USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Derry > The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. > Part 14
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Londonderry > The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. > Part 14
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
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ยท acter and influence, until circumstances led Miss Grant and Miss Lyon to resign their connection with it, and to open a school for young ladies at Ipswich, Mass., which they con- ducted on the principles here laid down, and which were carried more fully into operation at South Hadley.
They were succeeded by Mr. Charles C. P. Gale, of Exeter, a graduate of Yale College. He sustained a high character as a teacher, and remained principal of the institution ten years, when he was invited to Boston, to take charge of a female school in that city. He had but just entered upon the duties of this situation, when he was suddenly removed by death, March 1, 1838. On the resignation of Mr. Gale, John Kelly, Esq., of Atkinson, was appointed principal. He continued to have the charge of it three years ; and on his retiring, the institution was again, in accordance with its original plan, placed under the instruction and government of female teachers. Miss Laura W. Dwight took charge of it in 1841, and remained its principal three years. It is at present under female instruction, and affords to young ladies advan- tages of a thorough education.
Mr. Adams, in addition to the fund for the establishment of a female academy, gave eight hundred dollars to the parish, for the purchase of a bell.
In 1828, the number of inhabitants, the extent of terri- tory, the inconvenience of attending the town meetings, together with many local and rival interests, which frequent- ly agitated the community, induced those residing in the easterly part, to apply to the legislature for a division of the town. The petition was granted, and the easterly portion was set off as a township and incorporated by the name of Derry, the remaining portion retaining the original name of Londonderry. There was nearly an equal division of territory and of population. The town contained 48,470 acres. West of the divisional line are 25,870 acres ; east of the line, 22,600 ; making the territory of Londonderry 3,270
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acres larger than the town of Derry. But while the town- ship of Londonderry exceeds that of Derry in territory, it contains a less population.
In 1829, a bank, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, was chartered in Derry, by the name of the Derry Bank. Alanson Tucker, Esq. was its president, and James Thom, Esq., its cashier, from its establishment, until its charter expired, in 1849.
. Although the strong traits of character which marked the early settlers of this town, their staid attachment to re- ligious principle and order, their firm adherence to what they believed true and sacred, their generosity and social attachments, are still manifest in their descendants, and mark the community which they here founded ; yet many causes, during a period of more than an hundred years, have tended to obliterate in a degree these distinctive traits. While em- igrations from Londonderry were taking place from time to time, as its population increased, English families from other places have removed into the town, preferring, as they left the denser settlements on the sea-board, to purchase farms already brought into a state of cultivation, rather than, like the more hardy and adventurous sons of these colonists, to penetrate and subdue the unbroken wilderness. A few such families, at an early period, settled on a pleasant tract, north of Beaver Pond, which, from that circumstance, received the name of the English Range, which it still retains.
About the year 1790, the town received a valuable acces- sion of settlers from Ipswich, Mass. They were of the true Puritan race, and retained all those excellences of character that distinguished the pilgrim band, which settled that an- cient town. They had been trained up under the ministry of Rev. Messrs. Rogers, Frisly, Cleaveland, and Dana, men distinguished for learning and piety, and for their attach- ment to the doctrines and order of the Puritans.
Although their national traits of character differed in some
11*
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respects from those of the settlers of this town, yet they were soon blended, each imparting and receiving benefit by the union. A degree of cultivation and refinement was imparted by these English settlers, which served to soften and improve the sterner and more rough features of the Scotch-Irish character.
The first family which came from Ipswich to London- derry, was that of John Cross. He was soon followed by others, as William and James Choate, Joseph and Benjamin Proctor, Nathaniel Jewett, Benjamin Caldwell, Joseph Cogs- well, Aaron Choate, John Burnham, John Crocker, Eliezer Low. They were of the Congregational order, but readily united in the Presbyterian form of church government which had been here observed. Many of them became dis- tinguished not only as intelligent and influential citizens, but as efficient members of the church, and their descendants are among the most valuable inhabitants of the town.
Several families, soon after this emigration from Ipswich, removed into this town from Newbury, Mass., among which were those of David and Edmund Adams, who became large landholders, and entered extensively into agricultural pursuits.
