were young men. Edwin Davis alone, of these, was a native of this town, and his history will be given elsewhere. Most of these clergymen are still living. Two of them, Warren A. Bassett and Lewis L. Record, died at Marlborough in the midst of their usefulness, honored and beloved by all who knew them. Three of them served in the army during the "War of the Rebel- lion." Truman Jackson enlisted in the ranks, was taken prisoner, and died at Andersonville ; Lewis L. Record was
141
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
chaplain of the Twenty-third Massachusetts Volunteers ; Henry Wells Hand enlisted as a private soldier, and rose to the rank of captain : -
STATISTICAL TABLE FROM 1835 TO 1879.
Names of Pastors. Length of Pastorate.
Resident, or otherwise. Remarks.
Rev. John Virgil Wilson, Oct. '35 to July '37, } time, Jaffrey, Still living.
J. W. Bailey,
July '37 to April '39, } April '39 to April '42,
Hinsdale. Swanzey.
" Edwin Davis,
June '44 to Feb. '46, ₺
Jan. '51 to Oct. '51,
Mar. '52 to Mar. '55,
" Alvin Abbott, Nov. '55 to April '56,
" Edwin Davis,
May '57 to May '58,
6. Earl Gilford,
Dec. '58 to Dec. '59, 3
Warren A. Bassett, Jan. '60 to Aug. '60,
= Judson Fisher, Oct. '60 to April '61,
" Truman Jackson, May '61 to Jan. . '62,
Keene and
Marlborough,
Enlisted, and died in Andersonville prison.
= H. P. Osgood,
Oct. '64 to May '70,
" L. L. Record, A.B., May '70 to Dec. '71,
" Earnest L. Senft, May '72 to May '73,
66
" R. T. Sawyer, B.D., Nov. '73 to May '74,
66
Made improve- ments in church building.
" H. Wells Hand, B.D., Oct. '74 to May '77,
Organized a ch'h March 28, 1875.
" E. B. Burgess, June '77 to present time.
On the 28th of March, 1875, a church composed of twenty- nine members was formed by the pastor, H. W. Hand, assisted by T. J. Sawyer, D).D., of Tufts College Divinity School. This church has at the present time over fifty members.
The society having labored under great inconvenience for want of a parsonage, in 1878, after mature deliberation, decided to build one. A lot was accordingly purchased of Samuel Allison just above the church, and neat and commodious buildings were immediately erected, which are now occupied by the pastor. The expense was defrayed by subscription among the society, and generous and liberal donations from friends and former citizens of Marlborough.
" Joseph Barber,
" Joshua Britten, " Judson Fisher,
" Marlborongb, Ist resident pastor. Richmond. Marlborough.
66 Hinsdale. Marlborough, Died Aug. 4, '60.
Died Dec. 7.
CHAPTER VIII.
SCHOOLS.
THE COMMON SCHOOLS OF NEW ENGLAND. - LEASE OF THE SCHOOL LAND. - CHILDREN TAUGHT AT HOME. - FIRST SCHOOLS. - FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. - MONEY RAISED FOR SCHOOLS. - SCHOOL- HOUSES BUILT. - EIGHT DISTRICTS. - SCHOOL-TEACHERS. - SCHOOL- MONEY. - SUPERINTENDING COMMITTEE.
THE common schools of New England are closely inter- woven with her history and prosperity. As early as 1649, they were made a part of the legal establishment of the Massachusetts colony, having already been introduced into several of the towns. The code of that year was prefaced by a preamble which declared that it was one of the chief objects of "the old deluder, Sathan." to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures. It was therefore enacted that each township should maintain schools for reading and writing, and that a town of a hundred householders "should maintain a grammar-school with a teacher qualified to fit youths for the university." This school-law was soon after adopted in Connecticut, and by the Plymouth and New Haven colonies.
The first constitution adopted in Massachusetts, in 1780, charged the legislature to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and especially the public and grammar- schools in the towns. The schools-and the same was the case in New Hampshire and Connecticut, and also with the county schools in Maryland-were continued on their old colonial footing. At that time, these four were the only
143
SCHOOLS.
States that could boast of anything like a system of public instruction ; and it was a long period before their example was imitated by other States.
It will be remembered that in the grant of this township one share of land was reserved for the benefit of the schools. Jan. 1, 1767, the proprietors leased this land for a period of one hundred years to Benjamin Tucker and his two brothers, Joshua and Moses, for the sum of £33 68. 8d.
