USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Historical sketch of the old church, Quincy, Mass > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 Q43wh1 1856653
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01101 2777
AN
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
OLD CHURCH, QUINCY, MASS.
BY
REV. FREDERIC A. WHITNEY.
FROM THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
SnurgE
Discipulus
ALBANY : J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 1864.
1856653
THE OLD CHURCH, QUINCY, MASS.
Built 1732.
AN
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF THE
OLD CHURCH, QUINCY, MASS.
BY
REV. FREDERIC A. WHITNEY.
FROM THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
THE NEWBERRY LINDARY CF ה:
Aldi
Discipulus
ALBANY : J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 1864.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00whit 2
THE OLD CHURCH, QUINCY.
The accompanying engraving represents the church belonging to the ancient religious society of Braintree, which, in 1792, became the first society of Quincy, on the incorporation of that town. Quincy was, indeed, the original settlement; the Mount Wollaston; the North Precinct of Braintree. This church was taken down in 1828, on the completion of the present elegant stone edifice. Here, two presidents of our nation, John Adams, and John Quincy Adams his son, were baptized, and here they regularly worshipped. The imposing funeral services at the burial of President John Adams in July 1826, were held in this church. Here too, was baptized, January 16, 1736-7, John Hancock, the patriot, President of the Continental Con- gress, by his father, Rev. John Hancock, fifth pastor of the church. The church has thus an historic name.
This engraving was originally made for the History of Quincy, published in 1827, by the late Rev. George Whitney of Roxbury, oldest son of the last pastor of the ancient church. The writer of the present sketch prepared a portion of it, some years since, for another publication. At the request of the editor of the Register, he has revised and enlarged the same, and sent it with the engraving for insertion in this number.
The church was built in the ministry of Rev. John Hancock, who was ordained Nov. 2, 1726. A record by him informs us: "It was raised July 27-8-'9, 1731 in peaceable times." Before its erection, the society worshipped in a stone church which stood near the present Second Congregational church, on Hancock street. This old stone church remained until Feb. 18, 1747-8, when a vote passed to sell it to the highest bidder. It was sold to Serg. Moses Belcher and Mr. Joseph Nightingale, for £100 old tenor. Whether or not this was the original church edifice of the society cannot be deter- mined. In the absence of certain testimony, I incline to the belief that there had been an carlier building than the old stone church, probably on about the same site.
The church which we commemorate did not arise without many town meeting debates and votes. From the precinct records we learn that as early as Nov., 1695, a vote was passed for the erection of a new building, and there the matter was left. Dec. 22, 1729, the vote was again taken and decided in the affirmative.
"January 5, 1729-30," say the records: " Then, after a considerable debate of the precinct about a place where to set the said meeting- house, a vote was asked whether it should be set at Col. Quincy's gate; it passed in the negative.
"Then, whether where the old meeting-house stands, or near unto it; It passed in the negative.
"After more debate upon a place where the said meeting-house
4
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
should be set, the Moderator was desired to ask a vote whether the precinct would set it at the ten mile stone, or near unto it; it passed in the affirmative."
This ten mile stone now stands, a venerable relic, against the land of Lemuel Brackett, Esq., a little north from the site selected, and marking the distance from Boston by " the old way; " over Milton Hill, and not, as of late years travelled, over Neponset turnpike and bridge.
" January 13, 1730-31. The question where the meeting-house should be placed was again discussed at the meeting. The question was put whether the said House should be erected on the training field within the said precinct, as near to the west corner of the land of Ensign Samuel Baxter, as the land would admit of ; it passed in the affirmative."
The church raised, as we have seen, in July 1731, was dedicated, October 8, 1732. "The text preached upon at the dedication," says the minister, Rev. Mr. Hancock, " was Isaiah, Ix chapter, 13th verse." The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered. Upon this Sabbath, also, we began to read the Holy Scriptures in* course, in the public assembly. The portion then read was 1 Kings, 8th chapter. The Sabbath following we began the book of Job and the Gospel of St. Matthew.
