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 25
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
standing her remonstrances, actually finished the churning himself.
After an hour's pleasant converse with herself and husband, partaking meantime with them of their dinner of bread and milk, the elder concluded his pastoral visit, and he departed to carry his cheerful face and kindly greetings to the next neighbor.
The following anecdote illustrates his keen wit and quiet perception of the ridiculous. It has already been printed and ascribed to other persons in different localities, but it really occurred in Sut- ton, and Elder Chapin was the author of the witti- cism that has caused so much mirth. At that day the belief in witchcraft was not universal, of course, but enough of the old superstition remained with the ignorant to create in them a dim, vague fear of the possibility of its existence; indeed, there were some who firmly believed in it.
Among those in Sutton was a man who had set a trap for a muskrat, and had the luck, good or ill, to catch two at a time. Such a thing had never hap- pened to him before, and he began to fear that Satan had helped to bring it about. Witches were supposed to be helped by Satan, and his agency being assumed in this matter, the inference was that he was himself a witch. His uneasiness continued to grow upon him, and he finally sought an inter- view with the minister, resolved to get his opinion on the subject. He related to Mr. Chapin the inci- dent, described his distressing fears, and ended with the solemn question, "Do you think, Brother Cha- pin, that a man can be a witch and not know it?"
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" I do not know about a man's being a witch and not knowing it," replied the elder, " but I am quite sure one can be a fool and not know it."
A certain pious lady who was fond of dressing handsomely, once inquired of Mr. Chapin if he con- sidered it " sinful to dress up if one did not take pride in it." "Ah!" exclaimed he, "when you see a fox's brush [i. e., tail ] sticking out of a hole, you may be sure the fox is not far off."
As elsewhere stated in this work, Mr. Chapin died in Campton in 1840, at the age of ninety years.
REV. REUEL LOTHROP
was ordained in Sutton in 1816, and remained here two years. He resided in the North Village, in the John Andrew house, in the L part of which he set up the first and only printing-press that has ever been operated in this town. Here he actually printed some New Testaments and some small books.
EDWARD MITCHELL
was the minister in charge of this church from 1828 to 1830. Was colored, though not extremely dark. HIe was a native of the island of Martinique. His father was French, and his mother, as he always expressed it when questioned concerning his par- entage, " was a native of the island." A sea cap- tain brought him to this country and assisted him some, but he helped himself also. He was married in Philadelphia, but lost his wife and two children before going to college. He taught school in New
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London during one of his college vacations to help himself along. He always had some French accent, French being his native tongue. He was a fine speaker, by good judges said to be the best they ever had here. In addition to his natural gifts, he was a thoroughly educated man. He had a call to a better situation in Vermont, and removed thither. Mr. Mitchell was ordained in Sutton, Aug. 18, 1729.
REV. HENRY ARCHIBALD
served this church from 1841 to 1845. He was a Scotchman, and possessed of a good degree of culture and capability. If he had come here when himself or the church he served was younger, he would have made some mark. As it was, even, he made a respectable appearance.
REV. CHARLES NEWHALL
was ordained in Sutton in 1848. Remained till 1852. Was much esteemed as a clergyman and as a citizen. Was afterwards pastor of the church in Stratham, whence he was dismissed in 1859 to the church in Sanbornton, and thence in 1861 to Exeter.
REV. VALENTINE ESTABROOK BUNKER
was son of Nathaniel and Ednah (Woodward) Bunker, of New London, and was born there, on the original Colby place, February 13, 1811. His grandfather, Benjamin Bunker, was a native of
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Barnstead, and early emigrated to Lee, and finally to New London. Valentine received his education at the New Hampton Institution. He was ordain- ed June 20, 1838; removed to Ohio, and at Mechan- icsburg gathered a Baptist church, and helped to build a meeting-house.
In 1857, after fifteen years' absence, Mr. Bunker returned to New Hampshire, and supplied the Union church at Wilmot one year, and officia- ted as pastor in Sutton five years, from 1858 to 1865, at the close of which period he was dismissed to Sanbornton 3d Baptist church, where he served till 1870; then from 1870 to 1872 served the 2d church; and again from 1875 till his death in 1881 he served the 3d church. Served also at Enosburg, Tt. In nearly all his different fields of labor Mr. Bunker was blessed with revivals of religion, some of great power. Baptized about one hundred and fifty persons.
He married Sabrina R. Davis, of Sutton, April 24, 1838. She was daughter of Ezekiel and Ednah Davis, of Sutton, and was born Feb. 11, 1811, and died May 3, 1867, at North Sanbornton.
