USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 17
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196
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
known. In those days, when ministers were in many instances the only publicly educated men in a community, they were esteemed as among the elect. Not infrequently they wore magnificent wigs and were distinguished for their faultless, if not courtly, attire. In many cases, where it was possible, a candidate going to the place of ordination was escorted by a large proession led by a band playing martial music in military spirit, till the marching column had reached the meeting house or the scene where the exercises were to take place. Sometimes the newly-elected minister preached the ordination sermon, but when convenient another divine performed this part of the service.
Only traditions of that faraway day in 1772 come down to us of the manner in which the young minister from Amherst was inducted into his noble office, but these are sufficient to show us the elaborate preparations that were made for the solemn, yet happy, occasion. In order to accomodate the crowd, for every able-bodied person within a radius of at least ten miles-and many from a longer distance -was expected to be present, Lieut. Samuel Bradford's commodious barn at his homestead on Bible Hill was made ready for the meeting. The home made brooms in dexterous hands swept the floors clean, and when the dust had settled the beams and walls were decorated with vines and ever- green gathered by the young people eager to do their part, until the roughness of the interior of the building was concealed beneath the festoons and mantles of foliage. Benches were ar- ranged to accomodate the congregation, there being reserved seats in the center for the women, while at the upper end was a raised dais for the ministers and deacons who were to assist in the in- duction of the young pastor into his new pastorate.
While this work was being done Captain Bradford had sent a proper escort to accompany the candidate to receive his honors, and when the young minister came upon the scene you may be assured he was received with proper decorum that did not de- preciate the glad welcome of one and all. It was noticed that he appeared somewhat nervous, as if shrinking from the publicity of the ordeal, but his handsome features, pale as a student fresh from his studies, denoted a firmness of character that won the confidence of all.
197
REV. JONATHAN BARNES.
The Rev. James Scales of Hopkinton seems to have preached the ordination sermon, but beyond this meagre fact we get no particulars. But nothing marred the even tenor of the promising ceremonies, and with great expectations on the part of his parish- ioners Rev. Jonathan Barnes, on that gray November day in 1772, came to the pastorate at the call of the church and town, the first settled minister in Hillsborough.
He was a graduate of Harvard College, a young man with the spirit and vigor of twenty-three years, earnest and full of promise for the future. He had already taken unto himself a wife, who was a fit companion and helpmeet for such a man. His induction into the ministry here had been on Wednesday, and that very week the household goods of the young couple were moved hither from Amherst over the road that has since become a noted highway of travel. Its condition at that time may be understood when it is known that it required three men to main- tain the equilibrium of the vehicle bearing the household goods of the new minister, and it may be easily imagined these were not very abundant.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes moved into a house which had been provided for them, in 1774, and he took possession of the 260 acres of land Colonel Hill had so generously allotted the first minister, so in case his salary should not prove adequate to sup- port his family he could be farmer as well as minister, which he proved himself capable of becoming. He was fortunate in that respect, as the salary allowed him, of necessity was meagre and curiously hedged in with conditions and expectations, as witness the quaint language of the vote as recorded in the Town's book.
Mr. Barnes possessed "a generous, sympathetic heart, and an open hand; need and sorrow found in him a ready helper. Earnest and impressive in the pulpit, he was of an unsectarian liberality of view, and of a Christian catholicity of feeling towards those who could not believe as he did, quite uncommon in his day. As a citizen he exerted a commanding influence in maintaining social order, preserving unanimity of feeling, and otherwise ad- vancing prosperity of the town." The benefit of the service of such a person under the situation of that trying period cannot be over-estimated.
198
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Winter was now close at hand, and the religious services held by the new minister were of necessity given in a dwelling house, most of the time in that of Captain Bradford on Bible Hill.
It was nothing unusual to hold religious services in barns, the weather permitting, and no more earnest audiences have ever been found under more attractive environments. But the in- habitants of Hillsborough had no intention of letting the situation rest under these conditions. During the winter plans were dis- cussed relative to building a house of worship the following summer. So in the warrant for the town meeting called for March 25th, 1773, the following articles appear as the real ob- ject of the occasion :
2ly, to see if the town will agree to build a meeting house for the Publick worship of God in said town.
