USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church in Marlborough, Mass., with the exercises at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Rev. Sylvester F. Bucklin's ordination, as Pastor of said church > Part 1
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C 74.402 1343fi 847482
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 5919
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00fiel_0
4484
AN
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI IN
MARLBOROUGH, MASS,
WITH THE
EXERCISES AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY OF REV. SYLVESTER F. BUCKLIN'S
ORDINATION, AS PASTOR OF SAID CHURCH.
BY LEVI A. FIELD, . PASTOR OF THE CHURCH.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
WORCESTER: HENRY J. HOWLAND, PRINTER, 1859.
1847482
PREFACE.
Many an interesting chapter in New England history. is yet unwritten. The materials for such histories fre to be found, partly in the recollections of the generation for advanced in years, and rapidly passing away ; and partly. in those piles of ancient pamphlets and manuscrints which are regarded as worthless, and therefore are left to be sent- tered and destroyed. Both these sources of information are constantly diminishing ; and already many a valuable paper or retentive memory, which might have thrown light on some question of local history, is lost to us beyond recovery. It was the hope of gathering up and fixing in a permanent form some of these scattered fragments and floating traditions which have come down to us, that has led the writer to undertake this brief sketch of the church in this place. And the previous remarks have received a singularly forcible illustration, in the preparation of this Sketch. Scarcely had it been brought to a close, when the individual who was the most desirous of having it prepar- ed, and who furnished by far the largest amount of mate- rials, was suddenly removed by death. Had it been de- layed one year longer, some parts of it could never have been written. As an assistant in this work, no living per- son could supply his place.
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I wish in this connection to acknowledge my great in- debtedness to Rev. S. F. Bucklin, for many valuable sug. gestions, and also to Mrs. S. R. Long, for the communica- tion of some important facts ; to Rev. H. Alger, pastor of the West Church in this town, for the use of valuable pi- pers in his possession ; and to Rev. Dr. Allen of North .. borough, for the privilege of examining some interesting manuscripts, and especially for the use of his " History of the town of Northborough."
This sketch is a mere outline and nothing more. I can- not but hope that some measures may be taken to have a complete history of the town prepared. Such a work would involve considerable expense and a large amount of labor, and should receive encouragement if not assistance from the town. It is now nearly two hundred years since its Incorporation. Several sections have been set off from it. and erected into separate townships. Valuable materials are already at hand, and many more might be collected as the basis of such a history. And could a person of sur- ficient leisure and taste for such inquiries, be induced to gather them up and combine them into a simple narrative. it would furnish a record of no ordinary interest and value. Every year of delay will increase the difficulty of prepar- ing such a history ; because some valuable document may be destroyed, or some venerable father, learned in all our traditions, may be taken from us, and thus sources of in- formation may be lost which can never be regained.
L. A. F.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The Records of this Church. previous to the year 1700, have been irrecoverably lost. Its early history therefore, can never be fully writ- ten. The few incidents which we have been able to gather up from other sources of infor- mation, are probably nearly all that can now be collected of any great importance. That which is gone, and can never be restored, we must be content to lose.
This Town was incorporated in the year 1660, but the church was not organized till six years afterwards, in 1666. In the early settlements of the country, there were religious assemblies and preaching, often for several years, before a church was formed or a pastor ordained. The exact date of the formation of this church, cannot now be ascertained with certainty. But from the fact that churches were often organized at the time of the ordi- nation of the pastor, we may infer as most
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probable, that this church was gathered when the first minister was settled, Oct. 3, 1666. In 1662, a rate was made of 12 pence per acre upon all house-lots for building a Meeting House; and in 1664, a rate of 3} pence for finishing it. This House stood on the old Common, and was afterwards burnt by the Indians. The Common itself, which was the cause of much dispute, was purchased of an Indian named Anamaks.
William Brimsmead was the first settled minister of this town. He was a native of Dorchester, and probably the son of John Brimsmead, who lived there in 1638. He was educated at Harvard College, but never re- ceived a degree. In consequence of the Col- lege term being lengthened from three to four years, the class to which he belonged did not graduate till the year 1648; but he, with six- teen others, left in 1647. It seems that meas- ures were early adopted in this place for main- taining public worship ; as Mr. Brimsmead was preaching here as early as Sept. 1660. HIe afterwards left and preached for a time in Ply- mouth, where he was invited to settle, but de- clined the call. Ile returned again, and was set- tled in 1666, Oct. 3, with a salary of about £40.
