USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Richmond > History of the town of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, from its first settlement, to 1882 > Part 16
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233
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
THE PRESENT BAPTIST CHURCH.
The present Baptist church, which is called the " First Baptist Church of Richmond," but which was really the third of the name organized in town, - the first and second having united about 1790, and finally become extinct, - dates its organic existence from the 24th of March, 1835. The organization was effected in the hall of the tavern then kept by Seth A. Curtis, at the Four corners. The initiatory steps to the proceedings were taken through the advice and co-operation of the Royalston Baptist church, Elder Kenney, pastor. Elder Edward Hale was installed as pastor, and Joseph Emerson as dea- con. The following are the names of those who signed as members of the church ; Edward Hale and wife, Elijah Lyon and wife, J. Emerson and wife, Mrs. T. Ballou, wife of Esquire Ballou, Captain E. Sprague and wife, Mrs. P. Parker, wife of Jacob Parker, Mrs. Rachel Cook, wife of Simeon Cook, Mrs. Joanna Weeks, wife of William Weeks. This list was soon increased by the addition of other names which materially strengthened the church in its work. About 1840, the celebrated evangelist, the Rev. John Peacock, began to labor here, and the result was that a large number were added at this time. The first Baptist society, an organization auxiliary to the church, was formed and a constitution adopted, Nov. 25, 1836. This soci- ety made an agreement with the Unitarian society for the purchase of the use of the pulpit one half the time, Aug. 23, 1838, which agreement was signed by Moses Tyler, John Parkhurst, and Nathaniel Naro- more, on the part of the Unitarians, and by Jacob Whitcomb, Enoch Sprague, and Lewis Freeman,
234
HISTORY OF THE
on the part of the Baptists. The consideration named was $800, and the deed conveying the same, containing certain conditions and restrictions, was passed March 2, 1840. This church has had the following pastors, viz. : Edward Hale, from 1835 to May 10, 1837 ; Obed Sperry, of Troy, preached 1839 ; Tristram Aldrich, from 1841 to 1843 ; John L. Sanborn, 1844-1847; John Hunt, 1844-1853 ; Gideon Stone, 1855-1856 : Jas W. Searle, 1858-1859 ; Horace Eaton, 1875 ; J. L. Whittemore, 1876-1879 ; Geo. F. Shove, 1882-1883; E. P. Merrifield, 1883-1884. Three of these were ordained here, viz. : J. L. Sanborn, 1844, John Hunt, 1849, J. W. Searle, 1858. The church has experienced varied success ; during the first half of its existence it seemed to increase in strength and vi- tality, but in the latter part, owing to removals from town, and removals by death, the numbers have been materially lessened, and hence there is at present less financial ability to carry on the work; but the few that are left seem to be possessed of a commendable degree of perseverance in a struggle for existence amidst surroundings somewhat disheartening to any but those possessed of the most positive faith. The church has had the following deacons, viz. : Joseph Emerson, Elijah Lyon, Jacob Whitcomb, jr., and Lewis Freeman. The church in 1848, took strong ground against slavery, and passed certain resolu- tions, drafted by Rev. J. L. Sanborn, condemning the system as sinful and iniquitous, and disapproving fellowship with slaveholders or their apologists.
UNITARIAN SOCIETY.
The Unitarian society was formed in 1837, a few months before the building of the Brick church, and
BRICK CHURCH (Four Corners).
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, (Middle of Town). See page 236.
235
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
was a preliminary movement in furtherance of that design. The more prominent members in the forma- tion of this society were John Parkhurst, Timothy Pickering, Moses Tyler, Jonathan Rawson, Henry Rice, jr., Job Bisbee, John Scott, Nathaniel Naro- more, Amos Bennett, Ezra Allen, Stephen Buffum, Ballou Swan, Alvan Barrus, Luther Cass, Joseph Weeks.
The following names appear on books of the treas- urer of the society, with sums subscribed by each, toward building the meeting-house : -
John Scott (mostly in
brick),
$393 91
Alvan Barrus, 25 00
Timothy Pickering, · 150 00
Moses Tyler,
100 00
Nathaniel Naromore, . 100 00 Winslow Taylor, 25 00
Amos Bennett, 50 00
Seth A. Curtis,
50 00
Samuel D. Allen,
125 00
Orrin Grant, .
