USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > The ministry of Taunton, with incidental notices of other professions > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08182998 2
176
ΙΣ ΦΛΟΣ
George
I&H
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation
5
http://www.archive.org/details/ministryoftaunto00emer
THE
MINISTRY OF TAUNTON,
WITH
INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF OTHER PROFESSIONS. BY
SAMUEL HOPKINS EMERY, Pastor of one of its Churches.
WITH AN
INTRODUCTORY NOTICE BY HON. FRANCIS BAYLIES.
- IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLUME II.
" The glory of children are their fathers." - PROV. 17: 6.
" The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers." -1 KINGS 8: 57.
BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY JOHN P. JEWETT & CO. CLEVELAND, OHIO: JEWETT, PROCTOR & WORTHINGTON. LONDON : LOW & CO. 1853.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by JOHN P. JEWETT & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
LENOX
L'9
AR
NEW YORK
N. H. STEAM PRINTING WORKS: TRIPP AND OSGOOD, PRINTERS, CONCORD, N. H.
ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND VOLUME.
IF it was far from the author's purpose, when his atten- tion was first turned towards the early history of Taunton, to give the world the result of his researches in the form of a book, it was least of all contemplated, that it might extend to two volumes. It was found impossible however, as the work went on, to bring the materials at hand, with- in the limits of a single volume.
It was hoped that subscribers would not complain, if the conditions of the subscription were so far varied, as to al- low greater completeness to the original design. The work, such as it could be, prepared amidst manifold other cares and duties, is now submitted to an indulgent public, with the single desire that it may add a little to the amount of knowledge concerning those who have preceded us, and greatly augment our regard for their memory.
Taunton, December, 1852.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
CHAPTER I.
Page.
REV. CALEB BARNUM, THE SEVENTH MINISTER OF TAUNTON,. . 1-10 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER I.
NOTE A. Barnum's Sermon in 1762, 11-22
NOTE B. Barnum's Sermon in 1769,. .23-27
NOTE C. Barnum's Sermon in 1775,. .27-29
CHAPTER II.
REV. ELIAS JONES, THE EIGHTH MINISTER OF TAUNTON, ..... 30-33 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER II.
NOTE A. Report of a Committee to supply the pulpit,. ...
.. .. 34
CHAPTER III.
REV. EPHRAIM JUDSON, THE NINTH MINISTER OF TAUNTON, . . 35-13
An Ordination Sermon by Mr. Judson, in 1789, .
45-76
A Sermon on the Judgment of the Great Day, . 77 -- 113
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER III.
NOTE A. Appeal of the Church to the Congregation, . 114-115
NOTE B. Council called on dismission of Mr. Judson, ..
.115-118
Ancient Articles of Faith, of the Church in Taunton,. 118-120
CHAPTER IV.
The Meeting of Friends in Taunton, 121
The Sandemanian Meeting, . 121-122
The Protestant Episcopal Church, 122-126
The Congregational Church. West Taunton, 126-129
The Congregational Church. Taunton Green, .129-140
The Six Principle Baptist Church,. 141-142
The Taunton Green Baptist Church (Calvinistic,) 142-143
The Trinitarian Congregational Church, 143-146 The Free Will Baptist Church. North Taunton, .146 The Universalist Church, 147-148
vi
CONTENTS.
Page.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. Weir Village,. 148
The Protest. or Reformed Methodist Church. South Taunton, . 148-149. The Roman Catholic Church, 149
The Spring Street Church, .. 149-151
The Wesleyan Methodist Church, 151
The Methodist Episcopal Church. Whittenton Village, 151-152
The Central Christian Church, 152
The Swedenborgians,. 152
CHAPTER V.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF NORTON.
