USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Swanzey > The history of Swanzey, New Hampshire, from 1734 to 1890 > Part 17
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burned. A part of these vessels, including the cup, were saved, somewhat injured. This cup was repaired and has been in use until quite recently. The cups now in use were given by Mrs. J. A. Ware, and the baptismal basin in 1814 by Miss Hannah Ware.
In 1890 the chapel adjoining the church was built at an expense of about $1,100 raised by voluntary subscription. It contains a lecture room, ladies' parlor and kitchen.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Previous to the year 1800 the written history of the Baptist Church in Swanzey is very brief. What is now the Baptist Church was formed in the year 1792, composed of about twenty-five members, prominent among whom (as near as can be ascertained) were Arad Hall, Shubael Seaver, Wm. McCullor, Paddock Lawrence, Nathan . Cross, Phinehas Hamblet, Jotham Eames, Elisha Gunn, Nathaniel Hills and Jonathan Metcalf, residing in Keene, Winchester and Swan- zey and called the Baptist Church of " Swanzey and Winchester."
The first meeting of the church, on record, was held at the "Corner School House," near where Benjamin C. Snow resides, on the 18th of April, 1800, and opened by prayer, but the names of the moderator and clerk do not appear on record, Sept. 14, 1801, the church met at the house of Shubael Seaver where Silas R. Marcy now resides ; the meeting was opened by prayer, and Elder Nathaniel Bowles was cho- sen moderator.
Nov. 18, 1802. The church met for business and chose Bro. Enoch Stowell, moderator. Gave Brother Stowell a letter of license to im- prove his gift in Zion.
Oct. 13, 1803. The church united with the Leyden Baptist Associa- tion at Guilford, Mass.
Feb. 10, 1804. Benjamin Wilson conveyed to the church by deed of warranty, the south half of an acre of land which he bought of Salmon Richardson April 15, 1797, and which was a part of the "Old Mill Farm" formerly owned by James Heaton.
May 15, 1805. An annex to said land was conveyed to the church by deed of Richard Stratton, making in all about one acre.
In the year 1804 the meeting-house was erected, standing length- wise north and south, thirty-six feet in width by sixty feet in length, with a porch on each end, a gallery on the two ends and a gallery on the east side-box pews on the floor and a line of pews on the walls in the rear of the gallery-the seats of the pews were hung with hinges and by custom were raised during the time of prayer, and the "Amen"
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was the signal for the falling of the seats, causing a clattering some- what like that of heavy musketry.
June 20, 1804. The church became a body politic by an act of the legislature.
April 1, 1805. The church voted to raise $160 to pay for building the meeting-house, also to raise $150 by assessment, if necessary. Voted to hire Dea. Wm. McCullor to preach for one year for one hundred dollars, after which he preached during the years of 1806, 1807 and 1808.
Oct. 5, 1805. Deacon McCullor, Phinehas Hamblet and Arad Hall represented the church to the Leyden Baptist Association in Massa- chusetts.
Dec. 14, 1805. At a meeting of the church to consider the subject of ordaining Dea. Wm. McCullor as a gospel minister, the following quaint phraseology of a vote occurs, copied verbatim :
" 2ly Voted to Call on Dean McCullur to know whether he would Submit to ordanation dean MC. Cullar being Called upon after mak- ing Some Solemn observations and observing that as he had the mat- ter for a considearabel time under serious considertion he should an- swer in the affermative."
Feb. 12, 1806. The church, by advice of council composed of the following elders and delegates, ordained Dea. Wm. McCullor to the work of the gospel ministry.
From Westmoreland-Elder Ebenezer Baily and Samuel Robbins.
From Templeton-Elder Elisha Andrews, Daniel Norcross and Samuel Symonds.
From Alstead-Elder Jeremiah Higbee, Oliver Shepherd and Moses Hale.
From Dublin-Elder Elijah Willard, Elias Hemmingway and Wil- liam Banks.
From Richmond-Elder Nathaniel Bowles and Amos Gurnsey.
