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 29
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SULLIVAN.
Rev. T. S. NORTON.
The town of Sullivan was formed from the towns of Nel- son, (formerly Packersfield,) Stoddard, Gilsum and Keene. It was incorporated Sept. 27th, 1787. It took its name from Gov. John Sullivan who presented the town a book in which to keep the records. The early settlers were enter- prising, moral, and some of them Christian people ; but, being few and feeble, little was done for the first few years to establish the gospel. In 1790 the town voted to raise £ 5, for preaching. Their acts of holy worship were performed in a barn until 1791, when a small house was erected upon a hill and " the people went up to worship" there. This year £6, and the next £ 15 were raised for preaching. The church was also organized this year on the 17th of October, consisting of 22 members. The last of these members died the past year. In 1795 the town took measures in regard to the settlement of a minister ; but at another meeting the same year the subject was postponed. They increased the sum raised for preaching from year to year. In 1797 £ 40 were voted, and Rev. William Muzzy was hired for six Sab- baths on probation. The town gave him a call to settle,
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which was accepted. The town promised Mr. Muzzy $ 500 as a settlement to be laid out in building a house for him ; also, " to give him for his annual salary £ 65, and to add 40 shil- lings per year until it amounts to £ 75, and thirty five cords of wood." He was to have three Sabbaths in a year to visit his friends. They appropriated $40 to defray the charges of the ordaining council. He was ordained Feb. 6, 1798. He was a graduate of Hanover in 1793. He was pastor of the church about twenty nine years. Was dismissed May 22d, 1827. He removed to Lexington, Ms, where he remained till he died.
In 1801 the town took up the subject of building a new Meeting-house. The old one was so small that many were obliged to be outside hearers, and sat upon the grass under the open windows during the exercises ; for the first few years after the town was incorporated, they had preaching only in the summer season. The town found much difficul- ty in locating the new house ; meeting after meeting was held ; votes were passed and re-considered eight different times, before a spot was finally fixed upon. Two commit- tees from out of town were called in. Finally the town voted that the decision of the second committee should be binding and end the dispute in regard to the spot. A com- mittee was appointed to set up the frame, and to provide as many dinners as the master workman thought it necessary to have men to raise the house, and liquor sufficient for raising, which is said to have been a barrel. Voted, that Mr. Muzzy offer prayer at the frame before the house was raised. Prayers and Liquor! In this day we dispense with the liquor, and do we not, in too many instances, leave out the prayer where they would have offered it ? The house was dedicated Dec. 29, 1808, and stood about forty years, when the First Congregational Society (formed June 6th, 1827,) erected the present house which was dedicated Dec. 7, 1848. The old house is now a neat and commodious town house.
The next pastor was Rev. Josiah Peabody, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1825. He was settled Nov. 5th, 1828, remained pastor a little less than one year, was dismissed Oct. 21st, 1829, has since preached in various places, and now resides in this town. The next pastor, Rev. Josiah Wright, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1809, was settled here May 22d, 1834-dismissed April 28, 1840. The next pas- tor, Rev. Alanson Alvord, was settled Feb. 24, 1842-dis- missed May 18, 1844.
