USA > Vermont > Windham County > Rockingham > The old Rockingham meeting house, erected 1787 and the first church in Rockingham, Vermont, 1773-1840 > Part 5
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63
Annual Pilgrimages to the Old Meeting House
House. The sermon was by Rev. Philip S. Moxom, D. D., of Springfield, Mass., who drew many interest- ing lessons for us today from the characteristics of the early settlers of the country.
Despite severe rain, about six hundred people at- tended the seventh Annual Pilgrimage on August IO, 1913, when Professor Hooper, president of the Associa- tion, delivered an address on the salient points of local history. The sermon by Rev. L. Mason Clarke, D. D., of Brooklyn, was on the theme, "Religion and Patriot- ism", and reached very closely the hearts of his hearers.
The eighth and last Annual Pilgrimage to date held on August 2, 1914, was greatly saddened by the death the day before of Professor Hooper, who had been such a vital element in all this latter-day work centering around the Old Meeting House. The meet- ing served to bring together nearly one thousand people, from the surrounding towns and villages, with many coming from a distance. All enjoyed very much the sermon by Rev. Rockwell H. Potter, D. D., of Hart- ford, Conn., on the subject, "The Meeting House and Her Children", and the address by Senator W. P. Dillingham, on "Vermont in History". Resolutions of sorrow and sympathy upon the death of Professor Hooper were adopted by the meeting.
As has been mentioned, the annual public meetings of the Old Rockingham Meeting House Association held in April in the village of Bellows Falls, have attracted each year an increasing amount of public interest. At the first one, held April 29, 1912, Rev. A. P. Pratt, the secretary of the Association, read a very interesting summary of the gradual awakening of interest in the Old Meeting House, and Professor Hooper gave an able account of the geology of the Connecticut valley in the vicinity of Bellows Falls.
At the second annual meeting, April 28, 1913, three short addresses were given, one by L. S. Hayes, historian
64
The Old Rockingham Meeting House
of the Association and author of the History of Rock- ingham, on "Nathaniel Tucker, the Tucker Toll Bridge, and the Tucker Mansion"; a second by Principal A. E. Tuttle, on "Regard for Antiquities", and a third by Professor Hooper on the subject, "The Development of Our Natural Resources, or the Back-to-the-Land Movement". The latter was a particularly able and interesting address, and it was voted by the Association that it be preserved in printed form.
The third annual meeting was held April 27, 1914, and again three addresses were enjoyed by those pre- sent: one by State Senator F. H. Babbitt on "The Westminster Court House Massacre"; a second by Rev. H. L. Ballou of Chester, with the subject, "His- torical Review-Vermont"; and a third by Professor Hooper, on "Idealism in History, or America's Con- quest of Europe".
From this brief review of the organization and meetings of the Old Rockingham Meeting House Asso- ciation, it will be seen that the Association is not only caring for the Old Meeting House, sacred alike to God, to our civic development, and to the men who wor- shipped and labored in the building, but that it is serving as a general historical society in fostering the public interest and knowledge in historical matters.
THE HOUSE OUR FATHERS BUILT TO GOD
We love the venerable house Our fathers built to God; In heaven are kept their grateful vows, Their dust endears the sod.
Here holy thoughts a light have shed From many a radiant face, And prayers of tender hope have spread A perfume through the place.
ACROSS THE WILLIAMS RIVER VALLEY
65
Annual Pilgrimages to the Old Meeting House
And anxious hearts have pondered here The mystery of life, And prayed the Eternal Spirit clear Their doubts and aid their strife.
From humble tenements around Came up the pensive train, And in the church a blessing found, Which filled their homes again.
For faith and peace, and mighty love, That from the Godhead flow, Showed from the life of heaven above Springs from the life below.
They live with God, their homes are dust, But here their children pray, And, in this fleeting lifetime, trust To find the narrow way. RALPH WALDO EMERSON.
1
16-17
-
APPENDIX I
MEMBERS OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN ROCKINGHAM
(Not included in Index, except when elsewhere mentioned in reading matter.)
