Chapter 25 - East Kingston from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire From: Jody Goodson - kestrell@prodigy.net Source: History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915 Page 300 CHAPTER XXV EAST KINGSTON Early History-First Settlers-The Churches-Military Record-Public Library Early History, etc.-The charter of Kingston was granted by the Pro- vincial Assembly, under the administration of Lieut.-Gov. John Usher, August 6, 1694, embracing a tract of land commencing seven miles west of the meeting-house in Hampton, which is the line between East Kingston and Kensington and extending ten miles west and by north into the country. Its breadth was four miles north from Shapley's line, the present boundary between East Kingston and South Hampton. This line was represented in the charter as three miles north of Merrimac River, though it was really nearer five miles. This territory comprised what now constitutes East Kingston, Danville, Sandown, and the larger part of Kingston. In 1738 fifty-three persons in the Town of Kingston united in a petition to the General Assembly to be set off into a separate parish. The petitioners were Jeremy, Ebenezer, John, Thomas, and Andrew Webster, Nathan, Phinehas, Josiah, and Ebenezer Batchelder, Ichabod, Caleb, and Theophilus Clough, William and Abraham Smith, Jacob Gale, William Whickee, Benjamin Morrill, Joseph Greele, James Tappan, Isaac Godfrey, and Josiah Tilton. Of the remaining thirty-two there is not one of whom anything is known, or whose known descendants live in the town. Of most of them their names are not recognized by the present generation. They prayed to be set off "into a separate parish, with their families and possessions, to enjoy all the rights and privileges that other parishes have and do by law enjoy." The reason they assigned for wishing to be incorporated into a distinct parish were "their great distance from the place of public worship in the said town of Kingston, and attending on the same; have built a meeting-house in that part of the town where they live convenient for themselves and their families, and being desirous of having a gospel ministry among them," they pray "to be exempted from paying taxes for the support of schools and the ministry to the said Town of Kingston after the year 1738, and to choose their own parish officers and assess and collect taxes." These privileges were all granted in their charter, "provided the said petitioners maintain an authorized minister of the gospel among them." The parish was incorporated November 17, 1738. Jeremy Webster was authorized to call the first meet- ing, which he did, and an organization was effected January 10, 1738-39. Joseph Greele was chosen moderator, and Jeremy Webster, clerk. A call was then extended to the Rev. Peter Coffin to settle with them as their minister, which was accepted August 31, 1739. Page 301 By an act of the Provincial Council in August, 1740, the boundaries between the East Parish of Kingston and the Town of Kingston were estab- 1ished as follows: "Midway between the meeting-houses of Kingston and the East Parish in a straight line a stone was set up on the highway called Salisbury road. ... "From said stone north by compass to Exeter line, and from the stone aforesaid south to the path going from Kingston to Amesbury by the way of Trickling Fall; there a beech-tree was marked, not knowing the bounds of Salisbury or Amesbury." The boundaries of East Kingston are north by Kingston and Exeter, east by Kensington, south by South Hampton and Newton and west by Kingston. Whoever is inclined to look at the county map will see that the town is in the form of a parallelogram, the longest sides being from north to south. From the northwest angle is a large area taken off and attached to Kingston. This is known as "Exeter road." The question is raised how this portion came to remain as Kingston, as the boundary according to the act would be on the north by Brentwood, leaving this territory in the East Parish. In the act authorizing the running of the boundary line in 1740, any person so disposed was allowed to poll off to the Town of Kingston. Forty-three persons availed themselves of this provision. Among these were a number of names of persons well known in the district at the present time, such as Eastman, French, Sanborn, Long, and Judkins. These persons not wishing to be included in the new parish, and having polled off to the Town of Kingston, the line was drawn as it now exists for general convenience. Since that time a number of efforts have been made to restore the bound- aries as originally enacted. In 1795 it was proposed "to build a new meeting-house twenty rods north of Capt. John Currier's, on the road to Exeter." The town voted "they were willing to receive all who had polled off." Nothing came from it. In 1826 the reannexation of Exeter road to this town, so as to restore the original parish lines, was again agitated, and the town voted "to receive the inhabitants of Kingston, on Exeter road, so called, into the Town of East Kingston, as by their petition, and the order of the Legislature thereon for a day of hearing." Many were anxious to be reannexed, and others in this town were desirous they should be; but some influential men were so decidedly, not to say violently, in opposition to the project that it failed, and the "day of hearing" had no favorable result. No propositions of the kind have since been made. Misunderstandings arose between the two parishes in relation to the parsonage, maintaining the poor, and