USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Dublin > The history of Dublin, N.H. : containing the address by Charles Mason, and the proceedings at the centennial celebration, June 17, 1852, with a register of families > Part 24
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"Then chose Deacon Eli Morse, Deacon Benjamin Learned, Joseph Greenwood, William Greenwood, and Joseph Twitchell for a commit- tee to send the letters missive to the churches above named, to pro- vide entertainment for said council, and to lay the difficulties before the council."
The council were to meet on the 6th of December, 1775; and, on that day, three of the pastors, with seven delegates, met, and the following is the result; the original of which, in the handwriting of Rev. Mr. Goddard of Swanzey, has been pre- served: -
"The churches of Christ in New Ipswich, Swanzey, Fitzwilliam, by their elders and delegates, and the church of Temple by their delegates, having met at Dublin, at the house of Mr. Joseph Greenwood, in con- sequence of letters missive from the brethren of the church in Dub- lin, - previous to their forming into an ecclesiastical council, desired the Rev. Mr. Farrar of Dublin, and the church under his pastoral care, to try if they could come into measures for a mutual council; and, upon the brethren exhibiting their articles of grievance against the Rev. Mr. Farrar, and signifying that they were all the matters of
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complaint they had against him, he readily agreed to join with them in requesting the churches now met to form into an ecclesiastical council, and take them under their consideration, and give their ad- vice; and that the council should be to all intents as though Mr. Farrar had joined with the church in sending out the letters missive. Whereupon -
"The churches aforesaid, at the mutual desire of the pastor and church in Dublin, formed into an ecclesiastical council, on December 6th, 1775, and chose the Rev. Mr. Farrar of New Ipswich moderator, and the Rev. Mr. Goddard of Swanzey scribe; and, after solemn and fervent prayer to the Father of lights and Head of all gracious influ- ences, for light and direction, took into their serious consideration the unhappy uneasiness subsisting between the reverend pastor and the church, and, after a full hearing and careful examination, came into the following resolves: -
"1. It is the opinion of the council, that, in the instances com- plained of, the Rev. Mr. Farrar has given the church real cause for uneasiness; but that it has proceeded from bodily disorders, which have greatly affected his mind, and not from any moral cause.
"2. Although the brethren of the church may not, in this time of difficulty and temptation, in the particular instance of calling this council, have acted with so much prudence and caution as we could have wished; yet, it is our opinion, that, making proper allowances for infirmities and temptations, and duly exercising Christian charity, there is nothing but what may be mutually overlooked and forgiven both by the pastor and the people.
"3. Although under present circumstances we cannot think it would be either for the glory of God, or for the comfort and edification either of the Rev. Mr. Farrar, or the people of God in this place, for him to proceed in his administrations unto them at present; yet, considering the sacredness and importance of the relation between a minister of Christ and his people, we cannot think that that relation ought ever to be rashly and hastily dissolved; and, considering the cause from which we apprehend the uneasiness has arisen, we cannot but hope, that, by the blessing of God in the use of proper medicines, Mr. Farrar may be restored to health and usefulness again, and he and his people be mutually happy in their present relation.
"Therefore, we would seriously advise, that the Rev. Mr. Farrar be suspended from the exercise of his ministerial office in this place for the space of six months; and, in the meantime, we would earnestly recommend to him that he would apply himself to some able and ex- perienced physician. At the same time, we would seriously advise and earnestly recommend it to the beloved flock, that they also, for the above said term, continue in the exercise of that Christian patience, charity, and moderation, under their present troubles, which they have heretofore exercised, in general, to a very remarkable and com- mendable degree; hoping that their reverend pastor may be restored
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to health and a sound mind, and that their present uneasiness may be fully removed; but, if the present uneasiness should remain at the end of that term, and matters of difficulty not be accommodated, we then advise that the Rev. Mr. Farrar ask, and the church vote, a dissolution of the relation, under the moderation of the two senior pastors of this council, who are thereupon to declare the relation dissolved.
