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 23
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Geo. W. Cutting,
May 8, 1855,
Mr. Cutting remains pastor to this time. A manufacturing is much more fluctuating than an agricultural population, and, in consequence of that fact, the present number of members of the church is much less than would be indicated by the additions above reported. No list of removals that can be relied on as accurate, has been kept, so that it has not been possible, from time to time, to state, in this account, the actual number of members. It is, however, stated by the pastor to be 63, in March, 1858. The church edifice is a well built structure of brick. It was thoroughly repaired in 1854, at an expense of about $900, and is now made commodious and perfectly comfortable for all seasons of the year. This church adopted, at an carly date, the resolution to pay their minister his salary quarterly, and have adhered to this plan with honest punctuality. It is now in a state of prosperity ; its members are united in christian fellowship and effort, and looking for richer displays of the power and grace of God in their increased spirituality and enlargement.
The deacons of this church are: Abel Adams, chosen in 1830; Amos Elliot, chosen December 4, 1830, dismissed at
D. F. Richardson,
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HISTORY OF MASON.
his own request January 9, 1835; Jonas Adams, chosen No- vember 5, 1831; James Barrett, chosen September 2, 1833, dismissed on his removal from town April, 1835; Adams B. Winn, chosen March 6, 1840, died May 31, 1842; Samuel Hartshorn and Calvin Boynton, chosen January 17, 1843. Dea. Boynton was dismissed from the church, July 15, 1855. Deacons Abel Adams, Jonas Adams and Samuel Hartshorn remain in office.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
The place of meeting for the public worship of the Con- gregational church, was first established at the centre of the town, and notwithstanding the business and population of the village had increased at a much greater ratio than that of the other parts of the town, the Sabbath ministrations of that church and society had continued to be held at the meeting house at that place until 1847. At a public meeting held at the village, February 1, 1847, a resolution was offered, and, after a full discussion, adopted, "that the time has come, when the spiritual interests of this community and the cause of religion require that a Congregational church be estab- lished at this place." The reasons justifying and requir- ing this step were, the large numbers of the Congregational church, who would be better accommodated at the village than at the centre. In furtherance of these proceedings, measures were taken to call an ecclesiastical council, which was con- vened June 3, 1847, and in pursuance of the advice of this council, a new church, composed of eight members, was organ- ized, under the name of the "Second Congregational Church of Mason." On the 20th of June, 1847, 58 members were received by letters of dismission from the old church.
On the 11th of April, 1849, the Rev. William Olmstead, was ordained pastor of this church. His labors were blessed in the conversion of souls to Christ. During the winter pre- vious to his ordination, a season of religious interest was enjoyed, which continued into the summer following, the fruits of which were the addition of 33 members by profession.
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Thirteen were added also by letter. The early death of their young pastor, was deeply felt by this church, and by many others in the community. By it, each member of the congre- gation lost a personal friend, and the church a spiritual and devoted pastor. He died while on a visit to his friends in Connecticut, so suddenly that the news of his illness pre- ceded that of his death but a few hours. It was his dying request that his mortal remains should rest in the cemetery, into which his congregation would, in God's due time, be gathered, with them to rest till the final resurrection, and his dying wishes were complied with, and there he was buried.
His successor in office was the Rev. E. M. Kellogg, installed May 20, 1852, and on account of ill health, dismissed at his request, December 26, 1855. The Rev. Samuel J. Austin was ordained pastor of the church February 25, 1857.
On the 9th of September, 1847, Simeon Cragin, Stephen Smith, Nathan Wood and Franklin Merriam were elected deacons of this church. Deacons Merriam and Wood soon after removed from town. Deacon Smith died in 1857, and Merrill C. Dodge was elected to fill the vacancy.
The society occupied a commodious hall in Dea. Cragin's house, until accommodated with a house of their own. A house of worship was erected, by individual subscriptions, for this church and society; and was dedicated to the Triune God on Sabbatlı, December 16, 1849 ; sermon by the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Olmstead. The building is of wood, 70 by 43 feet. It contains 64 slips, and in all about 400 sittings. The cost was between $4000 and $5000. Four sons of Dea. Cragin, on the completion of the house, presented to the society an excellent church bell. The basement is finished into an ample vestry.
The salary of the two first pastors, payable quarterly, was $600 a year ; that of the present pastor is $700.
