USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Sutton > The history of Sutton, New Hampshire : consisting of the historical collections of Erastus Wadleigh, Esq., and A. H. Worthen, part 1 > Part 22
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In 1721 Rev. Thomas Walter, of Roxbury, pub- lished a work on music entitled " The grounds and rules of music explained, or an introduction to the
343
RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.
singing by note fitted to the meanest capacity." In his preface he says, "The tunes sung now in our churches are tortured and twisted into a horrid med- ley. No two churches sing them alike, all being left to fancy and the unskilful throats of the sing- ers." In 1764 Josiah Flagg, of Boston, published a book containing one hundred and sixteen tunes and two anthems, the first book printed in America with the music in four parts. At a little latter period, 1770, a singing book by Mr. Billings was published which became very popular. During the closing years of the last century hymn books were introduced, and with them came the bass viol and other instruments.
Of those who have led the singing in meeting in Sutton, old Mr. Jacob Davis was long remem- ber d as a very excellent leader, with a beautiful voice for singing. Jonathan Harvey was an excel- lent leader, and his brother Philip also: the latter used to play the bass viol. Dea. Josiah Nichols was also a superior choir leader. Daniel Whitcomb used to lead the singing for the Universalists and on other occasions, being competent, and always ready when needed, owing to his fondness for music.
RELIGIOUS MEETINGS BEFORE THE MEETING- HOUSES WERE BUILT.
As elsewhere stated in this work, James King and William Pressey owned the first frame houses built in this town. Ezra Littlehale's was the third frame house built in Sutton. The owners of these
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
houses were very hospitable, and before there were any meeting-houses built, willingly opened their doors for the purpose of religious worship. In the winter the meeting was held in the house, and if, in the summer, the house could not accommodate all, the barn was used. James King not only had them meet on his premises for worship, but gave all who could stay to partake of it, their suppers before they left.
Mr. Littlehale was a very neat man, and his well kept barn was by no means a bad place to hold meetings in,-the floor being cleanly swept, seats all around with an alley-way through, the minister about midway, and the great doors open at each end to let in the summer air and light.
Mrs. Col. John Harvey remembered to have been present in that barn on the occasion of the baptism of her mother, Mrs. Joseph Greeley, Sen. It was a lovely summer day, and all the people went in procession from the barn to the brook where bap- tism was administered, singing as they went. After the baptism, they had the communion in the barn. The minister on this occasion was Elder Bial Le- doyt, then located, temporarily at least, in Newport, a man who had great success as an itinerant reviv- alist preacher. According to her remembrance of his appearance, he was a short, thick man. This took place about 1793.
MINISTERIAL FUND.
This town has a fund arising from the sale of lands, reserved by charter for the support of the gospel, the interest of which has amounted to sixty
345
MINISTERIAL FUND.
dollars a year. Each religions body draws annu- ally from this interest a sum proportioned to the number of its members. The following table, made out for 1848, shows what was the relative strength of each body :
In 1848 the Universalists drew
$27.06
Free-Will Baptists,
15.85
First Baptists (Calvinists),
7.58
Second Baptists (Calvinists).
3.68
Methodists,
2.81
Second Adventists, 3.02
In 1868-twenty years later-the Universalists drew
14.72
Free-Will Baptists, 22.51
Calvinist-Baptists (two churches reunited),
4.37
Methodists,
3.22
Second Adventists,
10.35
Spiritualists,
4.83
In 1887 the Free-Will Baptists drew
27.28
In 1886 the Calvinist-Baptists drew
5.35
In 1884, '85, and '86 the Spiritualists drew
19.10
In 1886 the Second Adventists drew
5.72
In 1845 the Universalists drew
19.56
In 1874 the Universalists drew
13.60
In 1866, '67, and '68 the Methodists drew
9.41
The Methodists have existed in town, as a body, for many years-sixty or seventy-though, as the preceding tables show, they are not numerous.
Christian Baptist-A small society, in existence for several years.
The Spiritualists organized in 1858. Their steady increase for several years drew largely from the ranks of the Universalists.
The Adventists-There were some in town as early as 1841. Their number increased so, that in 1847 they organized.
