ward, when invitations were extended to him. He, however, preached here a considerable portion of the time that elapsed previous to his ordination.* For several months in the years 1690 and 1691, Mr. Cotton was absent from Hampton, and Rev. John Pike, pastor of the church at Dover, being driven from that place by the ravages of the Indians, preached in his place, and received an invitation to become pastor of the church. He gave some encouragement that he would accept the invitation, but ultimately declined, as he was soon after enabled to return to his pastoral charge at Dover, where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1710.† About the same time that Mr. Pike was at Hampton, Mr. Cotton preached a few months at Portsmouth, and was invited to be settled there, but declined the call. In 1696, after repeated invitations, he was again requested by the church and people of Hampton, to be ordained as their pastor. After much solicitation, he complied with the request, and was ordained, Nov. 19, 1696. Rev. Joshua Moody of Portsmouth gave the charge, and Rev. William Hubbard of Ipswich the right-hand of fellowship. At the time of his ordination, there were only ten male, and fifteen female members in full communion with the church. Mr. Cotton appears to have been a very worthy man, and during his ministry of some more than thirteen years, two hundred and twenty persons were admitted into full communion.§ His connection with the church was closed by his sudden death, March 27, 1710, at the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Cotton was married Aug. 17, 1686, to Anne Lake, daughter of Capt. Thomas Lake of Boston, who was killed by the Indians. They had eight children; namely, John, b. Sept. 5, 1687, d. Sept. 8, 1689. Mary, b. Nov. 5, 1689, m. Mr. Whiting. Dorothy, b. July 16, 1693, m. Rev. Nathaniel Gookin of Hampton. Thomas, b. Oct. 28, 1695. Anna, b. Nov. 13, 1697, d. at Boston, Aug. 7, 1745. Simon, b. Dec. 21, 1701, d. Jan. 2, 1713. Samuel, b. Oct. 12, 1703, d. in infancy. Lydia, ́ b. Jan. 14, 1705, d. in infancy.|| After the death of Mr. Cotton, his widow married Dr. Increase Mather, and died at Brookline, Ms., March 29, 1737, a. 74 years. Rev. Nathaniel Gookin. "At a town meeting, June 19, 1710, it was voted to give a call to Mr. Gookin." As a compensation for his services, the town proposed to give him £70 to be paid in produce at stipulated prices, but allowing any man to pay his part in money if he chose. A quarterly contribution was also to be taken, and the town to furnish him with twenty cords of wood yearly, and to give him the use of the parsonage ;-provided that Mr. Gookin should preach a lecture monthly, while he had the use of the parsonage. After a month's deliberation, Mr. Gookin expressed himself dissatisfied with the terms proposed. On the fourteenth of August, 1710, two persons were sent to Mr. Gookin, by the town, to ascertain on what condition he would consent to be ordained. The committee having reported, it was voted, the same day, one half of the seventy pounds previously offered should be paid in money; and that, when Mr. Gookin had a family, he should "have his seventy pounds made eighty." His ordination was Nov. 15, 1710. Rev. Nathaniel Rogers of Portsmouth gave the charge, and Rev. John Emerson of New Castle, the right hand of fellowship.§ that In 1719, a new meeting-house was built for the first church. This was the fourth house of worship, designed for that church, and was placed where the former ones had stood, near the present site of the Academy. This house was not taken down till 1808. It had two galleries, one above the other, but was at first finished with only one pew, and that for the minister's family. Other pews were afterwards added.