Oromocto Baptists

Stories of the Baptist Church on the Oromocto River

by John Wood [email protected]

An essay written in 2002, updated to include an addendum written in the same year

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents i Acknowledgments ii Introduction iii

I The Free Christian Baptists 1 The Congregational Church 1 Henry Alline 2 Early Oromocto Allinites 4 Diversity and Early Church Practices 7

II Congregations 11 Blissville 11 Rusagonis 13 Patterson Settlement 18 French Lake and Geary 21 Waterville 25

III Abner Mersereau 27

IV People 30 Rusagonis Church Book 32 Patterson Settlement Church Book 36 French Lake Church Book 42 Geary Church Book 43 Waterville Church Book 44 1847 Marriage Act Petition 47 1905 Conference Funds 47

Bibliography 49

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Acknowledgements

I am not a religious scholar or an historian, and there are therefore many people to thank for having helped with this paper.

My sincere thanks to Frederick Burnett who shared his unique expertise without reserve. I am indebted for the material that he gave me, for the references that he suggested, and for his gentle but hopefully effective review of drafts. I am sure that I am but one in a long list of people who have benefited from his generosity.

I would like to thank D.G. Bell, without whose Newlight Baptist Journals ... I would never have discovered this rich area of research. Mr. Bell also supplied material which was directly useful in this paper.

Ms. Pat Townsend of the Baptist Archives at Acadia University was helpful in referring my enquiries to Mr. Burnett, to Dr. Griffin-Allwood, to Dr. Robert Wilson, and to Rev. Roland McCormick - all of whom were of assistance. Rev. McCormick's encouragement was especially helpful.

As always, the staff of the New Brunswick Provincial Archives in Fredericton was tireless in granting my many library loan requests.

And finally, thank you to my many family history/ genealogy friends, with whom I have constructed an historical framework upon which to hang Sunbury County facts.

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Introduction

Oromocto River Baptists are almost entirely drawn from the Free Christian Baptist Church, one of two denominations which united in 1905 to form the present United Baptist Church. By 1871, for example, 70% of all people in Blissville Parish were of the Free Christian Baptist faith, compared with only 7% for the ‘regular’ or Calvinist Baptists. Union was not a ‘rapprochement’, or a re-establishment of relations, as the Free Christian Baptist Church had not been in any way a branch of the regular Baptist Church. The two churches had been quite separate from one another.

In addition to being an independent denomination, it is important to know that the Free Christian Baptist Church was created in the Maritime Provinces. It was indigenous and was not imported from New England. The principles by which it was created were at odds with majority orthodoxy, creating an historical break or watershed. We must therefore look back no further than the 1770s to see its beginnings, and this is why this paper begins with a description of the Congregational Church in Maugerville.

A general discussion of the Free Christian Baptists is followed by stories about specific congregations. The list of congregations included reflects the author’s interests in the area between Rusagonis and Hoyt. The amount of space dedicated to Elder Abner Mersereau also reflects a special interest.

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I

The Free Christian Baptists

The Congregational Church

The earliest English settlement in Maugerville was founded in 1762. This community had an active Congregational Church that was creedal, ordered, and Calvinistic. The Church was creedal, in that it set the basis of its faith down on paper as part of the process of forming the church in the first place. The congregation's covenant was a statement of faith.

"We ... do (as we hope) with some measure of seriousness and sincerity take upon us the following covenant, ...."

Re-printed by James Haney, in The Maugerville Settlement, N.B.H.S. Collections, 1, p 69.

This meant that the Church was ordered and organizational. The members also defined themselves in terms of prevailing thought, as expressed in a catechism.

"... we cordially adhere to the principles of ... the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly of Divines...."

ibid.

They were also organized internally.

"And it is our purpose ... to discharge the duties of Christian love and Brotherly watchfulness toward each other, ...."

ibid. and

"... respecting Church discipline it is our purpose to adhere to the methods (prescribed by) ... the synod at Cambridge in New England Ano. Dom. 1648."

ibid.

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They were also Calvinistic, believing in salvation by election.

"... depending (on) Him to do all for us, and to work all in us, especially relating to our eternal salvation, being sensible that in ourselves we can do nothing."

ibid.

Continued immigration would have made it difficult for the Maugerville church to remain the unanimous religious expression of the people. There were trends in New England that were changing things there, and even the Saint John River was not so remote as to avoid these influences forever. However, as it turned out, there were Maritime events that would be even more powerful in bringing radical change.

Henry Alline

Henry Alline was a Congregational preacher who led what is called the Nova Scotia Great Awakening between 1776 and his death in 1784. He visited Maugerville in 1779 and established a church on the Saint John River. To call Henry Alline a Congregationalist is mostly to say that he was raised in that Church. He has also been described as a Separate Congregationalist whose doctrine departed significantly, over time, from the mainstream church. After his death, his followers continued to develop along independent lines until their Congregational roots became indiscernible. Alline's movement spread throughout the Maritime Provinces like a fire, and changed forever the state of religion there. Never before, nor since, has there been such a revival, or such a time of change in Atlantic Canada.

The Congregationalists were devastated. W.S. MacNutt compared the effect of Alline's revival

"... to a loose shower of sparks that had left nothing behind it."

New Brunswick - a History, p 167.

The images of 'devastation' and 'fire' and 'a loose shower of sparks' are from earlier historians and correctly portray how the mainstream Congregationalists must have felt.

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"He (Alline) had set himself with Design to overthrow and destroy the Doctrines of Calvinism, Root and Branch: Witness his rejection of the Doctrines of Election and Predestination."

Jon. Scott, Halifax, 1784 - as quoted by Frederick Burnett in Henry Alline's "Articles & Covenant of a Gospel Church".

More recent writers will note that the development of these divergent doctrines took place over time, and that they were part of a Maritime religious and cultural building process - a more positive interpretation.

The churches that Alline established had no denominational name. Today they are called 'New Light' or 'Allinite' churches, but they would have called themselves simply 'Christians' or perhaps 'Gospel Churches'.

The New Light theology relied upon the conversion experience as the only true indication of religious sincerity and the only means to salvation. This was a theology of individual salvation through conversion, which was often rapturous and was diametrically opposed to the Calvinist view. The rapturous quality of the conversion experience was proof of its efficacy.

Religious life was guided only, and to a radical extent, by the teachings of the New Testament. The New Testament was not only a basis for religious and moral life, but was also used as a guide in matters of church policy in non-religious areas. Consequently, there were no catechisms and, while Alline was not averse to covenants or creeds, his followers soon rejected these also.

"First, Resolved to take the Holy Bible for our rule of faith and practice, and God for our Counselor."

Blissville, 1833, as compiled by Sharpe and Smith, 1939.

This is about as detailed a statement of faith as can be found among our early religious ancestors after about 1816. Generally, they were not prepared to rely on imperfect documents and preferred Paul's reminder that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).

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Churches in Carleton County and in York County were very succinct:

"We take the word of the Lord to be the rule of this church and will square our lives by it."

Quoted by Frederick Burnett.

The importance of the conversion experience, and the authority of the New Testament were the two main principles of the New Light movement, and neither was likely intended to be taken in preference to the other. However, the efficacy of the conversion experience led to the view that some religious expressions were non-essential. Henry Alline himself came to reject baptism as unnecessary, for example, though there was disagreement on this point.

"We beleave that the Baptism of water being non-essencial ought not to be a bar of communion among true Christians, but each one ought to have their own liberty of Conscience in that particular matter." Henry Alline's "Articles & Covenant ...", referenced above.

Some groups even questioned the necessity of reference to the Bible though, as we shall see, the Oromocto River people and most Free Christian Baptists were of a more doctrinal bent. Nonetheless, the New Light or Allinite movement was the source of the Oromocto River Free Christian Baptist Churches. It was these groups which formed the Christian Churches beginning in 1833; that changed their name to Free Christian Baptist in 1847; and that joined with the regular Baptists in 1905.

In this paper, 'Free Christian Baptist' is used somewhat interchangably with 'Christian', though the former term came into use only in 1847. In the words of one researcher, it was a matter of a 'rose by any other name'. Strictly speaking, the name Christian should apply between 1833 and 1847, and the name Free Christian Baptist should be used between 1847 and 1905.

Early Oromocto Allinites

Daniel Shaw was a traveling Allinite preacher and, with others, was at the root of the Oromocto River Free Christian Baptist movement. He visited this and other areas between ca 1800 and 1838. Others who probably visited and may have had an equal influence included at least Nathaniel Churchill, Amos Watson, Matthew Fenwick and Clark Alline, Henry's nephew. 5

In 1810, some Allinite churches became regular Baptist and closed communion to non- members in order to force compliance with the union. This was a departure from Allinite tradition, and created division. Many Allinite people refused to join the regular Baptists - including those on the Oromocto. On the other hand, this experience also created unity, as the Allinite churches became more and more distinct. With nearly thirty years having passed since the Loyalist influx, New Brunswickers were beginning to create a distinctive history - something more than 'a loose shower of sparks'.

By 1812, there is evidence of a strong Allinite presence on the Oromocto. Ziba Pope, a traveling lumberman, described his conversion experience:

"... it was not long before the meeting came to be powerful and I immediately cried for mercy and desired the children of god to pray for me and was not long before I was lost to anything here below and the next thing i knew it was dark and the meeting was dismissed and only a few there besides the family which was Thomas Phillips viz. Mr. (Jason) Mash, Mr. (Jonathan) Pride, Ann Phillips, who prayed for me nearly all night Oh Lord reward her for her attention to me, an unworthy worm. Oh my distress of soul if I had had ten thousand worlds like this I would have give them all for an interest in Jesus but I felt that nothing in this world would do me any good it appeared to me that I had sinned away the day of grace long ago - I was in this distress of soul until nearly day light next morning when I had a view as it appeared to me of the whole world and soon after there appeared to be a light before me, just raised above this world of darkness and my mind appeared to be raised with this light .... I saw the ways of man are evil and lead to darkness so that no order or forms of man is anything better than chains to bind the poor soul in darkness and death Oh the people of Oromocto they appeared to be nearer to me than any of my own flesh and blood relatives .... Oh glory to God that he ever brought me among such blessed souls to shew me my standing, these fifteen days I have spent here .... and many blessed meetings and many I believe on my own account ...."

This powerful conversion experience was Allinite, as was rejection of the 'order or forms of man'.

All of this time, the regular Baptists were active as well. In 1826, there was a regular Baptist Church in Rusagonis, for example, and Solomon Smith was a member. However, the Allinite movement was irresistible and the Baptist Church did not last. Solomon Smith became one of the first deacons of the Rusagonis Christian Church, and was later ordained.

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Samuel Nutt was a New England Christian Connection preacher, and visited the Oromocto about the time that the first Christian Churches were formed there. He had travelled elsewhere in New Brunswick previously, and was the one who suggested holding the first Christian Conference, which took place in 1832.

The 1832 Conference was pivotal in joining together the Allinite groups. It was also a break with their tradition of total congregational independence.

