USA > New Hampshire > The New Hampshire churches : comprising histories of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches in the state, with notices of other denominations: also containing many interesting incidents connected with the first settlement of towns > Part 10
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3d. Rev. John Blunt, a native of Andover, Ms., born 1706, and graduated at Harvard 1727. He was ordained Dec. 20, 1732, and died Aug. 7th, 1748, aged 42. He appears to have been highly approved as a preacher of the gospel, and quite successful in the ministry at New Castle. A communi- cation from him was published in "the Christian History," 1743. He is also respectfully referred to in the same peri-
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NEW CASTLE.
odical, by Rev. Mr. Shurtleff. His wife was a daughter of Hon. John Frost. His descendants are numerous and re- spectable. They reside in Portsmouth, in New York and other places. After the decease of Rev. Mr. Blunt, the par- ish, by their vote, appropriated 200 pounds, old tenor, to defray the expenses of his funeral, and continued his salary several months, for the use of his widow.
4th. Rev. David Robinson, a native of Stratham, born 1716, graduated at Harvard 1738, was ordained at New Cas- tle Nov. 30th, 1748. The parish voted to give him as a sal- ary, "One hundred and forty ounces of silver, at 20 shillings per ounce, to be paid in Bills of Public Credit-the use of the whole Parsonage, as Dwelling House, Gardens, Barns, Pastures, Meadows and whatsoever hath been given to the Ministry, or set apart for the Minister's use in this Parish, also the contributions of strangers on the Sabbath days." His ministry was very brief : in less than one year he de- ceased, Nov. 18th, 1749, aged 33.
5th. Rev. Stephen Chase, a native of Newbury, Ms., born Oct. 26, 1705, graduated at Harvard 1728, ordained at Lynn- field, Ms., 1731, installed in New Castle Dec. 5th, 1756, and died Jan. 1778, aged 72. His posterity is found among the most influential citizens of this and other States.
6th. Rev. Oliver Noble, a native of Coventry, Conn., born 1736, graduated at Yale college 1757, ordained at Newbury, Ms., 1762, installed in New Castle, Aug. 18th, 1784, and died Dec. 15th, 1792, aged 56. The monument, erected 1852, to the memory of these truly reverend and worthy men, be- neath their honored names, bears the simple, but appropriate inscription :-
"THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED."
During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Blunt, there was an in- teresting revival of religion, of which, he thus writes under date of July 26th 1743 : "The parish, I am settled in, is `small ; but God has, as I hope, by the influences of his gra- cious spirit, made his word and ordinances effectual to the convincing and converting a considerable number among us. The awakening, in months past, was almost universal. Fear seemed to fall on every soul, and the great inquiry was, 'what shall I do to be saved.' And although I have reason to fear the impressions are, in a great measure, worn off from some, yet the lasting good effects on many, I think, are very considerable, and for which I wish to adore the rich and free grace of God. Fifty have been added to our communion in about the space of two years. Most of them appear to have their conversation as becometh the gospel. Some of those,
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
who were professors before this remarkable day of God's vis- itation, have been of late much quickened and enlivened ; and others being convinced of their formality in times past, declare how they have felt the power of God's grace upon their souls. My heart's desire and prayer is that God would still more abundantly pour out his spirit upon his people and his blessing on their offspring ; and that all, who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, may have their hearts united and their hands strengthened to promote that religion which is pure and undefiled before God and the Father."
