USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Centurial history of the Mendon association of Congregational ministers, with the Centennial address, delivered at Franklin, Mass., Nov. 19, l851, and biographical sketches of the members and licentiates > Part 10
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5. A Catechism, with Miscellaneous Questions, and a Chapter of Proverbs, for the Children under his Pastoral Care, 1834.
22. REV. SAMUEL JUDSON
Was born 8 December, 1767, in Woodbury, Ct. Gradu- ated at Yale College 1790 and A. M., and was ordained over the church in Uxbridge, 17 Oct. 1792. He was dismissed on account of ill health in 1832, and soon died, 11 Nov. 1832, aged 65 years.
Mr. Judson married Sally Bartlett, daughter of Mr. Walter P. and Elizabeth (Norris) Bartlett, of Salem. They had five children, three sons and two daughters. The oldest son, Walter P. Bartlett, grad. B. U. 1818, A. M. ; and M. D. at Harvard, 1821. He practised medicine in Bridgewater until his health failed ; went to New Orleans, and died there 1825. The second son resides in Connecticut. Their eldest daughter married the late Rev. Albert Cole, of Bluehill, Me. The youngest son and daughter are active Christians in Uxbridge.
. " Mr. Judson was sound in the faith, a consistent minister of the Gospel, an excellent pastor, and highly respected and beloved by his people."*
He gave a thousand dollars to found a scholarship for the education of pious young men. Not long before his death, his church were exiled from the house of their fathers ; but he lived long enough to see a new house dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, and a godly successor of like faith to his own ordained.
* Letter of Miss S. J., Uxbridge.
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REV. JOHN WILDER.
23. REV. JOHN WILDER
Was born in Templeton, 12 March, 1758 .* He was the son of Mr. Jonas and Elizabeth Wilder, and removed with them to Lancaster, in 1776. He graduated at Dartmouth, 1784, and A. M .; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hart, of Preston, Ct., and was ordained in Attleboro', 27 Jan'y, 1790. He was dismissed 28 Nov., 1822, and died in Attleboro', 9 Feb. 1836, aged 78 years.
Mr. Wilder married Esther Tyler, daughter of Col. Sam- uel Tyler, of Preston, Ct. Mrs. Wilder died, 19 Jan. 1811.1 He married Mrs. Elizabeth Austin, of New Hartford, Ct., sister to the late Dr. E. D. Griffin. She died at Austinburgh, March, 1847, aged 72. His children were :
1. Esther, died at the age of 18. (Funeral Sermon : Dr. Emmons's Works, Vol. III, p. 93.)
2. Eliza, m. Hon. Lemuel May, Esq., S. Attleboro': d. 1831 aged 39.
3. Julia, resides in Jewett's City, Ct.
4. John, Rev., grad. Brown Univ. 1822, settled in Charle- ton 1828, died March, 1844. He m. Mary W., d. of Nehe- miah Jones, Esq., Raynham. He was a talented and useful minister of the Gospel.
5. Jonas, a distinguished school teacher in Brighton ; died 1838, m. Miss P. Hyde, d. of Capt. Samuel H. of Newton : See obit. in B. Recorder, 22 June, '38.
6. Samuel T., grad. Brown Univ. 1825; Lawyer in Roch- ester, N. Y., where he died 1837, aged 37.
7. Charles B., merchant in Boston ; m. Mary A., d. of Mr. Ebenezer Guild, S. Attleboro'.
8. Betsey B., resides in Lowell.
* Rev. L. Sabin, Templeton.
t See her Funeral Sermon, Dr. Emmons's works, Vol. III, p. 104.
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9. Amy Ann, m. Rev. J. W. Smith, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., where she died, in 1846, aged 37.
10. Joseph A., Merchant, Philadelphia ; m. Mary, d. of Capt. Henry Smith, of Dedham.
11. Richard E., school teacher, in Kentucky.
12. George G., Merchant, in Boston; m. Martha, d. of Mr. Benjamin Swan, of Fitchburg.
The funeral sermon of Mr. Wilder, by Rev. E. Fiske, of Wrentham, was printed, and exhibits him as an able, firm preacher of the Hopkinsian school, and eminently useful in his work.
