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 2
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ATKINSON.
ing of nineteen members. The covenant adopted by this. church at the time it was formed, is evangelical. Mr. Pea- body continued in the pastoral office more than forty-seven years, and until his death, May 23, 1819. During his min- istry seventy-five persons were admitted to the church, in addition to nineteen who were embodied as the church. He married thirty-two couples, who had been licensed by his Excellency, Gov. John Wentworth, and 281 couples who had been published in the usual way. He also baptized one hundred and forty children and adults. After the de- cease of the Rev. Mr. Peabody, the pulpit was supplied by various individuals. Mr. Jacob Cummings, a licentiate and the Preceptor of the Academy, preached for about two years, and the Rev. Stephen Farley, while officiating as Preceptor, supplied the desk for seven or eight years. While they were destitute of a pastor, forty-two persons were admitted to the church.
April 18, 1832, the Rev. Luke A. Spofford was installed pastor of the church. He was dismissed at his own request, Jan. 20, 1834. While he was pastor ten were received into the church. On account of the inconvenience which attended the worship of God, in connection with other denominations, the church and the orthodox part of the community formed, Feb. 17, 1834, a Society for the support of christian institu- tions, called the Congregational Society in Atkinson.
During the year 1835, a Meeting-house was erected, after which, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Samuel H. Tolman till July 5, 1837, when he was installed pastor of the church. Mr. Tolman continued his work here till Oct. 27, 1839, when their civil contract, by mutual consent, was dissolved. During his ministry thirty-two were added to the church. After Mr. Tolman's dismission, the pulpit was supplied for two or three years by Messrs. Deming, Parsons and others.
The Rev. Samuel Pierce was ordained, April 19, 1843, pastor of the church. He died in office, March 27, 1844, aged twenty-seven, much respected and beloved. After his decease, the pulpit was supplied by Messrs. Hazen, Kellog and others. In June, 1845, the Rev. Jesse Page commenced preaching as a stated supply, and is still the minister of the people. During his ministry, there have been two seasons of more than ordinary religious interest, and twenty-three have been added to the church in this place, and many who were connected with the Academy have united with the churches in the places where they reside. There have been four or five special seasons of revival of religion, previously, when a considerable number of persons were hopefully con- verted to the Lord and added to the church.
18
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
The church now has one hundred and one members, four- teen having been added by profession the past year. The following persons have held the office of Deacon in the church, viz : Mr. Nathaniel Knight, Mr. Joseph Knight, Mr. Benjamin Hale, Mr. John Merrill, Hon. John Vose, Col. William Page, Mr. Josiah Grover, Mr. Moses Dow, 2d. and Mr. Franklin Gilbert. Seven members of this church have entered the ministry. Thirty-six individuals from this town have entered the learned professions, the town contain- ing about six hundred inhabitants. Since the year 1832, Jan. 1, forty-two children have been baptized. The average attendance on the Sabbath is from one hundred and fifty to two hundred. There is but one other religious society in town, (a Universalist society,) incorporated in 1837. They have preaching occasionally. The Academy, which is one of the oldest in the State, has ever been under a good religious influence, and is at the present time in a prosperous condi- tion.
AUBURN.
Rev. JAMES HOLMES.
This town was incorporated in June, 1845, and was taken off from Chester. It was the West Parish. No church records are found earlier than 1802. Therecords of the Presbyterian Parish begin Jan. 19, 1738. This year a committee was cho- sen to build a Meeting-house, which was situated not far from the center of the present town of Chester. Rev. John Wilson was the minister, and was settled in 1734. His la- bors are noticed till 1778. He died Feb. 1, 1779, aged sixty-nine years. The warrant for Parish meeting March 11, 1760, has this article, "To see if the Parish will do any thing about finishing the Meeting-house this year." And at the meeting it was voted to raise three hundred pounds old tenor for finishing the two Meeting-houses. The second house was the Long Meadow Meeting-house, situated in Au- burn. And these two houses were occupied alternately, until a new one was built, in 1793, about one mile' nearer Chester, and was the place of worship until 1848. The names of the preachers succeeding Mr. Wilson are not given, except Rev. David Annen. One Rev. James Davis preached some months, and some became hopeful christians under his labors. June 13, 1803, Rev. Zacheus Colby was unanimously invited to become their pastor, and was installed Oct. 13, 1803. Having been
19
AUBURN.
