USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > Part 12
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Many others were desirous of joining, but could not be received at that time, being excluded by the rules. These persons took an early opportunity to present applications in the prescribed form. and were accepted. At the annual meeting for choice of officers for the year 1875, the okdl board was reelected entire.
Since that time the Masters have been :
Henry Gray. 1876: George Il. Koyes. 1877-78: George L. Dascombe. 1879-80; A. Dwight Abbot, 1881-82: Rufus F. Stowe. 1883: A. II. Gage. 1884; George S. Fowler, 1885: Willis IT. Abbot, 1886.
Since the organization of the Grange. there have been one treasurer and two secretarios-1. Dwight Abbot and, since 1881. Mrs. A. Dwight Ab- bot. Whole number of members from the beginning. 141: present muni- ber. 97 : lost by death. 10, and by removal from town. 19. Meetings have usually been held once in two weeks.
1
GRAND ARMY POST.
Abiel A. Livermore Post, No. 71, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Depot Hall, Wilton, New Hampshire, on Thursday evening, September 6, 1883, with seventeen charter members.
The following officers were chosen :
Commander, A. A. Clark: S. V. Commander, C. A. Emerson : J. V. Commander. (. 11. Ham: Adjutant, Heury O. Sargent ; Quartermaster. C. C. Spalding : Surgeon. J. R. Dascombe: Chaplain. Rev. A. E. Tracy : Officer of the Day, 1. N. Hutchinson : Officer of the Guard. D. Mahoney ; Sergeant Major. Lucius A. Way: Quartermaster's Sergeant, T. M. Hurley.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
The records show that at this time, 1887, the Post has consisted of thirty-seven comrades. One, T. H. Hurley, has deceased.
Soon after the close of the war a large part of the survivors left Wilton. and have since resided in other places ; others have died.
We copy from the record of the memorial service held in 1884 :
Post met at 12.30 at Post room to attend decoration services. The pro- cession immediately formed in the following order: The Post under the command of the officer of the day, I. N. Hutchinson : the commander in command of the procession: the junior vice commander at the head of the band ; the scholars of District No. 4 with their teachers, and the rep- resentatives of other schools in town.
The procession moved down Main to Forest street, halting at the hotel, where the orator of the day was received ; thence to the depot, thence up Park street to the Unitarian church, where the memorial services of the G. A. R. were performed, which consisted of reading the orders for me- morial services from National and Departament Headquarters, reading of the Scriptures by Rev. A. E. Tracy. oration by Rev. S. C. Fletcher. colonel of 6th Maine Volunteers. afterward colonel of Ist Maine Veterans. The oration was listened to with much attention. was well delivered and well received ; in fact, was full of solid shot. Patriotic songs by the choir under the leadership of Comrade C. W. Edwards, remarks by Rev. I. S. Lincoln, prayer by Rev. H. D. Dix.
Services at the church being ended. the procession was reformed in the same order as before, and, accompanied by citizens in carriages, marched to the cemetery on the hill, where prayer was offered by Rev. A. E. Tracy, and the memorial service was performed by decorating with a wreath and shield each grave of those of our comrades that have gone be- fore. Thence to the south yard. where Rev. G. C. Trow made the prayer. and the graves were visited by the whole Post. and floral offerings were placed upon the mounds. Thence to the north. or Vale End. cemetery. where like services were performed. The Post took carriages and met at Depot Hall. thence marched. escorted by the band. to the Post room. where a resolution was passed thanking the speaker for his able and elo- quent address, the scholars for turning out so bountifully, and the citizens for their timely contributions and other favors, and last. though not least. the band, which exceeded our most sanguine expectations in assisting us in making the occasion a glorious success; in fact, a red-letter day in the history of the good old town of Wilton.
REGULAR MEETING.
May 11, 1885. By the invitation of the Rey. G. D. Black of the Unita- rian church, the Post voted to attend divine service there on Memorial Sunday, May 24. Post met as per order of the last meeting at 10.30 o'clock. The Post marched to the Unitarian church. where the Sunday memorial services were held, the sermon by Rev. G. D. Black. The church was packed-a pleasant though sad reminder of the days that are passed.
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GRAND ARMY POST.
MEMORIAL DAY.
May 30, 1885. The order of the services was the same as the year pre- vious : singing by a double male quartet, oration by Hon. C. H. Burns, who gave one of his best addresses, and the closing prayer by Rev. D. E. Adams. After the close of the services the procession was reformed. and proceeded to the several cemeteries, where the decoration services were appropriately performed.
