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 WITH: APPENDIX. 
 
 man^iKitt 
 
 ATKINSON, N. H. 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 
 
 DELIVERED AT 
 
 ATKINSON. N. H., 
 
 Centennial Anniversary 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 
 
 / 
 
 BY THE PASTOR, C. K MORSE. 
 
 LAWRENCE, MASS.: 
 
 GEO. S. MERRILL dr' CROCKER, PRINTERS. 
 1875- 
 
 T 
 
o\VA^ 
 
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 
 
 "There shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told 
 
 FOR A memorial OF HER." — Matt. 26: I3. 
 
 The woman here spoken of was the modest and affec- 
 tionate Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Moved 
 by love, she annointed her Saviour with a fragrant and 
 costly ointment. Some found fault. But the Saviour 
 assured her and those around him, wherever the gospel 
 should be preached throughout the whole world, " there 
 shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a 
 memorial of her." Her self-denial and love for her Saviour 
 should be honorably mentioned in coming time throughout 
 the world. The gospel forbids the worship of saints and 
 heroes, but approves the honorable mention of the self- 
 denial and virtuous deeds of the followers of Christ. 
 
 We, Christian friends, have met together on this cen- 
 tennial day of the organization of this church, to commem- 
 orate the merciful dealings of God toward us, and to make 
 honorable mention of the self-denials and virtuous deeds 
 of those who founded it, built its meeting-houses, and sus- 
 tained the preaching of the gospel during the century 
 which this day closes. 
 
 The clock of time has tolled off only eighteen such 
 periods since the Son of God hallowed the earth with his 
 sacred footsteps. Only one and a half additional such 
 period this very month, carries us back to the time when 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 our Pilgrim Fathers, in great deprivation and peril, in 
 order that they might enjoy religious freedom and be- 
 queath this priceless boon to us, their children, were tossed 
 upon the billows of the Atlantic. One additional such 
 period carries us back to the time when the red man of 
 the forest erected his wigwam, perhaps on the very spot 
 where we are now assembled. One-half century previous 
 to the formation of this church there was not a single 
 white inhabitant within the present limits of this town. 
 And what a contrast with the present! Then, five or six 
 weeks of uncomfortable sailing were necessary to make a 
 voyage to Europe ; now, palatial steamers traverse the 
 distance in ten or twelve days. Then, it took five or six 
 weeks to send intelligence from London to Boston ; now, 
 important news reaches us before the hour on which it 
 was dated. Then, no swift car brought together the min- 
 isters for the council. It was only the very year that this 
 church was organized that the first stage coach in America 
 commenced running, and that was between Boston and 
 Providence, when it took two days to traverse the distance 
 of forty-one miles. The fear of the Indians had hardly 
 died away. The trials of the revolutionary war soon 
 commenced, and the depreciation of currency must have 
 made it exceedingly difficult for the people to bear the 
 necessary expenses of supporting the gospel. These were 
 times that tried men's souls. 
 
 Atkinson originally was a part of Haverhill, which was 
 settled in 1640. It comprises a portion of the territory 
 conveyed to the inhabitants of Pentucket (now Haverhill) 
 by the Indians, Passaquo and Saggahew, with the consent 
 of their chief, Passaconnaway, by their deed, now in exis- 
 tence, dated Nov. 15, 1642. No settlement was made till 
 eighty-five years later, when, in 1727 or 1728, Benjamin 
 Richards, of Rochester, N. H., Johnathan and Edmund 
 Page and John Dow from Haverhill, moved into the 
 present limits of the town. When the dividing line be- 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 5 
 
 tween New Hampshire and Massachusetts was settled, 
 Atkinson, then a part of Plaistow, was assigned to New 
 Hampshire. Plaistow was incorporated Feb. 28, 1749. 
 The distance of the meeting-house and its incapacity to 
 accommodate all the inhabitants, led to the separation of 
 Atkinson from Plaistow, Aug. 31, 1767, and it was incor- 
 porated by the Legislature, Sept. 3, of the same year. 
 It was named in honor of Hon. Theodore Atkinson, then 
 a resident of Portsmouth. He was a member and Presi- 
 dent of the Provincial Council, Chief Justice, and possessed 
 a large landed estate in the town known as the "Atkinson 
 farm." 
 
 Atkinson, though small in territory, and its population 
 never exceeding 600, is " beautiful for situation," and its 
 prospect in every direction extensive and pleasing. The 
 land gradually rises. Five miles to the south-east, Haver- 
 hill and Bradford, with their beautiful churches, are spread 
 out as a panorama before our vision. On a clear day, 
 Andover, with its seminaries of learning, and the steeples 
 of the churches in Newburyport can be seen. The rays 
 of the sun, reflected from the ocean, sometimes greet us. 
 In the verdure of spring and the varied hues of autumn 
 such an extensive landscape is charming. 
 
 The increase of population from the first settlement of 
 the town was rapid. In 1775, three years after the forma- 
 tion of the church, it numbered 575, — more than the aver- 
 age from that time to the present.* 
 
 The town extended a call to Mr. Stephen Peabody, P'eb. 
 26, 1772, and voted to give him " 160 pounds lawful money, 
 as a settlement, upon condition that the salary begin 66;C 
 13s. and 4 pence lawful money the first year, and add on 
 40 shillings per year till it amount to 80 pounds per year." 
 
 *By the United States census, the population of Atkinson was as follows : 
 1790, 479 1820, 563 1850, 600 
 
 1800, 474 1830, 555 i860, 546 
 
 1810, 556 1840, 567 1870, 488 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 They also voted to give him " ten cords of wood per 
 year as long as he carry on the work of the ministry in 
 Atkinson." Mr. Peabody accepted and was ordained the 
 25th of Nov., 1772, the day we celebrate, at which time 
 the chnrch was organized at the house of Mr. Samuel Lit- 
 tle, the grandfather of Capt. Enoch Little, who resides in 
 a house erected on the original site. There were nine- 
 teen members : Rev. Stephen Peabody, pastor ; Tristram 
 Knight, the great grandfather of Dea. Bailey Knight ; 
 Benjamin Richards, one of the original settlers of the 
 town, and Abigail, his wife ; John Webster ; Abel Merrill, 
 the father of Dea. John Merrill, and Ruth, his wife ; Na- 
 thaniel Cogswell, the grandfather of the present Cogswell 
 family, and Judith, his wife ; Daniel Poor, the great grand- 
 father of Jeremiah Poor, and Abigail, his wife ; Stephen 
 Dole, and Mary, his wife ; Jonathan Sawyer, and Eliza- 
 beth, his wife ; Nathaniel Knight, who was chosen the first 
 deacon, and Abigail, his wife ; Eldad Ingals, and Sarah, 
 the wife of John Knight, who was the grandmother of 
 Dea. Bailey Knight. There were but eighteen persons 
 besides the pastor, ten men and eight women. How 
 greatly are the church and town indebted to these faithful, 
 self-denying, original members of the church. May their 
 memory and influence never cease. 
 