The present pastor, Rev. Thomas S. Norton, a graduate of Amherst in 1840, was settled Feb. 4, 1846, and preached
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17 months previous to settlement. Thus, this church has had five pastors ; four of them are still living. The church and society, from all that we can learn, have not dismissed their ministers without good and sufficient reasons on their part. Before the settlement of the first pastor, various individuals supplied the pulpit. The names we have heard mentioned, are Lawrence, Brown, Woolly, Cotton, Randall, Kendall and Stone. Of those who supplied during the inter- vals between the settlement of pastors, we mention Clapp, Eaton, Whitney, Bradford, Job Cushman and Spencer S. Clark. The latter was a candidate for settlement in 1844, but died of quick consumption the same year. The society have no parsonage. A place, however, is owned by two mem- bers of the church and reserved for their minister. The amount annually given for benevolent purposes abroad is about one hundred dollars. A Baptist society was formed in 1808. The church now numbers 54 members. For sev- eral years the society worshiped in town, but now meet in Gilsum. There is now but one public meeting maintained in town on the Sabbath. The average attendance on public worship is about 130. The whole number of church members from the beginning, as near as can be ascertained, is 275- the present number is 110. The whole number of baptisms from the beginning is 440,-infant baptisms 406. Five men have been furnished for the ministry from this town. The first season of special religious interest in town was in 1831, when several were hopefully converted and added to the church. There was a general interest throughout the town. Rev. Job Cushman was then here. In 1838, the church was again revived, and some were converted. In 1848, there was quite an interest for a time. A few expressed hope and were added to the church. In 1853, the church were again refreshed by the outpouring of God's Spirit .- This last revival was perhaps as fruitful as any that has been enjoyed. The work was quite general through the town. The converts were mostly young people, with a few middle aged and heads of families. About 30 were added to the church as the fruits of the revival, which was characterized by great stillness. It was emphatically the " still small voice." The work was very gradual and continued for sev- eral months. A number of active and promising young men were brought into the church-some of whom, it is hoped, will prepare for the ministry. This town is distin- guished for the stability, enterprise and morality of its inhab- itants. This may be attributed perhaps chiefly to three causes : 1st, to its being a farming population : 2d, to its
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not being cursed with rum shops, and having no public house or place of resort for young or old men to congregate and corrupt each other : and thirdly, the inhabitants have not been disturbed by the various isms of the day, so that order and quietness prevail. The church members are far more active, and the morals of the people much better now, than they were forty years ago.
SURRY .*
This town was taken off from Gilsum and Westmoreland. It was settled by Peter Hayward and others in 1764. It was incorporated March 9, 1769 ; deriving its name from Surry in England. The Congregational church was formed June 12, 1769, consisting of fifteen members. The Rev. David Darling, a graduate of Yale in 1779, was ordained Jan. 18, 1781 as its first minister. He was dismissed Dec. 30, 1783 ; " difficulties having arisen on account of a mar- riage." Mr. Darling afterward lived in Keene, and died respected in 1835, aged 82 years. Rev. Perley Howe, a grad- uate of Dartmouth in 1790, was ordained Sept. 16, 1795, and continued pastor till 1837, when the church was re-or- ganized on the original platform, Mr. Howe having departed from it. The Rev. Gardner S. Brown (vide Hinsdale) labor- ed for a while with this church after its organization. After him the Rev. Ezra Adams, a graduate of Amherst in 1835, was ordained pastor in May 1840. He was dismissed in November 1841. (vide notes on Gilsum.) Various others have been employed from time to time ; but they are sup- plied by the Methodists in part. The church numbers four- teen members. Population in 1820, 570 ; in 1850, 556.
SWANZEY.
Rev. ELISHA ROCKWOOD.
It appears by authentic records, that this town was first granted by Massachusetts to 64 proprietors in 1733, whose first meeting was in Concord, Ms., June 27, 1734, and the town was styled Lower Ashuelot. After the divisional line was run it was granted by New Hampshire, July 2, 1753, to 62 proprietors. It then received its present name. As to
* Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D.
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the character of the first settlers little is known, except that, in the formation of the church and soon after, members are recorded as coming from several of the best towns in Massa- chusetts. The Congregational church was organized Nov. 4, 1741. The church covenant was then signed by the pastor and 12 other men, in accordance with Cambridge platform, and the Rev. Timothy Harrington was ordained. March 26, 1745, the pastor's house was burnt by the Indians, and with it the church records. But such things and votes as were distinctly recollected and considered important to be pre- served, were afterwards recorded, and confirmed by vote of the church. The inhabitants suffered much from the hostil- ity of the Indians, and in 1747 they abandoned the town, burying in the ground many heavy articles of furniture .- The writer has seen a Bible in the hands of Elijah Belding, Esq. which is said to have been buried under a brass kettle. During their absence all the buildings in the place, save one, were burned. The church, however, was not disbanded ; for it appears on record, that they met in Brookfield, Ms., Sept. 14, 1748, and again by adjournment in Rutland, Oct. 11, 1748, to consider and act upon the request of their pastor, Rev. Timothy Harrington, to give him a dismission and testimonials, recommending him to the church in Lancaster, where he was afterwards settled. His request was granted on his relinquishing all claim to any arrearages of salary, and forever after, also, his claim to the first minister's right of land in Lower Ashuelot. Rev. T. Harrington, by his will, gave to this church money for the purchase of a silver cup as a token of affectionate remembrance. Said cup cost $15.35. During his ministry in this town, including the original members, 45 were admitted to full communion, 19 de novo, and 26 from 15 other churches. Baptisms 20. At a church meeting held for the purpose Jan. 5, 1745, Timothy Brown and Jonathan Hammond were chosen deacons, and Oct. 2, 1845, they accepted and were constituted such. At this time also a vote passed, requiring members of other churches residing among them to bring letters of dismission and re- commendation within one year, for failure of which, without an accepted reason, they should be debarred from communion.
