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 11
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removed to Upton, where he spent his youth, and where he became a child of God, under the ministry of Rev. Elisha Fish; whose name differed from his own by but a single letter. At five years of age he had read the Bible through. He set himself to gain a liberal education with reference to the ministry, and by dint of perseverance, entered Brown University, and graduated 1795, and A. M. He was tutor the three years following. While here, he was approbated to preach the Gospel.
He preached the first time in Wrentham, on the first Sabbath in May, 1798. It was the first sermon he wrote, and the text was Gen. 1: 1. It proved to be the first of a long series of discourses to that people. Nov. 6th, he re- ceived a call to settle amongst them. The prospect was dark indeed, but circumstances appeared to make duty very plain. He was the forty-ninth candidate, and but the second who had received a call. Imagining the interminable cata- logue which might follow if he declined, he decided to break this non-apostolic succession, and accepted the invitation, 25 April. He was ordained over the first church in Wrentham 12 June, 1799. Rev. Dr. Hitchcock of Providence preached the sermon. After occupying the field alone nearly 45 years, he proposed that a colleague should be settled, and Rev. Horace James was inducted into this office 1 November, 1843. Mr. Fisk still continued to preach almost every Sabbath at home, in surrounding vacant places, or in the pulpits of his brethren.
The last Sabbath he spent on earth was employed in preaching the Gospel and breaking the sacramental bread
the sons, removed to Shelburne, and was the ancestor of Rev. Pliny Fisk. Daniel, the oldest son, born about 1723, married Zelpah Tyler, and had five children. Of them, Robert, born 24 February, 1746, married Mary Hall, and had four children. The eldest was Elisha Fisk, above. - Letter of M. Plimpton, Esq., Boston.
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REV. ELISHA FISK.
to the church in Attleboro'. It was an intensely cold day in December, and the fatigue and exposure of riding in an open sleigh some ten miles was more than a human frame of over four score years standing could endure. A cold and fever was the result, running into a lethargic state, in which the ever-busy spirit, having put its weary partner of dust to sleep, softly withdrew to the presence of God. He died 7 Jan., 1851, in the 82d year of his age, and 52d of his ministry, and was buried on the day of the regular meeting of the Association at his house. It was appointed to be there at his request, and he had anticipated its coming with great satisfaction, - not imagining that they should be convened for his funeral !
Mr. Fisk married first, Lydia, daughter of John and Susanna Robinson of Milford. She died 11 July, 1805, leaving two children. He next married Mrs. Margaret Brown, daughter of Capt. Benjamin and Hepsibah (Blake) Shepherd, of Wrentham. She died 30 April, 1850. His children were, -
1. Mary Hall, married Rev. George Fisher, Harvard, and died 29 April, 1852, aged 51.
2. Charles Robinson, grad. Brown University 1824, and now a clergyman in Illinois.
3. Charlotte Brown, daughter of his second wife, by a former husband, who married Rev. Amos A. Phelps of Boston, and died Aug., 1838.
4. Emily Frances, married to Capt. Wm. Sturtevant, of New Bedford.
5. William Jones, died in 1830, aged 16.
6. Frederick Augustus, Rev. (See Licentiates, No. 119).
7. Harriet Josephine, wife of Rev. Erasmus D. Moore, of Boston.
At the time of Mr. Fisk's ordination, the church was reduced to ten members ; and " they were divided in their religious opinions, and in many instances strongly excited
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against each other, on account of the different positions which they had taken in the controversy with his predeces- sor, Rev. Mr. Avery. Of an observing mind, careful and conciliating in his conversation and manners, interesting and popular in his pulpit performances, he succeeded, as few other men would, in uniting and holding together very dis- cordant materials, not only at the commencement of his . ministry, but through the vicissitudes of more than fifty years. He gained and kept the enviable reputation of peace-maker."*
He was blessed with several seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. In 1805, 51 were added to the church. In 1815 and 16, 64 made profession of religion. In 1821, 43 were gathered in. Again, 58 joined in 1832. The whole number of admissions during his sole ministry was 432.
Mr. Fisk possessed an iron constitution, and great perse- verance, and was able to labor, even in his advanced age, beyond the ability of many young men. He frequently took long walks of five and even ten miles on his exchanges. He travelled much on foot over his extensive parish. He was seldom unable to preach; but two Sabbaths in forty years. He was seldom absent, or even tardy, at Associational meet- ings. He attended over one hundred and fifty ecclesiastical councils ; and did a large part of the editing of the " Christian Magazine," during its four years' continuance ; and was in all ministerial labors abundant.