" Deo Optimo Maximo, laus et gloria."
" Madam Norton then presented to the church a very handsome velvet cushion for the pulpit."
Thus much for the early erection of the old church. Something may be told of its after history. The church underwent repairs at different times; and in 1805, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Whitney, being found too small for the accommodation of the society, it was opened through the centre, and a large addition inserted, to be pre- sently described, by which more pews were obtained, and its general appearance was greatly improved. At this time, the square pews in the body of the church gave place to the modern pews ; the square form being retained to the last, against the walls. The following notice from the History of Quincy, describes its dimensions and appearance in 1827, the year in which the accompanying engraving was made. The old sounding-board hung above the pulpit.
" The dimensions of this house since the last alteration are as follows : Width, 56 feet; length, 61 feet; height of tower to bell deck, 50 feet; height of cupola from bell deck, 25 feet; height of ball above the vane from the ground, 75 feet. The appearance of the church, inside as well as out, is still very respectable. There are 87 pews on the lower floor, and all painted throughout. The galleries as well as the roof are supported by four large pillars which give the house rather a solemn and imposing appearance. The pulpit is in the ancient style of building-handsomely carved-with one flight of stairs. Below is the communion table forming the front. part of a large pew, according to ancient custom, made for the ac- commodation of the Deacons, or, perhaps, for the Ruling Elders. In
* This custom was adopted at the old South church, Boston, April 24, 1737. See Wisner's Hist. Old South Church, 1830, notes p. 105.
٢
5
EAST. - Sixty-one feet.
Dwelle
2
& Spear.
& Beale.
Adams
Turner.
Town's
Poor.
Deacons' Seat. Table.
Spear.
SRawson
Deacon
Adams.
Seaver.
Crane &
&Nightin-
gale.
L. Brackett. 5.1
Billings &
48 Gen. Taylor.
Ministry. 24
1 Presidents.
Baxter.
25
47
Glover.
Baxter. 23
2 Greenleaf.
Dea. Spear & N. Bent. 26
Deacon Veasie. o
16
Fenno.
Mayo. 22
3 Nightingale.
Baxter. 27
45 Glover.
Jenkins. 21
4 Tufts.
Newcomb. 28
Cook. &
14
Hall,
Thayer &
20
5
Riddle.
Curtis. 29
Hard- wick. i
13 Souther.
Capt. Bass. 19
Baxter.
Curtis. 30
wick.
7
Judge Adams.
Deacon Savil.
31
Stove.
11
Pope.
S. Spear. 17
8 Briesler.
Crane & Nightingale, 32
Nightin- gale. i-
40
Green.
Beale.
16
9 Miller.
Baxter & Wild.
33
T. Adams.
39
Apthorp.
E. Spear. 15
10
Quincy.
Quincy. 34
M.R.& E " Marsh.
J. Marsh. 2
38
Appleton.
Willett & French.
14
11
Shaw & Chubbuck.
Hardwick. 35
W. -Marsh.
Glover, N. & H.
W.New- comb.
Bick- nell. 73 -1
7,2
89
99
64
W. Wood & Crane.
&
P.
Judge
Cranch 2
Greenleaf.
James
Bent.
Deacon
L. Basg.
E.Adams
Whitney.
W. Spear
Hobart.
Adams."
J.
Field & W. Baxter.
WEST. Porch.
For complete list of owners and occupants, see page 8.
ere retained around the walls. As the dimensions, when the church as taken down, were sixty one feet by fifty-six, and, as fifteen feet were added in the width, in 1805, the original size was sixty-one by forty-
ne. At first the galleries were reached by stairs in the west corners the church as customary in early times, and all the pews were
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
front of the gallery for the choir of singers is a handsome clock, presented to the society by two ladies; Madam Abigail Adams, wife of President Adams, Sen., and Madam Esther Black, widow of the late Moses Black, Esq."
