USA > Massachusetts > Historical collections, being a general collection of interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to the history and antiquities of every town in Massachusetts, with geographical descriptions > Part 63
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KINGSTON.
KINGSTON was set off as a parish from Plymouth, in 1717, by the name of Jones' River parish. It is supposed that the river in this place, and consequently the parish, received their names from Capt. Jones, of the ship May Flower, which landed the fathers at Plymouth. The inhabitants of the north part of Plymouth, with a small part of Plympton and Pembroke, formed the parish which was set off, which at that time consisted of eighty families. The persons who petitioned to be made a distinct parish were of the following names :- Bradford, Bryant, Cook, West, Hall, Cushman, Holmes, Eaton, Stetson, Fuller, Washburn, Everson, Mitchell, Hunt, Brewster, Little, Gray, Sturtevant, West, and Fish. The first minister ordained here was Rev. Joseph Stacy; this was in 1720. His successor was Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, who was or- dained in 1742, and dismissed in 1745. His dismission appears to have been occasioned by his being a follower and admirer of the celebrated Mr. Whitefield, who was itinerating through the coun- try, and causing great excitement among the people. 'The inhabit- ants at that period appear to have been prejudiced against Mr. Whitefield, and appointed a committee of eight persons to prevent itinerant preachers disturbing the peace of the town. Mr. Mac- carty was succeeded by Rev. William Rand, who was installed
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KINGSTON.
here in 1746. The Rev. Zephaniah Willis, the fourth minister, was ordained in 1780.
The soil of Kingston is generally thin and barren. The north- ern part of the town is level; but the south part is broken and uneven. The most elevated ground is Monk's Hill, in the south part of the town, near Plymouth, which commands an extensive prospect on every side. Jeremy Florio, an ingenious Englishman, introduced the art of casting vessels in sand into this place before the Revolution; previous to that time all iron vessels were cast on clay moulds. Mr. Florio died in Plympton, in 1755, at the age of nearly ninety years. There are 3 churches in the place, 2 Con- gregational (1 of which is Unitarian) and 1 Baptist. , Distance, 4 miles N. W. of Plymouth, 5 S. of Duxbury, and 33 miles S. E. of Boston. Population, 1,371. The town was incorporated in 1726.
South-eastern view of Kingston.
The above shows the appearance of the village of Kingston, as seen from near the residence of Col. John 'Thomas, on the Plymouth road. Col. Thomas is the son of major-general Thomas, who perished in the service of his country at Chamblee; his house was on the spot where his son now resides. Jones' river, a winding stream, passes at the foot of the elevated ground on which the principal part of the village is situated. The village consists of upwards of 50 dwelling-houses, uncommonly well built, and neat in their general appearance. The first building, with a spire, seen on the left, is the old Baptist church; the building seen between the trees, with two spires, is the Unitarian church, which is the largest house of worship in the place, and is somewhat novel in its construction. The new Baptist church and the Orthodox Congre- gational church, without a spire, are to the eastward. In 1837, there were 19 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery ; tonnage, 1,491 ; codfish caught, 14,214 quintals ; value, $42,242 ; mackerel caught, 886 barrels ; value, $6,348; hands employed, 176. “ Ves-
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MARSHFIELD.
sels built, 19; tonnage of the same, 3,326; value of the same, $172,500; hands employed, 40." "There were 3 forges; 96 tons of bar-iron were manufactured; value, $9,600; there were 2 nail factories and 1 axe, and 3 manufactories for cutlery.
The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard by the Unitarian church :-
Miss Lucy Little, deceased Sept. 29, 1756, aged 37 years 5 months.
READER ! beneath this monumental pile is laid What once was beauty and a spotless maid. Here was each virtue and each Grace combin'd ; Fair was her form, but fairer was her mind.
So bright in her the sex's virtues shone, They seemed all center'd in this maid alone. The harmony of life thus kept intire, She joined at death the fair angelic quire ; The fair angelic quire with joy confest They ne'er had welcom'd a more charming guest. Led by th' admiring throng, she takes her seat,
And half an Angel HERE, now shines ABOVE compleat.
In memory of the Revd. Mr. William Rand, died March ye 14th 1779, aged 79 years wanting 7 days.
Here's one who long had ran the Christian Race ; Kindly reliev'd reclines his hoary head, And sweetly slumb'ring in this dark embrace Listens the welcome sound, " Arise ye dead."
