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 34
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Mr. Main was followed in the pastorate by the Rev. Sam- el Hill, who was ordained Nov. 19, 1760. But his death occurring April 19, 1764, the town was without a settled minister till the installation of the Rev. Avery Hall, which occurred Oct. 15, 1766. The ministry of Mr. Hill seems to have been a peaceful and prosperous one, and he died deeply amented by his people. The latter part of Mr. Hall's min- stry was greatly embittered by fierce contentions among the members of his church and congregation. Numerous charges to the discredit of the pastor, whether true or false, ed to the organization of two violent, opposing parties, to the calling of an ex parte council, and to many other trans- actions not peculiarly promotive of brotherly kindness and spirituality. At length, the church voted by a majority of one to abide by the decision of the council and accepted Mr. Hall's resignation, April 10, 1775.
On the 10th of January 1776, the Rev. Joseph Haven was settled over the parish, who retained the relation of pastor till his death in 1825. He was for forty nine years the minister of this people, and enjoyed in a remarkable degree the affection of the entire population. He was affa- ble, witty, the friend of the aged and the young alike. The peculiar events and circumstances of the period in which he commenced his labors here, the country being already invol- ved in the war of the Revolution, the great length of his ministry, and, above all, his social qualities and habits ren- dered him an object of deep interest to almost every person In the parish. He is said to have been Arminian in his the- ology, and perhaps more partial to the pleasures of pastoral visitation than to those of profound and protracted study.
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STRAFFORD COUNTY.
The half century following the war of the Revolution was, in many respects, a disastrous one to the interests of religion in this place. Intemperance, infidelity and error were grad- ually creeping in, not sparing even some professed followers of Christ. Men lost in a large measure those strict and vir- tuous principles and habits which marked the preceding age. They began lightly to esteem the Scriptures, to desecrate the Sabbath, and in many instances to withdraw utterly from the house of God. The sanctuary which the fathers had built with incredible difficulty, but with strong faith in God ; the house that had been completed in the midst of the war of the Revolution, and which the fathers had thronged while the country was overwhelmed with misfortune and suffering, was well nigh forsaken now. Religion ceased to command the general respect and attention. It partially lost its influence over the customs and conduct of society .- "The half way covenant" had begun to bear its bitter, bitter fruits, in this church, and many professed followers of Christ were apparently destitute of vital godliness.
But there appeared a new and hopeful sign in the midst of the prevailing irreligion and immorality. The labors of some Methodist preachers were blest to the conversion of quite a number of persons in different parts of the town,- The foundations of a church were laid, which is now among the largest and most influential belonging to that denomi- nation in the State.
In July 1823, Rev. Thomas C. Upham, feeling a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of his native town and of the church to which he belonged, became the associate pastor of this flock. "The half way covenant" was exchanged for one better adapted to the advancement of piety in the church. The sanctuary was once more filled with attentive listeners and devout worshipers. The people of God began to rejoice in the evident tokens of the divine favor, and the restoration of light and salvation to this people. A large number were added to the church, and a foundation laid for what we may hope will yet become the glorious spiritual temple of the Lord.
Mr. Upham having been called to a professorship in Bow- doin college, in 1825, Rev. Isaac Willey was inducted into the pastoral office here in January 1826. The great evil which he had to encounter, was, the prevailing habit of intemperance. There were many in the church who had not yet begun to feel the common danger resulting from this vice, and there were some among them, whose personal habits brought great dishonor upon the Christian name.
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ROCHESTER.
