USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Essex > Congregational Church and Parish, Essex, Massachusetts : two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, 1683-1933 > Part 4
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And we, members of the human race, lift up our aspiration to the Supreme Being and say, "We believe in God, the Father." There is no philosophy which thus teaches us. There is no science which thus enables us. But between our humanity and the Supreme
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Being there is a relationship akin to the relationship between a father and his son. It is the filial relationship. It is to us God's own gift. Throughout all the ages the noble and the great have declared in the midst of disorder, tumult and confusion, "We believe in God!"
And God has a plan for the world's re-making .. It is a better world than this that is in the process of its realization. "I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs." To each great civilization, to each great nation of the past has been given its re- sponsibility for the accomplishment of the Divine plan and purpose. The ancient Greeks gave to the world ordered thought and love for the beautiful. Rome gave to the world reverence for civic law and for the rights of the individual citizen. The Hebrew people gave to mankind the epoch-making conception of true monotheism and the far-reaching implications of that mighty truth. The United States of America is called to demonstrate to the world the practicality of the basic principles of Christianity as applied to a true and equitable relationship between capital and labor, as applied to the accomplishment of a true democracy with equal rights for all and special privileges for none, as applied to the creation of a true inter- nationalism in which the strong shall find their glory in the dedi- cation of their strength to the service of humanity and the assurance thereby of a world peace perfectly secure because founded upon the eternal principles of changeless truth. 1988999
II. And "these men" believed with unshaken confidence that for the world's remaking there is sufficiency of power available, a power not of ourselves that makes for righteousness. Stronger than all the powers of devastation is the power of God in our world. The light of His glory shall conquer all darkness. His purity shall con- quer all foulness. His mercy shall conquer all cruelty. His love shall conquer all hate. His truth shall conquer every lie. His good- will shall conquer all the world's enmity and warfare. God is. His will shall be done, for in Him is the power for the world's re-making.
"God works in all things, All obey the first propulsions of His might. Work thou and wait.
The world is rolling into light."
III. There is sufficiency of Power, and these brave men of the long ago believed the Divine power requires men as its instruments. There is stored in our planet a vast supply of electric energy, yet all unavailable until there were produced cunningly contrived instru- ments through which the electric energy could operate. There is omnipotent Power for Righteousness in our world, but God's omni- potence must operate through human instrumentality-a human life
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dedicated to God and to His service. Omnipotent Power awaits the providing of this instrument! That young man, Moses, fled as a coward to escape Egyptian revenge, but at the burning bush there came the supremely sacred moment of his life. There he met God, and there he dedicated his life to God, and then what power! That gifted young man Isaiah, was doubtless at one time caught in the maze of purposless discontent and life for him was without zest or interest until, at an unforgettable moment worshipping in the temple, he found God. He saw the vision of the King, "high and lifted up." In that August presence he also saw his own unworthiness, for to him was presented the challenge of a life devoted to the service of his fellow-men. In response to the divine summons he said, "Here am I, send me." And what a power he then became! The power that makes for righteousness awaits its instrument a life dedicated to God in service to one's fellow-men.
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
IV. Finally it was the conviction of "these men" that dedica- tion to God means personal devotion to Jesus Christ. For the very dynamic of Christianity, making it a vitalizing transforming power in the world is in the Person at the heart of it all. All the abstract truths of Christianity might have been otherwise given to the world. But, impersonally given, they would have had no power to move the world. But there came the Christ. The word became flesh. To the world he offered not a new philosophy; not a new doctrine, but Himself!
And it was personal devotion to Him on the part of the early disciples that brought into their lives the power to move the world. It was His power that impelled them. It was His love that con- strained them. He was their peace and their hope. For Him they labored and suffered. In Him they gloried. For His sake they lived and for His sake they died. It was the music of His name that rang through their temples of praise. It was the charm of His fellowship that transformed commonplace men into heroes and timid women into heroines. Whatever may be the nature of that Divine mystery called Calvary, by whatever theological terminology we may seek to account for it-atonement, redemption, propitiation,-that matters not .- This we know; its relation to our human life and experience is real and beautiful and luminous. There, at Calvary's Cross we do feel the Love of God reclaiming us; there the breaking of the power of sin; there, forgiveness and reconciliation and peace; there, the rebirth of the soul!
