USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Swanzey > The history of Swanzey, New Hampshire, from 1734 to 1890 > Part 16
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Both Mr. Goddard and his predecessor were often troubled in ob- taining their salaries, officiating as they did during the perilous and trying times of Indian wars and the war of the Revolution. The ministry of Mr. Goddard was longer than that of any other, nearly twenty-nine years. During that time one hundred and fifty-six mem- bers were received, of whom fifty-six were from other churches ; forty baptisms were administered. The baptismal or half-way covenant, as it was called, was then in vogue. Mr. Goddard was church clerk during his ministry. Sept. 6, 1798, Calvin Frink was chosen clerk, and June 3, 1799, Josephi Cross was elected. April 2, 1806, Calvin Frink resigned the office of deacon.
"The Rev. Clark Brown, a graduate of Harvard 1797, and who had
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been dismissed from Brimfield, Mass., began to supply the pulpit in Swanzey, Aug. 21, 1808, and was installed Sept. 5, 1810. He pro- fessedly became an Episcopalian and attempted to render the church such, but failing in the attempt, his connection was dissolved by mu- tual council Oct. 1, 1815. During his ministry forty-nine were ad- mitted to full communion and eighty-two were baptized. Salary $400. He was a man of popular talent but unstable. In the interim before the next ordination, seven were admitted and ten were bap- tized. The Rev. Joshua Chandler, a graduate of Harvard 1804, was ordained Jan. 20, 1819, and dismissed by council at his own request Nov. 26, 1822. During his ministry nine were admitted to com- munion and twenty-three baptized. His salary was $400. In the in- terval between his dismission and the next installation two were admitted to church fellowship. The number of the church from the first is 417 and the baptisms 709."
The foregoing extract and some other items are taken from "New Hampshire Churches," and written by Rev. E. Rockwood.
The Rev. Ebenezer Colman was installed as pastor of the church May 23, 1827. He was a graduate of Brown University in 1815, a good scholar, an able preacher. Salary $300 and thirty cords of wood. The exercises at the installing council were conducted by the following ministers :- Introductory prayer by Salmon Bennett, Marl- borough ; sermon, Z. S. Barstow, Keene; consecrating prayer, John Walker, Chesterfield; charge to pastor, William Muzzy, Sullivan ; right hand of fellowship, O. C. Whiton, Troy ; address to people, John Sabin, Fitzwilliam ; concluding prayer, A. B. Camp, Ashby, Mass.
The council when met passed the following :
"Whereas the free use of ardent spirits is doing much injury to the peace of families and to the good order of Society, as well as in de- stroying the souls of many, we deem it the duty of every friend of re- ligion and human happiness to do all in his power to discontinue it ; therefore resolved unanimously that this Council request the commit- tee of the society to exclude all ardent spirits and wines from the entertainment provided for the Council." The necessity for such a resolution gives us an inkling of the practice in church circles previ- ous to this date. May 27, 1827, the pastor was chosen church clerk. April 3, 1828, Joseph Dickinson was chosen deacon, and Aug. 13, 1830, Jona. D. Ware was chosen to the same office.
A constitution for a church library was adopted Dec. 5, 1828. Mr. Colman was appointed librarian and Asahel Shurtleff and Joseph
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REV. ELISHA ROCKWOOD, D.D.
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Smead a committee to examine, and receive or reject, all books which might be purchased for the library or presented to it.
Mr. Colman's pastorate continued till July 1, 1834, when, at his request, the pastoral relation was dissolved by a mutual council com- posed of pastors and delegates from Fitzwilliam, Westmoreland, Keene, Winchester and Walpole. Among the reasons he assigns for leaving were his small salary, not being sufficient for the support of his family, and being obliged frequently to worship in a hall or school- house, as the meeting-house was claimed a part of the time by the Universalists.
July 13, 1834, Luther Browne was chosen clerk of the church ; and April 4, 1838, William Read accepted the office of deacon, to which he had previously been chosen. After the dismission of Mr. Colman and before his successor was installed, the pulpit was occupied by several persons but principally by Rev. Roger C. Hatch, and twenty- two persons were admitted to the church.
