Historical Timeline

1701 Yale University is founded in New Haven, Conn.

1702 England declares war on France and Spain

1702 The Royal Colony of New Jersey is founded in America

1704 John Campbell founds The Boston Newsletter - The first successful American newspaper

1704 The Indians and the French massacre British settlers in Deerfield, Mass.

1705 Edmond Halley predicts that the comet of 1682 will return in 1758

1707 The British attack the French colony of Acadia (Nova Scotia)

1709 Abraham Darby builds a blast furnace using coke for casting iron

1710 The British seize Acadia

1712 The first steam engine is invented by Englishman Thomas Newcomen

1712 The New England whaling industry expands rapidly with the hunting of Sperm Whales

1714 England’s Queen Anne dies and is succeeded by George I

1724 The Quakers make a statement which opposes slavery

1724 The British build fort Dummer - The first permanent European settlement in Vermont

1727 George II succeeds his father George I as King of Great Britain and Ireland

1730 Construction of Province Hall (now Independence Hall) begins in Philidelphia

1732 Benjamin Franklin publishes Poor Richard’s Almanac

1733 Settlement known as "Lower Ashuelot" is surveyed and granted by Massachusetts

1734 The first settlement is established in Lower Ashuelot

1734 The Great Awakening Religious Revival is started in New England by Johnathan Edwards

1735 In May, 63 house lots of 3-4 acres each were laid out as the first division of territory in the township of Lower Ashuelot. Sixty proprietors would each have an equal share, one lot to be used for a school, one lot for a minister and the remaining lot for the cause of the ministry.

1735 In October, a second division of undivided land in the township into 63 shares of about 8 acres each was made

1736 In September, a third division of undivided land in the township into 60 shares of 20 acres each was made

1737 In March, a forth division of undivided land in the township was made with each lot containing about 65 acres.

1737 The first area saw mill is built by Ephraim Jones in West Swanzey near the falls

1737 In October, the fifth division of undivided land in the township was made with each lot containing about 100 acres. At this point, more than ½ of the total land in the township is divided.

1738 George Whitefield precipitates the Great Awakening Religious Revival in America by a tour from 1739 to 1741

1739 John Wesley founds the Methodist religious movement

1740 Nathaniel Hammond builds the first house in the township of Lower Ashuelot (Swanzey)

1740 Settlers in Lower Ashuelot are informed they are NOT within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts and thereby are not entitled to protection by the state of Mass. against the Indians. They also lost all legal claims made through the State of Mass. to their lands in Lower Ashuelot.

1741 The Congregational Church in Lower Ashuelot (Swanzey) is organized on November 4th

1741 Rev. Timothy Harrington begins as minister in Lower Ashuelot (Swanzey)

1741 George Frideric Handel composes the Messiah

1741 Jonathan Edwards of Northampton, Mass. writes "Sinners in the hands of an angry God".

1742 Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius invents the celsius scale for temperature

1742 The cast iron Franklin stove is invented

1742 The first school house is built in the township of Lower Ashuelot.

1743 Charles Chauncy of Boston, Mass. writes "Seasonable thoughts on the state of religion in New England"

1744 King George’s War begins in North America between Britain and France

1745 Rev. Timothy Harrington’s house is burned by Indians and all church records are destroyed

1747 The settlement of Lower Ashuelot was completely abandoned as the original inhabitants fled back to their former homes in Massachusetts and every house but one was burned by the Indians.

1747 The Ohio Company is formed to promote settlement west of the Appalacians

1748 Rev. Timothy Harrington ends his pastorate of the Congregational Church

1750 Settlers begin to return to Lower Ashuelot (Swanzey)

1750 American frontiersman Christopher Gist explores the Ohio river region

1750 The Waltz becomes a popular dance in Europe

1752 Benjamin Franklin invents the lightning conductor

1753 The township is re-granted to the original settlers who return to the area.

1753 The township of Swanzey was chartered by New Hampshire

1753 The Carpenter Home is built

1753 The Churches of Keene and Swanzey meet at the school house on August 31^st to form a union for the support of Gospel Ordinances.

1753 Rev. Ezra Carpenter begins as minister in Swanzey

1754 French attacks against the English in Ohio lead to the last French and Indian War

1755 The last appearance of hostile Indians who had their rendezvous on Mt. Caesar

1759 The British defeat the French at Niagra

1760 Keene and Swanzey congregations split; Rev. Ezra Carpenter chooses Swanzey

1760 George II is suceeded by George III as King of England

1760 British capture Montreal ending the French resistance in North America

1763 The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian war

1763 France cedes Canada and all territories east of the Mississippi to Britain

1764 Rev. Ezra Carpenter ends his ministry in Swanzey

1765 The first meeting house of the Congregational Church located on the ledge west of the Carpenter place in Swanzey was turned one quarter round by a hurricane or tornado

