USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Holliston > Genealogical register of the inhabitants and history of the towns of Sherborn and Holliston, 1856 > Part 42
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sherborn > Genealogical register of the inhabitants and history of the towns of Sherborn and Holliston, 1856 > Part 42
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1770 .- Jan. Joseph Bacon was engaged to enlarge the meeting house, and £150 lawful money granted to him, as a full compensation. " This was done by sawing the house in two in the middle, moving the western half to the distance desired, and connecting the two parts to- gether by a new piece."
302
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
1770 .- July 9. Voted to have the Committee Ingage Mr. Brown four Saboths more than they have already.
August 27 .- Voted that the town ware determined to come to the choice of a minister before they heard any more on probation ; and that the committee Imploy Mr. Brown till the town come to the choice, and voted £30 to pay for preaching.
Sept. 19 .- The town concurred with the Church by choosing Rev. Elijah Brown their Gospell minister by a majority of votes. Granted £160 settlement ; £73 6s. 4d. pr. annum salary. Chose a committee to Joyn with the Churches committee to treat with Rev. Elijah Brown.
Nov. 8 .- Voted that the last Wednesday of this instant Novr. be the day for the ordination of Rev. Elijah Brown; chose Dr. Leavit to en- tertain the Counsel. Also voted that the town will not make a publick entertainment.
1771 .- Jan. 21. Chose a committee to make application to the Hon. and Rev. Board of Overseers of Harvard College for the neces- sary expence of the Resettlement of a minister.
March 4 .- Granted to Samuel Sanger for keeping ministers horses £2 6s. to Dr. Josiah Levet for providing for ordination £10 2s. 8d.
1772 .- March 2. Voted to have the town Treasurer let out the money granted by the Corporation of Harvard Collidge and the Province Treasurer to the town, on good security ; being in all £51 7s. 4d.
1774 .- May 19. The following men were chosen a committee of correspondence, Rev. Samuel Locke, Capt. Richard Sanger, Capt. Joseph Twitchell, Mr. Samuel Bullard, Mr. Daniel Whitney, Mr. Ben- jamin Fasset and Mr. Jedediah Phipps.
July 8th. The Selectmen and commissioned officers examined and tried the Town's stock of Ammunition and there is 200 lbs. of Powder, 150 lbs. of Bullets and 295 flints. One cask of powder bought A. D. 1702, one do. 1722, 1 do. without date, two do. 1774. Lead 200 lbs. bought, Sept. 1774.
August 24 .- Chose Capt. Richard Sanger, Mr. Samuel Bullard and Mr. Benjamin Fasset to meet committees of the several towns in this county, on the 30th instant.
Sept. 20. Mr. Samuel Bullard and Mr. Jonathan Lealand were chosen a committee to send to Concord. Voted to git a six pound field piece, or cannon, and chose Joshua Lealand, Daniel Whitney and Ben- jamin Bullard to procure it. Granted £18 to procure said piece and necessaries.
Oct. 18 .- Voted to accept the three pieces of cannon, which the com- mittee procured instead of a six pounder, that the committee prove them at the town's expence, and fire the biggest as soon as may be, with all the necessaries that may be needed.
1775 .- Jan. 9. Chose Mr. Benjamin Fasset and Capt. Richard Sanger to represent the town in Congress at Cambridge, on the 1st day of February next. Voted to consent to the Resolves of the Continen- tal and Provincial Congresses-to give a bounty to encourage the raising
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
of sheep and flax-that the Constables pay the Province money to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow-to choose a committee of Inspection, to see that the Resolves of the Congress be complied with.
Feb. 6 .- Chose a Committee of five to receive donations and sub- scriptions for the poor people of Boston.
March 6 .- Voted that those that have and shall enlist as minute men, to the number of fifty-three be a company intire by themselves-to grant ££8 to provide ammunition for the cannon-that the cannon be under the care and direction of the militia officers of this town ; that the cannon be shot three times with powder and ball at the cost of the town.