" Mr. Fisk was sound in doctrine, fervent in his devotions, and active and laborious in his efforts to do good. He ex-
* Funeral Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Storrs, Braintree. As a fact illus- trative of Mr. Fisk's reputation, the celebrated IIannah Adams once said, that another question should be added to well-known interroga- tories in the New England Primer, ' Who is the first man,' etc., viz. : ' Who is'the most prudent man ? Parson Fisk, of Wrentham.'
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celled in the carefulness and prudence with which he was accustomed to feel his way through difficulties, and to com- pose conflicting elements just ready to burst into a storm.
" He had a fondness for society, was eminently social in his tastes, and acceptable in company. His vivacity and interest in young people rendered him a pleasant friend to all. His attachment to his ministerial brethren, and enjoy- ment in their society, was unbounded."*
Mr. Fisk lived long enough to pass through the regular and usual phases of a pastor's life ; which may be divided into the attractive novelty of the first settlement, the period of common-place regard, of indifference, of burdened uneasi- ness, of reviving veneration, and, if he live long enough to celebrate his jubilee, the period of rare relics, of whose pos- session his people will be justly proud.
Mr. Fisk will be remembered chiefly, for the heavenly fervor and unction of his prayers, and for his lively interest in children and youth. His apt sayings to them, have a warrant of immortality in their memories for at least half a century to come.
Mr. Fisk published several sermons; among them are, 1. Address on removing the bodies of Dea. Tho. Mann and wife into a tomb, 1813 ; 2. Ord. Sermon of Rev. Martin Moore, at Natick, 1814; 3. Sermon before the Norfolk Co. Education Society, 1819; 4. Funeral Sermon of Maj. Eras- tus Emmons, 1820; 5. Sermon before the Mass. Soc. for the promotion of Christian Knowledge, 1822; 6. Funeral Ser- mon of Mrs. David Fisher, Esq., 1827 ; 7. Do. Rev. John Wilder, 1836; 8. Two Sermons on the 47th anniversary of his settlement, 1846; 9. Semi-centennial Sermon of his settlement, 1849.
* Obituary Notice in Assoc. Records.
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30. REV. SAMUEL AUSTIN, D. D.
Was born at New Haven, Ct., 7 Oct., 1760. He was t eldest son and child of Samuel and Lydia (Wolcot) Austi At the age of sixteen he took his father's place in the arm who had been drafted as a soldier, and did military duty New York. When the British took possession of the cit he obtained a discharge and returned home. He taugl school two or three years, and then commenced studyin law with Judge Chauncey, of New Haven. But he soo dropped his professional studies, and began upon the classic In one year he fitted himself for the Sophomore Clas which he entered at Yale College, 1781. In the same yea he joined the College Church. He graduated 1783, with the highest honors of the college, in a class of forty-two members, and was also a Dean scholar. He recieved A M. in course from his alma mater, and also from New Jersey 1785, and D. D. 1807 from Williams College. After grad, uation, he commenced the study of Theology with Rev Jonathan Edwards, D. D., then settled in New Haven. At the same time, he taught an English and Grammar school. In 1784, he took charge of the academy at Norwich.
He was approbated to preach the Gospel, 12 Oct, 1784, by the New London Association, and on the following Sabbath, preached his first sermon in Chelsea, now Norwich City. Soon after, he preached in New York, and received an unan- imous invitation from the Middle Dutch Church, to settle as colleague with Rev. Dr. Livingston. He declined on account of scruples at the half-way covenant there practised. He also declined a call to settle in Hampton, Ct. In 1786, he was invited by the society of Fairhaven in New Haven, and was ordained there 9 Nov., 1786. His class-mate, afterwards Dr. Morse, of Charlestown, was ordained Evangelist at the same time. After three years, the society was remerged in
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Dr. Edwards's society, and Mr. Austin resigned, 19 Jan., 1790. The first society in Worcester, hearing of his intention to leave, sent him an invitation to resettle with them. He was installed over the first church in Worcester, 29 Sept., 1790. In 1815, he was invited to the presidency of the University of Vermont, at Burlington, Vt. Into this office, he was in- ducted, 26 July, 1815. He continued at this post about six years, - encountering great difficulties in resuscitating and sustaining the institution, - and resigned in 1821. Hearing of the feeble and destitute state of the church in Newport, over which Dr. Hopkins was once pastor, he offered to come and supply them, an offer which they gladly accepted. He was installed at Newport, 25 July, 1821. But his health admonished him to seek a less laborious post, and he resigned the pastoral charge in 1825, and withdrew to the family of John W. Hubbard, Esq, of Worcester, son of Mrs. Austin's sister, and whom they had brought up from a child. But this quiet retreat was broken up suddenly, by Mr. Hubbard's death. The inroads of aggravated disease, affliction, and perplexities in the settlement of his nephew's estate, induced upon Dr. Austin a deep melancholy passing into a temporary insanity, to which he had an inherited constitutional tendency, that clouded his remaining days.