attacked with paralysis and rendered infirm, he was dismissed in 1809. He died in this place Aug. 10, 1822, aged 75. Very little is given in the records during his ministry, but he is spoken of as having been much respected and beloved. Nov. 1812, Rev. Wm. Harlow was hired to preach, and contin- ued till 1815. Dec. 1816, Rev. Clement Parker was invi- ted to become pastor, and was settled Feb. 19, 1817, and dismissed Oct. 26, 1825. Rev. Abel Manning was hired July, 1826, and preached till 1831, This year Rev. Benj. Sargent commenced preaching, and was installed April 19, 1833, and dismissed April 29, 1841. During his ministry, seventy-three were received to the church on profession, and nine by letter, and forty-five children were baptized. The discussions on slavery created a difference of feeling among the members of the church. Mr. S. became excited, and it is thought this, and the death of his children, produced partial insanity. If the present admissions touching the sin of slavery, had then been made by ministers and others, and free discussion al- lowed, Mr. S. might possibly have been saved. The state of religious affairs was now extremely unpromising.
In Sept. 1841, Rev. Samuel Ordway commenced preach- ing, and supplied till 1846. In Jan. 1843, he organized a Congregational Church of sixteen members. In November following six persons were added to the church. The Pres- byterian Church was dropped, and the Parsonage was trans- ferred to the Congregational Church and Society, and for this change many were disaffected. Mr. O. once reported to the Missionary Society, that there were one hundred families which did not attend meeting. Rev. James Holmes com- menced labor as stated supply here, July, 1846 ; was installed pastor Dec. 5, 1849. This church was aided by the Mission- ary Society, from 1841 to 1849. Since 1846, thirty-five persons have been received to membership by letter, and eight by profession ; infant baptisms have been ten ; sixteen have died ; seven have been dismissed ; twenty have re- moved from town without taking letters of dismission .- There are now fifty-two members. The fruits of former divisions are still visible. In seven years, thirty-one fami- lies have died and removed from town, that aided in the support of the gospel, and only some half dozen have moved in to take their places. "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; perplexed, but not in despair." A small circle of christians cleave to the Lord in fervent prayers. We feel that the gospel will yet be the power of God unto the salvation of many in this place. A new Meeting-house was dedicated in Feb. 1848, and a very pleasant Vestry is now
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
finished in the basement, and is well furnished. The Parson- age has been sold, and the annual income of the fund is about $70. The people are doing more each year for the support of the gospel. They hope not to ask missionary aid again, although the church has but eight resident male members. Quite a number are doing well, considering their means, and the Lord will not leave them without a blessing. For some further facts the reader is referred to the history of the church in Chester. The population in 1850 was 810.
BRENTWOOD.
Rev. CHARLES DAME.
This place was originally a part of Exeter, and before its separation a Meeting-house had been erected within its pres- ent limits, at a location called Keenborough, about a mile east of the present house of worship. Brentwood was in- corporated in 1742. The town originally included what is now Fremont. To the inhabitants of the latter place the location of the Meeting-house was inconvenient. To meet their wishes, a committee of three gentlemen from Ports- mouth was chosen at the time of the incorporation of the town, to select a site for a Meeting-house for the town .- That committee, after due examination, reported, the place at the "gulley," where the present Congregational house of worship stands. By reason of various difficulties, the house was not completed for several years.
Rev. Nathaniel Trask was the first minister of the place. He was ordained as pastor of a church which had been pre- viously organized at Keenborough Dec. 12, 1748. Previous- ly to this, or about this time, a congregation had been gath- ered, and were holding their meetings in the new Meeting- house. After a series of difficulties between the two congre- gations, a church was organized at " the gulley," and a union having been effected between the two societies, Mr. Trask was installed pastor of the church formed by the union of these two, Jan. 21, 1756. At the settlement of Mr. Trask the church numbered fifty-three members. Mr. Trask continued in the pastoral office here forty-one years. His death occur- red Dec. 12, 1789, at the age of 67. From the decease of Mr. Trask the church was without a pastor eleven years and a half. During this time more than one hundred individuals were employed as candidates or as supplies. Eight or ten of these received calls to settle, but declined them.
21
BRENTWOOD.
Rev. Ebenezer Flint was the next pastor. He was settled May 27, 1801. At the time of his settlement the church had become reduced to six male and thirteen female mem- bers. He was a man much respected and beloved by his people. His views and preaching were thoroughly Calvinis- tic. It being a time of declension, only ten or twelve were added to the church during his ministry, which continued but a little more than ten years. He died suddenly, Oct. 12, 1811, leaving a widow and four small children.
