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 22
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
311
REV . GILBERT FAY.
Mr. Harlow published a tract on the Divinity of Christ, 828; and a sermon on "False Standards in Religion," 828.
88. REV. ELAM SMALLEY, D. D.
[See Sketches of Members, No. 49.]
89. REV. GILBERT FAY
Was the son of Otis and Mary (Morse) Fay, and was born n Westboro', May, 1803.
He graduated at Brown University, 1826, and studied heology with Rev. Dr. Ide. After two years labor in vari- bus places, he was ordained as Evangelist, at Westboro', 6 Oct., 1830, and went under a commission of the A. H. M. S., nto the Western Reserve, and engaged in missionary labors in that important, but then destitute region.
He labored as stated supply at Wardsworth, Medina Co., O., until his death, 27 Oct., 1835, at the early age of 32. He was not unable to preach a single sabbath, until his final sickness.
" He was much loved and lamented by his church and his brethren in the ministry."
Mr. Fay married 11 Sept., 1831, Miss Clarissa Walker, daughter of Comfort and Tamar Walker, of Medway. They had two children : one of whom, a daughter, died before him. The other child, Gilbert Otis Fay, lives with his mother, who has returned to Medway.
Mr. Fay's labors were too brief to develop his full abili- ties. They were, however, signally blessed. The little church of eleven members at the commencement, numbered seventy at his death.
312
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
90. REV. JOHN FORBUSH
Is the son of Dea. Samuel Forbush, of Upton, and was born in that town, 4 Sept., 1800. His mother's maiden name was Lydia Gibson, of Hopkinton. Both parents are living in Upton.
He made public profession of religion, in Sept., 1815, and in 1823, began his literary studies with Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., of Boscawen, N. H. He graduated at Amherst Col- lege, 1828, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide. He preached his first sermon at Milford, Jan'y, 1830. Then supplied Dr. Ide's pulpit, during his illness, until May, when he went to Mendon, where he preached three months. He was ordained 6 Oct., 1830, as an Evangelist, at Westboro', by the Harmony Association, and went to the West, under a commission from the Am. Home Miss. Society.
In this great "place," he labored for many years, amongst the feeble churches and new communities, with encouraging success. He was one year at Burlington, Lawrence Co., O. A new meeting-house was built, and several additions to the church. Two and a half years, he officiated as pastor of the Mt. Leigh church, Adams Co. There were over sixty addi- tions. From Dec., 1834, he labored six years at Brush Creek, - in a moral waste, -the first year without a church and sanctuary. He left a church of fifty members, and two meeting-houses, seven miles apart. One year at Homer, Licking Co. A year and a half at Bremen, Fairfield Co. Two years pastor at Lexington, Perry Co. Forty were added and a new church of thirty members was formed in the field, - Unity Church, - with a new meeting-house. Over four years at New Plymouth, now Vinton Co.
Besides these multiplied missionary and pastoral labors, Mr. Forbush spent much time as agent of the Am. Sunday
REV . VARNUM NOYES. 313
School Union. Nearly fifty Sabbath Schools were organized by him, many of which are still in successful operation.
In May, 1850, he returned with impaired health, to the place of his nativity, - where he now resides, - preaching recently to a small congregation in the South West corner of Hopkinton.
On the evening of his ordination, Mr. Forbush married Miss Sarah Lesure, of Upton. He has two children, both of whom are alive to bless his household .*
91. REV. VARNUM NOYES,
The son of Josiah and Mehitable (White) Noyes,f was born in Acton, but, at four years of age, removed with his parents to Westmoreland, N. H.
He made profession of religion, in Nov., 1821, and com- menced fitting for the ministry, at the academies of Chester- field, N. H., and of Amherst, Ms., and entered Dartmouth College, 1824. In his second year, his course was arrested by a severe and protracted disease. On his recovery, he taught school for a while, and then studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide.
