USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > History of the town of Rindge, New Hampshire, from the date of the Rowley Canada or Massachusetts charter, to the present time, 1736-1874, with a genealogical register of the Rindge families > Part 13
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Another question of great moment remained. To Capt. Othniel Thomas fell the honor of representing the town in the convention, in 1788, that adopted the Federal Con- stitution. This being the ninth State that assented to the Constitution of the United States, and nine States being the number required, "New Hampshire," in the language of a writer of that period, "set in motion the political machine."
Conspicuous among those who were prominent in the affairs of the town during the Revolution and the suc- ceeding years, who rendered faithful and untiring service in the cause of popular government, and who exercised the power of official position without ostentation, is the name of Enoch Hale. He was a brother of Col. Nathan Hale, and was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, November 28, 1733. When a child, his parents removed to Hamp- stead. During the French and Indian wars he served in Capt. Allcock's company, Gilman's regiment, from Sep- tember 22, to November 14, 1755; in Captain Bailey's company, Meserve's regiment, from May 5, to November 5, 1757; and in Capt. Hazen's company, Hart's regiment, from April 27, to October 31, 1758. In 1760, he removed to Rindge, and at once became prominent in public affairs.
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
He was chosen by the proprietors to secure the incorpora- tion of the town, and was authorized to call the first town-meeting.
In 1768, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, being the first magistrate in this town. The same year, Col. Hale removed to Jaffrey, and returned to Rindge the following year. His varied and efficient service during the war as a town officer, delegate to conventions, representative, coun- cillor, and senator in the councils of the State, high sheriff of Cheshire County from 1778 to 1783, colonel of a regi- mental district, and commander of a regiment in the field, need not be repeated in this connection. The history of the town for these years is the most faithful record that can be given of the services of Col. Hale. With the exception of a brief residence in Jaffrey, in 1768 and 1769, he resided in Rindge until the spring or summer of 1784. He was town clerk for the year ending March, 1784. At the annual meeting of that year he was present and made the record of the proceedings. He soon after removed to Walpole, New Hampshire. The statement of Farmer and others that Col. Enoch Hale resided in Walpole at an earlier date, is incorrect. Finding him a resident of that town in the summer of that year, while a member of the Senate under the new constitution, these writers too hastily presumed that he had resided there for a term of years.
In 1785, Col. Hale built the first bridge at that place across the Connecticut River, and subsequently removed to Grafton, Vermont, where he died April 9, 1813.
CHAPTER IX.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Early Efforts to Secure Preaching. - Mr. Swan. - The Call Extended to Timothy Walker Declined. - Rev. Seth Dean Settled. - Church Embodied. - Withdrawal and Discipline of the Baptists. - Mr. Dean's Salary. - Loss Sustained by Depreciation of the Currency. - His Dismissal and Character. - Seth Payson Called. - Letter of Acceptance. - Ordination. - Owning the Covenant. - Successful Ministry of Dr. Payson. - His Salary. - Death of Dr. Payson. - His Character. - Call extended to Mr. Demond and to Mr. Goodell. - Mr. Burnham preaches in Rindge. - Accepts a Call. - Ordina- tion. - His Prolonged Ministry. - Personal Notice. - Era of Sup- plies. - Installation of Mr. Clark.
VERY early in the history of this town efforts were made to secure the public ministrations of the Gospel. Many of the first settlers were members of the churches in the towns where they had formerly resided. As soon as they had reared a shelter for their families, and wit- nessed the promise of daily food in their little fields of grain, their desire of uniting in the public worship of God was manifested. Whatever may be said of the relig- ion of the period, their sense of duty in sustaining stated preaching, and the observance of the ordinances, was a prominent characteristic of their unyielding faith. The proprietors' charter reserved one right of land - about three hundred acres-for the ministry, and another right
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
for the first settled minister. This slender assistance was unavailable until a minister was settled. In November, 1758, it was ordered "that twelve pounds be laid out in preaching in said Township. No comttee was chosen for yt purpose, because Mr. Swan appeared and undertook for yt sum to preach three days in sd Township." Abel Platts was afterwards paid two pounds and eight shillings " for entertaining Mr. Swan and his horse four nights." This was probably Rev. Josiah Swan, of Dunstable. In 1759, upon an article "To see if the Proprietors will pro- vide a minister to preach ye gospel in said town," the sum of thirty-five dollars was raised, and Abel Platts was chosen "to provide ye minister." Subsequently a sum of money for this purpose was raised from time to time with so much regularity that it amounted substantially to an annual appropriation, and in amount sufficient to assure us that our fathers were "hearers of the word " during a considerable portion of each year.
