USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > History of the town of Peterborough, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire > Part 8
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 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
Rev. Charles Robinson was installed as pastor of said society Dec. 4, 1851, and closed his ministry July 1, 1859. He was born July 23, 1793, and died at Groton, Mass., April 9, 1862, aged sixty-eight years, eight months. Charles B. Ferry, a graduate of the Meadville Divinity School of 1859, having been invited to become pastor, was ordained June 13, 1860. After a very successful ministry Mr. Ferry resigned in August, 1869, his services ending Dec. 1, 1869. Isaac F. Porter, also a graduate of the Meadville School, was next invited to become pastor, by letter of Jan. 13, 1870, and was installed June 8, 1870. He resigned Aug. 1, 1872. Abra- ham W. Jackson, a graduate of the Divinity School at Cam- bridge, of the class of 1872, was ordained Jan. 2, 1873, and now continues in the pastoral relation.
An organ, built by E. & G. G. Hook was added to the church in 1867, at a cost of $2,600 for the organ, and $321 for fixtures for the same, -total, $2,921. The funds for the same were raised as follows: Ist, by a levee, Dec. 12, 1866, from which was realized $455 ; 2d, $1,040 received from for- mer residents and members of the society, who had removed from town ; 3d, $1,344.50 from a subscription of the members of the society and others in town favorable to the enterprise ; 4th, from an organ concert in dedication of the organ, $60; and accrued interest on money received on deposit, $30, - total $2,929.50.
96
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
The semi-centennial of this church was observed Feb. 22, 1876. A sermon was preached on the occasion by Rev. M. J. Savage, of Boston, and an historical address read, pre- pared by Dr. Albert Smith, who was absent spending the winter in Newark, O. At an evening meeting addresses were made by Rev. C. B. Ferry and Rev. I. F. Porter, former pastors of the society, and by Rev. R. R. Shippen, secretary of the American Unitarian Association, and letters were read which had been received from former members of the society; viz., Gov. P. C. Cheney, Abel Boynton, Henry F. Cogswell, Dr. E. M. Tubbs, N. H. Morison, William H. Smith, etc.
PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY. - In 1822 a portion of the people, who had never been pleased with the Congregational form, and others who had never adopted the liberal views of Mr. Dunbar's society, withdrew, and formed a Presbyterian society. They maintained separate worship, at such places as could be pro- cured, until 1825, when they built a house of worship of brick, at Gordon's Corner, which was completed and dedicated Oct. 4, 1825. The Rev. E. P. Bradford, of New Boston, preached the sermon. This house was used till 1839, when it was taken down, and its materials used towards a new house erected in the village, on Concord Street, in which the same society, under a different name, now worships. This house was dedi- cated Feb. 4, 1840. Soon after this house was dedicated, a call was extended to the Rev. Peter Holt, late of Epping, to become their pastor, and he was installed the succeeding March, 1826. He was a most excellent man and efficient preacher, but he had the misfortune that awaits us all who live to grow old; namely, less and less to interest the younger portion of the society, and his pastorate came to an end March, 1835. He continued to preach many years after- wards, in various places, and filled out a useful and beautiful life, with labor and effort to the last. He died at Greenfield. Rev. Nathaniel Pine was installed pastor June 8, 1836, and dismissed January, 1837, after a short pastorate.
The society was without a pastor from 1837 to 1340. Rev. Joshua Barrett was here until February, 1839. James
97
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
R. French was ordained March 18, 1840, and continued his ministry until 1847, when he was dismissed. Under his pas- torate large additions were made to the church and society.