From 1778 to 1784 the church was destitute of a pastor. This being the period of the American Revolution, great was the anxiety and pecuniary embarrassment of the people here. A British ship of war lying near, threatened to re- duce the place to ashes as it had other maritime towns .- Many removed from the place, while those who remained observed frequent seasons of fasting and prayer. After the decease of Rev. Mr. Noble, who was the last of the settled pastors here, there being no regular ministry and only occa- sional preaching, the church and society greatly declined .- There is no record of the admission of a member for a period of more than 25 years. On the 5th of Nov. 1821, by invi- tation, several ministers of the vicinity assembled here, when five persons were admitted to the church, three by profession and two by letter, previous to which it was reduced to a single member-Mrs. Mehitable White, widow of Capt. Rob- ert White. She died Sept. 13th, 1827, aged 76, and, as tes- tified by those who were with her in her dying hours, "in the triumphs of faith." In the year 1828, the ancient Meeting- house was taken down, and the present place of worship erected, but it remained unfinished till 1836, when, having been completed, it was dedicated and a discourse delivered by Rev. A. P. Peabody, D. D. of the South church in Ports- mouth. The pulpit was supplied awhile by Rev. Messrs. Norris, Plumer and others. In 1839, Rev. James Hobart of Berlin Vt. was employed under the patronage of the N. H. Missionary Society, and during his ministry of two years a revival of some extent was enjoyed, and additions were made to the church. He was succeeded in 1841 by Rev. J. P. Tyler, who deceased Dec. 26th, 1844, at North Bridge- water, Ms. He was a native of Griswold, Conn., graduated at Brown university 1823, and pursued his theological stud- ies at Andover. His labors were blessed to the conversion of some souls and several were added to the church. For his unassuming piety, the gentleness of his spirit and his fideli- ty as a minister of Christ, he, with "the righteous, shall be in everlasting remembrance."
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NEW CASTLE.
The Rev. J. Ward began to preach here in Dec. 1844 and continued till April 1846, when he was succeeded by Rev. L. Alden, the present minister. The church at the present time though small, consisting of 34 members, is larger than at any time during the past half century. The congregation has gradually increased in numbers, though very fluctuating, as is usual in a seafaring community, many of the men and youth being absent at sea a considerable part of the time. The Sabbath School, which was first established here in 1819, by Rev. William Goodell, now a Missionary at Con- stantinople, according to the last annual Report, comprises 159 pupils and 19 teachers, with a Library of 400 volumes. Of the former pastors, none was a native of New Castle, and but one of New Hampshire. Nor is it known that more than two persons have, at any time entered the ministry, who were natives of this town. Rev. Joseph Walton was born in this town May 27th, 1742. Early left an orphan, he enjoyed only the ordinary means of education, but these he diligently and successfully improved-" from his youth reading serious and instructive books and especially the sa- cred Scriptures." In early life he united with the church under the pastoral care of Rev. Samuel Langdon, D. D. in Portsmouth. After a period of three years, he became a member of the third, or Independent Congregational Church, of which Rev. Samuel Drown was pastor. In the year 1777, he was elected a ruling elder, and in 1789 was inducted into the office of pastor by the church, without a council or other assistance. Adams, in his annals of Portsmouth, says, " He was greatly beloved by his people and highly respected by ministers and christians of other denominations in the town." With fidelity and success, he discharged the sacred duties of his office, till a short time before his death, which occurred at the advanced age of four score years, Jan. 10th, 1822 .- Rev. Benjamin Randall, "Founder of the Free Will Bap- tist Society in America," was also born in this town, in 1749. In youth he acquired a decent mercantile education, and was employed in the occupation of a sail maker. From childhood his mind was peculiarly susceptible of religious impressions, but became more deeply interested in the sub- ject of religion under the itinerant and ministerial labors of Rev. George Whitefield. In 1772 he united with the Con- gregational church in New Castle. In 1775, having em- braced the principles of the "General Baptists," he was bap- tized by immersion at Madbury, and was ordained as an Evangelist at New Durham April 5th, 1780, and there organ- ized a church of the Free Will Baptists-the first ever established. He died Oct. 22d, 1808, aged 59 years.
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
NEWINGTON.
This town was once included in Portsmouth and Dover- was settled early. In July 1764 it was incorporated. But the ministry was here established long, long before this time. In 1715, Nov.6, Joseph Adams was ordained. He was born in Braintree, Ms. Jan. 1, 1689, and received the honors of Har- vard in 1710. He retained the pastoral office until January 1783, when, at the remarkable age of ninety three or four years, and having been pastor sixty eight years, he was re- leased from his responsibility and went to his reward on the 26th day of May thereafter. No other pastorate in the State before that time exceeded this, and only the venerable father Ainsworth's which is now in its seventy third year, since that time. But the latter has had a colleague for many years, while, as Farmer and Moore have it, Mr. Adams was settled over the town after having been a pastor of the church for fifty nine years and continued eight years and a half in office.
