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 14
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57. REV. MOSES GILL GROSVENOR
Is the youngest son and child of Rev. Daniel and Deborah (Hall) Grosvenor, and was born in Paxton, 23 Sept., 1796, where his father was then settled .*
* His grand-parents were Ebenezer and Lucy Grosvenor, natives and residents of Pomfret, Ct. They had ten children. Three were Orthodox ministers.
Rev. Daniel, one of the three, and father of Rev. Moses G., was born in Pomfret, 20 April, 1750; Yale College, 1769, chum of Prest. Dwight. Studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hall of Sutton, whose daughter, Deborah, afterwards became his wife; and was ordained at Grafton, 19 Oct., 1774. He lost his voice, and was dismissed, in 1787. He afterwards settled in Paxton, 5 November, 1794; resigned 17 Nov. 1802, and died in Petersham, 22 July, 1834, aged 84 years. He had ten children, of whom Rev. Moses G. (above) was the last.
Ebenezer, an older brother of Rev. Daniel, was born 1739 ; graduated
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
He fitted for college at Amherst ; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1822, and at Andover, 1825.
He was ordained at West Haverhill, 27 December, 1826, dismissed in 1829, and installed in Ackworth, N. H., 14 Oct., 1829. He was dismissed 25 April, 1832, and was installed over the Orthodox Church in Barre, 14 November of the same year, where he continued until May, 1834. He was next settled, 30 May, 1835, at Marlboro', N. H., where he staid six years. He afterwards supplied the pulpit at Medfield a year, and at Marshall, N. Y., for six months, at each of which places he declined a settlement ; also at Gardner, during six months of the year 1837.
His present abode is Petersham, in whose vicinity he occasionally preaches, as a diseased throat will permit.
Mr. Grosvenor married Miss Sophia W. Grout, daughter of John, and grand-daughter of Hon. Jonathan Grout, of Petersham. They have no children.
Mr. Grosvenor has published an Address on Church Music, delivered at West Alstead, N. H.
58. REV. THOMAS T. RICHMOND
Is a native of Mettapoiset, (Rochester,) but spent his early life in Taunton. He pursued a course. of study with Rev. A. Cobb, of West Taunton, but did not graduate, and was approbated by Taunton Association.
He was ordained at Dartmouth, 17 July, 1832. During his ministry, religion was revived, and the church built up and strengthened ; but he was compelled to leave, in poor
Yale College, 1759; ordained at Scituate, April, 1763, and dismissed April, 1780; afterwards settled in Harvard, 1782, where he died, 28 May, 1788. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Mr. Clarke, of Danvers, and had six children.
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REV TIMOTHY D. P . STONE.
health, 23 April, 1837. He next spent four years in New- market, N. H., where he declined a call to settle, on account of his health. He was afterwards so far restored as to con- sent to a settlement in Medfield, where he was installed 26 November, 1842, and where he still continues.
Mr. Richmond married Miss Relief H. Smith, daughter of Mr. Jesse Smith, of Taunton.
He published a Sermon before the Norfolk Co. Education Society, 1849.
59. REV. TIMOTHY D. P. STONE
Graduated at Amherst College, 1834, and A. M., and studied theology at Andover. He afterwards was Teacher of Elocution in the Teachers' Seminary, in the same town. He was ordained pastor of the church in Holliston, 1 March, 1843, and dismissed 2 March, 1849, to take the chaplaincy of the State Reform School, at Westboro'. He is now Prin- cipal of the State Normal School of Connecticut, located at New Britain.
Mr. Stone is the author of several small volumes for the young.
60. REV. DAVID R. BARNES
Was employed as stated supply by the church in North Wrentham, during which time he became of member of Mendon Association. On the expiration of his engagement to that church, he returned to the State of New York, from which he came. No farther sketch of him has been obtained. He is supposed to be a native of Rome, N. Y., or its vicinity.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
61. REV. SEWALL HARDING
Is a native of Medway, the son of Capt. John Harding and his wife Beulah, daughter of Judge Stephen Metcalf of Bellingham. He is a descendant of John Harding of Med- field, freeman 1640.
He graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., 1818; studied theology with Rev. Drs. Emmons and Ide, and was ordained over the second Congregational Church in Wal- tham, 17 Jan., 1821. He was dismissed November, 1837, to take the pastoral care of the church in East Medway, where he was installed 1 Nov., 1837. He was dismissed thence, 3 Dec., 1851, to become the Secretary of the American Doc- trinal Tract and Book Society. He resides in Auburndale, Newton.
