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 32
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John Reyner, jr., son of the last named, succeeded his
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father, after assisting him for several years. Born at Ply- mouth in 1643, a graduate of Harvard college in 1663, he was the first minister of this church either born or educated in America. Assistant to his father in 1667, he was invited, July 22, 1669, to continue his connection, but was not set- tled until July 12, 1671. He died at Braintree, Dec. 21, 1676, at the home of his wife's father, Edmund Quincy .- "He possessed a double portion of his father's spirit."
John Pike, born in Salisbury, Ms. May 15, 1645,-Har- vard college 1765,-came to Dover "for the work of the ministry," Nov. 1, 1678, and was settled Aug. 31, 1681 .- The Indian wars made, his ministry a broken one ; but he died in Dover, March 10, 1709-10. The memorable deso- lation of Cochecho, July 28, 1689, occurred during his pasto- rate. Mr. Pike was "esteemed as an extraordinary preacher and a man of true godliness. He was a grave and venerable person, and generally preached without notes." Mr. Wise of South Berwick used to say that "he never preached a ser- mon which was not worthy of the press." The "half way covenant," it may be remarked, had not yet been adopted at Dover.
He was succeeded by Nicholas Sever, who was born in Roxbury, Ms., in 1680, graduated at Harvard college, 1701, ordained at Dover, April 11, 1711. He was a man of char- acter, talents and scholarship, but an almost total loss of voice forced him to resign his charge in the spring of 1715. He was tutor at Harvard college, for twelve years, and after- wards Judge of Court Common Pleas in Plymouth County, Ms. He died April 7, 1764. The business of Dover, which at first was confined mainly to Dover Neck, had changed so far its center, that in his time difficulties had arisen as to the site of the church. A Meeting-house was therefore erected in 1714 on Pine Hill, to accommodate the upper part of a parish which covered Dover, Madbury, Rollinsford and Somersworth, and services alternated between the two. The old house was abandoned in 1720. In 1713, Newing- ton was incorporated and the Dover church thereby dimin- ished.
Jonathan Cushing succeeded Mr. Sever; he was born in Hingham, Ms. in 1689, graduated at Harvard college, 1712, ordained in Dover, Sept. 18, 1717. During most of his ministry he preached at Cochecho. He was "a grave and sound preacher, a kind, peaceable and judicious pastor, a wise and faithful friend." With his settlement the extant church records commence. He died March 25, 1769. The fourth Meeting-house was dedicated Dec. 13, 1758. The
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parish was incorporated distinct from the town, June 11, 1762. The church was diminished during Mr. Cushing's pastorate, by the formation of Durham church March 26, 1718, by Somersworth ordination 28th Oct., 1730, by the formation of Madbury parish, in 1755, and by dismissals to a new church in Rochester, in 1732, and to one in Bar- rington, June 1, 1755; and the limits of the parish were reduced to its present territory.
Jeremy Belknap, D.D. born in Boston, Ms., June 4, 1744, graduated H. C. 1762, was ordained colleague with Mr. Cush- ing Feb. 18, 1767, and became sole pastor in 1769. He is well known by his History of New Hampshire and other valuable works. After much trouble in regard to his pecun- iary relations with the parish, in which patience, forbear- ance and Christian integrity were conspicuous, and which arose out of the evil system of compulsory taxation which he came at last to abhor, his pastorate terminated Sept. 11, 1786, and he became pastor of the Federal street church in Boston, (afterwards Dr. Channing's,) April 4, 1787. He died June 20, 1798. In his ministry the "half way cove- nant" plan was terminated. At a church meeting held Dec. 21, 1768, to consider the disorders of the church, "it was agreed that all who own the Covenant are under equal Obli- gations to all Duties and have an equal right to all the Priv- ileges of Christians." A renewal of the covenant was deemed advisable, but the matter was delayed until Jan. 11, 1769, when the renewal was ordered ; and on the 10th of May, on a day of fasting and prayer, a new covenant was adopted ; thirty nine of the old members, two of the " half way" mem- bers, and five from other churches, acknowledged it.