various other matters. The conten- tions were such as came near bringing on a lawsuit; but wiser counsels pre- vailed, and it was decided "that each parish must maintain their own poor and support their own schools." But such were their remaining and continued difficulties, and so far were they from a settlement, that the town voted, in 1750, "that we are willing the Rev. Mr. Coffin request the Rev. Mr. Secombe that the parsonage land be divided between them, and in case such division cannot be obtained peaceably, we win support the Rev. Mr. Secombe to obtain Page 302 such division." No lawsuit followed, but after long controversy and strife the whole matter of parsonage was settled in March, 1761, in articles of agreement, drawn up by committees from each of the towns of Kingston, East Kingston, Hawke, and Sandown. Thus it was twenty-two years before this controversy was concluded. Mr. Coffin continued here as the minister of the town thirty-three years. In 1772 he was dismissed after much con- tention. That there was great fault on both sides the impartial reader at this time, more than a century afterwards, can have no doubt. The salary of Mr. Coffin for the first nine years after his settlement in 1739 was an average of forty-five pounds, New England currency, annually, or the equivalent of $150. To this was added the use of the parsonage, twenty- five cords of wood, and other perquisites. In 1748 it was 320 pounds, old tenor, which at that time was worth not far from fifty cents on the pound silver money. In 1760 he received sixty pounds lawful money, or $200. A pound lawful money was twenty shillings New England currency, equal to three and one-thiid dollars. At the close of his ministry in 1772 he was receiving seventy pounds. To these sums add an acre of land given him on which to build a house, one hundred pounds to aid him in building the house, assistance in building the barn, wood supplied by the parish from the par- sonage wood lot, with some other gifts and allowances, and sixty pounds when he was dismissed in payment of constructive services, with various other allowances amounting to fifty pounds, and we have a pretty correct idea of his income for the thirty-three years he was their minister. These payments were generally made in paper money, but there seem to have been reasonable efforts to pay him in a fair circulating currency. Soon after the dismission of Mr. Coffin there was an effort to obtain a successor. The town voted in October, 1772, to call and settle a minister, with a salary of eighty pounds and the use of the parsonage. A number of candidates were tried, but upon none of them could there be an agreement for settlement. With the opening scenes of the Revolution the attention of the people was turned somewhat from ecclesiastical to political duties. In patriotism East Kingston was not behind her sister towns. A committee was chosen to meet committees from other towns in Exeter, July 9, 1774, in convention, to choose delegates to represent this province in a congress proposed to be held by dele- gates from the several colonies and provinces in North America, and agreed "That they will pay their part of the expenses and charges in sending dele- gates, and will draw the money out of the Parish Treasury." 1775, May 8th, a committee was chosen to meet at Exeter on the 17th inst., with delegates from the several towns of this province, "who, when met with the other dele- gates shall be fully empowered and authorized to pursue such measures as may be judged most expedient to preserve and restore the rights of this and the other colonies, and that such deputies shall be empowered to act in behalf of themselves and their constituents." They also voted at this meeting "to raise thirteen men, called 'minute-men,' who shall be ready at any sufficient alarm for the defense of the colonies, 'each man when called for to join with the army of observation.' " They were to be provided with a "coat and blanket, arms, ammunition, and provisions, and paid for their services from Pages 303-304 include pictures Page 305 the town treasury." A "Committee of Safety" of nine persons was chosen, which was continued through the war, though its members were a number of times changed. It embraced during its existence most of the principal citizens. 1776. Eight men were raised for the expedition against Canada. Meas- ures were taken to raise money to pay bounties to these men, and also to pay their expenses. 1777, May 2lst, a vote was passed to enlist a sufficient num- ber of men as cheap as they can to fill the quota, and tax the parish. . . to raise the money and pay the same. It was also voted "that everyone in this parish must get himself ready and properly equipped for military service, both alarm and training-band, by next Monday, and then stand ready to march at a minute's warning." Also voted "supplies and preparations for an invasion." 1778. Voted supplies liberally and preparations in expectation of an invasion, as the "Committee of Safety have received advice. and for the men to be ready at a moment's warning." 1779. April 19th, voted "To give a bounty of $1,500 each to three men to enlist in the service." This, of course, was in depreciated paper cur- rency. Nearly as large sums were given afterwards in a number of instances. 1780. Great exertions were made to raise and pay soldiers, to whom large bounties were given in addition to their wages. 