346
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
ORDINATION OF ELDER NATHAN CHAMPLIN AT LYME, CONNECTICUT, FEBRUARY 13, 1800.1
The Baptist church of Christ under the pastoral care of Elder Jason Lee, having received reasonable satisfaction that our brother Nathan Champlin jr, is called of God to the work of an evangeliz- ing preacher, and therefore proceeded as follows to set him apart by prayer and the laying on of hands. The church chose Elder Jason Lee to make the first prayer and lay on hands with Dea. Reuben Chadwick and brethren Samuel Tinker, Edward Austin and William Tinker to give the Right hand of Fellowship, and brother William Tinker to make the last prayer, all of which was performed in decency and profound solemnity.
THE CHARGE.
We charge you to preach the Word. Be instant in season and out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine, but watch thou in all things,-endure affliction ; do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Further- more we charge you to administer the ordinance of Baptism to such as shall give scriptural evidence of their faith in Jesus Christ, by immersing the whole body, all over, under water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Furthermore we charge you to break the bread and pour out the wine to the church of Christ, which he purchased with his own blood, wherever God, in his providence, shall call you to travail.
Furthermore we charge you to keep this charge unexceptionable and unrebukable until the coming of the Chief Shepherd, who is the only Potentate, King of kings, and Lord of lords, Amen.
Signed by order and in behalf of the chh.
Jason Lee, ch. Clerk.
1 See Sutton Calvinist Baptist Church Records.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
-
UNIVERSALISTS.
The first Universalist Society in the state of New Hampshire was formed in Portsmouth as early as 1781. The first in our section of the state was formed in Boscawen in 1802, being composed of persons resident in Boscawen and a few from other towns in the vicinity. From this date Universalist sentiments continued to spread; and in 1805, June 13, those professing and adopting the belief were recognized as a distinct religious sect by the legis- lature of the state. The object of the Universalists, as well as of all the other Christian denominations in this state, which, about the same date, made their successful effort to secure this same official recogni- tion, was to protect their members from obligation to pay for the support of any preaching except that according with their own choice or belief. This could be secured by presentation of a certificate of membership of some one of the recognized religious denominations by the individual so desiring. Not till the passage of the Toleration Act in 1819 were the people of New Hampshire freed from individual legal obligation to support preaching by a minister of some one of the recognized religious sects.
The earliest attempt at association for the pur- pose of securing some liberal preaching in Sutton
348
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
seems to have been made in 1817. At that date a few individuals drew up and subscribed their names to the following constitution.
This association was the nucleus around which gathered what afterwards became the Universalist society and church. It commenced its existence under the name of
" THE UNIVERSAL FRIENDLY SOCIETY."
More than twenty years prior to his death, Dea. Joseph Harvey, of the Universalist church, called the attention of the writer to this document, and requested that it might have a place in the History of Sutton.
CONSTITUTION.
We, whose names are underwritten, believing in the universal love and benevolence of God to a dying world, and that the doctrine of impartial salvation of human nature is calculated not only to exalt the character of God, and humble the pride of man, but it is also calculated to inspire man with true love and piety towards God, and love to one another ; and feeling impressed that it is our indispensa- ble duty to use our best endeavors to support and maintain this heavenly doctrine as it is exhibited in the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which proclaims peace on earth and good-will toward men ;-
We, therefore, for the purpose of favoring the design of promot- ing and encouraging the preached Gospel, have thought fit, and do hereby covenant and agree to form ourselves into a religious society, to be called and known by the name of the Universal Friendly Soci- ety in Sutton : and we agree to adopt the following rules and regu- lations as the constitution of said society :
[Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 relate merely to money and business matters, and need not be here transcribed. ]
Article 7. Any person desirous to become a member of the soci- ety, by his subscribing his name to these by-laws, and conforming
349
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
to all the rules and regulations thereof, shall be considered a mem- ber, and be entitled to all the privileges of said society.
Article 8. Any person who shall be desirous to leave said society, and withdraw his or her membership, and shall manifest the same to the society, shall have full liberty to do so by his or her paying all dues to the society, and their names shall be erased from these by-laws.
Article 9 relates to alterations of by-laws.
Article 10. The first three persons who shall subscribe their names to these by-laws shall be considered authorized, and are hereby directed, to call the first meeting of said society.
Dated at Sutton, February 11, 1817.
Thomas Pike.
Amos Pressey.
John Harvey, Jr.
James Brocklebank.
Joseph Pike.
James Brocklebank, Jr.
Gordon Huntley.
Eliphalet Gay.
William Bean.
The date of organization of the Universalist Society in Sutton has not been learned by the present writer. But Farmer & Moore's N. H. Gazetteer, for the year 1823, under the head of Sutton, says "There is here a society of Univer- salists."
