USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Dublin > The history of Dublin, N.H., Volume 1852 > Part 18
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THE RIGHT OF THE TOWN IN THE MEETING-HOUSE.
As the meeting-house of the First Congregational Society was built by the town before the passage of the " Toleration Law," the town held a right of property in it. On several occasions, propositions were made to sell the town's right ; but they all failed of adoption till 1847. The following article was inserted in the warrant for town-meeting of that year : "To see what order the town will take in regard to the meeting-house built by the town, or act any way in relation to said house." The result was : "Voted that the town sell at auction all the right they own in the meeting- house built by the town." "Voted that the selectmen give notice of the time of sale." At a meeting, July 8th of the
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same year, Calvin Mason was chosen an agent, with authority. "to convey to the purchaser all the right, interest, and property, that the town own in said house." In accordance with the foregoing votes, the house was sold by auction, and purchased by Thaddeus Morse. At a meeting of the First Congregational Society, Oct. 8, " Voted that the society purchase the right to the centre meeting-house bought by Thaddeus Morse." The said right was purchased of Mr. Morse by the society for what it cost him.
SACRED MUSIC, SINGING-MASTERS, SINGING-SCHOOLS.
Owing to the want of psalm or hymn-books, it was the practice, in the early days of Dublin church, as in other churches, for the minister to read the whole hymn; and, after that, one of the deacons read one line, which the choir sang, and then he read another, which was also sung ; and so on, reading and singing alternating till the hymn was finished. Even after the choir were supplied with books, the practice was not wholly discontinued. The deacon, however, in such a case, would read two lines or a stanza, which the choir sang after him, using their books at the same time. When the practice was changed in Dublin is not known ; but it has been said, that one of the deacons was disturbed by the change, and expressed much dissatisfaction.
Joseph Greenwood, Esq., is said to have been the first leader of the singers in the Dublin church. Among those who were leaders after him, we find the following names, but the list may not be complete: Ebenezer Twitchell, Benjamin Mason, Kimball Ames, John Perry, Joseph Twitchell, jun., Joshua Flint, Samuel Fisher, Nahum War- ren, Moses Adams, jun., Abraham Mead, Reuben W. Twitchell, Benjamin F. Morse, Corydon Jones, and Joseph Morse.
The first teacher of sacred music in Dublin is supposed to have been Joseph Abbot, whose school was furnished with a room in the house of the Rev. Mr. Sprague. The names of other instructors in this branch are imperfectly remembered. We give the following, the Christian names of many of them being unknown : - Pratt ; - - Ham- ilton ; Jacob P. Willard, of Ashby, Mass. ; - -- Cutter ; N. D. Gould; James Robbins, of Templeton, Mass. ; John Clark, of New Ipswich; - Barrett; Samuel Slade, of
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Alstead ; Nahum Warren ; Col. Newhall, of Boston ; Charles S. Symonds ; - Mason, of Shrewsbury, Mass. ; Moses Adams, jun. ; - Sanborn ; Hutchins ; Peter Clark, of New Ipswich ; C. S. Crossman ; Osgood Collister.
