USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 20
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 20
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On the 28th of July, 1747, seventeen Congregational ministers, from the towns in the eastern part of the state, met at Exeter, and formed what they called "The General Convention of Minis- ters in the Province of New Hampshire." The whole number of ministers in the state was about thirty.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
In 1758 the ministers united in a petition to Gov. Benning Wentworth for a charter "for erecting an academy or college." At that time Rev. Eleazer Wheelock was attempting to bring the Indians within the pale of civilization by giving them a Christian education in a school which he had established at Lebanon, Conn. Among his pupils was the son of Sir Wm. Johnson, a half-breed, known in later years as " Bundle of Sticks," or Brant, who took part in the massacre of Wyoming. The ministers of New Hamp- shire heartily endorsed Mr. Wheelock's philanthropic plan, and invited him to remove his school to some locality in the state. The Merrimack and Connecticut valleys were the most inviting sections. No document is in existence to verify the statement, but it has come down by tradition, that the farm now owned by Mrs. Francis S. French, a half mile north of the "Hollow," was selected as a desirable and suitable location. But Mr. Wheelock had his own plans. He conceived the idea of establishing his school on the basis of the universities of the old world, making the school independent of town jurisdiction, with power to make its own laws. He selected the site now occupied by Dartmouth college, and named the locality Dresden. The ministers of the state gave him their support. They had the welfare of the peo- ple at heart, and in 1770 resolved, in convention, "to take meas- ures for supplying the back settlements with the gospel."
228
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1779.
PATRIOTISM OF MINISTERS.
During the revolution, they, with but one exception, ranged themselves on the side of liberty. The exception was Rev. Ran- na Cosset, of Claremont. Mr. Cosset was not, however, regularly settled in the ministry. It is not known that his disloyalty to liberty extended beyond his refusal to sign the Association Test. Throughout the war the ministers, by precept and example, used their influence to sustain the cause of the people.
THE PISCATAQUA ASSOCIATION.
The ministers, during the war, came to comprehend that in union there is strength.
Up to this period each pastor had cared for the interests of his own charge; but with the advance of settlements they felt the neces- sity of concerted action for sustaining religious institutions, and united in forming the Piscataqua Association,-the first ecclesias- tical organization in the state.
The Haverhill Association, composed of ministers in Massachu- setts and New Hampshire, was formed Ang. 17, 1779. Those in New Hampshire afterwards took the name of Derry Association.
The Northern Association on Merrimack river was formed in 1788, and included the ministers from Goffstown to Thornton, extending west to Hillsborough. The name was changed to the Hopkinton Association in 1806.
The Monadnock Association was formed 1794; the Orange, 1801; the Plymouth, 1806; the Hollis, 1808.
At a meeting of the "General Convention," at Hopkinton, 1807, a committee was appointed to correspond with the different associations, with a view of establishing a General Association.
THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION.
The correspondence resulted in the organization of what is now known as "The General Association of New Hampshire." The first meeting after its organization was held in Boscawen, on the third Tuesday in September, 1809. In 1859 the fiftieth anniversary was held in Boscawen. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, D. D., of Concord, who
229
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1779.]
drew the following picture of the first meeting held for business in the south front room of Dr. Wood's house.
"Abont two and a half miles westerly of the spot where we are now convened stands a humble dwelling, overshaded by a thick foliage of trees, and partially secluded from the view of the passing traveller. It was for many years the hospitable mansion of the former pastor of this flock,-the Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D. Fifty years ago, at this hour of the morning, there might be seen in that house, in the south east room, which was the study of the pastor, a little company of reverend men,- some in the maturity, others in the prime of manhood, but all serions, earnest, devout, animated by one spirit, and ardent in the pursuit of one object.
"In the chair, as moderator, sat the venerable Elihu Thayer, D. D., pastor of the church in Kingston, eminent for learning and piety, sound in doctrine according to the standard of the Puritan fathers and the word of God, and held in high repute by all his brethren. At the table, with pen in hand, sat Rev. John H. Church, pastor of the church in Pelham, then in the vigor of life, of spare but manly form, of serious and holy aspect, his countenance beaming with grace and wisdom. He is commencing a book of records, from which, for more than thirty con- secutive years, his name is never to disappear, but which, unthought of by him, is to transmit his name to future generations. Sitting in thought- ful silence is the Rev. Jesse Remington, of the church of Candia, colleague delegate with Dr. Thayer from the Deerfield Association-sound in or- thodox faith, and respected as a father in the ministry. Rev. Samuel Wood and Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, delegates from the Hopkinton Association ; Rev. John Kelley, of Hampstead; Rev. Moses Bradford, the zealons and successful pastor of the church in Frances- town; Rev. William Rolfe, pastor of the church in Groton, delegate from the Plymouth Association; and Rev. William F. Rowland, of the first church in Exeter, a gentleman of courteous manners, dignified presence, and eminent for his ready gifts and his ability in prayer. They were nine in unmber, and this was the first meeting after its or- ganization of the General Association of New Hampshire."
