USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lowell > Historical sketch of Saint Anne's Church, Lowell, Mass > Part 6
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 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
39
mill corporations would help this, as they had other religious ventures in Lowell, and the Bishop added his endorsement to Lawrence's promise of aid, but B. F. French was opposed to St. Luke's and probably influenced other agents. William Appleton gave a decided negative from the corporation treasurers, which doomed the enterprise. Dr. Edson went to Boston, had a half hour's interview with Mr. Appleton, and endeavored to persuade him to redeem St. Luke's, but without avail. " 'God knows best,' he says, 'where to lay the responsibility of defeating a most worthy object, and scattering a flock gathered with such promise.' " December 11, 1845, the property was sold to the Congregationalists for $7,500, and later the new owners combined with the Unitarian South Congregational Church in utilizing the property as the present "All Souls."
Some time after the expiration of the lease the Society was allowed to purchase St. Anne's for twelve thousand dollars. There was a condition that the Parsonage be vacated by the first of March, 1843. The first price asked was $15,000, no part of the lot to be used for any purpose other than at present, or the church could be rented for 6 per cent. of the price, $900 per annum.
The Rector and part at least of the congregation denied the justice of appropriating the property to any other uses than those explicitly expressed in the original deed and held that the Merrimack Company was a mere trustee of the property for the use of St. Anne's congregation and their minister.
The twelve thousand dollars was raised by subscription among the members of the congregation and others, the individual subscriptions varying in amount from "nine-pence" (twelve and a half cents) to $1,250. "When the treasurer of the church, with the cheque in his hand was on his way to the counting room, he met Patrick T. Jackson, one of the early directors of the Company, who on knowing his business said, 'It is no better than highway robbery.' "
"The Congregation of St. Anne's Church" (the name adopted in 1831) now assumed a corporate form, and for some years was known as "The Proprietors of St. Anne's Church." The stock of the corporation was divided into shares of fifty dollars each, and representation was allowed on half a share. Each share was entitled to one vote, but no stockholder was allowed more than twenty votes.
40
---
-
MISS ELIZABETH MASON EDSON
PROPRIETORS OF ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, 1843.
Shares
Shares
Samuel Lawrence
25
George Brownell
5
John O. Green.
12 1
Dennis Fay 1%
Stephen Cushing
6 4
Sarah C. Whiting 5
Walter Wright
5
Mary Worthen 2
J. H. B. Ayer.
4
Nath'l Wright 12 %
George H. Carleton 15
James S. Russell. 1 %
Daniel Bixby
5
Elisha Huntington
1
Charles Hovey 2
H. M. Moody 6 14
Ziba Abbott 3
James Russell 2
James Cook
8 %
John Butcher 1 1%
Calvin W. Cook.
5
Joseph M. Dodge.
4
William Schouler
2 1/2
Joseph Bedlow
2
Cyril French
10
C. M. Marvel.
3
Mrs. Moody
64
Chas. L. Tilden
5
Samuel Burbank
4 1/3
Benj. F. French
10
Benjamin Green
21/2
H. Pillsbury
4
Robert Prince
3
Ph. Whiting
2
Ed. I. Payne
3
S. R. Hanscom 1
Jesse Phelps
2
John D. Prince 4
John W. Holland
2
P. O. Richards. 2
Turner H. Jenkins
1
Theodore Edson 1
Jon. Adams
1 %
Wardens about
12
Joshua Swan
8
Fractions
6
The next year was an eventful one for St. Anne's. On No- vember 23, 1842, the lease of the church and parsonage, given to the parish by the Merrimack Company, expired by limitation. Mr. Boott had died in 1837, Mr. Moody, Mr. Colburn, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Eben Appleton and Judge Livermore were dead, and the Company determined to take possession of the house. On the first of February the two wardens made a formal call on Dr. Edson and informed him that agreeably to the terms of the contract for the purchase of the church building, the parsonage must be vacated on the first of March, leaving him four weeks . to move out, and without intimating whether or no they would do anything in the way of finding a new home for him or paying the rent. He had paid none for the parsonage. He had lived there for seventeen years and there were many hallowed memories attached to this home. To it he had gone on his marriage, and there his only child was born, she who had made the home a cheery place and who as she grew to young womanhood had grown also into the affections of the parishioners and the many guests whom it had sheltered. It had been the centre of church
41
---
work and social activity, with Mrs. Edson as a charming hostess, one who possessed a well-cultered mind and ready wit. The latch- string was always out and the welcome parishioners did not need to ring before entering.
