USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > Historical manual of the Congregational Church of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1663-1907 > Part 2
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1854-1856, Dr. David Choate. 1856-1884, Dea. Augustine S. Peabody.
1875-1883, Daniel E. Hurd, Assistant. 1884-1886, J. Porter Gould.
1886-1887, Charles J. Peabody.
1887-1893, E. Perkins Averill. 1893-1904, Albert M. Dodge. 1904- Franklin Balch.
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THE LADIES' SOCIETY.
THE HOME DEPARTMENT.
In October, 1906, a Home Department was formed through the efforts of three members of the Church, and the member- ship soon reached thirty. Mrs. Abby L. Elliott was appoint- ed Superintendent at the following annual church Meeting, and Mrs. Laura Dame Assistant Superintendent. The mem- bers are among the most thoughtful and studious of our congre- gation, persons whose duties are such that they find it more convenient to give an hour to the study of the lesson at some other time than Sunday noon, and their interest in this sys- tematic study of the Bible has already brought good results to the church.
THE LADIES' SOCIETY.
Pursuant to public notice the ladies connected with the Congregational Church met in Academy Hall (now the High School Building) in October, 1841, for the formation of a social organization. The meeting adopted a constitution and elected the following officers :
President, Mrs. Adeline M. Merriam ; vice president, Miss Mary Cleaveland ; secretary, Mrs. Joel R. Peabody ; treasur- er, Mrs. Anson McLoud.
The first public meeting of the society was held at the home of Mrs. Benj. P. Adams ( now the residence of Mr. Joseph B. Poor) on Main Street, in June, 1842, Miss Mehita- ble Todd being the only resident survivor.
The furnishing of the new meeting house, (dedicated Feb- ruary 22, 1843,) with a carpet was the first work of the so- ciety and to this end a sale was held in Academy Hall, July 4, 1842.
There was a "most inviting display of Articles, curious, beautiful and useful." The total amount of the sales was nearly $175. "The hall was duly honored with the choicest
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THE WOMANS' MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
decorations from the forest." An original poem by the gift- ed secretary was read and there was also "the occasional per- formance of exhiliating pieces of music by the Topsfield choir."
In 1853 the organization pledged and paid the sum of $200 toward the expense of building the vestry on the west end of the church.
In 1856-7 a church organ being deemed a necessity the society immediately perfected plans which ultimately pro- duced the instrument and has borne the expense of its main- tenance.
The society has also established a circulating library, which for a number of years was the principal source of read- ing matter for the people but in 1875 donated its excellent collection of books to the newly organized town library.
The 40th anniversary of the organization was observed Fri- day evening, April 28, 1882, at the residence of Mr. Benjamin Jacobs on Main Street ( now "The Knolls"). Rev. Frank P. Tompkins presided and the interesting exercises included : A review of the work of the society by the President, Mrs. Lucy Lake Herrick ; its early history, Rev. Anson McLoud; the poem written for the fair held July 4, 1842, was read by Miss Laura Hobart Lake; and brief address, Mr. Jacobs and Mr. C. J. Peabody. A copy of the above mentioned poem which has been preserved by Mrs. Louisa Morgan Leach was on exhibition throughout the evening.
The assets of the society include a savings bank deposit of $100.
The Parish records contain frequent mention of the assist- ance received from the Ladies Sewing Circle, which was the original name of this society.
THE WOMANS' MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
At a meeting held May 3, 1870, in the vestry of the church a society to be called the Woman's Missionary Society auxil- iary to the Woman's Board of Missions was organized by 14
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CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.
persons. The early records of the society are still in exist- ence and state its object to be "the collection of money for missionary purposes and the cultivation of a missionary spirit among its members. All money raised by the society shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Woman's Board of Mis- sions to be used for the general purposes of their organiza- tion." The names of 40 charter members are recorded.
The first officers were: President, Mrs. Louisa Morgan Leach; secretary, Miss Ellen F. Morgan ; and treasurer, Miss Sarah Stickney Edwards.
The sum of $1447.60 has been expended for the support of a teacher in Inanda Seminary, Africa, and scholarships in the girls boarding schools at Harpoot and Adabazar, Tur- key, and Guadalajara.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
The young people have always been an important factor in the life of Topsfield. Even to-day our town, unlike the usual rural community, holds and prizes its young people. But for the church to consider their interests, outside the Sunday school arrangements, is something comparatively recent. Children and young people were not expected at the church prayer meeting fifty years ago, and when a young Christian made such attendance his practice, he usually felt lonesome if not ashamed. But soon after the civil war many churches began to see their duty to their youth, and various lines of effort were tried, the central idea being a young people's prayer meeting. Such an organization was the Helping Hand Society connected with this church, and which accomplished worthy things for the church and commu- nity for several years before the Endeavor movement be- gan.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized in Topsfield in November, 1891, with 15 Active, and 5 associate, members; Albert M. Dodge being chosen
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
first President. During its fourteen years, there have been nine different presidents ; and the society has been a moral force in the community, rendering assistance both spiritual and financial to the church. Its total membership has regis- tered 94 Active and 67 associate members; 19 of the asso- ciates having become Active.