Mr. Harding married Miss Eliza Wheeler, daughter of Capt. Lewis and Betsey Wheeler, of Medway, and has four children.
His oldest son is Rev. John W. Harding. [See Licentiates, No. 118.]
His oldest daughter, Eliza, was married, 13 Oct. 1852, to Rev. Augustus Walker, of Medway, who sailed as Foreign Missionary to Syria, January, 1853.
Mr. Harding has published a Sermon before the Norfolk Co. Education Society, 1841; besides various documents connected with his present duties.
62. REV. ANDREW H. REED
Was born in Oakham, and is the son of Mr. Silas Reed, a native of Rutland. His mother's name was Elinor Hunter, of New Braintree.
He graduated at Amherst College, 1826, and at Andover, 1829. He was first settled at Raymond, N. H., 1834, and
197
REV . HORACE JAMES.
dismissed in 1837. . He was installed the same year at Mason, N. H. ; dismissed in 1841. He was invited to settle the same year in Mendon, but declined, and preached as stated supply until 1848. He still resides in Mendon, and preaches occasionally in the vicinity.
Mr. Reed married Miss Sarah Lawrence, daughter of Mr. John and Abigail (Reed) Lawrence, of Concord. He has two children living. Has published several articles upon electricity and cognate subjects.
63. REV. HORACE JAMES
Is the son of Dea. Galen James,* of Medford, of which town he is a native. He graduated at Yale College, 1840, studied theology at New Haven and Andover, and graduated at the latter Seminary, 1843. He settled in Wrentham, as colleague with Rev. E. Fisk, 1 Nov., 1843, and is now sole pastor of that church.
Mr. James married Miss Helen Leavitt, daughter of Gen. David and Corinna (Aldrich) Leavitt, and grand-daughter of Rev. Jonathan Leavitt, of Walpole, N. H.t
Mr. James has published, A Thanksgiving Sermon, 1846 ; Wrentham Jubilee, 1850; and several Reports and Lectures on Education.
* John James, his paternal ancestor, freeman, Scituate, 1668, died by a wound from the Indians, leaving one son, John, who was Deacon, as was also his son John, and grandson John. The fifth generation was also John, Major, who removed from Scituate to Medford, and was the father of Capt. Galen James, above. See Deane's Scituate, p. 293.
t Rev. J. Leavitt was born in Suffield, Ct., 22 Jan., 1731; Yale Coll., 1758 ; ordained, Walpole, N. H., 27 May, 1761 ; dismissed, May, 1765. Installed at Charlemont, Oct. 1768, and d. at Heath, set off from Charlemont, 9 Sept., 1802. He married Sarah Hooker, of Farrington, and had cleven sons and one daughter.
17*
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
64. REV. TYLER THACHER
Was born at Princeton, 11 September, 1801, and is the son of Obadiah and Elizabeth (Richardson) Thacher, and brother of Rev. Moses Thacher, (Member of Association, No. 43) .* He pursued his preparatory studies in part at Har- ford, Pa., graduated at Brown University, 1824, and studied theology with Rev. O. Thompson, of Rehoboth. He was ordained by Mendon Association as Evangelist, at North Wrentham, 4 December, 1827.
After preaching some years under appointment of the Home Missionary Society, he was installed at East Hawley, 14 May, 1834, and dismissed 31 Jan., 1843. He was after- wards employed as stated supply at North Wrentham, until he departed, in 1851, for California, with his family. He is now employed at Maysville in that State, teaching school, and preaching in the mining districts upon the Sabbath.
Mr. Thacher married, first, Miss Fidelia Thompson, daughter of Rev. Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth, by whom he had three children, two of whom (sons) survive. The eldest, a promising youth, was drowned. On the death of his wife, he married Miss Nancy Newton, of Hawley.
Mr. Thacher has published several volumes, besides numerous theological essays in periodicals. His chief works are : Taylorism Examined, 1834; Arminianism Examined, 1833. They indicate an uncommonly acute and discriminat- ing thinker.
A California paper, announcing his arrival in, that region, says, and justly : " His thorough scholarship and unfeigned piety will render him a valuable acquisition to the New State."