For the support of singing-schools, the town made occa- sional appropriations of money. In 1819, fifty dollars were voted for that purpose, to be laid out at the discretion of the selectmen. Mr. Robbins was employed as the teacher. A portion of the singers in town were dissatisfied. Another teacher was engaged by the opposing party, and two singing- schools were kept. The controversy was ostensibly about the style of singing ; Mr. Robbins, it was alleged, teaching his pupils to sing with undue loudness, and without suitable expression. The result was that two choirs of singers were formed, each claiming the seats in the church, and each having its leader. On the first sabbath in April, 1820, a candidate for the ministry began to preach, and both choirs assembled in the church; one occupying the seats designed for the singers, and the other the free seats in the side gallery. The service began with the reading of a hymn. The leaders named different tunes ; the pitch for each tune was given, and the hymn was sung by each choir, making, at times, no small discord. The preacher supposing, or hoping, that singing once in this way would prove satis- factory to both parties, and that they would not attempt to sing different tunes together a second time, read another hymn; but different tunes were again named and sung ; the opposing party, however, having selected a tune with a slow movement, had the advantage, or privilege, of singing the last stanza alone. Before the minister proceeded in the service, Mr. Alexander Emes arose from a pew in the north- west corner of the gallery, and addressed both choirs, re- proving them for suffering any circumstances to lead to such an exhibition in the house of God, reminding them of the encouragement which the town had given for their instruc- tion in sacred music, and of the obligation that rested upon them of engaging in the performance of that part of divine worship in a decent and orderly manner. No more hymns were read on that day, nor on the day of public fast, which occurred in that week; because it was perceived that both choirs were present, and would probably sing as before, in case a hymn should be read. As the town had reserved the
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control of the singers' seats, a meeting was called for the purpose of deciding who should have the right to occupy them as leaders of the choir. In the meantime, however, both choirs agreed to sing together, provided Mr. Henry Whitcomb, then a resident, would take the lead. He did so, and continued to lead till the decision of the town was obtained. The article in reference to this subject, inserted in the warrant for town-meeting, was, "To see what method the town will take to ensure and establish regularity and harmony in our public religious services, particularly in the department of sacred music, or act any thing in relation to measures to restore and perpetuate order in the musical de- partment." The action taken by the town in reference to the above article was as follows: "Voted to choose leaders, to take the lead of the singing in this town for one year, and that they be chosen by ballot. Chose Joshua Flint, Abijah Rich- ardson, jun., and Jeremiah Greenwood, leaders on the tenor ; chose Zadock Chapman, Luke Richardson, and Cyrus Ma- son, on the bass. Voted to give up the front seats in the gallery of the new meeting-house for one year, for the use of the singers, or leaders above named, and all those who may sing peaceably under them." In the succeeding winter, Deacon John Clark, of New Ipswich, was employed to teach a singing-school. It was a union-school, and, at its close, a society was formed with a constitution, which secured the regular conduct of the singing in the church ; and in some of its main features is still observed.
BIBLE AND HYMN-BOOKS.
At the opening of the new meeting-house for public wor- ship, Mr. Solomon Piper, of Boston, presented a Bible and two hymn-books, bound in a substantial and costly manner, for the pulpit. The Bible is still used, having been re- bound. The hymns used in the choir and congregation, till the autumn of 1822, were those of Dr. Watts. At that time, Dabney's Collection was introduced, and continued to be used till June, 1845. A committee of the Cheshire Pastoral Association, consisting of L. W. Leonard, A. A. Livermore, W. W. Whitwell, and C. Cutler, had prepared a collection of hymns, entitled, "Christian Hymns, for Public and Private Worship." This book was introduced, and is still used, by the First Congregational Society in
-
H.W. Smith. Sc.
Solo . Piper
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Dublin ; and it has been adopted by more than sixty societies in other places.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE CHURCH.
No instruments, except a pitch-pipe, were used in the church till some years after 1790, when a bass-viol was introduced and played by Amos Babcock. He was the maker of the said instrument. He was apprehensive that taking it to the church would create dissatisfaction. Moses Marshall urged him to take such a step, and offered to carry the viol into the singers' seats, if he would use it. Mr. Babcock consented. The viol was placed in the front seat ; and though some were opposed, yet, as Mr. Sprague was decidedly in favor of the instrument's being used in the choir, it occasioned no serious disturbance. After Mr. Bab- cock, Moses Marshall played the bass-viol in the church through a period of fifteen years. In subsequent years, many instruments of different kinds were used, - violins, flutes, clarionets, and bassoons. Richard Phillips, 2d, was distinguished for his power of execution on the double bass- viol, and on the wind instrument called the "trombone," which he occasionally took into the church.
The meeting-house on the hill was taken down in 1852; but, before the present house was completed, the following letter was received by the executive committee of the so- ciety : -
"To the First Congregational Society in Dublin.
" Wishing to promote the harmony and good fellowship of the religious society of my own denomination in my native town, I hereby present an organ to be placed in your new meeting-house, for the purpose of aiding in public worship; at all times to be under the immediate care and control of the executive committee of said society and their successors in office.
" With the highest regards for your temporal and spiritual wel- fare, I remain your faithful friend and humble servant, " SOLO. PIPER. " BOSTON, Feb. 25, 1853."
To the above letter the following reply was made : -
" First Congregational Society of Dublin to Solomon Piper, Esq.
" Dear Sir, - We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 25th instant, addressed to our society, in which you are
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pleased, for reasons assigned, to present an organ to be placed in our new meeting-house for the purpose of aiding in public wor- ship. A fine-toned and beautiful instrument has also come to hand, and is duly installed in its place.