50 00
Henry Rice, jr., 125 00
Ezra Allen,
125 00
Stephen Buffum,
125 00
Joseph Weeks,
50 00
William Weeks, . 25 00
Jacob Sweet,
25 00
Ballou Swan,
25 00
David Buffum, 50 00
Charles Roper,
25 00
Sampson Wheeler, James Ballou, 25 00
25 00
Daniel Cass, 25 00
Dan. Buffum,
25 00
Lilburn Allen, 25 00
Daniel Man,
25 00
Amos Garnsey, 25 00
Jonathan Cass,
25 00
Lewis Freeman, 25 00
Benoni Ballou,
25 00
William Randall,
12 50
The meeting-house was built on contract, by Tim- othy Pickering, Esq., for $2,472.50. The bell cost in Boston $366.65.
The first bell was broken, and exchanged for an- other.
The total cost, with stoves, etc., was $2,957.00.
The society had preaching by Unitarian clergymen
Candace Howe, . $25 00
Luther Cass, 25 00
John Parkhurst, . 175 00
Ahaz Bassett, 25 00
Asahel Kelton, 50 00
Nelson Rawson, 25 00
George Taylor, 25 00
236
HISTORY OF THE
resident in other towns, in 1838,-'39,-'40 a considera- ble portion of the time. The Baptists bought in 1840 the right to use the pulpit one half of the time, and the right to use it the other half, if not used by the Unitarians, for $800.00. Since the conveyance of this right, the Unitarians have seldom held any meet- ings therein.
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
The Universalist society was formed in April, 1837, a recent date when compared with the time when Universalism was first preached here by Elder Caleb Rich, more than fifty years before, who appears to have gained a large number of adherents to the " new doctrines," so called, which he here proclaimed. That so long a period should have elapsed before any effort was made for a house of worship seems diffi- cult to explain when all the facts in the case are not taken into the account. Many of the believers were widely scattered, living remote from a common centre, with no means to spare from the provision necessary for the support of their families, and hence postponed to a more favorable time the work of pub- lic religious instruction. These considerations, to- gether with the constant emigration that has been going on, appear a sufficient explanation of the facts alleged. Any attempt to give a true insight into the rise of Universalism here would necessarily be in- complete and unsatisfactory, which should leave out a brief sketch, at least, of the life and labors of Elder Rich. He was born in Sutton, Mass., August, 1750, of Orthodox parents, and at an early age joined the Baptists and soon became a ready exhorter and expounder of the Scriptures and a leader in their
237
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
meetings. At the age of twenty-one he removed to Warwick, on a place close by the borders of Win- chester and Richmond, where he lived more than thirty years, and labored as a public teacher in the vicinity during the time. His name is once men- tioned in the history of Warwick, published a few years since, as a Universalist minister, but nothing of his life or labors appear therein. Soon after his set- tlement there, he, with others, formed a Baptist church in the vicinity, in which he became a prom- inent leader. His position induced him to search more diligently the Scriptures. In these inquiries he professed to have found new light, and consequently to entertain doubts on some points of the prevailing belief in relation to the atonement and endless pun- ishment, which, when brought to the notice of the church, he was dealt with for holding and promul- gating unsound views. Unwilling to retract or con- form to the belief of his brethren, he was finally dismissed from the church as a heretic, and enjoined " not to talk, exhort, or pray with believers." The injunction, however, was unavailing in repressing his freedom of speech. He became more bold and outspoken in his sentiments, preaching often in Rich- mond, which appears to have been his favorite field of labor, and about 1781 he was here ordained over what was called a "general society," composed of members from this and adjoining towns. The Rev. Adams Streeter, from Rhode Island, was the offici- ating minister, and three hundred persons are said to have been assembled on the occasion, but where in town this ordination was held is at present unknown. Among those who embraced his views were the Rev. David and Hosea Ballou, the latter of whom became
238
HISTORY OF THE
the great preacher and expositor of the denomina- tion, and whose first discourse was delivered at an evening meeting at Deacon Simeon Thayer's, who also had become a Universalist, being encouraged in the effort by the counsel and presence of Elder Rich. Rich, after laboring and preaching in this vicinity in school-houses, dwellings, and barns, or wherever he could get a chance, until about 1800, removed to New Haven, Vt., where he continued to promulgate his "new doctrine " until his death, which occurred Oct. 18, 1821, aged seventy-one years. After Rich's departure, occasional meetings were held in school- houses, and sometimes in the old Baptist church, by various preachers who might visit the town. In 1832 David R. Lampson, who was called a " restora- tioner," preached in the old church one year, but other- wise no stated and regular preaching was instituted prior to the building of the meeting-house, which was built in 1837 and dedicated November 22d of that year. The Rev. Hosea Ballou preached the dedica- tion sermon. A very large gathering from this and the adjoining towns was present on the occasion. The society has had the following ministers : Rev. Stillman Clark, Edwin Davis, Joshua Britton, Robert Bartlett.
