Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-15
1oral anu State Mems.
Winthrop Hall An Old Landmark.

years, and has had an eventual history. 1t is
the remains of the first "meeting house
built in the now city of Augusta. 1t was
erected at the expense Of the town in an age
when the people we're compelled by law to
support the established religion. The first
attempt to provide for the erection of "rnee:-
ing house" was made at a town meeting held
in l777.- 1t WIGS then voted to build a meet
ing house, and locate it by "drawing lots"
BY slot" the location was upon the east side
ofthe river, which seems to have been I'M
satisfactory, and from this period onward the
building of the house was a source of strife
and contention, entering into town matters
and the election Of town officers, until its
final completion. In 1870 the location was
changed to the lot now the corner of Water
street and Market square Occupied by Snow
although Water street was not then laid out.
The strife did not end with this action of the
town, but two years afterwards, at the annual
town meeting, the meeting house question
was an exciting element, and it was voted in
regard to it, 'to rub all out, and begin anew"
fixed at the spot facing Market square, and
preparations were made to proceed with the
great undertaking, the size and style of the
building determined upon, and committee
to make contracts and suparintend the work
appointed. 1t was erected and occupied in
1882, although not entirely finished until
1875. For several years after its erection, it
was not only used as the meeting house, but
the town meetings were generally held there,
and it was the place where the people assem-
bled on ''great occasions" 1t was here that
the dignifed Cony presided in the solemn de-
liberations of the freeholders in town meet
ing assembled, and the astute Sewall made
fair and honest record of the votes of the SOW
ereign people, while Jimmy Black, the town
constable, preserved due order and respectful
attention. On Sundays Uncle Livermore,'
the watchful sexton, aroused the lstless and
sleepy in the audience to attention to the
preached word" and with his long pole kept
the boys in subsection, if they became uneasy
or wearied by the long service or disturbed
the congregation by efforts to keep themselves
from freezing in the unwarmed building, with
the cold at 20 degrees below zero. In l1s6
the Rev. Isaac Foster preached in the meet
ing house, and was settled at salary of
"flO0 lawful money" Fosters services were
not acceptable to a portion of the Church,
headed by the conceited Sewall, who records
that he preached "poor doctrine" and crank
heresy." He was finally forced to vacate the
place, as was also Mr.. Stone, who succeeded
him, both being Armenian in their views
and opposed to the Calvanistic doctrines
of Sewall and his adhQrents. 1t was
from this house that the self-murderer, Pur-
ington, and his murdered family, were buried
on the 10th of July, 1906. 1t was day of
great excitement, and the services were attend
ed by vast multitude. The remains CT the
wife and children of the murderer and suicide,
were placed within the body of the house,
while his own corpse was left in the porch
during the services. On the conclusion Of
the services, long procession was formed
under the direction of Reuel Williams, mar
shall, which perambulated the town on both
sides of the river, the bodies of the family
placed in the van, while that Of Purington
brought up the rear, drawn upon horse cart.
The family we're buried within the grave yard
at the top Of Burnt hill, while the body OF Pur-
ington was deposited beneath the travelled
highway, over which teams and carriages pass
ed and repassed from day to day, so long as it
Remained there. 1t may we'll excite our Won
To- hot cd 60
the beginning of tine present century, conduct
ike this should have been exhibited in what, at
that day, was reckoned not only as a civilized,
but cultivated community, and that pro-
fes'edly religious and christian people should
be willing to visit upon the dead body of an
unfortunate maniac such indigni,y and VEN
geance. Surely the days of superstition and
bigolry were not then ended, if indeed they
10 not remain to the present day.
On the erection of the South Parish Church
n 1909, the meeting house was abandoned to
he owls and bats, and becoming dilapidated,
was declared by vote to be a nuisance, and
ordered to be taken down, which was done,
md the materials disposed of by sale. After
wards they were repurchased by the town,
ind erected into town house on the lot now
occupied by Capt. J. Anthony. Until the
own changed its form ofgovernment to city
he building was occupied as town house,
Ind was often the scene of violent controver-
" and bitter political strife. 1t was in this
building, that thirty years ago, the now VEN
rable "colored brother" father Eason, min.
stored in spiritual things to small band Of
eligious worshippers, who from time to time,
here assembled on the Sabbath. To this
DOM some benevolent members of the Lodge
Todd Fellows then in existence, went stealth
" on Saturday night, and erected neat,
asty and carpeted desk, as a pulpit for the
ather Eason's sanctuary. The surprise of
he old saint was very great on entering his
lace Of worship on the following Sunday
morning, averring that the CANCEL of de
ord" had made visit there during the night.
On the inauguration of the city government