Robert Gray, twelfth minister, born in Andover, Ms., in 1761, graduated H. C. 1786, was ordained at Dover, Feb. 28, 1787. He was a man of superior and even brilliant talents, but of loose morality, and under his ministry Dover sadly deteriorated. His want of fitness became at last so painful- ly notorious, that the necessary separation took place May 20, 1805. He died Aug. 25, 1822.
On the 27th April, 1806, a call was unanimously given to Martin L. Hurlbert ; a council convened to settle him, but so large a remonstrance was presented from the parish that it was judged inexpedient to proceed. He became an open and firm Unitarian.
Caleb Hamilton Shearman, a native of Brimfield, Ms., (born 1779) a graduate of Brown university, was ordained at Dover May 6, 1807, and dismissed for immorality May 7, 1812.
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Joseph Ward Clary, born in Rowe, Ms., Nov. 21, 1786, graduated Middlebury 1808, theologically educated at An- dover, was ordained May 7, 1812. He was "a good and pious man, a serious and faithful pastor." Dismissed by mutual council Aug. 6, 1828, he died April 13, 1835, and was re-interred at Dover by the parish. His pastorate was eminently profitable. Both doctrinally and morally the town measurably recovered from the flood of evil brought in by his immediate predecessors. Up to Mr. Clary's ministry, the history of the First church is the ecclesiastical history of the town. The introduction of manufacturing now increased the population, and other denominations entered. These will be noticed farther on.
In the First Church, Hubbard Winslow succeeded, a na- tive of Williston, Vt., and a graduate of Yale in 1825. He was ordained Dec. 4, 1828. In the midst of a promising re- vival his health failed and he was obliged to leave; he was dismissed Nov. 30, 1831. During his pastorate and prior to the settlement of his successor one hundred and seventy four were added to the church, of whom thirty one were by letter. Mr. Winslow settled over Bowdoin street church, Boston, Sept. 26, 1832, from which he was dismissed in 1844. The fifth and present church edifice was dedicated Dec. 30, 1829.
David Root, his successor, a native of Piermont, graduated at Middlebury 1816, ordained over the second Presbyterian church in Cincinnati, O., in 1820, was installed over this church Feb. 6, 1833, and dismissed Sept. 4, 1839.
Jeremiah Smith Young, a native of Whitestown, N. Y., was ordained Nov. 20, 1839, dismissed on account of ill health Sept. 4, 1843, and has never been since settled.
Homer Barrows, his successor, born in Wareham, Ms., Dec. 19, 1806, graduated A. C. 1831, educated theologically at Andover, was ordained in Middleborough, Ms., in 1834, was stated supply at Norton 1842 to 1845, was installed at Dover July 9, 1845, and dismissed July 6, 1852.
Benjamin Franklin Parsons, nineteenth minister, was born in Wiscasset, Me., June 22, 1820, graduated Bowdoin 1841, was ordained at Watertown, Wis., Jan. 25, 1847, was in- stalled at Waukegan, Ill., Nov. 1, 1848, and at Dover Jan. 12, 1853.
The records of the church give no information as to mem- bership earlier than 1717. Since that date the admissions from the settlement of one pastor to that of his successor have been as follows : In Mr. Cushing's ministry, from 1717 to 1767, by profession 130, by letter 9; in Dr. Belknap's, From 1767 to 1787, by profession 38, by letter 5; in Mr.