Nov. 16, 1836, Rev. Elisha Rockwood was settled as minister of the church and people, and was soon after chosen church clerk. He was born in Chesterfield, May 9, 1778, a graduate of Dartmouth Col- lege 1802. Preceptor of Plymouth Academy two years, tutor in Dart- mouth College two years, pastor of Congregational Church in West- borough, Mass., twenty-six and one-half years, and of the church in this town nearly twenty-two years, dying June 19, 1858, and preach- ing till the time of liis death. He was a gentleman of the old school, highly respected by all who knew him, by those who believed the doctrines he faithfully preached, and by those who dissented from them. On the eightieth anniversary of his birth he preached a sermon from the text "I am this day four score years old" (ii Samuel 19 : 35), giv- ing interesting reminiscences of his life and good advice to his peo- ple. This sermon was published after his death. He was twice married, first to Susan Parkman of Westborough, and second, to Mrs. Emily Wilder Herrick of Keene. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College.
During his ministry in this town, fifty-eight persons were received to the church, twenty-eight were dismissed and recommended to other churches and twenty-eight of the members died.
June 3, 1843, the church confession of faith and church covenant were by unanimous vote of the church revised and made to conform to those of most other churches in connection with the Monadnock Association ; and March 2, 1845, these were printed for distribution
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among the members. The church numbered at this time seventy-two, of whom twenty-one were males and fifty-one females.
Mr. R's salary was $400, of which $75 was annually relinquished by him for several of the last years of his life.
As ministerial changes became more frequent in New England the society followed the prevalent fashion and purchased a house for the use of its ministers. It was bought of Dr. Willard Adams for $1200, which amount was raised by subscription with the exception of $300 which was taken from Society funds. The parsonage was dedi- cated with appropriate services May 20, 1859.
Nov. 5, 1858, Mowry A. Thompson was chosen clerk, but soon af- ter, removing from town, Josiah Parsons was chosen and has since retained the office.
The last minister that was "settled" over the church and society . was John G. Wilson, who was installed June 29, 1859. Salary $400 and use of parsonage. He was an earnest and acceptable preacher. He remained a little more than four years when at his request the pasto- ral relation was dissolved. He was born in Nelson, Sept. 18, 1820, studied theology and graduated at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1850 ; ordained at Bellows Falls, Vt., Dec. 12, 1851. Preached there and also at Saxton's river, Vt., and Charlestown, until lie came to Swanzey. Since leaving here he has been City Missionary at Port- land, Maine.
July 24, 1864, Rev. T. E. Roberts, who had been supplying the church in Troy, commenced preaching as stated supply, and contin- ued till Oct., 1868. He was somewhat easy in his theological views as well as in his business relations. After closing his labors with the church in this place he preached about two years at East Swanzey, being engaged at the same time as a life insurance agent, in which business he did not succeed. He has not since been in the minis- try.
Rev. W. H. Cutler succeeded Mr. Roberts and preached nearly two years. He was a young man, a fine speaker, interesting in the pul- pit, but lacking in those qualities which are essential to success as pastor among the people of his parish. He has since been rector of the Episcopal church in Goffstown. At the close of Mr. Cutler's ministry Rev. A. B. Earle held a series of gospel meetings with the Baptist and Congregational churches, and on the first Sunday in Jan- uary, 1871, fifteen persons united with the latter church.
The next minister was Rev. Charles Willey, a zealous preacher,
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untiring in his efforts to do good, who remained till July, 1873, when thinking he would be of more service in some other place went first to Wisconsin and preached two years, then to Newfield, N. J., where he has since resided, preaching a part of the time in connection with his labors on the farm. Mr. W. was born at Derby, Vermont, Sept. 9. 1815 ; married Miss Harriet Claggett of Newport, N. H., Sept. 24, 1843 ; studied theology at Andover, ordained at Chichester, Sept. 15, 1845, pastor of the church there six years ; afterwards before coming to Swanzey preached at Kingston, London Mills, Epsom, Barrington, Center Harbor, Greenfield and Nelson, remaining from one to six years in each place.
