USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 21
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 21
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The public exercises were held in the meeting-house in the afternoon. The exercises were,-an introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Hidden ; sermon, Rev. Mr. Harris ; charge, Rev. Mr. Wood right hand of fellowship, Rev. Mr. Worcester; concluding prayer, Rev. Mr. Sawyer.
Rev. Ebenezer Price [see Biog. ] was employed as preacher, and a call extended to him to become pastor of the church and society. The installation occurred Sept. 26, 1804.
In 1805, Benjamin Sweat and Eliphalet Kilburn were elected deacons.
In 1806, the church voted to purchase a full set of sacramental cups and flagons of the church in Hopkinton, and $8 was con- tributed for the purpose.
April 23d, 1807, Fast day, a contribution was made for mis- sionary purposes,-the first on record, and doubtless the first in the history of the church,-amounting to $14.25.
In 1811, Enoch Little was elected deacon, in place of Benjamin Sweat, deceased.
1818. Sept. 20th. The church voted to accept of a pewter platter for church use from Mrs. Elizabeth Fellows.
Rev. Mr. Price remained pastor of the church till 1837, when he was dismissed at his own request. The church and society pre- sented him with a gratuity of $865. His pastorate closed May 10th. [See Biog.]
In December, the same year, Rev. Edward Buxton was installed as pastor, with an annual salary of $450. His connection as pastor of the church continued till 1875, when, at the age of 72, he resigned his charge, but, after a respite of a few months, resumed his place in the pulpit as minister, which he still retains.
Few churches can show such a record,-two pastorates extend- ing from 1804 to 1875,-a period of seventy-one years.
Since the organization of this church in 1804, four hundred
240
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1860.
have been added to the membership,-one hundred and sixty males and two hundred and forty females. Of these, fifty-eight have joined by letter. One hundred and ninety have been dis- missed to other churches, thus showing the emigration from the parish. One hundred and ninety have been removed by death, and fourteen excluded from membership,-one of the number hav- ing been reinstated. The present membership numbers eighty- two residents,-thirty-two males, fifty females,-with thirty non- resident members.
During the pastorates of Revs. Mr. Price and Buxton, four hundred and eighty-six children have been baptized, while, of those uniting with the church, one hundred and one have accepted the ordinance of baptism.
Dec. 21, 1868, the church voted to change its name from the Second Congregational Church in Boscawen, to the First Congre- gational Church in Webster.
THE CHRISTIAN UNION SOCIETY.
The legislature of 1819 passed a general law in regard to the organization of religious societies, and under that law the Chris- tian Union Society of Boscawen was formed, Aug. 16, 1820, at the house of Hezekiah Fellows. John Elliot, Jr., was chosen chairman, and Joseph Couch, secretary.
The motives for the organization are set forth in the preamble to the constitution.
"Whereas Religion and morality grounded on Evangelical principles lays the firmest foundation for happiness here and hereafter and in or- der to inculcate and support this grand principle it becomes necessary that men associate together and form themselves into societies for the mutual support and happiness of each other ; and such is the lot of human nature in this Imperfect state that it becomes Necessary for every society to form and adopt certain rules of government for the mutual happi- ness of the whole : Therefore with these views and Impressions We the subscribers agree to form ourselves into a society under the above pre- amble."
Fifty persons joined the society thus formed.
At a meeting held at the West meeting-house, March 26th, 1821, Voted, "To pursue some Legal course until they obtain their privilege in the West meeting-house, and also their equal share of the parsonage Money."
241
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1840.]
The town had erected the frame of the meeting-house in 1792; had sold the pews, thus raising money for finishing the house. The pews were held mainly by those who belonged to the West- erly Religious Society and the Second Congregational Church [see p. 189], but those who had joined the Christian Union Soci- ety believed that they were entitled to share in the use of the house. The members of the Christian Union Society, who were pew-owners, believed that theirs was an equitable and valid claim, while those who were not pew-owners, but who were citi- zens, believed that their claim was equally valid by virtue of their citizenship, and the town's proprietary right in the frame.
Negotiations were had between the two societies, and it was agreed by the committees that the Christian Union Society should have the use of the house six Sundays in the year. The agree- ment, however, was not, for some cause, ratified by either society. The Westerly Religious Society offered to sell their share of the house at 40 per cent. of the valuation, amounting to $352.27. The offer was accepted, but there was a disagreement in regard to the note which the Christian Union Society proposed to give for the amount, and no transfer of the property was effected.
The difference of opinion in regard to jurisdiction was carried into the courts. The decision of the Superior Court was, that the town could not exercise sole jurisdiction over a town meeting- house, when different societies or individuals owned pews therein.
