USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890, Vol. I > Part 25
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 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
The parish accounts had been kept separate from the town accounts since 1791, and the two bodies were legally separated in 1819. But the Congregational Society had no corporate exist- ence till four years later, as shown by the following records.
" Ap. 4, 1823. At a Meeting of a respectable number of the inhabitants of Rochester assembled at the Meeting House, - Voted to form themselves into a
240
ROCHESTER.
Society by the name of the first Congregational Society in the Town of Roch- ester." . . . A Constitution "offered by Mr. Thomas C. Upham" was adopted and the meeting adjourned to April 9. At the adjourned meeting the society was formed "under the Act of this State passed February 8th 1791; subject only, however, to the limitations in the Act passed July 1st, 1819."
In May, Tobias Twombly, Wm. Hurd, and Samuel Allen were appointed " to make arrangements for the accommodation of the Singers." This committee built pews in the gallery and sold them at auction agreeable to the following notice.
" DON'T FORGET.
" Will be sold at Publick Auction on Friday 4th of July Next thirteen new & elegant Pews in the Gallery of the Meeting House. Sale to commence on the premises at 8 Oclock forenoon and will be closed with dispatch. As the order for celebrating the day will about this time demand particular attention. Terms liberal and made known at the sale.
" Rochester June 28, 1823.
" HATEVIL KNIGHT Auctioneer, " By William Hurd."
These pews sold at prices varying from $7.50 to $22.50 each. The plan preserved in the records is on the opposite page.
" Aug. 9, 1824, Voted to alter the original Plan of the back privileges in the North East and South West galleries So that there be only Six Pews instead of eight in each gallery," also "to build a line of Free Pews on the back of the Frontt Gallery, and to use the Old Seats in the Galleries in building the line of Free Pews."
May 3, 1823, it was voted to raise $175 for preaching. The Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowledge had made them a grant of one hundred dollars annually for five years, on condition that they should settle "Thomas C. Upham or some other minister approved by this board." This offer was accepted with thanks "for their generous proposal." In June a call was extended to Mr. Upham to become colleague pastor with Mr. Haven, who "is so worn out with age that he feels no longer able to perform the duties of his station and wishes to have a Colleague in his day to take the duties of a Gospel Minister upon himself." The salary offered was $350 in addition to the $100 granted by the Christian Knowledge Society, with four Sabbaths' leave of absence.
The Ordination took place July 16, 1823. Rev. John Tompson of South Berwick, Me., was Moderator of the Council, and Rev. Jona. French of North Hampton, Scribe. The services were as
17
Jonathan Ham No. 7.
Old 8
Singing Pews.
Old 9
Moses Roberts No. 10.
Benjamin Barker No. 6.
Shadrack Chesley No. 5.
John D. Hoyt No. 4.
John Bickford No. 3.
William Hurd No. 2.
Joseph Hanson No. I.
Hezekiah Hayes NO. II.
Joseph Warren No. 12.
Moses Page No. 13.
Passage.
Samuel Cham- berlin No. 14.
Richmond Hen- derson No. 15.
Joseph Colbath No. 16.
PLAN OF PEWS IN GALLERY.
MODERN CHURCH HISTORY.
241
242
ROCHESTER.
follows : - Introductory Prayer, Rev. Josiah Prentice of North- wood; Sermon, Rev. I. W. Putnam of Portsmouth; Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Asa Piper of Wakefield; Charge, Rev. John Tomp- son ; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Jona. French; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Samuel Chandler of Eliot, Me.
The ministry of Mr. Upham, though short, was of great value to the church. Probably no man could have been found better adapted for the work needed at that time. His relations to the senior pastor were thoroughly harmonious and cordial, and the discourse he gave at Mr. Haven's funeral showed how well he appreciated the work and character of his father in the ministry. Oct. 23, 1823, the Church met at Mr. Haven's house and adopted a new Covenant and Confession of Faith. The latter was quite elaborate, containing cleven articles. At the same meeting Ensign Nathaniel Hayes was chosen deacon. Perhaps the most important act of the church for half a century was the following : -
" Voted, that the system of Church fellowship, called the Half-way Covenant, being found to be prejudicial to the interests of religion be discontinued."
As scen in a preceding chapter, this old usage had divided and almost dissevered the church a generation before. Its root was in the quasi union of Church and State, and when this union was wholly severed, almost no one had any interest in retaining the disastrous custom. So passed away quietly one of the worst evils that ever infested the church.
The next church record is as follows : -
W " March 23, 1824. Voted also to purchase a silver cup or tankard, as might be thought best for the use of the Table from money left by our deceased brother, Mr. Buzzel, with a suitable inscription on the same."
