USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mason > History of the town of Mason, N. H. from the first grant in 1749, to the year 1858 > Part 10
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HISTORY OF MASON.
feiture for not paying for the pew. Chose a committee to give and take security, Jonathan Searle, Benjamin Mann and Joseph Merriam, and at an adjournment, [apparently after the sale,] then proceeded to business, to wit, for each man that purchased a pew, to give in to the town's committee to build the meeting house, what articles he would procure against next April, necessary to finish said house."
The following is a copy of the proceedings of the church in Mason, in making choice of Mr. Hill to become their pas- tor, and in presenting their call to him, to the work of the ministry with them.
"Oct. 13th, 1789. At a church meeting, Rev. Samuel Dix of Townshend, was chosen moderator for the said meeting. After prayer, the church chose Mr. Eben". Hill for their pas- tor and teacher, and determined to invite him to take the oversight of them, and the people of this place, as their minister.
"Voted to choose a committee, to wait on Mr. Eben". Hill, and inform him of the above determination of the church ; chose for that purpose, Deacon Nathan Hall, Mr. Jason Dun- ster and Mr. Samuel Smith.
" Voted that Deacon Hall, the standing moderator of the church. communicate to the inhabitants of the town, at their meeting on thursday next, a copy of our proceedings at this time, with respect to the choosing, and calling, of Mr. Eben". Hill to settle with us in the ministry of the gospel.
Attest, SAMUEL DIX, moderator."
On the margin is the state of the vote of the church, as follows :
" Deacon Nathan Hall, yea. John Russell, yea.
Jason Dunster, yea. Edmund Tarbell, yea.
Samuel Smith, yea. Hubbard Russell, yea."
Also, is added on the margin: "Capt. William Chambers, John Winship, Hinksman Warren, Jonathan Bachelder, Abel Adams, Joseph Woods, Timothy Dakin, members of other churches, expressed their desire that Mr. Eben". Hill should
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1790.
settle here." These brethren were then resident in the town, and afterwards united with the church.
February 16, 1790. The town "Voted. To provide thirty cords of wood yearly. for Mr. Hill, so long as the town can procure the same without a tax, and if that measure should ever fail of providing said thirty cords of wood as above, then the town will add to his salary so much as to make it seventy five pounds, lawful money, yearly, during his ministry in said town.
" Voted, To pay Mr. Ebenezer Hill one half of the settle- ment the said town voted him October ye 15th, 1789, in six months after his ordination in said town, the other half in eighteen months after said ordination, provided he should be in necessity for the same.
"Voted, That Mr. Joseph Merriam and Joseph Barrett wait upon Mr. Hill with the above proceedings of the town."
Mr. Hill had preached several months in Marlborough, N. H., and been called by the church in that town to become their pastor, and the town, at a meeting held November 30, 1789, by their vote, concurred in the action of the church. This call he had under consideration at the same time as that of Mason ; after due deliberation, he declined the call of the church in Marlborough, and accepted the invitation of the church and people of Mason, to become their pastor and minister.
The following is a copy of his answer :
" To the church of Christ and people in Mason:
"My Christian brethren and Friends,
"It hath pleased Almighty God so to order in his Providence that I have been called to preach the Gospel of Christ among you, -I have been so long time with you as to give all an opportunity, who are so minded, to have personal acquaintance with me, and to be acquainted with my sentiments, and public performances ; as it is now about 15 months since I first came among you, and it has pleased you, unworthy as I am, to invite me to settle
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HISTORY OF MASON.
with you in the work of the Gospel Ministry. It is [a] long time since I have had your call under consideration, and the longer perhaps, as I have been so unhappy, as to have another call, at the same time from another church and people, but I hope and trust I have made it a matter of serious and prayerful enquiry, seeking direction from the Father of Lights -and considered it, as it is, a most solemn and important undertaking, and who is sufficient for these things? O, to have the charge of Souls is a most awful charge ! Since if any perish, thro' the carelessness or unfaithfulness of the Watchman, his blood shall be required at the Watchman's hands ;- and to be guilty of the blood of souls is dreadful ! I hope I am, in some measure, sensible of my insufficiency of myself, for such an undertaking-that all my own strength is weakness, and that my sufficiency must be of God, who chooseth the weak things of the world to confound the wise. I trust he hath called me to this work, therefore relying on his mercy and grace, and requesting and depending upon your prayers for me, that I may have grace to be found faithful, and be more and more furnished for the work, and depending upon your assistance as fellow helpers to the truth, I accept of your invitation, provided there shall arise no matter of difficulty before any further relation may take place. Again I request, brethren, pray for me, that I may be willing to spend and be spent in the service of Christ; that I may be a faithful Minister of the New Testament-and a helper of your joy. And may the pure religion of Jesus Christ prevail everywhere, in this town in particular, that God may be glori- fied among us is the prayer of
Your Humbl. Servt. in the Lord,
EBENEZER HILL."
