USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Canaan > The history of Canaan, New Hampshire > Part 16
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The first preacher of whom we have any record was James Treadway, who came here as a settler in 1770. We know but little about his doctrine, and what is known of the man, is not any evidence of Christian principles, but rather a desire to bet- ter himself during the temporary lethargy of the proprietors, who, when they realized that all men are not honest, promptly rebuked him, and in a few years he disappears.
The first church established in Canaan was Baptist, the rec- ord of this event has been laid aside, but it was probably about 1780, that is, that denomination seemed to have the most follow- ers, and in the early days the most control over who should preach. Before the meeting-house was built there was no stated place of worship, they met where it was convenient. Late in the summer of 1780 there came to town two Baptist evange- lists, illiterate, but very zealous in their intercourse with the people. Their homely talk roused a large interest in religious
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
matters. Their names have passed out of story and we cannot, if we would, give their address. They remained here several weeks. Some old professors were worked up and several young persons converted, among the others was Thomas Baldwin. He had already, since the death of his boy, Erastus, become a stu- dious and serious young man. After these strangers had de- parted a suggestion was uttered that a church organization would be desirable, which led in a short time to the calling of a con- ference. Elder Elisha Ransom of Woodstock, Vt., was consulted. Other clergymen, including Rev. Samuel Ambrose, of Sutton, were invited to take part, and a church was organized in Caleb Welch's barn on South Road, that being the most convenient place for that purpose. It has come down in tradition that Wil- liam Plummer, afterwards governor, preached his Tory sermon in the Deacon's barn, in 1780. It was also the place where many religious meetings were held in pleasant weather. Caleb Welch and John Worth were elected deacons. Deacon Worth invited himself to take charge of the singing, and it is said that he clung to that office with great tenacity. About thirty persons were admitted to membership. For a while the new church was ministered to by preachers from neighboring towns, and when these failed they relied upon the talent which circumstances had developed among them. No effort was made to settle a preacher for many months. Mr. Baldwin frequently conducted the exercises, and at length decided to prepare himself for the ministry.
In the spring of 1783 the church invited him to receive ordina- tion and become their pastor. A council was called in June and he received ordination as an evangelist, and was put in charge of this church. Thomas Baldwin was a son of Thomas Baldwin; his mother was the second wife of Dr. Ebenezer Eames, who built the first mill in town. He was born in Bozrah, Conn., December 25, 1753, and came to Canaan with his mother and Doctor Eames in 1769. He worked as a carpenter for sev- eral years, and built a house near the old James Pattee place on South Road. Some of the old barns he framed, stood for many years, that of Joshua Wells, on the old Wells farm and the old Worth Tavern, which was torn down to make room for the new house built by Dr. E. M. Tucker, where Mrs. St. Armand
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
lives. He built a house on the intervale, about a hundred rods from the house once occupied by B. M. Howard, now owned by George W. Davis. He planted his apple seeds; several trees were standing a few years back, in the vicinity of the old cellar, and hurried back to Colchester, Conn., where a young friend was waiting for him, Ruth Huntington. He was nearly twenty- two years old and she was several years younger. They were married on September 21, 1775, and soon afterwards set out on their return to Canaan. He had but one horse, which carried his little store of goods and his young wife, she occasionally rest- ing herself by walking with him along the single trail that led through almost unending dense forests. Through Connecticut and Massachusetts there were occasional settlements, with roads passable for such vehicles as the people possessed. After pass- ing into New Hampshire the places of refuge were seldom met. Several times during their journey they camped by the wayside. They arrived in Canaan about the last of October and were duly received by the people and installed in their new home. Here they lived several years ; here their children were born. In the old record we read as follows : "May 19. 1777 Erastus Bald- win son to Thomas and Ruth Baldwin, was born." In the grave- yard on the Street is an old slatestone slab that used to bear the following inscription,
ERASTUS Son of Elder Thomas and Ruth Baldwin. Died Nov. 2, 1777, in his 7th month. This fading flower Cut down and Withered in an hour
It is the oldest stone in the yard, but the storms of nearly a hundred and thirty-three years have crumbled it to pieces so that the words are not decipherable. It is said Mr. Baldwin cut this stone with his own hands, and this is the only relic of the famous old elder which exists in Canaan. It was probably not erected until several years after the child's death, and exhibits a trace of vanity that is not objectionable. When the child died, in 1777, the father had not become an "Elder, " but he had already experienced religion in Deacon Welch's barn, chiefly through the strong religious sentiment that pervaded the heart
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
and character of his wife. In this house was born to them three other children, Sarah on June 8, 1780, Ruth on August 31, 1782, and Thomas, Jr., on August 29, 1784.