Undoubtedly with a view to a more permanent supply, in 1762, it was "voted that the propriety will hire a min- ister on probation to preach the gospill on probation in order for seteling." "Voted that Josiah Ingalls be a committee to look out a man for that purpose." In the warrant for this meeting, an article in regard to raising money for this purpose reads as follows: "To sea if the proprietary will grant any sum of money and how much to lay out the gospill." This record was made by John Lovejoy, afterwards Deacon John Lovejoy, of pleasant memory, who never desired the gospel laid out in any improper manner, and in intention might be held as inno- cent as another more recently deceased, who prayed that "the gospel might be dispensed with, and enjoyed all over the earth." Mr. Farrand, perhaps Farrar, and Mr. Apple-
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ton preached here a few Sabbaths, and a Mr. Harvey, probably the same who was in Winchendon the previous year, was here a short time in 1760. It is tradition that Mr. Timothy Walker received the first call extended by the settlers of this town, but it is not so generally known that he preached to our fathers for a considerable length of time, as the following extracts from the records abun- dantly prove :-
Oct. 21, 1761. Paid Josiah Ingalls for boarding Mr. Walker, £12 os od
June 13, 1762. Voted to alow Mr. Jonathan Hopkinson £4 os., od. old Tenour Massachusitts for his trouble getting Mr. Walker to preach for the Propriaty.
Oct. 19, 1762. Paid William Carlton for boarding Mr. Walker £3 os od January 11, 1763. Voted and allowed to William Carlton for boarding Mr. Walker and keeping his horse £6 os od Massachusetts old tenor.
July 13, 1763. Paid Josiah Ingalls for boarding Mr. Walker two days LI IOS od February 7, 1764. Voted Mr. Josiah Ingalls his account for boarding Mr. Walker which is £3 os od July 25, 1764. Voted Mr. Josiah Ingalls £2 5s od for boarding Mr. Walker six days.
During this time nearly as much more was paid by the proprietors for the entertainment of "the minister," without indicating the name of the individual.
That Mr. Walker received a call to settle is made certain by the following action of the proprietors under date of January 11, 1763: -
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
Unanimously voted to give Mr. Timothy Walker Junr. a call to setel with them in the gospill ministry amongst them in said township if he seeth fit.
Voted to give Mr. Timothy Walker Junr. one right of land Alowed for the ministers right and forty pounds sterling for a settlement with them in said Township.
Voted to give Mr. Timothy Walker Junr. forty pounds ster- ling a year for his salary, until the number of families amount to eighty, and after eighty to an hundred families forty-five pounds, and after an hundred families fifty pounds sterling annually, and Thirty Cords of wood at his Door yearly when called for.
Voted and chose John Lovejoy, Jonathan Stanley and Enoch Hale a committee to carry Mr. Timothy Walker Junr. there call, one of the three.
July 13, 1763. Voted John Lovejoy ten pounds Massachu- setts old tenor for going to penicook [now Concord] for to carry there call to Mr. Walker.
These items indicate that Mr. Walker preached here much of the time preceding the advent of Mr. Dean. The reasons of his refusal to accept the call are unknown, but may be more or less intimately connected and represented by the records, November 27, 1764, when it was voted to raise the money forthwith to pay the balance due Mr. Walker to save trouble, "and that it be paid by the first day of February next without fail." Mr. Walker, who received the first call to settle in Rindge, was a son of Rev. Timothy Walker, the first settled minister at Concord, then called Penacook. He was born at that place, June 27, 1737, was graduated at Harvard University, 1756. He preached about six years, when he relinquished the profession for an honored career in civil life. He was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1777,
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
and was Chief-Justice of that Court, 1804 to 1809. He died May 5, 1822.
The first settled minister was Rev. Seth Dean, who was ordained November 6, 1765, and remained until 1780, - about fifteen years. The first mention of Mr. Dean in the records occurs May 30, 1765, when it was decided "to hire him on probation to settle with them in the Gospel minis- try," and Nathaniel Page was selected "to agree with Mr. Dean, and to prepare a place for to board him at."
