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 25
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Mr. Sprague, in some respects, had the simplicity of a child; but he often surprised those who knew him only from report, by his shrewdness of remark and readiness of repartee. Many a one, who felt strong in his own power against an opponent in a contest of wit, found himself defeated in an encounter with Mr. Sprague. When he had obtained the advantage in these contests, he was apt to show little mercy to his opponent. He would give no quarter, but press on, and take his own time for ceasing to use his advantage.
When a Baptist society was formed in the north-west part of the town some of the members of Mr. Sprague's church em- braced the views of the Baptists. This was, of course, a matter of some perplexity and trouble. But, if we may judge from the following anecdote, he was not impatient nor unforbearing towards the absenting persons. It is said that one of these mem- bers, who had left his meeting, called upon him, and inquired why he (Mr. Sprague) had not visited him and reproved him for non-attendance on public worship, or why he had not dealt with him according to Scripture. Mr. Sprague's reply was, "I have." "In what way?" asked the man. "According to the directions of the Apostle," said Mr. Sprague: "Mark them that cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them."
On the death of his father, Mr. Sprague shared in the in- heritance of a large estate. As to what he should receive, he compromised the matter, and agreed to take for his share of real estate thirty thousand dollars, excepting land and buildings in Cambridge, of which he kept possession till his death. It has been supposed by many, that what he received was con-
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siderably less than he might have obtained by a division of the property according to the law of inheritance. But he said that it was enough for him, - more than he should ever want.
This great change in Mr. Sprague's pecuniary circumstances rendered him independent of the want of a salary; and, in the year 1801, he formally relinquished the same. His reasons for taking this step, and the conditions on which it was made, may be found in the following instrument: -
"Whereas the town of Dublin has this day complied with the proposals I made them through a letter addressed to the selectmen of said Dublin, and by them to be communicated to the town, at a meeting legally warned for that purpose; said letter bearing date, April 10, A.D. 1801; and implying and importing in substance as fol- lows, viz., that, in consequence of bodily indisposition and infirmities, I had advised with the best physicians, who had all unanimously rec- ommended to me, for the benefit and recovery of my health, a change of air and situation, and not to retain a permanent residence in Dub- lin; and that, influenced by these considerations, I did by said letter relinquish, from and after the 12th day of May next (which will com- plete twenty-three years and six months from my ordination), my annual salary of sixty pounds and thirty cords of wood; retaining, however, my pastoral relation and connection with the church of Dub- lin, and the right of supplying the pulpit with men of piety and good abilities, when I found it inexpedient to preach myself; the town pay- ing said candidates for their service.
"This is, therefore, to relinquish, and I do hereby relinquish, my said annual salary of sixty pounds and thirty cords of wood, from and after the said twelfth day of May, A.D. 1801, on the condition above expressed.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, this fourth day of May, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and one.
EDWARD SPRAGUE."
"Signed in presence of us,
ELIJAH DUNBAR. WARD EDDY."
In consequence of the foregoing agreement, the minister-tax for 1801 was the last which the town raised to be paid to Mr. Sprague. The whole amount of the assessment for this year was only half of the usual sum, or the salary for six months. In the year previous to 1801, the taxes for the minister's salary varied in amount to individual tax-payers $3.92 to 35 cents, the last being a tax on a poll. Only four persons paid over three dollars, thirty paid from two to three dollars, seventy paid from
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one to two dollars, and seventy-one paid less than one dollar. Thirty-three persons paid no minister-tax for that year. Most of these last belonged, probably, to the Baptist denomination. The amount of minister-tax for the year 1800 was $225.25. From the year 1801 to 1818, the town raised no money for preaching.
Mr. Sprague, according to his design of removing from Dublin, purchased a house in Keene, and established himself there with his wife, continuing to supply the pulpit at Dublin. He retained his house in Dublin and kept it furnished, but, after a short period, spent the greater part of the year at his old home, his wife remaining at Keene. Occasionally, he hired persons to preach in his pulpit; but it is not known that he ever charged the town for their services. During the winter months, he did not preach in the meetinghouse, but in a hall, which he owned, situated a mile east of the first meetinghouse.