TRACT DISTRIBUTION.
The public meetings drew together a great congregation from Boscawen and the surrounding towns. They continued three days. Everybody kept open doors, and there was unbounded hospitality. The association thus formed, at its meeting in 1811, held at Dunbarton, took active measures for the formation of the
230
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1802.
New Hampshire Bible Society ; also measures which resulted in the founding of the Kimball Union Academy at Meriden. A plan was adopted to procure religious tracts for charitable distri- bution. Rev. Dr. Church was chairman of the committee, and four thousand copies of a "Child's Memorial, or, The Happy Death of Dinah Doudney," were distributed. The next year four thou- sand copies of Prof. Porter's sermon, on the drinking of ardent spirits, were distributed, also four thousand copies of a tract, the " Great Criminality of Sabbath-Breaking." This movement was two and a half years in advance of the formation of the New England Tract Society, formed 1814. It was the first movement in that direction on this continent.
Thus we see that in Boscawen the first steps were taken which led to the organized systematic Christian benevolence which characterizes the present age.
In the Civil History, we have seen the gradual progress of dis- sent from the established order of things-the growth of the idea that there should be a severance of church and state-re- sulting in the request of Rev. Dr. Wood that there should be a dissolution of his settlement, so far as the town was concerned.
BOSCAWEN RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
The contract between Rev. Samnel Wood and the town was dis- solved May 7, 1802, by mutual agreement, the town giving him annually one half of the interest of the parsonage, so long as his connection with the church might continue. It was further agreed, that any persons contributing to his support should not be taxed by the town for the support of any other preacher.
Under such circumstances, the Boscawen Religious Society was organized under the following compact :
" We whose names are hereto subscribed believing the Institutions of the Gospel ministry to be of Divine appointment, that it is our Indes- pensable duty as well as our greatest privilege to support it & being desirous of having the Rev. Samuel Wood for our religious Instructor do hereby agree & promise jointly & severally to pay him or his agent on the first day of November 1803 one hundred dollars & on the first day of May 1804 the further sum of one hundred dollars as a compensation to him for preaching one year from the first day of May 1803 & we further promise to pay him a sum yearly in the month of Nov
1827.]
& May not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars & not less than two hundred dollars, but the sum that shall be assessed to be paid to him shall be agreed on by the Rev. Samuel Wood & the Assessors that shall be annually chosen having regard to the state of the society & his eir- cumstances while he continues a minister of the gospel among us."
Those signing this compaet were
Isaac Pearson,
Simeon Atkinson,
George Jackman,
James Uran,
Henry Gerrish,
Noalı Morrill,
Timothy Dix,
Samuel Morrill,
Daniel Peterson,
David Burbank,
Joseph Gerrish,
Denison Bowers,
Jeremiah Morrill,
John Ilsley,
Timothy Dix, jr.,
Nathan Carter,
Daniel Carter,
John Abbott, Timothy Noyes,
Joseph H. Morrill,
Thomas Gilmore,
Wm. Gill,
Somersby Pearson,
John Gill,
Isaac Chandler,
Joseph Atkinson, jr.,
Nath'l Green,
Jeremiah Burpee,
Eleazer Burbank,
Jeremiah Burpee, jr.,
John Chandler, jr.,
Samuel Uran.
Job Abbott,
George Jackman was elected clerk.
The officers for 1807 were Col. Joseph Gerrish, moderator ; Somersby Pearson, clerk; Daniel Webster, Joseph H. Morrill, Joel French, committee to settle with former assessors.
Voted to apply for an act of incorporation, and elected Daniel Webster agent.
ITEMS FROM THE SOCIETY RECORDS.
In 1808 Ezekiel Webster officiated as clerk. In 1822 Daniel Shepherd was chosen to keep order in the galleries.
1824. Fifty dollars was raised to repair the belfry and steeple.
1827. A stove was purchased, the records having the follow- ing item in the proceedings of the regular annual meeting of the society.
" Voted to purchace at auction one cord hard pine wood 2 feet long split for stove to be cut in the spring which was struck off to Lieut · Nathan H. Holt at $1.50."
231
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
232
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1839.