This house was bought by Oliver Smith, a very precise old man; when town clerk he used to place on record the day of the week and the hour of the birth of each one of the numerous Smith family. After Smith's departure it passed into the hands of Stephen Jenniss, whose advice to his son will long be remem- bered, "That in a dark night when it rains hard, the middle of the road is the safest place to walk." When the railroad was built, the old house was sold at auction to Mr. Weeks, who wanted it for the memories of Doctor Baldwin that clung around it. He took it down and built a house with its timbers at East Canaan. After this he took it down again, carried the timbers to the old Pinnacle House, then his residence on the Street, and built a carriage house and sheep barn of them, where it stood for many years until torn down a few years ago.
He was raised and educated in the doctrine of the Puritans, and became a convert to Baptism on reading a book entitled, "The Divine Right of Infant Baptism." The town records are silent during the first three years of young Baldwin's service, he was town clerk, but he, no doubt, considered his time more valuable for saving souls that telling what was done in town meeting. But a vote passed October 7, 1790, at a town meeting held at the house of Capt. Robert Barber, gives some- thing of what was done as follows :
Voted that we do hereby ratify and confirm a vote passed in the year 1783 (which vote is now lost), respecting the settlement of Elder Thomas Baldwin, in which vote the town voted to approve and confirm what the church had done, in calling Elder Baldwin to be ordained as an evangelist, and to exercise pastoral care over the church and con- gregation, so long as he should judge it his duty to continue here, by which he was considered as the minister of said town, tho not confined for any certain time.
The first mention of his receiving any pay for his services, or rather not receiving any, was a vote passed in December, 1786, when it was "voted that a vote passed to give Mr. Baldwin 40 pounds be reconsidered." On March 22, 1787, the town voted "to give Mr. Baldwin 30 pounds in Labor and produce the present year," and that his estate be exempt from taxation.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1789 Mr. Baldwin received a call from the Baptist Church in Tunbridge, Mass., and about the same time one from Hampton, Conn. In February the town voted "that Elder Baldwin is not under obligation to this town any longer than it appears to him to be his duty to stay and preach in it." It was also voted "that Elder Baldwin would continue and preach in Town, so long as he can see it to be duty." He set out early in the sum- mer and on the way received a call from the second Baptist Church in Boston. He preached at both Tunbridge and Hamp- ton and received unanimous calls from both. He then went to Boston and on July 4, 1790, preached his first sermon there and then returned to Canaan. On March 9th, 1790, the town voted "to raise 30 pounds for the support of Elder Baldwin, excepting those who are conscience bound that they cannot support min- isters that way" and "that any person who shall pay Elder Baldwin and take his receipt, it shall answer to the Constable for his proportion." On August 22, 1790, the church in Boston gave him a unanimous call. He continued to minister to this congregation until September 18, 1790, after being the first settled minister in town for seven years, when he accepted the call to Boston and was installed November 11, 1790. The church here increased in numbers under his preaching, and at his de- parture there were some seventy or eighty members. The general feeling in the church is represented to have been good, although as in all such bodies, there were some irrepressible persons who became impatient at having their talents ignored.
Coming into Canaan a poor boy he left it a wealthy man, as owner of the Minister's right, he realized from that, as well as from the purchase of other rights, and from the sale of land which he had purchased and mortgaged back. In 1794 he re- ceived the degree of A. M. from Brown University, and in 1803 the degree of D. D. from Union College. He edited the Baptist Magazine from 1803 to 1817. His election sermon, preached in 1802, went through three editions. His 250 page answer to Rev. Samuel Wonston, showed his best efforts. He was founder of Waterville College, Maine; on his annual visit to attend the commencement in 1824, he preached twice at Hallowell, Me. The next day, August 29, he spent in walking over the college grounds and upon going to bed, slept for a short time, groaned and died,
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
aged 71 years, and was buried in Boston. He is described as a large man, well formed, and pleasing countenance. In appear- ance much like Webster; of military carriage and a splendid figure on horseback.
