USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire,1735-1905 > Part 32
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Edmond Perkins, for the Committee
The Society's Committee acquiesce in this report.
N. Boutwell, for said Committee.
On the same day the "Bond" embodying these specifications was given and signed by the Committee of the First Congregational Ortho- dox Society.
Nehemiah Boutwell Joseph Jones David Woodward
The whole proceeding was duly recorded by Israel Herrick, town clerk.t
In accordance with this action of the town and societies in Sept., 1835, it was voted at the annual meeting, March 8, 1836, +" That the ministerial fund be distributed to each town-inhabitant in proportion to his poll and estate by orders drawn on the Treasurer by the Selectmen at their discretion."
This seems to have been acceptable to all parties interested in the ministerial fund.
When the matter was first broached of giving to those who differed in "religious sentiments " from Rev. Nathaniel Mer- rill, their equal proportion of the interest of the public minis- terial fund, in 1821, the idea seemed somewhat novel; and the town voted very wisely, to refer it to the selectmen, to act agree- able to the charter. It began, then, to be common for the selectmen to receive such notices as follows : "This may cer- tify that I differ in religious opinion from the Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, and object to you or your successors in office hereafter taxing my poll or estate towards the support of preaching in this town." § These shafts seemed to be pointed at the person, Mr. Merrill, rather than at the principle, which of course he represented. The records indicate, first, a reluctance of the town towards dividing the ministerial fund; then, later, a dis- position to make some concession in regard to it; and finally, a vote to grant fully the petition of those dissenting in religious views and sentiments from the majority.
* T. R. IV, p. 247, + T. R. IV, pp. 251 and 252.
Į T. R. IV, p. 263. § Invoice Book 1809-1822. Last written page.
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
When men began to take advantage of the law which per- mitted them to pay their ministerial taxes towards the support of any minister in town, whom they preferred, an inquiry in the warrant for town meeting, May 17, 1819, "to see whether the town will exempt any persons from paying toward the support of the Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, the present year," was answered by a vote of the town, "that the Selectmen exempt all those persons " from paying to his support, "who are exempt by law."
DISTINCTION BETWEEN CHURCH AND TOWN.
In the year 1819, * two members of the Congregational church had for some cause been excommunicated, and felt aggrieved and wronged by the action of both church and pas- tor. They attempted to get the proceedings of the church, in their case, reviewed, but failed to elicit any response in regard to the matter from either pastor or people. They then sought to call a council, either mutual or ex parte, but in this both pastor and church treated them with the same disregard as before.
They next petitioned the selectmen to call a town meeting. This was done, and the meeting so far sympathized with their wish as to vote to join with them in calling a council. The day was set for the meeting. Letters of invitation had been sent to divines in Massachusetts as well as to some in neighbor- ing parishes.
But another town meeting was called to review the action of the last one. By this a committee was chosen to ascertain what expense had been thus far incurred in regard to the proposed council. The committee reported that "the bills were so various and scattering," that it was difficult to ascertain what sums had been expended. But as the expenses were probably increasing, they thought it "advisable for the town to take measures to prevent their growing to a larger sum."
At this report the meeting grew noisy and disorderly, and the town clerk, Daniel Putnam, Esq., adjourned the meeting, and left his seat. But on the persuasion of some friends he resumed his place ; order was restored, and the meeting passed the fol- lowing votes :
I. To dismiss the committee chosen at the last Town-meeting from any further duties in their office ; and
2. To choose a committee to inform those invited to attend an ex parte council, that the town has no business to lay before them."
* T. R. III, p. 284.
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ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS
It is little to be wondered at, that the aggrieved party should think the town entitled to interfere in their case. So intimate had been the connexion between the town and the church that the boundaries separating them were not clearly and unmis- takably perceived by the citizen of only ordinary intelligence. The town had built the meeting-house, was taxed for its main- tenance and support, for the salary of its pastor, and had the supervision and trusteeship of its ministerial lands and of the income derived from them. Why should not the town inter- pose if one of its taxable inhabitants feels himself wronged by the acts of church and pastor? Why not join with an ag- grieved person in calling a council to act as an impartial arbiter in the difficulty ? The question may be more easily presented than decided, among those trained under a practical union of church and state. It was fortunate for the town that at that juncture, she had some citizens who perceived that the town as such, had no proper right or authority to meddle with the in- ternal affairs of the church; and that those citizens extricated themselves and all concerned, so speedily and effectually from a disagreeable and perhaps protracted ecclesiastical tangle, by informing those who had been invited to attend a council, that "the town had no business to lay before them." The knot was cut, and the ends were allowed to straighten of their own accord.