Mr. Bunker married, Nov. 16, 1867, Mrs. Lois (Curtis) Woodworth, of Essex, Vt. Children: Cyrus Valentine, born in 1839, in Ohio, died in infancy; David W., born May 2, 1842, and mar- ried Sarah J., daughter of Cyrus Lane. He is a farmer living in Sanbornton. Angeline, born Sept. 11, 1844, and died in Sanbornton in 1877. Mr. Bunker had two children by his second wife.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
REV. WILLIAM LIBBY, or LIBBEY,
only son of Tristram and Dorothy Libbey, was born in Boston, April 11, 1839. His parents moved to Livermore, Me, in the fall of 1843. His father was a carpenter, but owned a farm on which he worked a part of the time. In the revival of 1857 the subject of this sketch was converted, and joined the Baptist church at Canton, Me., in 1858.
August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 20th Maine Vols., and with his regiment joined the Army of the Potomac September 12, and served in that connection till September 30, 1864, when he was wounded in the left hip, the bullet passing through and coming out at the right of the spine. He was discharged on account of the wound March 1, 1865. In the fall of 1865 he attended the academy at Hebron, Me., and there remained, fitting for college till 1867, when he entered Colby University, from which he graduated in 1871. He then entered Newton Theological Seminary, graduating from that institution in June, 1874.
Immediately on his graduation he went to Wil- ton, N. H., to serve as pastor of the Baptist church in that town. Was ordained October 15, 1874, and remained pastor of the church in Wilton till April, 1879, when he resigned and went to Sutton, N. H., remaining till November, 1886, when he removed to Ashfield, Mass., and became pastor of the Baptist church in that place.
Mr. Libbey married, Oct. 8, 1874, Miss Caroline F. Lunt, of Reading, Mass. Their children are Wilfred Hale, born in Wilton, N. H., Dec. 31, 1878; Percival T., born in Sutton, N. H., April 15, 1880.
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FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.
March 11, 1816. A number of persons. inhabitants of Sutton met at the house of Benjamin Wadleigh, Esq., for the purpose of forming a society to support steady and constant preaching in town.
Chose Jonathan Harvey, chairman.
Chose John Pillsbury, clerk.
Chose Jonathan Harvey, Isaac Bailey, Benjamin Wadleigh, Moses Pillsbury, and Asa Nelson, a committee to form a constitution, and present the same at the next meeting.
March 25, 1816. Met at the house of Dr. Benjamin Lovering. A respectable number of the inhabitants attended to examine the constitution, and voted to accept it, and put their signatures thereto. Voted, to raise $104 this year to support preaching.
At its formation, this society took the name of " The First Relig- ious Society in Sutton," and in 1829 assumed the name of "The First Baptist Society in Sutton."
In August, 1832, this society purchased for a parsonage, at the expense of $250, the place owned by Dr. Clark at the South village.
NAMES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE " FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY."
Daniel Page.
John Chellis.
Ben'n Lovering.
Benjamin Wadleigh.
William Gunnison.
John Pressey. Asa Nelson, Jr.
Philip N. Roby.
Ezekiel Little.
Joseph Pillsbury.
Plummer Wheeler, Jr.
Samuel Dresser.
Isaac Bailey. John Pillsbury.
Jonathan Harvey.
Samuel Kezar.
Joseph Pike.
John Currier.
Amos Pressey.
John Phelps.
Enoch Bailey.
Nathaniel Cheney, Jr.
Benjamin Wadleigh, Jr.
Daniel Ober.
Ezra Meloon.
Andrew Robertson.
Benjamin Fowler.
Timothy Challis. Asa Nelson.
Philip Currier.
Thomas Wadleigh.
John Peaslee.
Caleb Kimball.
Benjamin Putney.
Philip S. Harvey.
Moses Pillsbury.
Isaac Bean.
James Messer.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Josiah Nichols. Jr.
Jonathan Johnson.
Jonathan Roby.
Daniel Woodward.
Nathaniel Eaton.
David Woodward.
Hezekiah Parker.
Joseph Woodward.
Stephen Johnson.
Daniel Cheney.
Aaron Sargent. William Kendrick.
Enoch Colby.
Samuel Kendrick.
Moses S. Harvey.
Samuel Bean.
Samuel Worth.
Philip Nelson, Jr.
Elisha Parker.
Amos Parker.
John Harvey, Jr.
LETTER OF DISMISSION.
SALISBURY, Sept. 4, 1820.
