The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-01-28

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According to history quite number
of the people of Canaan became dis
satisfied with the preaching of the
Congregationalists in 1896 and nine
men separated themselves from the
other followers of religion, as Baptists
in sentiment. The Congregationalist
had in 1898 solemnly renewed their
covenant and had voted to give Rev
Jonathan Calef a call to settle in the
town. motion was made at an ad-
journed meeting to reconsider the vote
but the movement was negative, ID to
5. 1t is thought the withdrawal of
these men from their former church
society. might have been due to par
tisan feeling so strong that those who
voted against Mr.. Calef and the Con-
gregational form declined to connect
themselves with the new organization.
These persons who declared them
selves Baptists were exempted from
paying a minister's tax on proof that
they helped to support a minister not
of the Congregational order. Thes
old pioneers. who by the way an early
historian says, did not handle matters
with kid gloves or search the diction-
airy for smooth phrases. were a sturdy
and earnest race. Their names were
Robert Hood, John Hood, Samuel Var
mum, Solomon Whidden. Joseph Mills.
William Carson, Ephraim Carson,
Levi Powers. Nathaniel Burrill 1t Is
stated that all of these with the ex-
ception of the last four lived on the
east side of the river.
AS early as 1896 invitations were
extended to Elders Asa Wilbur who
nao ueen Ordained in 1893 and Jabez
Lewis of Sidney, to visit the people
and preach TO them the Baptist doc
trines. They had their trials in those
early days for they were much opposed
and it is understood no reproaches
were too severe to be helped up on
them as followers of the religion which
was then called new, although the
Baptists first made their appearance
in Maine in 1851. The converts at first
united with church in Clinton, but
at length, October 20, 1903, they or.
gained a church of their own with
fifteen members. We have ascertained
of their homes were as follows Daniel
Smith, who was the first deacon and
his wife Mary, James Webb and his
wife Rebecca and Christopher Webb
lived on the Norridgewock road The
Webb family lived on what Is now the
farm home of Mrs. Emma P. Weston,
formerly the late John Weston's
residence. The present homestead
thereon was built by Mr.. Webb, but
has since been remodeled George
Webb present chief of the Fire Depart
ment. is a descendant of this branch of
the Webb family and Christopher Webb
was the great grandfather of Mrs. w
b. Steward, Frank Steward and John
W. Steward David Lancaster and
wife, Sarah, and Eleazer Spaulding
and wife, Sarah, lived in Norridge-
wock; Humphrey Burrill and wife
Mary. Nathaniel Burrill and wife Ra-
chel and Isaac Lawrence, lived on the
River Road, four or five miles below
the village. while Meribah ireland was
the only one living on the Middle Road
Nine years later when the church was
built there were others from the Back
Roads.
The church was organized as the
first church in Canaan, about two
years before the regular proclamation
of the gospel was listened to, but In
the year 1906. the labors of Rev. Henry
Kendall were employed for a portion
of the time. During his administra-
ton revival refreshed the church and
about fifty persons were added there
to. We quote from Miller's Hist Bap
Maine the following: Mr.. Kendall
says. Many were converted, among
whom were Jonathan Steward. con-
yerted from Congregational errors. and
Robert Coburn ard David Steward
from the love of sin. The two former
became Baptist preachers. -
Mr.. Kendall was succeeded in 1903
by Rev. John Wagg. He remained I'M
Ill the year 1912. but 1t Is understood
from historical sources that the efforts
and proceedings of both these men
were altogether improbable to III.
church and TO the Baptist cause
Continued Next wcck)