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In 1661, the town voted to build a house for their minister on a lot reserved for that pur- pose. This house stood not far from the old Meeting House, on the west side of the hill which rises back of the Common, and tradition says was set on fire by the Indians, It was built by contract for £15, and a rate of 7! pence was made on all house-lots, for the pay- ment of the sum.
Mr. Brimsmead preached an Election Sermon in 1681, which was printed. Among the pa- pers made use of by Prince in writing his An- nals, was a Journal in Latin kept by him from 1665 to 1695. He was never married, and tradition says uniformly refused to baptize chil- dren born on the Sabbath." During the last part of his life he was in feeble health, and unable to perform his pastoral duties without assistance. He died on Commencement morn- ing, July 3d, 1701. "The clergy honored him, and the magistrates asked his prayers in times of difficulty and danger." He was buried in
* Mr. Brimsmead was not alone in this singular practice. Mr. Loring of Sudbury, followed the same custom until a pair of twins were born to him, on the Sabbath ; from that time his opinions seem to have met with a change on the subject, and all were per- mitted to receive the ordinance.
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the old grave yard, and an unlettered stone still remains to mark his resting place.
It was during Mr. Brimsmead's ministry, that the first Meeting House was burned. This town, with other neighboring towns was made to share the horrors of King Phillip's War. On the 20th of March 1676, while the people were assembled for public worship, and while Mr. Brimsmead was in the midst of his dis- course, the cry was raised that the Indians were advancing upon them. The congregation fled at once to the Fort, which was not far distant, and succeeded in reaching it in safety with but a single exception. Moses Newton, while as- sisting an aged female to escape, who must oth- erwise have been captured. received a musket ball in his elbow, from the full effect of which he never recovered. The Meeting House, many of their dwellings, together with much of their property, cattle, fruit trees, &c., were entirely destroyed. Alarmed by this attack and discouraged by their losses, the inhabitants left the place, and sought protection in a safer and more populous neighborhood.
Some time in the early part of the following year, the settlers returned. "Soon after their return, they proceeded to the erection of a new
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Meeting House, which, like the former, was thatched with straw, or rather a species of tall grass taken from a meadow, since called, from that circumstance, Thatch Meadow. This building, which was left in an unfinished state. lasted but a few years. In 1650, an unsuc- cessful attempt was made to enlarge and repair it ; and at length, in 1688, a larger and more commodious house was erected near the site of the former, which lasted more than 120 years, having stood till 1809." # The old Meeting House was valued in 1689 at £10; and the pulpit at £4.
The following is a copy of the first Cove- nant of this church, called the Brimsmead Covenant.
"Marlborough Church Covenant as it was Renewed Octobr ye 15th 1679.
We whose names are hereafter subscribed, Inhabitants of ye Town of Marlborough Knowing y' we are very Prone to offend and Provoke Gol y" Most High both in Heart and Life, through ye Prevaleney of sin that Dweil- eth within us, and manifold temptations from with- out us; for which we have great Reason to be un- feignedly Humbled before God from day to day; Do in ye name of our Lord Jesus with Dependency upon ye Gra- cious Assistance of his Holy Spirit, Solemnly Enter into a
* Dr. Allen's Hist. of Northborough.
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Covenant with God and one with another according to God as followeth.
1. That having Chosen and taken ye Lord Jehovah to be our God ; we will fear him and Cleave to him in Love. & serve him in Truth with all our hearts ; Giving up our selves to be his People, in all things to be at his Dispo- sal & sovereign Direction, that we may have and hold Communion with Him as members of Christ's mystical Body, according to his Revealed will, to our Lives End.
2. We also Bind our selves to Bring up our Children & Servants in ye knowledge and fear of God by his holy Institutions according to our Best Ability, and, in special by ye use of Orthodox Catechism that ye True Re- ligion may be maintained in our families whilst we Live : yea & among such as shall Live when we are Dead & gone.
3. WVe furthermore Promise to keep Close to ye truth of Christ, Endeavoring with affection towards it in our Hearts, to Defend it against all opposers thereto as God shall call us at any time thereunto : which that we may do, we Resolve to use ye Holy Scripture as our Platform ; whereby we may Discern ye mind of Christ and not ye New found Inventions of men.