The subjoined diagram, abridged from the original, represents the division of the ground floor after the alterations of the building in 1805, and when it was taken down in 1828. Square pews, as has been said,
Ground Plan of Church.
NORTH. - Fifty-six feet. Tower.
Pulpit.
83 H. Wood.
86
87
51
52
J.B ck. ett.
Dr. Phipps. 99
& Baxter.
,H.Hard- 53
12
Savil.
Judge Greenlenf. 18
SOUTH.
Porch.
37 Billings.
Brackett & Newcomb.
B. & J. Faxon.
Bass. 30
13
12
Billings
Faxon.
Brackett-
& J.
&
&
& J. S
&
Bass
&
&
69
& Pray.
Keating 69
6
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
square. There were two rows of body seats in front, on which were seated men and women on opposite sides. Behind these were two rows for the singers. When the singers stood, they faced each other, with a partition between them, on which to lay their books. The Deacons sat in their place before the pulpit and lined off the Psalm. Mr. Lemuel Brackett, who was born in 1780, and is of the best authority on these matters of and near his time, informs me that when he was a boy, Mr. Babcock, who afterwards removed to Milton, led the singing, using a pitch-pipe.
At length a change was made. The stairs in the corners were re- moved. The west gallery was enlarged for the singers by adding the swell in front. Deacon Pierce, carpenter from Dorchester, was employed by the town to make these alterations, about 1793, or '94. He converted the body seats above named into pews, and the singers went into the gallery, and the poor were seated in a pew by the pulpit. Mr. Pierce at the same time, repaired the damage which the tower had sustained by lightning several years before. The lightning had destroyed the belfry, so that the bell had remained quite uncovered for many years. Rev. Mr. Wibird had long urged the repairing of the tower, which in its dilapidated state, brought merited reproach upon the town. When the stairs were removed from the west corners of the church, it was necessary to provide other means for reaching the galleries. The first porch on the south of the church was of one story only, withont stairs; and the stairs in the tower on the north did not connect with the main build- ing. Indeed I am credibly informed that the tower was not framed into the main building, but rather stood against it, so that in a furious gale it was once twisted a little from its proper position, and persons could look between it and the building. This great gale occurred while a military review was held in the north part of the town at the Farms ; and the tents of the soldiers were blown down and other damage sustained. The small porch on the south was sold to Mr. James Brackett, father of Mr. Lemuel, who removed it to Germantown (the south eastern extremity of Quincy), and affixed it to the old stone house there which then belonged to him. A new two story porch was erected by Mr. Pierce, with stairs to the south, or women's gallery, and also to the south end of the west gallery, which remained when the church was taken down. Communication was also made with the tower on the north, by which access was had to the men's gallery, and also to the north end of the west gallery.
The removal of the singers from the seats before the pulpit to the gallery was not effected without some solicitation. They were at first quite unwilling to go up. But means were employed which, both before and since that period, have been found most efficacious for changing even the stubborn will. Mr. James Brackett, above named, chairman of the committee on the alterations, made a sup- per for the singers at his house. A fine festival was enjoyed, and the singers were no longer unwilling to go into the gallery. My informant further relates that among them at the feast, was Mr. Joseph Bass, whom many of the citizens of Quincy will remember as reaching a great age, and also his brother Mr. Hezekiah Bass who played the bass-viol. This instrument was first used in the church
7
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
when the singers changed their seats. Some of the congregation were much offended at the introduction of stringed instruments. One old man rose up and left, saying that " he did not want to go to God's House to hear a great fiddle."
On the removal of the corner stairs, room was made for pews below and above. March 3, 1800, an article in the warrant for a town meeting is in these words,-" To know if the Town will sell the floor where the stair ways was in the gallery." Whereupon,- " Voted that the floor where the old stair ways was, the vacancy in the gallery be appropriated for the use of the black people to sit in." Large square pews, somewhat elevated, were built in the corner of the west, or singers' gallery on this space here referred to; and the few colored persons in town were accustomed to sit there. In the appendix to the historical discourse in 1855, on the hundredth anniversary of the formation of the first church in Templeton, Mass., by Rev. Edwin G. Adams, junior pastor, may be seen a diagram on which these elevated corner pews are well represented.