The Baptist Church of Christ in Salisbury to the Church of Christ in Sutton sendeth Greeting of Christian affection
Whereas our sister Abigail Kendrick has requested a dismission from us to you, we hereby manifest our approbation by acknowledg- ing her a sister in good standing with us, and she has our leave to unite with you in full fellowship; and we trust and pray that she may be a blessing to you as she has been to us.
Yours affectionately in the bonds of the Gospel.
In behalf of the Church
OTIS ROBINSON, Pastor.
This appreciative recognition of her merits as a church member must have been gratifying to the Christian lady whose practice had so well adorned her religious profession, coming from the source it did; for Elder Robinson was a preacher of note in his day, and in this part of the country.
One reason for inserting the above is its ancient- ness: it is so old that a person born on the day it was written would, by this time, have reached the allotted three score and ten years ;- another reason is, it shows that, even at that remote day, it was not impossible for a woman to make herself felt
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and valued as a power for good in the church of her adoption.
MISSIONARY CIRCLE.
In September, 1874, a Women's Mission Circle was formed, auxiliary to the Woman's Baptist For- eign Missionary Society, composed of nearly all the women of the church. This circle, though small, has maintained with one interruption its yearly and nearly all its monthly meetings, contributing to the general society an average of $8.50 yearly, and gaining to themselves increased information and interest in foreign missionaries and their work.
FREE-WILL BAPTISTS.
This denomination of Christians originated in New Hampshire. Elder Benjamin Randall, their founder, was born in Newcastle, N. H .- an island at the entrance of Portsmouth harbor, February 7, 1749. Commenced preaching in 1777, and the first church in the state was organized in New Durham in 1780. Of the churches in our vicinity, that in Bradford was organized in 1800; in Sutton and Fishersfield, in 1801; and in Andover, in 1803. The Free-will Baptists were recognized as a denomination by the legislature in 1804.
It is known that Elder Randall preached in Sut- ton, on the common, in 1804, but how much earlier than that date cannot now be told. In 1807 he attended Quarterly Meeting in Sutton, and preached powerfully. His death occurred on October 22, 1808.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
A brief mention of some of the earlier preachers who, either continuously or occasionally, served the church in Sutton, will be of interest here.
ELDER ELIJAH WATSON
was born in Nottingham, N. H., in 1777; ordained in 1803; died in 1857. At the time of his ordi- nation he was resident in Andover. He was a good speaker, and a prominent man in the order. Those are yet living who remember him well. He is described as " heavy, slow, and dignified in appear- ance and manner; friendly, good, and genial, and well liked by the people." Elder Watson owned and occupied for many years the farm now owned by John F. Merrill. He married, for second wife, Rhoda Felch, sister to Deacon John and Amos Felch.
REV. NATHANIEL KING,
born in Hampstead, N. H., in 1767, was ordained in 1802 at Tunbridge, Vt., and of him it is stated that "his praise was for many years in all the churches." His field of labor was in Vermont, and his home and residence at Tunbridge, which town he represented thirteen years in the legislature.
He was a son of James King, who moved with his family from Hampstead to Sutton in 1779. Nathaniel served several of the later years of his minority with Deacon Matthew Harvey, in Sutton, and the paper whereon his " indentures " are in- scribed having been preserved among Mr. Har- vey's other papers, is copied in another part of this work.
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Stewart's "History of the Free-will Baptists " thus describes Elder King's appearance at the Sec- ond General Conference, held at Sandwich, Octo- ber, 1828, where he was the presiding officer : "In that tall, noble-looking man of sixty years may be recognized the chairman of the Conference, Nathan- iel King. Of more than medium size, symmetrical in form, and intellectual in development, he is one whose pleasant face, sonorous voice, and easy man- ners are prepossessing. The freshness of youth is on his cheek, and the vivacity of early manhood sparkles in his eye, but he has seen a unit more than sixty years."
Rev. Samuel Appleby, another preacher who labored some in this vicinity, at an early period, was ordained in 1805. He afterwards left the denomination.
Elder Robert Dickey was ordained in 1810.
Elder Benaiah Bean, born in Salisbury, N. H., 1793, and ordained in 1828, died in 1856.
The year 1810 was one of many revivals in this vicinity, in which Rev. John Colby was very active. He died in 1818, aged 29 years, and during the six years of his active ministry he baptized six hun- dred and fifty persons.
Elder John Gillingham of Bradford occasionally preached here about 1840, or a little earlier, and those are yet living who remember him. He was a man of an ardent, sympathetic nature, and had great power over the feelings of his audience, most of whom were usually in tears before he got through with his prayer and sermon. Mr. Gilling- ham had a way, in common with others of the 26
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Free-will Baptist clergymen, of falling into a sort of chanting tone, not unlike that in which a Catho- lie priest at the altar, during worship, sometimes makes the responses to the choir, and which was not without its effect upon his auditory.
