Part 5

_Rev. Luke Ainsworth Spofford_ was installed in Brentwood, and, after laboring about three years, and not finding his hopes of usefulness realized, he requested and received a dismission. The number of church members reported, June, 1828, was 53. Subsequently to his ministry at Brentwood, Mr. Spofford was installed at Lancaster, N. H., 1829; Atkinson, N. H., 1832; Scituate, Ms., 1835; Chilmark, on Martha's Vineyard, Ms., 1842; from which place he removed to Newburg, N. Y., where his family resides. Mr. Spofford, before he came to Brentwood, had been ordained at Gilmanton, N. H., where he enjoyed a successful ministry of six years; but, on account of the state of his health, and the extent of the field, resigned June 9, 1825. For more particular notices, see Rev. Mr. Lancaster's History of Gilmanton, and Notes respecting the ministers in Gilmanton, in the first number of the New Hampshire Repository, Vol. I.

After Mr. Spofford's resignation, the people in Brentwood enjoyed the labors of _Rev. Jonathan Ward_ about three and a half years.

Mr. Ward studied theology with Rev. Dr. Emmons, and was ordained in New Milford, now Alna, Me., in 1796, and resigned in 1818. Although Mr. Ward has never been installed in New Hampshire, he has, in many respects, performed the services of a pastor to some of the churches in a very acceptable and useful manner. Mr. Ward labored twelve years, most of the time statedly, in Plymouth, his native place, and the place of his father's ministry, for more than thirty-two years.

Mr. Ward's father, Rev. Nathan Ward, was born at Newton, Ms., April 11, 1721, died June 15, 1804, aged 83. He married Tamasin Ireland, who was born Jan. 1, 1722, O. S., and died Aug. 16, 1777. Rev. Nathan Ward, who was hopefully converted under the preaching of Mr. Whitefield, had not a collegiate education, but received an honorary degree of M. A. from Dartmouth College. His children, beside Jonathan the youngest, were Nathan, born Jan. 9, 1748, O. S., died Nov. 3, 1776; Enoch, born July 4, 1749, died July 31, 1825; Abraham, born Feb. 9, 1751, died Dec. 6, 1776; Mary, born Sept. 18, 1752, died Dec. 6, 1776; Abigail, born March 31, 1755, N. S., died Sept. 16, 1841; Samuel, born Aug. 26, 1756, died Nov. 8, 1776; Isaac, born March 16, 1758, died Feb. 27, 1816; Benjamin, born Sept. 21, 1761, died ----; Daniel, born Jan. 30, 1764; Esther, born Aug. 17, 1767, died Dec. 8, 1776. The submission of the parents was painfully tested, by the death of five of their children, with a putrid fever, within five weeks. Enoch, brother of Rev. N. Ward, entered the ministry, but died young. He graduated at Harvard University, 1736. The grandfather of Rev. J. Ward was Joseph, whose father was John, who settled in Newton, Ms., and one of a large family, brought by their father, William Ward, from England, about 1646, who settled in Sudbury, Ms. Rev. Jonathan Ward married Philenia Gay Whitaker of Attleborough, Ms., who was born April 6, 1776, and died April 25, 1825. Their children were Jonathan, born Nov. 30, 1800, graduated at D. C., 1822, studied at the Theological Seminary, Andover, ordained at Biddeford, Me., Oct. 26, 1825, died Feb. 8, 1826, aged 25; James Wilson, born May 21, 1803, graduated at D. C., 1826, studied at the Theological Seminary, Andover, and at New Haven, ordained at Abington, Ms., May 31, 1834; Philenia, born Oct. 16, 1804, married Frederick Robinson of Brentwood; Laura Elizabeth, born May 7, 1807, married Lucius M. Perdy of Sharon, Ct.

_Rev. Francis Welch_ was the fourth settled minister in Brentwood. He has labored since he left that place in Ipswich, Linebrook Parish, Ms.; and in Perry, Washington County, Me.

_Rev. John Gunnison_, who had been previously ordained at Lyman, Me., May 12, 1831, installed over the Union Society of Salisbury and Amesbury, Ms., Dec 31, 1835, and at Newmarket, Lamprey River, Feb. 22, 1837, was installed at Brentwood. He was, after leaving Brentwood, installed at West Falmouth, Me., in Jan., 1842. He now resides at Portland, but at present supplies the pulpit of the first church in Westbrook. He studied theology with the Rev. Charles Jenkins of Portland, Me., and entered the ministry late in life. He married for his first wife, Joanna Dow of Gilmanton, and for his second, a woman by the name of Starboard.

