USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire,1735-1905 > Part 27
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Dec. 7, 1758, the society bound themselves to build a meet- ing-house on the Rev. John Rand's lot, lying east of Jonathan Cram Jun. not exceeding forty rods from the southwest corner of sª lot. "Jonathan Cram, Benjamin Cram, and John John- son were chosen a committee to see that the aforesaid meeting- house is built, and to receive the particular sums which the signers for the said house shall bind themselves to pay," and this committee was instructed " to go on and build the house the first year from the date hereof, the galleries and ceiling over- head excepted."
This second meeting-house was built somewhere in the field east of the Dutton house, near the intersection of the roads, or north of that on the Boutwell place. The forty-rod limit would cover either location. We can find no record of the dimensions or general plan of this meeting-house. It was probably finished within the year named. Rev. Mr. Clark says, "it was occupied only about ten years and tradition says it was then moved nearer the centre, used as a dwelling-house and afterward burned."
March 1, 1762, at a meeting of the society it was "voted to ask for an incorporation of this township."
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March 5, 1764, at a meeting of the inhabitants of Lyndebor- ough, " voted to choose a committee to procure a charter of this township now called Lyndeborough " ; " voted John Stephen- son a committee to procure a charter."
For five years after the dismissal of Rev. John Rand the church was without a settled pastor. The pulpit was supplied by Rev. John Wyeth of Cambridge, and a call was extended to William Clark and to the Rev. Antipas Steward, but both de- clined the invitation.
After the incorporation of the town there seems to have been some question as to whether the proprietors would continue to assist in supporting the minister, and June 6, 1764, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, Jonathan Cram was chosen a committee to " treat with the proprietors of this township to see if they will continue to allow us money, whereby we may be en- abled to hire preaching."
It was about this time (1764) that there began to be dissatis- faction with the location of the meeting-house. Sept., 1764, this article was inserted in the warrant for a town meeting : " To see if the town will hold their meetings for public worship on the Sabbath so as to better accommodate the south corner of the town or otherways ease them of paying any charges toward the minister's board." The town voted to dismiss the article for the present. This was the beginning of a long controversy over the location of the proposed new meeting-house. The southeast corner of the town was granted preaching a quarter part of the time at Jacob Cram's house, known as the Har- wood place, where A. A. Melendy now lives. Those living north of the mountain, were, of course, very desirous of having the meeting-house as near as possible. After a large section of the town had been set off to form No. 2, or Wilton, it was con- tended by the inhabitants in the north part of the town that the house was not then in the centre of the township, and that if the town should build a new house it ought to be set further north. It was voted Dec. 12, 1765, to build a meeting-house on lot No. 69, said house to be fifty feet long and thirty feet wide and eighteen feet stud. This would be not far from where George E. Spalding now lives.
The inhabitants of Johnson's Corner and Bevin's Corner were not satisfied with this, and seventeen men signed a protest as follows : " that we do not yield or consent unto it for the reasons that followeth viz. we think the dimentions of the house are not
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properly given, but if they ware we are not able to defray the charges, besides we are of the opinion that the place is very in- commodious for setting a meeting-house, and that we are not able to settle and support a minister." The next year, July 21, 1766, it was "voted in order that the inhabitants of the most eastwardly part of this town cordially join with the other inhabi- tants of said town in settling the Gospel that the meeting-house be built about half way between where the meeting-house is fixed by the proprietors, and where the meeting-house now stands, that is before the door of Mr. Gould's house, where a heap of stones is this instant laid by the inhabitants of this town."
Rev. Frank G. Clark says, "The town-meeting was ad- journed long enough to erect this monument of their com- promise." But it is evident that all did not accept the compro- mise, for article 2 of a warrant for a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, March 5, 1768, reads as follows: "To see if the town will hear the petition of Josiah Dutton and others of the in- habitants of the westerly part of the town respecting setting the meeting-house so as to better accommodate them, than where the town has agreed to set it." The result of this meeting was the agreement to " leave it to a mutuil committee " chosen be- tween the petitioning party and the town to "fix the meeting- house." The members of this committee were Col. John Goff of Bedford, Col. Samuel Barr of Londonderry and Col. John Hale of Hollis. The church militant was evidently well represented by this committee. They decided that the spot last chosen by the town, where the "monumint" of rocks was erected, was the most suitable place, and here the meeting- house was built. It stood where the present town house now stands. Commenced in 1769, finished in 1772, it was used by the church and the town for sixty-five years and by the town for eight years more. Its dimensions were fifty feet long by forty feet wide and twenty-two feet stud.