Another company from the more southerly part of Massa- chusetts removed into Londonderry, and settled in the West Parish. Some of these families were of the Baptist denomi- nation. They were not disposed to unite with the Presby- terian society, as others had done, but, being joined by some few of the older inhabitants, they organized and formed a Baptist church and society, and in 1829, erected a meeting- house in the north-west part of the town, which had been usually called Canada.
Families from different parts have, from time to time, removed into this town, and others have left, so that the pro- portion of the descendants of the first settlers is at present not large. There are, however, some which retain unmixed
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the native Scotch-Irish blood. Of the families living in the town, there are but few that retain the farms first subdued from the original forest, and cultivated by their progenitors of the same name. But while a marked change has taken place in regard to its inhabitants, it is deserving of grateful notice, that most of the accessions which this town has received from other communities, have been families of sober and industrious habits, friendly to good order, and attached to religious institutions, and have consequently contributed to its prosperity.
For a number of years after the settlement of this town, there were no means of conveyance from place to place. Vehi- cles, now in such common use, were then almost unknown; and had there been such, the state of the roads would not have admitted of their general use. Those who attended meet- ing on the Sabbath, though the distance was in some instances great, usually travelled on foot, - mothers often with a young child in their arms. At length, as horse's became more com- mon, the more wealthy part of the inhabitants might be seen going to meeting on horseback, the good-man before, the wife on the pillion, behind. This, until the close of the last cen- tury, was the usual if not only mode of conveyance. In this way long journeys would be performed, females not un- frequently carrying an infant in their arms. Horses were then trained to pace or rack, and not, as now, to trot; that gait being more gentle and easy for the rider. It was not till nearly the commencement of the present century, that the first chaise was introduced. This was owned by Hon. John Prentice. It excited great wonder, and was deemed an unjustifiable extravagance. In 1814, the first horse-wagon was introduced into the town. It was made and owned by Dea. James Gregg. The style, ease, and mode of finish of these vehicles, now in such general use, have since been greatly improved.
But although the inhabitants in past days were destitute of
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these means of conveyance ; although they were not, as now, clad in flannels and furs during the winter season, or even possessed of an outer garment, now deemed indispensable ; and although their house of worship was unprovided with stoves, and all the conveniences of ease and comfort which it now possesses, yet seldom did they fail of a regular and punctual attendance, in winter as well as summer, on the stated worship of the sanctuary. These privations and hard -- ships they cheerfully sustained, from love to the gospel, and a desire to transmit to their descendants a goodly inheritance. Let not their simple manners and customs ever be reproached or ridiculed by those who are reaping the fruits of their industry, frugality, and self-denying piety.
Much attention has, from the first, been paid to common school education in this town. Primary schools have been maintained and well regulated in its several districts, and few, if any, of the children and youth have not been taught in the rudiments of knowledge. A classical or high school was here established, when but few such institutions existed. Since which, a male and female academy, both well endowed, have been incorporated and well sustained.
Many of our youth, availing themselves of the advantages of these institutions, have obtained a good academical educa- tion, and become teachers in the district schools of this and surrounding towns ; while a very considerable number of young men have received a collegiate education, and become distinguished in professional life.
Few towns, perhaps, possess more advantages than belong to the original township of Londonderry. Whether we con- sider the scenery it everywhere presents, the strength and fertility of its soil, its vicinity to several flourishing cities and manufacturing villages, its means of communication with them by railroad ; or its institutions of learning, its gen- eral order and the ample provision made for the permanent support of the Christian ministry, they surely have reason
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for gratitude, who enjoy a dwelling-place possessing so many advantages. They have, indeed, a goodly heritage. There may be places where larger possessions can be more readily acquired, but few, if any, where the means of comfortable living, and of intellectual and moral improvement, can be more easily obtained, or are more generally enjoyed.
CHAPTER IV.