Rev. Henry J. Lamb was installed July 14, 1847, pastor of this society, and dismissed Dec. 31, 1852. During the year 1851, much dissatisfaction existing with the preaching of Mr. Lamb, a number of the members of the Presbyterian Church, by the decision of the Presbytery of Londonderry, were recommended to different churches in the vicinity. In 1853 the same persons, with others, were, by advice of council, organized into a Congregational Church, whose officers were Nathaniel H. Moore, Joel Fay, and Andrew A. Farnsworth. April 21, 1858, the Congregational and Presbyterian churches, by mutual consent, and advice of a reference committee for both parties, were organized into a church to be known by the name of the "Union Evangelical Church." The officers of this church, to the present time, have been Nathaniel H. Moore, George A. Jewett, Andrew A. Farnsworth, and James A. Collins.
Oct. 19, 1859, Rev. George Dustan, graduate of Dartmouth College, 1852, was ordained to the work of the gospel min- istry, and installed as pastor of this church. The society and church have prospered under the wise and efficient labors of Mr. Dustan, who still continues their pastor. The church now numbers over two hundred members, with a large wor- shipping congregation. In the summer of 1866 the house was repaired and enlarged, at a cost of nearly $3,000. A dona- tion of $350 was received from individuals in and out of town; the remainder was met by voluntary subscription, and a small tax on the pews. The first persons set apart to the office of elders were consecrated by the Rev. Robert Annan, of Boston, in 1778. They were William McNee, William Smith - Samuel Moore, and Samuel Mitchell. They adorned their profession, and died in the faith. Their successors, until 1826, were William McNee, Jr., Jonathan Smith, Peter Thayer, Robert Smith, Thomas Davison, Robert Morison, Christopher Thayer, Robert Thompson. Elders in 1826, Timothy Hunt, John Field, Jr. On the 21st of May the
13
98
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
following persons were elected elders; viz., Peter Peavey, Stephen Holt, Timothy Fox, Solomon Holt; and May 22, 1830, Nathaniel Moore, John Todd, Jr .; and June 8, 1836, Henry Breed, Nathaniel H. Moore; and March 18, 1840, Samuel Maynard, Watson Washburn ; and Feb. 17, 1850, John Vose, James B. Nichols, Joel Fay. The following persons were chosen deacons to the new society ; viz., Nathaniel H. Moore, A. A. Farnsworth, James H. Collins.
In the summer of 1873 this society erected a neat and commodious chapel, attached to the east of the church, at an expense of nearly $2,000. They were aided in the enterprise by the liberal gift of $275 from John Field, Esq., of Arling- ton, Mass., in addition to the numerous donations for various purposes heretofore made to said society.
METHODIST SOCIETY. - Introduction of Methodism into Peterborough, by Rev. Albert F. Baxter. Methodism was first introduced into Hillsborough County by Rev. Zenas Adams, who preached in Hancock for the first time in 1819. In the same year said Adams preached in Peterborough, and hence has the honor of first sowing the seed of Methodist doctrines here also.
In 1824 Brother Adams, in connection with Brother G. Campbell, visited this town, and formed a class consisting of six members ; viz., Adam and Phebe Penniman, John Shearer and Jean White, Elizabeth and Fanny Gregg. This, class was the nucleus of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Peter- borough, which may date its origin from October, 1824, and claim for its founders Zenas Adams and G. Campbell. Rev. Zenas Adams, who preached here in the fall of 1819, was the first Methodist preacher who entered Peterborough to repre- sent the Methodist denomination.
A list of circuit preachers who occasionally preached in Peterborough :-
1826, Samuel Kelley, Matthew Newhall.
1827, James Smith, Joseph Allen.
1828, Joseph Allen, Calvin Walker, Goodyear Bassett. 1829, H. Cushman, S. P. Williams.
99
.
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
1830, H. Cushman, E. A. Rice.
1831, Nathaniel Ladd, E. Beede.
1832, S. Gleason, J. Scott, A. P. Brigham.
1833, S. Gleason, Henry Eliot.
1834, during this year Peterborough was made a station, and regular preaching was established.
The following are the preachers appointed here, and the time of their service : -
1834, '35, Joseph Allen. 1835, '37, Amos Kidder.
