A church, which continues under the style of the First Church in Exeter, was organized in September, 1698. In the Hampton Church Records is the following entry: "1698. Sept. 11, Dismissed, in order to their being incorporated into a church state, in Exeter, Mr. Moses Leavitt, Mr. Henry Wadley, Jno. Scribner, Mrs. Elisabeth Clark, Mrs. Elisabeth Gilman, wife of Cap. Gilman, Mrs. Tipping, Mrs. Deborah Coffin, Goodwife Bean, Mrs. Mary Gilman, Mrs. Elisabeth Wadley, Mrs. Sarah Dudley, Sarah Sewal, Deborah Sinclar. And Mr. Wear and Cap. Dow were chosen, messengers of the church, to assist in the ordination of Mr. Jno. Clark, at Exeter." The persons who have been mentioned, as having been formerly admitted to the church in Hampton, (most or all of whom lived in Exeter,) constituted nearly half the number, who entered into a church state at Exeter.
The most ancient volume extant of the records of the present "First Church of Christ in Exeter" commences thus, "The order of proceeding in gathering a particular Church in Exeter."
"After conferring together, and being mutually satisfied in each other, we drew up a confession of faith, and the terms of the covenant, which we all signed, the sabbath before ordination. And having sent for the Rev. Mr. J. Hale, (who preached the ordination sermon,) Mr. Woodbridge, Mr. Pike, Mr. Rolfe, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Toppan, who accordingly came; and on the twenty-first of September, 1698, Mr. Hale, Woodbridge, Pike, and Cotton, laid on hands, Mr. Pike praying before the imposition of hands; Mr. Woodbridge gave the charge; Mr. Cotton gave the right hand of fellowship; and we were, by the elders, and messengers, of the several churches, owned as a Church of Christ, and John Clark declared to be a minister of Christ Jesus." No doubt Mr. John Hale, of Beverly, was the preacher. He had recently married the widowed mother of Mr. Clark. The other ministers mentioned were undoubtedly Rev. Messrs. Benjamin Woodbridge, minister first at Bristol, R. I., who preached at Kittery in 1688, and, as early as 1699, in Medford; John Pike of Dover; Benjamin Rolfe of Haverhill, Ms., who was killed by the Indians; John Cotton of Hampton; and Christopher Toppan of Newbury. The father of Rev. John Clark of Exeter was Nathaniel Clark, a merchant of Newbury, and one of the early settlers of that town, who married, Nov. 25, 1663, Elisabeth Somerby, daughter of Henry Somerby, one of the grantees of Newbury. Nathaniel Clark was in the expedition to Canada in 1690, and died there, Aug. 25, aged 46, having been wounded on board the ship "Six Friends." His widow, Elisabeth Clark, married Rev. John Hale of Beverly, Aug. 8, 1698. Mr. Hale was chaplain in the expedition in which Nathaniel Clark was mortally wounded. A particular account of Mr. Hale does not belong to this article. Of his views and influence in the affairs of the "Salem Witchcraft" see Amer. Quar. Reg. Vol. X. pp. 247, 248. In that account there is, however, doubtless a mistake as to the original name of the widow of Nathaniel Clark. See also Magnalia, II. 408, and Coffin's Newbury, p. 298. Rev. Mr. Clark of Exeter was born at Newbury, June 24, 1670, gr. H. C. 1690, and ordained at Exeter, Sept. 21, 1698; "married Elisabeth Woodbridge, a daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge, already mentioned, and granddaughter of Rev. John Woodbridge, first minister of Andover, and also of Rev. John Ward, first minister of Haverhill, June 19, 1694,—Rev. John Clark died July 25, 1705," aged 35. His children were Benjamin, Nathaniel, Deborah, and Ward, who was the first minister of Kingston. The mother of Elisabeth Woodbridge was Mary, daughter of John Ward.
The Woodbridge family has furnished a number of ministers distinguished for talents, learning, piety, and an excellent spirit. Were the notices of them collected, which are scattered in various publications, they would form an interesting memoir.
