USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Rye > History of the town of Rye, New Hampshire, from its discovery and settlement to December 31, 1903 > Part 12
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" No country, I believe, under heaven, experiences so great a share of civil liberty and of private happiness as this. For all our wealth and prosperity, therefore, both public and pri- vate ; and for everything that adds to the peace, the happiness, and respectability of our country, of our towns, of our families, or of ourselves as individuals, let us feel and let us express our indebtedness to heaven."
Extracts from Mr. Porter's half century sermon, delivered January, 1835 :
" A good degree of general health has been enjoyed, as much so perhaps on an average as towns in general, yet sickness has in some seasons prevailed. The deaths for fifty years past (1784 to 1835) have averaged about fourteen in a year; the smallest number in any one year was five, and the largest num- ber thirty-five. One year in particular was remarkable for great sickness and mortality; the year 1803, more than two hundred and twenty persons were seized with diseases of various kinds, and of these thirty-five deceased.
" From the close of the year 1784 to the beginning of the
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
year 1835, making half a century, one hundred and eighty-four were admitted to the church, nine hundred and four baptized, and four hundred and four marriages were solemnized, thirty- six members having been dismissed to other churches."
For nearly thirty years after his settlement, there was not one family of any other than the Congregational denomination in the town. In 1784, the church membership was one hun- dred and twenty. Mr. Porter estimates the number of births during the half century as about one thousand five hundred and fifty, and the deaths during the same period not far from seven hundred.
When Mr. Parsons was first settled the town voted " To give him £140 in bills of credit at the present currency, that it goes about silver money at 25 shillings an ounce yearly, as long as he continues our minister among us. Also 20 cords of fire wood brought to the Parish House yearly, and land and thatch ground yearly." In the year 1780 the town voted to see what the committee could raise for the Rev. Samuel Parsons. The committee reported that "60 bushels of corn, 200 lbs. of Beef, two hundred weight of Pork " could be raised, and it was voted : " That Rev. Mr. Parsons shall have Six thousand dol- lars more than he was voted at last March meeting." In 1782, voted : "That Rev. Samuel Parsons shall have two hundred and thirty-three doolers and two-thirds of a dooler this year in silver." The same year it was voted "That the money due to the Parish and the money the Parish owes shall pas one silver Dooler for Seventy five Paper Doolers of old emission money."
In the year 1828 the civil contract between Mr. Porter and the church was dissolved but his pastoral relation still contin- ued. The town voted : "To give Rev. H. Porter $300 and the use of the Parsonage until next April if he will relinquish his contract with the Town." He would not accept this proposal, but offered to take $350, and the use of the parsonage one year from the first of the next March and to relinquish the con- tract subsisting between him and the town.
The town voted to give him the sum of $350 and the use of the parsonage.
158
HISTORY OF RYE.
Rev. Bezaleel Smith, after supplying the pulpit for several months, was invited to settle here. Having accepted the invita- tion, he was ordained as colleague pastor of the church the 13th day of May, 1829, and continued about eleven years. He admitted to the church one hundred and eight members, bap- tized one hundred and fifteen, and the number of marriages was fifty-nine while he was in charge of the church.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE, 1888.
Rev. James F. McEwen, having received a call from the church, was installed pastor December 1, 1841, and dismissed April 8, 1846. Mr. McEwen admitted to the church thirteen persons, baptized seventeen, and performed the marriage ser- vice fourteen times.
Rev. Israel T. Otis preached after the dismission of Mr. McEwen and was installed as pastor July 4, 1847, and re-
159
ECCLESIASTICAL.
mained until April 24, 1866. He was a faithful and affectionate pastor and was held in much esteem by his people.
Rev. Giles Leach preached from October 4, 1867, until December 11, 1870. The next minister in charge of the church for any length of time was Rev. Jeremiah K. Aldrich, who was employed May 4, 1873, and dismissed November 16, 1876.
