THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Ex Libris Katharine F, Richmond and Henry C. Fall 0^67, \^ ^ty^^/>^CP(yt.''Z-^y^ 'fjj> RELIGIOUS HISTORY South Hampton, N. H. AN APPENDIX. EXETER, N. H.: the news-letter steam job print. i88f. INDEX. 3R . PAGE History of Congregational Church 5 Ancient Boundaries 5 Rocky Hill Church 6 Division of Parsonage Land 7 First Meeting House 9 Rev. Wm. Parson's Settlement 9 Parsonage House 12 Rev. Wm. Parson's Dismissal 16 Settlement of Rev. Nath'l Noyes 19 Sale of North Parsonage . . . 21 Dismissal of Rev. Nath'l Noyes 34 History of Baptist Church 27 Letter of Abigail Carter 27 Organization of Brentv*fOod Branch Church 29 Records of Branch Church 30 Records of Brentwood Church 31 Baptist Church Constituted 38 Meeting-House Built 41 Ordination of Samuel C. Gilbert 43 Ordination of Samuel Ladd 46 Ordination of E. A. Edwards 49 Death of Rev. S. E. Brown 51 Death of Rev. P. W. Tolman 54 History of Free- Will Baptist Church 58 Church Organized 58 Ordination of Rev. P. Hanscom 59 Removal of Church to Amcslmry 60 Other Religious History 62 Sale of Parsonage 63 Universalist History 63 Methodi.st History 65 Lay Services 65 APPENDIX. Charter, Town of South Hampton, 1742 70 Petition of tweuty-cight persons, not to join South Hampton 0!) Petition of eiglit persons to be set off to Hampton Falls 72 Act of 1742, polling sundry persons from South Hampton to Hampton Falls . . 73 Seabrook granted, 1768 74 Agreement as to taxation between South Hampton and Seabrook, 1795 75 Act of 1822, establishing line between South Hampton and Seabrook 75 South Hampton'.s i)ublic property in Seabrook exempt from taxation 76 Agreement with Salisbury, dividing parsonage lands, 1743-4 76 (Quitclaim Deed, North Parsonage, by Rev. Nathaniel Noyes, 1763 77 South Hampton's vote, 1748, liberty to join the New Town 78 Act of 1749, Thirty men to join Newtown 79 Petition, 1770, to establish line with Newtown — 81 Act of 1772, establishing line between South Hampton and Newtown 82 Names of those who signed Association Test, 1776 83 1066158 INTRODUCTION. By invitation of the Baptist Church in South Hampton, the Portsmouth Baptist Association held its fifty-second annual session at South Hampton, on Wednesday and Thursday, September 15 and 16, 1880. The Baptist Church was constituted September 29, 1830, and the semi-centennial services were held on Tuesday, Sep- tember 14, 1880, at the Baptist Church. Rev. S. S. White, Rev. John K. Chase, Rev. Otis Wing, Rev. E. A. Edwards, former pastors, and others, participating. On Tuesday evening, September 14, Mr. B. R. Jewell delivered a histori- cal address upon the religious history of the town other than that of the Baptist Church. On Wednesday evening, Sep- tember 15, 1880, the history of the Baptist Church was given by Mr. Jewell, before a large audience. These addresses attracted the attention of several of the public spirit- ed citizens, who desired to have them published in pamphlet form, and it was also thought desirable to have an appendix added, giving historical facts not especially connected with the religious histor3^ and a committee consisting of F. B. French, Esq., Mr. P. P. Whitehouse and Mr. Jonathan Pressey was chosen to prepare the same. At the Town Meeting held November 2, 1880, the town voted to appropri- ate $25.00 for the purpose of furnishing each resident tax pa3^cr with a copy of the pamphlet when printed ; and the following named citizens have generously contributed the sum necessary to secure its publication : Joseph T. Merrill, Jacob Eaton, Frederick B. French, Jonathan Pressey, Phineas P. Whitehouse, Moses J. Eaton, James M. Jewell, Samuel Eastman, Isaiah F. Purinton, Rev. S. S. White, Barnard Jewell, and the author, Benjamin R. Jewell. THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY SOUTH HAMPTON, N.H In presenting the religious history of our town, a prevail- ing error should be corrected. The New Hampshire Gazeteer, in giving the early history of the town, sa^'s it was formed from i^arts of Hampton and Kingston. And in the Court Records, case of South Hampton vs. Fowler, we find, De- cember, 1872, N. H. Reports, Vol. 52, Page 229, by Chief Justice Bellows : "The town of Wiunieumett, soon changed to Hampton, em- braced what is now Nortli Hampton, South Hanii)ton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Seabrook, and j^erhaps other territory, all taken at ditlerent times from Hami)ton, Avhich is now a small town." "If the title is held to rest in the new town where the land happens to fall, then it would bo fatal to the plaintiff's claim to recover, as the lands lie within the incorporate town of .Seal)rook." Page 2oO : "We have thus i-eferred to the existence of these ancient towns, and the fact that llie towns of Seabrook and South Hampton were formed out of Hampton." Prior to 1741, the boundary line of New IIani[)sliire and IMassachusetts was what is called the Shapley line, the pres- ent northern boundary of South Hampton being the stat(^ line, lience the town was wholly a i)!irt of Amesbury and Salisbury-, extending from the Atlantic on the east to the town of Kingston on the north-Avest, thence south two and a quarter miles to the Mitchcl line, so-called, embracing the 2 present town ul' South Hampton, nearly two-thirds of the area of Seahrook, and the easterly portion of the town of Newton. The t(jwn was chartered May 25, 1742, by Benning Went- Avorth, Governor of the Province of New Hampshire in the reign of George II. The first meeting was authorized to l>e warned and called liy Joseph Jewell. John Flanders and Henry Currier, on June 7, 1742. Previous to this tune the people at Loggin Plain (South Hampton Hill) Avorshipped with the Second Church in Salis- 1)ury, now known as the Rocky Hill Church. Rev. Jose[)h I'arsous was the pastor. The meeting-house was then located about one mile north of the present cliurch and near the residence of the hite Aaron O. Morrill in Salisbury. A move- ment was made as early as 1735 to have the meeting-house moved to some other location, but it was not voted till 1784, Avhen it was removed to tlie present location. The Rock}' Hill Church was gathered November 17, 171H, and Rev. Joseph Parsons was called to the pastorate. He died March 13, 173!), in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and the twenty-first of his ministry. The church received three hundred members during his pastorate. In August, 1742, Rev. Sanuiel Webster, D. I)., accepted the call of the church, and died in 171)G. in tlie liftN'-lifth year of his ministry. Up- wards of three hundred people -joinetl the church during his ministry, fifty-three on January 4, 1756, and seventy-nine during that year. Rev. Andrew Beatie was pastor from June 28, 1797, to March 16, 1801. His successor was Rev. William Pialch, who was pastor from 1802 to 1816. From IS 16 to 1830 there was no settled pastor. At that time Re\-. Benjamin SawA'cr was called to the pastorate and continued in charge of the churcli until his death, in Marcli 1S71. In November, 1735, the town of Salisbury voted that they would not hire a minister to i)rcach a third of the time above Powow Hill, at Loggin Plain, althougii land ibr the sup[»ort of the ministry had ))een set olf in this division. In Decem- ber, 1738, the town of Salisbury voted that the meeting- house should uot be moved to Stillsou Allen's, nor anything be allowed for the support of preaehing to those inhabitants living above Powow Hill. Upon the death of Rev. Joseph Parsons, in 1739, Henry French and sixty-six others at Loggin Plain, above Powow Hill, remonstrated against the settlement of another pastor of the AVest Church in KSalisl)ury, unless the meeting-house was moved to better accommodate them. March 10, 1740, ten persons are named in the records as excused from pa^'ing minister rates in Salisbiuy, if it would l)etter accommodate them to attend and sup[)ort the meeting at the East Parish of Kingston. The pslrsonagc land of Salisbury-, in what is now South Hampton, at that time was divided into six divisions, and is thus recorded : ''The tirst jjiece is from the north-east end of Hampton line running south-westerl}' about 32 rods to a pop- ple tree, marked, near iMr. Townsend's fence, from wdiich it runs north-westerly to a pretty large hemlock tree standing on high land near a fence which Thomas Flanders erected. The second piece is from the above said popple tree along by Mr. Townsend's line till it conies square with an ash stump in a swamp, which stump is twelve rods from IMr. Townsend's line, (A small hemlock is standing by it, and both are mark- ed with the letter p.) from which it runs north-westerly to a dry hemlock tree standing in the same swamp and marked with the letter p, and is the bounds between Flanders' lot and 3'e parsonage land. The third piece is from said ash stump south-westerly about seventy rods to a pretty large beech tree, marked, near Flanders' line, thence across to a small Ijcech tree, marked, by INIr. Townsend's fence. The fourth piece is from the l)ounds last mentioned soutli-Avester- ly to a stake and stone by Flanders' line, a little north-cast- ward of the swamp called ye loggin swamp, and so across to Townsend feucc The lifth piece is from the above said stake and stones up to the Loggin Plain highway. The sixth piece is that \Vhole tract of land lying on the south-westerly side of Loggiu Plain highway, Avhero the Iron Works now stand." The several divisions of land were the outside pieces set apart for religious purposes, and were equally di- vided between Rev. Caleb Cushing and Rev. Samuel Web- ster. The first division is on the present Kensington line, and with divisions second, third and fourth extended to the northern boundary- of the North Parsonage , and included the land now known as the Badger farm and French land, owned by residents of Kensington and by the heirs of Thomas J. Goodwin, Amos Merrill, Abel Brown and others, of South Hampton. What was known as Loggin Swamp is probably that now called the New Meadows. The fifth and sixth divisions were afterwards known as the North and South Parsonages in South Hampton. The North Parsonage, containing eighteen acres, was situ- ated on the west side of the Peak road and probably cover- ing the location of the residences of John W. Downing, Joseph W. Follansbee, perhaps that of Phillips White, and extending to the foot of Indian Ground Hill. The South Parsonage contained about twent3'-eight acres and extended from Mill Road Corner to a point nearly opposite the present pound, and thence running to Powow river, and from thence to the Mill Road. The border upon the river was very nar- row. The present owners of the land are Barnard Jewell, James M. Jewell, Nathan Peters, Joseph Follansbee, Nathan Paige, Jacob C. Noyes. Jonathan Pressey, L. O. Hatch and W. H. Fitts. The public buildings upon the same are Town House, Barnard School-house, Baptist Meeting-house, and the school-house. District No. 1. The new burying ground is also on the South Parsonage lot. At the first town meeting, held June 7. 1742, it was voted that the selectmen should make the minister's rates for the year ensuing, and it was also voted that the selectmen emplo}' the Rev. William Parsons to sui)ply the pulpit, until further orders. Jul}' 26, 1742, the following vote was passed : "Whereas, we, the subscribers, have done consid- 9 erable toward Imilding a meeting-lionse at a place called Loggin Plain, in Sonth Hampton, wo will give up the said meeting-house to the town for said town's use, except one set of pews round the meeting-liouse which we have already sold and laid the mone}' out toward building the meeting- house, and -we do refuse pay for the same on condition that the meeting-house remains in the place it now stands." Signed by Thomas Merrill, John Flanders, Joseph JcAvell, Joseph Chandler, Samuel Barnard, James Morrill, Paul Mor- rill, Reuben Currier, Joseph Morrill, Lawrence Stearns, Samuel Currier, David French, Ebenezer French, Nathan Gould, Joseph Gould, Abncr Gould, Joseph French, Nathan- iel Morrill, Henr}' French, John Morrill, Richard Collins, Joseph Morrill, Henry Currier, Ezekiel Morrill, Reuben Di- mond and Richard Fitts. September 2, 1742, the following action was taken in reference to settling a minister. The seventh day of September was set apart as a da}- of fasting and prayer, and a committee of three appointed to discuss with the ministers after the fast, how to proceed in an order- ly manner to settle a minister. September 29, 1742, the town chose a committee to divide the parsonage land with Salisbury. October 13, the com- mittee reported, " The Salisbury committee did not come to us and we would not go to them." November 2G, 1742, the following vote was> passed: ''Whereas we, the inhabitants of this town, being in present want of a pious, learned and orthodox minister of a good con- versation, to dispense the word and administer the ordi- nances of our Lord Jesus among us, and it ])eing our duty to look up to Heaven for divine assistance to guide us in all our atfairs, therefore, voted, that Thursda}', the second day of December next, ))e appointed a day of fasting and prayer, in order for the calling and settling a gospel minister among us." At the same meeting a committee was chosen "to call in the assistance of neighboring ministers to celebrate the day of fasting and prayer among us." 10 At a legal meeting held Deeemlier 27, 1742, it was voted to give Rev. William Parsons a call "'to settle in tlie work of the gospel ministry among ns," and a committee was chosen to carr}' the town's offer to him and to receive his answer, on Jannary 3, 1743. It was voted that we build a convenient house and barn for tlie use of Rev. Mr. Parsons. His salary was "the income of the South Parsonage, witli pi'ivilege to cut wood for fire on Xortli Parsonage, and forty-five pounds in bills of credit on either province, at silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce." The following is a copy of Mr. Parson's letter of acceptance : "South HAMrxox, January 19, 1742-3. "It liaving pleased God to direct and incline you to make choice of me to be emploj'ed in tlie work of the ministry among 3'ou, and you liaving taken those metliods Avhicli you liave thouglit proper, in a solemn and important affair, and therefore trust tliat God liath been witii you in it. I do now look upon my- self obliged in duty to (iod and to you his people to accept of the call you have given me, and in an humble sense of my own im- worthiness of so holy and honorable an affair as that of minister of the gospel of Jesus Clirist, I do hereby signify my disposition and purpose, Cod willing, to take tliis among you upon me, and Ijeing sensible of my own insnilieiency for so worthy an under- taking, for wdio is sulbcient for these things, I do rely upon the grace whicli tlie great and glorious head of the church hath said is sufficient for me, and liope tliat according to His gracious promise He will ever be present witli me. Earnestly requesting an interest in your jjrayers for tlie. same, tliat I may be therelty an ornament to Religion and the J^vangelical ministry, and a rich blessing in the Church of Christ and to that i)art of it in this par- ticular place, and in a particular manner ; and at tlie same time I do faithfully acknowledge the good disposition that hath ap- peared in 3'ou toward my worldly support and maintenance among you, which you have voted and recorded, and which I hope has been as freely and heartily as voluntarily offered by you, and be- lieving the same Christian-like disijosition that has been already discovered in j'ou, is still in you and will be in you, I encourage mj'self, if that should be found to be not sufficient for my comfort- able and honorable subsistence, that you wdll not be backward in doing that shall appear further necessai-y toward it. ITpon Avhich I trust, under Cod, we sliall be enabled faithfully to discharge the mutual di;ties we owe to one another, and that we maj" now and ever pursue the Apostle rani's exhortation, and walk agree- ably thereto, in riiillipians 2 : 14. So do all things without mur- muring and disputing, that we maj' reap the benefits and rewards in verses fifteen and sixteen ; that we mav be blameless and 11 liarmloss, the son>; ol'dod williniU rohuko, lioldinp,' forth tiie word ol'Lith that I may rojoico in the day orciirisl, lliat I liave not run in vain neitlier laborod in vain. "WILLIAM rARSONS." The ehureli was oi'o-anizcd February 22, 1743, The ser- vices were as follows: "The Rev. Mr. Secomb, of Kino-ston, began with prayer; the Rev. Mr. Whipple, of IIani[)t()u Falls, preached from the text, 'Where there is no vision, the people perish.' The Rev. Mr. Coffin, of East Kingston, eon- eluded with pra3'er." The council consisted of the elders and delegates from the two churches in Salisbury, First Church in Exeter, Second Church in Hampton, First Cluirch in Bradford, the church in Kensington, the church in the parish of North Hampton, and the Second Clnirch in Kings- ton. 