It is probable that Mr. Dean was well received. A call was issued July 18, 1765, with the same settlement as voted Mr. Walker, and an annual salary of forty pounds sterling ; but there was no pledge of like additions to correspond with the increase in the number of families, nor a promise of the thirty cords of wood. After the customary delay, the call was accepted. The following article is found in the warrant for a meeting of the proprietors convened October 1, 1765: "To sea if the propriators will agree on a day for the Ordanation of Mr. Seth Dean for he hath given his Answer in the affirmative and to see if the pro- prietors will agree with Mr. Dean in choosing a council and to choose a committee to send out their leters misive in order for his ordanation on the day which they shall pitch upon, to the several churches they agree on to send to and also to provide a place to entertain the council convenient and handy to the meeting house." November 6, 1765, was selected as the day of ordination, and Jonathan Stanley, Josiah Ingalls, and John Lovejoy were selected "to agree with Mr. Dean in chusing the council and to send out letters misive to the several churches."
Previous to his ordination, Mr. Dean received a payment for supplying the pulpit. October 1, 1765, " voted to give Mr. Seth Dean twenty shillings lawful money per day for
25
1
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
preaching and he bringeth in seventeen days." And at the same time Abel Platts was paid twenty-six pounds and five shillings "for boarding Mr. Dean and his horse keeping," which indicates that there had been ample time for mutual acquaintance and intelligent action.
Subsequently Abel Platts received four pounds for enter- taining the council, and James Philbrick was paid two pounds and five shillings " for going to hamstid to company the minister to town." There is no such place on the map. Probably Hampstead, New Hampshire, is the town from which Mr. Philbrick escorted the minister. Moses Hale, senior, and his sons, Moses, Enoch, and Nathan, as well as his son-in-law, James Philbrick, came from that town to Rindge, and perhaps had enjoyed an earlier acquaintance with Mr. Dean, and proposed his settlement in this place. The churches represented at the ordination of Mr. Dean, and the clergy who participated in the proceedings, have eluded all research. At this time the church at Peter- borough had been embodied six years, New Ipswich five years, Winchendon three years, Ashburnham five years. It is probable that some of these and others at a greater dis- tance were represented. There were no church organiza- tions in Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Temple, Mason, or Fitchburg, at this date.
The church was embodied in the autumn of 1765, and probably on the day of the ordination of the first settled minister. The records of the first fifteen years are very fragmentary. To Dr. Payson, who gathered and tran- scribed the memoranda left by Mr. Dean, the church is much indebted; no record book had previously been used. The first meeting of which we have any account was held January 1, 1766. Other meetings must have occurred during the autumn of the preceding year. The records
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
give the names of only five members at this date. There must have been more, and probably all who became members at the organization of the church are not given in the list. The names of John Lovejoy, Enoch Hale, Nathaniel Page, Jonathan Sherwin, and others, who cer- tainly were members, are omitted. They probably were original members, and the list without doubt commences with the subsequent additions. During the first fourteen months of the ministry of Mr. Dean, or previous to January 1, 1767, twenty-two were added to the original organization; ten on profession, and twelve' by letters of recommendation from the churches to which they had previously belonged, and fifteen owned the half-way covenant. During the remainder of his ministry, sixty-five additional members were received, and fifty more confessed the covenant, and were permitted to present their children for baptism. Seven of these subsequently became full members of the church, and are included in the former numbers. The letters of recommendation, by which members were received during Mr. Dean's ministry, were from the churches in Lunenburg, Topsfield, Boxford, Ipswich, Andover, Littleton, Lexington, Groton, Shirley, Scituate, Concord, Weymouth, Lincoln, and Ashburnham, in Massachusetts, and Hampstead, Mason, and New Ipswich, in New Hampshire. Many long and tiresome journeys over rude highways must have been made to procure these letters, which were their credentials of a good character borne in other places, and may have been presented with a reasonable pride. Yet in all their tran- sactions relating to the church and the town, there are abundant evidences of sincerity, and a deep reverence for religious concerns. There were a few families whose religious opinions were not in harmony with the views entertained by a large majority of the inhabitants. They
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
were advocates of immersion, and ignored the efficacy of sprinkling as practiced in the newly embodied church. They also professed to believe that it was wrong and unscriptural to maintain a salaried clergy, or, in their own language, "to preach for hire." While they claimed to be Baptists, and are so styled upon the records, their position in regard to the salary of ministers was not in harmony with the Baptist Church at that period. At one time, in justification of their position, they requested the town to take notice of these passages of Scripture: "And the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us." "Who is there among you that would shut the doors for naught! Neither do ye kindle fire upon mine altar for naught. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts."