The Society's interest in Missions has been evidenced by occasional contributions; and its enthusiasm has been a marked assistance to the church, and a help to the various pastors. In 1895, 28 active members attended the Boston Convention. .
At the last annual election in 1905 the problem of the fu- ture was faced. All recognized that in its present condition the Society was not fulfilling its mission, and various propo- sitions were considered for increasing its effctiveness. But after several adjourned meetings, strong sentiment yielded to the general conviction that some other method of work is needed today among young peoble than that of the prayer meeting pledge; and the reluctant motion to disband was carried. This matter was reported to the Church at its next Annual Meeting, with the hope that some plan might be devised that would enlist our young people in the Lord's work.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.
WILLIAM KNIGHT.
After the settlers in New Meadows became somewhat nu- merous, divine worship was attempted William Knight being the first preacher, so far as can be ascertained. His service covered a period of about four years from 1639-43. It is known that he had trouble with the ecclesiastical courts in
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OF THE MINISTRY.
England, and therefore left the country, arriving in Salem in 1636 or 1637. Between 1620 and 1640 no record was kept in England of those Puritans who came to New England ; therefore it is difficult to identify the William Knight who took his B. A. at Queen's College, Cambridge, in 1608, with Topsfield's first preacher. If they are identical, then this preacher was a contemporary at Cambridge of Cotton, Hooker, Wilson, Francis Higginson and Ezekiel Rogers.
REV. WILLIAM PERKINS.
He was born in London, England, August 25, 1607. He was the son of William and Catherine Perkins, and grandson of George and Catherine Perkins of Abbots Salferd, County of Warwick, England. He was an early, if not the earliest, ancestor of this name in town.
The first mention made of him is in March, 1633, when with the illustrious John Winthrop, Jr. and eleven others, he began the settlement of Ipswich. He was admitted a free- man Sept. 30, 1634. He very soon removed to Roxbury, where he married Elizabeth Wooton, Aug. 30, 1636. In 1643 he removed to Weymouth, which town he represented in the General Court in 1644. He was also a commissioner to settle small debts, &c., a leader of a military company, and a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany.
He resided in Weymouthi from 1643 to 1648; was select- man in 1647; schoolmaster in 1650. In 1651 he removed to Gloucester where he preached until 1655. From thence he came to Topsfield and became its second minister. He preached here a few years, and then spent the remainder of his life in the calm pursuits of husbandry. It is said he was one of the most accomplished persons among the early sett- lers of Topsfield. A scholar, a man of business, a farmer, a clergyman, a soldier, and legislator, he bore himself in them all with ability and discretion.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
One of his daughters, born in Topsfield March 2, 1657, married June 17, 1679, John Bradstreet, son of Gov. Brad- street.
It is further said of him he was an excellent man and a good antiquary. He once visited his native country, but died in Topsfield, May 21, 1682, aged seventy-five years.
THOMAS GILBERT
Was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, August 5, 1610, and became a clergyman of the Established Church, serving a charge at Chedle, in Cheshire, and another at Eling in Mid- dlesex. But the spirit of St. Andrews, which had fired John Knox, was on him; and the very Word which he preached turned his mind toward the liberty of the Spirit. He was so good a Scot that he was loyal to his convictions rather than to Scotland's idol, "bonnie prince Charlie"; and thus both in theory and practice he became a Non-conformist. It would seem that he never hesitated to tell the truth concern- ing the dissolute Charles.
He is sometimes listed with those 2000 clergymen who lost their livings by the Act of Uniformity in 1662. Perhaps he foresaw this, for he anticipated that Act by a year, and sailed from London on the "Prudent Mary," arriving at Bos- ton in July, 1661. November 4, 1663, he became the minis- ter of the newly organized church at Topsfield. Here he took no pains to cloak his opinions of the wickedness en- throned in the mother country, and in 1666 he was brought to trial for sedition. But the people who honored and cherished Goffe the regicide could not condemn the same spirit in a zealous preacher, and he was readily acquitted. Four years later he was tried for intemperance, and as there was no doubt of his guilt his connection with the church was severed in 1671, the minister himself manifesting as much grief as any one. The charge was not on account of his use of wine, but because of his coming intoxicated to the Lord's table. He seems not to have sought another settle-
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OF THE MINISTRY.
ment, but to have retired to Charlestown, where he was bur- ied October 28, 1673. In many respects he was a represent- ative man, and much in advance of the many; and but for the one blot upon his record here, his service of the communi- ty would have been recognized for its singular ability and fearlessness, for in Frothingham's History of Charlestown he is "the reverend, sincere, zealous, able and faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Gilbert."