Succeeding pastors have been : Rev. Willis A. Hadley, January, 1878-1879; Rev. J. W. Kingsbury, December, 1879- 1882; Rev. F. H. Boynton, 1882-November, 1886; Rev. Robert Humphries preached for about a year; Rev. H. M. Holmes, May 1, 1888-1890; Rev. J. K. Aldrich, 1892-1896; Rev. A. W. Mills, 1896.
RYE GLEBE.
In the early period of the settlements the connection between church and state was much closer than would now be endured, and the "parish " was, to a great extent, practically the town. The minister's stipend was raised by taxation of the inhabitants of the town, as the salaries of school teachers are now by taxa- tion of the property owners of the town or the school districts ; and every man, entirely aside from whether he attended church services or agreed with the religious sentiments of the preacher, or not, had to pay his share of the tax for the preacher's sup- port. Hence it early became the practice to set aside a goodly piece of land as a glebe, or benefice for who ever might be minister of the parish for the time being, and for the benefit of the parish itself through the lessening of taxation ; the glebe being sometimes set off from the common lands by the town or parish, and sometimes the gift of a number of the more opulent landholders. There was at one time a glebe established in Rye, but as to when and how this was done, or how large a tract of land it was, no record has been discovered to tell. It probably was not established until Sandy Beach had been set off as the parish of Rye, independent of Newcastle in all church affairs ; and, judging from the number of participants in the glebe lands when division was made of them, it seems probable that it was established by the parish, and from the common lands. About
I60
HISTORY OF RYE.
1750 or 1760 the glebe lands were parcelled out, and following are the names of the inhabitants who were recipients of one or more " rights" each :
Richard Rand
Reuben Moulton
Peter Garland
Richard Jenness Esq
Amos Knowles
Amos Seavey
James Marden
Samuel Wallis
Joseph Jenness
Francis Jenness
Richard Locke Jr
Bickford Lang
Jonathan Towle
Thomas Watson
Job Foss-
Robert Saunders
Josiah Webster
Joshua Jenness
Henry Dow
William Randall
Nathaniel Jenness
Job Jenness
Benjamin Garland
Merrifield Berry
Wm Thomas
Nathan Goss
Jacob Berry
William Seavey
Joseph Marden
Richard Goss
James Seavey
Richard Jenness Jr
Joshua Weeks
Samuel Jenness
Stephen Marden
Samuel Murry
Jonathan Brown
Rev Samuel Parsons
Trustrain Coffin Sleeper
Wallis Foss
Samuel Sanborn
Henry Elkins
Joseph Brown
Joseph Libbee
David Smith
Zebede Hunt
Simon Garland
Benjamin Lang
Samuel Knowles
Ozem Dowse
Capt. George Frost
Francis Locke
Phillip Pain
Samuel Jones
Amos Rand
Joseph Blanchard
Abraham Libbee
Jeremiah Berry
Capt Samuel Frost
Benjamin Libbee
William Berry
Joseph Rand
Samuel Rand
Jonathan Towle
John Brackett
Paul Randall
Peter Johnson
Nathan Knowles
Shadrach Weymouth
Joseph Yeaton
Jeremiah Locke
Arthur Libbee
Nehemiah Moulton
Samuel Elkins
Jonathan Marden
Isaac Jenness
Christopher Gold
Nathaniel Berry Jr
Jonathan Goss
William Palmer
Moses Seavey
Ozem Dowse Jr
Ebenezar Philbrick
Samuel Wells
Ebenezar Marden
Richard Locke
Ephraim Rand
Reuben Philbrick
Solomon Seavey
Samuel Saunders
Daniel Philbrick
Wm Temple
John Nelson Esq
and Six rights left for others
(endorsed)
TIIE MEETING HOUSES.