* At that time, and from the first settlement of the town, it was customary for seats in the meeting-house to be assigned to particular persons, either by a committee appointed for the purpose, or by a special vote of the town. For instance, on one occasion, it was ordered that certain individuals should occupy "the foremost seat;" and certain others, "the second seat," &c. On another occasion, there was "a committy of meett men appointed by the town to rectify the sitting of men and women in the meeting-house."* During the ministry of Mr. Gookin, occurred the second great earthquake after the settlement of New England. This happened on Sabbath evening, Oct. 29, 1727. In the afternoon of that day, he preached a sermon from Ezekiel vii: 7. "The day of trouble is near." He seemed to have a presentiment that something unusual was about to occur, and, in the course of his sermon, he used expressions, that many of his people regarded as prophetic, though he himself disclaimed the gift of prophecy. He remarked as follows: "I do not pretend to a gift of foretelling future things, but the impression that these words have made upon my mind in the week past, so that I could not bend my thoughts to prepare a discourse on any other subject, saving that on which I discoursed in the forenoon, which was something of the same nature; I say, it being thus, I know not but there may be a particular warning designed by God, of some day of trouble near, perhaps to me, perhaps to you, perhaps to all of us."† This sermon, in connection with the earthquake, which occurred only a few hours afterward, and with the subsequent labors of Mr. Gookin, produced a deep and lasting impression on the minds of the people. Many became hopefully pious, and large additions were made to the church. Mr. Gookin died of a slow fever, Aug. 25, 1734, aged 48 years. During his ministry of about twenty-four years, 320 persons were admitted to full communion with the church. Mr. Gookin was a son of Rev. Nathaniel Gookin of Cambridge, Ms., and grandson of Gen. Daniel Gookin of the same place. Rev. Mr. Gookin of Cambridge was born Oct. 22, 1656, and married Hannah Savage of Boston. Mr. Gookin of Hampton graduated at Harvard College when only a few months over sixteen years of age. He married Dorothy Cotton, the second daughter of Rev. John Cotton, his predecessor in the pastoral office, Dec. 21, 1710, and had thirteen children; namely, John, b. Sept. 18, 1711, d. May 19, 1730; Nathaniel, b. Feb. 6, 1713, pastor of the church at North Hampton; William, b. May 10, 1714, d. Oct. 27, 1723; Thomas, b. June 23, 1717, d. in infancy; Simon, b. Aug. 15, 1718; Daniel, b. May 31, 1720, d. Jan. 2, 1752; Dorothy, b. April 2, 1722, m. Rev. Peter Coffin of Kingston; Hannah, b. Feb. 7, 1724; a son, b. Nov. 8, 1725, d. in infancy; Abijah, b. Jan. 14, 1727, d. of throat distemper, March 30, 1736; Samuel, b. May 19, 1729; Anne, b. Oct. 29, 1731; John Cotton, b. Aug. 10, 1734, d. of throat distemper, April 5, 1736.§ While Mr. Gookin lived, he was beloved and esteemed by his people, and his memory was fondly cherished, long after his decease. There was an unaffected dignity in his manners, which commanded the respect of all who knew him. He was learned, prudent, and pious, sustaining a high rank, both as a preacher and a divine. Soon after his death, the town built a house and barn for the use of his widow, and engaged to give her £80 a year during her life, besides furnishing her with wood for fuel, and rendering her considerable other assistance. This was cheerfully done, not only as a memento of affection for her deceased husband, but from a regard to her own excellent character. She died May 12, 1748, aged nearly 55 years. || Rev. Ward Cotton. Mr. Cotton's first sermon in Hampton was delivered in July, 1731.¶ At his ordination, his brother, Rev. John Cotton of Newton, Ms., *Town Records. † Mr. Gookin's Sermons. Town Records.- Rev. Mr. Gookin's MS. Town and Church Records. TMS. of Dea. S. Dow. preached; Rev. Caleb Cushing of Salisbury, Ms., gave the charge, and Rev. Jabez Fitch of Portsmouth, the right hand of fellowship. The church then consisted of 253 members, of whom 84 were males. During his ministry, 427 were admitted to full communion, and about 1200 were baptized.