REV. JEREMIAH HOBART
Was the second son of Rev. Peter Hobart, A. M., and was born in England, April 6, 1631.
(Peter Hobart was born at Hingham, Norfolk, 1604, and received his education at Cambridge, where he discovered much gravity, sobriety, and hatred of all vice. By his pious parents he was dedicated to the Lord from his earliest infan- cy. After he had finished his studies at the university, he taught school, and preached occasionally for a conformist minister at whose house he lodged. He was afterwards ex- ceedingly harassed and persecuted from one place to anoth- er, on account of his nonconformity. His last place of abode was Haverhil in Suffolk, where his labours were rendered a blessing to many souls. The arbitrary proceedings of the prelates became, at length, so intolerant, that he resolved to retire to New England, where he should be free from all epis- copal molestation, obtain a settled place of abode, and be constantly employed in the work of the Lord. Accordingly in the year 1635, he embarked with his wife and four chil- dren ; and after a long and sickly voyage, arrived at Charles- town, where he found his parents, brethren, and sisters, got safe before him. He received invitations from several churches, but settled, with his friends, upon a new plantation, which he called Hingham. There he gathered a church and continued its able and useful pastor many years. Brook's "Lives of the Puritans," iii, 471. London, 1813.)
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Jeremiah, with his older brother Joshua, attended Harvard College, graduating in 1650. After preaching at Bass River (now Beverly ), and other places, he was ordained at Tops- field, October 2, 1672. There followed a ministry both scholarly and devout; but finding it difficult to collect his salary of £70 per annum, he resigned the charge, being dis- missed September 21, 1680. For several years he served the church at Hempstead, Long Island, beginning 1683. Had- dam, Conn., became his next field of labor and his final rest- ing place, his pastorate there beginning in 1691. Here Rev. Phineas Fish became his colleague in 1714.
The aged minister's last hours were spent in the house of the Lord. On November 6, 1715, the Lord's Day, he re- ceived the Sacrament, and during the intermission expired, sitting in his chair.
Three years later, in the same town, was born his grand- son, whose young life was a marvel of devout energy and evan- gelistic zeal, David Brainerd.
REV. JOSEPH CAPEN, M. A.
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In a long line of worthy men, eminent for godliness and scholarship, none has left a deeper impression upon the town of Topsfield than Rev. Joseph Capen, minister of the town from 1682 until his death, June 30, 1725.
Vol. II, Sibley's "Harvard Graduates" is authority for the following summary. Mr. Capen was born in Dorchester December 20, 1658, the son of John Capen and his second wife, Mary (daughter of Samuel Bass of Braintree) ; was baptised January 2, 1659; and united with the church in Dorchester April 10, 1681. During the following summier the people of Topsfield learned of his ability, and sought to secure him for their minister; and in town meeting Septem- ber 26, 1681, voted that he might have the use of the parson- age house and land and his choice of 75 lbs. in country pay, as corn, pork and beef, or 20 lbs. in silver and 45 lbs. in country pay. He chose the latter, and was dismissed from
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OF THE MINISTRY.
the church in Dorchester "ye first of ye 4 82 . to Joyne to ye Church at Topsfield in order to his ordination of a pastor to that church." Two months later a New Haven church tried in vain to persuade him to settle in that colony.
June 11, 1684, he was ordained as successor of Jeremialı Hobart, the town having voted at a meeting May 16, 1684,
"Lliut Pebody Deacken Perkins Lliut Baker Ensigne Pebody John Houey Corpr Townes Isacke Estey Senr & John Gould Senr are Chosen to provide for Mr Capen ordanation and the Towne and Church to pay for ye Charges thay bee out about it in such as thay Lay out Ether in Kind or eles in that as ye Law dos say is equeliant to it."
A year later the town began to fear that they were to lose their talented young pastor, and "at a lawful town meeting the fift of sapember 1685 sargen Redington Jacob towne senr and John how or ani two of them ar Chosen to acompeni mr Capen to dorchester when hee goes to viset his frendes and to bring him agane if tha Can with his frendes Consent to Contene with vs in the ministri."
