USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 31
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The site selected for the building was near that of the Con- gregational house, and was on the westerly side of School Street nearly opposite the George H. Stewart place, since occupied by Harvey Stacey.
3,56
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CHURCH MOVED TO HENNIKER STREET.
William Kimball, one of the foremost workers in the new cause, gave the land for the building, so long as it should be oc- cupied as a place for worship. Others who were active in the propagation of the society were Levi Goodale, James Currier and Thomas Howlett. This was in 1839, and the following year a modest structure was erected at a cost of $2,400. It was without spire or any attempt at display ; was painted white and presented a plain, unostentatious appearance.
If the new church was modest in its appearance, it served its purpose well, and for nearly a quarter of a century the families of some of the best citizens of the town worshipped within its walls. There does not seem to have been any friction in the con- duct of church affairs, and the society grew in numbers as well as in usefulness.
Meanwhile Bridge Village grew in the number of its in- habitants, so the membership of this church outgrew the capacity of the house, when discussions arose as to what could be done to meet the requirements of the changed condition. The outcome was a vote to move the old building to a site on Henniker Street, add twelve feet to its length, and build a spire with a belfry for a bell.
The committee chosen to carry out this plan consisted of Daniel Wyman, William H. Simonson, Jason H. T. Newell, James W. Thorpe, George Smart, J. Currier, D. F. Brown, J. L. Eaton, R. T. Noyes, Lyman Dow, John M. Gage, James F. Briggs.
Completely remodeled and furnished the new church edifice standing on Henniker Street presented a very pleasing appearance to the promoters of the good work. Here renewed life and in- terest entered into the work and the society flourished.
So well did it progress that within another quarter of a century it again became evident that a larger building was needed to accomodate the worshippers at this shrine. This was all within the line of the growth of the village, and in order that the ever- increasing membership of the Methodist church might keep pace with its situation it was decided to enlarge the structure and make other improvements. The committee selected to accomplish this undertaking was Herman G. Brown, Samuel D. Hastings
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
and Peter H. Rumrill. Again the architect and the carpenter were called into activity, and such improvements and enlarge- ments made as to quite efface the original house. The building was raised sufficiently to allow of a heating apparatus to be placed in the basement. The old spire was torn down and a new and handsome front was constructed, with a tower at each corner ornamented with finials. In the larger of these towers a bell was suspended. The exterior of the building reflected credit upon the workmen, and was a source of gratification to the society.
The enlarged and improved meeting house was formally opened on March 2, 1894. The Messenger, in giving an account of the affair, described the house in the following words:
"The audience room is a most beautiful apartment. The floor as also that of the vestry is covered with a Lowell carpet of beautiful design. Around the walls to a height of three feet above the floor is carried a sheathing of beaded ash and the same material is used in a similar manner in the vestry, vestibule and stairways. The ceiling of the sides and overhead is frescoed in harmonious tints that give it a most beautiful appearance.
"From the centre of the ceiling overhead is suspended a magnificent chandelier that sheds abundant light for the whole apartment. The windows are of stained glass of beautiful pattern. Opposite the main entrance is the platform upon which is placed the elegant pulpit set. On the right is the choir gallery; also well furnished, while to the left is the pastor's study. The auditorium, as well as all the other apartments, is heated by two furnaces located in the basement. The pews are of ash and of pretty design, so arranged that the occupant faces squarely to the pulpit, upholstered with cardinal cushions and altogether forming very comfortable if not luxurious seats. The pews and wood work of the room are finished in the natural wood and varnished, giving the whole a pleasing effect.
"The seating capacity of this room is about 225 and when the vestry is thrown open with it about 100 more.
"Many of the furnishings of the church were donations. The Ladies' Friendly League gave the carpets; Miss Lizzie Grimes and mother, the chandelier; Henry C. Morrill, the lamp for the choir gallery ; William H. Law, the vestibule lamp; Maria
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PASTORS OF METHODIST CHURCH.
Butler, the pulpit set; the chancel chairs and communion table ; Mrs. Martha Lovering and Mrs. David Whittle, the altar lamps ; Mrs. Mary Morrill and Mrs. Belle E. Merrill, the Bible; Mrs. George C. Noyes, the communion service; William Merrill, the collection bags."