Mr. Wilder's ministry succeeded a long vacancy of eight years, in the pastoral office, following the death of Rev. Ha- bijah Weld; in which time so much difference of opinion about candidates prevailed, that the church appointed a " Fast on account of present difficulties." Upon his settlement, these differences disappeared, and unanimity marked the thirty-two years of his pastoral connection with them, in which time the church grew, and was strengthened.
Mr. Wilder was a faithful pastor, a clear and convincing preacher, and respected by his people to the end of his life. His memory is gratefully preserved by them to this day.
He published several sermons, among which are, Funeral Sermon of Dea. Lane, also of Hon. Elisha May ; Fast Ser- mon, 1805; Sermon on " The Coming of The Lord ;" Ad- dress before the Attleboro' Agricultural Society.
24. REV. BENJAMIN WOOD .
Was the son of Joseph and Ellen (Palmer) Wood, and was born in Lebanon, N. H., 15 Sept., 1772. He was the eleventh of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, ten of whom reached maturity. The eldest son was the late Sam- uel Wood D. D., of Boscawen, N. H. The youngest is now a clergyman in the State of New York. His parents at the
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first resided in Mansfield, Ct., and removed to Lebanon, N. H. 1767.
He fitted for college with his brother Samuel, and gradu- ated at Dartmouth, 1793, and A. M. He commenced Theol- ogy with his brother, then settled at Boscawen, and completed his course with Rev. Dr. Emmons. He first preached in Upton, 14 June, 1795; on December 17, received an unanimous call to settle there, which he accepted, 12 March, and was ordained in Upton 1 June, 1796. He was urged to take charge of the newly organized Central Church in Worcester in 1820, but he refused ; and, according to his then reply, "I shall leave my bones in Upton," adhered to his first choice until his death, 24 April, 1849, aged 76.
Mr. Wood married Miss Betsey Dustin, of Haverhill, a descendant of the Mrs. Dustin taken by the Indians. His second wife was Miss Almira Howe ; she died 16 Sept., 1845, after a sickness of six years.
He had seven children ; Betsy, Palmer, Fanny, Philena, Maria, Willard, and Hannah.
During the fifty three years of Mr. Wood's labors in Up- ton, eight distinct seasons of refreshing were enjoyed, which resulted in the addition of over four hundred members to the church. He lived to see a new house of worship opened. When the old pulpit was forsaken, he felt it was time that the voice which had spoken from it half a century should be silent. His last sermon was preached on the last Sabbath in March before his death, and was addressed to the youth. Then he laid down to die. To a clerical brother, he expressed his dying faith, " I have been examining the doctrines which I preached, to see if any of them may be spared : but I can- not part with one. They are all precious ; They are all links in a golden chain."
" Mr. Wood was a man of great excellence. He was a gentleman and a Christian. His vivacity and kindness of
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disposition, associated with his piety, made religion in him appear with peculiar beauty.
" He was a sound and discriminating theologian ; a faith- ful, efficient, and popular preacher. He was eminently a doctrinal preacher. There was an aptness and vivacity in his instructions, a clearness in his statements and reasoning that, aside from any peculiarity of voice and manner, would have made him an interesting and popular preacher."*
25. REV. JOHN CLEAVELAND, JR.
Was born in Ipswich, 17 Jan. 1749-50. He was the son of Rev. John Cleaveland, of the Fourth church, Chebacco parish, Ipswich, now Essex. His father was born in Can- terbury, Ct., 1722 ; Yale Coll. 1745 ; and was chaplain four years in the French war, at Louisburg and Ticonderoga.t The subject of this sketch, with his younger brother, com- menced preparation for Yale college ; but the father being unable to support both in college, decided to treat both alike, and give them the best education he could. On this account, he never graduated. For a time, he served as soldier in the war of the Revolution ;} but left, and resumed his studies in private, and qualified himself for the ministry. He received an honorary A. M., Union Coll., 1803. He was ordained at Stoneham, 19 Oct., 1785, and dismissed 23 Oct. 1794; was installed over the Second or North church in Wrentham, 6 June, 1798 ; where he died, 1 Feb., 1815, aged 65 years, after a wasting sickness by consumption. While at Stoneham,
* See Extract from his Funeral Sermon, in B. Recorder.