"Upon the whole, we can't but sincerely lament the unhappy diffi- culties which have sprung up to the disturbance of that peace which has been happily enjoyed in this place heretofore; and would recom- mend it to all who are immediately concerned herein, to be much in the exercise of prayer and watchfulness; that they mutually study the things that make for peace, and wherewith one may edify another; praying that the God of peace would enrich them with all spiritual blessings, and promote the interests of his kingdom among them.
"Zedekiah Drury. Samuel Hills.
John Cragin, Jr. Isaac Appleton. Benjamin Gibbs.
John Lock.
John Hassett. "A true copy.
"DUBLIN, Dec. 7, 1775."
STEPHEN FARRAR, Moderator. BENJAMIN BRIGHAM. EDWARD GODDARD, Scribe.
"Attest: EDW. GODDARD, Scribe."
"This result being published to the pastor and church in Dublin, the pastor, being asked whether he could accept it, signified his ac- ceptance, with this reserve, that it should not be construed in any way, to cut himself off from seeking further light and satisfaction.
"The church also unanimously signified their compliance with the result; with the proviso, that Mr. Farrar's salary cease during his sus- pension, to which Mr. Farrar also agreed, in presence of the council.
"Attest: EDW. GODDARD, Scribe."
During Mr. Farrar's suspension from the exercise of the ministerial office, the town employed Mr. Benjamin Chadwick to preach. This is known from charges for board and horse- keeping made in the town records, and from a receipt, signed by him, dated, April 3, 1776.
Before the term of suspension expired, the two senior pastors of the council were requested to meet at Dublin and dismiss Mr. Farrar. The following is the record of the proceedings on the occasion: -
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"Agreeable to the result of an ecclesiastical council, met at Dublin, Dec. 6, 1775, the Rev. Mr. Farrar and the church being together, Mr. Farrar presented the following paper to the church: -
"To the Church of Christ in Dublin.
"BRETHREN, - An uneasiness remaining on my part, as to the matter referred to in the result of the council convened at Dublin, Dec. 6, 1775; and as, by your and my acceptance of their result, I am obliged to ask, and you to grant, a dissolution of my pastoral relation to you on June 7, 1776, - agreeably thereto, I ask you to vote a dissolution of my pastoral relations to you.
"DUBLIN, June 7, 1776."
JOSEPH FARRAR."
"The above being communicated, it was then proposed to the church that they would dismiss the Rev. Mr. Joseph Farrar from his relation to them as pastor.
"Passed unanimously in the affirmative.
"Attest: STEPHEN FARRAR, BENJAMIN BRIGHAM."
Mr. Stephen Farrar was the pastor of the church in New Ipswich, and Mr. Brigham was the pastor of the church in Fitzwilliam. At a meeting of the inhabitants on the same day, June 7, 1776, "Voted the dismission of Mr. Joseph Farrar from his pastoral relations to this town. Voted that the selectmen hire preaching six months; to provide three preachers, if they can find them; preaching to begin as soon as may be."
Whether the selectmen found three preachers, and employed them, that year, is not known; but, from receipts that have been preserved, it appears that two preachers were obtained; for, July 30, 1776, Cornelius Waters received four pounds sixteen shillings for preaching four sabbaths; and, Dec. 16, 1776, Aaron Hutchinson, Jr., received a like sum for the same number of sabbaths. Mr. Waters was afterwards settled in Ashby, Mass.
There was some difficulty in coming to a final settlement with Mr. Farrar; and a town-meeting, May 19, 1777, "voted to buy Mr. Joseph Farrar's land in this town; and that Capt. Thomas Morse and Capt. Moses Adams be a committee to go to Mr. Farrar, and purchase said land for the town."
The above committee effected the purchase of the land and the house; but it appears that Mr. Farrar did not clear the house of incumbrance; and in January, 1778, the committee gave Eli Morse a power of attorney, in the following form: -
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"Know all men by these presents, that we, Thomas Morse and Moses Adams, both of Dublin, in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire (gentlemen), for divers considerations and good causes hereunto moving us, have made, ordained, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do make, ordain, constitute, and appoint, our trusty friend, Eli Morse, of Dublin aforesaid (yeoman), our lawful attorney to notify and warn Mr. Joseph Farrar, of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts Bay (clerk), forthwith to clear the house of all incumbrance, which we, the said Thomas Morse and Moses Adams, bought of said Farrar.
