Elder O. O. (Orvil) Farnsworth, born in 1859 in Washington, New Hampshire, embarked on a journey of faith that led him to serve as a missionary to Ireland and England before returning to the United States. Sadly, but memorably, 19 years following his death in 1947, his observations regarding the inclusivity of the Washington church’s congregation resurfaced. An entry in the Review And Herald magazine (June 22, 1966, p. 13) commemorated his words, quoting him on the presence of African American members within the first Seventh-day Adventist church organized in Washington, New Hampshire. (Learn more about the Washington church at firstadventchurch.org.)
During a 2023 visit to the historic church site with a group, Kevin Burton, director of the Center for Adventist Research at Andrews University, inquired about the quote. Burton and other Adventist historians were intrigued and sought verification of this claim, which led to further inquiry by the Washington church historians. Without prior knowledge or information about these potential members, Bill Mulcahy from the Washington Historical Society embarked on this investigative journey, sifting through centuries of census records starting from 1790. He discovered that black individuals residing in the household of Moses Lowell were recorded in the 1860 and 1870 censuses.
Among them was Louisa Phillis, listed as 38 years old in 1860 and cataloged as a housekeeper in 1870, along with what is presumed to be her son George L. (or George Lewis), and possibly her other children or relatives, Andrew W. (age 13 in 1860), Herbert Jackson (age 12 in 1870), and 16-year-old Catherine Phillis, who may have been a younger sibling to Louisa.
Born in Massachusetts, Louisa endured a difficult life. Researchers discovered an entry in the 1850 census record of Louisa residing in a “poorhouse” with her family in Pepperell, Massachusetts. Her father, Peter Phillis, was a cooper by trade. In 1879, Louisa married Elbridge Gerry Gigger, a man of indigenous heritage from the Hassanamisco band, in Gardner, Massachusetts. Elbridge was widowed with two children from his previous marriage. He and Louisa did not have children together. The 1900 census revealed a personal sorrow in Louisa’s life when she reported that she had birthed two children, but only one was surviving at that time.
The narrative of Louisa Phillis took a significant turn when researchers discovered her obituary in the Atlantic Union Gleaner (July 9, 1902), indicating her profound connection to the Adventist faith during her years working for the family of Cyrus K. Farnsworth in Washington. Despite a life marred by “toil and pain,” including arterial gangrene leading to amputation, her faith remained unwavering. Following this finding, a review of the archived records of the Washington church solidified her place in history, with records showing her addition to the church membership on October 21, 1871, confirming her as a member of the early Washington church community.
Through detailed research, the stories of Louisa Phillis and other people of color, though once obscured by time, have now been highlighted, establishing a legacy of inclusion within the Washington church in New Hampshire that resonates through history.
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Marsha Hammond-Brummel is the wife of Ken Brummel, Washington church site director.