1830. The meeting-house shingled.
1831. Mr. Wood's salary was raised from $250 to $275.
1832. "Voted that the stove be repaired & the funnel be carried through the roof."
Up to this period the funnel had been carried through one of the windows. A sudden change of the wind sometimes sent the smoke through the joints into the house, filling it with a cloud that melted to tears those in the congregation who possibly main- tained a stolid indifference to the truths proclaimed from the pulpit.
1833. Voted, That "the ringing of the bell, sweeping the meeting- house, shoveling paths, furnishing good dry hard wood for the stove, fires made in proper season & all to be done to the satisfaction of the Assessors or the sexton should receive nothing for it."
Voted, " that the Assessors get some suitable person to make an alter- ation & remove the Deacon's seat & procure a table at the expense of the society."
Voted, " that Doct Thomas Peach be permitted to repair his pew by altering the part so as not to injure the house."
1834. Rev. Salmon Bennet having been settled as colleague with Dr. Wood, $325 was raised for his support, and $225 for the support of Dr. Wood.
Voted " the thanks of this society to Mr. Russell Ambrose for orna- menting the public grounds south of the meeting-house by setting out trees."
1838. Voted " to pay the expense for removing Rev. C. B. Tracy to Boscawen."
Dea. Nehemiah Cogswell, Capt. Samuel Chadwick, and David Ambrose were appointed a committee to report at the next meet- ing in regard to the alteration of the meeting-house.
1839. A committee was appointed "to call upon those pew- holders who have not signed to give up their pews, and ascertain if they are willing to unite in building a new house." Jacob Ger- rish, Jeremiah Morrill, and John Cogswell were appointed on the committee.
Voted, " to pay for the use of the double bass-viol."
DR. WOOD'S LEGACY.
A legacy was left the society by Rev. Dr. Wood, consisting of his farm and buildings, which were sold to Moody A. Kilburn, u pon the decease of Mr. Wood, for $1,900.
233
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1840.]
REMODELLING THE MEETING-HOUSE.
The society voted to remodel the meeting-house, and that " the sills of the new house shall be one foot higher than the present one, and that the floor shall be horizontal, and that the house, in- side, shall be like Franklin, excepting the pulpit, and the gallery for singers shall be circular."
The plan subsequently adopted was a modification of the one thus accepted. At a meeting held April 29, Worcester Webster was appointed a committee to procure a new bell. Mr. Benjamin Morrill was authorized "to raise money to procure an organ, if he can."
1840. The society voted to invest the $1,900, received from Dr. Wood's legacy, in the " Upper Intervale," so-called.
For a period of forty years the town had used the east meeting- house every other year, for which the society had received no re- muneration, but much damage by injury done to the pews. Hav- ing remodelled the house, and furnished it with cushions and car- pets, the society did not feel called upon to open its doors to the town for its annual meetings. The town, for two years, used the academy, and two years in succession the March meetings were held at the west end. To obtain accommodations for the town, the society consented to raise the meeting-house four feet, and to give the town the privilege of constructing a room beneath, which, when not used by the town, should be under the control of the society. The offer was accepted by the town, and the house raised in 1848.
In 1860, a number of the public-spirited citizens of Boscawen finished the basement, giving it the name of " Merrimack Hall."
THE FIRST CHURCH.
The first church, organized Oct. 8, 1740, was established on the "Cambridge Platform." At that time Unitarianism, as a distinct denomination, had not made its appearance. There were, how- ever, opposing forces in theology. The conflict was between the "Old School " and the "New Lights." To which wing Rev. Mr. Stevens belonged is wholly a matter of conjecture. [Sce Biog. of Rev. Mr. Stevens. ]
234
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1853.
CHANGE OF POLITY.
The third minister of the Boscawen church was Rev. Nathaniel Merrill .- born in Newbury, and a graduate of Harvard college. He was ordained Oct. 19, 1768. Under Mr. Merrill's pastorate, the church joined the "Grafton Presbytery." The change was made June 27, 1778, under the following vote :
"Voted, To adopt the Presbyterian form of church order and disci- pline, and also that it is the desire of the church to join in the Revd Grafton Presbytery."
The union of the church with the Presbytery was publicly de- clared by Rev. Eden Burroughs, a committee of the Presbytery.
THE GRAFTON PRESBYTERY.
This ecclesiastical body was composed of the churches in Han- over Centre, Bath, Orford, Hartford, Vt., and in one or two other towns west of Connecticut river. It was formed about 1770-1775. Mr. Burroughs, who acted for the Presbytery, was pastor of the church at Hanover Centre. The records of the organization are supposed to have been consumed in the burning of his house early in the present century.