* Mr. Cotton was a great-grandson of Rev. John Cotton of Boston, and was born at Sandwich, Ms., 1712. His father was Rev. Roland Cotton, who grad. H. C. 1685. His grandfather was Rev. John Cotton of Plymouth, Ms., who gr. H. C. 1657, a brother of Rev. Seaborn Cotton of Hampton, and son of Rev. John Cotton of Boston. Mr. Ward Cotton gr. H. C. 1729. Three of his brothers also gr. H. C.: John, 1710, more than forty years pastor of a church at Newton, Ms., Nathaniel, 1717, pastor of a church at Bristol, R. I., and Josiah, 1722, pastor of a church in Providence, R. L., nearly twenty years, in Woburn, Ms., nearly ten years, and afterwards of the church in Sandown. Rev. Ward Cotton married Joanna Rand of Boston. Their children, as far as we have ascertained, were, Isabella, b. 1735, d. July 31, 1752; Elizabeth, b. Aug. 24, 1737, m. Dr. Ebenezer Fiske of Epping; Sarah Cotta, b. Oct. 19, 1739. After Mr. Cotton's dismission he removed to Plymouth, Ms, where he d. Nov. 27, 1768, a. 57 years. Mrs. Cotton survived him, and was married to Mr. Jonathan Gilman of Exeter. Rev. Ebenezer Thayer. The sermon at the ordination of Mr._Thayer was preached by his maternal uncle, Rev. Andrew Eliot, D. D., of Boston, from 2 Timothy, ii: 15; Rev. Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge gave the charge; and Rev. John Lowell of Newburyport, the right hand of fellowship.* Mr. Thayer was a descendant, of the fourth generation, from Richard Thayer, who was probably the first of the name in New England, and who was admitted freeman in 1640, and resided at Braintree, Ms., where he died, Aug. 27, 1695. He had a son Nathaniel, whose son Cornelius was father of Nathaniel, the father of Ebenezer of Hampton, who was born in July, 1734. His mother's name was Ruth. She was a sister of Rev. Andrew Eliot, D. D., of Boston.f Mr. Thayer was a tutor in Harvard College six years. His relation to the church continued through life. The day previous to his death, which was the Sabbath, he preached two sermons. His text in the forenoon was John xiv: 6. In the afternoon his text was Matt. xxii: 11-14. At his funeral, Rev. Mr. Webster of Salisbury, Ms., preached from Ps. xii: 1.‡ Mr. Thayer married Martha Cotton, daughter of Rev. John Cotton of Newton, Ms., and niece of Rev. Ward Cotton of Hampton. He had six children, who were all living at the time of his decease; namely, Ebenezer, b. July 15, 1767; Nathaniel, b. July 11, 1769, settled in the ministry at Lancaster, Ms.; Martha, b. April 21, 1771; John, b. July 14, 1773; Catharine, b. Sept. 28, 1779, m. Rev. Jacob Abbot of Hampton Falls; Andrew Eliot, b. Nov. 4, 1783. Mrs. Thayer died at Boston in 1809, leaving that "good name, which is better than precious ointment.§ Rev. William Pidgin was ordained, Jan. 27, 1796, as a Presbyterian minister over a minority of the church, which had formally become Presbyterian, and had been taken under the care of the Londonderry Presbytery. The Rev. William Morrison preached the sermon on the occasion. Mr. Pidgin was afterwards settled at Minot, Me., Feb., 1811, and dismissed, Aug. 14, 1819. now lives, it is believed, at Portland, Me." He Rev. Jesse Appleton. A Congregational society was formed in connection with the church, and Mr. Appleton, to whom a call had been given by the church and society, was ordained Feb. 22, 1797.