The following is a copy of the original lease now on file in the office of the town clerk: -
This Indenture made this First day of Jannary Anno Domini one Thousand seven hundred and sixty seven and in the seventh year of his Majesties Reign .-
Between Daniel Harrington, Yeoman Jesse Rice, & Silas Gates, Gent- all of Marlborough in the County of Middlesex and Province of the Massachusetts bay in New England. Isaac McAllister & Daniel Goode- now both of Monadnick Nº Five in the Province of New Hampshire Yeoman -on the one Part And Benjamin Tucker Gent. Joshua Tucker & Moses Tucker Yeomen all of Monadnick aforesaid on the Other Part. Whereas the Proprietors of the Township of sª Monadnick No. Five at a Meeting of the sd Proprietors Legally Assembled on March the sixth day A D. 1765 Chose and Appointed the aforesaid Daniel Harrington, Jesse, Silas, Isaac, & Daniel Goodenough a Committee to Lease and Rent ont the south half of Lot No. six lying in sd Monadnick Nº Five for a Term of Years.
Now this Indenture Witnesseth that the said Daniel Harrington, Jesse, Silas, Isaac, & Daniel Goodenow In Pursuance of the Power and Authority Given them as aforesaid and In Consideration of the sum of Thirty three Pounds six shillings and eight pence lawful money the province of the Massachusetts bay aforesaid to them in hand Paid by the said Benjamin, Joshua, & Moses Tucker at & before the Ensealing and Delivery of these Presents; Paid for the use & Benefit of the said Proprietors agreeable to the Charter and Proprietors book of Records of the said Township, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and themselves therewith fully satisfied and Contented and have and do hereby, so Far forth as they are Enabled and Impowered by the said Proprietors Demise, Grant, Let & to Farm, let unto the said Benjamin Tucker, Joshua Tucker, & Moses Tucker and to them and to Each of them and to Each and to Either of their Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns All the South half of Lot No Six aforesaid,
Together with all the Commodities Priviledges and Appurtenances whatsoever to the Said Demised Messuage belonging or otherwise Apper- taining
144
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
To have and To Hold the Said Messuage with all the Priviledges Commodities & Appurtenances thereunto belonging to them the sd Benja, Joshna, & Moses and to their Heirs and Assigns &c For the Space of One Hundred years next comeing from and after the date hereof fully to be Completed and Ended : And the said Benja, Joshua, & Moses for themselves their Heirs Executors & Administrators and Assigns Do Covenant and Agree to Pay as a Yearly Rent one peny every year and to surrender and Deliver up the Premises to the said Committee or their successors in said Trust or to those that the same shall of Right belong as if this Lease had never been given and that they or their Heirs &c will have No Claim Challenge or Demand to the sd Premises after the expiration of one hundred Years as aforesaid any more than if they had never been in the Possession thereof and that the sd Benja, Joshua, & Moses their Heirs & Assigns &c. will Pay all Rates Taxes and Duties that shall and may be Levied and Raised on said Premises : They and Every of them well and truly perform all things on their Part as afore- said shall and may Peaceably Enjoy all the above mentioned Premises without any Let Denial or Molestation from us or the aforesaid Pro- prietors or any other person or persons under us or them during the long Term of one hundred Years as aforesaid.
-
In Witness whereof the Parties to these Presents have interchangebly set their hands and seals the day and Year first above Written.
Signed Sealed and Delivered BENJA TUCKER. (Seal)
in the Presence of us
JOSHUA TUCKER. (Seal)
ALPHEUS WOODS. MOSES TUCKER. (Seal)
JACOB FELTON. DANIEL HARRINGTON. ( Seal)
WILLIAM ADAMS.
JESSE RICE. (Seal)
SILAS GATES. (Seal)
DANIEL GOODENOW. (Seal)
ISAAC MCALLESTER. (Seal)
At the expiration of this term, it was again leased, but this time for only fifty years.
During the first five years after the settlement of the township, the proprietors made no effort to establish a school; yet the children were not wholly neglected. The parents themselves, being people of intelligence, attended personally to their education. Their school-books were few. The spelling-book, Bible, and catechism, with the well- thumbed volumes of the New England Primer and The Pilgrim's Progress, were perhaps in most instances their only books. Yet what fountains of knowledge were derived
SCHOOLS. 145
from these sources! Many a man whose education was begun in this primitive manner, has gone forth to the legis- lative halls of our country, and there acted well his part.
One of the early settlers who took a deep interest in the education of the youth was James Brewer. Possessing a good education himself, he was anxious that the children should not grow up in ignorance : and, long before schools were established, he would gather the children about him and teach them arithmetic and the art of penmanship.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.