1837, '39, John Jones. 1839, '40, J. C. Cromack.
1840, '41, B. D. Brewster. 1841, '42, C. H. Chase.
1842, '44, James Adams. 1844, '45, Moses A. Howe.
1845, '46, Elijah Mason. 1846, '47, Franklin Furber.
1847, '49, Rufus Tilton. 1849, '51, John Hayes.
1851, '53, George S. Dearborn. 1853, '54, C. M. Dinsmore.
1854, '55, Kimball Hadley. 1855, '57, William H. Jones.
1857, '59, Linville J. Hall. 1859, '60, George S. Barnes.
1860, '62, R. E. Danforth. 1862, '64, S. L. Eastman.
1864, '65, Joseph Fawcett. 1865, '67, L. Draper.
1867, '68, Silas Quimby. 1868, '71, Frank P. Hamblet.
1871, '72, Samuel Beedle. 1872, '73, Samuel L. Beiler.
1873, Albert F. Baxter. 1876, I. H. Hillman.
The society had worshipped in school-houses and private dwellings, and for a few years occupied the town-house, up to 1839, and felt the need of a place of their own, where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own con- sciences. This being centenary year, they made an effort to build a house of worship. Some wishing to make a cente- nary gift, appropriated it to purchase a site on which to build a meeting-house, as a monument of their love to the cause of God and their attachment to Methodism. They obtained a very pleasant situation, which cost them eight hundred dol- lars. They agreed to build, and let out the work to Brother Caleb Beede. He was to put the house on the under- pinning, and finish it all off for $1,300. The house was finished and dedicated to the worship of God the 16th day of September, 1840. Brother J. G. Dow, the presiding
100
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
elder, preached the dedicatory sermon. The meeting-house and underpinning, fixtures, parsonage, and parsonage lot cost the society $2,429. During the year 1873 the church was repaired and refurnished, through the earnest efforts of Mr. B. F. Winn, and others.
BAPTIST SOCIETY. - The following history of the Baptist Church was furnished by Rev. W. O. Ayer, pastor of the same from 1871 to 1874 :-
It is not known that ever a Baptist minister preached in Peterborough before the fall of 1822. At that time it became known that there were persons in town inclined towards the Baptist faith; and Elder John Cummings, of Sullivan, was sent to spend a Sabbath and to inquire after them. The result of his visit was the baptism, that same Sabbath, of two young ladies, and the formation of the Baptist Church, Dec. 19, 1822, with a constituent membership of fifteen.
Immediately upon the organization of the church, quite a number were received, both by baptism and by letters, from other Baptist churches. Jonathan Faxon (died April 13, 1849, aged eighty-three years) was the first deacon, and Moses Dodge (died 1850, aged eighty-one years) was the first clerk. The church was without settled pastors for some years, but continued to be supplied with preaching every other Sabbath by Elder Cummings, under whose efforts the church was gath- ered. They held their meetings on the Sabbath in the brick school-house on High Street (now a private residence). Peter- borough was not, in all respects, as civilized then as it is to- day; and more than once the little band of worshippers suf- fered a "lock-out," and were subjected to other petty persecu- tions from those who dissented from their religious opinions. But the church has lived to reap the benefits that result from the general acknowledgment and reception of the great prin- ciple for which Roger Williams and the Baptist fathers contended ; namely, the right of man to worship God accord- ing to the dictates of his own conscience, without molesta- tion.
The first meeting-house was erected in 1822, on High
101
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
Street. It still stands, being now used as a tenement house. In this house the church held their meetings for twenty years, and they were obliged to enlarge it about 1834. This build- ing was destroyed by fire Nov. 29, 1875. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. Asa Niles. His stay was short (1825, '26), but during his pastorate the church in- creased in membership materially.