Owing to the fluctuating nature of the population of a man- ufacturing village, the burthen of supporting religious institu- tions falls, in a great measure, upon a few, but it is to the
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HISTORY OF MASON.
credit and praise of this society, that all its engagements have been promptly met, notwithstanding the severe losses of many of its members by the railroad and by the depression of business.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church, in Mason, had its origin in the following man- ner: Some few brethren, who were not united with any denomination, were desirous of hearing preaching from some ministers of the Christian faith, to learn what were their views of bible doctrine. Accordingly, an invitation was given to some ministers in Boston and other places, to make them a visit, and permission was given, by the selectmen of the town, to hold a meeting at the old meeting house, when the people came together and heard them gladly. This was in or about 1831. In 1832, Elder Henry Plummer visited them, and preached in different parts of the town, in school houses, where he had an opportunity, but mostly in the northeast part of the town, where there was a good interest in religion, and the largest portion of believers. On the 15th of July of that year, Elder Plummer baptized three individuals, viz : Doctor Willis Johnson, William Wright and John Peabody. The first two named are still living, and members of the church. September 23, seven others, two males and five females, were baptized by Elder Plummer. November 4, eight others, two males and six females, were baptized.
There were baptized on the 7th of April, 1833, three indi- viduals, and May 19, one, making in all, twenty two. On the 23d of May, a meeting was attended by several ministers, among whom were E. Shaw, J. C. Blodget and H. Plummer, at which time the church was organized, composed of the twenty two above mentioned baptized persons, who unani- mously agreed to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Head and Leader, and the New Testament as their rule of faith and practice, and to acknowledge no name but that of " Christian." Of the twenty two who composed the number at the organization, ten are still living, and members of the
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church. William Wright was chosen the first deacon, and David Blood, clerk. During the year, nine other individuals were received into fellowship, eight of them by baptism.
In 1834, twenty nine were added to the church by baptism, and one by letter, who afterwards became a minister. One young lady was baptized June 1, and deceased July 18, of this year.
THE CHRISTIAN CHAPEL, ERECTED IN 1835.
In 1835, thirteen were added to their numbers, who were baptized by different ministers, who visited the place and preached to the church and people.
Only five were added to the church during the year 1836, three by baptism and two by letter. Elder Plummer, though not living in the town, had been the pastor up to this time.
In 1837, Elder A. G. Coming's became the pastor, and the church was still in a prosperous condition, but one member out of eighty one, up to this time, had been excluded. From August 6 to December 31, the ordinance of baptism was ad- ministered, seven times, and twenty were added to the church. On the 4th of October, Mr. Joseph Elliott, a member of the church, was ordained to the work of the ministry, by recom- mendation of the church and ministry.
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HISTORY OF MASON.
During the year 1838, but few were added, and some trials were endured, and labor was engaged in to enforce good disci- pline. One member received the approbation of the church to labor in public as a minister of the gospel.
In the two succeeding years, Eld. C. W. Martin had the pas- toral care, and thirteen were added, eight of them by baptism. Some trials were also endured. From 1841 to 1843, inclu- sive, Eld. H. Burnham had the care of the church, and during his ministry, over sixty were added to the church, fifty two by baptism, but many of these soon fell away, and were of no permanent benefit to the church.
The church had now existed ten years, and were in an unu- sually prosperous state, with but little labor required to enforce good discipline. About one hundred and eighty per- sons had been members of the church. From this time the church passed through a series of trials, and for a number of years no additions were made, but, on the contrary, a number were dismissed, by their own request, to unite with other churches, and some withdrew under the excitement of 1844, to "get out of Babylon," and some were excluded. During this season of declension, Eld. J. Goodwin, Jr., labored with the church two years, after which they were supplied with preaching, without any regular pastor, by several ministers, until 1849, when Eld. A. G. Comings again took the pastoral charge, and remained nearly six years. But the trials did not cease when the pastor was settled over them, and but few were added to the church.
In 1854, Eld. L. Phillips became the pastor, but remained only one year, during which time nine persons were added to the church. In this year, the society purchased a neat and convenient parsonage, for the minister. The house is situ- ated within about thirty rods of the chapel.
In the spring of 1855, Eld. J. F. Whitney took the pastoral care of the church, and labored with them until the autumn of 1857, when he closed his pastoral relation with it. During his pastorate, ten were added to the church by baptism.