Mr. Sprague's dwelling in Keene was a good house for its time, which stood on West St. (then called Pleasant St.), on the north side of the street, just east of the counting room of the mill corporation, where the Josiah Colony family lived many years, and where the mansion stands which is now occupied by Laurence D. Colony (in 1916).
Under the impression that money invested in real estate was the most secure, Mr. Sprague purchased several farms, which he rented, or let out at the halves. Under such supervision as he was able to give, this mode of investing his capital did not yield a high percentage of income. The farms depreciated in value, and Mr. Sprague was wont to say with respect to those that were taken at the halves, "My half did n't grow." But, so far as pecuniary matters were concerned, he was at ease. He rode at times in a coach drawn by four horses. His coach was furnished with lamps, and he was fond of riding in the evening with the lamps burning. He was distinguished for his hospital- ity. His house was always open to the reception of company. His table was plentifully supplied with the best that could be obtained in Dublin, and not infrequently he sent to Boston for such articles as could not be procured at home. The walls of his rooms were hung with a variety of paintings and engrav- ings, which, as he said, were designed to attract and entertain company; but which, in general, were indifferent as to their execution. He took great apparent satisfaction in exhibiting them to persons, strangers, or friends, who called upon him.
Mr. Sprague was the friend and patron of sacred music in his
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society. During the last years of his life, he contributed liberally for its encouragement. He is said to have been particularly fond of hearing the "Ode on Science" performed; and it was fre- quently sung at his request, either in the church or at some oc- casional meeting of the choir. This ODE ON SCIENCE was set to music by Sumner. The words were: -
"The morning sun shines from the East, And spreads his glories to the West; All nations with his beams are blest, Where'er his radiant light appears; So science spreads her lucid ray O'er lands that long in darkness lay; She visits fair Columbia, And sets her sons among the stars.
"Fair freedom, her attendant, waits To bless the portals of her gates, To crown the young and rising States With laurels of immortal day: The British yoke, the Gallic chain, Were urged upon our sons in vain; All haughty tyrants we disdain, And shout, Long live America."
The original music for these words may be found in several old collections of tunes, and in some of more recent date. It is indeed a praiseworthy composition, delightful to lovers of good music, and it speaks well for the musical taste of Mr. Sprague, that it pleased him.
He took a deep interest in the Revolutionary struggle; and the patriotic song which we have quoted rekindled, no doubt, the feelings of joy and gratitude which arose in his breast at the successful issue of American resistance to British oppression. He regarded a well-organized militia as necessary for national defence. If he had lived today (1916), he would have favored "preparedness." On one occasion, he delivered an address to a company of soldiers assembled in his church in military cos- tume. He read the newspapers of the day with more than ordi- nary interest; and he took much pleasure in telling the news to his friends and neighbors, which he did with such comments or incidental remarks as he supposed would render the news more interesting and profitable.
The bodily infirmities of Mr. Sprague during the latter part of his life were so great that he frequently deemed it necessary
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to have the advice of a physician. He reposed much confidence in the skill of Dr. Moses Kidder, who settled in Dublin a few years before his death. He was fond of him as a companion as well as a physician, and his desire to retain him in town was manifested in his will. He bequeathed him two thousand dol- lars, on condition that he remained in town during his (Mr. Sprague's) natural life. Mr. Sprague first proposed to Dr. Kidder to bequeath him the above sum on condition that he remained in town as a physician during his (Dr. Kidder's) natural life; but such a bequest was absolutely declined.
The death of Mr. Sprague was occasioned by the overturn- ing of a carriage. He had a limb broken, and he was otherwise injured. This happened on the evening of the 9th of December, 1817, as he was returning from a wedding which he had at- tended, at the house of Deacon Benjamin Learned, at which Deacon Learned's daughter Abigail was married to Jonas Davis. On the 13th of the same month, as the broken limb, instead of uniting and healing, was evidently tending to morti- fication, he was reminded of his danger. Feeling much less pain than he had done, he thought that his friends were needlessly alarmed. On being assured by his physician that his life was in danger, he requested the attendance of Thaddeus Morse, Esq., who, according to Mr. Sprague's directions, wrote his last will and testament, and had the same duly witnessed. He lived till the morning of the 16th of December. His funeral was on the 18th of December; and a sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Elijah Dunbar of Peterborough. By a vote, and at the expense, of the town, two hundred fifty copies of the said sermon were printed.