William Kimball, 85 years old, in 1881 remembered hearing him preach in the old meeting-house in 1817. "He drove up from Boston in a chaise, accompanied by his daughter, stayed at Joshua Harris' Inn; the people all thronged to see him and of- fered him hospitality, but he remained at the Inn. He preached once from the text 'Grieve not the Spirit.' The house was thronged with eager listeners. Pushee led the choir, with his. violin, and the music was grand and full-toned. No more eloquent. prayers have ever been spoken in Canaan from that day to this. They were complete, and so effective that everybody but Pettin- gill were in tears before they knew it. Everything that needed praying for was brought in, and got a short and eloquent bless- ing without any effort. The beauty of his prayer was it was short and comprehensive. I was a young man, but I have never heard another prayer that has or can displace that in my mem- ory."
Ruth, his wife, died February 11, 1812. He married second Margaret Duncan of Haverhill, Mass., who survived him many years.
After the departure of Mr. Baldwin, there was no stated preaching. Various "trials" had been made, but no preacher had given such satisfaction as to induce the town to vote upon that subject. At length, about the 17th of June, 1793, there came along a young elder, whose gifts excited in them a gleam of hope, and on this day the inhabitants held a public meeting at the house of Capt. Robert Barber, to see, "1st. If the town would agree to hire Elder Elisha Ransom to preach for one year. 2nd. To see what sum of money the town will agree to raise for the support of said Ransom: and 3rd. to see if the town will provide any house for said Ransom to live in." The doings of the town are dispatched on this occasion in two brief lines. "Choose Lt. Thomas Miner Moderator. Voted to dis- solve this meeting," and Elder Elisha Ransom disappears forever from our records. A committee on preaching had been pre- viously appointed. They continued their search for a preacher,
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
and on the 19th of November, of the same year, they reported another candidate, but the town declined to accept their report. However, the town voted 35 pounds lawful money "to support a preacher of the Gospel for one year," and Dea. Caleb Welch, Lieut. William Richardson and John Benedict were chosen a com- mittee "to lay out the above sum of money in procuring Mr. Hooper if he can be obtained, if not some other man agreeable to the town." The time when Mr. Hooper was to begin was left discretionary with the committee. The "hireing" never began ; Mr. Hooper disappears without coming to sight. During the year 1794, but little effort was made to procure preaching. The good people lamented the sad state into which they had fallen. They talked of one another as being obstinate and by their prejudices as being stumbling blocks to Christian progress. Each one asked the other to yield, but declined to give up his own preferences. It was a condition of society which has had its counterpart many times since. Up to the 10th of March, 1795, there was no success in procuring preaching. It was deemed impossible to unite the people upon any one person. But on this day, they made an effort and directed their committee to send to Mr. Uriah Smith to come and preach upon trial. All former votes were reconsidered and "30 pounds lawful money was raised to hire preaching the ensuing year." Smith was put "upon trial," and on the 29th of July, 1795, he was "hired to preach with us three months," at the rate of $10 per month. On November 2, Mr. Smith was hired to preach "till the Second Sunday of March next," at the same compensation.
At the annual meeting in 1796, forty pounds were voted for preaching. In consequence of this vote, five gentlemen entered their dissent and protested against "raising money this way," to support a preacher of the gospel. In order to quiet their opposition, it was voted that these five gentlemen, Thomas Miner, Dudley Gilman, John Richardson, Robert Williams, and Asa Paddleford might be excused from paying their rates, which they refused to accept. They made themselves so busy in creating public opinion, that on the 15th of March, seven days after the former vote, when the town "voted to hire Mr. Smith for six months at $10 per month, he to board himself" the dis- senters showed a strong and growing opposition. This time they
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
reconsidered the vote to raise forty pounds and voted thirty pounds, and the number who entered their dissent against pay- ing the "thirty pounds" and also against hiring Mr. Smith had increased to twenty-five. The best men in town their names are below :
Thomas Miner
Shubal Burdick
Robert Williams
Hubbard Harris
Robert Wilson
E. Scofield
Moses Hadley
James Morse
Reuben Kimball
Asa Kimball
John Richardson
Joshua Richardson
Joseph Clark
John Wilson
Henry Springer
Daniel Kimball
Dudley Gilman
Simon Blanchard
Asa Paddleford
Caleb Wilder
Abel Hadley
John Worth
Josiah Barber
Joseph Flint
Levi Straw
The town adhered to its vote and refused to release them from paying the tax. Mr. Smith continued to preach and to receive $10 per month until March, 1797, after which date he did not appear again in the pulpit. He lived several years in town, after he ceased to preach, and taught school in a schoolhouse that stood in the old orchard of Jacob Tucker, nearly opposite the house of Mr. Gideon Spencer on the old road to Dorchester. Afterwards he moved to Enfield, where he died.