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ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
In December, 1857, Eld. W. H. Nason became the pastor, by the request of the church, and is now pleasantly situated with them, as their spiritual leader under Christ.
This church has now existed over twenty four years, and has maintained the worship of God the greater part of the time, by sustaining preaching, and other meetings of worship. It has had eight pastors, including the present one. There have been two hundred and twelve members in all, who have united with the church, sixty six males and one hundred and forty six females. One hundred and six persons now remain members, twenty four males and eighty two females.
There is no other church of the same denomination within thirty five miles of Mason, and it seems rather strange that there should have been one here, isolated as they are from the body of the denomination, and yet maintaining all the distinctive features of the body as to doctrine and practice. And amidst all the severe trials through which they have passed, they have clung to that word which, at the beginning of their history, they took for their only rule of faith and practice, and the distinctive principles, which underlie the Christian structure, are still dear to the hearts of all its devoted members.
CHAPTER IX.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF NATIVES AND CITIZENS OF MASON.
DR. JOHN BACHELDER, son of John Bachelder and Mary Hartshorn, his wife, was born in Mason, March 23, 1818. He graduated at Dartmouth College, July, 1841, and commenced the practice of his profession at the village called Monument, in Sandwich, Mass., in 1844, and received his medical diploma from the Massachusetts Medical Society, January 29, 1845. He was married to Martha Swift Keene, of Sandwich, Sep- tember 30, 1846.
DR. WILLIAM BARBER, was born in Worcester, Mass., in 1767. His father's dwelling was burnt, by accidental fire, when he was an infant, by which his life was exposed to immi- nent danger, from which he was saved by the courage and presence of mind of his elder sister, afterwards the wife of Mr. Josiah Flagg. He pursued his professional studies at Worcester, with Dr. Greene. He came to Mason in Novem- ber, 1790, and commenced the practice of physic and surgery, which he continued until disabled by the infirmities of age. He married (1) Mary Campbell, of Berlin, Conn. She died November 2, 1792. (2) Rachel Cutter, of New Ipswich, who survives him. He died July 11, 1852, aged 85 years.
CAPT. JOSEPH BARRETT, was a descendant of Humphrey Barrett, who came from England, and settled in Concord, Mass., about 1640. He was born in Concord in 1745. His wife was Sarah [Brooks ?], born in Concord in 1751. She
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died March 29, 1794, aged 43 years. He came to Mason before the town was incorporated, and settled on the farm lately owned by his son Elisha Barrett, and now owned by his grandson, Elisha Brooks Barrett. He was a frugal, indus- trious farmer, and well esteemed by his fellow citizens. Their confidence in him is shown by the many important offices to which he was elected by their suffrages. He was town clerk fourteen years, first selectman fourteen years, second selectman one year, town treasurer twelve years, rep- resentative four years, and was frequently chosen a member of conventions, and on committees in public business. The records made by him as town clerk, fill the principal part of several volumes, made up in a very neat and uniform hand, but in the somewhat uncertain and wandering orthography of those days. He died December 30, 1831, aged 86 years.
REV. CHARLES EMERSON BLOOD, son of Reuben Foster Blood and Relief Whiting, his wife, was born in Mason, March 1, 1810, joined the Congregational church at Rindge, in October, 1828, pursued his preparatory studies at New Ipswich Academy and in Jacksonville, Ill., graduated at Illi- nois College in Jacksonville, in 1837, and at the Theological Seminary in Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1840. He was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian church in Collinsville, Ill., Novem- ber, 1840. He married Miss Mary B. Coffin, formerly of Wiscasset, Me. For three years previous to 1858, he has been and is now a home missionary in Kansas. He has organized a church of twenty eight members, of which he has the pastoral charge, at Manhatten, K. T., where he resides.
REV. LORENZO WHITING BLOOD, brother of Charles E., born in Mason, April 13, 1812, pursued his studies prepara- tory for college at Wilbraham, Mass., graduated at the Wes- leyan University, Middletown, Conn. He was ordained a deacon of the Methodist Episcopal church, by Bishop Hed- ding, at Providence, R. I., June 13, 1841, and elder by the same, at Warren, R. I., June 11, 1843, and is (January, 1858,)
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HISTORY OF MASON.
a member of the Providence Conference, and stationed at West Killingly, Conn.