The feeling against the Company for their action was strong and widespread. The Rector received the kindest expressions of sympathy and good will. Mr. Prince said to him, "Never mind, you will get back again some day." Not long after the parsonage was vacated, a fence was built between it and the church.
The Edsons moved to the "Stone House," on Pawtucket street, built by Phineas Whiting in 1824 from a ledge or quarry he owned on Fletcher street, and used as a tavern, kept sometime by Balch and Coburn. It stands opposite Fletcher street, and was owned at that time by the Locks and Canals Company. The first town meeting of Lowell was held there March 6, 1826. The beautiful location overlooking the Pawtucket falls in the Merrimack and the plentiful supply of salmon, alewives and other fish for the table made it a popular resort for wealthy people from Boston and elsewhere.
It was later the home of Dr. J. C. Ayer, and by gift of his widow and son, Frederick Fanning Ayer, became "The Ayer Home" for destitute children. Dr. Edson and his family were glad to find a refuge there, and paid for it two hundred dollars a year rent. A company of more than five hundred friends came to greet them with kind expressions of interest in their welfare and that of the Church.
Dr. Harlin Pillsbury had proposed to Dr. Edson to join Dr. Jewett and himself in putting up a block on Kirk street, each one owning a house. The price of the land was $800, and Dr. Edson's share of the cost of building was to be $2000. Mr. Cyril French, a contractor and builder offered to take the entire charge and oversight of the work, giving the advantage of his time, care and skill without compensation. He, with the fore- most men of the parish, strongly advised Dr. Edson to accept Dr. Pillsbury's proposal. During the years of his ministry Dr. Edson had been able to save $2000, and it was proposed that he borrow the balance, $800, on a mortgage of the property. The Proprietors of St. Anne's were resolved on retrenchment and made no addition to his salary to pay the rent of his hired house, so that at first he felt he could not go on with the new building project.
42
Th
-
-
----
But it was not long before members of the parish intimated the deficiency would be made up to him, and on Christmas morning he received from a few individuals a purse of $200, and at the next Easter his salary was raised to $1200.
In January, 1844, Mrs. Edson's mother died and left her a small legacy ($5,000, says Miss Edson), and although the cost of construction exceeded the estimate, this enabled him to proceed with the building, which, when completed, he occupied with his family for seven years.
Near the beginning of 1845, at the same time that the City Library was opened, Dr. Edson started the Rector's Library at St. Anne's.
At the time of the failure of St. Luke's Church, St. Anne's was full, and most of those who had been averse to that enter- prise favored gathering all into one congregation, but St. Anne's could not accommodate those who wished to return there. This was deemed a favorable opportunity of carrying out the original plan of adding thirty feet, about one-third of its length, and thus bringing the building into better proportions. The expense involved, with some needed repairs, was about $4,000.
The last service in St. Anne's, before the alteration in the building, was on the twelfth of July, 1845. For thirteen Sundays the congregation worshipped in the basement of St. Luke's and were again in St. Anne's on the nineteenth of October, with an addition of forty-four pews, immediately occupied by the in- creasing congregation.
Dr. Edson urged the immediate payment of the debt and said he was willing to do his share if the rest of them would do theirs; that he was willing to serve them for five hundred dollars a year if that were necessary in order that the debt might be paid off; the debt was, however, secured by a mortgage on the church, and was not paid for ten years.
The discovery of gold in California in 1848 caused an emigra- * tion of many American operatives in the Lowell mills and this to some extent affected the congregation of St. Anne's.
At the annual meeting of 1848 the salary of the Rector was raised to $1400 and continued the same for ten years.
At that time a stone house above the river on Andover street about a mile from the church, was offered for sale and Dr. Edson bought it in 1850, for $5,500. It was called the Manse, the name being on a stone over the front entrance. It had been the residence
43
--
of the Rev. Mr. Atkinson, pastor of the High Street church, which had been St. Luke's. Dr. Edson refers to it as a delightful residence, a lovely home, rich in sweet remembrances, where with his family he lived among pleasant neighbors, and enjoyed the "exceeding beauty of river and hill-top scenery." It still stands, somewhat lower than the street, high above the southern shore of the Merrimack, where the falls and the curving banks of the river form a charming picture, with Christian hill towering on the opposite side for a background. Across the street, on still higher ground, is the beautiful estate of the late General Benjamin F. Butler, who with his family was always a kind and interested neighbor as well as a good friend of St. Anne's. Near by were also the Hoveys and other good friends and parishioners. Here he lived for fifteen years.
ST. ANNE'S AS ORIGINALLY BUILT
. 44
CHAPTER VI.