Pending this decision, however, the Christian Union Society resolved to occupy the meeting-house, which was done June 15th and 16th, in connection with a session of the Christian General Conference. There was a large concourse of people from neigh- boring towns, and several elders of repute, as preachers in the de- nomination, were in attendance.
The Christian Union Society took possession of the meeting- house at an early hour on Sunday morning, and Elder Peter Young was occupying the pulpit, when Rev. Mr. Price entered the house at the usual hour for public service. The assessors of the Westerly Religious Society made a formal demand for the house. There was some confusion, but no breach of the publie peace. The time had gone by for a compromise between the two societies, and the Westerly Religious Society resolved to erect a meeting-
16
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242
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1850.
house for themselves, thus leaving the Union Society in undis- turbed and peaceable possession of the old house.
As in most religious controversies, prejudices were engendered, which died out only when those who were participants in the events of the time passed away. But time has worn down the sharp antagonism of other days, and religious bodies, which were antipodal in faith and practice at the beginning of the century, now attend the same meeting, listen to the same preacher, and sit at the same communion.
In 1844, the Christian Union Society voted to remodel the meeting-house,-flooring over the galleries, removing the east and west porches, and making a convenient chapel of the upper story, the lower floor being reserved for a town-house. All of the slips, -fifty-two in number,-with the exception of two, were sold.
The society took on a new lease of life, and was vigorous and flourishing for several years ; but emigration thinned its member- ship, and since 1869 no regular service has been held by the de- nomination.
THE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was formed in 1808, consisting of five male and seven female members. It was organized June 16th under the following compact :
" This Church have agreed to lay aside all the party names by which professors are called, with all such things as are called Creeds, Cove- nants, Platforms, Articles of faith, with all the Commandments of men, and to consider Christ their only Master, and the New Testament their only Rule, and to be known by the name given at Antioch which is Christian.
"The following are the names of the Brethren and sisters who were Baptised June 16th and being united in love, united in the above agree- ment and who stand ready to receive into their Company all who are willing to unite with them in the glorious name of Christ:
David Sweatt,
Martha Corser,
James Corser,
Meela Couch,
Peltiah Gookin,
Martha Gookin,
John P. Sweatt,
Betsey Hobbs,
Joseph Couch, jr.,
Hannah Hobbs,
Mrs. Trumbull,
Mrs. Corser.
"At the close of the year 1808 the church numbered twenty-five members."
243
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1850.]
It has not been possible to obtain the names of all those who have held the office of elder. The list embraces the names of
Peter Young,
WVm. Blaisdell,
David Harriman, Kimball,
Seth Ross,
Moses Scribner,
Nehemiah Sleeper,
Moses P. Favor,
John Tilton,
Wm. S. Morrill,
Moses Polly,
Simeon Roby.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI, FISHERVILLE.
The Congregational Church in Fisherville was organized Nov. 6, 1850. Rev. Mr. Knight and other ministers were employed as preachers till 1857, when Rev. Albert Wm. Fiske was installed pastor May 20, and remained in that relation till Oct. 16, 1863.
The second pastor, Rev. Wm. R. Jewett, was installed Sept. 16, 1863, and dismissed Sept. 10, 1874.
The third pastor, Rev. Marvin D. Bisbee, was installed Sept. 10, 1874, dismissed April 10, 1877.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1840 several individuals, who held to the tenets of the Bap- tist denomination, started a series of religious meetings in the various school districts. Rev. Mr. Peacock, a revivalist preacher of repute, was employed as preacher. The result of the move- ment was an awakening on the subject of religion, resulting in the formation of a church and society, and the erection of a church edifice (see p. 206). No statistics have been preserved in regard to the numbers uniting with the church, which, after a brief ex- istence, was merged into the stronger church of the denomination in Fisherville.
METHODIST CHURCH.
In 1839, some of the residents of the west section of the town, who had adopted the religious tenets of the Methodist denomina- tion, formed a society, and erected the present meeting-house in Webster. Individuals not members of the society aided to some extent ; and, at the dedication of the edifice, Rev. Mr. Price and Rev. Mr. Buxton took part in the exercises, thus manifesting their good will towards the enterprise.
At that time there was a Methodist theological school at Con-
244
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
[1860.
cord in the old North Church, and the students of the school were relied upon to supply the pulpit. The church membership increased; but the same causes that diminished the membership of the other churches operated to weaken this, which, together with the removal of the Theological Institute from Concord, made it impossible to sustain regular ministerial service. Only at inter- vals since 1860 has there been preaching.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
In 1816 the first sunday-schools were established in Boscawen. They were held in the various school districts during the summer months,-in the school-house, or at private residences. The chil- dren recited verses from the Bible, standing in a class with their toes to a crack, and making their "manners " as in the week-day school.