There was still but one church in Canaan, but it was not. strong enough to support itself and the great obstacle to securing "stated preaching" was found in the unwillingness of the mem- bers of this church to listen to preachers of any other belief. It was not strong enough to pay the expense of a Baptist preacher. There were Congregationalists, Universalists, and a few Methodists, and also a few impracticable men, who like some persons in these days, thought their own teachings good enough for the people, and were not inclined to yield their rights to any new comer. Each belief was jealous of the others, and refused to cooperate lest they might lose individuality. The result was they had no stated preaching for several years. Whenever a religious meeting was held, Dea. Richard Clark, Dea. John Worth, or Mrs. Miriam Harris would seize the opportunity to
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
deliver their melancholy rhapsodies to an impatient audience, and this had got to be so severe a trial, that they at last resolved to form a society upon the "principles of equality," as they termed it. Elder Tyler said Dea. Richard Clark was a powerful exhorter, would sometimes lose himself in his zeal. Spittle would fly from both sides of his mouth, one corner at a time, and his nose was a river of snot, which he used to blow about him first from one nostril and then the other, stopping one with his thumb. He was long winded and very annoying to Thomas Baldwin.
To give the movement greater force a legal meeting was called, on the 28th of August, 1797. At this meeting the opponents of the society were so demonstrative, as nearly to break it up. After severe discussion, the house was divided, when it was found that the disorganizers were few in numbers but large in noise. Then Jehu Jones, Joseph Wadley and Richard Whittier were elected a committee to confer with a like committee appointed from the church, consisting of John Worth, William Richard- son and Deacon Welch, who were to report a constitution for the society at an adjourned meeting. On the 4th of September, the committee made their report, which was accepted by the town. It was signed by a large number of men in columns according to their belief. I have thought it proper to print this report, together with the names attached to it, to show something of the form of thought which characterized the religious mind of those days. The manuscript is the original draft of the report, and the names were written by the individual owners. The paper is much worn, as if it had passed through many hands, before it slept the long sleep, before it came into my possession.
CONSTITUTION.
We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Canaan, taking into consideration the importance of having the gospel preached among us, and the benefits and privileges that will accrue to us, our fami- lies, and the community at large, thereby do for the better promoting the same mutually and by our free consent enter into and join in a society to act agreeable to the following sentiments rules and regula- tions, namely
First, That we will support a minister by an equality, among our- selves according to what we are possessed of.
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
Second. That we will pay our several proportions of the sum or sums that the society shall raise from time to time for the support of the minister as they shall direct.
Third, That the minister be one that can bring credentials of his being a member of a regular gospel church, and in good standing with them, and can give evidence of his call to the work of preaching the gospel.
Fourth, That when the church have called a minister, and the society like him they will manifest their agreement with them in the matter.
Fifth, That it is the privilege of the minister and the church to lead in the worship, but if the society take the singing from the church, we will not contend so as to make a disturbance in the meeting, but will endeavor patiently to bear it as a trial.
Sixth, That it is not our intention to debar any of the proprietors or society from enjoying their privilege in the meeting house accord- ing to their interest.
Seventh, That all prudential matters shall be determined by the majority of the society, which shall consist of two thirds of the mem- bers present at the meeting.
Eighth, There shall be a standing committee, whose duty it shall be to warn meetings when applied to by seven members of the society.
Ninth, There shall be a clerk who shall make a fair record of the doings of the society.
Tenth, That there shall be a treasurer, assessors, and a collector or collectors for the society.
Eleventh, The above agreement made and entered into this 4th. day of Sept., A. D. 1797 to stand for the term of one year, as witness our hands.
Baptists.