From Andover, Mass .- Samuel Manning and Joel Manning.
February 9, 1807. Nathaniel Hills died, aged 79 years.
April 30, 1809. Voted to release Dea. Arad Hall, at his request, as deacon and chose in his stead Bro. Nathan Cross.
May 21, 1809. The church voted to give Dea. Arad Hall a letter of license to improve his gift in preaching.
The church, at her request Oct. 26, 1809, was dismissed from the Leyden Baptist Association and united with the Dublin Baptist As- sociation held at Greenfield, N. H., represented by Deacon Nathan Cross and Jonathan Bailey as delegates thereto, at which the name
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
was changed from "Swanzey and Winchester," to "Swanzey" church.
May 10, 1810. Deacon Nathan Cross was chosen leader for all religious meetings for time indefinite.
June 6, 1810. Thomas Crisson united with the church by baptism, following which, June 13, 1810, Jonathan Bailey, also, and October 21, 1810, Joseph Hammond became members of the church by baptismn.
January 3, 1812. Died Sister Lydia Crouch, wife of Amos Crouch, of Chesterfield, being the first recorded death in the church.
February - 1812. Granted a letter of dismission to brother Thomas Crisson. Membership of the church at this time was eighty- one.
April 2, 1812. Joseph Hammond was chosen deacon, and on April 13, 1812, was chosen church clerk.
November 4, 1812, Brother Levi Dunham was ordained as a gos- pel minister ; Elder Joseph Elliot preached the sermon ; Elder Charles Cummings made the consecrating prayer; Elijah Willard gave the charge to the candidate and Elder Joseph Elliot gave the hand of fel- lowship.
In the year 1814 the outside of the meeting-house was finished at the expense of about four hundred dollars.
September 9, 1816. At the request of Jonathan Metcalf and others, the church chose Elder Levi Dunham, Dea. Nathan Cross, Joseph Slate, Dea. Joseph Hammond and Jonathan Bailey to assist in form- ing a Baptist Church in Ash Swamp.
February 27, 1817. Received Elder Nathaniel Bowles and his wife, Thankful, by letter from the church in Bethlehem.
May, 1819. A letter of dismission was granted to Elder Levi Dun- ham to unite with the Baptist Church in Dummerston, Vt.
July 12, 1819. Elder Peter Rogers was received by letter from the church in Bernardston, Mass.
March 18, 1820. The church raised one hundred and fifty dollars to finish the inside of the meeting-house, and for that purpose chose Rufus Read, Benjamin Hammond and Jotham Eames.
Sept. 16, 1820. Bro. Jotham Eames was chosen clerk of the church.
January 23, 1823. The church voted to employ Dea. Tristan Al- drich to supply the pulpit for time indefinite.
June 12, 1823. Dea. Tristan Aldrich was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, by the church, with the advice of council from the churches by their delegates from the towns following :
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From Leverett-Dea. Isaac Woodbury and Nathan Ripley.
From Wendell-Elder Daniel Goddard and Dea. Elisha Osgood.
From New Salem-Elder Asa Niles, J. Hemmingway, S. Cham- berlain and Dea. Farwell Thomas.
From Chesterfield-Elder Levi Dunham and Dea. Asa Thompson.
From Royalston-Elder Joseph M. Graves, James Kelton and James Forristall.
From Dublin-Elder Charles Cummings.
June 19, 1823. By advice of council, the church withdrew the hand of church fellowship from Elder Peter Rogers, Elder Nathaniel Bowles and about a dozen other members of the church for violation of church covenant and gave each a letter of exclusion ; the withdrawal of the hand of fellowship publicly proclaimed in the pulpit.
The control of the meeting-house, obtained by the excluded mem- bers and other members of the society, obliged the church to worship many years, alternately, at a dwelling house where Darius E. Wright now resides and at the dwelling-house now owned by Marshall P. Rixford in Westport.
1832. The church voted to grant Brother Caleb Sawyer a license to improve his gift in preaching.
Feb. - , 1832. The church granted a letter of dismission to Elder Tristan Aldrich from the pastoral care of the church, and in 1833 re- newed the license of Dea. Jonathan Bailey to preach the gospel.
