USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Cheshire County, New Hampshire > Part 8
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84
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
P.S. Sir, I have left some papers in ye hand of Cato Atkinson for yourself, and Sir, Mr. Morse of Dublin gives his services to yourself, & desires me to inform you that he received your letter last Friday, wherein you desired him to return to you a true account of their settlement, which he would do as soon as possibly he could. And, Sir, in my answer to your letter, I did not set forth to you the number of acres that each man had got cleared, but there is not above 2 or 3 but what has got more land than the Charter required."
MONADNOCK, NO. 5, May ye 29th 1770.
ESQR. JAFFREY, Sir.
I wrote to you in a letter when I was at Portsmouth, that we met with some difficulty about our meeting house, and that the Committee that was appointed to build it was dismissed, and there was none to carry on the work, but we have had a meeting since and have made choice of the old Committee again, and the House is like to go on as it was first proposed to be, and if the gentlemen Grantors would take so much notice of our letter, as to appoint some man or men as they shall think proper, to come and see the spot that we have chosen to set the Meeting house on, and give their consent, if they think proper, for we want to clear it up as soon as may be, for we cant draw the timber to the spot, till the land is cleared up, and, Sir, what I wrote to you concerning the Rights that were not settled according to Charter, still remain so, as far as I know excepting the Right of Halbert Morrison. There is a man daily at work and has got his family to Swanzey near by his work, and designs to bring them in to town as soon as he can get a house up to put them in; and, Sir, you wrote to me in your letter, that I should be paid for my trouble, but as for that, I leave with you to do as you think proper, I was exceeding sorry that Esqr. Jaffrey was not at home, for I wanted much to see him, but was disappointed. No more at present, so I remain your humble servant at command.
BENJA. TUCKER.
The framing of the house was let to Stephen Church, and the frame was raised sometime previous to November 21, at which time a meeting was held at the house of Benjamin Tucker, when it was voted to accept of " accompts bront for sarvis don about the meeting house." Voted " to give Ben- jamin Tucker 38. 2d. 24. pur gallon for 8 gallons of Rum at ye raising of ye meeting house.". We are not to suppose from this item that the early settlers of our town were more temperate than those of the neighboring towns; for it is a well-known fact that it was enstomary on all occasions like
85
THE CENTRE MEETING-HOUSE.
this to procure at least one barrel of rum. Tradition tells us that the customary barrel was provided on this occasion ; but the demand for the indispensable article was so great. that this quantity was not sufficient, and Benjamin Tucker being chairman of the building committee, procured the additional eight gallons, for which he brought in a separate account.
When we take into consideration the fact that at the same meeting it was voted to allow Benjamin Tucker's account in full, and that at a vendue, sometime afterwards, when a number of articles belonging to the proprietors were offered for sale, a barrel was sold to Moses Tucker for 2s. 8d., we may safely conclude that the first meeting-house was raised with appropriate ceremonies, according to the custom that prevailed in our New England towns at that day.
It would seem that, in taking the job of framing and raising the house, Mr. Church did not correctly estimate the cost, as the following vote was passed at the same meeting: " Voted to give Stephen Church £5 12s. 1d. to make up what he Saith he Loast by building the meeting house." Subsequently, we find that Stephen Church received for work done on the meeting-house £44 6s. 4d. 2q. At the same meeting, it was " Voted to Raise five dolers on itch propts Rite to cover the meeting house with," " Voted to dismiss ye Commity that was appointed to Buld the meeting house," " Voted to Choues 3 men for a commity to take care and cover ye meeting house, and made choice of Benja Tucker, Isaac McAlister & John Felton for that purpos."
During the next fifteen years, the subject of finishing the house was discussed in the meetings of the proprietors ; but little was done beyond finishing the outside, and even this was not completed until 1779. At a meeting in January of that year, it was " Voted to finish Cleapboording the meet- ing house and colour it, to hang the Doors to Lay the Lower floor and build the body seats and Git one Box of Glass to Glaize it in part."