"In witness, whereof, we have set our hands and seals, this eighth day of January, 1778.
THOMAS MORSE. [Seal.]
MOSES ADAMS. [Seal.]
"Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of us.
"Attest: JOHN MUZZY. SIMEON BULLARD."
It is probable that the Rev. Mr. Farrar had enlisted in the army before he could conveniently move his effects; and though the town of Lincoln was his home, yet he was absent, and could not attend to the matter. It is known that he served as a chap- lain, for a time, in the Revolutionary War; but when and where he enlisted, or how long he served, is not known. Great pains were taken after his death to ascertain the facts in the case, that his widow might obtain the pension, which was due her, but, as we suppose, without success. The incumbrance, for the removal of which the above power of attorney was given, re- mained; and the removal was effected at last by a civil process.
The difficulties by which Mr. Farrar's ministry was termi- nated produced among his people an alienation of feeling which caused them to have little interest in him in subsequent years. Although he was afterward settled in the town of Dummerston, Vt., not many miles distant, yet few persons in Dublin knew whither he went, or what fortunes befell him.
From a memoir of the "Farrar Family" in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register of October, 1852, we take the following account of JOSEPH FARRAR, the first minister of Dublin: -
"JOSEPH FARRAR, third and youngest son of George Farrar, of Lincoln, Mass., was born, June 30, 1744; graduated at Harvard in 1767; settled as a minister in [Dublin,] New Hampshire, June 10, 1772; dismissed, June 10, 1776 [really on June 7, 1776, as seen by previous paragraphs]; married Mary Brooks of Grafton, Mass., July 28, 1779;
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installed at Dummerston, Vt., August 24, 1779; dismissed, 1783; again settled at Eden, Vt., December 15, 1812, till December 14, 1815; re- moved to Petersham, Mass., where he died, April 5, 1816, ae. 72. His wife, born, February 4, 1755, was living (October, 1852) at Peter- sham.1 Children: 1. Joseph, born, April 4, 1780; married November 9, 1806; farmer in Petersham; had two sons, Gardner F., in Fitchburg, Mass., and Joseph, in Lowell, Mass. 2. Mary, born, October 18, 1781; died, April 13, 1786. 3. Joel Brooks, born, July 28, 1784; died, April 13, 1786 [the same day as the preceding child, probably of some in- fectious distemper]. 4. Reuel, born, November 5, 1786, lived in Peter- sham. 5. Anna, born, February 10, 1789; married, January 30, 1815, a Mr. Stevens, for her first husband; married 2d, September 7, 1828, Josiah S. Prentice of Oxford, Mass. 6. Sally, born, January 20, 1794; married, June, 1843. 7. Humphrey, born, August 13, 1798; married, June, 1827; lived in Petersham. Rev. JOSEPH FARRAR was a man of great eccentricity, amounting occasionally to absolute derangement of mind."
A letter from Rev. S. F. CLARK, dated, January 14, 1854, conveyed the information to the editor of the former History of Dublin that Mrs. Farrar was still living in Petersham; and, as she would be one hundred years old, February 4, 1855, her friends proposed to take her to church on that day. This was done, as the following letter from the Rev. JOHN J. PUTNAM will show: -
"PETERSHAM, Feb. 6, 1855.
"Rev. Dr. Leonard.
"DEAR SIR, - I hasten to answer your inquiries relative to Mrs. Farrar of this town. She has lived to complete a century; and, on Sunday last, celebrated her one hundredth birthday by attending public worship at the Unitarian Church. The day was one of the coldest of this inclement season. She walked with a firm step to her slip, stood unsupported during the singing, and remained after the congregation was dismissed, to participate in the communion service. Her presence gave great solemnity and impressiveness to the occasion. In the same slip was a brother of hers, now in his ninety-seventh year, and in good health. The hymns were sung in old tunes, such as Old Hundred, Mear, and St. Martin's, to revive the recollection of the past. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Wilson, former pastor of the church, of which the centenarian is a member, and a discourse preached by myself, on 'Virtuous Old Age,' from the words, 'The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness,' Prov., XVI. 3.2 Very truly yours,
JOHN J. PUTNAM."