Rev. John Odlin, the fourth minister of Exeter, and the second minister of the present First Church, was son of Elisha, and grandson of John Odlin, one of the first settlers of Boston. Rev. John Odlin was born in Boston, Nov. 18, 1681, gr. H. C. 1702, ordained at Exeter, Nov. 11, 1706. He married, Oct. 21, 1709, Mrs. Elisabeth Woodbridge Clark, widow of his predecessor. Mr. Odlin was one of the proprietors of Gilmanton. His son, Capt. John Odlin, was one of the settlers of that town. Another of his sons, Dudley, was a physician. Elisha gr. H. C. 1731, and settled in the ministry in Amesbury; Woodbridge was his father's colleague and successor in Exeter. Mrs. Odlin, wife of Rev. John Odlin, d. Dec. 6, 1729. His second marriage was Oct. 22, 1730, with Elisabeth Briscoe, widow of Robert Briscoe, and formerly wife of Lieut. James Dudley, and daughter of Samuel Leavitt. Mr. Odlin d. Nov. 20, 1754, aged about 73, nearly eleven years after his son became his colleague. [Farmer's Reg.; Lancaster's Gilmanton; Exeter Church Cov.] In 1743, May 18, the church "voted to concur with the vote of the town in choosing Mr. Woodbridge Odlin to settle as a colleague with his hon'd father the Rev. John Odlin." During the same month "there were a number of the church separated from their communion." The circumstances will be noticed in the account of the formation of another church.
Rev. Woodbridge Odlin was ordained colleague pastor Sept. 28, 1743. The exercises were, Prayer by Rev. Wm. Allen of Greenland; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Odlin from Col. i: 28; Charge by Rev. Caleb Cushing of Salisbury; Right Hand by Rev. Mr. Rust of Stratham; and Prayer by Rev. Joseph Adams of Newington. Rev. W. Odlin was born at Exeter, April 28, 1718; gr. H. C. 1738, m. Oct. 23, 1755, Mrs. Abigail Strong, widow of Rev. Job Strong of Portsmouth, and daughter of Col. Peter Gilman. Mr. W. Odlin d. March 10, 1776, aged 57. His children were Dudley, Woodbridge, Peter, Elisabeth, Abigail, who was the first wife of Hon. Nathaniel Gilman of Exeter, John, Mary Ann, who was wife of Thomas Stickney of Concord, and Charlotte, wife of Jeremiah Stickney of Dover. [Lancaster's Gilmanton; Exeter Church Records.] Rev. W. Odlin, during his ministry of more than thirty-two years, baptized 1,276, and admitted 36 persons to the church. [Chh. Records.] The "Half-way covenant," as it was often called, was then in use, and this accounts for the great disproportion between the admissions to full communion and the baptisms. "It provided that all persons of sober life and correct sentiments without being examined as to a change of heart might profess religion or become members of the church and have their children baptized though they did not come to the Lord's table." [Dr. Hawes' Lectures, p. 149.]
Rev. Isaac Mansfield succeeded Rev. W. Odlin, and was ord. Oct. 9, 1776. The exercises were Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Tucker of Newbury; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Thayer of Hampton, from Ezek. xxxiii: 7-9; Charge by Rev. Mr. Fogg of Kensington; Right Hand by Rev. Mr. Webster of Salisbury, 2nd chh.; Prayer by Rev. Edmund Noyes of Salisbury, 1st chh. There were also invited on the ordaining council the churches in Brentwood, Dover, Epping, Greenland, 1st in Cambridge, 2nd in Scituate, and 2nd in Amesbury. Mr. Mansfield was born at Marblehead, Ms., in 1750, gr. H. C. 1767, also M. A. at D. C., 1770; married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Clap of Scituate, Ms. Mr. Mansfield, "according to his agreement with the parish," was dismissed Aug. 22, 1787, by a council of three churches, of which Messrs. Fogg, Langdon, then of Hampton Falls, and Macclintock were pastors. The result is in the church records. It does not state the circumstances which produced "such a crisis as to render a separation eligible on both parts;" but the council say, "We feel ourselves constrained by duty and love to testify the sense we have of the valuable ministerial gifts and qualifications with which God hath furnished Mr. Mansfield, and which have been well approved not only among his own people, but by the churches in this vicinity." During Mr. Mansfield's ministry of nearly eleven years, 245 were baptized, and 12 admitted to the church. Mr. Mansfield removed to Marblehead. He became a magistrate, and was afterwards known as Isaac Mansfield, Esq. His sons, Theodore and Isaac, were born in Exeter. Mrs. Mansfield died in Marblehead, Feb. 11, 1806, aged 59. He d. in Boston, Sept., 1826, aged 76. His father was also Isaac Mansfield, Esq., of Marblehead: "a gentleman of handsome literary acquirements, and spent his days in piety and usefulness." He died April 12, 1792, aged 72. He is supposed to be the same who graduated at H. C., 1742. [Alden's Col.]