Original Church Organization and Covenant,. 153-155
Rev. Joseph Avery, the first minister, 156
Rev. Joseph Palmer, the second minister, 158-161
Rev. Pitt Clarke, the third minister, 161-169
Clarke's Sermon in 1794, . 170-179
Clarke's Right Hand of Fellowship in 1800, 179-182
The Baptist Church in Norton, 182-183
Congregational Trinitarian Church in Norton, 183-184
The Wesleyan Methodist Church. Norton, 185
CHAPTER VI.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF DIGHTON.
Rev. Nathaniel Fisher, the first minister, 186-187
Rev. John Smith, the second minister, 187-188
Second Congregational Society in Dighton, 189-190
Calvinistic Baptist Church and Society, 190
First and Second Christian Baptist Churches, 191
Methodist Episcopal Church, 191
CHAPTER VII.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF EASTON.
Rev. Matthew Short, the first minister, 192-193
Rev. Joseph Belcher, the second minister, 193
Rev. Solomon Prentice, the third minister, .193-200 Church Covenant of Easton, 194-198
Rev. Archibald Campbell, the fourth minister, 200
Rev. William Reed, the fifth minister, .200-203
Rev. Mr. Reed's Sermon in 1784, 204-209
Second Congregational Church, .209
vii
CONTENTS.
Page. Episcopal Methodist Church and Protestant Methodist Church, .... 209 . Roman Catholic Church, .210
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF RAYNHAM.
Rev. John Wales, the first minister, 212-218
Rev. Peres Fobes, the second minister, 218-235
Dr. Fobes' Sermon at the Execution of Dixon in 1784, 235-247
Rev. Stephen Hull, the third minister, .247
Rev. Enoch Sanford, the fourth minister, 247-248
Rev. Robert Carver, the fifth minister, 248
The Calvinistic Baptist Church, 248
The Second Congregational Church, 248-249
Union Meeting,
249
CHAPTER IX.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF BERKLEY.
Organization of the Church, .250
Rev. Samuel Tobey, the first minister, .251-254
Rev. Thomas Andros, the second minister, 254 -- 263
Sermon of Mr. Andros in 1790,. .263-277
Rev. Ebenezer Poor, the third minister, 277-278
Rev. J. U. Parsons, the fourth minister, .278
Rev. Charles Chamberlain, the fifth minister,. 278
The Second Trinitarian Congregational Church, 278
CHAPTER X.
THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF MANSFIELD.
Church organized, its Creed and Covenant, 279 -- 280
Rev. Ebenezer White, the first minister,. .281 -- 284
Rev. Roland Green, the second minister, 284 -- 289
Rev. Richard Briggs, the third minister,. 289 -- 292
Rev. James H. Sayward, the fourth minister, 292 -- 293
Second Congregational Society, 293 -- 294
Rev. Mortimer Blake, its first minister, 294 Society of Friends, 294 -- 295
Methodist Episcopal Church, 295
Christian Baptist and Calvinistic Baptist Churches, 295
viii
CONTENTS.
Page.
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER X.
NOTE A. Roland Green's last Sermon,. 296-300
NOTE B. Roland Green's Charge, . 301-304
CHAPTER XI.
Concluding Remarks, .305 -- 308 ......
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XI.
NOTE A. Notice of Hon. Robert Treat Paine, 309-316
NOTE B. Letters of early ministers and settlers of Taunton, found among the Mather and Hinckley Papers of the Mass. Hist. Society, .... 316-329
The Lithographs and Autographs in this work, .330-336 Index of subjects, .337-341
Index of names, . 341-345
Chapter of errata,. .346 List of subscribers, 347-360
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
CHAPTER I.
REV. CALEB BARNUM, THE SEVENTH MINISTER OF TAUNTON.
