The history of Weare, New Hampshire, 1735-1888, Part 38

Author: Little, William, 1833-1893. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Lowell, Mass., Printed by S. W. Huse & Co.
Number of Pages: 1240

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Weare > The history of Weare, New Hampshire, 1735-1888 > Part 38

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The first town-house was getting old in 1832. It was in an out-of- the-way place, and the location was not satisfactory to any section of the town. Those in the north part wanted it at Weare Center, and those in the south, at the four corners by James Wallace's store, near Meadow brook.

The subject was brought up in town-meeting, and after some de- bate, Tristram Eaton was chosen an agent to see what encourage- ment can be had to build a new town-house near Jesse Cram's at the Center, and Amos W. Bailey another to see what can be had to build one near Wallace's store at South Weare. What report they made is not recorded.

In the meantime the Universalists in the north part of the town, as has been told, were greatly in need of a meeting-house. After much discussion and deliberation they concluded that it would be cheapest and best to build one in connection with a new town- house. So in 1837 they had an article inserted in the warrant for town-meeting to see if the town will vote to build one on land of William Hardy, near the school-house at the Center, with the priv- ilege of having a story added, free from expense to the town, for public purposes. At the meeting Hiram Simons, Squire Gove and Ephraim Leighton were chosen a committee to ascertain the con- ditions on which a site can be obtained, also to make a plan, estimate the cost and collect any other information they may think proper, and report at the next meeting, or at a special meeting to be called for the purpose. They acted promptly, and April 17th, reported in favor of building a town-house, on the Hardy land, to be given

TOWN- HOUSE AND UNIVERSALIST MEETING-HOUSE.

333

BUILDING A NEW TOWN-HOUSE.

1837.]

by John Whittle, the present owner, with a story added for a meeting-house ; to be forty by sixty feet in size, and to cost about $1000. The town accepted the report, voted to build the house, and chose Hiram Simons, Simon P. Colby* and Daniel Paige, building committee. They were instructed to give public notice that they would receive proposals to do the work, the lowest bidder to have the contract, he to give a bond that it should be done in a workmanlike manner, by Nov. 1, 1837, and to have the old town- house to work into the new building.

Two town-meetings were called to reconsider the above action, but the committee hastened, tore down the old house and removed the lumber to the new site, and then the town voted at the first meeting not to reconsider, and at the second to dissolve the meeting.

The house was finished in the time specified, the meeting-house, with fifty-two pews, was built in the story above it, and a bell with sweet tone was put in the steeple. But in 1838 the town voted not to hire Enoch Gove nor any one else to ring it.

In 1841 the town decided not to have a stove and funnel in the town-house, and that the clerk should not open the house except for town purposes. A special meeting was held Nov. 27th, to re- consider the above, but the town adhered to its action. In 1843, voted not to put a stove in the town-house, but chose Hiram Simons agent to take care of the house and voted that he might open it for all moral and religious purposes. In 1844 the town re- fused to have a stove. But in 1845 the friends of a stove succeeded.

* HON. SIMON PERKINS COLBY, son of Samuel and Lucy ( Perkins) Colby, was born in Weare, Aug. 21, 1797. He had simply a common-school education ; labored on his father's farm till his majority, when he bought the farm in South Weare, where Hiram H. Gove now lives, and there resided till his decease. He was a man of fine personal appearance, of commanding presence, was a good conversationalist, and a fair public speaker. He was popular with his townsmen, and received much public office at their hands. They elected him moderator of the annual town-meeting eleven times; selectman eight years, and he served as representative to the General Court six sessions. He was for seven years, 1833-40, one of the side judges of the court of common pleas, his duties being nearly the same as those performed by the county commissioners at the present time. He was elected to the New Hampshire senate in 1842 and 1843. In politics he wasa democrat, was a good debater, and often went with Hon. John L. Hadley, to Clinton Grove lyceum, to discuss political ques- tions with Moses A. Cartland, Hon. William H. Gove and others. He took a great interest in the prosperity of his town, was often appointed agent for the transaction of its business, and was one of the committee of three to build the present town- house. For many years he was the clerk of the Freewill Baptist church, and was afterwards a member of the Universalist society.