He was ordained as Evangelist for the West, by Mendon Association, at Medway, 25 Aug., 1831, and commenced preaching in Guilford, O., 2 Oct., 1831. Half of the time, for a few years, was spent in other neighboring places. In 1836, Sept. 21, he was regularly installed as pastor, in which relation he continued until 8 May, 1849, when it was dissolved at his own request.
The reason of the step was found in the prevalent impres- sion, among a portion of the people, that, as he had been with
* Letter of Rev. J. Forbush, Upton.
t Son of Thomas Noyes, of Acton, and brother of the late Rev. Thomas Noyes, of Needham.
27
314
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
them a long time, a change of labors might be beneficial. The pastor was willing the experiment should be tried. But after a trial of about three years, he was invited to return, which he did, March, 1852. In the interval, he was the sta- ted supply of the church in Wayne. His ministerial connec- tion is with the Wooster (O. S.) Presbytery.
Mr. Noyes married, 17 June, 1833, Miss Lois Walker, daughter of the late Comfort Walker, of Medway, and sister of Mrs. Gilbert Fay. They have eight children, and one has fallen asleep.
92. REV. ISAAC ERWIN HEATON
Is a native of Franklin, and the oldest son of Mr. Nathan Heaton. His mother was Sarah Boon, of Upton .*
At twenty years of age, he experienced the power of the Gospel, and joined the church, under the care of Rev. Dr. Emmons. He entered Brown University, two years in ad- vance, and grad. in 1832. Studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide, and was ordained as an Evangelist, by Mendon Associ- ation, at North Wrentham, 25 April, 1837. He then en- gaged in the service of the Home Missionary Society, and in May, removed to Wisconsin.
In this State he was, with the exception of Rev. C. Marsh, foreign missionary to the Indians, the pioneer herald of the cross. For more than a year he was the only congregation- al minister in Wisconsin. Rev. C. Caldwell, the second min- ister, resided more than a hundred miles from him ; and they were strangers for two years.
Mr. Heaton spent the first six months in Elk Grove, where is now a flourishing church, and meeting-house. The pres- ent active and useful deacon, was then an avowed atheist, and seen at meeting but once during Mr. H's abode there.
* His father and grandfather were Isaac, and were descended from the original settlers in Wrentham, Nathaniel and Mary Heaton.
H
315
REV. THOMAS EDWARDS.
He next spent three years at Belmont, where the legislature first met, before the capital was located at Madison. The place declined as a settlement, and he removed to Mt. Zion, in Rock Co., - a pleasant eminence, so named in sport, by an irreligious settler. His present place of labor is at Wa- terloo, where he has been for six years. It was swayed by a strong Universalist influence, now on the wane.
The church at first consisted of five members, all, except- ing one female, unmarried. It now numbers 24. The place has grown rapidly since the Gospel was established there. Ten years ago, only one or two white persons could be found within a radius of ten miles, where now a funeral procession has been seen one hundred and twenty rods in length .*
Mr. Heaton married Miss Miranda N. Metcalf, daughter of Samuel and Mary Metcalf, of Franklin. They have had three children, daughters. The eldest died in infancy.
93. REV. THOMAS EDWARDS
Is a native of London, England, and the son of Miles and Ann (Debenham) Edwards.
He became interested in the Gospel of Christ, under the ministry of Rev. John Clayton, Sen., of London, and pursued classical studies under a private tutor.
After arriving in this country, he reviewed the usual course of theology with Rev. Dr. Ide, and was ordained and settled over the Evangelical church, Mendon, 28 Dec., 1836, and dismissed 4 Feb., 1840.
He next preached in Ackworth, N. H., and after several months' delay on account of health, was installed, 19 Aug., 1841. Dismissed, 13 Feb., 1843. He has since preached in Salem and various other places. His present residence is Charlestown.
Mr. Edwards married Miss Amelia Spear, daughter of Gershom and Elizabeth Spear, of Boston. She died in 1851,
* Letter of Rev. I. E. Heaton, Waterloo, Wisconsin.
316
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
leaving two children to survive her. His second wife was Miss Caroline -, of Charlestown.