This "intoning " may have been one of the arts of oratory, but it seemed as if the speaker was forced into it by the fervor of his own emotions and the strength of his own convictions. These two conditions being given,-and they seem always to have been attainable by those early preachers,- viz., susceptibility to strong religious emotion, and a full conviction not only of the truth and divine origin of the message they brought, but of their own special and individual call to deliver it, their success was assured.
Their strength lay not in scholarly preparation or acquirement, for there was among them at that day no chance for theological training; they had no divinity schools of their own order. Of most of them this was probably true, that, while the peo- ple who listened to them could not fail to perceive that, like the apostles Peter and John, " they were unlearned and ignorant men," they at the same time " took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus," and that "with great power gave they witness of His resurrection."
It is, however, but just to say that this state of things-this lack of scholarly training among preachers-was not confined to the Free-will Bap- tists; it was more a characteristic of the period than of any particular sect, and changed essentially in the course of the succeeding years, which made
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manifest the need of more scholarship, and, as wealth and prosperity increased, rendered its attainment possible. Its visible effect soon fol- lowed.
At a Baptist centennial celebration in the town of Newton, N. H., in 1855, the orator of the day, Rev. William Lamson, in speaking of the New Hampton Institution after its removal to Ver- mont, says,-"Already is another denomination [the Free-will Baptist] rearing a noble school, with ample endowment, on the deserted location of the New Hampton of the past. The very effort is giving new energy to every limb of that body, and clothing it with new efficiency."
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
The following indignant protest against the fugitive slave law, by the members of the Weare Conference, in the fall term of 1850, is found on their records of that date, and is here introduced as sure proof that there were then among them men who understood well how to apply the full force of English rhetoric, condemnatory and denunciatory, of a measure adopted and supported, as they be- lieved, solely in the interest of "that sum of all villanies," slavery :
After business received the following Resolutions regarding the Fugitive Slave Law, just passed by our National Legislature, which, after a spirited discussion, were adopted.
Resolved, That, in our opinion, it is, first, unconstitutional ; second, unjust in its provisions ; third, impious in its designs ; fourth, a stain on our national character; fifth, an everlasting dis- grace to those who enacted it; and sixth, insulting as it is to the dignity of humanity and the majesty of Heaven, we are bound as
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men, and especially as Christians, to utterly disregard it as a dead and infamous letter on our Statute book.
Resolved, That the above Resolutions be published in our statis- tics.
It will be observed by the reader that the style and language of this bold rebuke to the national legislature are so unequivocal that whoever or what- ever of associated bodies or of individuals could be accused of temporizing, from motives of careful policy, regarding the slavery question, the Weare Conference certainly cleared its skirts from any such imputation.
Those who were living in 1850, and were of suf- ficient age to be impressed by the political action of that period, will be reminded by this document of the strong billows of excitement, the "indigna- tion and wrath, tribulation and anguish," that swept over the community at the time of the pas- sage of this remarkable law.
No man, whatever may have been his opinions as to the need or efficacy of such a law in saving the imperilled Union, can read this scathing denun- ciation of its tyranny and injustice without admira- tion of the courage of those earlier fathers and brothers of the Free-will Baptist church in utter- ing it at the time when the issue and the possible consequences to themselves were as yet doubtful.
HISTORY OF THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
No full record of the early church in Sutton, nor of its progress for many years succeeding its for- mation, is to be found, but the following extracts from the records of Weare Quarterly Meeting
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will serve to show, to some extent, its condition during those years. These extracts are brought down to 1844,-a little later than the date at which the Sutton records commence.
EXTRACTS FROM WEARE QUARTERLY MEETING RECORDS.
Oct. 31, 1812. Elder William Dodge from Sutton informs us they remain a small body of brethren, and they still have a little strength. [This from Minutes of Q. M. held in Wendell at house of Elijah George.]
1813. Many of the brethren have fallen from their first activity, and have put their light under a bushel, but others are strong for the prize. 4 added. [This from Minutes of Q. M. held at Andover. ]
Oct. 30, 1813. The church in Sutton stand unshaken in love and peace with one another. The Lord is at work among them. 3 added.
Oct. 29, 1814. Q. M. at Andover. From Sutton and Fishers- field. The brethren in general appear determined in the strength of the Lord to go over and possess the good land. Some trials,-3 added.
1815. Sutton and Fishersfield. By Elders Dodge and Timothy Morse. An increase of union, as those who have been estranged are returning, and things appear quite encouraging, as to the atten- tion of hearers, etc.