" We could not repress the expression of our feelings towards you until we have a regular legal meeting. The society, therefore, held an informal meeting, which was numerously attended; and the undersigned were appointed a committee to express to you the gratitude of the society for your munificent, timely, and appro- priate gift. It is munificent, on account of its cost and its intrinsic value, compared with any advantages you have personally received from your native town ; timely, as it comes to us just in season to be the crowning glory of our new church; and appropriate, be- cause, being a combination of harmonies itself, it is typical of that ' harmony and good fellowship' which should ever characterize members of the same religious society ; and, in our case, we think it will aid materially in bringing about what it typifies. We trust that it will indeed prove an aid to our public worship ; that its sweet sounds will rightly attune our hearts to the praise of God, and lift our thoughts reverently from our frail temple to that house not made with hands, 'which is eternal in the heavens.'
" Be pleased, dear sir, to accept the unfeigned thanks of the society, whose welfare you have so much at heart, and our per- sonal wishes that every blessing may be yours, both in time and eternity.
" Very gratefully and respectfully, your friends and servants,
" JONA. K. SMITH, ASA H. FISK, ASA HEALD,
Committee.
" DUBLIN, Feb. 28, 1853."
SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
The suggestion to establish a Sunday-school for children and youth in the First Congregational Society was first made to the pastor by Moses Adams, jun., in the spring of 1823. He has retained a connection with the said school, as one of the superintendents or teachers, every year since its estab- lishment. At the first organization of the school, the school- committee of the town were constituted superintendents. This arrangement was continued, in part, till- 1839, when the society, at their annual meeting, " voted that the standing committee nominate the superintendents of the Sabbath- school. Nominated and chose Rev. Levi W. Leonard, Thomas Fisk, Thaddeus Morse, jun., Moses Adams, jun." Besides the persons above named, there have been associated with the pastor of the society, as superintendents of the
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school, Jonathan K. Smith, Ebenezer Perry, and Ransom N. Porter. In 1839, the school was re-organized, and a new classification adopted. The number of pupils increased, and a deeper interest was felt by parents and guardians. In the early period of the school, the number of female ex- ceeded the number of male pupils ; but, as the older pupils began to remain in the school after the age in which it had been customary for them to leave, the number of males became at length larger than that of the females. In 1852, the female pupils were most numerous.
For many years past to the present time, books of a suita- ble character have been given to all the pupils at the close of each term; and, for aiding this object, Solomon Piper, Esq., of Boston, has for a long time liberally contributed.
Moses Adams, jun., J. K. Smith, and L. W. Leonard, have been constituted life-members of the Boston Sunday-school Society ; the first by a friend of Sunday-schools, the last two by the pupils of this school.
NEW MEETING-HOUSES.
After the vote of March, 1808, " to build a new meeting- house," a committee of nine were chosen " to pitch upon a place to set the meeting-house." This committee consisted of Samuel Twitchell, Esq., Asa Fisk, jun., Eli Greenwood, Phinehas Gleason, David Townsend, Isaac Appleton, Thad- deus Morse, Esq., John Morse, and Aaron Appleton. They were required to make their report in August. No report was made in August; but in March, 1809, an article was inserted in the warrant "to see what method the town will take to agree where the new meeting-house shall be built, or act any thing relating thereto." The article was dis- missed. In March, 1810, the article was "to see if the town will build a new meeting-house, or repair the old one." This article met the same fate as that of 1809; but in August, 1810, the town chose " Esq. Griffin, of Packersfield ; Esq. Farrar, of Marlborough; Esq. Gates, of Hancock ; Lieut. Buss, of Jaffrey ; and Mr. Oliver Carter, of Peterbor- ough, to pitch upon a spot for the meeting-house to stand upon in this town." This committee reported Nov. 26, same year, and their report was accepted; but the record does not say what spot they pitched upon for said meeting- house ; but it is supposed to have been north of Joseph
26
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Appleton's blacksmith's shop. At an adjourned meeting, Nov. 28, the town voted "to do something relative to building a new meeting-house." What was meant by " something" in the foregoing vote is manifest from the succeeding votes : " Voted to choose a committee to let out the putting-up of a frame for a meeting-house. Richard Gilchrest, Thaddeus Morse, and Aaron Appleton, were chosen for said committee. Voted that the frame should be raised one year from next June. Voted that the said com- mittee provide suitable underpinning stones, and door-steps ; likewise materials suitable to cover the outside of the frame, and to have it done the same season that the frame is put up. Voted that the committee have liberty to get timber on the town's lands. Voted that the selectmen procure a deed of the meeting-house spot."