March 16, 1835. The church employed Elder John Woodbury who was pastor two years when the church, at his request, granted him a letter of dismission.
Jan. 30, 1837. Employed Dea. Jonathan Bailey to preach for a a time indefinite.
Aug. 1, 1837. The church employed Rev. Frederic Page.
March 5, 1838. Brother Caleb Sawyer was chosen church clerk.
March 24, 1839. Rev. Frederic Page made a public confession of a sin of which he was guilty and surrendered his ministerial creden- tials.
April 20, 1839. Rev. Charles Cummings from Marlboro became pastor of the church and labored about two years when he was fol- lowed by Rev. Henry Tonkin, May 1, 1841. He was succeeded by Rev. David P. French Jan. 3, 1842.
January 26, 1842. Died, Dea. Nathan Cross.
December 2, 1843. Died, Elder Nathaniel Bowles.
Aug. 11, 1843. Joseph Hammond, jr., was chosen church clerk.
Aug. 19, 1843. At the request of the Baptist Church in Nelson, the
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church sent Revs. David P. French and Tristan Aldrich and Dea. Jo- seph Hammond as delegates to sit in council with the view of ordain- ing Bro. Caleb Sawyer to the work of the gospel ministry.
In the year 1843 the church made extensive alterations in the meet- ing house by removing the box pews and placing slips therein.
Aug. 28, 1844. Died, Bro. Rufus Read.
December 5, 1844. Bro. Asa Withington received a license to preach.
Sept. 3, 1845. The membership of the church was 182.
Dec. 22, 1845. Died, Bro. Nathaniel Ilills.
June 19, 1847. Rev. David G. Mason became successor to Rev. David P. French as pastor.
Oct. 4,' 1849. Brethren Martin Thompson and John A. Hamblet were chosen deacons. Dea. Joseph Hammond and Dea. Jonathan Bailey being excused by their request from further official labor.
March 11, 1850. Died, Bro. Jotham Eames, jr., aged 56 years.
In the year 1851 the church purchased of Jolin Stratton one-half of an acre of land bounded on the cast by R. R. street, about eight rods and on the north about ten rods by Maple street, upon which was erected a parsonage, by a committee consisting of Martin Thompson, Solon W. Snow and Rev. David G. Mason, by funds largely raised by voluntary contribution by Rev. David G. Mason, who being a car- penter by trade, built the barn with some needful assistance, and af- ter the completion of the parsonage, it was, occupied by him during the remainder of his pastorate when, in 1855, on account of failing health, he resigned the pastoral charge in the church and removed to Keenc. Employed Rev. Tristan Aldrich for time indefinite. Aug. 31, 1856, Rev. Rufus Smith became his successor and pastor of the church until Feb. 19, 1859. At his request he was granted a letter of dismission and returned to the state of Vermont. Feb. 23, 1857, died, Dea. Jonathan Bailey, aged 68 yrs.
Dec. 11, 1859. Rev. James W. Searll began his ministerial labors. April 24, 1861, died, Dea. Joseph Hammond, aged 79 years. Died Dec. 19, 1863, Sister Sarah Draper of Chesterfield, aged 101 years, 5 months, 16 days.
April 30, 1863. Phinehas A. Ware was chosen clerk of the church to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Joseph Hammond to Keene.
October 13, 1865. Ziba Ware was chosen deacon and successor to Dea. Martin Thompson.
December 1, 1868. Rev. D. S. Hawley, in the ministry, succeeded
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Rev. James W. Searll, and by agreement between pastor and church his labors, Aug. 26, 1869, were to close three months after date.
September 9, 1869. A council of the church was called to consider and advise regarding certain grave charges relating to his domestic affairs, consisting of pastors and delegates from the following church- es : Dublin, Keene, Troy, Fitzwilliam and East Jaffrey, who formed themselves into a council by choosing Rev. E. J. Emery, moderator, and Rev. A. V. Tilton, clerk.