Four memorial windows were presented as follows: One by Herman G. Brown, in memory of his son, Arthur L. Brown; two by Mary Frank Butler, in memory of her mother, Jane O. Butler and sister, Sarah Ann Butler; and the fourth by Russell T. Noyes, a former resident of this town, in memory of his wife, Mary N. Noyes.
The history of the church since that day five and twenty years ago has been uneventful, except insofar as the history of a progressive and prosperous church can be written. It has been fortunate in its selection of pastors and harmonious in its con- duct of affairs so far as it has come under its jurisdiction. The following ministers have been made shepherds of this flock, to prove good and faithful servants of Methodism:
PASTORS OF BRIDGE VILLAGE METHODIST CHURCH.
Reverends.
Reverends.
Lewis Howard, appointed, 1839.
Abel Heath, appointed, 1845.
Henry Nutter,
1846.
Daniel Lee, 1847.
John English, 1850.
Benjamin C. Eastman, 1852.
Albert P. Dobbs,
1855.
Sandford Van Benscothen, 1857.
C. Miller,
1858.
William H. Simonson, 1862.
Henry D. Kimball,
1863.
John A. Lansing,
1864.
C. C. Morehouse,
1865.
George W. Anderson,.
1866.
Henry Dorr, 1867.
Benjamin W. Chase, 1868.
Lucian W. Prescott,
1871.
D. W. Downs, 1874.
George N. Bryant,
1876.
W. H. Stuart,
1878.
Joseph W. Presby,
1879.
J. H. Hillman, 1880.
J. A. Bowler,
1881.
Fred H. Corson, 1884.
George C. Noyes, 1887.
Noble Fisk, 1888.
Joseph Manuel,
1891.
Thomas F. Cramer, 1894.
Joseph Simpson,
1898. Irving C. Brown,
1901.
John L. Cairns,
1905. Water F. Whitney,
1909.
James Nelson Seaver,
1912. Nathaniel B. Cook, 1914.
Claude L. Buehler,
1916 and still filling the position.
THE CHURCH AT THE CENTRE.
The story of Methodism in Hillsborough has been only half told by the foregoing narrative. Contemporary with the division
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
of the Congregational society at the Centre was the beginning and the upbuilding of the Methodist church there. Hitherto, knowing it would be a hardship to support two churches where one might meet the wishes of the people opposite factions had manfully striven to unite their efforts and their means. Among the influential workers with Methodist inclinations were Hiram Monroe, Benjamin Gay, Elijah Blanchard, Benjamin Danforth, James Jones, who gave the society five hundred dollars ; the Rays, Hartwells and others living at or near the Centre. In 1858 these and their associates were joined by two new-comers, the Dens- mores, father and son, Lyman and Lyman W.
Those were trying days, when political differences entered largely into everyday affairs, penetrating deeply into religious dis- cussions. As early as 1844, as has been noted elsewhere, delegates were sent from Hillsborough church to attend a conference at Francestown where the subject of slavery was the one theme to be discussed. Even then this action was construed by some to be a political movement. In speaking of this it must be borne in mind that party spirit was very much stronger in those days, and political prejudice, with either or any party, was of a decidedly aggressive nature.
The news of the attack of Preston S. Brooks upon Charles Sumner at his desk in the Senate chamber on the morning of May 22, 1856, following a heated discussion, was taken by the pastor at the Centre church, the Rev. Mr. Dobbs, as an ap- propriate text for a sermon, the minister expressing his opinion very freely. His ideas did not meet with the approval of many of the attendants in the house, all of whom left in a body, every one of these refused to pay further minister's tax, until there was a change of pastors.
Of course the speaker had his supporters, but the disturb- ance resulted in closing the doors of the church for some time.
While this affair had little if anything to do with the trend of some of the church people towards the village at the Falls, it did serve to awaken a stronger religious spirit among many, and this brought out more pronounced views relative to the different denominations. All this aroused a determination among those living at the Centre to maintain a church of their own.
Photograph by MANAHAN.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
Photograph by MANAHAN. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. .
36I
METHODIST CHURCH AT CENTRE.
Finally an appeal was made to the head of the Theological School at Concord, Mass., to send some of the students up there to preach. This call met with a hearty response, and during the winter of 1860-1861 Messrs. Hatfield, Porter and King came here and started revival meetings. The result was a hundred converts -a large number for the size of the place, showing a very sub- stantial religious effort.