Here lies deposited what was mortal of Ann Warren Sever, daughter to the Hon. William Sever Esq., & Sarah his wife, who died Jany. ye 19th, 1788, Anno Etatis 25.
" How oft I gaz'd prophetically sad, How oft I saw her dead while yet in smiles! In smiles she sunk her grief to lessen mine, She spoke me comfort, & increased my pain."
MARSHFIELD.
MARSHFIELD was incorporated in 1640. The Rev. Edward Bulkley (the son of the first minister of Concord) was the first minister. He was ordained about the time the town was incorpo- rated. His successor was Rev. Samuel Arnold, who was settled here in 1659, and continued in the ministry thirty-five years. Rev. Edward Thompson, the next in succession, was settled in 1696; he was succeeded by Rev. James Gardner, in 1707, who continued in the ministry upwards of thirty-one years. His suc- cessors, Messrs. Hill, Green, and Brown, were all settled and dis- missed in a period of twenty-three years. Rev. William Shaw, D. D., the eighth minister, was settled in 1766, and continued in the pastoral office more than half a century. The first minister of the Second church was Rev. Atherton Wales, who was settled in 1739; he was pastor fifty-six years, and died in 1795, aged ninety- two. Rev. Elijah Leonard was his successor.
This town is pleasantly situated, having two considerable streams: one called North river, which divides the town from Scituate, and South river, a stream passing through the central
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MIDDLEBOROUGH.
South-western vien of the Hon. Daniel Webster's House, in Marshfield.
part of the town. The above is'a south-western view of the sum- mer residence of the Hon. Daniel Webster, situated in the southern part of this town, and is about 30 miles from Boston. His farm, which is stated to consist of about 1,000 acres, comprises some of the best lands in the town. There is a considerable diversity of pleasant scenery in the vicinity, and a fine distant view of the ocean. "This town was originally a part of Plymouth, and was formerly called Rexham. Peregrine White, the first English child born in New England, died in this town, July 20th, 1704, aged 83. A grandson of Governor Carver lived here to the age of 102, and in 1775 was at work in the same field with his son, grandson, and great-grandson, who had also an infant son in the house, making five generations. Edward Winslow, some years governor of Ply- mouth colony, resided in this town." In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 1,896 spindles; cotton cloth manufactured, 172,366 yards ; value $21,800; males employed, 10; females, 42. There was also 1 air and cupola furnace, and 1 nail factory. There are 6 churches, 3 Congregational, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist. Popu- lation, 1,660.
The following is from a monument in this town :
Here lies the ashes of the reverend, learned, and pious Mr. EDWARD TOMPSON, pas- tor of the church at Marshfield, who suddenly departed this life, 16 March, 1705, anno ætatis suæ 40.
Here, in a tyrant's hand, doth captive lie A rare synopsis of divinity.
Old patriarchs, prophets, gospel bishops meet
Under deep silence, in their winding-sheet ; All rest a while, in hopes, and full intent, When their king calls, to sit in parliament.
MIDDLEBOROUGH.
THIS place before its incorporation, in 1660, went by its Indian name Namasket. The Indians were formerly numerous in this
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MIDDLEBOROUGH.
township, being governed by a noted sachem called Tispacan. In the account given of Middleborough in the 3d vol. of the Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., the Rev. Isaac Backus says :
" When our Plymouth fathers first sent two messengers to visit old Massasoit, in July, 1621, they lodged the first night at Namasket, where so many Indians had died a few years before that the living could not bury the dead; but 'their skulls and bones appeared in many places, where their dwellings had been.' Namasket is that part of Middleborough where the English began their plantation, and had increased to about sixteen families before Philip began his war, in June, 1675. As soon as it brake out, they removed away, as did also the friendly Indians, to Plymouth and other eastern places. Philip had been very conversant here ; and because his friend John Sausaman informed the English of his preparations for war, Sausaman was mur- dered on a frozen pond, at Assowamset, and the execution of his murderers hastened on the war. And in the time of it, Philip once sent an army to waylay Capt. Church, in Assowamset Neck, which is in the south part of Middleborough. He was also defeated in attempting to cross a river upon a tree which had fallen over it. This was the river between Middleborough and Bridgewater."
Middleborough is one of the largest townships in the state, being 15 miles in length, and averages about 9 in width, and is chiefly a pine plain. There are numerous ponds in the town, of which the
Village of Four Corners, Middleborough.