'Rev. Caleb Cushing, of Salisbury, was moderator. The council having heard and considered the objections against the organization of the church, voted to proceed. Pra3'er was offered by Rev. Mr. Parsons, of Bradford ; the covenant was read by Rev. Mr. Odlin, of Exeter, to the members, and upon their united assent to it, incorporated them into a church by themsevles, according to the rules and order of the Gospel, ivcommending them to tlie grace of God, and then Mr. Odlin preached a sermon to them upon tlie text, "Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace and things whereby we may edify another," and concluded with prayer, and the council adjourned to meet the next day. The council met according to adjourniuont, and proceeded to the ordination of Rev. William Parsons to the work of the gospel ministry. Rev. Mr. Coffin, of Kingston, offered praj'er ; Rev. Mr. Parsons, of Bradford, preached from John 21:1."), 10. Rev. Mr. Cushing, of Salisl)ury, gave the charge, Rev. Mr. Whii)ple, of Hampton Falls, the right hand of fellowsliip, the Rev. iVIr. \Vel)ster, of Salishiu-y, made the last prayer, tlie one hundred and twenty-second Psalm was sung and the assembly dismissed. Rev. William Pai'sons, Tiionias Merrill ami twelve others constituted the lirst Congregational ehmcli. One month 12 later, on Lord's day, March 20, 1743, thirty-nine were ad- mitted by letter from the Rocky Hill Church, and three new members. From this date to the resignation of Mr. Parsons, in 17G2, sixty-one were admitted to the clmreh b^- letter, and one hundred and fourteen new members. In January, 1743, the town voted to build a parsonage house on the south lot, thirt3'-eight feet long, twenty-eight feet wide, studding six- teen feet, to be finished within two years, at a cost of five- hundred and thirty-eight pounds, old tenor. In December, 1743, the town voted to build a })arsonage barn, to be finished within eighteen months, its dimensions l)eiug tliirty-two feet length, twenty-four feet width, posts twelve feet. Tlie cost fifty pounds, old tenor. Very early in the history of the town the inhabitants of that part which is now in tlie town of Newton were dissatis- fied with their accommodations for religions worship, and on September 29, 1742, the following vote was passed: "Whereas, there are a number of inhabitants of the town that live at considerable distance from meeting, and the}' have thought in time to be better accommodated than constantly to assemble with us, and we being desirous to exercise all Christian regard and kindness to them, vote, first, that all those persons that live above or to the westward of Captain Jonathan Currier's, that have a mind to go off and be a parish shall have their extraordinar}' charges that they are now at, among us, paid back again to them ; that is, all their part of the extraordinary charges that shall arise to them by finishing the meeting-house, settling a minister and building for him, when the}' shall be thought capable by lawful author- ity to maintain the gospel of Christ among them, provided they do not molest or hinder us at the other part in our speedy settling a gospel minister among us, and that they pay toward his support while they are of us and belong to us, hoping at the same time they will of their own free wills be assisting to us. Secondly, voted, that we will make no opposition to tlieni in their endeavors to be a regular town 13 or parish, whenever they shall he thought capahle l\y lawful authority." What is now known as the Mill road was laid out thi'ough the parsonage land in 1745. On March 7, 1748, the town, after five years of contention with Salislnuy, agreed upon a division of the parsonage lands of the two towns upon the following basis : "Whereas, Capt. John Morrill, Capt. Elias Pike and I)ea. John Morrill were legallj" chosen a committee hy the town of Salisbury, and Reuben Dimond, Joseph French, Jr., and Ephraim Brown were legall}' chosen a committee hy the town of South Hamp- ton, to agi'ee and set-off to the town of South Hampton their proportion of the parsonage lands that were formerly laid out within the ancient boundaries of Salisbury', and it was agreed upon by both committees that that part of South Hampton which was Salisbur}- shonld have that part of the parsonage lands lying in South Hampton in the Mill division, l^'ing on the south side of the highway and butting on Powow river, and eighteen acres of the addition of the parsonage land on the north side of the highway for their proportion, reserving to Salisbury' a driftwaj' ; therefore, voted, that the agreement made by said committee shall be recorded on each town book of records and there remain for a perpetual agreement and a final determination of the premises." Three months later the town voted, "That whereas there are a number of persons, that live at the west end of the town, that think they can better accommodate themselves l)y joining with their neighbors for a meeting-house, than con- stantly' to assemble with us, and w(! being willing to show them all Christian regard and kindness, vote that all those persons that live at the west end of this town that have a mind to go off, shall Iiave the liberty' to i)oll off themselves and theii" estates and join with their neighbors in the district for a parish in all affairs, provided the}' poll off or file a list of their names with His Excellency the Governor, within thirty days Ihnw the day of the dntc thereof." Soon 14 after it was chartered, South Hampton lost several ol' its inhabitants hy their polling oft" to other parishes. In Noveniher, 1742, John Collins and seven others were polled oft' to Hampton Falls, heeanse they were more than six miles from the meeting-honsc in South Hamp- ton. Tlie same year John Page and Benjamin Baker desircMl to 1)e polled otf to Hampton Falls f(jr the convenience of the privilege of public worship, but the town remonstrated to the (ieneral Assembly, and their selectmen said, "Every man cannot have an equal privilege in going to public worship," but the}- have laid out a highwa}' to Dr. Page's house (probabl}- the Peak road), and they further claim that the meeting-house is nearer than the one at Hampton Falls, and that they would not attend worship there, but at Salisbury, "as their practice now is, and now thirteen families from Salisbury attend here." The petition was dismissed. The agitation for a new town was l)egun at the west part of the town as earh' as 1742, by Jonathan Farmer and twen- ty-six others. They protested against the settlement of William Parsons and the organization of the church ; they desired the new town to be bounded on the east In- the Powow river, and South Hampton, through its selectmen, re- monstrated. The remonstrants said if the line for the boundar}' proposed l\v the said Farmer and others was adopt- ed, it would come within a mile of the South Hampton meet- ing-house, and the}' would take all h'ing Avest of the meeting- house save four houses, and it would make them that live far from the meeting-house on the east side dissatisfied, and if their prayer was granted we asked to be joined to the Ken- sington parish. Thomas Fowler and Joseph Fowler remon- strated against a new parish and recommended a removal of the meeting-house in this town. The ))oun(lar3- line of Newton, or the Amesbur}' district, was from a point near the residence of Dr. J. G. Gale to Country Pond. Thus the part of Newton now in the pre- cincts of the parish of the Christian Church was in Soutli 15 Hampton. In accordance with the vote of South Hampton, in June, 1748, thirty famihes polled oft' and made a part of Newton, whieli was chartered December G, 1749. There were other famiUes in the portion of South Hampton tliat is now Newton, tliat did not poll oft". Thus neighl)ors, side by side on the same street, were residents of ditferent towns. In 17G8, Jonathan Currier and others desired to l)e polled off to Newton on account of convenience, claiming they were but half a mile from the Newton meeting-house and four miles from that in South Hampton, but the General Assem- bly dismissed the petition. In 1770 the selectmen of South Hampton petitioned for a settlement of the boundary line between this town and Newton. Daniel Pierce, Capt. John Giddings and Dr. Ebenezer Tucker were the committee ap- pointed, and the present boundary line snbstantially was agreed upon. The discipline of the First Church in 1743 and 1744 was rigid. Tlie rules required that persons seeking membership should be propounded two weeks, and for "owning the cov- enant" and having their children baptized, one week ; that the}' should observe the sacrament ten times in the year ; that every communicant should pay towards the support of the Lord's table. If any person absented himself three Sun- da3's from public worship he was considered an offender. If any church member should invite any minister to preach in his house without the consent of both pastor and church, he should be counted an offender. This last vote was annulled in 175G. A committee was appointed to suppress "any dis- orders and views held among them." Cases of discipline were constantly coming before the church,' and public ad- monitions were not uncommon. In 1747, the church voted, if "any persons lay their heads down in an indecent manner to sleep in the house of God in the time of public; worship they shall be looked upon as offenders ;" and voted, also, that the deacons be the persons to take notice of such as do thus and In inform fhc chiircli of them. In 1718, it was 16 voted that a number of persons be cliosen to tari'y and read in tile nieelin2:-]ionse Iietween meetings in tlie summer sea- son. Jul}' 3, 1755, Samuel Currier was chosed deacon. Rev. IMr. Parsons made complaint in regard to his salar}' being inadequate to his support, and the town voted, in 17G0, a gift of two hundred pounds, old tenor, to him, and in 1762 the}' voted two hundred and fift}' pounds to him. At a church meeting, held July 29, 17G2, the following communi- cation was read : "South IIamptox, July 29, 17G2. "To THE Church OFCiirasT in this Place. — My Brethren : 1 trust j-ou cannot but l)e sensible that I have for a considerable time l)een laboring under difficulties. I was loth to lay tliem be- fore you, but they have for so long a time pressed me so hard that 1 am quite overcome and can no longer refrain from opening myself to you and requesting that of you which I now believe to be the only remed3^ For some time after I settled with j'ou, as my heart was with you, so jon gave me no reason to doubt but your hearts were Avith me, and in such a situation I was and still should be ready to live and die with you. But though I can truly say I have made it my endeavor, iaithfully to serve you in the (iospel of Christ according to the capacity which God hath given me (while my temporal supj^ort has been so small as not by any means to make me comfortable in life), yet I have not of late years met with that acceptance of my labors among you which I had reason to hope for ; l)ut such frequent comiDlaints from a con- siderable number as have at length quite dispirited me, very much impaired my health and made me very incaisable of pro- ceeding in any very great work among you, and therefore I judge I have a call of Providence to seek a dismission from my pastoral relation to you. And though Avith some reluctancy (as I have reason to believe myself still dear to some of you), I do hereby request in the first place, that you will signify j'our minds that 1 should be honoraljly dismissed from the pastoral relation to jow which I sustain, and secondly that you will join with me in call- ing a council to confirm the same. So praying that jow may be directed in this important concern to that which shall be most for the interest of religion in this place, the peace and prosperity of the church and my own present comfort and future felicity, I sub- scribe, "Your Pastor, "WILLIA^M PARSONS." The church appointed a day of fasting and prayer, and the deacons were instructed to invite the Rev. Mr. Coffin, of 17 East Kingston, and Rev. Mr. Hibbard, of Amcsbury, to come and assist in tlic solemnities of the da}'. September 9, 1762, tlie cliurcli voted tliat the request of tlie pastor be granted, out of consideration of tlie great and insupportable discouragements which we lind him laboring under, and out of a tender regard for his life, liealth and comfort, and we join with him in calling a council. October 6, 17G2, the town, at a legal meeting, invited Rev. Mr. Parsons to api)ear before them and give his reasons wh}' he desired to be dis- missed from the pastorate. He complied with their request, and said that he could "give no other reasons than those he had given to the church before, and that is by reason of some persons being uneasy with my doctrine and dissenting with me from time to time, and I could give them no satis- faction, although I have endeavored to deliver the word to my people in the clearest light according to the capacity that it has pleased God to bestow upon mc. You are sensible that nn- salar}- is very low, and I feel incapable of carrying on the work of the ministry, therefore I desire that you will vote my dismission from my ministerial care over yon in this place." At first the town voted not to dismiss him, but after fiulher consideration and advice of the council, which was that day convened at the parsonage house, the vote was reconsidered and the following substituted : "Whereas, our pastor. Rev. William Parsons, has signilii'd to the church and people of this place that ])}• reason ol' many and great discouragements he is disabled both as to body and mind to carry on the work of tiie ministry, allliough we earnestly desire all his dilliculties might be removed and he continued in the work of the ministry among us, and are willing on our part to supi)ort and encourage him in it; yet the town being now met, vote that the mattcu- be left to the council called l)y Rev. William Parsons and tlu' chnrcii on this occasion, and now met; and if thry jiidgr tliiit iir, is not al)le to carry on the work of the ministry and lln-y tiiink it nc(M]fnl. we consent to his dismissal, otherwise we cannot 18 be willing." The decision of the cluirrh was as fol- lows : "We, the Elders ;unl Messengers ut' the tirst church uf Christ in Hampton, the first and second chnrches in Salisbury, the church in Xorthanipton and the first church in Exeter, being met in Council, upon mature Deliberation come to the following Re- sult : "1. That it appears to the Council to be the earnest and steady Desire of the llev. William Parsons to be dismissed from his Pastoral Relation to this people. "2. It appears from the vote of the church, whk-h they .still abide by, to be their desire also, that he be dismissed, and that they are sensible his discouragements are insupportalde. "3. That by the vote of the town, it appears that though they are very desirous of his continuance witii them if he could go on contented!