MEMBERS BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION IN 1773 AND THE DISMISSAL OF REV. SAMUEL WHITING IN 1809, WITH DATE OF JOINING.
Albee, Ebenezer, September 15, 1776.
Albee, Rachel, September 15, 1776.
Balch, Julia, February 23, 1794 (from Keene, N. H.).
Benton, Mrs. Hannah, 1786. Recommended by Harming- ton Chh., Conn.
Benton, Jacob, September 4, 1791, ditto.
Berry, Mrs., September 10, 1786. Recommended by Jeffrey Chh.
Burr, Eunice (Wife of Jonathan), March 13, 1774.
Burr, Jonathan, March 13, 1774.
Chamberlain, Lydia, October 4, 1801, from Hopkinton, Mass.
Clark, Ebenezer, January 22, 1786.
Cooper, Sarah (Wife of John), September 22, 1782.
*Davis, Nathaniel, October 27, 1773.
Davis, Phillip, May 5, 1793, from Mansfield Chh.
Dutton, Josiah, September 27, 1778.
Dutton, Sarah (Wife of Thomas), May 4, 1777. Church of Christ in Lunenburgh.
From Dutton, Thomas, May 4, 1777. Ditto.
Edson, Daniel, August 31, 1781. Recommended from Bridgewater Church. Dismissed to First Baptist Church of Christ in Richmond, June 25, 1786.
Edson, Olive (Wife of Daniel). August 31, 1781. Recom- mended from Bridgewater Church.
Edson, Olive (Wife of Isaiah), June 26, 1791.
Ellis, Charlotte, November 23, 1806.
Ellis, John, September 2, 1781.
Ellis, Urana (Wife of John), July 11, 1790.
Emery, Samuel, September 18, 1791. Recommended from the Chh in Jaffrey.
Members of the First Church
67
Emery, (Wife of Samuel), September 18, 1791, Jaffrey.
*Evans, Asher, October 27, 1773.
ĮEvans, Eli, July 25, 1779.
¿Evans, Hannah (Wife of Eli), July 25, 1779.
Evans, Lectah, September 2, 1781.
*Evans, Mary (Wife of Asher), October 27, 1773.
*Evans, Mercy (Wife of Peter), October 27, 1773.
*Evans Mercy (Wife of Peter Junr.), October 27, 1773.
*Evans, Peter, October 27, 1773. Elected Deacon June 12, 1774.
*Evans, Peter Junr., October 27, 1773.
*Fuller, Ebenezer, October 27, 1773.
Fuller, Elizabeth, December 30, 1781.
*Fuller, Mercy, October 27, 1773.
Fuller, Rhoda, June 29, 1783.
Green, Sarah (Widow), September 20, 1795.
Harris, William, May 5, 1782. Dismissed.
Hazletine, Jonas, July 27, 1783.
Johnson, Dorcas, (Wife of Isaiah), February 18, 1786.
Jones, Eunice (Wife of Reuben), February 13, 1780.
Jones, Reuben, February 13, 1780.
Kendall, Hannah (Wife of Eleazer), November 9, 1800. By recommendation.
Kendall, Mary (Wife of Ebenezer), June II, 1786.
Kingsley, Naomi, January 13, 1774. Dismissed to the Christian people where she lives, June 25, 1786.
Knight, Russell, April 24, 1785. Recommended from Lan- caster.
Knights, Mercy (Wife of Elijah), December 16, 1781.
Lane, John, June 19, 1785. Recommended. Dismissed to Grafton March 30, 1794.
*Larrabee, Anne (Wife of Samuel), October 27, 1773.
*Larrabee, Samuel, October 27, 1773.
Lovell, John, December 21, 1777.
Lovell, Martha (Wife of John), December 21, 1777.
įMuzzy, Anna (Wife of Joseph), September 8, 181I.
#Ober, Samuel, September 18, 1791. From Jaffrey.
Ober, - (Wife of Samuel), September 18, 1791. From Jaffrey.