Mr. Capen wisely led the minds of his people along the varied paths of knowledge, and this was appreciated, for on October 22, 1686, the town voted to request him " to prech lecters" as often as was convenient to him. By his fearless and godly wisdom the people of Topsfield were protected during the days of the witchcraft delusion; though a tradi- tion, lingering in the annals of New England, asserts that one Sunday morning he was a little late at church because Satan was loath to depart from a maid serving in the good minister's home. But the man of God prevailed, and the demon was exorcised.
(The longest pastorate, with the exception of that of Rev. John Emerson, in the history of the church, it was also rich in influence, and resulted in 230 admissions to church mem- bership.)
Mr. Capen married in 1684 Priscilla Appleton, daughter of John and Priscilla Glover Appleton of Ipswich.
She was born December 25, 1657 and died at Topsfield, October 18, 1743.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Their children :
Priscilla, b. I Sept., 1685, who married 21 September, 1708, Caleb Thomas of Marshfield.
John, b. 15 June, 1687; died 26 April, 1732.
Mary, baptised 17 February, 1688-9; married 5 January, 1709-10; Thomas Baker of Topsfield.
Elizabeth, baptised 26 April, 1691 ; died 22 March, 1781 ; married 12 October, 1711, Simon, (b. 14 April, 1692, son of John and Sarah) Bradstreet, grandson of Gov. Brad- street.
Joseph, baptised 6 August, 1693; died in infancy.
Nathaniel, born 13 July, 1695 ; died 16 February, 1749-50, unmarried.
Sarah, born 2 April, 1699; married 9 May, 1717, John Bradford of Boston.
REV. JOHN EMERSON.
The sixth preacher and the fourth regular minister of Topsfield, son of Edward and Rebecca (Waldo) Emerson, was born in Chelmsford, Mass., February 27, 1706-7. He was a grandson of Rev. Joseph Emerson, first minister of Mendon, Mass. He was a brother of Rev. Joseph Emerson, from whom descended four generations down, the beautiful writer and eloquent apostle of transcendental philosophy, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Rev. John Emerson was a clergyman, graduated from Har- vard College in 1726. He was ordained the same year. Set- tled as town minister of Topsfield, Mass., November 27, 1728.
Rev. John Emerson was a pious clergyman of good at- tainments and his long ministry flowed on in quiet and har- mony. He is also credited with holding the longest pastor- ate of any minister in the history of the church, a period of forty-six years.
No very especial happenings are recorded of his long min- istry, except the addition to the church membership of two hun-
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REV. DANIEL BRECK. From an Oil Portrait in the possession of Judge Charles H. Breck.
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OF THE MINISTRY.
dred and seven names, also the erection of a house for his own occupancy in 1733-4 on the site of the present Balch-Jordan three-story dwelling in which were his study and some other rooms said to have been retained in the eastern end of this pres- ent structure; and the building of the fourth meeting-house in 1759.
He married October 23, 1729, Elizabeth Pratt, born at Malden, Mass., 1708. Their family consisted of sixteen chil- dren, (eight sons and eight daughters), several died in infan- cy, two died in middle life, the rest married and most of them went to live in near-by towns and cities. His labors ended almost with his life. He died in Topsfield, July II, 1774, aged 67 years 5 mos. His widow also died here April 1, 1790, aged 82 years.
REV. DANIEL BRECK.
Rev. Daniel Breck, son of John and Margaret (Thomas) Breck, and of the fifth generation from Edward Breck, who settled at Dorchester, Mass,, in 1635, was born at Boston, Mass., August 29, 1748 (o. s.), and graduated from Prince- ton College in 1774.
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He was pastor of the Congregational Church of Topsfield, Mass., from November 17, 1779, to May 26, 1788.
During the Revolutionary war he was a chaplin and ac- companied Col. Porter's regiment into Canada under Genl. Montgomery and was present in the attack upon Quebec.
His theological training was pursued under the direction of Stephen West, D. D. (born November 13, 1735, and died May 15, 1819) and Joseph Bellamy, D. D. (born February 20, 1719, and died March 6, 1790), two of the most profound theologians of their time.
Having become financially interested in the military cer- tificates secured upon land in Ohio, he visited the Northwest- ern Territory and has the distinction of having delivered on July 20, 1788, the first sermon ever preached on the spot where now stands Marietta, the first town of importance set-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
tled in the state of Ohio, April, 1788. (The State was ad- mitted into the Union in 1802.) His text was Luke 1 : 33, "And of his Kingdom there shall be no end."
