Chapter 44 - North Hampton from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire From: Betsy Webber - betsy@megalink.net Source: History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915 Page 587 CHAPTER XLIV NORTH HAMPTON Geographical--Topographical--The First Settlements--Garrison-House-- Indian Depredations--Petition for Parish Privileges--Organization of Parish--"The North Hill Parish"--Incorporation of the Town--Peti- lion to be Released from Parish Rates--Ecclesiastical History-- Military Record--Public Library. North Hampton is one of the coast towns, and is bounded as follows: on the north by Greenland and Rye; on the east by Rye and the Atlantic; on the south by Hampton; and on the west by Stratham. The population by the 1910 United States census was 783. The surface of the town is generally level and the soil fertile. The early history of this town will be found principally in the history of Hampton, of which North Hampton originally formed a part. The early record history, Revolutionary history, names of early settlers, etc., are incor- porated in the history of the mother town. Settlements began within the bounds of the present Town of North Hamp- ton at one of the earliest periods in the history of the state. It was in about the year 1636 that the first intrepid explorer set foot upon this soil, and this was an event of no ordinary magnitude. The Indians were still pursuing their erratic warfare, and the hardy pioneers earned their bread at the con- tinued hazard of their lives. Garrison-House.--One of the first acts of the inhabitants was the erec- tion of a garrison-house where all might take refuge in case of an attack by Indians. This garrison-house stood a few rods southwesterly from the site of the first meeting-house, on the southern border of what was formerly called the "Green." Notwithstanding the precaution taken by the pioneers, the murderous tomahawk of the red man left its imprint upon the little settlement. June 13, 1677, during King Philip's war, four persons, viz., Edward Colcord, Jr., Abraham Perkins, Jr., Benjamin Hilliard, and Caleb Towle, fell victims to his savage cruelty. With the death of Philip, in 1676, the war in the southern part of New England ceased, but in New Hampshire it raged two years longer, and for a time seemed to threaten the extinction of the wholecolony. With the return of peace the settlement resumed its former activity, and not many years elapsed ere it became a prosperous and important element in the colony, and in 1719 we find it petitioning for parish privileges. The Council appointed a committee, by whom the boundaries of the proposed parish were run out, which reported to the court October 29, 1719. The Page 588 petition, however, was not granted. The next petition relating to the parish of which we have any record was under date November 30, 1730, as follows: Petition relating to the Parish "To the Honourable hous of Representatives of this his Majesties Prov- ince of New Hampshire Greeting. "Gentlemen we your honours humble petitioners humbly sheweth that whereas his Honour ye Governor with his Majestys Counsel in answer to a petition from hampton did Grant a parish at North Ende of said town as shall appear by a Coppy of sd grant, but it did not com to the honrable hous of Representatives for their concurranc thearwith Thearefore we your honours humble petitioners humbly crave your concurrance thearewith, and in so doing you will much oblege us your humble Servants As in duty bound we shall ever pray, "Hampton November 30, 1730--Simon Marston, Maurice Hobbs, Timothy Dalton, David Pag, Simon Darbon, Joshuay Brown, John Godfre, Thomas Marston, Joseph Dearbn, Daniel Sanborn, Widow Sarah Samborn, John Shaw, Jonathan Page, Richard Taylor, John Johnson, John Radman, Thomas Marston, Benjn Roby, John Wedgwood, Edmund Chapman, Eben- ezer Godfrie, Ruben Darbon, Job Chapman, William Palmar, John Darbn. John Marston, Joseph Chapman, Penja Thomas, Sama Darbon, William Godfree, Saml Marston, Saml Bachelder, Benimin Johnson, John Smith, Samuel Dearborn." The first petition, however, which was reported favorably, was under date of November 17, 1738, when the parish was organized with power to act in affairs concerning the ministry and schools. It was variously named in the town records as the "North Hill Parish in Hampton," "The North Parish in Hampton," etc. It was incorporated as a town by the name of North Hampton, November 26, 1742. The delegate from this town to the Constitutional Convention of 1778 was Levi Dearborn, and to that of 1781 was Abraham Drake. Petition of inhabitants of N. E. part of Hampton to be exempted from ministers tax "To His Excellency Bennin Wentworth Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief In and over his Majesties Provence of New Hampshire in New Eng- land and to the Honourable the Council and house of Representatives of said Province In General Assembly Convened-November ye 16th 1742. "The Humble petition of us the Subscribers Most Humbly sheweth- that the houses and habitations of your petitioners are in the north easterly part of the town of Hampton at or near Littel Bores Head near Lettel River or near the Sea and that we live most as near upon a Line to the meeting-house at the town as to that of North hill and that it is much easier for us to go to meeting at the town than to North Hill by reason of the Goodness of the way to the town and there not being any way for us to go to meeting at north hill nor ever like to be unless we travil much farther than to go to the meeting-house at the town: Page 589 "Your petitioners Humbly pray that your Excellency and Honours would be pleased to take this petition into consideration and in your grate Good- ness exempt us from paying to the support of the ministry at North hill and that we may still remain--and be taxed to the support of the ministry and the other Publick charges of the town as we used to be and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. "John Batchelder Mosies Lampre "Thomas Rains Obadiah Marston "Jeremiah Page Stephen Brown. "In the House of Representatives, 9mo, 25th 1742. "The within Petition Read and considered & voted to be Dismissed "James Jeffry Clr. Assm" Moses Leavitt, of this town, was appointed captain in the Continental service, June 13, 1776, and authorized to raise 100 men to join the army in New York. He was on a committee of officers at Hampton, in 1777, to petition the honorable committee of safety to take measures for the defense of the sea-coast. In 1778 he was again appointed to enlist soldiers for the Continental army; was appointed lieutenant-colonel of Third Regiment New Hampshire militia in 1781, and was representative to the General Assembly in 1782 and 1783. The Congregational Church.