 The covenant of the church, which was adopted at its 
 organization, and which is given in the manual of the 
 church, was evangelical, recognizing the existence of God 
 in three persons, man's inability, and dependence upon 
 God's method of reconciliation. After the Unitarian 
 controversy, and previous to the death of Mr. Peabody, a 
 briefer covenant, more distinctly recognizing the divinity 
 of Christ, was used. There is no record of the adoption 
 of this covenant, nor of the covenant itself. It was lost 
 while Rev. Stephen Farley was acting pastor. After the 
 loss of this covenant, the church used the covenant of the 
 church in Dedham, of which Rev. William Cogswell was 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 pastor, till the adoption of the present Articles of Faith 
 and Covenant in 1864. A creed is to a church what 
 ballast is to a ship. And there can be no doubt that much 
 of the prosperity, if not the very existence of this church, 
 is, in a great measure, owing to the evangelical creed 
 which it has always held. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Peabody. 
 
 On this day of commemoration, the pastors that have 
 ministered to the church are deserving of special remem- 
 brance. The first pastor was Rev. Stephen Peabody. He 
 was a native of North Andover, Mass. ; born Nov. 1 1 , 
 1742, and graduated at Harvard College in 1769. In 
 procuring his education he was mainly dependent upon 
 his own efforts, and aided himself by waiting upon the 
 students, a custom then prevailing. In person, Mr. Pea- 
 body, or, as he was more commonly called. Sir Peabody 
 or Parson Peabody, was commanding. He was full six 
 feet high, well proportioned, and distinguished for physical 
 strength. His complexion was dark, his eyes black, and 
 his hair bushy and curling. During his ministry he wore 
 the usual ministerial dress of the times, which is thus 
 described by Dr. Samuel Oilman : " A three-cornered 
 beaver hat, a large single-breasted coat sweeping down on 
 each side with an ample curve, a vest full twice the length 
 of these degenerate days, ending on both sides with large 
 pockets and lappets, a snow-white plaited stock; his nether 
 garments terminated at his knees and fastened with white 
 silver buckles, and long black silk stockings extending 
 from the knee to the foot, and shining square buckled 
 shoes." In such a dress he must have presented a stately 
 appearance, and had it not been for his benignant counte- 
 nance and courteous manners, he must have awed the 
 youthful part of his parish. His musical powers were 
 extraordinary. Sacred music was his delight, but he 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 could sing with perfect taste "the delightful old anthems 
 of Arne or Purcell, or from the oratorios of Handel." In 
 his rides about town, the solitudes and woods were made 
 to echo with his melodious voice. When he had arisen in 
 the morning and built the fires, except on Sabbath morn- 
 ings, he would awake the sleepers of his household by 
 singing up stairs and down, "The bright rosy morning 
 peeps o'er the hills," or some other stirring song. When 
 there was no chorister, he himself would lead the music. 
 On one of these occasions it is said, a little dog which he 
 had trained at home in singing a duet, and which, unbe- 
 known to the family, had followed them to church, joined 
 with his master in singing, to the great amusement of the 
 audience. Besides vocal music, he was skillful in playing 
 the violin and bass viol. 
 
 As a preacher, he possessed fair talents ; on funeral 
 occasions he was peculiarly impressive and tender, his own 
 tears often leading the way for the tears of others. On 
 these occasions his favorite hymn was " Hark ! from the 
 tomb a doleful sound." • His extraordinary social qualities 
 made him a favorite at weddings. While he would not be 
 called a man of pre-eminent piety or a doctrinal preacher, 
 there is evidence that he was evangelical in faith and a 
 truly godly man. The statement of Dr. Gilman that he 
 was " an inveterate Arminian, showing no mercy to Cal- 
 vinism," and that later in life " he advanced still farther 
 into what is denominated Liberal Christianity," is not 
 borne out by testimony. It is reported from Dea. William 
 Page that Mr. Peabody said that if he " were cast upon 
 a solitary island and could have but two books, these would 
 be the Bible and Edwards on the Affections." Surely no 
 one who took real pleasure in studying Edwards on the 
 Affections could be called an Arminian. At the installa- 
 tion of Rev. Josiah Webster, over the church in Hampton, 
 N. H., in 1808, Mr. Peabody preached a truly evangelical 
 sermon from the text : "/ dctennincd not to know anything 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 amo7ig you save Jesus Christ and him cmcifiedr i Cor. 2:2. 
 On the same occasion he gave the charge, the following 
 extracts from which show clearly his evangelical views : 
 " Preach not yourself, but Jesus Christ the Lord. Repre- 
 sent to your hearers the absolute necessity of regeneration, 
 of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. Bear an open testimony against those tenets 
 which induce men to depend for salvation upon their own 
 works ; on the other hand, point out the danger of a dead 
 faith. Oppose the modern, prevailing opinion that all 
 mankind will at last be saved : it is an unfounded, danger- 
 ous sentiment, and can in no view be advantageous, but is 
 pernicious to society." The covenant also of the church, 
 prepared doubtless by him, and used during the latter part 
 of his ministry, distinctly acknowledges the supreme 
 authority of the scriptures and the Divinity of Christ. 
 Besides his influence as a minister, he was a patron of 
 learning. He took a very active part in founding Atkin- 
 son Academy, and doubtless it owes its origin and con- 
 tinued existence more to him than to any other one indi- 
 vidual. In the original act of incorporation it is stated: 
 " Whereas the Rev. Stephen Peabody and others have pe- 
 titioned the general court, praying that an Academy may 
 be established in the town of Atkinson." From this it is 
 evident that he was one of the principal actors in securing 
 its establishment. When the present building was erected 
 after the burning of the first, its expense was $2,500. Of 
 ;^400 subscribed, he paid $100, and subsequently when the 
 institution was in danger of being suspended by legal pro- 
 ceedings, he nobly and heroically assumed the whole 
 responsibility ; and afterwards when it became necessary 
 to pay the debt, he paid seven-eighths of the whole, and 
 Esquire Vose, the preceptor, one of Atkinson's noblest 
 citizens, paid the other eighth. The paying of this debt 
 bore heavily upon these noble men for fifteen years before 
 it was refunded, which was done only about a year before 
 
lO HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 Mr. Peabody's death. Notwithstanding this embarrass- 
 ment, Mr. Peabody always had a word of cheer and a 
 helping hand for all who sought his assistance in pro- 
 curing an education. Atkinson can never forget its obli- 
 gations to its first pastor, and especially should all graduates 
 of Atkinson Academy honor and revere the name of Rev. 
 Stephen Peabody. 
 
 From the /^i6o settlement and his salary, Mr. Peabody 
 erected in the beginning of his ministry an elegant house 
 on one of the most commanding and eligible sites in 
 Atkinson. After his death it was sold to Dr. Isaac B. 
 Hovey, whose second wife. Mrs. Elizabeth Hovey now 
 occupies it. In front of it, Mr. Peabody with his own 
 hand, aided by Joseph Richards, then a lad, set out three 
 elm trees two rods apart, which now are over three feet 
 in diameter, and doubtless at the end of another century 
 will mark the place where stood the residence of the first 
 minister of Atkinson. It is an interesting circumstance 
 that the daughter of Mr. Richards, who aided Mr. Peabody 
 in planting these beautiful elms, subsequently became the 
 first Mrs. Hovey, and sat under their shade, a forcible 
 illustration of the good which we do to others returning 
 upon ourselves. 
 
