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 27
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CHESHIRE COUNTY.
There have been several seasons of unusual religious inter- est in this community, but it cannot be said that there have been more than two extensive revivals. The first occurred in 1841, during the ministry of Rev. O. C. Whiton, com- mencing very soon after he began his labors in this place .- Very few extra meetings were held at the time; the pastor being of the opinion, that one meeting, well attended, and of which some account could afterwards be given, was worth more than a dozen of the opposite character. Of about 27 hopeful conversions, 15 were added to this church as the fruits of the revival. The remainder of the converts, soon leaving the place, connected themselves with other churches. The other revival was in 1848 in connection with the minis- terial labors of the Rev. Jeremiah Pomeroy. The first indi- cation of the presence of the Holy Spirit was the deep conviction of one of the impenitent, and her subsequent con- version. The work of grace gradually deepened and extend- ed widely. As the result of this revival, about 25 were hopefully converted ; about one-half of whom united with the church in this village ; the remainder, with churches in other places. Several were heads of families, but most of the converts were in the morning of life. It is an interest- ing fact that of the whole number converted during the revival, all but one were connected with the Sabbath School previous to the outpouring of the Spirit. This cannot but be regarded as evidence that the Sabbath School is an insti- tution on which rests the cordial approbation of the great Head of the church.
HINSDALE .**
This town was originally a part of Northfield, Ms. It was then called Fort Dummer, and also Bridgman's Fort. It was settled as early as 1683. But it was not incorporat- ed as a distinct town till Sept. 3, 1753; and it was named in honor of Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale, one of its principal inhabitants.
The Congregational church was formed in 1763; and the same year the Rev. Bunker Gay, a graduate of Harvard university in 1760, was ordained its pastor. He continued in his pastorate about 47 years, till 1810, when he resigned his work. He lived, however, till Oct. 1815. His influence was not in all respects salutary to the cause of truth. From
* Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D.
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HINSDALE.
1810 to 1821 there was little preaching and no administra- tion of Divine ordinances. But Oct. 8, 1821 a council was called, "To take under consideration the concerns of the Congregational church in Hinsdale." In the result of council they say : "ascertained that the remnant of the for- mer church has no records, neither articles, nor covenant."
But finding four men and five women that were once con- nected with the original church, they re-organized them into a church, under a confession of faith and a covenant. But for eleven years they had no pastor; but "occasional sup- plies." On the 17th of May 1832, the Rev. Eliphalet Strong, a graduate of Harvard college in 1828, was ordained their pastor. The church now numbered 14 members. His ministry continued amidst many difficulties to March 25, 1835, when he was dismissed. He afterward went to Illinois.
Thirty five additions are reported in 1833, as the fruits of a revival which appeared to result from the divine blessing on a course of pastoral and lay visitation from house to house. Scarcely had these visits been commenced, when there were found those who were anxious about their salva- tion. The work went forward favorably till February, when a protracted meeting was held. At this meeting the halt- ing were brought to a decision ; some of the careless and opposed were awakened and hopefully converted. The church rose from 15 to 50 ; from three male members to 15 ; and eleven family altars were erected.
May 23, 1835 the church invited the Rev. Joseph Marsh to become their pastor. But there is no record of his settle- ment, nor of anything else till Nov. 17, 1837, when he ask- ed a dismission ; which was effected May 2, 1838. He was a graduate of Dartmouth college in 1824. It is believed that he is now engaged in agriculture in Vermont. Forty one were added to the church in his time. The Rev. Gard- ner S. Brown, a graduate of Dartmouth college in 1834, was ordained pastor, on the very day that Mr. Marsh was dismissed, (viz : May 2, 1838.) He was dismissed April 2, 1844. Over fifty were added to the church during his ministry. He is now a Homeopathic physician in Hartford, Conn. The Rev. Moses Gerould was installed pastor Oct. 30, 1844 [vide account of East Alstead.] He was dis- missed after a pastorate of about nine years, and removed to Canaan in this State. He added 40 to the church .- About 150 have been added to this church since its re- organization ; of whom about 88 remain members. Popula- tion in 1820, 890 ; in 1850, 1903.
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CHESHIRE COUNTY.
JAFFREY.
Rev. LABAN AINSWORTH .- Rev. L. TENNEY.