--Our forefathers were careful to erect the meeting-house and provide for the preaching of the gospel as soon as they had formed any distinct and considerable settlement. Many of the town- ships originally were large, and as the population extended to the borders of the town, a portion of the people were often obliged to travel a long distance to church. The only way to obviate this difficulty was in forming a separate parish whenever the population. became sufficient to support a minister. So it came about that many towns had more than one church of the same denominational order, and not infrequently were there new parishes after- wards incorporated into towns. Within one hundred years after the first house was built in Hampton a considerable settlement had formed at North Hill, about three miles from the meeting-house. Those settlers suffered many trials because of their isola- tion. the difficulty in clearing the land, and Indian depredations. Their first houses (one of which is now standing) were lined with bricks to make them bullet-proof, and a garrisoned house was built on the green, to which they resorted in time of especial danger. While they felt that they must vigorously wield the axe, and drive the plow, and unceasingly watch the stealthy savage, they grew dissatisfied with their religious privileges, believing that it was needless for them to go three miles on the Sabbath to worship when the preaching of the gospel could be supported in their midst. With the impression that some steps should be taken towards a better state of things on the 2nd of May, 1719, "Samuel Chapman and others pre- sented a petition to the Council Board" that they might be relieved from giving support for the minister at the old parish in Hampton, and be per- mitted to lawfully sustain the gospel among themselves. This was respect- fully received, and a committee of four persons was appointed to ascertain "the bounds and limits of a parish in the north end of Hampton." On the Page 590 29th of May that committee reported that the parish lines should be nearly the same as the present boundaries of North Hampton, with the exception of a part which has since been set off to the Town of Rye. But as the select- men of Hampton remonstrated, the petition was dismissed, and nothing further of account was done towards effecting a separation until 1734, when, on the 9th of October, thirty-five persons petitioned the General Assembly, praying that the parish bounds might be established agreeable to the report of the committee appointed to define them fifteen years before. This request was carefully considered, but on account of the opposition which the select- men offered, and a remonstrance signed by twenty-six individuals who lived within the bounds of the proposed parish, they stating "we rather continue as we are, one parish," the bill passed in the negative. At the beginning of the year 1736 several members of the church living near North Hill obtained the consent of their pastor, Rev. Ward Cotton, to hold religious meetings among themselves on Sabbath evenings. He drew up some articles of agreement to govern the meetings, which all who proposed to attend signed. Whether this was done as a compromise to quiet the known restlessness is not quite certain. However, it was not sufficient to meet their desires for religious advantages. It rather deepened their sense of deprivation, for, in 1737, they renewed their request to be constituted a distinct parish, but this effort also proved fruitless. There were persevering men in those days, especially in things which they knew were right. Accordingly, on the 2d of November, 1738, another petition of a similar nature was presented to the General Assembly, then held at Portsmouth. On the 17th of the same month a bill granting the request passed the House of Representatives, was concurred in by the Council, and received the indorsement of the provincial governor. Thus the parish at North Hill was formed, on the condition that they would support a minister and a schoolmaster, and would pay their annual proportion of the grant which the town had made to Dorothy Gookin, widow of Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, who at his death had been minister of the town twenty-four years. Although the exact date cannot be determined, yet prior to 1734 a meeting- house was erected a little south of the center of what is now the common. It was 30 by 40 feet, framed for galleries, and was without pews for years, notwithstanding an agreement had been made that one range of pews should be laid out adjoining the walls of the house, to be valued from ten pounds to fifteen pounds, "according to the dignity of the pews." The evidence is only inferred that meetings were held in that house until the parish was legally formed. The first parish meeting was called by Daniel Sanborn, on Christmas day, 1738, when a committee was appointed to agree with Mr. Nathaniel Gookin, son of the lamented minister of the first parish, to preach to the society for three months. The first annual meeting which, by act of the General Assembly, must occur in March, was held on the 20th of that month, 1739, at which they agreed to employ a minister for one year. But at an adjourned meeting, held on the 8th of May following, they voted to settle a minister within twelve months. To aid in making a right choice, they proposed to follow the usual custom of those days by calling a fast and inviting neighboring Page 591 ministers to spend the day with them in prayer and