January 6, 1870. The church, at a meeting held at their house of worship, in harmony with the advice of council and for reasons there- in sufficiently stated and read before the meeting, voted unanimously, hereby, to declare as, in our judgment, unfit for the ministry and to exclude from our church fellowship our brother and late pastor Dan- iel S. Hawley.
CHARLES BALL, Moderator. JOSEPH HAMMOND, Clerk.
February 5, 1870. Received by letter from the church in Troy, Rev. S. A. Blake who became minister and pastor.
Dec. 31, 1871. Died Rev. Tristan Aldrich, aged 89 years.
Feb., 1873. Rev. Enville J. Emery of East Jaffrey followed Rev. S. A. Blake in the ministry and in the same year April 26, the church chose Joseph Hammond, Phinehas H. Snow and Obadiah Sprague a committee to remodel and repair the meeting-house which, when com- pleted, was in June, 1874, dedicated to the worship of God in the us- ual form and manner, as it now is.
September 1, 1876. Died, Sister Betsey Aldrich, widow of Rev. Tristan Aldrich, deceased.
January 12, 1877. Membership of the church was 94.
January 11, 1879. Died Sister Calista Hamblet, aged 69, wife of Dea. John A. Hamblet.
Possibly, some individuals of future generations may be interested to know when and by whom the shade trees standing on the eastern arc, girting in part the enclosed ground on which the meeting-house stands, were set.
May, 1880. At the southeast entrance of the enclosure, at the right, stands :
No. 1, an elm tree, set by Joseph Hammond ; No. 2, a rock maple tree, set by Joel Hammond ; No. 3, an elm tree, set by Rev. Enville J. Emery ; No. 4, a rock maple set by C. C. Brooks ; No. 5, an elm tree set by Charles Ball ; No. 6, a rock maple set by Mrs. Melissa
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Emery ; No. 7, an elm tree set by Webster D. Derby ; No. 8, a rock maple set by Abraham Hill; No. 9, an elm tree set by Mrs. Mary L. Wilson ; No. 10, a rock maple set by Phinchas H. Snow ; No. 11, a rock maple set by Solon W. Snow and stands at the right of the northeast entrance ; No. 12, an elm tree set by Asa S. Kendall.
November 30, 1882. George W. Brooks was chosen clerk of the church.
May 29, 1883. Rev. S. G. Abbott of Hinsdale by invitation of the church to become their under Shepherd, accepted the same and en- tered upon his ministerial labor July 1, 1883.
Aug. 4, 1883. A letter of dismission was granted to Rev. Enville J. Emery to unite with the church at Greenville, N. H.
Feb. 11, 1884. Died, sister Ardelia C. Hammond, aged 59, wife of Joseph Hammond.
January 21, 1885. Died, brother Joel Hammond, aged 73.
George W. Brooks, clerk of the church, died October 4, 1886. Jo- seph Hammond chosen clerk April 5, 1886.
In 1889, H. Denman Thompson, through his benevolence, donated and conveyed to the church about half an acre of land lying west of and adjoining the church land, being a portion of the "Old Tannery Lot," upon the condition that the church should remove the horse- sheds west to the west line of land thus conveyed by deed.
Early in 1890 the church sold their parsonage to H. Denman Thompson for $2000.
April, 1890. Joseph Hammond resigned the office of church clerk and Daniel Snow was chosen to fill the vacancy.
Rev. Stephen G. Abbott resigned the pastorate May 1, 1890, and removed to Keene. The church chose a committee consisting of Nor- ris C. Carter, as contractor, and Ziba Ware, P. Atwood Ware, Dan- iel Snow and Solon W. Snow as advisory members, who during the season contracted and erected a new parsonage south of their house of worship.
The membership of the church at this date, Jan. 1, 1890, is eighty- five, eighteen of whom united with the church more than fifty years ago. Clarissa (Sawyer) Woodcock became a member December, 1824, and lias retained her relation therein more than sixty-six years.