94. REV. ELI THURSTON
Was born in Brighton ; removed thence, at an early age, to Jamaica Plains, and to Westboro'; and was converted to God while learning the trade of gunsmith in Millbury. He immediately turned his thoughts to an education for the Gos- pel ministry.
He pursued his preparatory studies at Day's Academy, . Wrentham ; graduated at Amherst College, 1834, and studied theology at Andover, and with Dr. Ide, of Medway.
He was ordained over the Congregational church in Hal- lowell, Me., 3 Jan., 1838, and dismissed July, 1848.
On the 21 of March, 1849, he was installed over the Cen- tral Cong. church in Fall River, where he still continues.
Mr. Thurston married M. Caroline, daughter of Mr. Philo Sanford, of Wrentham, now of Boston ; who is a brother of Rev. David Sanford of Medway Village, and grandson of Rev. David Sanford of West Medway.
95. REV. CHARLES TURNER TORREY
Was born in Scituate, 21 Nov., 1813. He was the son of Charles and Hannah Tolman Torrey.
His father died in 1815, and his mother in 1817; and he was left, at little over three years of age, to the care of his grandparents, who, as often happens, did not guide and re- strain their young and impulsive charge with a parent's anxious care and fidelity. When but five or six years old, he attended the town-meetings, sat with his grandfather, Hon. Charles Turner, who was generally moderator, watched every movement and counted every vote. Thus he acquired, perhaps, his strong penchant for political affairs, so fully de- veloped in his subsequent life.
T
REV. CHARLES TURNER TORREY. 317
In 1828 he entered Phillips Academy, at Exeter, N. H., where he prepared for college. He entered Yale, as Sopho- more, at 17, and graduated, 1833. It was during his first year that he became a subject of Divine grace.
After graduation, he took charge of the Female Seminary, West Brookfield ; but the school-room was not his field of action, and he resigned, after keeping about four months. He next spent the academic year 1835-6 at Andover Theol. Seminary. On account of his health and pecuniary circum- stances, he left, tried a pedestrian journey, for the former, with success, and resumed his studies, with Rev. L. A. Spof- ford, then of Scituate. In the summer following, June, 1836, he repaired to Rev. Dr. Ide, and completed his preparation for the ministry. In March, 1837, he was ordained over the Richmond St. Cong. church, Providence, R. I .; and was dis- missed, at his own request, in October. Soon after, he simultaneously received calls to resettle, one from Randolph, the other from the Howard St. church, Salem, over which Rev. Dr. Cheever, now of New York city, had been settled. This latter call he accepted, and was installed, Jan., 1838. Here his earnest entering into the Anti-Slavery cause, and his calls abroad to labor for its advancement, rendered necessary a yielding either of his pastoral connection, or of his services in the Abolition field. He considered the latter more impor- tant, and accordingly was dismissed from his charge at Salem, and engaged as a public lecturer by the Mass. Abolition So- ciety.
The exciting theme of American Slavery furnished ample material to inflame his zeal and employ his energies and time. His labors in this field are detailed in his published Memoir. He travelled, lectured, wrote, and published, in furtherance of the cause of Emancipation.
While he was at Washington, as a correspondent for seve- ral newspapers, a slaveholders' convention was holden, 12 Jan., 1842, at Annapolis, Maryland, to further the interests
27*
318
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of the 'peculiar institution.' Mr. Torrey determined to at tend and gather up the developments, and report for the press He took his seat with other reporters ; but, by a series of manœuvres, he was ejected, from the floor into the lobby. and thence into jail ; on what definite charge, even his accus- ers could not find to say. After vexatious legal quibbles, he was released and bound over to 'keep the peace,' until April. Thus began his practical acquaintance of slavery and slave-prisons, - an acquaintance to end, not yet.
In 1842, he went to Albany and edited and finally published the " Tocsin of Liberty," afterwards " Albany Patriot." But his warm and readily-awakened sympathy for them in bonds, would not suffer him to operate in their behalf at this dis- tance. He repaired to Delaware, and became, as was sus- pected, the active coadjutor of slaves escaping from servitude.