consultation. Agreeable to the advice then given, the parish chose a committee on the 12th of June "to treat with Mr. Nathaniel Gookin to settle with them in the work of the ministry." They voted to procure for him a parsonage of at least ten acres of land, fence it, and build upon it a convenient house and barn, to furnish him annually sufficient firewood, and to give him 11O pounds a year, adding five pounds each succeeding year until the amount should reach 140 pounds, and if it were needful, and they were able, further additions should be made. This was to be given him, even if, because of sickness, he might be unable to perform Sabbath service. Surely such was a generous offer for thosetimes. After due consideration the call was accepted. In his letter to the parish committee, he said, "I accept your invitation, demanding of you, as you will answer it at the great day, that you give diligent heed to the truths I shall bring you from the gospel of Jesus Christ, and practice according to them; also that you be continually earnest at the throne of grace for me, that I may be a faithful and successful laborer in the gospel among you." He at that time was twenty-five years of age, having graduated at Harvard College seven years before. As yet there was no church organization, but on the 23d of September, 1739, those persons living within the bounds of the new parish who belonged to the First Church made application for letters of dismission, that they might organize a church at North Hill, but the purpose was not favorably regarded, and their request was refused. Nothing daunted, the North Hill people called an Ecclesiastical Council, ex parte, of course, which met on the 30th of October. The Council and brethren sent a declaration to the First Church, but they were not recognized. Afterwards a public conference was agreed upon and held, yet the church refused to grant the required letters of dismission. Smarting under such treatment, on the day following, the Council and brethren took matters into their own hands, and organized what they called "the Fourth Church of Christ in Hampton," and at the same time ordained Mr. Gookin as pastor. This was a bold stroke, but it proved to be a wise one. The First Church afterwards acquiesced in the movement, and within three years they granted letters of dismission to several persons and recommendation to the church at North Hill. After much perplexity and deep feeling the desire of the people in the north part of Hampton was secured so far. But as in all new public enter- prises there are many calls for money and labor, so the North Hill Parish found many things which needed attention. In 1741 a parsonage-house was built, of dimensions 25 by 30 feet, with a lower addition on one end. During the same year the first pew in the meeting- house was built, having the extent of 5 feet on the wall from the pulpit stairs, and 5 feet front, covering an area of 25 square feet. In this the family of the minister sat, while the rest of the people had to arrange themselves as best they could, for there were no other regular seats built in the house until 1746. In the year following a parsonage barn, 20 by 24 feet, with twelve-feet posts, was built. This completed the agreement of the society in providing a parsonage. It must have been at great personal sacrifice that they provided so much; and had not relief been given by their right in some of the first parish property, their struggle would have been very severe and prolonged. Page 592 On the 30th of November, 1742, the parish was incorporated as a town. This act brought up new matters for adjustment between the two parishes. The second minister of Hampton, Rev. Timothy Dalton, who died in 1661, left a large ministerial fund for the town. When North Hampton was incor- porated the tax-payers felt that they were justly entitled to their proportion of that property, and in a friendly way they requested that it might be con- veyed to them. For some unexplained reason the request, which was several times repeated, was not granted; and it was found necessary to carry the case into court, where, after some delay, it was decided in favor of the com- plainants. As nearly as can be ascertained, about one-fifth part of the old par- sonage property was conveyed to North Hampton. This greatly aided in the support of the minister. Especially helpful was it, since about that time the colonial currency began to depreciate in value, so that the parish was obliged to add to Mr. Gookin's salary. At first they increased it five pounds, then twenty, then ninety, afterwards adding more and more every year until it became 1,200 pounds. As the parsonage-house was too small for the increasing family of the pastor, a section of eighteen feet was put on to one end in 1753. In order that it might better accommodate the minister, the house was afterwards moved to a place opposite the present parsonage, and nearer the meeting- house, on to a lot of land secured by exchange with Capt. Abner Fogg. There it was occupied by different ministers until the year 1800. The first meeting-house had never been fully finished. There was noth- ing costly about it. Even the pulpit was unornamented and simple, although of good workmanship, and the only pew was not elaborate. There had arisen a feeling that the old house was inadequate to meet the wants of the increasing congregation, and withal it was probably inferior to houses of worship in the neighboring parishes, so after much discussion and planning they decided to erect a new one. The work was begun, and for the main part of the house completed in 1761. It was 40 by 48 feet, with galleries after the style of those days, and was built in a substantial manner, being unique and comfortable, except in the cold weather, when the windows would rattle and the people would shiver, and the preacher would try to wax warm over his well-written manuscript. The days of carpeted floors, elastic cushions, anthracite burners, and steam-pipes had not come. The addition of a steeple to the meeting-house was earnestly discussed, some wanting it on the west end, some on the east end, and some not caring to have it at