" Voted that after purchasing the silver cup . . . the remainder of the hundred dollars left with Mr. Hurd, who should take from the same whatever he might want in order to make out the sum Given by him for the Bell on the Meeting House, agreeably to Mr. Buzzel's Will, and that whatever then remained should be returned to the Church."
" The Above votes are connected with the fact, which ought to be recorded here in honor of the memory of the deceased, that John B. Buzzel, a member of this Church, who died Jan. 6, 1824, left at his decease an hundred dollars for the use of the Church."
As far as can be ascertained no one now knows anything of this
243
MODERN CHURCH HISTORY.
bequest. The January following, Maj. Samuel Allen was chosen deacon.
Mr. Upham having been appointed to a professorship in Bow- doin College was dismissed by a Council Feb. 11, 1825, closing his labors in May. The following record is in a fair, clear hand, neither the pastor's nor the clerk's: -
" Rochester May 29 - 1825.
" This day the Rev. Thomas Cogswell Upham closed his labours in the pas- toral office, by delivering a farewell discourse to the people of his charge, he having accepted the Professorship of Metaphysicks and Moral Philosophy in Bow- doin College. During his residence at Rochester, as pastor of the church, which continued 22 months, there were 12 communion seasons, at which 53 persons were admitted to the church, of which one was by letter, and one upon her dying bed. There was but one communion season at which no addition was made to the church. Forty-five baptisms were administered, viz., 12 children and 33 adults; 3 were baptized by Mr. Haven, the rest of the adults and the children by Mr. Upham."
THOMAS COGSWELL UPHAM, son of Hon. Nathaniel and Judith (Cogswell) Upham, was born in Deerfield Jan. 30, 1799, but removed with his parents to Rochester in infancy. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1818, and at Andover Theological Sem- inary in 1821; was Professor of Moral Philosophy and Metaphysics in Bowdoin College from 1824 to 1867; received the degree of D. D. from Wesleyan University in 1843, and LL. D. from Rut- gers College in 1870. In 1867 he removed to Kennebunkport, Me., and died in New York City April 1, 1872. He married Phebe, daughter of Nathaniel Lord of Kennebunkport, Me., in May, 1825. He was the author of a large number of valuable books, the most noted of which are "Elements of Mental Philos- ophy," with an abridgment of the same, a " Treatise on the Will," the "Interior or Hidden Life," and the "Life and Religious Opinions of Madame Guyon." He published also a series of poems entitled "American Cottage Life," and "Letters from Europe, Egypt, and Palestine." He combined in a remarkable degree keenness and depth of thought with simplicity and clear- ness of expression. When he came to Rochester Mr. Haven had become old and somewhat broken with years. Mr. Upham said afterwards " the preaching had so run down that the people did not expect much." It was his custom to spend four days of each week walking and visiting from house to house, talking religion wherever he went. In the two remaining days he would hastily
244
ROCHESTER.
" scratch off" two sermons for the ensuing Sunday. Visiting Rochester in 1868 he said that people had now become trained to expect good sermons and would not tolerate such as he then gave. In his visits he was in the habit of saying to the people that it was only fair, as he had taken so much pains to come and see them, that they should return the compliment by coming to see and hear him the next Sunday. In two or three weeks the house was filled, and, as already noticed, a continuous revival followed. Mr. Upham was eminent for the fervor and depth of his piety. He made a written consecration of himself " unreserv- edly to his Redeemer " at the age of eighteen. Throughout his life he was in the habit of talking directly of personal religion wherever he went. At the college he kept a list of the students, and called every day upon some of them for the purpose of relig- ious conversation. In his latter days he was frequently meeting persons who had been converted through the influence of his writings. The mystic "quietism" of Madame Guyon fascinated his mind by its agreement with his own deep experience. He died, as he had lived, peaceful, quiet, wholly trusting in his divine Redeemer. " A good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." He was among the great men of his generation, whose memory will not soon fade away.