4. We also Engage ourselves to have a careful Inspec- tion over our own Hearts so as to Endeavor by ye Vertue of ye Death of Christ, ye mortification of all our Sintgl Passions, worldly frames, Disorderly affections, whereby we may be withdrawn from y" Living God.
5. We moreover oblige ourselves in jo faithful In- provement of our Ability & opportunity, to worship God according to all Particular Institutions of Christ for his Church, under Gospel Administrations ; as to give Rev-
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erend Attention to ye word of God, to pray unto him, to sing his praises & to hold Communion with Each other in ye use of both the Seals; Namely Baptism and the Lords Supper.
6. We Likewise Promise, that we will peaceably sub- mit unto ye Discipline appointed by Christ in his Church for offenders; obeying them that Rule over us in ye Lord.
7. We also Bind our selves to walk in Love one to- wards another, Endeavoring our mutual Edification, Visi- ting, Exhorting, Comforting as occasion serveth : And warning any Brother or Sister which offends, not Divolg. ing Private offences Irregularly, But heedfully following ye several Precepts Laid down by Christ for Church Deal- ing ; Matt. 18th ; 15, 16, 17, willingly forgiving all that manifest unto judgment of Charity that they truly repent of all miscarriages.
Now to ye God of peace that Brought again from ye Dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of ye sheep through ye Blood of ye Everlasting Covenant ; make us all perfect in Every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for Ever & Ever. Amen.
This Covenant, with a few verbal changes, was used by the church until 1837.
In the year 1661. the General Court " ex- pressed their desire and order for the conve- ning" of a Synod to meet at Boston. to give their advice respecting the Half-Way Cove- nant. The Synod met the following year and
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adopted propositions which approved that Cov- enant, though not without opposition on the part of a small but learned and able minority.
This Church has the following record in regard to this Covenant.
At a meeting of ye Church of Christ in Marlborough on ye 2d of ye 7m 1701 ; It was proposed unto considera- tion wt was necessary to be done in order to admitting of Persons to ye ordinance of Baptism yt were not in any way in Church Fellowship. After a very deliberate and friendly debate, it was unanimously and jointly conenrred in & agreed to, yt all such Persons as shall offer you selves or yir children to this church for ye seal of Baptism. shall be received, provided yy are not scandalous in conversa- tion and are orthodox in religion and will submit to ye Dis- cipline of Christ in this Church, and do engage,and bind ym selves to bring up yir Children & Servants in ye Fear and Knowledge of God by holy Instruction according to yir best abilities ; and in special by ye use of Orthodox Catechisms yt ye true religion may be maintained in yir families while yy live, yea and among such as shall live wn yy are dead and gone.
On 14th May. 1794, the matter was again brought before the church. to see if any change should be made in the terms on which persons might be admitted to Baptism for themselves or their children, but was left without any action.
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The Half-way Covenant was not formally abrogated in this church till the year 1836. But practically, the customs to which it gave rise ceased a number of years previous to that time. The main reason which led to this, was the vote of the church in IS18, that a Commit- tee be chosen to examine candidates for admis- sion to the church, and for the rite of Baptism under this Covenant. From this time the practice almost immediately fell into disuse.
The following was the Covenant used on such occasions, and was known as the Baptismal Covenant.
Professing a serious and hearty belief of the truth of the Christian Religion, you most solemnly choose and take the Lord Jehovah to be your God and portion, promising to fear, love, obey, and depend upon him, as finally to be made completely happy in him.
You believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, to be the only Redeemer and Savior of men, and take him to be your Prophet, Priest and King, depending on his merits to save you from the guilt of sin and the wrath of God.
You believe the Holy Spirit to be the only applier of the work of redemption depending on his influences and grace to renew, sanctify, comfort, and guide you to glory.
You believe us to be a true church of Christ, and do give up yourself to this Church to be watched over and edified in your Christian Faith to Salvation.
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You promise to submit peaceably to the discipline of Christ in this church, obeying them who have the moje over you in the Lord. And you engage that you will bring up the children and servants which may be committed to your care in the knowledge and fear of God, according to the Holy Scriptures which you accept as your only rules And you promise, by the help of Divine Grace, to labor to be made worthy to come up to a full and acceptable observa- tion, of all the holy ordinances of Christ.