1765 George Grenville’s Stamp Act imposes a tax on all publications in the American colonies

1765 Samuel Adams helps to found the Sons of Liberty to oppose the Stamp Act

1766 The Declaratory Act imposes Parliaments rights to make laws in the colonies

1766 The Stamp Act is repealed after strong opposition from American Colonists

1767 The Townsend Acts impose a tax on imports to North America

1769 Rev. Edward Goddard is ordained and begins as minister in Swanzey on September 27^th.

1769 Pioneer Daniel Boone explores a route through the Cumberland Gap

1769 James Watt patents a condenser to improve the performance of the steam engine

1770 A brawl between British troops and colonists leads to the Boston Massacre

1770 British parliament repeals the Townsend Acts

1771 The Cresson Bridge is built at Sawyers Crossing

1773 American colonists throw Brittish tea into Boston harbor during the Boston Tea Party

1774 The first bridge is built across the Ashuelot river in West Swanzey

1774 Britain passes the Intolerable Acts and closes the port of Boston

1774 Edmond Burke’s speech on American Taxation defends the colonists rights

1774 Rhode Island becomes the first state to abolish slavery

1774 The First Continental Congress meets and condemns Britain’s Intolerable Acts

1775 Patrick Henry - "Give me liberty or Give me death"

1775 Paul revere rides to Lexington to warn the colonists that the British were coming

1775 Brittish troops and colonial militia clash at Lexington starting the American Revolution

1775 Britain suffers major loses at the Battle of Bunker Hill

1775 George Washington is selected to lead the Continental Army

1776 On June 11th Thomas Jefferson heads a committee of 5 to prepare the Declaration of Independance

1776 The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independance

1777 The Stars and Stripes is chosen as the American Flag

1778 France enters the war to support the colonists

1781 The British surrender to Americans at Yorktown

1781 The American Revolution ends on October 19th

1783 Britain recognizes American Independance at the Treaty of Paris

1785 New York becomes the temporary capitol of the United States

1786 The first fulling mill in West Swanzey is built

1786 Daniel Shays leads a rebellion against the state government of Massachusetts

1787 The Constitutional Convention meets in Philidelphia to draw up the US Constitution

1789 George Washington is inaugurated as the 1st President of the U.S.

1792 The Baptist Church is organized in West Swanzey

1792 George Washington is re-elected President of the U.S.

1796 A second meeting house is built by the town at the present (1996) location of the Town Hall in Swanzey

1796 Federalist John Adams is elected President of the U.S. by narrowly defeating Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic-Republican candidate (electoral college vote of 71-68)

1797 John Adams is inaugurated as the 2nd President of the U.S.

1798 Rev. Edward Goddard ends his nearly 29 year ministry in Swanzey on July 5^th.

1800 Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson is elected President of the U.S. by the House of Representatives after a tie in the electoral contest with Aaron Burr, the Federalist candidate

1801 Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated as the 3rd President of the U.S.

1804 A "high pressure" steam engine is used to operate a locomotive

1804 Thomas Jefferson is re-elected President of the U.S.

1808 Rev. Clark Brown begins to supply the pulpit on August 21st

1808 Democratic-Republican James Madison is elected President of the U.S. defeating his Federalist opponent

1809 James Madison is inaugurated as the 4th President of the U.S.

1810 Rev. Clark Brown begins as minister on September 5th

1810 The fifth brigade of Maj. Gen. Philemon Whitcomb’s division NH militia mustered Swanzey Center with great military display

1812 The U.S. declares war on Britain in June which starts the War of 1812

1812 James Madison is re-elected President of the U.S.

1815 On August 16th an Ecclesiastical Council dismisses Rev. Clark Brown at his request. Rev. Brown supplies the pulpit until March, 1816

1815 Rev. Bradford Marcy is voted Moderator Pro Tem of the church on November 17th

1816 Rev. Bradford Marcy is again voted Moderator Pro Tem of the church on June 21st

1816 James Monroe is elected by overwhelming majority over his Federalist opponent

1817 James Monroe is inaugurated as the 5th President of the U.S.

1818 On November 16th the church votes to call Rev. Joshua Chandler as minister in Swanzey

1818 A letter from Rev. Joshua Chandler accepting the call to Swanzey was received on December 12th

1819 Rev. Joshua Chandler begins as minister in Swanzey on January 20th

1820 James Monroe is unopposed in the Presidential election and is re-elected

1822 On October 22nd, Rev. Joshua Chandler requests the relation between he and the Congregational Churchto be dissolved

1822 On November 26th an Ecclesiastical Council voted to dissolve the relation of Rev. Joshua Chandler as pastor of our church

1824 John Quincy Adams is elected President of the U.S. by the House of Representatives after electoral votes produced no majority winner in the contest with Andrew Jackson

1825 John Quincy Adams is inaugurated as the 6th President of the U.S.

1827 At a meeting held February 14th, it was voted to extend a call to the Rev. Ebenezer Coleman to be our minister for a salary of $300.00 and 30 cords of good wood annually

1827 Rev. Ebenezer Coleman installed as pastor on May 22nd by an Ecclesiastical Council

1828 Andrew Jackson is elected as the first Democratic President of the U.S. defeating John Quincy Adams in his bid for re-election

1829 Andrew Jackson is inaugurated as the 7th President of the U.S.

1832 A new covered bridge is built in West Swanzey

1832 Andrew Jackson is re-elected President of the U.S.

1833 The eleventh and final division of undivided land in the township of Lower Ashuelot is made on May 7^th. Each lot contained 3 acres.

1834 Rev. Ebenezer Coleman ends his ministry in Swanzey on July 1st

1836 The present Brick Meetinghouse is erected (where it now stands in 1996) by Virgil Woodcock for a sum of $2000.00

1836 Rev. Elisha Rockwood begins as minister in Swanzey on November 16th and serves until his death

1836 Democrat Martin Van Buren is elected President of the U.S. defeating both candidates from the Whig party, William Henry Harrison running in the west and south and Daniel Webster running in the northeast

1837 Martin Van Buren is inaugurated as the 8th President of the U.S.

1837 The Panic of 1837 is the worst economic depression experienced by the U.S. to date

1840 Whig party candidate William Henry Harrison is elected President of the U.S. defeating incumbent Martin Van Buren

1841 William Henry Harrison is inaugurated as the 9th President of the U.S. and is the record holder for the longest inaugural address