The pupils were those under fourteen years of age. An effort was made to secure a general attendance, but the community did not readily accept the idea. Some excellent Christian people were opposed to having a school taught on Sunday. If not a desecra- tion of the day, it was a departure from the old ways.
The number of scholars in 1824 in connection with the schools at the west end was ninety-seven, who recited 29,957 verses during the six months ending October 24th. No schools were held in the winter. It is narrated, that one scholar of retentive memory tired out the patience of his teacher, reciting chapter after chapter, and was told that he might finish the recitation on the next Sunday.
The first library at the west end was purchased by Enoch Lit- tle, Jr., costing $10. The books were passed from district to dis- trict, and were soon worn out by constant handling.
The report for 1827 gives 5 superintendents, 159 scholars, 22 Sabbath exercises, 30,117 verses recited in the schools at the west end. Rev. Mr. Price had a Bible-class of 73 members. Schools were also taught in the districts at the east end of the town.
In 1831 the district system was given up, and the schools or- ganized into one, the sessions being held as now on Sunday noon in the meeting-house, the " Union Questions " taking the place of recitations from the Bible.
No statistics have have been preserved in relation to the school connected with the church on the Plain.
Methodist Meeting-House, Webster.
BOSTON
CA WALKER
[1746.
MILITARY HISTORY.
HE military history of Boscawen and Webster begins with the first " French and Indian war," in 1744, and is brought down to the close of the Rebellion, 1865,-a period of one hundred and twenty-one years. The military record is one of which every citizen, and every descendant of citizens, may justly be proud.
In 1744, at the outbreak of the French war, Richard Flood served the Provincial government in some capacity, in the expedi- tion to Canada. It is not known that he went as a soldier. The only record of his service is a notice of his petition for aid from the government, in the records of the Provincial committee, for service rendered in the expedition to Canada.
The same year Philip Call served as a scout in Capt. Jeremiah Clough's company, from Jan. 21 to March 18, receiving £2 10s. Capt. Clough lived in Canterbury, and was a leading citizen of that town.
Captain John Clough commanded a company in Penacook at the same time, of which Nathaniel Rix was a soldier.
In 1746, Captain John Goffe, of Bedford, commanded a com- pany of sconts, in which Joseph Eastman, Jr., Dea. Jesse Flan- ders, his brother, John Flanders, Jr., and Wm. Corser served as privates thirty-seven days, having been called out by the attacks of the Indians on Penacook and Contoocook, killing Thomas Cook, and capturing Cæsar, Rev. Mr. Stevens's negro.
Later in the season Capt. Ladd arrived [see Civil Hist., p. 43] with a company, in which Philip Flanders, Joseph Eastman, and
246
MILITARY HISTORY.
[1754.
Jacob Flanders enlisted. In this company was Robert Rogers, afterwards the celebrated ranger.
At the same time Philip Call was doing duty in Capt. Clough's company, being out one hundred and fifty-four days, receiving £8 13s. 3p.
In 1747, Capt. Clough of Canterbury was out from the 5th of January to the 12th of November. Philip Call and John Man- uel served under him, receiving £16 10s. 10p., besides provisions and ammunition. Upon the return of this company, Capt. Eben- ezer Eastman, of Concord, began a winter campaign, being out with his company from Nov. 14, 1747, to May 9th, 1748. Rev. Phineas Stevens served as a private. In all probability he preached on Sunday to the soldiers in camp.
In 1748, Capt. Goffe was scouting the frontier with a company in which William Corser served as private. At the same time, Capt. Moses Foster, of Suncook, was ranging the frontier with a company, of which Rev. Mr. Whittemore, minister of Pembroke, was lieutenant. Ezekiel Flanders, killed in 1756 at Newfound lake by the Indians, served in this company one month, from June 6 to July 7 [See Civil Hist.]
Peace having been made between England and France, there was no further need of military service till 1754, when the Indians again began their depredations, killing William Stinson, and taking John Stark and Eastman prisoners on Baker's river, cap- turing the Meloon family of Salisbury, and killing Mrs. Philip Call and Timothy Cook, in Stevenstown. [See Civil Hist.]
Military service was no longer confined to the Merrimack val- ley ;- the theatre of war was transferred to the upper Hudson and the lakes. Col. Blanchard commanded a regiment, in which Benjamin Eastman, of Boscawen, enlisted under Capt. John Goffe, serving from April 24th to Oct. 23d.