In March, 1786, he was married to Hannah Porter, daugli- ter of Elijah and Dorothy (Clark) Porter of Topsfield.
November 11, 1789, Mr. Breck became the first settled minister of Hartland, Vermont, and was dismissed January 27, 1797. He continued his residence in Hartland until his death on August 12, 1845, at the age of 97 years. Mrs. Breck died June 15, 1838, aged 81 years.
REV. RODNEY GOVE DENNIS, A. M.,
Was born at New Boston, N. H., April 17, 1791, the youngest of the thirteen children of Arthur and Mary ( Good- hue) Dennis. "When in 1813 he entered the Sophomore class of Bowdoin College, he found in the institution but one professing Christian brother. Honorable mention of his ex- ample and influence as an undergraduate is made in Prof. Egbert Coffin Smyth's religious history of the college." Upon the completion of his college course, he entered the Andover Theological Seminary and graduated in 1819.
Owing to ill-health, his principal pastorates were at Tops- field, Mass., October 4, 1820, to May 6, 1829 (the acces- sions numbering 11) and Somers, Conn., June 30, 1830, to June 30, 1839; both terms of service being terminated at his request. For several years he was the agent of the Ameri- can Education Society, and subsequently accepted supply engagements.
November 28, 1820, he married Mary Parker, the eldest daughter of Capt. Stephen and Mary Duren Parker of Biller- ica. They adopted Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Deacon Samuel Cherry and Lydia Gould Todd of Topsfield, and she married Theodore D. Billings. A number of his sermons and an address given at the opening of the Topsfield Acad- emy, May 7, 1828, have been published. The closing years of his life were passed on his farm at Southboro, Mass., where he died September 29, 1865.
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REV. RODNEY GOVE DENNIS.
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REV. JAMES FRISBIE MCEWEN,
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OF THE MINISTRY.
REV. ASAHEL HUNTINGTON, A. M.,
Was born at Franklin, Conn., March 17, 1761, the son of Barnabas and Anne (Wright) Huntington. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1786, and studied divinity with Rev. Dr. Backus of Somers, Conn., and Rev. Dr. Levi Hart of Preston, Conn. He was ordained pastor of the church at Topsfield, November 12, 1789.
In 1791 he brought from Pomfret, Conn., a bride, Alethea, daughter of Dr. Elisha Lord, the bridal trip being made on horse back. The remainder of the worthy minister's life was passed in Topsfield, where he died April 22, 1813, aged 52, after a pastorate of over 23 years, during which he was honored for his abilities, beloved for his Christian graces, and deeply lamented as the good and faithful shepherd of his flock. 37 on confession was the number of additions dur- ing his pastorate. Several of his sermons were published. In 1799 he was a member of the State Legislature.
Of his behavior during the trying period of theological con- troversy one who knew him well has written: "His theo- logical opinions were strictly evangelical, but being a truly wise man, and affectionate and conciliatory in all his inter- course with his people, he secured, and retained, their confi- dence, attachment, and respect."
His sons were Hon. Elisha Huntington, M. D. (Dartmouth 1815) who was the Lieut. Governor of Mass. in 1853, and Hon. Asahel Huntington (Yale 1819) Mayor of Salem in 1853, and Clerk of Essex County Courts from 1851 until his death.
REV. JAMES FRISBIE MCEWEN
Was born at East Hartford, Conn., August 25, 1793, and died at West Brattleboro, Vt., April 14, 1850, aged 56.
He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1823, and at An-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
dover Theological Seminary in 1826, and was ordained a colleague pastor of the Congregational church at Bridport, Vermont, June 7, 1827 ; from which charge he was dismissed December 1, 1829. He was installed at Topsfield, Mass., May 5, 1830, and dismissed May 5, 1841. There followed a pastorate of five years at Rye, N. H., after which he retired to a farm in West Brattleboro, Vt., and passed the remainder of his life.
In September, 1827, he married Harriot Cook at Clare- mont, N. H. Born near the close of the 18th century, his youth witnessed the great religious awakening which fol- lowed upon the "haystack prayer meeting" and the forming of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- sions. While he pursued his education this movement be- came more extensive; Dwight, Nettleton, Finney, Edward Payson, Lyman Beecher and Leonard Woods, being leaders among the scores of Congregational divines whose preach- ing was intensely evangelistic. This evangelistic note was the key to Mr. McEwen's preaching and indeed to his entire ministry, and in soul-winning purpose and power no other pastorate in Topsfield equals that of Pastor McEwen. 184 on confession and 9 by letter, is the excellent list of addi- tions for eleven years.
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