Mr. Colby married, first, Betsey Wood, Dec. 31, 1818. They had six children : Hannah W., Julia, Eliza Jane, Betsey, Lucy Ann and Susan M. Colby.

Second, Louisa Bartlett, by whom he had two children : Franklin Pierce and Har- vey G. Colby.

Mr. Colby died of heart disease Oct. 9, 1844. He attended court at Amherst that day, came home, said he was unwell, lay down on the bed, and in a few minutes expired.

334

HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

[1805.

At the annual meeting it was voted that the town furnish a stove and funnel for the town-house, that the selectmen get it, and that Hiram Simons be the agent to procure the fuel for it. They also voted to open the house as before.

The house was kept in good repair, but in time the citizens came to feel that it was a little old-fashioned. In 1880 Albert B. Johnson, Oliver D. Sawyer and Amos J. Stoning were chosen a committee to remodel it at an expense of $325. They took out the old benches and the sloping spruce floor, and put in a level one of Georgia pine, furnished comfortable settees in place of the hard plank seats and made many other improvements. The house is a credit to the town, and the hall is often rented for moral and religious purposes and affords a considerable income.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE ANTIPEDOBAPTISTS.

THIS church began a new record Aug. 26, 1805. It recites the "unhappy schism" which arose, tells how a number together with the church clerk went out from them and assumed the name of the " Antipedo-Free-Will Baptist Society," and narrates how they car- ried off the old church book of records, which prevents the giving of a fair account of what formerly took place.

The staunch Calvinists, who did not go over to the new society with the long name, united in a conference at Weare on the above date, with elders and brethren from sister churches. There were present Elders Job Seamans, of New London; Isaiah Stone and Thomas Paul; Dr. John Whipple and Bros. John Adams, Isaac Bartlett, Benjamin Nichols and S. Dalton. They "met at their meeting-house to confer upon things pertaining to the kingdom of God."

They chose Elder Seamans moderator and Isaac Bartlett clerk. Elder Stone and Jonathan Philbrick were made a committee to open and bring up to view the present existing difficulties in the church. The conference heard all that was to be said and unanimously agreed that their articles of faith and covenant are in accordance with the Scriptures, and that they would view and fellowship those brethren

335

THE ANTIPEDOBAPTISTS.

1805.

and sisters who adopt them, as the church of Christ in this place. They earnestly exhorted our church to walk together in love and use all the means appointed in the Word of God to maintain, defend and propagate this doctrine of the gospel. The conference also earnestly exhorted those brethren and sisters who are not satisfied with the articles of faith and the covenant to search the Scripture and see this doctrine therein revealed and cordially embrace it, and that they walk with their brethren in that union and love that will dis- tinguish them as the disciples of Christ.

But they could not save Jonathan Philbrick and his adherents, who went away to the Antipedo Freewill Baptists.

The steadfast members* signed the articles of faith and the cove- nant, voted to unite with the Warren association in Rhode Island and appointed brother Samuel Marsh as messenger. They chose brother Moses Wood church clerk and deacon, and during the next six years had for preachers Elders Isaiah Stone, Otis Robinson, Henry Veasey and William Herrick, although none of these were settled. Elder Ezra Wilmarth, from Rumney, came to Weare in 1812. He baptized one, gave the right hand of fellowship to another and preached with unction to the acceptance of all the people. So much were they pleased with him, they gave him a call to become their pastor, and voted that Elder Isaiah Stone, at the installation, give him the right hand of fellowship, preach a lecture on the occasion and bestow on him the pastoral charge of the church.