In 1848 the Universalists of Sutton had so in- creased in numbers that they drew of the town's Minister money, as their proportion of the same, $27.06, nearly one half of the whole amount.
Soon after that date, the rapid increase in the Spiritualists' ranks drew largely from the Univer- salists.
Since their existence as a Society, the Universal- ists have held a respectable rank, numerically and morally. They, like the other religious bodies in town, have usually sustained preaching a certain part of the Sundays in every month, though, like
350
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
most of the others, there have occurred inter- regnums of greater or less duration. They have occasionally been favored with sermons from some of those who have been, and still are, considered the Fathers of their faith and bright lights in their denomination. The writer remembers to have heard him who is now the Rev. Dr. A. A. Miner, of Boston, preach in the North meeting-house more than once. Streeter, Ballou, and Whittemore have also preached occasionally in the same place.
Rev. Joseph Sargent preached here about 1840, and for some years afterward. He was a resident of the town during his term of service here, which very few of the Universalist ministers have been. He was quite talented as a preacher, and was much respected as a citizen. During Mr. Sargent's period of service here the Universalist church was formed. The following is the record of its forma- tion :
ORGANIZATION OF THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH IN SUTTON.
The friends of Universalism in the town of Sutton and vicinity met at the Mill village meeting-house in said Sutton, on Thursday, the 15th day of December, 1842, for the purpose of organizing a church.
After listening to a sermon from Rev. Wm. S. Cilley, of Stod- dard, the following constitution was adopted and subscribed to :
CONSTITUTION.
We, whose names are affixed to this instrument, believing that it is our duty to make a publick profession of our faith, and feeling sensible that our happiness and our growth in virtue and grace de- pend in a great degree under God upon our obedience to the divine requisitions and upon our observance of the ordinances and institu- tions of Christ, do hereby unite ourselves into a church that we may
351
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
watch over each other in love, and enjoy all the advantages of the visible church of God on the earth ; and we adopt the following pro- fession of faith and form of church government :
PROFESSION OF FAITH.
1. We believe in the existence of one God, the Creator of the universe, Giver of life and every blessing, who is infinite in wisdom, power. and goodness, and in every possible perfection.
2. We believe in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and Saviour of the world.
3. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as being a revelation from God, as containing rules for the regula- tion of our conduct in all the relations and circumstances of life, as declaring the character and government of God, the rewards of vir- tue, the punishments of vice, and also revealing the great truth of the final reconciliation of all things to God, so that he at last shall be all in all.
4. We believe it to be the duty of Christians to meet together on the first day of the week for publick worship, to seek their advance- ment in knowledge and virtue by reading the Scripture and attend- ing to the means of grace, to abstain from vice of every descrip- tion, and to imitate as far as possible the perfections of God and the examples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
Article 1. The church shall hold an annual meeting for the pur- pose of choosing officers and transacting such other business as may be brought before it, and deemed necessary to its prosperity.
Art. 2. The officers of the church shall consist of such a number of deacons as shall be thought requisite, of a clerk and treasurer. These officers shall be chosen by ballot annually, except the deacons, who shall continue in office during good behaviour, or until they resign. The duty of the clerk shall be to keep a true and faithful record of all the proceedings of the church; also, a list of all the members. The duty of the treasurer shall be to take care of all the furniture of the church, to receive all money collected on commun- ion days, and to keep a regular account thereof. The duty of the deacons shall be to furnish the table, to assist in the celebration of the Lord's supper. It shall also be their duty to inquire into and
352
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
relieve the wants of the poor of the church and society as far as they may be enabled so to do by collections taken for charitable purposes.
Art. 3. Any person giving assent to the profession of faith, and desiring to become a member of this church, may make his or her request known to the pastor of the society, or to either of the dea- cons. After one month he or she shall become a member if ap- proved by a majority of the members present at any meeting of the church. Each member shall sign the confession of faith and form of church government.
Art. 4. If any member wishes to withdraw from the church, by making their request known in writing they shall have the privilege of so doing.
Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the church to deal with offending members according to the directions given by our Saviour in Mat- thew xviii, 15, 16, 17, and Luke xvii, 3, 4. The church, however, disclaims all authority over obstinate offenders, except the mere withdrawal of fellowship.