One company was commanded by Capt. Thomas Tash, of Dur- ham, in which John Corser enlisted. Capt. Joseph Eastman commanded another company, in which Winthrop Carter, Moses Manuel, Samuel Manuel, Joseph Eastman, Andrew Bohonnon, William Jackman, and John Fowler served.
Another regiment was commanded by Col. Nathaniel Folsom. Upon the muster-roll is the name of Nathaniel Meloon, son of the first settler of that name in Contoocook.
247
MILITARY HISTORY.
1775.]
In the Crown Point expedition, John Fowler, Joel Manuel, and Joseph Eastman served, under Captain John Goffe.
In 1758, Daniel Shepherd and Philip Flanders served in Capt. Ladd's company, Col. Hart's regiment, sent to Crown Point. Nathaniel Meloon served in Capt. Todd's company.
In Rev. Mr. Price's history, it is stated that Philip Flanders was killed at Crown Point in 1756, which is manifestly an error, his name appearing on the muster-roll from April 24 to November 1, 1758, on which day he probably was killed.
FROM 1760 TO 1775.
There is no record to show the military organization in the town from the close of the French war in 1760 to the beginning of the Revolution in 1775. The law required all able-bodied men, between sixteen and sixty, to be enrolled in the train bands. A. town containing thirty-two men liable to do military duty could have a military organization of its own. There being more than that number of soldiers in the town, it had a "train band."
The news of the battle of Lexington reached Boscawen on the 20th of April, and the next morning Capt. Henry Gerrish and his soldiers were on the march.
DIARY OF CAPT. HENRY GERRISH.
" Fryday 21 April 1775.
" Set out for Cambridge with Lieut Call, Sargent Carter, Esq Fowler, Edmund Chadwick, John Flanders, John Stevens, Nathaniel Burbank, Samuel Jackman, David Flanders, Charles Greenfield, Peter Roswell Stevens, Israel Shepard, Isaac Davis, Edward Gerald, & arrived at Cambridge on Sunday & all tarried till Tuesday & then Esq Fowler set out for home, on Wensday Lieut Call, Winthrop Carter & Nathaniel Atkinson set out for home [Nathaniel Atkinson and prob- ably other soldiers had joined the company between Friday and Wednesday] & there joined our company on Wensday morning Will- iam Forrest, Timothy Foss, Jeremiah Gibson, Aaron Sargeant, John Been, John Rains, Abraham Fyfield, Joseph Loverin, Moses Welsh." These last were probably citizens of Salisbury.
Some of the Boscawen soldiers, in common with those of other towns, soon returned home, while others hastened to Cambridge to fill their places. Those from Boscawen enlisted in Capt.
248
MILITARY HISTORY.
[1775.
Joshua Abbot's company, Col. Stark's regiment. Capt. Abbot was a citizen of Concord, well known to the Boscawen men. He had served in the French war, and was a brave and gallant officer. Samuel Atkinson [see Biography] was elected lieutenant, and Samuel Corser and Nathan Davis corporals. They had all confi- dence in their colonel, John Stark, who had seen hard service in the last war against the French and Indians.
The term of enlistment was for eight months, beginning April 23d. The regiment was quartered at Medford. On the morning of June 17th, Col. Stark received a despatch from Gen. Ward, ordering him to send a battalion to the relief of Col. Pres- cott, who was throwing up the earthworks on Bunker hill, and Lieut. Col. Wyman was despatched with about 200 men,-prob- ably three companies of sixty-six men each. The detachment left Medford between nine and ten o'clock. At noon, another message came, ordering the remainder of the regiment to march. It was between twelve and one when Col. Stark started, and past two when he reached the rail fence by the Mystic river, on the eastern slope of Bunker hill, a position chosen by himself. His practised eye and knowledge of military tactics saw that the movement of the British commander would be to gain the rear of the redoubt by marching along the Mystic.
Col. Reed's regiment, from the south-western part of the state, had arrived in camp three days before. The popularity of Stark had given him twelve companies, but two of them had been transferred to Reed. Both regiments were full, or nearly so, together number- ing about one thousand. In addition, a company from Hollis was serving in Prescott's Massachusetts regiment [see Hist. Hollis]. Other citizens of New Hampshire were in Massachu- setts' service, making the total number from this state nearly eleven hundred.
The advance of the British was against the rail fence. We may think of the citizens of Boscawen as stationed a few rods from the Mystic, behind the barricade of hay which they have laid against the fence. Their commander orders them to re- serve their fire till the enemy are within eight rods. Then there is a flash, a rattle, a roar: the soldiers of the king go down in heaps. Consternation seizes them, and they flee to their land- ing-place. A second time their ranks are decimated. The third
249
MILITARY HISTORY.