* The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Macclintock, D. D., from Acts ii: 22; Rev. Samuel Langdon, D. D., of Hampton Falls, gave the charge; and Rev. Nathaniel Thurston of North Hampton, the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Appleton was a descendant of Samuel Appleton, who came to America in 1635, and settled at Ipswich, Ms. His father was Francis Appleton of New Ipswich, N. H., where the son was born, Nov. 17, 1772. He fitted for college *Church Records. MS. of Dea. S. Dow. Town Records. - Family Memorial. in the academy.of his native town, and entered at the age of sixteen Dartmouth College, in 1778, where he graduated in 1792. The next two years he spent in teaching at Dover and at Amherst. He studied theology with Rev. Dr. Lathrop of West Springfield, Ms., and commenced preaching in the summer of 1795. He was invited to settle in the ministry at Leicester, Ms., but declined this call in favor of the one he received from Hampton not far from the same time. While at Hampton, Mr. Appleton was a trustee of Phillips Academy at Exeter. In 1803, he was one of the most prominent candidates for the chair of theology at Harvard College, to which Dr. Ware was chosen. In 1807, at the death of Rev. Dr. McKean, President of Bowdoin College, Mr. Appleton was chosen his successor, and accepted the office. Mr. Appleton's ministerial connection subsisted a little more than ten years, during which there was uninterrupted harmony between the pastor and his people. Never, perhaps, was a pastor more endeared to his flock than in this instance. The whole course of his conduct had been such as to gain their affections. But the limits assigned to these notes will not allow me to mention the many virtues which adorned the character of Mr. Appleton; nor is it necessary, for his "praise is in all the churches." He was inaugurated as President of the College in December, 1807, and immediately entered upon the duties of his office, and during his connection with the College, the friends of the institution had no reason to regret the confidence reposed in him. He received the degree of Doctor in Divinity from Dartmouth College, and also from Harvard University. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He continued to discharge the duties of President till 1819, when his health failed so far that he was obliged to lay aside his labors. He died in the evening of Nov. 24, 1819, aged 47 years. A sermon was preached at his funeral by the Rev. Dr. Tappan of Augusta, and prayers were offered by the Rev. Dr. Gillett of Hallowell." Dr. Appleton preached and published quite a number of occasional sermons; and after his decease, in 1837, there were published in two large octavo volumes, "The Works of President Appleton, embracing his Course of Theological Lectures, his Academic Addresses, and a Selection from his Sermons, with a Memoir of his Life and Character, by Prof. Packard."t Dr. Appleton was married, April 25, 1800, to Elisabeth Means, daughter of Hon. Robert Means of Amherst. They had six children. The three daughters were born at Hampton; namely, Mary Means, b. Oct. 29, 1801, m. John Aiken, Esq., of Lowell, D. C., 1819; Elisabeth Frances, b. April 22, 1804, m. Prof. Alpheus S. Packard of Bowdoin College; Jane Means, b. March 12, 1806, m. Gen. Franklin Pierce of Concord, N. H., now of the U. S. Army in Mexico, B. C., 1824; and the three sons were born at Brunswick, Me.; namely, William, b. Nov. 7, 1808, B. C. 1826, Attorney at Cincinnati, where he died; Robert, b. Dec. 14, 1810, a merchant in Boston; John, b. Aug. 14, 1814, d. young. Mrs. Appleton d. Oct. 29, 1844, aged 64 years, at the house of Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, who married her youngest sister that survives. *The date of Mr. Appleton's ordination has been stated incorrectly in several works where it is mentioned. The true date, as appears from the Church Records, and from the sermon preached at the ordination, was February 22, 1797. † For further particulars of Dr. Appleton, see American Quarterly Register, Vol. XI. Col. Means was one of the most respectable merchants in New Hampshire. He died Jan. 24, 1823, aged 80. He was born in the province of Ulster, Ireland, Aug. 28, 1742. He came to this country in 1766, and acquired a large property. He married Mary, daughter of Rev. David McGregore of Londonderry. They had sons, Thomas, David McGregore, and Robert; and daughters, Mary, wife of Hon. Jeremiah Mason of Boston, Elisabeth, wife of Rev. Jesse Appleton, D. D., Nancy, wife