Oct. 4, 1753, the towns of Keene and Swanzey, (formerly Upper and Lower Ashuelot,) united in the support of gospel ordinances, and unanimously agreed to be one religious society, bearing the expenses equally, for three years. The churches of these two towns met at the school house in Swanzey, April 21, 1753, and subscribed to the church cov- enant, thus forming one church; 21 male members thus
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giving their signatures, and the pastoral care of them was by ecclesiastical council committed to Rev. Ezra Carpenter. Nine churches were represented in council at this installa- tion. The union of these two churches continued about seven years. When they separated the Rev. pastor had his choice with which to remain, and he preferred Swanzey. Records do not show when he was dismissed ; but tradition says that it was "about the year 1764, and by his own re- quest and the concurrence of an ecclesiastical council, and that the council had but just left the Meeting-house, which stood on the hill back of Esq. Elijah Carpenter's house, when a tornado passed and turned the Meeting-house one quarter round, so that it was made to face the east instead of the south. Several buildings were also unroofed or blown down, and one of the council had a horse killed at the time." Per- haps the consternation was so great, that a record of the dis- mission was forgotten. Moreover, the records now extant made prior to that time are stated to have been copied from the old book, and attested to as a true copy by Rev. E. God- dard, Mr. Carpenter's successor in office, and the record of dismission might have been overlooked and the old book destroyed. During Rev. Mr. Carpenter's ministry 35 were admitted to full communion, and 126 were baptized. Salary £ 100. Before the next ordination 57 baptisms were admin- istered by other hands.
The Rev. Edward Goddard, from Shrewsbury, Ms., was ordained in Swanzey, Sept. 27, 1769. Six churches by their pastors and delegates were represented in council, but no mention is made of the individuals who took part in the exercises. But the pastor states, by "N. B., that the set- tlement was founded upon the Cambridge platform, as it is generally received and practiced upon by New England churches." During the Rev. E. Goddard's ministry the Revolutionary war occurred, and he, like many others, had some difficulty in obtaining his salary, which was stipulated at £100 and some land. There were also several cases of discipline, and his situation became so embarrassing that he asked for a council and dismission, if deemed advisable, which was concurred in, and his dismission took place July 5, 1798. During his ministry of nearly 29 years, 100 mem- bers were admitted to full communion de novo, and 56 from other churches, and 405 baptisms were administered. The baptismal or half way covenant, as it is called, was then in practice. In their subsequent destitution of a settled pastor 12 were admitted to the church, and 24 baptized.
The Rev. Clark Brown, a graduate of Harvard 1797, and
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who had been dismissed from Brimfield, Ms., began to sup- ply the pulpit in Swanzey, Aug. 21, 1808, and was installed Sept. 5, 1810. He professedly became an Episcopalian, and attempted to render the church such, but failing in this at- tempt, his connection was dissolved by mutual council, Oct. 1, 1815. During his ministry 49 were admitted to full com- munion, and 82 were baptized. Salary $400. He was a man of popular talent, but unstable. In the interim be- tween his dismission and the next ordination seven were ad- mitted, and 10 baptized. The Rev. Joshua Chandler, a graduate of Harvard 1804, was ordained Jan. 20, 1819, and dismissed by council at his own request, Nov. 26, 1822. During his ministry nine were admitted to communion, and 23 baptized. His salary was $400. In the interim between his dismission and the next installation two were admitted to church fellowship. The number of the church from the first is 417, and the baptisms 707.
The Rev. Ebenezer Colman, a graduate of Brown in 1815, was installed pastor of this church May 23, 1827. During his ministry 26 were admitted to the church, and 22 were baptized. As the Universalists claimed the Meeting-house a portion of the time, the church, pastor, and those who worshiped with them, had frequently to resort to a school house or private hall for worship, which was so annoying to the Rev. Mr. Colman, and the society not feeling able or ready to build a new house according to his request, he asked, and by council obtained a dismission, July 1, 1834. He was a man of evangelical sentiments, and a good pastor. Salary $300, and 30 cords of wood. After his dismission, and before the present pastor was installed, 22 were admitted to the church, and 16 were baptized. All the pastors above mentioned were dismissed, and recommended as in good standing in the ministry.