The record of the disposal of the pews is as follows : March 14, 1769, " Voted that the pews shall be laid out and prized by a committee and that the highest 'payor of rates' shall have the refusal of the highest pew 'at the price,' and if it is not agreeable to him to take it at the price, the next highest payor shall have the same liberty, and that the money paid for the several pews shall be laid out in finishing the meeting-house."
The following description of this old church is from the pen
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of the late David C. Grant : " It had three grand entrances with double doors surmounted by heavy caps, like a roof with heavy cornices. It stood facing the south after the custom of the times, so as to be square with the sun at noon. The south door was covered by a porch about twelve by eighteen feet, with double flight of stairs leading to the galleries. This porch, like the house had three doors. The interior had a gallery on three sides. The singers were located in front of the pulpit. There were two or three rows of seats extending around the gallery, with free seats for men and boys on one side, and women and girls on the other, and many a meaning look and tender glance were exchanged in that holy place. Back of these free seats was a row of pews of the sheep pen pattern of those times, with seats around the sides. In the body of the church was one broad isle leading from the south entrance to the pulpit, and also a narrower one extending around the house, leaving a row of pews between it and the wall, raised about eight inches above the rest of the pews on the ground floor. The central part of the house had square pews with seats all around, so that the chil- dren and servants sat with their backs to the minister. All the pews were surmounted with a railing ten or fifteen inches above the panel work, sustained by spindles like the rounds of a mod- ern chair. The front seats were hung, not on golden hinges, and were usually turned up during prayer, when all the congre- gation stood. With the Amen down came the seats with an al- most deafening roar, like that of the firing of the old slam-bang infantry in the sham fight of muster. The pulpit was built high upon the centre of the north side with nice panel work painted to represent mahogany veneer. Pulpits in those days were built for such fiery speakers as John Knox, of whom it is said, 'er he hade done with his sermone was sae active and vigorous, that he was like to ding the pulpit in blades and flie out of it.' Be- neath the pulpit in front was the deacon's seat, partially hidden by a wooden screen, to which the communion table leaf was at- tached, which could be let down when not in use. Over the minister's head was the indispensable sounding-board, nearly round and several feet in diameter, looking like an inverted top ; and children used to wonder what would become of the minis- ter if it should fall upon his head."
Some time subsequent to 1845 this church edifice was sold to Jacob Butler, who tore it down and built a barn with its timbers.
While the church and town were settling the question of when and where to build a new meeting-house, they were also wrest- ling with the problem of getting a new minister to come and set- tle among them. The Rev. Antipas Steward had been given a call but had declined, and the pulpit was being supplied from time to time.
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Jan. 20, 1767, the people of the town voted to give Mr. Sewall Goodridge a call to settle with them "in the work of the minis- try of the congregational constitution." He declined this call and also a second, but accepted the third call with the proviso that he should be allowed to chose the two hundred acres which were to be given him as an inducement.