He spent the year 1827 with his brother-in-law, Mr. John Hopkins, of Northampton. In 1828, he went to reside with his nephew, Rev. Samuel H. Riddell, of Glastonbury, Ct., where he died 4 Dec., 1830, in his 71st year.
Dr. Austin married, 14 Sept., 1788, Miss Jerusha Hop- kins, daughter of Rev. Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Hadley .* She survived him. They had no children.
Intellectually, Dr. Austin sustained a high rank among scholars. His powers of conception and imagination, to-
* See Note on Dr. Emmons, No. 12.
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gether with comparison and association of ideas, were unu- sually developed. As a writer, his style was nervous, copi- ous, and unstudied. Its faults were those of redundance, diffuseness, and occasional negligence. As a preacher, he ranked among the most able, eloquent, and popular of Amer- ican divines. His manner in the pulpit was solemn, digni- fied, and commanding. The tones of his voice were full and flexible ; his enunciation, free and emphatic.
His doctrinal tenets were thoroughly Calvinistic ; in gen- eral accordance with those of Edwards, Bellamy, and Hop- kins. And these he " heartily and earnestly inculcated upon his hearers." He instructed many students in theology, among whom may be mentioned Dr. Samuel Worcester, of Salem, and Rev. Leonard Worcester, of Peacham, Vt., who imbibed here the missionary spirit, bearing fruit so rich at this day.
Dr. Austin issued several publications; among them the following :
1. A View of the Church. 2. Lectures on Baptism : a review of Merrill's Sermons, 1805. 3. Reply to Merrill's Twelve Lectures, 1806. 4. Dissertations on the several fundamental articles of Christian Theology, 1826. Also, the following sermons : on Disinterested Love, 1790. Funeral sermon on a Mr. and Miss Smith, of Exeter, N. H., 1790. On Death of Miss Hannah Blair, 1794. Thanksgiving Ser- mon, 1797. Ordination Sermon of Rev. Samuel Worcester, 1798. Of Rev. Leonard Worcester, 1800. Of Rev. War- ren Fay and Rev. J. M. Whiton, 1808. Dedication at Hadley, 1808. Fast Sermon, 1811. Two Fast Sermons, 1812. Dedication Sermon, at Worcester, 1823. Sermon before the Mass. Miss. Soc., 1803. Fourth of July Address, at Worcester, 1825 .*
* Abridged from his Memoir, in Quart. Reg. Vol. IX. p. 201.
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REV . WILLIAM WARREN.
31. REV. WILLIAM WARREN
Was born in New Ipswich, N. H. Graduated at Dart- mouth, 1800; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Emmons, and was ordained, at Dighton, in 1802; dismissed in 1815; and removed to the state of New York, where he entirely resigned the duties and designations of the ministry, and turned to the practice of medicine. The date and place of his death have not been ascertained.
Mr. Warren married a daughter of Capt. John Davis, of Dighton, and left a large family of children, five of whom are living.
Mr. Warren was endowed, by nature, with uncommon men- tal abilities, and was one of the most popular preachers in Bris- tol county. His eminently social qualities made him a wel- come visitor amongst his people, who delighted to show their hospitality in the way universal half a century ago. The pas- tor, thus cordially treated, formed intemperate habits, which incapacitated him for the functions of the ministry, and com- pelled him to resort to another calling and another region ; a painful fruit of those usages which cannot be too speedily expelled from every vocation and every region of society where they still linger.
32. REV. PRESERVED SMITH
Was the son of Elder Ebenezer Smith, Baptist minister of Ashfield, and his wife Remember (Ellis) Smith, daughter of Richard Ellis, who came from Ireland, 1617 .* He was
* He was sixth in descent from Rev. Henry Smith, of England. Settled in Weathersfield, Ct., 1641, and died 1648; who, tradition avers, had a son born on the passage, which was called Preserved, a name still retained. His father was a Baptist preacher 72 years, and died at the age of 90. The Elder, when to be married, took his lady behind him, on horseback, from Ashfield, - then Huntstown, - to Deerfield, there
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born in Ashfield, 25 June, 1759; and, at an early age, be- came a member of the Baptist church.
He had a great thirst for knowledge, and taught himself in arithmetic, with chalk and a piece of bark. The sight of a Latin grammar, determined him to learn the language.