May 24 .- Chose Daniel Whitney, Esq., to represent the town in Congress at Watertown, to be held on 31st instant.
Oct. 2d .- Granted £30 for the support of the poor of Boston.
1776 .- March 5. Voted to choose a committee of five to procure places for the poor of Boston to live in.
May 21 .- Voted, that if the Hon. Continental Congress should in their wisdom declare the Colonies independent of great Britain, we, the inhabitants of the town of S. will, with our lives and fortunes, endeavour to support them in that measure ; and we do hereby instruct Mr. Daniel Whitney, now Chosen our representative for the year ensuing to act in conformity to the above said vote.
July 5 .- Voted to give £7 per man, in addition to the bounty that is given by the colony, to twenty one men that shall enlist to go to Canada.
August 26 .- The last vote was reconsidered. Voted that the Select- men procure a hospital for inoculating for Small-pox, if they can get liberty from the court.
1776 .- Nov. 28. Voted that the present General Court of this State should form such a Constitution and form of Government, as they judge will most conduce to the happiness, peace and safety of the In- habitants thereof, and that the same be made publick for the inspection and approbation of the Inhabitants of this State, before the ratification thereof.
" The votes of the Inhabitants of this town, during the whole of the re- volutionary struggle, prove that they were animated, to a high degree with that spirit which achieved our independence.
As soon as the news reached them of the massacre at Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775, the minute men proved themselves worthy of their title, by marching immediately to meet the assailants, and the rest of the able bodied men, of all ages, followed with all possible alacrity. But the distance was so great and the route of the enemy so uncertain, that they had not the satisfaction of meeting and helping to chastise them. They, however, furnished their quota to assist in the besieging of Boston ; and a number of them displayed their heroism in the battles of Bunker Hill," White Plains, and Brandywine. Seven brothers, the sons of Mr. Samuel Clark, (p. 60, No. 11,) enlisted as soldiers, and served, on an average, over three years per man. Other instances of
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
remarkable devotion to freedom's cause might be cited, but it is decmed impracticable to ascertain the names or number of all from S. who served in that war.
1786 .- This year was remarkable on account of an insurrection, called " Shays' rebellion." On this occasion the inhabitants of S. proved themselves to be firm friends of liberty and order, by readily furnishing their portion of officers and privates, to join the troops under the command of General Lincoln.
" Mr John Ware of S. acted as adjutant in this expedition. Being sent with orders to a distance from Lincoln's army, he stopped for refresh- ment, at a tavern in, or near Brookfield, where there happened to be a small party of insurgents, who took him prisoner and confined him in an upper room of the house, while they kept guard below. In the course of the day, Ware saw from his prison a company of cavalry approaching, which he soon recognized as being on the side of government. He hailed them from a window of his apartment and made them acquainted with his situation. The house was immediately surrounded, the Shaysites surrendered at discretion, and W. was enabled to accomplish the object of his mission."
1787 .- Dec 10. Daniel Whitney, Esq. was chosen a delegate to represent the town in the convention, to be holden in Boston, on the 2d Wednesday of January next, for the purpose of approving, or disap- proving the Constitution, or Frame of Government for the United States of America. Voted to give the delegate instructions, which conclude thus :
" But, sir, we mean not to give you positive instructions, relative to your voting for or against the reported Constitution. When assembled, you will have the collected wisdom of the State before you ; will hear all that can be said on the subject, and consequently be able to form a judicious opinion. And having the fullest confidence in your political wisdom, integrity and patriotism, we cheerfully, on our part, submit the all important question to your decision. And we beseech the Allwise Governor of the world to take the Convention under his holy influence, that so the result may be the best good of the people of the United States of America."
" This truly honorable member was one of the majority, who voted in favour of this truly invaluable instrument."
1793 .- Dec. 2d. A vote was asked whether the town will accept of the bell, on the terms proposed by the subscribers, viz. That the town shall hang the said bell handsomely, and cause it to be rung, as usual in towns ; then said bell to remain for the use of the town, so long as they shall remain a religious society. Passed in the affirmative.