Elder Wilmarth had the reputation of being a strong man intel- lectually, a good sermonizer and the equal if not the superior of any minister who ever lived in Weare. He preached in town several years; the church flourished; many were added, and Tristram Barnard of Barnard hill was chosen deacon. But about 1817 he had trouble with a few of the brethren. Then he wished to be dismissed to become the pastor of the church in Milford. He made his request

* Members of the Antipedobaptist church in Weare in 1805 and later years, who signed the covenant, etc. :-

" Ebenezer Bailey, Jonathan Atwood, Moses Wood, Samuel Marslı, Mary Gale,

Abigail Woodbury,

Polly Tenny,

Sary Atwood, Sary Richards,

Abiah Straw,

Moses Huse, Benjamin Tuttle, Isaac Farrah, Mary Cram,

Mary Atwood, St. Goodwin, Betsey Whyman,

John Tuxbury, Hannah Currier,

Mehitable Belcher,

John Richards,

Polly Taylor, fanny feaver,

Meriam Sargeant, Jane Swicher,

Rebekah Kill,

Asa Smiley,

Susannah Emerson,

Dolly Tuxbury,

Mehitable Currier,

Hepsibah Wood,

Abigail Huse,

patty Stickny,

Dolly Atwood,

William Herreck, Samuel Eastman,

Mary kimball,

Joseph Noyes, Sarah Mo (?),

Wells Currier, Betty Bailley,

Hannah Sargeant, Polly Belsher, Mehitable Atwood, Mary Baset, Mehitable Toy, oth- erwise Hadley,

Sally Winn,

Benjm. Goodane,

Hannah Simmons, Sarah Dow."

Sister Wheelar,

336

HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

[1811.

in writing, but the church refused to grant it, and he only got it by making a humble confession. He acknowledged that he had been precipitate about removing from Weare; that he had told his trials with the brethren to outsiders and that he had expressed his appro- bation to those things which Mr. Buzzell, the pastor of the Freewill Baptists, had delivered in public to the grief of his brethren. He also felt it his duty to state that it was not the church as a body that drove him from Weare. He closed by saying, "I think I sincerely lament that I have been in these things the occasion of injuring the cause of religion in the order to which I belong."

The minister was humbled, the church was pleased, and he at once got his dismission. His wife and Miss Jane Switcher were also dis- missed to go with him. The record says, "thus God was upheld and the blessed cause of the Lord Jesus Christ not brought to grief."

Our church, as we have said, first joined the Warren association of Rhode Island. Aug. 25, 1811, they were dismissed to the Boston association, and in 1818 they asked to be dismissed from the last to form a new Salisbury association in New Hampshire.

The Baptist association of ministers and messengers was held once a year or oftener in various parts of the state. It met in Weare September, 1813. The citizens provided for it with great liberality. Oct. 14th they chose Tristram Barnard and Abraham Morrill the deacons, "a committee to report at the next Monthly Conference what expense Bros. S. Baily and J. Woodbury was at for Liquor at the association." When the amount was reported the bill was promptly paid. It was customary for each church to prepare and send a letter every year to the association. In 1822 they had one written which was read to the church. " Voted to send it after spunging some parts of it."

After Elder Wilmarth left, the church extended a call to Elder John B. Gibson. May 6, 1818, a council met at the house of widow Abigail Woodbury. There were present, " Elder Otis Robinson with Chosen Brethren and Elder Stone with Chosen Brethren and Elder Henary Veaszey with Chosen Brethren." Elder Robinson was moderator, Elder Veazey clerk, and they examined Elder Gibson concerning his hope, his call to the ministry and particularly his call to this place as a pastor and teacher. The council were satisfied ; all proceeded to the meeting-house, where Elder Robinson delivered a sermon on the occasion, and Elder Gibson was set apart as pastor of the church.

"/ l

M.W.MERRICK.

RAYMOND CAVE.

337

ELDER WILMARTH RECALLED.

1824.]