"We (believe) that it may be profitable to call for advice, & Council from Sister Churches, which ought to be taken as far as it is warrantable by the word and Spirit of god, but their Judgment alone is not to be imposed on the major part of the church."

Henry Alline's "Articles & Covenant ...", referenced above.

The Oromocto Allinites were a Baptist-like people, and had still rejected the union of 1810. They were, however, prepared to accept association with the Christian Connection, with whom they shared a radical reliance upon the New Testament. The Christian Connection was not a 'threat'. They were like-minded people. Churches were quickly established on the Oromocto with the help of people like George Garrity (for a while), and Abner Mersereau, and William Pennington.

That these 'Christians' were Allinites and not regular Baptists is evident from the 1834 Christian Conference, where they debated the necessity of baptism. They were a baptizing people (always adult believer's baptism by full immersion), but the Allinite teachings persisted, and would for many years. Even the name 'Christian' was a continuation of Allinite thinking, as it was the only name that could be drawn from the New Testament.

Other evidence of Allinite tradition is in the Blissville minutes of meeting forming the Christian Church there in 1833. Quoted above, they took the Bible as paramount, being mentioned even before God, which was not the usual convention. There was little else in the way of elaboration in their statement of faith.

Joshua Barnes was a Free Christian Baptist preacher who lived and worked on the Oromocto a couple of times during his career. He was not given to subtleties, and comparing the Free Christian Baptists with the regular Baptists he said: 7

"(The Free Christian Baptist) work was, as a Baptist minister said recently, 'to kill hyper-Calvinism'. This work now being complete, our mission as a separate people is ended, and we are united with our Baptist brethren to do better work for God and our fellowmen."

Lights and Shadows of Eighty Years, 1911, p 71.

There is some truth in this, inasmuch as the Free Christian Baptists had become radically non-Calvinistic. However, D.G. Bell has also observed that there was a recurring desire to be accepted as a regular denomination; thus the association with the Christian Connection, the Marriage Act petition campaign, and so forth - leading to union in 1905.

Diversity and Early Church Practices

The nature of the New Light movement almost guaranteed diversity. The church had been composed of separate congregations without an overall structure, for example. In an Oromocto River context, however, diversity led to a more doctrinal church, rather than to a less doctrinal one.

"... after (the) meeting we repaired to the water where fifteen (were baptized)." Thomas Smith, Rusagonis, 1833. Emphasis added. The Oromocto River people also saw themselves as a 'Church', though always in the context of a community of believers rather than as an organization or building.

"We, the professed followers of Jesus Christ, met in the house of God ... to form ourselves into a Visible Body, or Church." Blissville, 1833, as compiled by Sharpe and Smith, 1939. Emphasis added.

"... concluded by the strength of the Blessing of God to have a Christian Church organized." Thomas Smith Rusagonis, 1833. Emphasis added. 8

"after meeting, Brother John Phillips manifested his desire to walk in Church." As above.

"... met again for our regular conference. All the Church came together." As above.

In the early days there were usually no pastors in today's sense. Preachers would travel where they felt led to go, and none were paid a salary. None of them would have wanted to be known as a "hireling". Elder Mersereau, for example, would have preached at meetings and at weddings and at funerals, but was under no contractual obligation. If he felt called to leave and to minister to other congregations instead, then he would do so.

No Baptist of any kind would have been called 'Reverend' before around 1860. The usual term was Elder. Therefore, Abner Mersereau of Blissville would have been called Elder Mersereau, as would Elder Pennington of Rusagonis, and so forth. The terms 'minister' and 'pastor' were used, but not as honorifics. Later references to 'Reverend' Abner Mersereau are, for example, superimposed. The term 'preacher' was more common then than now, and was not considered off-handed.

Before revision of the Marriage Act, Free Christian Baptist Elders were not permitted to perform marriages - and not many of them disobeyed the law. Abner Mersereau was a notable exception to this, and performed several marriages before he was permitted to do so - allowing them even to be announced in the newspapers. More often, marriage was by Justice of the Peace, with Free Christian Baptist church people acting as witnesses.

Church services included a lot of congregational singing without a piano or any other instruments. There was no choir in the early days.

"The meeting opened with singing and prayer."

Geary, 1870.

Testimonials and exhortations were common, as was the expectation of closeness to God. "We beleave that Christ is the only Door into the church, & therefore members ought to come in by the Spirit of god & that by giving a publick relation of a work of grace upon their hearts."

Henry Alline's "Articles & Covenant ...", referenced above.

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"December 21, met again for our regular conference, all the church present, .... A goodly number of witnesses came forward and related the dealings of God, and truly the Lord was in our midst."

Rusagonis, 1833.

"The church came together and we had a good time. Four and twenty came forward and told the dealings of God."

Rusagonis, 1833.

Enthusiasm was sometimes less evident, and the revival was a means of increasing it once again.

"A revival commenced on the 1st of March this year, by Rev. S.J. Perry. The meetings had been closed for awhile on account of an Epidemic being in the place, and the cause of religion was quite low but by the Preaching of God's Servant and the prayers of the brethern and Sisters, a glorious revival has Commenced in this Church." Rusagonis, 1894. Emphasis as found

"It was not long before the meeting came to be powerful." Ziba Pope, Oromocto River, 1812.

"(I) was blessed to see a precious season of revival at French Lake." Joshua Barnes, 1874, Conference minutes.

In the early days, offerings were not taken.

Before churches were built, the meetings were held in private homes and in public buildings.

"The next day being sabbath, we met at Mr. Thomas Nason's." Rusagonis, 1833.

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"During the winter ..., near French Lake. A number were converted. We held the meetings in private houses." Joshua Barnes, 1873. Lights and Shadows of Eighty Years, p 94.

"I had an appointment to attend at the French Lake schoolhouse ...." Joshua Barnes, winter, 1874-75. ibid., p 99.

When churches were finally built, they were often cold and uncomfortable in the winter.

"There was a load of wood on the fire, but we still had to sit through the service wearing our winter coats." Clarence Wood, French Lake, ca 1915.

At one time, men sat on the left of the center aisle and women on the right. In some churches, the seats faced the center aisle so that you had to turn your head to see the service.

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II

Congregations

Blissville

Only a brief account can be given of the history of the Blissville church, because the Church Books are not at the N.B. Archives. The best alternate source is a history written in 1939 by Rev. George E. Sharpe, and Miss. Viola Smith. Much of this material is from that history with some additional information as supplied by Katherine DeWitt. The church was quite rightly called "the first church on the south branch of the Oromocto" in the old Conference papers.

"We the professed followers of Jesus Christ met at the house of God in this place with Elder Pennington to form ourselves into a visible Body, or Church to govern ourselves with the assistance of God, and to be known by the name of the Christian church in this place. God in his mercy was pleased to visit us with his Power and Spirit in a blessed manner."

Blissville, September 7, 1833, as compiled by Sharpe and Smith, 1939.

It is not correct that they took the name 'Free Christian Baptist Church', as has sometimes been reported.

Abner Mersereau was appointed the first pastor, Daniel Smith the first deacon, and Walter Patterson the first clerk, all on September 7, 1833.

The Blissville church began with 48 members in 1833. By 1864 there were 148 members; by 1883, 127 members; and by 1939 there were 96 members. In all, by 1939, there had been a total of 472 members.

The period of rapid growth saw many very large baptismal services. Elder Henry Cronkite baptized 32 candidates on March 26 and April 2, 1843. Forty seven were baptized in 1853, and 35 in 1857. J.S. Johnston who served in 1864 baptized 102 people of the South Branch Oromocto, and also 11 at Geary.

"Elder Pennington baptized eighty three persons from October the seventh, 1855 to September the twenty ninth, 1857."

As compiled by Sharpe and Smith, 1939. 12

The present church building at Blissville is the second one to be built there and dates from 1860-61. The first funeral to take place in the new building was that of Daniel Smith who died in October of 1861. At the time of the funeral, the pews had not yet been installed and the congregation was seated on planks supported on wooden blocks.

A tentative list of pastors from 1833 to 1883 follows. This list includes some people that would be better termed 'visitors' although all, except W. Yerxa, were Christian or Free Christian Baptist Elders:

William Pennington 1833. Visitor, & organizer with Mersereau. Abner Mersereau 1833-53. First pastor & overall responsibility. Jonathan Hamilton 1840. Visitor only. American. Henry Cronkite March, 1842- Samuel McKeown 1845- Visitor? Career mostly in Nova Scotia. William Pennington March, 1850-1857...? Samuel Hartt Oct. to Nov., 1852. Visitor assisting Pennington. Joseph Noble 1853-55. Part time, assisting Pennington. W. Yerxa Sept, 1853-. Visitor assist' Pennington. Not ordained. Edward Weyman ca 1858-60. Benjamin Merritt ca 1863. J.S. Johnston 1864. American, 1 year only. Expelled: business misconduct. Thomas O. DeWitt ca 1868. John E. Reud Dec. 31, 1871-Feb. 11, 1872. Jacob Gunter John C. MacKenzie - to 1833

From 1883 to August, 1939, the list is more certain:

Thomas O. DeWitt Abraham Perry George Fraser Curry C.A. Bell William Henry Perry David Patterson A.H. Williams, Lic. W.J. Richardson O.N. Mott J.A. Corey J.J. Barnes (cousin of Joshua N. W.H. Jenkins Barnes) D.W. Dixon Clement Wilson H.D. Worden William O. Kierstead George E. Sharpe G.W. Foster John W. Mott, Lic.

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Deacons from 1833 to 1939 were:

Daniel Smith Andrew Hoyt Luke DeWitt Hubert Webb Thatcher Smith Austin Webb Thomas Smith Jarvis S. Hayward Richardson Webb Elgan F. Smith Abner W. Mersereau (b. 1831, son of Abner Mersereau)

Rusagonis

Thomas Smith was one of three Loyalist brothers who settled on the Oromocto River. His birth date is uncertain, but he was likely around 80 years old when the Christian Church was formed in Rusagonis. He was the first church clerk, and his detailed record of events is the primary source of information about those days.

Thomas saw his job as a sacred duty.

"Thomas Smith an unworthy follower of Jesus begs an interest in all the prayers of the Children of God to enable him to perform this important task and fill the place of clerk with an eye singled to the glory of God which office his brothers and sisters have been pleased to place him in."

Thomas Smith, 1833. All quotations in this section are from Thomas Smith, except as noted.

He was also aware that his time was short, and this may explain why he was so anxious to record events. He had faith, however, that others would carry on where he left off.

"And he believes that his time is but short in this world, and, by the blessing of God other brothers will survive him to fill this important place."

, 1833.

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Thomas tells us that "the cause of religion was low" when George Garrity began preaching in Rusagonis in mid-1833. Garrity was a schoolmaster from Lincoln and had relatives in Rusagonis. He began preaching probably even before he was a member of the Christian Church. By July 1, 1833 his preaching had developed into a revival, and after several more weeks the people

"... consulted together and being the desire of the young Brethren and Sisters concluded by the strength of the Blessing of God to have a Christian Church organized ...."

