USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Historical manual of the Church of Christ in Lincoln, Mass > Part 6
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DEACONS.
second wife was widow Mary Wheeler, mother of Dea. Edmund Wheeler, whom he married June 4, 1751. He died June 26, 1768.
Dea. Brooks was one of the twenty-two persons who built the meeting-house, and one of the founders of the Church. He was moderator of meetings of the Church and precinct held in 1748, with reference to obtaining a pastor, and with Hon. Chambers Russell and Capt. Samuel Bond, acted as a committee to treat with Mr. Lawrence with reference to settlement. He was evidently held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens.
Dea. John Gove,
Was born in Cambridge, Nov. 2, 1707. His father, Jonathan Gove, one of the founders of this Church, removed from Cambridge to Weston, to that part of it which became a part of Lincoln, between 1723 and 1731. Dea. Gove's great-grandfather, John Gove, came from London about 1650 and settled in Cambridge, and died there Jan. 16, 1681-2. Dea. Gove was chosen to the office of deacon in 1749, and continued in office probably thirty-five or forty years. The date of his death has not been ascertained. He was married Jan. 27, 1737-8, to Tabitha, eldest daughter of Dea. Thomas Livermore, for many years one of the leading citizens of the West Precinct of Watertown (Waltham), and forty-three years a deacon in that Church. Dea. Gove had six children. His second son, Jonathan, born Aug. 22, 1746, graduated at Harvard College in 1768, and was for many years a dis- tinguished physician and civilian, in New Boston, N. H. One of Dr. Gove's sons, Charles Frederick, was long a distinguished jurist of his native State.
Dea. Samuel Farrar,
Who was the youngest son of George Farrar, whose grandfather, Jacob Farrar, was one of the first settlers of Lancaster, was born Sept. 28, 1708, and married Jan. 13, 1731-2, Lydia Barrett, of Concord. He united with this Church, by letter, from Concord, in 1758, and was elected one of its deacons in 1763. He was one of the selectmen of Concord in 1754, when this town was set off, and afterwards held the same office in Lincoln for several years, was town clerk in 1758, and from 1760 to 1766, and representative in 1766-1768.
The town, which distinguished itself for its patriotic efforts in the Revolution, chose a Committee of Correspondence, Nov. 2, 1773, consisting of Dea. Farrar, Capt. Eleazer Brooks and Capt. Abijah Pierce. This committee, of which Dea. Farrar was chairman, repre- sented the town in the county convention, held at Concord on the 30th and 31st of August, 1774,-a convention of 150 delegates, represent-
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CHURCH MANUAL.
ing every town in the county, and in which public affairs were dis- cussed with great ability and ardent patriotism, and a series of im- portant resolutions adopted. This committee also represented the town in the first Provincial Congress,-a body similar to a modern State Convention,-which convened at Salem, Friday, Oct. 7, 1774, adjourned the same day, and met at Concord the following Tuesday. This body composed of 288 members, presided over by Hon. John Hancock, by its proceedings very powerfully influenced public senti- ment.
Dea. Farrar was a zealous and determined patriot, and though 66 years old, took part in the battle at Concord, April 19, 1775. He pre- sented to the town the burial ground near the Church. His father, who died May 15, 1760, is buried there, and he may have purchased it with reference to his interment. In the same lot his own remains lie, his tombstone bearing the following inscription :- " For many years an officer of the Church of Christ in this town. He used the office of a deacon well, to the acceptance of his brethren. He was a friend to the poor, a pattern of domestic virtues, an example of temperance and sobriety, and of constant attendance on the duties of religion. He died with pleasing hope of future happiness through the merits of the great Redeemer, April 18, 1783, in the 75th year of his age."
Dea. Joshua Brooks, Jr.,
Was born Jan. 9, 1721, united with the Church in 1752, and was elected one of the deacons eleven years after, at the same time with Dea. Farrar. They were elected "to serve in the Office of a Deacon together with those already in that Office." His character and the esteem in which he was held may be learned from the inscription on his tombstone :-- " Dea. Joshua Brooks, who worthily sustained that office 20 years in this place. In his life he was remarkable for strik- ing evidences of piety, for singular love to men, for many and exem- plary deeds of kindness and liberality to the ministers of the Gospel, to the poor, the fatherless and the widow. Serene and cheerful in his mind, free, obliging and sincere in conversation, he commanded gen- eral love and esteem from every human heart. Died, March, 1790, in the 70th year of his age."
Dea. Edmund Wheeler,
Was the son of Thomas Wheeler, one of the original members of the Church, and supposed to be grandson of Capt. Thomas Wheeler, who commanded a company of militia at Brookfield, August, 1675, who bought eight hundred acres of land north of Groton in 1674.