_Rev. James Boutwell_, who was born May 14, 1814, graduated at the Theological Seminary, Andover, in 1840. He was an Instructor at Dunkirk, N. Y., one year. Mr. Boutwell has seven brothers and one sister older, and two sisters younger, than himself. His paternal grandfather was of Wilmington, Ms. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Benjamin Jones, of Lyndeborough, a physician of some celebrity, whose native place was Ipswich, Ms. Mr. Boutwell's brother, William Thurston Boutwell, was several years a missionary among the Ojibwa Indians, in Wisconsin. Mr. Boutwell married Mary P., daughter of Dea. Pascal Abbot of Andover, Ms., April 10, 1837. Their children are Mary Lucelia, born at Dunkirk, N. Y., March 8, 1838; James Pascal, born at Andover, Feb. 6, 1840, died Oct. 31, 1844; George Clark, born at Brentwood, Feb. 8, 1842; Charles Hawley, born at Brentwood, Oct. 29, 1843; Hannah Elizabeth, born March 11, 1846.

DEERFIELD was a part of Nottingham, from which it was separated, and incorporated Jan. 8, 1766. The Congregational Society was formed in Dec., 1772.

_Rev. Timothy Upham_ was the first minister. His first wife, who was the mother of all his children, was Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Gookin of Northampton. Her twin sister, Elizabeth, married Dr. Edmund Chadwick of Deerfield, father of Peter Chadwick, Esq., of Exeter. The children of Rev. Mr. Upham are Hon. Nathaniel Upham of Rochester; Gen. Timothy Upham of Portsmouth; and Miss Hannah Upham, the celebrated Principal of the Female Institute in Canandaigua, N. Y. Among the grandchildren of Rev. Mr. Upham, are Rev. Thomas Cogswell Upham, D. D., Professor in Bowdoin College, who was previously pastor of the Congregational church in Rochester; Hon. Nathaniel Gookin Upham, a Judge of the Superior Court of N. H.; Mary, widow of Hon. David Barker, Jr., and now wife of Ebenezer Coe, Esq.; Alfred, M. D., of New York; Timothy, M. D., deceased; Joseph Badger Upham, Merchant in Portsmouth; Judith Almira, married to James Bell, Esq.; Hannah Elizabeth, deceased; Ruth Cogswell, married to John Berry, M. D.; Francis William, a member of the Boston Bar; and Albert Gookin, M. D., of Boston.

The New England genealogy of the Rev. Timothy Upham is traced to John Upham, born in England, in 1597, who emigrated to Weymouth, New England, in 1635, and went thence to Malden. He was highly esteemed for his piety, intelligence, and energy of character; filled various civil offices, and was deacon of the church many years. He performed the duties of moderator of a town meeting a few months before his death, which took place Feb. 25, 1681, at the age of 84.

Lieut. Phinehas Upham, son of John Upham, married Ruth Wood. He died in consequence of wounds received in the capture of Narraganset Fort, in 1675. Phinehas, son of Lieut. Phinehas, married Mary Mellins. His son Phinehas married Tamzen Hill, whose son Timothy married Mary Cheever. These last were the parents of Rev. Timothy Upham, whose New England ancestors, from the first, were men of influence in the church, and in the community, and were distinguished for intelligence, firmness of character, and a spirit of enterprise. The first wife of Rev. Timothy Upham died Aug. 4, 1797, aged 44. Mr. Upham died in the 63rd year of his age, and 39th of his ministry. The sermon at his funeral, from Heb. xiii: 8, by Rev. Peter Holt, ascribes to Mr. Upham "many gifts and excellent qualifications for a gospel minister." Mr. Upham's second wife, who was Miss Hephzibah Neal of Stratham, died May 11, 1811. See _Family History, by Albert G. Upham, A. M., M. D._, 1845.

_Rev. Nathaniel Wells_ was engaged sixteen years in mercantile business before entering the ministry. He studied theology with Rev. Moses Hemmenway, D. D., of Wells, Me., whose daughter he married in 1797. After a diligent and useful ministry of about 30 years, he resigned his pastoral charge. Two of his sons are settled in the ministry. Theodore, ordained in Barrington, June 12, 1845; Moses Hemmenway, ordained in Pittsfield, Nov. 19, 1845. Rev. Nathaniel Wells was son of Dea. Nathaniel Wells, whose father was also Dea. Nathaniel Wells, who removed to Wells, Me., from Ipswich, Ms., and who was a son of Dea. Thomas Wells of Ipswich, who died in that place, Oct. 26, 1666.