}' and cheerfully in his work, and are willing to give him all due encouragement, yet if this Council judge him so dis- couraged as to be unalde to go on with his work, they consent he should be dismissed. "4. Voted that though the church appears to have been quite too hasty in transacting so great and important an affair as the absolutely dismissing their Pastor, without an J^cclesiastieal Council, contrary to the usual custom of churches of CUirist in this Land, and therefore we cannot in form confirm their vote accord- ing to their desire, yet "5. It appearing to us that the Rev. ]\Ir. Parsons" Discourage- ments are such as in a great measure, to our grief, disable him for going on with his ministr}' in this place, we cannot but judge it advisable that both his pastoral and ministerial Relation to this people be dissolved. And now Ave cannot but heartily mourn with the many that are mourning in this place at our loosing so good a neighbor in the ministry and the}', so worthy and excel- lent a pas|.or, so sound in the faith, of so exemplary conversation and so generally esteemed and valued in all the neighboring churches where he hath ministered. And we heartily reconmiend him and his family to the grace of God, the care of his Providence and to the Eellowship of the churches wherever their Ivott shall be cast, and shall rejoice if a Door may be opened for his yet again ministering to the Saints. "Finally. We heartily reconmiend the people in this place to the Grace and Mere}- of God and the care of the great Head of the church, the Princ^e of Peace. Earnestly entreating them to re- flect seriously upon the great and heavy Frown of Divine Provi- dence which is now upon them and so to humble themselves under the Hand of God, as that he may exalt them in his due time, and we earnestly pray you. Brethren, with the holy Apostle to mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine ye have learned and to avoid them, & to study the things that make for i'eace, & whereby we may edify one another. Let nothing, we beseech you, as in the bowels of Jesus Christ, 19 be done through strife and vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself. Let all your things be done with charity and Endeavour to the utmost as becometh Saints to unite in love in all things which concern the House of (iod and the Interest of the lledeemer's Kingdom among you, so shall we still hope that (iod hath yet rich mercy in store for you, and that he will give you another Pastor after his own Heart that will feed you with knowledge and understanding, and make you that happy people whose God is the Lord."' [mes.sexgkks.] WAKL) COTTON, Moderator. ])anh:l s.vnboun. samuel batchelder. [ministeus.] john odlix. samuel brooks, nat'l (k)()kin. john buswell. sa^hiel webster. jonathan stlvens. W0()I)BRH:)0E ODLIN. RUEBEN MORRILL. EDMUND NOYES. NATHANH<:L FITTS. Tlii« closed the pastorate of Rev. William Parsons. For nearly twenty years he had been laboring with the [)eople, and the records show that he had baptised three hundred and fort3'-four children and solenniizcd one hundred and lifty-five marriages. It was during his ministry that the great revival in New England was enjoyed, lie was a native of Boston, a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1785, and died in 1797, aged eighty-two years. After his tlisniissal at South llam[)ton, he removed to Gilmanton, N. II., where he continued preaching, and also engaged in teaching. Noveml)cr i. 1762, the town voted that a connnittee l»e appointed to call in some pious, learned, orthodox candidate of a good conversation, to the word among us at the i)rcscnt. Dcccmlicr 10, the church voted to appoint a day ol' fasting and prayer, and six clergymen from tlie adjoining towns were invited to assist in the exercises and solenniitit's of the rayer, and Rev. Mr. Parsons [)reachcd from Matt. U : o8. The same day, the 20 town voted to call Mr. Natlmuiel No3'es as a candidate upon probation in order for settleraout in the gospel ministry among us. At a meeting of the cliureli held January 24, 1763, a pas- toral call was formally extended to Mr. Nathaniel No^es. On the same da^- the town assembled, being legally- warned, and voted unanimousl}' to give Mr. Nathaniel No3'es a call to settle, and also that Mr. No3-es should have the use of the parsonage house and barn, and to keep them in repair for him, and the use of the parsonage land, and the town will keep the south [)arsonage fence in repair till they fence it in with a good stone wall, and the salary shall be eighty- pounds lawful money of Massachusetts Bay, or its equivalent in Hampshire mone}'. Mr. Xo3-es accepted the church's call and invitation, and gave his answer as follows : "BhETHKEX of the C'lILKClI OF ClIKIST IN SoUTlI HAMPTON. — I received by ye hands of your committee your invitation and call to ye work of ye gospel ministrj^ among j'ou, wdierein I see 3'ou have proceeded agreeable to ye order of ye gospel, and it is with jileasure I observe }-our nnitv of alt'ection toward me, con- sidering ve strategeras which have been made to divide j^ou ; therefore 1 cannot denv but ve concurring Providence of God with your mianinious invitation is ye voice of God for me to ac- cept 3'onr call : therefore I now accept and am free to take ye Pastoi'al care of this church, trusting you will walk in unit}' and love and walk as becomes ^e people of (jod, ever bearing me upon your minds before ye throne of Grace, that I may be a rich and increasing blessing to 3'ou and approve myself a wise, meek and faithful minister of je New Testament. And may the King of Zion own and bless us with liis kind presence and delight to make us a hoi}- Soeiet\% sanctified by his Spirit, enriched with every Christian grace and in time made meet to join the church triumphant in (ilorj-. "XATIFL XOYES." "January 21, 1763. " In Fel3rnar3- of the same year, Mr. Noyes, agreeable to the vote of the church submitted to them a confession of faith, and on February 23 (just twent3' years from the ordi- nation of Mr. Parsons), he was ordained. Prayer b3' Kev. Moses Parsons, of Newbur3- Byfield ; right hand of fellow- ship by Rev. Moses Hall, of Newbury ; charge to the church 21 1)V Rev. Jedidiali Jewett. of Rowley- ; sermon b}- Rev. James Chandler, of Rowley, Rom. 15 : 29. "And I am sure when I foiiu' among you 1 shall come in the fullness of the blessing" of the (iospel of Christ." Concluding prayer by Rev. Thomas llibbard, of Amcsbury. and after singing the \'.)'2d Psalm the assembly was dismissed. In March following, the church voted to introduce Watts' Ilynms, and the pastor was directed to instruct tlie chihlren in the Assem- bly's Shorter Catechism. April 14. 17()o. the town voted to sell the N(jrtli Parsonage lot. and .rames Boswell subsequently purchased it. This was the beginning <^f wrong doing in the disposal of proper- ty, the income of which was designed to be kept forever for the supjKjrt of the ministi-y of the word. Mr. Boswell did not pay as agreed iii)on, and foi- years it was a subject of controversy at the town meetings. The interest of the money was faithfully rendered and paid to Rev. Mr. Noyes, as a part of his salary. About tliis time the town voted to Rev. William Parscms the sum of nine hundred pounds, old tenor, lor liual settlement in regard to imi)rovements in fences, etc.. on i)arsonage lot and l)uildings. March "21. 1701, Eliphalet CiU'riei- and Benjamin liai-nard were chosen deacons. From the early [)art of the ministry of Mr. Noyes to its close, the church had cases of ilisci[)line lliat must have sorely tried the Chiistian faith of the good man. Even the oftlce bearei-s ol" the church were guilty of a disorderly walk and practically cast contempt upon the church. Letters of admonition were written l)y the jjastor' and most persistent elforts made to liarmoni/e tlie atfaii's of the church. October 30, 17()((, ;i complaint was made against two sisters of the chnrch foi- stri\ing and (jnarreiling on the Lord's day, and the chnrcli met to consick-r tlu' complaint. Both otfending sistei's were pi'csent and aibnitteil tlie chai-ge to be true. They were debarred from comnmnion and directed to make humble acknowledgment to each (jtlier. They did so, ac- 3 22 knowU'diiing tlu'ir sin ;i;>:un.st God and the churcli, and in tlio language of penitents desired forgiveness. Tlie}" vTere reeei\('d again to tlie fellowsliip of the cluireli and a service I'ollowfd. in wliicli religions exhortation was ades thanks for the gift he made the town in times past, and to return the same by a commit- tee consisting of Ensign Isaiah Dole, Lieutenant Reuben Currier, Capt. Benjamin Barnard, Deacon Eliphalet Merrill, Abel Brown and Jacob Collins. On the 20th of October, 1800, in a warrant for a town meeting of the supporters or taxpa3'ers to Rev. Xathaniel Xoyes, the following article was inserted : "To see if those of the inhabitants of said town afore mentioned will choose a 23 committee to go to Hev. Mr. Xoyes, as he is desirous of making some proposals, liow lie will leave the town, as he liath requested a meeting for that purpose, and that the com- mittee sliall malv'e a report of tlie proposals that he shall make to them, and to act therc^ou as they shall think proi)er." The meeting was held, and the following committee chosen to receive the pro[)osals of Mr. Xoyes : Capt. John Currier, Maj. Benjamin Bainard. Jacob Collins. Esq.. AVilliam (iraves and Ensign Isaiah Dole. The following are the pioposals of Mr. Xoyes : •■Gi:Nri,i;Mi.N oi iiik Town oi Soiiii llvMriuN. — Vuii mu^^t. be sensible i)flhe mehuiclioly state of religiou, and of the sad di- visions among us, with tlie increasing number of those who are unwilling to continue tlieir assistance for the regular support of the publK- Avorsliip of (ioil. wliieh renders the life of your minister uncomfortable and iiis l;il)ors foi- the l)enelit of tlie jieople unsuc- cessful. "That vour minister is willing (qjon the following conditions to tlissolve his connection with you. That \'ou give him a recom- mendation as an upriiiht niiiiistei- of the (iospcl of Christ. "Thf town shall pay his full salary till the first of March, 180]. •'He shall retain the use of the house, barn and parsonage until the last of.Viiril. bsnl. "For his wooeetlily take place his pastoral relation with the people ought to be dissolved. Still it is our earn- est desire that the melancholy separatiim may, if possible, be pre- vented, nor are we willing to abandon the hope that through the gracious interposition and blessing of God this peo[)le may yet be laiited and happy under their present pastor and reap important benefit from his ministerial labors. This object we recommend to their serious attention and entreat them to endeavor its accom- plishment by every method in their power. Should this not be speedily eftected, we recommend that the dissolution of the con- nection take place in as peaceable a manner as maj- be, and we give as our oi)inion that the conditions of separation proposed by ]\lr. Noyes are moderate and reasonable and we recommend them to the people in confidence of their ready and cheerful acquies- cence in them. Finally, we feel ourselves constrained to express, on this occasion, the high sense we entertain of ^Ir. Noyes" exem- })lary integrity as a citizen, and of his long-tried hdelity and zeal as a gospel minister. And now brethren of this Church and Con- gregation, we are constrained from a regard to our own feelings and your best interests to entreat you solemnly to consider the probable consequences both to yourselves and your children of your being left destitttte of (iod's ordinances : it must be depress- ing to you, and will })robably prove fatal to them. (Jospel priv- ileges are justh' considered as the best, the greatest privileges enjoj^ed in the world. Your real interest depends more, infinitely more, upon the enjoyment of these than upon houses and lands, (.'hrist has heon willing to do much, to suffer much, that yon and your children might enjoy the privileges of the stated worship and ordinances of the Gospel, whereby 30U and they may become wise unto salvation. And will not you be willing to make the necessary sacrifice of your temporal interests to secure and con- tinue so great a blessing ? Can yoix without horror realize the idea of exposing yourselves and your families to the temptations to which a people destitute of the stated means of grace must be exposed ? Should a separation between you and your Pastor take 25 place, can you look for a resettlement of the (iospel snoii, if ever ? Can you expect to be more united in another? or tliat greater exertions and sacrifices will not Ije necessary for the settlement and support of another, than are necossarv to continne tlie cdii- nection alread\' lormed ? "We pray you think of these thing's and may (lod give you wisdom and irrace to direct vou to that which l)e for His "iorv GYLES MERRILL. ELLSTLV THAYER. DAVID DANA. JACOB HOOK. WH.LAM COOMBS. SLMEOX KELLEY. This closes the I'ceord of the Congregational church in South Hampton. At a legal town meeting held December 8, 1800, the fol- lowing motion was adopted : ''That by reason of divi.sions and difliculties in the said town, we, the inhabitants thereof, have consented to accept the proposals the Rev. Mr. Noyes has laid before the town to dissolve the connection between them and him. Whereas, we esteem Mr. Noyes for his affec- tionate regard for the sick among us, his strict exemplary morals and plain and faithful preaching of the Gospel, and therefore recommend him as an honest man unto all with W'hom he may be concerned." At an adjourned town meet- ing, held one week later, the town voted to comply with all the conditions of Mr. Noyes' proposals, and the rtdntion be- tween pastor and people was officially severed. During the ministiy of Mr. Noyes sixty-one were addc(l to tlie cimrcli by letter, one hundred and fourteen on prol'ession ; one hundred and eighty-nine childrcfi wcix' baptized, and three hundred and ten marriages solemnized. Hev. Nathaniel Noyes was l)orii in Newbury, Massachusetts. August 1l\ 1735,' graduated at Yale College in IT")'.*. slutlic}■ Dr. Shepherd, was Anna Merrill, wife of John IVIerrill, in 1779. In 1780, was or- ganized the Brancli churcli, known at first as the Soutli Hampton Churcli, afterward as the Salisbury and South Hampton Church, then as the Salisbury Church, and now, an independent body, tiie Salisl)urv and Aiiu'sbury Baptist Church, To the record of its work in South Hampton, I call your attention. September 27, 1780, one hundred years ago, Ephraim Carter. .Jeremiah Flanders. William Bagley, 30 John Morse, Isaac Morrill, Thomas Flanders, David Cnrrier, Moses Chase, Barnard Cnrrier, Abigail Carter, Mary Flan- ders, Sarah Ring, Hannah AVoodman, Rhoda Ring, Snsannah _Fitts. Eunice (iove, Abigail Currier, Olive Clough, Anna Clough, Mar}' Brown, Mehitable Flanders, nine men and fifteen women, several of them residents of South Hampton, Avere organized as a branch of the Brentwood Church. On September 11, 1780, sixteen days before the organization of the Branch Church, the following votes were passed at Brent- wood. (Church Record, Page 35.) "Agreed that Elder Shepherd should improve at South Hampton, one-quarter of the time." "Agreed that Brother Barnard Currier improve another gift." The Brentwood Church and its branches held two regular business meetings each year, one in the Spring and one in Autumn, and at these meetings the general busi- ness of the parent church and all its branches was transact- ed. The larger number of these business meetings were held at Brentwood, but occasionall}* the}' were held at Ep- ping, Stratham, South Hampton, Hawk (now Danville) and Salisbury, Mass., after the year 1790. I give the following extracts fi-oni the records of the Branch Church : "South Hampton, Sept, 27, 1780. "Chose Brother Barnard Currier deacon; chose Brother jNIoses Chase as an elder in this branch of the church, then parted in peace." "South IIamptox, Sejit. 21, 1781. "A number of the brethren met at Bro. Flanders', and agreed to have Elder Tlovey improve his gift among us, as occasion otFers.'" Brother Jeremiah Flanders' residence was that now occu- pied b}' Mr. P. P. AVliitehonse. November 7, 1781, the church met at Brother Barnard Currier's and agreed to contribute a httle money as a stock for needy brethren and sisters, and Deacon Barnard Currier was intrusted with the same. Barnard Currier, son of 31 Richard and Sarah Currier, was bom in South Hampton, January- 23, 1752. Ho lived in tlie liouse now occupied by iVfr. Andrew J. Ciu'rier. "JiREXTAVOOD, Oct. 'J'*, 1781. "Tiie bretlu'en of the Baptist C'hurch belonging at Epping. Stratham, South Hampton and Brentwood, agreed that the ordi- nance of the Lord's Snpper be administered eight months of the year at the four several branches; the first in April, at Brent- wood ; the second in ^lay, at Epping; the third in June, at Stratham ; the fourth in Jidy, at South Hampton, and so on rounil for eight months." — lirenticood Church Becords, Page 07. March 1.'), 1782, the church met at lirothcr Flanders' house, and voted that any brother or sister that is needy, is desired, with freedom, to ask the church to relieve them. "SoLTir Hami'TON, July 20, 1782. "The I'eason of their hopes given, and baptized and taken into the church, namely : David Graves, Kuth Graves, Thomas Cur- rier, Josiah Tukesbur}', Samuel Kimball, Micajah rillsbury. Jon- athan Clough's wife, Jacob Eastman, "William Quimby, Annah Emerson, ]~)ate Bagley ; Brother AVilliam Xoyes joined to our church."' "South IIami'Tox, August 20, 1782. "Dr. Shepherd and Brother Barnai'd Currier were sent to Meredith, to help ordain Brother Folsom."'' The following entry is of interest : "Dec. 16, 1782. — Met at Brother Jeremiah Flanders' to con- tribute to Dr. Shepherd's support tlie income and money to the value often bushels of corn, and to remember the otlier poor and needy brethren and sisters." March 21, 1783, the cluirch met at Brother David Currier's and gave permission to Deacon Barnard Courier "to speak in a general way." David Currier's residence was tlic house until recently occupied by the family of the late John C. Forsaith. The following record of a general chuicli meeting of the Brentwood Church explains itself: "TF/ierea.s, at a general church meeting held Ijy agreement of the Baptist ChurcTi of Christ belonging to F.rentwood, Stratham and South Hampton, April ;!