* Sce his ancestry in a note, under Rev. Moses Thacher, Members, etc., No. 43.
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REV. SMITH B. GOODENOW.
65. REV. SMITH B. GOODENOW
Was born in Damariscotta, Lincoln Co., Me. At four years of age he was left fatherless, and' was taken by his friends to Providence, R. I., where he commenced learning the watch-maker's trade. In his fifteenth year he was hope- fully converted, and joined the Beneficent Congregational Church, May, 1832, by the ladies of which church he was sent to Waterville Academy. He entered the College in 1834, but removed to Bowdoin College, and graduated, 1838. He was Principal of the Academic High School at Bath three years.
He was approbated to preach the Gospel, 1843, by the Lincoln Association, and engaged as missionary at Westerly, R. I., 1 April, 1843. He was ordained as Evangelist, at Providence, 17 Aug., 1843 ; and installed pastor of the church in Milford, 20 Oct., 1844, whence he was dismissed 1 Jan., 1846. After preaching a while in Warwick, R. I., he was settled at Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, 30 June, 1847. He left in January, 1851, on invitation of the Presb. Board of City Missions in Newark, N. J., and commenced labor as preacher as large, Feb. 8, in that city, where he still is. He was subsequently dismissed from the pastoral office in Edgar- town, Oct., 1851.
Mr. Goodenow has published a "New England Gram- mar," three editions. "Book of Elements," 1850. Pre- mium Tract on the Sabbath, published by the Philadelphia Sab. Association. The wife of Mr. Goodenow died in the summer of 1852.
66. REV. CHARLES SIMMONS
Is a native of Paris Hill, Oneida Co., N. Y., and the son of Aaron Simmons, Jr., whose father belonged to Little
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Compton, R. I .* His mother was Lydia Wilbor, daughter of Charles Wilbor, of Little Compton, and sister of the late Gov. Wilbor, of the same place.
He spent his early life in the family of Rev. W. R. Weeks, D. D., of Paris Hill, N. Y., and in travelling as general agent for the Utica Christian Repository, which Dr. Weeks then conducted, and for similar publications. He also served an apprenticeship as blacksmith, and carried on the business as partner a year, during which time, he engaged to go, in this capacity, under the patronage of the Am. Board, to one of the Indian tribes near Green Bay. But they abandoned the en- terprize, and he was released. He then engaged in study, for college, with Dr. Weeks ; but on his advice, he relinquished the idea of graduating, studied theology, and was approbated by the Oneida Association, 24 May, 1832.
Mr. Simmons commenced preaching in Hebronville, South Attleboro', in July, and was ordained there, 26 Dec., 1832, and dismissed 21 Oct., 1838. He spent the winter following in Middleboro', assisting Rev. Mr. Putnam, in that extensive town. He was stated supply at North Scituate, 1839, and also at Wareham the year and a half following. Since this latter date, he has resided in North Wrentham, preaching occasionally, but employed chiefly in the distribution of Dr. Emmons's Works, and upon his own publications.
Mr. Simmons married Miss Eliza .Perrigo, daughter of Mr. John Perrigo, of North Wrentham, and has two chil- dren.
Publications. Besides many articles in the Utica Reposi- tory, Hopkinsian Magazine, N. E. Telegraph, etc., he has issued, 1. Tract on U. S. Slavery, 24 pp. 1841. 2. Scrip- ture Manual, 1st edition, at Wareham, 1841; 2d, in 1844.
k The first Simmons of his family, Moses, settled at Duxbury, of whose sons, one went to Vt., another to R. I. Aaron migrated to Paris Ilill, when a wilderness, about 1790. He was grandfather to Rev. C. Simmons, above.
2 01
REV. CALVIN WHITE.
Stereotyped, 1845. Over 40,000 copies of this valuable work have been sold in this country, and it has been translated in- to other languages at some of the Mission Stations. 3. A tract on Human Ability and Dependence, 1850. 4. A Manual of Maxims, 1852.
67. REV. CALVIN WHITE
Is the son of Israel and Margaret (Tubbs) White, of Raynham, in which town he was born 12 Sept., 1799 .* In 1819, while living in Dorchester, he became a subject of re- newing grace, and united with the church under Rev. Dr. Codman. He commenced study for college, and, after two years, entered Bangor Seminary, whence he graduated, 1827.