They probably contemplated, at one time, a permanent organization, and perhaps were associated in some bond of union, for they petitioned the proprietors for the privilege of building a meeting-house upon the Common. Their petition was not received until the control of public affairs had passed from that body, and their request was never presented to the town. They were few in numbers, but were men of ability and influence. There are good reasons for supposing that they occasionally had preaching of their own. And perhaps John Coffeen, one of their number, who sometimes preached after his removal from Rindge, officiated in that capacity while a resident of this town. Judging from their creed, public ministrations were not an expensive enjoyment, and may have been maintained for several years.
The creed of the church under Mr. Dean was much more generally accepted, and nearly the entire population
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 193
was included in his congregation. The proprietors consti- tuted his parish, and after three years were succeeded by the town, which continued in this capacity for more than fifty years. While nearly all belonging to the church were citizens of the town, they were distinct organizations. In all matters of faith and observance of ceremonies, the church was independent of the town, and in the choice of officers and requisites of membership was subject to no external control. In the choice and settlement of ministers they acted in concurrence, and in the payment of the min- ister's salary, in building and repairing meeting-houses, the burden fell entirely upon the town. The money raised for these purposes was voted in town-meeting, and was assessed upon all in the same manner as a tax for highways, or for other public purposes. While parishes of this kind were generally efficient, and were certainly stable, they lacked one most important qualification - they were not voluntary, since all, without regard to creed, or their consent being had, were obliged to contribute to the support of the prevailing church. This system soon led to an issue. The men who settled Rindge never grumbled so long as they were suited ; but whenever there was an occasion, wherever they thought their rights were not properly regarded, their voices were plainly heard. Among the early residents, John Coffeen, Henry Coffeen, Eleazer Coffeen, Stephen Jewett, Jonathan Jewett, Nathaniel Turner, and Joseph Gilson did not join the church, for one reason, at least, that they professed to be Baptists, and consequently were not in sympathy with the doctrines preached. These were soon joined by Ezekiel Jewett and Henry Godding, who recently had been brought under discipline, and soon after were excommunicated from the church for want of sympathy with the creed, and a failure to observe the ordinances, -or in other words
.
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
because they had embraced the Baptist creed. Their personal characters were unquestioned. These were among the most influential men in the town. Either of them was able to plead his own cause, and united they made a most formidable minority.
The Coffeens, sons of an Irish emigrant, were born in Massachusetts, and came from Lunenburg to Rindge; the Jewetts were also brothers and grandsons of a Congrega- tional deacon, and came from Boxford; Nathaniel Turner was from Lancaster, and Joseph Gilson from Lunenburg ; Henry Godding came from Lexington, and was a member of the church there. The settlement of these men in this town was no concerted act, and two of them at least, who joined the church when it was organized, could not have embraced this faith for some time after their residence here began. To such men it promptly occurred to ask the town to be excused from paying money from which they asked no benefit. Their petitions were received with that extreme kindness which often accompanies a denial. It was many years before any were excused from this tax. Their love of law and order manifested in the payment of the money when they had failed in their petitions, is fully equalled by the force of their protests. A few extracts from the records will more clearly define their position. In 1769 appears an article in a warrant for a town-meeting to see if the town will excuse any persons from paying their part of Mr. Dean's salary for reasons which may be offered. The records proceed as follows : -
The Question was put by the moderator whether the Town Would Hear those person's reasons, mentioned in the Warrant? Voted in the Affirmative ; then the reasons were offerred as fol- lowing :
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
RINDGE January 3 1769
To the Gentlemen Selectmen and to the Town of Rindge. - The reasons of our not meeting with you were these - we are (rly) against those that Preach for money or those that ask pay for kindling a Fire on Gods alter.