THE REGULAR PAROCHIAL ORGANIZATION
The year 1855 was a memorable one in the history of St. Anne's. The corporated Proprietors, some of them at considerable sacri- fice, gave up their shares of stock to the Wardens and Vestry and merged into the common parochial form of organization; and at the same time by a generous subscription paid off the debt and released the mortgage on the church.
On Sunday, March 18, was celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the Consecration, it being thought better to have the cele- bration on Sunday than on the 16th.
Invitations were forwarded to the Bishop and to each of the surviving clergymen present at the Consecration, to the Clergy of the Diocese and former members of the Parish. The Beetho- ven Musical Society, who sang at the Consecration, resumed their places in the choir and sang on this occasion. The ladies of the Parish had raised sufficient funds to introduce gas-fixtures, more than one hundred and fifty burners, "in a novel manner," being arranged along its lofty cornice, and a Star of Light, with the letters I. H. S., being placed at the top of the chancel over the Altar. Before this, as has been said, the church was lighted with sperm oil lamps suspended by iron rods on either side of the two aisles.
The offertory amounted to $4,308.66, $200 of which was a gift to Dr. Edson, and the remainder was for the payment of the debt.
The music was under the direction of Mr. James Harrison, organist of St. Anne's. There were present and assisting the . following members of the Musical Society who sang at the Con- secration in 1825: N. D. Gould, George Brownell, Joshua Swan, J. H. B. Ayer, Cyril French, Thomas Billings, Abner Ball, Elisha Huntington, John J. Crane, William Davidson, Eli Cooper, Matthias Parkhurst, Solon Stevens, Alpha Stevens, J. V. Atkinson, Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Wood and Mrs. William Carleton. It is stated by Mr. Hovey that over one hundred singers of the original choir were present.
45
---
The church was filled and overflowing. On the day following the Wardens and Vestry were invited to meet the clergy at the Rectory. Addresses and responses were made, expressing appre- ciation and thanks on both sides. J. H. B. Ayer and George H. Carleton were the Wardens, and the Vestrymen were Elisha Huntington, Cyril French, Dennis Fay, James S. Russell, B. C. Sargent, Charles Hovey, Treasurer, and John O. Green, Clerk.
THE SUIT IN EQUITY
An important event in the history of St. Anne's was the suit against the Merrimack Company. On the fifteenth of February, 1856, the Rector, Wardens and Vestry made a formal demand, in writing, for the parsonage and lot in a letter addressed to the Agent of the Merrimack Company then residing in the Parsonage, and the Company refused to comply with the demand. On the twenty-eighth of February, Dr. Edson, by John P. Robinson, his attorney, duly authorized, made a formal entry upon the prem- ises, claiming possession and the right of possession to the said premises, as Rector and Minister of St. Anne's Church.
The annual parish meeting on April 5, 1856, was marked with more excitement and difference of opinion than any previous one. It having been thought right to obtain a judicial decision on the claim of the Merrimack Company to the parsonage before title should be gained by possession. The test vote which was taken by a call of names was forty-six to thirty for action by the Parish, to establish the title to both church and parsonage, and thus to recover the money ($12,000) which the Parish had paid in 1842, and also to obtain again the use of the parsonage for the Rector, of which use he had been deprived for about thirteen years.
The lawyers employed by the Parish were Hon. Joel Parker, of Boston, Hon. John Paul Robinson, Esq., Benjamin F. Butler, Esq., and William P. Webster, Esq., of Lowell, all of whom, says Mr. Charles Hovey, were not only convinced of the justice of the claim, but of the certainty of the recovery of the property
The counsel on the side of the Company were Hon. Rufus Choate, and Hon. F. B. Crowninshield, of Boston, and S. A. Brown, Esq., of Lowell.
The arguments in the case were made for the Parish by Robin- son and Butler; and by Hon. J. G. Abbott and Charles F. Blake, Esq., for the Company.
46
---
-
By agreement of counsel on both sides, the facts were sub- mitted to the Supreme Judicial Court of this Commonwealth, sit- ting in equity at the term held in Lowell, in April, 1856, with the further agreement that the decision of said Court should be final.
The "Information," so called, is "at and by the relation of the Rev. Theodore Edson, D. D., Rector of St. Anne's Church in Lowell, James H. B. Ayer and George H. Carleton, Wardens, and Elisha Huntington, Cyril French, Dennis Fay, James S. Russell, Benjamin C. Sargent, and Charles Hovey (Treasurer) and John O. Green (Vestry Clerk,) ex-officio, vestrymen of said church, all of Lowell." It is printed in a book of nearly a hundred pages entitled: "The Attorney-General, ex relatione, Rector, Wardens and Vestry of St. Anne's Church in Lowell, vs. Merri- mack Manufacturing Company. Supreme Judicial Court. Middlesex."
