USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > Two hundredth anniversary, St. Paul's parish, Newburyport, Mass. commemorative services with historical addresses > 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.
ECCCE-
CEEECCE
TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY ST. PAUL'S PARISH NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
ECCECCEEEE
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/twohundredthanni00thom
GEN
L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02553 0871
Gc 974.402 N435s SAINT PAUL'S PARISH (NEWBURYPORT, MASS. ) . TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY, ST. PAUL'S PARISH,
4 4
RO'S 6th
-
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT, MASS. ( From an old print )
TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY ST. PAUL'S PARISH NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
Commemorative Services
WITH
HISTORICAL ADDRESSES
a
PRINTED FOR ST. PAUL'S CHURCH NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Strect PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
Copyright 1912 by M. S. Thompson
The Southgate Press - T. W. Ripley Co. Boston
PREFACE
When the parishioners and friends of St. Paul's Church were asked to contribute to a fund to be used for erecting the Memorial Cross and for defraying the expenses of the Two Hundredth Anniversary Celebration, the response was spontaneous and generous, subscriptions being received from nearly every family in the Parish, and from many out-of-town friends and former parishioners. The amount received was more than was asked for, and after all expenses of the Celebration were paid there was a surplus, which has been used as a nucleus for publishing this little volume. It is designed that every family in the Parish, and every other contributor to the memorial fund, shall have a copy.
It has been no easy task to collect the subjects and reproductions for the illustrations, and a word of explanation seems necessary about the picture of Queen Anne's Chapel. No picture was known to be in existence ; but so many references to the Chapel are found in the Records, and in various documents available, (including John Bridger's agreement to build the Chapel), giving details of the structure, that these were collected and studied, and a sketch made based on these descriptions. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Joshua Hale, in looking over some of the ancient diaries which have been kept by his family for many genera- tions, discovered a rough pencil sketch of Queen Anne's Chapel, made many years ago, which, when compared with the sketch made from the written descriptions, was found to be identical, except in small details.
We, who have the privilege of worshiping in old St. Paul's Church, should realize, with pride, that ours is the oldest Protestant Episcopal Parish in Massachusetts, that the first Bishop of Massachusetts spent his entire ministry at St. Paul's, and that we possess practically complete records of the Parish from the foundation of Queen Anne's Chapel in 1711, to the present day - an unusual circumstance.
It seems almost impossible that any one, with a spark of sentiment, who has attended the old church and knows its history, or who has had any connection with its associations, can do otherwise than have some feeling of respect and love for it, and take some interest in its preserva- tion and usefulness.
If this publication helps to deepen the interest and affection of any of its readers for the old church, it will not have been issued in vain.
MILTON S. THOMPSON,
For the Committee on Publication.
Special Committees APPOINTED FOR THE TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY ST. PAUL'S PARISH
Finance
CHARLES W. MOSELEY ALLEN M. BREWSTER JOHN F. PEARSON
Invitation
THE RECTOR BRAINERD P. EMERY JOHN F. PEARSON
Public Services
THE RECTOR SENIOR AND JUNIOR WARDENS
Hospitality
MOSES BROWN ALLEN M. BREWSTER
Press and Printing
BRAINERD P. EMERY WILLIAM F. HOUSTON
Memorial Publication
MILTON S. THOMPSON THE RECTOR CHARLES W. MOSELEY
The Memorial THE RECTOR MILTON S. THOMPSON
CONTENTS
-
PREFACE
5
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
6
MEMORIAL SERVICES
13
BY THE RECTOR
CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN NEWBURY
·
.
21
BY REV. DR. RUFUS EMERY
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT
35
BY HON. JOHN J. CURRIER
QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL .
57
BY REV. DR. RUFUS EMERY
ORGANIZATION ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, 1911 .