He was arrested, 24 June, 1844, at Baltimore, on com- plaint of Bushrod Taylor, of Winchester, Va., for aiding, as affirmed, certain slaves of his to escape from Virginia. Im- mediately upon this, William Heckroth brought a similar suit for aiding the escape of slaves from Maryland. This lat- ter case took precedence, and he was committed to jail for trial. That event at length took place, 29 Nov., 1844 ; and, on the 3d of December, terminated in a verdict of guilty, upon every indictment ; and he was condemned to six years' hard labor, in the State Penitentiary. Sentence was suspended nearly a month.
During part of this time, Mr. Torrey wrote his little vol- ume, " Home, or the Pilgrims' Faith revived."
On the 30th day of December, 1844, he was removed to prison. His treatment was as humane as the rules would allow ; but the seeds of disease, sown in previous labors, ger- minated in the solitudes and silence of the cell, and speedily ripened for the reaper, Death. Every rational effort for his deliverance was made by his friends, but without avail. But a deliverer was coming whom no prison walls could exclude.
319
REV. CHARLES TURNER TORREY.
and no Executive could prevent accomplishing his work. Consumption opened his way beyond the reach of man.
Mr. Torrey died 9 May, 1846, aged 33, years. Three days before his death, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad- ministered to him by Rev. Dr. Smalley, of Worcester. The occasion was solemn ; and, to him, seemed a foretaste of that communion above, which he was speedily to enter. His re- mains rest in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, marked by a monument, raised by his friends, to his memory.
Mr. Torrey married Mary, the second daughter of Rev. Dr. Ide, of Medway. He left two children, still living.
Mr. Torrey was of pale visage, slender form, and nervous temperament. As a scholar, he was marked by a ready intui- tion and grasp of subjects, and by versatile talents ; but he lacked concentrativeness and perseverance. It is no common man that could write, in the circumstances and the manner he did, such a book as "Home," of 255 pages, in twelve days, on the eve of an incarceration of six long years ! As a preacher, his marked characteristics were obviously impressed upon his every performance. His pastoral labors were too brief to leave any very permanent impressions.
It is as an earnest laborer in the cause of Abolition, that he will be known hereafter. The part he acted, has been the subject of general speculation. It will come up again, in future review, and with truer conclusions, when the dark system of oppression which cut short his days, with all its perverting influences, will have passed away.
As to his legal guiltiness, on the specific charges made against him, we have nothing to say. But assuming the fact of his actual agency in aiding fugitives escaping from slavery, as to his moral guilt, we may use his own language to a friend, while in prison : " If I am a guilty man, I am a very guilty one ; for I have aided nearly four hundred slaves to escape to freedom ; the greater part of whom would probably, but for my exertions, have died in slavery."
·
320
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
96. REV. ELNATHAN DAVIS
Is the 3d son of Ethan and Sarah Davis, late of Holden. He graduated at Williams College, 1834, and at East Windsor, Ct., 1836; ordained as Evangelist, at Holden, 9 Nov., 1836. An engagement with the A. B. C. F. M., was resigned on account of opinions upon Infant Baptism. A Chaplaincy from the Am. Seamen's Friends' Society, was arrested by the commercial pressure of 1837.
He supplied vacant pulpits : among them, that of the Lu- natic Asylum, Worcester. In 1839, went to Indiana, and returned in 1845, on account of his wife's health. He was also engaged in the cause of peace, as delegate of which, he attended the Peace Congress of 1839, at Paris.
He was installed in Ashburnham, 16 Sept., 1846 ; and dis- missed, May, 1851, to take charge of the Trinitarian Cong. Church, Fitchburg ; where he was installed, 23 June, 1851.
Mr. Davis married Mary Avery, daughter of Mr. Aaron White, of Boylston, and granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Avery, former pastor of the church in Holden.
97. REV. JOHN DWIGHT
Was born in Shirley, and is the son of Mr. Francis and Maria Dwight.
He prepared for college at Woburn Academy, graduated at Amherst, 1835, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide.