From 1826 to 1837 the church was much of the time pas- torless, and the ministers who settled with them remained but a short time. Progress, under such circumstances, was of course slow. In 1837 Elder John Peacock came to labor with them for a few months, and his work was signally successful. At the close of his labors the church registered ninety-seven members.
In the spring of 1840 they settled Rev. Zebulon Jones. His coming proved a great blessing to the church, and his pastorate was the longest that had been enjoyed by them. Under his lead the church decided to abandon their meeting- house, and seek a more central location. The result was the purchase, Dec. 15, 1840, of a lot of land on Main Street, opposite the Unitarian meeting-house. On this site was erected the substantial brick edifice now occupied by the church. It was completed and dedicated in the summer of 1842. The same year twenty-three were added to the church by baptism.
After the departure of Rev. Z. Jones (1843) they were pastorless about one-half of the time until 1848, when Rev. J. M. Chick was settled, and remained more than four years.
From 1853 to 1866 the church passed through severe trials ; was without pastoral oversight much of the time, and was very much reduced in membership.
During the pastorate of Rev. J. B. Breed (1866, '67) they were very much quickened, many joined their membership, and the meeting-house was very thoroughly and substantially repaired.
Two short terms of pastoral work and occasional supplies · followed the departure of Rev. J. B. Breed until the church called and settled Rev. W. O. Ayer, September, 1871. He
102
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
remained with them until October, 1874, since which time they were regularly supplied with preaching till November, 1875, when the society settled Rev. C. F. Myers as their pastor.
The fiftieth anniversary of the church was observed De- cember, 1872. Two constituent members were present ; 'viz., Mrs. Hannah Davis and Mrs. Betsey P. Hadley. The church is now in a flourishing condition, united, and in good working order. They maintain a Sunday-school, under the efficient superintendence of Charles Wilder, which now numbers one hundred and twenty. The membership of the church in September, 1874, was sixty-six. During the winter and spring of 1876 thirty new members have been added.
CATHOLIC CHURCH. - The Catholic church in Peterborough is beautifully situated on high ground, a short distance north of the village, commanding a full view of the valley of the Contoocook, for a considerable distance up and down the river.
It was commenced in 1869, and has been in process of erection to the final completion, in February, 1876, when the pews were put in. There are forty-eight pews on the main floor and eight in the gallery, each capable of seating four persons.
The style of the building is gothic, and is thirty-one feet wide by seventy-three feet long, and surmounted by a gilt cross. The interior is tastefully arranged. The windows are variegated stained glass, the walls frescoed, and trimmings imitation of black walnut. The gallery, with the exception of either side, is devoted to the use of the choir and organ. The altar is a very pretty one, in front of which and across the church extends a very heavy black walnut balustrade. The cost of the church is about $5,000.
The Catholics of Peterborough had been attended by pas- tors from Nashua and Keene until June, 1874, when Rev. P. Holahan took up his residence in town, as their first resident pastor, and was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. Mr. Buckle.
This church was dedicated May 14, 1876, by the usual ser- vices of the order on such occasions, Right Rev. James A. Healy, bishop of the diocese, officiating. It received the name of St. Peter's Catholic Church.
CHAPTER X.
EDUCATION.
Schools before Incorporation. - No Money Raised from 1760 to 1772. - The Sums Raised and Expended for this Purpose to 1790. - Five New School-houses Built in 1790. - Agents Appointed for Schools. - Long Struggle to Obtain a School-house in No. I .- Description of the New School-houses and Mode of Warming. - Districts De- fined 'and Numbered. - The Old School-houses Replaced in 1824 by Seven Brick School-houses. - Peterborough Academy. - High School.
WE have no means of ascertaining whether there were any schools in town previous to the incorporation in 1760, but suppose there were, either private, or supported at the public expense, of which latter circumstance we have not been able to find any account in the Proprietary Records.