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"No mortal can with Him compare." Among the sons of men, He who is also the Son of God, stands supreme, worthy of our ador- ing devotions.
It is the devotion of one's life to Him, the mastery over one's life by Him, the glorying of one's life in Him that transforms, in- spires, empowers, remakes a human life and thereby transforms the world.
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HISTORICAL TABLEAUX DEPICTING HISTORY OF CHEBACCO PARISH FROM SETTLEMENT IN 1634 TO ITS INCORPORATION AS TOWN OF ESSEX IN 1819
SCENE ONE
T THREE hundred years ago, the spot where we are assembled this afternoon was covered with dense forest. Virgin hemlock and pine towered high over head, and the cry of wild beasts broke the stillness of the night watches, while the war whoop of the savage redman from time to time rent the air, as the braves of Masconomet gathered to follow their leader in some marauding expedition on a neighboring tribe.
Indian wigwams were to be seen in little clearings, and the blue smoke of Indian campfires curled upward, as the squaws prepared the scanty meal, or the feast after a big kill. Then came the great epidemic which swept off hundreds of the Indians of this section, leaving the tribe sadly weakened, and about this time appeared the white man to complete the conquest which disease had begun.
The white man landed at Plymouth in 1620 and there subdued a small part of the wilderness. Other settlements followed, until in 1630 about 1500 persons, with Governor John Winthrop at their head, arrived in Salem. From thence they proceeded to Charlestown, and soon settled Boston, Watertown, and Roxbury.
In March 1633, John Winthrop, Jr., a son of the Governor, with twelve men began a plantation at Agawam, which they after- wards called Ipswich. The next year a church was gathered, being the ninth in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and in 1634, Rev. Nathaniel Ward came from England to become their first minister.
First Settlers of Chebacco
That same year, William White and Goodman Bradstreet "removed toward Chebacco River," where lands were granted them by the town of Ipswich. Making their way through the trackless wilderness where game abounded, where the skulking savage was to be glimpsed from time to time through the trees, and where the only semblance of a path was that worn by the redman, these two sturdy pioneers came finally to the fair waters of Chebacco River, and raised their first shelter in what is now the northern part of Essex. The Indian camp fire and the wondering, surly greeting of the astonished
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natives was their only welcome; but the wooded slope of the great hill, which has since borne his name, and the green meadows and the glistening waters of the winding river won the heart of William White, and on the northern slope of that hill he built his home, the cellar hole of which may be seen to this day.
Bradstreet took up land near by, no doubt for safety, and enter- ing into friendly relations with the Indians, these two first settlers went about to clear the land and gain sustenance from the soil.
The journey back and forth to Ipswich was fraught with peril and hardship in those early days, but occasionally they made it, bringing their wives from among the daughters of the Colony, and little by little they gained a foothold in what, with British loyalty, was termed "NEW England."
The next year, 1635, Mr. John Cogswell, who had arrived in Ipswich, had 300 acres of land granted him in the "farther part of Chebacco." This grant was bounded on the west by what is now the main road from Ipswich to Gloucester, and "the brook which runs on the east side of the old burying ground, and the creek run- ning to the river; on the south by the river, on the east by the water, and on the north by the brook which runs on the north side" of the farm now owned by Wallace Lane.