The church was now without a resident minister till the following January, although as usual on such occasions, public religious ser- vices were observed on the Sabbath, sometimes conducted by a tran- sient minister and at other times by members of the church.
At the beginning of the new year, Rev. E. I. Carpenter, formerly of Littleton, but more recently in the service of the Vermont Bible Society, commenced his labors among us and continued them till Feb. 10, 1877, when he was thrown from his sleigh and received injuries from which he died in a few hours. Mr. C. was an able preacher, in good repute among his ministerial brethren and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was much interested in the people at East Swanzey and preached there more than had any of his predecessors. About three months before his death, his wife, a noble woman, was stricken with heart disease and died nearly as suddenly as he did. Mr. C's salary was $600 and use of parsonage.
The successor of Mr. Carpenter was Rev. H. H. Saunderson who for the twelve preceding years had been minister in Charlestown. His salary was $525 and parsonage. He was a good scholar and writer, having written the history of Charlestown when he was there. He was also a good sermonizer, but old age had weakened his powers, and by want of energy he failed to greatly interest and arouse his au- dience. He occupied the pulpit till May, 1882, and soon after re- moved to Manchester where he resided till his death in January, 1890. He was born in Hollis, Sept. 12, 1810, studied three years at Yale Col- lege, graduated at Andover Theological Seminary 1842 ; married Oct. 1, 1845, Miss Elizabeth Cummings of Hollis. He was minister at Ludlow, Vt., seven years and at Wallingford, nine years. He preached also at other places, taught music and was engaged in various liter- ary pursuits. He was an ardent lover of nature, encouraged the planting of shade trees in our streets, and set with his own hand the
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graceful elm immediately in front of the brick church, April 18, 1878.
During the ministry of Mr. Saunderson (March 2, 1879) the church and congregation voted to have but one preaching service on the Sab- bath, and that in the forenoon. This practice has been continued since. From time immemorial, in accordance with the prevalent cus- tom, there had been two sermons, generally at 11 A. M. and 1 P. M. It has also been the custom to have a prayer meeting in the middle of the week, and likewise Sabbath evenings, especially when there has been but one preaching service. March 30, 1877, Alonzo A. Ware was chosen deacon.
Oct. 8, 1882, Rev. Benjamin Merrill commenced his ministerial labors in this place and faithfully performed them till his sudden death Nov. 19, 1888, receiving a salary of $700 and parsonage ($800 . were paid him the first three years). He was born in Haverhill, March 25, 1835 ; learned the printer's trade when a boy ; prepared for college at Haverhill and Kimball Union Academies ; graduated from the scientific department of Dartmouth College in 1858; in bus- iness for some time in N. Y. City ; studied Greek one year with his brother, Rev. J. L. Merrill ; graduated at Princeton Theological Sem- inary 1864 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Carlisle, at Newville, Pa., June 7, 1864, missionary among the Scotch coal miners at Barton, Md., two years ; pastor Congregational church, Pembroke, three and one-half years ; Presbyterian church, Ausable Forks, N. Y., twelve years, when he was dismissed and came to Swanzey. He married April 28, 1864, Joanna W. Merrill of New York. They have had three children of wliom only one, William K., survives. In May, 1889, Rev. Harvey Woodward of Keene, formerly a minister of the M. E. church, was engaged as pastor, in whichi capacity he still re- mains.
It thus appears that during the one hundred and forty-nine years since the formation of the church there have been fifteen ministers, of whom eight were settled pastors and seven stated supplies, the former aver- aging about twelve years and the latter four. There have been few if any controversies in the church or among its members upon theological points or forms of worship.
It was the only church in town till 1792, when the Baptist church was formed at West Swanzey. Its ministers were supported at first by a tax upon the proprietors and upon all tax payers in the town ; and afterwards, partly by contributions and partly by taxation.