Letter of acceptance of Rev. Sewall Goodridge : -
To the Church and People of the town of Lyndeboro, greeting :
My Brethren and Friends
Dearly beloved in the Lord,
Having taken upon myself to preach the Gospel of Christ in the world, and in the course of Providence, was called to preach the word amongst you, my brethren in this town for some considerable time, during which time you saw fit to give me a legal invitation to settle with you in the work of the ministry, and after due consideration I was led to repeatedly decline the acceptation of your proposals. Nevertheless endeav- oring to surmount all difficulties that lay in the way, upon as- surance that your ardent and sincere desire that I should yet undertake the work of a gospel minister among you, I have in some measure affected the same, and thereupon gave you en- couragement, so far as that if you saw fit you might renew the invitation, which I perceive you have done by a scroll delivered me by your committee, elected for that purpose, and having considered of the same, with all the circumstances on the one hand and on the other, With respect to your offer I accept them as free and generous, though small, yet according to your ability. But as the Proprietors have not discovered that gener- osity which the Proprietors in other places have and commonly do in like case, neither is the settlement itself agreeable or suf- ficient to establish a Gospel minister in the character and in the comfortable circumstances in which such an one ought to live and be supported. I have thought fit to return you a condi- tional answer viz. that if the proprietors over and above the land already voted as an encouragement in the settlement, with the privilege of choosing the same, will advance as a farther encouragement in the settlement, a sum in money equal to what they now annually advance for supplying the pulpit, upon this consideration I accept of your and their proposals to settle with you in the work of the ministry. At the same time not without a sense of my own inability insufficiency and unworthiness. Begging your prayers for me whenever you approach the foot- stool of divine grace ; That God of his infinite mercy would be with me at all times ; That his grace might dwell within my heart ; That his spirit may lead and guide me in all truth, even as it is in Jesus Christ, which is according to Godliness; That his spirit may descend into my heart even as a spirit of truth and purity, integrity and uprightness ; That I may be enabled
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to see more and more of the excellency and amiableness of that religion which I myself profess, and which I shall or may from time to time communicate to others; That I may be made faith- ful and abundantly successfull to your souls and to the souls of all such as shall hear me; That I may be enabled to preach Christ and Him crucified, and rightly and sincerely divide the truths of the Holy scriptures, and administer the oricles of God unto you in the truth and purity of the same; That I may never be suffered to daub with untempered mortar, but that I may season with the true salt of the Holy Ghost. Finally that I may truly and sincerely administer the sacraments of the new testa- ment baptism and the Lord's supper, that I may be supported under every temptation, carried through all the difficulties and dangers of this life in the fear of God blameless, That I may be a blessing to the church of Christ and people in this place ; That the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon us, and we be mutual blessings to each other, while here and hereafter ; That we may be presented before Christ without spot or wrinkle and join the Church triumphant on high in sounding forth the praises of Almighty God and our Savior Jesus Christ forever and ever Amen. S. Goodridge.
Jan 1, 1768
Mr. Goodridge was ordained Sept. 7, 1768. He had been preaching in the town for some time previous. The council of ordination consisted of Rev. Zabdiel Adams of Lunenburg, Mass, Mr. Goodridge's former pastor, Rev. John Payson of Fitchburg, Mass., Rev. Nathaniel Merrill of Hudson, Rev. Daniel Wilkins of Amherst, Rev. Daniel Emerson of Hollis, Rev. Joseph Emerson of Pepperell, Rev. Stephen Farrar of New Ipswich, Rev. Jonathan Livermore of Wilton and the Rev. Joseph Kid- der of Nashua.
Rev. Mr. Clark in his Historical Address says of Mr. Good- ridge, "He was a liberty loving man, and when the coming storms of the Revolution began to lower, and the oppression of the mother country and the rights of men began to be dis- cussed all over the land, he and his people were not ignorant of these things, and both minister and people warmly espoused the cause of the colonies. In the second year of his pastorate, twenty-four united with the church, and there were additions almost every year for twenty years."
The arduous duties of his parish impaired the health of Mr. Goodridge and he resigned in 1806, but the town continued him in office and voted him an annuity of one hundred dollars while he lived. For a biographical sketch of Rev. Sewall Goodridge and the terms of his settlement see Genealogies.
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It may be well at this point to insert a list of the members of the church. As no record of some of these families can now be obtained, it will be valuable for reference and is of historical interest. The list in the old church record book is not dated, but after careful comparison of the dates of baptism, and ad- mission, we think it fairly correct of those who were admitted to the church previous to 1780.
Dea. Ephraim Putnam and Sarah his wife.
Dea. Benjamin Cram and Elizabeth his wife.
Jonathan Cram, Jr. and Mary his wife.
John Johnson and Mary.
Jacob Wellman and Jane his wife.
Adam Johnson and Abigail his wife.
James Johnson and Hannah his wife.
William Carson and Isabella his wife.
John Carkin and Elizabeth his wife.
Moses Stiles and Phebe his wife.
David Cram and Mary his wife.
David Stephenson and Elizabeth his wife.
John Stephenson and Abigail his wife.
Melchizedek Boffee and Sarah his wife.
Ephraim Powers and Lucy his wife.
John Kidder and Triphena his wife. Andrew Fuller and Mary his wife. Asahel Stiles and Sarah his wife.
Edward Spaulding and Elizabeth his wife.
Stephen Spaulding and Martha his wife.
Levi Spaulding and Anna his wife.
Jonas Kidder and Huldah his wife.
Joshua Hadley and Mary his wife.
William Barron and Olive his wife.
David Badger and Rachel his wife.
Robert Badger and Hannah his wife.
Eleazer Woodward and Hannah his wife. John Gould.
