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the selectmen shall order. Likewise, voted that Mr. Remington have liberty to cut what wood will be needed in addition to the above twenty cords, to support the fires in the Parsonage house yearly, and no more; and timber to maintain the fences about said Parsonage." These terms being suitable, Mr. Remington sent a letter of acceptance, of which this is a copy.

"BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: It having Pleased God Since I have Preached among you as a Candidate to incline your hearts to unite in proposing my Settlement -to this purpose the Church and Congregation met on July 12a and being happily united as I was informed in Completing a Call — having Seriously Considered of the Call and of the union and friendship which appeared to Subsist, think it my Duty to Express my approbation and acceptance of it. Acknowledging at the Same time with gratitude your good Opinion of my fidelity and faithfulness in the Proposals of my taking the Pastoral Charge and Care of you in the Lord and also the Respect and friendship you have Shown me both in Publick and Private since our first acquaintance Desiring your Sincere and Daily Prayers to God that I may be Enabled to perform Every incumbent Duty as a minister and Preach so as by Divine assistance, to Save not only my Self but them that Hear me.

With Affection I am your Devoted friend and Brother in the fellowship of the Gospel.

Candia, August 20- 1790.

JESSE REMINGTON.

At the time when Mr. Remington entered on the

duties of his sacred office, the settlement wanted five years of being half a century old, and twenty six years had passed since its incorporation. These had been no common years. Through the sufferings incident to new settlements in frontier places, the people of Candia had struggled on into something like prosperity at the commencement of the war. To this new burden they did not hesitate to offer their willing shoulders, and though few in number, sent their full share of men to the battle field. They suffered for what we enjoy. They experienced those bitter sensations, which God grant we may never feel, when reverse after reverse fell thick and fast on American arms, when the Southerner was driven to the fastnesses of his inaccessible swamps, and the Northern army lay perishing amid the snows of Valley Forge. They too felt that joy which paid an hundred fold for all endurance, when the world saw the disgrace of British policy and the triumph of justice and the American cause. When the flush of victory had subsided, they helped endure the burdens. of a Nation impoverished and weak, commencing its great experiment of self government.

Their industry and thrift in all this time had not forsaken them, and they had both ability and disposition to support decently their minister and schools, and to conduct civil affairs in a prosperous manner. They were not rich, but well enough off, as the saying is; the yearly tax at this time, (period of Mr. Remington's set

tlement,) from less than two hundred and twenty five payers, being about seven hundred and thirty dollars, four-fifths of which was for religious instruction, and for schools. The people of Candia were, and to this day are, a church going people. The sound principle and love of good order, the regard for things sacred which characterized the first Parish committee in their day of fasting and prayer, on account of the difficulty of procuring a suitable preacher, has not left them now. In respect to schools, it is but just to say that they have been for many years, in advance of all in their immediate vicinity.

March 9th 1802, the people being well united in Mr. Remington, and prosperous in worldly affairs, became desirous of building a steeple to their meeting house, not being content with the plain and simple structure their fathers had built a quarter of a century before; so they proceeded to add to it a porch and steeple, which, indeed, made a very fine appearance. On its dizzy, towering top rested that bird of birdsnot the American eagle, but the "weather cock," whose watchful eye admonished, like a sentinel from his turret, of the coming storm. Many a little boy firmly believed, that he crowed whenever he heard the morning salutations of his friends and kindred in the humbler walks of life. It was voted then to assess on those who paid a minister tax, the sum of one hundred and twenty five dollars, which in addition to that already

subscribed, should be used for the purchase of a bell. This bell was of a beautiful tone, as all who ever heard it, well know. It was rung three times a day, viz: at eight in the morning, twelve at noon, and nine at night, except the nights of Saturday and Sunday, when it was rung at eight. Mr. Nathan Fitts bid off the ringing the first year, for twenty four dollars and twenty five cents. The next year it was rung by Mr. Joseph Carr, by whom it was kept for many years. There was something attractive, even in the very rattle of that old bell rope as it came through its long pine tube down to the floor, and jerked backward and forward, occasionally taking a little boy by the heels, when without fear of the sexton before his eyes he ventured too near, of a Sunday noon. The old sexton, with his peculiar gait and somewhat stooping form, as with the church key swinging in his hand, he moved daily to his task, is impressed strongly among the memories of boyhood, and to all my Sabbaths the presence and services of Mr. Carr, seemed indispensable as those of the minister himself.

The object of this brief notice of our father's doings is nearly accomplished. Whatever could be obtained from the records, or the voice of tradition, has been faithfully written here. It is much to be lamented that the work had not been undertaken at an earlier period when there were more among the living who could have imparted valuable information on the subject.

It was not my purpose in commencing this sketch, to continue it as a narrative beyond the time when the town and parish ceased to be one in action. That may be the work of some future pen, when time shall have thrown around such events the charm of novelty. In this respect the memories of men and women in Candia will give them the history better than I can do it, while the full and complete records, since then kept of political and ecclesiastical action in town, will give — should they not be destroyed by accident or neglect, -satisfactory intelligence to the future seeker after information.

Every thing which in addition to this sketch, it was thought could illustrate or give it interest, is contained in the statistical part of this little volume. One event within all our memories is worth recording here.

On the morning of the 25th of January 1838, awakened by some noise, I saw on my chamber wall an uncertain and glimmering light, as of one passing with a lantern. While gazing dreamily upon it, the cry of fire! so startling to unaccustomed ears, was heard. The light on the wall grew brighter, as with a beating heart I sprang to the floor and threw open the window. A crazy column of smoke was pouring from the church, not a stone's throw distant. A neighbor on his steps was dressing by the light of the fire; every line of his countenance visible as he poured forth from stentorian lungs shout after shout. Some few people were already

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