of Hon. Caleb Ellis of Claremont, and after his death, of Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, Jane and Mary Ann, who died in 1804 and 1824. - Coll. N. H. Hist. Soc., Vol. V., p. 103. Rev. Josiah Webster. The Presbyterian and Congregational churches united, and, thus constituted, agreed to give a call to the person who should come to them recommended by Rev. Dr. Buckminster of Portsmouth, and Rev. Dr. Dana of Newburyport. Mr. Webster came thus recommended, and was soon invited to become their pastor. He accepted the invitation, and was installed June 8, 1808. Rev. Samuel Worcester of Salem, Ms., preached on the occasion; Rev. Stephen Peabody of Atkinson gave the charge; and Rev. Jacob Abbot of Hampton Falls, the right hand of fellowship. He was pastor of the church nearly twenty-nine years. He died March 27, 1837, aged 65. Rev. Dr. Dana of Newburyport preached his funeral sermon. He Mr. Webster was a son of Nathan Webster of Chester and Elisabeth Clifford his wife, and was born Jan. 16, 1772. His preparatory studies were under the direction of Rev. Mr. Remington of Candia, the Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, and Hon. Stephen P. Webster, then preceptor of Atkinson Academy. graduated at Dartmouth College in 1798, and immediately commenced the study of theology with the Rev. Stephen Peabody of Atkinson. In November, 1799, he was ordained pastor of the church in the second parish in Ipswich, Ms., then called Chebacco parish, now constituting the town of Essex, where he continued till 1806. Mr. Webster used to say that while at Ipswich he greatly profited by the advice and varied instructions appertaining to the ministry, which he received from Rev. Dr. Worcester of Salem. The following is a list of the sermons of Mr. Webster which have been published. The Mystery of Godliness: a Sermon delivered at Thomaston, Me., June 15, 1809, at the Installation of Rev. John Lord to the pastoral office in that place; Text, 1 Tim. iii: 16; a Sermon preached July 10, 1811, at the ordina tion of the Rev. Joseph W. Dow to the pastoral care of the First Congregational Church and Society in Tyringham, Ms.; to which is added the Charge by Rev. Jacob Catlin of New Marlborough, and the Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., of Lee; Text, Ezek. xxxvii: 1-4, 10; a Sermon, delivered at Newburyport, Nov. 26, 1812, on the evening of public Thanksgiving in Massachusetts; Text, Ps. ii: 11; Christ on his way to enlarge his Kingdom, and to Judge the World: a Sermon delivered before the General Association of New Hampshire at their Annual Meeting in Haverhill, Sept. 21, 1819; Text, 2 Peter iii:4; The Church Triumphant: a Sermon delivered at the North Church, Newburyport, at the Ordination of Rev. John Calvin Webster as Seamen's Chaplain at Cronstadt, the Port of St. Petersburg, Russia, March 15, 1837; to which is added the Charge, the Fellowship of the Churches, and the Special Instructions given on the occasion; Text, Daniel vii: 27; Published by the Newburyport Seaman's Friend Society. This sermon was his last, and was delivered only twelve days before his death. Mr. Webster married Elisabeth Knight, daughter of Maj. Eliphalet Knight and Martha Webster, his wife, of Atkinson. They had seven children, five sons, who are still living, and two daughters, who died in infancy. The sons are Eliphalet Knight, a physician at Boscawen; Josiah, resident at Blackstone; John Calvin, pastor of a church at Hopkinton, Ms.; Joseph Dana, a U. S. topographical engineer; Claudius Buchanan, a physician now living at Norwich, Ct. The four sons who obtained a public education, received their degrees at Dartmouth College. Mrs. Webster is still living, and resides with one of her sons. The following inscription, prepared by the Rev. Dr. Dana of Newburyport, is found upon the monument which marks the place of his burial. Sacred to the Memory Rev. Josiah Webster, A. M. an impressive and distinguishing Preacher, |