66
MINISTERS' AND RECTORS' AUTOGRAPHS
68
A LAST WORD
69
7
ILLUSTRATIONS
St. Paul's Church ( from old print) Frontispiece Rev. A. H. Wright, Rector of St. Paul's Church 12 Grave of Bishop Bass 14
At Dedication of Memorial Cross, Procession
15
Right Rev. Wm. Lawrence, D. D. 16
At Dedication of Memorial Cross, The Choir Singing .
17
Dedication of Memorial Cross by Bishop Lawrence . 18
Flagon
19
At Dedication of Memorial Cross, Bishop Speaking 20
Rev. Rufus Emery, D. D. 22
John Bridger's Agreement to Build Queen Anne's Chapel . 25
Governor Dudley's Letter
27
Rev. Matthias Plant's License, 1721, from John, Bishop of London 29
Handwriting of John Lambton . 32
Signatures to By-Laws, Queen Anne's Chapel, 1722 33
J. Bridger's Seal and Signature, 1711 . 34
Hon. John J. Currier . 36
Edward Bass' Declaration, 1752, Signed by Thomas, Bishop of London 42
Brattle Organ . 43
Old Prayer-Book of St. Paul's Church, Showing Changes made by Bishop Bass during the Revolution . 44
Right Rev. Edward Bass, D. D. 46
Corner Stone St. Paul's Church . 48 The Paul Revere Bell 49
St. Paul's Church, 1911 50
Tablet to Memory of Bishop Bass 53
Interior of St. Paul's Church, 1911 .
55
9
ILLUSTRATIONS
Queen Anne's Chapel . 58
Grave of Rev. Matthias Plant . 61
Grave of Mr. Samuel Bartlett '61
Grave of Mrs. Sarah Bartlett . 62
Grave of John Bayley, "Clark " 62
Weather-vane, Queen Anne's Chapel 64
Old Silver of St. Paul's Church . 65
Grave of Mrs. Sarah Bartlet, "A Maiden Gentlewoman". 67
Facsimiles of Signatures of Rectors 68
A Little Grave 70
3 1833 02553 0871
10
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Arthur H. Wright
RECTOR OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
MEMORIAL SERVICES
THE two hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the services of the Church of England in Newbury and the erection of Queen Anne's Chapel (of which St. Paul's Church, Newburyport, is the continuation) was celebrated, with appropriate services, on Sunday and Monday, June 4 and 5, 1911. Invitations had been extended to the Bishop and all the clergy of the Diocese, ministers of the local churches, former parishioners and friends, and goodly congregations were present. The weather was delightful, and nothing marred the successful carrying out of the careful and complete arrangements made by the Rector and Vestry. On Sunday, June 4 (Whitsunday), the Holy Communion was celebrated at 7.30 A.M., and Morning Prayer was read at 9.30 A.M. A second celebration of the Holy Communion took place at 10.30 A.M., when the Rev. Rufus Emery, D.D., delivered an address, recounting the circumstances attending the beginning of the services of the Church of England in this neighborhood, with an interesting description of the first church building and its early history. Evening Prayer was read at 4.30 P.M., and the Hon. John James Currier, Historian of Newbury and New- buryport, traced the later history of the Parish from the founding of St. Paul's Church to the present.
The Rector was assisted in the services by the Rev. Dr. Rufus Emery, the Rev. Glenn Tilley Morse, of West Newbury, the Rev. George F, Degen, of Dummer Academy, Byfield, the Rev. Henry W. Foote, of South Groveland, and Mr. Walworth Tyng, lay reader.
At the close of the afternoon service, the clergy, choir, and con- gregation gathered about the grave of Bishop Bass in the churchyard, where a brief memorial service was held, and a cross of yellow lilies laid upon his tomb, a picturesque and touching conclusion to the services of the day.
Monday, the day appointed for the unveiling of a Memorial Cross to mark the site of Queen Anne's Chapel, was ideal, the sky being over- cast and the temperature cool and comfortable. The Holy Communion
13
ST. PAUL'S PARISH
THE GRAVE OF BISHOP BASS IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
was celebrated at 7.30 A. M. At 11 A. M. a large company gathered at the site of the original Queen Anne's Chapel, in what is now a part of Belleville Cemetery, where a Celtic Cross, of Westerly granite, ten feet high, had been erected as a permanent memorial of the ancient church.