1841 President Harrison dies from pneumonia on April 4th after just a few months of being president

1841 On April 6th, Vice President John Tyler suceeds William Henry Harrison as the 10th President of the U.S.

1843 Mt. Caesar Seminary and Swanzey Academy founded

1844 Democrat James Polk is elected President of the U.S. defeating Whig party candidate Henry Clay

1845 James Polk is inaugurated as the 11th President of the U.S.

1848 Zachary Taylor is elected President of the U.S. defeating two other candidates in a three way race; Democrat Lewis Cass and "Free Soiler" Martin Van Buren. Whig Millard Fillmore was Taylor’s running mate

1849 Zachary Taylor is inaugurated as the 12th President of the U.S.

1849 Concord, Mass. native Henry David Thoreau publishes Civil Disobedience

1850 The second meeting house is cut to one story and is used as the town hall which separates the religious and municipal activities in Swanzey

1850 U.S. President Zachary Taylor suddenly dies on July 9th and is suceeded by Vice President Millard Fillmore

1850 Millard Fillmore becomes the 13th President of the U.S.

1851 The New York Times is founded by Henry Raymond and George Jones

1852 Hillsborough, N.H. native and Democrat Franklin Pierce is elected President of the U.S. defeating Whig candidate Winfield Scott

1853 Franklin Pierce is inaugurated as the 14th President of the U.S.

1854 Concord, Mass. native Henry David Thoreau publishes Walden

1854 The Republican Party is formed on May 30th after the Passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act which reopened the controversy of extending slavery into the western territories

1855 A degree of D.D. was conferred upon Rev. Elisha Rockwood by Dartmouth College

1856 Rev. Elisha Rockwood publishes "Comprising Histories of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches of the State"

1856 On June 26th the church led by Rev. Elisha Rockwood observes a day of fasting and prayer in reference to the state of religion and the crisis of the affairs of the national government

1856 Democrat James Buchanan is elected President of the U.S. defeating Republican John C. Fremont and Millard Fillmore, "Know-Nothing" candidate

1857 James Buchanan is inaugurated as the 15th President of the U.S.

1857 The first passenger elevator is installed in a New York City store

1858 The first TransAtlantic telegraph cable is laid.

1858 Rev. Elisha Rockwood dies on June 19th

1859 On January 15th the church voted to send a call to Rev. John G. Wilson

1859 Rev. John G. Wilson begins as minister in Swanzey on June 29th

1860 Florence Nightingale establishes a school for training nurses

1860 The Pony Express is started to deliver mail from Missouri to California

1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected as the first Republican President of the U.S. defeating Democrat Steven Douglas which leads to the secession of some southern states before he is inaugurated

1860 South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union

1861 Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th President of the U.S.

1861 The Confederate States of America declare their independance from the United States

1861 Civil War erupts with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12th

1861 The U.S. introduces the first National Income Tax

1863 Lincoln announces a Reconstruction Plan after the Civil War

1864 Rev. John G. Wilson ends his ministry here on February 18th

1864 Rev. Thomas E. Roberts begins as minister in Swanzey on July 24th

1864 Abraham Lincoln is re-elected President of the U.S.

1865 Lincoln is assasinated on April 14th and is suceeded by Vice President Andrew Johnson, a Democrat

1865 Democrat Andrew Johnson becomes the 17th President of the U.S. on April 14th

1866 Congress approves the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution

1866 The Ku Klux Klan is formed in the South

1866 The first transatlantic cable is laid

1868 The pulpit, platform and gallery in the sanctuary of the brick meeting house are lowered

1868 Because of conflicts with congress on theory’s of Reconstruction after the Civil War, Andrew Johnson is impeached by the House of Representaives and tried by the Senate which ultimately found him innocent

1868 Rev. Thomas Roberts ends his ministry here in October

1868 Rev. William Cutler begins as minister in Swanzey

1868 Republican Ulysses S. Grant is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat Horatio Seymore

1869 Ulysses S. Grant is inaugurated as the 16th president of the U.S.

1869 Congress passes the Fifteenth Amendment

1869 Union Pacific, the first transcontinental railroad, is completed

1870 Rev. William Cutler ends his ministry here

1871 Rev. Charles Willey begins as minister in Swanzey

1871 Great fires destroy much of Chicago and Boston

1872 President Grant is reelected

1873 Rev. Charles Willey ends his ministry here in July

1873 Rev. E. Irvin Carpenter begins as minister in Swanzey

1873 Barbed wire is invented

1873 Commercial and financial panic disrupts the economy

1875 The first Old Home Day in Swanzey

1875 The Civil Rights Act is passed

1876 Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone

1876 Baseball’s National League is founded

1876 The first internal combustion engine is built by German Nikolaus Otto

1876 The November presidential election appeared to produce Democrat Sam Tilden the winner but disputed returns from some southern states led to the Compromise of 1877 when Rutherford B. Hayes emerged as victor

1877 Rutherford B. Hayes is inaugurated as the 19th President of the U.S.

1877 Rev. E. I. Carpenter ends his ministry here on February 10th

1877 Rev. H. H. Saunderson begins as minister in Swanzey in June

1879 Thomas Edison invents the electric light bulb

1879 The Salvation Army begins operations in America

1880 The population in Swanzey reaches 1,660

1880 Mt. Caesar Union Library Association formed

1880 Joel Chandler Harris publishes Uncle Remus

1880 Republican James A. Garfield is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat Winfield Scott Hancock

1881 James A. Garfield is inaugurated as the 20th President of the U.S.

1881 President Garfield is shot on July 2nd and dies on September 19th. Because of the assasination, Vice President Chester A. Arthur suceeds him.