1797 .- Nov. 6. Voted to make up the wages of the militia, that shall be detached from this town, according to a resolve of Congress, in expectation of a war with France, ten dollars a month, provided they march, and also $1 bounty, whether they march or not, for non-commis- sioned officers and privates. Also to give them $2 more bounty, if they march out of the Commonwealth.
305
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
The following acts of the Town, from June, 1731, to Aug., 1734, accidentally omitted on p. 299, should be there read in the order of dates.
[1731 .- June 16. A committee of three, viz., Deacon Greenwood, William Lealand and John Holbrook, to take care for the supply of the pulpit, untill ye Town Com into Sum other method ; Then was granted the sum of Fifty pounds for the Supply of ye Pulpit.
Sept. 27 .- It was put to vote which of the Gentlemen who had of late supplyed the pulpit, they wold here further in ye Supply of ye Pulpit, if they might be obtained, And Mr Uarney had the majority of votes.
Dec. 10 .- Granted the sum of Sixty Pounds for the Support, and to pay those ministers which supply the Pulpit with preaching.
1731-2 .- Jan. 26. It being tryed by a vote whether ye Town in- clined to hire som other Gentleman in the pulpit, and it passed fully in the affirmative.
1732 .- April 25. The Churches choice of Rev. John Warren to be their Gospil minister was presented to the Town for their Concurrance. And the Town by a full Vote accepted of the Churches Choice ; And Lt. Joseph Ware, Dea. Greenwood and Samuel Holbrook, ware Chosen a Committee to Treat with Mr. John Warren, and report what the Town has dun, &c. At this meeting twenty six voters entred their dis- sent to the above proceedings, said meeting being counted irregular and Not Legal. And they observe Further more, We do not Concur with the Choice of the Church this Day.
Oct. 12 .- Then it was put to the town to know their minds, whither they would accept of the Churches Choice of ye Rev. Mr. Ward Cotton to be their Gospel Minister, and the town unanimously manifested their ac- ceptance of the Churches choice, of the Reverend gentleman aforesaid, by written votes. The town made choice of a committee to join with that of the church, to treat with Mr. Cotton, &c. Nothing further ap- pears respecting Mr. Cotton on the records. At this meeting the town voted one hundred and twenty pounds, to supply the town with preach- ing, &c.
1733 .- June 14. At said meeting, Mr. Nathaniel Walter was chosen the Gospel minister of said Church and town by a majority of votes- Also, a committee was chosen to treet with Mr. Walter, &c. Nothing further respecting Mr. W. on record.
Sept. 28th .- At a meeting of the Church in Sherborn, with the rest of the freeholders, and other Inhabitants of said Town, Duly qualified to vote in Town affairs, and to joyn Ishue, or Concur With, the Church in the choice of a Gospel minister-The Church and Town Unanimously voted . and made choice of Ebenezer Hancock to be their Gospel minister, and a committee was chosen to Give him an Invitation or call to settle with us in the Work and service, &c. Nothing is further recorded of Mr. Hancock.
1734 .- April 25. The Church and town by a Unanimous Vote made choice of Mr. Samuel Porter to be their Gospel Minister, and voted three hundred pounds in Bills of Publick credit towards his Settlement.
6
306
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
Also, voted one hundred and thirty pounds per annum for his Salary in Bills of credit on this province, according to their present value : and to rise and fall as Silver money doth With the Marchants of this pro- vince-Provided he Settle with us, in the Gospel ministry, and so long as he Continues in the Same.
Mr. John Holbrook, Capt. John " Death, Lieut. Isaac Coolidge, Mr. James Whitney & Ensign Eleazer Fairbanks, were Chosen a Committee to joyn with the Churches Committee, To Treet with the Reverd. Gentlm. Chosen as afore sd., And to give him an Invitation, or call to Settle in Said Town, in the Work and Service of the Gospel Ministry.
