USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Historical address delivered at Palmer, Mass., July 5, 1852, in commemoration of centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town > Part 5
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
On the 23d of January, 1847, a church was formed at Thorndike Village, by members of this church, who enjoyed at first the pastoral Services of Rev. N. E. Cobleigh. In about a year the membership numbered sixty. Mr. C. was followed by Rev. Wm. M. Hubbard, and he by Rev. Mr. Atkins. As the adjustment of a series of diffi-
-
44
culties passed through by the Thorndike organization, the two societies came together and formed one large church and congregation, sus- taining public worship at the Town Hall, located between the two villages.
B. THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE.
As was the case in nearly all the towns of New England, so here, immediately after the settlement was commenced by the principal col- ony, the inhabitants turned their thoughts and care to provide for the preaching of the gospel, and the erection of a house of worship. Their particular and anxious interest in this matter formed a distin- guishing trait in their character. In the Legislative Committee's Report of 1733, before alluded to, it was enjoined upon the persons then residing here, "to build a meeting-house within two years." The Proprietors, therefore, made arrangements for building their church as early as August of that year, by voting money for that ob- ject. The size of the house determined upon was 30 by 36 feet, and the place first selected was "near James Lamberton's fence, by the pine tree marked II., standing on the north side of the path." These specifications, though sufficient to designate the locality at that day, are not definite enough to enable us to fix upon the place now. The people, however, were greatly divided in reference to the most suitable or convenient spot for the meeting-house ; and differed so widely, in their plans for its location, that the site was changed several times. At last, to make a final adjustment of the vexed question, the proprie- tors, at a meeting held February 10, 1735, voted " that every person, proprietor or grantee, shall enter with the clerk, or bring in his vote therein, naming a spot to set the meeting-house on ; and that the two spots which shall be the highest in nomination, shall be put to a lot, for a final determination." This vote was duly carried out, when " it appeared that a spott on ye knowl near Crawford's house, and a spott on ye east side of Cedar Swamp Brook, on ye North side of ye
45
road near where Wm. Kelson's hay-stack stood, were the two spots highest in nomination." The papers for " the lott " were then pre- pared, and Rev. John Harvey, their minister, was sent for to draw the lot ; who, after solemn prayer, performed that service, and thus settled the disputed and vexatious matter. The locality thus decided upon by an appeal to the providence of God,- for even the heathen, as in case of Jonah's shipmates, looked upon the casting of the lot as a sacred thing and a direct address to heaven,-was the same as that on which the meeting-house stood for more than a century, and which formed the centre of the town.
The people forthwith proceed to erect the house, taking suitable timber, by common consent, wherever they could find it; and without giving any recompense to the owners of the land from which it was cut. The raising of the meeting-house, small as its dimensions ap- pear to us, and indifferent as we look upon such matters now, was a great event in those days,- quite an era in their life ! A special oc- casion was made of it,- a sort of holiday affair. The town appro- priated &7, " to make provision for raising the meeting-house ;" and a committee was appointed " to make provision of drink and cakes suitable, and to order and dispose of the same at the time of the raising." This building, like most houses of public worship in the country towns at that time, had only square pews adjoining the walls, for the principal families ; the rest of the audience being accommodated, not with well cushioned seats, but with hard benches ranged close together in the body of the house. But even in that day of plain- ness and poverty, there was some taste displayed in adorning the preacher's desk ; for August 7, 1733, " the sum of £5, 2s, was ex- pended for a cushion for the pulpit." A great oak tree used to stand in front of the church. The outside door of the building, like the rest of the houses in the parish, was fastened with a wooden latch on the inside, to be pulled up with a string ; or when that was gone, raised by a stick run through an aperture made for that purpose. The comfort of a warm house in winter was a thing unknown in those primitive days, for stoves and furnaces had not yet been invented. It was so cold that during the winter months, only one sermon was preached on the Sabbath ; and even then they would sometimes get so benumbed, and stamp so hard to keep themselves warm, that the minister would be obliged to suspend the services and dismiss the as- sembly. On tedious stormy sabbaths the scanty congregation used
46
to adjourn from the meeting-house to the tavern, and the preacher would take the bar for his pulpit.