He preached as missionary about two years, and was agent of Lincoln Co. Bible Society, three months of the time. He was ordained, 28 Oct., 1829, in Robbinston, Me. The church consisted of 7 females and one male, and he was a rum-seller ! Mr. White's labors were blessed with a revival, and the addition of 21 members to the church, out of a con- gregation of less than 100. The church was too feeble to support him, and he was dismissed 19 July, 1831. He left a total-abstinence temperance society in the town, of over 100 members. He next preached several months in East Ma- chias, and was installed in Gray, Me., 7 Aug., 1833. He received a dismission in June, 1837, and removed, with his
* His ancestry is traceable to John White, of Raynham, m. Hannah Smith, 24 Feb., 1679. Had 10 ch. II John, Jr., eldest son, born 16 Aug., 1681, had 5 ch. certainly, of whom was George. III. George m. Hannah Briant, 4 June, 1745, and had 9 ch. Israel was the 7th. IV. Israel, b. 20 Aug., 1757, m. Margaret Tubbs, 12 Sept., 1782, had 12 ch., of whom Calvin, above, was the 9th. His wife, Margaret Tubbs, was born in Berkley, 1762. Her father was Maj. Samuel Tubbs, of the Revolution, and Deacon of the church in Berkley, and afterwards in Dresden, Me., where he died .- Rev. C. White, Gardiner, Me.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
family, to Amherst in this state. From April, 1839 to Jan., 1841, he resided in Loudon Village, N. H., where he de- clined a settlement. A year was next spent in Province- town, Cape Cod. In April, 1844, he commenced preaching in Dover, where he remained three years. In 1849, he re- moved to Gardiner, Me., where he now resides, and in whose vicinity he has 'abundant opportunities of preaching the Gospel to the poor, without money and without price.'
Mr. White married, first, Mary N. Dickinson, daughter of John and Rebecca Dickinson. Her father was a native of Amherst, but spent 25 years in East Machias, Me., as a law- yer and Judge of Probate, and where Mr. W. married her, 2 Feb., 1830. She died at her father's, in Amherst, 2d May, 1841. His second, and present wife was Ellen Maria, daughter of Ebenezer Nickerson, of Boston, whom he mar- ried 8 Jan., 1845. Mr. White had, by his first wife, 5 chil- dren, and 4 by his present wife, two of whom are dead.
Mr. White has issued no publications.
68. REV. ORAMEL W. COOLEY
Was born in Hawley, and is the son of Calvin and Rosa- mond (Field) Cooley.
He studied Theology at the Seminary in Bangor, and was ordained at Dover, 4 May, 1848. He was dismissed in 1850, and migrated, with his family, to Illinois, in which state he is now laboring, in Grandville or vicinity.
Mr. Cooley married Miss Sarah Adams, of Hopkinton.
69. REV. HENRY L. BULLEN
Is a native of Medway. His parents' names are Lewis and Esther (Grout) Bullen .* He commenced his classical
* His grandfather was Jeduthun, son of John Bullen, a descendant of Samuel, of Dedham, freeman, 1641.
203
REV . WILLIAM BARNES.
studies at Franklin Academy, and entered Western Reserve college, but graduated at Dartmouth Coll., 1842. He after- wards taught school three years in Savannah, Ga., where he was approbated to preach, by the Hopewell Presbytery, at Madison, Ga. He returned to Mass., and taught school in Sherborn and Holliston ; from which town he removed to the West.
He was ordained as Home Missionary, 7 May, 1850, and labored at Port Byron, Ill., and in Lee and Clair coun- ties, Iowa.
He is now acting as professor of Mathematics and Natu- ral Philosophy, in Iowa College, at Davenport, Iowa.
70. REV. WILLIAM BARNES
Was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, and is the youngest son of Thomas and Sarah (Evans) Barnes, who migrated from Sussex Co., Del., in 1809. He was baptized, in infancy, by a Methodist minister, in a log cabin, upon the banks of the Ohio. To this denomination, of Methodists, all his family belong, and in their faith he was educated. From 1823 to 1833, he resided with his parents in Marion Co., O., and at- tended, meanwhile, at Worthington Academy six months, and taught school six months. While studying for the legal profession, at the Huron Institute, in Milan, in 1833, he be- came converted, and joined the Presb. church in that town. He graduated at Yale Col., 1839, and taught an Academy at Southold, L. I., the following year. He graduated at East Windsor, and was approbated by the New London Associa- tion, 1 Sept., 1841. Ordained at Hampton, Ct., 21 Sept.,1842, dismissed in 1847, and installed at Foxboro', 15 Dec., 1847. He has recently asked a dismission from his charge on ac- count of ill health, and has returned to his former residence. Mr. Barnes married, 18 Aug., 1842, Miss Eunice Alvard
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Taylor, daughter of Nathaniel and Betsey Taylor, of Man- chester, Ct., and has three children.
