Reminiscences of a Fifty-Years Pastorate; A Half-Century Discourse, Delivered in North-Hampton, N.H. November 18, 1851 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852. Excerpt: ... In 1734 there was another petition for the establishment of the parish as laid out in 1719, with the exception of what had in the meantime been set off to Rye. On another petition, a few years afterward, a distinct parish, authorized to act in affairs concerning the ministry and school was established by the General Court, Nov. 17, 1738. It is variously named in the records of the town, --" The North-Hill Parish in Hampton,"---" The North Parish in Hampton," &c. It was incorporated as a town by the name of North-Hampton, Nov. 26, 1742. From the papers before mentioned we learn that the first meeting-house in what is now North-Hampton, was erected in 1734, or earlier. We had supposed it was built about the year 1738. "We cannot now ascertain the exact date. It stood about fourteen rods south-westerly from the house where we now worship. Its size was 30 by 40 feet. It was occupied at least 27 years, and probably a longer time. The inside of the house was never finished. There were no regular seats for the congregation. It had been agreed that one range of pews should be laid out adjoining the walls of the house to be valued at from 15 to 10 " according to the dignity of the pews." Only a parsonage pew was built. The pulpit was of plain style but is judged to be of good workmanship, and was so much venerated that it was re- moved from its ancient location in the first house and became the pulpit of the second house, which was built in 1761. In that pulpit all the ministers settled by this town were consecrated. There they all preached. The present pastor occupied it during the first thirty-seven years of his ministry and for the last time on the Sabbath, Oct. 28, 1838. The front section of the old pulpit, which was many years the preacher's d...