*Olcott, Elias, October 27, 1773. Elected Deacon June 12, I775.
*Olcott, Sibbel (Wife of Elias), October 27, 1773.
Pease, Jacob, September 3, 1779. By Recommendation. Elected Deacon May 6, 1782.
68
The Old Rockingham Meeting House
Pease, Mary (Wife of Jacob), September 3, 1779. By Recommendation.
Perry, Daniel, May 10, 1795.
Preston, Elenor, October 2, 1774. Dismissed to church in Rutland, May 23, 1784.
Proctor, Lydia (Wife of Nathan), July 27, 1794.
*Pulsipher, David, October 27, 1773.
*Pulsipher, Elizabeth (Wife of David), October 27, 1773. Pulsipher, John, May 24, 1789.
Pulsipher, Priscilla, May 11, 1783.
Read, Frederic, 1784.
Read, Louisa (Wife of Frederic), 1784.
Roundy, Sarah, July 6, 1783. Recommended from the Chh in Ware.
*Simonds, William, October 27, 1773.
*Simonds, (Wife of William), October 27, 1773.
Stanley, David, September 10, 1786. Recommended by Jaffrey Chh.
Stearns, Lydia (Wife of William Junr.), August 12, 1798.
Stearns, William Junr., August 12, 1798.
Stearns, (Wife of William), May 24, 1789.
#Stoell, Joanna (Wife of John), September 28, 1794.
#Stoell, John, September 28, 1794.
Stoell, Phebe, October 28, 1781.
Taylor, Mrs., August 22, 1790.
Trott, Vashti (Evans), November 10, 1782. Dismissed to Walpole, June 26, 1786.
Walker (Wife of James), December 22, 1789.
Walker, Rebecca (Wife of Timothy), December 24, 1780.
Walker, Timothy, December 24, 1780.
Webb, Jehiel, December 21, 1777.
Webb, Mary (Wife of Jehiel), December 21, 1777.
*Whiting, Mary (Wife of Rev. Samuel), October 27, 1773 or I774. Recommended Warwick, Mass.
*Whiting, Rev. Samuel, October 27, 1773. First Settled Minister.
Whiting, Samuel Junr., November 4, 1806. On Death Bed. #Whiting, Sarah, April 10, 1808.
Whitney, Agnis, August 25, 1776.
Williams, Margaret.
Wood, Mrs. Barnabas, September 18, 1791.
Wood, George, 1784. Dismissed to Fitchburg Church, Nov. 23, 1788.
69
Members of the First Church
Wood, Joseph, July 31, 1774. Dismissed to any Church of our Communion, May 2, 1783. Wood, Sarah (Wife of George), 1784. Dismissed to Fitch- burg Church, Nov. 23, 1788.
CHESTER MEMBERS (Probably incomplete.)
Chandler, Thomas & Wife.
Hotten, Esther (Wife of Joshua), May 11, 1777.
Hotten, Joshua, May II, 1777.
Johnson, Isaiah & Wife, February 18, 1776.
Johnson, Phebe, March 13, 1774.
Sargeants, Jabez, November 27, 1774.
Sargeants, Persis (Wife of Jabez), November 27, 1774.
Sargent, Jabez Junr., & Wife.
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE "HALF WAY COVENANT"
Berry, Asa, November 24, 1803.
Berry, Hannah (Wife of Joel), November 24, 1803.
Berry, Joel, November 24, 1803.
Berry, Nancy (Wife of John), December 15, 1802.
Berry, Samuel & Wife, September 26, 1802.
Berry, Sarah (Wife of Asa), November 24, 1803.
Darby, Lovill, October 5, 1800.
Gowin, Mary (Wife of Benjamin), September 21, 1794.
Leech, Mr. & Mrs., May 14, 1797.
Millar, Matthew & Wife, October 5, 1800.
McAfee, James & Wife, November 10, 1793.
Simonds, Lynde & Wife, July 26, 1795.
Wiley, Jonathan & Wife, July 31, 1805.