The first meeting house was built in 1725 and was situated west of the present Congregational church. It had a tower in front and a steeple which was not finally finished until 1756. The entrances were on the side. About this time the house was badly in need of repairs and the town voted "To build a
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
meeting house 60x40 feet and not repair the old one." In March, 1755, the town voted to tear down the old meeting house and to build a new one in the same place. Joseph Locke, Joses Philbrick, William Locke, and Samuel Berry entered their dissent, which was referred to a committee. After hearing the report of this committee the town voted " they might take their pews to themselves."
There seems to have been a strong sentiment in town in favor of building a new meeting house instead of expending money on the old one, for in June of the same year another meeting was called, but the town finally voted " That the house be 58x40 feet, that suitable provision be made for raising the meeting house and that a number of Pews be sold off at vendue on said day ; also that the persons against the Wall maintain the glass against their pews." There was also a notice in the warrant to " see if the town will buy land of Benjamin Jenness adjoining the meeting house."
In November, 1756, voted, "That there should be pews around the galleries of the house and that the owners should keep the glass in repair."
Undoubtedly extensive repairs were made at this time as the following, copied from the original, shows : " July 9, 1755. All persons that have taken boards, timber or anything for the building of a new meeting house in this Parish are desired to have all ready at the place appointed by the 24th day this instant July. And meet the committee for building said house at three o'clock on said day."
In 1781 the town voted to have five pews built back end of women's seats and the privilege to build them let out at auction. In March of same year the town voted to sell the five pews at vendue. Pew No. I was sold to Simon Jenness for $5,500, old omission money; No. 2 was sold to Simon Jenness for the same amount; No. 3 was sold to Jonathan Locke for $5,350; No. 4 was sold to Bickford Lang for $5,000, and No. 5 was sold to Isaac Dow for $5,425 ; all the money to be paid within six months. It required at that time seventy-five dollars of old omission paper money to buy one silver dollar.
12
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HISTORY OF RYE.
On March 25, 1840, the old meeting house was sold at auc- tion by vote of the town to Capt. Samuel Jenness and Joseph L. Locke for $280, one half of the amount being given to the pew holders and the other half to the town. The belfrey was sold to Jonathan T. Walker. On May 7, 1846, the building was taken down by Joseph L. Locke and hauled to Portsmouth. There it was used as a stable for many years and finally de- stroyed by fire. The writer has in his possession two pieces of white oak timber that came out of the belfrey and they are still sound and well preserved.
-
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE, 1903.
Tradition says the first meeting house or house of worship in Rye was built in 1681, as a stick of timber in the one built and taken down in 1846 was marked 1681; this is doubtful as there are no records to show that fact.
The legislature of New Hampshire, in 1819, passed the Toleration act, so called, which left the people at liberty to act for themselves in regard to paying a tax for the support of a
163
. ECCLESIASTICAL.
minister. A few years later a number of persons neglected their minister's tax and new societies were formed and churches erected.
The following is a copy of a petition for a new Congrega- tional meeting house :
Whereas it is of great importance that the worship and ordinances of the Gospel which were for many years enjoyed by our Fathers and have been continued to us should be preserved among us and perpetuated to our pos- terity and whereas it has become necessary that a new house of worship should be erected, therefore, We the subscribers do hereby engage and agree to pay to the wardens of the Congregational Society in this town on demand, the sum affixed to our names severally, to be by them paid over to a build- ing Committee chosen by us, when called for by said committee for the pur- pose of erecting and completing a house for the publick worship, on land given by Rev. H. Porter and Mr. Thomas G. Berry for that purpose, to be a house of worship for the Congregational church & Society, as long as said church and Society shall exist, and further more the conditions of these sub- scriptions are :
Ist That our subscriptions shall not become due until the sum of Two thousand dollars shall have been subscribed.
2nd, That when said meeting house shall have been completed, the pews shall be sold at publick auction excepting such as may be reserved by the subscribers and on conditions agreed upon by the subscribers, and the money arising from such sales shall be paid to us in proportion to what we have subscribed.
3rd. That the said house of worship when completed & disposed of as above specified, shall be put into the hands of the Congregational Society in trust to be by them kept in repair for the object above specified.