At a Town meeting May 5, 1800, just three months after the ordination of Rev. Mr. Whitney, " Voted Moses Black Esq., Mr. Thomas Pratt, Peter B. Adams, Esq., be a committee, and are hereby empowered to sell the floor on the back part of the end galleries sufficient to make a row of pews of."
This vote does not appear to have been carried into effect. No pews were ever built in the north or men's gallery. And in the south gallery, a few pews were, several years after, built in the east end, leaving more than half the gallery in free seats for women. There was originally a row of pews on the back of the west gal- lery, and several of them in the middle were subsequently taken away to leave more space for the singers.
1804, Nov. 5. " Moses Black, Esq., Benjamin Beale, Esq., Mr. Thomas Greenleaf, Capt. John Hall, Peter B. Adams, Esq. were chosen to consult with some architect upon the plan of an enlarge- ment of the house and to report to the town."
1805, March 4. " This committee is empowered to contract with any person or persons that may incline to undertake the work, pro- vided satisfactory bonds be given to the town that the house shall not be injured, and to be left in as good repair as it now is, they having the ground for their benefit." Voted also, " that the meeting house shall not be enlarged more than 15 feet, nor less than 12 feet."
The extreme caution of the town, evinced by these votes, not to be imposed upon by any fraudulent contractor in so momentous an enterprise as sawing apart a meeting house, sixty-one by forty-one, and inserting fifteen feet is most admirable. Mr. Bates of Wey- mouth, undertook the work; and, by the sale of new pews which he gained, the contract was very profitable to him. The town was furthermore so well satisfied that they had sustained no "injury"- that his bonds were not forfeited.
1805, July 22. " Voted to shingle all the old part of the meeting house, which Mr. Bates has not contracted to do; and that the sub- ject be referred to the committee on alterations."
The enlargement of the church here described, was effected by sawing the building, lengthwise with the ridge pole, from North to
..
8
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
south, moving the front, or west portion of the same fifteen feet forward, and framing in the intermediate space. The four large pillars which will be remembered as supporting the roof in the body of the church, were added at this time. Of course by this move- ment, the ridge-pole was elevated above its former height, and the roof on the east elongated as well as on the west. The tower and also the south porch were moved westward a few feet, to correspond with the new ridge line.
By a typographical error in the history of Quincy, this enlarge- ment of the church is assigned to 1806. The number of weeks em- ployed in the work may be inferred from the following entries made by Rev. Mr. Whitney in his private diary of preaching.
1805, July 21. " We had no meeting; our meeting honse was opened." "July 28. No meeting at Quincy, I preached for Mr. Whitney of Hingham." On the first sabbath of August, worship was resumed. November 17, following, is recorded in the diary. " No meeting .- painting pews, &c." November 24, worship was re- sumed.
It will be remembered by those who recall the old church, that it rested for underpinning on two rows of neatly hammered stone, and that the door steps were of similar material. The church as original- ly constructed had not this; but it was added about 1790. The town contemplated putting the hammered stone only under three walls of the church, leaving the back, or east side in its first rough finish. Now this side of the church looked towards Thompson . Baxter's house in which Rev. Mr. Wibird boarded, and was that which the pastor first approached in coming to his pulpit. He heard of the purpose of the town, and exclaimed, ' why should not my side be hammered stone too !' It must be; I will pay for it myself." And, according to his accustomed liberality, he actually insisted on defraying the cost of that part of the stone. It was not uncommon, as I learned from my father, his successor in the ministry, for Rev. Mr. Wibird to look over the list of rates prepared for the payment of his salary, and erase some names, saying, ' this man has been un- fortunate,'-or ' such an one needs the money more than I do,'-and thus, deductions were frequently made from his stated stipend. The hammered stones above named were used in the underpinning of the houses erected from the materials of the old church on Cottage Avenue.