Although the original chapel had long been destroyed, and nothing remained above ground to mark the location, the site was determined by measurements based on old records, and by a survey made by a civil engineer, through the courtesy of Mr. Charles W. Moseley, one of the vestrymen of the parish. In excavating for the foundation of the Memorial Cross, what is believed to have been a part of the old founda- tion of the Chapel was discovered.
Promptly at the appointed hour the procession entered the church- yard, singing "The Church's One Foundation." Seats had been arranged about the cross, which was veiled by a large American flag, and the sight was most picturesque as the procession, consisting of
14
AT THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL CROSS The procession entering the churchyard of Queen Anne's Chapel
ST. PAUL'S PARISH
crucifer, musicians, vested choir, clergy, and Bishop, wended its way to its appointed place. The service, conducted by the Rector, was heartily joined in by the congregation, and was most inspiring, the order being as follows : - Processional, " The Church's One Founda- tion"; the Lord's Prayer and Versicles ; Psalms 84 and 122; Hymn 196, "Our Father's God, to Thee"; Creed and Prayers ; Hymn 176, " For
RIGHT REV. WILLIAM LAWRENCE, D. D. Bishop of Massachusetts
All the Saints"; Address by the Rev. Rufus Emery, D.D. ; Hymn 359, " In the Cross of Christ I Glory"; Unveiling and Dedication of the Cross ; Address by the Right Rev. William Lawrence, D.D., Bishop of Massachusetts ; Hymn 460, " From all that dwell below the skies"; Benediction ; Recessional, "O God, our help in ages past."
The cross was unveiled by Mr. H. Paine Bartlet, of New York, assisted by Master Haydn Page Sawyer, of Newburyport, both being descendants of vestrymen of the original Queen Anne's Chapel, Bishop Lawrence dedicating it with appropriate prayers. The cross was pur-
16
AT THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL CROSS
anni fries or
0
THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL CROSS BY THE RIGHT REV. WILLIAM LAWRENCE, D.D.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
chased with funds contributed by more than two hundred persons, a most pleasing indication of the widespread interest in the past history of the parish and a happy augury of unceasing interest in its future welfare.
The cross is located at a spot which is believed to be about where the altar stood in the original chapel, and probably not far from the grave of the Rev. Henry Lucas, who was buried under the altar. The inscription, carved in raised letters, reads as follows :
" This cross is raised A.D. 1911, to mark the site of Queen Anne's Chapel, erected A. D. 1711, in which were held the first services of the Church of England in Newbury."
Immediately in front of the Cross there has been placed a large flat stone, formerly the doorstone of the Rev. Matthias Plant's house. In the pictures of the Cross the Bishop is seen standing on this stone.
At the close of the services the company returned to the Parish House of St. Paul's Church, where a general reunion of past and present parishioners and friends took place, and a bountiful luncheon was served.
In connection with these anniversary services a most appropriate and valuable gift was received from Miss Margaret Woodbridge Cush- ing, of Newburyport, who gave an exact reproduction of the original flagon, which had been presented by King William and Queen Mary "to their Maj'ties Chappel in New England 1694," and which, after having been in possession of St. Paul's Church for many years, was stolen in 1887. This beautiful reproduction, so interesting a reminder of the olden times, was used for the first time at the morning service on June 4, 1911. ARTHUR H. WRIGHT.
19
-
AT THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL CROSS The Bishop addressing the congregation
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN NEWBURY
From the Founding of Queen Anne's Chapel, Newbury to the Establishment of St. Paul's Church, Newburyport
Rufus Emery
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN NEWBURY
AN ADDRESS BY THE REV. RUFUS EMERY, D.D. IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 4, 1911
FIFTY years after the settlement of Newbury at Parker River, the population had extended northward along the Merrimack River and westward to and beyond the Artichoke. This part of the town was called the West End, and also the New Town. The distance of the new town from the old, was such, that it proved a great hindrance in attend- ing public worship at the old town.