Wiley, Robert & Wife, November 15, 1795.
MEMBERS BETWEEN THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN 1818 AND ITS FINAL DISSOLUTION IN 1840
Barron, Nancy M. (Single), July 18, 1819. Removed by letter.
Barry, Nancy.
Billings, Susan (Widow), October 31, 1819.
Boynton, Lydia (Widow), July 1, 182I. By letter from Springfield.
70
The Old Rockingham Meeting House
Brown, Joel M., June, 1838.
Butterfield, Almira.
Clark, Marcy (Wife of Nathaniel), July 18, 1819.
+Clark, Nathaniel, November 5, 1818.
Davis, Hiram, July 1, 1821.
Davis, Laura,
Davis, Melinda (Wife of Hiram).
Davis, Melinda Ann.
Day, Hannah (Wife of Henry C.), June 6, 1819.
Day, Henry C., June 6, 1819.
Doan, Roaland.
Doan, (Wife of Roaland).
Drury, Josiah, June 6, 1819.
Emery, Betsey (Wife of Zacheus), November 5, 1820.
Evans, Augusta.
ĮEvans, Eli, 1818.
Evans, Eli J., December 26, 1819. "Cut of from this Church" December 4, 1825.
ĮEvans, Hannah (Wife of Eli), 1818. Died.
Evans, Olive.
Evans, Sarah (Wife of Eli Jr.), June 6, 1819.
Evans, Warren F.
Felt, Eluthera, November 29, 1818. Died April 5, 1819.
Felt, Lone (Wife of Eliphalet), June 6, 1819. (Possibly Lona Jane.)
Gilson, Eunice (Wife of Zacheriah), May, 1837. By letter from Chester.
Gilson, Zacheriah, May, 1837. By letter from Chester.
Gould, Caroline (Wife of Thomas), June 6, 1819. Dismissed Sept. 25, 1839.
Gould, Thomas, June 6, 1819. "Cut of from this Church" Dec. 4, 1825.
Gowing, Elizabeth (Wife of Samuel), June 6, 1819. By letter.
Gowing, Polly.
Gowing, Samuel, June 6, 1819. By letter.
Hill, Lydia (Wife of Moses), June 6, 1819.
Hill, Moses, June 6, 1819.
Hoit, Eunice.
Keith, Eunice (Wife of Grindal), June 20, 1819. Died.
Lake, Abigail (Wife of Henry), September 12, 1819. By letter. Dismissed by letter.
Locke, Asa.
Locke, Catharine R.
71
Members of the First Church
Locke, Eliza. Locke, Fanny.
Locke, Hannah (Wife of John).
Locke, John.
Locke, Laura.
Locke, Mary Jane.
Locke, Nancy S., October, 1836.
Lovell, Harriet (Wife of Ovid), October 31, 1819. Died.
Mason, Abigail, May, 1837. By letter from Cavendish. Dismissed by letter, Aug. 13, 1838.
Mason, Abigail M., October, 1836. Dismissed by letter, Aug. 13, 1838.
Muzzy, Anna (Wife of Joseph), June 6, 1819.
Muzzy, Joseph, May 6, 1821.
Nourse, Annis (Wife of Philip), June 6, 1819.
Nourse, Lucy (Wife of David), December 26, 1819.
Nourse, Lydia (Wife of Peter), September 12, 1819. By letter.
Nourse, Peter, September 12, 1819. By letter.
Nourse, Philip, May 6, 1821.
Ober, Hezekiah.
##Ober, Samuel, November 5, 1818. April 3, 1820. Ist Deacon, chosen
Phillips, Nabby (Widow), June 6, 1819.
Pierce, Bridget (Single), July 1, 1821.
Pulsipher, David Jr., June 6, 1819.
Pulsipher, Joanna.
Pulsipher, Lucy (Single), June 6, 1819.
Pulsipher, Philena (Single), June 6, 1819.
Pulsipher, Rebecca (Wife of David).