 Mr. Peabody was aided in his work by two excellent 
 wives. The first wife was Miss Polly Haseltine, of Brad- 
 ford, aunt of the distinguished teacher of that name, and 
 also of the first Mrs. Judson. He married soon after his 
 settlement, Jan. 19, 1773. He had two children: Stephen, 
 born Oct 6, 1773, and Mary, born Feb. 15, 1775, who 
 married Hon. Stephen Peabody Webster, of Haverhill, 
 N. H. Mrs. Peabody deceased Sept. 17, 1793, aged 51. 
 She was a prudent woman, who "looked well to the ways 
 of her household." After her death, Mr. Peabody visited 
 Rev. John Shaw, of Haverhill, Mass , when Mr. Shaw ad- 
 vised him to marry. He replied, " I would if I could find 
 as good a wife as you have." Not long after, Mr. Shaw 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. II 
 
 died, and Mr. Peabody married his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Shaw, who was the daughter of Rev. WilHam Smith, of 
 Weymouth, Mass., and sister of the wife of John Adams, 
 the second President of the United States, and also sister 
 of the wife of Judge Richard Cranch, who died in Ouincy, 
 Mass., Oct. 1 6, 1811, and who was the father of Judge 
 William Cranch, of Washington, D. C. She was a woman 
 of superior talents and refinement, a devoted Christian, 
 and faithful wife. Her death was sudden. On Saturday 
 she sent into Esquire Vose's to borrow the first volume of 
 Scott's Commentaries, saying she meant to read the Bible 
 through with the comments. But early next morning, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Vose were called in to see her die. Her 
 sudden death should be a warning to all to be ready when- 
 ever the messenger of death shall call. She was born 
 April 7, 1750, and died April 9, 181 5, aged 65. She left 
 three children by her first husband, a son and two 
 daughters, one of whom married Joseph B. Felt, LL. D., 
 of Boston, Mass. She had no children by Mr. Peabody. 
 Mr. Peabody continued in the pastoral office till his death, 
 which occurred May 23, 18 19, in the seventy-eighth year 
 of his age. On his tombstone are the following words •_ 
 " He was ordained the first minister in this town, Nov. 25, 
 1772, and until his death sustained the office with dignity, 
 possessed the love and confidence of his people, and 
 ardently sought the interests of his charge and mankind. 
 He was a man of good talents, a sound divine, a faithful 
 minister, and a Christian in word and deed. He was to 
 his loss, the friend of those in distress, the patron of merit 
 and literature." His portrait and that of the second Mrs. 
 Peabody are to be seen in the Academy library. During 
 the forty-six years of his ministry, seventy-five persons 
 united with the church besides the nineteen original 
 members. He married 313 couples, and baptized 140 
 children and adults. 
 
12 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 Rev. Jacob Cummings. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Peabody the church remained 
 for nearly thirteen years without a settled pastor. During 
 this time the pulpit was supplied by different individuals, 
 but mainly by Revs. Jacob Cummings and Stephen Far- 
 ley, teachers in the Academy. Mr. Cummings was a na- 
 tive of Warren, Mass., a graduate of Dartmouth College 
 in 1819, and Andover in 1822, when he became teacher in 
 the Academy for two years and supplied the desk. He is 
 spoken of as a good man and faithful preacher. April 28, 
 1824, Mr. Cummings was ordained over the church in 
 Stratham, where he labored for eleven years with success, 
 42 persons uniting with the church. For thirteen years, 
 from 1843 to 1856, he was pastor of the church at Hills- 
 boro Bridge. In 1856, he removed to Exeter, where he 
 continued without charge till his death, which occurred 
 June 20, 1866, in the seventy-third year of his age. He 
 was a successful and useful man. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Farley. 
 
 After Mr. Cummings. Rev. Stephen Farley taught the 
 Academy and supplied the pulpit for seven or eight years. 
 He was a native of HoUis and a graduate of Dartmouth 
 in 1 804. He was a kind and gentlemanly man and a pop- 
 ular preacher. From 1806 to 1818 he was pastor of the 
 church in Claremont, where the meeting-house was en- 
 larged to accommodate the audience. During the twelve 
 years of his ministry in that place, 94 persons were re- 
 ceived into the church, 49 of whom were received during 
 an extensive revival in 18 16, which was commenced and 
 carried on mainly by others. During this revival he made 
 public confession of his fear that he did not possess real 
 spiritual life. After this revival, the people having fears 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. I 3 
 
 in regard to his orthodoxy, he resigned his charge. His 
 experience in Atkinson was similar to that in Claremont. 
 The revival in 1826 commenced in the Academy. He 
 did not oppose it, but appointed meetings and aided it. 
 But he did not seem to be at home in a revival. From 
 various causes, his theological views become unsettled, 
 and after leaving Atkinson he became a Unitarian. And 
 though in the early part of his ministry at Claremont he 
 published two sermons against Universalism, after his 
 change of views he sometimes preached for that denomi- 
 nation. But he was too spiritually minded to be popular 
 either with the Unitarians or Universalists, and there can 
 be but little doubt that he was a real Christian. He was a 
 man of more than ordinary talent, and under favoring cir- 
 cumstances might have taken a high position. And on 
 this centennial day we cannot think of this amiable and 
 scholarly man, who preached seven years to this church, 
 his wife sometimes deranged and his theological views 
 unsettled, without feelings of sadness. We trust he is 
 now in a better world with all doubts removed, and he 
 rejoicing with many who united with the church under 
 his ministry. He died at Amesbury, Mass., Sept. 20, 
 185 1, aged 71. During the thirteen years which inter- 
 vened between the death of Mr. Peabody and the settle- 
 ment of Mr. Spofford, 42 persons united with the church. 
 
 Rev. Luke A. Spofford. 
 
 Feb. 28, 1832, the church gave a call to Rev. Luke A. 
 Spofford, who accepted and was installed on the i8th of 
 April following. Mr. Spofford was a native of Jaffrey, a 
 graduate of Middlebury College, Vt., in 18 15, and studied 
 theology with Dr. Payson, of Ringe. From 18 19 to 1825 
 he was pastor of the church in Gilmanton ; from 1826 to 
 
14 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 1829, of the church in Brentwood ; and of the church in 
 Lancaster from 1829 to 1 831, when he was settled here. 
 He was dismissed at his own request, Jan. 20, 1834. For 
 two years after, he was pastor of the church in Scituate, 
 Mass., when he removed to Amherst, Mass., that he might 
 better educate his two sons, Richard Cecil and Henry 
 Martyn. Cecil, a young man of great promise, died soon 
 after graduating ; the other is Hon. Henry M. Spofford, 
 of Pulaski, Tenn. After leaving Amherst he was pastor 
 of the church in Chilmark, N. H., when he removed to 
 Indiana and died at Rockville, Oct. 10, 1855. During the 
 two years he was in Atkinson there was a revival. He 
 was a doctrinal preacher, " rigidly orthodox and strong on 
 election," which he often preached. He was peculiarly 
 adapted to indoctrinate churches, and we can but regard 
 it as an overruling providence that he was sent to this 
 place after the mild and somewhat unorthodox ministry of 
 Mr. Farley. In person, he was tall, straight, and of light 
 complexion, social with his friends, and a model father. 
 He died in debt to the New Hampshire Home Missionary 
 Society $250, the amount of a legacy to the Society by 
 his father, but his son, Hon. H. M. Spofford, during the 
 past year paid the debt, with interest, amounting to nearly 
 $700. Ten persons united with the church during his 
 ministry of two years. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Tolman. 
 