The Rev. Elisha Rockwood, a graduate of Dartmouth 1802, and pastor of the orthodox church in Westborough, Ms., for twenty six and one third years, was installed in Swanzey Nov. 16, 1836, soon after the brick Meeting-house was built. Since his settlement to the present period, (No- vember, 1854,) 54 have been received to the church, and 62 baptized-18 adults and 44 infants. Salary $400: he has annually relinquished $75 since 1845. It does not appear that there has ever been any very general revival of religion in the town, though there have been many seasons of more than ordinary attention to the subject, and in different sec- tions of the town something like revivals have been experi- enced among both the Congregationalists and the Baptists.
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But both these societies put together, at the present time, would not make a majority of the inhabitants. The average attendance on public worship in both these churches, which are nearly equal in numbers, cannot be more than 250. Not more than one sixth part of the inhabitants of the town can be considered as belonging to this parish. Compared with 40 years ago, aged people say there is great improvement in the general aspect of society, much less open wickedness and profanity. The Temperance reform has doubtless had great influence in correcting many evils, but much more needs to be done. Contributions to benevolent societies in this parish annually average about $ 100.
TROY.
Rev. LUTHER TOWNSEND.
The town of Troy was incorporated in the year 1815, made up of portions of the towns of Marlborough, Swanzey, Richmond and Fitzwilliam. The inhabitants, living in their respective towns at a distance from a house of worship, were, a portion of them, not church going, and there was much intemperance and immorality in other respects. The Sab- bath was a day for pleasure or labor, and the present gener- ation is suffering on this account. A house of worship was erected the year previous to the incorporation of the town, and became subject to its control. Sept. 14, 1815, a Con- gregational church was organized by a council consisting of Rev. H. Fish of Marlborough, Rev. John Sabin of Fitzwil- liam, and Rev. E. Rich, an evangelist. Ten men and their wives, in the presence of this council, subscribed to an agree- ment of fellowship, and having adopted articles of faith and a covenant, publicly assented to these before the council.
Rev. Ezekiel Rich, a graduate of Brown university 1808, was the first pastor of the church-installed Dec. 20, 1815. The town was a party in the contract with Mr. Rich. His pastoral relation was sustained till July 18, 1818. The res- idence of Mr. Rich was in Troy till 1845, and after his dis- mission he supplied the pulpit for short periods for several years when no other minister was employed. He died of paralysis a short time since at Deep River, Conn. After 1819 the town raised nothing for preaching, and, for two or three years before, only the members of the Congregational society were taxed. After the removal of Mr. Rich, Rev. Seth E. Winslow was employed as a stated supply by the 20
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church and society about three years from sometime in 1820 -Rev. O. C. Whiton from Sept. 1824, to Dec. 1827. He was invited to become pastor, but declined. Rev. Messrs. Pea- body, Pittman and Erwin, were employed for short periods.
June 14, 1829, Rev. Stephen Morse, a graduate of Dart- mouth 1821, commenced preaching, and was installed as the second pastor of the church, Aug. 26, 1829. Rev. Z. S. Barstow, D.D. of Keene preached the sermon. Mr. Morse continued pastor till Jan. 31, 1833. Previous to Mr. Morse's ministry in Troy, there were some in the Congregational society who were desirous of preaching of a more liberal character and had decided to oppose the settlement of anoth- er orthodox minister ; but the circumstances were such that none could very strenuously object to the installation of Mr. Morse. The element referred to above did not, however, sleep, and this, together with the action of Mr. Morse in favor of Temperance, which dissatisfied some, occasioned the withdrawal of quite a number from the society, and so diminished the amount of support, that the dissolution of the pastoral relation was the result. After this the desire for anti-orthodox preaching became stronger, and commit- tees were secured who would provide such preaching. Rev. Mr. Sweet was employed in the spring of 1833, whom the church, after four Sabbaths, voted, nem. con., not to concur with the society in employing; and about this time the church, separate from the society, negotiated for supplies .-- Rev. L. Ainsworth, of Jaffrey, preached several Sabbaths in the summer of 1833, and Rev. J. D. Crosby, who was afterwards colleague pastor with Mr. Ainsworth in Jaffrey, preached eight Sabbaths in the autumn.