Pulsipher, Sally (Widow), June 6, 1819. Removed by join- ing the Baptist.
+Rice, Elizabeth (Wife of Hezekiah), November 5, 1818.
+Rice, Hezekiah, November 5, 1818.
Richards, Eunice (Wife of Edward), 1818.
Richards, John Lock, July 1, 1821.
Richards, Nabby (Wife of John L.), July 1, 1821.
Richards, Urana B., June 6, 1819.
Ripley, Anna (Wife of Epapheas), 1818.
Ripley, Epapheas, 1818. Removed by letter.
Severence, Adeline, May, 1837. By letter from Alstead. Dismissed by letter.
Shepherd, Jane (Wife of Major), September 3, 1820. Smith, Huldey (Widow), December 4, 1825.
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The Old Rockingham Meeting House
Stearns, Jonathan.
Stearns, Selima, July 9, 1837.
¡Sterns, Lydia (Wife of William), November 5, 1818.
¿Sterns, William, November 5, 1818.
Stodard, Sally (Widow), June 6, 1819.
Stoel, Betsey.
¿Stoel, Joanna (Wife of John), June 6, 1819.
#*Stoel, John, November 5, 1818. 2nd Deacon, chosen April 3, 1820.
Stoel, Lucy (Wife of Asa), July 18, 1819. By letter.
¡Upham, Elizabeth (Rice), November 5, 1818. Dismissed to Sextons River, Nov. 11, 1837.
Weston, Hannah (Wife of Nathan), June 6, 1819.
Weston, Nathan, June 6, 1819.
įWhiting, Sarah (Widow), July 18, 1819. Dismissed to Sex- tons River, Feb., 1837.
Wise, Daniel.
*Wollage, Rev. Elijah, November 5, 1818.
Wollage, Sarah B. (Single), July 18, 1819.
Wollage, Sophia (Single), July 18, 1819. Removed by letter.
*Original members of church as organized October 27, I773.
+Original members of church, as reorganized November 5,1818.
¿Names contained in lists of original church, 1773-1809, and reorganized church, 1818-1840.
CONTRIBUTORS TOWARDS PURCHASE OF A COMMUNION SERVICE MARCH 22, 1819
(Exclusive of seventeen included in the above list of members.)
Black, Asa
Miller, Math.
Campbell, Alexander
Nourse, Daniel
Campbell, Alexander S.
Nourse, Sam'l
Campbell, J. H.
Pulsipher, D.
Earl, Mary
Rollins, Wm.
Earl, Royal
Shepherd, Isaac
Earl, Xeno'n
Stearns, Eber
Easterbrooks, Abr'm
Stoel, Asa
Felt, Warren
Wadsworth, R.
Goodridge, Samuel W.
Webb, Calvin
Kendall, Eleaz'r
Webb, Luther
Lock, Eben'r
Whiting, J.
Lock, Oren
Wiley, John 2nd.
Lovell, Ovid
APPENDIX II
LIST OF THOSE FILING CERTIFICATES WITH ROCKINGHAM TOWN CLERK OF RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE, TO AVOID ASSISTING IN SUPPORT OF THE TOWN CHURCH
(Not included in the Index, except when elsewhere mentioned in this book.)
B-Baptist; C E-Church of England; E-Episcopal; PE-Protestant Episcopal; U-Universalist.
D-Certificate that they "Disagree with the majority of the inhabitants of the town," without stating any preference.