 Less than a month after the resignation of Mr. Spofford, 
 "the Congregational Society in Atkinson was formed" — 
 Feb. 19, 1834. The following year the present house of 
 worship was erected. After the erection of the church, 
 Rev. Samuel H. Tolman supplied the pulpit till July 5, 
 1837, when he was installed and continued till Oct. 29, 
 1839. He was a native of Dorchester, Mass., and a grad- 
 uate of Dartmouth in 1806. He first studied medicine. 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 1 5 
 
 the profession of his father, but becoming pious, he studied 
 theology with Rev. John M. Whiton, D. D., of Antrim* 
 N. H., and entered the ministry. When he came to 
 Atkinson he had been twenty-two years in the ministry, 
 eight of which (from 1828 to 1836) were spent at So. Mer- 
 rimac, where there were two precious revivals, and the 
 church increased from eighteen to eighty members. After 
 he left here he preached five years (from June, 1839, ^o 
 April, 1844) at Lempster, where there was also a revival, 
 and thirty-five added to the church. During his first year 
 here (1838), four united with the church. The following 
 year there was a revival, and thirteen more were received. 
 During the three years and a half of his ministry, thirty- 
 two persons were received, a gi"eater number, according to 
 the time, than that of any other ministry here. The revi- 
 vals experienced under his ministry show that he was a 
 godly man, and a successful minister. After forty years 
 of ministerial labor, he returned to Atkinson, April, 1854, 
 to spend the evening of his days. He continued in active 
 sympathy and co-operation with the church and its min- 
 ister till his death, which occured April 2, 1856, in the 
 seventy-fifth year of his age, and his remains repose in 
 yonder grave yard. Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, of Lenox, 
 Mass., formerly of Wilmington, in the same State, is his 
 son. His youngest daughter, Harriet, married Rev. 
 Charles Secombe, now of Francestown, N. H. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Pierce. 
 
 After Mr. Tolman, Rev. Messrs. Mitchell, Deming, 
 Parsons, of Oberlin, and others supplied the desk for 
 about three years. In 1842, Rev Samuel Pierce com- 
 menced preaching, and about a year later, April 19, 1843, 
 was ordained as pastor. Mr. Pierce was son of Capt. 
 Samuel Pierce, of Haverhill, Mass., and great-grandson of 
 
l6 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 Nathaniel Peaslee, Esq., of the same place. He graduated 
 at Dartmouth in 1835, ^^^^ 3-^ Andover in 1840. He died 
 less than a year after his ordination, March 27, 1844, at 
 the age of twenty-seven. He lived and died in the family 
 of Hon. John Vose, and was buried in Atkinson burying 
 ground, where stones, erected to his memory by Mrs. 
 Judith Cogswell, mark his resting place. He was much 
 respected and beloved. 
 
 Rev. Jesse Page. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Pierce, Rev. Norman Hazen and 
 others supplied the desk till June, 1845, when Rev. Jesse 
 Page commenced supplying the pulpit. He was a gradu- 
 ate of Dartmouth College in 1831, of Andover Theologi- 
 cal Seminary in 1835, S-^^d was pastor of the Congrega- 
 tional church, North Andover, Mass., from September, 
 1835, to June, 1843. He continued as acting pastor here 
 for 24 years till March, 1869, when by reason of sickness 
 which affected his lungs, he was obliged to cease minis- 
 terial labor. During his ministry there were three precious 
 revivals : one in 185 i, when seven united with the church; 
 one in J855, when sixteen were added, and another in 1863, 
 when seventeen were received, — forty in all. Besides 
 these, there were many conversions of students who unit- 
 ed elsewhere, and are now filling places of usefulness and 
 honor. Mr. Page also prepared the present excellent arti- 
 cles of faith and covenant, and church manual. By his in- 
 fluence abroad and efforts at home he has done much to 
 promote the prosperity of the academy and church. He 
 is still spared to be with us on this centennial day, aiding 
 and benefiting us by his co-operation and counsels. The 
 whole number received during the twenty-four years of his 
 ministry was lOi. 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. I 7 
 
 Rev. Charles F. Morse. 
 
 After the failure of Mr. Page's health, the pulpit was 
 supplied for about three years by students from Andover 
 Theological Seminary. June, 22, 1872, Rev. C. F. Morse 
 commenced supplying the pulpit, and was installed pastor 
 of the church, Sept. 17, of the same year. Mr. Morse is 
 a native of Salem, Vt., the seventh in direct line from 
 Anthony Morse, who settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1635. 
 He is a graduate of Amherst College in 1853, and of 
 Andover Theological Seminary in 1856. He sailed as a 
 missionary to Turkey, Jan. 5, 1857, and returned to this 
 country, June 30, 1870. He labored among the Bulga- 
 rians of European Turkey. 
 
 During the one hundred years which closes to-day, fifty 
 years, eight months and eight days, the church has had 
 settled pastors ; about thirty-four years, acting pastors ; 
 and sixteen years, supplies by various individuals. It is 
 said the church has never been without religious services ; 
 when there has been no minister, services have been con- 
 ducted by members of the church. During the greater 
 part of the time from the death of Mr. Peabody till the 
 coming of Mr. Page, the church received aid from the 
 N. H. Home Missionary Society. The whole number of 
 members during the hundred years, including the nineteen 
 original members, is 289. The present number is eighty. 
 
 The Cogswell Family. 
 
 Besides the ministers, there are others who have done 
 much to promote the welfare and prosperity of the church. 
 Prominent among these has been the Cogswell family. 
 Nathaniel Cogswell, who had been a merchant thirty or 
 forty years in the adjoining town of Haverhill, moved into 
 Atkinson in 1766, two years before the incorporation of 
 
I 8 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 the town. Religious services were held in his house, pre- 
 vious to the erection of the first church. He also gave 
 the land for the church so long as it should be used for 
 that purpose. He and his wife were among the nineteen 
 original members. 
 
