USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > New Ipswich > The history of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, 1735-1914, with genealogical records of the principal families > Part 13
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The meeting-house, built in 1813, had become dilapidated and in need of repair to render it comfortable or pleasing to the eye. In 1851 it was remodeled by raising the floor and removing the galleries, thus making the auditorium specially fine in its acoustic properties. The beautiful proportions of the former spire were retained, and from its height came the tones of the sweet-voiced bell presented in 1815 by citizens of the town. Within a few years it has been learned that this bell came from the foundry of Paul Revere. This building was burned July 15, 1902.
The church celebrated its centennial anniversary October 22, 1860. An historic discourse had been prepared by the pastor, but as on account of ill-health he was not able to deliver it, it was read by Rev. Mr. Fisher of Mason Village, Rev. Mr. Bell of Ashby, and Rev. Isaac Stearns Perry of Bellows Falls, Vt. The following was the programme pre- pared by the committee in charge.
Gathering at the site of the old meeting-house.
Prayer and brief address, 10 a. m.
Procession to the church.
Historical Discourse, 11:00 a. m.
Dinner in the basement of the church with addresses.
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the church.
128
OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
BAPTIST
----
METHODIST
CONGREGATIONA
Rev. Calvin Cutler
A flag had been reared on the site of the first meeting- house on Farrar Hill, which could be seen from the place of gathering. There are those living who remember the under- pinning stones of that house, and can identify the spot.
Mr. Lee's health failing, he resigned his pastorate and was dismissed December 9, 1860. Save the life-long pastorate of Parson Farrar, that of Mr. Lee was the longest recorded in the history of the church and its influence was proportionate, especially in connection with the Academy. One who was often a member of the congregation said of him: "Mr. Lee has a logical and metaphysical mind; is an independent and liberal thinker; announces his convictions with great decision and earnestness; is a faithful and devoted pastor; an active and enlightened friend of education; and is greatly beloved by his people." Another adds, "His prayers carried one into the presence of a helpful Heavenly Father."
January 23, 1861, an ecclesiastical council met for the pur- pose of authorizing the union of the two Congregational churches here existing. From their result we quote: "Voted that we approve the basis on which the two churches have agreed to unite, and that we consummate the union here in- tended." Soon after this union the church received a legacy from the estate of Mrs. Dolly Everett of $4,000. The dwelling-house of Mrs. Everett was given the church for a parsonage.
After a long period of hearing candidates, a call was given to Mr. Calvin Cutler, which he accepted, and he was ordained March 12, 1862. After a pastorate of five years Mr. Cutler asked a dismission, and although the church voted "that we earnestly request him to withdraw his request for dismission," he felt that "his work here was done." A council of dismis- sion met April 11, 1867. Mr. Cutler gained in a marked degree the affection and confidence of the church and they parted with him most reluctantly. He became the pastor of the church in Auburndale, Mass., and remained there until his death.
January 1, 1868, Rev. Prescott Fay was installed pastor of the church, and dismissed October 6, 1869.
Several of the succeeding pastorates were so brief that there is little to record save the date of the commencement and the closing of the ministries to the church.
129
10
History of New Ipswich
Rev. B. F. Ray began his work as a pastor July 10, 1870, and was most earnest in his efforts to aid the church. He died here January 7, 1872.
Rev. Thomas S. Robie became acting pastor in April, 1873, and retired April 1, 1874.
Rev. B. N. Seymour became acting pastor September 27, 1874, and retired March 10, 1878.
Rev. Horace Parker became acting pastor March, 1879, having previously supplied the pulpit for nearly two years ; he retired June 1, 1880.
Mr. Sumner G. Wood was ordained and installed as pas- tor December 30, 1880, and dismissed February 14, 1883. From here he went to Fall River, Mass.
Rev. George F. Merriam became acting pastor here in connection with his charge in Greenville, June, 1883, and retired in 1891. After a pastorate of more than thirty-five years at Greenville he was called to the historic church in Deerfield, Mass., but soon failing health caused his resigna- tion, and he passed the remainder of his life with his children. He held the pen of a ready writer, and his services were much in demand for the writing of biographical and historic articles for the press. His ministrations to this church were most helpful, and his memory is precious. He died August 5, 1912.
Rev. G. W. Johnson became acting pastor December 27, 1891, and resigned August 11, 1892.
Mr. A. L. Parsons became acting pastor October 2, 1892. He died suddenly March 25, 1894.
Rev. H. H. Loomis became acting pastor September, 1894, and resigned July, 1896.