1881 Chester A. Arthur becomes the 21st President of the U.S.

1882 Rev. H.H. Saunderson ends his ministry here

1882 Rev. Benjamin Merrill begins as minister in Swanzey in October and continues until his death

1884 Democrat Grover Cleveland is elected president of the U.S. defeating Republican James G. Blaine

1884 A platform is erected for the singers in the southwest corner of the sanctuary

1885 Grover Clevland is inaugurated as the 22nd President of the U.S.

1885 The first automobile powered with an internal combustion engine is built by German Karl Benz

1885 Stratton Free Library and Art Gallery established

1885 Mark Twain publishes Huckleberry Finn

1886 The Golden Rod Grange is organized

1887 The audience room and the ante-room are refurbished and a new pulpit and bible were added

1888 Republican Benjamin Harrison is elected president of the U.S. defeating incumbent Grover Clevland

1888 Rev. Benjamin Merrill dies on November 19th

1888 The greatest snowstorm ever known in Swanzey occurs

1889 Benjamin Harrison is inaugurated as the 23rd President of the U.S.

1889 Rev. Harvey Woodward begins as minister in Swanzey in May

1889 The Christian Endeavor Society is organized

1890 The Lincoln Grange is organized

1890 A chapel adjoining the church is built

1890 The battle of Wounded Knee is fought

1891 Rev. Harvey Woodward ends his ministry in Swanzey in October

1891 Rev. Charles E. Milliken begins as minister in Swanzey and continues until his death

1891 Basketball is invented by James Naismith

1892 Democrat and previous President Grover Cleveland is elected president of the U.S. again defeating incumbent Benjamin Harrison

1893 Grover Clevland is inaugurated as the 24th President of the U.S.; the only man to be president in nonconsecutive terms

1893 A severe and prolonged depression begins

1895 Stephen Crane publishes The Red Badge Of Courage

1896 Rev. Charles E. Milliken dies on June 16

1896 Rev. Virgil W. Blackman begins as minister in Swanzey in October at a salary of $700.00 and parsonage

1896 Republican William McKinley is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan

1897 William McKinley is inaugurated as the 25th President of the U.S.

1897 Boston opens the first subway in America

1898 The economy begins to revive from the depression of 1893

1898 Congress declares war on Spain on April 25th

1900 Rev. Virgil W. Blackman resigns as minister here in October and joined the Baptist denomination

1900 William McKinley is reelected president of the U.S. and Theodore Roosevelt is elected vice-president. McKinley again defeated William Jennings Bryan, Democrat.

1901 Rev. Lucien C. Kimball begins as minister in Swanzey in January at a salary of $600.00 and parsonage

1901 President McKinley is shot on September 6th and dies on September 14th. As a result of the assasination, Teddy Roosevelt suceeds him

1901 Theodore Roosevelt becomes the 26th President of the U.S.

1901 Baseball’s American League founded

1903 The Wright brothers make the first succesful flight at Kitty Hawk

1903 The Boston Red Sox win the first World Series

1904 Rev. Lucien C. Kimball ends his ministry here on October 1st

1904 Theodore Roosevelt is elected president of the U.S.

1905 Rev. George A. Furness begins as minister in Swanzey in February at a salary of $600.00 and parsonage

1905 At a meeting held on August 16th, a committee was chosen to purchase an organ

1905 The National Education Association is founded

1906 Henry Ford produces his first automobiles

1906 An earthquake and fire destroy much of San Francisco

1906 A Sunday School Branch is organized in East Swanzey

1907 Extensive repairs are made to the Brick Meetinghouse and the old square pews were removed

1907 Financial panic and a recession hits America

1907 Extensive repairs to the inside of the Meetinghouse are started

1908 The new pipe organ donated by George B. Holbrook in memory of Millens and Laura Holbrook, and costing $1050.00 was played for the first time on Thursday, March 5th

1908 On Friday, March 6th a dedication service was held marking the completion of extensive repairs to the sanctuary including steel on the walls and ceiling, a new furnace in the newly excavated cellar, new pews and carpet

1908 Republican William Howard Taft is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan

1909 William Howard Taft is inaugurated as the 27th President of the U.S.

1909 On March 21st, the hour of morning worship was changed from 11:00 to 10:45

1911 Rev. George A. Furness resigns as minister here on November 15th but apparently stays here for most of 1912

1912 At a meeting held on January 27th, it was voted to pay Mr. Furness $30.00 each month for the months of August, September and October and $10.00 for one Sunday in November

1912 Rev. A. W. Field was given $7.50 per Sunday to supply the pulpit

1912 At a meeting held April 24th, it was voted to extend a call to Rev. Geo. A. Furness to become our pastor

1912 Rev. George A. Furness begins again as minister on May 1st

1912 Democrat Woodrow Wilson is elected president of the U.S. defeating Republican incumbent William H. Taft and Progressive party candidate Teddy Roosevelt

1912 Rev. Furness resigns as minister here on November 24th

1913 Woodrow Wilson is inaugurated as the 28th President of the U.S.

1913 On January 12th the church extends a call to Rev. Roland A. Farnham to supply the pulpit for three months at $50.00 per month

1913 Rev. and Mrs. Geo. Furness granted letters of dismissal on February 9th

1913 On April 27th, Rev. Roland A. Farnham was granted a letter of dismissal

1913 On August 27th the church extended a call to Rev. Bernard L. Chase and voted to pay $700.00 and parsonage. Records do not indicate he accepted.

1913 The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified

1914 Mr. Alexander Stewart is extended a call to become pastor starting February 1st at a salary of $600.00 and parsonage with the condition that he seek ministerial standing

1914 At a meeting held on July 1st, the church votes to authorize Mr. Stewart, as pastor, to administer the sacraments of Baptism and The Last Supper

1914 The Panama Canal opens

1914 World War I begins when Austria invades Serbia

1915 Rev. Ralph Rowse begins as minister in Swanzey in September

1915 A great migration of Blacks to the North begins

1916 On August 25th, the church becomes a corporation under the name of "The First Congregational Church of Swanzey, Inc."