Rye, March 28, 1837.
Rev. Huntington Porter
subscribed for four $200.00 shares,
John W. Parsons. $50.00
John T. Rand, 50.00
Samuel Jenness, jr., 50.00
Samuel Marden, jr., 50.00
John Y. Remick,
50.00
James Marden, 2 . 6 100.00
Amos Seavey. 50.00
Richard Foss, 2
100.00
Richard R. Locke,
50.00
John Foye. 2
100.00
Joseph Seavey, 50.00
John Drake, 2
100.00
James Dow, 39.00
Joseph Jenness, 2
100.00
James Dow, jr., 7.00
Reuben Marden,
50.00
Nathaniel M. Walker, 25.00
Jonathan Philbrick,
50.00
Polly Brown, 25.00
Cotton W. Drake,
50.00
Mary Jenness. 40.00
Amos S. Parsons, 2 shares, 100.00
Joseph Rand, 2 100.00
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HISTORY OF RYE.
Thomas J. Parsons,
-50.00
Jonathan Locke,
$30.00
Simon Brown,
50.00
Jonathan Varrell,
25.00
John Philbrick,
50.00
Joseph Brown, jr., 25.00
Ira Brown,
50.00
Simon Jenness, jr., 37.50
Charles Green,
50.00
Joseph Philbrick, jr.,
25.00
Jonathan T. Walker,
50 00
Reuben P. Jenness,
25.00
Jedediah Rand,
50 00
Reuel Garland,
25.00
Samuel J. Locke,
50.00
Samuel Odiorne, jr.,
25.00
Bezaleel Smith,
25.00
Jeremy Webster,
25 00
Amos S. Garland,
25.00
Jonathan Varrell,
25.00
The total amount of cash received for building the meeting house was $1,329.50. Money collected after notes were given for subscription, and on said notes, $1,002. The total sale of pews December 27, 1837, amounted to $2,787.95. From the sale of two pews in 1832, $77.20. Total from the sale of pews, $2,865.15.
The following sums were paid out to persons over and above the cost of their pew where their subscription was more :
Lieut. Joseph Jenness, $46 90
Richard R. Locke, $11.40
Capt. John Drake,
46.40
Bezaleel Smith, 10.00
Col. Amos S. Parsons,
47.40
Samuel Odiorne, jr., 1.20
Joseph Rand,
4.80
Jeremy Webster, 1.20
Huntington Porter,
29.8 1
Huntington Porter, 52.49
The deed of land was as follows :
Rev. Huntington Porter and Thomas G. Berry, both of the town of Rye, do by deed of gift convey unto the Congregational church and Society a cer- tain tract or parcel of land for the sole purpose of erecting thereon a house for the public worship of almighty God. so long as they shall exist as such. And if it should so be that the said Congregational church & Society as thus denominated should ever become extinct, then the said granted premises shall revert to the legal heirs and assigns of the said Huntington Porter and Thomas G. Berry.
The meeting house was raised in August, 1837, and dedi- cated December 27, 1837. A debt of some $500 remained on the society, which was raised by subscription in 1841.
In May, 1872, the sum of $1,466 was subscribed (with the exception of $300 received from the ladies' fund ) for the pur-
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
pose of painting and decorating the interior of the church and repairing the meeting house and parsonage.
During the year 1891 extensive repairs were made on the church at an expense of nearly $2,400. The seven steps which extended the whole width of the church were removed, a vesti- bule erected, and an addition built in the rear. The old pews were removed and replaced by new black walnut ones, stained- glass windows were added, and extensive painting and decora- ting was done in the interior of the church and vestry.
The church was rededicated January 14, 1892. A new bell and clock were purchased and placed on the tower February 14, 1893.
THE VESTRY.