Abner, Jonathan, U
Berry, Joel, D
Adams, Eli, B Berry, John, U
Adams, Josiah, B Bickford, Samuel, D
Adams, Luther, U Bingham, Ruben, CE
Adams, Philip, D Bixby, Daniel,
U
Adams, Samuel M.,
B Bixford, Sam'll,
U
Albee, Ebenezer, U
Blanchard, Jonathan,
PE
Albee, Ebenezer, Jr., U Blanchard, Seth,
D
Allbee, John,
D Bolles, John,
D
Aldrich, Simeon, D Bolles, Jonathan,
U
Archer, Benjamin,
D
Bolles, Lemuel,
D
Atkinson, Alexander,
D Bolles, Nicholas,
D
Atkinson, Thomas,
D Boynton, John,
D
Atkinson, Thomas Jr.,
D Boynton, Richard Jr.,
D
Ayer, Elisha,
B Bradshaw, George,
D
Ayers, David,
U Burk, Eastman,
D
Bancroft, James, PE Burk, Henry,
D
Barney, Frederick,
CE Burt, Jonathan,
U
Barrett, Joel,
B Burt, Roswell, D
D
Barry, Jonathan, D Campbell, David,
U
Barry, Samuel,
D Campbell, James, U
D
Bellows, Roswell,
D Chamberlain, Joel,
D
Bellows, Solomon,
D Clark, Hezekiah Wood,
D
Bennett, John,
D Clark, Jedidiah,
D
Bennett, Nathaniel Jr.,
D Clark, Nathaniel, D
Berry, Asa,
U Clark, Robert G., D
Barron, Jonathan,
D Byington, Abraham,
Bellows, Abijah,
U Chaffa, Otis,
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The Old Rockingham Meeting House
Clark, Timothy Jr.,
D Gilmore, Robert, D
Claton, John,
B Gilson, Joseph,
U
Coburn, Amezah,
B Gilson, Zachariah, D
Cooper, John,
U Glasur, Tabitha,
B
Cooper, John,
D Gloson, Timothy,
B
Cooper, Zebede, U Gloson, Wilber,
B
Cutler, Samuel, D Glosson, Ichabod,
B
Cutler, William B.,
D Goodale, Elijah,
B
Darby, Edward Jr.,
D Goodell, Elijah, Jr.,
D
Davis, Benjamin, D Gowan, Benjamin,
D
Davis, Cyrus,
CE
Graves, Daniel Jr.,
D
Davis, Henry,
U Gurnsey, Eldad,
B
Davis, James,
D Guston, Thomas,
B
Davis, Nathaniel,
U
Hall, James,
B
Dickinson, Silas,
D
Hapgood, Solomon,
D
Dill, James,
PE
Haseltine, Jonas,
U
Dorlen, Timothy,
B Haseltine, Richard,
U
Down, Thomas,
D Haseltine, William,
U
Drury, Isaiah,
D Hazelton, William,
CE
Dunfree, Cornelius,
CE
Hiames, Stephen,
B
Eastman, Ichabod,
D
Holden, Isaac,
D
Eastman, Samuel,
U Hooker, Riceris,
U
Eddy, Benjamin,
D House, James,
D
Edson, Daniel,
B House, Sarah,
D
Edson, Josiah,
U Howes, Bethial Partridge,
D
Ellis, John,
D Jenney, (?), Eldah,
B
Emery, Samuel Jr.,
D
Johnson, Benjamin,
U
Emory, Samuel,
D
Johnson, Joshua,
B
Evans, Ely,
D Johnson, Joshua Jr.,
D
Evans, Ely Jr.,
D
Jonson, Robert,
B
Evans, Dea. Peter,
PE
Kendall, Isaac,
B
Evans, Peter Jr.,
D Kidder, Thos.,
U
Evans, Randall,
D Kindel, Eleazer Jr.,
B
Farley, Jesse,
D King, John,
U
Fay, John,
D Knapp, Ephraim,
D
Fish, John,
U Knight, Joel,
U
Fish, Solomon, D Lake, Henry,
U
Fisher, Enoch,
D Lane, Gresham,
B
Fletcher, Luke,
U Larcum, Amos,
B
Garfield, Enoch,
U Leach, John,
D
Gibson, Abel,
B Lock, Abraham,
U
Gibson, John W.,
D Lock, Daniel,
D
Gilmore, John,
D Locke, Ebenezer,
B
D
Darling, Timothy,
B Gould, Thomas,
75