He was son of Josiah and Abigail Cleaveland, and b. 11 April, 1722. Ordained at Chebacco, 25 July, 1747 ; m. 1. Mary, dau. of Parker Dodge, 31 July, 1747. 2d. Mary, widow of Capt. John Foster, of Man- chester, Sept. 1769 .- Hist. Ipswich, p. 263.
# John Cleaveland served as chaplain in Col. Little's regiment, xvii Foot, Cont. Army, enlisted 1 July, 1775.
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he married Miss Abigail Adams of Canterbury, Ct. She died of small pox, in 1793. His second wife was Miss Eliza- beth Evans, of Stoneham. She was not pious, but afterwards became eminently so .* She afterwards became the wife of Rev. Dr. Harris, of Dunbarton, N. H.
While Mr. Cleaveland was in Wrentham, several seasons of religious interest were enjoyed amongst his people, and a large proportion of them were converted to God. They were days of brightness and prosperity to that part of the Lord's vineyard.
Mr. Cleaveland was grave and sedate. " He possessed a singular talent at turning conversation to some useful sub- ject, and at making pertinent and serious remarks with ease and propriety.
" He dwelt much, in his preaching, upon experimental religion. His discourses were more solid than brilliant, more sentimental than declamatory ; and better adapted to assist the memory, enlighten the understanding, and awaken the conscience, and penetrate the heart, than to excite the admi- ration, or gratify the vain curiosity of his hearers."t
He published a few occasional sermons : one, 'War,' preached fast-day, 1812.
Mr. Cleaveland invariably devoted two afternoons, weekly, to systematic visitation of his people, and the rest of the week as systematically to study.
He was remarkably punctual ; so much so, that when he found he was likely to arrive at the meeting-house five min- utes too soon, he would walk his horse, so as invariably to reach the door within three minutes of the time. He had also an almost prophetic induction of future events. By calm colla-
* This marriage with a non-professor, troubled some pious minds at Stoneham, and occasioned his dismission; without the least charge, however, to the pastor or his wife.
t See Funeral Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Emmons.
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tion of Scripture with history, he very fully predicted, to confidential friends, half a century ago, just such improve- ments in education and facilities for travel as are now taking place.
As Mr. C. had no children, he adopted two as daughters : Miss Nancy Felt, now Mrs. J. C. Proctor, of Boston, and Miss Mary Robishaw, now of Walpole; natives of Wrent- ham.
26. REV. NATHAN HOLMAN
Was the third son of Mr. David and Lucy (Thurston) Holman, and was born in that part of Sutton now called Millbury, 17 May, 1769. He descended from Solomon Hol- man of Newbury .*
He labored upon his father's farm until his 21st year, when his ardent thirst for knowledge set him determinately at work to procure a liberal education. He had no funds of his own, and could expect but little direct assistance from his father, who had a family of twelve children to provide for ;
* The Holman family migrated from Wales to the Bermuda Islands, between 1670 and 1690. It included three sons born in Wales. Two of the sons, Solomon and John, were seized by a press-gang and brought to Newburyport. There they succeeded in escaping from the British ship. John, the younger, settled in North Carolina. Solomon settled in Newbury, married a Miss Barton, of Old York, and had four sons and three daughters, viz. Solomon, Edward, Thomas, and John ; Anna m. Richard Waters, Rachel m. Samuel Waters, and Sarah m. Abel Chase. Solomon, Edward, and Thomas settled in Sutton, before 1732. They were among the original proprietors of Millbury.