July 16 .- Voted that the Revd. Mr. Samuel Porter's Yearly Salary Shall be one hundred and Thirty ounces of Silver, or the amount thereof in Bills of Public Credit, And the Salary Annually to Rise and fall ac- cording to the Standard of Silver money at Twenty Shillings per ounce.
August 20 .- The Church and Town Voted that the fourth Wednes- day in October next, Shall be the Day appointed to ordain the Revd. Mr. Samuel Porter, and granted Twenty five pounds, to be Levied on Polls and Estats by Way of vote, according to the rules prescribed in the Law for the Support of the Ministers and Messingers at the or- dination, &c.]
1807 .- Voted to give the officers and soldiers, that are or may be detached, as our proportion of one hundred thousand militia, ordered by the President of U. S., to be detached and held in readiness to mareli at a moment's warning, at the rate of $12 per month, including the pay allowed them by the U. S., provided they are called into actual service.
1808 .- Dec. 11. Voted to allow and pay to the officers and soldiers that were detached, in the course of the present month, as our propor- tion of one hundred thousand militia, &c., such sums, as shall, together with the pay allowed them by the U. S., be equal to $12 per month, during the time they shall be in actual service.
1809 .- August 22. From this time the " PARISH RECORDS " have been kept in a book, separate from the TOWN RECORDS.
1814 .- August 29. Voted to hire some person to assist the Revd. Elijah Brown, in the discharge of his ministerial duties, during his feeble state of health, and granted $100 for this purpose.
1814 .- Voted to allow and pay to the soldiers that are or may be detached from this town, previous to the first Monday of March next, to serve in the armies of the U. S. such sums as shall, together with the pay allowed them by the State and General government, be equal to $15 per month during the time they shall be in actual service. Also voted to pay the commissioned and non-commissioned officers, the same sum granted to the soldiers, in addition to the pay allowed them by the State and General government.
1815 .- May 23. Voted to raise $240 for hiring Preaching.
1816 .- March 4. A vote similar to the above was past, money granted and a committed chosen to hire preaching.
Septr. Monday the day of-A vote was asked whether the Parish would concur with the Church of Christ in this place, in giving the
*
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
Revd. Ephraim Randall an invitation to settle with them, as their Gos- pel minister, and it passed in the negative.
Nov. 4 .- Voted and granted $75 to defray the expences of the Funeral of the late Revd. Elijah Brown.
1816 .- Nov. 25. Shearjashub Bourne Townsend, a native of Bar- rington, R. I., and graduate of Brown University, 1814, was chosen by a vote of the church to be their pastor.
Dec. 16 .- The parish voted to concur with the church in calling Mr. S. B. Townsend to settle with them, as their gospel minister. Three hundred dollars were granted to be paid him within one year from the time of his settlement ; the further sum of $300 in two years from that time ; and $600 annually.
1817 .- June 9. The parish voted to concur with the church in ap- pointing the second day of July next for the ordination of Mr. Towns- end, who was then ordained.
1828 .- August 25. Voted that the Parish Committee in concur- rence with Rev. Mr. Townsend be directed to hire a minister, to supply the pulpit, during Mr. Townsend's inability to discharge his ministerial duties ; and that they draw on the Treasurer for money to defray the expense to an amount, not exceeding $100.
1829 .- July 1. " Gentlemen, Selectmen of the Town of Sher- born-
Having, after serious consideration, come to the conclusion to resign my Salary at the close of this year of my Ministry, I take this method of signifying my determination to you, and through you to the People at a convenient opportunity. The occasion would prompt me to say much ; but my strength admonishes me to leave my motives to be chiefly interpreted by my past conduct and my known sentiments. The People will not be insensible, that I voluntarily remit what, if I live, I might long and legally retain. I see no reasonable prospect that I shall within several years, if ever, be able to perform the regular and necessary duties of the stated ministry, even on the supposition that I should live and my health be much improved.
I deem it my duty to say that I hope it will be considered one of my principal reasons for adopting the present measures, that the Church and people may have an early opportunity of concurring in the choice of a Christian Pastor and Teacher, before discord shall invade and divide a People hitherto noted for Peace.