AFTER the dismission of Mr. Crocker in 1765, several ministers occupied the pulpit, two of whom received a call to settle, which they declined, viz., Mr. Camp, and Mr. Lathrop, the latter afterward locating in Boston. The people at length were united in Rev. Caleb Barnum, who, accepting the call extended to him, became the seventh minister of the town. Mr. Barnum was a native of Dan- bury,* Conn. The carly records of that town were de- stroyed in the Revolutionary War. The British advanced from Norwalk to Danbury, and burnt every public build- ing, thus laying waste the reserved stores for the Ameri- can army, and leaving not a vestige of the Town Records behind them. Nor can the memories of the fathers, nor family records, so far as I have been able to learn, supply
* Of this town, Rev. Seth Shove, son of Rev. George Shove, the third minister of Taunton, was, as has been remarked in another part of this work, the first minister.
1
2
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
this deficiency in the case of the Barnum family. Rev. Mr. Coe of Danbury informs me, that he sent my letter of enquiry "to Bethel," a sort of hive of the Barnums, but without deriving any satisfactory information. "I have gone out," he continues, "in another direction some four miles, but dense darkness seems to rest upon the sub- ject."
From a descendant of the minister, residing in Taunton, I learn, (and it is the sum total concerning the ancestry from that source which I can learn,) that the name of his father was Thomas- of his mother, Deborah. A work has recently made its appearance in Hartford, Conn., call- ed "R. R. Hinman's Catalogue of the first Puritan Set- tlers of the Colony of Connecticut," to be issued in a series of numbers, the first of which, through the kindness of the author, I have been permitted to examine. Under the name of Barnum, he says: "In the early records of the Colony, this name is usually written Barnam, though it has changed to Barnum. It is supposed by many, that it was originally the same as Burnham, Burnam, or Burn- um, as the name is found on the different records in Con- necticut. I am inclined to believe the name is Barnham. If the family have their coat of arms, they may settle the question. Thomas Barnum, (Barnam, or Barnham,) of Fairfield, purchased land at Norwalk, as early as 1662. He received an appointment at Norwalk, as late as 1676. His children born at Norwalk were Thomas, born July 9, 1663; John, born February 24, 1676-7; Hannah, born October 4, 1680; Ebbinezer, born May 29, 1682. Mr. Barnum removed to Danbury in the early settlement of
* If the name given to this locality was suggested by the character of the people, it speaks well for "the Barnums."
CALEB BARNUM.
the town, and, perhaps had other children after his re- moral. Thomas Barnum, in 1681, was appointed by the town, (that is, Norwalk.) 'to keep decorum during the exercises on the Sabbath, and at other public meetings, and to keep a small stick, with which moderately to correct the disorderly.' In 1671, he was put down in the list of estates at £40 of commonage. Barnum has three coats of arms."
In a communication received from Mr. Hinman, he states with considerable confidence that Rev. Caleb Bar- num "was a descendant of Thomas Barnum the first," whom he describes, "but through which son." he is unable to decide. He may have been the son of the eldest child of "Thomas the first," who bore the name of his father, But more probably, he was of the third generation. He was born June 30, 1737. Peter T. Barnum, Esq., of Bridgeport, consulted an aged aunt of his, who was a Bar- num, and married a Fairchild, now ninety years of age, who remembers to have heard her father speak of a Caleb Barnum. He was three years younger than her father, whose name was Ephraim. "There is no one living now, who knows any thing about him." Thus ignorant con- cerning one, who was no ordinary man, are the nearest family connections in a neighboring State. The truth ap- pears to be that the seventh minister of Taunton was either a grandson or great-grandson of one of the original settlers first of Norwalk, and next of Danbury, Connecti- cut. "He was educated," according to the assertion of some one in a newspaper paragraph, "at Princeton Col- lege, New-Jersey, where he was graduated in 1757," but
* Thomas Barnum was one of the first eight settlers of Danbury. He had five sons. (Robbins' Century Sermon.)