RESIDENCE OF LOAMMI CHAMBERLAIN.
LOAMMI CHAMBERLAIN, son of Captain Isaac Chamberlain, was born at Chelmsford, Mass., June 6, 1791. At an early age, he gave evidence of a predilection for the mechanic arts, and was apprenticed to Salathiel Manning, a machinist of his native town, to learn that trade. Mr. Manning afterwards removed to New Ipswich, where Mr. Chamberlain graduated a "Master of Arts," in a noble sense, in 1812.
Soon after, he took a contract for building the cards for the Mason Cotton Mill Company, doing the work at the shop of his late master, in New Ipswich. Having finished this engagement, he came to Mason village, and put the carding and spinning machinery into operation. For two or three years subsequently, he appears to have been engaged, much of the time, in setting up machinery and "starting on" mills, in New Ipswich, Milford, and various other places.
About the year 1815, in company with Roger Chandler and Eleazer Rhoades, he bought a small mill in New Ipswich, near
Lithby L Grozelier, Boston
Loone Chanboutin
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the present residence of Col. Gibson, fitted it up, and for two or three years was concerned in manufacturing cotton yarn.
In 1818, he bargained for water power of the Mason Cotton Mill Company, and built a machine shop, which is still standing. In 1821, Mr. Chamberlain made a contract with the Mason Cotton Mill Company, "to build, make and put in complete operation, sixteen power looms, equal, in every respect, to those in the Waltham Factory," and, if neces- sary, "to buy a loom of the Waltham Factory for a pattern, then the said company are to advance the money for the same," &c. About this period, he made a valuable improve- ment on the power looms then in use. This added greatly to his reputation as a machinist, and gave him employment in business from most of the adjoining states. For several years, he carried on, quite extensively, the manufacture of woolen and cotton machinery, machine tools, &c., employing, at times, thirty or forty workmen. In 1846, he sold his machine tools, and engaged wholly in other pursuits. For several years he carried on blacksmithing.
About the year 1840, in company with Thomas Pierce, he fitted up the lower cotton mill, which had stood idle since the failure of the Mason Cotton Mill Company, and manu- factured, for a short time, satinets, and other woolen fabrics. About this time, also, he built a saw mill on the river, below the village, upon the new road leading to Wilton. For sev- eral years previous to his death, he was chiefly employed in superintending his saw mill and farm.
Mr. Chamberlain possessed strong powers of observation, good inventive talent, and mechanical skill in a high degree. Among his apprentices, may be reckoned some of the best mechanics in the country. By his workmen he was generally beloved, and some were dismissed, when he closed his shop, who had become old in his employ. Few men have done more for the material prosperity of Mason village than Mr. Chamberlain. He never courted public distinction, but filled some offices in the town, with honor and ability. As a neigh-
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HISTORY OF MASON.
S.E. BROWN. BOSTON.
JAMES LANGDON CHAMBERLAIN'S FLOURING MILLS,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
bor and citizen, he was highly esteemed. He was eminently a domestic man, and it was in the bosom of his family and in the circle of his intimate friends, that his virtues were best known and his excellencies most fully appreciated.
In 1821, he married Eliza S. Tucker, of Brookline, who is still living. His son and only child, James Langdon Cham- berlain, was born February 16, 1824, and married Mary A. Prescott, of Mason, February 16, 1854. He now carries on successfully the extensive business left by his father.
Mr. Chamberlain was subject to periods of melancholy and great depression of spirits, which sometimes continued for many months, or even years, unfitting him for business or social enjoyment. He died of disease of the heart, resulting in dropsy, November 24, 1853, aged 62 years. Having been a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and also a Free Mason, his funeral was conducted in conformity to the burial rites of those orders, and attended by a large concourse of citizens.
Upon the water privilege, occupied by the old cotton mills, referred to on page 243, owned by Mr. Chamberlain at the time of his decease, but upon the other side of the river, his son has, during the last year, 1857, erected one of the most extensive and complete flouring mills in the state. The buildings, a view of which is presented on the opposite page, are of brick, constructed in the most substantial manner, with window and door sills and caps of granite, and, in all respects, as nearly fire proof as buildings of that kind can be made. They are 34 by 42 feet, and two stories high. In their con- struction 180,000 of bricks were laid up. The bridge shown in the view, is a substantial structure of granite, the length is 168 feet, the height from the river bed to the top of the wall 36 feet, the span of the arch 37 feet, the arch being a half circle. The expense was about $4600, paid by the town. It is a fine piece of masonry, a noble structure, as lasting as time.