While these meetings were held in the old Congregational meeting house, most of the revivalists were of the Methodist church. Hiram Monroe joined the society at this time, while the Danforths, Gays, Hartwells, Rays, Blanchards and others having large families wanted their children to listen to Methodist preach- ing, and above all attend a Methodist Sunday School.
Accordingly, those of this belief, began to talk earnestly of having a Methodist meeting house at the Centre. The discus- sions to this end and the plans to accomplish this purpose were all made at meetings held in the old town house.
In 1861 the society was organized, with a Sunday School of one hundred pupils, coming under the teachings of William Fletcher Hatfield. Mr. Hatfield was succeeded by E. A. Smith, and he by A. C. Coult.
This was in the summer of 1862, during the time of the Civil War, but the resolute brotherhood drew their plans for the new house and began to raise the money. In this respect they were so successful that the following spring work was begun on the house, and went forward so that on September 10, 1863, the meeting house was dedicated under most auspicious circum- stances. The minister in charge at this time was Rev. Henry W. Ackerly. Services were held regularly after this, the preachers, in addition to those already mentioned being Revs. William E. Tomkinson, 1864; H. B. Elkins, 1865; A. J. Hall, 1866; W. H. Williams, 1868; I. Taggart, 1868; Samuel Beadle, 1870; L. S. Dudley, 1871; J. Parker, 1874; H. Chandler, 1875; Joseph W. Presby, 1878. From this time to the present the same minister preached at both Village and the Centre. For the names see list already given.
Among the beneficiaries have been Abigail Hartwell, who left a bequest of two hundred dollars; Mary Ann Danforth, two
362
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
hundred dollars; Albe Stevenson, two hundred and fifty dollars ; Abbie Murdo, one hundred dollars. The gift of the last-named person possesses an unusual interest from the fact that the giver was blind from birth, but had earned the money from her own work. In fact, she was noted as one of the most industrious and accomplished persons in town.
At the end of nearly three-score years the modest edifice, with its white walls, its shapely tower, its spacious grounds and inviting hospitality still stands as a gentle reminder of its builders. and their devout purpose.
Rev. Harry Brickett, in his excellent sketch of the town written for the county history, says very aptly of the situation : "As a rule the two churches on the hill have worshipped side by side in peace, if not always with brotherly love. It is sometimes difficult to forget the causes of separation, or of the attempt to secure, by a majority of votes, the church building of the old. church for the occupancy of the new. The generation that were the actors in the matter (this was written thirty-five years ago) are most of them with the departed, and the newer generation are coming up with the most kindly feelings of the former. About a quarter of a century ago the Methodist Biblical Institute of Concord was in full operation, and the students ably supplied the desks. Among these Mr. Hatfield, at the Centre, was the most noted there, and William Van Benschoten at the Bridge. Others ranked high as men of talent. Rev. John A. Bowler, who remained three years at the Centre and at the Bridge proved him- self to be a man adapted to the place. The town showed its ap- preciation of his abilities and worth by giving him the super- intendency of the schools, a work for which he was prepared and adapted, as he stood himself at the head of the profession as a. teacher before he began to preach."
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND OTHER DENOMINATIONS.
First Mass Celebrated in Hillsborough-Building of the Church-
Christened for Mrs. Mary Pierce-Names of the Pastors-Success of the Church-The Universalists-Never an Organized Body- Favorite Meeting Place Child's Opera Block-The Spiritualists- An Organized Society-A Long and Successful Record.
The changes in population caused by one reason and another saw people of religious belief differing from those already established in town. Foremost among these were those firm in the faith of Catholicism, this class increasing in numbers until it was necessary to have a house of worship.
The first Mass was celebrated in Hillsborough by the Rev. E. E. Buckle, in 1881. This mission was subsequently visited by pastors of Peterborough and East Jaffrey, until the settlement of the first resident priest, the Rev. David W. Fitzgerald, in 1889.
Directly after assuming pastoral charge Father Fitzgerald secured a plot of land on Church Street the site of a proposed new church building. Work was begun upon the structure within a short time, Messrs. Jackman Brothers being engaged as builders. The house is of modern designs; has Gothic windows; is 75 feet by 32 feet in dimension ; 32 feet in height, with a tower of 75 feet, surmounted by a gilded cross. It can seat 350 persons. Messrs. Chickering and O'Cornell were the architects.
