USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 111
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 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133
Before his active ministerial work began. lie was connected with the Hollis Street Sun- day school, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Thomas Starr King. At first, as teacher of two Bible classes, and afterward as super- intendent of the Sunday school, he did much toward making the work of the school inter- esting to all, and more than one have testi- fied to the inspiration that came to them from his influence at that time. When lie resigned his office the scholars gave him as a memorial gift Pickering's "Life of John Milton," and the pastor placed a grateful inscription at the be- ginning of the first volume. He was licensed to preach by the Boston Association of Min- isters, June 12, 1854, at a meeting held at the house of Dr. George E. Ellis, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Of this event he wrote many years after : "A very young man, twenty-three years okl, appeared before the Association, ac- cording to the custom of those days, that he might receive his license to preach. The sub-
Caleb Dann Bradlee.
2673
MASSACHUSETTS.
ject that was presented by the candidate for that afternoon was 'The Death of Christ, and its Effect upon the World.'" The license was conferred in these words: "This is to certify that Caleb Davis Bradlee was this day appro- bated by the Boston Association of Ministers as a preacher of the gospel. Rufus Ellis, Scribe." From the time he obtained his license until December 11, 1854, he preached in several pulpits as transient supply. In Sep- tember, 1854, nearly a year before the com- pletion of the course of study which he had planned, Mr. Bradlee received a call to the Allen Street Church, North Cambridge, Mass- achusetts. He consulted witli his friend, Rev. James Walker, D. D., president of Harvard College, who advised him to accept the call, and December 11, 1854, he was ordained to the Christian ministry, and began his work as a settled pastor. Those who took part in the exercises were Rev. Professor and Dr. George R. Noyes, Rev. Thomas Starr King, Rev. F. D. Huntington, President Walker, Rev. F. A. Whitney, Rev. Rufus Ellis, and Rev. Arthur B. Fuller. His last sermon as pastor of Allen Street Church was preached Decem- ber 6, 1857. The text was, "Am I my Brother's Keeper?" The communion service was observed, and this closed what he called the "first period" of his ministry. He con- tinued to live in Cambridge until 1860, when he removed to Roxbury.
After resigning at North Cambridge, Mr. Bradlee was several years without a settlement as pastor of a parish, but his ministry con- tinued to be full of good works. He called it the "second period" of his ministry, from December 11, 1857, to June, 1861, during which time he supplied the pulpits of North End Mission and Hale's South End Mission, in Boston, Fall River, Kingston, Nantucket, Ply- mouth and Sterling. He also acted as pastor of the churches of Rev. S. B. Crufts and Rev. Richard Pike, during prolonged absences of these pastors. He was offered calls from Fall River ; Christian Unity. Boston ; Newtonville : Charleston. South Carolina. During this period he began to show special interest in the work of historical societies, and was closely identified with the New England His- toric Genealogical Society, gave frequent lec- tures before its members, and served three years as its corresponding secretary and three years as its recording secretary. He gave such time as he was able to literary work, especially in preparation of lectures on Fene- lon. Milton. Heber, and other famous charac-
ters. He was always willing to give a "labor of love" to brother ministers, and many such are recorded in the "Sunday Record."
In 1861 Mr. Bradlee took the charge of the Church of Our Father, in East Boston. His work here continued for nearly three years, as the pastor, Rev. Warren H. Cudworth, was chaplain in the United States army. The services were well attended, and Mr. Bradlee was always received with great enthusiasm whenever he appeared in the pulpit, and his discourses were often reported in the East Boston papers. He always spoke of his pas- torate in this church as one of the happiest chapters in his life, and the members of the society gave to him many loyal pledges of their appreciation and good will. This he calls the "third period" of his ministry, and he speaks of it as the real commencement of his useful- ness as a minister. Twenty-five years later he wrote: "These years were very happy ones to me, and my whole ministry in East Boston was a perfect ovation." The last sermon as pas- tor pro tem., at East Boston, was preached April 3, 1864: "Therefore watch, and remem- ber that for the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one." During Mr. Brad- lee's supply of the East Boston pulpit he cor- responded regularly with Rev. W. H. Cud- worth, pastor of the church, who as chaplain of the First Massachusetts Regiment was fol- lowing the fortunes of the civil war. The following extracts from letters are like many which might be quoted : "For one, I have been well satisfied with your management of affairs. I am sure, likewise, that the parish has been, and doubt not that God will at last assure you you have done all you could, and sometimes even overdone." "I am glad to hear you are disposed to continue in charge of my pulpit, and for the good of the parish, as well as for my own interests, don't believe a better man could be found." "I think you deserve much commendation for the able and faithful man- ner in which you have discharged your duties, as you certainly have won a large share of my love for the brotherly and Christian spirit you have shown.'