The land on which we are assembled today was a part of that grant. Mr. Cogswell, before his emigration, was a prosperous mer- chant in London. He sailed for this country from England, May 23, 1635, in the ship "Angel Gabriel." He was wrecked in a violent storm on the coast of Maine, and lost part of his goods in this ship- wreck, but escaped with all his family. Leaving them there in a tent, he took passage for Boston, where he procured a small vessel, and returned to Pemaquid Bay for his family and his goods. Soon after he arrived in Ipswich, he removed to Chebacco settlement. His furniture and goods were more than could be brought at one time from Maine. From an inventory taken at his decease, we find he brought from England "beds, suits of curtains, table linen, damask, Turkey carpets, silver plate, etc." His wife's name was Elizabeth, and the names of his children, all of whom were born in London, were William, John, Edward, Mary, Hannah, Abigail and Sarah. These all came to this country. One child died before the family left London, and was buried there. He and his wife had the titles of Mr. and Mrs., which were given only to persons of some dis- tinction.
Their first house of logs stood northeast of Mr. Lane's house, and the spot is designated at this time by a marker. Let us roll back the curtain of time and visit these first settlers. We may be sure
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they will be glad to see us, for theirs is a lonely life in the wilderness, busy though it may be.
We are invited to remain and partake of the meal with them, and as a few of the scattered neighbors drop in, the talk turns on news of the homeland, of the government, and prosperity, of which they feel a tender and lively interest, upon their own local affairs, the peaceable disposition of their savage neighbors whose wigwams are close at hand, and with joy and gratitude, they dwell upon the goodness of God in prospering their crops of Indian corn, and in preserving their lives and health, especially for the inestimable priv- ilege of civil and religious freedom, even in the solitude and perils of the wilderness.
END OF SCENE ONE
SCENE TWO
O THER families soon joined these first settlers in Chebacco Col- ony, and the "improvement of the place gradually advanced" as the land was cleared and the crops gathered. Then the fathers found time to build some sort of roads. These, owing to the diffi- culties of making bridges, were very circuitous, avoiding as much as possible the crossing of brooks and creeks.
Of the large number of emigrants coming to these shores between 1634 and 1646, Ipswich received a proportionate share, "both as to numbers, intelligence, and piety." The people of Chebacco were men of good rank and quality, many of them having the yearly revenue of lands in England, before they came to this wilderness.
Cotton Mather says of Ipswich (of which Chebacco was a district) as early as 1648: Here was a renowned church, consisting mostly of such illuminated Christians, that their pastors in the exercise of their ministry might think that they had to do, not so much with disciples as judges.
None but freemen could hold offices or vote for rulers, and to become a freeman each person was required to become a member of some Congregational Church. Our ancestors had fled from the per- secutions of the established church at home, and if they had allowed men hostile to religious freedom to take the lead of affairs here in this feeble state, the result might have been the bringing in of the same persecuting power from which they had already suffered so much, and this would have defeated the very end for which they came here. They might as well have remained under this persecuting power in their fatherland, as to have come to this wilderness and allow that power to follow and gain ascendency here. Hence these
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strict laws. They had bought with a great price their tract of land in the wide wilderness for the express purpose of enjoying their own religion in their own way. It is not for us to censure what may seem to us narrowness. The Sabbath was a day for worship, the pious household of our fathers making careful preparation for the observance of the day, which commenced at sun down on Saturday. Nothing was left undone which it was practicable to do by way of preparation for the holy time.
On Sabbath morning, having risen at an early hour, all get ready with their best apparel on to attend public worship in the town four miles distant. A few women mount on horseback, "different ones riding alternately as fatigue requires or choice directs". The men go along armed, to guard against the attack of wild beasts. The road is long and rough, but love for the house of God lightens the toil. One family is joined by another, and another, as they move along the road, and the "excitement of social affections and suitable conversation" doubtless makes the way seem short.
The return journey at an early hour, as it is unsafe to be on that road after dark, is made in the same way.
END OF SCENE TWO
SCENE THREE
M ANY interesting things might have been seen by a visitor to the early settlers. On the bank of the river at what is now the Falls District was a contrivance for catching fish. It was called a "Wear" and belonged to John Perkins, Jr. It consisted of stone walls, extending toward each other down the stream till they came in contact at an angle of 45 degrees. At this angle a trap was set, made of hoops and twigs in which great numbers of fish were taken. Mr. Perkins was granted this privilege for seven years, beginning in 1636, and was to sell his alewives at 5s for 1000.