Named Saint Mary's Church in honor of Mrs. Mary A. Pierce, wife of Hon. Kirk D. Pierce, the new house of worship was dedicated by Bishop Bradley October 29, 1893. A rectory was built the following year.
In 1901 Father Fitzgerald was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Corcoran, who was followed in 1905 by the Rev. Thomas N. Coakley.
The Rev. J. G. Leclerc succeeded Father Coakley in 1910 as pastor of St. Mary's. Father Leclerc was instrumental in the:
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364
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
purchase of two lots of land for cemeteries, St. Mary's Cemetery, Hillsborough, and Mount Calvary Cemetery, Bennington, both of which were blessed by Bishop Guertin in June, 1918.
The Rev. James H. Queenan became pastor of St. Mary's in August, 1917, but he was called into higher service a little over a year later. He died in November, 1918.
The present pastor is the Rev. Charles J. Leddy. Father Leddy was born in Epping and educated at Phillips Exeter Academy. He came to Hillsborough from St. Joseph Cathedral, Manchester, and under his care the church has prospered and promises to yield yet greater good in the future.
Besides the fully organized churches already mentioned, other classes of worshippers have held services in town and per- formed their religious duties according to their beliefs. Child's Opera Block has been the favorite meeting place for these un- organized denominations. At different times the Universalists have held meetings here, but have never had sufficient numbers to form a regular church. Among the preachers who have presided here has been Rev. Mr. Morrison of Laconia.
The Spiritualists have been numerous enough to hold regular meetings, their favorite hall being in Colby Block. This society has flourished for a considerable time, and some of the best. advocates of its doctrines have addressed its meetings upon special occasions.
In conclusion it may not be amiss to say that those of various. religious beliefs dwell side by side in harmony, many having but little choice, a few not any, though even they do not decline to accept the truth of the golden rule.
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CHAPTER XXII.
STORY OF THE SCHOOLS.
Early Action in Regard to Education-Character of Early Schools in New England-Teachers-First School Districts-First Super- intendents 1827-Prudential Committee-First School in Hillsbor- ough-George Bemaine, Pioneer Teacher-First Woman Teacher- First Money for Schools-Town Divided into School Classes.
"I sat an hour to-day, John, Beside the old brook stream, Where we were school-boys in old time, When manhood was a dream.
The school house is no more, John, Beneath our locust trees, The wild rose by the window's side No more waves in the breeze."
The beginning of an educational system in New England was mainly due to the character and mental training of the founders of each locality. The establishment of a school in a certain town was governed therefore by the opinions and purposes of its in- habitants. Elsewhere it has been shown in this work that the early comers to Hillsborough were somewhat different in their personal attributes from the Puritans and the Pilgrims on the one hand, and that on the other a portion of the inhabitants was composed of citizens distinct from these. It can be said to their credit that the matter of education received early attention from them, and before the incorporation of the town schools, supported by private subscriptions, were maintained in Hillsborough.
During the hundred years of the 18th century little was ac- complished anywhere in New Hampshire relative to education. In considering this apparent apathy towards schools it must not be forgotten that for more than half of the time the colonists were kept busy in their almost constant warfare with the Indians, and, following the close of this exciting drama, the ominous fore-
365
366
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
bodings of the Revolution, the war itself, and the construction of a new form of government employed the attention of the people to the exclusion of everything else.
In 1789 the legislature repealed all former acts relating to schools and definitely fixed the amount of money to be raised by towns for schooling at "five pounds for one pound of public taxes to the individual town." This was to be expended for maintaining an "English grammar school," meaning schools for teaching "reading, writing and arithmetic." The Selectmen were made responsible for assessing and collecting this money. Two years later the assessment was raised, making the proportion on every twenty shillings to be seven pounds and ten shillings. By the first provisions, which were not changed in this respect in 1791, teachers were required to furnish certificates of examina- tion, and to be of good character and qualification.
