23 On The Trail of the Pioneer 1793-97

23 - ON THE TRAIL OF THE PIONEER 1793-1797

EARLY in the history of the colonies the District of Maine-as it was then called, because under the government of Massachusetts-offered special land-grant inducements to settlers. These were accepted by hundreds and thousands of home-seekers. The first settlers were mostly from Massachusetts, and descendants of the Puritans. While with these people some of the hard Puritanic features had been softened, they retained the physical robustness, mental vigor, and religious tendencies of their noble ancestors. As a rule, they were law-abiding citizens, reared large families, established good; schools, and welcomed the church.

They first took possession of the many islands and extended seacoast lands. Then they followed the rivers and smaller streams to the interior. From thence they ramified into the unbroken forests. Their mode of transporting their families and goods was by sailing craft to the islands and coastlands, and as far as possible up the rivers. Overland they proceeded on foot, on horseback, on packhorses, and on ox-teams. These were always interesting experiences, and sometimes a bit of romance was associated with these pioneer movements.

One young man, after helping Washington gain the liberty of the colonies, took up a claim in the Maine woods, made a clearing, built a log cabin, and then returned to Massachusetts for his wife and babe. These he placed in the saddle of his horse and packed their scanty belongings behind, while he, with gun in hand and his faithful dog at his side, marched ahead. On leaving the road they took an Indian trail for a few miles, thence were guided by blazed trees to their new home.

Mr. Francis Tufts came from Nobleboro, Massachusetts, moving- his goods and family on horseback. His children were carried in panniers made of basket stuff. They followed up the Kennebec to Sandy River. Thence they took to the woods, being guided the last day by blazed trees.

Later Mr. Tufts went to Boston with two others, and purchased of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, for themselves and others, the entire township of Farmington for four hundred pounds, about two thousand dollars. His position in society gave him a wide and controlling influence, which he used for civic righteousness and religion. In many respects the case of Mr. John F. Woods was similar to that of Mr. Tufts. Mr. Woods came from Dunstable, with an ox-team, being twenty-three days on the road. He also was a leading citizen of the town. These men were not only pioneer settlers, but pioneer Christians and founders of Free Baptist churches in the Sandy River valley. The pioneer preachers made many sacrifices and suffered great hardships in connection with their work among the early settlers. The case of Rev. Samuel Weeks is illustrative. One of Mr. Randall’s strongest colaborers, he was not only successful as an evangelist, but as a founder of churches. A native of Greenland, New Hampshire, he began preaching at Gilmanton, and later moved to Parsonfield, Maine. The surrounding country was then mostly a wilderness. One day in January, 1795, Weeks made his way through the woods, guided by blazed trees, to Porter, to attend an evening meeting. On his return, as he was crossing a branch of the Ossipee River, the ice gave way, and he fell from his horse into the water. Confused by this accident, and the night being very dark, he lost his path and could not find the spotted trees which would guide him.

Weeks wandered about for a while, calling, but in vain, for help. Not daring to proceed in any direction for fear of becoming lost, he decided to wait where he was till morning. Soon his clothes were frozen. Intense suffering was at length followed by numbness, accompanied by drowsiness. He knew that yielding to this stupor would lead to the sleep of death. So, by walking forth and back, rolling in the snow, and occasionally leaning against a tree to rest, he struggled desperately to drive off the almost overpowering desire to sleep, and succeeded in keeping awake. When morning dawned, Mr. Weeks found his way to a house, and was carried home. Examination revealed the fact that his feet were so badly frozen as to require the amputation of portions of each foot. But sadder Still, the shock broke down his nervous system, clouded his mind, and incapacitated him for public ministrations. The remaining thirty-seven years of his life were mostly spent in reading his Bible and in religious conversation with those who visited him. Thus, as a pioneer evangelist, he literally presented his body a living sacrifice to God.

Many other examples might be given, quite as illustrative as the foregoing, of sacrifices made and hardships borne by Free Baptist ministers in their efforts to reach the early settlers of New England, the Middle States, and the great West. But here it must suffice to say that, to the remotest forest home, these evangelists followed the trail of the pioneer with the gospel of free grace.

Respecting New England, Mr. Randall’s journal shows that he was the pioneer evangelist to all sections of country here mentioned, and beyond. Among other results of these efforts, churches sprang up in many places, and in some communities nearly every family became confessedly Christian. As a source of cheer and encouragement to Mr. Randall, God gave him the satisfaction of seeing that the cause to which he had devoted his life was making real, substantial advancement in all parts of his wide parish. This was apparent, not only in numbers, but also in public standing. The doctrines he held and taught were finding acceptance with the more intelligent classes.

Another source of encouragement was the fact that a better-furnished ministry was developing-a ministry more capable of declaring their faith and more efficient in defending it. All these conditions were accepted by Mr. Randall as comforting assurances that God was directing his movements and leading from victory to victory.