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 38
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382
MERRIMACK COUNTY.
EPSOM .*
Epsom was granted to Theodore Atkinson and others, inhabitants of New Castle, Rye, and Greenfield ; and incor- porated May 18, 1727. The first meeting of the proprietors was holden at the ferry-house in New Castle, Nov. 20, 1727. The concerns of the town were transacted by the proprietors, in meetings holden at New Castle and Portsmouth until 1750. The precise time when the first settlement commen- ced cannot be ascertained ; but there were, probably, several families in the town, sometime before its incorporation .- Among the first settlers were Charles McCoy from London- derry ; William Blaza, a Frenchman ; Andrew McClary from Londonderry in Ireland ; Samuel Blake, and one Whitaker. In the early days of the town the inhabitants were in great fear of the invasions of the Indians. During the summer season only the men ventured to remain in the place ; and then as they labored they kept their arms by them. In the winter there was less danger. At length a house was erect- ed by Capt. Andrew McClary, made proof against the assaults of the Indians, being surrounded by a high wooden wall, entered by a heavy, well secured gate. Into this the inhabitants fled for refuge at night, when apprehensive of danger.
In the grant made to the proprietors, early provision was made for the establishment of religious order and the instruc- tion of the rising generation. Two of the conditions of the charter were, "That a house be built for the public worship of God within the term of six years ;" and "That one hun- dred acres of land be reserved for a parsonage, one hundred acres for the first minister of the gospel, and one hundred acres for the benefit of a school." A period of thirty four years elapsed before a minister was settled. Rev. John Tucke was ordained in the year 1761, and dismissed in 1774. He died while on his way to join the revolutionary army, as chaplain. He was a son of Rev. John Tucke of Gosport, and was a graduate of Harvard university. No records of the church during Mr. Tucke's ministry can be found ; but, as nearly as can be ascertained from other sources, the num- ber of the church at the close of his ministry was about twenty. After Mr. Tucke's dismissal and after the lapse of five years, Mr. Benjamin Thurston received a call by the church and town to settle as their minister, but he refused their offers. In 1784, Rev. Ebenezer Hazeltine received a
* Sketch by Rev. R A. Putnam, former pastor.
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EPSOM.
call and was ordained their pastor. Mr. Hazeltine was born it Methuen, Ms., Oct. 28, 1755 ; entered Dartmouth college, n 1773; was licensed to preach the gospel by the Grafton Presbytery July 24, 1779; and was settled in the work of he ministry in Epsom, Jan. 21, 1784. Rev. Isaac Smith of Gilmanton, who preached his funeral sermon, among oth- er things, says of him-"He was sound in the faith. The Bible was the man of his counsel. His discourses were cor- ect, substantial, instructive and evangelical. He was him- self a bright example of those moral and religious duties which he inculcated on others." He was called from his abors by death, Nov. 10, 1813, in the 59th year of his age, and 30th of his ministry.
About one year after the death of Mr. Hazeltine, Rev. Jonathan Curtis was invited by the church to become their pastor ; but the town refused to concur. A religious society was then organized and that concurred in the action of the church. Mr. Curtis was ordained Feb. 22, 1815. At his settlement the church consisted of about 50 members. In one year after this, six were added to the church ; the next year 11; and in 1817, 16 were added. About this time the attention of many in an unusual degree was awakened by the spirit of God. Much anxiety was manifested, but noth- ng like enthusiasm or tumult was exhibited. So extensive- y were the Divine influences experienced that in 1818 the church was increased by 47 additions ; 29 at one time sol- emnly covenanting with God and his people. For several years after that revival more or less were admitted to the church every year. Rev. Mr. Curtis closed his pastoral rela- tion with the church Jan. 1, 1825, having sustained that elation nearly ten years. During the year ending the first of May 1826, Rev. A. Smith was employed as stated supply, respecting whose labors the Congregational society passed a vote of high commendation. In the year 1827 Rev. C. Bur- bank was employed to preach a portion of the time.