1781. The town voted "we are willing to raise our proportion of soldiers for the Continental army;" chose a "committee to raise men to fill the quota." "The book containing the plan of government having been read and dis- cussed, it was voted to receive it, under certain limitations." 1783. Approved of the plan of government and voted for its continuance. We have now given extracts from the records of specimens of the spirit and action of the people. Through the war public meetings were held fre- quently, and at different hours of the day and evening. They often adjourned to a day not far distant without especial business, but looking for something to occur which would require concerted action and a vote of the town. The quotas were promptly filled, though sometimes at enormous prices. Military preparations continued long after the close of the War of the Revolution, and soldiers styled "minute-men" were always in readiness. 1812. It was voted "To make up to each soldier $15 per month, with what Government allows." At this date the war had broken out usually termed the War of 1812-14, or "last war with Great Britain," and our people were found prepared for it. In 1813-15 committees were chosen to look after the drafted men, to hire men to fill the quotas, to serve for the defense of the state. The calls of the Government were promptly answered and the quotas of the town always filled. In 1818 it was "voted to sell the parsonage, invest the money, and lay out the interest annually in preaching." The "Toleration Act," passed by the Legislature of New Hampshire, July, 1819, provides that "no person shall be compelled to join or support any congregation, church, or religious society without his express consent first had and obtained.". . . "And any person may, if connected with a society, Page 306 by leaving a written notice with the clerk of the society, be exempted from any future expenses." This act ended all controversy in relation to taxing the people to support a ministry. Thereafter every society attended to their own affairs. There has occasionally, and of late, been a little agitation and a slight ripple of feeling in relation to the disposition of the parsonage money; but nothing has ever resulted from it, and probably never will. 1830. The meeting-house, which had stood ninety-two years, was torn down, and the town-house erected in its place. It was finished with pews. The house was completed, the pews sold at auction, and titles given May 2, 1831. It was to be occupied by the town whenever needed for town purposes; at all other times, and on Sabbaths, by the several religious societies such a proportion of the time as they owned pews. The selectmen decided annually what Sabbaths each society should occupy the house during the ensuing year. 1837. On a petition of twenty legal voters a town-meeting was held July Ist at the town-house, which was called to order by one of the selectmen, when John Philbrick was chosen clerk pro tem., and Charles Sanborn was chosen moderator. It was then, on motion, "Voted, That no one has a right to hold abolition or anti-slavery meetings in the town hall or other public buildings belonging to said town." A division of the house being called for, seventeen were for opening the house and forty-seven were against it. Voted, "That the town authorize the selectmen, or any freeholder in the town, to clear the public buildings in said town of any person or persons delivering or attempting to deliver any abolition lectures or addresses, and at the expense of said town." We do not think any arrests were made under this town authority, and we do not know what attempts were made to hold meetings or lecture on slavery for a number of years thereafter in any of the public buildings. Still, the legality of this whole proceeding has been well doubted. In 1847, March 9th, at the annual meeting it was voted, "That the vote passed July I, 1837, relative to the using of the public buildings to hold aboli- tion or anti-slavery lectures or addresses in, be reconsidered." Since that time the town-house has been open for public meetings without regard to the political complexion of the speakers or their friends. 1859. By votes of the town the rights of individuals to the pews in the town-house were purchased and taken away, and movable settees substituted. When the Civil war broke out there was much party feeling, but no lack of patriotism. At a town-meeting called May 9, 1861, it was voted to authorize the select- men to hire $1,OOO to pay soldiers. October l0th. Voted to adopt the act passed at the last June session of the Legislature, chapter 2480, entitled " An act authorizing cities and towns to aid the families of volunteers, and for other purposes," and that the selectmen carry this vote into effect. 1862. August I8th, the selectmen were authorized to hire $5,000 to pay volunteer citizens, $300 each. August 21st, the selectmen were authorized "to pay the bounty of "$300 to as large a number of volunteers as may be sufficient to cover all quotas called for by the President." 1863. August 12th, voted, that the selectmen be authorized to hire such Page 307 sum of money as may be necessary to pay each drafted man the sum of $30O. August 15th, voted, "That the town raise and pay to every inhabi- tant thereof who have been or shall be drafted or conscripted to serve in the army of the United States under the present draft, or to the substitute of such drafted or conscripted inhabitant, the sum of $300 bounty." 