ntemperance threatened to sweep away the last vestige of morality and piety still remaining in the hearts of the peo- le. It was ascertained that more than six thousand dollars ere annually expended in this town alone for intoxicating rinks. The Temperance Reform had not yet begun its lessed work in most of the towns of New England. The ew who understood the universal danger were praying for a peedy deliverance. At this time the pastor who had just ommenced his labors here, was at first opposed and defam- d, in his endeavor to remove intemperance from the church nd to maintain the principle of total abstinence. But the ood work went on, a wholesome discipline was exercised oward the erring, and soon, the church united in the effort eradicate so great an evil from the community. In 1826 ommenced a refreshing outpouring of divine influences mong this people. For several years the good work went n, and the church was increased and edified. In 1831, the evival reached the point of deepest influence, and in that ear quite a number became the hopeful subjects of grace. n 1828 commenced the work of systematic and thorough Bible distribution in this town and county. About the ame time the cause of Foreign Missions also began to awa- en new interest in the church and congregation. The hurches of the conference assumed the responsibility of sus- aining at the Sandwich Islands, a missionary who had gone orth from their midst. This devoted and faithful man still ves to labor in that field, sustained no longer by foreign id, but by the voluntary exertion of those whom he has een instrumental in elevating from the degradation of eathenism, to the honor and blessing of believers in the ospel of Christ. Mr. Willey was dismissed in 1834 to ecome the Secretary of the New Hampshire Home Mission- ry Society.
In January 1837 Rev. Edward Cleaveland was installed astor, but was dismissed in October of the same year, at is own request. Rev. F. V. Pike was called to the pasto- ate in 1839, who continued his labors till September 1841. lev. J. E. Farwell entered upon his labors here in 1843 .- Jp to this time the Meeting-house had stood at the foot of he plain upon which the village is built. But this year it as moved to a more central and desirable location, thor- ughly repaired, and consecrated anew to the worship of tod. This took place in August, and at the same time Ir. Farwell was installed pastor of the church. He contin- ed his labors here till 1852. After enjoying the labors of Rev. G. Spaulding for a year as stated supply, Rev. J C.
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STRAFFORD COUNTY.
Seagrave, the present pastor, began his ministry among this flock in Dec. 1853, and was installed in May 1854. If the spiritual condition of this church and people be not such as to give just occasion for despondency and alarm, surely it demands the earnest prayer of every Christian heart : Lord, revive thy work !"
ROLLINSFORD-SALMON FALLS.
Rev. E. E. ATWATER.
A few persons, inhabitants of the village of Salmon Falls, having assembled Jan. 3, 1846, to consider the expediency of forming an Ecclesiastical Society of the Congregational Or- der, unanimously resolved : "That the interests of religion and good morals in our village require the organization of such a Society," and appointed a committee to prepare a constitution.
At an adjourned meeting Jan. 9, the Society was duly organized. Rev. B. L. Swan was immediately engaged to preach three months. In April following, Mr. Samuel J. Spaulding was engaged to preach the remainder of the year. In the same month incipient steps were taken towards form- ing a church which was organized May 1, 1846, by an ecclesi- astical council convened for the purpose, adopting a confession of faith and covenant, and consisting of fourteen members. Soon after the organization of the church, John Crosby and Gilman Jaquith were chosen deacons. Mr. Spalding, having received a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of this church and society, was ordained and installed Oct. 28, 1846. The deacons of the church having removed from town, Chas. F. Stewart and Horace Barbour were elected deacons May 5, 1848. At a meeting of the church, April 20, 1849, the sub- ject of building a house of worship was considered, and a committee appointed to procure by subscription the funds necessary for the purpose. At a subsequent meeting, a re- port favorable to the enterprise was presented, and a com- mittee appointed to contract for and superintend the erec- tion of the house ; which was completed in the spring of the following year, and dedicated to the worship of God, May 1, 1850. Rev. Mr. Spalding having received an invitation to become the pastor of the Whitefield Congregational church in Newburyport, Ms., his pastoral relation to this church and society was dissolved June 9, 1851. Rev. Edward E. Atwa- ter, the present pastor, was installed Feb. 3, 1852. Present number of members, 91.
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SOMERSWORTH.
SOMERSWORTH.
Somersworth was settled prior to 1700, being then part of Dover, not however at the present center of population, but around the old burying ground at the junction of the Great Falls Branch with the B. & M. railroad, as well as near Cochecho river, and also, as early as 1634, on the New Hampshire side of Salmon Falls. Up to 1713 or therea- bouts the inhabitants were obliged to travel from five to eight miles to the church on Dover Neck; when the new church was erected at Cochecho, the distance was shortened by four miles ; but the increased number of inhabitants ena- bled them to procure an act incorporating them as a distinct parish in 1729-30, when 65 men petitioned for that privi- lege.