Assawamset and Long Ponds are the largest. The outlet of these ponds produces an extensive water-power. Bog iron ore was once extensively used in this town, till it was discovered that there was an abundance of much purer ore to be found in the Assawamset pond. There are also some indications of anthracite coal. There are in the town 8 houses of worship, 4 Baptist, 3 Congregational, and 1 Methodist.
The above is a view of the village of Four Corners, the princi- pal settlement in Middleborough, as it is seen southward of the village, upon the Warcham road. The village consists of about 50 dwelling-houses in the immediate vicinity of the Baptist church, and academy, the spires of which are seen in the distance in the central part of the engraving. This place is 15 miles from Ply-
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NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
mouth, 20 from New Bedford, 11 from Taunton, 14 from Ware- ham, and 34 from Boston. Population, 5,005. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 2,384 spindles ; 553,000 yards of cotton cloth were manufactured; value, $39,710; males employed, 21; females, 67. There were 3 manufactories of shovels, spades, and forks; value of articles manufactured, $52,500; hands employed, 42; capital invested, $22,000; there were 2 forges, 1 air and cupola furnace, and 1 nail factory ; 12,500 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $40,505. Value of tacks manufactured, $13,000; 15 males and 4 females were employed. Value of boards and lumber, $11,112 ; value of shingles, $5,616.
The first planters of Middleborough came mainly from Plymouth; they returned here after Philip's war, and Mr. Samuel Fuller preached to them until a church was formed among them, and he was ordained their pastor, in 1694. He died, greatly lamented, in 1695, aged 66. Mr. Thomas Palmer was the second minister, but his habits were such that he was deposed from his office. The third minister was Rev. Peter Thacher, who was ordained in 1709, and was a faithful and successful minister for nearly thirty-five years ; his successor was Rev. Sylvanus Conant, who was ordained in 1745. Mr. Conant died of the small-pox, in 1777, and his successor was Rev. Joseph Barker, who was ordained in 1781. A second precinct was formed in the south-west part of Middleborough, including a part of Taunton, in 1719. About the year 1724, a church being constituted therein, Rev. Benjamin Ruggles was ordained pastor, and continued with them about thirty years. He was succeeded by Rev. Caleb Turner, who was ordained in 1761. In 1743, a third precinct was constituted in the north-west part of Middleborough, including a part of Bridgewater. A church was formed there in 1756, and the next year Rev. Solomon Reed was installed their pastor ; he died in 1785, and was succeeded in 1787 by Rev. David Gurney.
Titicut precinct was constituted in 1743. A kind of an Independent church was formed here in 1748, and Rev. Isaac Backus was ordained their pastor in the same year. A regular Baptist church was formed here in 1756, and Mr. Backus was installed pastor. The second Baptist church in Middleborough originated in the following manner : Mr. Thomas Nelson discovered such evils in Mr. Palmer as gave a turn to his mind about principles. He adopted the sentiments of the Baptists, and joined the first Baptist church in Swanzey, which is the first of that denomination in Massachusetts. In 1717, he removed into Assowamset, being the first English family who settled in that neck of land. A Baptist church was formed here in 1757, and Mr. Hinds was ordained their pastor next year. The third Baptist church was constituted in the south-east corner of Middleborough, near Carver and Wareham, in 1761, and Rev. Ebenezer Jones was ordained pastor the same year. The next pastor was Rev. Asa Hunt, from Braintree, who was ordained in 1771 ; his successor was Rev. Sam- uel Nelson, the grandson of the first Baptist in Middleborough ; he was ordained in 1794.
NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
THIS place was a part of Bridgewater until 1821. In 1738, the north part of the west parish, and a small part of the north-west corner of the east parish, were incorporated into a precinct, and called the north parish. It was incorporated a town in 1821.