1864. June 13th, voted, that the selectmen be authorized to pay a bounty of $100 to each person who has entered into the service of the United States, and has not been paid a town bounty since May, 1863. July 20th, the select- men were authorized to borrow $5,000, and from the same to pay each volunteer or substitute who may be accepted and mustered into the mili- tary service of the United States. . . such sums as they may find neces- sary or deem expedient, not exceeding the limit prescribed by law. There went from this town forty-five volunteers and eleven substitutes, making the whole number fifty-six. The surface of the town is moderately uneven. The soil is of a good quality, and well adapted to the cultivation of farm and garden products, and to grasses and all kinds of grain. It produces large crops of Indian corn, barley, oats, potatoes, and esculent roots. The Boston and Maine Railroad runs through the town from a point in Kingston near the southwest part of East Kingston to the extreme northeast, where it enters Exeter. From the station-house, near the center of the town: Boston is distant forty-five and three fourths miles by the railroad, forty miles by the carriage-road as usually traveled, and thirty-five miles south five degrees west in a direct line. Portland is distant sixty-nine and three-fourths miles by the railroad, eighty miles by the carriage-road, and sixty-two miles north thirty-seven degree east in a direct line. Powow River flows through the southwest part of the town, having its source in the ponds of Kingston. The cutting of ice in the river is quite an item of business for the very cold weather. The making of brick is by the New England Brick Company. First Settlers.-It has generally been supposed that William and Abraham Smith settled here when there were no others within the limits of the present town. Every gazetteer and history which refers to the subject states that they were the first settlers or among the earliest settlers. On the contrary, William Smith, the elder of the brothers, was born in 1703, and it is a tradition of the family that he came here to live in 1724, when he was twenty-one years old. We do not think any two men were first settlers. They came as colonists from Hampton to Kingston, in companies. So far as can now be ascertained, the earliest were Ebenezer Webster (I), Ebenezer Stevens (I), John Swett, Nathaniel Sanborn, and Capt. John Webster. The south part of the town and a part of the main road emigrated from Salisbury and Amesbury. The Greeleys and the Frenches early made a settle- ment. Edward French and Abraham Brown located or purchased lands, but personally never settled on them. They were obtained for their children. The Curriers and Blaisdells secured lands at the Falls, and moved in as early as they thought it prudent to do so on account of the Indians. It is claimed that Ralph Blaisdell was the first who crossed Powow River from the south Page 308 for a settlement, and that the old cellar and well are yet to be seen where the road was straightened, near the Goodrich and Webster places. The mill- grant was laid out March 15, 1710. This is the earliest date of records we have found. The deed of the French place is dated June 16, 1710. Benoni Clough purchased the Caleb Webster place in 1715. A part of the Brown place, with improvements thereon, was purchased in 1716. The first land was laid off by the lot-layers, hence no person obtaining land by deed was the first settler or owner of that land. Capt. John Webster was made a freeman in 1705, and some years later had land assigned him by the lot-layers on the north road, where his son, Jeremy Webster, lived. The homestead of Ebenezer Webster (I), one of the grantees of Kingston, which was also the homestead of Ebenezer Webster (2), where Ebenezer Webster (3), who was the father of Hons. Daniel and Ezekiel Webster, was born, was located earlier than either we have named. This place is situated on a moderate eminence on the north side of the Salisbury road or highway leading to Kingston. It is less than a mile west of the railroad station, and half a mile east of the boundary line of Kingston. For a time it was owned by Capt. John Currier, and was set off to his widow as a part of her thirds. It is known by the family as Old Orchard. Congregationalists.- We learn from the first church book "That the Gen- eral Court of New Hampshire did, by their act of 17th November, 1738, erect a new parish in the easterly part of the Town of Kingstown, by the name of the East Parish in Kingstown." The inhabitants of said parish, after solemn seeking to God for direction, . . . having the pastors of the neighboring churches join with them, and preach. . . according to the direction of the province law in such cases, assembled on the 17th July, 1739, in a parish meeting legally warned, to make choice of some person to be set over them in the work of the ministry, and voting as usual in such cases, they did with the utmost unanimity make choice of and call Peter Coffin, A. M., of Exeter, unto said ministerial employment among them, who after seasonable deliberation did, on the 31st of August following, return answer with acceptance of their call. During the thirty-three years of Mr. Coffin's pastorate there were 691 baptisms, or an annual average of twenty-one. There was rarely over forty or less than four in anyone year, generally somewhere midway between these extremes, decreasing in some measure towards the last of his pastorate. 