On the 21st of July, 1813, Rev. Chester Colton entered this field of labor, and soon the friends of religion in the place extended to him a call to settle. This call Mr. Colton subsequently accepted, and was settled Jan. 25, 1815. The prospects of the Society now began to brighten. The friends of Christ were encouraged. The aspect of things changed. To the honor of the Congregationalists in Brentwood, and as a stimulus to the destitute in other towns, says a late wri- ter, it ought to be known, that between fifty and sixty fami- lies, within a year from the date of their incorporation as à distinct Congregational Society, not only settled Mr. Colton as their minister, with a salary of four hundred dollars a year and fifteen cords of wood brought to his door ; but also took down their old Meeting-house and erected a new one, besides building a Parsonage house. Mr. Colton secured to himself the warmest attachment of his people, and his la- bors were greatly blest.
In the winter of 1818-19 a revival was enjoyed, and as far as known, this was the first ever en- joyed in the place. More than forty were added to the church during the ministry of Mr. Colton, After retaining the pastoral office about ten years, Mr. Colton was, at his own request, on account of inflammation of the eyes, dismissed from his flock, and after regaining the use of his eyes, preached awhile in Connecticut, and afterwards as a missionary at the West, where he died a few years since.
Mr. Colton was succeeded by Rev. Luke A. Spofford, who was installed over the church and society, Feb. 22, 1826. After a ministry of about three years, Mr. Spofford, dis- couraged at the apparent want of success attending his la- bors, asked and received a dismission. The number of church members reported June 1828 was 53. After the dismission of Rev. Mr. Spofford, the people in Brentwood enjoyed for three years and a half the labors of Rev. Jonathan Ward. During this period, says one of his successors, Mr. Ward la- bored acceptably and faithfully in word and doctrine, to build up and establish the church in the faith; and, as the fruits of his labors, a considerable number were gathered into the
22
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
visible kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ by him and his immediate successors. Mr. Ward still lives in the place, en- joying a serene and tranquil old age, sustained by those truths he has so cheerfully and faithfully defended, awaiting, with assured hope, the time of his departure, to enter upon his reward.
Rev. Francis Welch was the next settled minister of the place. He was ordained pastor of the church Dec. 4, 1833. The ministry of Mr. Welch was embarrassed by pecuniary difficulties, and after sustaining the pastoral office between three and four years, he was dismissed, Oct. 4, 1837.
The next pastor was Rev. John Gunnison. He had been previously ordained at Lyman, Me. May 12, 1831 ; installed over the Union Society of Salisbury and Amesbury, Mass., Dec. 31, 1835, and at Newmarket, Lamprey River, Feb. 22, 1837. He was installed over the church in Brentwood, June 12, 1839. He sustained the pastoral office two years, and was dismissed June, 1841. He was afterwards settled in West Falmouth, Me. and now resides in New Gloucester .--- During the ministry of Mr. Gunnison, there were two sea- sons of religious awakening in the place, and about forty were added to the church.
Rev. James Boutwell was the next settled minister. He was ordained pastor of the church Nov. 4, 1841. Mr. Bout- well sustained the pastoral office among this people for more than ten years, when he was dismissed May 12, 1852, and became pastor of the church in Sanbornton. He continued, during his stay among this people, to retain his hold upon their affections ; he was highly esteemed by them, and his departure was deeply regretted. His memory is still kindly cherished by them. After Mr. Boutwell's dismission, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Josiah Stearns, a native of New Ipswich, for a period of about nine months, when he was laid aside from his labors by sickness, which terminated his use- ful life, June 12, 1853, at the age of 34 years.
The present pastor of the church, Rev. Charles Dame, came to the place Feb. 13, 1854, and was installed the 17th of the following May. He is a native of South Berwick, Me. ; graduated at Bowdoin College Sept. 1835, Andover, 1838 ; settled at Falmouth, Me. May 29, 1839 ; dismissed from the church there Aug. 11, 1853. The church is now 99 years old. It has now its eighth pastor. It has passed through a variety of scenes of depression and prosperity since its organization. But though at times feeble, and its prospects dark, its great Head has thus far preserved it .- Its present state is one of peace and harmony. Its present
23
CANDIA.
number is sixty-three, and the congregation in good weather numbers one hundred and fifty. The Society has been di- minished by deaths during the past year to an unwonted degree. Population in 1820; 892, in 1850, 923.