Rev. G. F. Bradford became acting pastor September, 1896. Resigned July 1, 1900.
Mr. H. A. Barber, although still a theological student, be- gan the supply of. the pulpit December, 1900, was ordained here August 22, 1903, and resigned July, 1904.
Rev. Lyman Mevis was acting pastor from December, 1904, until October, 1905.
Mr. Charles R. Peacock supplied the pulpit in November, 1905, was ordained here July 30, 1908, and resigned January 15, 1911.
Rev. Orlando M. Lord was invited to become pastor of this church July 27, 1911, and retired May 1, 1914.
The invested funds of the church amount to about $12,000.
130
The New Church
July 15, 1902, our church was struck by lightning and wholly destroyed. While the flames were still burning Mrs. George R. Barrett promised a gift of $5,000 toward building a new church. Later she purchased two pews, paying for them $1000. The bell which she gave to the town at the same time bears her name, Elizabeth M. Barrett, and was rung for the first time by the donor and her granddaughter. Mrs. Barrett added a personal touch to the value of her gift by having the furniture for the pulpit made to order from designs of her own choice. Other friends were generous, and August 22, 1903, the new church was dedicated. It is convenient and with its pleasant interior and sweet-toned organ meets the wants of the congregation, but to the older people it can never fill the place of the former edifice, so suited to this old colonial town.
The church observed the one hundred and fiftieth anni- versary of its organization August 25, 1910. In the morning there was a brief service at the site of the old meeting-house, and at the church an informal reception dinner, served at noon, was followed by brief addresses by friends and neigh- boring ministers. In the afternoon religious services were held in the auditorium; the sermon was by Rev. G. Ernest Merriam, son of a former pastor. An interesting history of the church written by Miss Katharine Preston was read by Rev. C. R. Peacock, and a large choir led in the singing of old hymns.
So far as can be learned there have been admitted to this church 1557 people. For many years the records were so imperfect that we may estimate the total number to be at least 1800, probably more. A catalogue of members is in process of preparation, giving dates of admission, dismission, and death so far as they can be learned. From the families of this church there have gone missionaries, ministers and min- isters' wives, and teachers beyond computation.
In 1843 the number of members of the church was 402, thus making it the largest but one in the state.
A program of stated meetings may be of interest. Sunday morning services at 10:30 o'clock; Sunday School, followed by exchange of books at the two libraries, filled the time until the afternoon service, which lasted until 3 o'clock. A third service was held in the evening at the brick school-
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History of New Ipswich
house, or later in the chapel and more recently at the church. Weekday prayer meetings were held Wednesday evening in the school-house; Thursday afternoon at the church; Friday afternoon in Davis Village at a private house, and Saturday evening at the school-house. This was previous to 1860.
The meetings at Davis Village were distinctive. Rev. Perley B. Davis writes of them, "The Davis meetings began at the home of Joseph Davis in 1810 for the benefit of the three Davis brothers, their two sisters, and their families. Later, they were held at four or five different houses, and I do not know how long they were continued, but certainly for more than fifty years. In the summer time the brothers and sometimes one or two others would leave their farms and gather, in very humble apparel, for the hour's service. The women would come wearing a calash. In the winter the meetings would be larger. The rooms were lighted by an open fireplace and tallow candles. The singing was from the village hymnbook and was, I think, not very artistic." In the autumn of 1860 a semi-centennial meeting was held at the house of Joseph Davis, the place of the first meeting.
"The Maternal Association organized May 15, 1817, was the earliest in the country." (Sketch of New Ipswich, 1835, Rev. Charles Walker.) The mothers met once a month for discussion concerning the training, physical, mental, and re- ligious, of their children, and every three months the children were brought to the meetings to exemplify methods and their progress in the Bible and Catechism." (K. P.) One woman still preserves a copy of the Life of Mary Lyon given her for perfectly committing to memory the Westminster Catechism.
Fast days were numerous and were kept by all the con- gregation. Their observance was no idle form. Very little food was provided for breakfast, and only a moderate meal for dinner, and with a church service, the absence of work save that of necessity, and the entire absence of amusements, the day seemed almost as distinctive as the Sabbath.
Few churches have had better examples in those who have guided their labors and influence for the past one hundred and fifty years. May we never lower the standard of earnest, honest work for God and the world.