_Rev. Ephraim Nelson Hidden_ was Preceptor of Gilmanton Academy, three years; graduated at Gilmanton Theological Seminary, 1840; was married, Aug. 28, 1840, to Mary Elizabeth Parsons, daughter of Josiah Parsons, Esq., of Gilmanton, whose wife was Judith Badger, great-granddaughter of Gen. Joseph Badger, Senior. He was son of Ephraim Hidden, and nephew of Rev. Samuel Hidden of Tamworth, N. H., and grandson of Price Hidden of Rowley, Ms. His first New England ancestor emigrated from England and settled in Rowley.

EPPING. _Rev. Robert Cutler_ was the first minister. In 1755, Mr. Cutler, being charged with immoral conduct, was dismissed by a Council. He was installed in Greenwich, Ms., Feb. 13, 1760, where he died, Feb. 24, 1786, aged probably 68.

_Rev. Josiah Stearns_ closed his ministry and life, July 25, 1788. He descended from Isaac Stearns, who came from England, with Gov. Winthrop, in 1630, and settled in Watertown. The line of descent is 1. Isaac and Sarah Stearns. 2. John Stearns, who married Sarah Mixer of Watertown. He settled in Billerica. 3. John Stearns, who married Elizabeth ----. He was the first child born in Billerica, on record. 4. John Stearns, who married Esther Johnson. She was a _great-granddaughter_ of the celebrated Capt. Edward Johnson, author of the History of New England, entitled "Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England." In several publications, she is incorrectly mentioned as the _daughter_ of the historian. Her father was a second Capt. Edward Johnson, her grandfather was William Johnson, Esq. John and Esther Stearns were the parents of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping. The following short obituary notice appeared in a public print, Aug. 27, 1788. It is attributed to the pen of the Rev. Dr. Tappan, then of Newbury, afterwards Professor of Divinity in Harvard University.

"For the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.

"Mr. Hoyt,--The Rev. Mr. Stearns, whose death was announced in your last, sustained a character too great and too good to be passed over in silence. The God of Nature endued him with singular abilities, which, by the aid of erudition, fitted him for extensive usefulness. His assiduous application to the work of the ministry was truly worthy of imitation. In him shone an assemblage of virtues and graces which rarely meet in the same person. He had a lively fancy, a penetrating judgment, a correct taste, and a mind expanded as the heavens. His conversation was ever seasonable, grave, pathetic, and instructive. His public discourses were replete with good sense, with important truths in a clear and instructive light, and received the approbation of the best judges. He despised pageantry, without the appearance of affectation. He trusted to nothing mortal; pitied, but envied not, such as had their portion in this life. His advice in Council was often sought, and ever approved. He had a constitutional firmness, and was capable of the most dispassionate reasoning. He repudiated errors ancient and modern, and rejoiced to the last in his faithful adherence to the doctrines of grace. Elevated by the purer sentiments, he ever possessed a mind calm and serene. God, who is all-wise in council, was pleased to try his faith and patience in the furnace of affliction. After a lingering and painful sickness, he died of a cancer, in the 57th year of his age. In him died a friend to justice, liberty, and energetic government; a vigorous watchman, a patient guide, an affectionate pastor, a prudent, kind husband, and an indulgent but truly faithful parent."

Mr. Stearns was a close and thorough student. He studied the Scriptures in their original languages, with unremitting diligence. His limited means would not allow him to possess much of a library, but he was favored with the use of books by friends, who were able to own them. He was accustomed to borrow one volume at a time, and when he had read it through, its contents were his own. The late Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, mentioning this fact, added, "The Bible especially was his Library." So intimate was his knowledge of the Scriptures, that "he could readily cite chapter and verse, where almost any text was to be found." Mr. Stearns was an ardent friend of liberty. "Some of his sons were in the field, during a greater part of the Revolutionary contest; and he sacrificed most of his worldly interest in support of the American cause." [_Alden's Epitaphs._] He was a member of a State Convention, in Exeter, in which he regarded himself as fully committed to the risk of his personal safety. Returning from the Convention, he called his children around him, told them of the stand he had taken, and added, "If the cause shall prevail it will be a great blessing to the country, but if it should fail, your poor old father's head will soon be a button for a halter."

Mr. Stearns was tall in person, and interesting in his pulpit performances. He held the untiring attention of his audience, which not unfrequently filled the seats and aisles of his meeting-house, while, in pleasant weather, a number stood abroad around the doors and windows.

Of the printed sermons of Mr. Stearns, two were on 1 John iv: 8,--"God is love." These were preached in Exeter, and printed after his death, at the request, made to him in his last sickness, of Hon. John Phillips, for the use of the members of the Academy. Another was on early piety, with a brief memoir of Samuel Lawrence, preached Sept. 19, 1779. Another was a Fast sermon.