The Rev. John Porter was their first pastor ; he was ordained in 1740, and died in 1802, in the 87th year of his age and the 62d of his ministry. Rev. Asa Meech, his suc- cessor, was ordained in 1800, and dismissed by a mutual council in 1811; he was afterwards installed in Canterbury, in Connecticut. His successor was Rev. Daniel Huntington, who was ordained in 1812. In a history of Bridgewater in 1818, which then consisted of four parishes, it is stated that Mr. Huntington's salary was $700,
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NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
which was the highest in town. The following is also stated :- " It is very remarka- ble," (says the writer) " that each of the Congregational parishes are now enjoying the labors of their third minister. The general longevity of their pastors is also worthy of notice. Four of them, Mr. Perkins, Mr. J. Angier, Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Porter, who were contemporaries, lived to the great ages, respectively, of 86, 86, 83, 87, and died in the 62d, 63d, 60th, and 62d year of their ministry. These, with Mr. Keith, who was 76, and Mr. Samuel Angier, who was 62 years of age, are the only ministers that ever died in town."
Southern view of North Bridgewater.
The above is a southern view of the central part of North Bridgewater, which is a large, flourishing, and well-built village, consisting of upwards of 100 dwelling-houses. There are three churches in the village, 2 Congregational, (1 of which is Unita- rian,) and 1 New Jerusalem. There is a Methodist church in the western part of the town. Population, 2,701. Distance, 25 miles from Plymouth, 13 to Taunton, and 20 from Boston. The town- ship is generally level, and well watered by springs and brooks; the soil is varied; some parts are strong and fertile, some excellent for tillage, and a considerable quantity of meadow land. Iron was formerly manufactured here to some extent. The manufac- ture of boots and shoes is a very important branch of business in this town. In 1837, there were 79,000 pairs of boots and 22,300 of shoes manufactured, the value of which was $184,200; males employed, 750; females, 375. There were 3 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; the value of articles manufactured, $38,500 ; hands employed, 39. There is a cotton mill and some other manufacturing establishments in the limits of the town.
It has been stated that there was a New Jerusalem church in this place. The following, furnished by a gentleman of this de- nomination, is believed to be a correct summary of its leading doctrines :
" NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH .- Emanuel Swedenborg, who, under Providence, commmicated to the world the truths of the new dispensation, was born at Stockholm, Sweden, in the year 1689. He was the son of a bishop, and was educated with much care. He made rapid advancement in all the branches
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NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
of education taught at that period. He travelled much, and was on terms of intimacy with the learned men of that period. Previous to the year 1743, he published many philosophical works. Many new observations and discoveries are traced in these works, which philosophers of a later period have claimed as their own.
"In 1743, he was called to perform higher duties ; in reference to which he says, 'I have been called to a holy office by the Lord himself, who most graciously manifested himself in person to me, his servant, in the year 1743; when he opened my sight to the view of the spiritual world, and granted me the privi- lege of conversing with spirits and angels.' 'From that time I began to print and publish various arcana that have been seen by me, or revealed to me ; as respecting heaven and hell, the state of man after death, the true worship of God, the spiritual sense of the Word ; with many other more important matters con- ducive to salvation and true wisdom.'
"His works were all written in Latin. His theological works comprise, in English, about 27 volumes octavo, and are as follows, not regarding the order, as to time, in which they were written :
"1. The Four Leading Doctrines of the New Church, viz. concerning the Lord, concerning the Sacred Scriptures, concerning Faith, and concerning Life. The above were originally published separately, and are small works. 2. The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrines. 3. A Brief Exposition of the Doctrines of the New Church. These are also small works. 4. The True Christian Religion, or the Uni- versal Theology of the New Church. This comprises about 800 pages octavo.
"The works above enumerated treat more particularly of doctrinal subjects. The doctrine concerning the Lord may be considered as one of the most importance. It is now revealed, that the Lord is one, both in essence and person ; that there is a divine trinity in the person of Jesus Christ, consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three make one person, as the soul, body, and their operation, make one man. Concerning redemption, it is now shown that the Divine assumed a human nature and dwelt with man, whereby a way was opened in the which those who had alienated themselves from Him, might, consist- ently with their freedom, be restored. It is fully shown that there was the same endeavor on the part of the Divine to save man before as after the advent ; but men had become so corrupt, and had removed themselves so far from divine influences, that the divine endeavor to save became comparatively inopera- tive. Omnipotence alone cannot save ; if so, all would at once be saved, and even demons be converted into angels. The sufferings of the assumed humanity were endured, that man might in freedom be recon- ciled to his Maker, and not to reconcile the Father to the world .- The doctrines of the New Church are very fully and freely contrasted with those which usually prevail. They are explained with simplicity, and with none of the persuasive means usually adopted to produce converts. The same course is also adopted by the receivers of the New Church doctrines. Those who are satisfied with the doctrines which now prevail in the Christian church will have no desire to embrace those of the New Church; and while they are thus satisfied these doctrines can do them no good. But all, of whatever sect, who are perplexed with the dogmas in which they have been educated, may here find relief. The trinitarian, whose mind is troubled with the idea of a division of the divine essence into three persons, or something equivalent thereto, may here have his doubts dispelled, and be enabled to see a divine trinity in the person of the Savior. The conscientious Unitarian, who cherishes the idea of a unity in the Godhead, and is nevertheless un will- ing to take the attribute of divinity from the Savior, and is thus perplexed with doubts, may here be able to exalt the character of the Savior, into true divinity, and into a oneness with the Father. The Univer- salist, who may not have confirmed himself in that belief, but is unable to see how a being of pure love can punish, may here be led to see that the Lord punishes no one; that the divine influence is equally bestowed upon all, but that it is differently received by men.