At the very first meeting of the town, under the act of incor- poration, £40 were voted for schooling; but the next year we find no appropriation, but a vote that whatever of this sum . remained unexpended should be paid to Samuel Stinson for work done on the meeting-house. There is not another appropriation for schools till 1772. No doubt the general instruction of the youth by private schools was kept up all through this period, by the contributions of the inhabitants. We suppose that more money has been expended privately for education in town, through its whole history, than has ever been appropriated by law for this purpose. We cannot believe that the town had no schools in all this period, -that the youth of that time just anterior to the Revolution were
104
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
entirely neglected, and had consequently grown up in igno- rance. The events of the Revolution revealed a people sen- sible of their rights, and no less able to vindicate them by argument than by physical force. But no record has come down to us of any schools, and no individual is living who knows anything of that period. In 1772 the town raised £12 for schooling; in 1773, £15; 1774, £24; and the places of the schools were ordered by a committee ; viz., Capt. Alex- ander Robbe, William Moore, William McNee, Jr., Major Robert Wilson, Dea. Samuel Moore, James Cuningham, Capt. David Steele, Capt. William Alld, and Daniel Warren; in 1775, £12, divided by a committee; in 1779, £100; in 1780, £100; in 1781, £18, or paper money equal thereto ; the selectmen were directed to divide the town into eight parts, and the school to be kept equally in each part. In 1784, £15; in 1786, £30; in 1787, £40, "to pay a grammar- school teacher, and Henry Ferguson being a committee to hire the master and to expend the money." In April, 1788, " Voted, To raise £25 in addition to the £40 that was assessed last year to pay the grammar school that was kept last winter, and furnish the town of Peterborough with a grammar school the present year, as the law directs." In 1789, £30. March 17, 1789, "Voted, The diocese should not send to any but their own, and that the said schools should be under the direction of the selectmen." In 1790 "it was voted to expend the school money of 1789, and that of this year (probably the same amount, though we see no other record of any sum being raised), in building school-houses." At the same meeting it was voted, "To divide the town into dioceses (as then called) to accommodate the town school"; also, "Voted that the selectmen be a committee to divide the town into dioceses, and make a report."
At a meeting of the town, Sept. 20, 1790, "Voted, To have but four dioceses." This vote was reconsidered at an ad- journed meeting, and the number fixed at five. "Voted, That the selectmen be a committee to vendue the building the school-houses to the lowest bidder; also, that in case any dispute should come in either diocese, where the school-house
105
EDUCATION.
should be set, the selectmen to decide the dispute, and estab- lish the places for said houses to stand." "Voted, To choose men to notify the dioceses to meet and to pitch upon places in the several dioceses to set school-houses." Chose Charles Stuart, John White, Jr., Moses Cuningham, James Miller, Committee. "Voted, That the selectmen vendue the build- ing of the school-houses upon the 18th of October next, at the adjournment of this meeting." These five school-houses were designated as the south-west (south factory), south-east (near the house of Charles F. Bruce), the middle-east (near Caleb Wilder's), the north-east (near Widow James Parker's place), the north-west (near the Faxon or Charles Stuart place). We find no record of any money being raised for school purposes in 1791, yet we think it was raised. After this time, the raising money for schooling follows regularly every year according to law, the constitution of the State, now in force, having been established. The sums raised va- ried for some years, but were constantly increasing. In 1792, £70; in 1793, £80; in 1794, £70; in 1795, £70; in 1796, $300; and ever after this in the Federal currency. In 1797, $300; in 1798, $300; in 1799, $333.33; in 1800, $300; in 1801, $200 ; in 1802, $300; in 1803, $300; in 1804, $300; in 1805, $400; in 1806, $400; in 1807, $400; in 1808, $400; and ever after that what the law required according to valuation. An increased attention to the schools was manifested in 1803 by the appointment of Rev. E. Dunbar, John Smith, and James Wilson a committee to examine school-masters.
