born, September 21st, 1761, died, ; Daniel born, Jan. 30th, 1764 ; Esther born, Aug. 17th, 1767, died, Dec. 8th, 1776. The submission of the parents was painfully tested, by the death of five of their children, with a putrid fever, within five weeks. Enoch, brother of Rev. N. Ward, entered the ministry, but died young. He, as well as the family generally, are said to have been decidedly pious. He graduated at Harvard University, 1736. The grand-father of Rev. J. Ward was Joseph, whose father was John, who settled in Newton, Ms., and one of a large family, brought by their father, William Ward, from England, about 1646, and who settled in Sudbury, Ms. Rev. Jonathan Ward married Philenia Gay Whitaker of Attleborough, Ms., who was born, April 6th, 1776, and died, April 25th, 1825. Their children were Jonathan born, Nov. 30th, 1800, graduated at D.C., 1822, studied at Theological Seminary, Andover, ordained at Biddeford, Me., Oct. 26th, 1825, died, Feb. 8th, 1826, aged 25; James Wilson born, May 21st, 1803, graduated at D. C., 1826, studied at Theological Seminary, Andover, and at New Haven, ordained at Abington, Ms., May 31st, 1834; Philenia born, Oct. 16th, 1804, married Frederick Robinson of Brentwood; Laura Elizabeth born, May 7th, 1807, married Lucius M. Perdy of Sharon, Ct.

Rev. Francis Welch was the fourth settled minister in Brentwood. Perplexities in the management of some temporal affairs, which he thought demanded his attention, embarrassed his ministry, diminished his usefulness, and led to his dismission. His moral character was not impeached. A number were added to the church during his ministry. He labored subsequently in Ipswich, Linebrook Parish, Ms.; and, more recently, in Perry, Washington County, Me.

Rev. John Gunnison, who had been previously ordained at Lyman, Me., May 12th, 1831; installed over the Union Society of Salisbury and Amesbury, Ms., Dec. 31st, 1835; and at Newmarket, Lamprey River, Feb. 22nd, 1837, was installed at Brentwood. During his ministry in Brentwood, there were two seasons of awakening, and about 40 were received to the church. He resigned, and was installed at West Falmouth, Me., in January, 1842, from which place he removed to Portland, where he now resides. He entered the ministry late in life, having been a silver-plater previously. He married for his first wife Joanna Dow of Gilmanton, and for his second a woman by the name of Starboard.

Rev. James Boutwell graduated at the Theological Seminary, Andover in 1840. He was an Instructor at Dunkirk, N. Y., one year. Mr. Boutwell has seven brothers and one sister older, and two sisters younger, than himself. His paternal grandfather was of Wilmington, Ms. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Benjamin Jones of Lyndeborough, a physician of some celebrity, whose native place was Ipswich, Ms. Mr. Boutwell's brother, William Thurston Boutwell, was several years a missionary among the Ojibwa Indians, in Wiskonsin. Mr. Boutwell married Mary P., daughter of Dea. Pascal Abbot of Andover, Ms. Their children are Mary Lucelia, born at Dunkirk, N. Y., March 8th, 1838; James Pascal, born at Andover, Feb. 6th, 1840, died, Oct. 31st, 1844; George Clark, born at Brentwood, Feb. 8th, 1842; Charles Hawley, born at Brentwood, Oct. 29th, 1843. There have been two seasons of considerable religious attention, during Mr. Boutwell's ministry, but, as yet, few have been received to the church. The number of church members in 1845, was 77.

the vicinity of his home, and were very successful. He was universally respected as a man, a Christian, and a minister. For several years, he represented Greenland in the State Legislature. When informed, he was dying, he pleasantly exclaimed," All is well, Christ is my hope, God is with me," and he fell asleep.

John Broadhead was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Newmarket, April 7th, 1838. For several years, he travelled extensively as a preacher and presiding Elder, but his health declining, his labors were confined to the vicinity of Newmarket, at which place his family resided until his death. He was for several years a member of both branches of the Legislature; and for four years he represented this State in the Congress of the United States.

Mr. Broadhead was emphatically a good man, doing honor to his profession in all places, a faithful and affectionate friend, and highly esteemed by those who knew him.

Michael Quimby, born in Unity, died in Henniker, July 17th, 1843. His talents were of the useful kind; deeply pious, well instructed in all that appertains to the useful minister, faithful and affectionate, he became the instrument of salvation to many souls.

Abel P. Brigham of Plymouth, died in Hanover, Sept. 29th, 1843, aged 34. He was a good man and a good minister. His natural and acquir ed abilities were respectable, and his labors were crowned with success. He suffered severely for years; but found at last a most triumphant death. He died ere he had attained the meridian of his days; but "that life is long, which answers life's great end."