Edward m. Hannah Emory of Newbury, and had eleven children, - six sons and five daughters.
David, his third son, m. Lucy Thurston, of Uxbridge, - an orphan from infancy, and had twelve children. Eight sons and one daughter reached maturity.
Nathan, above, was their third son .- Letter of Rev. David Holman, Douglas, brother of Nathan.
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but by uncommon adherence to his cherished purpose, he succeeded. He graduated at Brown university, 1797, and A. M., with distinguished honors ; and immediately com- menced the study of theology with Rev. Edmund Mills of Sutton. He spent the close of his course with Rev. Dr. Emmons.
After approbation, he preached in several places with great success, and received several calls to settle in the min- istry. Early in 1800, he commenced preaching in East At- tleboro', and was ordained there, 15 Oct. 1800, the successor of Rev. Ebenezer Lazell. After laboring nearly 21 years, he was, to the regret of his people, dismissed, 22 May, 1821 .* He still resided in Attleboro', supplying destitute pulpits as he was able, while he lived. He died suddenly, 28 Oct., 1844, at the age of 75 years. His monument is conspicuous in the burying-ground, north of the meeting-house where he spent his strength, - a plain pyramidal shaft, with the brief in- scription, above the usual dates :
"LOOK TO GOD."
Mr. Holman married Miss Lettice, daughter of Mr. Sam- uel Morey, of Norton. She died 6 March, 1848. They had three children :
1. Samuel Morey. Married Miss Lincoln, of Norton, and lives in Attleboro'.
2. David Emory. Married Miss Jane Bolcom. Resides in Attleboro'.
* The real cause of his dismission, (undivulged at the time, as ap- pears from his papers,) was two-fold: 1. His objection to the intro- duction of wind instruments, in sacred music, on the Sabbath. 2. His not proposing a relinquishment of some part of his salary. He asked a dismission, April 12. At two church-meetings, not one was in favor of granting his request. At the third, only two. The rest of the church present, 28, refused to act. Accordingly, the request was declared granted.
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3. Mary Hodges, the wife of Col. M. Stone, of Norton. At the time of Mr. Holman's settlement in Attleboro', the church was in a very reduced state. There had been but nine additions for eighteen years. There were but ten active male members, and none of these under fifty years. A deep interest in religion marked the commencement of his ministry. He says in a sermon, " From the first sermon preached by me in this pulpit, some dated those serious impressions upon their minds, which resulted in hopeful conversion." During the first two years of his ministry, forty-three were added to the church. Then for twelve years religion declined, and only twelve were added. In 1814, his labors were blessed with another and very extensive outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The work continued two years, and resulted in the addition of one hundred and thirty-four to the church.
· This revival seemed to give new life to the church, and wrought a great change in the morals and habits of the people. Many deeply interesting facts are remembered of this surprising work of grace. As a specimen, "a pious fa- ther travelled some thirty miles to bring home an absent child, saying, ' it is my duty to place my children where God is.' Next day she attended a conference, and the 30 Hymn II Book, of Watts was sung :-
' Come, we who love the Lord, And let our joys be known,' etc.
She arose and sung the first and second stanzas with others. When they began the third,
'Let those refuse to sing, Who never knew their God,' -
she dropped upon her seat, and knew no peace till she found it in believing."*
* Historical Sketches, by Rev. J. Crane, p. 41.
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Mr. Holman thus speaks of the religious experience of the subjects of this work of grace. Their relations "were particularly Scriptural, and truly orthodox. In general, those who have united with the church for twenty years past have fully embraced the system of doctrine, which is called Hop- kinsian."
It is perhaps needless to say that Mr. Holman believed and preached the same system of Divine truth.