71. REV. JOSHUA THOMAS TUCKER
Is the son of Joshua Tucker, and is a native of Milton.
He prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, and graduated at Yale, 1833, pursued his theological studies at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, O., and was approbated to preach the Gospel, April, 1837, by the Presbytery of St. Louis, Mo.
He was ordained by the Presbytery of Alton, Ill., Oct., 1837, and preached as a missionary until 1840 at Chester and Rushville, Ill. From 1840 to 1846, he had the pastoral charge of the Pres. church, in Hannibal, Missouri ; From 1846 to 1848, he was minister of the North Pres. Church, St. Louis, Mo., and joint editor of the "St. Louis Herald of Religious Liberty," a weekly paper. At this last date he was compelled, on account of broken health, both of himself and his family, to leave the western missionary service and return to the region of his nativity.
Mr. Tucker commenced ministering to the church in Hol- liston, 1 April, 1849, and was installed in the pastoral office, 6 June, following. He is still in Holliston.
Mr. Tucker married, first, Mary Oland Stibbs, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth Stibbs, of London, Eng. ; she died in 1844.
His present wife was Miss Anne D. Shackford, daughter of
* His immigrant ancestor wås Robert, of Weymouth, 1639 ; who had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and probablya third, Robert, Rep. for Milton, 1680. Manasseh, was Deacon of Ist church in Milton, and had four sons : one of whom was Samuel. He had two sons, Samuel and Nathaniel. (Nathaniel grad. H. U., 1744, and Rev., settled in N. Y. State.) Samuel had a son Samuel, whose son Joshua was father of Rev. Joshua Thomas Tucker above.
205
REV . PRESTON POND.
John and Jane Shackford, of Portsmouth, N. H. Of his five children, two only survive.
Mr. Tucker has published :
1. Dying Scenes - A Memorial of Mrs. Mary O. Tucker, 1844.
2. Thanksgiving Discourse, Hannibal, Missouri, 1845.
3. Discourse, Historical, of first Pres. Church, Hannibal, Missouri, 1845.
4. God's Ministry of Judgment - Sermon on the Day of National Fast, Holliston, Mass., 1849.
5. Life's Lessons of Wisdom - a Funeral Sermon on Mr. Harding Daniels, Holliston, Mass., 1849.
6. The Citizen and the Commonwealth - Sermon on State Fast Day, Holliston, Mass., 1851.
7. The Maine Temperance Law -a Thanksgiving Sermon, Holliston, 1851.
72. REV. PRESTON POND
Was born in Wrentham, and is the son of Gen. Preston . and Abial (Blake) Pond .*
He commenced his course of liberal studies at Bangor, Me., graduated at Bowdoin Coll., 1840, and at the Bangor Theol. Seminary, 1843.
He was ordained at Eastport, 8 Oct., 1843, and dismissed April, 1845. He next labored a year in South Newmarket, N. H., and commenced preaching as stated supply at Milford in Sept., 1846. He was installed as pastor 24 May, 1849, and dismissed 16 Feb., 1852, to take the pastoral charge of the Edwards Church, Boston; over which he was installed, 25 Feb.
Gen. P. Pond is brother of Rev. E. Pond, D. D. (Lic. No. 58.) For the ancestry of the Pond Family, see Enoch Pond, Lic. No 17.
18
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. Pond married Miss Elizabeth S., daughter of Deacon John and Sarah Thompson, of Durham, N. H.
73. REV. GEORGE H. NEWHALL
Is the son of George and Mary (Woods) Newhall, and · was born in Athol. He graduated at Amherst College, 1845, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1848.
He was ordained over the church in Walpole, 18 Sept., 1850.
Mr. Newhall married Miss Harriet F. Lindsey, daughter of Stacey Lindsey, Esq., of Prescott.