After Mr. Upham left, the church remained six months without a pastor, and the Society voted that they preferred to hire rather than to settle a minister. But in November the Church extended a call to Isaac Willey, who was then a young man just finishing his theological studies. After several meetings and conferences with Mr. Willey, the Society joined in the call, and voted to pay him $500 per annum. Mr. Willey hesitated, thinking the salary too small. The Society stated that they were sensible the sum was small, but " should it be inadequate, it is not to be doubted that there are many persons who would voluntarily contribute in order to make the salary equal to the exigencies of their minister." In these circumstances Mr. Willey signified his acceptance Dec. 25, 1825. David Barker, Jr., James Tebbets, Samuel Page, Na- thaniel Upham, and Tobias Twombly were appointed to make arrangements for the Ordination, which occurred Jan. 18, 1826. Rev. Dr. Tyler, President of Dartmouth College, was Moderator
245
MODERN CHURCH HISTORY.
of the Council, and Rev. Jona. French, Scribe. The services were as follows : - Introductory Prayer, Rev. Geo. W. Campbell of South Berwick, Me .; Sermon, Rev. Bennett Tyler, D. D., of Hanover; Consecrating Prayer, Rev. Joseph W. Clary of Dover; Charge, Rev. Jona. French of North Hampton; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Jona. L. Hale of Campton; Address to Church, Rev. Federal Burt of Durham; Concluding Prayer, Rev. James Walker of Farmington.
Mr. Willey remained here nearly eleven years, and his pastorate left a marked practical impress on the church and people. It was just the period when the temperance reform began, and he took up the work with enthusiastic determination. He obtained noted lecturers from abroad, and by persistent effort at last aroused the church to take a square stand on the subject. The year 1832 was one of special activity. At a church meeting May 4,
" Two subjects were brought forward by the pastor. One the importance of the church's taking some decided measures in regard to temperance, the other the importance of taking some measures in regard to the better observance of the Sabbath."
More particulars will be given in another chapter. About this time there were extensive revivals throughout the country, and Rochester shared in the work. Protracted meetings were held, and the house was crowded. On one Sabbath Mr. Willey asked those who were interested to rise, and more than a hundred re- sponded. There were only nine male members of the church at that time. Two of these, including one of the deacons, had been disciplined for intemperance, and the others were more or less guilty of the same offence. The church was considerably purified and strengthened by the revival.
In 1827, under the direction of Mr. Willey, was made the first canvass of the town for the distribution of Bibles. Seventy fam- ilies were found without a Bible, thirteen in one school district. After the distribution it was known that some copies were sold for rum, and one, at least, was burned.
In the first year of Mr. Willey's pastorate this church united with the Methodists in a Union Sabbath School, probably the first Sabbath School in Rochester. At the end of a year it was decided to hold Sabbath Schools in each church separately. (See Appendix.)
246
ROCHESTER.
In 1833 a meeting was called "to determine whether the rela- tions of Mr. Willey and this Society shall cease by mutual consent." A week later it is recorded that "arrangements having been made for securing the payment of Rev. Mr. Willey's salary," he was requested to remain.
The next year, Mr. Willey having been chosen Secretary of the N. H. Missionary Society, a Council was called to advise con- cerning his dismission. This Council met Sept. 22 and 23, 1834, but came to no decision, and adjourned one month. Oct. 22, " after much deliberation and prayer" the Council advised his dismission. Thus closed the longest and in many respects the most important pastorate of the modern period of this church history.
ISAAC WILLEY, son of Darius and Mary (Pulsifer) Willey, was born at Campton Sept. 8, 1793; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1822; studied Theology with President Tyler and Prof. Shurt- leff at Hanover, spending the year 1825 as a resident licentiate at Andover, Mass .; was Secretary of the N. H. Missionary Society from 1834 to 1837, and then pastor of the Congregational Church at Goffstown, for fourteen years; was agent of the American Bible Society, and Secretary of the New Hampshire Bible Society from 1850 till 1875; removed from Goffstown to Pembroke in 1865, where he died Oct. 24, 1883, at the age of ninety years. He was a man of excellent spirit, devoted to the service of Christ, thoroughly in earnest in every good work. His work here in the temperance cause cannot soon be forgotten. He was generally wise and prudent, and was rarely at a loss what to do in an emergency. In one case, however, he was completely foiled. Calling on one of his deacons who was badly given to drink, at the tea table he asked him this question : "Deacon, if you had a dog who had become mad, and had bitten your own and the neighbors' children, would you kill him or keep him?" The deacon perceiving the drift of the question, instantly replied, "I would keep him!" and for once the parson had nothing to say.
Mr. Willey published a History of the New Hampshire Bible Society, and of the Congregational Churches in Campton and Pembroke.
Mr. Willey was a true man, kind, helpful, and encouraging to
247
MODERN CHURCH HISTORY.
the younger brethren in the ministry, sincere, earnest, faithful in all his public and private relations. All who knew him regarded him with respect and affection. Many can still " bear witness to his sound doctrine, his cheerful faith, his gospel gentleness, his tender fidelity, his willingness to spend and be spent in every good work, and his strong practical common sense in the pulpit."