He was a clear, plain and discriminating preacher of the doctrines of grace. As a pastor, he was eminently adapted to labor in seasons of religious interest. The writer well remembers his serious appeals in public, and his faithful ex- hortations, and wise directions in the inquiry-meeting, during a revival of religion in Franklin, where he supplied the pulpit after Dr. Emmons's resignation. He had ever a peculiar and impressive solemnity in the pulpit, especially in his prayers, which seldom failed to impart itself to the assembly.
His manners and habits were marked by regularity, pre- cision, firmness and industry .* He had by nature a kind and benevolent disposition, and in all his intercourse, as a pastor, citizen, husband and father, the law of kindness was written on his heart.
His style as a writer was pure and chaste. His productions are marked by unity of subject, and every sentence tells upon the final impression. They abound in terse apothegms.
* The Loom by which Mr. H. procured the means of his education was still kept in working order in his garret at Attleboro,' on which he plied the shuttle almost daily during his ministry. The first suit of clothes says one of his sons, which he wore to meeting, when a boy, were of his father's weaving. As evidence of Mr. H's perseverance, it is said that he studied Latin and Greek while at work in the field ; setting open his book on the wall at one side of the plot of ground, and conning his de - clensions and paradigms, while he followed the plough, the hoe, or the scythe across and back. He thus worked his way through the farm and the classics at the same time.
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Many sentences, heard from his lips twenty years ago, are still fresh in mind, even to the exact phraseology.
Mr. Holman published several occasional sermons and ad- dresses. The publication of a volume from his manuscripts, has been contemplated.
27. REV. OTIS THOMPSON
Is the son of Nathaniel Thompson, and was born in Mid- dleboro', 14 Sept., 1776. He graduated at Brown University 1798, and A. M. For the two years following his gradua- tion, he filled the office of tutor to the College ; the last year in connection with Rev. E. Fisk, of Wrentham. He pursued the study of theology while instructing in the University, and was ordained over the church in Rehoboth, 24 Sept., 1800. He continued in this connection until his dismission, 30 Oct. 1832. He afterwards preached in various places, until 1840, when he removed to the state of New York, and took charge of a church in Litchfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y .; which charge he relinquished in 1849. Since the latter date, he has resided in North Abington, his present abiding place.
Mr. Thompson married Miss Rachel Chandler of Plymp- ton, by whom he had nine children, six of whom survive. Of his four daughters, one was married to Rev. Tyler Thacher, now of California ; one to Rev. Origen Batchellor, once editor of the Anti-Universalist ; one to a Mr. Carpenter, of Auburndale; and one to Mr. Lewis Kent, of Boston. None of his sons are in the ministry. His wife died in 1827, and he married Miss Charlotte Fales, of Bristol, R. I. She died in 1849. His present wife was Miss Polly Shaw, of North Abington.
Mr. Thompson is chiefly known as an experienced and skilful theological instructor and writer.
During his ministry he superintended the theological
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studies of fifteen candidates for the ministry, eleven of whom are noticed in these sketches .*
The chief of Mr. Thompson's publications are the follow- ing : -
1. " A Review of Rev. Thomas Andros's Essay on Divine Efficiency." 12mo., 1821.
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2. " The Hopkinsian Magazine," a monthly, and making four volumes in eight years, 1824-32.
3. "Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical." Vol. I. 12mo. pp. 336, 1850.
4. 16 Funeral Sermons, 6 Ordination Sermons, 3 Fast and Thanksgiving Sermons, 5 Occasional Sermons, making 30 pamphlets.
These works show the author to be an acute metaphysical thinker, a discriminating writer, and a thorough, consistent Hopkinsian, who understands his position and his definitions, and leaves no obstacle to prevent others from doing the same. Though now the oldest of the living clergymen who have been connected with this body, and though his earthly tabernacle trembles under the load of years, his mind shows no indications of yielding to the pressure of age.
28. REV. DAVID LONG
Was the son of Mr. Enoch and Abigail Long, and was born in Newbury 3 Feb., 1772. At the age of five years, he removed with his parents to Hopkinton, N. H. He became
* The following is a list of Mr. Thompson's students. Those starred are elsewhere mentioned. * Daniel Thomas. Jason Chamberlain, Prof. in Vermont University, deceased. * Alvan Cobb. * Jonas Perkins.