In 1804 towns were empowered to tax non-residents towards the support of the schools. In 1805 towns were empowered to divide into school districts. Previous to this, having no fixed place for them, schools were "moveable"; that is, they were kept wherever thought best by a majority of the inhabitants in that section of the town, or it might include the whole township, while the rest of the citizens did not complain of unfairness. The school room was sometimes in a barn, in an old deserted building or a private house. The law of 1805 gave the town power to assess the inhabitants of a certain district with which to build a house. The section of the law relating to school districts was repealed in 1885, leaving it optional with the town. From time to time the rates have been raised, and many modifications have been made in order to keep pace with the changing conditions. In 1827 the office of superintendent of schools was created, and two years later that of prudential committee with power to hire the teacher in the district in which said officer lived. The revision of the laws at this time made many improvements in the conduct of the schools ..
The legislature of 1917 made radical changes in the school system establishing a state board of education and compelled the towns that had not already accepted this method to enter a classi-
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GEORGE BEMAINE.
fication with adjoining towns and come under the jurisdiction of a superintendent for said district.
In respect to her schools Hillsborough does not rank inferior to any of her sister towns. Within eight years of the beginning of the second settlement, from which the history of the town really begins, and two years before its incorporation, a school was opened in a log house standing a few rods west of the dwell- ing of Daniel Templeton and on the land more recently owned by Henry Adams. This was on the north side of the main road leading from Bridge to Lower Village. George Bemaine was the teacher. He was an Englishman by birth, and had received a good education. The famous Dilworth, author of the spelling book so common in those days, was a classmate of his. He had come to New England with his parents before he was twenty- one .*
Mr. Bemaine proved to be an excellent teacher, and was noted for his good penmanship. As well as being a scholar he was a gentleman of fine appearance and liked by all. But his stay in Hillsborough was not of long duration. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution he showed his love for his adopted country by enlisting in the Continental Army, where he made a long and honorable record, which is given in the chapter on the Revo- lutionary War.
In addition to attending to his church duties and farming, the Rev. Mr. Barnes gave private instructions to several young men, and probably taught terms of private schools. It was not unusual in those days for some of the men and women-many of whom even in common walks of life-had fairly good educations to tutor privately the children of their neighbors.
*Mr. J. M. Whiton, in his history of Antrim, has this to say of the school master, and it will be seen that his account does not agree with the above statement. In fact, it should be said that the history of Mr. Bemaine is not very complete from such records as can be obtained today. Mr. Whiton says: "A prolonged storm raged in January, 1770, and the Contoocook was impassable. Scarcely had the storm passed than a stranger knocked at the door of a pioneer's home near the river in Antrim. He was a middle-aged man, who gave his name as George Bemaine, born upon the seas, and he acknowledged he was a refugee, having de- serted an English warship in the port of Boston and penetrated thus far into the wilderness by following spotted trees. The storm had treated him harshly and he was glad to find shelter and food. He had found the home of Deacon James Aiken, the pioneer of Antrim. Taking a Bible from the devout settler's table he remarked he had seldom seen a good book for forty years. He proved an ex- cellent reader and soon showed that he was an educated man. He soon after came to Hillsborough, and taught the first school in town.'' Deacon Aiken lived alone in South Antrim for four years before a neighbor came.
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
The first woman to teach a regular school of which there is any record was a Mrs. Sarah Muzzey, a widow lady from Sud- bury, Massachusetts, who kept the school at the Centre with great satisfaction.
All scholars prior to 1785 were supported by private con- tributions, though the matter of town support had been agitated for several years before. The first vote upon the records relative to the support of schools was at a special meeting held September 4, 1780, when it was voted not to raise any money for school purposes. On December 8 this action was ratified by another vote against raising money for that purpose. There was a slight gain in its favor and the adherents continued to advocate the movement. In 1784 there was an article in the warrant to see if the town would employ a "wrighting master." This, notwith- standing its spelling, was voted down.
It was not until the annual meeting March 31, 1785, the town voted the first money for schools, twenty pounds or about one hundred dollars. Already an organized system of public schools had been acomplished and from that day the town has been liberal in her support of the cause of education. As another has aptly stated it: "As the result of all her efforts, her sons and daughters, strenghtened and panoplied for victory in the varied battles of life by the educational advantages she has generously supplied, arise to call her blessed. In fine, with her churches and her schools, her library and her newspapers, Hillsborough has ever done her best to enforce and practice the great principle that knowledge and virtue are the only safety of a free people."
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