It was the church of the "standing order," so called. In 1819, the
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"toleration act" was passed by the New Hampshire legislature, re- quiring that no person should be taxed except voluntarily, in support of any religious denomination ; but some years previous to this time any person had the privilege of having his minister tax abated pro- vided he paid for the support of some other denomination.
CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
The Congregational Society in Swanzey was formed Dec. 26, 1809, and incorporated by an act of the legislature June 16, 1810. Its ob- ject was to maintain the preaching of the gospel and to act jointly with the church in calling, settling and dismissing ministers. It was authorized to "assess and collect taxes for the support of a Gospel ministry and other necessary expenses of said Society," and to receive donations and hold funds to an amount not exceeding one thousand dollars. This charter was amended in 1867, authorizing the holding of funds to an amount, the income of which should not exceed $5,000 per year. There is a record of but few taxes ever being assessed after the formation of the society ; and for many years past all ex- penses have been paid by voluntary contributions. Before the act of incorporation sixty three persons joined the society, viz. : Ebenezer Hills, Aaron Parsons, Elijah Belding, Elkanah Lane, jr., Joseph Dickinson, James Brewer, Calvin Frink, William Wright, Samuel Hills, Asaph Lane, Henry Morse, Nehemiah Cummings, Amos Bailey, Thomas Applin, Joel Read, Ezekiel Thompson, Daniel Cummings, Elijah Graves, Joseph Smead, Amos Bailey, jr., James Pierce, John Thompson, Josiah Parsons, John Read, Gad Graves, Levi Blake, Silas Parsons, Luther Wright, Joseph Cross, Josiah P. Read, Benja- min Brown, Benjamin Hammond, Enoch Cummings, Joseph Ham- mond, jr., Joseph Kimball, James Cummings, John Applin, Paul Raymond, Samuel Belding, Isaac Butterfield, Ezekiel Osgood, Far- num Fish, Moses B. Williams, Zenas Ware, Samuel Lane, Timothy Thompson, Elijalı Lane, Beriah Day, Nicholas Howes, Elisha Lane, Elisha Osgood, Timothy Clark, Thaddeus Cummings, Thomas Cross, Peter Cross, Foster Emerson, William Durant, Azariah Dickinson, Edward Goddard, jr., Amarialı Partridge, Nathaniel Dickinson, Seth Belding and Joseph Dickinson, jr.
The clerks of the society have been Joseph Cross, six years ; Far- num Fish, five years ; Asahel Shurtleff, three years ; Thomas Applin, two years ; William Read, fifty-six years ; Alonzo A. Ware, eight years. The other officers were a board of three directors, treasurer and col- lector, all of whom were to be and have been chosen annually the
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first Monday in April. Those that have served as directors were Nehemiah Cummings, James Brewer, Luther Wright, Farnum Fish, Silas Parsons, Thomas Cross, Thomas Applin, Timothy Thompson, Daniel Cummings, Ezra Thayer, Ezekiel Osgood, Joseph Dickinson, jr., Foster Emerson, Ezekiel Thompson, Levi Blake, Seth Belding, Daniel Wetherbee, Abel Wilson, Abel Wilder, Silas Jones, Thomas Applin, Daniel Cummings, Amos Bailey, James Cummings, John Thompson, Benjamin Brown, Josiah P. Read, William Read, Eleazer Mason, Hubbard Williams, Jona. D. Ware, Josiah Parsons (father and son), Luther Browne, Phineas Stone, Alvah Thompson, Asa Hea- ley, Samuel Stone, Mowry A. Thompson, M. Edwin Wright, John S. Sargeant, Franklin Downing, Alonzo A. Ware, Luther S. Lane and Lyman M. Stone. Those that served the longest in this capacity were William Read, forty years ; J. D. Ware, thirty-eight years ; and Alvah Thompson, sixteen years.
The treasurers of the society have been Henry Morse, four years ; Asahel Shurtleff, one ; Enoch Cummings, one; Daniel Cummings, one; Amos Bailey, forty-six ; Enoch Howes, eighteen ; and M. C. Stone, seven years.