Jacob Miller
John Worth
Robbard Barber
Caleb Welch
Richard Whittier
Ezekiel Wells
Nathaniel Barber
John Currier™
Caleb Pierce John M. Barber
Stephen Worth
Joseph Wadley
Caleb Welch jr
Ezekiel Gardner Nath. Whittier Joshua Wells Oliver Smith Hubbard Harris
Joshua Clement
Nathan Beebe
Richard Clark
Simeon Arvin
Daniel Colby Josiah Clark
Richard Clark jr
Ebenezer Clark John Worth jr
Israel Harris William Harris Jehu Jones Timothy Johnson jr Abel Hadley
Thomas Miner
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Caleb Seabury
Congregationalists.
Elam Meacham
William Richardson
Enoch Sweat
Levi Bailey
David Pearson
Reuben Currier
Samuel Chapman
Hezekiah Jones
Samuel Noyes
Eliphlet Norris
Nathaniel Gilman
Joshua Pillsbury
Reynold Gates
Moody Noyes
Samuel Welch
Dudley Noyes
Thomas Morse
Richard Otis
Samuel Welch jr
Clement Goddard
Thaddeus Lathrop
David Smith
Eliphlet Clark
John May
Joshua Meacham
Moses Richardson
Thomas Cole
Richard Clark
Judah Wells
Enoch Richardson
James Morse
Joshua Richardson
Jabez Smith
Mathew Athaton
William Parkhurst
John Perley
Bailey Cross
Daniel Johnson
Elijah Whittier
Warren Wilson
Jonathan Dustin
John Richardson
David Jones
John Sweet
Jacob Richardson
John Wilson
Universalists. J. M. Colcord Joshua Harris
Thomas Bedel
Timothy Johnson
At the meeting on the 4th of September, Oliver Smith was chosen clerk; John Worth, Jehu Jones and William Richardson, were appointed the "standing committee" to procure preaching. They also voted $100 to pay for preaching for one year. The committee were successful in finding a candidate who was willing to serve in the pulpit.
His name was Ezra Wilmarth. He stayed several weeks, preach- ing and visiting among the families, and won the good will of the town to such an extent, that on the 28th of November, 1797, they voted to hire him and pay him "fifty-two pounds as com- pensation for preaching with us one year." They also agreed to move his family to Canaan and provide a house for them to live in. It was "voted to give Lt. Richard Whittier $13.50 for bringing half a ton - either Mr. Wilmarth's family or his goods from Fairfax, Conn., to Canaan - if his family, the society
12
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
is to pay their expense on the road. Lieut. Whittier is to have two-thirds of the money before he starts from home."
"Voted to give Lieut. Thomas Miner ten dollars for bringing half a ton from Fairfax to Canaan, meaning Mr. Wilmarth's family or goods." The committee was ordered to make "pro- vision for Mr. Wilmarth respecting a house to live in and some necessaries of life, &c." Thirteen pounds were raised for "mov- ing" Mr. Wilmarth and providing him a house to live in when he gets here. "Sunday the 14th day of January, 1798, the Rev. Mr. Wilmarth returned to Canaan with his family, and moved in with Mr. Josiah Clark. His time began on said day."
Mr. Wilmarth went about his labors serene and happy in the belief that he was appreciated for his faithfulness.
The people had concluded they had found the man they needed. A town meeting was called in August, when John Currier, Jehu Jones and Caleb Seabury were appointed "a com- mittee on the part of the town to be joined by such of the hon. church as they may appoint to consult and propose a method for the settlement and support of Rev. E. Wilmarth." The com- mittee made a detailed report of the method and then the town appointed William Richardson, John Worth and John Currier, a committee to present a call to Mr. Wilmarth, ask his accep- tance and confer with him respecting his settlement over them in the gospel ministry.
Considerable diplomacy entered into the question right here between the church and town. Deacon Worth and Richard Clark, whose "gifts" in long prayers and longer exhortations, never came at a timely moment, would not cut off their priv- ileges. Besides these brethren had pitched the tunes and sung the solemn singing in their own way, without harp or sackbut. Fiddles and fifes were an abomination to these pious souls. They made no objection to Mr. Wilmarth if all their rights were pre- served. The town yielded all they claimed, and then a united call was given to the preacher, who was asked to accept it and name a day for his installation. Right here occurs a hiatus in the records, the result of old Oliver Smith's usual negligence. Several meetings were held of which he have no account and some of the terms agreed upon between the high parties are
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