In 1785 the proprietors gave up all claim to the meeting- house, and it passed into the hands of the town, and was
86
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
finished during the next five years. To meet the expense, pew grounds were sold at public auction at different times.
This barn-like structure was located on the north-west corner of the common, and was as near the geographical centre of the town as it could be conveniently. It had entrances on the south, east, and west sides. The pulpit was on the north side, over which was suspended a huge sounding-board. There was a row of pews round the house next to the walls, and an aisle ran round just inside of this row. There was also a middle aisle which led from the south door to the pulpit, which was called the " broad aisle," and had two rows of " body pews" on each side. The Deacons' seat was a narrow pew in front of the pulpit, facing the congregation. The communion table was at- tached to the Deacons' seat like a common table-leaf, and was let down when not in use. The gallery extended on three sides of the house, and had, as below, a row of pews next to the wall, and three rows of seats in front. The seats in the west gallery were designed for old men, and those in the east for old ladies; the singers occupying the front seats in the south gallery.
In 1785 twenty-one pew-grounds were sold at vendue by Oliver Wright, Abijah Tucker, and Daniel Cutting, who were a committee chosen by the town, for the purpose of finishing the meeting-house. The terms of the sale were as follows : "Each Pue struck off, the highest Bider Shall pay one Dollar Down, three Dollars in four weeks from the sail, the remainder in six months." These brought sums varying from £3 to £1 16s. The pews were made with panel-work, surmounted by a light balustrade of minute ornamented columns : they were nearly square, and had a row of un- cushioned seats round the interior except at the door. These board-seats were hung on hinges, so as to turn up against the side of the pew for convenience in standing dur- ing prayer-time; and, as the congregation resumed their seats, these were let down with a zeal that betokened some interest, at least in this part of the ceremony. We know of no language better adapted to describe this scene than the
FIRST MEETING-HOUSE IN MARLBOROUGH. Drawn from memory by Rev. P. WALLINGFORD.
87
THE CENTRE MEETING-HOUSE.
following selection from the poem read by Samuel Burnham, at the Centennial Celebration of the town of Rindge.
And when, at last, the loud Amen Fell from aloft, how quickly then The seats came down with heavy rattle, Like musketry in fiercest battle !
At a meeting in October, 1789, Capt. Phinehas Farrar presented the following account which was allowed by the town : -
the Town of Marlboro, Dr. Phinehas Farrar for Servis as Committee Finishing the Meeting hous in ye 1789.
€ s. d.
to half a Day Settling with the old Committee, : 1 6
to two journays to John Parkhurst after Nails, () 3 0
once to Joseph Cuttings after Corn for Mr. Cummings,
once to Calvins Stones after Nails,
() 1 0
to five time attending vandue to Sel the Pues, 0
5 0
and once to Keene after Iron, .
to Part of a Day after Boards,
=
1 0
to Cuting and Drawing stage Poles,
5 0
to one Day underpining the Meeting house, .
()
3 0
to Carting one Load of Plunk,
C
2 6
to eight and a half wate of honey,
to one journey to Fitzwilliam after Nails, () 2 0
to time spent after stuf, () 10
to two journey to Warrins after Nails, 3 6
once to warrins after Rumb for the Carpenters, 1 6
to me and horse one Day after Calves pates, .1 6
to making the same, . 3 0
to one journey to Rindge to settle with the Carpenters. =
6 0
to three half Days settling with people.
=
Once to Keene after Ballisters, 0
1 6
to time spent at sundry times, 12 0
()
2 0)
to Cash Paid for glew, 1 4
to one hundred of Boards, 0
2 0
to my Cart to Dublin after a Barril of Rumb, 0) 1 0
to one Day and a half settling accounts, . =
3 6
1 87
PHINELLAS FARRER.
Marlboro the 12 October 1789.