, 1833.

This posed a problem, however, since George Garrity was not ordained. He would become Secretary of the Christian Conference and be ordained in November of 1833 only three months after joining the Church, but events were unfolding much too rapidly to await that. So they called upon Elder William Pennington to join them from "down the main river" to help them form a church.

On Sunday, September 22, 1833, Elder Pennington met with them, and preached from Hebrews 6:18.

"After meeting we repaired to the water where fifteen candidates followed the footsteps of our Redeemer ...."

, September 22, 1833.

The church was officially formed about a week later, on Saturday, September 28, 1833. The original members were (spelling as found):

Margaret Carr Zopheniah Nason Abraham Chute John Phillips Edmond Crickmore Lydda Phillips Abba Grass Phebe Phillips John Jones Andrew Smith, Junior Lydda Jones Andrew Smith - Deacon Putman Jones Charlotte Smith Thomas Jones Solomon Smith - Deacon Hariat Nason Thomas Smith, Junior John Nason Thomas Smith - Clerk Thomas Nason

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Deacon Andrew Smith was Thomas's brother, and Deacon Solomon Smith was Thomas's son. Solomon was ordained after a few years.

In the very early days the church met regularly twice a week, on Saturdays and on Sundays. This was because the new church had a lot of business to conduct. Later, the Saturday 'conference' or business/prayer meetings became monthly, as was the norm with other congregations.

The church grew rapidly during late 1833.

"... four came forward and joined the Church."

, Saturday, September 29, 1833.

"After meeting, Brother John Phillips (joined)."

, Saturday, October 19, 1833.

"... three came forward and manifested a desire to walk in Church fellowship."

, Saturday, December 21, 1833.

By late 1833, George Garrity had been ordained.

"After meeting, Brother George Garrity Broke Bread and the Lord was in our midst to feed his children ...."

, December 22, 1833.

Important dates in the history of the Rusagonis church include:

• 1838, when the first church was built. This was also the year when there was a falling-out with George Garrity.

• 1857, when there were 67 baptisms. Other years when there were large numbers of baptisms included 1864, 1894, 1921 and 1933.

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• 1877, when 22 members were released to form another church.

"Request of the Church Members at Waasis. We hereby ask permission to be formed into a church under the name of the Free Christian Baptist Church Waasis.

Request was granted March 8, 1877 Lemuel Jones, Clark"

• 1890, when there was a problem caused by the sale of pews • 1894, when there was a revival following a period of epidemic

The first church building was constructed in 1838, and George Garrity was instrumental in this. The church was renovated several times before it was rebuilt in 1924 by S.L. Currie, the very well known Fredericton Junction carpenter/builder. A new basement and a choir room and a furnace were added in 1960.

Church membership varied, but has always been sizable. From 21 members in 1833, the membership grew to 134 by 1870. A low point was in 1883 when there were 96 members, but this rebounded to 153 by 1899. There were 153 members by the centennial in 1933.

Sources differ as to the list of pastors that served since 1833. Following is one list, taken from a 1933 newspaper article with penciled notations, as found in the N.B. Archives.

William E. Pennington 2 terms. 1833. John Perry Jacob Gunter 4 terms. 1850s, 1874, 1883 Arthur Marsh, Lic. Ezekiel MacLeod ? (scratched out) J.S. Johnston American 1864 only. Expelled: business misconduct John McKenzie … Brown J.W.C. Clark George Fraser Currie 1883. H.A. Bonnell 1890. W. Downey 1891. S.J. Perry 1894. Thomas O. DeWitt G.B. Lewis

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Joshua N. Barnes W.E. Carpenter E.H. Cochrane A.E. Kochaley H.R. Boyer A.J. Vincent A.H. MacLeod David Patterson T.D. Bell W.H. Killam J.A. Corey F.C.W. Hutt, Lic. 1933

Pastors since 1933 (to ----) included:

Sanford D. Rickard Terrence K. Amos Kenneth Blakeny William Glenn Judson A. Corey Horace Morgan Mrs. Ersel Moore, Lic. Kenneth Yeo, Lic. Willard Wilson Gerald Matthews Gordon Beck Winston Parks Kitchener Dow Derek Jones, Lic. Russell Sturgeon Robert Johnson, Lic.

One of the most serious problems to arise at Rusagonis involved George Garrity.

"Met in church meeting with Elders Samuel Hartt, William Pennington, Abner Mersereau and Elder Hamilton from the United States, ... to take into consideration circumstances relating to George Garrety in consequence of his refusing to inact his brethren in causes at sundry times."

, August 6, 1838. Spelling as found.

It was decided to summon Mr. Garrity to account for himself, but he did not respond positively.

".... We then read a letter ... stating his reasons for not meeting with his brethren .... After we had considered the contents of the letter the church then spoke one by one when it was found that all present with the exception of one still wished to unite with their brethren in General Conference."

, mid-September, 1838.

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George Garrity was expelled from the Christian Church on October 5, 1838, whereupon he joined the 'Disciples'. Garrity remained an outsider. Joshua Barnes observed years later, that he was in Grand Manan "making divisions on every hand". George's brother Edwin later became a Free Christian Baptist minister.

Another less dramatic problem was in 1890.

"It was moved and seconded that a committee be appointed to call on all who had bid on seats in the meeting house and find what sum it would take to release the pews and make it a free church."

A.A. Nason, Clerk, July 26, 1890.

Some members had refused to attend church over this issue, that was at odds with policy that all members should contribute "voluntarily without Rates and fines" (Henry Alline's "Articles & Covenant ...", referenced above). The committee was comprised of Rev. H.A. Bonnell, and Brother S.E. Nason. There are no further records of this dispute.

Patterson Settlement

The church at Patterson Settlement (Hoyt) can trace its history further back in time than any other Baptist Church on the Oromocto. However, details of the church before 1838, when it became Free Christian Baptist by name, are few. Most of what we know comes from histories written by Stanley Parsons - a long standing church clerk. Mr. Parsons' work can be supplemented by the Church Books at the New Brunswick Provincial Archives, but these are in poor condition and are difficult to follow.

Levi Parsons immigrated from Ireland in 1809, and received a land grant in Hoyt in 1810. Levi was a preacher, and led a congregation at Patterson Settlement (Hoyt) between 1818 and 1838.

Local histories imply that Levi Parsons was a Baptist, but it is not necessary to assume that he was Baptist just because the church later became 'Christian'. He could have been a regular Baptist, or a New Light follower of the teachings of Henry Alline, or even a Methodist. Any of these possibilities would be consistent with the church's much later designation of 'Free Christian Baptist'. Levi Parsons is not known to some Free Christian Baptist scholars, increasing the possibility that he was of another denomination.

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On the other hand, there are no surviving Conference records from before 1850. Some earlier history written from memory in around 1850 contains a few errors and is not complete. Therefore, the lack of surviving records about Levi Parsons does not necessarily mean that he was not an Allinite in the same tradition as others chronicled here. The matter therefore remains open for further debate and discovery.

Members of this early church included:

Peter Cann James Kirkpatrick Joseph Eastwood, Senior William Kirkpatrick John Fitzgerald Lorenzo Parsons John Harron Christopher Patterson James Jones Walter Patterson George Kingston William Patterson David Kirkpatrick Samuel Patterson, Senior Fitzmaurice Kirkpatrick William Turner

The present church was organized, or the existing church was reorganized, by Elder James Boone on August 15, 1838.

As with Levi Parsons, 'Elder' James Boone is a bit of a mystery. It seems probable that James Boone was the man by that name who joined the Waterborough Baptist Church in 1802 and was a member of a Keswick River Baptist Church by 1812. Efforts in 1812 and twice in 1822 to have James Boone ordained came to nothing. By 1833 there was a very divisive movement at the Keswick River Church to have an open communion - a particularly Free Christian Baptist custom - and later in 1833 we find James Boone at Patterson Settlement with the Free Christian Baptists being referred to as "Elder". If James Boone was ordained, then this was likely done by the Free Christian Baptists. No record of James Boone after 1833 has been found at the Keswick Baptist Church.

The first three pastors of the reorganized church were Abner Mersereau, David Oram, and William Pennington, which establishes the church as 'Christian' by that time. The church building was co-owned by the Methodists, who were served in the early days by ministers Whitefield, Edwards, and Teed.

The Patterson Settlement Church was badly damaged by the Saxby Gale, in October, 1869, and a new church was built on land donated by William P. Eastwood and his wife Annie. 20

Ministers who served the Free Christian Baptists during the first hundred years were: Abner Mersereau William Henry Perry 1890 David Oram Lic. A.H. Williams 1896 William Pennington A. Kierstead 1897 Edward Wayman O.N. Mott 1897 Samuel Hartt Visitor. G.W. Foster 1903 Benjamin Merritt ca 1863 J. Barnes 1906 Samuel Downey Abraham Perry 1908 Elijah Crowley … Hobson Supply minister (Probably not ordained. … Thorne Supply minister Maybe a local Lic.) H.D. Warden Supply minister, 1910. (Joshua?) Barnes T.D. Bell Supply minister … Todd C.A. Bell 1912 John McKenzie Assisted by David Patterson 1916 Calvin Cann from N.S. W.J. Richardson 1918 Cyrille Doucett J.A. Corey 1921 Robert French W.H. Jenkins 1925 1876 D.W. Dixon 1926 William Pennington H.D. Warden 1930 1879 George E. Sharpe 1931 John G. McKenzie Assisted Lic. J.W. Mott 1937 by J. Porter 1882 Thomas O. DeWitt 1885

A page from the Patterson Settlement church book reproduced at the back of this report includes a list of ministers extending into the present era, and ending with Lic. Albert Dyer who joined the congregation in 1973. Six others can be added to this list, as follows:

Kenneth Charlton Rev. John Campbell Rev. Victor Mersereau (supply) Rev. Robert Johnson James Tranquilla (supply) Rev. Donald Switzer

This list is current to 1993.

There are not many records of events in the Church Books. However, William Henry Perry is remembered as an able preacher:

"There were 16 present at conference to day, together with Rev. W.H. Perry and we had a heavenly sitting together." October 18, 1885 21

"We had no preaching/meeting in our Church since November. Rev. W.H. Perry came on a visit and Preach(ed) on Sabbath May 26 and it was a very powerful Sermon and at the close of the sermon there was a great number gave testimony to the truth and it seemed evident that the Lord had seen. On June 2nd 12 followed the saviour in the ordinance of baptism eleven of whom joined with the Church on the same evening."

June 2, 1895

This was evidently a continuation of the 1894 revival in Rusagonis, which also saw the (re)establishment of the church in French Lake.

French Lake and Geary

The church at Geary was organized and reorganized at several times. However, the first church was established by 1850 at the latest.

"Two churches in the Parish of Lincoln, one on the North Branch Oromocto, Two on South Branch Oromocto, One in Gary."