1775.]
attack is against the redoubt, and, with the failure of ammunition on the part of the Americans, the British gain an entrance. The troops at the fence are the last to retreat. Only when the day is lost do they retire, Joseph Couch and another soldier bring- ing off a wounded comrade.
ROLL OF HONOR AT BUNKER HILL.
Those engaged in the battle of Bunker hill from Boscawen were :
OFFICERS.
-Atkinson, Samuel, Lieut.
Corser, Samuel, Corp.
Call, Moses,
Davis, Nathan,
PRIVATES.
Burbank, David
Davis, Isaac
Burbank, Nathaniel
Danforth, Joshua
Burbank, Moses, jr.
Eliot, John
Bowley. John
Flanders, John
Chadwick, Edmund
Flanders, David
Corser, William
Flanders, Jesse, Dea.
Corser, Asa
In Capt. Aaron Kinsman's company, John Manuel, who was killed; in Capt. - company, Joseph Couch, who was wounded on the retreat by a spent cannon ball.
The following receipt is in possession of Luke Corser, Esq. :
" Boscawen May 24 1775
" Recieved of David Corser of Boscawen a Gun marked on the Britch W. C. B which Gun I have Recieved for the use of the soliers Now in the County Sarvice who went from Boscawen under the com- mand of Capt Abbot in order to Defend the country against the Troops under General Gage Now at Boston. Recieved by me
" Samuel Atkinson." "W. C. B " undoubtedly means William Corser, Boscawen. He was an uncle of David Corser, who gave him 100 acres of land, on Pleasant street, for the gun.
EXPEDITION TO QUEBEC.
In September, volunteers were called for to join Arnold's expe- dition to Quebec up the Kennebec river, an expedition attended
250
MILITARY HISTORY.
[1775.
by terrible hardships, resulting in failure, the capture of nearly all of Arnold's command, and the death of Gen. Montgomery.
Dea. Jesse Flanders, John Flanders, Jr., and Nicholas Davis enlisted in Capt. Henry Dearborn's command, and were captured in the attack upon Quebec. They were kept in irons a short time, liberated on parole in August, 1776, and reached New York by sea September 25.
While in prison John Flanders kept a diary, which has been in part preserved. It contains a record of the weather from the first week in January, 1776, to April 25, together with a few items of interest, mostly written in cypher, the key to which has been dis- covered.
JOHN FLANDERS'S DIARY.
" Jeny 3d 1776
Cloudy & snowy in the morning & cleared off at Night we had 1 pint of water 1 pound of Boild Rice 1 pound of Brown Bread 2 pound Pork.
Jenuy 4 It snowed in the Morning blowy all Day we had 2 ounces of Butter 9 ounces pork 1 pound of Brown Bread
Jan 5 we have very good allowance salt maccaril with Butter
15 a Violent Coald Snow Storm
16 fair weather
17 Snowed all Day and the Night Before
18 clondy & Look Likely for Snow & Cold
19 Cloudy & Somthing Cold
20 Snowed a littel the prisnors made to ascape & two was put in irons
21 Somting Modrit But cloudy Last night six of the sogers made thair acape five of the prisonrs that was Listed in thair Sarvies one that Belongd to tham thay offered five Soos [sous] to any Body that would Return him.
March 27 clear and cold
28 raw cold but Plasant sun
29 clear and a warın sun."
The diary here begins in cypher.
"boutat hist imew Eware desint omakeo uras Capeas w Ecouldg oto ti."
[Translation.]
" Bout at this time we ware designed to make our escape as we could go to ti (Ticonderoga).
251
MILITARY HISTORY.
1776.]
31 " tha yfound dou tour desin cand dw Ewar ethratne du st opu tu si niron S t ha y pu tal Ith E Sar gen sta nde opril si nirons."
[Translation.]
"Thay found out our desine and we ware thratned to put us in irons they put all the sargents and corprils in irons."
" April 1 the first day of A [April] I was put in irons with the rest of my company and many others."
The prisoners were released on parole, August 1, were taken to New York by ship, and arrived in Boscawen September 25.
In December, 1775, additional soldiers were called for, and Nich- olas Elliot, Moses Burbank, Benjamin Webster, and David Carter served during the winter in the siege of Boston.
1776. During the year soldiers were called for, for the defence of Ticonderoga from the threatened attack of Sir Guy Carleton, and twenty-three men enlisted.
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