SETTLING ACCOUNTS WITH PASTOR.
The depreciation of the national currency in war time, as well as the disturbance connected with the agitation in the northwest part of the town, complicated the situation very considerably for the pastor, Rev. Sewell Goodridge, and added both to his work and worry. There were two points on which he seemed to expect somewhat more in the way of pecuniary consideration ; namely, his loss by depreciation of currency, and also his extra labors in that part of Lyndeborough which was in a turmoil to be incorporated as Greenfield. His people felt that they were common sufferers in the depreciation ; and they understood that he had consented with them to render freely his service to that portion of his flock living in the northwest of the town, bearing with the inconveniences which resulted from the truce on which they had agreed. A settlement was effected in 1793, the record of which need not be spread here. The differences of view, through mutual kindness and forbearance, were measurably har- monized and a full and satisfactory conclusion reached, while
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mutual friendship and respect were preserved and became permanent.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE.
Most of the people in those days were accustomed to attend- ing church. On Sunday mornings the roads would be filled with people on their way to the sanctuary, and the church used often to be filled to overflowing.
Such a condition of things reflects dishonor on our own times of disregard for church attendance, and devotion to de- basing worldly pleasures on the sacred day. In some impor- tant respects, at least, " the former days were better than these."
BAPTIST CHURCH, SOUTH LYNDEBOROUGH.
CHAPTER XV.
HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV. D. DONOVAN, PASTOR.
The formation of a generally accepted church of Christ in a community is often a matter of great and far-reaching import. A sketch of such a body which has existed even three-fourths of a century will hardly seem,
" As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean."
The successors of those who organized it will regard the rec- ord as a memorial of the consecration of its founders, and may be incited by the story to imitate their virtues.
There are rumors that Baptistic notions or opinions infected the pure minds of even some of the pioneers of Lyndeborough. But, it will never answer to found a history on mere rumor. Positive diversity of religious sentiment manifested itself un- mistakably in 1818. About the year 1819, a law was enacted which excused men from taxation for the support of preaching with which they were out of sympathy. They were taxed still, but allowed to pay their taxes for the support of the ministry wherever they preferred. Upon notifying the selectmen of their preference, they could be excused from taxation to sup- port the regular ministry of the town, as it was then considered. In accordance with the above law, we find on the tax book for 1819, the statement :
"The following persons have produced certificates from 'The Baptist Society,' that they are regular members of the same, and are therefore exempt by law from paying toward the support of Rev. Nathaniel Merrill; viz : Samuel Pearson, Samuel Hartshorn, John Wellman, Jr., Jacob Flinn, Israel Burnham, Parker Burnham, Eli Holt, Moses Pearson, William Richardson, Jr., Solomon Cram, Samuel Ellingwood, Ira S. Ellingwood, Levi Curtis."
Twenty-nine other names are recorded as exempt from taxa- tion for the support of Mr. Merrill on account of their religious sentiment ; and in 1821, twenty-eight were "excused from Minister Tax."
The following year another name was added to the last list, « and David Putnam was excused from paying minister tax, "on account of being a Baptist."
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
The lists here referred to are by no means irrelevant to our sketch. The statements which accompany them indicate the existence of a Baptist society ten years before the organization of this church, and point to the presence of one man who was known as a Baptist seven years before its recognition. Some of the names which appear on those lists were, at a later day, in- scribed on the roll of the Baptist church.
The first Baptist preaching in town which resulted in con. versions was that of Rev. Joseph Elliott of Mason. He held services in the dwelling of Mr. Moses Pearson in 1825, when the audience filled the house, and overflowed to seats under the noble elms in the front yard. Mr. Pearson's children, William and Susan, became converts and were baptized in the Rocky River, west of the house. So far as known, they were the first persons baptized in that stream. They united with the Baptist church in Wilton.