Conference Minutes, 1850

The church still existed in 1855:

"Two churches in Lincoln, one near Mr. Mitchell's one in Gornish (i.e., Rusagonis). Church in Parish of Burton at Gary; ...."

Conference Minutes, 1855

However, they were becoming scattered, and were reorganized by Elders T. Connor and J. McKenzie on October 11, 1856, after they had baptized 45 people. Details of the early church are few, until 1867 when lists of financial contributors to the Conference began to be published. S. Brown, and wife Eden D. Carr, and wife George Smith Georgiana Smith Gain Wood Some members/adherents, Geary, 1867. 22

In 1869, Joshua Barnes began his ministry on the Oromocto, and in the following spring

"... I went to Geary and proposed having some meetings, but a number of the people thought it impossible."

Joshua N. Barnes, Lights and Shadows of Eighty Years, p 81.

The Geary Church Book was only begun upon the arrival of Joshua Barnes, but he was not instrumental in establishing the church. The church was about twenty years old by the time he arrived. Nonetheless, Barnes was an able revival leader, and meetings were held both morning and evening for some time.

"Meeting opened with singing and prayer and reading and sermon by Elder Barnes. Brother Smith also spoke."

PANB film F-8154

"The work continued until twenty two had been baptized. The meetings were attended by people from all parts of the field."

Lights and Shadows ..., p81

At least some French Lake people were distracted observers.

The people at Geary have been going to so many meetings that they have not got a single seed into the ground, and will all starve to death next winter.

Paraphrased from Lights and Shadows ..., p81

Deacon Thomas Harper is the first name on the Geary Free Christian Baptist membership role begun in 1870. Albert Boone was clerk; Asham Harper was treasurer; and John Boone was a 'helper'.

During the period between the 1850s and the 1870s, there was no separate church at French Lake. However, some French Lake people attended the church at Geary (Gain Wood and George Smith for example), and there may have been meetings in French Lake also. William Kinghorn included French Lake in his charge as far back as 1856. 23

"The church at Rushagornish has enjoyed the labors of Elder W. Kinghorn one quarter of the time and in connection therewith the Waasis, Beaver Dam, and French Lake settlements as far as Geary."

Conference Minutes, 1856

It was not until the winter of 1873-74 that activity at French Lake began to lead to a separate church.

"During the winter season I enjoyed a good work of grace at Cogswell Settlement, near French Lake .... We held meetings in private houses."

Lights and Shadows ..., p94

Later in 1874, Joshua Barnes

"was blessed to see a precious season of revival at French Lake; three were baptized, and a church of eleven members organized."

Conference Minutes, October, 1874

This church met in the French Lake schoolhouse. Some of the members and adherents were:

Alberta Cogswell John Mealy Mrs. A. Cogswell Alberta Smith Cardine Foss George Smith G. Foss James A. Smith Phebe Foss Abigail Wood Gertrude Mealy Dorothy Wood Conference Minutes, 1874

Joshua Barnes left the Oromocto pastorate in late 1874, and Brother J. Wesley Clarke began his preaching career in French Lake during that winter. He was not quite twenty years of age at that time, and did not stay for very long.

Gain Wood was a deacon of this early church and, after some years, his son William Harrison (Harry) Wood also became a deacon. This church remained active. Zopher Grass preached there in around 1884, and there was a Sunday School as late as 1888 or 1890, at least. However, the original French Lake church, established in 1874, disappeared as a separate organization in about 1873 or 1874 when the congregation united with the church in Geary under the leadership of Zopher Grass.

24

"Bro. Zopher B. Grass has had the care of Waasis, Waterville, Geary, Victoria and Greenfield, with a preaching station at French Lake, which is now no longer on the District roll, having united with the Geary Church."

Conference Minutes, 1884

Zopher Grass left the Geary church in 1887 and, in 1892, the French Lake people decided to reestablish their separate identity and to construct a church building. The next two years were spent raising materials and money. David Morrow, MP, obtained a government grant, and Thomas Wood donated land. The building was constructed under the direction of Harry Wood, who was a carpenter/builder. The work was completed in 1894. This church celebrated its centennial in 1994, but they could just as easily have called it their 120th anniversary because of the existence of the earlier church before Zopher Grass’s time. The local histories do not forget this earlier church, but simply state the fact that the story had been interrupted and that the present church was a reestablished one.

A growing church at French Lake would have put a strain on the church at nearby Geary. This may have been part of the reason for the reorganization of the Geary church in 1896 by Elder John Henderson.

Harry Wood was a deacon of the new French Lake church. He was also a superintendent of Sunday School. Lane Wood and Thomas Wood were also superintendents, and teachers included Mrs. Thomas Wood, Hannah Wood, Mrs. Leslie Carr, and Charles Wood.

The following list of French Lake pastors is only tentative and is based on an incomplete New Brunswick Archives list compiled in 1972.

Joshua N. Barnes ca 1874 Added to the Archives list J. Wesley Clarke ca 1874-75 Added to the Archives list Zopher Grass ca 1884 Added to the Archives list J.H. Copeland 1905-06 Added to the Archives list … Porter Added to the Archives list David Patterson Edited from Archives list J.N. Currie Edited from Archives list George E. Sharpe Edited from Archives list F. Blakely Edited from Archives list A. Colpitts Edited from Archives list W.H. Britton Edited from Archives list 25

… Perry H. Carpenter E. Stevens … Cochrane Lebaron B. Estabrooks Thomas O. DeWitt A. Rogerson J.E. Gosiline Stuart Murray Willard C. Smith … Francis R. Gregg G.W. Foster … Duncan A. Glendenning M. Mollins E. Bezanson Dr. A.C. Vincent … Vallis H. McIntyre

Waterville

The Waterville Church was first established as a branch of the Geary Church in 1870 or 1871 by Joshua Barnes. It was not very active, however, until Zopher Grass's labours of 1883 and 1884. By 1885 they were established as a separate church. "Waterville has not reported for fourteen years until now. For years they were considered as extinct, and some advised that the name be struck off the list. This year, Bro. Grass, assisted at times by Bro. Scribner, has proved that amputation is not always the best treatment for a faint and exhausted member."

Conference Minutes, 1884

As with some of the other congregations, Waterville can therefore claim a history which goes back beyond the official date of their establishment.

This revitalized Waterville Free Christian Baptist Church was organized on April 6, 1885, by Rev. William Kinghorn, whose charge then covered five churches. Zopher Grass was the first pastor, serving until 1887; Charles Smith was the first clerk, serving until 1924; and Daniel Brown was the first Sunday school superintendent, serving until 1897 when Adolphus E. Smith took over this responsibility.

Zopher Grass had been an active Free Christian Baptist for many years, and was among those who had been released from the Rusagonis church in 1887 to form the new church at Waasis. Around the time of his service at Waterville he was also preaching or helping at the Greenfield, Victoria, Waasis, Geary, and Upper Gagetown churches, as well as at the preaching station at French Lake. He was granted a license by the 4th District but the Conference refused to recognize this as he was preaching "full salvation", or a second religious experience after conversion. In around 1887 he became ordained in the Reformed Baptist denomination and continued his career in the Moncton area.

26

Of the 39 people who joined the Waterville Free Christian Baptist Church between 1885 and 1898, 17 were Smiths - descendants of the three Loyalist brothers Thomas, Andrew, and Samuel Smith who were active in the church in the earliest days. There were also ten members from the Foss family, and a fewer number from the Alcorn, Brown, Cogswell, and Estabrooks families.

The Waterville church has never been large. There were about 18 members in 1885, and membership remained mostly in the 12 to 25 range up to the early 1940s after which there are fewer detailed records. Upon union, in 1905, there were 29 members, including six non-residents. There were also twenty adherents.

In the early days the church met in private homes. Later, they met in the schoolhouse. Construction of the church building was begun by Harry Wood of French Lake, using $100.00 of his own money. Harry installed the distinctive bias pattern tongue-and-groove interior paneling himself. This was possibly in 1921-22, since the building was dedicated on May 22, 1922, during Rev. J.E. Goseline's tenure.

Some pastors who served since 1885 were:

Lic. Zopher Grass 1885-1887 Stewart Murray 1949-1952 blank in the record Edward N. Bezanson 1952-1954 Charles Sterling 1897-1897 Frank Blakely 1954-1957 blank in the record R.A. Colpitts 1957-1959 James E. Goseline ca 1922 Hartley Britton 1959-1965 Freeman Currie 1925-1927 Lorne Matheson 1965-1967 blank in the record blank in the record … Carpenter 1938 Hartley Britton 1972-1977 … Glendenning 1939 apparently without a minister in 1978 Frank Mullins 1947-1948 Lic. Donald MacDougall 1979 (Ordained, Nov., 1979.)

Church clerks were long-serving in the early days:

Charles Smith 1885-1924 Mrs. Everett Smith 1960-1961 William Smith 1924-1947 Mrs. Douglas Morehouse 1961-1964 Mrs. Maurice Harper 1947-1955 Stanley Keizer 1964-1974 Charles S. Smith 1955-1960 Marion Keizer 1974-

27

III

Abner Mersereau

Abner Mersereau was born on October 8, 1802, in Blissville, and was of Loyalist stock. He was the sixth son of Lawrence and Hester (Taylor) Mersereau, and a grandson of John and Gertrude (Van Horne) Mersereau. John and Lawrence, and Lawrence's brother Andrew, arrived in New Brunswick in July or August of 1783 as part of the Loyalist evacuation of New York. Other Mersereaus who arrived during that summer were of the same extended Staten Island Mersereau family.

John Mersereau had a very strong and determined personality, and there is little doubt that he acted as family patriarch until his death in 1814. John Mersereau would not tolerate opposition from anyone, and it is particularly hard to imagine that he would tolerate it from his own family. Therefore, since John Mersereau was a strong and even partisan supporter of the Church of England, the whole family must have done likewise. Certainly Lawrence and Andrew supported their father in opposing the Congregational Church in Maugerville.

It is safe to assume that Abner was of the first generation of Mersereaus to depart from the Church of England.

The land where Abner was born was part of the original grant of land in Blissville, made in 1787 to John, Lawrence, Andrew, and nine others. The grant also included a school lot and a church lot. The Mersereaus got several lots, but the center of activity for this story is lots 1 and 2 that went to John and Lawrence respectively. Abner was likely born on lot 2. Both of these lots were eventually owned by Abner, and extended from the corner of Highway 101 at Blissville on the east side of the river, to include Mersereau Stream to the north of the corner and an equal area to the south.

Abner married Mary Ann Hoyt on October 28, 1822, and probably continued to live on lot 2. His father, Lawrence, had died when Abner was only eleven years old, and Abner bought both lots from his father's estate a little over a year after he was married.

Abner and Mary Ann had a family of ten surviving children.

Abner Mersereau is best remembered as a Christian and Free Christian Baptist minister. He was chosen the first pastor of the Blissville Christian Church in September of 1833, and was ordained the next week. He was a close associate of Elder William Pennington, who he respected enough to name his youngest son William Pennington Mersereau.