Certificates of Religious Preferences
Locke, John,
D Powars, Joel,
B
Lovell, Elijah,
CE
Powers, Abel,
D
Lovell, Frink,
D
Powers, Timothy, U
Lovell, John,
D Prestton, James, B
Lovell, John W.,
D
Prince, Levi, D
Lovell, Capt. Timothy, CE
Proctor, Nathan, D
Marsh, John,
U
Pulsipher, Ebenezer,
D
Marsh, Joseph,
U
Pulsipher, John,
B
Marsh, Moses,
D
Purkins, Ruphus,
B
Marsh, Moses Jr.,
U
Randall, James, D
Marsh, Samuel,
D
Raymenton, Samuel H. Jr., D
Mason, Isaac,
B
Read, Isaac,
B
Mather, John,
E
Reade, Elijah, U
McIlwain, Ebenezer,
D
Ripley, Benj.,
B
McNeel, William,
D
Ripley, John,
U
Mears, Oliver,
D
Roundy, John,
B
Meed, Edward,
U
Roundy, John Jr.,
B
Miller, Matthew Jr.,
D
Roundy, Ralph,
U
Miller, Samuel,
D
Roundy, Uriah, U
Minard, Ichabod,
D
Royce, Silas,
D
Minard, William,
Saben, Levi,
D
Morrison, Jonathan,
D
Sabin, Elisher,
B
Morton, Nathan,
D Safford, Alven,
B
Muzzey, Joseph,
D Safford, Philip,
B
Nurse, Peter,
D Sargents, Pelatiah,
D
Nurton, Stephen,
D Searles, Abijah,
U
Ober, Kendall,
D Severence, Ebenezer,
D
Olcott, Elias,
D Smalley, Jonathan,
D
Orr, John,
D Smith, Jedidiah,
B
Packard, (?), Simeon, D Stanley, Elijah,
D
Page, William,
D Stearns, Stephen,
B
Parker, (?), David, Parker, John,
U Stocker, Elijah,
U
Parker, Leonard,
U Stowell, Asa,
D
Parks, Elijah,
B Tarbell, Jonathan,
B
Parks, Phineas,
B Thair, Eleazar,
B
Partridge, David,
D Thayer, Simeon Jr.,
B
Perry, Joseph,
D Thayer, Wm.,
E
Perry, Gates,
D Thompson, Ebenezer,
D
Petty, Solomon,
U Townes, (?), Samuel,
D
Pike, David, (?),
U Tozer, Peter,
D
Pike, Luther,
D Turner, Royal,
D
Porter, Chandler,
U Wait, John,
CE
D Stevens, James,
D
Mathers, Asaph,
B Richardson, Daniel, D
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The Old Rockingham Meeting House
Walker, James, U Willard, Isaac, D
Walker, Leonard,
D Willard, Oliver,
B
Walker, Samuel,
D Willson, George, D
Weaver, Daniel,
B Wing, Thomas,
B
Webb, Joshua,
B Wing, Thomas,
D
Weed, Joseph,
D Woley, Samuel,
D
Weston, Joseph,
D Wolf, John C.,
D
Wheelock, Salmon,
U Wood, David Jr.,
D
Whitcomb, Lucy,
B Woolf, John,
D
White, Abel,
U Wright, Capt. Moses,
CE
White, Abijah,
U Wright, Moses Jr.,
U
White, Phineas,
U Wright, Nathan,
U
Whitney, Ezra,
U Wright, Solomon,
U
Wilcox, Obidiah,
D Wright, Solomon, Jr.,
D
Wiley, Jonathan,
D Wyman, John,
D
Wiley, Robt.,
D Wyman, Asa Miller,
D
14
FIRST FLOOR DIAGRAM
APPENDIX III
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS
A. Organization of the First Church in Rocking- ham, October 27, 1773.
Pursuant to Letters Missive from the People in Rocking- ham & Chester in the Province of New York the Chhs of Brattleborough Warwick, Winchester, Swanzy, Charlestown, Westmoreland, Walpole Lebanon & Wrentham by their Elders & Messengers & the Messengers of Hinsdale & Cornish were conven'd at Rockingham October 27th 1773.