4
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
I find no record of this in "Farmer's Complete list of graduates," although it is stated, that Rev. Caleb Barnum received the honorary degree of Master of Arts in 1768, both at Princeton College, and at Harvard University. He was settled in the ministry first at Wrentham, in that part of the town now called Franklin, in the year 1760. Here he prepared the way for his distinguished successor, the Rev. Doctor Nathaniel Emmons. It was no small privilege to precede such a man in the ministry. It was sometime during the year 1768, that the minister of Franklin found his way to this place. He was not un- known to the people. His predecessor, Rev. Mr. Crock- er, had been in the habit of exchanging with him. I have read some of the sermons,* which were preached on these exchanges, and do not wonder at the interest which their delivery excited.
Mr. Barnum was installed February 2, 1769 .; This fact is stated on the authority of one, who was formerly conversant with the records. We are without information concerning the services of that occasion. The minutes of the Installing Council, if there were any; the proceedings of the church and society, and Pastor elect, have irre- trievably perished.
When Mr. Barnum entered upon his ministerial work in Taunton, he was little aware probably of its short contin- uance, of its summary conclusion in the midst of less peaceful scenes than await one in the quiet retreat of a small country parish. Barnum was one of the clergy who, in the exciting movements of the age in which he lived, caught the enthusiasm of the times, and yielded himself up most heartily to the service of his country. He was a
* Note A.
t Note B.
5
CALEB BARNUM.
fearless, christian patriot. When the tidings of the battle of Lexington reached Taunton, we are informed, that the
Preacher of the town took occasion to speak of it from the
pulpit,* and to rouse the patriotism and energy of his fel- low-citizens to do their appropriate work. In an animat-
ed, and eloquent address, he invoked their aid in resisting shared in the sacrifices and endured the toil, even "the Nor did his own patriotism confine itself to words. It oppression and procuring the liberties of their country. burden and heat of the day." His sympathies were with those who in the Providence of God had been called from the quietude and security of their own peaceful firesides to the perils and exposure of the camp and the battle-field. February, 1776, entered the army in the capacity of a He followed them in their wanderings, and on the 10th of Chaplain, and was attached to the 24th Regiment com- manded by Col. John Greaton, then stationed in the vicin-
ity of Boston. When Boston was evacuated, Barnum
accompanied his Regiment to New-York, thence to Mon- treal, where he was inoculated for the small pox. In the disastrous retreat from that Province, the minister of
Taunton, unaccustomed to such scenes, endured great hardships, as they who accompanied him testified, with exemplary christian fortitude. On the arrival of the army at Ticonderoga, he was attacked with a bilious disorder, which so impaired his health, and incapacitated him for his station, that he obtained a discharge on the 24th of July, and commenced his homeward journey, which how-
ever was never completed. On the 2d of August, he reached Pittsfield, in this State, and there his progress was arrested by an increase of the disease, which at length
* Note C.
1'
6
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
terminated his life the 23d day of August, 1776, in the fortieth year of his age. He languished and died in the midst of strangers, but not unattended, nor uncared for by the kindest of friends, as the following letter from Rev. Thomas Allen, the minister of Pittsfield, addressed to the Representatives of that town, most amply testifies :
" Pittsfield, Aug'st 26th, 1776.
Last Friday died here, in the 40th year of his age, af- ter an illness of about thirty-six days, the Rev. Mr. Caleb Barnum, late minister of the Gospel in Taunton, much respected and greatly lamented.
As this valuable person was much a stranger in this part of the country, we shall speak of him only in his last sickness and death, which seemed to verify that inspired declaration, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day."
He engaged in the Continental service, as Chaplain to Col. Greaton's Regiment, stationed before Boston, some- time in February last. After the precipitate flight of the rebels from Boston in the March following, he went with his Regiment to New-York, and from thence soon after to Montreal in Canada, where he was inoculated for the small pox. In this northern tour, he underwent various fatigues, from several causes, in an heroic manner. After the return of the army to Ticonderoga, he was taken sick of the bilious cholic, about the 18th of July, and obtained such relief from it, that on account of his ill state of health, having obtained a dismission from the army on the 24th, he was making his way home.
He arrived at this place August 2d, in a weak state, where he languished of a bilious fever till the 23d, and then died.