The first town meeting was called in the name of His Majesty the King of England, by Jonathan Stanley ; and was convened Sept. 14, 1773. At an adjourned meeting the 28th of the same month, a committee consisting of Capt. Jonathan Stanley, Alexander McNeil, and James Callwell, were appointed to provide preaching for the town. In just fourteen days after the town had elected its first regular town officers, it made provision for its religious instruction. As they had, in this manner, preaching occasionally, they experienced great inconvenience in the want of a suitable place for holding religious meetings. To remedy this evil, the town resolved, April 26, 1774, "to build a Meeting- house on the common near the center of the town, this and the ensuing year." On the 6th of July following, it was "resolved that the house shall be 60 feet by 45-posts 27 feet ; that there shall be a porch at each end of the house ; and that the house shall be raised by the middle of June 1775, and be finished by the first of June 1776." It is related that the town were raising the frame on the memo- rable 17th of June 1775, and while they were erecting a temple in which they might worship the Prince of Peace, they heard the report of the ordnance at the battle of Bun- ker Hill, where their fellow citizens were shedding their blood to purchase for their countrymen the blessings of lib- erty, civil and religious. It is also an interesting fact that the same season when this people were making preparation to build a house of worship, he, who was to be their first settled minister, was entering Dartmouth college to prepare himself for the work to which he would be called. He who disposed the people to erect a house of worship, was, at the same time, leading a young man in a way which he knew not. And in due time the way was open, and this young man, then a licensed preacher, was conducted into the field of his future labors. For various reasons, doubtless mainly connected with the war of the Revolution, the house was not finished for many years; and till after 1780, while the war was raging at the north, this town, like many others, suffered a famine of the word of God-though it is evident from the town records that an increasing amount was annu- ally raised for the support of the gospel, From £6 they rose in 1777 to £50; then to £100; then to 200, and in time of depreciated currency in 1780 to £1000, and the next year to £ 2000.
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JAFFREY.
In a town meeting convened June 16, 1778, Wm. Smiley and David Stanley were elected to read the Psalm,-like- wise Jonathan Priest, Abram Bailey and David Stanley were chosen to tune the Psalm. It is impossible at this day to ascertain who all the men were who preached here during the time preceding the year 1781, and how long each man was employed. Every year, after the town was incorporated, a committee was chosen to obtain the labors of the ministry and to expend the money raised by the town for that pur- pose. The following names appear on the town records, without any specification as to the number of Sabbaths they officiated : Rev. Jonathan Allen, June 1776 ; Mr. Read, Nov. 1778 ; Mr. Stevens, Nov. 1779; Caleb Jewett, June 1780 ; Mr. Emerson, Dec. 1780 ; David Goodale, Aug. 1781. A call was extended and proposals made to Mr. Caleb Jew- ett to settle as pastor.
The present senior pastor of this church came into town as a candidate early in Sept. 1781-74 years ago. At a town meeting Dec. 1781, it was "voted to hear Mr. Ainsworth longer." At a town meeting convened April 22, 1782, "voted to hear Mr. Ainsworth on probation, in order to give him a call ;" and on July 8, 1782, the town "voted unani- mously to concur with the church, and give Mr. Laban Ainsworth a call to the work of the gospel ministry in this town." They pledged him "as a salary, annually, £ 70 as long as he shall be the minister of this town." They also proffered him "liberty to visit his friends twice each year, of two Sabbaths each time, if he accepts the call that is given him." These were the final conditions of the settlement .- At a town meeting holden Nov. 11, 1782, it was decided, "that the ordination of Mr. Ainsworth be the second Wed- nesday in December next." This is the last record of the town in relation to the settlement of a minister. A man who had been with them more than a year was unanimously elected pastor, and amply provided for by a salary and a valuable tract of land. He was called by the church and the unanimous vote of the pew holders of the town : and that pastoral relation which was formed with so much delibera- tion, continued, for the most part happy, for nearly half a century, when he retired from the active work of the minis- try-while he still retains to the church which so long enjoy- ed his ministry, the endearing relation expressed in the name-pastor. Though he has been the minister of this church more than seventy four years he is still enjoying comfortable health, retains much of his former dignity of character and urbanity of manners ; is fond of reading and
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of society ; cherishes with the fondest affection the doctrines and precepts which have been the subjects of his ministra- tions ; and is calmly waiting for a message from his Master, calling him to his reward.
The first Congregational church was organized May 13, 1780. And Mr. Ainsworth was ordained Dec. 10, 1782 .- After the aged pastor of the church retired from the work of the ministry, several persons were obtained to supply the pulpit. In the year 1830, Rev. Mr. Everett was engaged, and labored with fidelity about one year.