3ly. to see where the town will agree to set said house, and also to give the Dementions how Large to buld, and Chuse a Comety to buld said house. see where it shall be bult.
Action, for some reason not indicated, was unfavorable, as it was-
Voted the article Concarning bulding meeting house be Dismissed for this time
As far as related to the ministry in the town the voters were unanimous in their support :
Voted, and hereby Do Ratfy Extablish and Confirm all and every artele, voted, the 24th of Noumbr Last past as mentioned in this warrent Relative to the Revd Mr. Jonathan Barnes as now upon record
The meeting was finally adjourned to the 15th of the follow- ing April, but that date falling upon Fast Day another adjourn- ment was made to the 4th of May, at which time definite action was taken relative to the matter.
Voted 2ly to buld a meeting house this year-the Length 35 feet Bredth 30 feet and, 9 feet stud
Voted to set the meeting house on the Land Colln Hill Gave for that purpose
199
FIRST ROADS IN TOWN.
Voted. to Chuse a Commite for Carying on the work of bulding the above said house
Voted
Isaac Andrews John McCalley the Cometty
Timothy wilkins
Voted to alow Captt Samll Bradford his account for keeping the Counsel at the ordenation of the Revd mr. Jonathn Barnes which acount was 9-9-8 Lawfull money
Voted to alow the Settlement of the Rvd Jonathan Barnes: which was 30-0-0
At last definite action had been taken in regard to building the proposed meeting house and the site fixed by the gift of Colonel Hill ratified. The records do not show that any opposi- tion to the selection was made by the voters, though it is possible there were those who would have preferred to have had the new edifice built on Bible Hill, as they readily foresaw that once the church was established elsewhere it would lose its chief attraction. Still very little, if any, selfishness was displayed in the matter. As Mr. Densmore, to whom I am indebted for considerable of my information, says: "To them Meeting House Hill was in anticipa- tion the Mount Zion, to which their hearts at once began to turn, and of which they were ready to say with the Psalmist, 'Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion' . . . 'and I was glad when they said unto me, come, let us go up into the house of the Lord.' For years to come nearly all of the tribes of the town did go up, some on horseback, more on foot, coming from the most distant parts of the town, some- times following the few roads scarcely yet begun, to be rendered passable only in coming years, oftener finding their way through dense forests in paths marked by blazed trees."
During the interval that had elapsed between the ratification of the town charter and the official selection of the site for the meeting house, the selectmen had laid out three roads and eight more followed with the location of the church edifice in some way connected with their destination. Not always was this clearly defined to him unfamiliar with the topography of the country, but not to be mistaken by those who had the situation fixed in their hearts.
200
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
There does not seem to have been any unnecessary loss of time in beginning work upon the new meeting house and before fall the frame was raised. But funds were lacking. to carry on the work, and at a special meeting held November 1, 1773, it was-
Voted, to Raise 30 pounds Lawfull towards bulding the meeting House
Work evidently continued on the structure, and at the annual town meeting held at the house of Mr. Baxter How, innholder, on March 31, 1774, the 9th article in the warrant read,
"To see if the town will impower the Committee Chosen for Carying on the work of the Meeting House to sell the pew ground except one for Mr. barns and Dispose of the Efekts towards finishing the House."
The matter was dismissed at this time, but a special meeting was called for April 27, when it was given full consideration. It was then-
Voted-the Comitte to sell the pew Ground at Publick Vandew and Dispose of the efects for the use of the House
Voted the Reverand Mr. Barnes have the improvement of the town's Land at the meeting House this year
Voted to Vew the Ground at the Meeting House spot for a burying place
Voted : Timothy wilkins Daniel McNeal the Committe to Vew the Ground for a burying and make Return to the town at the Next meeting
Isaac Andrews Town Clerk
At the annual meeting it was voted to "set the Pound as near to the meeting house as would be convenient."