During King William's War, as it is called, an incident occurred to a member of this church which is worth recording in this place. It is thus referred to in Whitney's " History of the County of Worcester ; " " On the 18th of Ju- ly, 1692, the Indians assaulted the house of Peter Joslin, (Lancaster) who was at his labor in the field, and knew nothing thereof, until entering the house, he found his wife and thice children, with a widow Whitcomb who lived in his family, barbarously butchered with their hatchets, and weltering in their blood. His wife's sister, with another of his children, were carried into captivity. She returned; but that child was murdered in the wilderness." The person here referred to was Mary Howe, of Marlborough, then on a visit to her sister in Lancaster, just before the time appointed for her marriage. After a captivity of between
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three and four years, she was ransomed by gov- ernment, and returned home in safety, and was married to Thomas Keyes, afterwards a Deacon of this church. She lived to a great age, but was never able to overcome the shock of terror she experienced when taken captive. "
On the 12th of Sept. 1701, Rev. John Ein- erson, a native of Ipswich and a graduate of Harvard College in 1689, was invited to be- come the minister of the town. This invita- tion was the occasion of a long and bitter con- troversy, and for more than a year kept the town in a state of great excitement In March 1702, Mr Emerson declined the call. It was renewed in April of the same year, and de- clined again in May, so strong was the oppo- sition against his settlement. The advice of two councils was asked, and in both cases. the decision was against his becoming minister of the town. The several papers to which this controversy gave rise, such as letters of invita- tion, remonstrances, results of councils, have been preserved in their original form, and among them are manuscript letters from In- crease and Cotton Mather.
Dea. Keyes lived ou the farm now owned by Win. L. Weeks.
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Mr. Emerson was settled in Newcastle. N. H., in 1703, and dismissed in 1712; after- wards was settled in Portsmouth where he died 1732.
Robert Breck. the second minister of this town, was a native of Dorchester. He was born Dec. 7, 1682 ; was graduated at Harvard College in 1700 ; and was settled in this town Oct. 25, 1704, when only 22 years of age. His salary was to be " seventie pounds anun- ally, and firewood for the year annually, and settlement one hundred pounds."
The record of his ordination is as follows.
The 25th day of ye sm 1704, Mr. Robert Breck was or- dained Pastor of ye Church of Christ in Marlborough, No Persons objecting. Mr Rawson carried on ye work of The Day. Mr. Estabrook gave ye Charge. Mr. Clark y Right Hand of Fellowship. Mr. Danforth gave a word of advice unto ye people.
He married Elizabeth Wainwright of Hay- erhill, by whom he had six children : four of the children and the widow survived him, she dying in 1786. ITis son Robert was settled as a minister in Springfield.
The Marlborough Association was formed at the house of Mr. Breck, June 5, 1725. The
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original members were John Swift, Robert Breck, John Prentice, Israel Loring, Job Cush- ing, John Gardner and Ebenezer Parkman. It was formed "with Design and Aim herein to Advance ye Interest of Christ: ye Service of our Respective Charges, and our own mutual Edification in our great work." It was voted " that Marlborough, ye central Town, be ye Place of our ordinary meeting, unless upon ye Desire of any particular member, the Associa- tion shall see fit to meet elsewhere." The ordi- nary business of its meetings may be inferred from the vote ; " That we will consider any cases that shall be laid before us by any mem- ber of us, or by other persons which shall be thought worthy thereof. And if there be op- portunity therefor, each member shall deliver in his order, Concionem ad Clerum; unless it be then judged proper some question be spo- ken to, being proposed ye meeting before, and as many persons to make answer to it as were appointed thereunto. " And accordingly, the early Records are mostly mide up of cases of conscience, and questions of difficulty in church discipline, or matters of disagreement, between the parties in a church, or between pastor and people, which were laid before this body for
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advice and counsel. The Association was dis- solved Oct. 14, 1814. and the Records were given to this church, where they are still pre- served.
Sept. 1st, 1730, it is recorded that the Asso- ciation met at Framingham, and that " Rev. Mr. Breck was prevented from attending by a grievous sore in his mouth, which afterwards proved the sorrowful occasion of his death."
" Oct. 15, 1730, Associated at Marlborough. Met at Benjamin Wood's, by reason of Mr. Breck's being under Salivation. " This meet- ing was changed to a fast. on account of Mr. Breck's dangerous illness. Rev. Mr. Prentice of Lancaster, preached in the morning, and Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham in the after- noon. The manuscript sermon by Mr. Pren- tice, from Matt. 4: 24. has been preserved with the records of this church.