Mr. Stearns married first, Sarah Abbot of Andover. They had three sons and three daughters. One of the sons was John Stearns, Esq., of Deerfield, N. H. Mrs. Stearns died in November, 1766. In September, 1767, he married Sarah Ruggles, daughter of Rev. Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, who was a grandson of Rev. John Woodbridge of Andover, and great-grandson of Gov. Thomas Dudley. By the second marriage, also, Mr. Stearns had three sons and three daughters.

Rev. Samuel Stearns, son of Rev. Josiah Stearns, by his second marriage, was born in Epping, April 8, 1770; graduated at H. U. 1794; studied theology with Rev. Jonathan French of Andover; and was ordained in Bedford, Ms., April 27, 1795, where he died, Dec. 26, 1834, aged 65. He married Abigail, daughter of Rev. Mr. French of Andover. She was a descendant from John Alden, one of the first Pilgrims, who is said by some to have been the first person, who leaped upon the rock at Plymouth, New England, in 1620. Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford lived to see three of his sons settled in the ministry. Rev. Samuel Horatio Stearns, ordained over the Old South Church in Boston, Ms., April 16, 1834, died in Paris, France, July 15, 1837. His remains were brought to his native country, and rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Rev. William Augustus Stearns, ordained at Cambridgeport, Dec. 14, 1831, married Rebecca Alden Frazer of Duxbury. Rev. Jonathan French Stearns was ordained pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Newburyport, Sept. 16, 1835. He married first, Joanna Chaplin, daughter of Dr. James Prescott Chaplin of Cambridgeport. He married secondly, Anna S. Prentiss of Portland, Me. Sarah Caroline, a daughter of Rev. Mr. Stearns of Bedford, married Rev. Forest Jefferds, who was ordained at Epping, and afterwards installed at Middleton, Ms. Charlotte Esther, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns, married Rev. Jonathan Leavitt. He was ordained at Bedford, and afterwards installed at Providence, R. I. Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, son of Dea. William Stearns and grandson of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping, was ordained at Dennysville, Me., Nov. 6, 1844, and married Eliza Kilby, daughter of John Kilby, Esq., of that place. The mother of Rev. Josiah Howe Stearns, who was, before marriage, Abigail Richards Howe of Templeton, Ms., was a descendant of John Alden of Pilgrim memory.

_Rev. Peter Holt_, third pastor at Epping, was son of Joshua Holt, Esq., whose brother, Rev. Nathan Holt, was pastor of the second Church in Danvers, Ms. Rev. Peter Holt studied theology with Rev. Mr. French of Andover. He was installed over the Presbyterian church in Peterborough, March 7, 1827; resigned April, 1835; preached in Deering from 1835 to 1841. See notices of Mr. Holt by Rev. Mr. Whiton, in the N. H. Repository, Vol. I. No. 3. Rev. Mr. Holt of Epping married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Nathan Holt. They had seven children. Two survive, Sarah and Mary; the first of these married Samuel Endicott of Beverly. Nathan died at Epping, in his 12th year, of whom there is an obituary in the Piscataqua Evan. Mag. Vol. IV. p. 36. The family of Mr. Holt is traced to Nicholas Holt, who came from England to Newbury, in 1635, removed to Andover, and was one of the ten males who founded the church there in 1645. [_Coffin's History of Newbury_; _Abbot's History of Andover_; _Farmer's Genealogical Register._]

_Rev. Forest Jefferds_, who succeeded Mr. Holt, was son of Samuel, who was the son of Samuel, who was the son of Rev. Samuel Jefferds of Wells, Me., whose father emigrated from England to Salem, Ms. Rev. Samuel Jefferds was favored with a revival of religion in Wells, in 1741-2, and was one of the attestors by letter to "the happy revival of religion in many parts of the land." [_Tracy's Hist. Great Awak._, p. 295.] Rev. Forest Jefferds received his classical and theological education at the Theological Seminary, Bangor, graduated 1825, was installed at Middleton, Ms., May 2, 1832, resigned May 15, 1844. Mr. Jefferds married Sarah Caroline, daughter of Rev. Samuel Stearns of Bedford.

_Rev. Calvin Chapman_ was next ordained in Epping. A new house of worship had been erected, which was dedicated in connection with the services of his ordination. He graduated at Andover Theological Seminary, 1842, married Lucy B. Emerson of Parsonsfield, Me. Mr. Chapman is now settled at Sacarappa, Me.