In 1864, Rev. Mr. Bradlee became pastor of the Church of the Redeemer, Boston, and re- mained with it until 1872. Early in 1864 a movement was made to establish a new Uni- tarian church at the South End in Boston, and Mr. Bradlee was asked to be the pastor. The new church was organized as The Church of the Redeemer, and secured a hall in Con- cord street for its services. About twenty
2674
MASSACHUSETTS.
families were pledged to the support of the new church. The installation service was held at the Church of the Unity, on West Newton street, April 6, 1864. On Sunday, April 10, he preached from the text, "I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer." This pastorate he named the "fourth period" of his ministry, and in it he was successful as few men are in drawing about him a band of devoted friends, who amid all the changes of the years to come were faithful and loyal to him. The Sunday school was of great interest to him, and for the greater part of the time he was the superintendent of the school. After eight pleasant years of labor by pastor and peo- ple circumstances arose that made it seem best to disband the church ; and it was reluct- antly done. Among other labors of this period he became one of the faculty of the Boston School for the Ministry in 1868, when the de- partment of pastoral care and christian biog- raphy was assigned to him, and he remained one of its teachers until its union with the Di- vinity School at Cambridge, Massachusetts. This work was especially attractive to Mr. Bradlee. He was very fond of young men, and devoted himself with great earnestness to their welfare.
From April 22, 1872, to July 1, 1875, cov- ered what he called the "fifth, sixth and sev- enth periods" of his ministry. The fifth period was April 22, 1872, to September I, 1872, when he supplied pulpits transiently. The sixth period was September 1, 1872, to April 2, 1873, when he had temporary supply of the Christian Unity Society, Boston. The seventh period was April 2, 1873, to July I, 1875. when he was pastor of the Christian Unity Society, Boston. It was believed by many friends of Mr. Bradlee that his presence as pastor of the Christian Unity Society would make this center of Christian influence very powerful in the community where it was lo- cated. It was an early experiment in what is now called an "Institutional Church." A lim- ited call was first extended, which he accepted. Ilis first sermon as temporary pastor was preached September 1, 1872, from the text, "If any man thirst, let him come into me and drink." On March 9, 1873, the Christian U'nity Society invited him to become perma- nent pastor from AApril 1, 1873, giving him the privilege of employing an assistant. Mr. Bradlee accepted this call and was installed April 2, 1873. On September 14, 1873, Rev. George W. Green was installed as junior pas- tor of the society. He was one of Mr. Brad-
lee's students at the Boston School for the Ministry, graduated from the Cambridge Di- vinity School, June, 1872, and had been pas- tor of the Unitarian church in Berlin, Massa- chusetts. On February 22, 1874, the Frank- lin Literary Association became united to the Christian Unity Society. This association was composed of ladies and gentlemen who were earnest in spirit, and who received a warm wel- come from Mr. Bradlee to this new relation. Mr. Bradlee sent his resignation to the Chris- tian Unity Society, April 1, 1875, to take effect July 1. The resignation was accepted. Dur- ing this pastorate Mr. Bradlee printed a num- ber of sermons in pamphlet form.
From July 1, 1875, to June 1, 1890, Mr. Bradlee located three periods of his ministry -- the eighth, from July 1, 1875 to March 5, 1876, when he supplied various pulpits, decided not to accept a call to Walpole. Massachusetts, and had temporary charge of the pulpit of the Unitarian church at Melrose ; the ninth, when he was pastor pro tem. at Harrison Square, March 5 to June 4, 1876: the tenth, June 4, 1876. to June 1, 1890, when he was pastor and senior pastor at Harrison Square. This church was formerly called the "Third Uni- tarian Society in Dorchester." He began his service as regular pastor June 4, 1876. On October 13, 1878, he preached a sermon on the thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of the Harrison Square Church, in which he spoke of the church's history and gave some personal recollections of its nastors. This sermon was printed. April 21, 1890, Mr. Bradlee sent his resignation to the prudential committee of the Harrison Square Church, to take effect June 1. after eleven years service as pastor and three additional years as senior pastor.
In the spring of 1890 Dr. Bradlee gener- ously offered to the Norfolk Unitarian Church, a new church that had been formed in Dor- chester, his services for one year as pastor. The society was organized in the autumn of 1889. This was the "eleventh period" of his ministry. On October 30. 1890, one year and sixteen days after the society's organization, a newly built chapel was dedicated. On June 11. 1801, Tufts College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Late in 1891. Dr. Bradlee told the committee of the Norfolk Church that he must retire from the charge of the church at the close of the sec- ond year of his service as pastor. The so- ciety had been blessed with a remarkable growth.