He was followed by Joseph Langdon who was ordained Jan. 9, 1785, and dismissed March 1810-a pastorate of twenty five years. He was born at Portsmouth in 1758, a graduate at Dartmouth in 1783, and deceased July 29th, 1824. At his settlement the church comprised twenty six members. After his dismission and removal to Portsmouth, he still manifested an interest in the people and often preach- ed to them. In 1826 Rev. I. W. Putnam administered the communion to a company of believers there which consisted of two aged females, members of the church, and twenty members of other churches. Some short missions have been performed there since that time. The population is less than it was a few years ago.
NEW MARKET.
Rev. E. C. COGSWELL.
This church is situated in a manufacturing village upon Lamprey river, midway between Exeter and Dover. Prior to 1827 the village was inconsiderable in size, and the inhab- itants were to a great extent regardless of divine institutions. There had been formed a small Methodist society with occa- sional worship ; and for a short time there had been Congre- gational preaching. Besides these, there were no other
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NEW MARKET.
means of grace here enjoyed. In 1827 through the generos- ity of Mr. Walter Smith and a few others, a hall was fitted up for religious worship, and Mr. David Sanford, then a student of theology at Andover, was invited to preach, who, turning aside from a previously arranged course, entered upon his labors here, in the face of obstacles which would have seemed insurmountable to almost any other man. His labors were soon blessed with a happy revival which resulted in many conversions.
A church was organized March 27, 1828, consisting of two males, who had come from churches in other towns for the purpose, and sixteen females, the husband of one of whom was so much affected at witnessing the solemn services of that occasion that he was thereby led to Christ, and not long after was admitted to the church and elected one of its officers ; and, though he subsequently removed from the town, he has lived to do much good in other portions of the vineyard of the Lord. In June following its organization, nineteen were received to the church as fruits of the revival above alluded to. Among them was a young woman whose parents resided in Massachusetts. Just as a revival was commencing in her native town, to the great grief of her godly mother, she persisted in going to New Market, hoping to get rid of restraints and the convictions of conscience in so godless a place as that was then known to be. But among the very first who came to the man of God to inquire what they should do to be saved, was that daughter. She became a trophy of divine grace and has ever since lived to adorn her Christian profession. At short intervals, during the whole of Mr. Sanford's ministry here, additions were made to the church, to the number of sixty-five. At Mr. Sanford's coming there was no house of worship erected, the need of which was soon felt. After great struggles and self- denials, and with a zeal becoming the object, means were secured which seemed to justify the undertaking, and a house was erected and consecrated, though a debt was con- tracted which proved the occasion of lasting embarrassment. Mr. Sanford, who was ordained May 22, 1828, exhausted by excessive labors and intense anxiety for his congregation, and embarrassed by liabilities under which he had brought himself in the erection of the house of worship, was dismissed June 22, 1830, to the great grief and lasting injury of the church and society. It would seem that could a little more effort have been made by the people, and a little more aid been rendered by other churches at this crisis, the protracted embarrassment and feebleness of the church might have been
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
avoided, and through the continued labors and Christian influence of such a man as Mr. Sanford the church would have been firmly established in prosperity. Mr. Sanford removed to Dorchester, Ms., whither he had been invited prior to leaving New Market ; subsequently he was called to the church in Medway where he still labors with an affec- tionate people.
Mr. O. Tinker was ordained pastor of this church Dec. 8, 1830, having been invited here soon after the dismission of Mr. Sanford. He was also dismissed Oct. 29, 1833, and removed to Ashby, Ms., to which place he had been invited, and where, a few years afterwards, he died. During his ministry of about three years forty-eight were added to the church ; but owing to circumstances over which he had no control, his ministry here was not so comfortable as could have been desired. In speaking of him, the Rev. Mr. Blod-
gett, his successor, remarks :- "My acquaintance with him was quite limited. I learned to esteem him as a sincere, pure-minded, devout man-not brilliant ; but solid, with too little of versatility of mind and ease of adaptation to the ever shifting phases of such a people to enable him to labor with comfort to himself and the highest acceptance to others. His moral, Christian and ministerial character was without reproach, and his influence, as far as it reached, was genial and savory. He spent the night with us, but a few weeks before his death, and seemed calm, serious and affectionate, though not very hopeful of the future. My remembrances of his last visit are very pleasant and grateful." These views are in harmony with those expressed by the council that dismissed him, and by the people that here remember him.