1 She died at Petersham, Mass., Aug. 24, 1855.
2 At her death, Mrs. Farrar had lived 100 years, 6 months, and 20 days.
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN
Judge TIMOTHY FARRAR of New Ipswich was a cousin and classmate of Rev. JOSEPH FARRAR.
At a town-meeting, August 6, 1777, "the town made choice of Mr. EDWARD SPRAGUE to settle with them as their gospel minister." How many sabbaths he had preached as a candi- date is not known; but an affirmative answer was given to the invitation of the town, of which the following is a copy: -
"DUBLIN, Oct. 25, 1777. "To the Inhabitants of Dublin.
"MY DEAR FRIENDS, - The Great and glorious God, who has the hearts of all men in his hands, has put it into your hearts to make choice of me to settle with you in the gospel ministry, August 6, 1777. My mind, O my friends! is impressed with the solemnity of the busi- ness. As great and important as it is, with a dependence upon the all- sufficient Savior for grace and wisdom to fulfil my ministry, I accept your invitation, and ask your prayers for me that I may be an instru- ment of great good to your souls, of bringing home to my Savior the hardened and impenitent, of awakening the careless and secure to save them from death, - eternal death. Pray for me that I may so care- fully discharge my duty to your souls as that at last I may be accepted, and have you for my crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord.
"I subscribe myself your affectionate friend,
EDWARD SPRAGUE."
"N. B. - The liberty granted to Mr. Farrar, of two or three sab- baths to visit my friends, who live at a distance, I ask of you."
The following is an extract from the church records, as begun by Mr. Sprague: -
"DUBLIN, Nov. 12, 1777.
"The first church of Christ in Cambridge by their delegates, the church of Christ in New Ipswich, Townsend, and Fitzwilliam, by their elders and delegates, having convened at Dublin, on November 12, 1777, in consequence of letters missive from the church of Christ in Dublin, and, after having read the letter missive: 1. Voted that they would form into an ecclesiastical council. 2. Votcd and made choice of the Rev. Dr. Langdon to be moderator of the council. And after prayer to God, the Father of lights, for direction and assistance in the important transaction, voted that Rev. Mr. Brigham of Fitzwilliam should be the scribe of the council. The council then proceeded to the business for which they were convened; and, having made inquiry, and found that the church had, in a proper way and manner, called Mr. Sprague to the work of the gospel ministry among them, and be- ing satisfied with regard to Mr. Sprague's principles and qualifications for the gospel ministry, voted that they would proceed to the ordina-
I dovard Aprague
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tion of Mr. Edward Sprague to the work of the gospel ministry in Dublin, and to the pastoral care of that church. Voted that the Rev. Mr. Farrar of New Ipswich give the charge; that the Rev. Mr. Dix of Townsend should make the prayer before the charge, and give the right hand of fellowship; that the Rev. Mr. Brigham, of Fitzwilliam should make the introductory prayer; and the Rev. Dr. Langdon, the concluding prayer.
"A copy from the minutes.
BENJAMIN BRIGHAM, Scribe to said Council."
The sermon at Mr. Sprague's ordination was preached by the Rev. Dr. SAMUEL LANGDON, who was then the President of Harvard University. Dr. Langdon was the same who offered prayer before the minute-men, assembled on Cambridge com- mon, as they were about to march to Charlestown, on the eve of the battle of Bunker Hill. The sermon at Mr. Sprague's ordination was printed at Boston, by Thomas and John Fleet, and some copies are still in existence. The text was in 1 Thess. II. 13.