1916 Whitcomb Hall is built

1916 Woodrow Wilson is reelected president of the U.S.

1917 The U.S. declares war on the Central Powers (Germany, Austria)

1918 An Armistice ends World War I on November 11th

1919 Rev. Ralph Rowse ends his ministry here on January 24th

1919 Rev. John Hardwick begins as minister in Swanzey on March 16th

1919 President Wilson suffers a stroke

1919 The Community House in East Swanzey is built

1919 Celebrations are held in Swanzey to honor returning soldiers from World War I

1919 The Eighteenth Amendment is ratified (prohibition)

1919 Rev. John Hardwick ends his ministry here on October 6th

1920 Rev. Sumner Sargent begins as minister in Swanzey on March 1st

1920 The Nineteenth Amendment is ratified (woman suffrage)

1920 Prohibition begins

1920 Republican Warren G. Harding is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat James M. Cox

1921 The nation experiences an economic recession

1921 Rev. Sumner Sargent ends his ministry here on September 27th

1922 Rev. Robert Jones begins as minister in Swanzey on June 1st

1923 Rev. Robert Jones ends his ministry here on May 28th

1923 Rev. Stephen Wood begins as minister in Swanzey on August 21st

1923 President Warren Harding dies of a heart attack on April 2nd and is suceeded by Calvin Coolidge

1923 Calvin Coolidge becomes the 30th President of the U.S.

1923 Ku Klux Klan reaches peak membership

1924 F.L. Snow Memorial Soldiers Monument dedicated

1924 Stone Memorial Pavilion is erected at Richardson Park

1924 Woodrow Wilson dies

1924 Calvin Coolidge is elected president of the U.S.

1926 A boulder is placed to mark the site of the first church

1926 Rev. Stephen Wood ends his ministry here on December 1st

1927 Rev. Archibald Kerr begins as minister in Swanzey on January 3rd

1927 The first sound motion picture, The Jazz Singer, is released

1927 Charles Lindbergh makes a solo transatlantic flight

1928 Republican Herbert Hoover is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat Al Smith

1928 A stock market boom begins

1929 Herbert Hoover is inaugurated as the 31st President of the U.S.

1929 The Wall St. Stock Market Crash signals the onset of the Great Depression

1929 British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovers Pennicillin

1930 The Carpenter Home is given to Swanzey

1931 The Great Depression deepens in the U.S.

1932 Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected president of the U.S. defeating incumbent Herbert Hoover with promises of a "New Deal"

1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated as the 32nd President of the U.S.

1933 "New Deal" legislation is passed

1933 Prohibition ends with the repeal of the Twenty First Amendment

1933 Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany

1933 The U.S. establishes diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union

1935 The present kitchen is added to the church building

1936 Franklin Roosevelt wins presidential reelection by a record margin over opponent Alfred M. Landon

1937 A severe recession begins

1937 Japan launches a new invasion of China

1938 Rev. Archibald Kerr ends his ministry here on May 1st

1938 Rev. Roy M. Pearson begins as minister in Swanzey on June 27th

1938 Germany annexes Austria

1939 World War II begins after Germany invades Czechoslovakia and Poland

1939 John Steinbeck publishes The Grapes Of Wrath

1940 Rev. Roy Pearson ends his ministry here on May 21st

1940 The Brick Meetinghouse is completely renovated. The present chancel is built with 200 year old paneling found in the church attic. An old pulpit from the attic is built into the new chancel, choir seats are built and a new altar is created.

1940 Rev Kenneth Martin begins as minister in Swanzey on September 8th

1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt is again reelected as president of the U.S. for an unprecedented third term defeating Wendell L. Willkie

1940 The Selective Service Act is passed

1940 The Chancel in the Brick Meetinghouse is dedicated on Dec. 8th

1940 Rev. Kenneth Martin begins as minister in Swanzey

1940 Ernest Hemingway publishes For Whom The Bell Tolls

1941 Germany invades the Soviet Union. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and the United States enters World War II

1942 News of the Holocaust reaches the U.S.

1942 The Manhattan Project (to develop nuclear weapons) begins

1943 Rev. Kenneth Martin ends his ministry here on May 2nd

1943 Rev. Fred K. Swett begins as minister in Swanzey on June 7th

1943 A race riot breaks out in Detroit

1943 Selman Waksman discovers Streptomycin - the first antibiotic effective against Tuberculosis

1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt is re-elected to a record forth term as president of the U.S. defeating Thomas E. Dewey

1944 The Allies invade Normandy in World War II

1944 The G.I. Bill of Rights is enacted

1945 Rev. Fred Swett ends his ministry here on July 29th

1945 Rev. Rankin Shrewsbury begins as minister in Swanzey in September

1945 Franklin D. Roosevelt dies of a cerebral hemmorage on April 12th and is succeeded by Vice President Harry Truman

1945 Harry Truman becomes the 33rd President of the U.S.

1945 Germany surrenders ending World War II in Europe

1945 The U.S. drops two atomic bombs on Japan. One in Nagasaki, the other in Hiroshima

1945 Japan surrenders ending World War II in the Far East

1945 The United Nations is founded

1946 Rev. Rankin Shrewsbury ends his ministry here on June 16th

1946 Rev. Neil Howard begins as minister in Swanzey in December

1946 Dr. Benjamin Spock publishes Baby and Child Care

1947 Jackie Robinson becomes the first black man to play in major league baseball

1948 Harry S. Truman is elected president of the U.S.

1948 The United Nations votes to partition Palestine and the state of Israel is established

1949 Rev. Neil Howard ends his ministry here

1949 Rev. William Stone begins as minister in Swanzey on March 13th

1949 NATO is established

1949 Communists sieze power in China

1950 The Korean War begins

1950 Joseph McCarthy begins a campaign against communists

1950 The U.S. begins development of the hydrogen bomb

1951 Railroad workers strike

1951 J.D. Salinger publishes Catcher in the Rye

1952 Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected president of the U.S. with a landslide victory over Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson

1953 Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated as the 34th President of the U.S.