Mrs. Hannah Sprague, the wife of the Rev. E. Sprague, died at her residence in Keene, July 9, 1818. She had entered her eighty-first year. Her maiden name was Fitch. She sustained, it is said, "a Christian character of peculiar excellence." She resided at Keene nearly all the time after her removal thither. She visited her husband at Dublin occasionally; but he more frequently visited her. The inscriptions on the monuments erected to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sprague were composed by the Rev. E. Dunbar.
In addressing Mrs. Sprague at the funeral of her husband, Mr. Dunbar's words are: "A filial sensibility carries back my recollection through a period of almost twenty years since my acquaintance began with yourself and your late worthy and reverend consort, whose remains are now to be consigned to the
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grave. The numerous proofs of sincere and personal friendship; the time I have spent under your hospitable roof, and the sub- sequent harmonious intercourse of so long a period as has elapsed since my settlement in this vicinity, cannot fail of impressing my mind in a peculiar manner. This friendship and partiality, continued to the very close of life, has now placed me in this desk; and I need not observe to you, madam, how much more congenial it would have been to my feelings, had I now been at liberty silently to mingle my sympathies with your sorrows. . . I cannot, however, remain heedless of the last request of a venerable and constant friend in Christ, and father in the sacred ministry of the gospel, whose earthly labors are now closed forever, and whose soul has returned to God who gave it.
Of Mr. Sprague Mr. Dunbar says, "As a minister of the gos- pel, he was considered as excelling more particularly in his pathetic addresses, and sermons, on funeral occasions, and gen- erally in his public prayers." It was the custom of Mr. Sprague at funerals to speak of the characters of the persons deceased with more particularity than is common at the present day, and some of his parishioners were inclined to think that he was too much influenced in his remarks by his personal feelings of favor or dislike. He had a strong sympathy with the distressed, and much facility in the expression of his feelings on all occa- sions in which distress and affliction were outwardly manifested.
" The Last Will and Testament of the Rev. Edward Sprague
"In the name of God, Amen, - I, Edward Sprague, of Dublin, in the county of Cheshire, in the State of New Hampshire, clerk, do make this my last will and testament. Conscious that I was born to die, that my body must return to dust, and my soul to God who gave it, to him I cheerfully resign the same, in full confidence that he will do with me what is right, and that (though worms destroy my body) in my flesh I shall see God, and humbly hoping that I shall have acted well my part, relying on the merits of Jesus Christ, and be happy with him forever.
"And as to the worldly estate which God has been pleased to bestow upon me, my debts and funeral charges being first paid by my execu- tor, hereafter named, I give and devise the residue thereof in manner following, viz .: -
"1st, I give to the town of Dublin the sum of five thousand dollars, to be kept at interest by the said town forever, for the sole purpose of supporting the Christian religion in the Congregational Society (so-called) in said town, the interest thereof to be paid quarter-yearly to the minister of the Congregational persuasion who shall be regu- arly ordained and statedly preach in said society.
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"2d, I give to my nephews and nieces one dollar each.
"3d, I give to my beloved wife, Hannah Sprague, all my household furniture, and the interest of all sums of money which shall be on hand, or due at the time of my decease, after the payment of the above-mentioned sums, and the use of all my other estate, both real and personal, during her natural life.
"4th, I give to Dr. Moses Kidder two thousand dollars, provided he tarry in the town of Dublin physician during my natural life.
"5th, I give to John Twitchell and Alline Newhall three hundred dollars each, provided they stay in my service during my natural life to my satisfaction.