This document is without date, but was communicated to the town, probably, in July or August, 1790.
While these proceedings were in progress, the affairs of the meeting house were in hand. At a meeting, March 8, 1790, it was "Voted, To dismiss the committee to build the meeting
.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1790.
house, and chose in their stead, Joseph Merriam, Hubbert Russell and Lt. James Wood."
September 23, 1790. In the warrant for the meeting, the second article was, "To see what time the town will prefix for the ordination of Mr. Ebenezer Hill into the work of the Gospel Ministry. 3d. To see what provision the town will make for said ordination."
At the meeting, "Voted, That Mr. Ebenezer Hill be absent two Sabbaths in a year, yearly, if it may not be in his power to procure a supply. Voted, To accept of Mr. Ebenezer Hill's answer upon the Invitation of the Church and Town to settle with them in the work of the Gospel Ministry.
" Voted, That Wednesday, the third day of November next, be the day prefixed for the ordination of Mr. E. Hill into the work of the Gospel Ministry in this town.
" Voted, To send to seven churches to assist in the solem- nity of the ordination, viz :
To the Church of Christ in
Rindge under the Pastoral care of the Rev. Seth Payson,
Hollis,
66
Daniel Emerson,
New Ipswich, 66 66 66 Stephen Farrar,
Pepperell,
66 66 John Bullard,
Wilton, 66
Theophilus Fiske,
Temple,
Noah Miles,
Townsend, 66 66
66
Samuel Dix.
"Voted, To pay five dollars down, and the other part of the one half of the cost for entertaining the council, in money, in three months; the other half to be paid in rye, at 4s. per bushel, and corn at 3s. per bushel, the whole to be paid in three months from the ordination. Voted, To give Benjamin Mann, Esq., five pounds for entertaining the council, with all other gentlemen of the clergy, and Mr. Hill's relatives and friends, that may attend the ordination. Chose Lt. Obadiah Parker, Jonathan Searle, Esq., and Dea. Nathan Hall, to send letters missive to the several churches above mentioned."
16
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HISTORY OF MASON.
The sum thus to be paid for entertaining the Council, &c., amounted to $16,66.
These preparations having been made, the ordination was conducted in due form. The council met on the 2d day of November, 1790. The following is a copy of their procced- ings. As such documents are rarely to be found in print, this will be looked upon by such as feel an interest in the minutia of the ecclesiastical proceedings of the New England churches, with a deeper sentiment than that of mere curiosity.
" An Ecclesiastical Council, by virtue of letters missive from the church of Christ and congn. in Mason, desiring their advice and assistance in the ordination of Mr. Ebenezer Hill, to the work of the Gospel Ministry among them, on Wednes- day, the 3d day of November, 1790; consisting of the follow- ing churches of Christ, Viz. : ye chh. of Christ in Hollis, ye chh. of Christ in New Ipswich, ye chh. of Christ in Towns- end, ye chlı. of Christ in Wilton, ye chh. of Christ in Pop- perell, ye chh. of Christ in Rindge, and ye chh. of Christ in Temple, met as requested, at the house of Benjamin Mann, Esq., in said Town, on the evening preceeding said day.
" After some deliberation upon the subject of their meeting, Voted, To embody, and made choice of Rev'd. Daniel Emer- son as moderator, who led the council in prayer to God for light and direction upon the important occasion. Then the council made choice of the Rev'd John Bullard as scribe, and proceeded to consider the call of the church and people to Mr. Hill, to the pastoral office among them, and his answer to said call, and being satisfied as to the regularity of both, they examined the candidate for ordination as to his qualifications for the work of the ministry, and his views in undertaking it, carefully attending to his confession of faith. Then voted to adjourn till next morning at nine o'clock.
"Wednesday, A. M. Met according to adjournment. After prayer, the council being satisfied as to the character, senti- ments, qualification and views of Mr. Hill, upon the church receiving him into their holy fellowship and repeated requests to have the pastor elect separated to the work to which he
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1790.
was called, Voted, Nem. con., to proceed to his ordination, (and he was ordained accordingly.)
" Mar., Nov. 3d, 1790.
