Chesterfield New Hampshire Historical Society
Methodist Circuit Riders
Asbury and Spofford Methodist Churches
ButtonRev. Grube B. Cornish
CHS archives contain many stories. Two of them involve Rev. Grube Burdette Cornish. The most well-known story is under Tales & Legends. It concerns an encounter the Reverend had with a noted Chesterfield native on Old Chesterfield Road. Here is the other tale:
Rev. Grube Cornish was a "circuit rider" pastor from 1910 - 1912 for the two Chesterfield Methodist Churches, Asbury in Chesterfield Center and the Methodist church in Spofford Village. He had been pastoring in Arkansas, but due to his New Hampshire born wife’s illness, he was reassigned to Chesterfield for a two-year term.
As was the custom, a horse was supplied to him for the duration of his stay. Major, who was owned by Mr. Martin of Richmond, was no ordinary horse. The Reverend soon learned this to be true. In the parsonage, the stable and house were connected by a door leading to a stairway which opened into the kitchen. Major figured out how to lift the stable door latch. He would then climb up the stairs into the kitchen, where he would refuse to proceed any further until he was given his daily "little something". Because Major proved to be a very reliable horse, Cornish would happily oblige him with his daily treat.
Cornish with Two Horses
ButtonIt was customary for a parson to stay with the ill which sometimes required an all-night vigil. Rev. Cornish could always depend on Major's ability to return him to the parsonage regardless of the time or weather. This held true one night when Major safely returned the good man home unconscious from pneumonia.
Major never forgot Rev. Cornish. Fifteen years later when visiting Keene, Mrs. Cornish recognized Major standing quietly at a curb. Rev. Cornish stopped the car and approached the horse. Major became excited and immediately went for the parson's pocket where the sugar cubes were always hidden. It was a happy reunion.
The Rest of the Story
The early circuit riders for the Methodist Church were not required to be ordained or be experts in deep theological matters. They only needed to be knowledgeable in the Doctrines of the Gospel. Called “saddlebag preachers” because they carried everything in their saddlebags, they volunteered their time and sacrificed much. Life was rough on the circuit which could last weeks and cover 200 - 500 miles. They were often impoverished, lonely, and had to face assorted dangerous situations. To them spreading the church’s messages was a passion. Their efforts proved very successful as Methodism became the largest US Protestant denomination by 1839.
Circuit Rider
Harpers Weekly - Oct. 12, 1867
Methodist congregations do not choose their pastor but are assigned one by the bishop. To this day pastors meet at an "Annual Conference" and are appointed either to a new circuit or are allowed to continue their present appointment. The usual assignment is for 2-5 years. In 1906, the average Methodist pastor’s salary was $812, which rose to $1,189 by 1918. However, a significant portion of their income came from the generosity of the congregations they served in the form of food, lodging, and other support.
Grube, Susan & Elane
ButtonRev. Cornish was born in Punxsutawney, PA in 1890. He married Hookset born Susan Maria Colby in Manchester, NH in 1909. Together they left for his circuit assignment in Sebastian, AK. He would be responsible for conducting worship and visiting members of each church in his charge on a regular basis. However, their time in Arkansas was cut short when Mrs. Cornish became ill with malaria during pregnancy. He was granted a new 2-year assignment in Chesterfield, which enabled his wife to be closer to family. In Chesterfield, they welcomed little Laura Elane on March 24, 1910. They sadly had to say goodbye to their daughter as meningitis claimed her on July 25th, at the age of 4 months.
From Chesterfield, Cornish went on to be parson in Eliot, Rumford, Richmond, and eventually York, ME, where a second daughter, Eleanor, was born in 1920. When WWI broke out, he became Chaplin to the 5th Army Division, serving overseas 1918 – 1919. Afterward he joined the Maine National Guard, retiring as a Lt. General in 1935. He left the ministry in 1925 to become Executive Secretary of the Maine Office of Charities and Corrections. His devotion to the "Methodist Social Creed" earned him national recognition. He ended his career as Superintendent of the Maine State School for Boys (a reform school). Rev. Cornish died on Jan. 2, 1950, and is buried in Portland, ME. He left behind a legacy of good work which inspired many, especially his daughter, who followed in his dedication to social work.
Cornish Family Photos provided by Nancy Martin