The names of females appear upon the church records under the heads of baptisms, admissions to and dismissions from the church, marriages and deaths. With these exceptions they rarely appear in church history. Notwithstanding this, the influence of woman thoughi silent and less demonstrative, is perhaps even greater than that of man. Numerically they far outnumber the men ; and this has always been so except perhaps in the early settlement of the town.
As an auxiliary to the Congregational Society, and for the purpose of supporting the preaching of the Gospel, the Ladies' Benevolent So- ciety was organized May 12, 1835, with fifty-two members. Its consti- tution directed that the annual meeting should be held on the second Tuesday of May, and regular monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of every month. These meetings, with few interruptions, have since been continued, sometimes meeting once in two weeks instead of four. The afternoon or evening has been spent in knitting, sewing, braiding palm leaf hats, reading, essays, and cultivating the social element. Every member was required to pay at least twenty-five cents a year. The avails of the society since its formation have been about $3,000. This has been applied principally towards the payment of the pastor's salary, but somewhat to missionary enterprises and helping the poor.
The presidents of the society have been Mrs. Samuel D. King, Mrs. E. Rockwood, Mrs. J. G. Wilson, Mrs. E. F. Read, Mrs. B. Read,
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Mrs. Charles Willey, Mrs. E. I. Carpenter, Mrs. A. M. Adams, Mrs. J. S. Sargeant, Mrs. A. S. Blake, Mrs. B. Merrill and Mrs. H. Wood- ward. Secretaries : Miss Lucy Browne, Mrs. S. D. King, Miss H. A. Rockwood, Miss P. Lane, Miss S. B. Wilder, Mrs. B. Read, Miss H. A. Thompson, Miss E. M. Williams, Miss E. R. Bailey and Miss E. A. Newell. Miss Bailey was secretary and treasurer twenty-five years, until her death.
Sunday School.
The records of the Sunday School in connection with the church are very incomplete, being entirely wanting in the earlier part of its history. A school was first organized probably about 1826, and has been continued nearly every Sunday since ; having had for its superin- tendents in part, Joseph Dickinson, William Read, J. D. Ware, E. F. Read, Alfred Marble, M. A. Thompson, M. E. Wright, C. M. Lane, A. A. Ware and L. M. Stone.
Its sessions have usually been immediately after the morning church service, with an average attendance of between fifty and sixty, and a total yearly membership of about twice that number. Its library numbers about 600 volumes. Miss Mary W. Lane left by will a little more than $100 to replenish the library.
Music.
The church choir has been an harmonious one. Certainly this has been the case within the memory of living men, and previous to that time the records upon the subject are silent. The proverbial sensi- tiveness of singers has rarely, if ever, shown itself in bickerings and scramblings for the chief places. The chosen leaders of later years have been Ezekiel Thompson, Hubbard Williams, Philo Applin, E. F. Read, L. S. Lane, C. M. Lane and Harvey Sargeant. Geo. F. Lane, whom all have ever delighted to hear, was a member of the choir about fifty-five years. The long list of singing books that have been used is probably much the same as that used in other choirs. For many years previous to June 6, 1858, Watts' Psalms and Hymns, with a selection from other authors, was the principal bymn book used. At this date the "Congregational Hymn Book," by Elias Nason, was introduced and retained till 1880, when it gave place to "Spirit- val Songs," containing both the hymns and music, by Charles S. Robinson. This book is still in use. The only early church records pertaining to music are these :-
May 4, 1797. "Voted that the pastor in the name and behalf of
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the Chh. the next Lord's day request the singers to assist the Chh. in singing after the celebration of the Lord's supper.
"Voted that the pastor, next Lord's day, after Divine service, pro- pose to the Congregation a contribution to be had the next succeed- ing Sabbath for the purpose of raising money to purchase a bass viol for the use of the Congregational Society in Swanzey."
Church and Society Funds.