" 5. The Wisdom of Angels concerning the Divine Love and the Divine Wisdom. 6. The Wisdom of the Angels concerning the Divine Providence. These two make about 500 pages octavo. 7. The Nature of the Intercourse between the Soul and the Body, which is supposed to take place either by Physical Influx, or by Spiritual Influx, or by Pre-established Harmony. This is a small work. 8. Delights of Wisdom con- cerning Conjugial Love, &c. About 500 pages octavo.
" In the treatise here numbered 5, it is shown that the Lord appears in the spiritual world as a sun ; that the spiritual and the natural world resemble each other in ap- pearance ; that the mind and the body of man correspond, and that the former acts upon, fills, moves and controls the latter; that man has a spiritual body within the natural body, having similar sensations to the latter, but in a higher degree ; and on the dissolution of the latter, man continues a living being in human form, with all his powers, faculties and sensations entire. Concerning the Divine Providence, our limits will not enable us to speak. Suffice to say, it is clearly shown, that however mys- teriously the lot of some may be cast in this life, yet, with each and every individual, his best possible future and eternal happiness is every moment provided for, although at the time in a way unknown to him, yet in a manner the best which his state will admit of. Of marriage, it is shown that man after death continues male and female ; that the dissolution of the material body offers no violence to the mind or soul, by which so important a feature as that of a distinctness of the sex is obliterated. In the most ancient church, called the golden age, men saw and acknowledged their con- jugial relationship to be one with the church in them ;- that the church in fact formed and constituted this relationship ; and on leaving the natural world that relationship continued and became eternal. The effort on the part of Divine Providence is to restore this lost, but happy condition of the church.
"9. Arcana Celestia, or Heavenly Mysteries, contained in the Sacred Scriptures, or the Word of the Lord, manifested and laid open ; beginning with the Book of Genesis.
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PEMBROKE.
Twelve volumes, octavo. 10. Apocalypse Revealed ; wherein are disclosed the arcana therein foretold, which have hitherto remained concealed. Two volumes, octavo. 11. The Apocalypse Explained. Six volumes, octavo.
" In these works the spiritual sense of the sacred scriptures is unfolded. The Word is written accord- ing to the laws of correspondence of natural with spiritual things, and thus differs from all other books. A work written by a man necessarily proceeds from affections finite and limited; the truths in which his affection or love are embodied are finite and limited. The writer has in view some end which he wishes to accomplish, and the truths which he expresses in words are as limited as the end and cause from which they proceed. The words written are but a mirror, in which are seen the affections and thoughts, the end and motives of the writer. But the Infinite Mind, or the Supreme Good, in dictating the Word through the inspired writers, could have had nothing less in view than the best possible good of the whole human race. An object short of this, and means employed of which any thing short of perfection can be predicated, must imply something short of infinity in the Divine Being, and render improper the expres- sion, 'Word of God,' as applied to the sacred scriptures. It is impossible for man to adapt truths to all men, or to all states of mind ; it is equally impossible for the Divine to do less. It is on account of the adaptation of truths to all mankind, that the Word of God is capable of being received in such a variety of different ways, and not because truths themselves are at variance with each other. The sphere of the divine operation is not limited to a select few, who are thought to be, or who really are, better than others, but extends to all. 'If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there ; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.' When the spiritual sense of the Word is opened, the infinite love and mercy of God are seen in expressions which seem to imply in him anger and wrath, and the immutability of God is seen in those which seem to imply in him repentance and change of purpose.
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