As was then customary, there was a huge " sounding-board " sus- pended over the head of the minister, which seemed to serve no other purpose than to awaken sundry speculations in the minds of the youthful, and perhaps not too devotional part of the assembly, as to what the probable fate of the minister would be if it should fall ! There appears, also, to have been a gallery at the end of the house over the entrance, in which the choir sat ; and where the young men and maidens loved to congregate. The proprieties of the place and of the service were not always duly kept, then as now ; but an ex- pedient was resorted to, which served to allay the mirthful tendencies of the young and buoyant worshippers. October 1, 1750, Messrs. " John Webber and Matthew Hutchins," two of the worthy and se- date patriarchs of the place, were appointed a committee "to sit in the gallery amongst the young people, to inspect their carriage that they may not profane the Sabbath in the time of worship."
Though there was a choir in those days, it was rather to assist the congregation in singing, than to do it all for them as the incongruous custom is now. The singing, for a long time, was conducted after the manner usually called " Deaconing ;" i. e., by the Deacon, or Precentor as he was sometimes styled, reading the psalm or hymn line by line ; and the whole assembly, so far as they were able, aided by the choir, singing it thus piecemeal. In the latter part of the year 1761, soon after the settlement of Mr. Baldwin, a Committee was appointed " to repair and finish the meeting-house," for which laudable purpose £20 were raised. An additional sum of " 20 shill- ings " was appropriated to " Ens'n Ephraim Gates, for which he was to remove back and make narrower the pulpit, minister's pew, and stairs, with the deacon's seat, and make the pulpit lower ; all to be done without damage to the work, or without making it look worse than it does now !"
The following June, £50 more were raised to complete the needful work, and in September £9, 1s, Gp, 3f, were added ; and the Com- mittee were instructed " to new shingle the roof of the house, clapboard anew the outside, and make new window frames in a handsome size, and glaze the same with glass 8 x 6, and renew the fore-door and sill that is rotten." They were, also, " to proceed to the inside, and new lay such places in the floor as should need it, and make new seats in
47
the body " [of the house. ] They were " to make scats in the gal- lery, with one row of small pews all round the back side of the gallery, . in as convenient a manner as possible." The pews on the ground floor were assigned to the inhabitants of the town, according to the valuation of the real and personal estate of each "head of a family, paying also a small regard to age." In " finishing the meeting. house," the singular provision was made that " the proprietor of any pew, having no part of a window against it, may have liberty to make a window against it, equal in size with the other windows of the house, and finish it, outside and in, handsomely and well; and also keep said window in repair during the whole of the time he or they own the pew." Whether any one availed himself of this unusual and very accommodating liberty, does not appear; but the meeting-house, thus rejuvenated, seems to have served them for another generation. Originally built about the year 1733, it was occupied as the only place of worship for sixty-five years, for at that time every family in the town belonged to the parish, except three who were Baptists. At the end of that period, a larger and more commodious house was erected, and the old church became a sort of town hall for the transac- tion of public business. Before it was thus superceded, however, it had become very much dilapidated ; and verified, though in a differ- ent sense from what was originally intended, the description which the Psalmist gives of the " tabernacles of the Lord," when he says : " Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts." . The " house swallows " used to be so numerous in the old church, that they disturbed the devotions of the assembled worshippers ; and made so much noise with their twittering and fluttering, that " Father Baldwin " could scarcely be heard, though he customarily spoke very loud.
But the " old meeting-house " passed away, like those who had gathered within its hallowed walls for divine worship ; but who, in the due course of nature, went the " way of all the earth." Reared amid the struggles and privations of the infant colony, it faithfully served two generations as " a place for prayer ;" and no doubt pure and acceptable worship ascended from that unpretending sanctuary to Him who " dwelleth not in temples made with hands ;" but who filleth immensity with his presence, and eternity past and future with his being. To many we doubt not, it proved a spiritual birth-place ;
48
and, as " of Zion it shall be said, 'This and that man was born in her,'" so of this church ; and though itself, and its appearance, and almost its remembrance, has ceased to exist on earth, it will forever be iden- tified as the scene of the spiritual conflicts and triumphs of many a human but now sainted soul. It will thus be " enshrined in the amber of celestial reminiscence." The deathless memory will hold it in its tenacious grasp, and its form and existence will therefore be immortal.