If I make any sacrifice by this relinquishment, all I wish for myself in return is the affectionate remembrance of this People, and the perma- nent effect of my labors among them. I am sensible of many errors and deficiencies ; I ask their forgiveness. And I shall cherish as long as life a deep sense of their past generosity and friendship.
I am yours, Gentlemen, with respect and affection.
SHERJASHUB B. TOWNSEND.
" P. S. As I have delayed till this time to make this communica- tion, I have engaged Rev. Mr. Clarke to preach for three succeeding Sabbaths.
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
If any explanation of the above is required, it will be understood, that I desire to retain a nominal relation to this Society as Minister ; and a Person settled would therefore be settled as colleague. But he would have all the compensation to receive, and, except what might be voluntary on my part, he would have all the ministerial duties to perform."
July 20 .- Voted to discharge Rev. Mr. Townsend partially from his . official duties-upon the conditions expressed in the above communication.
In the autumn of this year, Mr. T. and his wife went on a journey for the benefit of his health ; first to Charleston, S. C., and thence to St. Augustine, in Florida, where he died without issue. He had for- merly been a tutor in Brown University. He possessed a mind of a high order, though subject at times to partial alienation. Of his benev- olence and piety none qualified to judge could doubt.
1830,-March 22. Rev. AMOS CLARKE, was invited by a vote of the church and congregation united,* to become the Associate Pastor, with the Rev. Mr. Townsend, over this Society.
June 7 .- Voted that the Parish Committee be requested to write to the Rev. Mr. Townsend, our senior Pastor, and express to him our sym- pathy and sorrow for the continuance of his indisposition ; our gratitude for the magnanimous sacrifice he has made by relinquishing his salary, to promote our union and harmony ; and our anxious desire for his res- toration to health and his early return to his People :- and also to make him particularly acquainted with all the important circumstances, that have taken place in the Parish during his absence.
August 18 and 19 .- This Society raised a meeting-house which was finished in December following. It is 83 by 48 feet, containing 78 pews on the ground floor and 6 in the gallery, besides seats for mu- sicians. The architecture of this house exhibits a happy union of sim- plicity and elegance. On Lord's day, Dec. 26, of the same year, pub- lic worship was attended, for the last time, and an interesting and in- structive sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Clarke, in the old meeting- house, which had been devoted to that purpose, for more than a cen- tury. On Wednesday, the 29th of the same month and year, the new house, erected within a few feet of the old one, was solemnly dedicated to the worship of GOD.
On the 10th of February, 1830, a petition to William Harriss, Esq., or either of the Justices of the Peace, in the town of Natick, was signed by twelve of the male inhabitants of the town of Sherborn, in behalf of a majority of the church, and a minority of the congregation, requesting that " a warrant may be issued, in due form of law, for the purpose of forming a Second religious Congregational Society, in said town " A warrant was accordingly issued, on the next day, by Sam- uel Fisk, Esq., of Natick ; and, on the 22d of the same month and year, the Society was duly organized.
This division of the parish, so lamentable in itself, and of the neces- sity of which doubts may be honestly entertained, had quite a majority
* Was not this an innovation on the usage of the church and parish ? See pp, 300, 302, 305-307.
Wany Truly your!
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
of the Church ; and as they retained the previous forms of government and belief, they must be considered as the original Puritan Church of 1685, and the rightful depositaries of the records of that body.
On the 8th of July following, this society raised the frame of a meeting-house, on a rising piece of ground, about 40 rods S. E. of Meeting-house Hill. This house is 60 by 16 feet, contains 64 pews on the floor, and a gallery for musicians. It is a pleasing specimen of plain and neat architecture. The congregation worshipping in this house, styled the Trinitarian Church and Society, Sept. 30, 1830, called Mr. Samuel Lee, ; who graduated 1827 at Yale College, and sub- sequently at the Theological Seminary at New Haven. He was installed Nov. 4th following. Mr. Lee, after a successful ministry of some years, was succeeded as pastor of this church by Mr. Smith, now Professor in Bangor Theological Seminary, who was succeeded by Edmund Dowse, the present minister.