 He was the father of nineteen children, eight of whom 
 entered the service of their country during the Revolu- 
 tionary War, and performed, it is said, thirty-eight years 
 of service, a greater amount, it is believed, than was per- 
 formed by any other family in the country. And, what is 
 remarkable, these sons all survived the war, and became 
 honored citizens of the country they had fought to free. 
 One of them was Dr. William Cogswell, a Hospital Sur- 
 geon in the army of the Revolution. He was born in 
 Haverhill, Mass., July 1 1, 1760, and died at Atkinson, Jan. 
 I, 183 I. From 1810 to the time of his death, he was an 
 active member of the church, and his wife, Mrs. Judith 
 Badger Cogswell, who united with the church at the same 
 time with her husband, continued an active, earnest mem- 
 ber, distinguished for benevolence and warm friendship for 
 her pastor, till the time of her death, Sept. 30, 1859, i" the 
 ninety-fourth year of her age. She gave the present com- 
 munion table and the chairs beside it, and, in 1845, the 
 bell, which weighs 1300 pounds and cost about $300. Dr. 
 Cogswell also gave the baptismal basin. He was one of 
 the first trustees of Atkinson Academy, and for many 
 years president of the board of trustees. But the greatest 
 usefulness of this honored couple was the rearing and ed- 
 ucating of a family of nine children, eight of whom lived 
 to grow up and fill places of honor and usefulness in the 
 church and in society. The eldest of these was Rev. Wil- 
 liam Cogswell, D. D., who received religious impressions 
 while attending the academy under the instruction of Hon. 
 John Vose. These impressions ripened into active Chris- 
 tian life while in Dartmouth College, and he wrote home 
 stirring letters to his parents and relatives, and Sept. 23, 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. I9 
 
 1 8 10, he united with the church in Atkinson, on the same 
 day with his parents and two sisters, Julia and Hannah 
 P., and received baptism with all his brothers and sisters, 
 nine in number, from Mr. Peabody. He was pastor of the 
 church in Dedham fourteen years, from 1815 to 1829, and 
 Agent and Secretary of the Education Society from Aug. 
 20, 1829 to April 14, 1 84 1. Afterwards he was Professor 
 of history and national education in Dartmouth College, 
 and president and professor in Gilmanton Theological 
 Seminary. He died at Gilmanton, Apr. i8, 1850, in the 
 sixty-third vear of his age. He was the author of " Let- 
 ters to Young Men," "The Assistant to Family Religion," 
 " The Christian Philanthropist, or Harbinger of the Mil- 
 lennium," and " The Theological Class Book." A copy of 
 this last, perhaps the most useful, through the liberality of 
 his brother, Francis Cogswell, Esq., of Andover, Mass., has 
 been placed in each family in the town. He advised and 
 encouraged the church to erect its present house of wor- 
 ship and solicited funds to aid them. He laid the corner 
 stone at sunrise on the Fourth of July, 1835, when the 
 emotions of his heart filled his eyes with tears. His wife 
 composed the original hymn sung at the dedication. Fran- 
 cis Cogswell, besides the liberality above mentioned, was 
 the first to deposit, April 17, 1871, one thousand dollars 
 in the Haverhill Savings Bank, in Haverhill, Mass., toward 
 a permanent memorial fund, the interest of which should 
 be expended under the direction of this church in the sup- 
 port of preaching and sustaining the Gospel ministry in 
 Atkinson.* He also gave the Bible and hymn book for 
 the pulpit, and the two large chairs by the side of it. Rev, 
 Nathaniel Cogswell, of Yarmouth, Mass., and Dr. George 
 Cogswell, of Bradford, Mass., two other brothers, have 
 each given a thousand dollars for the same object as that 
 above mentioned. Joseph B. Cogswell, of this town, an- 
 other brother, gave the land upon which the church is 
 
 *See Appendix, A. 
 
20 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 erected, and July 4, 1870, he wrote his brother, Francis, 
 asking him if he would not contribute toward a fund for 
 the church, and it is said he has remembered the church 
 in his will, to an amount equal to that of his brothers. 
 Thus from the first establishment of this church to the 
 present time and onward, it has been and will be under 
 great obligations to the Cogswell family. May their prayers 
 accompany their beneficence and prove the means of 
 spiritual blessings to unnumbered souls. 
 
 The Page Family. 
 
 Among the original settlers of the town were Jonathan 
 and Edmund Page, from Haverhill, Mass. Edmund Page 
 was born Nov. 7, 1709, and died Aug. 15, 1768, four years 
 before the organization of the church. His third son, 
 Capt. Jesse Page, who served in the Revolutionary war, 
 was born Feb. 16, 1740 or 1741. He united with the 
 church June 11, 1780, and was distinguished for piety. 
 His oldest son was Col. William Page, who united with 
 the church, Nov. 29, iSoi, and was elected deacon, Dec. 
 29, 181 7, which office he held till his death, Sept. 13, 1847- 
 The oldest son of Col. William Page was Rev. Jesse Page, 
 who for twenty-four years, nearly one-fourth of the time 
 we this day commemorate, has been your acting pastor. 
 He suggested and has urged the necessity of an endow- 
 ment of the church, not only as essential for its own pros- 
 perity, but also as a necessary preparation for the pros- 
 perity and success of the Academy, and deposited the 
 second thousand dollars toward this endowment. Another 
 son was Rev. W^illiam Page, who for more than twenty 
 years was a faithful, judicious and earnest minister of the 
 gospel. He died Oct. 18, 1861. 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 21 
 
 Hon. John Vose. 
 
 No one can study the history either of the church or 
 Academy in Atkinson, without being impressed with the 
 wide-spread and salutary influence of Hon. John Vose. 
 He was a native of Bedford; born July lo, 1766. He 
 fitted for college at Atkinson Academy, and boarded in 
 the family of Rev. Mr. Peabod^. The city boys, who 
 boarded in the same family, at first were disposed to make 
 fun of the youth in homespun. But Mr. Peabody told 
 them, " If I mistake not, that young man will outstrip you 
 all." A prediction which proved true. He graduated 
 with honor at Dartmouth College in 1795, and immedi- 
 ately became preceptor of the Academy, and continued 
 its honored and distinguished instructor for twenty-one 
 years. He was preceptor of Pembroke Academy for 
 eleven years, and returned to Atkinson in 183 i. To no 
 other instructor is Atkinson Academy so greatly indebted. 
 He nobly paid one-eighth of the debt which was likely to 
 suspend the institution. While in Pembroke he was 
 chosen Representative to the General Court, and si*bse» 
 q uoB 44y State Senator while in Atkinson. It was while he 
 was a member of the Senate that the famous action of the 
 Legislature, reversing the charter of Dartmouth College 
 occurred. Mr. Vose courageously told the majority; 
 "you may decide this case as you please, but you will find 
 that higher powers will reverse your decision." This was 
 the case in which Daniel Webster so highly distinguished 
 himself in the Supreme Court of the United States, when 
 the decision of the State was reversed. Considering this 
 was a complicated case, without precedent in law, Mr. 
 Vose's declaration shows him to have been a man of 
 unusually clear and logical mind. He was the author of 
 two works on Astronomy, a large and a small. He united 
 
22 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 with the church in Atkinson, July 20, 1806, and ever after 
 was an active, consistent Christian. He was chosen 
 deacon previous to his removal to Pembroke, and again 
 on his return. He died May 3, 1840, aged 73. He is 
 said to have been "one of the best of men," leaving 
 behind him but few superiors, and not many equals." 
 Though his means were limited, he contributed to every 
 good enterprise, and trained up his family to give sys- 
 tematically. His wife, Mrs. Lydia (Webster) Vose, from 
 West Haverhill, Mass., the sister of Hon. Stephen Peabody 
 Webster, of Haverhill, in this State, was well qualified to 
 be his companion. Naturally gay and high-spirited, she 
 experienced religion after the death of her " Little Mary," 
 and united with the church at the same time with her 
 husband, and ever after was a most earnest, active, and 
 consistent Christian. Before the Sabbath School was 
 established, she had a gathering of children and youth on 
 Saturday at her own house, when she imparted to them 
 religious instruction. It has been said but few have been 
 so ready to forego their own interests to promote the gen- 
 eral welfare, as Mrs. Vose. Her influence is still felt by the 
 church. Let her memory be cherished. 
 