(), 178;;, at IJrotlicr David (iraves'. ''First. Chose Elder Eastman moderator. "'Second. Elder Sheperd made a complaint to said churcli that there was a neglect in perfonning their brotherly care of support- 32 ing his necessities ; therefoi'e it was agreed and voted that Elder Shepherd's necessities should be supplied, and in order for the same, the church chose Elder Chase and Bro. David Graves to receive the communications of the brethren and friends in that part. Deacon Clark in Stratham, and Brother Cheney and Elder Eastman in Brentwood, and to stand till others were chosen. Third. Agreed that Bro. Barnard Currier should improve his gift with the several branches of the church, as he shall think fit, either in doctrine or exhortation, in order for further satisfaction." Brother David Graves lived on the old East Kingston road, opposite the house occupied by Mr. Samuel Eastman. November 6, 1783, at the meeting at Jeremiah Flanders', a committee was chosen to draw up articles of our Christian faith, and Elder Chase, Deacon Barnard Currier, and Brother AVilliam Bagle^' were the committee. Church difficulties were many, and public and private ad- monitions were given by officers of the church. "Brentwood, May 3, 178-t. "Agreed that Elder Shephei'd improve at Japping, South Hampton and Hamjsstead one-third of the time. "Agreed that Bro. Barnard Currier and Elder Chase improve at Brentwood, Stratham and Epping, as occasion shall call, till next October." — Church Records, Page 38. Dec. 29, 1784, the following action was taken: "At a meeting of the Anti-Pedobaptist Church in South Hampton, chose Elder Samuel Shepherd, Jeremiah Flanders and Dea. Barnard Currier, a committee to exhibit the list, or lists, of the names of those who require certificates that the}' do belong to our church. The following is the form of cer- tificate : "We, the subscribers, Ijeing chosen a committee by the society of people called Anti-Pedobaptists, who meet together for religious worship on the Lord's day in South Hampton, to exhibit a list or lists of the names of such persons as belong to said society and congregation, do certify that A. B., C. D. and E. F., of Salisbury, and inhabitants of the same parish in said town, do belong to said society and congregation, and that they do fre- quently and usually attend with us in our meetings for religious 33 worship on the Lord's day, and, we do verily believe, are with respect to the ordinance of baptism, of the same religious belief with us. ELDER SAMUEL SHEPHERD. DEA. BARNARD CURRIER. JEREMIAH FLANDERS. [signed.] A. B. C. D. E. F. Dated at South Hampton, this day of 178 . "Brentwood, May 16, 178o. "Agreed that Elder Shepherd improve at South Hampton and Hampstead, equally alike one-third part of the time, till Novem- ber next." — Church Record, Page 31). "Bkentwood, Nov. 21, 1785. "Agreed that Bro. Baniard Currier should be collector for the j-ear ensuing in the South Hampton Branch, to gather the com- munications of the friends and the equality of the brethren to the amount of twenty pounds in that branch. "Agreed for the ensuing year that Elder Shepherd improve at South Hampton one-third 2''H"t of the time.''" — Church Record, Page 40. In 1786, Elder Sliei)lierd was employed )>y South IIami)ton a third of the time, and was to be paid £20. April 5, 1787, at a meeting held at Jeremiah Flanders', it was "voted to have the meeting two-thirds of the time at Jonathan Clough's and one-third of the time at Thomas Currier's, and it is to he understood that there is to be a meeting at Bro. David Graves' for the convenience of the peo- ple in that part w^hen it is at Jonathan Clough's." Jonathan Clough's house, where the meetings were held two-thirds of the time, was about a mile and a half from Salisbury Mills, on the road to Seabrook. Thomas Currier's house was at Currier Corner, near the residence of the late (iihnan !>. Currier, in South Hampton. At this date, and forward for some time, tiie Branch Church held services all the time at South Hampton, and two-thirds of the time at Salisbur}'. 34 "Maj" ye 7, 17«7, the brethren fnnii ye .several branches of ye church met at Bro. Ephi-aim Carter's, at South Hampton, and agreed to administer the ordinance of the supper twelve times in the year, live times at Brentwood, three times at South Hampton, three times at Stratham, once at Hawk." — Brentwood Chvrch Record, Pai/r 42. "Bhentw«>oi), May 3, 1788. "Agreed to administer the Lord's Supper at South Hampton the last Lord's day in June." — Church Record, Fage 4:i. "Oct. 27, 1788. The ciuircli met at South Hampton, at Bn.). Ephraim Carter's, and agreed that Bro. Tukesbury may impi'ove his gift as duty may call." — Brenncood Church Rrrord, Page 44. "Nov. '28, 1788. The Baptist Church of Brentwood met at Bro. David Graves' (Soutli Hampton) by api)ointment, and proceeded with cases of church discipline." — Brcnfu-ooil Church Bccnrd, Page 44. "Hawk, .May 4, 1789. "Agreed to admininisler the ordinance of the Supper, ye last Lord's dav in June at South Hamilton." — Church Record, Page 3rought to the ground. Tlie good man arose, adjusted his saddle, and said to those standing hy who liad insulted him, "do thyself no harm." Such was tlie spirit of intolerance manifested in tliis town at tliat time. •lames Woodman was a young man of great promise in religious circles. On one occasion he Avas engaged in prayer for more than an hour, and one who listened to that prayer said to me, ''T have never heard so impressive a prayer since." September 14, 1821, tlie First Ba})tist C'hurcli of Salisl)ury was regularly constituted an independent liody. Fourteen men and twenty-three women formed this church, and quite a number of the tliirty-seven members were residents of South Hampton. In 1830. the brethren at Soutli Hampton connected with the Amesbury and Salistiury Churcli, felt that the establish- ment of a church here Avould better serve the interests of Zion ; hence Deacon Thomas Flanders. Avith six brethren and sisters, presented a request for letters of dismissal from the Amesbvny and Salisbury Church, for the purpose of forming a new church in this toAvn. Deacon P'landers Avas then sixty-seven years of age, but his eyes Avere not dimmed, nor his steps faltering, nor his zeal for the Master's cause abated : to the success of Baptist principles he gave the ardor of his vouth and the Avisdom of his age. 39 It was ))iit a littk' baiul oi' workers who planted tlie church, and as I look hack over the record of the fifty years, I can but exclaim. "The Lord is a tower and strengtli to tliem who put tlieir trust in Him." September 2'J, 1830, the Baptist Church was organized. It was. constituted with ten members, two brothers and eight sisters. Only one of the number now survives, sister L3'dia Jewell.* Sister Jewell was a daughter of Brother Samuel Flanders. Both were members of the Amesbur^' and Salis- bur}- Church, and took letters of dismissal. An Ecclesiastical Council convened at Soutli Hampton, September 29, 18o0, by the request of several Baptist brethren in the vicinity desirous of receiving fellowship as a church of Clu'ist in gospel order. The council was organized 1)}' choosing Rev. Sann;el Cook, moderator. The meeting opened with [irayer by Rev. Jabez True. The council then proceeded to incjuirc into tlie principles of faith and order adopted by the brethren in South Hampton, and into the cir- cumstances which led tiienj to think it their duty to be embodied as a church of Clu'ist in this town. Whereupon, after due deliberation, it was voted, unanimously, to give fel- lowship to the following brethren and sisters in South Hamp- ton, as a distinct and independent church of Christ in gospel order: Thomas Flandeis, Samuel Flanders, Priscilla Flan- ders, Elizabetli Flanders, Elizabeth Dow, L3'dia Jewell, Sarah Barnard, Sarah Uainard 2d, llannaii Sawyer and Betsey Flanders. Then followed: "1, llynni; 2, rraver, by Kuv. .1. True; ."J, Hynm ; 4, Sermon, by llev. Samuel Cook, text, Romans 4:20-21; 5, The right hand of fellowship was then given to Brother Thomas Flanders in be- half of the chureli, by Rev. J. Newton Rrown on behalf of the council, accompanied b}' ai)[)ropriatc remarks, during which the brethren and sisters stood up and wore recognized as a church of *Siiicc dcci-ast'd. 40 our Lord Jesus Christ: fi, Closing prayer, by Rev. Benjamin Harris ; 7, Voted, that the Ecclesiastical Council be now dis- solved. "South Hampton, Se})tember 29, 18.jO. ••S A:\IUEL cook, .Moderator. "JOHN X. BROWN, Clerk." "Where two or three are i^-athercd toj^ether in my name there am I in the midstf of them.'' "Amen and Amen." One of the lirst items of business of the new cliurch was the choice of Brotlier Thomas Flaudcrs as deacon.. Of the live new members admitted to tlie church in 1830, two were afterwards excluded, and one oidy survives, Louisa Flanders, now Mrs. Grecnleaf Kelley. In 1881, Charles Jewell and wife and the Rev. Jabez True and wife were ad- )nitte(L During' this year a i)rotr;icted meeting was held, which quickened the church, and indications of divine ap- proval were not wanting. 'Jliere was detei'mined opposition to the organization of the church on the part of a portion of the community, and a spirit of bitter intolerance was shown towards what we regard as legitimate Christian work. 1 give, as an illustration, this extract, copied verbatim from a letter published in a Boston weekly noAvspaper : '•Surrii ]L\MVToN, N. IL "We have received the following letter from South namj)- ton, N. LL As man^' falsehoods will unquestionably be told about this four days meeting, as about others, we give the following true account. It comes to iis certified by two of the most respectable citizens of that town. "Sori'ii IIamftox, Xov. It, 1S:\1. "Mn. Eorjoi; : There has been for the week past one of those ridiculous farces played upon the people of this town, which the orthodox style as protracted or four days meeting. It commenc- ed last Tuesday morning and ended Saturday afternoon. There were ten or twelve different priests attended the meeting. I am happy to learn, however, that they met with little or no success in making proselytes to their sect. After preaching some fifteen or twenty discourses or harrangues in which they were liberal in damning souls to hell ; after reading a host of notes desiring prayers for ungodly fatiiers or mothers, unconverted sisters or 41 profligate brothers; afte'r prayers and exliortations almost with- out number ; after many hypocritical sighs, sobs and tears ; after denouncing all who believe in God's goodness to all His crea- tures as Infidels and Atheists ; after calling them immoral, irre- ligious, and ill-bred who would not stay to their inquiry meetings and hear the character of a demon ascribed to the giver of everv good and perfect gift; in short, after laboring day and night from Tuesday to Saturday, what was the result P Not one single person comes forward to tell the wonderful things tiuit have been done for his poor soul. On the fourth day of this farcial four days meeting, the wily priests who conducted it did, by using all the art and .management they Avere masters of, prevail upon six young and timid females, and two males to come forward and be prayed for, but no one, to my knowledge, has come out a perfect convert to the sect. No, Mr. Editor, people in this place are too enlightened to be duped by crafty and designing priests who ai-e now going through the country to make proselytes, and when they have such they are two-fold more the children of hell than themselves. 1 would to (Jod they might not meet with any better .success in any place than they have had here, and if they shouhl not I am much mistaken if they do not soon stop their unhallowed course. ••THEO riliLANTl!l!()l'IS'i\'- Tlic cinircli in their letter to the Association speaks of this meeting as having heen very useful. Of the twelve who were added to the ehureli in 1-S;>1, ten were tipoii profession of faitli. Not one of the number was ever excluded or tiie subject of church discipline. Two of the number. Mi's. 1{. C. Palmer and Mrs. Eliza V. Cm-rier, are yet spared {o active service in the Mastei-'s kiiigdoni. The old m(H'ting-house was oceu|)ie(l when it could be ob- tained, but other denominations had the right to occupy it a l>ortion of the time, and when it was not to b(> secured, the eonunodious dwelling-house of ^Foses Tuxbur\' was IVeeh' ottered, and was occupied by this church. It was the former H'sidence of Hon. iienjamin l>ariuird. and the present home of Mr. and Mrs. A. .T. AViggin. INIrs. Wiggin is the daugh- ter of Moses Tuxbury. Jn the summer of l.s;!:>, the frame of the building for the new church was i'aise(|, and the coi'ucr stone laid. ()ctol)er. 18o2, tlie Church was formally admitted to the Association by letter and delegate. The church was in a singularly Imp- 42 P3' state, the meetings well attended, and much serious feel- ing manifested. In September. 1S32. another four days meeting was held, productive of much good. Plight mem- bers were admitted in lHo2. six 1iy letter, and two on pro- fession of faith. Of this nuniliei'. oidy ]\rrs. A. .T. AViggin survives. Jan. IG, l;^), the present house of worship was (U'dieated. The sermon upon that oeeasion was by Rev. Elijah Foster, of Salisbury. Tlie enter})rise of building the meeting-house was accomplished by six bretliren : ]\Ioses Tuxbuiy. Thomas Flanders, Samuel Flanders, Joseph .Stockman. ]>enjamin Currier, and Charles Jewell. The satisfaction and joy of the little church cannot be described as they gathered here in their own house of worship. They could most appropri- ateh' apply the words of the Psalmist, 'T was glad when the}' said unto }ne, let us go into the House of the Lord.'' Within these consecrated walls for more than fort3'-seveii years has this churcli held its solemn feasts : here new members have been gladly welcomed, and here we have gathered to weep beside those whose work on earth is done. Here we have welcomed Association and Sunday School Convention, and to this church the observance of the anni- versaries of these two Christian gatherings has given a pleas- ure akin to that of the pious Jew, when he went up to Jeru- salem to observe the instituted solemnities of his religion previous to the coming of Christ. Deacon True had labored faithfully with this people, but now, 1833, another servant of the Lord w-as to be called to the care of the Yiuej'ard. At a church meeting held Jan. 7, 1833, Brother Samuel C. Gilbert related his Christian experience and call to the Cios- pel Ministr}-, and the church voted to license him to the holy woi'k wherever God in His providence should call him to labor. At the same meeting Brother Samuel Flanders was unanimously chosen deacon, which office he declined to accept, and lirother Charles Jewell, was selected. On Wednesdav. Jan. IH, an Kcclesiastical Council convened. 43 fousistiiig of pastors and delegates from the eluircli in Me- thuen, First Baptist, Haverhill, East Haverhill, Salisbnrv and Amesbury, Newbnryport, Seabrook, Exeter, Brentwood, Newton and Chester, and after due examination and deliber- ation, voted to proceed to the ordination of Brother Samuel C. Gilbert, to the work of the gospel ministry-. First, prayer by Rev. Mr. Harris, sermon, Rev. Mr. Baron, prayer. Rev. Mr. Foster, charge, Rev. Mr. Williams, right hand of fellow- ship, Rev. Mr. Fletcher, concluding pra^^er. Ilex. Mr. Burden. The first case of discipline was in 1833, when a member was excluded for immoral conduct. A temperance society was formed in the church this year, and the consti- tution presented to each member for signature. In 1834 five new members were admitted, all of whom have gone to their reward. The j'ear following, five were admitted, of whom Deacon John Currier and wife, and Rev. Joel Wheeler are now living. During this year the church was called to part with Rev. Jabez True. Jabez True was born at East Salisbury, Jan. 23, 17G4. His mother desired him to become a clergyman, and hoped to educate him for the ministry, but did not live to see her wishes consummated. While teaching music at the Mills village, his attention was arrested and turned to the subject of personal religion, and in 1793 or '94 he was baptized and united witli tlie Branch Church. His father was much displeased, but after a time received him again cordially to his home. j\Iay IG, 1794, he was elected deacon ; three years later was invited by the church to improve his gift and in 1801 li(> was licensed as a preacher. In 1812 he [was invited to l)ecome pastor of tlu^ Salisbury' and South Hampton Church, and was ordained November 5, of tliat ycai'. From 1821 to 18.')1. lie labored as an Evangelist, and with success. In 1831 he was en- rolled as a member of tlie South Hampton Churcli. He i-e- mained witli the people of liis choice till his death, which took i)lacc in 18;'.."), when he had completed his thi'ce score and ten. u The letter to the Assoeiation in t83.j snys : •• A year of changes. In jNfavch, Brother (iiU>ert removed to Beverly, and for a time we depended npon supplies. In May. Eev. .Joel AVheeler visited the town, and soon after lieeame pastor. AVe lament tlie loss of two i^raying menibei-s. especially onr nnich esteemed brother. Jabez Trne. an elder whose praise is in all the churches, and whose symi)athy is missed more and more. Some precious souls embi-aced the truth, among Avhom are tw(( teachers and three scholars Irom the Sunday school." Rev. S. C. (iilbert was born in Boston, converted at eighteen, and was soon after strongly imi)elled to give him- self to the gospel ministry. Me was ordained here in 183;>. and ])ecame tlie first regular pastor of the clnn-ch. He re- moved to Beverly, ilass. and afterwards to Kennebunk. and during his tlu'ee \'ears' service in Maine, not less than two hundred were hopefully converted. He died at Rockport, Jamiary 27. 