May 11, 1885. Comrade Rev. A. E. Tracy, having severed his relation- ship with the Second Congregational church and being about to remove from town. presented a request for a discharge, which was granted him.
SAD EVENT.
March 1, 1886. As Mr. Timothy H. Hurley was driving a load of wood down the hill near Mr. Pierce Gage's, the yoke by which his horses held the load broke, and he fell forward, the sled running upon him. When he was discovered. his neck was broken and his body so mangled that it was evident that his death must have been instantaneous. Mr. Hurley was a charter member of A. A. Liver- more Post, No. 71, G. A. R., and, at its organization, was elected Quartermaster's Sergeant, and held the office until his death.
RECORDS.
At the regular meeting of A. A. Livermore Post. G. A. R., May 8. 1886. the death of Comrade Hurley was announced by the Adjutant, and eulo- gistic remarks were made by comrades, and the following resolutions were adopted by the Post :
Whereas. in view of the loss we have sustained by the decease of our comrade and associate. Timothy H. Hurley, and the still heavier loss sus- tained by those who were nearest and dearest to him, therefore be it
Resolved, that it is but a just tribute to the memory of the departed to say that, in regretting his removal from our midst, we mourn for one who was in every way worthy of our respect and regard.
Resolved. that in the death of our comrade, this Post laments the loss of one of its most active members, whose utmost endeavors were exerted for its welfare and prosperity.
Resolved. that we tender to the widow and the children in their great affliction our kindest sympathy, and would express the hope that their grief may in a measure be assuaged by the knowledge that his life had not been lived in vain. but that both as a soldier and a citizen. he was honest. upright, and faithful to every trust.
Resolved, that these resolutions be placed on the records of the Post. and a copy be transmitted to the family of our deceased comrade. and to the Wilton Journal and the Veterans' Advocate for publication.
Voted. to pay funeral expenses of Comrade Hurley, if not in excess of thirty dollars.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
RECORDS,-CONTINUED.
Voted, to order the Adjutant to pay those bills and send them receipted to Mrs. Hurley. the widow of Comrade Hurley. and to draw on the Quar- termaster for the funds.
Voted, that the Quartermaster's Sergeant's badge. being property of the Post. be given to his widow and his boys as a keepsake.
RECORDS OF MEMORIAL SUNDAY.
May 30, 1886. Post assembled at the middle of the town, where they were reënforced by twenty comrades of Post No. 15. and attended ser- vices in Rev. Mr. Trow's church, which was completely filled by comrades and their friends. Rev. Mr. Trow conducted the services in a highly im- pressive and satisfactory manner. A collation. consisting simply of cof- fee and crackers, was furnished at Citizens' Hall by the Post. At 2 o'clock the Post. with visiting comrades and friends, filled the Unitarian church at the Centre and listened to a stirring and patriotic address from Professor H. H. Lincoln.
RECORDS OF DECORATION DAY.
May 31. 1886. Post met at the Post room and formed a procession, and at 1.15 P. M. marched down Maple street to the residence of Mr. S. N. Center, where Rev. D. E. Adams, the orator of the day, was taken in. countermarched up Maple street, taking in on the way Rev. I. S. Lincoln, then marched to the Town Hall. which was filled by an appreciating audience.
The order of the services at the hall was the same as in previous years. The procession was reformed. and proceeded to the several cemeteries and garlanded the graves with wreaths and flower -. In the south yard a sad picture was presented to the Post : the widow, with her children around her, bowed in grief at the grave of Comrade Hurley.
RECORDS OF MEMORIAL SUNDAY.
May 29, 1887. By invitation of the pastor. memorial services were had at the Unitarian church at East Wilton.
RECORDS OF DECORATION DAY.
May 30, 1887. The day was observed by the Post. scholars and citi- zens with unabated interest. by a procession and customary services at the Town Hall. Dr. A. F. Holt, surgeon general on the staff of Gov. Ames of Massachusetts, being the orator. The exercises were arranged in the following order: Reading of orders, Scripture reading. prayer. song. " Let the Dead and the Beautiful Rest." reading of poem by Miss Grace Blanchard, oration by Gen. A. F. Holt. song. " Flowers We Bring to Deck Each Grave, " benediction.