1 6
1 0
to Carting one Lode of Boards from Tuckers mill,
3 0
5 8
to Cash Paid for Calves Pates for sising. 57
to Cash Paid for Rum 7 Quarts and a pint. 0
88
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
The meeting-house was warmed chiefly by the sun, for stoves and furnaces were unknown in those days. A poor substitute, however, was resorted to from necessity ; namely, the foot-store which the matron of each family was careful in the coldest weather to have well prepared with living coals from the hearth-stone. Aside from these, the worship- pers were entirely dependent for their comfort upon the ardor of the minister's exhortations and the fervor of their own religious emotions.
Here our ancestors worshipped God: many of them coming the distance of four or five miles, and sitting on a cold winter's day while the Rev. Halloway Fish, with the collar of his great coat turned up about his ears, and striped mittens on his hands, put forth his doctrinal views in sermons of not less than one hour in length. The morning service being over, during the intermission the women retired to the nearest house for a fresh supply of coals for their foot-stoves, the men repaired to the tavern, to warm themselves, and regale the inner man with a mug of warm toddy, while they discussed the principal events of the week, or expressed their views on the subject of the morning's discourse.
For the annual meeting of 1823, an article was placed in the warrant as follows: "To see if the town will vote or consent that a stove, or stoves, may be Placed in the Meeting house in Marlborough to render said house com- fortable during public worship on the Sabbath and on other occasions in cold weather, which shall be furnished and supported by Subscribers." Notwithstanding some men of influence were opposed to the measure. the town voted : " that the Stove or Stoves may be Placed in the Meeting house to render said House comfortable in cold weather to be placed in said house by Subscribers." "Voted. the Stove or Stoves to be placed in the Meeting house may be Placed at the east and west Doors during the pleasure of the town." Sometime previous to the next annual town-meeting, the stoves were procured and placed in the house in accordance with the vote of the town. A brief
89
THE CENTRE MEETING-HOUSE.
experience in a warm church changed public opinion, and only a short time elapsed before those who had been most opposed to stoves seemed to rejoice equally with the rest in their warmth and comfort.
Previous to 1825, money was raised for the support of preaching by a tax assessed on all ratable polls in the same manner as for schools, or any other public purpose. Near the close of the last century, however, laws were enacted by which any person entertaining different religious opinions, and joining himself to some other society, and contributing to the support of its minister, was excused by the town from paying this tax, on the presentation of a certificate signed by the minister or clerk of his society. The fol- lowing is a specimen of these certificates: -
DUBLIN April ye 8th 1794.
These may certify whom it may concern, that William White Jr. has joined the Baptist Society in this place and has agreed to do his propor- tion toward the support of the ministry with them.
JOHN MUZZEY Clerk.
It not unfrequently happened that some persons not willing to identify themselves with any society in their own town would go the distance of thirty or forty miles to connect themselves with some other church or society. It would seem by the following certificate that Richard Roberts was one of these : -
CLAREMOUNT, April, 4, 1797.
To all whom it may concern. This may certify that Richard Roberts Esqr has joined the Episcopal Church and put himself under my care. Test. DANIEL BARBER, Rector of Union Church Claremount.
These certificates were not numerous at first, only five or six a year ; but in 1824, the last year the town was taxed for this purpose, out of one hundred and sixty-six tax-payers there were only fifty-one assessed for the minister's salary. Most of the persons presenting certificates were Baptists who had connected themselves with the society in Dublin. In later years, a Baptist church was formed in town, some account of which will be given in another chapter.
14
90
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
July 1, 1819, a law was enacted in this State, which opened the way for a more satisfactory method of support- ing the gospel. In the language of this statute, "Each sect or denomination of Christians in this State, may asso- ciate and form societies, may admit members, may establish rules and by-laws for their regulation and government, and shall have all the corporate powers which may be necessary to assess and raise money by taxes upon the polls and ratable estate of the members of such associations, and to collect and appropriate the same for the purpose of building and repairing houses of public worship and for the support of the ministry." There was also a provision that no person should be taxed by such society, or be considered a member thereof without " his consent was first had and obtained "; and any person having become a member of such an asso- ciation had liberty to withdraw his name at any time. No advantage was taken of the provisions of this act until near the close of Mr. Fish's ministry.