Art. 6. Any of the foregoing articles of Church Government may be altered, amended, or stricken out, or others may be annexed by a vote of two thirds of the members of the church.
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.
Reuben Porter.
Moses Nelson.
Reuel Noyes.
Belinda Bohonan.
William Currier.
Levi Flanders.
Hannah Russell.
Dolly Nelson.
Seth Russell, Jr.
Jonathan Johnson. Jr.
Mary Porter.
Miranda Martin.
Johnson Colby.
David Bohonan.
Polly I. Blaisdell. Asa Page.
Harris Burpee.
Mehitable Harvey.
Sarah Hoyt.
Francis F. Blaisdell.
Noah T. Andrews.
Nancy Bean. Ebenezer Stevens.
Lucretia R. Withee.
Sarah F. Flanders.
Theodore Abbott.
John Andrew.
Mr. and Mrs. Edmond P. Dodge. Sarah Johnson. Nathan Burpee. Uriah Ager.
Mary Jane Harriman.
RELIGIOUS MEETINGS. 353
Margaret Ager.
Joseph Harvey.
Benj. E. Harriman.
Mary S. Bean.
Lucinda Sargent.
William Porter.
Stephen Davis.
Mary Abbott.
Sally Andrews.
William T. Norris.
February 18, 1843.
Met agreeable to adjournment ; after prayer, proceeded to busi- ness.
Voted that the annual meeting be held on the first Saturday of January, at 12 o'clock noon.
Voted to choose two deacons.
Chose Levi Flanders first deacon.
Requested Johnson Colby to serve as second deacon until one is chosen.
Chose Johnson Colby clerk.
Chose Reuben Porter treasurer.
Voted, the third article of the Church Government be amended so as to read three weeks instead one month.
Voted, the clerk make out twelve copies of the articles of faith and a list of the names of members for distribution.
Voted to raise a subscription to procure church vessels for com- munion.
Voted to take a collection to defray incidental charges, and received $1.33.
Voted to celebrate the Lord's Supper once in two months.
Voted, that members be received into the church by formally extending to them the right hand of fellowship.
Feb. 17, 1844. Chose Johnson Colby clerk, and Reuben Porter, treasurer.
April 19, 1845.
The church met agreeable to notice. After prayer by Bro. Sar- gent, chose Asa Page, moderator ; Johnson Colby, clerk; Reuben Porter, treasurer ; Johnson Colby, deacon.
Voted to suspend balloting for deacon, and requested Joseph Harvey to serve as deacon.
Voted, The treasurer furnish the emblems for communion.
Voted to accept the following resolution :
WHEREAS, we unite in church fellowship for the purpose [of pro- moting the doctrine of universal grace and salvation, improving our
23
354
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
own souls and inculcating all the moral principles of the Christian religion-Therefore resolved, that the capacity of a church mem- ber is a sacred and holy capacity.
Resolved, that we should live in peace and harmony, guarding against all bitterness ; should aim to live in union and true Chris- tian fellowship.
Resolved, that in carrying out the principles of temperance and liberty, and in exercise of our political rights, we do not wish to trammel or control the mind or conscience of any brother or sister, but are willing that all should have the full and free exercise of their consciences, provided they live within the requirements of the gospel.
No further records found on the church books.
The church finally disbanded.
Reference to the record-book of the society shows the following named persons to have preached here at different times :
Rev. Robert Stinson. (See sketch.)
Rev. Robert Bartlett.
Rev. E. W. Coffin, 1862-'63-'64.
Rev. Joseph P. Atkinson, 1865.
Rev. Thompson Barron.
Rev. - McKenney.
Rev. Sanford P. Smith, 1875.
Rev. . Milburn.
The record shows that others have preached for the society whose names are not given, there being frequent mention in the treasurer's - report of money paid for "pulpit service " in different years.
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
February 25, 1860, the following officers were chosen :
Asa Page, President.
Benjamin T. Putney, Secretary and Treasurer.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Thomas W. Nelson, George W. Roby, Jacob B. Nelson, Seth Russell.
1861. Benjamin T. Putney, Secretary and Treasurer.
Executive Committee-George Putney, Asa Page, George W. Roby, Jacob B. Nelson, Johnson Colby.
1862. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Jacob B. Nelson, George Put- ney, Johnson Colby, John Pressey.
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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
1864. Lewis Richards, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Lewis Richards, Ervin Nelson, Josiah P. Nelson, John Pressey.