Elder Gibson was popular; he ran well for a season, he preached good sermons, he was powerful in prayer and strong in exhortation, he made some converts and baptized a goodly number, seven one year and thirteen another; but, alas! he had one failing, he loved strong drink. Aug. 16, 1819, a committee was chosen "to inquire into some stories that are in circulation concerning Elder Gibson's being intoxicated with spirituous liquor." They reported favorably for the elder, and the church voted that they " can see no cause of grief with him at present." Then they thought something should be prepared to be read in public concerning it, and the committee interviewed John Worthly, who "said he worked with the Elder the day he was reported intoxicated, and that he did not see him drink anough to hirt a child ten years old and that he did not think or mis- trust that the said Elder was the worse for liquor." And then they thought every thing was right and their pastor fully exonerated.

But it did not prove so. Elder Gibson could not carry the load; "he said he had got a wound," he " wished to go on the exchange business," and he asked for his dismission, which the church quietly gave him.

In 1824 the church extended a call to their old pastor, Elder Wilmarth. He came back, was very popular and labored with great success. He preached half the time at the north meeting-house and the other half at the south. His sermons were excellent, but some- times they seemed to burn blue. He pictured the awful punish- ments of hell, the terrible companionship of devils, and the literal roasting of bodies of flesh over a brimstone fire through all eternity. John Emerson tells how he went with other boys to hear him preach at the north meeting-house. They were terribly frightened at what he said. Coming home down the Piscataquog they met that old Revolutionary hero and story-teller, Jacob Carr, and with fear and trembling told him of the dreadful fate which Elder W. said awaited them. Jacob did not believe in such things, and with a twinkle in his eye he said, " Don't be afeered, boys, don't be afeered, if any thing happens, I have got a cave up on my hill where I can hide ye so safe that all the devils in hell can't find ye." Emerson said he was completely reassured by Carr and went home perfectly happy.

Elder Wilmarth remained as long as he thought he could be use- ful and then asked for a letter to go to Rowley. The church grant- ed it and chose a committee to settle with him at the rate of three hundred dollars a year.

338

HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

[1827.

Elder Joseph Davis was the] next pastor. He came April 17, 1827. He found the church on the flood tide of success. It had one hundred and eighteen members on its rolls, also a great society ; and the world's people turned out in large numbers to hear its gospel preached. Among the constant attendants was "Eddard " Flanders, who had a small house on the road to the mountain and lived on berries, nuts and what he could earn swingling flax for his neighbors. He arrayed himself in a peculiar manner, wearing a calico garment of bright, gay colors something like a surplice, a soft felt hat turned up at the sides, trimmed with a rainbow ribbon and bright, gleaming buckle. In the audience he looked like a sweet bouquet of roses and sunflowers. Elder Davis labored with the church some over three years, and for a time was the church clerk.

June 2d, Cleveland Cross was made one of the deacons, under Elder Davis.

But it was during his pastorate that our church got its death- blow. United they were strong, and the interest of the church funds furnished nearly money enough to support preaching. But the members at the north were ambitious to form a society of their own, and Nov. 2, 1829, fifteen were dismissed for that purpose .* A few weeks later three more were dismissed,t and then from time to time others went till nearly half the church was gone.

Our old church never had a settled pastor again. Rev. John At- wood administered the ordinance a few times about 1830, and had the pleasure of welcoming into the fold Benjamin Tuttle, who had left the Freewill Baptists. But they lost more than they got; many went away to the second church at East Weare, and in 1833 they had to expel Sally Richards, Jesse Cram, Levi Currier and his wife, because they had changed their belief and did not travel with the church.

Their sky brightened somewhat in 1834, and Elder Nathan Chapman, the pastor at East Weare, preached for them about half the time, and baptized a goodly number. This year they organized a temperance society. It did great good, improved public morals

* They were -

William Hoit and wife, John Barnard,

Philip Cilley and wife, Hannah Eaton,

Saralı Cilley,

Eleasor Hoyt and wife, Louisa Hoyt.