The report of a committee, who drew a plan for the new meeting-house, had been accepted ; and, in view of the whole matter, it would have been reasonable to suppose that in less than two years the house would be completed. But at the annual meeting in March, 1811, although an attempt to postpone the building of the house failed, and two of the committee, R. Gilchrest and T. Morse, declined serving, yet others were appointed in their places ; and said committee were " empowered to sell public lands," and the vote was still against the spot on school-house hill. But another meeting was called April 30, and the town " voted to dis- miss the committee that were appointed to make prepara- tions for building a new meeting-house, and to pay them honorably for what services they have done respecting the same." The vote to sell public lands was reconsidered. The subject, however, was not to rest here; for, May 27, another meeting was held, and the town "voted to set the meeting-house on school-house hill;" also "voted to rein- state the former committee to their office, and that they go on with the business that they were appointed for." "Then voted to set the meeting-house in Esq. Snow's field. Voted against repairing the old meeting-house; and chose Mr. Evleth, Capt. Gleason, and Major Morse, to fix the spot to set the meeting-house upon." The selectmen were autho- rized to purchase land for the house on school-house hill ; and eighty dollars were voted to prepare the land. Here there seemed to be progress ; but not so ; for Sept. 24, same year, the town " voted that they are not prepared to build a
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meeting-house on the school-house hill;" also, " voted to repair the old meeting-house." This was a triumph for the opposers of building a new meeting-house. But the advo- cates for a new house called a meeting on the eleventh day of November; and the articles which had reference to the old subject were "to see if the town will excuse those people denominated Baptist and Methodist from paying any thing towards building a new meeting-house, provided the town should ever build one, or act any thing relating thereto." This article was passed over. Then the next article was taken up for consideration. It was as follows: "To see if the town will bind themselves by their vote to build a meet- ing-house on the spot of ground that shall be thought the most suitable by a disinterested committee chosen from the five adjoining towns." This article was dismissed ; and the new meeting-house project was again defeated.
The subject of building a new meeting-house was not brought forward again till the third day of July, 1815. It was laid on the shelf during the whole time of the war with Great Britain ; but now the Dublin meeting-house war was revived, and the article in the warrant was "to see if the town will build a new meeting-house, or repair the old one, or act any thing respecting a meeting-house." Notwith- standing the vote of 1811 to repair the old house, it seems that nothing had been done ; and now the town voted against repairing it. Then "voted to set a new meeting-house on the school-house hill." " Voted to choose a committee of three to stake out a spot for the meeting-house, and to see how it can be purchased of the owner or owners for the use of the town, and report at some future meeting. Chose for the committee Whitcomb French, Thaddeus Morse, and Samuel Fisk."
Here was another beginning; but at a meeting on the fourth of September, same year, the town voted to postpone acting on the subject. Postponing, however, was not dis- missing the subject. Accordingly, in March, 1816, the town " voted to accept of the report of the committee which were appointed to stake out a spot for a new meeting-house on the school-house hill; which report is to purchase about one acre of land of Aaron Appleton, and one acre of John Snow, Esq., which land can be had for one hundred dollars per acre." Nothing more was voted or done with respect to a new meeting-house, till March, 1817, when the question
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
respecting the spot again came up, and the town " voted to choose two men to nominate a committee of eight, -four to belong to the west part, and four to the east part of the town, -to agree upon a spot for the new meeting-house to stand upon. Chose Isaac Appleton and Phinehas Gleason as the committee of nomination ; and they nominated Thad- deus Mason, Samuel Fisk, Amos Emery, David Townsend, Ruggles Smith, Joseph Gowing, Joseph Hayward, jun., and Stephen J. Woods, which nomination was accepted ; and the town voted that they make their report at this meeting." The committee reported that "the meeting-house be set north of Joseph Appleton's blacksmith-shop, and that the road be turned south of the Potash to the post-guide south of Esq. Snow's, and thence south of the burial-ground across the point of the pond to intersect the road that leads from the old meeting-house to Captain Hayward's." "Chose a committee of five to agree for the spot for the meeting-house to stand upon, - to procure materials to build said house with."