On the 11th of Jan. 1832, Mr. Giles Lyman was ordained junior pastor and colleague with Mr. Ainsworth, and was dismissed May 3, 1837. On the 4th of Oct. 1837, Mr. Josiah D. Crosby was ordained pastor of the church, and April 19, 1844, he also was dismissed.
April 19, 1845, Mr. Leonard Tenney-the present junior pastor-received ordination. The whole number of church members at the time of Mr. Lyman's settlement was 78, and 247 have been admitted since that time. Death, and remov- als by other means leave us now 145 members. Baptisms have been-adults, 71; children, 154. A Baptist church was organized here, Jan. 3, 1814, of 12 members. The old Meeting-house is now deserted by all denominations and used only as a Town house.
JAFFREY EAST.
Rev. GEO. W. ADAMS.
Jaffrey East Orthodox Congregational church is situated in a village two miles from the center of the town. It was organized Jan. 9th, 1850, with ten male and thirteen female members, principally from the church at the Center. The reason for this organization was, that "the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom require the organization." Fifty one have been added to its number; twenty two have been dismissed to other churches or removed by death ; present number of members 52.
Rev. J. E. B. Jewett was called to the pastorate of this church Feb. 28, 1854, and was ordained and installed on the 25th of the following September. An ecclesiastical council was convened, June 1st, 1852, to take into consideration reasons which might be presented for and against a dissolution of the existing pastoral relation. The council! having weighed the reasons resolved, "That it is not expedient that
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KEENE.
the pastoral relation now existing, should be at this time dissolved." The church and society not being satisfied with the result of the council, called another, which was convened the 13th of July following, when the pastoral relation was dissolved.
After Rev. Mr. Jewett was released from the pastorate, the church was supplied by various individuals until March 27, 1853 ; at which time Rev. George W. Adams commenced a temporary supply till June 16th of the same year, when the church and society engaged his services for one year ; and has continued their acting pastor to the present date. No record has been kept of the amount contributed to benevo- lent objects previous to March 27, 1853. Since that time about $250 have been contributed. Congregation averages about 100. The Sabbath School is flourishing, and has a good library. Ministerial support $ 500.
KEENE.
Rev. Z. S. BARSTOW, D.D.
The first meeting of the proprietors, in the township of the Upper Ashuelot, was holden on the 18th day of Septem- ber 1734 ; "Held on said township by adjournment from the 27th day of June last past, i.e. when the meeting was at Concord." The above meeting was adjourned again, " To the last Wednesday of May next, at 12 of the clock at the dwelling house of Ephraim Jones Innholder in Con- cord." On the 30th of Sept. 1736, a "meeting was opened according to appointment at the house-lot of Joseph Fisher ; but was immediately adjourned to the house of Nathan Blake." [vide Proprietors' Book.] It is supposed that the house of Nathan Blake was the first house erected in the township, and the only one at the time of that meeting ; and yet, mark the piety of these proprietors ; for it was at this meeting voted, "That they will build a Meeting-house at the upper township on the Ashuelot so called ; forty feet long ; 20 feet stud ; and 30 and 5 feet wide, at the south end of the town street, (to underpinn, cover and inclose the same, and lay down bords for the lower floor,) at the place appointed by the General Court's committee ; and that Messrs. Jeremiah Hall, Samuel Daniels, Joseph Richardson, Stephen Blake, and Josiah Fisher be a committee to build or let the same ; and to see that sd work be completely performed by the 26th day of June next."
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CHESHIRE COUNTY.
That Meeting-house was afterwards removed to the mid- dle of the street, south east of where General Wilson's house now stands, the travel passing on the east side of it. In the early part of the summer of 1737, it was voted "To assess the sum of 240 pounds on the propriety to support the preaching of the gospel in said township, and other charges arisen, or arising, in sd propriety."
