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 49
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GILMANTON CENTER.
Rev. R. M. SARGENT.
The Center Congregational Society in Gilmanton was formed March 16, 1825, Hon. William Badger (afterwards
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GILMANTON CENTRE.
Governor,) being the first moderator, and N. Crosby clerk ; and preaching was secured a part of that year. The Center church in Gilmanton, located at the Academy village and about at the center of the town, was organized March 8, 1826, by a council consisting of Rev. Messrs. Lancaster, Bodwell, Patrick and Norwood. Mr. Bodwell preached the sermon, and Mr. Patrick presented the articles of faith and covenant. The original number of members was 25.
July 12, 1826, Mr. Heman Rood, having in the previous spring received a unanimous call, was ordained as the pastor. The sermon was preached by Rev. Justin Edwards of Ando- ver. Services were held in the unfinished Meeting-house. He remained about three years and a half, when, receiving a call to settle in New Milford, Conn., he was dismissed March 3, 1830. For the succeeding two years this society was supplied with preaching half the time by Rev. D. Lan- caster of the first church ; and from August 1832 to Decem- ber 1835, he preached as stated supply the whole time. Nov. 15, 1835, a unanimous call was given to him, and, December 16 of the same year, he was installed as pastor of this church. Rev. Mr. Lancaster remained pastor a little over sixteen years, having labored with the several churches ot this town upwards of twenty six years. He was dismissed Jan. 26, 1852.
The society immediately made efforts to secure a supply of the pulpit, and March 15, 1852, a unanimous call was extended to Mr. R. M. Sargent, a licentiate of Andover, to become their pastor, and he was ordained April 27 of the same year. Special revivals have been enjoyed by this church in 1831 and '32, when 28 were added ; in the autumn of 1834, and the early part of 1836, when 76, as the fruit of both these revivals, were added ; in 1838, when 52 were received ; in 1843 and again in 1850 were seasons of refresh- ing, more especially among the pupils of the academy .- During the year 1854, eight have united with the church by profession, and there have been four infant baptisms during the same year. The whole number who have been received to the church is 289. The present number of members is 135, 52 males and 83 females. Of these, however, more than thirty are non-resident-several of them now being ministers, either settled or acting as stated supplies, and who joined this church when members of the theological seminary in this village-and have never removed their church relation. The deacons have been Joseph French, Dr. (afterwards Rev.) J. C. Page, Tilton French, Andrew Mack, A. M. and Thomas Adams. The Meeting-house was commenced in 1826, imme-
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BELKNAP COUNTY.
diately after the organization of the church, and was dedi- cated Sept. 20, 1827. It is a neat and commodious edifice, cost $3500. In 1854 it was repainted within and without, some improvements were made, and an organ and new pulpit furniture were purchased. A commodious parsonage house was prepared four years since. The salary is raised entirely by subscription. The other religious societies in town are, the First Congregational church at East Gilmanton, three miles east of the Center, the Congregational and Freewill Baptist churches at the Iron Works village, six miles east, the Calvinist Baptist at lower Gilmanton, four miles south east, the Methodist and the Friends near the academy vil- lage, the First Freewill Baptist and the Christian Baptist in Upper Gilmanton, four miles west, and the Freewill Baptist church worshiping in the Province Road Meeting-house five miles north east of the academy. Also, the people from one section of the town attend the Congregational and other churches at Meredith Bridge, and from other borders of the town attend the churches at Union Bridge and Loudon Ridge. Population in 1850, 3282. The congregation worshiping with the center church is composed of the people of the vil- lage and vicinity, and the majority of the students of the academy. The resident families belonging regularly to the congregation number a little over 70. The number of stu- dents varies with different terms. The academy received its excellent charter in 1794, and its object is declared to be to " promote virtue, and piety and knowledge," and all the stu- dents are required to attend some place of public worship. Number of men furnished by this town for the ministry in different denominations, 13. [See Rev. D. Lancaster's His- tory of Gilmanton.]
GILMANTON IRON WORKS.
Rev. RUFUS CHILDS.