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Gray's, from 1787 to 1807, by profession (supposed) 32; in Mr. Shearman's, from 1807 to 1812 (in part) 5; in Mr. Cla- ry's, from 1812 to 1828, by profession 67; in Mr. Winslow's, from 1828 to 1833, by profession 143, by letter 31; in Mr. Root's, from 1833 to 1839, by profession 126, by letter 39 ; . in Mr. Young's, from 1839 to 1845, by profession 149, by let- ter 34; in Mr. Barrows', from 1845 to 1853, by profession - 31, by letter 27. The total therefore in 136 years is, by pro- fession 721, by letter 145-total 866. The number of infant baptisms under the different ministries were as follows : Mr. Cushing's, (covering, up to 1730, the territory of Somers- worth also, and for his whole ministry the half way cove- nant,) 1128 ; Dr. Belknap's, 170; Mr. Gray's, 59 ; Mr. Shear- man's, no record ; Mr. Clary's, 42 ; Mr. Winslow's, 47; Mr. Root's, 46 ; Mr. Young's, 59; Mr. Barrows', 21; total in 136 years, 1572. The Methodist Episcopal church in Dover was formed in 1824; their house was dedicated April 28, 1825, enlarged June 1831; the Society was incorporated Jan. 20, 1827. The society is large and flourishing. Rev. L. How- ard, pastor. The Universalist Society of Dover and Somers- worth was organized March 23, 1825, re-organized as of Do- ver alone, in 1837; their church edifice was dedicated Dec. 8, 1837; their church was publicly recognized Dec. 25, 1838.
The First Freewill Baptist church was gathered Sept. 15, 1826 ; their first church was dedicated May 20, 1832, and abandoned a few years since ; their present one is the second. The First Unitarian Society was organized Sept. 4, 1827; their first meeting for public worship was held Nov. 4. The church was organized Feb. 17, 1829, and on the next day their edifice was dedicated. P. Connovan is pastor of the Roman Catholic church. The foundation of their church was laid May 17, 1828, the house dedicated Sept. 26, 1830; it has since been enlarged to accommodate their growing numbers. St. Thomas (Episcopal) church was organized in the course of services held by Rev. Thomas R. Lambert in 1839. Sept. 20th of that year a parish was organized, of eighteen persons. William Horton commenced the regular duties of pastor Dec. 8, 1839, and was instituted rector Jan. 27, 1841 ; he removed in the autumn of 1847. Thomas G. Salter commenced service Dec. 12, 1847, and still offi- ciates. The church was consecrated March 17, 1841. The Washington street Freewill Baptist church was organized Feb. 4, 1840; the society, April 8, 1840. The church edi- fice was dedicated in 1843. That there were revivals in the earlier history of Dover is unquestionably true, but no re- cords exist of any prior to the ministry of Mr. Clary ; differ-
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ent churches have since experienced them, but all are within the memory of the living, and present no peculiar features.
The number of ministers originating in this town has been small. All now known are the following: John Reyner, jr., the seventh minister of the first church, of whom an account has been given : William Waldron, born in Portsmouth Nov. 4, 1697, a grandson of Maj. Richard Waldron of Dover, grad- uated H. C. in 1717, was the first admission to the church in Mr. Cushing's ministry ; he was the first pastor of the new Brick church in Boston, ordained May 22, 1722, and he was the last ordained by the venerable Increase Mather ; he was a man of more than ordinary worth, of finished educa- tion, of stern integrity, of warm affections, of deep piety ; "he died," says Cotton Mather, "nobly ;" his death took place Sept. 11, 1727: Reuben Nason, son of John Nason, born about 1778, was fitted for college by Rev. Robert Gray, was settled in Freeport, Me., and was for many years a rep- utable teacher in Gorham, Me .; he died very suddenly at Clarkson, N. C., December, 1834: Charles Dame, born in South Berwick, Sept. 12, 1810, is son of Joseph and Anna P. Dame ; was admitted to the First church in Dover, July 18, 1830 ; graduated Bowdoin in 1835, at Andover theolog- ical seminary 1838 ; was ordained pastor at Falmouth, Me., May 29, 1839 ; was dismissed Aug. 11, 1853; installed at Brentwood, N. H., May 17, 1854, where he now is: John K. Young, born in Dover March 22, 1802, son of Nathaniel and Betsey (Kimball) Young, graduated D. C. 1821, united with the Circular Congregational church in Charleston, S. C., in 1826, graduated Andover theological seminary and was or- dained by the Londonderry Presbytery, 1829 ; was agent for the American Education Society a year or more, was installed pastor at Laconia Nov. 30, 1831, where he now is: Aurin M. Payson was admitted a member of the First church Sept 5, 1830, graduated D. C. 1840, is a licentiate of Piscataqua Association, but follows the profession of a teacher : Henry M. Haskell, a son of Ezra Haskell, born in Boston, Ms., May 10, 1828, fitted for college under the care of his father, (then and now a resident of Dover,) graduated Yale 1849, united with the college church in 1845, graduated Yale Divinity school in 1852 ; receiving a call to the British and American Congregational church in St. Petersburg, Russia, he was or- dained in Central church, Boston, March 5, 1855, and left immediately for his field of labor ; after only five months of service he died, greatly lamented, Oct. 31, 1855; his dis- ease was typhus fever,-a younger brother of the last named graduated at Yale, entered the Episcopal ministry, and died
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in New York State after a very short service : John Colby, born in York, Me., Oct. 6, 1821, was for some years a printer in the employ of the F. W. B. printing establishment in Do- ver ; he united with the First church July 4, 1841, graduated D. C. 1852, and at Andover 1855; and was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Hampton, Oct. 31, 1855 : Elbridge G. Brooks, a well known minister of the Universa- list denomination, originated also in Dover, but we have no dates in reference to him : Charles G. Ames, a former print- er, and a member of the Washington street F. W. B. church, entered the ministry of that denomination since 1850; he was founder and is now the successful pastor of the first F. W. B. church in Minnesota, at Minneapolis: Alonzo H. Quint, a native of Barnstead March 22, 1828, graduate of Dartmouth 1846, of Andover 1852, and, Dec. 27, 1853, or- dained at Jamaica Plain, Ms., pastor of the Mather Church.
DURHAM.
Rev. ALVAN TOBEY.
Durham was settled as early as 1635, but was not sepa- rated from Dover as a township until May 15, 1732. But by agreement with the town its distinct ecclesiastical action commenced in 1651; a virtual separation, as a parish, oc- curred in 1675; and an unequivocal incorporation was ob- tained May 4, 1716. In 1651 the town of Dover voted to sustain two ministers, one at Dover Neck and one at Oyster River (Durham). A church was built there therefore in 1655, and a parsonage in 1656. The same year Rev. Mr. Fletcher became their minister. He remained at Durham but one year, when he left, saying that he was "not minded to stay any longer, but to Prepaer himselfe for old Eng- land." We suppose he is the same man who was afterwards " ejected" in England in 1662, and returned to America; and the one who was afterwards minister at Wells. The difficul- ties between the two parts of Dover, which this arrangement was formed to settle, broke out afresh after his departure, and continued with little intermission, until the vote of the Massachusetts General Court in 1675 authorized the people here to manage their own ecclesiastical affairs. This ena- bled them to hire Mr. John Buss, who had come there in 1674, and who became their minister as well as physician. He was here for thirty three years. He is said to have died in 1736, at the age of 108. His house was burned, with a
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valuable library, in the destructive attack of the Indians on this place, then known by the name of Oyster River, in 1694.
Rev. Hugh Adams was settled here and a church formed March 26, 1718, and his ministry continued till 1739, with what success we have no means of knowledge. A very unhappy controversy in relation to pecuniary matters arose between him and the town, which was not settled until his death in 1750. He graduated at Cambridge in 1697, at the age of 21. He was ordained in the second parish of Brain- tree, Ms., Sept. 10, 1707, and was settled a second time for a brief period in Chatham on Cape Cod, from which place he was dismissed in 1716, one year before his contract with the Oyster River parish.