C. 1 THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
According to a vote of the town, the one hundredth anniversary of its incorporation, was observed by appropriate festivities at the Town Hall, July 5, 1852. The following account of the interesting exer- cises of that occasion, is taken chiefly from the " Palmer Journal," of July 10th, edited by Mr. GORDON M. FISK. The day was a bright and beautiful one ; and at an early hour the people began to gather at the Town House, so that by 10 o'clock, the hour appointed for the services, it was judged that nearly two thousand persons were assembled. A long procession of ladies and gentlemen was formed, under the direction of Dr. J. B. THOMAS, as Chief Marshal ; and escorted by the " Belchertown Brass Band," to a beautiful grove about a hundred rods distant, where the Address was delivered. The order of the Procession was as follows :-
Ist. The Belchertown Brass Band. 2d. Committee of Arrange- ments. 3d. President and Orator of the Day. 4th. Reader of the Declaration of Independence. 5th. Clergy. 6th. Invited Guests. 7th. Citizens.
On arriving at the grove the band played till the assembly were seated. The President, JOHN WARD, Esq., then called attention to the Exercises, which took place in the following order :-
I. Prayer by Rev. SAMUEL BACKUS, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and formerly pastor of the First Congregational Society in this Town.
II. National Hymn .- " Let every heart rejoice and sing."
49
III. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by F. T. WAL- LACE, Esq.
IV. Hymn .- " When stern oppression's iron rod."
['The singing was performed in an admirable manner by the Choir of the First Congregational Church.]
V. Address by Rev. THOMAS WILSON. Subject, - The History of the Town of Palmer.
VI. Music by the Band.
VII. Benediction, by Rev. J. W. MOWRY.
At the close of the services in the grove, the procession re-formed and marched to the Town House, where an excellent and bountiful repast had been provided under the cater-ship of Mr. CHARLES D. FOSTER, of the Thorndike Hotel. At the table, Rev. SYLVESTER HINE invoked the Divine blessing; and the company did ample jus- tice to the palatable viands.
After Dinner the President announced the reading of the Regular Toasts by F. T. WALLACE, Esq .- all of which were responded to with cheers and the booming of cannon.
1. The Day we Celebrate .- May each returning Anniversary, of the birth of our National Liberties, find us happy in their enjoyment, and impress us with gratitude to the men of '76 by whom they were achieved.
2. The President of the United States .- HON. MILLARD FILL- MORE.
3. The American Flag .- The sacred emblem of Liberty ; the free sons of Columbia will never suffer it to be disgraced :-
"The Star Spangled Banner, O long may it wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave !"
4. The Governor of the Commonwealth. - HIS EXCELLENCY, GEORGE S. BOUTWELL.
5. The Manufactories of Palmer .- Though the times are hard, they are bound to " go," while Jacob and Joseph grease the wheels.
[Referring to JACOB B. MERRICK and JOSEPH BROWN, Esqrs., Agents of the " Thorndike " and " Palmer " Manufacturing Com- panies.] -
6. Old Uncle Sam .- The great Uncle of all Uncles. He settles a dower of Liberty on all his nephews and nieces.
7. The Union of the States .- " The palladium of our National Independence ; the guarantee of our National Prosperity ; and the pledge of our National Glory."
4
50
8. The Palmer Declaration of Independence, June 17th, 1776 .- Though of less consequence to the world than our National Declara- tion, it demonstrates to us, with proud satisfaction, that while the people of Palmer were then ignorant of the deliberations of Congress, or the sanguinary conflict that day being waged on Bunker Hill, they, in a public meeting, pledged their lives and fortunes under the wis- dom of Congress, for National Freedom.
[This sentiment was received with three cheers. Historians may now make a note of the fact, that the citizens of Palmer made a Declaration of Independence, seventeen days before it was declared by the Continental Congress. ]
9. Uncle Sam's Family .- May they be content to hold their thirty-five farms with all future additions as tenants in common.