PRESBYTERIANISM IN NEW ENGLAND -EXTRACTS FROM THE OLD CIIURCII RECORDS - DEATII AND CHARACTER OF REV. J. MAC- GREGOR - REV. MR. CLARK, HIS CHARACTER - SETTLEMENT OF REV. MR. THOMPSON - DESCRIPTION OF THE SACRAMENTAL SER- VICE - INDUCTION OF ELDERS -FORMATION OF THE WEST PAR- ISH, AND SETTLEMENT OF REV. D. MACGREGOR - SETTLEMENT OF REV. MR. DAVIDSON - REVIVAL -NEW MEETING-HOUSE - DEATH AND CHARACTER OF REV. D. MACGREGOR - SETTLEMENT OF REV. MR. MORRISON - DEATH. AND CHARACTER OF REV. MR. DAVIDSON - SETTLEMENT OF REV. MR. BROWN -DIVISIONS IN THE EAST PARISH - DISMISSAL OF MR. BROWN - SETTLEMENT OF THE PRESENT PASTOR - ENDOWMENT OF THE TWO PARISHES -DEATII AND CHARACTER OF REV. MIR. MORRISON - DR. DANA -REV. MR. HAYES, HIS DEATH AND CHARACTER - REV. MR. ADAMS - REV. MR. BRAINERD - CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY - REV. MR. DAY - METHODIST SOCIETY - REVIVALS.
THE text from which the Rev. Mr. MacGregor preached, when he took the pastoral care of the infant church in Lon- donderry, then literally in the wilderness, was from Ezekiel 37: 26 : " Moreover, I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanc- tuary in the midst of them forevermore." This promise, as applied to this band of emigrants, has been strikingly ful-
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filled, in the permanency, enlargement, and prosperity of the settlement, then devoutly commenced. It has been shown in a previous chapter, that the leading motive of these colo- nists in coming to this country, was the more full and free enjoyment of religious privileges. Like most of the New England colonists, they sought a home and a place to wor- ship God. The emigration, therefore, from Ireland in 1718, called the Londonderry emigration, as they mostly came from that city, and its vicinity, included four Presbyterian minis- ters, viz. MacGregor, Cornwell, Boyd, and Holmes. Of these ministers, the settlers of this town made choice of the Rev. Mr. MacGregor, as their pastor. He was now in the meri- dian and vigor of life. He had received a thorough classical and theological education, and sustained for some years the pastoral office in Ireland. He was every way qualified to be to them a spiritual guide and counsellor. Although, in conse- quence of his lamented death, his relation to them continued but a few years, yet he was an important blessing to the infant settlement, as it respected its civil as well as ecclesi- astical concerns. We find from public documents, that he was associated with others, and was doubtless the most influ- ential, in securing a title to the soil, in obtaining an act of incorporation, and in erecting and finishing a house of worship. The tradition, in regard to his correspondence with the Mar- quis de Vaudreuil, has been already noticed.
As no presbytery then existed in this part of the country, nor any other Presbyterian church in New England, there could have been no regular installation of Mr. MacGregor, over the congregation. It appears from the brief record of the transaction, that the people being assembled for public wor- ship, the pastor elect, having preached to them from the passage above referred to, did, in the presence of God, take the people to be his pastoral charge. And they, by a public expression of their wishes, received him as their minister. We know not the number of members which composed the
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.
church at its organization ; but its increase was rapid, as the settlement advanced. At a communion season, in 1723, there were one hundred and sixty communicants. At the next spring communion, only four years from the formation of the church, there were present two hundred and thirty members.
Being of Scottish descent, and having been educated in the Presbyterian faith and discipline, that mode of church government was adopted by this company of settlers. The church which they established was the first Presbyterian church in New England. Others were soon formed by the emigrants who accompanied and followed them to this land, as they settled in different parts of the country.