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DEACONS.
Shattuck (History of Concord) says :- " This name (Wheeler) was originally, and has ever been borne by more persons than any other in the town. George, Joseph and Obadiah were among the first settlers ; and Ephraim, Thomas and Timothy came in 1639, and were all heads of families. Tradition says they came from Wales, but it is uncertain. Their descendants have been so numerous, and so many have borne the same Christian name, that their genealogy is traced with great difficulty." Dea. Edmund married June 24, 1756, Miss Eunice Munroe. He with his wife acknowledged the covenant, April 10, 1757, and was received to full communion in July of 1762. It appears from the Church records that very many young persons in the early history of the Church acknowledged the covenant in their early married life, and that not a few in this relation to the Church subsequently came into full communion.
Deacon Wheeler was elected one of the deacons, May 6, 1784, and died in 1805.
Dea. Samuel Farrar, Jr.,
Was born February 14, 1737, and married, February 13, 1772, Miss Mercy Hoar, and with his wife was united with the Church the follow- ing year.
He was a Captain of the militia, at the battle of Concord, April 19, 1775, and distinguished himself by efficient service in the war of the Revolution. He was regarded as a man of great energy of character and strength of mind. His son, Samuel, a graduate of Harvard of the class of 1797, was for many years Treasurer of the Andover Theological Seminary, and his son, John, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Harvard University.
Deacon Farrar died in 1829, aged 92 years, having been a member of the Church 54 years, and in the diaconate 45 years.
Dea. Eleazer Brooks,
" Was the son of Mr. Job Brooks, and a descendant of the fifth generation from Capt. Thomas Brooks." "His grandfather was Daniel, and his great-grandfather Joshua Brooks." His father was thus a cousin of Dea. Joshua, Senior, of this Church.
The son of a farmer in moderate circumstances, he was expected to follow the same avocation. Although his advantages for education were inferior to those possessed by most young men of his day, his thirst for knowledge, led him to a diligent improvement of such op- portunities as he had for educating himself, and in this work he made a wise selection of such literary and scientific works as were within
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his reach. By this judicious plan of English reading, with much re- flection, and by conversation with intelligent men, he acquired large stores of knowledge, and what was more difficult, a thoroughly dis- ciplined mind. His grasp of mind, sharp discrimination and mastery of a pure English style, may be seen in a very able letter addressed to citizens of Boston, on the 20th of Dec., 1773, who had desired an ex- pression of the sentiments of the town on the questions then agitating the province.
Dr. Stearns says of him, in his funeral sermon :- " In the art of reasoning he was expert, and deeply read in the philosophy of the mind. * * * He never suffered himself to dispute with heat or acrimony. His object was to state points fairly, and analyze them accurately, with the single view of discovering the truth. Those, who at any time complained of his manner of treating subjects, used generally to say, he was too attentive to the niceties of Logic and Metaphysics; i. e., he examined his subject too minutely and accu- rately. If this be a fault, it must be confessed it is one in which dis- putants are not accustomed to err. In one instance, then, it may be excused. Or rather, should it not be commended as a virtue? He had a competent share of mathematical knowledge. This he must have acquired without any living preceptor, his own genius excepted.
"In theology, he was not merely conversant, but deeply versed in the science. He not only knew his duty as a Christian, but was acquainted with the different schools; knew their characteristic opinions, their modes of defending them, and their points of contro- versy one with another.
"Few men could more ably defend their own sentiments, or treat with more candor the arguments and opinions of others. He held truth without persecuting error. He strenuously maintained his own faith; yet discovered no animosity against those who opposed him. * * He was, to crown the whole of his character, a very devout, serious person. * * He showed his desire to honor the blessed Jesus, by accepting the office of deacon in the Church of Christ, at an advanced stage of life. Though sated of worldly honors; this, of be- ing in office under his divine Lord, he considered, according to his own expression concerning it, as pre-eminent. Such was his love for Christ and his Church."
He was appointed a Lieutenant of the militia by Gov. Barnard in 1768, a Captain by Hutchinson, in 1773, a Colonel by the Council, Feb. 14, 1776, and a Brigadier-General, Oct. 15, 1778, which office he re- tained under the new constitution of 1781. He was on the hill in Concord village on the 19th of April, with the small force of patriots there assembled, as the eight hundred British soldiers, with glittering arms, marched in. It was an exciting moment. Said the Rev.
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DEACONS.