MR. MERRILL'S INFLUENCE.
That the Boscawen church changed its polity chiefly through Mr. Merrill's influence, cannot be doubted. He had been settled at Hudson as early as 1737. Many efforts were made to bring about his dismission in that town ; but a pastor settled by a town was not easily gotton rid of, unless by mutual consent. He uniformly de- clined to ask a dismission, and the town of Hudson finally chose a committee to " settle with Mr. Merrill and stand suit." [See New Hampshire Churches. ] Mr. Merrill, seeing that the town was in earnest, consented to a dissolution of the contract. During his pastorate there, the Hudson church became Presbyterian. Re- ports of some irregularities had reached Boscawen, and a com- mittee was sent by the town to investigate them, but no evidence was elicited affecting his moral or ministerial character. His con- nection with the Boscawen church, and his contract with the town, terminated in April, 1774, after a pastorate of six years. It appears from the records that he was absent many Sabbaths, which created much dissatisfaction.
235
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1853.]
RETURN TO CONGREGATIONALISM.
The Boscawen church nominally was Presbyterian till 1828, when Dr. John Rogers was appointed to see what its relations were to the Presbytery. He could find no such organization, and the church passed a vote readopting the congregational polity.
Rev. Samuel Wood, of Salem, graduate of Dartmouth, class of 1779 [see Biog. ], was ordained Oct. 17, 1781.
In 1831, Oct. 17, Dr. Wood completed a half-century of minis- terial labor, and noticed the event with appropriate services. He stated that he had received into the church, by profession, 480,- of whom 100 had severed their relation, 119 had died, 30 had been excommunicated, leaving a church at that time of 238 members.
Soon after this the work of disintegration began, through emigration, steadily diminishing the number of members. He remained pastor until his death, 1836. [See Biog.]
In December, 1832, Rev. Salmon Bennet was installed as jun- ior pastor. By the terms of settlement, Mr. Bennet was to have a salary of $300 and one fourth part of the time for service else- where, which, proving inadequate for his support, resulted in his dismissal, Oct. 25, 1836.
SETTLEMENT OF REV. C. B. TRACY.
The death of Rev. Dr. Wood occurring soon after, the church and society extended a unanimous call to Rev. Caleb B. Tracy, a graduate of Williams college, and of Andover Theological Sem- inary. He was installed Sept. 12, 1837. Large additions were made to the church in 1842-3.
The organization of the church in Fisherville resulted, however, in the transfer, about this time, of thirteen members to that body.
Mr. Tracy remained pastor till 1851, when he was dismissed by mutual consent.
During the year 1852, the church was under the charge of Rey. Mr. Slocum.
REV. AMBROSE SMITHI.
In 1853, June 15, Rev. Ambrose Smith, graduate of Dart- mouth college, was installed pastor, remaining till his death. [See Biog.]
236
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[ 1853.
REV. M. L. SEVERANCE.
In September, 1863, Rev. M. L. Severance, of Middlebury, Vt., graduate of Middlebury college, student of theology in Union and Andover seminaries, accepted an invitation to the ministry, and was installed pastor Feb. 17, 1864. He was dismissed by mutual council, June 1, 1869.
While pastor of the church, forty-three members were received -thirty-eight of them on profession of their faith-thirty bap- tisms administered, thirty-three marriages and sixty-eight funer- als attended.
Rev. Frank Haley, Rev. Corbin Curtice, and Rev. Ambrose Smith were employed as preachers after the dismissal of Rev. Mr. Severance, but were not settled as pastors.
Rev. J. A. Freeman was installed June 30, 1875, and dismissed July 3, 1877. The church at present is without a pastor.
THE WESTERLY RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
This society was formed in the spring of 1804, by citizens living in the centre and at the west end of the town,-many of those residing on Water street, for some cause, preferring to iden- tify themselves with this society rather than with the Boscawen Religious Society. The number thus uniting was about 70. A church-the 2d Congregational-was formed, and Rev. Ebenezer Price settled as pastor the same year.
The society was incorporated in 1810, and its members attended public worship in the West meeting-house till the erection of the house on Corser hill, 1823. The causes that led to the construc- tion of the house are narrated in connection with the Christian Union Society below.
At a meeting held May 19, 1823, a building committee was chosen, and $500 raised towards procuring the frame of a new meeting-house, to be located on Corser hill, on land purchased from Rev. Ebenezer Price.