The "twelfth period" of Dr. Bradlee's min-
1
2675
MASSACHUSETTS.
istry was spent in semi-retirement from June 1, 1892, to April 9, 1893. For nearly a year he rested from pastoral cares, spending much time in the preparation of a second volume of sermons which he was to publish in Decem- ber, 1893. On April 3, 1893, he received an invitation to take temporary charge of Christ's Church, Longwood, and his service was brought to a close there May 1, 1897. It was the intention of the committee of the church to have the parish elect Dr. Bradlee pastor emeritus of the society. The following no- tice was sent to each member of the society, which was called the Second Unitarian So- ciety in Brookline: "You are requested to as- semble in the church immediately after the service on Sunday, May 2, 1897, to take ap- propriate action on the retirement of Dr. Brad- lee from the pastorate of this society, and the proposition to elect him pastor emeritus of the society. Per order of the Prudential Com- mittee. Geo. P. Furber. Clerk. April 26, 1897." This proposition was known to Dr. Bradlee, and was a source of great joy to him. It had been his wish that, when the end of his ministry came, it might be his fortune to sus- tain the relation of pastor emeritus to the last society over which he had been settled. The day appointed for the conferring of this honor was one day too late. When it arrived, he was gone to the heavenly home. The end of his Longwood pastorate was the end of his earthly ministry.
Dr. Bradlee was a good student from the days of his youth on through his active life. His mind was synthetic rather than analytic. He was rather impatient of details, and in- tuitively grasped conclusions that were after- ward verified in his experience and in that of other men. God. Christ, duty and immortal- ity were divine realities in his thought, and he had the power of carrying his convictions into the hearts and lives of others. His religion was to love God and man. His sermons were practical rather than theological. Many souls were deeply touched by his preaching, and he received many confessions of personal in- ‹1ebtedness for new hopes and better life from those who have been helped by his spoken word. He was always particularly interested in historical and philosophical studies. His classical knowledge was full and accurate, and he read and wrote French and Italian with some fluency. He was extremely sympa- thetic in his disposition. All sorrow appealed to him, and the trials of his friends were borne as if they were his own. He was es-
pecially sought for in cases of bereavement, and always had the right word to speak. His very presence in the house of mourning threw light upon the cloud, and many will remember the days upon which he entered their homes to speak words of comfort and peace such as are given to few to utter. He attended seven hundred and eighty-four funerals in the course of his ministry, and officiated at exactly the same number of baptisms. He also offici- ated at three hundred and forty marriages. His tastes and habits of life were simple. After serious losses in the great Boston fire in 1872, his only regret was that for a time the list of his charities must be curtailed. No life was ever lived on this earth that presents a better illustration of altruism than does his own. He held his fortune as a trust from God, of which he was a steward. Hospital- ity was one of his prominent characteristics. Children loved him and were loved by him. He was full of charity for the wrong-doer. He distinguished between the sin and the sinner, and his contempt for the one never overcame his love for the other. He was a wise counsellor in financial matters, and in many ways disclosed the possession of facul- ties the exercise of which made him a success- ful business man. This ability he inherited from a line of ancestry full of sagacity and in- tegrity.
Early in life Dr. Bradlee became interested in the work of historical societies, and from that beginning his interest grew in regard to the great literary societies of the world. He was a member of more than fifty societies of this character, and was in active correspond- ence with all of them, and made them the means of distributing literature and giving in- formation of an interesting character. Be- sides many which are not mentioned here, he was a member of the following societies : Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries. Copen- hagen, Denmark ; . Royal Asiatic Society. China, Branch Shanghai : Victoria Institute or Philosophical Society of Great Britain; and the following historical societies in the United States: New England, Rhode Island, Ver- mont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Chicago, Iowa, Wisconsin, Vir- ginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kansas, Minnesota, Old Colony, Dedham, Long Island, Essex In- stitute, Salem, Massachusetts, etc. He was also in correspondence with the librarians of a great number of libraries both in America and in Europe, and was constantly giving books to libraries. In the course of his life-
2676
MASSACHUSETTS.
time he gave away enough books to have made an enviable private library-books of great value, both ancient and modern. He was not a member of any secret societies, but had great sympathy with all the noble principles which underlie them. He found his social fel- lowship with the Boston Association of Min- isters, the Ministers' League, and the Harvard Divinity Unitarian Club. He was a member of the American Authors' Guild.