When antecedent to their embodying into a Council an Enquiry was propos'd to be made in the Standing of the Chh in Brattleboro' upon Which the Revd Mr. Reeves & the . Messengers from Brattleboro' being previously instructed & empower'd by that Chh gave us full Satisfaction with regard to the Credentials of Mr Reeves & the Agreement of the Covenant of sd Chh with ours. We therefore Unanimous- ly agreed upon their desire in Consideration of their peculiar Situation to receive & own them of our fellowship. Never- theless we take this method and Opportunity to bear due Testimony against any Chh's forming itself & putting itself under the Care of a Minister without the Concurrence of Sister Chhs (where it may be had) to establish a Communion of Churches.
The Chhs proceeded to embody into a Council and made Choice of the Revd Mr Reeves Moderator & Mr Fessenden Scribe, the Council being form'd Voted their Acceptance of Mr Reeves & Brattleboro' Chh to our Communion, & our readiness to treat him & them as such, expecting like Returns from them & that the Vote be made Publick at this Time & to our Chhs. In the next Place the Council proceeded to examine Mr Samuel Whiting the Pastor elect, as to his Licence to preach, his regular Standing as a Christian, his Doctrinal Sentiments, & his Views of Undertaking the Work of the Gospel Ministry & he gave full Satisfaction as they expressed by Vote. Voted to proceed to Ordination & that Mr Olcott begin with Prayer, Mr Reeves pray before the
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The Old Rockingham Meeting House
Charge Mr Hedge give the Charge, Mr Lawrence the right hand of Fellowship & Mr Fessenden conclude with Prayer.
And agreeable hereto the Revd Samuel Whiting was ordained a Gospel Bishop of Chh in Rockingham & Chester Rockingham Octobr 27th 1773. Attest Thomas Fessenden Scribe True Copy attst Saml Whiting .- Records of the First Church.
B. A letter from Mr. Whiting to the Town regard- ing his salary, and asking that the Town deed to him absolutely the Minister's Right. January 13, 1783.
At the Request a Committee Chosen to Treat with me in behalf of the Town to Know how I would Chuse to be Supported, I would hereby Declare my Concurance with the Vote of the Town at a meeting on January 1781 as to the manner of my Supportt and Do Consider the sd Vote of the town to accept of me as their Settled minister and to Give me an Annual Salarey agreeable to the former Covenant from a Number of the Inhabitants of this Town as a Satisfactory Securety for my futer Supportt and am Ready and willing to Give up the Obligation I Now have from the Subscribers as soon as I am paid or Secured as to what Remains Due on the Same. And I thank you Gent'n of this Town for the Regard you have shoon me in accepting me as your minister and Rejoyce with you in the more Equitable moad that this state has provided for the supportt of the Gospell and it would be agreable to me if the Town would pass a particular vote to be Recorded that you Quit all Claime and title to that Right of Land which I am now in possession of an that You do Consider it to be secured to me and my Heirs by the Charter of this Town and that you will afford Your Endeavors and assistance that I may peacable possess and hold the same. More than which I have nothing to ask at present but your prayers for me and United Endeavers with me for Our Peace Good Regulation well fair and Happeness as a Town and Society.
(sgd) Samuel Whiting
To the Gentlemen of the Town of Rockingham January 13th, 1783
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Extracts from the Records
The town then passed the following vote:
"Voted that this town Haveing Chosen and accepted of the Revd Samll Whiting as their minister and the sd Samll Whiting haveing Concurd with us herein and accepted of the Anavel Supportt offered Do consider the Right of Land Granted in the Charter of the Town by the Province of Newhampshire the first settled minister to be the sd Samll Whiting's and that the Town do Quitt all supposed Right or Title to the same being Knoon and Lotted out upon the plan by the name of the Minister's Right and will afford their Endevors and assistance that the sd Samll Whiting Peace- ably and Quietly possess hold Injoy the same .- Town Records, Vol. I, p. 82.
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