132
The Baptist Church
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
In the latter part of the eighteenth century a few persons in New Ipswich, uniting with others in Temple, Jaffrey, and Rindge, formed a Baptist church. Meetings were held in private houses and later in the old meeting-house formerly used by the Congregational church. In 1815 a house was erected by Deacon Aaron Brown, chiefly at his own expense. "It stood on the north side of the road to Mill Village [now Smithville] a few rods from the Academy corner, a small, plain structure." "In 1850 it was taken down and removed to its present location at the center of the village. A base- ment and spire have been added, and it is now an ornament to the village." Its cost, $2600, was paid before its dedication.
In 1814 the members living in Temple united with those here and formed the Baptist church in New Ipswich of thirty- three members. Elder John Parkhurst, the first pastor, was installed March 10, 1814, and remained until 1821.
The succeeding pastors were :
Ferris Moore .
· 1821-24
Joseph Elliott .
1824-27
Benjamin R. Skinner
. 1827-28
Calvin Greenleaf
· 1828-30
Asaph Merriam
1830-36
Johnson Howard
1836-39
L. M. Wilmarth
1840-42
Jacob Weston .
1842-43
Harrison W. Strong
1843- .
A. H. House
.
1850-
E. W. Pray
. 1853-54
Edwin Dibell .
. 1854-60
Church closed much of the time for several years.
E. J. Emery
. 1866-67
A. Snyder
· 1867-71
L. M. Barnes .
. 1876-78
J. M. Coburn .
. 1879-80
W. R. Thompson .
1880-87
J. M. Coburn (d. Feb. 27, 1889)
1887-89
Elisha Sanderson
· 1889-95
H. N. Wiggin .
· 1895-99
C. J. Wilcomb
. 1900-03
T. V. Caulkins
. 1903-07 ·
J. W. Tingley .
1908-10
C. L. Eldredge
Nov., 1910-14
.
·
·
·
·
133
History of New Ipswich
So far as can be learned from the records the total mem- bership since the organization of the church in 1814 is 405. Present membership, 27. Rev. C. L. Eldredge, Pastor. Mary E. Blanchard (Mrs. Edwin F.), Clerk. Dea. William H. Wilson, Treasurer.
Like all country churches in New England a majority of the members are women, and the work of sustaining the various church activities largely rests on them. The women of this church have met their demands most nobly. By the work of the "Ladies' Aid Society" and help from friends out of town the church has been kept in good repair. For some years they have wished for a bell which would tell of the hours of their service, and for a clock which should be of use to the village. Some friends, children of former mem- bers, under the influence of Mrs. Dixon D. Wheeler became practically interested, and November 19, 1910, Mrs. Frederick Jones (with the help of a stronger hand) rang the new bell for the first time. Mrs. Emma L. Tucker has solicited funds for the purchase of a clock, which is now placed on the church. It first struck the hour at noon September 26, 1912.
The welfare of the village is largely helped because this place of worship is easily accessible, and is open to many who cannot go to the more distant Congregational Church. The church deserves great credit for its courage and energy in continuing the services, Sabbath and midweek, though with limited numbers.
UNITARIAN CHURCH
In 1833 a number of the people of the town united to form a Unitarian church. Mr. Charles Barrett erected near High Bridge a fine building with a handsome interior. The ministers who officiated there were Rev. Mr. Harding, Rev. Reuben Bates, Rev. Warren Burton. Mr. Bates left in 1835.
No list of members of this church can be found, but the following list of parents whose children were baptized by Rev. Mr. Bates may be of interest: Ayers, John and Mary B .; Barnard, Loring and Sarah; Clark, Benjamin and Martha; Farwell, Moors and Sarah; Porter, Samuel and Elvira C .; Prichard, Jeremiah and Nancy; Webster, Jonathan and Abigail.
After a few years the church was weakened by the death of its principal supporters, and soon became extinct.
134
The Methodist Church
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The records of this church having been destroyed, its his- tory can be learned only from the reports of various Confer- ence meetings.
The church was organized in 1842 and the meeting-house in the Center Village was dedicated June 25, 1842. In 1849 the Sunday School had 95 scholars, and a library of more than 150 volumes. That year a church was built in the Sou- hegan village. "About this time the members of the church formed themselves into a society to have charge of the finan- cial concerns of the church. The first signers were Rev. Jonathan Hall, Amos Merrill, Joseph Turner, Nathaniel Bar- rett, Ezra Webber." In 1854 there was often an attendance of 200, and the Sunday School was prosperous. In 1872 there was a membership of 38.