Soon after the settlement of the town of Gilmanton, a Congregational church was organized and provision made for the public worship of God and a permanent ministry .- For many years, believers from every direction assembled together with one accord, and worshiped God in one place. In process of time villages grew and population multiplied, to such a degree, that it became expedient to form churches and erect Meeting-houses in other parts of the town. Oct. 12, 1830, thirteen individuals, four males and nine females,
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GILMANTON IRON WORKS.
having obtained dismission from the first church, were organized into a separate church, called the Gilmanton Iron Works Congregational Church. Several important addi- tions were made to the church, soon after its organization.
On the 28th of September 1831, Mr. Charles G. Safford was ordained pastor of the church. But his term of service was short. On account of ill health, he was dismissed in just five years from the day of his ordination. But his labors here were greatly blessed. Additions to the church were frequent, and there were two revivals of considerable interest, one of which continued for several months, in which some forty individuals expressed a hope in Christ .- For the two years subsequent to Mr. Safford's dismission, the church was without a pastor ; but the pulpit was sup- plied by different individuals, some of whom were connected with the theological seminary in town. In the early part of the year 1838 a general revival of religion was enjoyed in the parish, as the fruits of which, 55 individuals were added to the church at one time. The following statements are in the records of the church : "Among those who, after very pungent convictions of sin, at last entertained hope in the mercy of God, were the notoriously profane, Sabbath breakers, unbelievers, and scoffers at religion. Heads of families were brought in, with their children. The aged, middle aged, and the young, were partakers of the grace of God. Besides these, some-who had in times past obtained pardon of their sins, but had not given God thanks, and had kept it secret from the world-now came out confessing their ingratitude and guilt, and renewedly dedicating themselves to God."
Jan. 30, 1839, Mr. S. S. N. Greeley was ordained over the church as their pastor. He was received among them with joy and gratitude. His labors were blessed to the church, and several additions were made to it while under his pastoral care. After about four years from the time of his settlement he asked for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, which, on the ground of his request, was granted. For nearly two years the church was again destitute of a pastor, and was again furnished with preaching, a portion of the time, from the theological seminary. Rev. William Cogswell, D.D., supplied the pulpit for a few months .- Through his agency, Mr. Rufus Childs was introduced to the people, received and accepted a call to settle among them, and was ordained pastor of the church Nov. 6, 1844. There has been nothing particularly marked in the history
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BELKNAP COUNTY.
of the church since that time. There have been seasons of more than ordinary religious interest,-some conversions and additions to the church, but there has been no general revi- val of religion since the year 1838. The church and society are in a harmonious state, and in an able and prosperous condition, if we regard numbers, talent, and means of sup- porting gospel institutions among them. The whole num- ber of members of the church from the beginning is 172; the infant baptisms have been 37. The present number of members is 113. It is one of the important towns in the State, and upon the churches within its borders a great weight of responsibility rests.
LACONIA.
Rev. JOHN K. YOUNG.
The village formerly called Meredith Bridge, which is partly in Gilford and partly in Laconia, was for many years, from the time of its settlement, destitute of the regular and stated ministrations of the gospel. As a consequence, immorality and irreligion prevailed to a great extent among the inhabitants. An interest in the spiritual welfare of the place at length arose in the minds of the friends of Home Missions ; and the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge in Massachusetts, and the New Hampshire Mis- sionary Society directed their missionaries to labor in this field. Among these were the Rev. I. Turner, who first established himself as a missionary here, in the summer of 1813 ; Rev. Jotham Sewall, Rev. Henry Sewall, Mr. Nathan Fisk afterward professor of Greek language in Amherst col- lege, Ms. and Rev. Francis Norwood. Three missionaries had preceded these men but failed of gathering a congregation.
Rev. Mr. Norwood came here in June 1824, and on July 26, of the same year, a Congregational church was organized consisting of nine members, no one of whom had previously made a public profession of religion. The ministers who officiated on the occasion, were Rev. A. Bodwell, Rev. Jon- athan Curtis and Rev. L. A. Spofford. Mr. Norwood hav- ing supplied the pulpit for one year, was ordained and installed as "pastor and teacher," July 5, 1825. He con- tinued his useful and successful labors here amid many hin- drances, until May 30, 1830, when the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, failing to render further aid, he was dismissed, leaving a church with 35 members.
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LACONIA.