CANDIA.
Rev. WM. T. HERRICK.
The early settlers of Candia were of Puritan descent ; and, though many of them were not interested in the Christian religion, as a matter of personal experience, yet they all regarded the institutions of the gospel as essential to the well-being of any community. Accordingly, one of the very first acts of the town, after its incorporation in 1763, and after the choice of the usual town officers, was to provide means to procure the preaching of the gospel. This they must have, at whatever sacrifice. A house of worship, too, they must have, before they were themselves able to occupy their "ceiled houses." This was erected, in 1766, by the united labors and the hearty co-operation of the whole town. In 1802, a porch and steeple were added to this house, and a bell was procured. It stood until 1838, when it was destroyed by fire. A new house was erected that year and is still occupied. The church was organized in 1770, with seventeen members. Its succession of pastors has been as follows : Rev. David Jewett, settled 1771-dismissed or died, 1780 ; Rev. Joseph Prince, stated supply seven years from 1782 ; Rev. Jesse Remington, settled Oct. 20, 1790-died, March 3, 1815 ; Rev. Isaac Jones, settled Feb. 7, 1816- dismissed, May 12, 1818 ; Rev. Abraham Wheeler, settled Jan. 13, 1819-dismissed, Oct. 29, 1832 ; Rev. Charles P. Russell, settled Dec. 25, 1833-dismissed, May 26, 1841; Rev. William Murdock, settled Dec. 1, 1841-dismissed, May 2, 1853 ; Rev. William T. Herrick, settled July 5, 1854.
"The first call to the work of the ministry, was given to Mr. Tristram Gilman, Sept. 1, 1768." This call was not accepted. A call was then given to Mr. Jonathan Searle. This, also, was unsuccessful, and finally, after a day of fast- ing and prayer, appointed by the committee, as the record has it, "they pitched on Mr. David Jewett, with an offer of £50 for the first year, and £5 more each year afterward, until the stipend should be £ 65."-[History of Candia, by F. B. Eaton, Esq.] At the end of Rev. Mr. Jewett's minis- try, forty-two members in all had been received into the
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
church: The dismission of Mr. Jewett, procured not with- out much difficulty by the town, occasioned dissatisfaction in the church, as the following old record shows. It is worth transcribing : "at a Church Meeting some time in the fall of ye year 1781 all ye members of the church being notified to meet to compromise some matters Respecting an uneasi- ness that had arisen among some of the members by Reason of mr. Jewett our former minister Going away and it was agreed by all present to forgive and forget every thing Past and unanimously live in Love and peace, in fellowship one with another for the future, mr. Jacob Sargent, mr. Dean Waldleth, mr. Theophilus Sargent not present."
Rev. Joseph Prince, who was employed for seven years as a stated supply, was blind before he commenced preaching. He had preached nearly forty years when he came to Candia. He was actively employed in preaching from place to place, in the "Great Awakening," in 1745-6-7. His funeral ser- mon, preached in Newburyport in 1791, speaks of him as an eloquent, devout, acceptable and successful preacher. His mortal remains lie in the same vault with those of White- field. During the ministry of Mr. Jewett and Mr. Prince, the " Half-way Covenant" was in vogue in this church .- Many were received into covenant, or "owned covenant," and had their children baptized, who were not "received into full communion." About two hundred and forty- bap- tisms took place during the ministry of Mr. Jewett, and one hundred and forty during that of Mr. Prince ; only one adult among them all, so far as the records show. Mr. Remington was opposed to the "Half-way Covenant ;" and soon after his settlement in 1794, " the church agreed Not to give their Consent to have any . Children Baptized by any minister unless their parents one or both joined with the Church."
The ministry of Rev. Jesse Remington forms an impor- tant part of the history of the church. It was nearly twice as long as any other ; and Mr. Remington is the only pastor that has died in office here, and laid his bones among his people. The work of the church had hitherto been mainly preparatory ; it was now time to settle its foundation deep and strong, and to commence the erection of a durable and well-proportioned superstructure upon such a foundation .- Mr. Remington was eminently the man for this work. He was devout, sound in doctrine, diligent and untiring in his labors ; and pre-eminently a thorough man. Rev. Mr. Pren- tice of Northwood said, at his funeral, "He was indeed an evangelical preacher, sound in the faith, remarkably clear in the doctrines of grace, a lover of hospitality, a lover of good
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CANDIA.
men, holding forth the faithful word. He was solemn and impressive in his manner, evidently realizing the weight of his own responsibility to his Lord and Master. He felt those truths which he exhibited to others. He declared the whole counsel of God. He was by no means a man-pleaser."- Such a man was well adapted to his time. If he was per- mitted in his own lifetime, to gather but few sheaves, yet those few were so thoroughly threshed and so carefully win- nowed, that there was little left but the clear and solid grain.