About the time of Mr. Tinker's dismission, the Rev. Con- stantine Blodgett, who had been teaching and preaching in Savannah, Ga., left on account of his wife's health, intending to go West. He visited New Market to see his brother, Dr. P. D. Blodgett, with no idea of remaining more than a few days ; but as Mr. Tinker was just leaving, he was prevailed upon to supply the pulpit for a time, and give to his brother the care of his invalid wife. Her health improved and he continued to supply until Dec. 2, 1834, when he was installed pastor. He was dismissed June 15, 1836. During his ministry twenty five were added to the church, the soci- ety was greatly strengthened, and the truth established. The removal of Mr. Blodgett was a serious loss. The church and society were strongly attached to him. Respecting his labors here, Mr. Blodgett says,-"I enjoyed my labors
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NEW MARKET.
among the people, finding them affectionate, united and indulgent toward their pastor and his family. Our recollec- tions of the people are pleasant, and our affection for them was found to be strong and fresh as for the first people over whom we had been placed in the Lord." Mr. Blodgett removed to Pawtucket, Ms., where he yet remains pastor of a strong and united church.
Rev. J. Gunnison succeeded Mr. Blodgett, and was installed Feb. 22, 1837, and dismissed Oct. 9, of the same year. His stay was too short to make any decided impres- sion. Unexpected pecuniary embarrassment of the society was the cause assigned for his removal. Mr. Gunnison removed to Brentwood and has since abandoned the ministry.
Soon after Mr. Gunnison's dismission, a very interesting revival commenced. The members of the church were active and faithful, and the good work progressed, though they had only occasional ministerial aid. At length the Rev. Mr. Hobart, known as "father Hobart," came to their assistance and greatly refreshed them by his fervent piety and judicious counsels, as well as by his faithful expositions of God's word. On the first Sabbath in March, 1838, twen- ty seven were admitted to the church as fruits of this revival, among whom were some of the most substantial men ever admitted to this church ; a part of whom yet remain the firm friends of Christ ; some of the remainder have gone to heav- en, and a few have fallen into a sleep from which there is no sign of waking. The church seems to have been destitute of regular ministerial supply for about a year after Mr. Gun- nison's dismission, except during the few months in which Mr. Hobart was with them. At this time the Rev. Mr. Richmond was invited to supply, who continued about four years. He is known to have labored with fidelity and una- bated zeal. His labors extended through the first part of that stormy period of the anti-slavery agitation, when wild confusion reigned in many of our churches. In the midst of this period, when the elements were lashed into fearful vio- lence in this community, the Rev. S. S. N. Greeley of Gil- manton Iron Works, received a call from this church, and was installed Dec. 15, 1842. Mr. Greeley brought with him the energy and hopefulness of a young man, and as a preach- er made his influence felt ; but owing to causes beyond his control, his ministry was less peaceful than he could have desired. He was dismissed Feb. 23, 1847. He is now pas- tor of a church in Great Barrington where he labors with a worthy and affectionate people. Not long after Mr. Gree- ley's dismission, the Rev. C. Chamberlain was employed for
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
one year. He left in the spring of 1848 and the church was destitute of the stated ministrations of the gospel. The congregation had become small, the church was scattered and disheartened, and their house of worship dilapidated. The debt contracted for the erection of their house remained unpaid for many years and proved a source of trouble to pas- tors and people, yet another was contracted at a later period for repairing and making alterations, which was hardly less troublesome than the first. The changes in the pastoral relations have been frequent, for, soon after the settlement of each pastor not a few were disappointed because he did not build up the society, so as to enable them to pay with ease the debts which had long existed, though weights and hindrances were multiplied on every hand. And the disap- pointment and restlessness of a few individuals in a feeble society are sufficient to make a minister uncomfortable, and sooner or later to secure his removal. This was emphatical- ly true in this church. For in the period of twenty one years from 1827, there had been five pastors the average of whose pastorates was three years, five years of stated supply and two years of destitution. It is no wonder that with such changes, and with the withholding of special divine influences the church and society had become feeble.