Another book of lesser size, but of similar import, containing important correspondence, etc., was also printed for the use of the Court.
The decision of the Court, which is too long to quote entire, was delayed almost four years; the case was twice argued before the Court, and by the act of Providence a change was made in its members, one of the five judges having died and another being appointed in his place. The decision was rendered ad- versely to the Parish in January, 1860, and is reported in Vol. 80 of "Massachusetts Reports," 14th Gray, occupying twenty- seven pages. The rescript was drawn up by Judge E. R. Hoar, and sent up.
It is stated in the "Opinion of the Court" (here condensed) that no dedication of the lot upon which St. Anne's was erected was ever made by the respondents, the Merrimack Company, so that the land was no longer under their control nor subject to their disposal; that the Company authorized their committee "to build a suitable church for the use of the Company, at Chelms- ford"; that there was no intention to dedicate the church and parsonage to any other use than that of the Company; that no trust was intended by the parties or constituted by the con- veyance; that the words of the deed do not create a limitation but do create an estate upon condition, of which the distinctive characteristic is the provision, by any form of expression, for re-entry. The judgment was: Information dismissed with costs for the respondents.
47
As soon as it arrived, the American flag was hoisted upon the Parsonage (then occupied by Mr. Isaac Hinckley, superintendent of the Merrimack Company), and was kept flying for a week.
Mr. Hovey says: "To the common mind this case seems to have established two principles, viz., the inadequacy of the English language to convey inherent ideas (see the original deed), and secondly, the uncertainty of law in this country. The counsel for the Church discovered that the language of the deed was copied from an English deed made to accomplish a similar object. The experience has also illustrated another principle, viz., that organized bodies, when compelled to exert themselves, thereby gain strength, as when the gratuitous lease had expired, the congregation was almost immediately obliged to enlarge its accommodations."
The case of St. Anne's Church was one of the most important decisions ever made touching estates upon condition as distin- guished from estates in trust.
John P. Robinson, who appeared after many years' retirement from practice, never argued another case. He was confirmed in St. Anne's in 1855.
He was the subject of Lowell's lines:
"John P. Robinson, he
Says he won't vote for Governor B."
He was a classical scholar, an eloquent orator and an accom- plished lawyer.
On the first of April, 1856, Dr. Edson made the last payment on the Manse. He says: "To myself and to my dear family, who had interested themselves so earnestly in the savings and self- denyings of the enterprise, it was a joyous event. Already had we enjoyed that beautiful, quiet, cosy, tasteful and befitting residence so long that it had become home to our feelings and affections, and being that it was now paid for, we nestled there with the greater comfort and satisfaction and felt that all our efforts and energies were now to be more strenuously as also more advantageously applied to parochial works.
Madame Butler, mother of General B. F. Butler, was almost identified with the family at the Manse, "endeared by strength of mind and soundness of sense, an enjoyable and extraordinary lady."
48
1
---
CHAPTER VII. THE BELLS THE CIVIL WAR-TRIP TO EUROPE
In 1857 an alteration was made in St. Anne's by which the arrangement of the pews was changed so as to make a central aisle and the number of sittings was increased. These were readily taken, thereby adding to the annual rental over two hundred dollars.
This year the weekly offertory was begun; previously an offertory had been taken only on occasions when there was a celebration of the Holy Communion. The same year a move- ment was made outside the congregation to place a chime of bells in the tower of St. Anne's. George Hedrick, Esq., was indefatigable in his earnest, persistent and successful efforts to accomplish this.
The bell of the Merrimack Manufacturing Company was rung for service on Sundays for thirty years from 1824, long after the church had ceased to be the property of that Corpor- ation.
A committee to raise subscriptions for the chime consisted of 124 prominent citizens, contributions to be deposited with J. G. Carney, George Hedrick or Oliver E. Cushing. These amounted to $4,262.90 There are eleven bells, made by Jones & Hitchcock of Troy, N. Y., (predecessors of C. H. Meneeley), all named and suitably inscribed.
Saturday, October 17, 1857, the bells were dedicated. About ten o'clock changes were rung, the Wardens ushered in the mayor, aldermen and city council. Morning Prayer was said, addresses made, and the bells played "Old Hundred," which was sung by the choir and congregation. The bells were rung afternoon and evening.
Mr. Hinckley, superintendent of the Merrimack, living in the "parsonage," was troubled by the bells and offered to give two thousand dollars to silence them, but the Vestry declined. Dr. Edson thought it strange that he with corporation men who had been making bell-noises in the city for forty years, more of it and louder, should complain of the chimes. .