Rev. John K. Young came into this place Aug. 12, 1831, and was installed Nov. 30 of the same year. [See Dover.] During this autumn a revival of great power came upon this people through the great goodness of God. The way had been prepared, in some good degree, by the labors of the first pastor, but it was a signal work of Him who alone renews the heart. It embraced many of the most influen- tial citizens of this village, and gave religion a character and position which from that time it has never entirely failed to maintain. In the spring of 1832, the Sabbath School was visited by a refreshing from the Holy Spirit. In the autumn of 1834 and in the winter of 1836-7, revivals of more limited extent were enjoyed-the former seemed to be the blessing of God on the meeting of the General Association and a protracted meeting, and the latter was the same bless- ing on the labors of Rev. Aaron Warner and the brethren of the church. During the spring of 1838, another gracious visitation of the Holy Spirit was granted, of greater power and extent than at any time previous except 1831. In this work the church and pastor were greatly aided by brethren in the ministry and the students of the Gilmanton theo- logical seminary. The year 1840 witnessed a revival among our youth, of whom about twenty united with the church. Another refreshing was enjoyed in 1842, the subjects of which were of a more advanced age. Three of these revi- vals-those of 1831, 1838 and 1842-were characterized by the hopeful conversion of men in the meridian of life, and heads of families, a considerable number of whom had been sceptical or believers in universal salvation. There were also those who gave evidence of repentance by restoring that which was fraudulently obtained, and by becoming friends after a long period of enmity. There was one instance of the reconciliation of parties who had not previously spoken to each other for fifteen years.
Since 1842 there has been no extensive revival in this church. On two different occasions some interest has exist- ed, and from six to ten have expressed a hope that they had experienced the renewing of the Holy Spirit. At other times also individuals have given evidence of a saving change, and, in the spring of the present year 1855, some interest was awakened soon after the occurrence of the great calamity in March of this year- the falling through of the floor of the town hall on the day of election, by which six were killed and more than one hundred injured. Several were awaken- ed and a few became hopefully pious ; but the impression
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BELKNAP COUNTY.
of that affecting event has chiefly passed away. Although there is external prosperity and we believe that some Chris- tians are "growing in grace," the renewing influences of the Spirit are not now enjoyed. Including the original mem- bers, 328 have been added to this church-212 by profes- sion, 116 by letter. The removals have been 151-by dis- mission 86-by exclusion 12-by death 53. The present number is 177-males 49-females 128. The deacons of this church have been, Benjamin Swain, Salmon Stevens, Benj. T. Sanborn, John B. Jewett, Ebenezer S. Lawrence, Isaac S. Jewett, and Orrin Bugbee-the last two being now in active service.
The first Sabbath School in this village was held in 1818, during the mission of Rev. Jotham Sewall,-S. C. Lyford, Esq., being superintendant. It was held also in the sum- mer, and sometimes in the winter during the ministry of Rev. F. Norwood. And since 1831, with the exception of a suspension of three months for the repairing of the house of worship, it has continued without interruption both summer and winter. The first house of worship was erected in 1809 but not entirely completed for some years, though it was occupied while in an unfinished state. In 1834 it was repaired and painted-but consumed by fire in February 1836. Another house, more commodious and in a better style of architecture, was erected in the following year, at an expense, including the bell, of about six thousand dollars .- The bell was presented by D. Burnham, Esq.
This brief sketch of the dealings of God with this church shows that they have great cause to be grateful to the great Head of the church, for putting it into the hearts of the friends of missions to pray and labor and give of their sub- stance to promote the spiritual welfare of this once desti- tute people.
A church was organized at Meredith, now Laconia Parade, Aug. 30, 1792. Rev. Simon F. Williams was installed pastor Nov. 28 of that year, and dismissed Aug. 28, 1798, for unministerial and unchristian conduct. Joseph Roberts was elected deacon Feb. 11, 1793. At its organization it consisted of nine members, and to these 16 others were add- ed. This church soon became extinct. Its location was on the road between Meredith Bridge and Meredith Village, four miles from the latter, and five miles from the former.
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MEREDITH VILLAGE.
MEREDITH VILLAGE.
Rev. J. E. FARWELL.