For this reason, in 1685 some inhabitants of the West End asked of the town consent and assistance in getting some help in the ministry among them, " as they lived so remote from the means." Receiving no consent nor assistance, sixteen persons built, in 1689, at their own charge, a house thirty feet square on the Plains in the vicinity of Saw- yer's Hill. In 1690, divers inhabitants of the West End made several propositions to the town in regard to their calling a minister.
The proposals not being accepted by the town the inhabitants secured for themselves a minister, Mr. Edward Tompson, a school teacher in the town.
The old town remonstrated at this action as irregular and an intrusion, and chose another minister for the new town in place of Mr. Tompson. The new town refused to receive him, as they already had one, and asked to be separated from the old town.
From these circumstances there arose much discussion and dissat- isfaction, and probably bad feeling between the old town and church and the new town, and legal means were used in the contest ; some per- sons were imprisoned and some fined. At this time the inhabitants of the new town asked the General Court to interpose in their concerns and take effectual care for their relief, for the sake of the quiet of the whole town.
23
ST. PAUL'S PARISH
Soon after this the town by vote set off the West Precinct as a separate Parish and established a dividing line, fixed the place for the meeting-house for the new town, and authorized them to choose a min- ister for themselves ; and gave authority to the majority to remove the old house when they should see cause.
From this time for ten years there was a constant struggle between the two parties, one for the new house in a convenient locality, and the other to retain the old house in its position.
In 1705, the majority voted to build a new house on Pipe Stave Hill, to be done in five years. This resulted in opposition, difficulties and petitions to the General Court from both parties.
After five years the General Court confirmed the vote of the town that Pipe Stave Hill was the place for the meeting-house, and when all things were ready the minister was to remove there.
In the following year, 1711, it was voted to sell the buildings and land on the Plains for the benefit of the Pipe Stave Hill location, and to take the seats, boards, and glass out of the old house to be improved in the new house, and in a convenient time to remove the old house, to be set up as a barn for the minister on Pipe Stave Hill.
In July, 1711, the majority went to the Plains by night, tore down the old house and removed it to Pipe Stave Hill. This roused the minority. They at once prepared the material for a new house and proceeded to raise and cover it in opposition to the protest of the Gen- eral Court. Later all work on the new house was stopped by a positive order from the Court. At the time of raising the new building, the builders in the hearing of a great company declared it to be the Queen's Chapel.
About this time, Mr. John Bridger, officer of the Queen, a zealous Churchman and a Vestryman of King's Chapel, Boston, hearing of their difficulties, wrote to them, commending their good affection, zeal, and resolution towards the Established Church of Great Britain, and prom- ising to defend them from all damage, to procure them a minister, and to show them how to get aid from the Society for Propagating the Gospel. Under his direction they petitioned the Bishop of London, who gave them encouragement.
Mr. Bridger assisted them by buying the land, and gave his bond to finish the Chapel, they furnishing the men and means. When the
24
Whereas for @ Seulement of the Web reint of New for art. Abraham Merril, Joshua Grown
Rams Obliged them selves to John andger
Cash back to hounds furnish and find the I hope men enonly an enaterials towards the church how. FIS Chingvy Land, and to finish and Compleat the Church fitting for to Worship you on cervining to the Eledighed Para Thread Outian noTo know yes that by there dressing 4 lits Dyer do Oblige myself to Compleat their Church to Ton of the Porblemen above tamied that formich Provide & good , the Jain you
and Has the DEringer. Wil tafow and keeps horner. ale hose hat thate portribute to finding and Complicating the thinch & low mentioned from ale actions or Paulog Actions few Jules or Disturbance that that write by reason of here being (ogermed or being habemental by any way ist over towards funding ow completing the thank Winblister
FACSIMILE OF JOHN BRIDGER'S AGREEMENT TO BUILD QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL
ST. PAUL'S PARISH
building was finished Mr. Bridger procured the Rev. Henry Harris, of Boston, to visit them and instruct them in the ways of the Church. Mr. Harris could not have Church of England services every Sunday. On the days when Mr. Harris was not at the Chapel, the records show the house was " improved " in a dissenting way.