all. Because of this diverse feeling the whole matter was dropped, and it was fifty-five years before the tower was erected and the much-needed bell pealed forth its invitations to worship. After the completion of the meeting-house the interests of the church and parish moved on without especial innovation or jar until the 22d of October, 1766, when Mr. Gookin was removed by death, after faithfully laboring for the salvation of souls and setting before his people a worthy example for twenty-seven years. His ministry was marked by many of the hardships which pioneers of the gospel necessarily experience. He is said to have been "a sound divine, a serious, plain preacher, a wise counselor, and a much-beloved pastor of his flock." He was thrice married--first to Miss Judith Coffin, daughter of Eliphalet Coffin, of Exeter. His second wife was Miss Anna Fitch, daughter Page 593 of Rev. Jabez Fitch, of Portsmouth, by whom he had three children. His third wife was Mrs. Love Wingate, by whom he had eight children. After the death of Mr. Gookin the town generously provided for his widow, furnishing a comfortable home for a while at least, and giving her fourteen pounds lawful money. As the most of the early church records have been lost, the number of members when organized and the additions during the first pastorate cannot with certainty be given, but it is probable that the original number was quite small, and that about forty belonged to the church at the time of Mr. Gookin's death. Although it was a sad day to the church when their first pastor laid off his care and entered into everlasting rest, yet they were not long willing to be without some one to break to them the bread of life. Accordingly, Mr. Joseph Stacy Hastings, a native of Newton, Mass., then twenty-five years of age, was invited to preach as a probationer. So highly pleased were the people that they at once gave him a call to settle with them as minister of the town. Feeling that "a great and effectual door was open" to him, he accepted the call, and was ordained over the church on the 1lth of February, 1767. He was a good and true man, although somewhat eccentric, keenly sensitive, and sometimes impatient of human weaknesses. He deeply mourned over the worldliness and cold formality of Christians, and earnestly labored to effect a greater spirituality in the church. He believed that every Christian life should be luminous with love. He accomplished a worthy work during his ministry of seven and a half years, receiving fifty persons to church member- ship. He adopted the Sandemanian doctrines and notions, after which he declared the resignation of his ministry in a brief and decided manner on the 3d of July, 1774. Although informal, the church courteously acquiesced in his decision. He was treated with great kindness by the people. They voted to make him a present of $120, the crops on the parsonage for that year, and the use of the parsonage-house until they should want it. During Mr. Hastings' ministry the people became agitated about the subject of sing- ing. Different opinions were entertained concerning what they should sing, but in the month of May, 1771, the town voted "to sing one of Dr. Watts' hymns once every Sunday," and in the following April a special parish- meeting was called to see if they would introduce "Dr. Watts' Psalms and Three Books of Hymns," to be sung in the church and congregation. It was decided to use those hymns in their worship which proved to be satisfactory; at least the subject was not seriously agitated again. Rev. David McClure, who had just declined a call to the church in Ports- mouth, was invited to supply the pulpit for a time. Being highly pleased with his ministrations, the people invited him to settle with them, offering as a stipulated salary "eighty-five pounds, lawful money, together with the home parsonage and the buildings on the same." With unanimity of feel- ing he was installed on the 13th of November, 1776, twelve churches having been invited upon the council. He was a native of Boston, twenty-eight years old, and graduated from Yale College seven years before. He was a man of high culture, good judg- ment, and pleasing address, and for twenty-three years (1777 to 1800) was one of the trustees of Dartmouth College. His Alma Mater gave him the degree of D. D. in 1803. As the colonies were at war with the mother-country when he was settled, Page 594 having but a few months before declared themselves independent, as things in the political world were in an unsettled state, as excitement on all great national questions ran high, as the country was comparatively poor, and as no human mind could forecast the future, it was a trying period to commence a pastorate. Since national affairs were of absorbing interest, great effort was needed to make men feel their accountability to God. But under the wise and judicious labors of Mr. McClure the church and parish prospered, and during his nine years of ministration twenty-two were added to the mem- bership. Soon after his settlement depreciation in the currency of the country became alarming, and at times the prospect of supporting a family seemed discouraging. The people nobly exerted themselves to relieve him. During his first year they gave him $100 more than they had agreed. Thee next year they gave him $500 additional. In 1779 the town added $1,000, and afterwards increased it by l00 bushels of corn; and in 1780 his salary was raised to $12,000 and twelve cords of wood! He bravely struggled on, receiving the affections of his people, and carefully calculating how to make his $1,000 a month purchase the necessities for himself and family. Finally he felt it his duty to resign his charge, which he accordingly did in August, 1785. Having been dismissed, he moved to East Windsor, Conn., where he preached until his death in 1820. As the pulpit was again vacant, the church called a fast, and consulted with several ministers of neighboring churches in reference to securing a pastor. Mr. Benjamin Thurston, of Bradford, Mass., then about thirty years of age, was recommended, and being well liked, he received a call for settlement, and