Hannah Eaton, Jr., Abigail Straw,

David Cross,

John Hoyt and wife,

t Nov. 24, Oliver Barnard and wife, Betsey Morgan; June 13, 1830, Abigail Favour, Hannah Collins ; June 25, Nancy Barnard, Polly Barnard.

339

CONTENTION IN THE ANTIPEDOBAPTIST CHURCH.

1835.]

and promoted civilization. But it begat an ill feeling among the old cider-guzzlers and hard drinkers.

Elder Lewis E. Caswell made them an occasional visit in 1835. With him they sat down to the table of the Lord, and by his help they had a revival; several being baptized. These were spots of sunshine.

But they had many opportunities for glorious work, although they called them "tryals. "

Brother Jacob Bailey revolted, like one of Milton's angels. He told them frankly what was the trouble : Dea. Cleveland Cross had not treated Dr. Nathan Howard well about the singing and had also treated Elder Joseph Davis badly before he left. Brother Jacob was dropped.

Brother Samuel Colby brought grief by running after a strange sect called Osgoodites. He loved to indulge with them "in a holy roll," not being particular as to the place, thereby dirtying his clothes and exciting the smiles of wicked blasphemers. The church with scorn in every eye withdrew the right hand of fellowship from him. In time he got over his craze, came back, repented, confessed and was restored.

Brother Abner Hoyt used profane language and worked on the Sabbath, which the church considered highly criminal. "He went out."

In 1836 Elder Sewell G. Kenney preached for them a few times and gave them great comfort, and Elder Caswell baptized several for them.

Elder Ferdinand Ellis preached in 1837 a few Sabbaths. During his ministration brother Simon P. Colby, the church clerk, was turned out. "He had absented himself for a long time, embraced and supported sentiments repugnant to the gospel, thereby wound- ing the cause of religion." He also "had done worldly business on the Sabbath and wounded the feelings of his Christian friends." The church voted unanimously to withdraw the hand of fellowship from him. Abraham Morrill, an old church clerk, was chosen in his stead, but a pillar of the church was gone.

Several were dismissed to other churches in 1838; in 1839 there is no record, and in 1840 a second pillar was removed. Dea. Cleveland Cross had neglected his duties and promoted another order of people, and he had to go. This year Abraham Morrill pre- pared the letter to the association; Simeon Nichols and Samuel Phil-

340

HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

[1805.

brick were the messengers to carry it. In 1841 clerk Abraham Morrill made no record.

Elder Caleb Brown was with them part of the time in 1842. He helped celebrate the Lord's supper, but baptized none, and none were received. Simeon Nichols prepared the letter to the associa- tion ; Elder Brown and Abraham Morrill were the messengers.

In 1843 the church was very feeble ; it was dying. Feb. 3d, Sister Mary Emerson was dismissed to the church in Manchester. Aug. 30th, they met to diagnose the case. They chose Elder Sewell G. Kenney moderator, and Abraham Morrill clerk. After due consid- eration they concluded there was no hope. They voted that the clerk give all the members of this church, in good standing ( there were twenty-seven members ),* letters to join some other church of the same order by their request; that brother Simeon Nichols dispose of the "Communion Ware" at the best interest to the church, in his judgment, and that this church be dissolved in two weeks from this date. Then they adjourned forever. Thus died the first Antipedobaptist church in Weare.

CHAPTER XL.

SCHOOLS.

THE state made a law in 1805 to divide towns into school dis- tricts, and empowered them to raise money to build school-houses. At the annual town-meeting, held March 11, 1806, Weare chose a committee of fourteen citizens "to make a new arrangement of

* STATISTICS-1805 TO 1843.

Recognized.

Dismissed 63

Added by baptism.

125

Excluded.

Received by letter.

Dropped. 32

Restored.

Died . 46

Disbanded 27

192

They had at one time a Sabbath school with twenty to fifty scholars, and a library of about one hundred and twenty volumes. In 1825 they had a female society that paid $8 81 into the church treasury.