28

Elder Mersereau was one of the foremost ministers of his day. Someone once observed that he was a very faithful and true man of God.

During all of his pastoral life, he had the general care of all of the Free Christian Baptist churches on the Oromocto River. Other ministers would come and go, but he remained responsible. By 1851, he had four churches

"... one church at Hampstead, one at Gagetown, and two on the Oromocto, in all four - to Elder A. Mersereau."

Conference minutes

The church at Hampstead indicates that Abner Mersereau was required to travel often.

Other examples of responsibility were his involvement in the George Garrity debate at Rusagonis in 1838, and his revival activities with Elder Samuel McKeown at Blissville in 1845.

Elder Mersereau was elected moderator of the Christian Conference for the first time in 1836. Between 1836 and 1852, he was elected moderator more often than any other minister, serving at Wakefield in Carleton County (3 times), Douglas (once), and in Brighton and Lincoln.

From 1835 to 1849, two conferences met. Abner Mersereau was moderator of the upper conference in Carleton County five times, and was the only Free Christian Baptist from southern New Brunswick to meet with them so often.

Abner Mersereau visited the Nova Scotia conference at least once.

In 1840, Abner took the Oath of Allegiance, which was required of public speakers.

Before revision of the Marriage Act, Free Christian Baptist elders were not permitted to perform marriages. Nonetheless, on May 23, 1844, Abner married a couple in Hampstead in defiance of the Act. The marriage was reported in the newspapers. He did this again on January 9, 1845 in Wickam, and on December 4, 1845, when he performed the marriage of his daughter Mary Ann to Henry Tracy of Blissville. No other Free Christian Baptist minister is known to have so risked prosecution.

Abner Mersereau suffered quite badly toward the end of his life. By September of 1852, he was in Fredericton undergoing surgery and treatments with caustic substances to remove a mouth cancer. 29

"Fredericton, September 13th - 1852

Dear wife and family I take this opportunity to let you know how I am duing on Thursday last the doctor cut away the flesh out of my mouth and Remove a tuth and since that has been plying costict and it is very painfull and Considerable (swollen) and is very sore I am at the former place the nights are long and seem --?-- but I must submit to my lot You must try to resign yourself to that is com upon us and be still I am very anxoius to get home but cannot know I shall come as Soon as the doctor will consent for me to come Tell Samuel and orlo that they better not go down River till I come home and then they shall go for I want to sende by them the minister and some word about selling my oxen.

The doctor says that he cannot tell how longe I will have to stay here at present but he thinks a week or so Content your Self don't be onesuey about me, if I get wose I will let you now.

The doctor talks (encouraging) and that it can be cured but I do not Know how it will go with me. God knoweth. Yours untill deth."

Abner Mersereau"

Three weeks later, Abner was writing his will and gifting land to one of his sons. Alexander Taylor and John Slipp visited him late that year

"... and found him very sick and ready to pass away to his rest. He was happy in God."

Quoted by Frederick Burnett.

Abner died on March 24, 1853.

"The Church (had) lost a faithful watchman and a large circuit the care of a devoted labourer."

Quoted by Frederick Burnett from History of the Baptists of the Maritime Provinces, by Edward M. Saunders, Halifax, 1902.

Mary Ann survived Abner by 14 years. They are both in the Blissville Baptist cemetery. 30

IV

People

These lists are from three sources, and are presented in the following sequence:

o lists from the Church Books, as found at the New Brunswick Provincial Archives, o a list of those who signed the Marriage Act petitions of 1847, and o lists of contributors to the 1905 Free Baptist General Conference funds.

The Church Book lists are mostly membership rolls, and have been transcribed as found, including odd page number sequencing in some cases, and unusual spelling. The transcriptions are generally presented as facing pages for consistency, since men are sometimes listed on one page and women on the facing page. In other cases, the facing- page arrangement is not important.

Some of the membership rolls are dispersed throughout the Church Books, and separated by other material only some of which was transcribed. Consecutive arrangement of pages should therefore not be assumed except where they are shown as facing pages.

Many of the Church Books extend into the present era, but contemporary church members are not included in these transcriptions.

Many of the abbreviations indicate non-current membership. X, R, NR (name removed), and Death, etc. are generally synonymous. Editorial notes are relatively few and are shown in red.

The list of signers of the 1847 Marriage Act petitions was compiled by Frederick Burnett from the originals. Mr. Burnett advises that

The persons signing them had to be males, 21 years old, and owners of property with all taxes paid. Unfortunately, they do not give the addresses, and many pages of names from widely separated areas are fastened together. One sheet has names from Lincoln and Mouth of Oromocto. It is followed with one with the following names."

This list has been alphabetized.

31

The 1905 Free Baptist General Conference lists are of contributors to the Conference Fund, the Women's Mission Fund, and the Mission Band. Most people contributed twenty five cents. The lists include church members and adherents. Lists of contributors to the various funds have been combined and alphabetized.

Rusagonis Church Book 32

Baptized and joined the Church December, 1846

Males Females

Samuel Jones (dead) Frances Smith dead

1894 Samuel K. Nason (dead) Margaret Nason dead Sept 3rd Jane Nason Dead Holland Smith (dead) Elizabeth Morgan (This page not transcribed) Removed David Nason (dead) Ann Morgan Removed Morgan Nason (Removed) Elizabeth Lounden Died (dead) Aug. ‘87 Hepzabeth Gullishan (with Zopher Phillips (dead) an illegible note) Thomas Jones (Dead) Phebe Sinkler dead Rec’d Alexander Morgan Removed Elizabeth Grass Sept 1894 Martha Grass dead Dead Thomas Morgan Removed Elizabeth (illegible) David Morgan (dead) Olive Jones Dismissed Persons Baptized by Elder Gunter (page?) 77

in October, 1854

Males Females

Samuel Smith (Dead) Martha Phillips Removed

Simeon Lord (Removed) Caroline Smith (Dead) John Nason Removed by Sarah A. Nason (Dead)

Letter Mary Louden Removed (This page not transcribed) Uriah Nason Dead. dis. by Ellen Louden Letter Mary Nancy J.

Thomas Louden Removed Mourey Dead

Elisha Smith Removed Susan Smith (Dead)

Baptized by Elder Pennington

Nathaniel Bulyea (Dead) Lotta A. Nason dead Albert Bulyea (Dead) Adeline Smith Dead John Sinclair Elizabeth McLeary William Sinclair dead Removed Removed Martha A. McLeary George Smith (Dead) Removed Charles Smith Dead Phebe Nason Dead 1894 Samuel Peabody Dead Mary Savory Removed Douglass Nason Removed Emeline Grass Wesley Bulyea (Removed) Removed (blank) McLeary Removed Mary Nason Lemuel G. Nason Dead Mary Jones Dead Melvin (dead) Nason Removed Jane Hodgen George H. Smith dead Mary A. Phillips dis. John Smith by letter William Soles Isabel Johnston Thomas Hododen Dead (Removed) David Nason 1870 Dead

33

Rusagonis, continued

Odber Sewell Removed Nov.9th, 1857 by Elder Pennington James Lewis Removed David Gullison Note Mrs. Wm. Sinclair Eliza Sinclair Died in 1892 David Nason was a Member 35 yrs Rebecca Peabody James Noble Dead Removed Melvin Smith Died 1892 Louisa Grass Waasis Horace Nason Waasis November 10th, 1854. Baptized November 4, 1857 John Nason Snr. Dead Mary Nason Senior Dead 5 X Mary A. Peabody Died Elizabeth Nason Dead Elizabeth Peabody Margaret Bunker Dead Eleanor McCormich (dead) Aug., 1833 Isabella Gullison

Unice Grass Waasis November 8th, 1857

November 22nd, 1854 Hugh McCumahes died Imanda Grass

William Gulliso n Phebe A. Gullison died Baptized by Elder Pennington at Oromocto Thomas Gullison Louise (K--?--) and Joined the Church at this place Daniel Gullison David Nason (The reader should Allan McLeary William Howe double check this page Warren Nason Abner Grass Waasis at the Archives. Ink Waasis George Grass Died bleeds through from Jonathan Nason July 24th, 1890 the preceding page.) Odber Nason Baptized by Elder Gunter Dec. 7th, 1857

2 Mary J. Nason Eliza J. Nason

Rusagonis, continued 34

November 9th, 1854 March 31st, 1863. The church having Persons who were previously Baptized called a meeting for the purpose of and Joined the Church at this time chosing from the Body two Brethren Robert Belyea (Removed) Sarah Grass Dead to fill the place of deacons. Met today Samuel Nason Excluded Mrs. (blank) Belyea and unanimously chose Samuel K. John Smith Senr. dead (Removed) Nason and Reuben Smith to fill the Reuben Smith (Removed) Hester Belyea office of Deacons in the Church. _____ (removed) Elder Pennington remained labouring Daniel Jones dead Ann Phillips with the Church for one (…?) holding (Removed) meetings every day and evening. the John Grass Dead Elizabeth Grass Waasis Church was somewhat revived George Grass Dead Livina Grass and two experienced Religion and Excluded The following are the names of those Hiram Grass Waasis Mrs. (illegible) that were baptized and joined the Grass Church April 17th, 1863 George McFarlain Waasis Margaret Nason Dead died in 1890 Tilden Hatch Dead 1786[sic] (Hahala?) McGuigan Phebe Sinclair Mary A. Allan dead d: Dead Laura Nason Mary A. Davis Removed James Mc------Removed Malinda Nason dead

2 Baptized by Elder Wayman Nov., 1854 and Joined the Church Andrew Kerr (Dead) Mary Kerr died Ruth Smith Abigail L. Smith (removed)

3 Persons Previously Baptized and Joined the Church at this time Hezekiah Mills Frances Smith Dead (removed) Mrs. (blank) Mills (Removed) Baptized by Elder Wm Downey on April 19th, 1891 and joined the Church Males Females Moore Dead Abner Smith ) Mrs. Mary / Phillips Dead Chandler Bunker ) Launetta Dottin Dismissed ) by letter Oscar Dottin ) Addie Phillips (This page not transcribed) removed ) Georgie Phillips

Dead Zopher Phillips ) Charlotte Lyon Mabel Grass Dead ______Previously Baptized and taken into this church on the above date by Elder Wm Downey”----“----“—“---- Mrs. Manzer Bunker Luanetta Dottin Dismissed by letter to join the First Baptist Church at Supenan (?) Wis., U.S.A. A.S. Sept 15th, 1906 Clerk ______

Rusagonis, continued 35

1894. A revival commenced on the 1st of March this year, by Rev. S.J. Perry. The meetings had been closed for awhile on account of an Epidemic being in the place, and the cause of religion was quite low but by the Preaching of God's Servant and the prayers of the brethern and Sisters, a glorious revival has Commenced in this Church.