In Oct. 1827 the church and society gave Rev. John M. Putnam a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry .- This call he accepted, and was installed November 1st, the same year. Mr. Putnam was born in Sutton, Ms., Feb. 26, 1794. At the time of his settlement the church consist- ed of about 110 members. During his ministry with them, 17 were added to the church. About the first of May 1830, he was dismissed at his own request, having labored among them two and a half years. Until the first of April 1831, the church were without regular preaching. Rev. Abel Manning was then engaged as a stated supply, and contin-
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ued with them two years, and received 29 persons into the . church. The church was then left destitute for the most part for more than a year.
In the autumn of 1834 the Deerfield Association held protracted meetings in all the churches embraced within their bounds. The meetings commenced the fourth week in August at Deerfield, and, with the exception of the week in which the General Association of the State was holden, continued week after week in the churches according to their vicinity with each other, for eleven weeks, and ended on the second week in November at Meredith Bridge. All these meetings, with scarcely an exception, were attended with delightful and powerful revivals of religion. Epsom had no minister ; and it was doubted whether it were expe- dient to hold a meeting within the town under such circum- stances. But the Association had not the heart to pass them by. The meeting was holden, and a glorious and blessed revival was the result. The church were urged to employ a minister without delay. They were supplied by different persons, among whom were Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, Rev. Mr. Shepherd, and Rev. Preserved Smith, till Feb. 8, 1835, when Rev. Francis P. Smith was employed, He continued with them nearly two years. As the result of the protract- ed meeting and his labors, 34 were admitted to the church.
Jan. 1, 1837, Rev. Winthrop Fifield began to preach here. The church and society gave him a call, and, May 10, 1837, he was ordained as their pastor. The church now embraced 111 members. There were seasons, during his pastorate, when the Divine influence was more or less fully manifest, and Christians were revived and sinners converted. At one time-May 27, 1838-30 persons, one only by letter, united with this people. Mr. Fifield's ministry continued nine years and a half, during which 49 united with the church. In the spring of 1846 he was regularly dismissed.
On the 19th of September 1846, Rev. Rufus A. Putnam commenced preaching here, and, March 21, 1847, the church gave him a call to settle with them as their pastor; in which the Congregational society concurred. To this call he gave an affirmative answer. He was regularly installed, May 5, 1847. At this time there were 109 members in the church ; 36 males and 73 females. He was pastor of the church for five years. During this time six were added to the church. There had been but few additions for several years. A time of dearth and spiritual sloth had rested on the churches. At his own request Mr. Putnam was dis- missed by an ecclesiastical council May 3, 1852. He was
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FRANKLIN.
orn in Sutton, Ms. Nov. 18, 1791, and graduated at Har- ard in the class of 1822.
During the years of 1852 and '53, Rev. M. B. Angier and ev. C. C. Durgin preached a part of the time to this peo- le. The Rev. Rufus A. Putnam was again employed for ne year ; which closed August 1, 1854. During this year even united with the church ; six by profession and one by tter. Rev. E. H. Blanchard was engaged as stated supply or one year, which closed the third Sabbath in August 855. This year four were added to the church; one by rofession and three by letter. The present number of the hurch is about 100. Records of the original organization f the church and of the times of Rev. Mr. Tucke, the first minister, cannot be found; probably do not exist. It is npossible, therefore, to make out any very accurate statis- cs, and we do not attempt it.
FISHERVILLE.
This place is situated in the northwest part of Concord, and includes some part of Boscawen. It is growing in pop- lation and influence. Many families here cannot well reach ouses of worship away from this neighborhood.
With the utmost good feeling a church was organized ere Nov. 6, 1850. Two small churches had before existed, ne in Boscawen and one in Concord. Their members came to this new church. It consisted at first of 66 members. uite a number came from the West Church in Concord .- he additions to the church have been, by profession, six ; y letter, 11; removals, by death six, by dismission 10 .- ince the union of the two churches, this church has had no ettled minister, but a constant supply. For the last fifteen months the pulpit has been supplied by Mr. J. M. Cross, a centiate, whose labors have been secured for the coming ear. Meetings on the Sabbath are well attended; the abbath School is in a flourishing condition ; the congrega- on favors the benevolent objects of the day.
FRANKLIN.
Rev. WILLIAM T. SAVAGE.
