The Biography of Laban Ainsworth, Jaffrey’s first and longest serving minister, will be launched at the Jaffrey Meetinghouse, Saturday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The story of Laban Ainsworth is a remarkable one: The young Dartmouth graduate from Connecticut came to Jaffrey as its first settled minister in 1782 and served until his death in 1858, the longest Congregational ministry in history. He was the central force in the development of Jaffrey from a ragged frontier settlement to a thriving and populous mill town.
Jean Parker Waterbury, who had a close association with both Hancock and St. Augustine, Florida, wrote a biography of Ainsworth which was never published in its entirety until now. The Jaffrey Historical Society, with the blessing of the author’s son and daughter, has spent the past two years preparing the book for publication and expanding it to two volumes so as to include numerous reprints, excerpts, letters and documents, maps and photographs. The entire book – two volumes in one – is 261 pages. It will be available in a spiral softbound edition as well as a clothbound edition.
It has been prepared for publication by Robert B. Stephenson with contributions from Whit Waterbury, Susan Van der Eb Greene and David Wheelwright Torrey.
The launch on Saturday will be preceded by a tour of the Old Burying Ground highlighting the gravesites mentioned and illustrated in the book. This will commence, for those interested and weather permitting, at 6:30 p.m.
Robert Stephenson will present an informal illustrated talk on the project at 7:30 p.m. and how it came about and particularly about the contents of Volume II. Ainsworth descendent Bancroft Greene will present a family perspective and descendent David Torrey, an architect, will relate the history of The Ainsworth Manse which stands nearby. Jean Waterbury’s daughter, Holly Manley, will talk about her mother and her interest in history. Mary Jo Marvin will add some perspective on Laban and the First Church.
There will be ample opportunity for questions and there will be a reception following at The First Church Parish Hall.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at both the Meetinghouse and the Parish Hall.
For additional information on this event contact Stephenson at (603) 532-6066 or rob@rs41.org.