James Dow died in Derry, Dec. 21st, 1844, aged 42, and in the 12th year of his ministry. He was a pious and faithful minister, and died in much triumph.

William Padman, by birth an Englishman, for ten years a deeply pious minister, died in Dover, Feb. 28th, 1845, aged 45.

Holman Drew, born at Gilmanton, died in Landaff, July 2nd, 1846, aged 47. He was for 18 years a most laborious and faithful servant of the Lord and of the church, and many are the seals of his ministry. His death was triumphant, and Jesus was the last word that trembled on his dying lips.

Among the venerated dead, who have labored in New Hampshire, but who died abroad, are Wilbur Fisk, D. D. He was a graduate of Brown University, and was for several years a presiding Elder in this State. He filled with much acceptance several important stations in the literary and religious departments of our work. He was one of the best extemporaneous preachers in our country. At the time of his death, he was President of the Wesleyan University, and a Bishop elect of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. His closing hours resembled those of the lamented Payson, and exhibited such proofs of the power of religion, as to result in the conversion of his attending physician.

Martin Ruter, D. D., was for several years a faithful laborer in New Hampshire. During a temporary suspension of his itinerant labors, he represented the town of his residence in our Legislature. He was President of Augusta College, Ky., and also of Alleghany College, Pa. Having the cause of Missions at heart, he cheerfully forsook the high station to which he had been invited, and where he was loved and honored, for the arduous labors of a missionary pioneer. He was nearly

the first Protestant minister who entered the wilds of Texas, where he accomplished wonders in " preparing the way of the Lord." He died among strangers. A town and a College in Texas, bear his honored

name.

Charles D. Cahoon, an adopted son of Hon. William Cahoon, Member of Congress from Vermont, was many years a presiding Elder in New Hampshire. He was remarkable, not so much for shining qualities, as for deep piety and unremitted and successful labors. He died in Illinois, September, 1845.

Of Ministers still living, who have been eminent for piety and usefulness, a few may be named.

Elijah Hedding, for several years, travelled over the rough mountains in the central part of this State, preaching the gospel to the poor. For more than 40 years, he has been known as an eloquent and faithful preacher; and is venerated by the thousands of the Methodist church, as well as by multitudes of other religious communions. By unremitting exertions, he has attained to a respectable standing in the literary community, and many years since received the honorary degree of D. D., from Vermont University. In 1824, he was elected Bishop, which office he has filled with great acceptance.

Dan Young, a native of Landaff, was for many years, a highly valued minister in our State. He was for several years a member of the New Hampshire Senate, and, since his removal to Ohio, has filled the same office in that State.

Joseph A. Merrill, also a native of Landaff, was for several years, a travelling preacher and presiding Elder in New Hampshire. He has long been a faithful ambassador of Jesus, and has the honor of having educated five sons, all members of the M. E. Church, and three of them ministers.

Ephraim Willey was for several years stationed in New Hampshire, and was regarded as a talented and worthy minister. He has educated two sons at the Wesleyan University, who are ministers in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John F. Adams was for more than 30 years in the itinerant ministry, and chiefly in our State. He was for several years a presiding Elder, and was much beloved. His son, A. T. Adams, a graduate of Wesleyan University, is also an itinerant minister.

John Adams, generally known among us as "Reformation John," is a man of some eccentricities and of many excellencies. During the first 16 years of his ministry, he is said to have gathered 1600 persons into the church. He has two sons, students in Yale College.

Benjamin R. Hoyt was a preacher for more than 30 years, a great part of which time, he filled the office of presiding Elder. Two of his sons were educated at Wesleyan University.

Honorable mention might be made of George Pickering, J. Sanborn Elam Wells, O. Hinds and many others, whose records are on high, and who will undoubtedly receive from the chief Shepherd, a 66 crown of life that fadeth not away."

England, entitled "Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England." In several publications, she is incorrectly mentioned as the daughter of the historian. Her father was a second Capt. Edward Johnson, her grand-father was William Johnson, Esq. John and Esther Stearns were the parents of Rev. Josiah Stearns of Epping. The limits to which this article must be confined, will admit of but a small portion from the interesting materials, of which a biography of Mr. Stearns might be formed. The following short obituary notice appeared in a public print, Aug. 27th, 1788. It is attributed to the pen of the Rev. Dr. Tappan, then of Newbury, afterwards Professor of Divinity in Harvard University. Its intrinsic excellence, as well as the character both of the writer and the subject, claim for it a place in a publication of more permanent form than that in which it was originally inserted.

"For the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet.