10. The State we live in -Old Massachusetts .- The land of our Pilgrim Fathers, and the spot where the first blood of the Revolution was shed. She stands a monument of American prosperity and Inde- pendence.
11. The Farmers of Palmer .- Though the township was once represented as a " very poor piece of land, and the hills high and mean," yet by their industry it has been made to yield abundantly ; and their fine portly figures are evidence that they have enough and some to spare.
12. The House we Dine in .- Though located between four villa- ges it belongs to none of them -it stands " alone in its glory."
After the reading of the Regular Toasts, the following volunteer sentiments were offered and speeches made, viz :-
By F. T. WALLACE, Esq.,-
The Clergy of Palmer .- Faithful sentinels on the watchtowers of Zion.
Rev. SAMUEL BACKUS, of Brooklyn, N. Y., arose, and said that he supposed some response to the sentiment just propounded might be expected from him. He was the senior clergyman present. He had been the minister of the town for ten years, while as yet they compos- ed but one religious Society. He rejoiced in the opportunity of being present on this interesting occasion, and felt disposed to do what he could for the gratification of his numerous friends now assembled. He remarked that though conscious of unworthiness as a minister of the Gospel, he had no delicacy in pronouncing the ministry itself worthy of high estimation. He said that in his view there was no arrogance in any man's exalting his profession, or his opinions. Yea, that he is warranted in speaking of them as the very best. For why
51
should not a man in selecting his calling, choose that which in the circumstances is the best ? Or why should any man adopt an opinion which for its truthfulness, may not challenge comparison with all other opinions, on the same subject, which can be named ? He could, there- fore, boldly say that he counted the ministry worthy of all honor, while he could claim no honor to himself.
Mr. B. proceeded to remark, that while this was so, he regarded the just influence of the ministry to be like that of women, silent and unperceived at the moment ; an influence, which by persuasive kind- ness, moulds and guides the habitudes of mind in the other sex. We have heard much of " woman's rights," and he would by no means have these rights denied or abridged. But then these are best main- tained by the kindly influence of the family. Let women in this way ' rule the men as absolutely as they please, and then let them leave it to the men to rule the world.
Here woman may make her influence so felt as to satisfy the largest ambition. But let not woman think to enlarge her powers by bustling and speech-making, and voting and fighting ; unless like grandmother Ferrell, of whom we have heard to-day, the door shall be besieged by a panther, a wild Indian, or a rum jug; with which, musket in hand, she may have occasion to hold grave debate on matters of life and death. So should, and so does, the good minister of Jesus Christ form those opinions, and establish those principles of action, from which the world takes its character and by which its destinies are de- cided. It is the work of the ministry to educate the mind and the heart.
This is not a fitting occasion to dwell on the great and holy ends, for the gaining of which the gospel ministry was chiefly designed. We talk now of the ministry as it acts on the affairs of this world. We speak of it as forming the community to purity, peace, intelligence and happiness. Take away from civilized society, all that has been woven and twisted into its texture by the quiet workings of the christian ministry, and you take away whatever it possesses of the power of self-government and the enjoyment of rational liberty.
While, therefore, Mr. President, we may be often ashamed of our- selves, we wish it to be known that we are never ashamed of our call- ing, and that we can most cordially reciprocate the sentiment that has been uttered.
In connection with a volunteer sentiment from one of the Commit-
52
tee, expressing the satisfaction of the assembly in the return of Mr. Backus to this field of his former labors, in order that he might par- ticipate in the festivities of this anniversary, Mr. B. made a grateful acknowledgement for the honor intended him. He spoke of the agreeable disappointment he had experienced in meeting so many well known faces, both here and in the different sanctuaries on the day previous, and that these countenances were so slightly changed in the intervening ten years. He expressed his high gratification at the cordial greetings and smiles of welcome with which he had invariably been met. He assured his hearers that he most heartily reciprocated their greetings, expressed his satisfaction in all their prosperity both temporal and spiritual, hoped they might thus, and more largely., con- tinue to prosper not only as living in themselves, but in their descen- dants till another century shall have passed away. Knowing, he said, that he should never again thus meet them, he affectionately bade them Farewell !
By MRS. FRANKLIN MORGAN,-
The Orator of the Day .- May his name be as fresh and enduring as the everlasting hills that surround us.