2ly We believe that Baptism is Rightly administered By Immer- sion only of Diping ye whole Body of the party in Water into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit According to Christs Institution and the practice of the Apostles, and not by Sprinkling or Pouring of Water or Diping some part of the Body After the Tradition of men.
These reasons were signed by Ezekiel Jewett, Stephen Jewett, Jonathan Jewett, Henry Godding, Henry Coffeen, Joseph Gilson, Nathaniel Turner, John Coffeen, Eleazer Coffeen.
And on the back of said Reasons were writ Malachi Chapter I Verse 10. Micah Chapter 3 Verse II. The Reasons being Read And the Signers Heard thereon. The Question was put by the moderator -to see if the Town would Discharge those Signers from paying any Salary to the Reverend Mr. Seth Dean on those Reasons hear offered and Voted in the negative.
When the salary question was under consideration at the next meeting, they do not again ask to be excused, but entered their protest for conscience' sake : -
To the Gentlemen Selectmen and Inhabitants of Rindge. - We the Subscribers and others who at a former Town meeting Gave the town to know what our principles were do now Inform the Town that the Article Concerning the Minister Doth not Concern us in no Respect. Ezekiel Jewett, Henry Coffeen, John Coffeen, Henry Godding.
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
This paper was presented in open meeting by John Coffeen, and the clerk adds the statement: " After it was read the signers withdrew." Their next protest, dated March 15, 1770, was in these words: "We have nothing to Act on the Article concerning Mr. Seth Dean's Salary. We being of the Baptist profession."
In the year 1769, John Coffeen removed to Cavendish, Vt. His signature is not found on the last paper. In 1770, Henry Coffeen was one of the selectmen, and also Henry Godding in 1768. They assisted in the transaction of all town business and signed the official papers, except the minister's rate. In this tax they consistently refused their aid. Soon after, Jonathan Jewett, Henry Coffeen, and Nathaniel Turner removed to Jaffrey, where, for several years, there was no minister to support. Joseph Gilson and David Allen-a recent addition to their num- ber-left town about this time, and, in 1777, Eleazer Coffeen joined his brother in Vermont. The others continued their residence, and died here. Their descend- ants are numerous.
It has been stated that Ezekiel Jewett and Henry Godding were once members of Mr. Dean's church, and there this failure of harmony in religious belief assumed a different aspect. Professing allegiance to a new doctrine, they gradually became less attentive to the ministrations and requirements of the old. In about two years from their admission, their position was called into question. The records introduce the controversy under date of April 24, 1768: -
The Church then met and after fervent Prayer to Almighty God for Direction a complaint was then made against Ezekiel Jewett, a member of sd church for his withdrawing himself from
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
public worship & turning his Back upon ye ordinance of ye Lords Supper which conduct of his was inquired into whether his withdrawing was sinful and unscriptural, after his Defence was made and heard, ye church thot proper to adjourn sd meeting untill Thursday, ye 2ª of June Next. to hear further and make further inquiry into sd case and ye above sd Jewett was then notified of sd meeting.
The case was adjourned from time to time, covering four meetings, without definite action. On the twelfth of December this record was made: "At a church meeting held by adjournment on the case of Ezekiel Jewett who had for a long time absented himself from ye word preached, and from special ordinances, concerning which conduct of said Jewett by a vote of ye church counsel was asked of an association." By a letter dated "New Ipswich, Nov. 9, 1769," their advice was "to treat ye case with much Tenderness and at present omit church discipline. We promise by ye Grace of God, for ye present, to Treat him with all Tenderness - but this we say in honor to Christs Church of which we are members and in faithfulness to our souls that ye above sª withdraw of sª Jewett, from special ordinances, is unscriptural and Sinful."
After putting themselves so squarely upon record, the case was suffered to rest until January 31 of the following year. A committee was then chosen, consisting of Amasa Turner, Deacon Josiah Ingalls, and Page Norcross, "to treat once more with said Jewett respecting his sinful withdraw, and to notify him that his case would be further considered October 31 next, and for him to attend sª chh. Meeting if he pleased & for sd comttee to get all ye Light respecting his conduct against sª meeting; and also to treat with Henry Godding and Sarah Godding [his wife] and Mary Hammond respecting their withdraw from public
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