This circumstance did not escape the notice of Cotton Mather, who, in a letter to Wait Winthrop, says: "Our Newbury faction are coming off and putting themselves under the conduct of one of our ministers."
About this time twenty-two freeholders of the town of Newbury petition Governor Dudley for protection and encouragement, stating that they are declared members of the Episcopal Church of England as by law established, and that they have raised a building for the service of God according to the manner prescribed in the said Church.
The Governor recommended that they be peaceably allowed in their lawful proceedings and not to be taxed for the support of any other public worship in the town.
A few months later Col. Francis Nicholson, being authorized by the Society for Propagating the Gospel to settle a missionary at Newbury, got Captain Blacket of Her Majesty's ship Phenix to let his Chap- lain, the Rev. John Lambton, go to Newbury to officiate there till further orders from the Society. Mr. Lambton came to Newbury November 14, 1712; he found a handsome building raised and finished at the sole expense of the inhabitants.
During the ministry of Mr. Lambton the first election for Wardens and Vestrymen for the Chapel was held, and a petition sent the Society asking that Mr. Lambton may have the salary given by the Society. The congregation during Mr. Lambton's stay numbered more than two hundred. Mr. Lambton was obliged by ill health to resign his charge.
A year after the leaving of Mr. Lambton the Rev. Henry Lucas was transferred from Braintree to Newbury. He came in 1715. The absence of a missionary for a year produced the impression that the mission was neglected, or perhaps had been abandoned by the Society. In consequence of this idea, some of the inhabitants took possession of the Chapel and established their own mode of worship, removing the vestments, ornaments, and books.
26
Boston 28 Feb. 27th,
I round fosterday an koorts and petition Signed by wenty Two persons friendlyers and inhabitants of the Town of newto selling forth that they are ireland members of the Episcopale Church of England ES by law established and that they have nagle a building for the Service of God according to the Manter Allefun prescribed in the faid Church, sofiring protection and couragement mersin accordingly .
and that they have adobe the Right Reverend the Bishop of london to have a minutter sent to them and that there they may not be obliged to Contribute to the Subsistance of the other ministers of any other protection as at large is fet. forth in the fais Petition
I am alfo further informe by the Reverend In Hans one of the Ministers of the Church of England in this place that at their desen he has visited and Preaches to that new Con gregation and has a very configurable auditory and that he Shall continue to to do untill their fair aworld to the Lord Bishop of London Shall be confidents and Orders given thenn Jam then upon of Opinion that the faid Pitthonest and others that boyne with them ought to be peaceally allow in their Law full proceedings them for their good estatimes ment and ought not to be taxed or Importer upon for the Support and maintenance of any other Publick Worship in the It. Town of which I difin all persons concerns to take no theo accordingly
Gwen under my hand
To her Maj thef Sushies of the Peace for the County of Effex. MaMachufett Rau.
FACSIMILE OF GOVERNOR DUDLEY'S LETTER (See Rev. Dr. Emery's address, page 26)
ST. PAUL'S PARISH
When Mr. Lucas came and showed his credentials, the Chapel was given up to him, and the articles removed were restored. A division of the attendants occurred. A part with their minister set up services in a house near by. Another part remained and attended the Church ser- vices. This division caused Mr. Lucas much trouble. He succeeded in restoring peace in some degree, though the effects lasted through his ministry. Mr. Lucas was of influence among the people as a physician. The ministry under Mr. Lucas has been described as a " thorny cure." The minister and people seem to have been unsuited to each other. Both were disappointed in their expectations, and but little sympathy existed between them. He died August 23, 1720, and was buried on the 25th of August under the altar of the Chapel by the Rev. David Mossom, of Marblehead.