Ministers during this period, transient and settled : -

Isaiah Stone. 1805 | Ezra Wilmarth.

1812 | Nathan Chapman. .. 1832

George Evens. 1805

John B. Gibson 1817

Lewis E. Caswell .. .1835

Samuel Marsh (?). .1805

Ezra Wilmarth. .1824

Sewell G. Kenney. .1836

Otis Robinson .. .1807

Joseph Davis 1827

Ferdinand Ellis .1837

Henry Veasey.

.1808

John Atwood .1830

Caleb Brown. 1842

William Herrick .1811

SCHOOL-HOUSE AT NORTH WEARE.

341

SCHOOLS.

1806.]

School Destricts threw the town." They at once acted and made . their report* at a special meeting, March 18th. By it the town was divided into thirteen districts, commencing in the north-west corner, and ending at the Center Square. The town voted to accept the

* REPORT, MARCH 18, 1806.

" A new arangement of Destricting the town of weare, for the purpose of School- ing don by a Committee Chosen at the anual meeting on the Eleventh day of march 1806 Pursuant to an act Given forth to regulate the same-

" Pursuant to appointment we have destricted Town of Weare as follows-

"Northwest Corner Destrict Nº 1 Taking Samuel Purinton, Amos Johnson the Widdow Peaslee, thence Easterly to the East side of the farm formerly Occupied by Paul Dustin, including all within that Compass, also Col Caldwell, and Daniel Paige, "The Paige Destrict Nº 2 Beginning at the east side of the Dustin farm before mentioned thence Easterly to the East side of John Paiges land toward Shuger hill including all with that Compass with the addition of Benja Felch James Brown, and Joseph Jones -

" Shuger Hill Destrict Nº 3 Beginning at the East side of John Paiges, land, thence Easterly to Dunbarton line thence Northerly by Days to hopkinton line thence nortli- erly by Peter Eatons to Hopkinton line thence northerly by Colo Fifields, to Hopkin- ton line to Include all with that Compass Also Jabez Folsh Jonathan Folsh Humphrey Eaton and Son Thomas Evans and Son Benja Cilley and Son,

" School Hill Destrict Nº 4 Beging at Ezekiel Carr thence Easterly by John Cilleys Jun thence Northerly to Doe Cilleys thence Southerly to the Meeting house thence Easterly to take Thomas Raymond thence by Benj Goodens southwesterly to Jona Cilleys thence from Benj Goodens Northerly to the Road that leads to Dunbarton to Benj Cilleys to Include all within that Compass also Thomas Emerson

" Hoits Destrict Nº 5 Beginning at the Northerly Side of Joseph Huses land thence Southerly to Edmund Barnard thence Easterly and Northerly to Thomas Raymond thence Northerly from said Barnards to Capt Melvins thence from John Favors to Jonathan Emerson Westerly to David Lulls and John Huntington to Include all with- in that Compass with the addition of Benj Marshall

" Melvin Destrict Nº 6 Beginning at Thomas Follonsbee Southerly to Benj Gales westerly to Jonathan Jones thence Northerly to Daniel Emerson and David Richard- son to the westerly Side of Esqr Robies lott of Jand Lying in said Destrict, to include all within that Compass with the addition of Moses Emerson, -

" Worthly Destrict Nº 7 Beginning at Capt Thomas Worthly thence westerly and northerly to Theodor Crosses thence westerly to the Widdow Woodburys to Daniel Giles thence Easterly from Ichabod Eastman by Moses Woods to Samuel Eastman to John Favour Jur to include all within that Compass with the addition of Philip Sar- gent

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The history of Weare, New Hampshire, 1735-1888, Part 38

Author: Little, William, 1833-1893. cn Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Lowell, Mass., Printed by S. W. Huse & Co. Number of Pages: 1240

Author: Little, William, 1833-1893. cn
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Lowell, Mass., Printed by S. W. Huse & Co.
Number of Pages: 1240