1744, March 28th, it was voted, "That there shall be a tankard full of wine, that shall be left, given to the pastor after every sacrament. " These tankards of wine yielded bitter fruit in the end. It stung "as an adder." In 1746, Ebenezer Sleeper and Obadiah Elkins and their wives were charged with absenting themselves from meetings and communions, and "going to Exeter and other places to Separate meetings," thus violating their church covenant. Susannah Morril, "Separatist," Sarah Sleeper, who found it more profitable to attend Separate meetings, and others were charged, examined, and suspended, but all these were eventually restored, and dismissed to more congenial church relations. Page 309 Their defense was, in the language of Sleeper, "That the preachers they heard preach at the Separate meetings at Exeter opened the Scriptures more to their understanding, and they profited more by their preaching than they could by the preaching at home; that God had met and blessed them, and they were not sensible of having done wrong." This was the character of the defense of all. It is a fair supposition that the preaching of Whitefield was the occasion of the Separate meetings in Exeter and other places. The doctrines of the "New Lights" were more satisfactory to spiritual minds than the meetings at home. "The failure to settle a minister after the dismission of Mr. Coffin in 1772 was not entirely due to the low state of religion in the place, but to the same causes which unsettled many ministers and which prevented many from settling. The agitation produced by the political state of the country at the commencement of the Revolutionary war called off the attention of men from the subject of religion to other duties, and the drafts of men and of money for the prosecution of the war Ieft the people in many parishes unable to contribute for the support of public worship, so that many preachers, dependent on their salaries for support, were obliged for the time to engage in other occupations. For over a quarter of a century exertions were made to support and sustain Congregationalist sentiments, doctrines, and usages. The last of those who supplied the pulpit regularly was the Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy. He preached and resided in the town some time, we are unable to determine how long. He removed to Philadelphia about 1817. Methodists.-The first preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New England was Jesse Lee, a Virginian, who, in 1789, preached in the State of Connecticut, in Lynn, Mass., and on Boston Common. The first sermon by a Methodist in New Hampshire was preached by him in Portsmouth, July, 1791. The first society was organized at Chesterfield, in the southwest part of the state, in the latter part of 1795. It is not easy to ascertain when the first sermon was preached here or the first class was formed. We are inclined to the opinion that there was preaching earlier than 1799, but that no society was formed before 1802. In that year Thomas Rawlin and Orin Fairbanks were stationed here and in Poplin. Then fol- lowed a long list of circuit preachers. In 1820 Eleazer Steele and in 1824 Amos Binney and others until 1842, when a commodious house was erected, and James M. Young was stationed preacher, and various preachers had short terms until 1857. Then for seventeen years the conference did not station preachers here. In November, 1879, the church was reorganized. In 1880 and 1881 Rev. Fred E. White was in charge and in 1882 Rev. Alexander McGregor. Rev. E. May has been assigned as pastor for 1914. The Baptists.- The Baptists were first known in this town some time between 1750 and 1776. The first Baptist Church in New Hampshire was organized in Newton in 1755, and it is probable that some of its members resided in East Kingston. Seven persons, viz.: Jonathan Blasdell, Henry Blasdell, Samuel Carter, Philip Rowell, Abraham Brown, Edmund Pillsbury, Page 310 and Sarah Graves, were freed from paying minister tax to the town for the year 1776 and thereafter, they being Quakers, churchmen, and Baptists. In the winter of 1781, Abraham Brown took his family on an ox-sled to meeting at the old Philip Morrill house, beyond the Falls, where probably a portion of the worshipers were from South Hampton and Newton. Mr. Brown died in February, 1781. The Sabbath previously he attended meeting at Little River, in North Hampton. On his way homeward he was assaulted in the woods, causing a bruise which he carried to his grave the following week. He died on Thursday, at the age of thirty-five years. He evidently was a teacher among his brethren, though not an ordained preacher. His widow kept open house for public worship and the hospitable enter- tainment of preachers and others. Dr. Samuel Shepard, who was born in Salisbury, Mass., in 1739, was ordained at Stratham in 1771, and had settled in Brentwood, where a church was formed the same year, which a number of persons from East Kingston joined. Dr. Shepard often preached and baptized at East Kingston and neigh- boring towns accessible to the Baptists of this place. He had the care of the young and struggling churches in this vicinity, and fully earned the title of bishop among them. "In this town and South Hampton there were many converted during the summer of 1792." Thomas Nichols, of Harvard, Mass., preached here and in various towns in the vicinity. "He was a faithful man, but of slender constitution, whose zeal went beyond his strength in his labors." Rev. John Peak, a native of Walpole, N. H., removed to Deerfield in 1793, preaching not only there but in this and other towns. In 1795 Mr. Peak settled in Newton, and continued to preach frequently and baptize in East Kingston. In 1797 the town "voted that the Baptists should have a portion of the