William Emerson, the clergyman of the town, who was present to encourage his people, "Let us stand our ground; if we die, let us die here." To Captain Brooks who stood near, another said, " Let us go and meet them." His reply was characteristic of his wisdom and coolness. "No, it will not do for us to begin the war." Promoted from time to time, his military services were of great value through- out the war. He commanded a regiment at the battle of White Plains, at which he distinguished himself for his cool and determined bravery.
He was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1774, and for twenty-seven years in succession, was either a member of the House of Representatives, the Senate or the Governor's Council. He was appointed a special Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1786. He was a delegate to the Convention at Cambridge in 1779, to form the State Constitution, and to the Convention at Boston in 1788, to ratify the Constitution of the United States. Being advanced in life, he de- clined, in 1801, to be considered a candidate for any office, and retired to the quiet of his farm. He united with the Church in 1764, and " for nothing was he more respected than for his strict probity, real good- ness of heart and exemplary piety." "In all his important trusts he set a noble example, of what may be accomplished by a judicious ap- plication of one's own powers of mind, and left a character worthy of remembrance and imitation."
Dea. John Hartwell,
The ninth child of Ephraim and Elizabeth [Heywood] Hartwell, was born in 1747, and married, Dec. 18, 1783, Hepzibah Brooks, daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Brooks.
His grandfather was Samuel, who married Abigail Stearns in 1692. His great-grandfather, Samuel, married Ruth Wheeler in 1665. Samuel was the son of William, who was among the first settlers of Concord in 1636. Dea. Hartwell was a Captain in the Revolution, a man of sound judgment, and enjoyed the fullest confidence of his fellow- citizens, and always bore his share of civic responsibilities. His older brother Samuel was the grandfather of Dea. George Hartwell.
Dea. Hartwell owned the covenant in 1785, was, with his wife, received into fellowship in 1795, elected deacon in 1804, and died Nov. 2, 1820, at the age of seventy-three.
Dea. Thomas Wheeler,
Eldest son of Dea. Edmund, was baptized Oct. 22, 1758. He married Miss Polly Hoar, March 27, 1788, and, with his wife, was re- ceived into the Church in December of the same year, and was chosen
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CHURCH MANUAL.
deacon in 1805 to succeed his father, which office he held more than thirty-five years. Dea. Wheeler was Treasurer of the town for many years. He was a man of calm temperament and methodical habits, faithful to his trusts, and of unquestioned Christian character.
Dea. James Farrar,
Second son of Dea. Samuel, Jr., was born Oct. 12, 1776, and married, Ist, Nancy Barrett, of Concord, 2d, Mary Fiske Hoar, of Lincoln, 3d, Dorcas Chapin, of Somers, Connecticut. He united with the Church in 1804, was elected deacon in 1812, and died Oct. 9, 1867.
Dea. F., like his father, in his younger days, bore the military title of Captain. He was a man of energy, good business habits, excellent judgment, and much personal influence. His conversation was of a cheerful cast, enlivened by much humor.
He gave a steadfast adherence in times of trial to the doctrines held by this Church, and was a strong pillar in its greatest need. In reverence for the Sabbath and the ordinances of religion and faithful discharge of duty in household religious services, he was an example. He was in sympathy with new forms of Christian effort, and gave generously to support the institutions of the Gospel. For fifty-five years he was in the office of deacon, thirty-eight of which were years of active service.
Dea. Eleazer Brooks, Jr.,
Was baptized July 12, 1778, (the date of his birth has not been ascertained,) received into the Church in 1800, and elected deacon in 1812, at the same time withi Dea. J. Farrar. Dea. Brooks, though not a man of the extraordinary force of character and mental grasp of his father, had excellent natural abilities, which, like his father, he im- proved by much reading. In mature life he often expressed regret that he had not taken a course of collegiate study, saying that if his father, instead of simply leaving the matter to his own free choice, had put some constraint upon him, he should have done so. Being unmarried, his home was for many years in the families of Dea. J. Farrar, Senior, and Mr. Cyrus Smith, where his society was highly prized, as his conversation was very agreeable and instructive.