The people had had preaching there as early as 1727 by James Pike, who, Oct. 28, 1730, was ordained pastor of a new church there ; he was born in Newbury, Ms., March 1, 1703, graduated H. C. 1725; after graduating he taught school in Berwick, Me., just opposite Somersworth, by which he was led to preach in the latter place. He remained at Somersworth until his death, March 19, 1792, having breached his last sermon Oct. 31, 1790. "He was a faithful servant of Christ," and his ministry was a peaceful one. Nicholas Pike, author of Pike's Arithmetic, was his son.
The first Meeting-house in this town was erected in 1729, and taken down in 1773. The second Meeting-house was erected in 1772, and consumed by lightning in a violent hunder storm, May 4, 1779. It happened about the mid- lle of the day. Its severity was caused by the junction of wo clouds directly over this town; one of which rose in the N. W. and the other in the S. W. The clouds ran low ; and luring the space of half an hour it rained and lightened in- jessantly, accompanied with tremendous peals of thunder. The steeple of the Meeting-house was struck with the light- hing, which passed down by one of the posts of the belfry adjoining the house, and in about an hour it was in ashes. The bell was melted and fell in a state of fusion. The third Meeting-house was erected in 1780.
Rev. Pearson Thurston was ordained here Feb. 1, 1792, lismissed Dec. 2, 1812, and died Aug. 15, 1819. The house e occupied was burned up in January, 1812, and the church records, communion service, and a social library.
This church now grew more and more feeble till, in 1827, t had but five members, and in 1829 but two.
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STRAFFORD COUNTY.
In the meantime, Great Falls and Rollinsford or Salmon Falls were growing into importance, and in both are now found large and efficient churches, and both are within the limits of the old town of Somersworth. And so the church of Christ is not extinct on this ground. In the two church- es above alluded to, more than 250 members are embraced ; so that, if we take the extinction of this church as evidence of decrease of piety in the town, we greatly err. And in hundreds of cases in New England where there is mourning over the weakening and decay of our churches, were the facts fully known, it would be seen that the numbers emigrating from them are the nucleus of new, perhaps larger churches- if not in the same town-in some distant border of the coun- try.
STRAFFORD
Was disannexed from Barrington and incorporated June 17, 1820, with a population of 2144; it now has 1920. At that time four Freewill Baptist churches were existing here, three of them embracing about 100 members each, and the fourth 37 members. These churches now contain about 350 members. In this town and in South Barrington six ministers of this denomination are found ; also one minister of the Christian denomination, and no others.
Merrimack County.
ANDOVER .*
The early history of the Congregational church in Ando- ver has not been very fully recorded. Rev. Mr. Kingsbury, upon visiting the place in September 1828, found the church formerly established extinct. The venerable pastor and one aged member of the church were still living. No records nor church documents could be found, The following statements are derived from various sources.
The first grant of Andover was made in 1746, under the name of New Briton. The first inhabitant, Joseph Fellows, moved into town 1761. It received its present name of An- dover 1779. A house for public worship was erected by the proprietors, in which there was occasional preaching. In 1782, Oct. 30th, Rev. Josiah Badcock was ordained over a church organized the same day, consisting of six members. The church increased to about 30, and afterwards gradually diminished till 1809, when the pastor was dismissed. After this, there was occasional preaching and the form of a Con- gregational society for many years. For a few years prior to 1829 the Congregational people united with other denomi- nations under the name of the Union Society.
Jan. 13, 1829, a Congregational church was formed con- sisting of ten members, and Mr. Samuel Kingsbury was set- tled as its pastor. He was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council Jan. 11, 1831. From that time there was but little Congregational preaching till June 25, 1841, when another church was organized by an ecclesiastical council, consisting of 13 members.
May 23, 1843, Rev. Nathan Howard was ordained pastor of the churches of Andover and Wilmot, and continued to preach one half the time in each town till the year 1849, when the church enjoyed his services for one year wholly. At the commencement of the year 1850, the Congregational society united with other denominations and employed Rev. Reuben Kimball for two years. ' In January, 1853, the
* Sketch by Rev. N. Howard.