The services were of high order and were duly appreciated. The pro- cession was reformed and proceed to the several cemeteries, and pro- fusely garlanded the graves of the soldiers.
·
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MEMORIAL POEM.
POEM WRITTEN FOR A. A. LIVERMORE POST, NO. 71, BY REV. FRANK L. PHALEN.
llail to the soldier heroes dead, Who silent sleep in narrow bed, Beneath the sod, or in the sea, Where'er their sacred ashes be. Whether they lie 'neath costly stone, Or in some nameless grave unknown. We count them all, brave men and true, Our noble boys who wore the blue.
Hail to the men who won the tield, Who bared their breasts, a living shield, To meet the rebel battle shock, And stood as firm as granite rock Until the bloody strife was o'er, And treason crushed to rise no more.
Unfurl the Stars and Stripes and bring The sweetest flowers that bloom in spring ; The fairest roses, white and red : Spread wreaths and garlands o'er the dead. Let music swell their hard won praise, And eloquence her strong voice raise : Let every patriot's heart beat high And tears of joy fill every eye.
No grander deeds were ever done, On land or sea, beneath the sun, Than in that awful civil fight, When rebels rose in treacherous might To stab Columbia to the heart, And our loved Union tear apart.
The loyal North forgives the Gray, But never, while the light of day ts different from the black of night, Will Union men call treason right. No, never will the Northern mind Become so foolish or so blind.
The South was wrong, the North was right, They struck our Flag, they lost the fight. This is the verdiet history gives,
And it shall stand while justice lives; While Union soldiers live to tell Of rebel prisons, worse than hell ; While widows, orphans, crippled men Can raise a voice or use a pen : While hearts are true and speech is strong ; While men are men and wrong is wrong.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHURCHES AND ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
The history of religion in any community or nation is one of the best keys to understand the character and aim of that commu- nity or nation. But this is especially true of our New England towns, for the fundamental motive of their settlement was religion. Our forefathers came to America, not for trade or mines of silver and gold, but for freedom to worship God after the dictates of their hearts and consciences, unawed by king or priest. Nor does it make any difference that they held very narrow views of the real nature of religious liberty, and were more anxious for their own liberty than for securing it to all men on an impartial basis. Their liberty was thus limited to what may be called Puritan, Congrega- tional freedom, not Quaker, Baptist, Episcopalian, or universal freedom. Still. so far as it went, it was true liberty, and it has proved the germ of our ever enlarging toleration and liberty in all directions, civil, religious and social, until it has burst all ecclesiasti- cal bounds and has separated church and state, emancipated the slaves and made America the glorious synonyme of liberty to all the world.
In taking up, therefore, a brief sketch of the history of religion in our good town of Wilton for the past one hundred and fifty years, since it had a name to live, the idea of religious liberty has been the genius of the place. This idea has opened the door to freer forms of faith and to more toleration of sentiment. The principle is the old doctrine of Martin Luther, of " the right of private judg- ment ;" it is what Roger Williams called " soul-liberty," that every one should have the privilege and be encouraged to worship God according to his own conscientious views, with none to molest or to make him afraid. This principle inaugurated " the voluntary
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F
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HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO.
ROSTON MASS.
THE OLD MEETING HOUSE. BUILT IN 1779.
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ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
system," which has proved a better way of supporting religious in- stitutions than the old method of compulsive taxation. Both civil and religious liberty have worked well in our country.
The religious interests of the Puritans were their supreme in- terests. For these they lived, labored, prayed and suffered. If other lands and climes can boast of richer soils, milder skies, more precious mines, it is the glory of New England that the motto of her homes and her churches, her states and her schools and colleges has been " Christo et ecclesite," "To Christ and the church."
CHURCHES AND CHURCH BUILDINGS.
We have already seen the origin of the religious history of the town in the provision made by the original grantors to establish a town church, as was customary in those days. This town church, to the support of which all contributed by annual taxes, and on whose services almost all the inhabitants regularly attended, was for many years the only church in town, and went under the name of the Congregational Church, that being the form of the church government.
The foresight of the original proprietors, who made grants and encouraged the first settlers, is shown also in making provision for education by setting apart a share of two hundred and forty acres for schools, and a like generous provision for the first minister of one share, and for the church of one share. The latter was called glebe land. so that a goodly amount of the land was consecrated to education and religion ; a noble testimony to the appreciation of these twin agencies of civilization and human welfare. Should we have the public spirit to do as much now in a like situation ?