The warrant for the next special meeting called for Novem- ber 14, 1774, contained an interesting item in the notice " to Meet at the Meeting House in said town." Though there is no record to prove it in existence it is probable that religious ser- vices had already been held in the house, while it was still un- finished. It was so occupied whenever the weather would permit, and generally the town meetings were held here. It must have been far from rain proof, as it is related that on one occasion while Mr. Barnes was preaching through a shower his boots were filled with water and he was severely drenched.
20I
A MINISTER'S MEAGRE SALARY.
At this meeting on the 14th of November for the first time the designation of "dollar" is given in reckoning the currency of the day. Hitherto the currency in circulation had been in the English denomination of pounds, shillings and pence. After this date the accounts of the country were still computed in English form.
It had now been over eighteen months since the first vote had been taken relative to building a meeting house, and the structure was still far from completion. As slow as the progress had been thus far, it moved yet slower in the years to come. That was in truth a period when there was a dullness in business everywhere. Ominous signs and indications predicted the coming of an earnest struggle the real depth and breadth of which no man could foresee. The annual meeting for 1775 contained no mention of the meeting house.
A subtle hint at the stringent situation of the day is shown in the following record expressed in the quaint language of the times :
August ye 17th 1775
Hillborough. . this may Sartiphy that Considering the exteron- nary diffecoltys that we now labor under I do give to the six dollars as a free gift out of the present years Sallory
In confirmation of the above I hereunto set my Hand Jona Barns
This was exactly two months after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. Barnes' generosity did not end with this gift, for he gave freely of his meagre pittance, notwithstanding the straitened condition of his own family. Mrs. Barnes, who proved herself worthy of so noble a man, in later years told the grandmother of Mr. Lyman W. Densmore that "their circumstances were so narrow that when ministers from abroad were expected as guests of her husband, she was compelled to hide her loaves of brown bread, the best she could afford, to keep her hungry children from picking at them between meals, and making them unpresentable at the table! At another time it took the entire amount of Mr. Barnes' salary, as fixed by contract, to buy a pig, with the depreciated currency then in use."
202
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
The previous winter had been unusually severe, and at the March town meeting a vote was taken to see if the church meet- ings should not be held in the dwelling of Deacon John Mead. But the motion did not prevail, and the meetings were continued in the unfinished meeting house.
At a special meeting held April 22, 1776, George Booth, Samuel Bradford, Jr., and Thomas Murdough were chosen a committee "to finish the meeting house."
Capt. Samuel Bradford, who had been very active in the affairs of the church, had died since March and his son and namesake now came forward to take his place.
September 23, 1776, at a special meeting, a committee con- sisting of Lt. Daniel McNiel, William Jones, and Ens. Timothy Bradford was chosen to see how accounts stood in regard to finishing the meeting house. At this same meeting it was meant to hold the meetings in the meeting house by refusing to have preaching at the house of Capt. Joseph Symonds. At this time Lieut. Daniel McNiel, Lieut. Samuel Bradford, and William Pope were selected as a Committee to settle with the first committee to build the meeting house.
Here, as far as the records show, the matter rested for this year. The gravity of the situation was increasing rather than growing more hopeful. With less than fifty rateable polls, the number of able-bodied men was considerable less, while from among these at one time or another more than a majority were in the army. The expense incurred in carrying on the war amounted to more than five times as much as the cost of main- taining affairs at home. This burden was more than trebled by a depreciated currency and the almost total absence of gold. In addition to this there were roads to lay out, build or repair, and bridges to construct, all of which meant much hard work and more or less financial outlay. With all of this there were the duties of home, the improvements on the rocky farms, the upkeep of the buildings and the ministration to the needs of the family, if simple not to be overlooked.
Despite the cares and anxieties of the perplexing affairs of the world, the interest in spiritual matters continued to absorb to a considerable extent the minds of the people. Somehow, if not by official report (the records show none) the actual condi-
203
WORK ON THE MEETING HOUSE.
tions regarding the meeting house was understood and "Votted to Chuse John McClintock, Nathanel Cooledge and Samuel Preston for a committee to finish the meeting house."
