Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/259

 METHODISM IN PORTSMOUTH.

��2 33

��lly resided at Chichester, N. H., where he died March i, 1869. He was for several years in feeble health, but to the extent of his ability labored for the cause, continuing in service fifty- nine years. " He was a man of great personal dignity and urbanity of man- ners, with a heart full of Christian sym- pathy, always ready to assist without assuming to lead."

Rev. John Lindsey, born in Lynn, Mass., July 18, 1788 ; a local preacher in 1808 ; was admitted to N. E. Con- ference in 1809, and appointed to New London (Conn.) circuit ; New- market, Durham and Portsmouth, 1810. He filled important appoint- ments at Portland, Nantucket, and Bristol, R. I., and was Presiding Elder of Vermont, Lynn and Poston dic- tricts. He was subsequently stationed at New York city, New Haven and Poughkeepsie. In 1835-36 he was agent of the Wesleyan University ; in 1842 agent of the American Bible Society, at Albany. In 1846 he had charge of the Albany district as Pre- siding Elder, and continued in charge until, at the age of 62, he died at Schenectady, N. Y., February 20, 1850. He was a preacher of reputation, and possessed great energy of character. His widow, Lucy Nourse, died at Lynn, Mass., June 19, 1858. His son is one of the professors in the Theo- logical Department of Boston Univer- sity.

Rev. Charles Virgin, who was born in Hopkinton, N. H., May 8, 1787, entered the N. E. Conference in 1807. He was, at one time, Presiding Elder of Kennebec district ; also, in 1813-16, of Boston districts, which included Portsmouth. He was a pious man, an acceptable preacher and an efficient Presiding Elder. Becoming superan- nuated, he settled at Wilbraham. Mass., where he died April 1, 1853.

Rev. Jordon Rexford, the first reg- ularly stationed Methodist minister *at Portsmouth, was a faithful and success- ful pastor. He entered the Itineracy in 1792. His first appointment was Pittsfield (Mass.) circuit, New England

��Conference ; thence to Lynn in 1 793 ; the next year at Marblehead. He was to change, however, in three months with John Hill, whose field had the comprehensive title of New Hamp- shire. Mr. Rexford's labors in Mar- blehead were attended by severe trials. On his first appointment to that town he was snow-balled through the streets. He married one of the original mem- bers of the society, and, having located in 1 795, disappeared for thirteen years from the Conference roll ; but, in 1808 joined again, and was appointed to Bristol, R. I. Subsequently he labored on the island of Nantucket, and on the Bristol and Portsmouth (R. I.) circuits, and at Portsmouth, N. H., two years, 1812-13. In 1814 he located ; re- sided several vears at Marblehead, and became a local preacher and the teacher of the upper town school. He lies buried at Pawtucket, R. I.

Rev. Thomas W. Tucker, born in Boston April 22, 1791, was converted when sixteen years of age and joined the M. E. Church. Admitted to the N. E. Conference in 18 12, he contin- ued in effective relation until 1849, when he became superannuated and supplied places under the direction of the Presiding Elder. He died in Chelsea, Mass., August 6, 1S71, the senior member of the New England Conference. "During the years- of his superannuation he supplied vari- ous charges, temporarily, as occasion offered and health permitted." He was approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, hand- ling aright the word of truth. ^Vhen stationed at Portsmouth he was un- married and received for his services, in 1814, $129.22, including board. The late Edward T. Taylor, the cele- brated sailor preacher, of Boston, fa- miliarly called " Father Taylor," in describing his early religious experi- ence at the Bromfield-street church, refers to Mr. Tucker, who, when only 19 years of age, was instrumental in causing him to go forward for prayers. Mr. Tucker spoke to him, and he yielded to his persuasive entreaties.

�� �