Baptized By Rev. S.J. Perry and joined the church on March 1th, 1894. Males Females Louis Gereau Dead Nina Peabody Charles Bunker–Dead Etta Peabody (This page not transcribed) Wm. H. Steves Dead Della Gereau Elmer Smith

Albert Mills

Emery Waugh Chester Phillips James Gereau Dead Herman Nason Baptized at French Lake by Rev. J. McKenzie – and joined on above date. Baptized by Elder J. Gunter and joined Church on above date Dead George F. Noble Dead Priscilla Gereau Baptized by Rev. S.J. Perry and joined the Baptized by Rev. S.J. Perry and joined Church on March 25th, 1894. on March 16th, 1894. Males Females Males Females Ziza Mersereau Dead Ada Jones John Mercereau "Eva Peabody" Emely Jones dead Moore. Lizzie Mott Irvin Moore Dead Dead Mrs. Ann Noble (illegible notation) Frank Nason F'ton Maud Bunker Mrs. Besina Mercereau Leslie Nason Waasis By letter from Pat. Sett. Frank Gereau (illegible notation) Church. Arthur Dotten Fredericton James Steves Baptized by Rev. S.J. Perry and joined Frank Mills on April 8th, 1894. Herbert Noble Tracyville Males Females Dead Elbridge Bunker Fraser Waugh Mrs. Geo. F. Grass. ______Dead Hedley Waugh Formerly baptized by Elder Formerly baptized and Dead Thomas Gereau Wm. Downey in the joined Church on above date year By letter from Geary Church David Gereau 1891 Dead Carrie Mercereau. ______March 16th, 1894 At the close of the meeting this evening a unanimous vote was taken to Engage Rev. S.J. Perry till next General Conference. No Salary stated at this meeting. _____

36

Patterson Settlement Church Book

(page) 32 (page) 33

Oct. 12th Rev. C.A. Bell came to the Members of Church. 1912 circuit. X Fitzmaurice Kirkpatrick Deacon (dead) Aug. 1916 Rev. David Patterson came to the circuit. Lorenzo Parsons (dead) Deacon June ___ X Joseph Eastwood (dead) Died Feb. 4th, 1879 Sept. 1st 1918 Rev. W.J. Richardson came to the circuit. John Kirkpatrick no resident (dead) Oct. 21 Andrew Patterson (dead) Sr 1921 Rev. J.A. Corey came to the circuit. Samuel Patterson (dead) Sr Nov. John McFawn (dead) Jan., 1907. 1925 Rev. W.H. Jenkins came to the circuit. John Patterson (Deacon) (dead) Dec. 10th, Nov. 7th 1928 1926 Rev. D.W. Dixon came to the circuit. John Kingston (dead) Jan., 1920 Jan. 5th Daniel Mersereau (dead) Nov. 4th, 1901 – 1930 Rev. H.D . Warden came to the circuit. David Duke (dead) May 10th Walter Kirkpatrick resident. Died May, 193_ 1931 Rev. G.E. Shar pe came to the circuit. died Jan 23, 1932 George Wi llington Kirkpatrick (res) dead Aug. 1st 1937 Lic. J.W. Mott came to the circuit. Joseph McCutcheon dead (no resident) Withdrawn Oct., 1940 Li T.B. Browne Interim Pastor James Eastwood (resident) died Aug., 1949 May 15, 1941 Rev. C.A. Bell came to the circuit. (Dead) X WilliamXEastwood (dead) June 16, 1945 Lic. C.A. McLellan came to the dead Abner Kirkpatrick (resident) non active circuit. (Dead) Edward Parsons (non resident) not active July 2, 1946 Lic. A. Rogerson came to the circuit. Witfield Kirkpatrick (non resident) (dead) June 1st Rev. W.C. Petchey came to the circuit. Died May 11th 1944 Duncan Parsons (resident) X Rev. Wayman Kirkpatrick (non resident) 1945 Rev. L.C. McLellan came to the circuit. not active (dead) Sept. 15, 1952 William Nightengale Pastor Summer William P. Kirkpatrick (no n resident) - (dead) . 1952 dead John T. Kirkpatrick (non resident) not active Oct. 1, 1955 Rev. G.W. Stadig John R. Parsons resident dead Sept., 193_ Sept. 1, 1957 Lic. Edgar Patriquen Thomas McCutcheon (dead) 1, 1963 Lic. Chester Steeves Benedict Mersereau Died May 6th,1891 William McCutcheon dead (dead) Withdrawn May 1, 1965 Rev. H.A. Porter Robert McCutcheon died (non resi dent) Oct., 1966 Rev. J. Green William Hamilton (dead) Dec., 1967 Rev . G.L.A. Hovey Lewis Duplisea died 1921 July, 1971 Lic. H. Baker Jan., 1973 Lic. A. Dyer

Patterson Settlement, continued 37

(page) 34 (page) 35 (Deacon) Charles Duplisea died Aug. 26th, 1925 Charles E. Boone non resident (Withdrawn) William J. Hamilton non resident - died Wilbur Duplisea died Dec. 3rd, 1923 Robert Magee. (dead) John Hoyt non resident / Withdrawn / (Deacon) Benjamin Mersereau died July 29th, 1925 Austin Hoyt non resident / Withdrawn / Amos Webb (dead) Sebastin Mersereau died Sept. 1st, 1919 (Baptized by Thomas D. Bell dead “ Robert Kelly Sr. (resident) died 1937 (Rev. W.H. Perry Thomas (Mott?) “ “ Joseph Hoyt non resident Withdrawn dead (July 12. 1896 Manzer Wallace resident died X Edward Herron dead non resident not active ( July 5th, David Hamilton " - dead " " 1947 Henry Washburn. dead (Age 9 years ------Hartley Kirkpatrick Walter O. Patterson - died Jan. 18th, 1929 Withdrawn Charles Perkins non resident (Withdrawn) (age 23/24 years Thomas A. Kirkpatrick John Fowler died May, 1889 Benison Parsons (resident) died Oct. 20, 1935 Withdrawn * William Eastwood Jr. resident Died March Baptized by Allen S. Mersereau Age 25 18th, 1940 non Rev. C.A. Bell resident Isaac Washburn (dead) dead Calvin Allen died 1912 (June?) – 1914 William Wright dead Fred Wallace (dead) William Duplisea non resident Withdrawn Barney Kirkpatrick shot by accident Nov. 3, Ambrose Duplisea dead 1930 Thatcher Duplisea Jr. non resident not Dead George Mersereau dead non resident not active dead active Thomas Graham dead Died Aug. 24, 1959 (James Mersereau resident dead Hartley McCutcheon Withdrawn Charles McCutcheon non resident (Frank Sambles Age 23 non Withdrawn ( active David McCutcheon dead Baptized June 21 (Andrew Duplisea age 31 Thomas Fearney (non resident)withdrawn Died not active 1914 ( Jan. 9, Burpee Duplisea - " " dead not active 1965 Edward Hamilton +" dead" " " Rev. C.A. Bell ( Thomas Wooden died Jan. 7th, 1902 X William Eastwood Sr. died Feb. 17th, 1908 (Thomas Jinks non resident Dead Fitzmaurice Kirkpatrick Jr. dead non resident ( not active not active Died Feb. 2/61 (Leslie Eastwood resident Died Dec. 8/58 (Parker Eastwood resident 59 ( (Charles A. Patterson died Nov. 1, 1946 (Samuel (Sheatton?) non resident not active (Erb Parsons died July 24th, 1927 dead Andrew Mersereau non resident Roy Wiley non resident withdrawn (1930?) David Kingston non resident / not active James Duplisea Clarence DeGrass (?) non resident Harrison DeGrass (?) withdrawn Jan 8 1933 George Duplisea X non resident David Corey ….. illegible Alfred Corey ….. writing Redman Parsons… here

38

Patterson Settlement, continued

(page) 36 (page) 37

Elizabeth Mersereau died May, 1949 Katherine Kirkpatrick died May 22, 1898 Jane Mathews died (This page is a continuation of the list of men, Elizabeth Parsons died Jan. 10th, 1898 becoming somewhat contemporary. Not Mary Patterson dead transcribed.) Elizabeth Kirkpatrick dead Jane Patterson dead Sarah Allen dead Lydia Parsons dead Sarah White (non resident) dead Levina Johnston non resident dead Sarah J. Patterson died Ma r. 20th, 1901 Margaret McCutcheon died Nov. 1st, 1885 Barbara McCutcheon dead Mary Kirkpatrick dead Letitia Morrison dead Mary E. Patterson died Feb., 1926 Jane Johnston non resident dead Jane Kirkpatrick died Jan 28th, 1886 Eastwood Died Sept. 15th, Elizabeth / Johnston resident 1945 Olive Elizabeth Parsons died May, 1928 Sarah Heron – dead Harriett C. Patterson non resident (withdrawn) ______Mersereau died May, 1952 (Basind?) Patterson non resident withdrawn dead Angaline Mersereau died May, 1908 Alice Duplisea dead non resident died (1941?) Lidia Duplisea dead Annie Eastwood died Jan. 22nd, 1922 died A pril 20th, Ida Eastwood Collins resident 1945 Mrs. David Kingston died April 7th, 1918 Adelaide Duplisea dead (with drawn)

(Note: Pages 38 to 43 are missing from the book, and page 44 is contemporary.)

Patterson Settlement, continued 39 (page) 20 (page) 10

April Females ?? 6 more followed 4 of them Patterson Nason Joined the Church here and Elizabeth Mersereau Withdrawn one ...?.... Catherine Kirkpatrick Jane Mathews Died Dec. 14th, 1890 1885 12 9 more put in Christ. Elizabeth Parsons April 19 4 more followed 3 of them Mary Patterson Died Oct. 18th, ‘83 Joined the Church at Patterson Elizabeth Kirkpatrick one at Blissville. Jane Patterson Sarah Allan 26 5 more followed the saviour died November ‘93 2 of them Joined the Church at (Levina?) Parsons non resident Patterson 1 at Blissville Sarah White non resi Withdrawn 1885 1 to the Methodist Levina Johnston non resident Sarah J. Patterson March during the year that has passed Margret McCutcheon non resident we have had preaching once Barbary McCutcheon non resi a fort every 2 weeks Conference Mary Kirkpatrick meetings once a month. Prayer Morrison meetings sustained on the whole (Lethia?) A. Patterson / non Res we have great reason to be Mary Patterson died Feb. 10th, 1926 thankful to the lord who hath Jane Johnston kept us. Jane Kirkpatrick died (November) Oct 1885 The Conference has been sustained 29th, 1??? regularly ...?... Elizabeth C. Parson McFawn month During the time that has elapsed Addilade Duplisea Mggee(?) non Res since last report. Sarah (illegible) / Dismissed in …96 dead Harriet C. Patterson non Res Oct 18 there were 16 present at conference to day (Lasina?) Mersereau Withdrawn Res 1894 together with Rev. W.H. Perry Angaline Mersereau Bowden and we had a heavenly sitting Alace Duplisea together. Lidia Duplisea Non Res Dead Barbary (illegible) Mersereau ______Anie Eastwood Withdrawn / 1888 (Alia?) Eastwood Collins Res June 1895 Elizabeth Eastwood Johnston Res Preaching Margret Mersereau dead We had no / meeting in our Church since November Isibell (McCoutcheon?) non R Rev. W.H. Perry came on a visit and Preach on Chloe (illegible) Morgan non Res Sabbath May 26 and it was a very powerful Sermon and at the close of the sermon there was a great number gave testimony to the truth and it seemed evident that the Lord had seen On June 2nd 12 followed the saviour in the ordinance of baptism Note: The bottom half of this column is difficult to eleven of whom united with the Church on the same read on the original. evening.