Removals for various causes, and the gradual introduction of French Canadians to take the place of the American and Scotch families at High Bridge, all tended to lessen the atten- dance, until in 1889 the society felt that it could no longer support a pastor. For more than fifteen years the pulpit was occasionally supplied by pastors of neighboring churches ; but in November, 1905, the church was finally closed.
For many years this church had a special field of useful- ness, ministering to the spiritual needs of many in those vil- lages who could not attend church elsewhere.
"October 13, 1907, Rev. George H. Hardy of Ashburnham, assisted by other clergymen, conducted an impressive fare- well service in the church. The audience filled the house. Thirteen days later, for the sum of $150, the church building became the property of Bank Village. The library and book- case were presented to the New Ipswich Baptist church, and the communion service to the new Finnish church in town." (A. A. G.)
During the sixty-four years of its existence the church was under the care of thirty clergymen, nine of whom each remained less than a year, and three of them each only a year. The other pastorates were:
J. W. Guernsey 1846-48 ·
Jonathan Hall
.
1849-51
Jonathan Hall
1852-55 ·
S. G. Kellogg .
· 1856-58
A. P. Hatch
. 1859-61
.
135
History of New Ipswich
The church was closed several years between 1862 and 1870.
Irad Taggart .
1870-72
Jacob Spaulding
1872-75
Israel Ainsworth
. 1875-77
G. M. Curl
. 1877-79
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
October 9, 1851, a Second Congregational church was or- ganized, consisting of persons dismissed by advice of council from the Congregational church in New Ipswich and some others from neighboring churches. The number of members was fifty-seven. The pastors were:
Rev. Josiah Ballard, installed July 14, 1852, dismissed April 26, 1855.
Rev. William Russell, installed June 25, 1856, dismissed September 22, 1858.
Rev. Sylvanus Hayward supplied the pulpit for a year or longer, but was not installed.
January 23, 1861, an ecclesiastical council met and "con- summated the union of the two churches here existing."
136
NEW IPSWICH APPLETON ACADEMY
CHAPTER VIII NEW IPSWICH ACADEMY
TN 1790 the main road from Townsend and the region toward the seaboard was little more than a bridle-path, scarcely passable for a carriage, but the adventurous traveler who persisted in pursuing the upward path found his reward. New Ipswich had not only a large and flourishing church, but an academy incorporated, and in so successful operation that at Dartmouth College in 1791 "There were no less than ten students from New Ipswich."
As early as 1762 there was a public school in New Ipswich and in 1772 a migratory grammar school, the master going from one district to another. June 18, 1789, by act of the New Hampshire state legislature, this school was incorporated as New Ipswich Academy, for the purpose of promoting piety and virtue, and for the education of youth in the English and Latin and Greek languages, in writing, arithmetic, music, and the art of speaking, practical geometry, logic, geography, and such "others of the liberal arts and sciences or languages as the Trustees shall direct."
Hon. Samuel Appleton wrote many years ago of the early trustees : "The zeal they had for education was so great that some of them even mortgaged their houses and lands to raise money to educate their children." "The first sixty-five years of the existence of the Academy were marked by con- tinued donations of money, books, apparatus, and labor from the loyal citizens of New Ipswich and the trustees and alumni of the academy, and the marked success of the graduates of the school in all walks of life attests its vigorous internal growth during that period." (Prospectus, 1910-II.)
This was the second academy incorporated in the state, Phillips Exeter being five years its senior, although the town of Exeter is a century older than New Ipswich. It is the third in the United States to be co-educational; Leicester Academy and the Derby School at Hingham-the first school in America founded by a woman-were, so far as can be learned, the only co-educational institutions in the land before 1789.
137
History of New Ipswich
The first academy building, erected in 1789 about one hundred rods north of the meeting-house, was on land donated by Rev. Mr. Farrar, and was a one-story building 40x38 feet. It is now a dwelling house owned by Dea. William H. Wilson. In 1816 it was thought wise to erect a new building nearer the geographical center of the town. As the town was then realizing the need of better accommodations for town meet- ings, an arrangement was entered into by which one building should answer both purposes, the lower story being used by the town and the second story by the Academy. In 1831 a fine bell was given the institution by Mrs. Dolly Appleton Everett, and for more than eighty years it has noted the hours of the school. During the administration of Mr. Shedd a house was built for the use of students who wished to board themselves. After the building of the present academy this house was moved to the spot now occupied by the girls' dormitory, and was used as a boarding-house, for many years being well filled, one or more of the faculty being in charge.