7
CALEB BARNUM.
During this season of distress, aggravated by diverse moving considerations, he maintained an unclouded seren- ity of mind, the most exemplary patience, and submission to the will of Heaven. Not a repining word was uttered by him. He received the report of his physician, of the great hazard of his case, with cquable firmness and com- posure of mind. Such sweetness of temper, such tran- quillity of spirit, such serenity and peace in the near view of death and eternity, such patience under pain, and on- tire submission to God's disposing will, which appeared in him, manifested at once the power of those supports and consolation which he enjoyed, and the excellence of the Christian religion. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."
He discovered much of a spirit of gratitude to God in his last sickness, and a firm trust and confidence in Ilim, to take care of, support and provide for his wife and chil- dren.
Being asked his present views, in the approach of death, as to the goodness of the American cause, in which he had been engaged, and by means of which he was now about to die, he replied :
"I have no doubts concerning the justice and goodness of that cause, and had I a thousand lives, they should all be willingly laid down in it."
He was interred yesterday afternoon, with great re- spect, when a funeral sermon was delivered from thesc words : (John 14th ch. 28th verse.) "If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I."
He has left a widow, and seven children to lament their
8
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
irreparable loss. "Lover and friend hast Thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness."
Mr. VALENTINE RATIIBUN, Representatives for Pittsfield.
Capt. ISRAEL DICKINSON,
"The appearance of Mr. Barnum," as those who re- member him represent it, "was commanding, his deport- ment dignified, and his manners pleasing and affable, uniting the paternal mildness of the clergyman with the grace and polish of the gentleman." But, as Mr. Baylies remarks, " the same fearless spirit, which bore him through the perils of war, developed itself in his pulpit, and in the administration of his parochial, and ecclesiastical affairs .* His contest with the Hon. Robert Treat Paine, respecting the baptism of his children, showed him the determined supporter of the rights of his church against that distin- guished and eminent parishioner .; Notwithstanding such occasional misunderstandings, he retained the strong at- tachment of his people to the last."
Mr. Barnum married Priscilla, daughter of Rev. Caleb Rice of Sturbridge, Mass., and sister of Col. Nathan Rice, formerly of Hingham, afterward of Burlington, Vt., an aid-de-camp to Gen. Lincoln, during his Southern Cam- paign.
* The portrait which accompanies this sketch, would indicate the same traits - amiability, and mildness, not however without due energy of character, and when the exigency required, firmness.
t The particulars of this " contest," as Mr. Baylies calls it, are not known to me. Mr. Paine, a native of Boston in 1731, was the son of a clergyman, who for a time was settled in Weymouth, but through failing
health engaged as a merchant in Boston. His mother was a daughter of Rev. Mr. Treat of Eastham, who was son of Gov. Treat of Connecti- cut, whose wife was daughter of Rev. Samuel Willard of Boston. Of clerical descent on both sides, Robert Treat himself tried that profession first, and preached several times in his native city. He relinquished it however after a brief trial, but ever after, as I have understood, took great interest in theological subjects, and in one instance at least, came in collision with the views of Mr. Barnum, his minister, and the church.
9
CALEB BARNUM.
Mrs. Barnum was born May 16, 1741, and was married to Mr. Barnum, June 18, 1761. They had the following children :
(1) Caleb, born April 11, 1762, who married Nancy Paine of Thetford, Vt. Two children survive and reside in Mainc.
(2) Priscilla, born April 1, 1764, who married Capt. David Vickery of Taunton. Three children survive, viz: Charles R. Vickery, Esq., formerly Postmaster of the town, and present Cashier of the Machinists Bank, Taun- ton ; Mrs. Paddock Dean of Taunton, and a son in Fall River.
(3) Deborah, born Oct. 27, 1766, who married Thom- as S. Baylies of Dighton, and died June 8, 1851, leaving no children.