After the death of Mr. Lucas till the coming of the Rev. Matthias Plant, in 1722, there was a vacancy of more than a year, during which time Mr. Mossom officiated occasionally in the mission.
In 1718, during Mr. Lucas's ministry, a bell was given to the Chapel by the Bishop of London and placed in the steeple, where it remained till 1770, when during a severe storm the front of the Chapel was blown down and the bell thrown into the road. It was taken care of by Mr. David Whitmore and preserved by Mr. Josiah Little till a school- house was built on High Street, Belleville, when it was put in the belfry of that building, where it served to call pupils to school and the congre- gation of Belleville to public worship.
In 1837 the schoolhouse was removed from High Street, Belleville, to Pilsbury's Lane (now Ashland Street), the bell remaining in the belfry. It was used there till Christmas Eve, 1839, when it was removed in the night and secretly disposed of.
In 1721, Rev. Matthias Plant, a graduate of Jesus College, Cam- bridge, 1712, was appointed by the Society as missionary for Newbury. He came to Newbury April 24, 1722, and lodged at Samuel Bartlett's. He preached his first sermon in the Chapel April 29, 1722, and was married in the Chapel by Mr. Mossom to Lydia, daughter of Samuel Bartlett, December 27, 1722.
Mr. Plant at once reorganized the mission, preparing standing orders for the good regulation and ordering of the affairs of the Church relating to officers and their duties. By these rules the minister had the
28
JOHANNE Permillione Divina, Londinenfis Epilcopus,
Dilecto nobis in Chrifto Martthia Blant Blanco Salutem & Gratiam : Ad peragendum Officium Ministeriale
nos Anglice
in Precibus Communi-
bus aliifque Minifteriis Ecclefiafticis ad Officium nicedi pertinentibus juxta Formam defcriptam in Libro Publicarum Precum Authoritate Parliamenti hujus Inclyti Regni Magne Britannic, in ea parte edit' & provis', & Canones & Conftitutiones in ea parte legitime ftabilitas & publicatas, & non aliter ne- que alio modo : Tibi cujus fidelitati, morum integritati, Literarum fcientia,
fana Doctrina & Diligentia plurimum confidimus (præftito primitus per te Ju- ramento Tam de agnofcendo Regiam Supremam Majeftatem, juxta vim, for- mam & effectum Statuti Parliamenti dicti Regni Magne Britannia in ea parte edic & provis quam de Canonica Obedientia Nobis & Succefforibus noftris in om- nibus licitis & honeftis per te præftanda & exhibenda, fubfcriptifque per te tribus
Ils Articulis defcriptis in Tricefimo fexto capitulo Libri Conftitutionum five
Canonum Ecclefiafticorum Anno Dom. 1603. Regia Authorinte editorum & pro- balgatorum) Licentiam & Facultatem noftram concedimus & impartimur per refentes: ad noftrum Beneplacitum duntaxat duraturas, Incujas rei Teflimonium Sigillum noftrum, (quo in fimilibus plerunque utimur) prafentibus apponi "fecimus. in Salatio ho
FACSIMILE OF THE REV. MATTHIAS PLANT'S LICENSE, WITH THE SIGNATURE AND SEAL OF TOUN BISHOP OF LONDON 1721
ST. PAUL'S PARISH
right to choose one of the Wardens and three of the Vestrymen. The Wardens and Vestrymen to be members of the Church. A majority of the parishioners to decide all matters relating to the Church.
Soon after Mr. Plant's coming to the Chapel, Samuel Shute, Gov- ernor of the Province, visited the Church in Newbury and spent a Sunday. He reported to the Society that Mr. Plant seemed a sober and ingenious man. He also says that there were with him Lieutenant- Governor Wentworth and other gentlemen, which he hopes will give him a good countenance, and that Mr. Plant shall want no due encour- agement from him.
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.