The conditions of ministerial settlement were a bonus of sixty pounds sterling, to be paid down ; a share of two hundred and forty acres of land in perpetual ownership : forty pounds sterling annual salary, to be successively raised to forty-five and fifty pounds, as the settlers should increase, and thirty cords of wood, cut and brought yearly to the minister's house.
The same grantors had also made it a condition in the original in- strument of settlement, that a church building should be erected by November, 1752. This condition was fulfilled, and a log church was built on the common at the Centre, not far from the spot where the Unitarian church now stands. Little is known of its history, though venerable as the house of worship of our forefathers. It continued to be used for about twenty-one years and was then
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
taken down. For some years transient preachers performed the re- ligious services, two of whom were invited to settle. but declined. The first minister was Rev. Jonathan Livermore, a son of Deacon Jonathan Livermore of Northborough, Massachusetts. He was born December 18, 1729, graduated from Harvard College in 1760, was ordained December 14, 1763, resigned in February, 1777, and died July 20, 1809. A sketch of his life and character is given elsewhere. Not much clew has been found to the ordination ser- vices, except a list of the churches invited to aid in them .*
The second meeting-house was a large two-story building, situ- ated a little to the north of the old one on the common. It was built, like the first house, at the expense of the whole town. It had a porch at the east end and one at the west end. It had a high pulpit, after the manner of the times, over which was sus- pended a huge sounding-board. Two rows of large windows ex- tended round the building. The pews were square, with seats that were turned up in prayer time, and were let down with a distinct emphasis of sound at the close. In front of the pews before the pulpit were open seats for the aged and deaf, and directly under the high pulpit, the deacons' seat and the communion table. Galleries were built on three sides of the church, supported by pillars planted in the church floor. They were divided into pews, and the gallery opposite the pulpit was provided with seats for the singers. In the early days the attie, to which there was an ascent by a trap door. was the powder arsenal of the town : the earthly and the heavenly ammunition being thus stored under one roof. Originally there was no bell, but one was placed in the east tower. or porch, in the year 1832.
At the raising of the church on September 7, 1773, a terrible acci- dent occurred. When the frame was nearly up, one of the central beams broke and fell, because the post that supported it was rotten or worm-eaten at the core. A large body of timber, boards and tools, such as axes, iron bars, hammers, adzes, ete., and upwards of fifty persons standing on the beams in the middle of the frame, all fell to the ground, nearly thirty feet below. Three men were instantly killed, two died soon after of their wounds, others were crippled for life, and of the fifty-three that fell not one escaped without either broken bones, terrible bruises, or cuts from the axes and other tools. As many of them were picked men from the town
* See Appendix on " Ecclesiastical Proceedings."
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
and its vicinity, and were heads of families, it can be imagined what was the consternation and grief in the sparse population on that day. and how great was the loss, not only to Wilton, but to the neighboring towns. Upon reflection on the event in later times, it has been not unnaturally conjectured that possibly a previous vote of the town, providing for a large amount of spirituous liquors, may have had something to do with it, and that it was not alto- gether an accident, but the result of too much good cheer and con- sequent self-confidence on the part of the master workman and his associates.
The following verses, composed " on the unhappy accident which happened at the raising of Wilton meeting-house," exhibit a curious mingling of old-time theology and quaint lamentation. In giving this poem we follow a copy, found by a resident of Topsham, Ver- mont, among the papers of his father, who received it, when a boy in Massachusetts, from his teacher, a one-legged man, name un- known, who is supposed to have been the author.
Attention give, and you shall hear A melancholy theme. It's such an instance as there is But very seldom seen.
In seventeen hundred and seventy-three, September, seventh day, At Wilton did Almighty God llis anger there display.
Of men, a great collection met, A meeting-house to raise, Wherein to speak God's holy word. And for to sing His praise.
God did their labour prosper in Erecting of this frame, Until it was almost compleat, And joyful they became.
They thought the worst was past and gone, And they were bold and brave; Poor souls, they did but little think They were so near the grave.
All on a sudden, a beam broke And let down fifty-three; Full twenty-seven feet they fell, A mournful sight to see.
Much timber with these men did fall, And edged tools likewise, All in a heap together lay, With bitter shrieks and cries.
"Iwould pierce the hardest heart to hear The sighs and bitter groans Of those that in the ruins lay, With wounds and broken bones.