At the time the church was built the Congregational society did not finish a vestry, and it was not until October 28, 1839, at a meeting duly notified and held in their meeting house, that a vote was passed to finish a room in the basement :
It was Voted : That Thomas J. Parsons and other persons may associate with him hereby have the privilege and right to finish a Hall in the basement story of the Meeting House and that he and his associates have the benefit of and use and occupancy and rent of said room. Provided however the Society shall at any time enter into full possession of said room or Hall on refunding to the said Parsons and his associates the amount of money by them expended. Also that the Wardens shall direct in What Manner and style the said basement shall be finished. And this Vote shall not be bind- ing on the Society unless the said Hall or room shall be finished prior to the next annual meeting of the Society.
Therefore We the subscribers desirous of securing accommodations for the purpose of a high school singing school and other purposes, hereby as- sociate ourselves together and agree to pay to such persons as we may ap- point to receive the subscriptions or sums set against our names severally, for the purpose of finishing said Hall or room agreeable to the conditions in the above Vote, and on the further Conditions that five dollars shall be con- sidered a share and that each share shall be entitled to one Vote, and that a Majority of Votes shall govern in relation to the furnishing renting &c of said Hall -- And in all business of the association that the subscribers shall meet When the sum of Two hundred dollars shall have been subscribed- and to choose a Moderator to govern said Meeting and a Treasurer who shall be Collector-And any three of said Subscribers may call the first Meeting at the Cong1 Meeting House and all further Meetings be called by
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HISTORY OF RYE.
the Clerk in a like Manner-Provided however that this sum shall not be binding on us until the aforesaid sum of Two hundred dollars shall be sub- scribed.
Rye N. H. Nov. 3 1839-
Subscribers
Thomas J. Parsons,
$87.97
Cotton W. Drake, $6.00
Jonathan T. Walker,
35.93
James Marden, 6.00
Bezaleel Smith,
not paid
John T. Rand, 6.00
Ira Brown,
12.00
Amos S. Parsons,
4.00
Joseph L. Locke,
not paid
Jedediah Rand,
6.00
John Foye,
6.00
Richard R. Locke,
5.00
Joseph Rand,
5.00
Samuel Jenness, jr.,
6.00
Mark R. Webster,
23.33
Samuel J. Locke,
1.44
Richard Foss,
12.00
Moses L. Garland,
5.00
Charles Green,
3.00
Reuel Garland
Simon Jenness, jr.,
6.00
James Dow,
Amts lost
Jonathan Philbrick,
4.00
Nathaniel M. Walker,
Notice
Those persons who have subscribed to finish a room or Hall in the base- ment of the New Congregational Meeting House for School room and for other purposes agreeable to a Vote of the Congregational Society passed Oct. 28, 1839, are hereby Notified to meet at the said Meeting House on Monday the 9th day of December next at 5 o'clk P. M. to see in what man- ner they will finish said room. Rye Nov. 30, 1839.
Thomas J. Parsons, Charles Green, Simon Jenness, jr.
The subscribers met agreeable to the above notice, the meeting being called to order by Col. Simon Jenness. On motion of Thomas J. Parsons, Rev. Bezaleel Smith was chosen Moderator, Thomas J. Parsons, clerk of the association. Jonathan T. Walker, Treasurer and Collector. Voted that Jonathan Philbrick, John T. Rand, Ira Brown, and Jonathan T. Walker shall be a committee to procure materials and employ persons to finish the said room agreeable to the vote of the Congregational Society. Meeting dissolved.
Rye, Dec. 9, 1839. Thomas J. Parsons, Clerk.
The following month a meeting was held to regulate the manner of leasing the room and to adopt some measures to- wards having a school. Rev. Mr. Smith was chosen modera- tor, and nominated three persons to lease the hall for the benefit of the association and act as committee to endeavor to get up a private school in said hall. Voted "That the building, committee purchase a stove and funnel."
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
Very soon a weighty question came up before the commit- tee. Application having been made to the committee to hold a Universalist lecture in the hall, the committee declined decid- ing whether they should occupy or not, and recommended the subject to the consideration of the Congregational Society at their annual meeting to be held March 30, 1840. Whereupon, after a lengthy discussion of the subject, the society voted to take the hall into their own hands, and authorized the wardens to borrow money to pay out to those who subscribed towards finishing the same, and it was done.