Rev. William Frederick Rowland was born in Plainfield, Ct., in 1761, gr. D. C. 1784, also M. A. at Yale, 1787. He was ordained in Exeter, June 2, 1790. The churches invited were Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Hampton, 2nd Salisbury, 1st Newbury, 1st Newburyport, Greenland, Stratham, 2nd Exeter, Brattle Street, Boston, Charlestown, 2nd Portland. The exercises were, Prayer by Dr. Macclintock; Sermon by Dr. Thacher of Boston; Ordaining Prayer by Dr. Langdon; Charge by Dr. Webster; Right Hand by Dr. Macclintock; Prayer by Dr. Morse. Mr. Rowland m. Sally, daughter of Col. Eliphalet Ladd of Portsmouth. She died Oct. 12, 1798, at the early age of 24. Extracts from the sermon of Dr. Buckminster of Portsmouth at her funeral, may be found in Alden's Collection, Vol. II., p. 66. Mr. Rowland's 2nd marriage was with Ann, daughter of Col. Eliphalet Giddings of Exeter. She died June 13, 1811, aged 31. Her infant was buried with her. After a ministry of thirty-eight years, Mr. Rowland asked and received a dismission. It took place Dec. 5, 1828. The ministers of the council, whose result is in the church records, were Rev. Messrs. Hurd of Exeter, Sanford of Newmarket, Spofford of Brentwood, and Cummings of Stratham. Mr. Rowland deceased June 10, 1843, aged 82, leaving four children, Sarah Ann, Mary Elisabeth, William Frederick, and Theresa Orne. Mary Elisabeth died in 1845. The sermon at the funeral of Mr. Rowland was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hurd. Mr. Rowland's father was Rev. David S. Rowland, gr. Yale, 1743; settled first at Plainfield, Ct., and afterwards at Windsor, Ct.; where his son, Henry A. Rowland, was ordained his successor, in 1790. During Mr. Rowland's ministry at Exeter, there were 128 admissions to the church, and 295 baptisms. He possessed good talents, was very respectable as a preacher, and gifted in prayer.
Rev. John Smith was born in Wethersfield, Ct.; gr. Y. C., 1821; ordained at Trenton, N. J., March 7, 1826; dismissed Aug., 1828. Inst. in Exeter, March 12, 1829. Exercises on the occasion: Prayer by Rev. Abraham Burnham of Pembroke, N. H.; Sermon by Rev. N. Bouton of Concord; Prayer, Rev. Mr. Miltimore of Newbury; Charge, Rev. Dr. Dana, Newburyport; Right Hand, Rev. Mr. Hurd of Exeter; Address, Rev. Mr. Withington of Newbury; Prayer by Rev. Mr. Winslow, then of Dover, now of Boston. Mr. Smith's "relation to the people of his charge in Exeter, continued nearly nine years with mutual harmony and affection and with much advantage to the cause of religion." [Result of Council.] At his own request, he was dismissed Feb. 14, 1838, and accepted an appointment from the Amer. Tract Society, to superintend their operations in New Jersey, and in Southern New York and vicinity. He was afterwards installed in Wilton, Ct. During Mr. Smith's ministry in Exeter, the number of admissions to the church was 170, and the number of baptisms 139. The number of church members reported to the General Association in 1836, was 226. Of the children of the Rev. John and Mrs. Esther Smith, there were baptized at Exeter, James Dickinson, Jan. 7, 1830; Esther Mary, June 9, 1833; a second Esther Mary, Oct. 5, 1835; and Walter Mitchell, June 4, 1837.
Rev. William Williams was born in Wethersfield, Ct., Oct. 2, 1797, grad. Y. C., 1816; studied theology at Andov. Sem., and with Pres. Timothy Dwight. Settled in Salem over the Branch, since the Howard St. Church, July 5, 1821; dismissed Feb. 17, 1832; settled over the Crombie St. Church, which had separated from the Howard St. Nov. 22, 1832. [Amer. Quar. Reg., Vol. VII., p. 260.] He was installed at Exeter, May 31, 1838. Exercises on the occasion: Prayer by Rev. S. T. Abbott of Seabrook; Sermon by Rev. Milton P. Bramin of Danvers; Prayer by Rev. S. W. Clark of Greenland; Charge by Rev. J. French of North Hampton; Right Hand, Rev. J. Hurd of Exeter; Address by Rev. Edwin Holt of Portsmouth; Prayer by Rev. Mr. Gunnison of Brentwood. Mr. Williams resigned his ministry, Oct. 1, 1842, on account of the state of his health, taken in connection with existing difficulties. Mr. Williams returned to Salem, Ms., where he engaged in the study, and has been since in the practice of medicine. The number of members of Mr. Williams's church, as reported in 1841, was 217.