Second settled Pastor, Rindge CC

Seth Payson was born September 30, 1758 in Walpole, MA. Seth was the youngest son of Rev. Phillips Payson and his 2nd wife Kezia (Bullen) Payson. Seth was one of four brothers that became ministers. All Harvard educated as their father. The brothers, Rev. Phillips Payson (Jr) DD became ordained at the church at Chelsea, MA. Rev. Samuel Payson was ordained over the church in Lunenburg, MA, Rev. John Payson was ordained over the church at Fitchburg, MA. Little is known of Seth's early life except that he suffered a feeble constitution and was subject to epilepsy. As an adult he was free from this malady during the greater part of his life. He entered Harvard College in 1773 and was graduated with honors in 1777. He was ordained at Rindge, NH in 1782 and received the Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth College in 1809. The call to the pulpit in Rindge was first offered in 1781 after the vacancy created by the departure of the Rev. Seth Dean. The first offer was declined for reasons unknown. The next year the call was renewed when Rev. Payson then accepted the unanimous request of both church and town. His letter of acceptance was dated October 17, 1782 and his ordination was held on December 4, 1782. As was the custom at the time his ordination was a notable event, well attended including invitations to the churches of Chelsea, Dedham, Fitchburg, New Ipswich, Wilton, Ashburnham, Winchendon, Royalston and Fitzwilliam. From the clergy present it is known that Rev. Stephen Farrar of New Ipswich and Rev. Phillips Payson of Chelsea were among those who officiated at the occasion. The long 37 year ministry of Rev. Payson in Rindge was one of growth, not only the increase of the congregation but the building of the 2nd Meeting House in 1795. Dr. Payson built and owned the house in which he resided. After his death, his son, Henry Payson administrator of the estate sold the house and thirty acres of land to the town, which soon became the property of the Society of the Congregational Church and has been maintained as a parsonage to the present day. Rev. Seth Payson was married, September 19, 1782, to Grata Payson, the daughter of Deacon John and Thankful (Howe) Payson of Pomfret, CT. The Payson's had eight children in the coming years, two of their sons became ministers as well as three of their grandsons. Rev. Payson was highly respected in the local community and his influence extended beyond his local parish. Rev. Payson was a member of the NH state Senate in 1802-3 and 4 where he was recognized as an able legislator. Many reports and papers of the time are of his authorship. In 1802 Rev. Payson published a volume entitled "Proofs of the Real Existence and Dangerous Tendencies of Illuminism" this work was well read with flattering notices at the time and remains in print to this day. A good number of his sermons from various occasions over the years of his ministry were published as well. In 1799 he preached the annual sermon before the NH Legislature, the discourse titled "One sinner destroyeth much good" was well received. He was one of the founders of the academy at New Ipswich, and a trustee of that institution for more than 30 years. In 1813 he was chosen a trustee of Dartmouth College, a position he continued till his death. In 1815 he represented the General Association of NH at an important Ecclesiastical Convention held at Philadelphia. For several years he was vice president of the NH Bible Society, and he was a member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Rev. Payson suffered a short period of declining health beginning in 1819 and he died on February 26, 1820, aged 61 years.

Children

Edward, b. Jul. 25, 1783
Grata, b. Apr. 5, 1785
Charles, b. Jan. 1787, d. 1804
Ebenezer, b. Jun. 28, 1790
Henry, b. Mar. 22, 1792
Phillips, b. Aug. 1, 1795
Eliza, b. Nov. 16, 1797
Seth, b. Nov. 1, 1800, d. young