In 1823, the town voted that the selectmen be a committee to proportion the time of occupation of the meeting-house to each religious denomination. This the selectmen were instructed to do each year, also to divide the interest of the ministerial fund among the several denominations, "accord- ing to the proportion each pays of the public taxes." How long cach society was allowed to occupy the meeting-house at this time is not known, but in 1835 it was proportioned as follows : -
Unitarians, 13 days.
Baptist, 63 “
Methodist, 10}
Congregationalist, 13 66
Universalist, 20} 66
It is probable that the Congregationalists did not occupy the house their proportion of the time, as they had the year previous built one of their own at the village.
The old meeting-house now began to show marks of decay, the exterior being in a somewhat dilapidated condition. The town had been repeatedly asked to repair the house,
91
THE CENTRE MEETING-HOUSE.
and the subject had been discussed at the annual meeting each year, with the same result,- a refusal to take any definite action.
In 1834, the town was again requested to repair the house, but the only action taken was a vote to dismiss the article. But the citizens were now thoroughly alive to the subject ; and with such men as Samuel Jones, Sen., Abiel Alger, and Benjamin Whitney, Jr., for their leaders, they were not disposed to give up the project so easily, and it was deter- mined, if possible, to procure by subscription a sum sufficient to repair the house in a suitable manner. The following is a copy of the subscription paper circulated throughout the town for that purpose, together with the names of the subscribers, and the amount each one contributed : -
We the undersigned, inhabitants of the town of Marlborough, do hereby severally agree to pay the sums set against our names, to be appropriated for repairing the old meeting-house in said town, Provided that a sum shall be subscribed or contributed sufficient to make the necessary repairs on said house, otherwise this to be void.
Marlborough, March 24, 1834.
Names.
Names.
Eber Tenney,
$17.50
Ziba Nason, . $5.00
Asa Porter,
17.00
Ziba Nason, Jr., 2.00
Noah White,
1.00
David Wilkinson, 6.00
William Tenney, 25.00
Daniel Buss, 1.00
John Lane, . 17.00
Thomas Frink, . 3.00
Clark Mason,
6.75
Benjamin Whitney, Jr., 19.50
Abel Nutting,
5.00
Calvin Hastings, 5.00
Luther Hemenway,
6.123
Tabatha Baker, 3.00
Aaron Parker, . 5.00
Asa Hastings, 2.25
Asa Porter, Jr., 5.00
Levi Gates, . 6.123
George Harvey,
8.50
Abiel Alger, 7.0.0
Asa Bemis, .
3.00
Levi W. Porter,
7.00
John B. Farrar, 2.00
Caleb Baker,
3.00
Jeremiah Herrick,
2.00
Allen Woodward, . 5.00
Ebenezer Herrick,
1.00
Moses Hunt, 10.00
Artemas Collins,
2.00
Isaac T. Chase,
1.00
Charles Collister,
1.00
Aaron Stone,
5.00
Thomas Adams, 12.00
Charles Gilbert,
5.12}
William Richardson, 1.00
Levi Thatcher, .
1.00
James Harvey, .
1.00
George Richardson, 2.50
92
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Names.
Names.
Jonathan Bemis, Jr., $2.00
Daniel Emerson, $1.00
Daniel Reed,
3.00
Curtis F. Hunt, 1.00
Jabez Wight,
1.00
Oliver Boyden, 3.50
Franklin Priest,
.25
Daniel Woodward, 1.00
Peter Starkey,
1.00
Joseph Collins, 1.00
Thaddeus Parmenter, 5.00
Amos Sargent, . 5.00
Joseph Woodward,
15.00
Abner Russell, . 1.00
Enoch Bemis,
3.00
William Greenwood, . 2.00
Calvin Newton,
15.25
John Sargent, 1.00
Miriam Newton,
2.00
Elijah Fitch, 1.00
Jonathan Bemis,
7.00
Daniel Clapp, 1.00
Nathan E. Wild,
5.00
Osgood Collister, 1.00
James Batcheller, .
