Page:A topographical and historical sketch of the town of Andover, in the county of Hillsborough, and state of New Hampshire.djvu/18

 fifteen miles, and were then obliged to convey it home on their backs. The woods supplied them with animal food, which they took in abundance with their guns and traps. There were no inhabitants north from whom they could receive assistance, and the difficulties of a communication with those situated below them, rendered their situation less pleasing. The men of those days, however, partaking of the spirit common to New-Englanders, overcame all difficulties by perseverance, and secured to their families a quiet and peaceful possession—making the wilderness resound with human activity, and planting gardens amid the shaggy and barren mountains.

It may be said with justice of the early settlers of this country, that the spread of the gospel and the establishment of churches were their principal objects. We accordingly find these objects distinctly provided for in almost ail the original grants of our towns. One of the conditions required of the grantees of Andover was, that a meeting house should be built within eight years after the grant, and the preaching of the gospel constantly maintained. The proprietors erected a convenient house, and preaching was occasionally had; but no minister was formally settled until 1782. In the early part of this year a church was gathered; and on the 30th of October, the Rev. was ordained to its pastoral charge. He was a native of Milton, Mass.; received his education at Harvard College, and graduated in 1772. He is a good scholar, a charitable and industrious man. The church remained united under his ministry for more than fifteen years, when many of the members embraced different opinions, or became otherwise alienated; and the society grew so small, that in 1809, he proposed resigning his charge. His farewell