Dec. 16, 1833, a new society was organized by the name of the Trinitarian Congregational Society of Troy, compos- ed mostly of members of the church ; and in connection with this society the church has since acted in sustaining the institutions of the gospel. As the old society occasionally had preaching, and occupied the Meeting-house, the church and new society were obliged to worship in a private dwell- ing, or in the school house which was after a time furnished by the Center school district. In 1834-5 a new Meeting- house was built by the church and society. They had only occasional preaching till Sept. 1835. Rev. J. D. Farns- worth, who has recently deceased at Bridgewater, Ms., preached ten Sabbaths. Rev. A. Spaulding, now of Cornish, supplied eight Sabbaths. Rev. Mr. Holman preached six Sabbaths.
Rev. Jeremiah Pomeroy was installed the third pastor of
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the church, Jan. 6, 1836. This relation continued till Feb. 27, 1844. Mr. Pomeroy afterwards went to Harrisville, where he remained some four years. He has been for several years in Massachusetts.
Early in March 1844, Mr. L. Townsend was employed to supply the pulpit seven Sabbaths. During the summer and autumn, Rev. S. S. Arnold, formerly of Alstead, par- tially supplied the pulpit. Dec. 1, 1844, Mr. Townsend resumed his labors, and March 5, 1845, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and installed the fourth pastor of the church from its organization, and the second of the Trinitarian Congregational Society.
The method of raising money for the support of the gos- pel has been, uniformly, by subscription since the new society was organized. After the settlement of Mr. Morse in 1829, assistance was obtained from the New Hampshire Missiona- ry Society, and continued through the ministry of Mr. Pom- eroy. When Mr. Townsend was ordained, he consented to take up with $50 less per annum as salary, and on these conditions the church and society decided to assume the payment of the whole. This church and congregation has, however, suffered within a few years, from death and emi- gration, so that it may very soon become again a missionary field. This is not yet a temperate people ; though an evi- dent improvement is visible compared with the period when the town was incorporated, still, the gospel has not made conquests here such as are seen in some places. About one- fourth of the population are represented in the orthodox congregation, which averages over 100 per Sabbath. The whole number of church members from the beginning is 168. The present number is 64. There have been 158 infant baptisms. Benevolent contributions from the church and congregation average $100 per annum. There is a Cal- vinist Baptist church and society, which has a neat brick Meeting-house, and regular worship on the Sabbath. The proprietors of the first Meeting-house built in Troy have sold out their right to the town, and the house is now exclu- sively owned by the town and occupied only as a Town house.
WALPOLE.
Rev. J. M. STOW.
This was called "Great Fall" originally. The settlement began in 1749-granted to Col. Benjamin Bellows and sixty
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one others, by the government of New Hampshire. Col. Bellows was often amidst dangers from the St. Francis tribe of Indians. On one occasion in his absence they took the Fort. On his return, he opposed fifty Indians with twenty men and recovered the Fort without losing a man. Rev. John Kilburn was minister in 1749. But little is known of him.
The Rev. Jonathan Leavitt, a graduate of Yale in 1758, was ordained over the Congregational church in 1761. He was dismissed in 1763, but for what reason is not known. Rev. Thomas Fessenden followed him. He was a graduate of Harvard in 1758, and was settled in January 1767. He died May 9th, 1813, aged 74. His sentiments if we may judge of them by his " Science and Sanctity" were far from being orthodox. The Rev. Pliny Dickinson, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1798, was ordained colleague with Mr. Fes- senden March 6th, 1805. He was dismissed April 13, 1831, for reasons that do not appear in the records. He died not long after. At the time of his dismission there was a divi- sion in the church. They no longer worshiped together as a town.
Mr. Edwin Jennison was the next minister. He was a native of this place-was a graduate of Andover theological seminary-was ordained Aug. 16, 1831-was dismissed March 18th, 1835, on account of ill health At the time of his settlement the church was small and the society feeble. They had many and great obstacles to contend with. Dur- ing his ministry there was a revival, and the church consid- erably increased in numbers. He was followed by Rev. B. B. Beckwith, late of Athol, Ms., who was installed by the same council that dismissed his predecessor. He only remained with the people about ten months-was dismissed Jan. 5, 1836. From this time to September 1837, Rev. S. S. Arnold preached as stated supply.
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