In the spring of 1848, the Rev. Elliott C. Cogswell of Northwood was invited to settle as pastor of this church, or if he declined, to remain with them at least one year. To the latter proposition he acceded, and entered upon his labors with an array of obstacles which it was frightful to contem- plate. One obstacle after another yielded, the church rallied, the society increased in energy, the house of worship was repaired and improved, a valuable organ was purchased, and the congregation gradually increased in numbers and influ- ence, and ceased to ask aid of the Home Missionary Society in 1852, though from the formation of the church it had received annually not less than $150. Mr. Cogswell has remained with his people now more than seven years, and has found them affectionate and indulgent both to himself and his family, and whatever separations may hereafter trans- pire, he will not fail to cherish them in the warmest affec- tion and to pray for their prosperity. He has followed many of his congregation to the grave; he has received to the church twenty two, and many have been dismissed to other churches. This church was founded in prayer and God has owned it as a vine of his planting. "This and that man has been born in her, and the Highest himself shall establish her." Not a few now filling spheres of usefulness
4. ...
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NEWTON.
in other communities, have here been qualified for those stations. One who became interested in the Sabbath School and in the Savior during Mr. Blodgett's ministry, is now a successful missionary in China. Though the church is now small, numbering forty members, and worshiping with a congregation averaging one hundred and fifty ; yet from its past history we may infer that God will continue to own it. Rev. Mr. Sanford remarks, "the Providences of God in rela- tion to the church from its commencement, indicate two things :- first, that it will live notwithstanding all its trials ; secondly, it must have struggles. Such has been its whole history ; such evidently will be the future." The church is greatly indebted to the fostering care of the Rev. Dr. French of North Hampton and to those pastors and churches that guarded it in its infancy and aided it in its struggles. May the good Shepherd be to this church "as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place ; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary. land." The Methodists have a numerous church and a large congregation ; so have the Free Will Baptists. The cause of temperance has been greatly successful and education has been advanced and the community has made obvious improvement notwithstanding there is so much to foster discouragement.
NEWTON.
This town was incorporated Dec. 6, 1749 under the name of Newtown,-its name was changed to Newton in 1846. In 1720 Joseph Bartlett took up his residence here and was soon surrounded with neighbors. Twelve years before this time he was taken prisoner at Haverhill and was in captivity four years among the Indians in. Canada.
Rev. Jonathan Eames was settled here in 1759, Jan. 17. He was a graduate of Harvard of the class of 1752. He was dismissed in 1791. His was a ministry of thirty two years. His death occurred in 1800, at the age of sixty nine years. No Congregational church has existed here for a long period. A Baptist and a Christian minister is found here. Here was formed the first Baptist church that ever existed in the State. It still lives. Rev. Walter Powers was settled here when the church was organized, 1755. He had a long ministry. In 1795 Rev. John Peak was settled and remained until 1802. Rev. David Tewksbury was ordained
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
here in 1813, over the same church. An interesting meeting, commemorative of the event of the organization of this first church a century ago, was recently held here, and a discourse appropriate, was preached by Rev. O. Ayer of Claremont.
NORTH HAMPTON.
Rev. J. FRENCH, D.D .- Rev. JOHN DINSMORE.
The early history of this town must be learned from that of Hampton, of which it was formerly a part. In the course of about a century from its settlement, four societies were set off from that large town. The fourth was established Nov. 17, 1738, and called, The North Hill Parish in Hamp- ton. It was incorporated as a town Nov. 26, 1742, by the name of North Hampton. Between the North Hill and a hill not far from it at the south, are numerous springs whose streamlets become a brook which, taking a west and a north- west direction, and receiving supplies from various sources, forms the Winnicut river. This stream passes through Stratham and Greenland into the Great Bay, which, through branches of the Piscataqua, mingles with the ocean. An- other stream arises chiefly from two small ones running nearly parallel from the north part of the town, and numer- ous springs collected in a circle at the foot of Breakfast Hill. These, running southerly and curling and encircling one another on the grounds of the Drakes, Pickerings, and French, form the greater part of Little river-a very useful mill stream during some parts of the year, and which per- haps, by digging and diking, may in time be made perennial. Little river enters the sea between Little Boar's Head in North Hampton and Great Boar's Head in Hampton, and near the beautiful Rye Beach.
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