* Stetson Raymond. * Lot B. Sullivan. * Josephus Wheaton. * Augustus B. Read. Jabez Porter, never settled, de- ceased. * Silas Shores. * Moses Thacher. * Tyler Thacher. * Elam Smalley. Ebenezer W. Robinson, Lisbon, Ct. Stephen S. Harrison, Bloomingdale, Ill.
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a subject of Divine grace in his nineteenth year, and united with the church under Rev. Jacob Cram. He fitted for college under the eye of Rev. Mr. Paige of Hopkinton, N. H., and Rev. Dr. Wood of Boscawen ; and entered the sophomore class of 1795 at Dartmouth College, and graduated 1798, and A. M. He studied theology with Rev. Walter Harris, D. D., of Dunbarton, N. H. He received invitations to settle in the ministry, both at Deering, N. H., and at Man- chester, Mass., but declined them. He came to Milford in 1800, and was ordained there 20 May, 1801. He continued in the pastoral office until 1844, when he resigned to a suc- cessor. He remained in Milford until his death, which event occurred while he was on a visit to a sick daughter, at Hart- ford, Ct., 13 March, 1850. He was 78 years old, and had been nearly 49 years in the ministry.
Mr. Long married Miss Lois Howe in 1794, who died in a few months. He married a second time, 4 June, 1804, Miss Rebecca Curtis of Worcester, by whom he had four children. The mother died 24 June, 1824. None of the children are now alive. The daughter, at whose house Mr. Long closed his days, Mrs. Maria A., wife of Mr. Hoyt Freeman, of Hartford, Ct., followed him in three weeks. The only child who survived him, Claudius B. Long, died in 1851. Mr. Long married a third time, 17 April, 1826, Miss Sophia Rice, of Marlboro', who still lives.
" Mr. Long was a firm believer in the distinguishing doc -- trines of the Gospel, as they were taught and believed by our Pilgrim Fathers. (He was an intelligent Hopkinsian.)
" His sermons were able, well studied, and correctly writ- ten ; not so remarkable for their brilliancy as for their depth of thought and weight of matter. In his delivery, there was more of that distinctness, moderation, and solemnity, which the philosophic and patient thinker prizes, than that rapidity of utterance, animation of feeling, and energy of manner, which are pleasing to all, and deemed indispensable by
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some, with whom the chief object of preaching is animal excitement.
" There was a beautiful correspondence between the truths which he taught and the principles by which his own conduct was governed. Integrity and uprightness were leading features in his character. When he once made a promise, everybody expected he would fulfil it. He would do right at all events.
" There were repeated revivals among his people during his ministry. But he gathered men by individuals rather than by multitudes into the church; and his success lay rather in establishing Christians in the faith once delivered to the saints, in inculcating the duties which devolved upon them as the professed disciples of Christ, and in disciplining their minds for their holy warfare, than in rapidly increasing their number. There are comparatively few men that have done more for the kingdom of Christ, in similar circum- stances."*
Mr. Long published but one sermon, on the return of an artillery company from the war of 1812.
29. REV. ELISHA FISK
Was the son of Robert and Mary (Hall) Fisk, and was born in that part of Holliston now included in West Medway, 3 Sept., 1769.1 At a year and a half of age his parents
* See Funeral Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Ide ; also, Obituary in Assoc. Records.
Mr. Fisk descended from William Fisk, brother of Rev. John Fisk, minister of Chelmsford, where he died 14 Jan., 1676. William Fisk arrived 1637, admitted freeman 1642, member of the church, Salem, 2 July, 1641 ; removed to Wenham, where he was town clerk, and rep. from 1647 to 1650, and died 1654. His widow married a Rix, of Salem. His grandson, Daniel, removed from Wenham to Upton in 1748, and died about 1761. He had eight children. Samuel, one of
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