When the revolutionary war began, he entered the army and served five campaigns as a soldier. He was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. He left the army at the age of nineteen, ' bought his time ' of his father, purchased a piece of ground, paid for it with the first crop, sold it at an advance, and with the proceeds, set himself to carry into effect his early resolves for an education.
He fitted for college with Rev. Messrs. Hubbard of Shel- burne and Murdock of Pawlet, Vt. He entered Brown Uni- versity one year in advance, and graduated in 1786; studied theology with Rev. John Emerson, of Conway, and was ap- probated by the Hampshire Association in the spring of 1787.
He was ordained at Rowe, Nov. 1787, and dismissed May, 1804. After declining an invitation to resettle in Whiting- ham and Guilford, Vt., he was installed over the first and second churches in Mendon, 2 Oct., 1805. In 1812, the people of Rowe invited him to return to them. His attach- ments to his former parishioners, and the labor of two churches, attended besides with some unpleasant differences, at the latter place, induced him to accept, and he was dis- missed from Mendon, 20 Oct., 1812, and in Dec. was reset- tled at Rowe, where he remained until July, 1832, when his age induced him to resign. He died at Warwick, 15 Aug., 1834, aged 75.
Mr. Smith married, 1 Jan., 1788, Miss Eunice Wells, daughter of Col. David Wells of Shelburne. Born in Col-
being no minister or magistrate nearer, to perform the ceremony ; and his father rode another horse, before him, with a gun, to keep off the Indians. This was in 1756.
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chester, Ct., 12 May, 1764; removed to Shelburne with the family in 1771, and died 13 July, 1847, aged 83. They had two children.
1. Preserved, jr., born 1 Aug., 1789. Grad. B. U. 1812. Rev. settled at Warwick 30 years ; at Pembroke, 4 years ; now in Deerfield.
2. Royal Wells, born 8 Sept., 1799. Grad. Wms. College, 1818. Died while preparing for the ministry, 1820.
Mr. Smith issued but few publications. Two Masonic discourses previous to 1800, and a farewell discourse, 1804.
" He was a great student through life ; and, in the last twenty years of his ministry, much devoted to the study of the Scriptures, especially in the original, and various trans- lations. His sermons were mostly extemporaneous, rarely writing them in full; and they were replete with fresh thoughts from his richly-stored mind.
" His theological views for many years might be termed Trinitarian-Arminian ; but towards the close of his ministry, he discarded the Trinitarian dogma, yet he did not like to be called Unitarian. He thought that the name given to the disciples at Antioch is the true name by which the followers of Christ ought to be called.
" Mathematics and astronomy were his favorite studies for relaxation. For controversial theology he had no taste. His love of free inquiry led him to advocate freedom of action, and oppose combinations for their tendency to abuse of power. In manner, he was affectionate and sincere ; in conversation, affable, entertaining, and full of anecdote, - and serene in his old age."*
* Abridged from a biographical sketch of Rev. P. Smith, Greenfield, 1852, in pamphlet.
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33. REV. DAVID HOLMAN
Was born in Sutton, now Millbury, 13 December, 1777. He is the son of Mr. David and Lucy (Thurston) Holman, and brother of Rev. Nathan Holman, and descendant of Solomon Holman, one of the original proprietors and settlers of Sutton .* He experienced the power of the Holy Spirit while preparing for college; entered Brown University, sophomore class, and graduated 1803, and A. M. After graduation, he taught in an academy in Cumberland, R. I. ; then studied theology, first with his brother, Rev. N. Holman, of Attleboro', and finally with Rev. Dr. Emmons. He after- wards had charge, for six months, of the grammar-school in Worcester.
He was ordained over the church in Douglas, 19 October, 1808, and dismissed 17 August, 1842, on account of the feeble state of his health, and the inability of the society to raise his support. After a separation of some six years, during which time he preached in vacant parishes, Mr. Holman was recalled, and now, for three years, has been the stated supply of the people for whom he labored as pastor for thirty-four years ; - a rare instance of reunion, and highly commendatory of both him and them.
Mr. Holman married Miss Clarissa Packard, daughter of Rev. Winslow Packard, of Wilmington, and of Abigail (Moore) Packard, afterwards wife of Rev. Dr. Emmons.
They had six children, of whom five reached maturity, and two still live.
1. Daniel W., married Elizabeth Aldrich of Mendon, and was suddenly killed by a wheel in a factory, at about thirty years of age.
2. Mary Anne, was married to Samuel Waters, son of Elder S. Waters of Millbury, and died at Chelmsford.
* See Rev. N. Holman, Sketches of Members, No. 26.
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3. Florella Mills, was the wife of Rev. Jonathan Grout, now of Coolville, Ohio, and died in Westboro'.