JOHN BULLARD, Scribe.
"N. B. The solemnity was introduced with prayer, by Rev. Mr. Fiske ; Rev'd Mr. Payson preached upon 2 Cor. 5; 20. Rev'd Mr. Emerson made the ordaining prayer. Rev'd Mr. Farrar gave the charge, Rev'd Mr. Dix gave the right hand of fellowship, Rev'd Mr. Bullard made the closing prayer."
Here it may be proper to remark, that these proceedings were in full accordance with the principles of congregational- ism ; that is the absolute independency of each church. The candidate was not ordained, until he became a member of the church; and being such, was by the church chosen as their pastor and teacher, and at their request, being one of their brethren, was by the council, set apart and ordained as their pastor. This land mark of the order, is not now so carefully preserved, as it should be. It is apprehended that it will be found, in many instances, that the pastors of congregational churches, are not members of their churches. If the notion prevails, that by being ordained over the churches, they by that act become members of the churches, it is one that has no foundation in congregationalism, and is at total variance with its fundamental principles and doctrines.
This connection between the pastor and church thus formed, proved to be a happy one. It continued with the town till December 19th, 1835; when the civil contract with the town, was, at his request, dissolved. Of the church he remained pastor, till his deccase, May 20th, 1854.
December 2d, 1790. At a town meeting "Voted, To sell the old meeting house at vendue, exclusive of the sash and glass. Voted, That the men that built pews in the old meet- ing house, hold them as their property." John Brown became the purchaser. He was a merchant. He removed it to the south side of the common, at the foot of the hill on which it formerly stood ; and placed it at the corner, on the west side
120
HISTORY OF MASON.
of the road leading to Townsend; where Freeman Elliot's house now stands. It was occupied as a dwelling house and store by Mr. Brown, and afterward by Thomas Whiting and Jabez Prescott, for the same purpose.
It was afterwards occupied by Henry Jefts, and perhaps some others, as a dwelling house, till it was purchased by Hollis Amsden of Mr. Parkman, who resided in Charlestown. Mr. Amsden occupied it for many years as a dwelling house and turner's shop. He sold it to Abraham Robbins, by whom it was taken down, removed, and set up again where it now stands, on the farm formerly occupied by Seth Robbins, a little way off from the road leading to Townsend.
Up to this period, the town had been but poorly furnished with school houses. Being provided with a meeting house and a minister, attention was now directed to the schools, one of the most important institutions in New England.
At a meeting March 14, 1791, it was "Voted, To raise 180 pounds to build school houses, viz : 20 pounds for each school district," and a committee was chosen, consisting of Jonathan Searle, Benjamin Mann, Obadiah Parker, Reuben Barrett, Samuel Smith, Jotham Webber, Stephen Lawrence, Oliver Scripture, John Lawrence, James Scripture, Joseph Saunders, David Hall and Joseph Barrett, to divide the town into school districts, and fix the place in each for the school house. Their report was made and accepted, and recorded. The town was divided into nine districts, the description and numbers of which will appear in a subsequent chapter.
The next interest which the fathers looked after was, to put in order the grounds around the new meeting house. At the meeting March 14, 1791, it was "Voted, That a single head pay one shilling, and other estates accordingly, towards wharfing around the mecting house, and making a parade." It was further " Voted, That it be assessed and put into sepa- rate columns, in the surveyors' lists, and committed to the sur- veyors ; the price of work per day and utentials, as for highway work." Benjamin Mann, Isaac Brown and James
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1791.
Wood, were chosen a committee, to direct the surveyors what work should be done ; and it was further ordered, "that it be done by the 10th of June next." "The making the parade," was preparing the ground for a training field.
Now appear the first symptoms of a division in town affairs, which afterwards was the occasion of much trouble and heart-burning; that is the taxing the Baptists for building the meeting house. If the house had been built solely for public worship, there would seem to be no good reason to require those who did not use it for that purpose to pay the expenses of the erection; but that rule would apply to some who did not pretend to be Baptists, but from indifference to all religious teaching, or for other reasons, absented themselves from public worship. All these persons were ready enough to use the house for secular purposes, and in those days, when town meetings were seldom less than a dozen a year, the use of the house for that purpose, was almost as impor- tant in itself, and was quite as wearing and destructive to the building, as its use for religious purposes.