By the gifts and bequests of several individuals the church and so- ciety have a fund of $7,780, the income of which is to be applied to the support of Gospel preaching and other religious purposes. The contributors were Joseph Cross, $102.61; Nehemiah Cummings, $200.20 ; Zenas Ware, $34.61 ; Hannah Ware, $25.00; Enoch Cum- mings, $200.00 ; Hubbard Williams, $400.00 ; A. W. Bailey, $400.00 ; Elizabeth M. Williams, $50.00 ; J. D. Ware, $300.00 ; Sabrina Read, $6600.41 ; Malinda Sargent, $200.00 ; and about $100.00 was contrib- uted by some person or persons previous to 1833 of which there is no definite record. From these funds $300 was applied towards the purchase of the parsonage and $550 was lost by the failure of the Ashuelot Savings Bank to pay in full its depositors.
Meeting-houses.
In addition to what has already been stated pertaining to locating and building a meeting-house, other votes were subsequently passed in regard to its construction. Taxes were voted, committees chosen, timbers prepared, etc., but for some reason the house was not built until the return of the inhabitants after having been driven away by the Indians. It is perhaps doubtful whether it was entirely completed before it was damaged by the hurricane in 1765, and the damages then caused were not wholly repaired till 1771. It was built on the rock or ledge just west of where Mr. George Carpenter now lives. It was 50 by 40 feet on the ground and 22 feet posts. A gallery was on three sides, a row of pews around the sides of the house, and back of the body seats ; and likewise a row around in the gallery.
The "pew ground" was appraised and sold at auction, and each purchaser was required to build his own pew and finish up the walls adjacent to the same. This building was used as a church building and town house till about the year 1796, when a new building was crected by the town. There is no record when it was abandoned, taken down, or disposed of, but it probably stood and was used sev- eral years in the 19th century, as meetings were frequently warned
HT. CESAR UNION LIBRARY.
TOWN HOUSE, AND MT. CÆSAR UNION LIBRARY, SWANZEY CENTRE.
FACING WEST.
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to be held at the old meeting-house. The new structure was built where the present town-house now stands :- in fact it is the identical building remodeled. It was 45 by 62 feet on the ground, two sets of windows, one above the other; three doors, one each on the east, west and south sides ; a porch at the east and west ends. The towering belfry and steeple with its lofty spire was at the west end. The huge gallery extended on three sides of the house, east, west and south, containing a row of pews next the walls and rows of long seats in front for the singers. The pulpit on the north side of the house-a large box with door to enclose the minister-was many feet above the floor ; and above this on the wall were painted representations of seraphs or angelic beings. The floor was covered with rows of old- fashioned square pews, divided by broad aisles.
The inside of the church was never painted. There was no bell in the belfry. For many years it contained no stove, fireplace, nor any other apparatus for heating, except foot-stoves and the like carried by the worshippers.
In 1850 this building was remodeled into the present town-house. It was cut down in height, made a one-story building ; the porches, belfry, gallery, pulpit and pews were removed and the ante-rooms con- structed as they now appear. For many years the use of this build- ing was claimed in part both by the Congregational and Universalist societies. In 1836 the former society relinquished its claim and erected the brick meeting-house where it now stands. It was built by contract by Mr. Virgil Woodcock for about $2,000, and is 63 by 41 feet on the ground. In 1868 internal repairs were made costing about $600. The pulpit platform and gallery were lowered, the arms and railings of the slips were changed to those of the modern style, and the whole painted and grained. In 1884 the gallery was va- cated by the singers and, at an expense of about $60, a platform was erected and suitably furnished for them in the southwest corner of the house at the right of the minister in the pulpit. Twenty-five dollars of this amount was contributed by Mrs. Lydia Griggs. In 1887 re- pairs were again made at an expense of more than $200. The audience and ante-rooms were mostly replastered, painted, etc. The pulpit desk was presented by Mrs. Julia A. Ware, the chairs and stand by Mrs. Mary A. Parker, the table by Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Fox, and the bible and hymn book for the pulpit, in 1869, by Mr. G. F. Lane, and the Sunday School organ by Mr. C. M. Lane. The gift of the silver cup by Rev. T. Harrington has already been noticed. Jan. 13, 1810, the house of William Wright, containing the sacramental vessels, was
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