parsonage money, and lay it out as they see fit, and have the meeting-house when not occupied." For many years from this there were contentions among the several denominations in regard to their rights in the meeting-house and to the parsonage, sometimes one and then another party prevailing. In 1812 the controversy was partially settled by "allowing the several denominations their proportionate share of the meeting-house and of the parsonage money, and refraining from raising money by tax to support preaching." Benjamin Paul, a mulatto, preached for a time. After the removal of Elder Peak from this vicinity, the death of Dr. Shepard and others, the Baptists had meetings less frequently. Mrs. Corliss died January 13, 1858, in the sixty-eighth year of her age. Mr. Corliss died April 5, 1859, aged eighty-one years. Since their time there has been little effort made to advance the Baptist cause. In 1876, Rev. James Graham came to this place; an interest was awakened, several persons were hopefully converted, and others reclaimed from a backsliding state under his ministry; but he and his friends thought it not profitable to the cause of God to build up a separate denominational interest. Other ministers who have labored here, and of whom honorable mention should be made, are Revs. Ferdinand Ellis, Samuel Cook, John Newton Browne, Timothy P. Ropes, and James A. Boswell. Adventists.-In the autumn of 1839, William Miller gave a course of lec- Page 311 tures in Exeter, which attracted unusual attention. Many from this place went to hear, and were interested. Other public speakers who liad embraced Mr. Miller's views lectured in the place, among them the eloquent Rev. Charles Fitch. In 1841 a camp-meeting was held here, which attracted a large crowd. Many exaggerated reports were circulated concerning this and other kindred gatherings. That this meeting did not partake of the obnoxious qualities charged against them appears by the following account, written by John G. Whittier, one of the most enlightened and impartial observers: "On my way eastward," says Whittier, "I spent an hour or two at a camp- ground of the Second Adventists in East Kingston. The spot was well chosen. A tall growth of pine and hemlock threw its melancholy shadow over the multitude, who were arranged on rough seats of boards and logs. Several hundreds, perhaps a thousand, people were present and more were rapidly coming. Drawn about in a circle, forming a background of snowy whiteness to the datk masses of men and foliage, were the white tents, and back of them the provision-stalls and cook-shops. When I reached the ground a hymn, the words of which I could not distinguish, was pealing through the dim aisles of the forest. I know nothing of music, having neither ear nor taste for it, but I could readily see that it had its effect upon the multitude before me, kindling to higher intensity their already excited enthusiasm. The preachers were placed in a rude pulpit of rough boards, carpeted only by the dead forest leaves and flowers, and tasseled not with silk and velvet, but with the green boughs of the sombre hemlocks around it. One of them followed the music in an earnest exhortation on the duty of preparing for the great event. Occasionally he was really eloquent, and his description of the last day had all the terrible distinctness of Annell's painting of the 'End of the World.' Suspended from the front of the rude pulpit were two broad sheets of canvas, upon one of which was the figure of a man, the head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and sides of brass, the legs of iron, and feet of clay,-the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. On the other were depicted the wonders of the Apocalyptic vision,-the beasts, the dragons, the scarlet woman seen by the Seer of Patmos,--0riental types and figures and mystic symbols, translated into staring Yankee realities exhibited like the beasts of a traveling menagerie. One horrible image, with its hideous heads and scaly caudal extremity, reminded me of the tremendous line of Milton, who, in speaking of the same evil dragon, describes him as 'swingeing the scaly horrors of his folded tail.' To an imaginative mind the scene was full of novel interest. The white circle of tents, the dim wood arches, the upturned, earnest faces, the loud voices of the speakers, burdened with the awful symbolic language of the Bible, the smoke from the fires, rising like incense from forest altars, carried one back to the days of primitive worship, when the groves were God's first temples." From this meeting an influence went out into all the surrounding country. It was a season of awakening and religious zeal, even with those who did not embrace these peculiar views. At this time the believers in Advent doctrines were numerous, and there were many conversions from the world, as well as proselytes from the churches. From 1841 to 1846 there was a continued interest, and a large number of Page 312 persons professed to submit themselves to God. Not only in these years, but afterwards in 1847 and 1854, very many were earnest and sincere in looking for the coming of the Lord "in the clouds of heaven." They have as yet been disappointed, but still cling to the. hope very firmly, with Scotland's fairest poet, that "The morn will come, nay, He himself, Brighter than mom's best ray, Shall come to bid the night depart, And bring at last the day." In July, 1860, Rev. James White, of Portsmouth, preached here, and in the following November moved his family into the town. He stayed nearly two years, and in a letter said, "Forty persons were converted." "Most of the people were favorable." The Universalists.