was ordained on the 2d of November, 1785. Although an able preacher, he was not very Christ-like in character, yet during his ministry of about fifteen years fifty-three were added to the church. A debt was contracted of considerable amount, to pay which a portion of the parsonage was sold. Agreeable to the known desire of the people, he tendered his resignation, and was dismissed on the 27th of October, 1800. The parish chose a committee to look up another minister, and Col. Thomas Leavitt, chairman of that committee, went to Andover, Mass., with the purpose of inviting Mr. Jonathan French, son of the beloved pastor of the South Parish in that town, to preach as a candidate. He gave up the prospect of another field of labor, and agreed to spend a few Sabbaths in town. The people were well pleased with him, and without delay he was requested to become their minister. He was ordained on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1801, being twenty-three years of age, and having graduated at Harvard College three years before. Little then did he realize the work which God had marked out for him in North Hampton. Little did he think that he would be instrumental in moulding the character of more than one generation in the same parish. Little did he suppose he should write a history on human hearts that would cause his name to be fragrant in memory long after he should rest from his labors. It is well that he could not divine the future. He proved to be the right man in the right place. Party feeling in politics ran high in the beginning of the present century, and as the parish included the whole town, this feeling was expressed in ecclesiastical as well as civil affairs. and was pronounced in an apparent oppo- sition to the settlement of Mr. French. Great wisdom was needed to meet such a state of things, but the young pastor was equal to the occasion, and so deported himself as to command the respect of all classes. Page 595 It was one condition of the call for settlement that the parish should repair the parsonage-house or build a new one. They found it advisable to build. The work was undertaken in earnest, and in 1803 they completed a substantial and commodious house after the style of those days. About this time the pastor was married to Miss Rebecca Farrar, of Lincoln, Mass., a lady fair to look upon, lovely in spirit, and possessed of sterling virtues. As he was returning to his home with his bride, after having taken a short vacation, the people, desirous of showing their esteem, sent a delegation to meet him just beyond the border of the state, while the greater part of them went out to escort him from the Hampton line to the recently finished and furnished parsonage-house, and to make the occasion complete a grand recep- tion was held in the evening. This auspicious beginning was followed by years of peace and prosperity, the pastor continuing to receive that high respect, and sometimes reverence, which people of those days were accus- tomed to give to ministers of the gospel, while his words of instruction and counsel were received without much serious questioning or even mentaldis- sent. In those days it required great boldness, and certainly it was a vio- lation of the sentiment of the people, to make a public issue with the minister. In such a state of society the pastor's influence was potent and usually pre- vailing. He was consulted on temporal as well as spiritual interests, and often became the final arbitrator when parties disagreed. In the year 1816 the parish decided to add a tower to the church and place in it a good-sized bell. This was what their fathers felt the need of and long talked about. Its completion was a matter of congratulation, as it gave new life to the community by being rung to regulate their daily labors, as well as to summon them to worship. Although the parish included the town, yet all the inhabitants of the town were not in sympathy with the church. For a generation some had enter- tained the belief and sentiments of the Baptists, and had protested against the support of orthodox worship. This number increased until a Free-Will Baptist Society was formed. Many of this class early availed themselves of a statute law, by which their ministerial tax could be used for other than the support of orthodox Congregational worship. This prepared the way for a proportional claim of the parsonage property. A period of great trial now came on. Nothing more difficult to manage had occurred since the North Hill Parish was formed, nearly one hundred years before. Party feeling was strong, and it became needful to support the preaching of the gospel independent of the town. This necessitated the formation of the North Hampton Congregational Society in 1834, although the constitution was not adopted until the month of June, 1835. In order to equitably divide the parish property, the town voted to sell the parsonage for $1,600, and that each voter should say to which religious society his proportional part should be given. Much the larger proportion was given to the Congregational Society. On the 27th of April that society voted to purchase the parsonage for the sum specified. In payment of this they had to tax themselves only for the amount which the Baptist people had received. As the town ceased to provide ministerial support after the sale and trans- fer of the parsonage, Mr. French was employed by the Congregational Society. So strongly attached was he to his people that in their period of trial he Page 596 proposed to relinquish one-fourth part of his salary, when the entire amount was scarcely sufficient to maintain himself and family. But the people never knowingly allowed him to be in want. The meeting-house still belonged to the town, and an unsuccessful effort was made to secure its transfer to the new society. They now began to feel that they must have a house of their own in which to worship. This feel- ing deepened, and they soon decided to build oh the parsonage land. Arrange- ments were made for executing their purpose, and on the 21st and 22d of June, 1838, "the frame of the new meeting-house was raised. Prayer was offered