Laban Ainsworth, the First Minister of the Congregational Church in Jaffrey
Laban Ainsworth
LABAN AINSWORTH (1757-1858) ~ Laban Ainsworth, born in Woodstock, Connecticut, had a severe childhood attack of scarlet fever which caused his right arm to wither and to be nearly useless to him for life.
He entered Dartmouth in 1775 and graduated in 1778, attracting the attention of a First Church in Jaffrey committee seeking a pastor. After studying theology, he preached for two years at Spencertown, New York, where he served a few months as chaplain in the Revolutionary Army. He came to Jaffrey in 1782 at age 25 as the first pastor of The First Church in Jaffrey and helped to build a house in 1787.
He married Mary Minot of Concord, Mass. on Dec. 4, 1787. The Jaffrey community welcomed them with a party at the Ainsworths’ house. Two months later, on Feb. 12, 1788, smoke awakened them at night; their house was in flames. Leaping from a window, Mrs. Ainsworth received an injury from which she never fully recovered. Isaac Spofford, age eight, son of Deacon Spofford, lost his life in the flames. A town meeting was called. Labor and materials were freely given and soon resulted in building the dignified Ainsworth Manse that stands at the corner of Gilmore Pond Road and Mountain Road. It is still owned by his descendants, the Torrey and Greene families.
Laban Ainsworth fulfilled the promise of the engaging personality that had recommended him to the Jaffrey committee at the Dartmouth Commencement. He entered into the everyday life of his people. He bought and sold and bartered with them. He was an extensive owner of real estate. He cleared away forests, grubbed out stumps, fenced mountain pastures, and loaned the fruits of his thrift to those less fortunate via real estate mortgages. He belonged to the Masonic Fraternity and Liberty Society. He was superintendent of schools. He was fixed in his religious beliefs and yet was tolerant of other opinions. He had a keen sense of humor, could play harmless practical jokes with the best of them, and was a prodigious chewer of tobacco. He had a profound sense of the dignity of his office. He died in March of 1858. He and his wife are buried in the Old Burying Ground.
Laban Ainsworth, from the Melville Academy Museum exhibit.