He was ordained over the South Church in North Bridge- water, 12 April, 1837, and dismissed in feeble health, March, 1839. He was installed over the Manomet Church, Ply- mouth, 28 July, 1841, and dismissed at his request, March, 1846. He is at present employed as stated supply, at North Wrentham.
Mr. Dwight married Miss Sally Hastings, daughter of Mr. Benjamin Hastings, late of Boston, and has six children.
321
REV. WILLIAM PHIPPS, JR.
Mr. Dwight has published two Farewell Sermons, deliv- ered to his people, at Plymouth.
98. REV. MORTIMER BLAKE.
[See Sketches of Members, No. 56.]
99. REV. EDMUND DOWSE
Is the son of Benjamin and Thankful (Chamberlain) Dowse, of Sherborn.
He fitted for college at Day's Academy, Wrentham, and graduated at Amherst College, 1836, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide.
He was ordained, 10 Oct., 1838, over the church in his native town, where he still remains.
Mr. Dowse married Elizabeth R., daughter of Dea. Daniel Leland, of Sherborn. She died 16 June, 1842, leaving a daughter. His present wife was Elizabeth Bowditch, daugh- ter of Galen and Sally (Davenport) Bowditch, of Sherborn.
100. REV. CHARLES CHAMBERLAIN.
[See Sketches of Members, No. 74.]
101. REV. SAMUEL HUNT.
[See Sketches of Members, No. 75.]
102. REV. DANIEL J. POOR.
[See Sketches of Members, No. 55.]
103. REV. WILLIAM PHIPPS, JR.
Is a native of Franklin, and the son of William and Fanny (Morton) Phipps.
He graduated at Amherst College, 1837, and A. M .; studied
322
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
theology with Rev. Dr. Ide, and was ordained at Paxton, 11 Nov., 1840.
Mr. Phipps married Miss Mary Partridge, daughter of Mr. Eleazer Partridge, of Franklin, and has several children.
Mr. Phipps has published a Funeral Sermon of Mrs. E. T. Smith, wife of Rev. John C. Smith, missionary to Ceylon, 1842.
104. REV. JONATHAN GROUT
Was born in Westboro', in 1811.
He studied at Amherst Academy, and graduated at Yale College, 1836. He followed teaching about two years, in North Carolina, and then returned, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide. He preached a few months in Millville, South Mendon, when he withdrew from the ministry, and settled upon the paternal farm.
Upon the death of his wife, - Mrs. Florella Mills Grout, daughter of Rev. David Holman, of Douglas, - he resolved to preach again.
He was ordained as an Evangelist, at Westboro', Oct., 1845, and went to Southeastern Ohio, in Meigs and Athens Cos. His health began to be impaired, and he left the pulpit for the school room. He taught school for three years in Coolville, Athens Co., Ohio.
In this latter place, he now resides, engaged in business, as partner in a mercantile firm, and occasionally preaching in destitute places. He is ministerially connected with the Marietta Consociation.
105. REV. JOSEPH HOLMES BAILEY
Was born in West Newbury, 15 Sept., 1808.
He indulged hope at the age of 21, and, though feeble in body, bent his steps towards the ministry. After many struggles, he graduated at Amherst Coll., 1838. He then
MR. RICHARD CECIL SPOFFORD. 323
aught school some two years, at Edgartown, M. V., studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide, and also attended lectures at Andover.
He commenced preaching in 1843, at Dighton, where he was ordained, 31 Jan'y, 1844. Rev. Dr. Ide preached the . Sermon. In the Autumn of the same year, he was seized with the prevailing typhoid fever ; recovered partially, and went prematurely, to his parents, in West Newbury, where he relapsed and died in a few days, at the age of 36 .*
Mr. Bailey secured a strong hold upon the affections of his people in his brief ministry, and awakened promising hopes of usefulness to the church and the world. But his sudden end destroyed their fruition, and left his page a blank.
106. REV. PRESTON POND, JR.
[See Members, No. 72.]