The Federal Street Church (then Long Lane) in Boston, was originally Presbyterian, and was formed soon after the organization of this. Their first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Morehead, from Ireland. He was a man of distinguished talents, and eminent for his piety ; but subject to a natural temperament so excitable as not unfrequently to lead to rash and imprudent acts and expressions, which called forth on one occasion, from Mr. MacGregor, his particular friend, this reproof: "Mr. Morehead, you have double the grace of common Christians, but not half enough for yourself." His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. David Mac- Gregor, from the text, " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." He was succeeded by Robert Annin, also from Ireland, and distinguished as a scholar and a divine. On his removal to Philadelphia, Dr. Belknap, of Greenland, the historian of New Hampshire, became pastor of that church. About this time, its mode of church government was changed from the Presbyterian to the Congregational form. Presby- terian churches were so multiplied in New England, that, as early as 1729, we find in the records of the London- derry church session, a notice of a meeting of presbytery in Boston ; and that an elder was appointed to attend its ses- sion. It may have been formed a few years earlier.
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The Presbyterian mode of church order, differing from the Congregational, which claims independency, supposes that the government of the church, as laid down in the New Testament, was by presbyteries, that is, by associations of ministers and ruling elders, all possessed of equal powers, without any superiority among them, either in office or order ; and in this principal feature, it was opposed to Epis- copacy, which gave so much power to the bishop.
It was, moreover, deemed more simple and spiritual in its mode of worship, conferring upon the people a larger share in the affairs of the church. Between Presbyterianism and Evangelical congregationalism, there is little or no difference, except in the form of government. Every Congregational church, as respects ecclesiastical government, is a separate and independent body ; while according to the Presbyterian mode, there are regular and established judicatories, before which all cases of discipline or difficulty can be promptly and regularly brought. The lowest is the church session, consisting of the minister and the elders of the congregation, who are chosen to this office by their brethren. The next judicatory is the presbytery, which consists of all the pastors within a certain district, and one ruling elder from each church, commissioned by his brethren, to represent, in con- junction with the minister, the session of that church. From the judgment of the presbytery, lies an appeal to the synod, which meets once a year, and exercises over the presbyteries within its bounds a jurisdiction similar to that which is vested in each presbytery over the several church sessions within its bounds.
The synods are composed of the members of the several presbyteries within their respective limits. The highest authority in the Presbyterian church, is the General Assem- bly, which consists of a certain number of ministers and ruling elders, delegated from each presbytery. To this body, appeals may be brought from all the other ecclesiastical
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courts, and in questions purely religious no appeal can be had from its decisions. There is thus a most perfect system of procedure in all cases of difficulty, very similar to that in civil cases before the courts of law, the tribunals being per- manently established, and not called by the parties for tlie occasion. The doctrines of the Presbyterian church have ever been Calvinistic, as contained in their confession of faith. The early settlers of Londonderry were ardently attached to the doctrines and government of this church, being those of the church of Scotland, and introduced there a century before, by John Knox, the celebrated Scotch reformer. Presbyterianism, thus planted by this colony, branched out, as churches were formed by emigrations from the town, so that at an early period there was not only a presbytery constituted in Boston, but subsequently two others, composed of churches in Massachusetts, New Hamp- shire, and Maine. These presbyteries were at length formed into one body, called " The Synod of New England," which continued to hold regular annual meetings, usually at Lon- donderry, for several years.
In 1782, some difficulties having arisen, and the number of the Synod being considerably reduced, they agreed to dissolve, and to form themselves into one presbytery, by the name of the Presbytery of Salem. After subsequent divisions and changes, there was formed, May, 1794, a union of the asso- ciated reformed presbytery of Londonderry, and of the eastern presbytery ; the body thus united, was called the Presbytery of Londonderry. This title it continues to retain, being the only Presbyterian body now in New England, embracing twelve churches, two of which are in Massachu- setts, the others in New Hampshire ; and about twenty min- isters.
The records of the church in Londonderry, commence June 27, 1723. The first church session consisted of Rev. James MacGregor, moderator, David Cargil, James Mc-
12
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Keen, Samuel Moor, John Cochran, John Barrett, William Ayer, James Alexander, James Adams, Robert Wilson, and Robert Givan, elders. James Reed was added in 1726 .-
The following extracts from their records may serve as an illustration of the vigilance with which these elders watched over the flock, of which they were the overseers. The first case which engaged their attention was the report that James Doake had quarrelled with his father and beaten him. The record states, that " the session came to this conclusion : that after a great deal of pains taken, they cannot find it proven that James Doake did beat his father, yet the session agreeth that James Doake should be rebuked before them, for giving his father the lie, and to be exhorted to respect and honor his parents in words and actions."