49
---
The names, weight and inscriptions of the several bells are as follows:
Eb, 2271 lbs. Hedrick Bell.
"From the tower of St. Anne's, we praise thee! O God, and celebrate thy blessing on the generous endeavors of George Hedrick, Esq., and other citizens and friends whereby we were placed here to ring thy praise. Gloria Patri et Filio Spirituique. A. D. 1857."
F, 1448 lbs. Citizens' Bell.
"Art is the handmaid of human good. We were purchased through the gen- erosity of the citizens of Lowell. A. D. 1857."
G, 1134 lbs. Parish Bell.
"First public worship in the village (now Lowell), by Rev. Theodore Edson, March 7, 1824. St. Anne's Church consecrated March 16, A. D. 1825. Allan Pollock and Warren Colburn first Church Wardens."
Ab, 956 lbs. Historical Bell.
"Merrimack Company began work A. D. 1822. Town of Lowell incorporated A. D. 1826. City Charter granted A. D. 1836. A. D. 1857."
Bb, 783 lbs. Ole Bull Bell.
"This bell was the gift of Ole Bull, the great violinist of Bergen, Norway, A. D. 1857. Honor to whom honor is due."
B, 683 lbs.
Musicians' Bell.
"To the memory of Handel. Born A. D. 1684, died A. D. 1758. Presented by the principal musical professors and amateurs of Lowell, A. D. 1857.
"To music! Noble art divine,
Ring forth, ye bells, a merry chime."
C, 608 lbs. Hovey Bell.
"A memorial to George H. Carlton, late Junior Warden of St. Anne's Church. Presented to the church by Charles Hovey as an expression of af- fection for his early master and late partner. A. D. 1857."
Db, 565 lbs. Bishop's Bell.
"Rt. Rev. Manton Eastburn, D.D., Bishop of Massachusetts. Consecrated December 26, 1842. Tanquam Dei dispensatorem. Epistola ad Titum."
D, 530 lbs. Rector's Bell.
"Presented by the Ladies of St. Anne's Church, to perpetuate the memory of their beloved and devoted pastor, Rev. Theodore Edson, D.D., Rector of the Parish since the consecration, A.D. 1825. Blest is the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love."
. 50
----
-
Eb, 481 lbs. Founders' Bell.
"Jones & Hitchcock, Troy, Rens. Co., N. Y. August, A. D. 1857."
F, 460 lbs. Ayer's Bell.
"Presented by James C. and Frederick Ayer, Chemists, Lowell, A. D. 1857. Omnibus que prosunt sequimur." (Our aim is health for all.)
Total weight of the chimes, 9899 1bs.
In November of this year, 1857, Dr. Edson's salary was raised to $1,600, "a very comfortable relief." "It enabled us to lay out that amount (the additional $200) on the grounds and garden. These I had very scantily cultured upon the principle of devoting the whole of my labor and strength to the Parish and Church, and my family, likewise devoted, had little or no time for the culture of flowers, or indulgence of a taste in that direction." "Tuesday, March 16, 1858. Anniversary of Consecration of St. Anne's Church and of my ordination. Prayers at ten. Mr. and Mrs. (J. H. B.) Ayer, Doct. Green and Mr. J. M. Dodge were present of those who were at the original consecration ser- vices. Other gentlemen of the vestry and others were in."
Fifty-nine were confirmed in April, 1858, and in October there was to have been another visitation by the Bishop, but Dr. Edson was taken sick early in September, and this had to be post- poned until January, when seventy-eight were confirmed.
In May, 1859, fifty-one were confirmed; one hundred and twenty-nine for the year. In the three years, 1857-8-9, the average number confirmed was seventy-seven; the average number baptized one hundred and thirty-eight per year; the average number added to the Communion sixty-six per year; the average number of burials fifty-eight and a fraction. There were over thirty marriages in each of the years 1857-8-9.
After his return to health the question of a curate or assistant was agitated, as it was felt that Dr. Edson was overworked.
When asked if he would like to have an assistant, Dr. Edson replied, "Yes, certainly." But with the understanding that his assistant should occupy additional place and accommodation of divine worship and ministrations in the city.
At a Vestry meeting one member said he had been told that it was cruel to suffer such a burden to rest upon the aged Rector. "It does seem cruel, and our sympathies are moved." "But,"
51
he said, "you may furnish the Rector with any number of assist- ants and it will not make ten steps a week difference with him in his labors. He has always done what he could do, and he always will, unless made over anew. Why, look here! as the infirmities of age increase, he assumes new burdens. Within the last two years the West End Mission has been started.
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.