The Indians in this section were a peaceful tribe, but the Pequots who inhabited the borders of the Connecticut River were a fierce, cruel, and warlike tribe. They had murdered several English families in that neighborhood, and by seeking a union with other savage tribes threatened to destroy the whole of the English colonists. This aroused the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Con- necticut to unite and make common cause against so destructive a foe. The quota of Ipswich for the draft was 23. Three of these drafted men were from this part of the town, Chebacco. They were Andrew Story, Robert Cross, and John Burnham. Story lived at the
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Falls; Burnham lived in what is now South Essex and owned a large tract of land in that part of the town. His house was on what is now the Gaffney farm. Cross lived on land east of John Burn- ham's, part of which is now Conomo Point and Cross' Island.
The quota for the war is drawn out by lot. The names of all the inhabitants fit to bear arms are placed in a box by the proper authorities and drawn out one by one, until the number to be drafted is complete. An order is then sent to each of the drafted men to appear on parade on a certain day and hour, prepared to march in pursuit of the enemy. The summons is received with calmness and courage by the men who feel that the peace and security of their wives and children, and the welfare of the country depends on their subduing this haughty and cruel foe. No little agitation and solici- tude, however, is felt by the families, in view of their husbands, fathers, and brothers being called to the battle ground, with the un- certainty of ever again seeing them.
Starting early one morning, Burnham and Cross set out for the Army, blankets and provisions strapped on their backs and guns in hand. As they passed neighbor Cogswell's, he shook them by the hand and wished them God-speed. Goodman Bradstreet and family greeted them also, as they came to his place, and at the corner by Belcher's Lane, they found Andrew Story, who joined them. They moved on to Ipswich Common, where they, with others from Ips- wich, Rowly, and Newbury under Captain Dennison took up the march for the Pequot country.
The expedition was highly successful, although after much hard fighting. The savage foe was destroyed, and our three Chebacco men went through the campaign unharmed, and returned to their pleasant Chebacco homes in due time, returning thanks to God for keeping them alive and unharmed in so hard and perilous a campaign.
END OF SCENE THREE
SCENE FOUR
A MONG the manufacturers in town in the 17th century are mentioned the following: rope-makers, coopers, gunsmiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, glovers, tailors, soap-makers, maltsters, shipbuilders, tanners, and curriers. There is no mention of shoe- makers, probably because most of the inhabitants made their own shoes.
A saw mill, the first in Ipswich, was erected on Chebacco River, in 1656, and several others were soon built, all of them at the Falls. The reason that so many saw mills were erected here is doubtless
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because of the vessel building. Tradition says that the first Chebacco boat was built by a Burnham, in the garret of an ancient house which stood at the corner of the old and new roads to Manchester, and that the garret window had to be cut away before the boat could be launched. Many early boats were built in the home yards of the builders, and hauled to a launching place, sometimes more than a mile from the river.
"In 1668, twelve years after the first saw mill was erected, the town granted one acre of ground near Mr. Cogswell's farm to the inhabitants of Chebacco for a yard in which to build vessels for the use of the inhabitants, and to employ workmen for that end." This acre was near the present bridge in Essex Center, and in the same place as the yard of the late A. D. Story, and up to the last year has been used continuously for that purpose.
The early vessels were the (standing room) or "pink-stern" boats of 10 or 12 tons. They had two masts, but no bow-sprit. They were decked over with the exception of a space in the middle, where were two rooms across the boat, nearly to the sides, for the crew to stand in while fishing. In rough weather these rooms were covered with hatches. The boat had no railing, and the stern was sharp like the bow. The last pink-stern was built in 1844.
Vessel building has continued to be the leading industry of this town up to the present time. Often during periods of prosperity a vessel a month was turned off in the yards. Although the larger number of vessels have been fishing schooners, yet in recent years several palatial yachts and racing schooners have been launched from both the James and the Story yards.