From the records of the society it appears that the first meeting of the society was called at the house of Jonathan Rawson, Esq., April 1, 1837, and was organized by choice of Rufus Bowen, moderator, and Kendall Fisher, clerk. Voted, at the same meeting, " to issue a subscription paper for the pur- pose of obtaining subscriptions to build a church." The result was that the subscriptions were obtained, and the church was built at a cost of $2,485.36.
239
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
The building committee consisted of Silas Jillson, Rufus Bowen, and John Starkey. The design of the house was made by Orrin Starkey, who was also chief mechanic in building it. The following names appear on the books as members of the society : Leason, Israel, and Robert Martin, Silas and Paul Jillson, Henry, John, and Orrin Starkey, Joseph and Benjamin Newell, Luther and Nicholas Cook, Moses P. and Augustus Cass, Stephen Randall, Jonathan Rawson, Kendall Fisher, and Rufus Bowen.
The Cheshire conference of Universalist churches was held in Richmond, Aug. 28, 1882, continuing three days, in a grove one half mile west of the Universalist church. These were intended to be memorial exercises in honor of Hosea Ballou, near the place where he was born. Rev. Edwin Davis preached a discourse reviewing the Richmond church, and Rev. A. A. Minor, of Boston, delivered a dis- course on the life and character of Hosea Ballou. The meeting was numerously attended by people from this and adjoining towns.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The first Methodist Episcopal church or society of Richmond appears to have been formed about 1840, but in the absence of records, the time cannot be definitely determined when the organization was completed. It was partly under the charge or super- vision of the Winchester Methodist church, and had in 1842 attained such coherence and strength as to warrant the conference in sending here a resident minister to have charge of the society. The first that
240
HISTORY OF THE
came was Rev. Alexander H. Fullerton, who re- mained during the years 1842-'43, and he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Charles H. Eastman, who occupied the field in 1844-'45. Kimball Hadley was here in 1846, and Orrick Walkins in 1849.
Rev. Ashley C. Dutton was probably engaged in the home missionary service here in 1867 and 1868, and was succeeded by Rev. Noble Fisk in 1869-'70. This society continued for some years to increase in numbers and in influence, and could at one time reasonably count on quite a solid gathering of ad- herents ; but, as has been the case with other societies and churches, the vacancies caused by various causes were rarely filled by new accessions. The organization appears to have been dissolved previous to 1870. The members of this society, so far as is now known, were Silas Jillson and wife, Wheaton C. Jillson and wife, John Colburn and wife, Jacob Boyce and wife, Ezra Martin, jr., Daniel Perry, Samuel A. Whitney, James Boyce, Hannah Cass, Emery Cass, and some others.
The second Methodist Episcopal church was formed, as appears from the records of the organi- zation, on the eighteenth day of June, 1870. The meeting for the purpose was held agreeably to a call made by the Rev. Charles E. Rogers, who was resi- dent minister at the time. The names of the follow- ing persons are recorded as being present : -
The pastor, Rev. Charles E. Rogers; Charles W. Conway, Orison Jillson, E. J. Donnell, George W. Newell, Volney Piper. Chose for Secretary. - Volney Piper.
Chose for Board of Stewards. - Charles W. Conway, Volney Piper, Orison Jillson, E. J. Donnell, George W. Newell.
Chose for Recording Steward. - Volney Piper.
Chose Class Leader. - Volney Piper.
24I
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
Chose Sunday School Committee. - Charles W. Conway, Julia M. Piper.
Chose Committee on Missions. - George W. Newell, Orison Jill- son, Mrs. Amos Martin, Mrs. Maria Wheeler, Miss Annie Cook.
Meetings of the church appear to have been held quite regularly (called the Quarterly Conference) until about 1877. Since that time no minutes of their doings appear on the records.
Rev. Charles E. Rogers was succeeded in the pastoral charge by Rev. D. McIndoe in 1872, and he in turn, in 1873, by O. T. Lovejoy. In 1874, Rev. E. B. F. Dearborn was the preacher in charge, and, lastly, Rev. Arad Taggart, who lived in Winchester, was the minister in 1877. The last quarterly con- ference appears to have been held Feb. 6, 1877, and the last of their doings as recorded was : -
Bro. Geo. W. Newell, having been duly recommended by the society, subject to examination of discipline, was voted a Local Preacher's License.
The following persons, in addition to those before named, appear on the records as connected with the society : -
John H. Sparhawk, Stephen W. Williams, Ansel Martin, D. B. Aldrich, Lewis R. Cass, Eben S. Cook, George Taylor, Daniel O. Perry, Maroa Williams, Eli W. Reynolds, Sarah J. Graves.