The town of Meredith in its original survey was laid out in three divisions ; owing to its extensive territory and the indentations of Winnipiseogee lake bounding its eastern bor- der. The first pioneers of the town, neglected to bring with them the minister of the gospel in the outset ; but subse- quently, noticing the happy influence the institutions of reli- gion had upon communities where they had been established, they were induced to make an effort to organize a church and settle a Congregational minister, but it all proved a fail- ure and a serious one ; the minister forfeited his Christian character and the church became extinct, [see last paragraph on Laconia, ] leaving the desolations of many years entailed upon the place ; but little now remains to mark the spot but an old dilapidated Meeting-house : families once in afflu- ence shared in the ruin, while men of more principle became identified with other denominations, thus entailing upon their families unhappy prejudices to warp their better judg- ment. The inhabitants compare favorably with other com- munities for enterprise and moral integrity, but the element of fraternal unity has long been wanting. The great center of business and public resort, has been removed to Meredith Bridge on the one hand, and Meredith Village on the other. Separated by " these dissolving views," a new town is now incorporated by the name of Laconia, on the south ; leaving its north eastern border with Meredith Village to bear up the name of Meredith, throwing the scene of this religious declension into the back ground, as the dark shades of a more lovely picture.
The Congregational church of Centre Harbor and the Third Division of Meredith was organized Feb. 20, 1815. It was formed by the instrumentality of Rev. Edward War- ren, missionary of the Board of Foreign Missions, prior to his sailing for India, by a few weeks labor among this people. These labors were blessed in awakening a religious interest with the young, who with others of riper age were formed into a catechetical society for religious improvement ; reading meetings were established upon the Sabbath, and continued with a good degree of interest until blessed by a settled ministry. This little band of Christian pioneers con- sisted of thirteen members-six males and seven females-
* Sketch by Dr. John Sanborn.
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BELKNAP COUNTY.
being emigrants from towns where the gospel and its ordi- nances had been duly appreciated. They had long been favored by Christian sympathy from the Rev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth, and Rev. Jeremiah Shaw of Moultonborough, and, from time to time, by a few months of pastoral itinerant labor from one of the evangelical societies of Massachusetts, which was continued in a measure until they came under the patronage of the New Hampshire Home Missionary. Society. Rev. David Smith of Temple, Me., was installed over this church as pastor March 23, 1819. He was a man of exemplary piety, and greatly blessed in carrying forward the work of the ministry. As the result of his labors, 18 members were added to the church. He died August 1824. His salary was $ 300 annually. Rev. Reuben Porter was installed Jan. 1, 1829, and dismissed 22d March, 1831 .- Under his ministry seven were added to the church by pro- fession.
Rev. Joseph Lane formerly a missionary of the Foreign Board among the Choctaw Indians, was installed April 5, 1831. The church voted to assume the name of the First Congregational Church in Meredith. During his ministry a powerful revival of religion took place, which extended to every part of the community, giving an entirely new aspect to the moral atmosphere of the place. As the result of this revival 39 were added to the church, four by letter and 35 by profession. Mr. Lane was an active energetic man, of a warm temperament and of ardent piety. He was dismissed from his charge April 8, 1833, and became an agent of the Bible Society. After Rev. Mr. Lane was dismissed, Rev. Abraham Wheeler labored among this people two years as stated supply ; during his ministry 28 were added to the church, two by letter and 26 by profession. Miss Jane B. Leavitt, a young lady of elevated piety, a member of this church, became a missionary of the Board of Foreign Mis- sions, and an efficient help in extending the religion of Christ to the poor benighted Indian ; she subsequently married the Rev. Mr. Seymore, one of the missionaries of the Board.
March 28, 1838, Rev. Eli Taylor was installed pastor over this church. He was formerly of Croydon in this State. The members of this church, living near Centre Harbor vil- lage, were formed into a separate church by an ecclesiastical council,-dismissed by mutual consent and organized as the Congregational church of Centre Harbor. Fifteen members of the original church were thus set apart for this purpose. During Rev. Mr. Taylor's ministry 36 were added to the church-27 by profession and nine by letter.
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NEW HAMPTON.