It is not known at what time the Rev. Jacob Bacon, who was the first minister of the place, came into the township, or when he commenced preaching in it. But in October 1737, it was voted that "The worthy Mr. Jacob Bacon draw lots for the whole propriety." This was at the second division of meadow land. In the course of that year, Mr. Bacon was appointed Proprietors' clerk. He received a call to settle as their minister May 5th, 1738 ; gave an affirmative answer Aug. 5th ; and was ordained to the work of the min- istry Oct. 18th of the same year ; when a church of 19 male members was organized. The council consisted of pastors and delegates from the churches of Wrentham, Sunderland, Northfield and Medway, viz : Rev. Messrs. Rand, Doolittle, and Buckman, with the delegates from each church. The committee who presented the call to Mr. Bacon, were Jere- miah Hall, David Foster, Isaac Clark, Josiah Fisher and Ebenezer Nims. David Foster and Josiah Fisher were ap- pointed deacons soon after the organization of the church .-- Deacon Fisher was shot by an Indian July 10th, 1745.
The Rev. Mr. Bacon was a graduate of Harvard in 1731. He was much beloved by his church and people. In the language of the proprietors he was " the worthy and Rev. Mr. Bacon." Some persons were added to the church under his ministry ; but no church record of the time has come down to us. Mr. Bacon was excused from all obligations to his church and people by an informal vote of the proprietors, just before they abandoned the town, when it was burned by the Indians, 1747.
The first meeting of the town under the new charter, was in May 1753 ; and at that meeting it was agreed to build a Meeting-house of slabs, on a green plat, near where the late Aaron Appleton lived. This was for temporary use. And in December of the same year, it was voted to build a Meet- ing-house forty five feet long, and thirty five feet wide. It was first resolved to place it near where the late Aaron Hall lived. But it was ultimately erected on the Common a little north of where the Hay Scales are. That house was used till the autumn of 1786, when it was taken down and removed to the west side of the Common, and set up as the Court
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KEENE.
House of Cheshire county. And when the new Court House was erected the old one was removed to Washington street ; where it was the residence of several families, and known familiarly as "the old Court House." It was afterward divided into two dwelling-houses ; in one of which John H. Fuller, Esq. now resides ; and the other one was removed to another place in the vicinity.
In June 1753, the inhabitants of Keene and Swanzey united in giving the Rev. Ezra Carpenter a call to settle in the work of the ministry. He was born in Rehoboth, Ms. April 1, 1699 ; graduated at Cambridge in 1720 ; and set- tled in Hull in the old colony, Nov. 27, 1723. Nov. 28, 1723, he married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Greenwood of Rehoboth. He was minister of Hull twenty one years, and was dismissed Nov. 23, 1746. He was min- ister of the united church in Keene and Swanzey about seven years. Swanzey retained him, and Keene sought another minister. Under Mr. Carpenter there were 52 bap- tisms in Keene and several were added to the church ; but the record is lost. The above record of baptisms was made by the Rev. Edward Goddard, "from the old book." The Rev. Mr. Carpenter was of reputable character and of orthodox sentiments. He was installed Oct. 4th, 1753 ; at which time there were present by their elders, &c. the first church in Hingham, the third in Plymouth, the church in Kingston in the county of Plymouth, the first church in Lancaster, the church in Nichewong, the church in Poquaig, (Athol,) the church in Deerfield, the church in Sunderland, and the church in Northfield.
At the separation of Keene from Swanzey, the church in Keene was re-organized, containing fourteen male members, at the ordination of the Rev. Clement Sumner as their pas- tor, June 11th, 1761. Mr. Sumner was a graduate of Yale college in 1758. And though he was a man free from great faults, yet his virtues were of a rather negative kind. It was in his ministry, if not at his instigation, that the half way covenant was introduced, by which those owning the cove- nant had their children baptized without coming into com- munion with the church. During his ministry 73 were admitted to the church and 20 persons owned the covenant and had their children baptized. Of those 20, eleven were afterward admitted to full communion. [vide Chh. Records.]
Mr. Sumner was pastor for about eleven years, when, in consequence of difficulties that arose, (as was once said by an aged member,) "from the misconduct of his children," he was dismissed at his own request by an ecclesiastical
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CHESHIRE COUNTY.
council. He was never settled again, but he preached at Thetford, Vt. and other places ; and died in Keene, March 29, 1795, and was buried in the old cemetery near Mr. Rob- inson's dwelling. His widow died in West Swanzey, where her funeral was attended in the Baptist Meeting-house by Rev. Z. S. Barstow in the early part of his ministry.
The Rev. Mr. Sumner left no record of baptisms. The covenant of the church was then very nearly the same as at present. The Articles of Faith were thirteen ; and they were in part in the language of the Westminster Assembly's compend of doctrine.