74. REV. CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN
Is a native of Holliston, and the son of Enoch jr. and Lucy (Holbrook) Chamberlain. He prepared for College at Leicester Academy, graduated at Brown Univ., 1836, and officiated as Tutor, during the years 1837 and 8. He studied theology in part, at Andover Seminary, and with Rev. Dr. Ide, and completed the usual course at Union Theol. Semi- nary.
After laboring two years at the West as missionary, he returned to Massachusetts, and was ordained over the church in Berkley, 8 July, 1842. He was dismissed in 1844, and afterwards preached in New York, Freetown, and Mendon. He was installed at Auburn, in this state, 9 July, 1851, and there now continues.
Mr. Chamberlain married a daughter of Moses and Chloe (Hodges) Bassett, natives of Norton, but residents, after marriage, at Providence, R. I.
207
REV . ASA HIXON.
75. REV. SAMUEL HUNT
Is the son of Dea. Richard and Ann (Humphrey) Hunt, of Attleboro', in which town he was born. He graduated at Amherst College, 1833, and studied theology with Rev. J. Ide, D. D.
He was ordained at Natick, 17 July, 1839, and dismissed May, 1850. He was installed pastor of the church in Frank- lin, 4 December, 1850, which office he fills at this date.
Mr. Hunt has published " Letters to the Avowed Friends of Missions," 1844 ; " Political Duties of Christians," 1848.
Mr. Hunt married Miss Mary Foster, daughter of Maj. Josiah Foster, of Southampton, L. I. She died Dec., 1849, leaving three children.
76. REV. JOHN HASKELL
Is a native of New Glocester, Me., and son of Caleb and Judith (Collins) Haskell. He graduated at Bowdoin College, 1846, and at Bangor Theological Seminary, 1850. He was ordained pastor of the church in Dover, 25 December, 1851.
Mr. Haskell married Miss Lucy J. Dickey, daughter of Mr. George and Lucy L. (Patch) Dickey, of Bangor.
77. REV. ASA HIXON
Is the son of Mr. Asa Hixon, of Medway. He graduated at Brown University, 1825, pursued his theological course at Auburn Seminary, N. Y., and was ordained at Oakham, 7 Oct., 1829, as colleague with Rev. Daniel Tomlinson. He was compelled to resign his charge, 25 Dec., 1832, on account
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of ill health, which continued, with increasing debility, until he was, and continues to be, entirely disabled from public speaking. He now resides in Franklin.
Mr. Hixon married Miss Charlotte Baker, daughter of Capt. David and Jemima (Richardson) Baker, of Franklin, and sister of Rev. Abijah R. Baker, of Lynn, and has one child, a son.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
LICENTIATES OF MENDON ASSOCIATION.
1. REV. DAVID THURSTON.
[See Sketches of Members, No. 5.]
2. REV. MOSES TAFT
Was born in Mendon, 20 July, 1722 ; graduated at Harvard University, 1751, and received A. M. in course. He was or- dained second minister of the new south precinct, in Brain- tree, now first church in Randolph, 26 Aug., 1752. Rev. John Shaw, of Bridgewater, preached the sermon. The written parts of the ordination, with Mr. Taft's confession of faith, were published ; the only known copy of which is in the Mass. Hist. Library.
In 1789, Rev. Jonathan Strong, D. D., was settled as his colleague. He died 12 November, 1791, aged 69, having been settled 39 years.
Mr. Taft married, 15 Aug., 1753, Mary Dorr, oldest child of Rev. Joseph Dorr, of Mendon. She died 10 Jan., 1796. Their children were,
1. Moses, born 10 June, 1754; graduated Harvard Uni- versity, 1774; physician in Sudbury ; died, 1799.
18*
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
2. Eleazer, born 11 Oct., 1755; H. U., 1783 ; resided in Exeter, N. H., and died there in 1834.
3. Joseph, born 15 Aug., 1756 ; H. U., 1783.
4. Phinehas, b. 11 Aug., 1762 ; H. U., 1789. He studied theology with Dr. Strong and Dr. Emmons, was a promising young man, and thoroughly orthodox, after the Hopkinsian model, but he died in 1798, having never actively entered upon the ministry. Mr. Taft had also four daughters, married respectively to an Allen, a French, a Henshaw, and Samuel Stetson, of Boston.
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