The next case of discipline was a charge brought by John Archibald, against James Moor, for using unjustifiable ex- pressions, of a profane character, which Moor denied : yet he was exhorted by the session to be watchful and more circumspect for the future.
A trait of character which distinguished this people, was a generous sympathy for their friends in circumstances of affliction, and a readiness to tender relief. Hence we find, that at the early period of 1725, the session ordered two public collections to be taken on the Sabbath. One was to aid a Mr. James Clark, residing in Rutland, to ransom his son, taken by the Indians; the collection, straitened as were their circumstances at the time, amounted to five pounds. The other was for the relief of William Moor, who had two cows killed by the falling of a tree ; three pounds and nineteen shillings were received. It is most evident, from these ancient records, that, whatever imperfections appeared in the character of the people, they did not suffer sin to pass unreproved. Impurity of speech or act ; the cir- culation of slanderous reports, dishonesty, or neglect of social religious duties, were subjects of prompt and faithful disci- pline.
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In 1734, we find the entry of a complaint by Archibald Stark, against John Morrison, that, having found an axe in the road, "he did not leave it at the next tavern, as the laws of the country doth require ;" and although Morrison ac- knowledged the fact, and plead that it was of so small a value that it would not quit cost to proclaim it, yet he was severely censured by the session, and exhorted to repent of the evil.
On another occasion, two individuals were arraigned for indecent behavior, who plead as an apology that they were in a state of intoxication at the time. This, so far from being considered as any excuse for the acts of which they were accused, was declared by the session an aggravation of their sin ; and they were dealt with accordingly. No people were more distinguished for sound Christian doctrine and order, or for a more strict and inflexible code of morals.
In 1729, the town experienced a heavy loss in the removal of the Rev. Mr. MacGregor, their spiritual guide and father. No trial could have been more afflictive to this people. He had taken a lively and tender interest in their temporal as well as spiritual prosperity, and by his counsels, his influence, and his many exertions, contributed much to the formation of the character and to the great prosperity of the settlement. He lived to see the vine which had been brought from his native land into this wilderness, taking firm root and begin- ning to extend its tender branches. His name and memory were most tenderly cherished by his bereaved flock, and suc- ceeding generations ; and the effects of his labors among them were long and widely felt. He possessed a robust constitu- tion, and had enjoyed firm and uninterrupted health. He had never been visited with sickness until seized with that which terminated his life. Though at the time but a youth, he was among the brave defenders of Londonderry, in Ire- land, and discharged from the tower of the cathedral the large gun, which announced the approach of the vessels that brought them relief. Thus habituated to hardships and self-
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denial, he was well prepared to share with the company who took possession of this spot, the toils, dangers, and sacrifices of ease and comfort, ever attendant upon a new settlement. He survived but a few days the attack of fever, with which he was seized. He died on Wednesday, March 5, 1729, and was interred on the Saturday following, with deep and gen- eral lamentation. The Rev. Mr. Phillips, of Andover, Mass., preached his funeral sermon, from the words of Zechariah 1:5: "Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever ?" Although the settlement, before his death, had surmounted its principal difficulties, and so greatly increased, that, at the last sacramental occasion on which he attended, with his beloved flock, there were present three hundred and seventy-five communicants, yet his removal was deeply felt and lamented. " He was," as Dr. Belknap justly observes, in his History, "a wise, affectionate, and faith- ful guide to his people, both in civil and religious matters." From traditional remarks, as well as from some few manu- scripts of his, which have been preserved, we are led to con- sider him a man of distinguished talents, both natural and acquired. He evidently possessed a vigorous and discrim- inating mind. He was strictly evangelical in his doctrinal - views, and peculiarly spiritual and experimental in his preaching. During his short but severe sickness, he mani- fested a firm, unshaken faith in the Saviour, and a lively hope of his interest in the promises of the gospel. In the imme- diate prospect of death, he remarked to those around him, that he trusted he had known Christ from the fourteenth year of his age, and could cheerfully confide to his hands his immortal interests.
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