 Among those who united with the church, May 3, 1839, 
 were Mr. Ebenezer Todd and his wife, Betsey Todd. Two 
 of their sons graduated at Dartmouth College. One of 
 them, William C. Todd, for six years was a successful pre- 
 ceptor of the Academy, and has generously contributed 
 toward the erection of the new parsonage. 
 
 Deacons and others. 
 
 There have been eleven deacons. The first deacon was 
 Nathaniel Knight from Newbury, Mass., one of the original 
 members of the church, chosen July 15, 1773. He was 
 grandfather of John Kelly, Esq. He was a noted singer 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 2$ 
 
 and is said to have deaconed off the hymns. He died in 
 1776. His brother, Joseph Knight, five years his senior, 
 was chosen Nov. 19, 1779, and held the office thirty-seven 
 years, till Feb. 2, 18 16. He was grandfather of Deacon 
 Daniel Knight, and also of the late Deacon Knight, of 
 Portsmouth, husband of Mrs. Helen C. Knight. The third 
 was Benjamin Hale, elected Dec. 3, 1780, and died Dec. 4, 
 1 78 1. He lived on the east road, and was the grandfather 
 of Messrs. Josiah and Moses L. Hale, of Newburyport, 
 Mass., who, with other members of the family have con- 
 tributed liberally towards the erection of the church and 
 parsonage. John Merrill, elected Nov. 5, 1783, and died 
 in office, Jan. 1 1, 1797. Hon. John Vose, elected Dec. 21, 
 18 1 7, held the office twelve years. Col. William Page, 
 elected Dec. 29, 1817, died in office, Sept. 13, 1847. Jo- 
 siah Grover was elected June i, 1820, and resigned Sept. 
 20, 1836. Moses Dow, 2d, elected May 22, 1840, continued 
 in office till his death, Dec. 26, 1868. He was great grand- 
 son of John Dow, one of the original settlers of the town, 
 from Haverhill, Mass. Dea. Franklin Gilbert was elected 
 at the same time with Mr. Dow. Dea. Bailey Knight and 
 Dea. Daniel Knight were elected March 4, 1870. 
 
 The records show that among the members of the 
 church for the century there have been thirty-seven 
 Knights, seventeen Dows, sixteen Littles and nine Noyeses. 
 Among the latter have been four sisters who have sung 
 in the choir more than thirty years each, and one of them, 
 Mrs. Dea. Gilbert, was in the choir more than forty years. 
 Another of these sisters, Mrs. Eliza W. Noyes, recently 
 deceased, has given $200, the interest of which is to be 
 devoted to the support of preaching. Many others might 
 be mentioned. Many noble deeds of self-denial have been 
 done, especially by the ladies. Perhaps some persons, 
 who have been able to contribute but their mite, have 
 done more to promote the welfare of the church than some 
 who have acted a more prominent part. And He who 
 
24 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 will not allow a cup of cold water given in His name to go 
 unrewarded, will reward and honor all at the great day 
 according to their love and devotion. 
 
 The Churches. 
 
 Notwithstanding the reason assigned for the separation 
 of the town from Plaistow, was the better accommodation 
 of its inhabitants with religious privileges, at their first 
 meeting, Nov. 3, 1767, they refused to build a meeting 
 house. But on the 29th of March, 176S, the town "voted 
 to build a meatting house." " Voted that the plase between 
 Left. Johnathan Pages and John Dows, the easternly most 
 nole, 01^ the North side of the way be the Plase to set the 
 Meatting house." "Voted that the Meatting house Be Built 
 By subscription by those that have a min to and take the 
 pew ground for there pay." The town appointed no build- 
 ing committee, but those interested evidently had a meet- 
 ing, and appointed a committee, which, from the deeds for 
 the pew ground, appears to have been composed of the 
 following persons, viz.: "Samuel Little, John Knight and 
 John Ingalls, gentleman ; Thomas Noyes, John Dow, 
 Moses Kelly and Benjamin Hale, yeomen." This com- 
 mittee apparently commenced their preparations for build- 
 ing, but there was dissatisfaction in regard to its location, 
 and a town meeting was warned for July 18, when it was 
 "Voted to reconsider the vote of March 29; but being 
 unable to agree, " Voted not to fix the place at this meet- 
 ing." Meanwhile the Committee put up the frame on the 
 original site, but felt unable to finish, and in the warrant 
 for a town meeting, Oct. 18, an article was inserted "To 
 choose a committee to sell the pew ground in said Meet- 
 ing house frame at a vendue to obtain money for finishing 
 said house." This article was voted down. But the Com- 
 mittee seem to have succeeded in completing the building 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 2$ 
 
 during the winter and spring following. For, " on the 
 1 8 of Dec. A. Domini 1769, in the tenth year of His Maj- 
 esty's reign," they deeded to James Noyes " five feet 
 square for a pew ground," but as it was designated as 
 being between the pews of John Ingalls and Joseph 
 French, it is evident that other pews had been previously 
 sold. This pew ground was deeded for " five pounds law- 
 ful money." 
 
 The building seems to have been patterned after Noah's 
 Ark. As nearly as can be ascertained, it was forty by 
 fifty feet, without a steeple, the ridge-pole running east 
 and west, while the pulpit was on the north side. It was 
 entered by three doors, one on each end and one on the 
 south side opposite the pulpit. A row of box pews went 
 round the sides and in the centre were two rows of pews 
 on each side of the broad aisle, five feet by seven and a 
 half, except the east row, which was divided into three 
 pews on each side. The seats turned up, and when let 
 down at the close of prayers, produced a clatter which 
 would have astonished modern ears. It had a high box 
 pulpit with sounding board perched high over head, which 
 at the present day might excite fears for the safety of the 
 minister. There were galleries on three sides. It was 
 situated east of the burying ground and north of the road 
 leading to Hampstead. In this building, without carpets 
 or fire, excepting the few last years, did our fathers wor- 
 ship for sixty-six years, till the present house was erected 
 in 1835. It was taken down in 1845. To the aged part 
 of the community this house must have had most sacred 
 associations. In it their fathers worshiped. In it they 
 were consecrated to God. In it they first attended church, 
 and there did they consecrate themselves to God. Sacred 
 edifice ! But thou and the greater part of those who wor- 
 shiped in thee have passed away. 
 