August 22, 1791. In the warrant for the mecting, the second article was, "To see if the town will direct the selectmen to order the constables who have demands on the Baptists in this town, or other towns not belonging to this State, to make distress immediately on such delinquent persons, of that denomination, as have not paid their several taxes to the minister or the meeting house, in the town, or to see if the town will strike upon measures of an amicable nature with the Baptists, respecting their said taxes, as they appear fond of the latter, but entirely averse to paying either of said taxes, except being obliged by law, unless happily agreed to by the parties." This article exhibits an amusing jumble of ideas. The doings of the meeting partook some- what of the same character. It was "Voted, That the Baptists have the liberty to pay their proportion of the first assessment of £150, or not to pay anything at all. Voted, That the non-resident Baptists pay their proportion of the
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HISTORY OF MASON.
above tax of £150, or be liable to be called upon for the whole of the tax now assessed against them to said meeting house. Voted, That the Baptists in town and out of the State, be exempted from paying any minister's tax made against them since the first invoice after they can procure a certificate that they have joined a sect or denomination of Baptists." On the 27th of September, at another meeting, the vote respecting the Baptists out of the State, was recon- sidered, and a vote passed to exempt the Baptists out of the State from paying anything to the tax for building the meeting house. The result was, as appears by the records, that those who had not paid were excused, and those who had paid received back their money out of the treasury, by orders drawn in their favor.
The titles to the lands in the town were granted upon the express condition that the town should, within a specified time, build a meeting house, and, as is undoubtedly implied in those terms, should maintain it and rebuild it as often as necessary, and as the grantors had given valuable lands, for the ministry and the support of the ministry in the town, the undoubted intention of which was, that the town should support a minis- ter, and as the town had enjoyed the full benefit of that grant, and had sold the ministry land and received the money for it, the town was morally, if not legally bound to maintain a minister, and continued to be so liable, until the laws of the State abridged the powers of the towns in this particular. There can be no doubt, that the conditions of the grants and the acceptance of the charter by the original grantees, made their lands chargeable with the burdens of building and main- taining a public meeting house for the town, and that all who held lands under this grant, or derived their title from the original grantees, under this charter, held them subject to those charges. No change had then been made in the law, with regard to the house; and it is doubtful if any had been made concerning the support of the minister which would
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1793.
exonerate the owner of lands in town from the payment of assessments on their lands for this purpose. Such being the fact, one knows hardly which most to admire, the confidence with which the claim, on the part of the Baptists, to be exempted from the expenses of building the house, were urged, or the readiness with which the other inhabitants took upon themselves the whole burden of building and keeping in repair the meeting house.
March 12, 1792. Annual meeting. Obadiah Parker was chosen to represent Mason and Raby.
May 20, 1792. "Voted, To sell Dr. Wm. Barber a part of the parade ground at the rate of 52s. per acre."
At a meeting, this year, an article of the warrant was, "To see if the town will give leave to introduce the small pox by inocculation, and to set up a hospital." "Voted, Not to have the small pox brought into town, by any person or persons being inoculated. Voted, not to have a hospital set up in said town."
March meeting, 1793. Chose Joseph Merriam "To repre- sent the town of Mason." The population of the town had now become large enough to be entitled to choose a repre- sentative, and to Mr. Merriam belongs the honor of being the first representative, under this apportionment. No citizen of Mason was ever more worthy of this mark of the confidence of his townsmen. Mason, as has already been stated, was for many years classed with Raby, for the choice of a repre- sentative. In those years in which no mention is made in Mason records of the choice of a representative, there is no doubt that the representative chosen was an inhabitant of Raby and that the choice is recorded in Raby records.
At this meeting, John Brown was chosen collector for the whole town. He refused or declined to serve, and a meeting was called July 8, 1793, to choose a collector in his room. At the meeting, "Voted, Not to excuse Mr. Brown. Voted, That he pay a fine of 20s. Voted, To accept an order of 20s. upon the town treasurer, from the Rev. Mr. Ebenr. Hill,
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HISTORY OF MASON.
for said 20s." Such was the law of the land; persons chosen into town offices who refused or declined accepting the office, were liable to be fined, unless excused by the town.
At a meeting in September, the town "Voted, To have two companies of militia in the town of Mason. Voted, To have the town divided for that purpose, according to the tax bills."
At the annual meeting, March 10, 1794, Obadiah Parker was chosen to represent the town. The ninth article in the warrant was, "To see if the town will let Benjamin Mann, Esq., have that old road formerly trod by Mr. Brintnall Witherell's shop near to the bridge, by Mr. John Brown's Pirlash, or pay said Mann for the road as now trod on said Mann's land." The town voted to give him the old road for the new one. Mr. Brown's pearlashery stood on the south side of the road on the east side of the stream, below the bridge, near the present residence of Mr. Ephraim Russell.