Meeting Still continue Continued page 22

40

Patterson Settlement, continued

(Page) 9 (Page) 137

Death List A column of names, plus five other columns:

Walter Patterson died March 30th 1876 Wellington Kirk_____ 6408 100 00 John Fitzgerald died Oct. 17th 1875 Mrs. D. Mersereau 6508 50 00 James Fitzpatrick died June 23d 1876 ???? Mersereau 6558) 200 00 Joseph Eastwood died Feb. 4th 1879 6758) Mrs. Mary Patterson died Oct. 18 1883 (Thatlis?) Patterson 6958 20 00 Deacon F. Kirkpatrick died Jan. 23d 1884 George A. Fitzpatrick 7058 1 00 Deacon La D. Parsons died Jun. 18th 1887 Paid to T.O. Dewitt 70 58 John Tim... (illeg.) died May 3d 1889 William Hamilton 7208 1 50 Daniel MacKenzie died Dec. 10th 1890 John Fowler 1 00 Austin Hoyt died Dec. 24th 1890 Stephen Smith 1 00 Benjamin Mersereau died May 6th 1891 Gillman Smith 1 00 John Kirkpatrick died Aug. 7 1895 Merseu William Patterson " Sept. 28 1896 S. George W. Kirkpatrick 2 00 75 08 Amasa Webb Jan. 6th 1898 Joseph McCutcheon 2 0 0 David McCutcheon June 18th 1900 (W.?) Hamilton 50 Daniel Mersereau Nov. 4 1901 J.N. Thorne 1 00 Thomas Wooden Jan. 7 1902 Walter Patterson 2 00 Fitsmaurice Kirkpatrick Jr. June 17 1902 Walter Kirk____ 2 00 John McFawn Jan. 190? John Kirk____ Sr. 2 00 ... illeg. ... Patterson (blank) Mrs. A. Patterson Mrs. ... illeg. ... Kirkpatrick J?? (22?) ???? John Merserau 1 00 (Mrs. Kirkpatrick scratched out & erased.) Dilly & Amy Merserau 1 00 William Eastwood Feb. 17th 1901? James Patterson 2 00 Samuel Patters on aged 93 Feb. 17 1911 Mrs. D. Merserau & Olive 1 00 (Calirn?) Allen 1912 William Eastwood 2 00 Ambrose Duplisea July 2 1911 James & William Easewood 4 00 Andrew Patterson 91 Feb. 16 191? 1919 Sebastian Mersereau 68 Sept. 1st 1917 Johnathan Kingston 78 June 4th 192? Louis Duplisea 192?

41

Patter son Settlement, continued

(page) 17 (page) 23

(Three lines Oct 5th Males Continued from Page 8 scratched out Dismissed by letter & illegible) Baprized by 1885 T.O. DeWitt Elizabeth Merserau 1889 March 25, 1885 Robert Magee March 25 Mar garet Duplise a By Letter 31st Benjamin N. Mersereau Died May 6 189- (Sarah Eastwood do April 5th Amasha Webb dead Baptized (Jane Hamilton By do Sebastian Mersereau non Res (Hannah M. Magee non Res By baptism 12th Robert Kelly by (--- Mitchell Joseph Hoyt (31st Jem ima Kirkpatrick non Res Edward Herren Non Res Withdrawn David Hamilton T.O. DeW itt (Mary Fitzpatrick Bell By Baptism 19 Henry Washburn (Annie Kirkpatrick Boone " " 26 Walter O. Patterson (Olive Merserau Courier " " Charles Perkins Apr il 5 Amy Merserau dead " " John Fowles By letter died …1, Apr il 5 Mrs. Amasa Webb Hoyt " " ‘89 19 Maggie Kirkpatrick non Res " " Benison Parsons By Baptism Mary Kirkpatrick non Res Dismissed William Eastwood Jr. 26 Sarah Kingston ...?... non Res Isac Washburn Eliza Kingston By letter 1881 Calvin Allen non Resident dead Maria Allen non Res By letter …?... William …?... Annie ...?... Alen non Res By Ambrose Duplisea Non Res baptism X Withdrawn May 22 Willie Deuplisea Non Res Charlotte Washbun? By baptism Thatcher Duplisea Jr. No. 47 Jane Duplisea By baptism Thomas Graham Withdrawn 1881 Emanda Duplisea 50 James S…? 49 June 27, '90 Mrs. Annie GrahamWithdrawn 1895 March, 1895 Baptized by W.H. Perry on June 2nd / 48 males W.H. Perry Elizabeth Roberts non Res reported for 1893. By letter Naomi J. Patterson 37 years old 35 were resident 13 non resident Lizzie Elizabeth Lizzie Mersereau Hartley McCutcheon Joined other church Sept. 1899 Baptized by (Pheobe Kirkpatrick Withdrawn dead Charles McCutcheon 68 Withdrew ( 1891 to Join F’tn FB Church Rev. W.H. (Allie Eastwood Stevens 51 ... David McCutcheon 82 dead ( members 150 Perry ( 30 are resident 21 non (Thomas Hearney non Res June 2nd, ( Baptized ( Withdrawn 1895 (Ada Duplisea Withdrawn July 3, 1904 by W.H. Perry (Burpee Douplisea 189? June 9th (Edward Hamilton non Res June Annie Wallace dead 49 Report 1894 96 Thomas Wooden dead 9th Jemmima Wooden 28 Resident William Eastwood Sr. Jemima Kirkpatrick 21 Fitzmoris S. Kirkpatrick ..ly 14 Mary McCutcheon Withdrawn Nov. 15th, 19?? By letter June 21st Charles O. Boone By letter Mrs. Joseph Hoyt dead by letter (?) Wilbur D…?

42

French Lake Church Book (A single sheet)

NR 1 George Cogswell X By death on Jan. 1, 1938 2 Charles Wood Death NR 3 Daniel Wood X “ NR 4 Andrew Wo od X “ 5 Ernest McLaughlin X By Death 6 Mrs. Charles Wood “ “ NR 7 Minnie Stennich “ “ on March 6/66 8 Frank T. Wood X “ “ NR 9 A.H. Smith Wood “ “ “ June /20 10 Thomas Wood R By Death X 11 Mrs. Thomas Wood “ “ 12 Mrs. Percee Cochrane Removed Death 13 Mrs. Lizzie Carr Mrs. Neil (Harnis h?) Death 1975 14 Mrs. Frank L. Smith Death on Oct. 234 /64 NR 15 Mrs. Daniel Wood X 16 Mrs. Merritt Smith By Death 17 Mrs. Frank Foss “ “ X NR 18 Daisy Mills “ “ on Feb./1958 19 Vera Mills 20 Mrs. W.H. Wood X “ “ 21 Lena Wood 22 Franklin C. Foss “ “ 23 Burden T. Smith “ “ 24 Harry Haines “ “ 25 Willard C. Smith Pastor 26 Wilmot W. Smith By Death March /42 27 Lena Stennick Removed NR 28 Edna (Wood) Patterson NR 29 Mrs. Trafford Carr 30 Mrs. Charles Foss “ NR 31 Mrs. Austin Smith Removed ( 32 Gladys Wood Mrs. Ray Smith ( Mrs. Gerald Simpson NR 33 Mrs. Walter Corbett Removed 34 Mrs. Annie Stennick Death 35 Mrs. Ernest McLaughlin “ on Mar 7/71

Geary Church Book 43

Thomas Harper Elizabeth Boone (Deacon) Elizar A. Till Alex Carr Mary A. Howe Samuel Shainks rec'd by J.N.B. Anne E. B oone John Boon " 1870 d 1877 Elizabeth Harper rec’d 1870 (Helper) Sarah Carr Albert Boon " by J.N.B. Charlotte Carr Clerk Mary A. Howe (?)Asham Harper " " " Ruth Carr Tra sur Liely Tucker re c’d 1870 rem oved 1872 James Till Elizabeth Till Samu el Carr " " " Ann Till ‘ 1870 d 1881 William M. Carr " " " Gusty Carr d 1875 Nathen Boone " " " Abigail Shanks Geo A . Carr Rachel Boone rec’d 1872 John Sm ith Rec'd by letter 1892 Mary E. How e ( ? ) Howe Bapt 1 874 Margaret L. H a rper Melvin Carr " 77 ( ? ) Carr rec’d 1877 ( ? ) Smith Ade line Till George Har per Mar thy M. Bo one Josep h Howe Rec'd by S. Smith ( ? ) Carr John P arsons Sarah Till Thom as Howe ( ? ? ) Lemu el Shanks ( ? ) Smith ( ? ) Carr Alma Smith James Till, Jr. ( ? ) Smith Hannah Smith Gilroy Carr re c'd 1880 Lizer How Rec’d 1880 Alen Carr Amelia Perry “ ( ? ) Carr Mrs. Thos E.. S mith “ Wilb er Carr Mrs. A ndrew McFadzen “ Andrew McFadzen r ec'd 1880 Anna McFad zen “ Alexander Till " " Mrs. Alen Carr “ John Perry Mys. W ilber Carr “ Thomas E. Sm ith Mrs. John Perr ey “ Abner M. How " " Mrs. Abner M. How Harv ey Carr Mrs. James E. Sm ith Frede rick Till Bertha Perry Jame s E. Smith (Ara nnah?) Boone Jame s E. Boone " 1882 Edit h Smith Walter H. Boon e " 1882 Mrs. Gilroy Carr John A. Boone " 1882 Elizabeth E. Ho w “ 1882 Wm. M . Boone " 1882 Frances E. Carr Charles E. Boone " 1882 Ann Shanks Thomas C. Smith " 1882 Lizzie Boone Wm H. Boone " 1882 Magy A. How Duncan Boone " 1882 Marey A. Harper Dores Carr " 1882 Mehitable Carr Wm. E. Till " 1882 Besey Parsons Wm. E. How " 1882 Thisa Boone Anne Boone … and others (ed.)