1953 A truce ends the Korean War

1953 Microbiologist Jonas E. Salk developes and tests a vaccine effective against Poliomyelitis which became widely used in 1955 to reduce the incidence of Polio

1954 Rev. William Stone ends his ministry here

1954 Rev. Herbert J. Buhler, Jr. begins as minister in Swanzey on November 1st

1955 A church newsletter is started to improve communication among church members and committees

1956 Two school rooms and toilet facilities are added to the church building

1956 Dwight D. Eisenhower is reelected president of the U.S.; again with a landslide victory over Adlai E. Stevenson

1957 The post war baby boom peaks

1957 The Soviet Union launches Sputnik

1957 The Civil Rights Act is passed

1957 A new hot water heater and refrigerator are purchased for the kitchen. An oil burner is installed in the furnace and shutters are installed on the sanctuary windows

1958 A new constitution and By-Laws are written

1959 Rev. Herbert Buhler ends his ministry here on August 1st

1959 Rev. Samuel G. Brown begins as minister in Swanzey on October 1st

1960 Democrat John F. Kennedy is elected president of the U.S. defeating Republican Richard M. Nixon

1960 Albert B. Sabin introduces an oral Polio vaccine

1961 John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th President of the U.S.

1961 Rev. Samuel Brown ends his ministry here on July 1st

1961 Rev. Richard W. Bauer, Jr. begins as minister in Swanzey on October 1st

1961 Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union becomes the first man in space and Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space

1961 The U.S. breaks diplomatic relations with Cuba

1961 The Berlin Wall is erected

1961 The Peace Corps is established

1962 New lights are installed in the sanctuary

1962 The Cuban missile crisis puts us on the brink of war

1962 A desegregation crisis developes at the University of Mississippi

1962 John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth

1963 A desegregation crisis developes at the University of Alabama

1963 Martin Luther King Jr. begins the Birmingham campaign and is instrumental in the March on Washington

1963 President John F. Kennedy is assasinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22nd. He is suceeded by Vice President Lyndon Johnson

1963 Lyndon B. Johnson becomes the 36th President of the U.S.

1964 Rev. Richard Bauer ends his ministry here on August 31st

1964 Rev. Herbert J. Guth begins as minister in Swanzey on November 25th

1964 Lyndon Johnson launches a War on Poverty

1964 Congress passes the Civil Rights Act

1964 The U.S. begins bombing North Vietnam

1964 Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson is elected president by a record margin over Republican Barry Goldwater

1964 The Beatles come to America

1965 The addition including Friendship Hall is built and dedicated on October 23rd

1965 Medicare is enacted

1965 A race riot breaks out in Watts, Los Angeles

1965 Malcolm X is assasinated

1965 Congress passes the Voting Rights Act

1965 American combat troops are sent to Vietnam

1966 Medicaid is enacted

1966 Martin Luther King Jr. leads a campaign in Chicago

1967 Rev. Herbert Guth ends his ministry here on August 31st

1967 Rev. Wesley E. Burwell begins as minister in Swanzey on November 1st

1967 Israel and Arabs clash in the Six Day War

1967 Anti-War protestors march on Washington

1968 Affirmative Action rules are issued by the Dept. of Labor

1968 Race riots break out in Detroit and Newark

1968 Lyndon Johnson withdraws from the presidential contest

1968 Martin Luther King Jr. is assasinated

1968 Racial violence breaks out in American cities

1968 Campus riots break out

1968 Presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy is assasinated

1968 Republican Richard M. Nixon is elected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey

1969 Richard M. Nixon is inaugurated as the 37th President of the U.S.

1969 Americans, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin land on the moon and spend 2 ½ hours outside of their capsule.

1969 President Nixon orders secret bombing of Cambodia while beginning to withdraw troops from Vietnam

1970 American troops enter Cambodia

1970 Anti-War protests increase; students killed at Kent State and Jackson State Universities

1972 Congress approves the Equal Rights Amendment

1972 President Nixon visits China

1972 A burglary is interupted at the Watergate office building

1972 Richard Nixon is reelected president of the U.S. defeating Democrat George S. McGovern

1973 Rev. Wesley Burwell ends his ministry here on December 24th

1973 On May 14^th, the first US orbiting space laboratory, Skylab, is launched

1973 Paris accords produce a cease fire and American withdrawal from Vietnam

1973 Israel and Arabs clash in the Yom Kippur War

1973 An Arab oil embargo produces the first energy crisis in America

1973 Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigns in October due to charges of corruption. Gerald Ford is appointed to replace him as Vice President

1973 The Watergate scandal expands

1973 The Supreme Court decides Roe vs. Wade

1974 A House Judiciary Committee recommends impeachment procedings for Richard M. Nixon on July 30th

1974 President Richard M. Nixon becomes the first American president to resign his office on April 9th and is suceeded by Vice President Gerald Ford

1974 Gerald R. Ford becomes the 38th President of the U.S.

1974 OPEC raises oil prices

1974 Inflation increases and a recession begins

1974 President Ford pardons Richard M. Nixon

1975 Rev. Gary Wehrwein begins as minister in Swanzey on February 1st

1975 In July, US astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts dock together in space for 2 days

1976 Democrat Jimmy Carter is elected president of the U.S. defeating incumbent Gerald Ford

1977 Jimmy Carter is inaugurated as the 39th President of the U.S.

1978 Camp David peace accords signed by Israel and Egypt

1979 The U.S. experiences a major energy crisis

1979 The U.S. and China establish diplomatic relations

1979 American diplomats are taken hostage in Iran

1979 A nuclear accident occurs at Three Mile Island

1979 The SALT II treaty is signed

1980 U.S. boycotts the Moscow Olympics

1980 An attempt to rescue hostages in Iran fails

1980 Republican Ronald Reagan is elected president of the U.S. defeating incumbent Jimmy Carter

1981 Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President of the U.S.