Some lay with broken shoulder-bones, And some with broken arms, Others with broken legs and thighs, And divers other harms.
Many lay bleeding on the ground, All bathed in crimson gore, Crying, "Dear Jesus, mighty to save, Thy mercy we implore."
Heart-piercing sight for to behold, It caused many a sob To see these poor distressed men Lie wallowing in their blood.
One instantaneously was killed ; His soul has taken flight To mansions of eternal day, Or everlasting night.
Two more, in a few minutes space, Did bid this world adieu, Who are rejected of their God, Or with His chosen few.
Two more in a short time did pass Thro' death's dark shady vale; Which now are in the realms of joy, Or the infernal hell.
But we must hope their precious souls Are with their Jesus dear, Reaping the fruits, the blessed fruits, Of faithful servants here.
And if this be their happy case, Glory to God be given. O blessed day ! O happy fall ! That sent their souls to heaven;
Where there's no danger of a fall, Nor nothing to molest : No grief, no sorrow to disturb Their everlasting rest.
While their dear friends are bowed down With sorrow for their sake, Grieving and mourning till their hearts Are ready for to break.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
Fathers for their deceased sons Go mourning all the day ; But blessed be the name of Giod That gives and takes away.
Poor tender-hearted mothers are With sorrow bowed down : The children, which their bodies bare. Are now made meat for worms.
Children of fathers are bereft ; They mourn like little lambs. When they have been engaged in play And lost sight of their dams.
Widows wear garments of sackcloth; Their grief is very great. They mourning go like turtle doves, When they have lost their mates.
Brothers and sisters followed have Their corpses to the grave, And bid to them a long farewell, And took of them their leave.
We've seen our fellows called away Into eternity : Which is a certain evidence Of our mortality.
And now whoever read these lines And meditate thereon,
Their hearts would break, if they were not As hard as any stone.
Remember well that mournful scene, That melancholy day, In which th' Almighty sent grim Death, And snatch'd their souls away
Into the unseen, eternal world To spend eternity, Of unexpected blessedness, Or boundless misery.
According as their works have been, In the vineyard of their Lord, So they'd receive of God, their Judge. Their right and just reward.
APPLICATION.
Come let us some improvement make, And to ourselves apply, This awful Providence of God, That came to us so nigh.
By this we see, and certain be, Our lives uncertain are, Therefore let all, both great and small. For sudden death prepare.
For at God's call we all must bow, When death does give the blow, We must appear at His command. Whether prepared or no.
When grim death, with his ghastly eyes. Shall in our faces stare, And summons us for to appear At God's tribunal bar,
We must submit, we can't withstand The messenger of death. We must with cold and trembling lips Resign our vital breath
And launch into the unseen world To meet omnipotence, To have our doom pronounc'd, and to Receive our recompence.
And if our deeds have evil been, We shall receive this doom, " Depart from me, I know you not. For you did me disown."
Down! down! into a deep abyss Of woe and misery,
Our souls are plung'd, therein to dwell Throughout eternity.
An angry God, a pouring forth The vials of His wrath. Ilis indignation upon us, Which is the second death.
Ther'fore as we must all be judg'd According as we've done, 'Tis highly needful for us all The Christian race to run :
Put on breast-plates of righteousness, And take the shield of faith, The Spirit's sword for to defend Us in llis narrow path.
Let us be making peace with God. While we have life and breath, That so we may prepared be To meet a sudden death.
And be thereby translated from This world of misery Into a world of joy and bliss, To dwell with God on high.
To drink of the pure streams, That flow at God's right hand. And to enjoy His heavenly love. Forever without end.
That this be our happy case, When we this life shall end. God grant of His infinite grace, Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
The people, however, recovered their courage and completed the church, which was dedicated January 5. 1775. The pastor, Rev. Jonathan Livermore, preached a sermon from 1 Chronicles 29 : 14, which has since been published.
This church was struck by lightning on Friday, July 20. 1804, and. according to the narrative of Rev. Thomas Beede, then pastor of
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
the church, "One of the middle posts at the east end was rent from top to bottom, the windows were burst out, and pieces of lath and plastering were sent from the east to the west end of the house with a force sufficient to break glass. When the charge reached the ground, it took a horizontal direction and left visible marks upon the surface for several rods before it was conducted into the earth. There was no lightning rod then attached to the house. One was afterwards put upon it."
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