Nov. 21, 1836, the Church voted to call Edward Cleveland at a salary of $500. He was ordained and installed Jan. 11, 1837. Rev. Jonathan Ward of Barrington was Moderator of the Council, and Rev. Mr. Smith of Great Falls, Scribe. The services were as follows : - Introductory Prayer, Rev. Alvan Tobey of Durham ; Sermon, Rev. Mr. Fitz of Ipswich, Mass .; Ordaining Prayer, Rev. Mr. Holt of Portsmouth; Charge, Rev. Jonathan Ward; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Mr. Smith; Address to People, Rev. David Root of Dover; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Benjamin G. Willey of Milton.
October 30 of the same year Mr. Cleveland was dismissed at his own request on account of insufficient salary.
EDWARD CLEVELAND, son of Hosmer and Fluvia (Bissell) Cleve- land, was born in Shipton, C. E., Dec. 9, 1804; graduated at Yale College 1832; received his Theological education at Yale Seminary, and preached a year in Hanover, Conn., before coming to Rochester. After leaving here he was engaged in teaching for five years; was six years pastor and teacher in Bath, N. H .; and afterwards spent a long and laborious life in preaching and teaching in Vermont, Canada, and the West. He published a history of his native town, also a poem entitled "The Stream of Time." He died in Burlington, Kan., Sept. 29, 1886.
In January, 1839, a call was extended to Francis V. Pike offering a salary of $600, and he was ordained and installed Feb. 20, with the following services : - Invocation and Reading Scriptures, Rev. Alvan Tobey of Durham; Introductory Prayer, Rev. Joseph Loring of Lebanon, Me .; Sermon, Rev. Edwin Holt of Ports- mouth; Ordaining Prayer, Rev. Benjamin G. Willey of Milton; Charge, Rev. Andrew Rankin of South Berwick, Me .; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. John R. Adams of Great Falls; Con- cluding Prayer, Rev. Samuel Nichols of Barrington.
248
ROCHESTER.
About this time the Piscataqua Association of ministers pre- pared a series of Articles and Confession of Faith which they recommended to the churches for adoption. This church referred the matter to a committee, who reported in favor July 5, 1839. Action was, however, deferred, and they were finally adopted Jan. 8, 1843.
In 1840, after " a day of fasting and prayer," a protracted meeting was held which resulted in a revival whereby twenty-one were added to the church.
The relations between Mr. Pike and the church were entirely harmonious, but in September, 1841, he was dismissed at his own request, because they found themselves unable to continue the same rate of salary.
FRANCIS VERGNIES PIKE was born at Newburyport, Mass., Jan. 2, 1813; graduated at Yale College 1831; at Andover Seminary 1835; and died at Newburyport, Sept. 4, 1843.
At a meeting of the Society July 25, 1842, the following vote was passed : -
" Whereas the Congregational Meeting House has been long built viz. in 1780 & two Towns have since been taken off this Town & what more effects the interest of the Society is that the number of those that attend meeting in said House are greater that live North of said House & it would convene & accommodate the Society better to have the Meeting House removed further north into or near the centre of the Village & nearer the centre of the popu- lation of the Parish -
" Therefore resolved That this Society deem it necessary for the best interests of the Society to remove their Meeting House from its present situation to some situation nearer the Centre of the Village & that the house be thoroughly repaired and fitted up in modern style.
" Also resolved and voted that in consideration that James Tibbets, Samuel Stackpole, Benja Barker and others associated with them propose to the Society and have mutually agreed with each other to provide a lot and house for public worship nearer the centre of the village than the house stands and appropriate it to a place of worship for the Society, that in Consideration of these promises the Society does hereby absolutely & wholly so far as the right in said House pertains to them, relinquish and quit-claim said right to said Tebbets and those associated with him, and give them liberty to remove said House at their pleasure."
The parties to whom the meeting-house was thus conveyed divided the expense into shares of $50 each. They were to build and own the house, selling the pews to help pay for it, and if there should be any money over expenses, it was to be divided
249
MODERN CHURCH HISTORY.
among them in proportion to their several shares. The subscription list, dated August, 1841, is as follows : -
" Ezra Hayes, Jonathan T. Seavey, Widow Sarah McDuffee, Aaron Flagg, George W. Flagg, Benjamin Hayes, Widow Mehitable Young, one half share each; James Tebbitts, Benjamin Barker, Charles Henderson, Jonathan T. Dodge, John McDuffee, Jr., Lydia March, Stephen M. Mathes, John F. Folsom, Jacob Smart, N. V. Whitehouse, James Y. Hayes, Calvin Hale, Elizabeth Hale, Luther Hale, Alfred Hale, one share each; Samuel Stackpole, John Roberts, Jr., Francis V. Pike, Mrs. E. Hale, two shares each; and J. H. Woodman, three shares."