(4) George, born May 25, 1768, who married Sally Cutler of Weston, Mass., and died Oct. 30, 1850, leaving one son, who resides in Warren, Mass.
(5) Mary, born Sept. 13, 1770, who died in infancy.
(6) Thomas, born Oct. 30, 1772, who married Sally Abraham of New-York City. They have no children.
(7) Anna, born Dec. 30, 1773, who married Rufus Child of Woodstock, Conn. Of ten children, seven are now living, and three, one son and two daughters, reside in Taunton. Mrs. Child is still living in Taunton, although entirely blind and quite infirm.
(8) Polly, born Oct. 11, 1775, who married Rev. Pc- ter Nourse of Ellsworth, Me. They have no children.
Mr. Barnum occupied the house, which a few years since was removed from the present site of S. O. Dun- bar's Apothecary Shop, on Main Street, opposite "the Green," and is now occupied by Samuel Wilde, Jr.,
10
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
nephew of Judge Wilde. The street, on which the "old Parsonage," where Mr. Crocker lived, is situated, now bears the name of "Barnum Street," and it may be, that the minister lived there for a time.
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER FIRST.
NOTE A. Page 4.
I HAVE twenty of Mr. Barnum's sermons in my hands, be- sides several fragmentary productions, which were loaned me by the minister's daughter, Mrs. Child. Of the sermons, ten were preached before Mr. Barnum's Installation in Taunton, and of these, six were delivered both in Wrentham (Franklin) and in Taunton. One in 1765, from the text, (Matt. 8: 25,) " And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish." Concerning which text and the context, the Preacher observes,
1st. The greatness and extreme severity of the storm.
2d. The fact, Christ was asleep.
3d. When all their attempts arc baffled, and they begin to despair of help from any other quarter, the disciples fly to Christ.
4th. He reproves them for their timorousness.
5th. He arises and with the majesty of a God, speaks the word, which stills the tempest, and creates a calm.
From which points, considered at length, he passes to remark : 1st. That the Church sometimes is in stormy and perilous circumstances in this world.
2d. That the Great Master and Head of the Church may seem, as it were, asleep and inattentive to their distresses.
3d. That it is the duty of His followers, at such a time to awake Him out of sleep by earnest prayer and supplication.
It is a discourse eminently practical, and making a forcible appeal to the hearts of his hearers.
12
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
Another sermon is from the Text (Matt. 3: 7,) " Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" The object of the discourse is, to show,
1st. What we are to understand by this "wrath to come ?"
2d. What we are to understand by the flight from it?
3d. The dangers which usually attend such a flight.
Among the dangers named under the last head, is the follow- ing: "Trusting in the external performance of a round of duty on the one hand, or resting in an imaginary compliance with the terms of the Gospel on the other." And in concluding his consideration of this point he says : "Thus have I endeav- ored to guard you against the two rocks, on which millions have run to their ruin, under a notion of flying to and trusting in Christ. And may I not hope that some of you, who have long been settled on a false foundation are now convinced of your mistake and the rottenness of your foundation. Alas, Sirs, here is now a space for repentance, and why will you stifle the conviction, that gathers upon you apace, in spite of your disin- clination to act under its influence. The reasons which induce me to guard you with so much care against a mistake here, are these, That it is so frequent- so easy -and its consequences so appalling. May each of them have their due operation on you, to awaken just fear, and concern lest you come short of this rest."
A third sermon in the series, was preached on a Thanksgiving occasion, in the year 1762, the 9th day of December Text, Deut. 8 : 10, " When thou hast eaten, and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord, thy God for the good land, which He hath given thee." On which, the Preacher proceeds to discourse, as follows :
" The inspired apostle of the Gentiles, when speaking of the duty of Thanksgiving, enjoins it in these very extensive terms - "in every thing give thanks," intimating that we should live habitually thankful. Let gratitude bear a part in all our reflec- tions on the Divine Conduct ; for every dealing whether at pres- ent it have a more smiling or frowning aspect, being dictated
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.