26 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 The Present Meeting House. 
 
 As early as iSi8 difficulty arose in regard to the meet- 
 ing house. In March, 1819, three months previous to the 
 death of Mr. Peabody, the town " Voted to let the Univer- 
 salists have the privilege of using the meeting house the 
 present year their proportion of Sundays, according to the 
 taxation." In March, 1820, "Voted that each denomina- 
 tion, viz. : Congregationalists, Universalists, Baptists and 
 Methodists, have the liberty to supply the pulpit with a 
 teacher of their own persuasion their proportion of Sun- 
 days, according to the taxes each denomination pays." 
 This vote was repeated from year to year till 1827, when 
 it was voted " that the Universalist Society occupy the 
 meeting house the fourth Sunday in April next, and the 
 fourth Sunday in each of the next seven months." At the 
 same time it was " Voted that the Methodists occupy the 
 meeting house the third Sunday in every month the year 
 ensuing. In 1830, "Voted that the Universalist Society 
 occupy the meeting house the fourth Sabbath in every 
 month, and the second Sabbath enough to make up their 
 proportion. This vote was repeated for several years. 
 The occupation of the house by different denominations 
 was a serious embarrassment to the church, and one of 
 the causes which led to the resignation of Mr. Spofford. 
 Less than a month after his resignation, Feb. 19, 1834, 
 the Congregational Society of Atkinson was formed. 
 Encouraged and aided by Rev. William Cogswell, D. D., 
 and Rev. Jesse Page, the Society proceeded to erect the 
 following year the present house of worship. It stands 
 on land given by Joseph B. Cogswell, Esq., and is forty by 
 fifty feet, and was dedicated Oct. 21, 1835. It cost, besides 
 the labor given, $1800.00, a little more than one-third of 
 which was given by individuals and churches from abroad. 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 27 
 
 and the rest raised by the sale of pews, and contributions 
 by the church members and citizens. Such a building 
 would now cost more than twice the amount.* 
 
 Music. 
 
 It is not appropriate that we close a review of the church 
 for a century without a brief notice of the service of song 
 which constitutes so important a part of the worship of 
 God. During Mr. Peabody's ministry, " Watts' Hymns," 
 without "the select," were used, and the "Ancient Har- 
 mony," so full of soul stirring music. Favorite tunes of 
 Mr. Peabody were Judgment, Old Jordan, New Jerusalem, 
 and others. After Mr. Peabody, Watts and Select Hymns 
 were used, till the present autumn, when the Sabbath 
 Hymn Book was introduced. The first instrumental 
 music, as far as remembered, was a violin, then a bass viol, 
 so long played by Jesse Dow. The present pipe organ 
 was procured in 1866, at a cost of $500. In raising the 
 money the people in Atkinson were assisted by friends 
 abroad. The small organ for the Sabbath School and so- 
 cial meetings was procured in 1869, at a cost of about 
 ^140, the money being raised by a levee. 
 
 We cannot close without a reference to the influence of 
 this church. One hundred years ago, on a rainy day, 
 nineteen persons, eleven men and eight women, met 
 together at a private house, and feeling their obligation to 
 sustain the institutions of the gospel, consecrated them- 
 selves to God and his service. Had they been less self- 
 denying, or less courageous ; had they said " we will go 
 to neighboring towns to worship," how different would 
 have been the result ! Literally, scores, who are now in 
 heaven, or filling places of usefulness and honor in the 
 world, in all probability would not have been converted. 
 
 *For a full statement respecting the parsonage, not completed at the de- 
 livery of this address, the reader is referred to appendix B. 
 
28 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
 
 The more religious part of the community would have 
 removed, and irreligion and immorality would have 
 flourished on soil now distinguished for intelligence and 
 morality. And how great has been its influence upon 
 education. Had there been no church in Atkinson, there 
 would have been no academy, and had there been no acad- 
 emy it is not probable one-fifth of the more than forty 
 persons who have entered the learned professions from 
 Atkinson would have entered college or practised the 
 healing art. And probably not 500 out of the more than 
 4000 students who have enjoyed the privileges of educa- 
 tion here, and who are exerting a wide influence in the 
 world, would have ever enjoyed equal advantages for an 
 education. And each one of these will exert an influence 
 over others which shall never cease. How great has been 
 the influence of this little church ! But what shall be its 
 influence for the future .'' Shall it be built up and flourish ? 
 Shall the academy continue to exert an elevating and be- 
 nign influence during the century to come.'' Our fathers 
 did not shrink from responsibility. They consecrated 
 themselves and their children to God and relying upon 
 divine strength, went forward. And if we imitate their 
 example may not even greater results be achieved ? 
 
 Our fathers, where are they .'' Not an individual who 
 was present one hundred years ago at the organization of 
 this church and ordination of Mr. Peabody is now among 
 the living. They have gone. At the end of another cen- 
 tury not an individual now present will be living. Others 
 will occupy our places. But what shall be our record .-* 
 Let us be influenced by the sacred associations which clus- 
 ter around this hour, reconsecrate ourselves, our children 
 and our possessions to God, and resolve that by his assist- 
 ance we will faithfully discharge the duties devolved upon 
 us. And may His blessing attend the pilgrim church 
 down the ages. 
 
I 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX. 31 
 
 A. 
 
 Memorial Funds. 
 
 The following conditions annexed to his gift by Hon. 
 Francis Cogswell, have been copied by subsequent donors : 
 
 * * * "Whereas the said Francis Cogswell 
 has on this 17th day of April, A. D. 1871, deposited in the 
 Haverhill Savings Bank, in said Haverhill, Mass., the sum 
 of $1,000 to the credit of the Deacons of the Congrega- 
 tional Church in said Atkinson, as a perpetual deposit in 
 trust, on condition that the sum thus deposited is not to 
 be removed or withdrawn except by a decree of court or 
 other legal proceedings. That the principal sum thus 
 deposited is not to be diminished, and that the dividends 
 or interest only are to be paid to the order of the Deacons 
 for the time being of said church, and expended under its 
 direction in the support of preaching and sustaining the 
 gospel ministry in said Atkinson. 
 
 Now, therefore, in consideration thereof, we, the under- 
 signed, Franklin Gilbert, Bailey Knight and Daniel 
 Knight, the Deacons of the Congregational Church in 
 Atkinson, N. H., hereby accept said contribution or dona- 
 tion in trust, on the conditions annexed thereto, and we 
 covenant and agree with said Francis Cogswell, his heirs, 
 and executors, and administrators, that we, the said Dea- 
 cons, will and that our successors in said office shall, in 
 all coming time, permit the said sum of $1,000 to remain 
 on deposit in said Haverhill Savings Bank, as a perpetual 
 trust, until the same shall be ordered to be removed by 
 due process of law. 
 