On the eighth of June, 1817, the "long agony " about a new meeting-house was over, but not without changing the spot. In the first place, the town voted against turning the road according to the committee's report, which had been accepted. Next they voted against building the meeting- house north of Joseph Appleton's blacksmith's shop. Then " voted to build a meeting-house on the school-house hill, and have it completed in one year from November next." After this, strange as it may appear, the town "voted to build the meeting-house on the spot where the old meeting- house now stands, in preference to building it on the school- house hill." In favor of the old spot, forty-four ; against it, thirty-three. This last vote was reconsidered immediately ; and then the town " voted to choose a committee of five to procure a spot to build the meeting-house upon, and procure materials for building said house with. Chose for the com- mittee Capt. Ebenezer Richardson, Thaddeus Morse, Esq., Lieut. Thaddeus Mason, jun., Rufus Piper, and Samuel Fisk." At an adjourned meeting, June 23, the committee reported in favor of the spot on the school-house hill, and their report was accepted by a vote of eighty against thirty- seven. John Crombie was appointed on the building-com- mittee in the place of Samuel Fisk, who asked to be excused. Joshua Greenwood and Moses Marshall were chosen in addi-
L. H. Bradford & Co's Lith
M. E. Greenwood del.
CHURCH IN DUBLIN, N. H.
Erected 1818; taken down 1852.
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN.
tion to the meeting-house committee. The building com- mittee were to make the house "after the plan of Ashby, or Fitzwilliam, or any other they may think proper." They were directed to purchase the materials, and to let out the building of the same. The selectmen were instructed to level the meeting-house spot. In October, two hundred dollars were raised for this purpose.
The change of the town's vote, with regard to the spot on the eighth of June, was owing, in part, to the high price asked for the land, and in part to the expense of making the road which was recommended by the committee. The making of this road would have given the west part of the town more easy access to the meeting-house, if situated as proposed ; that is, on a spot a little north-east of the present brick church. Mr. Sprague, it is said, was strongly opposed to the spot on the hill, on account of its bleak position. He is reported to have said that he never would preach in a house placed there.
After the meeting-house on the hill came into possession of the First Congregational Society, so far as the right or ownership of the town was concerned, the question of repair- ing the house, or of taking it down and using its materials in the erection of another house on some other spot, was frequently discussed. The old house, standing in a bleak position, had suffered from its exposure to the winds and rains, and considerable expense would have to be incurred in order to have it thoroughly repaired. An article in the warrant for the annual meeting of the society, March 21, 1848, " to see what measures, if any, the society will take to move, altar, or repair their meeting-house the coming sea- son," was dismissed. In 1849, the society "voted that a committee of five be raised to ascertain the cost of a site or sites for a meeting-house, the probable expense of taking down the old house and rebuilding it in a suitable form, and how funds can be raised to pay for the same ; together with such other information as they may be able to obtain, in order that the society may have a full understanding of the subject ; and report at a future meeting. Calvin Mason, Rufus Piper, Jacob Gleason, Jesse R. Appleton, and Ephraim Foster, were chosen said committee."
At the annual meeting, Jan. 8, 1850, the above-named committee made a report favorable to the removal of the meeting-house ; and Calvin Mason, Jacob Gleason, and Jesse
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R. Appleton, were chosen a committee to take measures " to have the pews in the centre meeting-house appraised by a disinterested committee, and report at the next meeting." An article to hear the report of this committee, Jan. 14, 1851, was dismissed ; and the society " voted to instruct the executive committee to examine the meeting-house, and cause to be made such repairs as they may deem expedient." The committee did not think it expedient to make repairs ; and the annual meeting, Jan. 13, 1852, the society " voted - yeas, thirty-three ; nays, nine - that the church be taken down, and a new one built on a plan approved by the society, on land of Josephus Snow, southwardly of Rev. Mr. Leon- ard's house, provided funds can be raised by voluntary sub- scription ; and provided, further, that the pew-owners can be settled with on reasonable terms. Voted that a committee of three be chosen by ballot to report to the society the proper method of settling with the pew-owners, the probable cost and plan of a meeting-house. Chose J. K. Smith, Cal- vin Mason, and Charles W. Pierce, for said committee."
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