James Boutwell and Mary his wife.
Jacob Wellman, Jun. and Hannah his wife.
Joseph Wilkins, Jun. and Phebe his wife.
Nathan Person and Annie his wife.
Widow Eunice Carleton.
Widow Bevins.
Widow Eunice Wilkins. Widow Carson.
Beulah Holt wife of William Holt.
Mehitable Russell wife of Peter Russell.
Sarah Dutton wife of Benj. Dutton. Mary Stiles. Silena Gould.
Abigail Stephenson.
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Ephraim Putnam and Lucy his wife.
Ephraim Putnam 3rd and Rachel his wife.
Jonathan Chamberlain, Jr. and Margaret his wife.
George Pearson and Elizabeth his wife. Benjamin Cram, Jr. and Olive his wife.
John Row and Mary his wife.
Osgood Carleton and Lydia his wife.
Timothy Carleton and Rachel his wife.
Samuel Hutchinson and Bethy his wife.
Joel Manwell and Phebe his wife.
Thomas Boffee and Sarah his wife.
Francis Epes and Mary his wife.
Samuel Houston and Rachel his wife.
Nathan Fisher.
Jonathan Chamberlain and Elizabeth his wife.
Benjamin Jones and Jemima his wife.
Thomas Person.
Jonathan Pearsons, Jr.
Aaron Lewis.
John Boffee and wife.
Nathaniel Bachelder.
Amos Pearson and wife.
Peter Clark.
Daniel Cram and wife.
James Punchard.
Israel Day and wife.
Nathan Cram and Rachel his wife.
Robert Day and wife. William Blunt and wife.
John Stiles and wife.
John Clark and wife.
Jonathan Holt and wife.
John Smith, Jr. and wife.
Ephraim Kidder and wife.
Phillip Fletcher and wife.
John Kidder, Jr. and wife.
Uriah Cram and wife.
John Hutchinson.
Daniel Herrick and wife.
Benj. Lewis and wife.
Joseph Bachelder and wife.
Stephen Farnum and wife.
Ephraim Abbott and wife.
John Hartshorn and wife.
Jonathan Whittemore and wife.
Thomas Hutchinson and wife.
Jotham Blanchard and wife.
Hannah Haggett.
James Persons and wife.
Huldah Cram.
Solomon Cram.
John Cram, Jr. and wife.
Jonathan Pearsons and wife.
In reading the old records of the church in Lyndeborough one is impressed with the amount of space taken up in recording the complaints, the dissensions, the church trials of its members. To the church in those days, or to the pastor, were brought the misunderstandings among the people of the town for settlement, or the church members for discipline. Rev. Mr. Clark in his Historical Address has this to say on the subject : " If the his- torian should estimate a church from the standpoint of its rec- ords simply, he would gain a very wrong impression of its charac- ter and work, for a record is made of all dissensions and difficul- ties, but nothing is said of the years of prosperity. The church in Lyndeborough was not alone in having occasions for discipline.
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The men of those times had strong will power. They had to contend with almost insurmountable difficulties in establishing homes for themselves. The times developed a rugged inde- pendence and individuality of character, and it was not strange that some sparks of fire should fly when such flint and steel came in contact. But the spirit of their Master had a wonder- ful power over their lives, and when they found themselves wax- ing warm in debate, or troubled by each other's faults, they sought advice of neighboring churches, and were prompt to make suitable confession if rebuked by their councillor."
The following extracts from the records of the church will doubtless be of interest to many. There is an undeniable charm in their quaintness, at all events.
April 10, 1769, " After debate voted and chose Andrew Ful- ler, Osgood Carleton, and William Barron to take care and set the Psalm in Lyndeborough."
May 3, 1770, it was " Voted that whereas the difficulty that now labors in the chh. and congregation is such that it is thought by many nescessary that the heads of families have a voice with the chh. in the business of the day, provided they submit to the order of the chh : The case put and passed in the affirmative."
May 2, 1771, the society " voted that there be provided at the expense of the church one 'Flaggon ' two platters and four cups, and a new table cloth for the service of the table of the Lord, and that there be one shilling Lawful raised upon the heads of every family that are members of the church for the above purpose."
Before this vote was carried into effect, however, David Lewis and others, and John Gould presented the church with the larger part of a communion service, and in 1774 Benjamin Lynde presented the remainder.
