were labouring under those scruples."

From these

facts, it may be fairly inferred that Churches of some kind, were gathered very early in some of the ancient towns, perhaps with the first regular settlement, and broken up at this time, and their records, if any were kept, are lost forever. The affairs of the people at Wells, were now in a fluctuating state, and it does not appear that they had a constant supply of preaching for about eleven years. In the year 1661 the following order was issued by the County Court:

"At the Court at York, July 1, 1661. "The town of Wells, at present being destitute of "any fit person to carry on the worship of God amongst "them on the Lord's day: It is therefore ordered by "this Court, that 'till they can better provide for them"selves, (which we hope they will not neglect any op. "portunity to do) that Mr. Ezekiel Knight and Wil"liam Hammond shall duly attend the place of public "meeting on the Lord's day, and that they improve "their best abilities in speaking out of the word of God, Praying, Singing of Psalms, and reading some good "orthodox Sermons, as may most tend to the edifica"tion of them that hear, and the sanctification of the Sab"bath, as the law of God and this jurisdiction require."† This was probably the order of things in Wells for about three years, then the practice of the people, as far as it can be ascertained, by examining the ancient Town Record, was to agree with some person as a Minister,

Sullivan page 367.

↑ Common Pleas Records for the County of York, pamphlet B page 43.

and make stipulations for his support so long as he saw fit to remain with them. Six Ministers were successively employed in this way from the year 1664 to about 1690, viz. Joseph Emerson, Jeremiah Hubbard, Robert Payne, John Buss, Percival Greene, and Richard Martin. Little is now known of these men but

their names.

Mr. Emerson remained in Wells but a short time, and was afterwards settled in the ministry at Mendon in Massachusetts. Mr. Buss was a Physician, and after leaving Wells he preached and practiced Physic at Oyster River, now Durham, in New-Hampshire.* Greene and Martin were graduated from Harvard College, and were both of the Class of 1680. They are not marked as Ministers in the Catalogue. Mr. Martin was employed in Wells as a School Master for several years previous to his preaching, and probably had no regular introduction into the ministry. A Meeting House had been built in the town, a Parsonage house also, and regular order observed. It is reported that the celebrated George Burroughs, who was executed for witchcraft in 1692 preached in Wells at that time, and was apprehended at the Meeting House on the Sabbath. But nothing of this kind appears on any record. It is probable that the people were destitute of preaching for several years toward the close of the century. At that time, almost every settlement in Maine was broken up by the Savages, and that at Wells very narrowly escaped.

"Dr. John Buss was the Minister and Physician of Durham for many years, had the reputation of a pious man, and died there at the advanced age of 108,"

In 1701 the religious affairs of the town assumed a more flourishing aspect. Whether there was any particular attention to religion here at the time, is unknown. But the Society took a more distinct form; twelve men subscribed the usual Covenant engagements, and became a Church of Christ.* Mr. Samuel Emery had been preaching in the town for some time, and had received an invitation from the people to settle among them. He was accordingly ordained Pastor of this Church Oct. 29, 1701. The Churches assisting on this occasion were those of Newbury, Dover, Portsmouth, and York.-Mr. Emery lived about twenty four years after his ordination, and was succeeded in the Ministry by Rev. Samuel Jefferds. Mr. Jefferds was the son of Simon Jefferds, and was born in Salem in Massachusetts. He was educated at Harvard College, and was graduated in 1722. After this he kept a School at Beverly where he studied Divinity, and was ordained at Wells in 1725 at the age of twenty one years. It was in the early part of Mr. Jefferds' ministry that the spot now occupied as a Parsonage became such, and the house now standing was built. Mr. Jefferds died at the age of 48 in February 1752, and after a vacancy of nearly two years, Mr. Samuel Fayrweather was invited to settle with the people. He returned an answer in the affirmative, but much opposition being made, the Council declined ordaining him.t In Feb. 1754, Rev. Gi

The names of the original members of the Church were-John Wheelwright, William Sayer, Josiah Littlefield, Jonathan Littlefield, Samuel Hill, Joseph Hill, Daniel Littlefield, Nathaniel Clark, Thomas Baston, Nathaniel Clayes, James Adams, Jeremiah Storer.

+ See Appendix No. 1.

deon Richardson of Sudbury in Massachusetts, was or dained at Wells, but lived only four years. Soon after the death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Moses Hemmenway, a graduate from Harvard College, and a native of Framingham in Massachusetts, was employed to preach on probation, and on Aug. 8, 1759 he was ordained to the pastoral care of the Church. At an early period in life Rev. Mr. Hemmenway received a doctorate from Harvard College, and through the whole course of his life he was distinguished for his patient study, and laborious investigation of some of the most abstruse points in Divinity. His ministry in Wells was protracted through more than half a century. It was uncommonly peaceful and happy* Toward the close of the year 1810, Dr. Hemmenway's health became so much impaired, that the Church and people began to consider it necessary to obtain some assistance for him. Mr. Benjamin White was accordingly employed to preach on probation with a view to settlement, and in Feb. 1811 received a call to settle as colleague Pastor with Dr. Hem. menway. Before Mr. White had opportunity to give an answer Dr. Hemmenway died. This took place on the 5th of April. Mr. White returned to Wells in May, and was ordained in June following. Toward the close of the same year, Mr. White's health began rapidly to decline, and after repeated relaxations from labour, and journeyings to regain his health, he died at his Father's house in Thetford, Vt. March 23nd 1814, at the age of thirty three.-In October of the same year the Church

See Appendix No. 2.

invited Mr. David Oliphant to take the pastoral care of them, which he declined. The present Pastor of the Church was ordained March 8th, 1815. From the first settlement until the year 1750, the whole town, which then contained about 1000 inhabitants, constituted but one religious Society. Seven years before this time sundry brethren of the Church living at Kennebunk landing, had obtained leave of the Church to hold separate meetings in the winter season. This was the beginning of the second Parish. As the population increased there it became expedient that they should become a separate Society, and in 1750 the Parish and Church were regularly constituted, and Rev. Daniel Little was ordained over them. For nearly fifty years Mr. Little continued to perform all the pastoral duties as among that people. When he became infirm several candidates were employed to assist him with a view to the settlement of a colleague.-Mr. John Pipon, who was afterward settled in Taunton, Mass. received a call, but declined. In Aug. 1800 the present minister, Rev. Nathaniel Hill Fletcher, was ordained as Colleague Pastor. Mr. Little died suddenly in October of the following year. The state of the Church in Wells has been generally flourishing. Three times since its organization it has been favored with a gracious outpouring of the Spirit, viz. in the years 1741 and '42, in the year 1756, and in the year 1811; the first being under the ministry of Mr. Jefferds, the second under that of Mr. Richardson, and the third under that of Mr. White. The beginning of Mr. Jefferds' ministry was prosperous, and a considerable number