Taken from The History of Haverhill,
Massachusetts, By Benjamin l. Mirick
Copyright 1991 by Heritage Books, Inc.
Click on map for full size view.
This map is of 1851 Haverill, Mass. along the Merrimack River. The 1st Baptist Meeting house (founded by Hezekiah Smith) is marked as well as the current Baptist church. Also, to the far right is the Pentucket Cemetery were Hezekiah and Hepzibah Smith are buried. This was the first cemetery in Haverhill with burials beginning in 1640.
LINK TO PICTURES OF HAVERHILL CHURCH
Pg. 168.
1766
The second meetinghouse in the First Parish had become decayed and too small to accommodate the people. It was last year voted to raise L300, to be paid in lumber, to defray the expenses of building a new house, the dimensions of which were ordered not to exceed 66 feet in length, and 48 feet in breadth. The present meeting -house was accordingly erected and mostly finished, in the autumn of this year.
Rev. Hezekiah Smith was installed over the First
Baptist Church, on the 12 of November. Pg. 190-191
1805
Rev. Hezekiah Smith, minister of the First Baptist Society, died on the 24th of January. He was born on Long Island, 21st April 1737, and received a public education at Princeton College, where he took the degree of A.M. in 1765. After he left College, he traveled over a great part of the United States, a distance of 4,000 miles, and preached about two hundred times. On his arrival at Charleston, South Carolina, he was ordained as an Evangelist.
In the spring of 1766, he came to New England, but with the intention of returning in the fall; he was, however, prevailed upon to accept the invitation of this Church, and was installed on the 12th of November, of the same year. Soon after his installation, Congress appointed him a Chaplain in the Army: and in this situation he remained till 1780, when he was honorably discharged.
While in the station he was highly esteemed, both by officers and men; and he often exposed himself in the time of battle, to encourage the soldiers and comfort the wounded and dying. Upon his return, the Society voted him a salary of L100 in silver. Brown University is greatly indebted to his exertions. He traveled through various parts of the country, collection monies of its benefit, a service for which he was eminently qualified.
At an early period, that Seminary, sensible of his talents and great worth, chose him as one of its Fellows; and in 1797, conferred on him the degree of D.D. But few excelled him as a preacher; his discourses were plain and evangelical, and his voice was strong and impressive.
"In the family, no man exceeded him; there the softer affections were blended with just authority. The law of love and kindness was in his mouth. As a friend he was constant and sincere. The last sermon he preached, he was uncommonly engaged and persuasive. The Thursday following, he was suddenly seized with a paralytic chock, and spoke no more."
*Rev. William Bachelder was ordained over the First Baptist Society, in November.
*His funeral sermon was preached by Samuel Stillman, D.D., Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Boston.
Pg. 215
Succession of Ministers.
FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY Ordination: Deceased : Age:
Rev. Hezekiah Smith 21 Nov. 1766 24-Jan. 1805 67
Rev. William Batchelder Nov 1805-8 April 1818 51
Rev. George Keely 7 Oct. 1818
HEZEKIAH SMITH
From "The History of Haverhill, Massachusetts"
By George Wingate Chase
1997 Picton Press
Pg. 339
3rd Paragraph-- Among the earliest of the sects which sprang up in Massachusetts and claimed recognition as such, were the Baptists. From an obscure beginning they gradually worked their way until the disciples of the new doctrine were numbered by thousands, among whom were some of the ablest minds of that time. One of these was Rev. Hezekiah Smith, a man of rare powers as a preacher, and who became an acknowledged leader in the "New Light" movement. He visited Haverhill in the fall of 1764, and labored with such success that a church of "Separatists," or as they soon became to be called, "Baptist," was organized the following spring, and immediately proceeded to build themselves a meeting house. So rapid was the growth of the new church, that in less than three years it numbered over one hundred members. As we give a particular account of this church in another place, we pass over it for the present without further notice. Pg. 427-429
On the 22nd of February of 1768 a Fire Club was organized in Haverhill for the purpose of extinguishing fires and saving both people and each other's Goods. The penalty of non-attendance at a fire, was fifty cents. They would also recover bodies in cases of drowning
On page 429 it lists Rev. Hezekiah Smith as joining the Fire Club on
January 1784 Pg. 584
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The first Baptist Church and Society in this town had its origin in a casual visit of the Rev. Hezekiah Smith to the town in the autumn of the year 1764. He was a young man, who had recently graduated from the college in Princeton, NJ and been ordained to the Christian ministry, and his preaching was attended with remarkable success. At first, he ministered in the pulpits of the "Standing Order", but when converts were multiplied, and there were indications that a church of "Separatists" under this "New Light" leader, would be organized, those pulpits were closed against him. There being at that time no recognized Baptist Church in the immediate vicinity, the brethren in Haverhill were obliged to proceed to their organization without council from abroad; and, accordingly, on the 9th of May, 1765, seven brethren and sixteen sisters, in all twenty-three, "after solemn fasting and prayer, mutually agreed to walk in gospel order together, having been first baptized by immersion, but not joined to any church." With one exception these persons had all been baptized by Mr. Smith.