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
church again employed Rev. Nathan Howard, who serve; them till the close of the year 1854.
In 1801 there was a revival among the Freewill Baptist : and Elijah Watson of that denomination was settled ar soon after dismissed. In 1810 great additions were made their church, under the preaching of Elder Chase. In 18] there was a great excitement among the Christians; 107 we formed into a church ; a second church of this denominatic was gathered, 1820, consisting of 25 members, by Eld. Young. In 1826 there was another excitement under tl preaching of Elder Morrison, and a large number were baj tized. The Universalist society was formed in 1818. Tw Methodist classes were formed here 1828, of 40 members.
The first house erected in this town for public worship wa demolished in 1795. The second house was erected May : 1796,-dedicated Jan. 5, 1797; the third was erected 182 At present the Congregational church consists of 23 men bers. Additions have been made from time to time sin( the church was formed in 1841, so that if there had been r removals by death or dismission the church would numb 36 members.
BOSCAWEN.
Rev. AMBROSE SMITH.
The earliest settlement of this town was made in 173. by a colony from Newbury, Ms. Three years after, M Phinehas Stevens, a native of Andover, Ms. and graduate (; Harvard college, was employed by the proprietors to preac on their "plantation." The year following, measures weri taken to build a Meeting-house-" said house to be built (f logs, forty feet long, and as wide as Rumford (Concord Meeting-house, only two feet higher.".
A church was organized on the Cambridge platform, an Mr. Stevens was ordained to the pastoral care of the churc and people in "Contoocook," Oct. 8, 1740. During h ministry of nearly eighteen years, he appears to have enjoye the confidence and affection of his people in a high degre amidst the many trials and labors, privations and dangers (! a new settlement in the wilderness. He died suddenly Jan. 19, 1755.
After the employment of various persons as stated sup plies, Mr. Robie Morrill, a native of Salisbury, Ms. and grac, uate of Harvard college, was invited by the town to becon
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BOSCAWEN.
their minister, and ordained pastor of the church in Boscaw- en, Dec. 29, 1761. Soon difficulties arose, from the " depre- ciation of the value of his salary and the acts of the town in making him an indemnity," which led him to give up his contract and ask a dismission, which took place Dec. 9, 1766. He continued in town, a respected citizen and active mem- ber of the church, until his death at the age of 77.
At the next annual meeting, the town voted to employ a " regular preacher," and Mr. Nathaniel Merrill, a native of Newbury, Ms., a graduate of Harvard college, after more than a year's labor, was ordained Oct. 19, 1768. The log Meet- ing-house having become much impaired, a new house, with great difficulty, was erected. Several years passed before its completion. Mr. Merrill became a member of the Grafton Presbytery, and the church adopted in part the Presbyterian form of government. This gave much dissatisfaction to the people generally. After a ministry of little more than five years, aware of the general discontent among his charge, he "applied to the Presbytery for a removal, and was removed without the intervention of either the church or town," April 1, 1774. Not long after, a committee of nine was ap- pointed by the town, " to confer with the church in Boscawen about the government and discipline thereof." But the church retained its Presbyterian form for more than twenty years. Then it gradually fell into disuse ; but not until 1828, did the church by a formal vote adopt the Congregational order of discipline.
The town also chose a committee, soon after the removal of Mr. Merrill, to employ immediately "a gospel preacher of the Congregational order." Different persons were employ- ed as stated supplies, during the six following years, when Mr. Samuel Wood, a native of Mansfield, Conn., but early a resident of Lebanon, and a graduate of Dartmouth college, was invited to settle as minister of the town and pastor of the church. A council was called and he was ordained Oct. 17, 1781. . For more than half a century his life becomes identified with the history of this church. Soon after his settlement a precious revival of religion was enjoyed, for the first time in Boscawen. Thirty or forty heads of families were gathered into the church, which produced a marked improvement in the state of society.