April 3, 1778, it is recorded " to see if the chh. will consult anything about the singing in the house of God on Lords day, as there are several persons uneasy about the same."
As a result of this consultation Daniel Cram was chosen as- sistant chorister ; and it may be added that that uneasy feeling has pervaded the church more or less to this present day.
Sept. 9, 1778, "Voted and chose Mr. Francis Epes, Dea. David Badger, Capt. Jacob Wellman, Capt. Peter Clark, Capt. William Barron, Andrew Fuller, Esq., Mr. Nathan Person and Capt. John Stephenson a committee to consider, review, and make
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a new Draught of the Chh. Covenant, if they see proper and lay the same before the Chh."
This committee attended to its duties and presented a new draught of the covenant, which was accepted by the church.
Aug., 1779, " Agreed by a great majority of the church that every member stand or sit, as they may think it convenient at time of singing in Public Devotion in Lords day."
Rev. Mr. Goodrich himself did not escape trouble in the church. At a meeting of the church held Jan., 1785, one of the members presented charges against him, much to the surprise (it is recorded) of every one present. These charges were :
First. "I apprehend I can point out some particular times when liquor or strong drink has a different and 'unexpected effect ' with Rev. Mr. Sewall Goodridge to me and others as well as Mr. Goodridge himself according to his acknowledge- ment to the chh on the fourth of Nov. last."
Second. "I apprehend ye Mr. Sewall Goodridge is charge- able with disregarding ye truth in ye matter of moving ye fence belonging to ye heirs of Dea David Badger Decd."
Third. "I apprehend the pastor chargeable with unfaithful- ness as to his word and promises in dealing with others."
At the adjourned meeting of the church Mr. Goodridge an- swered the complaint as follows : -
Art. I. "Though I have never been drunk with strong liquor yet I have perceived it to have at particular times a differ- ent effect from what I expected, but cannot allow by any means, I am become a slave to it."
2ª. "I know not even the color of a disregard for truth, though there was a contradiction."
3ª. " I have never knowingly made a promise but I have either fulfilled or endeavored to fulfill it unless Providence shut the door by disappointment."
The church dismissed the complaint, and the complainant ad- mitted " that matters did not appear to him in such an aggravat- ed light as when he exhibited the complaint," at the same time expressing the most cordial affection and satisfaction.
Again we quote from Mr. Clark's address ; "The highest out- ward respect was paid to the Christian ministry in those days. When the pastor approached the church on the Sabbath the people parted to the right and left, while the minister and his wife passed between, both parties politely exchanging civilities. When the services closed in church not an individual left his
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pew until the minister left the pulpit and passed down the aisle."
For two or three years the church was without a settled min- ister, and on Aug. 1, 1811, a call was extended to the Rev. Nathaniel Merrill. His favorable answer is dated Sept. 22, 18II. Before this, however, the church extended a call to Mr. Jesse Fisher of Princeton, but there is no further record. They also invited Rev. Jaazaniah Crosby of Hebron to settle with them, but the council refused to settle him because of unsound- ness in theology, and this council was the cause of much trouble to the church and of some bittterness among a few of its mem- bers. They tried to get Abraham Randall of Stow, Mass., but he wanted to be furnished twelve cords of good, hard, dry wood yearly. This condition the town would not accept.
Rev. Mr. Merrill was ordained Oct. 30, 1811, and the churches and pastors invited to assist were Rev. Elijah Parish, D. D., Byfield, Mass .; Rev. Isaac Braman of Rowley, Mass .; Rev. James W. Woodward of Norwich, Vt .; Rev. Jeremiah Barnard of Amherst; Rev. Ebenezer Hill of Mason ; Rev. Thomas Beede of Wilton, and Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford of New Boston.
It is somewhat difficult to estimate the value of the services of Mr. Merrill to the church and to the town at this late day. Almost a century has passed since his pastorate began. Tra- ditions tell and the records show that his long pastorate was an eminently successful one. The conditions of life in his parish were very different from what they were when the Rev. Sewall Goodridge was ordained. Sixty or more years had wrought great changes in the community. The vexatious question of the location of the meeting-house had been long settled, and the people had a church home suitable for their needs. The rude houses of the early times had been replaced by comfortable framed buildings. He had a united church to welcome his coming and he certainly justified their choice by heartily enter- ing into the work of building up the church ; and by the gentle and kind way of performing the duties of a country minister, he soon endeared himself to the townspeople.
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