1850. aged ")() years. Kev. B. Knight says of him: '-As a man he was kind, patient, laborious and cheer- ful ; as a minister, earnest and indefatigable. When in the pulpit he stood up boldly as a defendcn- of the faith, a preacher of righteousness." Kev. Joel and Sister Julia A. AVheeler were received into the fellowship of the church, September o, 183."). During their two years' residence, Brother AMieeler's ministry- of the word was most acceptable. He removed to Illinois in 1837, and while there was bereaved by the death of his wife. After nearly thirty years" absence he returned to this town, and supplied the pulpit for a few montlis. He had lost none of his earnestness and zeal, but judgment and discretion were sometimes at fault. He afterwards retui'ued to Illinois, but we are unable to give his present residence. Rev. Otis Wing, who had, from its organization, been deeph' interested in the success of this church, was called to the pastorate in 1837, and remained with the people one year, when Hampton Falls, with its more promising field of 45 usefulness, called hiin away. Brother Wing was born in Dennis, April 10, 179f». Ho was converted at Smyrna, New York, in IHIG, and ordained at II\-annis in 1824. His first pastorates were in Chatham, Brewster and Orleans. He has been pastor of twenty different churclies. In P^ast Haverhill, he baptized a hundred persons. In 1838, the Association letter says : "Our prospects have somewhat brightened. We enjoy the stated ministry of the word, and liave been unitedly laboring to sow the good seed of the kingdom of God, and hope to reap in due season if we faint not. The weekly prayer meeting is well sustained, and a largei- congregation on the Sabbath than at any former period." Rev. Samuel Cook was called to the pastorate this year. He was ordained at Efflngham, in 1822, and was settled in Brentwood and Hampton Falls before his pastorate in this town. He afterwards served the churches in Hopkinton, Meredith Village, Dunbarton and Newton. During his stay with us he preached the aiuiual sermon at the Association. He w^as Financial Agent of the Board of the State Conven- tion for nearly three years. He died at Concord, at the home of his son, December, 1871. In 1839 the church was somewhat disheartened. Brother Cook had resigned, the sanctuarj' was deserted b^' some who had been accustomed to attend. The Sunday school sus- pended, and the pulpit was only occasional!}' supplied. The Association met witli us for the first time in this 3'ear. Rev. Isaac Sawyer preached the introductory sermon, and Rev. J. Aldrich preached in the afternoon. In 1839, two were added to the church, one of whom is still a member, Deacon A. J. Wiggin. In 1840, three were added, one of whom. Sister Eliza Ashb}-, is now a member of the church at East Northwood. Of the six added in 1841 and 1842, four are living, Mrs. Charles Fuller, Mr. Green- leaf Kelley, and Deacon Steplien AVoodman and wife of Salis- bury. The pastor was Rev. George Aslihy, who graduated 46 from New Hampton, 1831, was ordained at East Northwood, September, 1833, and was pastor there for seven j'ears, came to this town in 1840, remained two 3'ears, then returned to Northwood, where he hved until his death, May 4. 1873. Rev. Mr. Taylor sa3'S of him : '"He was held in high estima- tion in the community in which lie lived, was greatly be- loved by a large circle of friends and relatives. He was re- garded as a sound preacher, a good pastor and a most worthy citizen." June 1, 1842, a council was convened for the purpose of ordaining Rev. Samuel Ladd. Mr. Ladd gave his Christian experience, his call to the ministry', and acceptance of the call of this church, and the council voted to proceed with his ordination. The order of services was as follows : Reading of Scripture and prayer. Rev. Abel Philbrook, Brentwood ; sermon, Rev. Noah Hooper, Exeter ; ordaining prayer, Rev. 0.0. Stearns, Hampton Falls ; charge to the candidate. Rev. J. F. AVilcox, Salisbury ; right hand of fellowship. Rev. Benjamin AVheeler, Plaistow ; address to the church, Rev. J. A. Boswell, Newton ; concluding prayer. Rev. C. W. Bradbmy, Salisbury ; benediction, Rev. Samuel Ladd. The church was united in Brother Ladd, and bright hopes were entertained for the future ; but in four brief months their joy was changed to sorrow. The letter of resignation, dated October, 1842, says: "I have become full}' convinced that the air of this place iiiaterially affects m}- health. J have already suffered much in consequence of it ; for this reason and no other, I ask you to dismiss me from my pas- toral duties." August, 1842, on account of the infirmities of the senior deacon, Thomas Flanders, Brother Stephen Woodman was chosen deacon. After the dismissal of Brother Ladd, Rev. Otis Wing sup- plied the pulpit till the settlement of Rev. Palmer C. Himes. During his ministr}' of nearly four years, eight members united with the churcli, five of whom are still living, and one, 47 an earnest worker i'or- Clirist at the present time, INIiss Rebecca M. Sawyer. In October, 184."), Deacon Woodman removed to Salisbnry, and nnited witli the chnreh there. He was born at P^ast Kingston, April IT), 1812 ; was converted at .Salisbnry under the labors of Rev. J. F. AYilcox, united with the Baptist churcli in 1837, was chosen deacon here in 1842, and was chosen to the same office in the Amesbur}' and Salisbury Church in 184G, and is now their senior deacon. Since he left this church he has been one of its most beniflcent friends, and is held in high esteem by all its members. On the removal of Deacon Woodman from this place, George J. Veasey was chosen deacon. Rev. Mr. Himes closed his pastorate with us in 1847. He was born in Clarendon, Vermont, April, 1804, converted at the age of fifteen, and united with the Berkshire Baptist Church. He was licensed to preach b}' that church, and labored at Sheldon, Berkshire and Franklin, Vermont, with marked success. He was set apart to the work of the minis- try at Enosburg Falls, March, 1833. He was settled in Ver- net, Wilraot, and in this town, afterward in Wells, Maine. In all he preached more than fort3' years, and died at Enos- burgh, March, 1872, aged G8 years. He was an original and vigorous thinker, an earnest and faithful laborer. Brother Himes was succeeded b}' Rev. John K. Chase, in 1847 ; dur- ing his pastorate two new members wei'c admitted to the church. August 3, 1849, the mother of Deacon Charles Jewell, then seventy-five years of age, related her Clu-istian experi- ence, and the following Sabbath tlie pastor, Rev. Mr. Chase, buried in baptism this aged disciple, it being the first time he had ever administered the ordinance. Brother Chase was born at Exeter, N. H., converted at seventeen, baptized by Rev. Benjamin Wheeler, and united with the Baptist Clunx'h in Plaistow. He commenced preaching at the age of eighteen. After resigning at Soutli Ham[)t()n, he was settled 48 at Pittsfield, Rumiie}', Rockland, Holden, and is now pastor of the Baptist Cliurch in Rowley. His ministry has been blest with nine precious revivals. At Rumne}-, one hundred and thirty persons were baptized by him, nearly one^ tenth of the population of the town. In 1850, Rev. Samuel Ladd was again called to the pas- torate of this church. He was not in the enjoyment of good health, but was a faithful minister. His widow, Mrs. H. A. Ingraham, is now an active worker in the Green street Bap- tist Church, Newburyport. Samuel Ladd was born at Brent- wood, July, 1817. He indulged hope in Jesus Christ while teaching in Plaistow, in 1837, and was baptized by Rev. Ben- jamin Wheeler. He was ordained at South Hampton, June 1, 1842. He was pastor here at two difterent periods, and was settled in Lyman, Me., Ottawa and Fremont, Illinois, and Lyme, N. H. He died in 1854, at his father's home at Brentwood, peacefully, hopefully, triumphantly, confident that to die was gain. In 1852, Rev. C. H. Pierson came to this field of labor. His sermons were excellently prepared, and his earnest man- ner won hiiu many friends. Mrs. Pierson was the author of "Cousin Frank's Household," and several other interesting books. Their daughter, Mrs. Helen C. Barnard, is also a writer of some note. In 1852, the church was called to mourn the death of Deacon Thomas Flanders. He was born at South Hampton, Sept. 12, 17G3. He experienced a new hope at an early age, and at sixteen united with the Brentwood Baptist Church. When seventeen years old, he became one of the constituent members of the Branch Baptist Church located in this town. May, 17G4, he was elected deacon, and from that time till the organization of the new church in Salisbury, Deacon Flanders was one of the most active and devoted members; he had the confidence and esteem of the church, and when the Branch Church requested an independent organization, Deacon Flanders was one of the messengers. 49 He was chosen committee to receive the proportion of the parsonage rent clue the Baptists, and from 1821 to 1830, while one of the most active members at SaUshury, he never lost sight of the interests of the Baptists in South Hampton, hence we find him in 1830, tlie acknowledged leader of the new church. I can almost see hini now, as I saw him in my boyhood, standing, bowed with age, making his earnest ap- peal to the brethren to be faithful, and warning the young and thoughtless, pointing them to the Lamb of God. From his early years he was a constant and devoted student of the Bible, of more than ordinary natural endowments, and a safe counsellor and a devoted friend. He rested from his labors September 8, 1852, aged 89 years. October 30, 1853, the church invited Brother E. A. Ed- wards to become its pastor, and November 27, the invitation was accepted. A council was called for the purpose of or- daining Brother Edwards. The churches invited to send delegates were Marblehead, Salisbury, Amesbury, Stratham, Plaistow and Exeter. Brother Edwards gave an interesting account of his Christian experience, his call to the ministry, and views of Bible doctrine, and the council voted to ordain him. The order of service was as follows : Reading the Scriptures and prayer. Rev. P. R. Russell, Exeter ; sermon and hand of fellowship. Rev. G. AV. Patten, Marblehead ; ordaining prayer. Rev. P. B. Byram, Salisbury ; charge to candidate. Rev. Benjamin Knight, Stratham ; address to the church and concluding prayer, Rev. J. M. Chick, Plaistow ; benediction. Rev. E. A. Edwards. During his ministry with us of two and a half years, thir- teen members were added to the church. Six of these are still with us, and three have passed on before. The spiritual seed that had been sown in former j'ears and watered with many tears, had at length sprung up, and a rich harvest was enjo3'ed. No help from abroad was received in 1854, but in 1855 and 1856 Rev. John Peacock labored for a few weeks. 50 Between thirty and forty persons expressed hoi)e in God's goodness and mercy. For man}' years there liad been ditliculty in seenring a comfortable residence for the pastor near the house of wor- ship. In 1842, when the parsonage money was divided, one man refused to accept his proportion, except as a trust. and Nathaniel Tracj, all honor to his name, did his part towards I'ighting the great wrong, by leaving two hundred dollars to the Baptist Cliurch and society to lielp build a parsonage. In 1854, a piece of land was purchased, a build- ing moved thereon, finished, and made a convenient home for the pastors of the Baptist Church. The house was com- pleted in 1855, and the same year the Ladies' Sewing Circle painted the meeting-house and provided blinds for it. In 1854, Brotlier Jolni Currier was unanimously chosen deacon. Deacon George J. 'N'easey, who had been a faithful ofiice bearer in the church, had removed to Haverhill, Mass. He was born at Kensington, N. H., March 14, 1814, was con- verted at East Kingston, in 1841, and united with this church in 1844. We may regard the pastorate of Rev. E. A. Ed- wards, as a most successful one, and it must have been a source of great gladness to him in his early ministry', to wit- ness such tokens of divine fiivor. Rev. E. A. Edwards was born at Beverly, Januar}-, 1824 ; converted in 1842. He was ordained to the gospel ministry, December, 1853. Since leaving us he has had pastorates in Wilton, N. H., Gay Head and Mashpee, Mass., and Cape Neddick, Me. At the last named place the church was greatly revived and large additions were made to it. Brother Edwards' present residence is Beverlv, Mass. In June, 185G, Rev. S. E. Brown received and accei)ted a call to the pastorate,^ and from that time till his death in June, 1862, he was our loving and beloved pastor. He en- deared himself greatly to the people, and his memory is still tenderly cherished. He was born at P^ast Kingston, convert- ed when twenty 3'ears of age, and entered upon his life work 51 at twenty- four. As an educator of 30uth he was devoted, earnest and effective ; as a preacher he was correct without coldness, and unaffectedly fervent in appeal ; as a pastor he was affectionate in his intercourse, and faithful in his coun- sels ; as a Christian companion, in the relation of husband, he offered a bright example ; as a father, he loved with fidel- ity, and guided with discretion. When the political rights of the ministr}' were assailed he uttered his protest, and in 1857, he offered the following preamble and resolution to the Association, and it was adopted : Whereas, a disposition has of late been displayed in this State to deprive ministers of the gospel the right of suffrage in civil questions, therefore Resolved, That we look Avith alarm upon such an encroachment upon the spirit of liberty — that it is wortJiy of onl}' tyrants to make it, and that as Baptists we are bound firmly and steadily to resist it to the last, even amid suffering and persecution. Resolved, That in demanding for ministers of the gospel the right of suffrage in civil questions, we utterly disclaim all Intent or purpose to direct how or for whom they shall vote, but we leave them as other men are left to follow in this matter the dic- tates of their own consciences." At the same session of the Association, Brother Brown preached the annual sermon ; subject, "Christian Consecra- tion." Sweet are the memories that cluster round the clos- ing days of his life. On June 2Q^ 1862, a sorrowing group was called to his bedside to witness the falling asleep of the devoted friend of the church of Christ. He magnified Christ in life and in death, and died with the gospel armor on. He was ready for the crown of righteousness, ripe for the plucking of death and the blessedness of immortality. In 18(30 the church welcomed the Association for the second time. It convened September 5. Rev. W. H. Jones, of Brentwood, preached the annual sermon, and other sermons were preached by Rev. W. B. Clapp, Dover, Rev. W. II. Dalrymple, Stratham, Rev. J. J. Peck, Exeter. The circular letter was read by its author, Rev. S. A. Collins, Great Falls. 52 In June, 1863, the church received into its fellowship, Rev. Erastus Willard and wife. The}^ came to this people from the Baptist church in Washburn, Illinois. At this time our condition was apparently a prosperous onp. The church was free from dissensions, with good attendance and atten- tion on the Sahliath. In April, 1864, Brother Willard and family asked for letters of dismissal. It would have been difficult for an}' pastor succeeding the beloved and lamented Brown to have been pre-eminently successful among this people, and when we add that Brother Willard had little in- terest in the groat national struggle then going on, while church and people were intensh' patriotic, it is not surpris- ing that differences arose between pastor and people. Rev. Erastus Willard was born at Lancaster, Mass., July 1, 1800. In his twentieth year he was baptized and united with the church at Saxtons River, Vermont. In 1833, October 30. he was ordained at Grafton, Vermont, where he was called as pastor. In 1835 he entered upon missionary' work in France. November, 1844, he returned to the United States, having been called to the discipline of affliction by the loss of a son in 1840, and the death of his wife in 1844. In Ma}', 1846, he again set sail for France, and labored there for ten years amid great discouragements, but 'Svith steadfi^st and courageous faith, that ranked liim among the first of the men the Missionary ITnion sent out." After his return to this country he received an appointment to the mission among the Ottawas in Kansas, but health failed, and he was obhged to return. He came to this place in the evening of his days, but with intellectual power undimmed. Ilis last pastorate was in Salem, New York. He closed his public labors in 1871, and on December 9. 