Occasional services were continued, Caleb Brown, Bela Wil- cox, and Mr. Elliott sharing in thein. Soon a subscription was circulated for the support of preaching, and the money raised was expended in the various school districts in proportion to the sums which each paid. Thus the people maintained preach- ing as they could for a few years. Rev. Simeon Fletcher of Wil- ton was for a few months their stated supply about that time.
Finally, Dec. 10, 1829, a council, consisting of pastors and delegates from the churches in Milford, Wilton, New Boston and Hillsborough, was convened to recognize this church, if thought proper. The council met at the residence of Daniel Putnam, Esq., now the parsonage. The Rev. Charles Cum- mings of Hillsboro' was chosen moderator, and Rev. Caleb Brown, of Wilton, clerk. David Putnam and Daniel Cram were chosen by the proposed church as its representatives, and the former had been chosen deacon provided the council should decide on recognition. The council decided "to constitute them into a distinct church." Recognition services were held in the school house, and some of the parts were assigned as follows : Sermon, Rev. Samuel Everett, Milford; Hand of Fellowship, Rev. John Atwood, New Boston; charge to the church, Rev. Charles Cummings of Hillsboro. Fifteen of the members came from the church in Wilton, viz .: Moses and . Susanna Pearson, David and Tryphena Putnam, Job and Betsey Swinington, Elijah and Alice Upton, Daniel and Rhoda Cram, Benjamin and Abigail Holt, Abigail Ellingwood, Joseph
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Marshall, and Ebenezer Gardner. Six others came from the church in Milford ; viz : Samuel and Abigail Persons, John and Betsey Wellman, and Micah and Hannah Hartshorn.
These founders of the church were, at least, people of aver- age intelligence, actuated by their convictions of duty, and ready to make sacrifices, if necessary, to carry them out. To this end, they wrought and taught, not factiously, but with manifest piety and sincerity.
Their meetings were held for a time in the school-house. Prosperity attended them. Congregations increased, and at times were larger than the house could hold. Then in the warm weather, they would meet in the grove. back of the school house, and arrange temporary seats, while many would sit around on the rocks. Mr. Cummings became their first pastor. He was a man of stentorian voice who could easily be heard over on the road to Wilton, and awaked the echoes. He was an agent of the Domestic Missionary Society, and " was instru- mental in organizing churches in Keene, Swanzey, Marlboro, Peterboro, Hillsboro, Lyndeboro, and Antrim." *
Their success is thought to have awakened envy, so that when wishing to hold a meeting at one time, the school-house key could not be obtained, or "found " as it was said. This was taken as a practical refusal of the use of the house. At that time Mr. Ebenezer Pearson opened his house for their meetings through the winter, and they laid their plans to build a meeting- house. This was in the winter of 1831.
Having decided to build, popular opinion was somewhat divided as to the best place for the house. Some favored the center of the town, some Johnson's corner, and some Putnam Corner, now South Lyndeborough. Deacon David Putnam and other prominent citizens strongly favored the latter place, and thought more help could be obtained for building here than elsewhere. It was decided to test this opinion, and contribu- tors to the enterprise were requested to express their preference for the place. The heaviest subscriptions came from those who preferred South Lyndeborough, and this settled the question, and work was at once begun here.
In aid of it Mr. Ephraim Putnam, 2nd, though a Universalist in sentiment, gave them the lot on which to build, and he, to- gether with Deacon Putnam, cut and drew the first timber from his own woods. Miss Sarah Stephenson gave twenty-five stand-
* Child's Gaz. of Cheshire County, p. 404.
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
ing trees from her wood lot. Others gave labor in cutting the trees into logs and drawing them to the mill. Captain Israel Putnam gave a part of the sawing. Deacon Smith of Wilton made the frame. The raising, of course, was a matter of un- usual importance. The subject of temperance had then re- ceived little attention ; hence, among the incidental expenses was a little bill for two and a half gallons of rum with the molasses needed to make it palatable, indispensable at raisings in those days. The raisers partook somewhat of the spirit of the times.
The house was duly covered, and the inside work was done by Josiah Wheeler of Lyndeborough. The ladies subscribed money and secured the pulpit, but funds for the building of the pews were wanting, and planed seats were used for a few years to take their place. Finally, Deacon Putnam and Franklin Hadley hired the pews built and became jointly responsible for the expense of them.