-We cannot ascertain when the Universalists first came to this town. Revs. Sebastian L. Streeter and Hosea Ballou were early preachers here, and the earliest of which we have certain knowledge. Mr. Streeter commenced his pastorate in Portsmouth in 1815, and closed it in 1824. During this time he occasionally preached here. His "home" or stop- ping-place was with Esquire Edward Greeley, who died November 5, 1817. From the above and traditional accounts our conclusion is that it was not far from 1814. A lady, born in 1806, remembers well Esquire Greeley and Mr. Streeter, and thinks we are as nearly correct in the time as can be ascertained, unless there are records somewhere to which we have not access. Rev. E. H. Lake with his family resided in town a number of years, but preached here only a part of the time. One-fourth of the inhabitants are strongly attached to Universalist doc- trines and usages, and are not favorably disposed to what are usually termed "evangelical views," though they claim that theirs are the most evangelical of any that are promulgated. There is now a singular apathy existing with them in relation to meetings. They have had but a few for a number of years last past. Several families attend service on the Sabbath in Kingston, where is a prosperous society. The ministers who preached here after Messrs. Streeter and Ballou were: Revs. Russell Streeter, Charles Spear, Thomas G. Farnsworth, Thomas Whittemore, James Shrigley, S. S. Fletcher, Calvin Damon, Willard Spaulding, Henry Jewell, Nathan R. Wright, J. P. Greenwood, J. J. Locke, and Edwin J. Lake. Most of these were men of ability and accomplishments, who were active and fervent in their labors. None of them preached for a great length of time. They have never had a permanent settled pastor. The Christians have had for many years an influence and a few adherents. As early as 1792, Rev. Elias Smith, then a Baptist, preached here and baptized. Gradually he separated from the Baptists, and with others started a new party called Christians. After this he preached here and in other towns in this vicinity. He possessed superior talents and was a great favorite with his friends, but was unstable in his doctrinal views. Others who have preached here acceptably are: Revs. Henry Rottle, John Harriman, Elijah Shaw, Page 313 Julius C. Blodgett, Henry Plummer, Simeon Swett, Edwin Burnham, and Daniel P. Pike. But more than any other was Rev. Samuel E. Brown, whose home was here for many years, and who labored without fee or reward. The Free-Will Baptists have had preaching here in past years, but no membership, as they at once coalesced with the Christians. The Rev. Benja- min Fernald, who had labored in places not very far distant, came here in 1856 and preached from two to three years, including the years 1857 and 1858, to good congregations and general acceptance. He preached to a Union congregation, and made no efforts to build up his or any other denomination. A number of other Free-Will Baptist preachers have officiated here. Military Record.- The following is a list of the soldiers of East Kingston in the War of the Rebellion: John A. James, Co. I, 2d Regiment; enlisted November 30, 1863; pro- moted to corporal January 1,1865; discharged December 19,1865. Daniel McNichols, Co. K, 2d Regiment; enlisted November 17, 1863; transferred to U. S. N. April 29, 1864. George H. Myron, Co. I, 2d Regiment; enlisted December 2, 1863; pro- moted to corporal July I, 1864; to sergeant May I, 1865; discharged Decem- ber 19, 1865. Thomas H. Campbell, Co. H, 5th Regiment; enlisted December 10, 1863; transferred to U. S. N. April 22, 1864. Henry Dodge, Co. K, 5th Regiment; enlisted December 7, 1863; missing June 3, 1864. Edward Colcord, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted December 10, 1861; dis- charged June 24, 1862. George H. Marsh, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; re-enlisted corporal December 26, 1863; promoted to sergeant; absent, sick, since June 3, 1864; no discharge furnished. Elvin Marsh, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; killed August 29, 1862. Ebenezer K. Mardin, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; discharged June 24, 1862. Daniel P. Pierce, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; dis- charged August 29, 1862. John A. Webster, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; re-enlisted December 23, 1863; captured May 28, 1864. William Carter, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; trans- ferred to V. R. C. July I, 1863. Thomas C. Goodrich, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; promoted to sergeant; discharged June 4, 1865. John G. Colcord, Co. I, 6th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1863; pro- moted to corporal ; discharged May 27, 1865. Evander A. Goodrich, 6th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1863; trans- ferred to V. R. C. January 20, 1865; discharged September 3, 1865. Henry McCabe, Co. D, 7th Regiment; enlisted November 16, 1864. Manuel Marks, Co. C, 7th Regiment; enlisted January 3, 1865; discharged July 20, 1865. Page 314 John San Francis, Co. D, 7th Regiment; enlisted November 16, 1864; discharged July 20, 1865. Franklin Cass, Co. B, 7th Regiment; enlisted September 10, 1862; dis- charged June 26, 1865. Sylvester W. Bartlett, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 186I; promoted to corporal May 1, 1863; killed June 