_Rev. Mr. Corser_ was a son of David Corser of Boscawen, who was a son of John, and grandson of John of Newbury, Ms., who emigrated to this country from Scotland, about the year 1690. John, with David his son, removed from Newbury to Boscawen, in the early settlement of the town, and purchased the whole of that tract of land, which, from their name, is called Corser's Hill. Mr. Corser studied divinity with Rev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, and was ordained in Loudon, March 5, 1817. He was dismissed from his charge Sept. 20, 1838. He preached as a supply at Northfield and Plymouth, till 1845. Since then he has supplied at Epping, where he now resides. His son, Samuel B. G. Corser, graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1841.

(To be continued.)

FOREIGN MISSIONARIES FROM NORWICH, CT.

The following is supposed to be a correct list of the Missionaries that have gone out from Norwich. About twenty of them were natives, and the others were for a considerable period residents of the town, before entering upon the duties of the missionary. Two of them, it will be seen, belong to an earlier period than the organization of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. One is attached to a Methodist Mission; one is an Episcopal clergyman in the employ of the Colonization Society, and twenty-four have been in the service of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Year. Names. Mission.

1761. Rev. Samson Occum, (Mohegan,) Oneida. 1766. Rev. Samuel Kirkland, " 1812. Rev. Samuel Nott, Jr., Mahratta. " Mrs. Nott, (Roxana Peck,) " 1819. Rev. Miron Winslow, Ceylon. " Mrs. Winslow, (Harriet L. Lathrop,) " 1820. Mrs. Palmer, (Clarissa Johnson,) Cherokee. 1821. Rev. William Potter, " 1825. Rev. William H. Manwaring, " 1826. Mrs. Gleason, (Bethiah W. Tracy,) Choctaw. 1827. Rev. Jonathan S. Green, Sandwich Islands. " Mrs. Gulick, (Fanny H. Thomas,) " " 1833. Mrs. Smith, (Sarah L. Huntington,) Syria. " Mrs. Palmer, (Jerusha Johnson,) Cherokee. " Mrs. Hutchings, (Elizabeth C. Lathrop,) Ceylon. " Mrs. Perry, (Harriet J. Lathrop,) " " Rev. Stephen Johnson, Siam. 1835. Rev. James T. Dickinson, Singapore. " Rev. William Tracy, Madura. " Mrs. Hebard, (Rebecca W. Williams,) Syria. 1836. Mrs. Cherry, (Charlotte H. Lathrop,) Madura. " Rev. James L. Thomson, Cyprus. 1839. Mrs. Sherman, (Martha E. Williams,) Syria. " Mrs. Brewer, (Laura L. Giddings,) Oregon. " Mrs. Cherry, (Jane E. Lathrop,) Ceylon. 1840. Rev. Joshua Smith, Africa. 1843. Miss Susan Tracy, Choctaw. 1844. Miss Lucinda Downer, Choctaw.

_History of Norwich._

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"To send an uneducated child into the world," says Paley, "is little better than to turn out a mad dog or a wild beast into the streets."

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Mothers and schoolmasters plant the seeds of nearly all the good and evil which exist in our world. Its reformation must, therefore, be begun in nurseries, and schools.--_Dr. Rush._

THE PASSENGERS OF THE MAY FLOWER IN 1620.

BY NATHANIEL BRADSTREET SHURTLEFF, M. D.

As early as the year 1602, several religious people residing near the joining borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, together with their pious ministers, being grievously oppressed by courts and canons, resolved to shake off the yoke of antichristian bondage, and, as the Lord's free people, to form themselves by covenant into a church-state, to walk in all his ways according to their best knowledge and endeavors, cost them whatever it might.

In the year 1606, by reason of the distance of their habitations, these people were obliged to assemble in two places and become two distinct churches; over one of which Mr. John Smith was established pastor, and among the others were Mr. Richard Clifton and Mr. John Robinson, two very excellent and worthy preachers.

In the fall of 1607, Mr. Clifton and many of his church, being extremely harassed, removed themselves and families to Holland, where, in the spring of 1608, they were followed by Mr. Robinson and the rest. They settled first at Amsterdam, where they remained a year; but finding that Mr. Smith's church, which was there before them, had fallen into contention with others, they, valuing peace and spiritual comfort above other riches, removed with Mr. Robinson, their pastor, to Leyden, Mr. Clifton remaining in Amsterdam, where he soon died.

Soon after their arrival in Leyden, they chose Mr. William Brewster to assist the pastor, as Elder of the Church. In their new place of abode they lived in love and harmony with each other, and on friendly terms of intercourse with their neighbors, till they removed to America.

By the year 1610, many had come over to them from various parts of England, and they had increased and become a great congregation.