Rev. Giles Leach was installed pastor over this church Nov. 23, 1842. Twenty six were added as members of the church, nine by letter and seventeen by profession, during his minis- try ; some of which were the fruit of an interesting revival of religion mostly confined to Meredith Village in the early part of 1854. Rev. Mr. Leach was dismissed from his pas- toral charge June 14, 1854. He was an efficient pastor, and is still remembered by his people with affection, as endeared to them for sympathy and kindness while administering to their spiritual wants. Rev. Mr. Farwell is now laboring among this people as stated supply. One member has been added to the church under his ministration. Since the or- ganization of this church, forty of its members have died, fifty five have been dismissed to other churches by letter, six have been excommunicated and not restored ; leaving fifty five resident members, sixteen males and thirty nine females; leaving twenty three to be accounted for, who have left the place from time to time without letters of dismission to other churches ; many of whom, we have reason to believe, have become buried up in the rubbish of the world. Aside from the deficiency of moral character, as often shown by the members of the church who still maintain a nominal stand- ing therein, here is a waste truly saddening to the reflecting mind ; but it is so connected with the fluctuation of our vil- lage population, that it is not so sensibly felt until the his- tory of years shows up the aggregate.
The fluctuation above referred to is a great drawback upon the interests of our small country parishes ; these changes lessen ministerial support ; whole families move off ; our educated young men seek their fortunes elsewhere, and the minister finds it a duty he owes himself and his family to seek another location ;- producing a waste of moral influence, which is not so easily transferred to another community. But the church of God still lives ; these families, these young men and these ministers carry with them the elements of Christian principle, to be brought to bear upon others of the human family with whom they mingle.
NEW HAMPTON.
"New Hampton, March 20, 1800."
"At a public town meeting duly notified and held this day at the Meeting-house in said town :
1st, Chose Capt. Noah Robinson, Moderator.
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BELKNAP COUNTY.
2d, Voted, 73 votes to settle Mr. Hebard as a gospel min- ister, and 45 against it.
3d, Voted to choose a committee of nine men, to make arrangements for the settlement of Mr. Hebard."
At an adjourned meeting in May this committee made the following report: "Ist, We the subscribers, after mature deliberation upon the important business that we were appointed to do, have agreed to report and do report, that Mr. Salmon Hebard, if settled as a gospel minister in and for the town of New Hampton, shall have one hundred acres of land off the northwesterly end of the minister lot, so called, in said town, exclusive of six acres to be round about the Meeting-house for the accommodation of said town as a Common, Burying Ground, and meaning the whole width of said lot. 2d, Agreed that Mr. Hebard shall have fifty acres more of said lot, adjoining the said hundred acres before mentioned, clear across said lot, as a compensa- tion to him as a settlement for to erect buildings, &c. 3d, Agreed that fifty acres more of said lot, adjoining said fifty acres last mentioned, clear across said lot, to be laid out as a parsonage lot, for the use of the town's minister, in said town, during time. 4th, Agreed that Mr. Hebard shall have one hundred and fifty dollars per year, as a salary, as long as he shall supply the desk in said town as a minister of the gospel. 5th, Agreed that Mr. Hebard shall have two or three Sabbath days in a year to visit his friends. 6th, Agreed that the remainder of said lot containing 140 acres be divided into two pieces or lots-90 acres to be put in one lot adjoining the Simpson farm, so called, clear across said lot. The two last mentioned pieces of land to be sold at public vendue, to the highest bidder, and the interest to be appropriated to help pay the salary of the town's minister- the principal never to be diminished. 7th, Agreed that if Mr. Hebard settles in said town as a gospel minister, he shall give bonds before he is settled, that he shall quit-claim the above mentioned pieces of land for the use as aforesaid except the 150 acres described for him."
Mr. Hebard gave his bonds for $ 3000 in all to quit-claim all his right, title and interest to the selectmen, of the pieces of land above named. The ordination council were Rev. Eden Burroughs of Hanover, Rev. Thomas Page of Hebron, Rev. Samuel Chever of Hartland, Vt., and Rev. Edward Evans of Enfield. The council met June 24, 1800, and after prayer proceeded to examine the preliminaries,- respecting the call of the church and town to brother Hebard, together with his answer ;- the order of the church ;- the
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