The committee consisted of Dea. Enoch Little, Capt. John Farmer, Capt. Joseph Ames, Benj. . T. Kimball, Capt. J. C. Plummer, Capt. Abraham Burbank, Geo. T. Pillsbury, Samuel Pillsbury, Thomas Coffin, Rice Corser, John Danforth.
A committee was appointed to superintend the building of the
-
CAWALKER BOSTON
. Congregational Meeting-House, Webster.
237
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1853.]
house, consisting of James Kilburn, Geo. T. Pillsbury, Geo. T. Kilburn, Daniel Pillsbury.
The committee was instructed to employ those who would be likely to purchase pews ; to obtain as much money as they could by subscription ; to hire money, if necessary ; to sell the pews at auction ; reserving the exclusive jurisdiction of the house to the Westerly Religious Society forever, "it being understood that the house shall never be opened to preachers of any denomination or persuasion whatever, differing in religious principles from the society and church now about to build the house, unless invited by the officiating minister or assessors of the society."
At a meeting held Nov. 10, Simeon B. Little was added to the directing committee.
A committee on dedication was appointed, consisting of Capt. J. C. Plummer, Col. John Farmer, Rice Corser.
Jeremiah Gerrish was appointed a committee to invite the Martin Luther Musical Society "to do the singing at the dedica- tion." He was also empowered to provide a supper for the soci- ety. Mr. Henry Little was commissioned to trim the pulpit.
The house was constructed with great dispatch. None of the timber for the frame was cut till the last week in May, while the frame was raised on the 3d and 4th of July. The master carpen- ter was George T. Pillsbury. The joiner-work was done by Will- iam Abbot ; the plastering, by Moses Fellows; the underpinning, by Ezekiel Evans, of Warner,-at a cost of $97.86. The door-steps were furnished by Benj. E. Quimby, of Warner, for $40.67.
The house was dedicated Dec. 25, a large number of people being present from adjoining towns.
ITEMS FROM THE RECORDS.
"BOARD OF MANAGERS IN ACCOUNT WITH H. & M. FELLOWS.
1823.
June 20, By Rum
-
$0.84
July 2,
66
0.58
3d 54 lbs sugar at 1s
9.00
209 lemons at 3s a doz
8.71
72 galls W I Rum
8.62
42 " NE Rum
2.37
mug & tumblers
0.17
July 9, 1 gall rum
0.46"
238
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1853.
The vane upon the spire was made by Joseph C. Morse, which, with the lightning-rod, cost $5.50. The sashes were made by Daniel Pillsbury, 959 square lights, costing $43.15; the circular sashes, $18.
The pews were appraised and sold at auction. The highest price paid was by Moses Gerrish, $110. The next in value was that purchased by Thomas Coffin, $109. The lowest price paid for a pew was $5, in the gallery.
The society had assessed a tax of $500 upon its members, but the sale of the pews having been sufficient to build the house, it was voted, at the annual meeting, Mar. 1st, 1824, to abate the whole amount.
The society voted at this meeting that the committee "get a stove to put in, if, after adjusting all the bills, they have money sufficient for that purpose."
It is probable that the funds ran short, for no stove was pur- chased till 1832, and then under protest, some members of the society objecting. To accommodate those who were prejudiced against stoves, the society, in 1833, voted " to dispense with fire in the stove the first Sabbath in each month through the cold season."
The one or two individuals in whose favor this vote was passed imagined that they could not breathe air heated by a stove ; and the congregation, wrapping themselves in overcoats and shawls, by means of foot-stoves, and a vigorous thumping of their heels and toes through the long-drawn sermon, did their best to keep from freezing.
The pulpit was constructed after the architecture of former days, but was remodelled in 1844. The house has been several times repainted, and was reshingled in 1855.
A deep-toned bell was purchased in 1823, but which was un- fortunately cracked in 1839. It could be heard at a greater dis- tance than any church bell in the surrounding towns. The first bell-ringer was Daniel Corser. The present bell was obtained in 1839.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Second Congregational Church was formed Sept. 26th, 1804. Letters missive, by those desiring to be organized as a
C.A.WALKER Euc BOSTON
Congregational Meeting-House, Fisherville.
239
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1860.]
church, were sent to neighboring churches, and the council on that day assembled at the residence of Mr. Paul Dodge, in the house now occupied by Henry Dodge. The churches represented were,-Dunbarton, Rev. Walter Harris ; Hopkinton, Rev. Mr. Smith ; Salisbury, Rev. Thomas Worcester; Tamworth, Rev. Mr. Hidden ; Henniker, Rev. Moses Sawyer; Canterbury, Rev. Wm. Patrick; Boscawen, First Church, Rev. Samuel Wood.
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