Rev. Abraham Bodwell (1777-1863)

Son of: William 1747

Abraham graduated from Harvard University in 1805, spent 3 months in the study of theology with Rev. Jonathon French of Andover, Massachusetts and received approbation to preach from the Westford Association at Stoneham, April 30, 1806. Esquire Josiah Emery was sent by the town to Andover, seventy miles, on horseback to confer with him and to invite him to preach as a candidate, which he did for three months, delivering 23 discourses and two very pungent ones, Aug 24, 1806 from the text Isiah i,3,1,c.

Abraham Bodwell He was ordained Nov 13 1806. "His ministry was faithful and earnest in no common degree. He presented habitually, as though he believed them with all his heart, the great fundamental doctrines, -- ruin, redemption and regeneration." After a season of deep and prayerful anxiety for his people in 1816, the spirit was poured from on high; the whole parish was shaken and more than one hundred were hopefully converted to Christ, many of whom were fathers and mothers, among the most respectable and influential of the congregation. Other seasons of awakening were enjoyed, but none comparable to this.

During the 46 years of his ministry, 307 were received into the church and there were 484 baptisms, mostly children. He was eminently a peacemaker, "combining the utmost meekness of spirit and forbearance of demeanor, with declared decision and firmness of principle." He took an early stand on the temperance question, seconded by his excellent wife; "was at once an unworldly man and an excellent financier." Was ever bound to his collaboration, Rev. Mr. Crockett, of the First Baptist Church, "by a friendship, based on mutual and high respect and a warm affection.

He was dismissed by the same council that installed his successor, the Rev. James Boutwell, June 24, 1852, and ever afterward proved a good parishioner, a faithful teacher in the Sabbath School, ad an occasional aid to the preacher in the pulpit, while his strength continued. On the 50^th anniversary of his settlement, he preached a half-century sermon, but it was not published till after his death. (History of Sanbornton, Nh, p. 40-44)

Born Died Married Spouse

5 May 1777 24 Mar 1863 12 Jan 1809 Nancy Conner

Methuen, Ma Sanbornton, Nh Sanbornton, Nh b. 29 Jan 1788

Children of Abraham and Nancy (Conner) Bodwell

Name Birth Date Birth Place Death Date Death Place

1. Sarah Jane 12 Feb 1810 Sanbornton, Nh 11 Nov 1880 Laconia, Nh

2. Joseph Conner 11 Jun 1812 Sanbornton, Nh 17 Jul 1876 SW Harbor, Me

3. Ruth Conner 9 May 1814 Sanbornton, Nh 4 Jan 1886 Sandoval, Il?

4. Ann 28 Jan 1817 Sanbornton, Nh AFT 1842

5. Frances Conner 29 Dec 1818 Sanbornton, Nh AFT 1881

6. Mary 17 Nov 1820 Sanbornton, Nh 25 Feb 1821 Sanbornton, Nh

7. Susan Ordway 14 Dec 1822 Sanbornton, Nh 21 Oct 1862 Sanbornton, Nh

8. William 25 May 1826 Sanbornton, Nh 3 Sep 1873 Hyde Park, Ma

9. Elizabeth Lancaster 3 May 1830 Sanborton, Nh 27 May 1861 Sanbornton, Nh

01/03/97

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Born	Died	Married	Spouse
5 May 1777	24 Mar 1863	12 Jan 1809	Nancy Conner
Methuen, Ma	Sanbornton, Nh	Sanbornton, Nh	b. 29 Jan 1788

	Name	Birth Date	Birth Place	Death Date	Death Place
1.	Sarah Jane	12 Feb 1810	Sanbornton, Nh	11 Nov 1880	Laconia, Nh
2.	Joseph Conner	11 Jun 1812	Sanbornton, Nh	17 Jul 1876	SW Harbor, Me
3.	Ruth Conner	9 May 1814	Sanbornton, Nh	4 Jan 1886	Sandoval, Il?
4.	Ann	28 Jan 1817	Sanbornton, Nh	AFT 1842
5.	Frances Conner	29 Dec 1818	Sanbornton, Nh	AFT 1881
6.	Mary	17 Nov 1820	Sanbornton, Nh	25 Feb 1821	Sanbornton, Nh
7.	Susan Ordway	14 Dec 1822	Sanbornton, Nh	21 Oct 1862	Sanbornton, Nh
8.	William	25 May 1826	Sanbornton, Nh	3 Sep 1873	Hyde Park, Ma
9.	Elizabeth Lancaster	3 May 1830	Sanborton, Nh	27 May 1861	Sanbornton, Nh