Rev. Nicholas Gilman was the second pastor. He was a native of Exeter, graduated at Cambridge in 1724, was set- tled in Durham in 1741, and died in 1748. He was a good man, prayerful, conscientious, and had favor with the people. But his ministry was harrassed by a lawsuit, prosecuted against him by his predecessor and defended by the town. A state of fanatical excitement arose also in his time, pro- moted by a man named Woodbury, who proved a worthless character, and " became a vagabond in the earth." Mr. Gil- man was affected by the excitement, and led to such exces- sive labors as " broke the firmness of his constitution, opened the way for consumption, and sent him prematurely, but deeply lamented, to the grave." He was buried at Exeter, and his body carried thither in funeral procession by young men of the town, who requested the privilege of performing this service.
The third pastor was Rev. John Adams, a nephew of the first. He was a native of Boston, son of Matthew Adams, mentioned by Franklin as having been his benefactor in boy- hood by lending him books. The ministry of John Adams commenced in 1748; but the stipulated salary of "500 pounds old tenor, and the use of the parsonage property, was to commence on the 25th of March, 1749." Probably that was the date of his ordination. He lived in troublous times, was a man of excitable feelings, lively imagination, and un- doubtedly showed superior talents as a writer, and as a speak- er on the impulse of an occasion. Mr. Adams was a physi- cian as well as a minister. He was liable to seasons of ex- treme depression of spirits. When freed from depression and aroused by excitement he is said to have been at times very eloquent. A traditional remark concerning him is: " when out of the pulpit he appeared as if he ought never to go into it ; and in it, he appeared as if he ought never to
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come out." After a ministry of nearly thirty years he was dismissed Jan. 16, 1778, in consequence of prejudices excited by a false and slanderous attack on his character by a worth- less woman. His ministry was afterwards continued in New- field and other places in Maine.
As up to this time no records are preserved, there are no means of determining the number of members in the church. Probably it was small, not more than 50; perhaps at no time half that number. After the dismission of Mr. Adams the church seems to have been in a weak and broken condi- tion. There were but few members, and they perhaps not united in sentiment. Preparatory to the settlement of an- other pastor they renewed their covenant, and adopted a confession of faith, which they do not seem to have had be- fore. Nine male and ten female members appear to have subscribed the confession and covenant with their own hands. The name of the clerk at the time is not among them ; and probably some others did not sign ..
Rev. Curtis Coe, the fourth pastor, was ordained Nov. 1, 1780. His ministry continued twenty five and a half years, and closed May 1, 1806. Mr. Coe was born at Middletown, Ct., July 21, 1750, graduated at Brown University 1776, and studied theology with Rev. Mr. Benedict of his native town. After his dismission from Durham he resided in New Market, and performed considerable missionary labor in vari- ous parts of the country. He died June 7, 1829, nearly 79 years of age. The church, small at the beginning, does not appear to have increased in numbers under his labors. Like his predecessors, he was the minister of the town. And this relation led to much and violent opposition, which resulted in his dismission. He was a good man, rigorous in doctrine and discipline, clear and impressive, perhaps somewhat heavy as a preacher. His ministry does not seem to have been very successful in the addition of members to the church, or the increase of its influence in the community. During Mr. Coe's ministry in 1792 the third house of wor- ship was built by the town, and the expense defrayed by the sale of the pews. It was a large, and for the times and place a costly building. It stood for 56 years, and was taken down in 1848, preparatory to the erection of the present house, which was dedicated Sept. 13, 1849.