1866. Lewis Richards, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Lewis Richards, John Pressey, Harris Burpee, Jacob B. Nelson, Asa Page.
1867. John Pressey, Chairman.
Albert Nelson, Secretary and Treasurer.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Jacob B. Nelson, Lewis Rich- ards, Seth Russell, John Pressey.
1868. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Lewis Richards, Moses S. Blaisdell, Johnson Colby. John Pressey.
1869. Executive Committee-Asa Page, Lewis Richards, George Fellows, John Pressey, Josiah P. Nelson.
1870. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-George Fellows, Asa Page, Josiah P. Nelson, John Pressey, Joseph K. Nelson.
1871. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Moses S. Blaisdell, John Pres- sey, Josiah P. Nelson, Johnson Colby.
1872. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Moses S. Blaisdell, Asa Page, Daniel Hardy, Jacob B. Nelson, Johnson Colby.
1873. John Pressey, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Moses S. Blaisdell, John Pres- sey, Jacob B. Nelson, Daniel Hardy.
1874. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, John Pressey, Moses S. Blais- dell, Josiah P. Nelson, Johnson Colby.
1875. Asa Page, Chairman.
Moses S. Blaisdell, Secretary and Treasurer.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Moses S. Blaisdell, Joseph P. Nelson.
1876. Joseph P. Nelson, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Moses S. Blaisdell, Asa Page, John Pres- sey. Josiah P. Nelson.
1877. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Asa Page, Moses S. Blaisdell, John Pressey.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
1878. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-Moses S. Blaisdell, Josiah P. Nelson, John Pressey.
1879. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, Jacob B. Nelson, Albert Nelson, John Pressey.
1880. M. S. Blaisdell, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, Mrs. Robert Stinson, John Pressey.
1881. John Pressey, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, Albert Nelson. Jacob B. Nelson.
1882. Asa Page, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, Josiah P. Nelson, Mrs. Robert Stinson.
1883. Albert Nelson, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, John Pressey, Jacob B. Nelson.
1884. Albert Nelson, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, Albert Nelson, Wm. H. Chadwick.
1885. M. S. Blaisdell, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, Daniel Hardy, Jacob B. Nelson.
1886. Albert Nelson, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, John G. Huntoon, John Pressey.
1887. Augusta E. W. Blaisdell, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, W. H. Chadwick, John Pressey.
1888. Oren M. Humphrey, Chairman.
Executive Committee-M. S. Blaisdell, John Pressey, William H. Chadwick.
Benjamin T. Putney served as secretary and treasurer from 1860 to 1866; Albert Nelson, in 1867 ; Joseph P. Nelson, from 1868 to 1874 ; M. S. Blaisdell, from 1875 to present time.
357
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
REV. ROBERT STINSON (UNIVERSALIST) ,
son of James and Sarah (Dickey) Stinson, was born on Low Plain, New London, N. II., Dec. 13, 1817. He received his early education in the com- mon schools of his native town, and fitted for col- lege at New London academy. In 1842 he entered the sophomore class at Dartmouth, having studied the first year's course at the academy. He was obliged to leave college before graduating, on account of ill-health.
In early life he decided to make the ministry his profession, and accordingly, as soon as his health would permit after leaving college, commenced pre- paring himself for the work. Being a Universalist in belief, he placed himself under the tuition of Rev. Joseph Sargent, a Universalist minister then located in Sutton.
He commenced preaching in 1844, and was ordained Sept. 2, 1847. The same day he was mar- ried to Ruth M. Andrews, daughter of Ebenezer and Hannah (Pressey) Andrews, of Sutton. He remained in charge of the Universalist society in Sutton, after his ordination, two years, and then preached at Acton, Mass., three years, at the same time teaching in the school-room during the week. Being urged to return to New Hampshire, in May, 1852, he made arrangements to take charge of the societies at Newport and Croydon, residing in Newport. But the next year, his health failing, he felt the necessity of giving up public speaking, and turned his attention to out-door pursuits. Dur- ing the following winter he travelled quite exten-
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
sively in the Western and Southern states. In the spring of 1854 he commenced preaching again.
When the War of the Rebellion broke out, his whole soul was enlisted in his country's cause. He was a born patriot, and if he could aid in any way no sacrifice seemed too great. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted, and encouraged others to do the same, not only with voiee and pen, but money was freely given by him.
. He received his commission as chaplain of the 6th N. H. Vols., Oet. 17, 1861.
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