Dea. Brooks was a truly devout man and a very valuable member of the Church. He early advised the formation of a parish, so that parochial affairs might be taken away from the meetings of the town, where, after the settlement of Mr. Demond, there was a sharp divi- sion of parties, and perhaps did more to effect the measure than any
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DEACONS.
other man. His prudence, foresight and wise judgment were of tlie highest value to the Church in the trying experiences of that transi- tion period. Dea. Brooks went to the West in the summer of 1836, and for several years lived in Quincy and Carthage, Ill. Rev. Asa Turner, well-known as "Father Turner," was then pastor of the Con- gregational Church at Quincy. Dea. Brooks attended his preaching for some time, but did not unite with the Church, as Mr. Turner was an ardent advocate of New School doctrines in theology,-a pupil of Dr. N. W. Taylor; while Dea. B's Calvinism was of the Hopkinsian type. Like his father, he had been a thoughtful reader of theological works, and held his opinions firmly, as the following incident may show. Many years ago he was at work with other men in one of the meadows on the Concord river; Dea. B. breaks the silence by saying to his friend, J. S .- " Do you believe in the five points [of Calvin- ism*]?" S. had read Dr. Hopkins, somewhat, and answered, " Yes, I think I do; " and with the same breath put this more practical ques- tion to Dea. B.,-" Can you fix the particular time when you experi- enced a change of heart?" To which Dea. B. replied, "No, I don't know as I can; but I have a hope that I wouldn't give up for the world."
After the Presbyterian Church was formed in Quincy, he attended there, partly on account of his friendship for Dr. Nelson, who often supplied the pulpit. Removing to Newtown, there being no Congre- gational Church in the place at that time, he united with the Presby- terian Church, by letter from this Church, having been dismissed Oct. 5, 1846. He had in Newtown many Christian friends, whose society he enjoyed very much A friend living near him in these last years of his life, writes,-" I well remember the delightful seasons spent with him. His sage remarks and loving counsel recur to me daily."
" The Saviour's presence cheered him at all times. When his Father called him he was ready." He died in October, 1860, at the age of 82 years. This notice of this officer of the Church closes the sketch of the diaconate, as the remainder are contemporaries of the present gen- eration. It ought, perhaps, to be said that Samuel Hoar, Esq., a man conspicuous in the affairs of the Church and town for half a century, and a truly devout man, was unanimously elected deacon, July 10th, 1794. The meeting was adjourned that he might consider the mattter. At the adjourned meeting on Sept. 12th, he declined the office. In 1863, Jonas Smith was elected, but declined on account of advanced age.
* Original sin, election or predestination, particular redemption, effectual calling, and perseverance of the saints.
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CHURCH MANUAL.
DEACONS.
Names.
Elected.
Died.
June 26, 1768.
Age. 79
1. Joshua Brooks,
2. John Gove,
3. Samuel Farrar,
Dec. 28, 1763. 1883.
74
4. Joshua Brooks, Jr.,
Mar. 8, 1790.
69
5. Edmund Wheeler,
May. 6, 1784.
--
1805. 74
Sept. 19, 1829. 92
7. Eleazer Brooks,
Nov. 6, 1794.
Nov. 9, 1806.
79
8. John Hartwell, Apr. 9, 1804.
Nov. 2, 1820.
73
9. Thomas Wheeler, Sept. 2, 1805.
Jan. 26, 1841.
82
Oct. 9, 1867. 90
Oct. - , 1860.
82
12. Amos Bemis,
Sept. 3, 1841.
Oct. 7. 1852.
51
13. James Farrar, Jr.,
Nov. 1, 1850.
14. William Colburn, March 5, 1853.
July 26, 1862. 69
15. George Hartwell, Jan. 2, 1863.
April 18, 1749. 66
6. Sam'l Farrar, Jr.,
10. James Farrar,
April 27, 1812.
11. Eleazer Brooks,
X. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MINISTRY.
George Farrar, grandson of George and nephew of Deacon Samuel, Senior, was born Nov. 23, 1730, graduated at Harvad College in 1751, and settled at Easton in 1755. Dea. Joshua Brooks and Mr. Nathan Brown were chosen " messengers " to attend the ordination with Mr. Lawrence. "In September, 1756, he was sent for to his father's house, on occasion of the sickness of his youngest sister, Love, who died a few days after his arrival, but not until he had taken the same fever, of which he also died at his father's house on the 17th of the same month, and was interred at Lincoln, leaving a wife but no children.
Joseph Farrar, younger brother of the foregoing, graduated at Harvard in 1767, and was ordained at Dublin, N. H., June 10, 1772, and was subsequently pastor of the churches in Dum- merston and Eden, Vt. He married Mary Brooks, of Grafton, Mass., July 28, 1779. He died at Petersham, Mass., April 5, 1816, aged 72.
Stephen Farrar, the second son of Dea. Samuel, was born Sept. 8, 1738, graduated at Harvard in 1755, and was ordained as the first pastor of the church in New Ipswich, N. H., Oct. 22, 1760, Mr. Lawrence preaching the ordination sermon. He con- tinued to be its pastor and the only minister of the gospel in the place until his death, which took place on the 23d of June, 1809. " His ministry, extending through half a century, was useful, peaceful and happy. His natural talents were above the ordinary standard. He had a clear discernment, sound judgment and a good knowledge of human character. Decision
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CHURCH MANUAL.
and firmness were among his most striking characteristics, yet prudence and moderation held a distinguished place among the large assemblage of his virtues." "As a theologian, he was a Calvinist ; as a preacher, evangelical and pathetic. As a man, his manners of eminent gravity were tempered to urbanity by Christian benevolence."