Mr. Coe was the last minister settled and supported by the town. After his dismission, for more than ten years, the church was without a pastor and continually declining .- " No additions were made to the number of communicants from Oct. 30, 1799, to June 22, 1817, a period of almost
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eighteen years. By the vigorous exertions of a number of the inhabitants, together with the benevolent assistance of the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowl- edge, and the New Hampshire Missionary Society, provision was made for the support of a minister ; and on the 18th of June 1817, the Rev. Federal Burt was regularly ordained to the pastoral office in this church." Such is a note in the records by Mr. Burt. There were, at the time of his settle- ment, only two acting male members in the church, one of whom was almost superannuated, and the other had before removed from the town, but returned to aid in the settle- ment and support of a minister. There were only seven members in all, one of whom was the former pastor, not resident in town, and another was soon made the subject of discipline, and three were females. Mr. Burt first came to the town in June 1814, as a missionary of the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. From that time until his ordination, he preached here at intervals, a consider- ble portion of the period. He became interested in the peo- le, and they in him ; and thus the way was prepared for the usefulness of his ministry.
In connection with his ministry a Congregational society was organized, the Meeting-house was repaired, and a very onsiderable and increasing influence was exerted in favor of Congregationalism ; old prejudices were allayed, and intelli- ent, evangelical piety was promoted. Additions were made o the church soon after his settlement, and continued from ime to time ; but the largest additions were after a revival f religion, which followed the meeting of the General Asso- iation in Durham in 1826. That revival was one of great nterest, and moved the Congregational part of the commu- ity more strongly, perhaps, than ever it was moved before or ince. As the fruits, 19 united with the church at one time, 3 at another, and five at another. But they were not all ood fruit. Five of them have since been excommunicated.
The revival was greatly promoted by the labors of Rev. Henry Smith of Camden, N. Y. He was a son of Ebene- er Smith, Esq. of Durham, and cherished a deep anxiety or the salvation of souls in his native place and the vicinity ; e labored with great zeal, perseverance and success. He ras instant in season and out of season, at all times and by Il means striving, by the grace of God, to save men from in and death. In Durham, Newington, Greenland, and ther places, his efforts were much blest of God. Mr. Smith as a graduate of Bowdoin college, and studied theology at Indover Seminary. He was eminently a man of prayer, 22
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and devotedness to the service of his Master. He died in Camden, N. Y. in 1828.
Mr. Burt's ministry was closed by his death, Feb. 9, 1828, having continued a little less than eleven years. In its prog- ress the church increased from seven to about seventy. It
was the most prosperous period of its history. Mr. Burt
was born in South Hampton, Ms. March 4, 1789. His Christian name was given by his father, from the coincidence of his birth with the organization of the United States gov- ernment under the present Constitution, and the inaugura- tion of President Washington. He graduated at Williams college in 1812. He studied theology with Dr. Lyman of Hatfield, Ms. and Dr. Porter of Catskill, N. Y. Previous to his settlement in Durham, he preached some weeks and received an invitation to settle at Salisbury, Conn. For sev- eral of the last months of his life, being unable to preach, he was editor of the N. H. Observer then published at Ports- .mouth. He was a man of large stature, of a generous, mag- nanimous spirit, of ardent temperament, yet of sound judg- ment. Possessing superior conversational powers, much abil- ity in extemporaneous speaking, and being skillful in adapt- ing himself to people of different classes and conditions, he was naturally a leader among his associates, and exerted a great personal influence in the community. His memory is still honored and precious. Dec. 3, 1828, about ten months after the death of Mr. Burt, Rev. Robert Page, who had before been settled at Bradford in this State, was installed the sixth pastor of the church. His ministry was short, but in a good measure useful. The Piscataqua Association had voted to revise their Constitution. One article of the new draft was, that one exercise at each meeting should be a sort of inquiry meeting, calling out the religious experience of each member since the last meeting. The first time that this exercise was introduced was at his house, in 1829 or 1830. That meeting was followed by some awakening among his people, which resulted in the addition of a number to the church. The Temperance Reform was well commenced under this ministry. Mr. Page was dismissed, from failure of pecuniary support, March 31, 1831. He is well known as a devoted minister of Christ.
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