4. Edward More, married Sarah, daughter of Capt. Peter Butler, of Oxford, and is now Civil Engineer in Worcester.
5. Daughter residing with her parents.
Mrs. Holman died 14 November, 1823.
His second wife was Miss Lois Adams, daughter of Lieut. Abner Adams, of Northbridge. She died 9 September, 1831 ; and he married Miss Sarah Cannon of Greenwich, daughter of Mr. Cornelius and Mary Cannon, and sister of Rev. Josiah Cannon of Gill, and of Rev. Frederic E. Cannon of Geneva, N. Y.
Mr. Holman furnishes the following incidents for insertion in this sketch : -
" I worked on the paternal farm until about twenty-one. My advantages for even a common school education were very small. About eight weeks in the winter, in an old smoky school-house, with a teacher that would be called, at this day, an ignoramus, comprised them all. I had good and salutary religious instruction in my father's family. My par- ents were pious. The Bible was read daily, and prayer was offered. The Catechism, next to the Bible, was the text- book of the family, and from it, every Sabbath, lessons of instruction were imparted to us. When I became of age, I was influenced and encouraged to obtain a liberal education. But to accomplish this, I must rely mainly upon my own resources."
The church in Douglas, at the date of his settlement, was in a very weak and feeble state. It embraced 27 members, 9 males and 18 females, - most of them very aged and infirm. He says, "They had never been accustomed to occasional meetings. As to revivals, they had heard but little said about them since the days of Edwards and White- field. But during the first year of my ministry here, God in mercy granted a time of refreshing from his presence. It
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was the beginning of a series of revivals, which, during my ministry, brought into the church 226 members. About 70 have been dismissed, including about 35 to form the church in East Douglas." In his farewell sermon to his people, Mr. Holman says, "During these 34 years, we have enjoyed no less than seven revivals, besides some intervening drops of mercy. In 1809, 18 were added to the church. In 1813 and 14, 10 were added. In 1819 and 20, 18 were joined. In 1824, we were favored with an extraordinary and signal display of God's power and grace. The whole town, to- gether with the surrounding region, seemed to be shaken." Soon after the death of the pastor's wife the work commenced. The Spirit of the Lord came down with great power. Sin- ners were pricked in the heart, and the cries of the wounded were soon succeeded by the songs of the redeemed. Busi- ness was in a great measure laid aside. The brethren went from house to house, praying and exhorting the people. Our meetings were crowded, still, and solemn. Divine truth preached seemed to be pressed upon the conscience and heart by the Spirit of God. There was no noise, no crying out. There was opposition. But a number of the most bitter and violent opposers were overcome, and hopefully converted. During the year, we have reason to believe, as many as 150 were converted.
34. REV. ELISHA ROCKWOOD
Was born in Chesterfield, N. H., 9 May, 1778. He was the oldest son of Elisha and Abigail (Stone) Rockwood, and had two sisters older, and three brothers younger, all of whom lived to have families .* He fitted for college at Chesterfield
* Rev. Mr. Rockwood's direct ancestral line is as follows : -
1. Nicholas Rockett, or Rockwood, of Wrentham, probably in Med- field, 1661, and the son of Richard Rockett, of Dorchester, prior to
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REV. ELISHA ROCKWOOD.
Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth, 1802, A. M .; and also at Harvard. He then taught an academy at Plymouth two years, and was tutor in Dartmouth College two years, from 1804 to 1806. In 1804, he hopefully experienced religion, and united with the church in Chesterfield in 1805. He studied theology while tutor, and was approbated by the Londonderry Presbytery in 1806. He preached afterwards in Woodstock and Barnard, Vt. ; in Bernardston, Springfield, Ashfield, Brimfield, and Dorchester, and was ordained in Westboro', 28 Oct., 1808. He was dismissed 11 March, 1835, and preached as a supply in Attleboro', Weymouth, and Sherborn ; in York, and South Berwick, Me., and was installed in Swansey, N. H., 16 Nov., 1836, where he still officiates as pastor.
During Mr. Rockwood's ministry in Westboro', there were precious seasons of revival, and 354 were added to the church.
Mr. Rockwood married, 2 Oct., 1809, Susanna B. Park- man, daughter of Breck Parkman, Esq., by whom he had five children.
1. Elisha Parkman, died aged 16} years.
2. William Otis, married Helen Mar More, of Illinois, and lives in Shelbyville, Indiana.
1636, (see Dr. Harris's List of Settlers,) who is supposed to have come from England.
2. Nathaniel Rockwood, of Wrentham, born 1665, and married Joanna Ellis, 1698. His youngest son was
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