15.00
Lorenzo White, 1.00
Luke Blodgett,
5.50
Franklin Clapp, 1.00
Ezekiel Cudworth,
5.00
Daniel Wade, 1.00
Archa Tenney, .
6.00
Darius Richardson, 1.00
Samuel Jones, .
30.00
Jedediah T. Collins, 1.00
Calvin Stone,
5.00
G. and N. Converse, .
.25
Calvin Tenney,
20.00
Cyrus Ayers,
.25
Stillman Woodward, .
6.00
Jonah Davis,
.12}
Daniel Cutting,
1.00
Abraham Priest, 1.00
Charles Holman, Jr.,
1.07
Abner Boyden,
1.50
Albert Jones,
1.00
After the circulation of this paper, the subscribers met on the twelfth day of May, 1834, and organized by choosing Levi Gates, chairman, and Nathan Wild, elerk. Allen Woodward, Calvin Tenney, Samuel Jones, Benjamin Whitney, Jr., and Abiel Alger, were chosen a committee to examine the house, and report what repairs were nec- essary to be made.
The committee made examination, and reported as follows : -
1st. To underpin said house with split stone, eighteen inches wide, suitably fitted.
2d. Two thresholds, one in the front, and the other at the west door, with suitable doorstones.
3d. One new door in front, 3} or 4 ft. wide, and new doors at the west, the size of the old ones and close the east door.
1th. To have all new window-frames, and sashes where it is necessary.
5th. All new clapboards on the front, and to repair the other side and ends with those now on the front. and suitably paint the same.
Nancy Newton,
2.00
Lorenzo IIunt, 1.00
93
THE CENTRE MEETING-HOUSE.
This report having been accepted by the subscribers, Samuel Jones, Abiel Alger, and Allen Woodward, were chosen a committee to make the necessary repairs, the esti- mated cost of which was two hundred and fifteen dollars. There having been considerable more than this sum raised, the subscribers voted, at an adjourned meeting, to build a belfry on the west end of the house, according to a plan to be drawn by Capt. Charles Gilbert. The work of repairing went forward as rapidly as circumstances would permit, and by the middle of November the work was completed.
The belfry was two stories in height : the first story was about ten feet square, and rose twelve feet above the ridge- pole ; the second story was proportionate in size and height, and the appearance of the house was greatly improved.
No sooner was the work of repairing completed than those who were the prime movers in this good work began to agitate the subject of procuring a bell for the house. Sat- isfied that the town would not aid in this project, it was decided to pay for the bell in the same way the repairs were made ; namely, by subscription. Accordingly, the following paper was drawn up and circulated through the town, and a sufficient sum raised to purchase a bell :-
The undersigned do hereby severally agree to pay the sums against their names to purchase a Bell for the old Meeting house in Marl- borough, said Bell to be divided into one hundred and ninety shares, estimated at one dollar each, and be the property of the subscribers. Dec. 9, 1834.
Eber Tenney, $5.00
Ezekiel Cudworth, $1.00
Asa Porter,
5.00
Samuel Jones, 10.00
William Tenney. 5.00
Moses Hunt, . 1.00
John Lane, 3.00
Isaac T. Chase, 1.00
Clark Mason, . 4.00
Charles Gilbert, . 2.00
Luther Hemenway,
3.00
Ziba Nason, Jr., . 1.00
George Richardson,
1.00
David Wilkinson, 1.00
Calvin Newton, . 10.00
Daniel Buss, . 1.00
Miriam Newton, 1.00
Benjamin Whitney, Jr .. 5.00
Nancy Newton, . .50 Aaron Parker, 1.00
Jonathan Bemis,
4.00
Asa Porter, Jr., 2.00
James Batcheller,
10.00
George Harvey, . 5.00
Luke Blodgett .. 2.00 John B. Farrar, . 1.00
94
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Artemas Collins,
$1.00
John Sargent,
$1.00
Charles Collister,
1.00
Daniel Clapp,
1.00
Thomas Adams,
2.00
Daniel Wade. 2.00
Calvin Tenney, . 5.00
Jonathan Bemis, Jr., 2.00
Emery Dickinson, . 1.00
G. and N. Converse. 2.00
George W. Howard,
1.00
Cyrus Ayers. . 1.00
Benjamin Thatcher,
1.00
Jonah Davis, . 1.00
Josiah Knight, 1.00
Abraham Priest, 1.00
Josiah Fitch. . 1.00
Asa Hastings, 1.00
Ebenezer Hemenway. 1.00
Levi Gates,
1.00
Jolın Morse, . 1.00
Abiel Alger,
5.00
Stephen Wheeler.