by the pastor on the foundation before the raising commenced. No ardent spirit or other intoxicating liquor was furnished at the raising. It was accomplished without noise and without injury to anyone." The house was dedicated to the worship of God on the 31st of October of the same year, the sermon being preached by the pastor from John x. 23. This was a little more than one hundred years after the first meeting-house was built in town, and seventy-seven years after the dedication of the second house. Nine years afterwards a new bell was hung in the tower, and in the year following that important addition measures were taken by the ladies to purchase the hall in the old brick schoolhouse, which years before was built for a lodge of Free- masons. This was fitted up for a vestry, and dedicated on the 31st of January, 1849, and was one of the many improvements secured to the church and society by the Ladies' Sewing Circle. During Reverend Mr. French's active pastorate of fifty-one years 285 were admitted to the church, increasing the actual membership to 145. One year before having a colleague the pastor was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity by Dartmouth College. On the 13th of December, 1856. he died among his beloved people and surrounded by his large family, until this time unbroken by death, at age of seventy-eight years, having been ordained over this church a little more than fifty-five years before. Mr. John Dinsmore, from Bangor Theological Seminary, was ordained as colleague pastor on the 18th of November, 1852. Mr. John 0. Barrows from Andover Theological Seminary, by his pleas- ing address, fine culture and unquestioned piety, won the hearts of the people after a few Sabbaths' supply, and received a unanimous call from the church and society to become their pastor. He was ordained on the 9th of June, 1864. During his pastorate of two years there was considerable religious interest and thirteen were received into the church. The greater part of the parsonage farm was sold about the time of his settlement, while a legacy of $2,000 had just been left the society by Rufus Leavitt, Esq., and at a sub- sequent period Miss Olive Hobbs left $1,000 for the society. Mr. Barrows asked to be relieved from the pastoral office, and was dismissed on the 8th of September, 1866, soon afterwards being installed over the First Church in Exeter. In the spring of 1867, Rev. Thomas V. Haines, then preaching at Ossipee Center, was invited to the vacant pulpit. On the 5th of May he became acting pastor, which relation he sustained to the church until the 27th of April, 1870, when he was installed. The people caught the spirit of external improvement which was becoming quite general among the churches, and the old vestry purchased by the ladies twenty years before was inconvenient and much out of repair, and withal by some regarded as unsafe, the meeting house was raised in 1869, and large and comfortable rooms Page 597 added as a basement for social meetings, lectures and social purposes. The dedicatory services were held on the 26th of October. In 1874 the interior of the meeting house was remodeled, finely finished, and beautifully adorned. New furniture was provided by the generosity of J. W. F. Hobbs, Esq., who at a later period added stained windows tastefully designed. A pipe- organ was secured and set up, and the finishing touches were given, so that the rededication services were held on the 2nd of July. Mr. Haines resigned as active pastor in 1907 and remained pastor emeritus until his death in 1903. Rev. D. H. Evans was pastor from 1897 until April 1, 1906. Rev. M. F. Mevis was acting pastor from July 1, 1906 until July 1, 1911. Rev. Heber R. Harper was acting pastor from October, 1911, until June, 1913. Rev. Clarence H. LaRue became acting pastor July 1, 1913, and was ordained and installed as pastor in October, 1913. In 1818, the Sunday School was started by Reverend Dr. French, in which the children repeated texts of Scripture and were catechized. It has been maintained with greater or less interest, and has grown to be a service of much importance, being promotive of earnest study of the Scriptures. Deacon Francis R. Drake filled the office of superintendent for twenty- five years. The church and people have generally been interested in the events occurring then. They have been true to their convictions, loyal to their God and the great principles of our political Government. Some of them suf- fered much during the last French and Indian war. When the Revolutionary war began they raised minute-men, paying them $7 a month, and six out of the number were required to guard the coast of this town each night from sunset to sunrise. They furnished soldiers when called upon, and those at home deprived themselves of comforts to pay the bounties. During the great Rebellion the largely prevailing sentiment was truly loyal, and a considerable number of the young men experienced the hardships of the battlefield. Nearly one hundred years ago a few of the people of the town lost their love for Congregationalism, and complained against paying their rates for the support of orthodox worship. They were deeply aggrieved, and on the 27th of March, 1787, the town voted to give them their minister's rates, dating back to the year 1783. The greater part of those who dissented called themselves Free-Will Baptists. They erected a small house of worship in the south part of the town some time before the close of the last century. Their meetings were held for a number of years, although they had no organization either of church or society. One of their number was regarded as the preacher, but at length the interest waned, and their house of worship was moved to Hampton. After a considerable interval their interest revived, and the First Free- Will Baptist Society of North Hampton was incorporated on the I8th of December, 1816. Religious meetings were held for a while, but again their ardor cooled, and soon the society had only a nominal existence. But it was reorganized about the year 1834, and the interest became so great that a Free-Will Baptist Church was formed. About this