ATTEMPT TO FORM AN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
There appears to have been some effort made at one time, say about 1830, for the formation of an Orthodox Congregational church, but the project fell through for want of due encouragement, as but few were inclined that way.
I6
2.42
HISTORY OF THE
RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.
The people of Richmond, through all its history, have exhibited a freedom from the restraints imposed by ecclesiasticism and class distinctions worthy of special note when compared with most New England communities ; and the reason for this exceptional condition of things may be clearly outlined by revert- ing to the antecedents and surroundings which had a direct influence in moulding and fashioning these characteristics of their social and religious life. The town was largely settled by people from Rhode Island, a state whose first white inhabitants were composed to a considerable extent of dissenters from and disbelievers in the established churches of the neighboring states, and upon whom a species of ostracism and persecution had been brought to bear that had rendered a migration to a place of greater toleration highly desirable. Chieftest among these were the Baptists and Quakers, who were in unison on one point at least, and that was that every human being had the right of private judgment in all mat- ters of religious concern, and were not accountable to anybody for the opinions which they might form in that regard ; and that no body of men, or ecclesiasti- cal authority had a right to make and enforce rules and regulations for others to observe in matters of religious belief and worship without their assent to the same. These broad principles of toleration and individual rights, inculcated by the founders of the state, became the inheritance of the Rhode Islander, and hence, in his migrations to new fields of labor or settlement, these were his houshold gods, by which he was largely governed in his political and religious movements. Such then were the principles of the
243
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
men who became the first settlers of the town, and such largely have been the convictions of their suc- cessors. Whether the outgrowth of this individualism has resulted in a higher development, or been produc- tive of greater enjoyment, may be a question for the theologian or metaphysician to solve. That church organizations have been feeble and inefficient is ap- parent. The early churches, both Baptist and Quaker, ceased to grow after the first generation, · and neither survived the first century of their ex- istence. Other church organizations, however, have sprung up, taking the place of the older, but these at present manifest signs of great weakness and decay, owing no doubt in part to the death of the aged and the removal of the young, together with the sparse- ness of the population in homes widely separated. Whatever the causes of the decline in church at- tendance may have been we need not pause here to enquire, but rather examine the results and deter- mine, if possible, the evil and good which may have resulted therefrom. It may be affirmed, with full as- surance of its correctness, that this people have been as free from the grosser forms of vice as other com- munities have been. No murders or manslaughters have been committed; no robberies, highway or otherwise, have been perpetrated worthy of mention ; nor has the torch of the incendiary been applied at midnight to the domiciles of the people. Life and property have been comparatively safe and secure, and it may be truthfully said that much less cheating and fraud, under the garb of piety and religion, have marked the progress of this people than can be affirmed of some other communities with more pre- tentious surroundings ; but these conditions, negative
244
HISTORY OF THE
rather than positive, have been supplemented by a generous hospitality and the kindlier conventionalities of life and of good neighborhood ; but these, bearing a favorable aspect, may not reasonably be adduced in favor of any system which ignores the necessity of stated, regular, moral instruction. That the social, moral, and intellectual condition of a community may be elevated by the public inculcation of moral and re- ligious truths there can be no reasonable doubt, and that a wise foresight would make ample provision for the development and growth of the higher elements of our nature needs no demonstration.
The freedom from social caste observable in the history of the town has rested largely on the general equality in material things among the people. None have been very rich, not many very poor,- as nearly equal in all things as a community so situated well could be. This equality unquestionably would have tendency to develop the more sterling qualities of an independent, self-reliant character, and cause a com- mendable degree of freedom from that obsequiousness and servility founded in caste.
THE POPULATION AND VALUATION.
Population of the Town taken first in 1773 and again in 1775, 1786, and in 1790, and Decennially since the latter date, being the time when the First United States Census was taken, and also the Valuation of the Town, including Polls taken Decen- nially since 1810.
Inhabitants.
Valuation.
Census of .
1773
745
66
1775
860
1786
1,250
1790
1,380
1800
1,350
* For present valuation, see page 253.
245
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
Census of .
· ISIO
1,290
$220,502
66
1820
1,39I
225,748
1830
1,30I
225,466
1840
1,165
350,966
66
1850
1,274
348,600
6.
I 860
1,015
332,648
1870
868
250,958
I880
669
254,758
THE ELECTORAL VOTES. The Vote for Electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, beginning 1788.
Votes.
Votes.
1878-6 electors
32
Democratic electors
. 122
1792-6 electors
33
1848
Whig
66
78
1796-6 electors
Free Soil
32
I Soo-None recorded.