Mr. Hoyt, The Rev. Mr. Stearns, whose death was announced in your last, sustained a character too great and too good to be passed over in silence. The God of nature endued him with singular abilities, which by the aid of erudition, fitted him for extensive usefulness. His assiduous application to the work of the ministry was truly worthy of imitation. In him shone an assemblage of virtues and graces which rarely meet in the same person. He had a lively fancy, a penetrating judgment, a correct taste, and a mind expanded as the heavens. His conversation was ever seasonable, grave pathetic and instructive. His public discourses were replete with good sense, with important truths in a clear and instructive light, and received the approbation of the best judges. He despised pageantry, without the appearance of affectation. He trusted to nothing mortal; pitied, but envied not, such as had their portion in this life. His advice in Council was often sought, and ever approved. He had a constitutional firmness, and was capable of the most dispassionate reasoning. He repudiated errors ancient and modern, and rejoiced to the last in his faithful adherence to the doctrines of grace. Elevated by the purer sentiments, he ever possessed a mind calm and serene. God, who is allwise in council, was pleased to try his faith and patience in the furnace of affliction. After a lingering and painful sickness, he died of a cancer, in the 57th year of his age. In him died a friend to justice, liberty, and energetic government. A vigorous watchman, a patient guide, an affectionate pastor, a prudent, kind husband, and an indulgent but truly faithful parent.

More joyful than a conqueror with his spoils, he retired from the present scene of action. We trust he is gone to a state of immortal bliss, and will be an associate of those who have come out of great tribulation."

Mr. Stearns was a close and thorough student. He studied the Scriptures in their original languages, with unremitting diligence. His limited means would not allow him to possess much of a library, but he was favored with the use of books by friends, who were able to own them. He was accustomed to borrow one volume at a time, and when he had read it through, its contents were his own. The late Rev. Dr. Thayer of Kingston, mentioning this fact, added, “The Bible especially was his Library." So intimate was his knowledge of the Scriptures, that “he could readily cite chapter and verse, where almost any text was to be

NOTES

BRENTWOOD. Before this town was legally separated from Exeter, of which it was originally a part, a meeting house was erected, within its present limits, at a location called Keenborough, about a mile east of the preseut meeting house. Brentwood was incorporated in 1742. To many of the inhabitants of the town, then including Poplin, the locality of the house was inconvenient. An act was passed at the time of the Incorporation, appointing three gentlemen of Portsmouth, a Committee, to designate a site, for a meeting house for the town. That Committee,, after due examination, in February, 1743, reported the spot at The Gulley, where the present Congregational house of worship stands. Arrangements were made for building; but various difficulties, for several years, hindered the completion of the house. In 1746, Poplin was taken from Brentwood and incorporated. In Hampton church records is the following minute in 1747. "Hampton, Nov. 29th. The church voted

that deacons Moulton and Philbrick should attend me to the ordination of Mr. Nathaniel Trask at Keenborough. Attest, W. Cotton, Pastor. N. B. This church did not see their way clear to act in the ordination above mentioned, because the parish was not regularly set off. Attest, W. Cotton Pastor."

In 1748, Dec. 12th, according to Farmer's statistics of New Hampshire ministers, Rev. Nathaniel Trask was settled at Brentwood. According to the New Hampshire Gazetteer, by Farmer & Moore, and the N. H. Register of 1822, the organization of the church, and ordination of Mr. Trask, is dated in 1752. The fact is, that he was twice settled in Brentwood. First, over the church, which worshipped at " The Borough," Dec. 12th, 1748. From that portion of the inhabitants, who worshipped in the New House, the house of the town, at " The Gulley," Mr. Daniel Little, June 28th, 1749, received, and, on account of existing difficulties in the place, declined an invitation to become minister of the town. Mr. Little was soon after settled in Kennebunk, Me., where he labored, with great fidelity and success, half a century. The following passages, in Hampton church records, preserve the Ecclesiastical History of Brentwood, at the time to which they refer.

“Jan. 20th, 1751, [Sabbath,] The church voted deacons Moulton and Philbrick to attend me to the gathering of a church at Brentwood. Attest, W. Cotton, Pastor.

N. B. A church was not gathered, but a joint council advised to, which met on February 19th. I was moderator, and Mr. Coffin, clerk. The council consisted of 12 churches, and advised the people to hear Mr. Trask four months, and if then two thirds chose him, to receive him, and otherwise that he should be dismissed. Attest, W. Cotton, Mod."

July 7th, [Sabbath,] Read a letter from Brentwood to this church. Voted to send deacons Moultou and Philbrick.

N. B. Mr. Trask and his people fell from the result entirely."