44

Waterville Church Book

(Page ) 4 Date of Pastorate Pastors of the Church Began Ended

Zopher Grass Apri l 6 188 5 Charles Sterling 189 7 1897 Rev. Carpenter 193 8 p 15 Rev. Mr. Glendenning 1939 p 13 Rev. Freeman Currie 192 5 1927 p 8 Rev. Frank Mullins 194 7 1948 Rev. Stewart Murray May 1949 1952 Edward N. Bezanson Dec 1952 1954 Frank Blankley 1954 1957 Rev. R.A. Colpitts Oct 1957 1959 Ordained Rev. Hartley Britton Sep 1959 May 30/65 1946 Rev. Lorne W. Matheson Jun 1965 May 31/57 Rev. Hartley Britton Sep 1972 Dec 31/77 Ordained Lic. Donald MacDougall Jan 1/79 Nov 30 ‘79

45

Waterville, Continued

(Page ) 5 When admitted When left Year Month Day Name of Member Year Mo Day How left

1885 April 6th William Alcorn 1888 Mar 22nd By Death “ “ “ Daniel Brown 1928 July 23 By Death “ “ “ Rainsford Foss 194? Jan By Death “ “ “ Adolphus Smith 1939 Jan 6 By Death “ “ “ James E. Smith 1929 July 23 By Death “ “ “ James E. Smith Jnr. 1888 Oct 28 By Death “ “ “ Elmer Foss 1947 Jan By Death “ “ “ Sydney Cogswell By Death “ “ “ Martin Cogswell 1919 Died “ “ “ Albert Estabrooks 1939 May 31 By Death “ “ “ Mrs. George Cogswell By Death “ “ “ Mrs. Amis Cogswell By Death “ “ “ Mrs. William Alcorn 1888 Nov 12 By Death “ “ “ Mrs. Charles Smith 1907 Feb 25 By Death “ “ “ Mrs. James Alcorn 1888 Nov 12 By Death “ “ “ Annie Foss 1938 Jan 6 By Death “ “ “ Amanda Smith 1942 Nov 6 By Death “ “ “ Charles Smith 1914 Aug 21 Death James Alcorn 1888 Nov 12 By Letter Mary ..?.. Foss 1937 Dec 25 By Death Albert P. Foss 1954 Dec By Death Mrs. Edward Smith 1913 May 3 Letter Milborne Smith By Death Allan Smith 1910 Given letter to join U.B. Church Carrie Smith 1948 By Death George Smith 1931 Jan 24 By Death Mrs. G. Smith 1897 Apr 26 By Death Ingram Smit h By Death Maggie Smith By letter …?... Emma Foss By Death Mrs. Daniel Brown 1938 Jan By Death 1898 April 14 Alferd Foss 1936 Baptized by T.O. DeWitt William J. Smith 1947 J??

46

Waterville, Continued

(page) 6

1898 April 14 - Herman G. Smith " " 18 - John Foss 1924 July nd Death " " Mrs. John Foss Dead " " - Marshall Foss Dead 1957 18?? " " - Herbert Cogswell Suspended Aug 10, and 1898 May 22 Mrs. Adolphus E. Smith Mar 25 By death 1909 March Annie C. Smith By Death (This page not transcribed) 1917 Etta J.M. Smith By (illeg.) July 29 Charles Smith (illeg.) Foss (illeg.) Smith

1933 Mrs. William J. Smith May 10, 1936 by Death

August Mrs. Charlie Smith Received 11 1935 Murial Austin Smith by letter " Nellie Lenora Smith " Evertt Donald Smith " Mrs. Chesley Smith Received by letter. " Mr. Chesley C. Smith " Gerald Austin Smith Sept. 21/49 by " Myrtle Jean Smith Death " Maggie I. Foss by letter 1943 March 1952 by Death

(Some more contemporary entries not transcribed)

47

A Few Signers of the 1847 Marriage Act Petition

C. Brown Samuel Jones James Noble Jared Smith Andrew Carr Thomas H. Jones James Noble Jr. John Smith John Carr Stephen Kinney Frederick Phillips Nehemiah Smith Hugh Daly Jacob Mersereau Joseph Phillips Sharmon Smith William Dougherty Alexander Morgan Thomas Phillips Thomas Smith Sr. William Dow Jr. David Morgan Zopher Phillips Thomas H. Smith, J.P. James Doyle John Nason Abraham Seely John Snickle(?) James Duggann John Nason Andrew L. Smith William H. Taylor Thomas Haugh John Nason Jr. Charles Smith James Tupper James Jones Samuel K. Nason George F. Smith Daniel Wood John Jones Thomas Nason Holland Smith … and others Putnam Jones Thomas (M.?) Nason Israel Smith

Some Contributors to the 1905 Free Baptist General Conference Funds

Fredericton Junction

Clara Alexander Thomas Alexander Mrs. S.B. Hartt Mrs. Benjamin Peterson Florence Alexander Thomas L. Alexander Mrs. G. Hayward B. Pride Harold Alexander Mrs. Thomas Alexander Joseph Kingston Mrs. B. Pride J.L. Alexander Mrs. Archie Clark Mrs. Joseph Kingston Mrs. Charles Redstone Mrs. J.L. Alexander Mrs. C.L. Clark John Maynard Myrtle Russell John B. Alexander Mrs. S.L. Currie Mrs. John McCluskey Mrs. Thomas Russell Marion Alexander Master Edwin Daggett Mrs. D.W. Mersereau Mrs. George Scott Myra Alexander Mrs. J.B. Daggett Grace Mersereau Luther B. Smith S.D. Alexander Rev. J.B. Daggett Mrs. O.S. Mersereau Mrs. H.H. Stuart Mrs. S.D. Alexander Mrs. S. Davis Mrs. S. Moore Mrs. Benjamin Tracy Sterling Alexander A.L. Duplisea Mrs. A.J. Murray Colby Tracy Mrs. Sterling Mrs. D.W. Hartt Mrs. William Nary Mrs. S.B. Tracy Alexander Mrs. E.B. Hartt Harvey Nason Mrs. R. Watters Mrs. T.L. Alexander Olive Hartt Mrs. John A. Nason

French Lake

Mrs. Leslie H. Carr Mrs. Samuel McLean Thomas Smith Gain Wood Mrs. Frank Foss Mrs. Mardison Mersereau Mrs. Thomas Smith Mrs. Hannah Wood Annie Laskie Mrs. Adolphus Mills Mrs. John Stennick T.S. Wood Mrs. Michael McLaughlin Mrs. Asa Mills Mrs. Charles Wood Mrs. T.S. Wood Thomas McLaughlin Mrs. Annie Russell Mrs. David Wood W.H. Wood Mrs. Thomas McLaughlin Mrs. Merritt Smith Mrs. Frances Wood Mrs. W.H. Wood

48

Rusagonis

Mrs. John Alexander Miss. Della M. Gereau Alma Mott Parker Phillips Mary Alexander Louis Gereau Harry Mott Mrs. S.S. Phillips Robert Alexander Mrs. Louis Gereau Kenneth Mott Thomas Phillips William Alexander Mrs. Francis Harris M.H. Mott Mrs. Thomas Phillips Rev. J.N. Barnes Clara Howland Mabel Mott Tommie Price Blanche Bunker Byron McL. Mersereau Marguerite Mott Mrs. Spafford Sinclair Cecil Bunker Carrie Mersereau Winnie Mott Abner Smith Mrs. Chandler Bunker Donald Mersereau Mrs. Rufus Nason John Smith Edith Bunker Mrs. John B. Mersereau Mrs. George F. Noble G.A. Steeves Ellis Bunker Mrs. Ludlow Mersereau J.A. Noble Margaret E. Steeves Ivan Bunker Mabel Mersereau Mrs. J.A. Noble Martha A. Steeves Percy Bunker Mrs. S.S. Mersereau Mrs. Robert Noble W.H. Steeves Stella Bunker Taylor T. Mersereau Mrs. Burden Phillips Cora Waugh Miss. Fannie Carr Mrs. Thomas Mersereau Charles Phillips Hedley Waugh Flossie Forbes Mrs. Alexander Mott Mrs. Chas. Phillips Mrs. Samuel Waugh

Tracy Station

Mrs. James Boone Ella M. Mersereau Laura I. Steen Mrs. Joshua Tracy Maria Boone George F. Nason Carrie E. Tracey Mrs. Oscar Tracy Mrs. Austin Burtt Mrs. George F. Nason Mrs. George E. Tracey Adelbert Webb Mrs. Milton Currie Miss. Cora Seely Ernest A. Tracy … and others Joshua Duplisea Georgia A. Steen Mrs. Ernest A. Tracy (missing Xerox)

Patterson Settlement

Mrs. Ida Collins Mrs. Gatley Mrs. Elizabeth Mersereau Mrs. Naioma Patterson Miss. Aggie Eastwood John McFawn Miss. Maggie Mersereau W. Patterson W.P. Eastwood Benedict Mersereau Andrew Patterson Mrs. Perkins Mrs. W.P. Eastwood Mrs. Benedict Mersereau J.E. Patterson John E. Slater William Eastwood Mrs. Daniel E. Mersereau Mrs. J.E. Patterson Miss. Lottie Washburn

49

BibliographyU

ChurchU Books,U including supplementary material folded into the books, as found at the New Brunswick Provincial Archives: Geary, 1871-1981, microfilm F-8154; French Lake, 1894-1980, microfilm F-8153; Rusagonis, 1833-1933-1974, microfilms F-10613, F- 1035; Patterson Settlement, 1835-1975, microfilm F-8114; Waterville, 1885-1979, microfilm F-8152.

ConferenceU Minutes.U An incomplete set of the Free Christian Baptist Conference Minutes, plus the United Baptist Conference Minutes, are at Acadia University but are difficult to access except in person. Dr. Griffin-Allwood supplied some xerox copies from 1851, 1905, and 1906. Mr. Burnett researched many volumes and transcribed pertinent sections.

Baptist Historical Society of the Atlantic Provinces, QuarterlyU newsletter,U passim.

Barnes, Rev. Joshua N., LightsU and Shadows of Eighty Years,U Edwin N.C. Barnes, ed., Saint John, 1911.

Bell, D.G., ed., NewlightU Baptist Journals of James Manning and James Innis,U Baptist Heritage in Atlantic Canada: Documents and Studies, Saint John, 1984.

Burnett, Frederick C., HenryU Alline's "Articles & Covenant of a Gospel Church",U Nova Scotia Historical Review.

Burnett, Frederick C., MinistersU and Preachers: Free Baptists and Related Groups,U "an index to biographical sketches by Fred Burnett"; 'Research in Progress', Baptist Historical Society of the Atlantic Provinces, 1991.

Griffin-Allwood, Philip G.A., "ToU Hear a Free Gospel" The Christian Connection in

Canada,U a paper presented on 02 June 1988 to the Canadian Society of Church History at Iona College: with subsequent revisions also by P.G.A. Griffin-Allwood.

Haney, James, TheU Maugerville Settlement,U 1763-1824, New Brunswick Historical Society Collections, Volume 1, 1894.

MacNutt, W.S., NewU Brunswick - a History:U 1784-1867, Macmillan, Toronto, 1963.

Sharpe, Rev. G.E., and Miss. Viola Smith, AU History of the Blissville N.B. United Baptist

Church, U published by the authors, August, 1939.