Kezia M. Eames united with the church Sept. 12, 1819, having been a member more than seventy-one years.
Rev. C. F. Clarke came here June, 1890, and is pastor at the pres- ent time.
LOOKING WESTERLY.
AUTOGLYPH PRINT, W P. ALLEN, GARDNER, MASS.
VIEW OF BAPTIST AND UNIVERSALIST MEETING HOUSES, WEST SWANZEY.
LOOKING WESTERLY.
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Formation of the Sunday School connected with the Baptist Church in Swanzey.
When the Baptist Church in Swanzey worshipped in their parson- age which stood on the spot whereon now stands the residence of Da- rius E. Wright, Sunday School instruction in bible truths was deemed of so great importance to the rising generation and the growth and prosperity of the church that in 1827 a constitution was framed and adopted for their guide in action by the leading members of the church. No record of 1828.
Members of the Society in 1829.
Bible class .- Josepli Hammond, Jonathan Bailey, Jotham Eames, Jotham Eames, jr., James Olcott, William G. Eames, Joshua Snow, Rufus Read, Silas Parsons, Esther Stearns, Lucina Olcott, Polly Gunn, William Clark, Maria Howard, Sarah Field, Martin Stone, Amos Crouch, Nathaniel Thompson, Paddock Lawrence, Caleb Sawyer, Nathan Cross, Joshua Sawyer, Joseph Slate, Mary Ockington, Kezia M. Eames, Lucy Cross, Eusebia Eames.
NAMES OF SCHOLARS IN 1834.
First class .- Joseph Slate, Rufus Read, Jotham Eames, Jolin Crouch, Phinehas Hamblet, John Crouch, jr., John Withington, Jolin Chamberlain, Joshua Sawyer, Martin Thompson, Martin Stone, Peter Holbrook, Joshua Snow, John Grimes, Moses Thayer, Jonas Temple, James Olcott, Samuel Holbrook. Dea. Jonathan Bailey, Teacher.
Second class .- Rachel Estabrook, Sarah Ware, Kezia Read, M. N. Carlton, Mrs. John Chamberlain, Mrs. Jonas Temple, Mary Hill, Polly Holbrook, Lucina Sawyer, Hannah Sawyer, Kezia M. Eames, Lucy Cross, Mrs. Day, Abigail Crouch, Betsey Stone, Mary Thayer, Olive Crossett, Parmelia Howard, Almira Albee, Sarah Cummings, Mrs. Whittemore, Abigail Amidon, Emily Bolles, Cynthia Sawyer. Dea. Joseph Hammond, Teacher.
Third class .- Virgil Woodcock, Elisha Hutchins, Harrison Eve- leth, Ziba Ware, Franklin Holman, William Clark, Alexander Thayer, Benjamin F. Lombard. Rev. John Woodbury, Teacher.
Fourth class .- Delia A. Day, Sarah Day, Permelia Howard, 2d, Lucretia Howard, Arvilla Bailey, Eunice Snow, Julia Annie Snow, Phebe Snow, Lucy Read, Eliza Olcott, Hester Clark, Julina Snow, Nancy S. Chamberlain, Priscilla Thayer, Olive Holbrook, Louisa Crossett, Betsey Aldrich, Louisa Taft, Azuba Cross, Maria Aldrich, Hannah Cross, Caroline Cummings. Mrs. John Woodbury, Teacher.
12
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
Fifth class .- Betsey Hammond, Laura Day, Estina Edwards, Eliza Ann Thayer, Mary Olcott. Mrs. Eveleth, Teacher.
Sixth class .- Azuba Hammond, Sarah Bailey, Lovisa Bailey, Lucy Eames, Almira Albee, Chloe Holbrook, Sally Stone, Annis Snow, Martha Louisa Hill, Rhoda Lawrence, Harriet Ware. Eusebia Eames, Teacher.
Seventh class .- Henry Holbrook, Daniel Snow, Solon W. Snow, Phinehas A. Ware, David Eames, Robert Crossett, Morril Hammond, Daniel Hammond, Wilder Cross, Clark Bailey, Benjamin Hammond, jr. Jotham Eames, jr., Teacher.