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
27. 22. * Adam Bullard, H. U., 1742, d. about 1748, at Halifax, N. S. 197. 8. * William Phipps, H. U., 1746, d. 1798, a.
64. 33. * Hezekiah Coolidge, H. U., 1750, d. 1761, at Crown Point. 191. 22. * Joseph Perry, H. U., 1752, d. 1755, pr. in Ct. * Eliab Stone, H. U., 1758, d. 1822, minister in Reading, Ms. 235. 26. * Zedekiah Sanger, H. U., 1771. S. T. D. 1820.
* Enoch Whipple, H. U., 1779.
158. 25 .?* Samuel Kendall, H. U., 1782. S. T. D. d. 1814. Min- · ister of Weston, Mass.
254. 9. * Henry Ware, H. U., 1785. S. T. D. d. 1845.
90. 5. * Aaron Gardner, B. U., 1799, r. a Teacher on Long Island, N. Y.
18. 1}. * Elijah Brown, H. U., 1804, d. 1805.
18. 13. * Henry Brown, H. U., 1804, d. 1810. 60. 20. * Amos Clarke, H. U., 1804.
254. 11. Ashur Ware, H. U., 1804, LL.D.
+Rev. Samuel Lee6 [now pastor of a Chh. in New Ipswich, N. H.,] was b. 1 m. S. of the meeting house in Kensington, Berlin, Ct., Mar. 3, 1803, the s. of Samuel L.5 (b. Oct. 2, 1757, d. Mar. 31, 1803), by w. Sarah Burnet, (m. 1794, d. Mar. 23, 1830,) who m. Jly. 1810, Nathan Boardman of W.field, Middletown, Ct., with whom her son was brought up. Mr. L.6 was the grd. s. of Dea. John Lee,4 of Christian lane, Kensington, (b. Apl. 22, 1725, d. 1796,) by w. Sarah Cole, (m. May 7, 1752,) and the gr. grd. s. of Dea. Jona. L.3 of the same place, in K. (b. Mar. 20, 1686, d. June 16, 1758), by w. Mary Root, (m. June 4, 1713), and the gr. gr. grd. s. of John L.2 of Farmington, (b. June 11, 1659, d. Apl. 24, 1723), by w. Elizabeth Loomis, (m. Dec. 27, 1682) ; and gr. gr. gr. grd. s. of John Lee,1 the Puritan, who arrived early at Hartford, m. Mary Hart, dg. of Dea. Stephen Hart, became one of the 61 proprietors of Farmington, where he settled in 1640, and with his wife joined the chh. 1660. He built his house S. of the meeting-house, on the site of a brick building, occupied as a boarding-house of a fem. sem.
Mr. Lee6 m. Nov. 3, 1834, Emily Fiske, dg. of Dea. Samuel F., of Natick, who d. Mar. 5, '43 ; and 2d, Lydia Coggswell Wentworth, dg. of Paul W., Esq., of Concord, N. H., Jan. 14, 1846, who d. Mar. 6, '55; and had
1. Sarah Fiske,7 Sep. 14. '38; 2. Samuel W.,7 Sep. 12, '47; 3. John W.,7 Apl. 3, '52; 4. Geo. Wm.,7 June 20, '55. Deceased.
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
149.143. * Moses Holbrook, H. U., 1808, d. about 1745.
156. 53. * Artemas Johnson, B. U., 1808.
244. 14. Ebenezer Stone, B. U., 1820.
167. * Dexter Leland, B. U., 1822.
238. 51. Elbridge Sanger, entered B. U. 1822, left 1824, from a defect in hearing.
165. 56. Augustin Leland, B. U., 1834, d. 1836.
167. Francis Leland, B. U., 1838.
61. 32 .? Samuel Clarke, Y. C., 1836.
95. 4. Alfred Grout, Y. C., 1854, son of Nathan G., and now a Student at Law.
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