The Congregational church in Franklin is one of the junger members of the sisterhood of churches which have
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
existed coeval with the first settlement of the State. The : town in which it is located was incorporated in the year 1828, and was made to include territory taken from four corners of the towns of Salisbury, Andover, Sanbornton, and Northfield. Previous to the date mentioned, the religious interest existing on this territory, was, for the most part, attracted to religious centers long established in those older places, and the various families, following their particular affinities and consulting their convenience, repaired to those places to enjoy the public worship of God.
In process of time, however, this territory became itself a center of business operations and of influence, and secured distinct municipal, religious and educational institutions, through which to develop its powers and manifest its own peculiar life ; so that henceforth, the agricultural village, where were developed the intellectual powers of a Webster; the mercantile and industrial village, not far distant, on the Pemigewasset ; and the manufacturing force and popu- lation, near the confluence of the Winnipiseogee with the Merrimack, were all united and concentrated in one town; and that a town destined, without doubt, from the remark- able manufacturing power yet unapplied, to exhibit an im- portant future.
From these statements, it will be seen that the church in Franklin, unlike many others, has its main interest in its outlook towards the future, rather than towards the past ; and that the work of its historian is brief. The outline facts of its life are these :
It was organized, and its articles of faith and covenant adopted, June 11, 1822. At that time, it included fourteen members ; five of whom united with it on profession of their faith in Christ. The Rev. Dr. Wood, of Boscawen East, Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, and Rev. Ebenezer Price, of Boscawen West, officiated at its organization, and the Rev. Abraham Bodwell, of Sanbornton, was appointed, by the church, its first moderator. It was under the foster- ing care and counsel of these respected men, with the bless- ing of heaven, that the church obtained its first start in the career of life.
It appears to have had the services of several ministers of the gospel, for short periods, down to November 1828, from which time, the list of its ministers is as follows: Joseph Lane was acting pastor from Nov. 16, 1828, to Feb. 20, 1831; Benjamin P. Stone was ordained pastor May 26, 1831, and dismissed May 2, 1832; Daniel D. Tappan was acting pastor from July 8, 1832, to Aug. 11, 1833; Samuel
387
HENNIKER.
ichols was acting pastor from Jan. 26, 1834, to May 1, 37; Isaac Knight was installed pastor Sept. 27, 1837, and smissed Dec. 21, 1848 ; William T. Savage was installed istor Sept. 4, 1849, and is the present pastor.
The basis of doctrine, on which this church has stood from e first, is that which is distinctively known as the "Ortho- x Congregational ;" holding the Bible as the only rule of s belief and the perfect guide of its conduct. Under the Ministry of Messrs. Stone and Tappan, it passed through fictions of a marked character, but through the grace of od, power was granted its officers and members to hold fast eir confidence in the Divine nature and sufficient atone- ent of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has steadily advanced in umbers and strength to the present time. Occasionally it as experienced seasons of special spiritual refreshment and ogress, when numbers have been enrolled among its mem- ership, and the strength and beauty of the Lord have rested bon it. The present number of its members is 105. Its there of influence is wide and increasingly important. It liars testimony, at "the meeting of the waters" forming e Merrimack river, that the Puritan faith and forms of worship still live, and, to hopeless wanderers from God, it blds out the torch that illumines the way to heaven. Thus Jay it do, ever.
HENNIKER.
Rev. J. M. R. EATON.
The character of the early settlers was generally good .- 'hey came mostly from Massachusetts, many of them from Testbury, Grafton and vicinity. One of the votes, at the st town meeting of which we have the records, is, "that he inhabitants accepted Mr. Jacob Rice as their gospel min- ter, agreeing to pay him £ 30 as a settlement, and £ 30 a ear as salary, for four years, and then to increase it to 35, 0, 50, 60, £ 66, 13s, 4d, as the population increased. The st named sum was to be the regular salary when it reached at point." The church was organized June 7, 1769, and .r. Rice became its pastor. It consisted of nine male mem- ers. Mr. Rice's health soon failed, so that the people were ithout preaching a part of the time. He was finally dis- issed February 1782, but supplied the pulpit occasionally r twenty years afterwards, while the church was destitute a pastor. During this time a number of candidates
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
preached, but the people were not united in them. During the first thirty three years of the church, so far as is knowI 55 persons were connected with it. Mr. Rice was a nativ of Northborough, Ms., and a graduate of Harvard college .- Not long after his dismission he removed to Broomfield, Me where he continued to live about twenty years. He preach ed while there about as frequently as he had done for twen ty years and more in Henniker. In 1823, at the age of 84 he walked to Fryeburg, a distance of eight miles, to be pres ent at an ordination. He walked up in the morning befor the services. He died the next February, at Broomfield, il the 85th year of his life.