When the church was taken down, the owners of pews, by a quit-claim deed, which is in the possession of the parish treasurer Mr. Lewis Bass, and which he courteously loaned to me for these minutes, relinquished all right and title thereto,-each owner signing and sealing, and re- ceiving fifty dollars for a pew below, and ten dollars for one above. As owners & occupants could not be described on the diagram, we add a brief notice of each-giving from the deed, the owners on the final disposition of the edifice.
No. 1. Owner, President John Quincy Adams. His oldest son George Washing- ton Adams, attorney, of H. U., 1521, signs for him. President John Adams, former owner, died July 4, 1526, in his 91st year. His wife, Abigail died October 28, 1818, aged 74. He was never absent from church forenoon, or afternoon, when in Quincy ; and was accustomed in the latter years of his life
-
9
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
to sit on the short seat across the head of the pew. His son, the President, as punctual at church, died February 23, 1848, in his 81st year. His widow, Louisa Catharine, died May 15, 1852, aged 77. For pedigree of Adams family see vol. VII. p. 39 of this Register.
No. 2. Owner, Daniel Greenleaf who came from Boston 1797, and many years after, bought and occupied both the pew and the large and beautiful estate of Moses Black,-the original estate of Edmund, ancestor of the Quincy family. Mr. Greenleaf died March 25, 1853, aged 90 years, 6 mos. His wife died January 6, 1839, aged 73. He was brother to John of pew No. 70, and cousin to Thomas of pew No. 18, also cousin to his own wife Elizabeth Greenleaf.
No. 3. Owner, George Nightingale, formerly town clerk and treasurer ; who died Feb. 25, 1864, aged 77 years, 9 mos. Seth Burrill occupied before him. Asa Pope also occupied.
No. 4. Owner, Cotton Tufts, H. U. 1777, died 1833, aged 76. This family lived in Weymouth, attending constantly here. He was son of Dr. Cotton Tufts of Weymouth, H. U. 1749, and father of Quincy Tufts, who is still merchant at No. 105 Washington street, Boston, where he has been engaged longer than any other single trader, or firm on the street.
No. 5. Owner, Isaac Riddle of Quincy Point. Nathan Josselyn also occupied it. No. 6. Owner, Anthony Wibird Baxter from the west part of the town, died Sept., 1822. His widow Catharine signs the deed, as executrix.
No. 7. Owner, William Hayden, Sen., deed signed for him by Wm. Hayden, jr., attorney. Judge Thomas Boyiston Adams, of H. U. 1790, son of President John Adams occupied it. He died, 1832.
No. 8. Owner, George W. Beale (see No. 85.) Occupied by John Briesler, mer- chant, now of the firm of Briesler & Whitney, Quincy.
No. 9. Owners, Hannah Miller and her son Edward, of H. U. 1813, attorney. He died 18-12.
No. 10. Owner, Josiah Quincy. He owned, also, pew No. 34, and by a door con- nected the two for greater accommodation. This venerable statesman and true patriot, now in his 93d year, passed the last summer as usual, at his country seat at Quincy, where his ancestors settled and worshipped more than two centuries ago.
No. 11. Owner, Capt. Oliver Jenkins from Quincy Point; died August, 1829. Occupants Ebenezer Shaw, and Perez Chubbuck, also of the Point.
No. 12. Owners jointly and occupants, Benjamin and Job Faxon.
No. 13. Joseph Brackett, and widow Jerusha New- comb.
No. 14. Owner, James Hall. Occupants, Aber Willett, and Daniel French pro- prieter of the old tavern, afterwards called the Hancock House.
No. 15. Owner, Elijah Spear, who owned and occupied 'till his death, the house still standing near the head of the Quincy canal, in which Rev. Mr. Wibird lived, unmarried, through his ministry, then the estate of Thompson Baxter. No. 16. Owner, Jonathan Beale, whose house was on the western border of Quincy, close upon the Milton line.