William Lawrence Stearns and Daniel Mansfield Stearns have been noticed in the sketch of Dr. Stearns, their father.
George Fiske, son of Elijah Fiske, Esq., was born August 22d, 1804, and was graduated at Brown University in 1825. He was the first Superintendent of the Sabbath School* in Lin- coln, and gave a new impetus to a work then in its infancy. With unsettled religious convictions, Mr. Fiske studied theology in the Cambridge Divinity School for a time, and then engaged in business for a few years. Enter- ing the Episcopal Church he prepared for its ministry, and was ordained in Western New York. After several years labor there, he went to Richmond, Indiana, about the year 1840, organized a church, which, under his care, grew to be one of the lagest churches of the city, and when after some fiften years of devoted labor his failing health obliged him to resign his charge, he had the pleasure of seeing a young man whose life he had shaped and whose studies he had guided, chosen to take his place. While his strength permitted, Mr. Fiske engaged in mission work in the city, and died in 1860.
Charles Hartwell, third son of Samuel Hartwell, was born in Lincoln Dec. 19, 1825, and graduated at Amherst College in 1849. He pursued a course of theological study at East Wind- sor Seminary, Ct .. offered himself for missionary service to the A. B. C. F. M. and was ordained as an Evangelist at Lincoln,
* The Sabbath School was established by vote of the Church, July 4th, 1819, though not as fully organized at that time as afterward. Its fiftieth anniversary was celebrated on the 4th of July, 1869, with addresses and letters of reminiscence from gentlemen connected with it at different stages of its history, and other appropriate exercises.
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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MINISTRY.
Oct. 13, 1852. He married Miss Lucy E. Stearns, of New Ipswich, N. H., and sailed immediately for China, under ap- pointment to the Foochow Mission, where, for nearly twenty years, he has prosecuted his work, making in the time one visit to this country. Mr. Hartwell is a laborious and successful missionary.
John Hartwell, younger brother of the foregoing, was born December 20, 1827, graduated at Amherst in 1855, took a course of theological study at East Windsor, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Leverett, Mass., in 1859. He became acting pastor of the Church in Becket in 1864, where he remained seven years. He is now minister of the Church in Southbury, Conn.
Ephraim Flint, eldest son of Major Ephraim Flint, was born Nov. 29, 1828, graduated at Williams College in 1851, taught the High School at Lee for several years with much success, was elected Principal of the High School in Lynn, which position, after some three years service, he resigned to enter the ministry. After pursuing a course of theological study at Andover, he was ordained in the autumn of 1867 as pastor of the Congregational Church in Hinsdale, Mass.
Mr. Flint received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater, 1872.
MISSIONARY TEACHER.
Mary Susan Rice, eldest daughter of Henry and Mary (Sherburne) Rice, was born in Lincoln, April 14, 1821, grad- uated at Mount Holyoke Seminary in 1846, and sailed from Boston in June, 1847, under appointment by the A. B. C. F. M. as associate teacher with Miss Fidelia Fiske in the Oroo- miah Female Seminary in Persia. This Seminary, under the most devoted and efficient labors of its Principals, has stood in the very front rank of mission schools in the world. After twenty-two years of unremitting labor, Miss Rice returned in 1868 to her native land, so broken in health that a long season of rest was imperatively demanded.
XI.
DONORS TO THE CHURCH.
Joseph Brooks, a son of Joshua, the tanner, and uncle of Dea. Joshua, owned the estate now in possession of Capt. S. B. Thompson. He was distinguished for his liberality, and was evidently very deeply interested in the formation of the Church. Before the tower was ready to receive it, he presented the town with a bell, and the note which accompanied it shows him to have been a man of the kindest feelings toward his fellow- citizens and alive to everything that concerned their welfare ; " Whereas, by the all-disposing providence of God by whom the bounds of mens' habitations are set, I have had my resi- dence within the bounds of the town of Lincoln, and that, remarkably in that part of the several towns of which the town of Lincoln was made, wherein I have lived in unity and good agreement ; and for the love and regard that I have for the in- habitants of said town, I do hereby give to the inhabitants of said town the bell that now hangs upon the steeple at the meeting-house in said town, for the town's use forever.
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