Dr. Bradlee published as follows: "Sermon after the Death of Rev. Richard Pike," 1863; "Sermon after the Death of President Lin- coln," 1865; "Sermon after the Death of the Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, D. D.," 1871; "Fare- well Sermon, Church of the Redeemer," 1872; "First Sermon to the Church of the Good Sa- maritan," Christian Unity Society, 1872; "Sermon after the Deaths of Millard Fillmore and Charles Sumner," 1874; Sermon, "The Teachings of the Mountains," 1876; "The Grand Hereafter," 1877; "Natural and Re- vealed Religion," 1878; "Recognition of Friends in Heaven," 1878; "A Slight Sketch of the History of Harrison Square Church," 1878; "Poems," Series No. 1, 1880; Series No. 2, 1880 ; Series No. 3. 1881 ; "Sermon after the Deaths of Francis Humphreys and Miss Mary C. Bisphan": "Brief Memoir of George H. Gay, M. D."; Sermon, "Jesus Christ Eternally Alive," 1888; volume of "Sermons for All Sects," 1888; volume of "Sermons for the Church," 1893. The manuscript was ready for a volume of sermons to be published in 1898, to be called "A Voice from the Pulpit." The poems written by Dr. Bradlee were : "God Knows Best," "Holy Waiting for the Right." "Who Shall Be Greatest?", In Me- moriam : Hon. Henry W. Longfellow, LL. D., Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, LL. D., O. W. Holmes ; "No Time for Anything." "A Sick Person's Prayer." "The White Mountains," "Night," "The Ocean," "President Garfield," "Oh That We Knew," "We Do Not Know," "A Day Lost," "Spring," "God's Christmas Gift," "In the Stillness of the Night," "Bap- tismal Hymn," "Palm Sunday," "Easter Poem," "Thoughts for Christmas," "Only a Little While, and We shall be with God," "Our Dear One Gone." The following ser- mons are selected from those which Dr. Brad- lee had prepared for the third volume of ser- mons, sermons of the Longwood pastorate. and were to have been published in 1898: "The Echoes of Goodness." "True Labor Reform," "New Year's Sermon," "Solid Goodness."
Dr. Bradlee married, June 7, 1855. Caroline
Gay, youngest child of George and Nancy (Lovering) Gay, of Boston, and sister of the well-known surgeon, Dr. George H. Gay. They had three children, only one of whom is now living-Mrs. Eliza Williams Bradlee Smith, who married, June 12, 1895, Walter Clark Smith, the ceremony being performed by Dr. Bradlee, with the assistance of his friend, Rev. James De Normandie. The wed- (ling took place in the library of the new home, "The Three Arches," on Fisher avenue, Brook- line, near the Chestnut Hill reservoir. Chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Helen Gay Smith, born December 14, 1896, Walter Brad- lee Smith, born October 5, 1900. The other two children of Dr. and Mrs. Bradlee died in infancy : Nancy Gay, born December 23, 1858, died September 4. 1859: Bertha, born Febru- ary 28, 1866, died the same day.
Dr. Bradlee passed away May 1, 1897. The funeral services were held May 5. A brief service was held at the family residence. The public services were at Longwood Church, and were conducted by Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D. D., and Rev. James De Normandie. Dr. Hale pronounced the eulogy, saying in part : "We are together as so many friends, each to testify to the love, respect, and the reverence with which we regarded him ; but we must not forget the thousands of others who so esteem him. No one has been taken from us who could call together from so wide ranges of life so many testimonies of love, respect and regard as Dr. Bradlee could. From his earl- iest life he was possessed of a determination to give himself singly and absolutely to the great work. This he did, despite his tastes for history, scientific investigation, etc. Through his all-pervading determination that Christ should reign in the world, he gained a curious breadth in catholicity." The interment was in the family lot at Mt. Auburn. The committal service there was read by Rev. Alfred Manchester.
The Christian Register of May 5, 1897, had the following article :
"The Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee died suddenly at his own home on Saturday evening. With a certain forecast, as It would seem, he had preached, only on the last Sunday before, his farewell sermon to the congregation at Christ Church. One wishes that in the last week he could have heard all the words of gratitude and sympathy which spoke of that sermon; and we cannot but believe that the lessons it enforces and the encouragement It gives will have worth all their own, now that we all know that we are not to hear his voice again.