No. 17. Owners, Heirs of Samuel Spear. He lived at Hough's Neck, Quincy. The deed is signed by Daniel Baxter, jr. in behalf of the heirs.
No. 18. Owner, Thomas Greenleaf, of H. U. 1784. He came from Boston in 1803 -though a temporary resident here from 1790. His house in which he lived more than fifty years, west, beyond President Adams's, once belonged to Rev. Dr. Charles Chauncy of first church, Boston, who lived here for a few months of several successive years. Mr. Greenleaf died Jan. 5, 1854, in his 87th year. His widow Mary Deming (Price) died Feb. 22, 1856, in her 89th year. He was brother to the wife of Daniel, of pew No. 2. See Rev. Dr. Luut's discourse after his death, for historieal and genealogical notices.
No. 19. Owner, Capt. Josiah Bass, whose estate on Neponset turnpike connected with Hon. Josiah Quincy's.
No. 20. Owner, Deacon Daniel Spear. It was before owned by Theophilus Thayer; then by George his son. Josiah Brigham, merchant, occupied it. No. 21. Owner, Oliver Jenkins as of No. 11.
No. 22. Owner, James Mayo of Quincy Point. Deed signed by his widow Lucin- da. It was occupied by Capt, Ezra Prior's family, also of Quincy Point.
No. 23. Owner, Edward W. Baxter's estate. Josiah Baxter signs deed for one-half of it. John Colman also occupied it. No. 24. Parish pew tor minister's family.
10
The Old Church, Quincy, Mass.
No. 25. Owner, James Baxter, whose estate adjoined Thomas Greenleaf's.
No. 26. Owners and occupants jointly, Deacon Daniel Spear, and Nedabiah Bent.
No. 27. Owner, Jonathan Baxter of Quincy Point.
No. 28. Owner, Bryant Newcomb, who also owned a pew in the east end of the south gallery where he always sat himself.
No. 29. Owner, Adam Curtis, occupied, also by his brother Samuel, sons of Noah, and all extensively engaged in the manufacture of boots.
No. 30. Owner, Noah Curtis from Pain's Hill, town treasurer.
No. 31. Owner, Deacon Samuel Savil, occupied also by his son Josiah Savil.
No. 32. Owner, Ebenezer Crane, occupied, also by his son-in-law, Josiah Nightin- gale.
No. 33. Owner, Wm. Baxter, jr., occupied also by Paul Wild.
No. 34. Owner, Josiah Quincy, connecting with No. 10.
No. 35. Owner, Frederick Hardwick.
No. 36. Owner, Josiah Bass, as of No. 19.
No. 37. Owners, Edmund Billing,' estate, by Lemuel Brackett administrator, one- third,-Jerusha and Mary Billings, each, one-third.
No. 38. Owner, Daniel Greenleaf (as of No. 2), occupied by his sister Priscilla, widow of John Appleton, and her son Alfred.
No. 39. Owner. George H. Apthorp. The deed is signed for him by Rev. Benja- min Clark Cutler, of the Episcopal church, Quincy. Aaron Mason, also, oc- cupied, of the firm of Chamberlin and Mason, wheelwrights.
No. 40. Owner, Lemuel Brackett (see No. 54), occupied by Ebenezer Green.
No. 41. Owner, Lemuel Pope, from Squantum, north-east part of the town.
No. 42. Owner, John Savil, son of Deacon Samuel Savil.
No. 43. Owner, John Souther, shipwright at Souther's wharf, Quincy.
No. 44. Owner, James Hall, son of Capt. John Hall, former owner.
No. 45. Owner, Ezra Glover.
No. 46. Owner, Jesse Fenno. Deed signed by Daniel Spear, executor.
No. 47. Owners, Edward Glover, Polly Glover administratrix, one-half each.
No. 48. Owner, General Thomas Taylor, from " the Farms."
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