It was customary in former times for ministers to receive a "settlement." This word, in the sense then used, is not under- stood by many at the present day. The "settlement" consti- tuted no part of the minister's salary. It was a gift to young ministers, made on the well-grounded supposition that they needed some aid after completing their education to enable them to begin their ministry without incurring debts, and, sometimes, to pay debts which they had already incurred. It is seldom that we hear of ministers receiving a "settlement" in these days. Mr. Sprague, by an instrument executed, Nov. 20, 1777, relinquished his "settlement" for a lease of the min- istry-lot, number twenty-two, in the fifth range.
"Received of the town of Dublin, whereof I am now the gospel minister, the sum of one hundred pounds lawful money, granted me by the said town as a free gift in consideration of my settlement among them; the aforesaid sum being paid me by their lease of the ministry-lot, number twenty-two in the fifth range, in said town; and I do hereby, on the aforesaid consideration, wholly and absolutely renounce and give up to the town all claims and demands whatever which I have, or ought to have, to any other part or parcel of the ministry-lands in said town. As witness my hand the day and date above written.
EDWARD SPRAGUE."
The signing of the above in the town records is an autograph, not a copy by the clerk.
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN
The handwriting of Mr. Sprague, as he advanced in life, became so illegible that the most expert at deciphering bad penmanship have failed of success. The Rev. Mr. Farrar wrote a very fair and legible hand; and he was employed by some of his parishioners to draft various papers and legal instruments, a few of which are still preserved.
At the commencement of Mr. Sprague's ministry, ELI MORSE and BENJAMIN LEARNED were deacons of the church; and the number of church members, compared with the population of the town, and with the number in other places, was respectable. A large portion of them were members of churches before they removed to Dublin. Some, no doubt, had become members dur- ing Mr. Farrar's ministry. From the imperfect records of Mr. Sprague, it appears that the following persons were members of the church at the time of his ordination: -
Eli Morse and wife
Wife of Joseph Adams
Benjamin Learned and wife
Ebenezer Hill and wife
Moses Adams
Thaddeus Mason and wife
Benjamin Mason and wife
Reuben Morse
Gershom Twitchell
Widow (Silas) Stone
Gershom Twitchell, Jr., and wife
Wife of Joel White (Wight?)
Joseph Greenwood and wife
Widow Johnson
James Chamberlain and wife
Gardner Towne
Widow of William Greenwood
Ezra Twitchell and wife
Mrs. Bond (wife of Isaac Bond) Widow(?) Mason
Samuel Twitchell and wife
Wife of James Rollins
Joseph Twitchell and wife
Wife of Phinehas Stanford
Ebenezer Twitchell and wife
Wife of Josiah Stanford
Daniel Morse and wife
Whole number, forty
At a meeting of the church, Dec. 7, 1777, "Voted that those persons who have owned the covenant, upon declaring the same, and promising to bring a certificate to evidence their connection with a regular standing church, shall have the privilege of bap- tism for their children." But, on May 11, 1778, the church "voted that no person should have the privilege of baptism for their children, unless one or the other of their parents are in full communion." This means, unless one or the other of the parents of the children offered for baptism be in full communion.