For the convenience of those in the west part of the town, a second Meeting-house was built, and the meetings held in it a part of the time. The pews were sold Oct. 17, 1791. About this time, many influences from abroad and at home, contributed to awaken conflicting opinions and passions,
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
which painfully affected the interests of the town and church. Many refused to pay their taxes for the support of the gos- pel. Society became demoralized, and deeds of violence were frequent. Bridges were taken up, young orchards destroyed, horses killed in the pastures, the houses of indi- viduals assailed and life endangered, school-houses and finally the east Meeting-house were burned. Boscawen, near the close of the last century, was as noted for lawlessness and crime, as it has become since for order, morality and religion. The church was greatly afflicted with trying cases of discipline. Not less than eleven meetings for the pur- pose of settling difficulties are noticed in the records of a single year. And, at a single meeting, four or five different committees were sometimes appointed to labor with offend- ing brethren. The offence most common, was withdrawal from communion, and in many cases from public worship, on account of some grievance. Such absence from the Lord's table, when persisted in, was deemed a reasonable cause for exclusion from the fellowship of the church.
With much difficulty, a site was fixed upon for a new Meeting-house in the east part of the town, where the pres- ent house stands, at the head of the plain on King street .- The house was built by proprietors, a majority of the town being opposed to this location. On this account, a large proportion of the public money, for the support of preach- ing, was given to the west parish. Other acts were passed by the town, which the people in the east section deemed unjust and oppressive. Mr. Wood took the same view of the case. The number refusing to support the ministry
increased. Mr. Wood was requested by the town to ask his dismission. But such action being informal, a special meeting was called Feb. 1, 1802, and it was voted that the town desire Mr. Wood to give up his contract. This he agreed to do on certain conditions, which were accepted. The contract was dissolved-the town, as such, ceased to support the ministry of the gospel.
Mr. Wood remained pastor of the church ; and a society was soon formed for his support, which a few years after was incorporated. His public services were now confined to the east Meeting-house. Indeed, soon after, a church was organ- ized and a pastor settled in the west part of the town. The first church must at this time have been small and feeble .- Though the moral and religious state of society began to wear a brighter aspect, yet, there seems to have been for many years, no special interest and no large accessions to the church. Some now living remember to have heard Mr.
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BOSCAWEN.
Wood repeatedly declare, that the church must soon become extinct unless the Lord should revive his work. Indeed, there were few signs of its visible life and power. Had Mr. Wood's ministry in Boscawen closed then, it might have been called unsuccessful. But strong in faith and hope, he forsook not the field, where now for more than thirty years, he had scattered the seed of sound doctrine, and water- ed it with his tears, seeing little fruit of his labors. But if " the vision tarry, wait for it." The year 1814 passed without a single addition to the church. The next year opened, as cold and cheerless in the spiritual as in the natural world :
" The winter season has been sharp, But spring shall all its wastes repair."
The following April, without any manifest cause or special means of grace, commenced a remarkable work of the Spirit. Profane and ungodly sinners, here and there, were suddenly arrested by the most pungent convictions. Crowded assem- blies of anxious inquirers and young converts gathered fre- quently in different parts of the parish, sometimes with not a person present who had ever before led in social prayer. But the Spirit found them tongues, and taught them to pray .-- The silent, powerful agency of the Holy Ghost seemed to do all the work. The interest increased through the spring and summer, and was greatest at the busiest season of the year. In haying and harvesting, the people then had no difficulty in finding time to attend week day meetings, yet, they say their business suffered no injury-their work was done better and easier than usual. The revival extended over the town, and abated not until late in the fall. Of the fruits of this rich harvest of souls, 50 persons were added to the church at one time, some of whom still remain pillars in the house of God. During the following year many more united with the church.
Another revival followed in 1819, still more extensive and remarkable in its visible effects, yet less marked by the noise- less and powerful operation of the Holy Spirit. Special means were used to a greater extent than before. The relig- ious excitement was intense throughout the whole communi- ty. The number of hopeful conversions was very large. Jan. 16, 1820, 76 individuals made a public profession of their faith in Christ, and 138 were added to the church dur- ing the year.
Well might the favored and rejoicing pastor see, in these events and among his own people, the fulfillment of Isaiah's glorious vision of Zion's future' prosperity, and exclaim, who are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
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