Ellsworth American., 1916-01-19

In 1885 there were two organized re-
lieious societies in Ellsworth-the Con-
gregational and the Baptist. Among
those who attended these meetings were
several Unitarians. and others OF liberal
views, who were anxious to have Unitarian
preaching in Ellsworth. They held
meeting, chose a committee, and raised
certain amount OF money. They engaged
the Rev Samuel Devens to preach during
the summer months. During his services
be exchanged pulpits with the Rev. Mr..
Miles, OF Haliowell, and with the Rev.
Mr.. wiswell, of Csstine. During the
summer OF 1885, several Unitarian minis
ters preached in Ellsworth.
In the following, spring those who had
been promine in having these meetings
met and organized the first Unitarian
society in Ellsworth. They chose secre-
tary, James Whiting; . committee OF
three, John Black, Joseph A. Wood, John
L. Moor; q collector and treasurer, David
Dyer; and adopted a code OF bylaws.
warrent was obtained from Joseph A.
Wood, justice Of the peace, and the society
was organised under the name OF Uni
tartan society OF Ellsworth. A large sub
scription list was obtained. Among those
who were the most prominent in this
society were some OF the most noted men in
EiIsworth--Coi. John Black, David Dyer,
Joseph A. Wood, George Parcher, Leonard
Jarvis, Joseph Otis. James Grant, Col.
Charles Jarvis, and thirty-two others OF
the business men OF Ellsworth. l find
that three OF these subscribed goo each,
and several $50. towards sustaining this
society.
An invitation was extended 10 the Rev.
William D. Wiswell to be pastor OF this
society. He accepted, and as he had not
been ordained arrangements were made
for his ordination, which took place July
5, 1887, at Ellsworth. Among the Uni
tartan ministers present were Rev. Dr..
Harris, OF Boston; Rev. DR.. Parkman, Of
Portland; Rev. DIR. Nichols, OF Portland;
Rev. Mr.. Wedge, OF Bangor; Rev. Mr..
Cole, OF Belfast; Rev. MIR. Wright, of Hal
lowell.
These meetings were held in the old
court house. The old court house was
built by the town OF Ellsworth as q town
house. The land on which this building
sets was decided TO the town OF Ellsworth
by Mrs. and Miss Charlotte Herbert,
and the triangular lot in front to the
the shire town of Hancock county. By q
vote OF the county, Ellsworth became the
shire town, and all the documents, books
and records were removed from Castine to
Ellsworth.
This building was occupied by all Of
these bodies - by the town as q town
house, by the county for the courts, and
by the Unitrsrians for public worship.
In May, 1889, the time having expired
that Mr.. Wisweli had been engaged, the
society met, but did not make arrange
ment for further meetings. The Rev.
Peter Nourse, who formed the first Con-
gregational society in 1872 and had been
pastor OF that society SO long, by reason
OF his failing health and the infirmities OF
age, resigned, and was succeeded by the
Rev. Sewell Tenney.
Mr.. Tenney was very liberal in his views.
He was kind and benevolent, and he and
his estinable wife will long b, re- mem
bered Tor their work among the poor and
destitute in Ellis worth. He was engaged
by all in his professional duties, bringing
back quite . number to the society. He
was pastor when the present meeting
house was built.
Among those who attended the meetings
OF the Congregational, Baptist and Uni
tartan societies, some came ten or twelve
miles to attend every Sunday. They were
sons Of Revolutionary sires, and we to- day,
their children and grandchildren, revere
their names.