It will be noticed that these were new men for the task, but that does not signify that the previous members had been derelict in their duties, for they were now in the army.
May 28, 1777, another committee was chosen to look into the situation in connection with the building of the meeting house, the board consisting this time of Lt. Daniel McNiel, Lt. Samuel Bradford and William Pope "to Settel with the first meeting house committee."
Votted to Raise twenty four Pounds to be Laid out on the meeting house
The committee chosen at this meeting to investigate the ac- count of the building committee reported very promptly, as follows :
the Committe Chosen to Settle with the first meeting house Report that they find in their hands as follows Viz money four pounds four teen shillings and one penny Double tens one thousand, Linseed oil one Gallon white Lead four pounds, Spanish white fourteen Pounds, board nails Six hundred
Hillsborough June ye 25, 1777
Daniel McNeal William Pope Daniel Bradford
Committe
A true Copy Attest
William Pope town Clerk
The work on the meeting house was now happily nearing its completion. On the third article in the warrant for a special meeting held on September 29, 1778,
3ly to be if the Towne Will Chouse one man and Impour him to look up the former meeting house glass which Coln Hill gave to this town which glass has been Saut out in Severall Places and Impower Him to Prousecute as needs be.
3ly Isaac Andrews Esq Chosen to Loock up the former Meeting house glass and So the meeting Desolved
204
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
It will be remembered that the glass to the windows of the early meeting house built in 1739 was buried for safety when the house was burned. Upon the beginning of the second settlement this had evidently been recovered and kept all of this time for possible use.
At the annual meeting hold on March 25, 1779, a request from Mr. Barnes for permission to fence and improve the cleared land south of the meeting house, leaving room for a highway, for some reason was denied.
March 25, and again April 20, of the same year, it was voted to sell the pew grounds at public auction. September 4, 1780, the selectmen were impowered to glaze the windows of the meet- ing house. At the annual town meeting March 29, 1781, it was-
Voted to alow Isaac Andrews and Nathaniel Coolidge 14 times as their accounts stands at where the work was done by them to finish the meeting house.
This wide margin was allowed on account of the great shrinkage in the purchasing power of the currency of that day.
With this vote the accounts of the first church on Meeting House Hill closes as far as the town records are concerned in its construction. No doubt it was a source of an honest pride to its builders, and the hardships its construction had incurred were forgotten. Better yet peace had come to the country, and where had flashed the soldier's sword the ploughshare now glistened under the guidance of the hands of the husbandman, and peace- ful industry and prosperity went hand in hand. A new form of government was established and under its benign influence Hills- borough, like other New England towns increased in population and expanded in religious as well as political liberty.
For nearly twenty years, considering the first meeting held within its unfinished walls to the closing of its doors in 1794, the old meeting house received the sober worshippers at its shrine Sabbath after Sabbath, while the town's people gathered here to conduct the civil affairs of the community. But in all that long period it had no facility for heating, and when the weather be- came too severe for the devout listeners to withstand the cold through two long sermons and singing and praying to match in corresponding length of time, they would adjourn to the pastor's
205
BECOMES A "NOON HOUSE."
house. Finally the day came when the audiences had outgrown the capacity of the old building, and it may be a pride in some- thing more attractive if not more holy gradually discounted the virtues of the old house of refuge.
The historian of the church that was to follow, and from whom I have already quoted quite liberally, remarking upon the situation says : "it was a commanding elevation something more than a quarter of a mile southeast of the geographical centre of the town, early designated as the most suitable location for public business and divine worship, elevated more than 500 feet above the Main street in the Bridge village, commanding a view to the eastward, beyond the Merrimack valley, southward nearly to the Massachusetts line, including grand old Monadnock in all its majesty of proportion, westward to the height of land between Merrimack and Connecticut rivers, only limited as to the northern outlook by the Bradford hills, it was and is 'beautiful for situa- tion, the joy of the sons of Hillsborough' scattered over the face of the earth."