1981 The hostages in Iran are released just after Reagan’s inauguration

1981 A major U.S. military buildup begins

1981 In April, the shuttle Columbia becomes the first winged spaceship to orbit the Earth and return to an airport landing

1982 A severe recession occurs in the U.S.

1982 The U.S. invades Grenada and Israel invades Lebanon

1982 The Equal Rights Amendment fails

1983 Unemployment reaches 10.2 percent in America but an economic recovery begins

1983 Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space

1983 U.S. marines are killed in a terrorist attack in Beirut, Lebanon

1984 Rev. Gary Wehrwein ends his ministry here on June 1st

1984 Rev. Marilyn Bushnell becomes Interim Pastor on July 1st and serves until the arrival of Rev. Barber in March of 1985

1984 Black man Jesse Jackson campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination; Walter Mondale wins the nomination.

1984 Geraldine Ferraro becomes the first woman nominated for Vice President.

1984 Ronald Reagan is reelected President defeating Democrat Walter Mondale.

1985 Rev. Mary Jane Barber begins as pastor in Swanzey on March 25th

1986 On January 28, the space shuttle Challenger explodes on take-off killing all six crew members and New Hampshire teacher Christa McCauliffe.

1986 The U.S. bombs targets in Libya following terrorist acts attributed to them.

1988 Republican George Bush is elected President of the U.S. beating Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, the Democratic candidate.

1989 George Bush is inaugurated as the 41st President of the U.S.

1990 All the spires and finials on the steeple are repaired and painted

1990 The Brick Meetinghouse Newsletter begins to be produced from computer

1991 On January 16th, a U.S. led coalition of countries begin the Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm, to liberate Kuwait from it’s invader, Iraq

1991 The Church celebrates it’s 250th Anniversary throughout the year

1991 The first church wide picture directory is done in coordination with the 250th Anniversary celebration

1992 Democrat Bill Clinton is elected President of the U.S. defeating George Bush, the Republican incumbent

1993 William Jefferson Clinton is inaugurated as the 42nd President of the U.S.

1993 The Stewardship Committee re-established the Every Member Canvass this November as an important part of stewardship solicitations and communication with the congregation.

1994 Former president Richard Nixon dies at age 81 in April.

1994 Beloved former U.S. first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis dies at age 64 in May.

1995 Rev. Mary Jane Barber celebrates her 10th anniversary as pastor of this church at a reception held in her honor in March.

1995 U.S. space shuttle Atlantis docks with Russian space station Mir for the first time.

1995 A church wide retreat was held with Conference Minister Ben Crosby in October to discuss the future direction of our church.

1995 Hundreds of thousands of black men assemble in Washington, D.C. for the "Million Man March" organized by Louis Farrakhan in an effort to unite and encourage black men to take more responsibility for their actions.

1995 A dishwasher is added to the kitchen to help with monthly Church Suppers.

1995 Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel and proponent of peace in the Middle East is assasinated in Tel Aviv in November.

1996 Email and the Internet become more and more popular as users of the new computer technology increase dramatically in the area.

1996 Rev. Mary Jane Barber announces at the Church Annual Meeting in January that she intends to end her ministry in Swanzey by June of 1997.

1996 The Cresson bridge in Swanzey Center is reopened in May after being closed for 2 1/2 years. Extensive repairs were done through the winter.

1996 The Music Resource room is completely refurbished with new storage closets and efficient use of space.

1996 Church member discussions are held on the topic of being "Open and Affirming" to homosexuality and the role of the church in this matter.

1996 Democrat Bill Clinton is re-elected as president of the United States defeating Bob Dole, the Republican candidate.

1996 Jeanne Shaheen is elected the first woman governor of New Hampshire.

1996 A December snowstorm bringing 10 inches of heavy wet snow to the Northeast causes massive power failures and cancels Sunday services for the first time in recent memory.

1997 At the Church Annual Meeting in January, the church body decides to purchase a new furnace for the sanctuary due to the old age and recent malfunctions of the existing one.

1997 Madeline Albright becomes the first woman Secretary of State for the U.S.

1997 A search committee is selected at the Executive Board meeting in February.

1997 A Farewell Reception is held for Rev. Mary Jane Barber in Friendship Hall on June 22^nd.

1997 Rev. Mary Jane Barber ends her ministry in Swanzey on June 29^th.

1997 Extensive renovations to the Parsonage begin in July and continue through the year.

1997 On August 17^th Interim Minister Rev. Kurt Herber begins service to our church.

1997 Mother Teresa, the 87 year old nun who won the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the poor, dies of a heart attack on September 5^th.

1998 At the Church Annual Meeting on January 18^th the congregation votes to adopt a Church Mission Statement.

1998 In May, a new computer for the office is donated to the church with Windows 95 operating software and the capability of allowing us to access the Internet.