1871. .it Newport, R. I., he quietly fell asleep in Jesus. Rev. Joel Wheeler succeeded as a supph- to our church. and June, 1865, Rev. S. S. White was invited to become the pastor, and for two 3'ears he ministered to the people. TNTiile here he had the happiness of baptizing his only sou, 5:3 Closes P. Wliitf. now of Cam1)riclge. Brother WIiHl' was l)ora in ruhuyra, Elaine, Janiuuy, 1rown wei'e the stated supplies for some months. From July 4, l.Sd'j. until May G, 1877, Rev. James W. SeaiU was the pastor (jf this clmrch. During his pastorate thirteen memliers were added to the church. In 187(1. the church ^vas called to nnjurn the loss of one who hail been an olliee licarer for many years. Charles Jewell was l>orn in South IIani[)ton, July .J, 1802. His youth was spent in this town, l)ut in I'arly manho(jd ln' removed to XcAvton. N. II., and a few years later to Amesbury. In b'^.ji he returned to the (jld homestead to spend his declining years. In 18oU, he one day left a lad in charge of the old saw mill at Tuxbiuy's, (so called) anil went to the little school-house near by to lidicule the preaching of a young man, who was afterwards his l)elo\eil [)astor, Samuel Phnmons Brown. He left the meeting, not to scolf. but to pray. The inlinite Father heanl and answered his [)rayers. and in the Ibllowing sum- mer he united with the church at South Hampton. In iNo-'J he was chosen Deacon, and continued in that ollice till his death, a term of thiily-eight years. He was one of the six who erected the meeting-house. Twenty-nine years he was superintendent ol" the Sunday school, and for thirty-three years clerk of the chuich. In 18;_i.3he was called t(.» part IVoiii his wife, an estimaljle Christian woman, who left him Ibiii' motherless children, in l8;j(; he married a daughter of Deacon Benjamin Rowell. ol' Newton. She cared for him lcndcrl\ through the [jrotracted ph}sieal sulferings of his last days, and two and a half years later followe(l him beyond the ri\er. 54 In 1874, Ihe Association met with us lor the third time. The annual sermon was preached by Rev. H. H. Beaman, tlie doctrinal sermon by Rev. B. H. Lane, of Newton, other sermons b^' Rev. G. W. Gardiner, D. D., and Rev. D. H. .Stoddard. In 1876, the convention letter says: "Thrice have we l>ecn called to the baptismal waters, four members having- Ik^cu added to our church." Unusual religious inter- est [)revailed in 1877, and our numbers were increased by the addition of rejoicing converts, but in May of that year we were called to part with our pastor. Rev. J. W.- Searll. Brother Searll was born at Providence, R. I., February, 18:^5. He experienced hope in Christ in February, 1852, and was ordained at Richmond, N. II., in February, 1858. He remained at that church eighteen months. He was [)astor at Swanze}', for eight years, at East Weare, seventeen months. At the close of his pastorate Avith us he accepted the call of the church at Leicester, Mass., which church he now acceptably- serves. On June o, l'S77, the chuich extentled a call to Rev. Frank AV. Tolman, of Dexter, Me., to become their })astor. The c-all was accepted, and June 21 named as the date when he would assume the duties of the new relation. We copy from the church record for July 15 : "On June 28, Rev. F. AV. Tolman, the pastor elect, arrived from IMaine, weary and sick. He was unable to preach, and on July U, his disease culminated in a fever of the typhoid form, and on July 14, he })assed away, aged thirty-four years and eleven months. He was a man of intellectual power and deep piety." He was born at "Worcester, August, 1842, graduated at Colhj- Universily, Maine, in 1866, and was ordained at Farmington, May, 1870. He was afterward pastor at Campton, N. H., and Dexter, INIaine. Brother Tolman had man}' excellent qualities, both as })astor and preacher. Rev. E. L. Scott, of Brentwood, accepted the call of the church October, 1877. Brother Scott soon won friends, who enjoyed his finished written discourses, and who co-operated with him in his etlurts to labur in and lor tlu- elmix'li. lie resigned the pas- torate April, 1880, and lias sinee aceei)ted a call from the church at Osterville, Mass. Rev. E. L. Scott was born at Stoughton, Mass., in 18oU. In 18G0, he experienced a rad- ical change in purpose of life. He graduated at Tufts Col- lege, June, 1874. He taught school for nearly three 3'ears. In 187(3, was baptized, and soon after left his profession for the ministry. In September, 187G, he became a licentiate of the Baptist church in Shirley, Mass., and in December, cntereil upon his new work in Brentwood, and in March following was ordained. Brother Scott was in earh* life connected with the Universalist denomination, but changed his doctrinal views in 187G. In August, 1880, the church extended a unanimous call to Rev. S. P. f!)verett. of Coleraine, and it Avas accepted. Brother P^verett Avas born at Milford, N. H., in 1826. Converted at seventeen, he united with the church at North Leverett, Mass. He was ordained at AVhitingham, Vermont, in 1861), and was pastor there three years. He settled at Coleraine, in 1872, and resigned his pastorate there August 22, 1880, to become the.pustor of this church. The deacons of the church have been : Thomas Flanders, from I80O to lSo2. Charles Jewell, from 1833 to 1870. Stephen AVoodman, from 1842 to 1845. George J. Veasey, from 1845 to 1851. John Currier, from 1854 to 1880. Abner J. Wiggin. from 1870 to 18-sO. John Currier was born in South Hampton. bS02 ; was con- verted in 1834. under the mini^liy of Rev. S. C. Clilbert, united with tlie church iji 1835, and in 1851 w;is chosen Dea- con, which otlict' he now holds. .Mmcr J. Wiggin was liorn in Stralham, 1.S13. aiul elates his coinersion, 1827, I'cmovcd to South Hampton in 1838, united with the church the Ibllo\\- ing year, and in bS70 was chosen Deacon of the church. I jiave not lieen al»le to ascertain who was clerk of tiie chiin li 56 iVum 1830 to LSoG. At the last iiaiiiod date, Charles Jewell appears as church clerk, and he held the ollice till his death, lie was succeeded hy his sou, who resigned in 1878, and Brother P. V. Whitehouse was chosen. Phineas P. White- house was horn at Ilampstead, N. 11., August, 1842, converted at South Hampton, during the series of meetings conducted l)y Rev. John Peacock ; was baptized at Muirkirk, Mary- land in 18G8, admitted to this church, hy letter, September, 1877, and chosen clerk of the church January ol, 187'J. The Sunday school connected with the church was organ- ized in 1831, soon after tlie formation of the church. In 1833 it had seven teachers and lifty pu[)ils. In 183D, the school was suspended for a tijue, l)ut re-organized in 1840. In 1853, we find it one of the five scliools represented at the lirst meeting of the Sunday School Convention. In 1854, the school was largely attended and very interesting. The largest attendance ever reported was in 1857; thirty-seven new scholars Avere added that year. In 1850, we welcomed the Sunday School Convention and it was full^' attended. In 1S71, the Convention againmet in this town, and held a ver}* interesting session. A concert exci'cise. entitled the Monu- ment of Faith, was gi\en l»y the South Hampton Sunday school. In 1873, Rev. J. W. Searll, our pastor, read the essay be- fore the Sunday School Convention at Newton. The Superin- tendent of this school read a i»;ii)er before the same body in 1879, and gave the "historical sketch" in 1880. Charles Jewell was President of the Portsmouth Baptist Sunday School Convention in 1867, and the present superin- tendent was chosen president in 1870, and has held the [)Osi- tion till the present time. The following Invlhren ha\e served the Sunday school as superintendents: Rev. Geo. AV. Ashl)y, John Currier, A. J. AViggin, George J. A^'eazey, Stephen AVoodman, Charles Jewell, P. P. AA'^hitehouse, and the present incumbent. During the fifty years, one hundred and thirty-nine persons have been connected with this church, fifty-two haxo been dis- missed to the fellowship of other Baptist clmrclies, and nine have been excluded from membershij). We have at present twenty-seven resident, and eight non- resident, members. There lias always been a determination on the pait of tlie members to maintain the principles of the Baptist denomination. The church has. been assisted in its efforts to sustain public worship by many citizens of the town ; those of other denominations, constantly worshipping with us, contributino- to the support of the ministry, assisting in devotional meetings, and in everyway co-operating with us. Without this help, and the aid of tlie convention, this churcli would probalily long ago have ceased to exist. Surrounded as wearetliis evening by those interested in our welfare, may we not in this presence utter tlie benediction of Solomon : ^'The Lord our God be witli us, as He was with our fathers : let Him not leave us, nor forsake us : tliat He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, wherein He commanded our fathers." FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH On tlip funrtppnth of Auonst. A. D. 1S;30. Ilic first Free Will Baptist clmroh in South Iliunpton wns oi-onnized. with spvpn ponstitupnt nipnilipTs : James Woodman. Eunicp "Wood- man, Ezra Flandprs. "William C'arr. Mary C'arr and Dorothy Goodwin. The first meeting was held in the house oF Bi'oth- er James "Woodman. (His house was on the same site as that now owned liy ^Nlrs. Sanmel J. "Woodman, of this town.) They held that every lu'other and sister in oood standing should have tlie privilege to improve the gift that God has given them, in all meetings, aecording to the word and spirit of God. The spcond meeting of the ehnrch was held at Brother ReuVien Flanders" ; Elder Asa Merrill preached, and baptized Nancy and Hannah Pierce. Reuben Flanders' house was on the road to Tuxbin-y's ]Mills, and is now occui)ied by John H. Flanders and sister. Jonathan Ring and wife were baptized )iv Elder Henry Pottle, October 2'). The first monthlv church meeting was held at Levi B. Pierce's, Octol)er IH. December 1(1, Ezra Flanders and Levi B. Pierce were chosen deacons, and James AVoodman. clerk. June 14, LSOl, Brother Asa Merrill preached at the house of Brother ]\roses Tuxbnrv. and on the same day Peter Colby, Hannah Hoit, Moses M. Tuxbury, and ]Marv. his wife, were baptized. Peter Coll\y afterwards became a prominent member of the Christian church, in Newton, and Moses M. Tuxbury and wife, of the Baptist church in this place. Elder Bean, Elder Knowles and Elder James Mer- rill frequently preached at this time. The first record of the breaking of bread was on Nov. 20, 1831, at the house of 59 Reuben Flanders. On May 15, 1833, the church united with the New Durham Quartei'ly Meeting, afterwards was dismissed from that, and united with the Rockingliam Quarterly Meet- ing, October 7, ISo.k On July 7, 183;5, tlicir meeting was held at the old meeting-liouse, and on Ai)ril G, 1S34, at llic school-house. District number 2, and later the same year at the town house, June 22. Elder Samuel P^nnnons lb-own preached at the town house ; nearly all the meetings of the church were held at the town house at that time. Brother Charles Stevens, Elder John Kimball and Elder D. II. Lord were among the preachers who supplied the pnlpil :il tliis time. From 183G there were freriuent cases of clnu'cli disciiilinc. One of the members was guilty of intoxication, and linally expelled for that sin. In 1837, we find the diuicli rrci.id dated Sahsbury for the first time. In 1838, meetings were frequently held at Allan's Corner school-lionse. February, 1839, Brother Pelatiah Hanscom attended the nionlhly meet- ing at Jonathan Ring's. Apiil 20, Levi B. Pierce was chos- en to consult the church in Stratham, in reference to the ordination of Bi'other Hanscom ; in May, Mr. Hanscom re- moved from Exeter to tiiis town. July L IS 10, INIr. Hanscom was ordained to the work of the gospel minis! ry. and became the first regulai- pastor of the church. A general nde was establislie(L that at chnrcli meetings each member present should mak(! a verbal statement ol" God's dealing with him for the month past, arud those who did not attend were i'ef|uii'ed to send a written excuse. February 10, 1841, Elder Hanscom i'e(|nested the church to express their feelings in regard to his laboring with them longer, and it was nnanimousl}' agreed ]>y :dl iJrcscnl, that he should tari'v longer if he felt that thus sailli the Loid. :ind we should gladly retain him. Elder Hanscom conchidcd lo tarrv till his call was greater IVom the Lord (o nnolhcr phicc. In 1841, the services were neai'ly all held .-il Ihc lowu house and the school-house in District nnnihcr 2. (iO March 2(1. 1.S41. Klilci- ITan^com liooanip tlie sulijoct of eluiroli discipline, and the records say that he has had re- peated personal entreaties, and lie has also lieen kindly ad- monished Ity two or three, and wc hope the trial will lie set- tled without entering into chnrdi lalior. ]May 2. 1S42. the tbllowino- certificate appears : "This certilies that Bi'other Pclatiali llan>eoni exjji'psses Id us, the undersio-iipil, iJial lie lias no trial with the First Free Will Baptist Church of Christ, in this town, from which he is dismissed this dav. •'CHARLES W. HOir. "JAINIES WOODMAN. "AZOH C. WOOl):\IAX." The Rockingham (^}iiarterly Conference was hehl in the town house. May 24. 1842. The church meetings this year and afterward, were frequently hehl at Dorothy "Wood- man's, at Ameshury. and at Allen's Corner school-house, Salisbury. In 1844, services were held at the Ameslniry Academy. Elder Asa Merrill, frequently preaching. In 1845, the meetings were held at Allen's Corner and the Mills Village, with an occasional sermon at South Hampton. In 184 7, the church is spoken of as being in a hike warm state. In 1848. Elder Benjamin II. McMnrphy was dis- missed from the church in Raymond, and became the sec- ond pastor of this church. In 1848 and 1849, the meetings were nearly all held at Allan's Corner school-hcnse. and Amesbury Academy. Septembei* 20, 1840, the Free Will Baptist meeting-house was dedicated. It was situated near the residence of Mr. James Quimby, in Salisliurv. Tlie dedication sermon was preached by Elder Elias Ilutchins. !• will give the last rec- ord of the South Hampton Free AVill Baptist Church. October 20, 1849. '-Elder W. P. Merrill preached in the meeting- house, had a full house, many went back for want of room, had a good meeting, communion ; our (|uarterly letter forw.arded by Elder Merrill." During the nineteen vears" history of this church, foi'tv' 61 eight persons were admitted to its inemliership. Botli of its deaeons are still livino-. Deacon Ezra Flanders, son of Dea- con Thomas Flanders, in this town, and Mr. Levi B. Pierce, at Havci'hill, iNIass. The clnircli is still <'()iitiiined at Ames- bury, it beinii' considered advisable to change its location to that thriving and prosperous town. OTHER RELIGIOUS HISTORY. Tlie population of South Hampton in 177'>, was 498 ; in 1790, 448; in 18:);'), 472, and in 1880 it is 383. Tiie in- come of tlip ]iarsonage from 1800 to 1833 averaged between seventy and eiglity dollars, and the town nsnally raised a sum not exoeeding one hundred and fifty dollars a year for preaching ; this, together with the interest on the North Parsonage money, $23G.33j was expended by a committee, consisting of two or more persons with the Selectmen, and was divided among the different religious denomination propor- tionately to their tax. In 1810, the Congregationalists had about three-tenths of the income, the Methodists two-tenths, and the Universalists one-tenth. In 1820, the Methodists had about one-fourth, the Congregationalists one-fifth, the Univer- salists a little less than one-third. In 1830, the Unitarians had one-twelfth, the Methodists one-ninth, the Congregation- alists one-seventh, and the Universalists one-third. From 1825 to 1830, the Universalists employed as preachers. Rev. Messrs. Case, Farnsworth, King, Adams and others : the Congi'egationalists, Rev. Messrs. Barrett, Sawyer, Cook, Mil- ton, C4rovenor, Babbitt, Walsh and others: the Methodists^ Rev. Messrs. Brooks, Peasle^', Bnlfinch and others ; the Unitarians, Rev. Mr. Turner ; the Christians, Rev. Elijah Sliaw ; the Baptists, Rev. Jabez True, Rev. James Barnal»y, Rev. Benjamin Harris and others ; the Free AVill Baptists, Miss Nancy Towle, and Rev. Messrs. Boothby, Ambrose, Marsh and others. In 1830, the subject of selling the parsonage began to be agitated. Alreadv the barn had been sold for a small sum. G:3 rin'd two acres of land leased for nine hnndred years. In 1832, the present town honse was located ; the next year the standing wood was sold, the site for the Barnard sehool-honse granted, and tliat of the Baptist chnrch, and in 1834, the Burying Oronnd was laid out, and the remainder of the prop- erty sold in 184'2. The anioinit put to interest for religious purposes was $2,585.97. The income of this money in 1834 and 1835 was divided among the following societies : Deists, Naturalists, Second Universalists, Congregationalists, Qua- kers, Unitarians, Episcopals, Baptists, Free Baptists, Methodists, Bhilanllu'opists, Free Thinkers and Universal- ists. The Second Univorsalist Society was simply an accommo- dation for some who had little or no religious l)elier, to seciu'e a part of the income of the parsonage fund. The regular Universalist society was at this time at the lieiglit of its [)ros- perity. It is probable that when Rev. George Richards was settled in Portsmouth, from 1793 to 1809, the seeds of that faith were sown in this town, and when, later, Hosea Ballon was settled in the same place, his biographer says : "He did not hesitate somestimes to leave the dear people of his charge and journey to other places. He went into other parts of New Hampshire, and sometimes extended his visits in Massachusetts." Among the Universalist ministers who A'isited the town was Rev. Sebastian Streeter, and a society was formed as early as 1815, with Joseph Jones as clerk. The prominent citizens who embraced U^niversalism were Benjamin Barnard, founder of the Barnard Sdiool, Colonel Abel Brown, Nathan Brown, Richard Wiiitc and Jacol) .lew- ell. In 1828, at a meeting of the Rockingiiam