"6th, I give the town of Dublin all the remainder of said estate, including all my property not before given or devised by this will, to be kept for the use of schooling in said Dublin. And I hereby appoint Elijah Parker, of Keene, in the county of Cheshire, Esquire, executor of this my last will and testament, and hereby revoke all other wills by me made.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.
his EDWARD X SPRAGUE. [Seal.] mark
"Signed, sealed, published, and delivered by the testator, as his last will and testament, in presence of us, who hereunto subscribe our names in his presence, and in the presence of each other.
THADS. MORSE. WM. GREENWOOD, 2nd. JESSE LEARNED."
"STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
"CHESHIRE, ss. - Probate Office, May 13, 1853.
"[Seal.] I, Geo. W. Sturtevant, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said county, hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the will of Edward Sprague of Dublin, in said county, deceased, and now on file in this office. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court, at Keene, this 13th day of May, A.D., 1853.
GEO. W. STURTEVANT."
"The Decree of the Judge of the Probate, establishing the Will of Rev. E. Sprague
"STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Į CHESHIRE, SS.
"To all people to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
"[Seal.] Know ye that on the day of the date hereof, before me, at Jaffrey, in said county, the instrument which is hereunto annexed
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(purporting to be the last will and testament of the Reverend Edward Sprague, late of Dublin, in said county, deceased) was presented for probate by Elijah Parker, Esq., the executor therein named. Thad- deus Morse, Esq., and William Greenwood, 2d, both of Dublin, two of the witnesses, whose names are thereto subscribed, being then present, made solemn oath that they saw the said testator sign, seal, the said instrument. That he was then, to the best of their judg- ment, of sound and disposing mind; and that they, together with Jesse Learned, subscribed their names together as witnesses to the execution thereof, in the presence of said testator.
"I do, therefore, prove, approve, and allow of the said instrument as the last will and testament of said deceased, do hereby decree the administration thereof in all matters, the same concerning, and of the estate whereof he died seized and possessed in said State unto him the said executor, well and faithfully to execute the will and testament, and to administer the estate of said deceased according to the same, who accepted of his said trust, and gave bond to pay the debts and legacies due from the estate of said deceased, and likewise to return a true and perfect inventory of all the estate which belonged to said deceased into the probate office for said county, within three months; and that he shall render an account (upon oath) of his proceedings therein, when lawfully thereto required.
"In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Court of Probate for said county. Dated at Jaffrey aforesaid, the third day of February, anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
ABEL PARKER, Judge of Probate."
The following are the inscriptions on the monuments of the Rev. Edward Sprague and Mrs. Hannah Sprague: -
"MEMENTO MORI
In Memory OF THE REV. EDWARD SPRAGUE, A.M.
"The second Pastor of the Church in Dublin, who, for more than forty years, preached the word of God and broke the bread of life to this Christian Society. He entered on the stage of public action at the commencement of the late glorious Revolution, of which he was a zealous advocate, fully imbibing its spirit, and remaining through life the friend of liberty, civil and religious. He feared God above many from his youth, sincerely devoted himself to his service in the gospel of his Son, and united orthodoxy with charity. Possessing a large es- tate, his regard for the town in which he lived prompted him, after
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making a few legacies to particular friends, to bequeath them the re- mainder of his property for the pious and laudable purposes of support- ing the gospel and schools. Having been in private life cheerful and courteous, 'a lover of good men and given to hospitality ;' having in the discharge of ministerial duty, been assiduous, solemn, faithful; at length, laden with accumulated infirmities and hastened by a fatal occurrence, he languished a few days, and then calmly fell asleep in a firm belief of that gospel he preached to others.
"'Let fainting nature sink to rest Within its clay-cold bed, Till, with refulgent glory drest, It wakens from the dead; What though the body in the dust be laid, Breathless and mouldering in the awful shade! Faith views a bright reversion in the skies, When all the saints, reanimated, rise.'
