Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/139

 NORTHWOOD— AN HISTORICAL SUMMARY.

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��dued the rocky soil ; and these laid the foundation of the future township.

In the year 1773, ten years later than the first settlement, it was erected into an independent borough, electing Samuel Johnson, Joseph Demeritt and Benjamin Hill as selectmen. Jonathan Jenness was the first justice of the peace. The first postmaster was John Furber.

Religiously, the early pioneers were Baptists. In the year 1772, a church was built, the third of that denomina- tion in the state. This edifice was re- built in 1 8 16. A bell was added in 1878. The present year has witnessed the completion, free from debt, of a commodious parsonage. Hence are signs of progress. The society has had twelve pastors, — Edmund Pillsbury having been the first.

The Congregationalists erected a meeting-house here in 1780. This was re-built in 1840. Call was extended to Rev. Josiah Prentice, of Alstead, this state, who sustained the charge forty- three years — one of the longest pastor- ates in the state. This society has had six pastors.

The rise of the Free Baptist church in Northwood was due to the evangel- ical labors of Rev. D. P. Cilley, though David Marks had preached here a few times before him. Cilley labored here in 1833. Then the society was or- ganized, which held its meetings at the mountain school-house. Not until six years later, or in 1838, was their house of worship completed. The society has settled seventeen pastors. Its membership numbers one hundred and seventy-five, — the largest in town.

In the winter of 18 10 occurred a great revival in town. Elder Merrill was the leading spirit. One hundred souls were baptized. The historian Cogswell says : " There was a most singular preparatory step to conversion among many of the proselytes ; it was chiefly confined to the young of both sexes, but more especially to females. They were seized with what was termed " spells," which very much resembled fits of a nervous character, that came

��upon them, it was thought, at the time of conviction, and generally continued to visit them, at intervals, until conver- sion was realized. They seemed in much agony during their continuance, striving and shrieking in a frightful manner until exhausted."

Those were in the days when minis- ters got drunk, deacons swore, and the bottle was passed at the funeral. Mer- rill was such a man. Prentice was an exception. He never smiled — figura- tively, no ; nor even literally. Wear- ing a February face, he was the natural product of the belief he held — that nine tenths of the human family are foreordained to stew and fry in hell endlessly. Such men are dead. Their monstrous beliefs, with which they terrified contemporary populations, died with them.

The yeomanry of Northwood have ever evinced a patriotic and martial spirit. Their blood was spilt at Bun- ker Hill, at Lake Champlain, and at Bull Run. The town furnished twen- ty-four men in the Revolution, fourteen in the war of 181 2, one hundred and six, to suppress the Rebellion.

In the municipal history there have been some long public services. Dr. William Smith served twenty-four years as town clerk ; and twelve years did Jonathan Clark, whom, in 1 794, North- wood returned as its first member to the General Court, then sitting at Amherst. Twelve vears Thomas Demeritt served as selectman ; David Clark, eight. The town returned Democratic majorities annually up to 1855, when the Repub- licans arose to power. Not till 1871 did the Democrats recover the polls. They lost it again in 1876, but were victorious at the last election by one vote. Money carries the elections in this place. It has for years. Seventy- five voters can be bought.

The first school-house erected was at the east part of the town. Now there are eight. The sum of thirteen hundred dollars is appropriated for their sup- port. Pioneer teachers were Thomas Demeritt, Chase Hill, and Hosea Knowlton, — men who were employed

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