The church members, admitted by letters of recommendation from other churches, are, so nearly as can be ascertained, the following: -
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Thomas Lewis, and Molly his wife, from Amherst Thomas Wakefield and wife, from Amherst David Townsend and wife, from Temple Philip Mills and wife, from Needham John Pain and wife, from Needham Thomas Hardy and wife, from Hollis Thomas Bryant and wife, from Concord (Mass.) Mrs. Abigail Holt (wife of Marstin Holt)
Persons Admitted to Full Communion by Direct Application
Rebecca Greenwood, Dec. 28, 1777 Lydia Emery, Jan. 11, 1778 Elizabeth, wife of Moses Greenwood, Feb. 15, 1778 Abel Twitchell and wife
Samuel Williams and wife John Bryant of Jaffrey, March 1, 1778 Timothy Adams and Mary his wife
Dorcas Somes (married Hart Balch)
Lydia Adams, wife of Isaac Adams, April 26, 1778 Esther Stanford, April 30, 1778 Richard Gilchrest and Mary, May 17, 1778 Moses Greenwood, May 24, 1778 Hannah Yeardly, June 14, 1778
John Learned and wife, July 5, 1778
Edward Cheney and wife, April 25, 1779
Mrs. Jones (Anna), Aug. 13, 1780, wife of Samuel Jones Jabez Puffer, May 20, 1780 Mrs. (Jabez?) Puffer, June 17, 1780
Stephen Twitchell and wife, March 30, 1783
Joseph Hayward and wife, May 25, 1783
Esther Marshall, wife of Aaron Marshall, May 25, 1783 Mary, wife of Benjamin Smith, May 25, 1783 Nathan Wily and Abigail Townsend, June, 1783
David Gray Nutting and Judith his wife, June, 1783 Mary, wife of Drury Morse, June, 1783 Jonathan Adams and Nabby his wife, Aug. 31, 1783 Ward Eddy, Sept. 28, 1783 Daniel Morse, Dec. 17, 1783
Fanny, wife of Jonathan Ames, Aug. 1, 1784
Sarah Bond, Aug. 14, 1785 Micah Morse, November, 1785
Betty, wife of Jason Harris, Nov. 12, 1786 Molly Wheeler, April 1, 1787 Amos Babcock and wife, Nov. 29, 1789
Margaret, wife of Dr. Maynard, 1789
Francis Appleton and wife, Jan. 3, 1790 Polly Farnum, Jan. 17, 1790, wife of Joshua Farnum
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HISTORY OF DUBLIN
Andrew Allison and Sally his wife, July 18, 1790
Lydia Morrison, Aug. 8, 1790 Stephen Bent, February, 1791
Wife of Nathaniel Greenwood, July 22, 1792
The above names are all that can be found in Mr. Sprague's records. Other persons were admitted, and among the known members of the church were: -
Daniel Morse, Jr., and wife
Mrs. Daniel Warren Mrs. Hannah, wife of Samuel Ward
Mrs. John Perry
Asa Fisk, 1st, and wife
Mrs. Solomon Piper Miss Mary Appleton
Abijah Richardson and wife, from Woburn, Mass.
John Snow and wife, from Sterling
Jonathan Perry and wife, from West Cambridge, Mass.
Stephen J. Woods, and wife, from Sterling, Mass.
Sarah Jones
Mrs. Joseph Hayward, Jr.
Mrs. Betsey Rollins
Mrs. Jonas Davis
The principal events in Mr. Sprague's ministry, and the chief points in his character, are noticed in the address. From what is there said, it is evident that one of his greatest trials, in the first years of his ministry, was the depreciation of the nominal value of his salary, and the method adopted of paying it in agricultural produce. His father is said to have been ready to help him, when a request for that purpose was made. It is a tradition that, on one occasion, Mr. Sprague asked his father for fifty pounds, and that it was counted out in lawful money, amounting to $166.66. But the son exclaimed, on ascertaining the real amount, "Oh, sir! I did not want it in lawful money, but fifty pounds, old tenor." This sum, in the latter currency, would have been a little more than twenty-two dollars, which was said to be what he actually took, his father not insisting upon his taking the whole.
Mr. Sprague was educated without depending upon himself. His father paid his bills; and, as to worldly matters in general, the son did not concern himself about them till too late in life to become well prepared for managing them with good success. He was unacquainted with the operations of husbandry, and especially as carried on in a town so recently settled as Dublin.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
His ignorance with regard to such matters caused him to be regarded by some persons with less respect than he deserved. Many of the anecdotes that have been circulated in connection with his name had not their origin with him; and such as are correctly applied may be attributed, in great measure, to the circumstances of his early life. Some persons, perceiving his want of a knowledge of things quite familiar to those who had always lived in the country, were tempted to engage with him in practical jokes for their own and others' amusement. A clergyman of an adjoining town is reported to have been neither backward nor unsuccessful in efforts of this kind. They required no greater amount of cunning trickery than is sometimes ex- hibited on the first day of April, or is occasionally practised upon children.
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