Mr. Pike having left was not called on for his subscription, but Prof. T. C. Upham gave one share, making the whole amount $1,425. The sale of pews netted $2,265, just about covering the whole expense.
In October, 1842, a call was extended to Rev. John E. Farwell of Castine, Me., offering $500 salary. John McDuffee, Jr., Richard Kimball, and J. H. Woodman were the committee of arrangements. His acceptance was dated July 22, 1843, and he was installed Aug. 16. The council met Aug. 15, the new house was dedicated in the forenoon of the next day, and the installation services were in the afternoon, as follows : - Reading Scriptures, Rev. Joseph Loring of Lebanon, Me .; Introductory Prayer, Rev. E. D. Eldridge of Hampton; Sermon, Rev. J. S. Young of Dover; Installing Prayer, Rev. Benjamin G. Willey of Milton; Charge, Rev. Charles Walker of Wells, Me .; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Samuel Bean of Great Falls; Address to People, Rev. Isaac Willey of Goffstown ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Samuel Nichols of Barrington.
Prof. Upham never lost his interest in the home of his child- hood and the church of his early manhood, as the following record plainly attests : -
"By the persevering assistance of Prof. T. C. Upham the subscription for the parsonage was completed & the conveyance made to the Chh. & parish May 27, 1845."
Though the meeting-house had been moved, repaired, and ded- icated, there was still great need of a room for social meetings. By special effort of the ladies this was secured, as seen by the following record : -
Feb 26, 1846. " Held our Monthly Chh. meeting for the first time in our vestry which was finished off under the Chh. by the united avails of a Tea- party on the 4th of July last & a Singing School this winter." A part of the
250
ROCHESTER.
basement was still used for a store room, as the Society voted in April, 1849, " that fifty cts be required of all persons for the storage of each sleigh under the Meeting House during the Summer & seventy five cts for each Carriage during the Winter."
At the annual meeting in 1846 the Society found they were owing Mr. Farwell over $460 on his salary, which they paid by borrowing money. This course naturally led to the next year's record of notice to the pastor that they could thenceforth pay no more than $425 with the use of the parsonage. The final result could not have been otherwise than a dismission of Mr. Farwell, which occurred in January, 1852, he having preached here nine years.
JOHN EDWARD FARWELL was born at Ashby, Mass., Dec. 9, 1809, and graduated at Amherst College 1836, and at Andover Theo- logical Seminary 1839. "He became interested in personal re- ligion " while a student in the Academy at New Ipswich, "and after a period of darkness and doubt, he found the light which shone more and more brightly to the end." He was ordained as an Evangelist at Ashby Oct. 30, 1839, being under appointment as a missionary of the American Board, but his failing health compelled him to relinquish the purpose. He preached for two years at Castine, Me., before his settlement here. After leaving Rochester he was for a time at St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he ac- cepted a call to settle, but by advice of physicians finally gave it up. He became acting pastor at Pelham, where he continued to preach as long as his failing strength would allow. The last time he preached was while on a visit at Rochester. "He was then very feeble and it was known he could not recover. He was the personification of patient resignation and devotion to the cause of his Master. He told his doctor that if there was any encourage- ment that by rest and care he might recover, he would cease work, but as he could not get well, he desired to labor to the last." He died at Fitchburg, Mass., Dec. 24, 1858, leaving a widow and two sons.
After Mr. Farwell left, Rev. George Spaulding was acting pastor for about a year, when he withdrew on account of poor health.
In January, 1854, Rev. James C. Seagrave accepted a call to the pastorate with a salary of $540 and use of parsonage. A
251
MODERN CHURCH HISTORY.
provision in the call whereby the connection could be terminated on six months' notice by either party was seriously objected to by the Council " as uncongregational in principle and pernicious in practice." Nevertheless they voted to proceed to the installation, but Rev. Asa Mann of Exeter withdrew lest he should seem to sanction the provision. The installation occurred May 25, 1854, with the following services : - Reading Scriptures, Rev. Joseph Loring of Lebanon, Me .; Sermon, Rev. I. P. Cleveland, D. D., of Northampton, Mass .; Installing Prayer, Rev. D. D. Tappan of Farmington; Charge, Rev. B. R. Allen of South Berwick, Me .; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. William D. Hitchcock of Exeter ; Address to People, Rev. Alvan Tobey of Durham; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Isaac C. White of Newmarket.
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.