Thus the house was finished. It stood in the northeast angle formed where the road from South Lyndeborough to Temple is crossed by the Forest road. The exact spot is very near where the railroad from Wilton crosses the Temple road, in front of the railroad station. The house was dedicated Oct. 8, 1836, Rev. Dura D. Pratt of Nashua preaching the sermon.
The people were not able to support a regular pastor. They obtained supplies for their pulpit as they were able. The Rev. Leonard Kimball supplied them eleven Sundays in 1836. The Rev. John Atwood of New Boston, served them at different times as stated supply, in periods varying from a few months to two or three years. He seems to have baptized some of the first converts received by the church. One of these was David Bur- roughs, who was licensed by this church and spent sixty-five years in the ministry. Rev. John Woodbury was pastor in 1838, Joshua Currier in 1839 and Joseph Sargent in 1840.
Others who supplied in the early years of the church's exis- tence a few weeks or months, as the case might be, were Miles Bronson, afterwards a missionary in Assam, W. B. Kelley, George Daland, Joseph Davis, S. C. Pratt, Willard Glover, Henry Archibald, Frederick Page, Joseph C. Foster, late asso- ciate editor of " The Watchman," W. C. Richards, M. L. Bick- ford, Phineas Richardson, Amzi Jones and John Atwood.
The labors of these men were blessed, for in the ten years
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH
after the organization of the church about forty new members were received.
TRIALS.
In 1840, serious troubles arose. Cases of discipline occurred. Some members were excluded, some dropped, and some were dis- missed to unite elsewhere. Soon after this, Rev. John Atwood again became their stated supply, serving two or more years. About that time G. W. Hutchinson, a preacher of the Christian order appeared on the scene. He was wonderfully successful. Some of the Baptists, both men and women alike, were capti- vated by him. They united with the church which he organ- ized, and thus the Baptist membership was diminished in num- bers and in ability to maintain preaching. Naturally enough, they were discouraged. Moreover, some members of the Bap- tist society seemed ready to hand over to this new body the property of the church. The new body was given the use of the meeting-house at a merely nominal cost. But this was not enough. They began to assume, at least, quasi ownership of it. Thus the matter stood for a time. The Baptists were doubtless annoyed and uneasy, but were tolerably quiet. Mr. Hutchinson was in the place a few years and won quite a following. But one fine morning he was missing and could not be found. He had vacated his apartments and forsaken his flock in the night, and, as a consequence, his church suffered a fatal collapse. That his entire course injured the Baptist church will be readily assumed and promptly conceded.
SURVIVAL.
The church, though greatly weakened, did not see fit to dis- band or die. It made an attempt at recovery. Like a tempest- tossed, badly lurched ship, with twisted rigging and torn can- vas and diminished crew, the old church shifted ballast, righted position, and turned her prow once more toward the sunlight and the desired haven. This occurred in the year 1849.
Early in 1850, the church called Rev. D. P. French, one of her own licentiates, as her pastor. He gathered the scattered flock and received some new accessions, but remained with them only a year. He left them, however, in much better condition than he found them.
For about three years, again, Rev. John Atwood became stated supply. He is kindly remembered for his good services to the church. In 1854 the church invited Mr. E. J. Emery to
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
their pastorate. He was here ordained, received several new members, and remained with them about three years, the long- est continuous service up to that time.
The Rev. T. Clarkson Russell preached several weeks in 1858, and is pleasantly remembered. A call was that year ex- tended to Rev. Joseph B. Mitchell of Guilford, Vermont. He accepted, and in his brief pastorate of about two years, received a goodly number of new members, one of whom has served as both deacon and clerk for many years. The labors of Rev. John Peacock of Amherst followed for several months and were fruitful in adding seventeen new members to the church.
From 1861 to 1864 Rev. Asaph Merriam, an aged, devotod servant of God, served as stated supply. From that time to 1870, the desk was supplied mainly by students from the Newton Theological Institution, among whom were J. H. Gannett, Joseph Pollard, Isaiah Record, and later, George T. Raymond and Asa L. Lane.
The next regular pastor, E. J. Whittemore, came to the church in 1871, received several additions to the membership and resigned in 1873.