After Mr. Sumner's dismission, there was a long season of division in regard to the settlement of a minister. The aged Deacon Kingsbury once informed the writer that "19 can- didates were tried in vain." And that then, having heard of Mr. Aaron Hall of Cheshire, Conn., this Deacon was com- missioned " to go and confer with him personally," in refer- ence to his coming to Keene as a candidate. This commis- sion was successfully executed, and Mr. Hall came in the summer of 1777. On Dec. 2, 1777, it was voted unani- mously, " To give Mr. Aaron Hall (who has been laboring with us for some time) a call to settle in the work of the ministry." But there were objections in the mind of Mr. Hall to the practices of the church. He told them in open church meeting, " That he could not see his way clear to answer their call, unless the church would reject the practice of persons owning the covenant, to have their children bap- tized." And, after various discussions of the subject, it was voted unanimously, "To re-consider the vote of baptizing the children of those who 'only owned the covenant ; and for the future not to admit any upon this half way practice as it is called."
The difficulty being thus removed, the Rev. Aaron Hall was ordained Feb. 18, 1778. "Rev. Mr. Hibbard opened the solemnity by prayer ; Rev. Mr. Olcott preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Brigham made the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. Fessenden gave the charge; Rev. Mr. Goddard gave the right hand of fellowship ; and the Rev. Mr. Sprague closed the solemnity by prayer. Attest, Bulkley Olcott, scribe."- Mr. Hall was a graduate of Yale college in 1772 ; received his Master's degree at Yale 1775, and at Dartmouth 1778. He had a long and peaceful ministry, was much esteemed as a peacemaker, and died lamented, in the 63d year of his age, and the thirty seventh of his ministry, Aug. 12th, 1814.
At Mr. Hall's ordination the church consisted of 77 mem- bers ; and during his ministry 211 were received to the
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KEENE.
church ; 871 were baptized. It was during his ministry that the present Meeting-house was built. It was raised June 28, 29 and 30th, 1786. The building committee were, Lieut. Benjamin Hall, Dea. Daniel Kingsbury, Major Davis How- lett, Mr. Benjamin Anher, Lieut. Reuben Partridge, Mr. Abijah Wilder, and Mr. Thomas Baker.
After the death of Mr. Hall, the Rev. David Oliphant (a graduate of Union college in 1809, and of the theological seminary at Andover in 1814,) came to preach as a candi- date "about the time of the annual Thanksgiving" in 1814. He was ordained May 24, 1815. Rev. Mr. Dickinson of Walpole offered the first prayer ; Rev. Mr. Hall of New Ipswich preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Pratt of Westmore- land offered the ordaining prayer; Rev. Mr. Ainsworth of Jaffrey gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Burge of West Brattle- borough, Vt., expressed the fellowship; and Rev. Mr. Edwards of Andover, Ms., offered the closing prayer. Mr. Oliphant's ministry was somewhat less than three years .- But he made a deep impression upon the people ; received 91 to the church; and baptized 129 persons; and he will probably find many among this people as the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. He was dismissed in the autumn of 1817. It was during his ministry, viz. in 1815, that our Baptist brethren organized their church in the west part of the town, consisting of 14 members. This church was afterward removed to the village.
The present pastor, Rev. Z. S. Barstow, D.D., who was a graduate of Yale college in 1813 ; and who received his Mas- ter's degree in course in 1816, and at Hamilton college in 1817, came hither Feb. 26, 1818, and was ordained July 1st of the same year. The Rev. Mr. Cooke of Acworth offered the first prayer ; the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge of Hadley, Ms., preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Fish of Marlborough offered the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. Wood of Chesterfield gave the charge; Rev. Mr. Crosby of Charlestown expressed the fel- lowship; Rev. Dr. Thayer of Lancaster addressed the peo- ple ; and Rev. Mr. Dickinson of Walpole offered the conclu- ding prayer. Of the present pastor little will here be said ; except that he has had a comparatively quiet ministry ; has received 531 to the church ; dismissed 221 to other churches ; has married 379 couples ; baptized 704 persons ; and attend- ed more than a thousand to their last resting place. He has not failed of preaching on account of sickness but four Sabbaths in thirty six and a half years.
During this ministry the Unitarian society was formed in the spring of 1824; and the church in connection was form-
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ed. Dec. 27, 1825, consisting of 13 members ; of whom seven had been members of other churches. The Rev. T. R. Sul- livan, Rev. A. A. Livermore, and Rev. W. O. White, have been its successive pastors.
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