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HISTORY OF MASON.
DEA. SIMEON CRAGIN, is the son of Benjamin Cragin, Esq., formerly of Temple, who died at Mason, April 19, 1816. He was born in Temple, January 4, 1787, and was the youngest son of his parents. In 1806, he commenced the shoemaking business at Mason village, and continued it two and a half years. He then returned to Temple, and took his father's farm, and carried it on and supported his parents through life. He married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Dea. Timothy Dakin, May 23, 1811. In 1816, he purchased of Dea. Dakin, his father-in-law, the farm where he now lives, and removed to Mason, and devoted his attention wholly to agriculture.
RESIDENCE OF DEA. SIMEON CRAGIN.
The Cragin family in this country, it is said, are the descend- ants of John Cragon, a Scotchman, who, with other prisoners taken at the battle of Dunbar, Sept. 3, 1650, by Cromwell, was, by order of the English government, shipped to Massa- chusetts, and sold for a term of years, to pay the expenses of the transport. His name appears in the list of two hundred and seventy three "passengers in the John and Sarah, of London, John Greene, mr., bound for New England," under
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
date of November 8, 1651. Of the poor prisoners thus taken forcibly from their homes and carried into exile, the Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, in a letter addressed to "the Lord General Cromwell," under date at "Boston in N. E., 28 of 5th, 1651," respecting some who had arrived in a previous vessel, says :
"The Scots, whom God delivered into your hands at Dunbarre, and whereof sundry were sent hither, we have been desirous (as we could) to make their yoke easy. Such as were sick of the scurvy or other diseases have not wanted physick and chyrurgery. They have not been sold for slaves to perpetual servitude, but for 6 or 7 or 8 yeares, as we do our owne; and he that bought the most of them (I heare) buildeth houses for them, for every four an house, layeth some acres of ground thereto, which he giveth them as their owne, requir- ing 3 dayes in the weeke to worke for him (by turnes) and 4 dayes for them themselves, and promiseth, as soone as they can repay him the money he layed out for them, he will set them at liberty." See New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 1, p. 380.
About four thousand were killed in the battle and about ten thousand taken prisoners. A romantic incident is related of John Cragon :
"The scurvy broke out on board during the voyage, and Cragon being supposed at the point of death, was about to be thrown over- board, but was spared at the intercession of a young woman, by whose assiduous attentions he was restored, and whom he afterwards married, and settled in Woburn." See Hist. of New Ipswich, p. 354.
CAPT. ABNER CHICKERING, was a descendant of Thomas Chickering, who, in the reign of Henry the VIII., resided in Wymondham, in the county of Norfolk. Stephen, his eldest son, lived in Wicklewood, a village adjoining Wymondham. He died in 1576. Henry, his eldest son, removed to Kings- field, in the county of Norfolk. He died in 1627. Henry, his eldest son, and his brother Francis and his nephew, Nathaniel, emigrated to New England, about the year 1635, and settled at Dedham, Mass. Henry held important offices, and was several years a representative in the general court. He died in 1671. His only son, Dr. John Chickering, of Charlestown, was heir to his large estates. From him, Capt. Abner Chickering is a descendant, in the fourth generation.
,
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HISTORY OF MASON.
He was born in Holden, Mass., in 1767. He came to Mason about 1788. He was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on that business at the village and at the centre. His first wife was Eunice, daughter of Dea. Amos Dakin. They were married April 19, 1792. She died May 7, 1804. He built and resided in the house in the village now owned by Dea. Abel Adams. Here most of his children were born. He removed to New Ipswich, where he resided on what was called the Knowlton place. He was a good farmer, and a good citizen. He died in 1841, aged 74 years.
JONAS CHICKERING, son of Capt. Abner, was born in Mason, in the year 1798. He removed with his father's family to New Ipswich. He had a world-wide celebrity for his taste in music, and for the excellence of the pianos by him manufac- tured. He established a manufactory of pianos in Boston, in which instruments were produced that have never been sur- passed. He died at Boston, December 8, 1854, suddenly, in the midst of his enterprises, his usefulness, and his fame, in the 57th year of his age.
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