The Rev. E. H. Watrous was next called, but failing to find a suitable residence in the place, he felt compelled to decline the call.
The Rev. David Gage then supplied for a time, encour- aged the people much, and urged them to try to secure a parson- age. This they did at a cost of $1,500. About this time the rail- road came through the place, the glass factory was in operation, and the population was larger, and there was more money in cir- culation than there had been in previous years or than there has been since.
That year, 1874, Rev. S. B. Macomber settled with the people as pastor. He received a number of new members ; but closed his labors with the church in about two years.
The Rev. William R. Warner became his successor in 1876. The committee of the Young Men's Christian Association as- sisted him in a revival effort which resulted in the largest acces- sion ever received in a single year. Twenty-nine were bap- tized and eight were received by letter. Mr. Warner remained with the church only about two years.
Rev. H. G. Hubbard, a faithful man and a sound evangeli- cal preacher, succeeded Mr. Warner. Mr. Hubbard's work for the church, as expressed by his son, " consisted largely of
2 Donovan. Pastor. Bapt Church. South Lyn deborough.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH
pruning and weeding out a growth too rank and unfruitful." He continued with them about four years."
Soon after his departure Rev. Gaylord B. Smith accepted a call. During his pastorate the young people gave enter- tainments to raise money for building a vestry. Sixty-five dol- lars were secured and placed at interest. Mr. Smith was much esteemed by the community. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was chosen chaplain of Harvey Holt Post, No. 15. He was chosen town representative to the General Court. He closed his labors early in 1886, having accepted a call to Jamestown, R. I. He died Feb. 4, 1905, at East Wrentham, Mass.
For a few weeks afterwards, Rev. D. M. Cleveland, mission- ary of the Baptist State Convention, labored here. A gen- eral interest was awakened, and some hopeful conversions followed.
In April, 1886, Rev. D. Donovan, after preaching for a few Sundays, accepted a call and commenced labor with the church in July, and is still pastor, through the grace of God and favor of the people. There have been no great accessions to the church. Many of our faithful and devoted members have been called up higher.
A BRANCH CHURCH.
This church organized a branch in Greenfield in 1839. It numbered nine members, and continued its operations there about three years. But in the trying period before mentioned, the members of that body, at their own request, were again re- ceived into the parent church. It doubtless seemed wiser then for all to unite and work together.
LICENTIATES.
The first person licensed by the church was also the first baptized into its fellowship, after its organization, that was David Burroughs, a native of Lyndeborough. He was ordained in Plymouth, Vt., in 1834, and after serving in various pastor- ates in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, removed into the state of New York. He died at Painted Post, N. Y., Aug. 30, 1898, after a service of 64 years in the ministry.
David P. French, also a native of Lyndeborough, and first a member of the Congregational Church at the centre, was the next. He became a Baptist while a student at Oberlin College, Ohio, and was received by letter from the Baptist church in
.
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HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
Columbia, Ohio, 1837. He was licensed in 1838, and twelve years later, rendered this church excellent service as pastor for one year. He died in Nashville, Illinois, April 29, 1886.
Third among these was Jason Putnam, eldest son of Deacon Putnam. He was licensed in 1838, was considered a young man of great promise and was pursuing a course of ministerial study. He died deeply lamented, at the age of twenty-three.
A fourth was Charles Wilder of Peterboro, whose name was on record as supplying the desk about 20 years before. His license bears date of March, 1890. He rendered friendly and gratuitous assistance, not only to his own, but also to other pastors, both of his own and other denominations in the county. He died July 26, 1900, at his home in Peterborough, having made a generous bequest to the church.
The last who was licensed to preach by the church is W. N. Donovan, Aug. 6, 1893. He was ordained in South Lynde- borough, Nov. 3, 1898. He is assistant professor of Biblical Interpretation, Old Testament, in Newton Theological Institu- tion, Newton Centre, Mass.
REVIVALS.
The church has enjoyed three seasons of special revival. The first came in 1835, when nineteen members were received by baptism. The second was in 1861, when under the labors of Rev. John Peacock seventeen were added to the membership. The third and greatest was in 1876, when the Rev. William R. Warner baptized twenty-nine, and received eight others by letter.
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