107. MR. RICHARD CECIL SPOFFORD
Was born at East Bradford, now Groveland, 22 Dec., 1817. He was the son of Rev. Luke A. Spofford and his wife Grata (Rand) Spofford, the daughter of Col. Daniel and Susan Rand, of Rindge, N. H., and was grandson of Dea. Eleazer and Mary (Flint) Spofford, of Jaffrey, N. H.
He fitted for college at Groveland Academy, where he was converted, 1831, and graduated at Amherst Coll., 1839 He then engaged a year, or more, in teaching, in which occu- pation he was highly efficient. He studied theology with Rev. J. Ide, D. D. From November to March, after his ap- probation, he preached in Barre. His labors were too ex- hausting for an already diseased frame, and he retired to the
* Rev. A. Cobb, W. Taunton.
324
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
family of his father, on Martha's Vineyard, to recruit. But weeks passed, and consumption indicated its grasp so de- cidedly and powerfully, that he resigned the hopes of re- covery. He lingered through the winter, and died at Chil- mark, 25 May, 1843, in his 26th year.
In Mr. Spofford's early death, many high hopes for this world were forever blasted.
In college, he sustained a high reputation for accurate scholarship, and purity and elegance of literary taste. His style as a writer was pure and classical, and his descriptions peculiarly chaste and graphic.
He wrote many poetical effusions, evincing an ability, which, one who knew him well has said, might, with life and favoring circumstances, equal a Thompson or a Cowper.
The ministry was to him the highest and holiest calling ; and when he entered upon it, it engrossed his supreme re- gard, and enlisted his undivided labors. His season of pre- paration for. the sacred office was marked by earnest labors for the salvation of men, and the fidelity of his public and private exhortations at Medway are still remembered.
While there he prepared the copious Index to Dr. Em- mons's works, then in process of publication by his instructor, Dr. Ide.
The Gospel, which had been the theme of his deep and prayerful study, was his sure foundation in his closing sick- ness and death.
108. REV. HORACE DEAN WALKER ·
Is the son of Mr. Dean and Rebecca (Wright) Walker, of East Medway .*
* His ancestry first appears among the early settlers of Rehoboth. Comfort Walker, son of Caleb, Jr., removed from Rehoboth to Kil- lingly, Ct. His son, the father of Deane Walker, migrated thence to Medway, where the latter was born. Rev. Augustus Walker, of the Syrian Mission, and approbated by Mendon Association, Jan., 1852, is brother of Rev. Horace, above.
325
REV. ABRAHAM JENKINS, JR.
He prepared for college mostly at Franklin Academy, and entered Western Reserve College at Hudson, O., in 1837. He then removed to Yale College, where he graduated, 1841. He studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide one year, and completed his course at Bangor Seminary, in 1843. He was ordained over the third church in Abington, 15 Feb., 1844, where he remains.
Mr. Walker married Mercy A. Mason, daughter of Hora- tio and Julia (Adams) Mason, of Medway. Her mother was sister to Rev. Jasper Adams, D. D., Prest. of Geneva Coll., N. Y., of Charleston Coll., Charleston, S. C., and Prof. of Moral Philosophy at West Point Academy.
109. REV. ABRAHAM JENKINS, JR.
Is the son of Abraham Jenkins, of Barre.
He graduated at Amherst College, 1838. After gradua- tion, he assisted Prest. Hitchcock in his chemical lectures, and in his geological survey of the State, until the summer of 1839, when he taught school, for more than two years, at Troy and Keene, N. H .; also, part of the year 1842, at Ed- gartown, M. V. He entered upon the study of theology with Rev. Dr. Ide, and received approbation to preach.
A bronchial affection soon disenabled him from occupying the pulpit, except occasionally ; which he did, in 1843, at Hardwick; in the autumn of 1844, at River Head, Long Island, and in 1845 at Halifax, Vt. Here he declined a call, as he did also from the church of River Head, on account of a fresh attack of bleeding at the lungs. Subsequently, he labored a few months at South Woodstock, Ct., at Gorham, Me., at Winchendon and Royalston. In 1847, he preached some months at South Brookfield and Tisbury, M. V.
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.