"Soon after the centennial celebration, a meeting of New Ipswich gentlemen residing in Boston was held at the house of Jonas Chickering, which resulted in a subscription in aid of the Academy amounting to $7000, viz .: from Samuel Apple- ton $4000, Samuel Batchelder $1000, Jonas Chickering $1000, Nathan Appleton $500, Frederick and Edward Kidder $250, Edward W. and George M. Champney $250. As the trustees were satisfied that the school could not be successfully con- tinued without a new building the subscribers consented that their contributions thereto should be applied for this purpose, provided the residents would contribute to purchase the nec- essary land and lay the foundations. Some rivalry arose be- tween the advocates of a southern or a northern locality, but the northerners finally prevailed and secured the beauti- ful location between Preston and Farrar streets, facing the Village Green, and containing about three acres. The corner- stone was laid August 11, 1853, at which an address was made by Rev. Mr. Lee, and speeches by others present; original hymns were sung, etc. The building was occupied by the school March, 1854, and was appropriately dedicated Septem- ber 6, 1854, the address being given by Rev. Frederick A. Adams. The edifice is of brick and slated, containing five recitation rooms [now changed to four], apartments for the Library, Cabinet, and Philosophical Apparatus, and a large hall to seat about six hundred persons.
138
The Appleton Endowment
"In consequence of the numerous and important dona- tions from Samuel Appleton and others of the family, the name of the academy was changed to 'New Ipswich Appleton Academy' in June, 1853, about the time of Mr. Appleton's death, and his executors decreed the sum of $20,000 from funds left by him for similar purposes as an endowment. This, with other donations from non-resident sons of New Ipswich who desired to give some token of their local attachment and their interest in the prosperity of the Academy, were an- nounced at the dedication. Among them were an electrical machine from Ira Holden of New Orleans, air-pump and mi- croscope from Jeremiah Prichard, Jr., pianoforte from George N. Davis of Boston, barometer from Timothy Perry, 100 vol- umes of books from Charles D. Gould and Joshua Lincoln, several thousand specimens to found a cabinet of natural his- tory from Dr. A. A. Gould of Boston, a bust of Samuel Apple- ton from Mrs. Appleton, an epitome of the history of the academy written on a large sheet to be hung in the hall by Dea. N. D. Gould.
"In a cavity of the corner-stone laid under the southwest corner of the building is a leaden box six inches square and three inches deep, containing a calatogue of the Academy for 1852-3, circular for 1852-3, regulations of the police of New Ipswich, invoice of the polls and estates of New Ipswich, report of the Superintending School Committee, 1852-3, Scien- tific American, Daily Evening Traveller, Aug. 10, 1853, Daily Advertiser, Aug. 10, 1853, Barnums Illustrated News, Aug. 13, 1853, Farmer's Cabinet, Aug. 4, 1853, bills of the New Ipswich Bank, coins of the United States, 1853, Boston Semi- Weekly Post, Boston Daily Journal, and a history of the building, with the names of the Donors." (T. F.)
During Mr. Westgate's administration the small building south of the Academy was provided for the use of pupils in drawing and painting. This was sometimes called the "Gas House." In 1868 the building north of the main cemetery, formerly used as a church, was moved to the lot east of the girls' dormitory and used as a gymnasium. Later it was sold and taken away. At the Appleton Alumni reunion, February 14, 1912, Mrs. James Barr Ames gave to the trustees the dwelling-house formerly occupied by Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Ames, thus carrying out the purpose of her late husband, who was a trustee and generous friend of the institution. The
139
History of New Ipswich
present academy building was first occupied in March, 1854, and thus has been in use for sixty years.
The following is believed to be a complete list of the preceptors.
John Hubbard
. 1789-95
Samuel Worcester
1796-97
David Palmer .
1797-98
Peter Cochrane
. 1799-
Warren Pierce
1799-1801
Closed two years.
Joseph Mulliken
1804-07 .
Benjamin White
1807-
Oliver Swain Taylor
1808-11
Luke Eastman
1812
Hart Talcott
1813
Jesse Smith
1814-15
Horace Hatch
1816
Elijah Demond
1817
Earl Smith
1818-20
Amasa Edes
1820-22
Rufus A. Putnam
1822-25
Cranmore Wallace
1825
Luther Smith
1826
Seth H. Keeler
1827
Robert A. Coffin
1828-33
Asahel Foote .
1833
Stephen T. Allen
1833-34
Charles Shedd
1834-41
Josiah Crosby .
1841
James K. Colby
Abner S. Warner
1842-44
E. T. Quimby .
1851-65
E. W. Westgate
1866-71
John Herbert .
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