Eighth class .- Calista Coburn, Sarah Thompson, Caroline Thomp- son, Kezia Thayer, Mary Thayer, Esther M. Stearns, Eliza Albee, Louisa Howard. Delia Day, Teacher.
Ninth class .- Nancy Eames, Rebecca Bailey, Kezia Eames, Julia Ann Crossett, Cynthia Sawyer, A. Melissa Albee. Miss - Page, Teacher.
Tenth class .- Francis Crouch, Jonas Temple, jr., Charles Temple, James C. Eames, Charles S. Whitcomb, Phinehas H. Snow, John - Woodbury, jr. William Calkins, Teacher.
Eleventh class .- Wesley Cross, Joseph Ware, Judson A. Read, Ahaz E. Howard, Daniel Cummings. Martin Thompson, Teacher.
SUPERINTENDENTS.
Rev. Tristan Aldrich, 1829-1832 ; Joseph Slate, 1833 ; Rev. John Woodbury, 1834; B. H. Carlton, 1835; No record, 1836; Martin Thompson, 1837; John Chamberlain, 1838-1839 ; No record, 1840 ; Caleb Sawyer, 1841-1842 ; Rev. D. P. French, 1843 ; Dea. Jonathan Bailey, 1844; Elisha Hutchins, 1845; Martin Thompson, 1846 ; Joseph Hammond, jr., 1847; Rev. Tristan Aldrich, 1848 ; Henry P. Read, 1849 ; Clark Bailey, 1850 ; Henry Holbrook, 1851; Dea. M. Thompson, 1852 ; Simeon B. Nelson, 1853-1854 ; Henry Holbrook, 1855 ; Simeon B. Nelson, 1856 ; Dea. John A. Hamblet, 1857-1858 ; Solon W. Snow, 1859-1864 ; Phinehas A. Ware, 1865-1868 ; Ardelia C. Hammond, 1869 ; Charles L. Ball, 1870-1871 ; Joseph Hammond, 1872-1882; George W. Brooks, 1883-1885 ; Rev. Stephen G. Ab- bott, 1887-1889 ; Edward H. Snow, 1890.
NAMES OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS SCHOLARS, 1890.
First class .- Lillian Carter, Irma Rich, Blanche Bullard, Bertha Bullard, Ressie Bullard, Cressie Eames, Mary Sprague, Olive Clark, Phebe Beal, Frank Derby, Leslie Snow, Myron Hardy, Clifford
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McClenning, Clifton Eames, George Dolby, Lee Burke. Alice Spar- hawk, Teacher.
Second class .- Josie Conboy, Alice Iredale, Mamie Conboy, Ber- tha Sprague, May Clark, Lillian Emery, Pearl Dickinson, Mabel Prime, Lela Evans, Nellie Dolby, Venie Dolby, Addie Emery, Gracie Russell, Mary Bullard, Emma Gamash, Mamie Atkinson, Roy East- man, Eddie Clark, Sanford Hardy, Fred Parker, Walter McClenning, Joseph Pageot, Eddie Fletcher, Georgie Russell, Ernest Snow, John Bullard. John Conboy. Mrs. W. F. Oakman, Teacher.
Third class -Lizzie N. Snow, Lizzie Read, Lelia Read, Edna Ware, Lillian Iredale, Lottie Seaver, Cora Sisson, Marion E. Ham- mond, Elsie Bemis, Grace Beal. Mrs. Sarah Snow, Teacher.
Fourth class .- Harriet Chamberlain, Sarah E. Read, Fannie M. Snow, Mary L. Ball, Martha A. Sparhawk, Eunice W. Stanley, Phebe R. Hewes, Almira J. Fox, Elmira T. Crouch, Belle R. Angier, Sarah Draper, E. Jennie Cutler, Kezia Eames, Martha E. Sprague, Phebe A. Bliss. Mrs. P. Atwood Ware, Teacher.