It appears that the town appointed agents for each dis- trict, from 1798 to 1822, who were to receive their share of the money, and inspect the schools, and probably to perform all the duties that now devolve upon the prudential commit- tees. After this the several districts were organized accord- ing to law, and did their own business. These persons, chosen by the town for the several districts, were variously called on the town books, superintendents, inspectors, and agents of the schools. There were only six districts to 1822.
We suppose that those living in the centre district, or near what is now the centre village, had to avail themselves of the
14
106
HISTORY OF PETERBOROUGH.
schools nearest to them, and that their taxes were not per- manently attached to either of the districts. This is implied in the following vote, March 31, 1795: "Voted, That Mr. Asa Evans' money be considered as part of the south-west division in said Peterborough."
In regard to an article in the warrant for a town-meeting, March 29, 1796: "To see if the town will vote (at their expense) to build a school-house near to Asa Evans', and disannex such as will be better accommodated at said school- house, from the south-west, and with west and middle-east school divisions, to be considered as members of said new division." The following vote was passed: "Voted, Not to build a school-house."
Nearly the same article was in the warrant for the meet- ing, Nov. 7, 1796. It was passed in the negative. We find another reference to this same subject in another article of the warrant of March 28, 1797: "To see if the town will build a school-house to accommodate a number of inhabitants round Samuel Smith's and Asa Evans', and what sum of money they will raise for the same." At the meeting it was passed in the negative.
Again this matter appears in an article of the warrant for the meeting, Aug. 27, 1798, as follows: "To see if the town will vote that Smith, Evans, and Osgood, and others shall have their proportion of the school money for the present year to pay a school they have had this summer, or any other- school." The matter seems now to have assumed some mag- nitude, so that a large committee of twelve was chosen to consider the subject ; "and they were equally divided respect- ing the building of a school-house, and thus ended."
At a meeting, March 5, 1799, the following committee were chosen to take into consideration the situation of the schools; viz., James Wilson, Jonathan Smith, William White, Jr., Ab- ner Haggett, and David Steele, Jr. They recommended that a sixth school-house be built; that John White, Jr., belong to the same, also William Scott, Mrs. Morrison, the Bailey farm, Kendall Osgood, Charles Davison, "and all who live within the premises before mentioned." Also, that the "school-house
107
EDUCATION.
be placed east of the great bridge, nigh the guide-post." The above report was accepted and recorded; and it was voted, "That the town give Samuel Smith and Asa Evans $150 to build said school-house, -$75 this year and $75 next."
At last the village or centre district were granted a school- . house, with the pittance of $150 to build the same. But they were not satisfied with a common school-house merely, but must have in addition an academy. They erected a building two stories high, the upper room of which was intended as an academy, and the lower one for the district school. The academy room was pleasant and commodious, and the desks were arranged to seat two persons each; but the lower room was constructed in the usual style of the day. In that part of the room where the seats were built (and this description answers almost perfectly for all the six houses in town), the floor rose some three feet in an inclined plane .; and both the seats and the desks were formed of one continuous plank, from one side of the room to the other, only leaving in the middle an alley some three feet wide. There was some kind of a fixture under the desk part for the books, slates, etc., but no backs to the seats. The very small scholars had a low seat in front, equally devoid of a back. All these houses were warmed by large, open fireplaces, the chimney being built on one side of the room, and taking a large space, leav- ing on one side of it an anteroom for entrance, and, in some cases, a small room on the opposite side, used as a dungeon for punishment. The school-rooms were open and cold, and it was fortunate. if they had no broken glass in the windows for additional ventilators. There was generally no lack of fuel; but it was drawn to the school-houses from the woods green, and of sled length, requiring to be prepared for the fire by the older scholars. We should not be surprised that, from neglect to have the fire built early in severe weather, the business of the school should be retarded, the green logs requiring a long time to become sufficiently ignited to afford heat; and when the heat was attained, it was scorching on one side while the other was freezing. And so, under all those difficulties, these people gathered up their meagre share of education.
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.