Rev. Moses Sawyer, a native of Salisbury, N. H., a grad. uate of Dartmouth college, preached in the town's Meeting- house during some months in the year 1801. Some specia interest was manifested on the subject of religion. Effort was made by the church to settle Mr. Sawyer, but the towr opposed it, as they had in the case of others to whom the church had given a call, for many years. The church became satisfied that they could not settle a faithful minis- ter in connection with the town, gave up their connection with it, and organized a Calvinistic society. The town first gave Mr. Sawyer a call to settle over them, but an opposi- tion was raised, another town meeting called, and the oppo- sition was so strong that they re-considered the vote. Im- mediately, on the spot, the house was divided, and the evangelical portion decided to organize and settle Mr. Saw- yer. His ordination took place May 26, 1802, in a barn, where he preached for some length of time. Mr. Sawyer was dismissed March 29, 1826. During his ministry indi- viduals were received to the church every year, with the exception of three. He admitted 114 persons. Nine were received in 1802, 13 in 1803, 12 in 1810, 26 in 1816, and 16 in 1824. From these items it is probable that the church was revived quite frequently under Mr. Sawyer's ministry. He was hopefully converted at the age of 17- delivered the Philosophical Oration at Dartmouth, when he graduated-studied theology with Dr. Burton of Thetford. "The harmony that existed between Mr. Sawyer and his people " here "was remarkable for a period of about twenty four years. He was a laborious student, always bringing beaten oil into the sanctuary. He aimed to explain to the people the great doctrines of the gospel. He lived and acted, and prayed and preached, apparently with the sacred- ness of his office in view, and with an ardent love of souls in his heart. It was never said that, in all his intercourse with
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HENNIKER.
is people, he ever uttered a saying or did an act that had tendency to bring reproach on the ministry. He was fear- ess in his defence of the truth, and yet all his conduct was harked with prudence. The cause of God prospered under is ministry." His dismission from this place gave his ner- ous system a shock from which he never recovered. He ras installed twice after leaving here, once at Scarborough, Ie., and once at Gloucester, and he supplied the pulpit t Saugus, Ms., six years, when he retired from a work to which he was much attached, and to which he had long been evoted. This was in 1842. He was in the ministry forty ears. He was descended from pious ancestors.
Rev. Jacob Scales, a native of Freeport, Me., and gradu- te of Dartmouth college, was installed Jan. 17, 1827, and ismissed March 1, 1839. Mr. Scales received 224 individ- als to the church, 10 in 1830, 57 in 1831, 36 in 1832, 14 1833, 12 in 1834, 47 in 1835, 11 in 1836, and 27 in 1838. No year passed without some additions. Protracted meet- hgs were held during Mr. Scales' ministry here. The church as visited by committees. Mr. Scales was a very laborious nd successful pastor.
Rev. Eaton B. Foster was settled as pastor of this church lug. 18, 1841, and was dismissed Jan. 7, 1847. Thirty ne individuals were received to the church during this eriod. Fifteen of these were received in 1843, and eight h 1844. The church was visited by a committee in '42, nd a series of special religious meetings was holden in '43. Undoubtedly these means had an important bearing upon he church's prosperity. Rev. Richard T. Searle was install- d as pastor of the church Dec. 1, 1847, and was dismissed Iarch 20, 1850. Seven individuals joined the church dur- hg this time. Mr. Searle graduated at Union college.