This called up Rev. THOMAS WILSON, who said :-
MR. PRESIDENT,- It is with sensitive yet grateful feelings, that I rise to respond to the flattering sentiment just offered. Though en- deared by many sacred and touching ties to a portion of this people,- with whom I have labored for a time in the precious 'and responsible work of the gospel ministry,- yet I claim no general remembrance save that which may arise from interest in my public labors. It is because the christian minister is identified with all that is good in any community, that he is deservedly held in such high esteem. The .prominence given him by common courtesy, is accorded mainly by respect to his official character ; however much he may also be endear- ed to a people by the individual traits of his own life. The ministry have ever exerted an important and extensive influence in this town. Our fathers, animated by their spirit and instructed by their ministra- tions, have left us a rich inheritance of political freedomn, sound morals and evangelical religion.
There have been a succession of ten ministers in this place, of the Presbyterian and Congregational order. The Church here was pri- marily Presbyterian, according to the standard and discipline of the Church of Scotland, and so continued till Mr. Colton's ordination in
53
1811. Of the personal history of the first two ministers, Rev. John Harvey and Rev. Robert Burns, but very little is known. Their successor, Rev. Moses Baldwin, passed a ministry of half a century among this people. He was energetic and animated in his delivery ; and might well stand for the portrait of that minister, which the good old Scotch lady described hers to be : " An awfu' po'rful preacher ; for he dang th' inside out o' twa Bibles an' three cushions." On one occasion Mr. Baldwin, who was wont to pound the pulpit cush- ion somewhat sledge-hammer-wise, as he brought his hand down with emphatic force, startled a red squirrel that had snugly esconced him- self within, to the no small amusement of the audience.
Mr. Baldwin whose ministry was the longest, and Mr. Sweet whose ministry was the shortest, of any of the clergymen of this town, were the only ministers who died while residing in the place. The former after fifty years of toil, the latter after one year and a half of service ; both greatly beloved and respected by the people. " But the fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever ?" They have passed away. In the restless march of time they have been borne along with that onrushing phalanx of death, which never retreats. They have long since departed from this scene of their toils and privations, joys and sorrows ; but their sepulchres remain with us till this day :
"Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
May we emulate their virtues, and cherish their memories. May we ever hold on to the principles of civil and religious liberty, which they so nobly exhibited ; and may we transmit to a grateful posterity, the blessings we have so richly enjoyed. For
" We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs. He lives most Who thinks most -feels the noblest-acts the best."
By Gen. J. A. MCELWAIN, of Warsaw, N. Y.,-
The inhabitants of my own native town .- May they live long, and inherit the virtues and integrity of their most worthy ancestors.
By SAMUEL D. BACKUS, of Brooklyn, N. Y.,-
The memory of the departed.
By FRANKLIN MORGAN,-
The Seed planted by our Fathers a Century ago .- Industry has tended it, faith watered it, and hope watched over its growth. Be-
4*
54
hold it now a stately tree, under whose branches safely rest a thrifty, prosperous and happy people.
The Four Villages of Palmer .- Like the Thirty-five States and Territories of our glorious Union ; though divided by local interests, they are always ready to show themselves the inseparable parts of one "stupendous whole."
By F. T. WALLACE, Esq.,-
The Ancient Families of Palmer .- The Kings, the Ferrells, the Cooleys and McMasters. The honor and virtue of the old families are still retained, and will depart only when ' Dumplin ' takes to it- self wings.
By JOHN WARD, Esq.,-
The Descendants of the first settlers of Palmer .- May the remem- brance of the toils and privations of our ancestors, the fruits of which we at the present time enjoy with prosperity, never be erased from our memory.
By G. M. FISK,-
The Early Settlers of Palmer .- Though many of them were Kings, like true Scotts they were opposed to a kingdom.
Our aged Mother Palmer .- Though in her one hundredth year, she is hale, hearty, and well to do in the world, and we attribute it somewhat to good neighbors ; such as old Squire Belchertown, the venerable Mr. Ware, old Mr. Wilbraham, and Madame Monson, a peculiarly virtuous, venerable and devoted old lady-She has done much for our morals.
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.