Parsonages and Funds. Before the settlement of Mr. Jew- ett, the town had commenced the erection of a parsonage on the " Parsonage Lot." Mr. Prince was employed to preach seven years, "for the improvement of the parsonage, and a hired hand six months each year, putting the buildings and parsonage in repair." Mr. Remington was to have "the use and improvement of the parsonage lot and buildings, during his ministry, and £ 60 lawful money, annually, and likewise twenty cords of wood yearly hauled to the parson- age house, eight or twelve feet long." Soon after the death of Mr. Remington, in 1815, the parsonage farm was sold .- The avails, however, were still controlled by the town ; and both Mr. Jones and Mr. Wheeler were settled by the church and the town acting together. During the ministry of Mr. Wheeler, the town voted to divide this fund, and give a part, (about one fourth,) to another society, and the remainder to the " Congregational Society of Candia ;" which society was formed at that time, and has since co-operated with the church, in the settlement and dismission of ministers. The income of this fund, increased by two or three small dona- tions, is now about two hundred and forty dollars a year .- Since 1849, they have averaged about three hundred dollars a year in contributions to benevolent associations. The average attendance on public worship, in all evangelical churches in town, does not exceed 400 persons. More than one half of the population belongs to this parish. The whole number of members in the church from the beginning is 595. The members in the church at different periods, are as fol- lows : 1816-28; 1818-49 ; 1822-70; 1823-182 ; 1824 -215; 1830-192 ; 1832-262; 1835-236; 1849-294; 1854-258 ; 1855-250. The infant baptisms from the beginning have been 748. Adult baptisms in all, 204. It is not known that the town has furnished more than two men for the ministry,-three or four are now preparing for it.
There was no revival in town until the year 1822. In the fall of that year, the power of God began to be displayed . 3
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ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.
in this church and town in a most wonderful manner ; it swept over the whole community, and shook the hearts of all this people, as the trees of the forest are shaken by a mighty wind. The church was small, but a few who were accustomed to meet for a weekly prayer meeting at the house of the pastor, agreed to consecrate an hour every Saturday evening to prayer for a revival of God's work. This pri- vate concert of prayer, was, doubtless, an important instru- mentality in preparing the way of the Lord. This revival, commonly spoken of in this church as the " Great Reforma- tion," broke out in a very striking manner. A letter written in Oct. 1822, by a member of this church, now living, gives so vivid an account of the opening scene of this great work, that extracts from it seem desirable here. The writer speaks with rejoicing of a work of grace already commenced, and says, "God has, as it were, caused the dead to hear his voice and live ; for, surely, nothing but an almighty power could accomplish what has taken place in this neighborhood within one week." The letter then goes on to say that, "three per- sons had met the Friday evening before, to have a jolly time. One of them began to talk in a light way of the day of judg- ment ; the other two soon began to sing a psalm-tune, and whilst they were singing the words, 'And whilst the lamp holds out to burn, the vilest sinner may return,' the other, who had been speaking lightly of the day of judgment, suddenly rose, took a chair, and went to prayer. They were all astonished out of measure, but thought it mockery. His wife, who was a pious woman, said she expected the house would sink under them. After having made a good prayer, as they said who heard him, he sat down, burst into tears, and began to warn his associates to quit their sinful courses ; said if they felt as he did, they would pray too. They told him, if he would make as good a prayer as he did before, they should think there was something real. He said he would attempt to, if they desired him to. He accordingly went to prayer ; made an able prayer, and sat down weep- ing. They were struck with the utmost solemnity at his manner of conduct. His wife said she had not strength to get out of her chair, so great was her astonishment. They all sat up until about two in the morning. K- says he feels like a new man ; he says he was struck through soul and body, as it were, in a moment, when he rose to prayer ; said he could not have sat another moment, any more than if he had been on coals of fire. He does appear in reality to give evidence to all around of a saving change of heart. He went on Monday evening to meeting ; told his experience,
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