In 1728 Mr. Breck preached the Election Sermon, which was published. June 15, 1720. he preached the first sermon ever preached in Shrewsbury. Mr. Brock died Jan. 6, 1731, at the age of 49 years, in the vigor of his powers, and universally lamented.
On the occasion of his death, three funeral sermons were preached to his people ; one by
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Mr. Prentice of Lancaster, one by Mr. Swift of Framingham, and also one by Mr. Loring of Sudbury ; all of which were published in a single pamphlet, and several copies are still in existence. An Appendix is added to Mr. Pien- tice's Sermon, containing some accounts of Mr. Breck, taken from the Weekly Journal of Jan. 18, 1731, from which are copied the following paragraphs.
" Before his Settlement at Marlborough, he was a Preacher for some time at Long Island. in the Province of New York. during the Gov- ernment of Lord Carnbury ; there he had the Courage, though at that Time Young, to assert and adhere to the Cause and Principles of the Non Conformists, notwithstanding the Threaten- ings and other ill Treatment he there met with."
" He was a Man of strong natural Powers. clear Head, solid Judgment ; and by the Bles- sing of God on his unwearied Diligence and Study, he attained great Skill in the learned Languages, (uncommon in the Hebrew ; using to read out of the Hebrew Bible to his Fami- ly ;) as also in Philosophy, the Mathematics. History, as well as in Divinity, in which he was sound and orthodox, a good Casuist, a strong Disputant, a methodical and close Preacher.
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" And as his personal Conduct in his Life. time was Steady, not elated by Prosperity or sunk by Adversity : so at the Approach of Death, though for a considerable time under Languishments and expecting of it, and in ex- quisite Pains, yet he then sedately set his House in Order, and with his usual Steadiness, wonderful Patience and Resignation, enjoying Peace in his Soul, he departed this Life, and doubtless entered into the joy of his Lord."
The Boston Weekly News Letter of the same month speaks in the same high terms of his abilities, his acquirements, his christian and ministerial character, and ranks him among the ablest men of his time.
A monument was erected to his memory near that of Mr. Brimsmead, on which is the follow- ing Latin inscription.
Reliquiae terrestres theologi vere venerandi Roberti Breck sub hoc tumulo conferunter. Pars coelestis ad coelum myriadum angelorum et ad spiritus justorum qui perfecti sunt abilt.
Ingenii penetrantis, quoad vires naturales, vir fuit amplissimae mentis et judicii solidi, una cum animi fortitudine singulari. Quond partes acquisitas spectat, in linguis quae doctae praeser- tim admodum peritus ; literarum politarum men-
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sura parum communi instructus; et, quod aliis fuit difficile, ille, virtute ingenii propriict studiis coarctis, feliciter subegit. In omnibus Theolo- giae partibus versatissimus, et vere orthodoxus, Scriba ad rognum coelorum usquequique insti- tutus. Officio pastorali in ecclesia Marlburi- ensi, ubi Spiritus Sanctus illum constituit epis- copum per XXVII annos, fideliter, sedulo, pa- cifice, multaque cum laude, functus est.
Doctrinae Revelatae, una cum cultu et regi- mine in Ecclesiis Nov Anglicanis instituto, as- sertor hobilis et strenuus. Ad consilia danda in rebus arduis, tum publicis tum privatis, in- tegritate conspectus et prudentia instructissi- mus. Sincere dilexit amicos, patriam, et uni- versam Christi ecclesiam.
Denique pietatis, omnis virtutis socialis, et quoad res terrenas moderaminis exemplar. In doloribus asperis aegritudinis ultimae pationtia ejus opus perfectum habuit ; et si non ovans, expectans tamen et placide discessit.
Natus Decemb 7 2 1682.
Denatus Januar. 6º 1781.
Prophetac ipsi non in seculum vivunt.
The following is a translation of it into Eng- lish.
Beneath this mound are deposited the mor-
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tal remains of the truly Reverend Robert Breck. His immortal part hath ascended to heaven, to join the innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of the just made per- fect.
He was by nature a man of acute intellect, capacious mind and solid judgment, together with singular mental resolution. As to his at- tainments, he was eminently skilled in the learned languages, familiar beyond the common measure with polite literature ; and what to others was difficult, he by his powers of mind and close application to study, accomplished with ease.
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