After travelling to Ipswich township for more than forty years, the people of Chebacco began to talk of forming a parish by them- selves and having a church of their own. They had travelled these difficult roads four, five, some of them six or seven miles to the place of worship all this time. Their fathers and mothers who had fled from persecution in England, and knew by contrast the value of freedom of conscience thought little of the tedious way, especially as they knew in the early days of the settlement that it was im- possible to have a church nearer home. But the next generation, their children, valued less these religious privileges and were less inclined to make great sacrifices to enjoy them. Consequently, more and more the younger ones were disposed to tarry at home on the Sabbath.
This aroused in the religiously inclined, a desire to form some plan to have a church and Gospel preaching here in this place.
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Accordingly, they held a meeting to consult on this subject at the house of William Cogswell, son of the first settler of that name. The date of the meeting was February 1676, and a petition was drawn up at that time to be presented to the town of Ipswich that they might have liberty to call a minister to preach among themselves. No attention was paid to this petition, and so it was carried to the General Court. There it was refused.
After one delay and another the Court or Council finally de- cided that Chebacco "should desist from all further proceedings in this matter." Before this order was received, however, the sills of the meeting house were laid on Mr. William Cogswell's land, and the timbers in place ready to raise, but constables came down from Ipswich and forbade the Chebacco men to touch it.
Great sorrow and consternation prevailed. Long and strenuous had been the proceedings, with little or no satisfaction to be ob- tained. Finally there had been a hope that their cause would be considered a righteous one, and they had framed the structure with much of pride and joy in the thought of having a meeting house of their own, and now all seemed lost!
This was the thought of the men, but not so of the women. While all this was going on, we see the good wives gathering at the house of Thomas Varney, just across the way. Coming upon horseback from across the horse bridge from the South, coming from the Falls and from nearer at hand, wrapped in their riding hoods to protect them from the chilly April winds, they gathered, one by one, with countenances betokening important business in hand. They cast an inquisitive eye on the timbers lying in exact order upon the ground in Mr. Cogswell's field, then they pass on, and arè soon dismounting at Madam Varney's door. They then pass into the house and are seated in the best room. It is an important meeting and well attended, although got up without any public notice. All the difficulties and objections in the way of raising the church were freely talked over. Discouragement prevailed at times; the danger of offending the Great and General Court was dwelt on, and then a bright mind and sparkling eye suggested that the Court had not said a word about the women. The men had been forbidden to do anything further in the matter. Another tongue then remarked that the order sent by the Court mentioned only Chebacco men. They had good friends in Manchester and Gloucester who could raise the house without any danger. So plans are made, and Mrs. Varney, Mrs. Martin, and Mrs. Goodhue are appointed, or perhaps they volunteered, to be a board of managers to go, one to Gloucester precinct, and the other two to Manchester to raise men and bring them on to the ground the next day.
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Early the next morning, we see Mrs. Varney mounted on the old family horse, with Mrs. Goodhue on another, and with Chub, the hired man on another horse to protect them, and Abraham Martin and his wife on still another horse, riding down the road, and over the horse-bridge to Gloucester and to Manchester. By noon they are back, and with them parties of men from these towns. The women conduct them to the timber in the corner of Mr. Cogswell's field. The word spreads that something is to be done, and hastily the Chebacco men gather from their homes. With pride in the pluck of their women folks, yet withal somewhat in fear of results, they stand around, saying nothing.
With alacrity and cheer their neighbors go to work. They take up the timbers and carry them off to be set up, a whole broadside is seen going up, and by and by another. There is no stop, no stay, until the ridge pole is in place, and then three hearty cheers indicate that the work is done.
Many other women have been arriving from homes around, with "well filled sacks pending from their saddles," the contents of which are deposited at Mrs. Varney's. The kind neighbors from abroad are invited to the supper, at which Chebacco men were conspicuous by their absence, and then the visitors depart for their homes, followed by gratitude and thanks of the women.
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