On the 28th of June 1765, the church gave Mr. Smith a call to become their pastor. This call does not appear to have been either accepted or declined until August 22nd, 1766, when Mr. Smith was received to membership by letter from the Baptist Church in Charleston, SC. The call was then renewed, and on the 12TH of November 1766, Mr. Smith became the pastor of the church and continued in that office until his decease.
Immediately after the organization of the church a large and commodious meeting-house was erected and finished the same year. It stood near the present church and was first built without a steeple. The latter was added in 1799. Pg. 586-587
Rev. Hezekiah Smith, D.D., was born on Long Island, New York, April 21, 1737, of pious and reputable parents. He received his public education at Princeton College, where he graduated in 1762, and took his master's degree in 1765. After he left college, by advice of his physician he spent some time in travel, for the benefit of his health.
(Mr. Smith's salary was L65 in 1794; L80 in 1798; L90 in 1803; and $300 in 1804)
On his arrival at Charleston, SC, he was ordained as an Evangelist: after which he visited various parts of the United States;--in one year traveling more than four thousand miles, and preaching about two hundred times. He came into New England in the spring of 1764 intending to return in the fall. He preached frequently while here, and came to Haverhill to supply the pulpit at the West Parish for a time. His preaching was remarkably successful. He was endowed with a commanding presence, rare social qualities and pulpit talent, and had enjoyed the best educational advantages of his time. He preached without notes; and his plain and practical sermons, able expositions of scripture, (in which he excelled) strong and commanding voice, and impressive manner, drew together large numbers from the neighboring parishes.
When it became known that the popular preacher was a Baptist, (which fact was not at first even suspected) it added fresh fuel to the smoldering fires in the above parish, and the doors of the pulpit were speedily closed against him.
Mr. Smith was among the first and firmest friends of Brown University, and traveled through various parts of the county to collect monies for its benefit. At an early period he was one of its' Fellows, and continued so until his death. Sensible of his talents, his theological knowledge, the excellence of his character, and its indebtedness to him for his great exertions in its behalf, that University, in 1797, conferred upon him the honorable degree of Doctor of Divinity.
On the day of Mr. Smith's death his society met and voted to pay all
the expenses of the funeral, and also to provide the widow, her daughter,
"and the girl", with "a suit of mourning".
During the ministry of Mr. Smith, three hundred and five persons were admitted to the church, including the original members. Hezekiah Smiths stone is no longer to be found in Pentucket Cemetery, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Time has taken its toll. I found in the library from an old record keeping project the recording of his headstone. Here are the transcripts.
Smith
In memory of James the son of the Rev. Hezekiah and Mrs. Hepzibah Smith
who died July 31, 1784 aged 3 weeks.
Smith
In Memory of Peter Smith son of the Rev. Hezekiah and Mrs. Hepzibah Smith
who died Oct. the 30 1781 aged 9 weeks and 3 days.
Smith
Mrs. Hepzibath relict of Rev. Hezekiah Smith D.D. died Dec. 9 1824 at
age 78
Smith (Flat Tablet)
In memory of the Rev. Hezekiah Smith D.D. who was born at Long Island,
State of New York April 21, A.D. 1737. Graduated at Princeton College A.D.
1758. He was ordained as an Evangelist in Charleston, South Carolina and
was the first pastor of the Baptist Church in Haverhill and took charge of
the Flock Nov. 12. A.D. 1766. He departed this life Jan. 24 A.D. 1805 after
forty years of faithfully performing ye Pastoral Duties. He was laborious
and successful in his preaching and an able Defender of the Christian faith.
His Discourses were delivered with Fervency and a becoming Solemnity. He
was a vigilant Watchman in the various Stations of his Office. In Social
Circles he shone conspicuously. His Deportment through Life exhibited the
Humble Christian and faithful Minister of Jesus Christ.
Smith
Mrs. Judith Smith consort of Mr. Jonathan K. Smith departed this life
Nov. 2 1818 at age 36.
Smith
Jonathan K. Smith born Jan. 28 1774. died Oct. 12 1843 at age 69
"While at Haverhill Public Library I found a copy of a letter from Hezekiah Smith to his wife Hephzibah."
Camp on Winter Hill March 17 1776
My dear Hephzibah,
I am sorry that it is not in my power, to afford you the agreeable intelligence that Boston is in our Possession: when that Periond will be, is uncertain; but I hope some time this Month.-The fifth of March I expected a bloody-Battle bothe on Dorchester Hill and in Boston; but the Time was not come for the many Souls to be removed into Eternity which such an Engagement would effect. We had about four thousand on Cambridge Common ready to Embark for Boston, if the King's Troops had sailed out on our People at Dorchester Hill, I would not have you the least concerned about me, for verily believe I am where I ought to be, and in the Way of Duty is the Way of Safety. I could not consent myself to be confined out of the Army at present; latley I have perceived more of the genuine Operations of teh Holy Ghost in some individuals, as I apprend, then I have met with since I have belonged to the Army. -St to publick News Dr. Johnonnot can inform you. As the Season is very open & either Decon Shepard, or Jonathan Bradley or any other persons, to make up the front fence to keep the Cretures from hurting it & I will satisfy you for it.
from your, etc.
Hezk. Smith
Children of Hezekiah and Hepzibah
Copied as transcribed....
Transcribed by Lorraine August, 1999 Lorraine01@aol.com
page created by johubbard Sept 1999