"Dr. Bradlee had had a peculiar place among our clergy, because he had a gift which is only too
2677
MASSACHUSETTS.
rare. He had a singular power for the organization of churches-for bringing people together, and bind- ing them together for their own religious growth and for the good of others. In the first place, he believed in churches and their work through and through; and by ways unknown to some men, one would say, he made other people believe in churches. If you heard that Dr. Bradlee had expressed a willingness to take any new enterprise in hand, you knew it would succeed.
"Dr. Bradlee had associated himself with the grateful memory of many other churches. The Allen Street Congregational Church of Cambridge; the Church of Our Father, East Boston; The Church of the Redeemer, Boston; the Christian Unity Soci- ety, Boston; the church at Harrison Square; the Norfolk Street Church, Dorchester-all of them have been indebted to his fostering care. For the last two or three years he has been preaching at Christ Church in Longwood, and, as has been said, had the great satisfaction of addressing that united and prosperous congregation on the Sunday before his death. When he saw that a congregation was on its feet, and was able to provide for itself as an established congregation should, Dr. Bradlee would withdraw, would find other fields for his self-sacri- ficing effort, and would add another leaf to his laurels.
"Dr. Bradlee was a cordial and liberal assistant in the best works of charity which go to the bringing in of better life. He had great business ability, and it was always fortunate if he could be enlisted on a board of directors for work, however monot- onous, you were sure that this work would be well done. He was a careful student, and took especial interest in the fortunes and history of the unitarian movement. A volume of sermons, which he pub- lished not long since, shows very clearly the power by which he held congregations together and enlarged tliem. There is not a more 'readable' book of sermons among those which have been published in the last fifty years. He interests the hearers or the readers, and is not tempted by any temporary interest to speak upon petty subjects.
"Dr. Bradlee inherited from his father an inde- pendent fortune; but he dedicated his life, all the same, to the service of the church, in that commu- nion in which his conscience and faith made him so important a workman. For the important ser- vice which he had rendered to our communion in a hundred ways we have all reason to be grateful."
(For preceding generations see Samuel Lincoln 1).
(IV) William, son of Jedediah LINCOLN Lincoln, was born in Hingham, August 5, 1729, died November 17. 1792. He was a farmer and lived on Lincoln street, Hingham. His will was dated Novem- ber 4, 1792. He served as constable. He married Mary Otis, who died September 12, 1773. aged thirty-seven, daughter of Dr. Eph- raim and Rachel ( Hersey ) Otis, of Hingham. Children, born in Hingham: 1. William, July I, 1761 ; married, January 3, 1787, Joel Cush- ing. 2. Otis, September 17, 1763; removed to Perry. Maine. 3. Henry, November 3,
1765. mentioned below. 4. Solomon, August 22, 1767. 5. Frances, September 9, 1769; married, December 19, 1789, Francis Thaxter. 6. Christopher, August 29, 1772, died July 25, 1775.
(V) Rev. Henry, son of William Lincoln, was born in Hingham, November 3, 1765, died at Nantucket, May 28, 1857. He graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1786 and was ordained February 3, 1790. Ile was invited to settle at Falmouth in 1789 and ac- cepted. From his letter we quote: "Confi- dent from your expressions of friendship and affection toward me that you will ever cheer- fully contribute to my temporal support as circumstances shall require and never see me in distressed or embarrassed circumstances. May we be happy together, united in love and industriously strive together to advance each others temporal and spiritual interests. May I be so happy as to enjoy your prayers and good wishes and that candor that should ever subsist among Christian brethren. We are all imperfect creatures and therefore liable to err. Let us then cultivate mutual forbear- ance. My youth and inexperience have cer- tainly a Christian claim upon you all. In this respect then may I not be disappointed. From a consideration of my many imperfections and insufficiency for these things I am almost led to despair but trusting in Him who hath said 'My grace is sufficient for you,' I take courage and humbly- hope that the good spirit of the Lord will enable us to discharge the various duties incumbent on us to Him and one an- other in a humble and becoming manner. I am brethren with Christian affection and re- gard, your friend and humble servant." He was an able and faithful minister, and at the time of his death was the oldest pastor in Massachusetts excepting Rev. Jacob Norton, of Billerica. He married Susanna Crocker, daughter of Timothy Crocker, of Falmouth, April 26, 1789-90. She died July 29, 1817, aged fifty-one years. He was of attractive personality, neat in attire, a typical gentleman of the old school. Children: 1. Frances, born 1790. 2. William Henry, 1792, drowned early. 3. Susan, 1794. 4. Mary Ann, April 18, 1796, married Dr. Elisha P. Fearing, of Nantucket. 5. Henry, June 13, 1798, men- tioned below. 6. John, 1800. 7. William, March 8, 1808.
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.