Universalist Association, hehl at Kingston, Mrs. Richai'd "While was the only lady present. In 1830, the Universalist society at South Hampton, was re[)orted in a nourishing condition ; the old society had been iv-organize«l, and Benjamin C'Hllord was clerk. The Rockingham Association met in this town for the lirst lime in 1n;»2. Among the speakers present we can 64 name Rev. Messrs. Farnsworth, Thomas King, Hosea Ballon, Tliomas Wliittemore and Sebastian Streeter. The disoonrse ol'thc lallcv was esiiecially a fleet ing, and as liespf)kc of those who had I'eeently passed away, Benjamin Barnard, Tvicliard White and Jaeo1) Jewell, the andienee was melted to tfars. Ill l.sr)S the Bockingham Assoeiation again mot in this town. Rev. Messrs. Sehastian Streeter, Daniel Smith and Thomas AVhittemore preaehed. Of this meeting Mr. AVhittemore said: '"We know tliat if we deseribed this meeting as we viewed it nui} felf it, we shonld l)e regai'ded as too entliusi- astie ; nevertheless we mnst say that taken all together il was one of the most piveious meetings we ever attended. The eonference and praise meetings were peenliai'ly interesting ; all the addresses were marked by sonnd wisdom and deep evan- gelical feeling." InlSal, the Rockingham Association again met at Sonth Hampton. Sermons were delivered b}' Rev. AYilliam Bell, Rev. S. S. Fletcher, Rev. N. Goldsmith, Rev. T. J. Greenw^ood and Rev. L. B. Mason. At this meeting Rev. Sanmel Ladd, pastor of the Baptist chnrch, was an attentive listener. In ISr)^, a new impetns was given to the Universalist society throngh the activities of the Ladies Sew- ing Circle. Rev. A. .1. Paterson and Rev. G. V. Maxham came to this town under the direction of the United States Convention, and regnlar meetings were established at the town house. Messrs. B. F. Eaton and J. J. Woodman read sermons with occasional preaching in the smnmer months l»y Rev. Messrs. Greenwood, Patterson, Spanlding, CLiambre and others. A Sunday School was organized, with J. AV. Eaton as superintendent, and a hbrary of more than two hundred volumes secured. The summer cf 1859 closed these lay services. The Rock- ingham Association met in this town in 18G4. The preachers were Rev. Messrs. William Bell, S. S. Fletcher, A. St. John Chambre and T. J. Borden. AVhile at Poi'tsmouth, Rev. Mr. Patterson was much interested in the peojJeof this town. 65 A large niuiihc-r urUu' iiiliahUauls still liuld llic iloclriiios of llic rnherwulist church. No services have l)eeii held here lor ,se\eral years excei)t on funeral occasions. Since the re- nio\al ol" the i»e\vs IVoni the town house, the Baptist meet- ing-house has been freeh' otlered to any who desired it, for funeral services, for the nieniljers of any religous denomina- tion. There Avere quite a number of Methodists in the town between 1810 and l-Soo, and Rev. John Brodhead freciuently preached here. lie was stationed at diflbrent times in nearly- all the surrounding towns of the county. He was a very prominent iiian. chai)lain to the Legislature, member of the State Senate, and for four years memljer of Congress. In whatever situation Mr. Brodhead was placed, he considered it liis chief honor to be a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. II J s[)jnt tw.'uly-eight years of his ministerial life in this iunnediate vicinity, and died at Newmarket. April 7, 1838. He had a commanding personal ap[)earance and eyes l»eam- ing with intelligence and benevolence. Another prominent Methodist divine, who preached in this town, was lvi'\-. Martin Kuter ; he was stationed at Salisbury in 181,'). He was born at Charlton, Worcester County, INIass., and was thii'ly years old when he preached here. The de- gree of Doctoi- of Divinity was coiderred u[)on him five years later. His [)reaching was ailapted at once to please, to instruct and to awaken. Uev. lolias Smith, a member of the Christian church, and llic futhei' of IMatthew Hale Smith, occsionally [jreached here. in 18(;7, the Young Men's Christian Association of Ames- burv, Mass., liy a delegation, the leaders of which were Mr. Thomas (^iiimby, INIr. Joseph (). Hutchins and Mr. Carpentei', established a lay meetiug at tlu; school-house in District No. 2. A SiiMtalh school was (jrganizeenianiin Baker John Paige Josepli Tucker Kieliard Smith. Josepli Todd Thomas Selly David Fowler Trustrim Collins ou may think meet and your Peti- shall ever Pray. Samuell Fowler Samuel Walton Jeremiah Wheeler Beniamin Iloyt James Jackman Elihu Dow John Eaton Noah Dow Beniamin Collins Bildad Dow Judah Dow Benony Selle^' Samuel Selly John Eaton, Jr The following is a copy of the Charter granted to the town of South Hampton, N. H., soon after the time it was set off from Salisbury and Amesbur^', INIassachusetts, in 1741 : [from the OKKilNAL IN THE TOWN CLERK's OFFICE.] Froviucc of Ncio Hampshire, George the Second, bij the Grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland, Defender of tlie Faith. To all to whom these Presents shall come. Greeting- \Z:. , ^ ^— , — ' ^ Know yee, That we at the Humble Suit and Peti- tion of Sundry of our Leidg Subjects Inhabiting a Tract of Land within our Province of New hampshire in New Eng- land as hereinafter described. Butted & Bounded, Bordering on the Northern boundary Curve Line of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, to be incorporated into a Distinct Par- rish, have for divers good causes & considerations us moving. Granted & conlirm'd to the said Inhalntants & their succes- sors. And by these Presents of our Special Grace, certain knowledge & nicer Motion for the well ordering & Regulating the atfairs of the said Parrish Do Grant & confirm unto the Said Inhabitants & their Successors to be a Town or Parrish Incorporate by the name of South-Hampton within the 71 bonuds rullowing, viz Bcgining at the Atlantiek Soa or Ocean on tlie East, at the distance of three miles North of the nioiitli of the River Merriniacl^:, & from thence to ran Northerly to the bonnds of that part of the Town of Hampton called liam[)ton Falls, & thence Westerly pursning the Bonnds of the -Said Tarrish of Hampton Falls to the I'arrislies of Kensinton & Kingstown as has been reputed to have been heretofore agreed upon between the said Towns & Salsljiiry & Amsbury & Kingstown, till it meets a White Pine Stamp in a Line (;omonly called Shapleys line, & from P. White Pine Stump due South two miles & one Quarter of a mile till it meets a Stake in Mitchells Line that Stands in a hollow or vale, at the North end of a Road & on the Easterly Side of the Said Road that leads from Amsbury across the Childrens Land (so called) Said Stake Stands three miles & a half South .Seventy Seven degrees & half AVest from the South- west corner of the New Meeting House in Said Parrish, In- cluding all the inhabitants- & their Estates from the Said three Miles North of the Ri\'er Merrimac Ijcgining at the Atlantic Sea or AVestern Ocean on the East, tt running Northerly from Mitchels Line (as determined b}' his Majtie in Council) to the bounds of Hampton Falls Parrish & then AVesterly on the Boiuids of Kensington & Kingstown afore- said untill it meets with the Said AVhite Pine Stump in Sha[)- leys line So called, & from Said Stump due South two miles and one Qaarter of a mile to the Stake aforesaid in Said Mitchels Line neare the Childrens land (Excepting the Lands Estates & Poles of Jacob French, John True, Jona. Hoit, .Iose[)h Tucker, Joseph Page, Samuel Eaton, Flphraim Eaton, Kicliai'd Smith, Joseph Todd, Thomas Selly, David Fowler. 'I'ristam Collins, Samuel Fowler, Samuel AVatson, Jeremiah AVheeler, Benj. lloit^ James Jackman, Elihu Dow, John Eaton, Noah Dow, Benj. Collins, Bildad Dow, Jiida Deny, B(!nony Sell}', Samuel Selly, John P^aton Jun who are hereljy annexed to tiie Parrish of IIani[)l()n Falls & in all Res[)ects incor[)orated intcj the I'ai-i-ish of Hanii)ton Falls, for their well ordering & being Regulated for Pairish alfairs,) To have and To hold all tlie Privelidges tfc Inuuiities of a Town Corporate & to be ruled & Governed in all Respects for the Said Town alfairs, b\' the laws of the Pr(nince of Newhampshire as other Towns are. The lirst Town Meeting Shall ))e called l)y Joseph Jewell, John Flanders, & Henry Cui'rier, the .Seventh da}' of June, Next l)y Notification in Writing Ijy thein Signed & allixed to the Meeting H(M|sc Dore Seven day's at least belbre the 72 hokliiiij,' of .Sucli Meeting & afterwards the Town Meetings Sliall be called at Such times as the affairs of Said Town may Require in Such Manner as the Laws of the Province of Ncwhampshire hath prescribed for Towns. And We do further by these Presents for us our Heirs & Successors, Grant, Establish & Ordaine, That 3'early once in a Year & forever hereafter namely the first Monday in March Yearely there shall be held and kei)t l)y the Freeholders and Inhabi- tants of Said Town a Town Meeting at their Publick Meeting Place in Said Town, & there b}' a Majority of the Freeholders & Inhabitants presents Legally Qualified to Vote, to make Choice of all Town Ollicers lor the Ensuing Years, and to transact any other alfairs of the Town as other Towns & l*arishe.s, according to the Laws of the Said Pro^•ince do . . . In Testimony whereof we have caused the Pulilick Scale of our Said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness Benning Wentworth Esq., Governour and Commander in Chief in and over our Said Province of Newhampshire the twenty fifth day of May in the fifteenth 3'eare of our Reign, Aunoqr Dom, 1742. B. WENTWORTH. Province of ] ^^^ , -,,,, 1-, > ^T TT V JNovember 24th, 1 /42. New Hampse j ' By his Excelencys Comand With the advice of the Council TiiEODOKE Atkinson Secy [fKOM provincial papers, vol. IX, PAGE 763.] Petition of sundnj inhabitants at the ca^t end of the town to be set off to Ilmupton Falls. To his Excell-^ Bening Wentworth Es(f Capt" Gen" and Gov- ern"^ in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New Hampshire in N. England and to the Hon''''' his Majesties Council and Representatives in Gen' Court assembled "Sep- tem'" 14"' 1742. The Petition of sundry of y" Inhabitants of the Est part of Salisbury Avhich by the riming the new Line fall into the Province of New Hampshire and (as we are informed) are included in the late charter granted for y'= Township of South Hampton, Humbly JSheivcth: — That we the subscribers being 73 • comprehended in the afores'' Charter and by reason thereof exposed to greater hardships and nnreasonable diMieuhies as to all Parish and Town art'airs, l)eing six miles or more dis- tant from their Meeting honse, Ave cannot with onr families attend y'' pubUck worship there, neither can we have y'" priv- ilidge of voteing in their pnl)lick allairs respecting Town or Parish, for if their meetings are warned in the nsual Method we shall have no knoAvledge of them, or if l\y chance we hear of any of them, sneli is the distance that we can't attend them ; and therefore it will be very prejudicial to us to stand in such relation to them with whom we can neither do our duty nor injoy our just Rights and Privileges ; — We therefore pra}" that (as the rest of onr Neighbours) we may be set otf as to our persons & P^states from the said Town of South Hampton and annexed to Hampton Falls there to do duty and injo}' y*^ privilidges of Townsmen, so shall y'' Peti- tion" ever pray, &c. John Collins Jonathan Wnlton Sam' Collins Joseph Norten Samuel Smith Jacob Smith DaA'id Norten Eliphaz Dow [from records in office of secretary of state.] Act of December 4th 1742, iwllimj sundrti persons from Soiit// Hmnptem to Hemijjton Falls. Province of New Hampshire. N-7 :32 J- <~^— N , Anno Jiee/ui regis Georejii, /Seoiiidi Maepxt \\..ii.V B>-ittania Frcmcla et Hihernia Dec! mo '- ^— , — ' ' jSexto. AN ACT for Taking off part of the Town of South ir.'iinploii in s'' Province & annexing of the same to Ilain[)toii Palls. Whereas Sundry of tlie Inhabitants of SouUi Hamilton afores'' have Petitioned the General Assembly Sitting forth that by reason of their Distance from the meeting House it was very Dilllcult for them to attend the Publick AVorship And other atfaii-s of the Town usually Ti-ansacted th(>re cV: thereu[)on Praying they might be Set" oil to the Parish of Hampton falls to which they were neai-er which ha\iug been considered & api)earing reasonable — Be it therefore Pnacted bv his PxcelcncN the ( iovernour 74 Council it representatives in Oenerul Assembly Convened & by the Authority of the Same That a line shall be Extended & is hereby Determined to run from the Dividing Line between the Parish of Hampton Falls afores'' & the Parish of Kinsington to the Province Line or Boundary between this Province & the Province of the IVIassaclmsptts bay being South Four Degrees West and all the Inhabitants & tiieir Estates Lying to the East wanl of s'' Line within the s'' |)art of South Hampton shall be annexed to Hampton Falls Parish afores'' & are herein' Determined & declared to I )e- long unto the Same to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever Excepting only with respect to the Duty of mending & repairing of highways below or to the Eastward of s'' Line which shall be done by the s'' Inhabitants (which shall Ex- cuse & Exempt them from that duty Else were) & paying of the Province Tax which they are to pay as usual until a new Proportion or further order of the General Assembly and that ihey pay their Tax for th(^ Present Year where they are allready assessed. In the House of Representatives Decemb' P'' 1742. The within Bill read three times & passed to be Enacted. Axi)'- WioGix, Speaker. In Council December the 4"' 1742. Read Three times & past to be enacted. TlIEODORF. AtKIXSoX. Seclv. Eodem Die I assent to the Enacting the I'oregoing liill. Bxo. "Wf.xtwouth. Recorded according to the original Act under the Province Seal. • Y'" TnF.()i)()RE Atkixsox. Sec''-^' SEABROOK GRANTED. [XATIIAXIEL BOUTOX, D.D., IX AOL. IX. PA(;E 821). PKoVlX- CIAL PAPERS.] Seabrook was formerly a part of Hampton Falls. It was granted June 3. 1768. to Jonathan Weare. John Moultou and others. 75 [from sortH iiAMPTOX ^o^YN records.] Agreement as to taxation between South Hampton and Sea/>rook. We the subscribers and Committees of the towns of South Hampton and Seabrook have mutuall3' agreed this 14lh day of May 1795 to settle tlie following line for taxation of lands belonging to non-residents, viz : Beginning at the south easterl}' corner bounds of Kensing- ton then running a straight line eastwardly to Batcheller's bound (so called) near Levi Gove's house then taking the post road and running southerly as said road runs initil it comes to Cain's brook (so called) then running as said brook runs initil it strikes Shapley's line (so called) then running eastwardly as said Shapley's line runs to the bound rock (so calUed) at Hampton river's mouth. Elisha Brown ) John Smith Josiah Dow Selectmen and Abraham Dow Committee for Samuel George }■ Seabrook Jacob Collins Joseph Merrill Joseph Jones jr John H. Pillsiuny J and South Hampton. [from new HAMPSHIRE PAMPHLET LAWS 1822.] AN ACT to eonfinn and estahlish the westerly hofindery line of the town of Seabrook. Sect. 1. Be it enacted b}- the Senate and House of Ive[)- resentatives in General Court convened, That the line be- tween the towns of Kensington and Seabrook, and the line as determined and extended b}^ an act of the Legislature, passed December 4, 1742, for taking off part of the town of South-Hampton and annexing the same to Hampton falls ; and the same line extended in the same direction, l)eing south four degrees west, to the present line between this state and the connnonwealth of Massachusetts, shall luM'eafter be the westerly l)Oundary of the town of Seabrook, and all the lands, non-resident as well as resident, and tlie waters lying easter- ly thereof to the sea, shall belong to the town of Seabrook for the purpose of taxation and jurisdiction, and to all other legal and constitutional intents and purposes whatevei". T6 Provided hmveim\ that any part tlioreof, which is now the pubhek property- of the town of Sonth-Hampton shall lio ex- empt from taxation so long as the same shall Itelong to tliat corporation. ^ Sect. 2. And be it further enacted, That thirty cents shall be taken from the jjroportion of public taxes established for the town of Soutli-Hampton and be added to the propor- tion of the town of Seabrook, ami that the Treasurer shall is- sue his warrants accordingly until a new proportion of taxes be estalilished. Approved June 2G, 1S22. [from SALISnUUY TOWN RECORDS.] Agrennrrit showuig the carl// //is/uri/ of Uic pii>'^'Jna(jc huuh. this agreement made y'' tenth Day of Jan-^ 1743-4 Betwen ns whose names are here after written being a Com'"' for y" Town of Salisbury and south Hampton that is to say we John Morrill Elias Pike John Merrill being Leaguall}' Chosen and Impower'd by ye" Town of Salislinry in y'' Connty of Es- sex and Province of j-*" Massachusetts Bay : and we Reuben Dimond P^phraim Brown Joseph tfrench Jun. Leagually Chos- en and impowerd l\y y'' Town of south Hampton in y*" pro- \Mnce of new hainpshire as b_Y each of y" t(nvn Book of sd Salisliury and south hampton may appear to agree upon Divid and sett off to sd south hamton tliere share