1998 Starting in June a new Hearing Enhancement system is used in the sanctuary which includes speakers in the Nursery and Friendship Hall.

1998 Following a Strawberry Reception and special Worship Service on June 21^st, the congregation votes to accept the Search Committee nomination of Andrew Nagy-Benson as our new pastor.

1998 On July 12^th Interim Minister Rev. Kurt Herber ends his service to our church.

1998 Extensive renovations to the inside and outside of the Parsonage, which were started in July, 1997, are completed in July.

1998 John Glenn, at age 77, aboard space shuttle Discovery, becomes the oldest person to return to space.

1998 Rev. Andrew Nagy-Benson is ordained in New Haven, Conn. on November 1^st

1998 The church launches it’s first web page on the internet on December 16^th.

1999 Extensive revisions to the church By-laws are approved at a special meeting held on June 6^th.

2000 The furnace at the parsonage is replaced in January for $2,800.00.

2000 The church office is refurbished with a new computer and office furniture in a late spring, early summer time frame.

2000 At the May annual meeting, the congregation votes to expend up to $30,000.00 for repairs to the Estey organ in the sanctuary.

2000 An American and Russian crew begins living on an international space station.

2000 November 8^th, the day after the presidential elections, the vote is too close to call with the thinnest of margins in U.S. history for both popular vote and electoral college votes. George W. Bush is the eventual winner defeating Al Gore, the Democratic contender.

2001 Church financial records are now maintained on computer beginning in January.

2001 George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43^rd President of the United States.

2001 A new freezer and new dining tables are added to the kitchen and Friendship Hall.

2001 At a special Executive Board meeting on July 17^th, Pastor Andrew announces his intention to leave us in September.

2001 The Executive Board appoints a new Search Committee on August 28^th.

2001 On September 11^th , the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapse after terrorists fly airliners into them. Another airliner crashes into the Pentagon. A forth crashes in a field in Pennsylvania. Over 6000 people are killed and the United States declares war on terrorism throughout the world.

2001 A Liturgy of Farewell and tearful farewell reception was held for beloved Pastor, Andrew Nagy-Benson and his family on September 16^th.

2001 Rev. Andrew Nagy-Benson ends his ministry in Swanzey on September 20^th.

2001 The United States begins it’s war on terrorism with air strikes on Afganistan, whose Taliban rulers have given safe haven to terrorist, Osama Bin Laden.

2001 Terrorists strike America again by sending deadly Anthrax through the mail system.

2001 Rev. Allen Humes begins his Interim Ministry in Swanzey on November 4^th.

2001 On Christmas Eve, the church Estey organ is again in service as refurbishments are now completed.

2002 A new parking lot scheme is adopted in March to allow more space for an increasing number of vehicles.

2002 New railings are added to the altar stairs and a new door near the organ is installed for the organist in April.

2002 A new artesian well and plumbing is installed at the parsonage in September to dramatically improve the water quality there.

2002 Painting on the exterior of Friendship Hall and repairs to the church steeple are completed in the Fall.

2002 President Bush begins a military buildup around Iraq and threatens war if Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein does not relinquish weapons of mass destruction.

2002 Rev. Allen Humes ends his very successful ministry here on December 31^st. He will be greatly missed as he starts his 4^th retirement with a month long cruise.

2003 - Craig Benson, a republican and NH businessman, is inaugurated Governor of New Hampshire, replacing Democrat, Jeanne Shaheen who lost a bid for the US Senate.

2003 - On January 12^th, the congregation votes to call Pamela Cady Spain as our new settled pastor.

2003 - At the January Annual church-wide meeting, the congregation votes to renovate the kitchen in Friendship Hall for a total cost of $41,000.00.

2003 - On January 24^th, the department of Homeland Security officially becomes part of the US presidential cabinet in an effort to better protect our homeland from terrorist attacks.

2003 - On February 1^st, the space shuttle Columbia breaks apart over Texas, 16 minutes before it was supposed to land in Florida, killing all 6 American and 1 Israeli crew members on board.

2003 - On February 2^nd, Pastor Pamela Cady Spain begins her ministry here in Swanzey.

2003 - On March 19th, War begins with Iraq. On April 10th, Pres. Bush declares victory, but violence continues. On December 13th, Saddam Hussein is captured.

2003 - In April, the kitchen renovation in Friendship Hall is complete.

2003 - In August, the septic system at the church is renewed.

2003 - On October 5th, Rev. Spain is ordained. On November 23rd, Rev. Spain is officially installed as pastor in Swanzey.

2003 - In December, Swanzey is hit with 2 nor'easter snow storms on subsequent weekends; the first dumping 16", the second with 12" of new snow.

2004 - In January, the church updates the office and pastor's computers to a Windows XP operating system.

2004 - George W. Bush is re-elected president of the United States defeating Democratic contender, John Kerry.

2004 - On December 27th, a tsunami from an underwater 9.0 earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia devastates the coastlines of 14 countries and kills over 130,000 people.

2005 - In February, the church begins sponsorship of a Tibetan child with a $30.00 per month contribution to the Global Ministries Program. His name is Phurbu Tsering; a 10 year old boy living in Tibet.

2005 - In September, the city of New Orleans, and the surrounding area, is devastated by hurricane Katrina with major flooding and wind damage.

2005 - A “Nor-Easter type storm brought severe flooding to Keene and surrounding towns on October 9^th. Alstead suffered the worst damage town-wide.

2005 - Rosa Parks, who became a founding symbol of Civil Rights when she refused to relinquish her seat to a white man on a crowded bus 50 years ago, died on October 24^th.

2005 - The death toll of American soldiers serving in Iraq surpassed 2000 on October 26^th. The war in Iraq began in March of 2003.