NATUS BOSTONIAE MAII 20, 1750, LAUREA BACCALAU- RIALI CANTABRIGIAE
DONATUS 1770, MAGISTRALI 1773, PASTORALI OFFICIO INDUCTUS, OCT. 12, 1777, DECESSIT, DEC. 16, 1817, ANNOQUE AETATIS SUAE 68 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord'"
[Note. - The following is the translation of the Latin portion of the preceding in- scription: "Born in Boston, May 20, 1750; received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, at Cambridge, 1770; the Master's degree in 1773; ordained to the pastoral office, Oct. 12, 1777; died, Dec. 16, 1817, in the 68th year of his age." The date of his ordination given in this inscription is an error. The real date of his ordination was Nov. 12, 1777, as the perusal of the preceding pages will show.]
"BENEATH THIS STONE LIES THE MORTAL PART OF MRS. HANNAH SPRAGUE, CONSORT OF THE REV. EDWARD SPRAGUE, Who died, July 10,1 1818, aged eighty years
"In the several spheres of a wife, a neighbor, a Christian, and partner in the ministerial relations, she moved with dignity, useful- ness, and secured esteem. The religion of Jesus was the choice and ornament of her youth, the guide and support of her riper years, and the refuge and solace of her declining age. While her hopes of salvation rested entirely on the unmerited grace of God in Christ, she had no confidence in any faith but that which works by love. Her benevo- lence, ever active, met the needy at the door; and the poor she never
1 The true date was July 9, 1818.
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sent empty away. She was the faithful almoner of the goods en- trusted her by Providence; and it could be truly said of her, that she 'fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and entertained the stranger.' The cause of Zion lay near her heart in life, and was not forgotten at her death. That her property might aid this cause, when she sleeps in dust, she bequeathed the principal part of her estate to the New Hampshire Missionary Society. Reader, if thou hast wealth, influence, piety, learn the art of employing thy talents in doing good; and thou shalt never want a surviving friend to write over thy grave, 'The memory of the just is blessed;' nor a smiling Savior, in the great day, to hail thee with, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of thy Lord.'"
As the church was without a pastor, and as no covenant could be found among the papers left by Mr. Sprague, Rev. Mr. Dunbar was requested to meet the members. He acceded to the request, and the following is the record of the meeting in the handwriting of Andrew Allison, who had been chosen clerk: -
"At a meeting of the church in Dublin, 2d November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, the Rev. Elijah Dunbar, moderator: -
"Voted to adopt the copy of the old original covenant that the Rev. Edward Sprague formed his church by, when he first settled in this town.
"Voted to subscribe our names to it for the future government of the church in Dublin."
The following is the covenant referred to in the above votes, with the names annexed of the persons who subscribed it. The original copy is still preserved, as transcribed by Mr. Dunbar from a copy which he found many years before in the posses- sion of Mr. Sprague, and which he believed to be the same that was used by the Rev. Dr. Appleton of Cambridge, Mass .:-
"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God into a sacred fellowship with one another in the pro- fession and practice of the holy Christian religion, as a particular church of the Lord Jesus, do solemnly covenant with God and with one another, as follows: -
"In the first place, we avouch the Lord this day to be our God, yielding ourselves to him to be his servants, and choosing him to be our portion for ever; we give up ourselves unto the God whose name alone is Jehovah, to be his people, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice, declaring our firm assent unto the truths, and hearty
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consent unto the terms, of the gospel. We accept of Jesus Christ in all his glorious offices, prophetical, priestly, and kingly; and depend on him, in the way which he hath prescribed, for instruction, pardon, and eternal life. We profess our serious resolution to deny, as the grace of God teaches us, all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; to endeavor that our con- versation may be such as becomes and adorns the gospel. We promise, by the help of God's grace, to walk together in all ways of holy com- munion as brethren in the family of Christ and children of our Father who is in heaven; to keep the faith and observe the order of the gospel; carefully to support and conscientiously to attend the public worship of God, in all the instituted duties thereof, and to submit to the disci- pline of his kingdom; to watch over one another with Christian cir- cumspection, and endeavor our mutual edification in holiness and comfort.
"Furthermore, we dedicate our offspring with ourselves unto the Lord, engaging to bring them up in his nurture and admonition, and, as far as in us lies, to transmit the ordinances of God pure and entire unto them.
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