32 APPENDIX. 
 
 That the principal sum of $i,ooo shall not be diminished 
 by any act of ourselves, or our successors in said office of 
 Deacons. 
 
 That the dividends or interest only as received shall be 
 faithfully expended in the support of preaching and in 
 sustaining the gospel ministry in said Atkinson, under 
 the direction of said church. 
 
 That we and our successors in said office of Deacons 
 will enter in a book kept for that purpose, the amount of 
 said contribution or donation under the name of ' The 
 Francis Cogswell Donation for the support of preaching ajid 
 sustaining the Gospel nii^iistry in Atkinson, N. H.,' and 
 regularly enter all the receipts as income therefrom, and 
 all the expenditures made from said income, stating the 
 particulars thereof, for which proper vouchers shall be 
 taken and filed, which book, accounts and vouchers are to 
 be exhibited to the church yearly, at its annual meeting, 
 after having been examined and audited by the Standing 
 Committee, or some other committee appointed for that 
 purpose, and approved, if found to be correct, by the 
 church." Signed by the deacons. 
 
 The bequest of Joseph B. Cogswell, Esq., is as follows : 
 
 " I give and bequeath to the Congregational Society in 
 Atkinson the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, to be invested 
 in good and profitable Stocks and the interest of the same 
 shall from time to time be laid out for repairs on the place 
 of worship of said Society. 
 
 Provided however if said Society shall ever build a new 
 House of Worship on the land where the House now 
 stands — the above sum of Five Hundred Dollars may be 
 taken and used by the Society to build such new House. 
 
 And I do give a further sum of Five Hundred Dollars to 
 said Congregational Society in Atkinson, the interest of 
 which shall be annually expended for the support of preach- 
 ing the Gospel in said Society." 
 
APPENDIX. 33- 
 
 B. 
 
 The Parsonage. 
 As a necessary step toward securing a pastor, the Ladies' 
 Society in the spring of 1871 voted that their funds be 
 devoted to a parsonage, and a few months later, determin- 
 ed to solicit subscriptions for this object, a nucleus being 
 furnished by a conditional gift from William C. Todd, Esq, 
 The members of the congregation co-operated in the effort 
 with great unanimity and self-sacrifice, and almost all per- 
 sons for any reason interested in the welfare of the place, 
 added such aid as was in their power, even those families 
 to whom the church was already so much indebted. After 
 the call of Rev. C. F. Morse, the house was built on seven- 
 eighths of an acre of land purchased of Dea. Bailey Knight, 
 under the supervision of a committee chosen by the Con- 
 gregational Society, consisting of Rev. Jesse Page, Dea. 
 Bailey Knight, and James M. Nesmith, an experienced 
 builder who personally superintended the work. It is an 
 interesting coincidence and significant of "the good hand 
 of our God upon us," that the house was occupied by the 
 pastor on the first anniversary of the day on which it was 
 resolved to attempt a subscription, and the last bill con- 
 tracted in its erection paid almost within a year from the 
 day its foundations were commenced ; the whole amount 
 furnished through the ladies of the congregation in sub- 
 scriptions and all other ways being ^3210.07. To esti- 
 mate the actual expense of the house as it stands should 
 be added the value of blinds and fence otherwise secured, 
 and a large amount of gratuitous labor. 
 
34 APPENDIX. 
 
 This property is conveyed to the Deacons of the Con- 
 gregational Church in Atkinson, and " their successors in 
 ■said office, and assigns forever in trust as follows, viz. : to 
 hold and keep the same as a parsonage for the use and 
 occupancy of the minister or pastor of said church and 
 society, for the time being free of charge or rent, so long 
 as said society shall pay or cause to be paid the cost and 
 expense of repairs, taxes, insurance and legal assessments 
 thereon ; and upon their failure so to do, to collect and 
 receive the amounts necessary therefor from rents and 
 income for the use and occupation of said estate, and to 
 hold and securely invest any and all sums of money 
 received by them in connection with this estate, or from 
 proceeds of any sale of the same, after deducting the nec- 
 essary expenses above recited, for the support and main- 
 tenance of the gospel ministry and preaching in said 
 Atkinson, the annual interest or income only to be so 
 expended ; provided, however, that the said estate shall 
 on no consideration be pledged or mortgaged for the pay- 
 ment of any sum of money or the performance of any con- 
 dition or contract, and shall not be at any time sold or 
 conveyed by said trustees without the votes of said 
 society and church first had at lawful meetings, called for 
 that purpose, concurring in and directing said sale and 
 conveyance ; a sale with the assenting votes of said 
 society and church as aforesaid, and reinvestment of the 
 whole or part of the proceeds in another parsonage estate, 
 to be holden in the same manner as is here provided for 
 this, and any balance of proceeds invested and held as 
 hereinbefore recited, to be deemed a full compliance with 
 the terms of this trust." 
 
APPENDIX. 35 
 
 c. 
 
 Contribution to the Ministry. 
 
 The following persons from the town have become 
 preachers of the Gospel: — 
 
 Rev. MOSES DOW, 
 
 Rev. WILLIAM COGSWELL, D.D., 
 
 Rev. NATHANIEL COGSWELL, 
 
 Rev. JESSE PAGE, 
 
 Rev. WILLIAM PAGE, 
 
 Rev. NATHANIEL GROVER, 
 
 Rev. JAMES MARSH HOW DOW, 
 
 Rev. JOHN BADGER MERRILL. 
 
36 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 D. 
 
 Atkinson in the War of the Rebellion. 
 
 The following residents 
 of the Rebellion, very few 
 nishing so large a number 
 tion : — 
 
 JOHN E. AUSTIN, 
 MILES M. BOWLES, 
 EBENEZER BUCK, 
 DAVID O. CLARKE, 
 JOSEPH CARLTON, 
 WARREN CLOUGH, 
 WARREN COWDRY, 
 CHARLES DOW, 
 JOHN DOW, 
 GEORGE P. DOW, 
 H. DOW, 
 
 JOHN FOLINSBEE, 
 LOREN HEATH, 
 GEORGE W. HEATH, 
 JACOB HALL, 
 IRA HURD, 
 WILLIAM HURD, 
 FRANK P. IRISON, 
 JOHN S. C. KELLY, 
 HENRY KELLY, 
 
 of Atkinson served in the War 
 towns in New Hampshire fur- 
 in proportion to their popula- 
 
 JOHN H. KNIGHT, 
 S. BURLY MASON, 
 EDMUND F. McNEIL, 
 ALONZO McNEIL, 
 ARTHUR L. MERRICK, 
 MARCUS MERRICK, 
 JACOB L. MORSE, 
 THOMAS ADDISON NOYES, 
 OILMAN NOYES, 
 BYRON NOYES, 
 CYRUS FRANK NOYES, 
 EDWARD F. NOYES, 
 ALBE NOYES, 
 FREDERICK W. NOYES, 
 PERKINS NICHOLS, 
 JOHN RYAN, 
 CHARLES D. RICHARDS, 
 FRANK W. RICHARDS, 
 ORRIN S. RICHARDS, 
 JOHN H. SMITH. 
 
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