Fifth class .-- Mary F. Snow, Susie H. Sargent, Mary T. Carter, Nancy A. Carter, Mary L. Handy, Annette H. Derby, Anna L. Hol- brook, Cora J. Lovering, Luella M. Sawyer, Annette Hewes, Emma Eastman, Julia E. Emery. Mrs. A. Melissa Stearns, Teacher.
Sixth class .- Charles L. Ball, Luman B. Crouch, Henry P. Read, Phinehas A. Ware, Henry Holbrook, Solon W. Snow, Ziba Ware, Harvey Sargent, Joseph Pageot, Joseph Hammond. Webster D. Derby, Teacher.
Seventh class .- Norris C. Carter, Amos Beal, Lester Towne, Her- bert Chamberlain, Herbert Carter, Albert Hardy, James E. Handy, Walter F. Oakman, Ansel Bourn, Frank S. Faulkner, Ervin Bullard, Frank L. Snow, James Ware, Daniel Snow. Rev. C. F. Clark, Teacher.
Eighth class .- Harry Iredale, Harlan Hardy, Arthur Kirkpatrick, Bert Emery, Willie Gamash, Ivo Beal. Henry Derby, Teacher.
Ninth class .- Arthur Ware, Frank Emery, Edgar Emery, Fred Clark, Herbert Kingman, Robert Hammill, Joseph Hammill, Ernest Barrett, Herbert Carter, jr., Charles Crouch, George Crouch, George Wright, Fred Richardson, George Derby, Charles Derby, Edward Bourn, Oscar Bourn, Myron Prentiss, Charles Hewes, Edward Be- mis, Alice Bliss, Minnie Wright, Lilla Parsons, Florence (Carter) Emery, Emily Holbrook, Maud Evans, Nellie Clark, Lula Richard- son, Sarah Dolby, Winfred Kingman, Mattie Kingman, Josie Paige, Jessie Paige, Christie Calkins, Annie Capron. Mrs. Julia E. Snow, Teacher.
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SWANZEY.
Various attempts have been made by the early itinerant to establish Methodist preaching in Swanzey, but all efforts proved unavailing. About 1840 efforts were again made to establish preaching at Swanzey Factory and East Swanzey with but little success, although a class was formed at the latter place and connected with the Keene charge. In the fall and winter of 1860, religious services were held in the school-house at Westport by Rev. T. L. Fowler attended with some interest. In 1867, Mr. Fowler held Sunday service in Bartlett's Hall at Westport which was continued for three years, with so little suc- cess that it did not seem advisable to form a class, or take measures to organize a churchi, and preaching, at that time, was abandoned. In April, 1877, Mr. Fowler was employed to preach at West Swanzey and Westport on alternate Sundays in the Universalist meeting house, so generously tendered by the people of West Swanzey until the last Sunday in October after which the meetings were held in the school- house in Westport and the third service was held in the school-house in District No. 8 on Maple Hill.
As a result of these labors more than twenty persons made a profes- sion of faith, and on the 19th day of September, 1877, a class was formed and on July 3, 1878, a church was formed in accordance with the us- ages of the M. E. church by the officiating pastor, composed of the following members : Alexander Cuthbert, Nelson R. Cuthbert, Lucy J. Smith, Lizzie Faulkner, Emma A. Faulkner, Israel H. Gunn, Lydia M. Gunn, Sarah Read, Anna L. Read, Sarah B. Stephenson, Mary L. Holbrook, Jennie M. Holbrook, Mary J. Holbrook, Fannie E. Hol- brook, Emogene E. McClenning, Lucy C. Lakin, Nelson Collier and Susan Johnson.
The first report to the N. H. Annual Conference was submitted by Rev. T. L. Fowler April 9, 1879, at Plymouth, George J. Judkins, presiding elder. Statistics : number on probation, 12; members in full connection, 18; number of baptisms, 11; one Sunday School : teachers and officers, 8 ; scholars, 34. Mr. Fowler was appointed by the conference to supply for the ensuing year ending April 7, 1880.
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