time there arose another class of Baptists who preferred the Christian persuasion. They held separate meetings, and in all particulars were denominationally distinct from the former. In 1838 the Free-Will Baptists built a meeting-house in the east part of Page 598 the town, where they worshiped for a few years, but as there were but few of them they soon grew weak, and abandoned their enterprise. This was their last attempt as a denomination to maintain the gospel in the town. The Christian Baptists, who had increased in numbers and strength while they held their meetings in the schoolhouse, began to talk of building a house of worship. They saw that it might not be best to erect another house by the side of the one then unoccupied, so in 1846 they bought up the pews in the Free-Will Baptist house, and came into possession of it, and on the 22d of January, 1859, the Christian Church was organized with twenty mem- bers; but their number has considerably increased, although they have not had regular preaching all of the time since. MILITARY RECORD, 1861-65 Philip A. Warner, Company K, Third Regiment; enlisted February 13, 1864; date of discharge unknown. John Cullen, Company C, Fourth Regi- ment; enlisted August 10, 1863; not officially accounted for. Albert Isaacson, Company I, Fourth Regiment; enlisted December 27,1864; discharged August 23, 1865. Jeremiah Brown, Jr., Company B, Fourth Regiment; enlisted September 18, 1861; discharged February II, 1862. John D. Hobbs, Com- pany B, Fourth Regiment; enlisted September 18, 1861 ; discharged Septem- ber 27, 1864. Charles Smith, Company K, Fourth Regiment; enlisted Jan- uary 4, 1865. Edward Smith, Company G, Fifth Regiment; enlisted Sep- tember 7, 1864. Frederick Toerber, Company I, Fifth Regiment; enlisted August 10, 1863. John Williams, Company H, Fifth Regiment; enlisted August 10, 1863. John White, Company G, Fifth Regiment; enlisted Sep- tember 7. 1864. Elias H. Marston, Company D, Fifth Regiment; enlisted October 23, 1861; promoted to sergeant May 12, 1863; promoted to adjutant July I, 1863; discharged October 22, 1864. Robert Parrott, Company H, Sixth Regiment; enlisted November 28, 1861; promoted to corporal; absent, sick; no discharge furnished. Albert A. Batchelder, Company C, Sixth Regi- ment; enlisted September 3, 1862; promoted to first sergeant, discharged June 4, 1865. Thomas Bell, Company B, Sixth Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862. Leon Saladad, Company E, Sixth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; absent, no discharge furnished. William Brown, Company A, Seventh Regiment; enlisted September 21, 1864. James Daggett. Joseph S. Miles, Company F, Ninth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; pro- moted to corporal; supposed to have died in a rebel prison. John Shaugh- nessy, Company G, Ninth Regiment; enlisted June 13, 1864. Alexander Thompson, Company K, Ninth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; died September 8, 1864. John Thompson, Company K, Ninth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; promoted to corporal. Henry Andrews, Company F, Ninth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863. John Anderson, Company F, Ninth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; discharged October 15, 1864. John Glover, Company D, Ninth Regiment; enlisted July 26, 1862; trans- ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps September I, 1863. Henry Andrews Company F, Ninth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863. Emery Sumner, Jr., Company G, Eleventh Regiment; enlisted February II, 1864; transferred to Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers June I, 1865. Jeremiah Batchelder, Company I, Eleventh Regiment; enlisted September 3, 1862; missing in action Page 599 July 30, 1864. Charles Brown, Company K, Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; transferred to United States navy, April 29, 1864. Wil- liam Smith, Company B, Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 16, 1863; transferred to United States navy, April 29, 1864. George Wilson, Company D. Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 16, 1863; killed June 3, 1864. James Welch, Company H, Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 16, 1863. Joseph Woods, Company A, Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 16, 1863. Charles Johnson, Company B, Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 16, 1863; transferred to United States navy, April 29, 1864. Charles Brown, Company I, Twelfth Regiment; enlisted December 15, 1863; discharged May 18, 1865. Michael Walch, Company D, Fourteenth Regiment; enlisted October I, 1862. Thomas O'Neil, Company F, Fourteenth Regiment; en- listed October 7, 1862. Hugh Rainy, Fourteenth Regiment; enlisted August 3, 1864; not officially accounted for. Thomas Wilson, Company F, Fifteenth Regiment; enlisted November 7, 1862. William J. Bradford, musician, Company I, Sixteenth Regiment; enlisted November I, 1862; discharged August 20, 1863. Eleazer 0. Addison, corporal, Company K, Sixteenth Regiment; enlisted November I, 1862; discharged August 20, 1863. Samuel G. Armour, Company K, Sixteenth Regiment; enlisted November 3, 1862. Charles W. Hall, Company K, Sixteenth Regiment; enlisted November I, 1862. Ephraim H. Packer, Company K, Sixteenth Regiment; enlisted Novem- her 14, 1862; discharged August 20, 1863. Wm. Smith, Seventeenth Regi- ment; enlisted November 24, 1862; not officially accounted for. James P. Hall, Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 13, 1862; not officially accounted for. Oliver Harriman, Company B, Seventeenth Regi- ment; enlisted November 13, 1862; not officially accounted for. Patrick I. Kidder, musician, Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 13, 1862; not officially accounted for. Michael McQueeny, Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 13, 1862; transferred to Company E, Second Regiment; discharged August 14, 1863. Henry Remick, Com- pany B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 13, 1862; transferred to Company K, Second Regiment; discharged August 14, 1863. James Davis, Company A, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 24, 1862; not officially accounted for. Perry C. Moore, Company A, Seventeenth Regi- ment; enlisted November 13, 1862; not officially accounted for. James S. Townsend, Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 13, 1862; promoted to corporal; discharged April 16, 1863. Charles W. Winship, Com- pany B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 14, 1862; transferred to Company D, Second Regiment; killed July 2, 1863. John Williams, Seven- teenth Regiment; enlisted November 14, 1862; not officially accounted for. William H. Blake, Company K, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 18, 1862; connected with Second Regiment; discharged October 9, 1863. Samuel P. Holt, sergeant, Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted November 13, 1862; not officially accounted for. Frank Michael, Company B, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted December 18, 1862; not officially accounted for. James C. Rand, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted December 18, 1862; not officially accounted for. Joseph Williams, Seventeenth Regiment; en- listed December 18, 1862; not officially accounted for. Walter Binney, Seventeenth Regiment; enlisted December 18, 1862; connected with Com- pany I, Second Regiment, April 16, 1863. Samuel E. Sanborn, Seventeenth Page 600 Regiment; enlisted December 18, 1862; connected with Company I, Second Regiment; died August 20, 1863. Andrew J. Batchelder, Company G, Eighteenth Regiment; enlisted January 6, 1865; discharged July 29, 1865. Orlando L. Blake, Company G, Eighteenth Regiment; enlisted January 6, 1865; discharged July 29, 1865. John W. Mace, Company G, Eighteenth Regiment; enlisted January 7, 1865; discharged July 29, 1865. Horace Leavitt, Company M, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted December 24, 1861; pro- moted to corporal and sergeant; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Frank D. Hobbs, Company M, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September I5, 1862; discharged November, 1862. John H. Elkins, Company M, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September 15, 1862; killed June 18, 1863. Joshua P. Smith, Company M, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September 15, 1862; discharged July 15, 1865. John W. Warner, Company M., N. E. Cav- alry; enlisted September 15, 1862; discharged July 15, 1865. William T. Bodrich, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September 15, 1862; not officially accounted for. William J. Bowly, Company M, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September 22, 1862; died July 25, 1864. James F. Hobbs, Company M, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September 15, 1862; promoted to corporal; dis- charged July 15, 1865. Dana A. Torrey, Company K, N. E. Cavalry; enlisted September 22, 1862; discharged October 19, 1863. Lawrence Merefin, enlisted September 5, 1864; date of discharge unknown. William Rochford, enlisted September 1, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Walter S. Weeks, enlisted August 16, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Michael Sullivan, enlisted August 13, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Amos W. Samson, enlisted August 13, 1864; date of discharge unknown. John W. Carmichael, enlisted August 30, 1864; date of discharge unknown. John Jones, enlisted August 29, 1864; date of discharge unknown. William H. Price, enlisted August 30, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Peter Dudley, enlisted September 5, 1864; date of discharge unknown. John Morrisey, enlisted January 3, 1865; date of discharge unknown. Thomas Atkins, en- listed January 21, 1864; date of discharge unknown. William Shannon, enlisted January 21, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Samuel Jones, en- listed May 27, 1864; date of discharge unknown. William H. Horvers, enlisted July 3, 1863; date of discharge unknown. John Flynn, enlisted August 31, 1863; date of discharge unknown. William P. Andrews, enlisted August 31, 1863; date of discharge unknown. George Brenard, enlisted September 1, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Patrick McGrew, enlisted August 29, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Thomas H. Clough, Cavalry; enlisted September 21, 1862; date of discharge unknown. John Edwards, Cavalry; enlisted September 21, 1862; date of discharge unknown. William F. Sanders, Cavalry; enlisted September 21, 1862; date of discharge unknown. General Henry Dearborn was born in North Hampton, N. H., February 23, 1751; served as captain at the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, and as major in the campaign against Burgoyne in 1777. In 1778 he fought with distinc- tion at Monmouth. He was a member of Congress from Massachusetts, 1793-97, and secretary of war under Jefferson, 1801-09. Having obtained the rank of major-general, he was in chief command of the United States army in 1812. He captured York (now Toronto) in Canada, Apri1 27, 1813. He was United States minister to Portugal in 1822-24. He died in Rox- bury, Mass., June 6, 1829. Page 601 In 1876, J. W. F. Hobbs a native of North Hampton, erected a School- house and town hall for the use of the town. Abraham Drake, a prominent citizen of North Hampton, served as cap- tain in the French and Indian war and attained the rank of lieut.-colonel in the Revolution. Colonel Drake died very suddenly in his field in 1781. He left a large estate, most of it still in possession of his descendants. North Hampton Public Library was established in 1892 with state aid. The public library building was erected in 1897 at a cost of $5,000, and the entire amount was raised by taxation. Mr. L. W. Fogg was the first librarian and continued to serve in this capacity until 1913, when he was succeeded by Miss Lucy M. Warner, the present librarian. The library contains 1,860 volumes. ********************************************************************** * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. 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