May 25, 1816. Q. M. held in Wendell at the barn of brother Benjamin George, Sutton and Fishersfield. A good revival of late among the youth.
1816. At Fishersfield. Elder Moses Cheney preached an ingen- ious and powerful discourse to a crowded house, from the text. "One sea and twelve oxen under it."
1817. Q. M. At barn of Elijah Watson in Salisbury. Church in Sutton received into fellowship by the desire of Dea. Benjamin Fowler in behalf of his brethren, sixteen in number. Voted next Q. M. be held in Sutton. Elder Timothy Morse presiding. Report by Elder Dodge from 2nd church in Sutton. Prosperous,-3 new added.
1818. Generally prosperous. 2 added.
The three towns, Sutton, Fishersfield, and Goshen, all reported by Elder Dodge.
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1819. Q. M. held at North Meeting House in Sutton. Report by Elder Watson,-prosperous.
1819. In autumn, Q. M. Report by Dea. Benj. Fowler.
1820. Whole number of church members in Sutton, Goshen, and Fishersfield -- 66; whole No. in Sutton, 27. In 1821, whole No. in Sutton 33, and later in the same year, great interest ; whole No. in Sutton 38.
1822. Report by Elder Watson, whole No. in Sutton 40.
1822. Later, letter by Dea. Fowler ; not active.
1823. Letter by Amos Felch. United in faith with other chs.
In Q. M. later in same year,-Bradford, Springfield, Newport, Enfield, Fishersfield, Sutton, Warner, Weare, Goshen, Wilmot, Weathersfield, and Windsor, all represented in same Q. M. Whole No. 76.
1824. Letter by Elder Peaslee. Generally prosperous. Sutton church numbers 43.
1825. Whole No. in the three towns, Sutton, Goshen, and Fish- ersfield-79. In Sutton, 45. Letter by Elder Watson.
1826. Letter by Elder Watson. No. in Sntton 43. Later in same year, messenger to Q. M., Samuel Bean.
1827. No. in three towns, Fishersfield, Sutton, Goshen, 70. No. in Sutton, 42. In May, same year, report by Elder Peaslee. No. in Sutton 39.
1827. At General Conference in Tunbridge, Vt., Nathaniel King nominated for president. Declined.
1828. Letter by Elder Peaslee. Church in Sutton in good standing and well engaged. No. 49, and in the 3 towns 94.
Later in same year-Whole No. in Sutton, 51. They mourn the removal of Elder Watson.
1829. Letter by Elder Watson, the Pastor, had some revival. No. in Sutton, 60.
1830. Rather a low time,-55 in number.
1831. Whole No. 66.
1832, Feb. 15. Ordination of Elder Peaslee at the South Meet- ing House. A large congregation assembled. Introductory prayer by Elder Stephen Goodale. Sermon by Elder Arthur Caverno, from Isaiah 6 chapter and verse. Consecrating prayer by Elder Watson,-charge by Elder William Dodge. Right hand of fellow- ship and concluding prayer by Elder Timothy Morse. The scene was truly solemn and interesting, every part of it being conducted
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with great propriety, and we viewed God as looking down upon this act of his children with approbation.
August, 1832. Very encouraging,-65.
Jan. 1833,-69.
1835. Trials. Help asked from the Conference. Committee appointed to inquire and report, viz : David Moody. William Dodge, Elijalı Watson.
May 27, 1835. Weare Q. M. convened at Hopkinton. After other matters took up the case of Sutton church, which having fallen into a disordered state, requested assistance from this Confer- ence at the last January term. Agreeably to this request, a com- mittee was appointed to assist them in attending to what should be thought best when met. Accordingly the Committee attended to their appointment. After consulting on the situation, found that a majority of the members were in favor of dissolving the church and forming a new one. Under existing circumstances the Com. were in favor of this measure, and accordingly they organized a church consisting of 16 members. Later, Elder Isaac Peaslee, their pastor, asked for a reception of this church into the Q. M. as a sis- ter church, eleven members having been added since its formation, making the number twenty-seven. After some remarks on the sub- ject, voted to receive said church according to their request.
1836, June 20. A time of general prosperity.
Sept. same year. Have not constant preaching but are united, and hopeful that God would send them some laborer.
1837. Prospects encouraging, 37.
1839. The Lord has done great things in Sutton the past year,- a goodly number have professed to love the Lord. Added by Bap- tism 14, by letter 5. Present number 53. In Nov. same year .- are generally well united, but not a time of revival, and are rather destitute of preaching of our own order.
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