10.00
Levi W. Porter,
2.00
Daniel W. Farrar. 5.00
Caleb Baker, .
1.00
Joseph Haskell, 10.00
Joseph Woodward,.
4.00
Daniel Priest, 2.25
Enoch Bemis,
2.00
Reuben Ward.
1.00
Stillman Woodward,
1.00
Jacob Brown,
.50
Curtis F. Hunt, .25
Ruth Stone,
1.00
Oliver Boyden,
1.00
Nathaniel Richardson,
1.00
Joseph Collins,
1.00
Lucy Collins, .
.50
Amos Sargent,
1.00
Amos Cummings,
1.00
William Greenwood.
3.00
The bell, which weighed about seven hundred pounds, was purchased by Samuel Jones at an expense of $175.25. The ancient custom of ringing the bell at noon was followed for several years, the town employing Nathan Wild who lived near the meeting-house, "to ring the bell at noon and on funeral occasions."
The meeting-house was now used by the Methodist, Bap- tist, and Universalist denominations. In 1842, the Metho- dist Society, having built a house of worship in Pottersville, removed to that place. They were soon followed by the Baptists, who built a church in the village. The house was now mainly occupied by the Universalists, who had preach- ing about one-fourth of the time; but they, feeling that their place of worship was too far from the now rapidly growing village, built a house in the latter place in 1851.
The old house, now unused except for town-meetings and funeral occasions, began to show signs of decay ; and a severe hail-storm, which swept over the town, broke nearly all the
.
Elijah Gates, .
3.00
95
THE CENTRE MEETING-HOUSE.
glass in the west end, and mischievous boys, by throwing stones at the windows, completed the wreck commenced by the storm, so that in a short time there was not a whole pane of glass remaining.
The town now became anxious to sell the house, but a difficulty here presented itself. It was maintained by some that the town had no legal right to the building, but that it was the property of the pew-holders. The subject was warmly discussed at town-meetings; but those living in its immediate vicinity and at the south part of the town were so opposed to selling the house, no move was made in that direction. There were some wise heads who argued that the town should purchase of the pew-holders all the right they had in it, and then repair it, or take it down and remove it to the village, and fit it up for a town-house ; but this proposition did not meet with a favorable reception, and thus the matter remained for several years, the old house becoming an object of contention between the north and south parts of the town, while at the same time it was rapidly going to destruction, and becoming of less value each year.
April 7, 1849, at a meeting called for that purpose. the town voted "to sell at Public Auction all the right, title. and interest that they have in the centre Meeting-house in said town." Nelson Converse. Charles Gilbert, and Asa Greenwood, were chosen a committee to carry this vote into effect. The house was accordingly set up at auction August 18, and was bid off by Asa Greenwood for the sum of $100.50.
When the sale took place. nothing was said about the bell which was clearly the property of the subscribers. Mr. Greenwood supposed that, when he bought the house, he had purchased all connected with it: but Samuel Jones, Sen., who was one of the largest owners, disputed his right to the bell, and, Mr. Greenwood refusing to give it up, the matter was carried into court, where the case was decided in favor of Mr. Jones. While the suit was pending, Mr. Greenwood sold the bell which was carried to a foundry in Massachu-
96
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