March meeting, 1795. Joseph Barrett was chosen repre- sentative.
May 18, 1795. "Voted, To each man who shall turn out as a volunteer in the service of the United States, for the term of one year, 12s. bounty, and to make up the wages to $10 per month." This bounty was paid by the town, to the following persons : Samuel Merriam, Elisha Buss, Ezra New- ell, Aaron Wheeler, Jr., Thomas Robbins, Jr., Joseph Mer- riam, Jr., Capt. James Wood.
October 22, 1795. "Voted, To have the meeting house dedicated on Thursday, the 26th day of November next, if agreeable to the Rev. Mr. Hill, and that the selectmen assist Mr. Hill in making entertainment for the ministers." On the 26th day of November, 1795, in pursuance of this vote, the meeting house was dedicated. No record has been preserved of the proceedings on that occasion. In the memoir of the Rev. Mr. Hill, will be inserted a fac simile of the first page of his sermon preached at the dedication.
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1795.
The view of the house, here presented, was drawn from recollection, many years after the building was taken down ; but it exhibits the appearance and proportions of the edifice so truly, that none familiar with its sacred form will fail at once to recognize it.
FRONT VIEW OF THE OLD MEETING HOUSE.
"Our meeting-house-our meeting-house, It stood upon a hill, Where autumn gales and wintry blasts Piped round it loud and shrill. No maple tree with leafy shade, Nor tall, protecting oak, Stood near to guard the ancient house When tempests round it broke.
No steeple graced its homely roof, With upward-pointing spire; Our villagers were much too meek A steeple to desire. And never did the welcome tones Of Sabbath morning bell, Our humble village worshippers The hour of worship tell."
These lines, taken from the History of New Ipswich, describe so happily and perfectly, the Mason meeting house, that it is impossible to resist the impulse to use them, a liberty which it is hoped the author of the lines and the editor of the book, will pardon,
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Deacons' Seat.
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West Porch.
East Porch.
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Ft. door.
GROUND PLAN OF THE OLD MEETING HOUSE.
HISTORY OF MASON.
1
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PULPIT.
40
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1795.
GROUND PLAN OF THE GALLERY.
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Frze Seats.
Free Seats.
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Singers'
Seats.
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NAMES OF PEWHOLDERS. GROUND PEWS.
No.
I Benjamin Mann, Esq.
2 Joseph Merriam.
3 James Wood, Esq.
4 John Whitaker.
5 Oliver IIosmer.
6 Dea. Rogers Weston.
7 Captain James Seripture.
8 Stephen Lawrence, Esq.
9 Abel Adams.
10 Timothy Wheeloek.
11 Jonas Fay.
12 Dea. Nathan Hall and Jeremiah Boynton.
13 Samuel Smith.
14 Timothy Wheeler.
15 Captain Jesse Barrett.
16 Captain Joseph Barrett.
17 Thomas Tarbell, Jr.
18 Jonathan Searle, Esq.
19 Capt. Benjamin Barrett and Dea. Hezekiah Richardson.
20 Silas Bullard.
21 Jason Dunster, Jr.
22 Thomas Hodgman.
23 Lieutenant John Swallow.
No.
21 Joseph Woods.
25 Deacon Noah Winship.
26 Captain John Barrett.
27 Samuel Townsend. 28 Jason Russell and Hollis Amsden.
29 David Brown and James Brown.
30 John Winship.
31 Samuel Merriam, Esq.
32 Edward Wilson and Captain Thomas Wil- son.
33 Ebenezer Shattuck.
34 Jonathan Bachelder.
35 Captain Amos Flagg.
36 Jonathan Williams.
37 John Swallow, Jr.
38 Hinksman Warren and Samuel Hill.
39 Lieutenant Obadiah Parker.
40 Joseph Tufts and Jason Dunster, Senior.
41 Deacon Timothy Dakin.
42 Doctor William Barber.
43 Hubbard Russell.
44 Elias Elliot.
45 Joel Ames.
46 Reverend Ebenezer Hill.
GALLERY PEWS.
1 Captain Samuel Smith.
2 Amos Holden.
3 Captain Sam Stevens Parker.
4 Joseph Saunders and John Blodgett, Esq. 5 Seth Robbins.
6 Major Abijah Elliot.
7 Nathaniel Boynton.
8 Deacon Timothy Dakin.
9 Amos Russell.
10 Ezra Brown and Capt. Artemas Manning.
11 James Wood, Esq.
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