Democratic
66
129
S Democratic electors
146
1852
Whig
66
35
ISO8
Federal
66
7
Republican
60
. 124
1812
Federal
66
I2
1860
Republican
66
54
IS16
Federal
66
II
Democratic
66
. 128
1820-One set
66
64
Democratic
66
. IIO
1828
Nat'l Repub.
66
87
1872
Republican
79
1832
Nat'l Repub.
66
. IIO
1876
Republican
66
08
1836
Nat'l Repub.
19
Democratic
72
Democratic
66
I55
1880
Republican
66
25
Democratic
66
I22
Whig
36
-
Liberty
36
-
I SO4
Federal
3
Democratic
167
1856
Democratic
I32
Democratic
214
182
1864
Republican
87
1824-None recorded.
1868
Republican
87
Democratic
66
86
Democratic
130
Democratic
96
[ Democratic
· II4
1840
Whig
119
Greenback
89
1844
Democratic 66
Bell & Everett
62
Democratic electors
· I34
POLITICAL PARTIES.
In reviewing the action of the political parties in their choice of electors, it will be seen that the Demo- crats have been for the most of the time in the ascendency. In the first and second elections of president, there was only one set of electors, and by
42
Free Soil
123
Democratic
25
Inhabitants.
Valuation.
246
HISTORY OF THE
these the entire vote was cast for Washington ; and in the election of John Adams there appears to have been no opposition. In the election in 1800, when Jefferson was first elected, there is no record of the votes cast, but in his second election, in 1804, there appears a very feeble opposition of only three votes for the Federal ticket. This is the first appearance of division into parties. The Federal vote again ap- pears in the first and second elections of Madison, in 1808 and in 1812, and also in the first election of Monroe, in 1816; but this opposition vote at no time exceeded twelve, and became totally extinct in the second election of Monroe in 1820, when there was but one set of electors. The record of the vote of 1824 is missing. This was for the period embracing the administration of John Q. Adams, when the people were really divided into two parties, the Democratic and the National Republican. The former of these had fair majorities in the election of 1828 and 1832, when Jackson was elected, and still larger when Van Buren was elected, in 1836. The National Republicans assumed the name of Whigs in 1840, when they threw one hundred and nineteen votes for electors for Harrison, the largest vote they ever cast. In 1844 a new party arose called the " Liberty," which polled thirty-six votes, the same as the Whig vote, but still a large majority of the votes were for electors for J. K. Polk. The Whig vote greatly increased, and the Liberty, or Free Soil, diminished in 1848, when General Taylor was elected, the Democrats still retaining a small ma- jority. In the election of General Pierce, in 1852, the Democrats carried the town by a small increase over the majority which they cast in 1848. In 1856,
247
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
the Republican party took the place of the Whig and Free Soil, but still a majority of votes was given for Mr. Buchanan. There were three sets of electors in 1860, when Lincoln was chosen; the third was for Bell and Everett, the compromise candidates. The Democrats retained their ascendency in the second election of Lincoln in 1864, and also in the first and second elections of Grant in 1868 and 1872, but in the election in 1876, which finally resulted in placing Hayes in the presidential chair, the Democrats, for the first time in the history of the town, were in the minority, and so continued in the election of 1880, which resulted in the choice of General Garfield. The Greenback party appear for the first time at this latter election with twenty-five votes for presidential electors.
TOWN OFFICERS, ETC.
List of Selectmen from 1765 to 1882, with the Years each Served, including the First Date.
John Cass, 1765.
Daniel Cass, 1765, 1773.
John Martin, 1765, 1776.
David Thurber, 1766, 1767.
David Barney, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1783.
Edward Ainsworth, 1766 to 1771. Abraham Randall, 1766, 1769, 1771. John Scott, 1766.
Jonathan Gaskill, 1768, 1769, Daniel Read, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1773.
Jedediah Buffum, 1770, 1771, 1786, 1787, 1788, 1794.
Anthony Harris, 1770, 1772.
Jonathan Atherton, 1771, 1773. Jonathan Thurber, 1772.
Oliver Capron, 1772, 1773.
Moulton Bullock, 1773. Silas Gaskill, 1773, 1782. Timothy Thompson, 1773. Joseph Cass, 1773, 1783.
John Dandly, 1773, 1776. Israel Whipple, 1774, 1779.
Joseph Newell, 1774, 1809.
Ezra Allen, 1774.
William Goddard, 1775.
Enoch White, 1775.
1784. Henry Ingalls, 1777.
Amos Garnsey, 1777, 1778.
Nicholas Cook, 1778, 1781.
James Kingsley, 1778, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, to 1794.
Edmond Ingalls, 1779.
249
TOWN OF RICHMOND.
Edwin Cass, 1854.
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