Rev. J. M. R. Eaton was installed Feb. 26, 1851, gradu- ted at Amherst college 1841, native of Fitchburg, Ms .- welve have united with the church. There has been within he past year more than usual religious interest, several young men have become hopefully pious. It would be mpossible to describe satisfactorily the causes of the dismis- ion of the former pastors of the church. The consequences have, in some cases, been bad. The people have never pro- ided a parsonage. In the early history of the church there vas a fund for the support of the gospel in part, but long ince it was divided among different denominations and has isappeared. There is reason to believe that the early set- lers made considerable sacrifices for the support of the gospel. The church has been distinguished for benevolence. It is not
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
a wealthy church. While they pay a salary of only $ 50 they contribute from $500 to $ 600 for benevolent purpose During the last year an aged member of the church has gor to his rest, who contributed more to benevolent objects tha men of his means are accustomed to do. The average attenc ance on public worship is not far from 250. About 375 ar connected with the parish in some way, or somewhat les than one quarter of the whole population. Whole numbe of church members from the beginning, 451. Present num( ber, 170. The number of children baptized on the faith cf parents in 16 years, is about 200. Mr. Scales baptized mos of these, and many of them by families, when the parent became members of the church. Under date of Feb. 24th 1839, he makes an entry upon the church records, in which he states that there are four children of one sister in the church whose husband refuses to have them baptized ; and also that there are four other children whose four mothers are members of the church, but whose fathers are not. "Besides these," says he, " I believe there is no child of any member of the church, who is six months old, and has not been bap- tized." One, at least, of these was baptized afterwards .- The neglect of infant baptism and of family worship if scarcely known among us. Seven members of the church have been licensed to preach. One of these is a missionary at Satara. One other is a member of Dartmouth college, preparing for the ministry. Revivals have generally been connected with special means, such as protracted meetings, visiting by appointed committees chosen from this and from neighboring churches. At least this seems to be true for twenty five years past. It is thought that church members are more active than they were forty years ago. There is not so much open wickedness, by far, among adults now as then. At that time, there was a vast amount of intemper- perance, open opposition to truth and righteousness, and blasphemous conversation. At present there is a sad devel- opment of depravity among the young, in obscene and pro- fane language.
"The year after the church was gathered, a Meeting-house 30 feet long and 20 feet wide was built of logs, without the use of a smoothing plane, and without glass windows. For ten successive years it was occupied for religious worship and other purposes ; then it was burnt and the church and peo- ple left without a sanctuary six or seven years. The old Meeting-house on the south side of the river was built by the town in the year 1786, and occupied by the church and people in peace till 1802, and then the doors were closed
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HOPKINTON.
gainst the church and the minister of their choice. After sorting for many months to barns and private houses to ear the word of God, another house was erected, and occu- ied by the church, and all who chose to assemble with them, Il Aug. 23, 1833, when it was burnt with all its contents. 'he church being left a fourth time within 64 years without place of worship, set themselves by prayer and voluntary ffort to lay a new foundation and erect another house ; hich was dedicated Aug. 27, 1834." Our town has suffered Immensely by investing money in railroads, and the religious ommunity have shared largely in the loss.
The Calvinistic Baptist church in this place was organized 1830 as a branch of the Bradford church, and became in- ependent of that in about three years. They have had no reaching for a number of years past. Present number of hembers, 43. The Methodist Episcopal church numbers 100.
HOOKSETT.
This is a comparatively new town, having a distinct his- pry only from its incorporation in 1822. A Congregational hurch was formed here in 1828 of seven members. In 846, with great self denial, they built a Meeting-house cost- hg $1500, of which they raised $ 1200 while they were uilding and had but fourteen members in the church. The hurch has never enjoyed a permanent ministry. Quite early Cev. Mr. Boyter was here. He was followed in 1836 by Rev. H. Moore, in '37 by Rev. W. C. Greenleaf, and in '38 y Rev. S. E. Jewett. In 1846 Rev. James W. Perkins was ere, followed by Rev. John Lawrence the next year. Rev. . W. Tarlton was employed in 1853, and Rev. William A. obes in 1854. The church now numbers 36 members.
HOPKINTON.
Rev. M. B. ANGIER.
In answer to the petitioners for a grant of this town, the ommittee of the "Great and General Court" of Massachu- etts recommended that the petition be granted on certain onditions, among which is this : "that the grantees do, within the space of three years from the time of their being dmitted, build and finish a convenient Meeting-house for
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MERRIMACK COUNTY.
the public worship of God, and settle a learned orthodox minister." At the first meeting of the proprietors after thei: petition was granted, it was voted, " that when ten families are settled, the proprietors will maintain preaching." Ir the church records is the following entry : "the settlement of this town or plantation, was begun before the war, which begun about the year 1744, but by that war was entirely broken up." This was the old "French war."
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