14, 1863. David D. Lawrence, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1861. died May 27, 1863. Alonzo L. Tappan, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted December 20, 1861; discharged July 5, 1862. Smith N. Welsh, Co. B, 8th Regiment; enlisted January 4, 1864; dis- charged October 28, 1865. James M. Tappan, corporal Co. A, 9th Regiment; enlisted July 3, 1862; died November 1, 1862. Benjamin D. James, Co. A, 9th Regiment; enlisted July 8, 1862; dis- charged April 30, 1863. Charles H. Webster, Co. A, 9th Regiment; enlisted July 10, 1862. John Hill, Co. I, l0th Regiment; enlisted August 11, 1863. James McDonald, Co. I, l0th Regiment; enlisted August 11, 1863; trans- ferred to 2d Regiment June 21, 1865; discharged December 19, 1865. Alexander McDonald, Co. K, l0th Regiment; enlisted August 11, 1863; discharged February 22, 1864. George W. Davis, Co. I, IOth Regiment; enlisted August II, 1863. Peter Frigwirg, Co. D, l0th Regiment; enlisted August 11, 1863; trans- ferred to 2d Regiment June 21, 1865. Calvin B. Magoon, sergeant Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; died May 17, 1864. Jacob M. Phillips, corporal Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; discharged April 22, 1864. Charles M. Burleigh, Ca. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; promoted to corporal; discharged June 4, 1865. John W. Nichols, mustered Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 2, 1862; discharged in general hospital; authority and date unknown. Gilman N. Dow, Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; dis- charged January 13, 1863. Kingsley L. Hale, Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; dis- charged June 4, 1865. Nathaniel Swett, Co. I; IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; died January 11, 1863. George Swett, Co. I, IIth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; dis- charged June 3, 1865. Charles Crocker, 12th Regiment; enlisted December 8, 1863; supposed to have deserted en route to regiment. John Rossengrist, Co. C, 12th Regiment; enlisted December 12, 1863; transferred to 2d Regiment June 21, 1865. Jacob Anderson, Co. I, 12th Regiment; enlisted December 8, 1863; trans- ferred to U. S. navy April 29, 1864. Philip Smith, Co. D, 13th Regiment; enlisted August 11,1863. Page 315 Henry H. Titcomb, Co. D, 14th Regiment; enlisted September 23, 1862; promoted to corporal October 31, 1864; discharged July 8, 1865. William Miller, Co. F, I4th Regiment; enlisted August II, 1863. Joseph Terry, Co. E, I4th Regiment; enlisted July 28, 1864; discharged July 8, 1865. Charles E. Batchelder, sergeant Co. A, H. Artillery; promoted to Ist ser- geant October 26, 1854; discharged September II, 1865. William F. Currier, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted July 18, 1863; dis- charged September II, 1865. Amos M. Batchelder, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted February 19, 1864; discharged September II, 1865. Charles C. Marsh, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted Jul y 18, 1863; discharged September II, 1865. George W. Marden, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted February 19, 1864; discharged September II, 1865. Daniel P. Pierce, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted July 18, 1863; discharged August 7, 1865. Charles T. C. Pierce, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted August 10, 1863; dis- charged September II, 1865. Andrew J. York, Co. A, H. Artillery; enlisted July 22, 1863; discharged September II, 1865. James R. Gray, sergeant Co. E, H. Artillery; enlisted September 5, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865. Warren Balch, Co. E, H. Artillery; enlisted September 5, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865. Adoniram J. Sawyer, sergeant Co. G, H. Artillery; enlisted September 6, 1864; discharged June 15, 1865. George B. Kendall, Co. D, H. Artillery; enlisted September 4. 1864; dis- charged June 15,1865. Edwin S. Sweatt, Co. E, H. Artillery; enlisted September 5, 1864; dis- charged June 15, 1865. Isaac H. Heath, Co. E, U. S. S. S.; enlisted September 9, 1861; discharged April I, 1863. Lewis B. Morrill, Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; drowned at Big Black River, Miss., July 22, 1863. Edward Colcord, Veteran Reserve Corps; enlisted December 2, 1863; date of discharge unknown now. Charles Freeman, U. S. C. T.; enlisted January 3, 1865; date of discharge unknown now. Edward Davis, U. S. C. T.; enlisted December 30, 1864; date of dis- charge unknown. Henry H. Titcomb. Amos F. Varney, sergeant Co. G, I8th Regiment; enlisted November 16, 1864; reduced to ranks March 13, 1865; discharged July 29, 1865. Frank Clark, enlisted July 28, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given. David Roberts, enlisted July 29, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given. Page 316 Abel Gale, enlisted August 2, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given. John Smith, enlisted November 17, 1864, three years; credited to town; no further record given. James R. Grey, corporal Co. C, 6th Regiment; enlisted November 27, 1861; discharged January 22, 1864. The East Kingston Public Library was established July 11, 1894, under the library law. Its 1,418 volumes are located in the town hall. Annie M. Buswell is the librarian. ********************************************************************** * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIORto uploading to any other sites. 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