The first meeting house at the Centre was replaced by the larger house in 1794. An outcast now the smaller building by vote of the town was sold at "vendue" April 28, 1795, Benjamin Pierce, Esq., being the highest bidder at twenty-five dollars and fifty cents, became its owner. The stipulation was that it should be removed before the last day of the following June, but for some reason the owner failed to carry out his condition, so the town granted him further time, and on September 3, at a special meeting it was voted "that the purchasers of the old meeting house be permitted to remove the same partly into the grave yard and east near the wall," this being the southeast corner of the "grave yard." Here the building was fitted up for a "Noon House," as it was called. This means that arrangements had been made to warm the house on extremely inclement weather in winter, and other accomodations made for the comfort and con- venience for those who cared to improve the opportunity. This innovation was hailed with joy by those who were obliged to ride in open vehicles for several miles over the hills in cold or stormy weather, while they were glad to eat their lunch during the noon intermission, after their journey hither and listening to a two-
206
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
hour sermon with the knowledge that another siege of the same kind was ahead of them for the afternoon. Their tin "foot stoves" were filled from the coals of the fire in the big fireplace and taken back to the church to keep them measureably warm while listening to the discourse of the minister. A stove was not put into the meeting house until the fall of 1823.
In 1797 the town voted that William Taggard and Jacob Spaulding be allowed the privilege of building a house on the common for the benefit of their families on Sundays. This house stood where the school house now at the Centre stands. There does not seem to be any records to show when the old meeting house, now a "Noon House," was destroyed or removed. But this was probably about the time a stove was put into the house that replaced it and it was torn down. So, its history replete with good action and story of the first active church in Hillsborough has been handed down to us in fragments and is the foundation upon which the religious history of the town stands.
CHAPTER XI.
"THE OLD MEETING HOUSE."
Story of the Third Meeting House-Need of the "New" House on Meeting House Hill-First Action by the Town-Plan Accepted- The Building of the House-The Symonds Gift-Provisions for the Raising-An Event in Town History-Description of the Inside of the House-The Symonds Monument-Particulars of the Symonds Farm-Sale of Meeting House Pews-Plan of Pews- Location of House-Horse sheds-Officers to Look after Dogs- Rev. Jonathan Barnes-The Church and State-Rev. Seth Chapin -Not as Liberal as Mr. Barnes in His Religious Teaching-His Way Became more Thorny-Separation of Church and State- Regime of Rev. John Lawton-Many New Members Added to the Church-First Sunday School in Town-Another "New" Meeting House at the Centre-The Old Church Becomes a "Town House" --- Methodists Hold Services in It-Work of Destruction Begun- Abandonment of the "Old" Building as a Town House-Becomes the Prey of "Relic" Hunters-Extent of Ruin-Effort Made to Preserve the Wreck-Final Fate of the "Old Meeting House."
Commonly referred to as the "Old Meeting House at the Centre" we now come to the history of what was really known in its earlier days as the "New Meeting House," and which was the second building of the kind on "Meeting House Hill," and the third in town. Though there are no definite figures to show what the increase in population had been during the existence of the house of worship, the return of the rateable polls indicate that it must have trebled.
The tax list for 1776, the first made, contains 49 names, . most of them heads of families. At the close of the war the number had increased to over one hundred, so that the capacity of the first meeting house was crowded to its utmost. However, as is usually the case, the matter had to be discussed and con- sidered for a few years before the result could be reached. In the warrant for a special meeting called for November 4, 1788, Articles 2, 3 and 4 ran as follows :
207
208
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
"2ly to see if the town will Build, board and shingle a Meeting house in said town in Eighteen Months from the Date; on certain proposels that shall be exhibited in said Meeting-or any other way that the town shall think more proper
3ly-To Draft a plan for said house or Chuse a Committe for that purpose
4ly-to Prescribe Methods for Building sd house and act accord- ingly thereon."
At this meeting is was voted :
2ly voted to Build a Meeting house within Eighteen Months agreeable to the proposels made by Deacon Joseph Symonds-
3ly-Voted to choose a committee to Draft a plan for said house Voted the Committee consist of five Men (Viz)-Rvd Jona Barnes Daries Abbot John Dutton Benjamin Pierce Isaac Andrews Junr-Committee-
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