and part of all y'' Lands formerly C4rantcd and Laid out by y*" town of of Salisbury within y" ancient P>ound there of for y*" use of the Ministry and we do here by agree that the town of south hamton shall have hold and Injoy for the use of their minis- try as followeth viz that tract of Land in y" mill Division so called Lying on ye*" southerly side of y*" highway which Leads from SalislMuy to Kinston y*" northerly part or end of which butts on the sd way and southerly on Powows river it being y'' 11th Lot in sd Division and Contains about twenty seven acres be it more or Less and also eighteen acres of y'' addi- tion which a former Com"' of y'' Town of Salisbury Laid out to y*" sd 1 1th Lot which sd addition Lj'cth on y*' Northerly side of y*^ above sd way y*" said eighteen acres to liegin at y'' sd way and to extend Northerly till y'' sd eighteen acres be Compleated saveing a Drift- way from y'' sd way in y" most Conveint place through y'' sd eighteen acres to y^ remainder of 3'^ sd addition for y'' ministers of Salisbury to pass and re- 77 [)ass with teams and to Diite Cattle &e and wc Do finlher more agree that y'' remaining; part of y*^^ sd addition to^etlier with all other Lands marsh or meadow Gh-ound formerly Granted and Laid out for _y'' use of y'' ministry of y^' ancient town of 8alis1niry shall for ever be and remain to y' nse of y"" ministers of y- town of Salisbury without any Let Cla'rae or Mollestation liy y'' Town of south ham[)- ton and further more we Do agree that whereas there has been an action Commenced l)y one of y'' Ministers f)f Salisbnr3' against y" Inhabitants of south hamton for a trespass upon part of y*^^ Land above mentioned and hereby much money has been spent we Do agree that each Town shall pay their own cost and that sd minister with Draw sd action further more we do agree the Profits if any be of ye fei-iy hctween Salisliury and Newlnny shall forever lie and remain to y'" Town of Salislnny witlK)ut any Lett or Claime Mollestation by y" Town of south hamton wc do agree that y"" Drift way above mentioned shall be on that of y'' above sd eighteen acres next timothy Townsends Land and also that those people that were taken off from Salisbury by y"" Late province Line shall Injoy y'' sd twenty seven acres and y" sd eighteen acres above mentioned without any Lett or Mollestations by y'^ Town of Salisbury — and in Confirma- tion of y*' agi-eement we the said Com*'" in Itehalf of y'' Town of Salisbury and south hamton have Interchanealily set too our hands the Day and year iirst al)ove writen. Elias l^ike | Com''' for John Men-ill j Salisbury. Reuben Dimond | Com*'' for Ephriam Brown j South hamton. [copy from ORKilNAL IN SKLECTMEN's OFFICE.] Qidlchiim Deed, of the Nor/A Fan^onrKje, Inj Ixcv. Ndilniniil Noycft. Know all men liy tliesc presence. That Nath" Noyes Pastor of the Church of Christ in South liampton in tiie Pro- vince of New hampshire in New England & Minister of y'' Gospel in y'' Said South hampton, for divers good causes & considerations moving viz for tlie greater benelit & y*" better enal)ling of y*^^ town to Suppoi't y'' charges of the Gospel hath remised, released & forever quit claimed & 1)y these presents for him self and his heirs dotli fully clearly & absolutely re- mise, release & forever (juit claim unto Rich'' Collins Inliolder 78 and unto Abel French & unto Abel BroTvn botli Husband men in Soutli hampton — being Selectmen & appointed bv y" town in their name to receive as is now quit claimed to tliem & tlieir Successors forever, all such right estate Title, In- terest & demand whatsoever, as he the sd Natli" Noyes had or ought to have in or to Sixteen Acres of Parsonage land lying & being in South liamplon aforesaid & bounded Soutlierly on y"" lligliway, Easterly on a two rod higliway & Townsanil's farm so called, Xortlierly on y"^ Salisbury Ptu'sonage land & west- erly on John Flanders with all tlie prvilegcs & appurtenances unto ye" Land to have and to hold unto y"' Said Kich'' Collins Aliel French & Abel Brown & their succesors in the name of y'' Town of tlie Afores'^ .Soutli hampton to the only use benefit & profit of the afores'' Select Men & Successors for ever for to be expended towards y*" Support of y*" Gospel in South hampton agreealile to the original grant of y'' Sd Land to the Sd town of South hampton so that neither Said Nath" Noyes nor his heirs nor an}' other person or persons for him or them sliall or will by any way or means hereafter done, chalange or demand any right, Tile [title] in any part or Parcel of the Said land — which is now remised I'cleascd & forever cpiit claimed to y*^ aftoresaid Select Men in behalf of y'' s*^ town & tlieir Successor to be used & improve y'" benefit of the Sd laud only for y^ aforesaid purpose. In witness whereof the Said Nath" Noyes hath hereuto Set his hand & Seal this eighteen day of May Anno Domini One thousand Seven hundred & Sixty three & in the third year of the Reign of George, the third. King of great Britain &c. Nath" Noyes. Signed Sealed & delivered , ---— ^ in Presence of us — \ l. s. [ Nath" JMorrill. ^ ^^ ^ Joseph Merrill, Jun. [from office of secretary of state.] Record of a vote 2ift-^sed hi/ the Town of South Eamjdon. allmv- ing certain inhaldtants (f the Wcf^t End to 2ioIl off, with (i list of their mimes. At a Legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of South Hampton July 7th 1748. John Page Esq. was chosen mod- erator. At the same meeting it was considered that whereas there was a number of persons that live at the west end of this town that thinlc the}' can better accomodate themselves 79 by joining with their neiglibors for a meeting honse than con- stantly to asseml)le with ns and being wilhng to shew them all Chi'istain regard and kindness (vote that all those persons that lives at the west end of the town that have a mind to go (ttf shall have the Liberty to poll of themselves & their estates which thcv now have & join with their neighbors in the District for a Parish in all affairs provided thev i)oll olf or file a list of their names withiiis I^lxcellencv the (ioNcrnor within tliirtv days from the day of date hereof. \'()ted in the allirmative. A trne copy attest. Ruben Diamond, Town C'lok. Jonatlian Farren Roliert Martin jNIichacl lloit James George 'Thcf Tux])iny David Colby Tho' Carter Zachens C()ll)y Benja Carter Jonathan Kimball Orland Carter Aaron Cnrrier Benj" Kimball Tho*' Jewell . 'John Carter Phillip Cliallis Sam' Carter Daniel Goodwin Jacob Colby Tho'^ Greenfield Rogles Colby Nathanel Ash Nathan' Colliy Aliraham Meri'ill Jonathan Watson David Goodwin Roger Easman Zebnlon Farren Sam' Goodwin John Eliot Province of New Hampshire There certif}^ that the List of the names above mentioned were Entered with his P^xcellency the Governonrand Lodged in the Sect3's office the Seconday of August 1748. Attest Theodore Atkinson Secv. [from office of SECRETAllY OF STATE.] .Ir/ o/' March 22nd, 1740, pnlHncj Un'rhi Han/// Uiniip/nH iiuni to NcK! Toivn.. New IIami)shire | George the Second by the Gi-nce of God of l'i()\inc(' f)f j Great Lrittain Frances & L'cl;iiid King Defender of the faith &c ,. — ' — > , To all Peoi)le to whom the Presents Shall come \ 1,. s. ^ Greeting. ^ ■^. — ' •' AVhereas The Town of South Hampton within our l^r()vince of New Hampshire aforesaid for Divi-rsc <>;ood & 80 Lnu(lal)le motives «fe Considerations theveunto movino- Did Voluntnril}' at a Town meetino- held in Said Town by Inlial)i- tants tliereof on the 7"' Day of Jnly Anno Domini 1748 Pass a Vote in the following words viz : "That all those Persons that Live at the AVesfEnd of this Town that have a mind to goe oft" Shall have the Liberty to Poll of themselves & their Estates whieli they now have & joyn Avitli their Neighbours in the District for a Parish in all affairs Provided they Poll off" or file a List of their names with his Excelenc}' the Gover- nonr within thirty Days from the Date hereof. And for as nnu'h as Jonathan Farren, Michael Hoit Tho' Tnxbnry Thomas Carter, Benj'' Carter Orlando Carter Benj" Kimball John Carter, Sam' Carter, Jacob Coleby, Rnggles Coll\y Nath' Coleliy, Jon'' "Watson, Roger Eastman, Sam' Goodwin, Robert Martin, James George, David Colli}' Zacheus Coll\v, Jonathan Kimball, Aaron Currier, Tho'^ Jewell, Phillip Challis, Daniel Goodwin Tlieo Greenfield Nathaniel Asli Al)raliam INIerrill, DaA'id Goodwin, Zebulon Farren, & John Eliot all Inhalntants in the West End of Said Town of South Hampton, Did file a List of their names with B. Wentwoi'th, Esq. our Governor of our said Province & the same was filed in the Secy's office of onr afores*^ Province on the Second Da}" of August 1748 within the thirty days in the above recited Vote of the aforesaid Town of South Hampton meantioned, and agreeable to the Intent & tenor thereof. Now know ye that for and in Consideration of the alcove mentioned vote & at the request of the Several Parties there- in Concerned We have tho't fit by further the advice of our Trusty & well beloved Benning AVentworth P2sq'' our Gover- nour & of our Council of our s'' Province of N. Hamps. to order and ordain that the aforesaid Jonathan Farren Michael &c. with theirs & each of their Estates the}' now have in said Town of South Hampton be & liereb}' are order'd Declared & ordained to be Polled & set off" from acting or A'oting with the Town of South Hampton afores'^ in an}' of their Town aft"airs excepting what does or may relate to the repairing or mending the high ways within the Limits of the said Town of South Hampton afores'' with respect to which aftaii's they are to act & be governed as tho no A-^otc.or order had Past there- on and are hereby together with the Instates they have in South Hampton as also all Persons that shall succeed them in any or either of them in the improving of said estates Declared to be Polled off & annexed to Newtown witliin our Province afores'' there to vote and act with s'' Newtown in all their Town aftairs as fully to all Intents & Purposes as any 81 other the Inhabitants of said Town can or may do excepting what dos or may relate to the mending or repairing the High- ways witliin the Limits of Newtown which they and Each of them are hereby Exempt from they having tlie Liberty of Voteing witli & are Subject to the Legal Directions of the Town of South hampton aforcs'S of all which all Persons con- cerned are to take Due notice hereof & Govern themselves accordingly. Li TesUmony whereof we have Caused the Seal of our Said Province to be hereunto alfixed. AVitness B. AVentworth I-Cs(j'' our Governour & Connnander in CliietF of our Prov. of N. Ilamp afores'' this '22'' Day of March 174'J & in the 23" year of our reign, B. WENT WORTH. r.y his Excellencys com" with advice of Council. TiiEODOKi: AxKiNsiON Sectv. [f1!0M rKOVICIAL I'AI'KKS VOL. IX, rAOK 775.] PiliLioii fur sctllm;/ fh< Hue hclivcrn Hok/Ii Hatii])lun and Neiv- lotrii. Province of \ To his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq'' New llamps'" j Captain General, Governor and Command- er in Chief in and over the Province of New Haini)shire, the Honourable his IMaJesty's Council and house of Representatives in General Assembly conveni'd. The Petition of us the Subscril)ers being a Committee chosen for the Town of South Hampton, Most humbly shoiueth : — That the said Town of South Hampton sulfer great incon- veniences for want of a Line settled and estabhshed, between the said Town of South Hami)ton and the Town of New Town, there lacing more than Twenty persons in said South Hamp- ton, wliich claim to ))elong to Newtown, part of whom might be as well acconnnodated by being joyned to South Hami)tou, :uid a numljer more of South Ham|)ton that might )je as Avell accommodated by being joyned to Newtown. Your petition- ers therefore pray a Line may be settled between the said Towns in such a nianuer as not to enlai-ge the one at the 82 expense of the olher lint to make buQi e(|ual lo which they now are, and that a Conunittee may be appointed to inquire into the eireumstanees of the case and Report such a Line as may etlect tlie purposes aforesaid : and yoiu- Tetitioners as tliey are in duly bound will ever [)ray, &c. Phihi)s White Aljel Brown Moses Freucli Soulli IIani[)lon. Decern'' I'J'" 1770. [from OI-l'ICE OF SKCRETAKY OF STATk] A''f nf 1772, Es/iifilts/>i)/.(/ the Line br/irrn) Su///// Hnmpfni) uml Ncicton. Anno Ileipd Rei/is Geovijii 7\'rtu Miiijtur BrUaniti'i Fraticiui Hibenum Duo decimo. AX ACT to establisli a deviding' line l)etwcen the Town (jT Southampton and the ToAvn of Newtown, "Whereas, pursuant to a petition of a Committee chosen by the Town of Southampton in behalf of said Town, a Comtee of the General Assembly hath been appointed to settle the line between the said Town of Southampton and the said Town of Newtown, & the said Comtee after reviewdug the premises and hearing both parties, have reported that liic tlividing" line between the said Towns should begin at the Province Line at a place called Pond Brook, and from thence should rini westerly by the highway that leads to Pliilip Currier's Dwelling House until it comes to land of saiil Currier, and from thence Northerly on the line between the land of said Phil'' Currier & the land of Challis Currier to tlie Highway that leads towards said Challis Currier's House, thence Northerly on the Westerly side of the said Highway luitil it comes to land belonging to Lieut. Thomas Tewks- bur^', thence Southerly and Westerly b}- said TewksburA's laud & land of the Widow Judith Currier until it comes to the Highway near Charles Collins House, thence Nortli Easterh' on the East side of the Highwin- that leads to Bugsmore Hill, so called, until it comes opposite to the Nortli Easterly corner of Jonathan Kimball's land, thence across said Road AVesterly between said Kimball's Land & Land of the aforesaid Liout Thomas Tewksbmy, & 1)etweonsaid Kiin- liall's land & land belonging to the heirs of Timothy Bagley, deceased, nntil it comes to the lload that leads to Aspen Hill, so called, thence Northerly on the Easterly side of said Koad nntil it comes opposite to the North Easterly corner of Aaron Cnrrier's land, thence across said Road & running Northwesterly by said Aaron Currier's Land until it comes to Kingstown Line, which report being read & appearing to )>e reasonable and just & no opposition being made thereto. lie it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council & Assem- 1)ly That the Line before descriljcd between the said Towns be and hereby is estaljlished to be the dividing line between llie said Towns of Southampton and Newtown. And all the land & Inhaljitants now belonging to either of said Towns that are situated to the Eastward of said Line shall hereafter be deemed to all intents and purposes as belonging to and part of the Town of Soutliami)ton. And all that are situated to the westward of said line shall hereafter 1)c deemed to all intents and [)urposes as belonging to and part of the Town of Newtown. Troviuce of ) In the House of RcpresenLatives Jan'y 3d New Ham[)shirc j 1772. This Act having been read a Ihird lime. Voted that it pass to 1k' enacted. J. Wentworlh, Speaker. In Council January 4th 1772. This l)ill was read a 3d time and [)assed to be enacted. Tiieodore Atkinson, Secretary. Conseuled J. Wentw(jrth. Recorded acccjrding to the original act under the Provinc^e Seal. Attest : Theodore Ati\inson Sect'v. [li;OM PKOVINf lAl, I-APICKS VOK. VIII, PACK 284.] Nd.iiics of Iho.sc ill tionlh //(Uiijilon iclio sijiiiid llu: A-'avid Graves Stephen Rogers Samuel Peiree William Cooper numphrey Pierce ]\[oses Pierce Humphrey Peiree Jr Tho- Shepherd Richard Fitts Nathan Fitts Eliphelet INIerrill James lledlock Plnlip Flanders Jacolj Jones Josiah Sawyer Richard Sawyer Israel Sawyer Ezekiel Clough Mr Nathan Ciu'rier Cliallis Currier J(jlm Currier Richard Currier Louis Hadlock Jaeolj Barnard Joh Pilsbcry Enos George Parker Flanders Er Colby Ezekiel Flanders Timothy Flanders Daniel Jones Nieiiolas Currier Nathaniel Rowell Isaiah Dole Jonthan Dow Timothy Ikuitinton (? Moses Flanders, I sui)scribe Provided that the act or ad- vice of the said Contiuential Con- gress be complied with Respecting minute men. Ednuuul Pilsbury Barnard Currier E|)liraim Carter Aljcl French Benjamin Clough Abel Brown N. Noyes Thomas Tuxbury Merrill Flanders Onesipliorus Page Richard Currier Flan- Rich'' Collins [ders Philip Osgood Ezekiel French Josejjh Jones, Jr Joseph Jones Joseph ]\[errill Barnard Flanders Philip Flanders Thomas Currier Jona Prasa Benjamin Brown ) Enoch Page Richard Greele Moses French Jacob Dole Daniel Page Ebenezer French, Jr Ilenery Tuells P Benjm" Barnard Josiali Flanders Elijdielct IMcrrill Jr Daniel Colby William Clough 85. Colony of New Hampshire — South Hampton June 24"' 177G. Agreable to tlu' within, we have Desired the males in sd Town to sign the Declaration on this pa[)er & It hath been complied with by all so desired excepting those whose names are hereafter mentioned. Jeremiah Flanders Isaiah Fhmders Jeremiah Flanders Jr CIrrislopher Flanders — 4. Abel French Joseph Merrill 1^ Selectmen UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. b W jewexx - S6^J^ Religious his- tory of South Hampton, N. H. BR 560 S65J5 a o^^cdi^M urorary BR560.S65 J5 L 009 544 939 3