In 1841 the town voted, "To give the Wardens of the Con- gregational Society, $15 a Year for the school room in the Congregational meeting house to hold Town Meetings in the same."
THE PARSONAGE.
The first parsonage was located slightly to the southwest of Isaac D. Rand's house, and the Rev. Samuel Parsons was the first occupant. At a parish meeting of the freeholders in 1734 it was voted " That Richard Jenness and Joses Philbrick be a committee to By, [buy] or build a house and land for a Par- sonage for this Parish." And it was also voted " That there be £550 of bills of credit raised on the Poles and estates of this Parish forthwith." In November of the same year it was voted " That Isaac Dow should be collector to gather the five hun- dred fifty Pounds of bills of credit for the purchase of a Par- sonage and land." The constable was not chosen and the money was not collected.
The following year in March it was voted " That Joses Phil- brick be appointed constable to collect and gather in the money that was raised for the purchasing of a Parsonage House and land, that Isaac Dow should have done, which is Dropt."
In 1738 the parish had completed the parsonage. And in the year 1740 the town voted to build a new parsonage barn, the dimensions of the barn to be twenty-eight feet in length and twenty-six feet in breadth. They also voted to sell the old barn to the highest bidder.
168
HISTORY OF RYE.
In 1737 the town voted there should be one hundred and twenty apple trees set out for parsonage trees.
The old parsonage being in need of repairs, the parish de- cided to build a new one. In 1809 the town voted " To raise two hundred and fifty dollars for the purpose of building a Par- sonage House." The following year the town voted " That the Parsonage House should be 38 feet by 29 feet with two stacks of chimnies ;" also voted " To let out the timber for the Par- sonage House at a vandeu and to dig a Celler." The house was framed by James Marden.
.
ST. ANDREW'S-BY-THE-SEA.
In the March meeting. 1829, the town voted to sell the par- sonage the first of June at public auction, and it was purchased by John Tuck Rand, and is now occupied by his son, Isaac D. Rand.
The Congregational church and society being without a par- sonage, the following petition was circulated :
Whereas it is of great importance the worship and ordinances of God, which were for many years enjoyed by our Fathers & have been continued
169
ECCLESIASTICAL.
to us, should be preserved among us & be perpetuated to our posterity & whereas it appears essential in order to do this, that a parsonage should be provided for the residence & accommodation of the Ministery & be fully secured for that special purpose. We the subscribers engage to pay the sum affixed to our names severally, to the Wardens of the third Religious Society of Rye in the course of three years, by three yearly & equal instal- ments to be expended by a Committee chosen by us for that purpose, to pro- cure a Parsonage to be held in possession by the above named Religious Society for the sole purpose of its being a Parsonage for the accommodation & towards the support of the Congregational Minister in this place for the time being. The Conditions of this subscriptions are that we shall not be held to pay our Subscriptions unless the sum of one thousand Dollars be subscribed & that if the Congregational church in Rye & said Society should at any time become extinct, the Property shall revert to the subscribers or their heirs in proportion to the sums severally given.
Rye, Feb. 27, 1832.
John Foye,
$38.00
Samuel Marden, $3.00
Jonathan Philbrick,
35.00
Benjm W. Marden, 3.00
Joseph Rand, 35.00
Joseph Locke 4th, 3.00
John W. Parsons,
30.00
Joshua Rand, 5.00
Richard Foss,
35.00
Jethro Locke,
2.00
Reuben Marden,
15.00
Nathaniel.G. Foye,
5.00
Thomas J. Parsons,
18.00
Levi Rand,
1.00
Bezaleel Smith,
30.00
Wm. Sleeper,
5.00
Ira Brown,
Ephraim Seavey, 6.00
in case they buy good Prop- erty,
12.00
James Marden, 4.00
Jonathan Philbrick,
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