USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume II > Part 14
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Mrs. Pope early learned to trust in the Lord and do good. She gloried in the old doctrines of the New England faith. Taught at her mother's side the Westminster catechism, it was familiar to her as the alphabet, and often she occupied the slow hours of night by reciting its articles and reflecting upon them.
Her longevity was owing in a great measure, it is believed, to her habitual cheerfulness. She never wasted her energies in pining over unavoidable or imaginary troubles. She believed she had the best husband that ever a woman had, and "no min- ister ever had a better parish; and so her life was one continual hallelujah."
Mrs. Pope delighted in reminiscences of the past, and even after one hundred years of age, would surprise her family telling some incident of her youth, or reciting verses she had learned when a girl which had never been in print.
She heard Whitefield preach in 1770 and repeated the text: Romans 8: 15, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption where- by we cry Abba, Father." She also recited the text of the first election sermon she heard when a young girl: Micah 7: 3, "That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh a reward; and the great inan, he uttereth his mischievous desire, so they wrap it up."
190
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
When Mrs. Pope completed her one hundredth year her des- cendants met with her to celebrate the event. The following Sabbath she attended church with them and wore a bonnet and cloak she had made herself, which had been carefully preserved for many years. After passing the century line she was able to read her Testament and Psalms by catching a word here and there, her memory supplying the rest. Mrs. Pope was called to pass through severe affliction, hier husband and only daughter dying the same week. More than thirty-two years she was a widow.
Probably no minister's wife in Massachusetts ever lived to such an advanced age. She died as she lived, a witness to the power and beauty of the Christian's faith and hope. Mrs. Anna Pope died July 14, 1859, aged one hundred and four years, six months and twenty-eight days. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
Rev. Stephen Crosby of Thompson, Conn., was ordained and settled as a colleague of Rev. Joseph Pope, June 9, 1819, with a salary of six hundred and fifty dollars.
There was a difference of opinion in regard to the terins of settlement which afterward caused unfriendly feelings. This trouble conflicted with his usefulness as pastor, and it was deemed advisable by a council of ministers from eleven churches that his services as assistant pastor in Spencer should cease and he was dismissed May 31, 1825, after serving as junior pastor five years.
Mr. Crosby was married and liad one daughter born while in Spencer. He went from Spencer to Connecticut and died in 1839. At the time of his settlement, from 1818 to 1820, there was unusual interest in religion in nearly all the churches of Brookfield association and this church had many additions, thirty- five being added to the church by profession during the five years of his ministry.
The fourth minister of this church, Rev. Levi Packard, was born in North Bridgewater, February 4, 1793. He was gradu- ated at Brown University in 1821. He preached as a candidate several Sabbaths, when the church and society gave him a call by a unanimous vote to be their minister, offering him a salary of $550 per annum, on condition that the contract should be dis- solved after six months' notice by either party. Mr. Packard accepted with the qualification that the society pay him $475 and furnish him with a house while he remained their minister.
He was ordained June 14, 1826. Mr. Packard was a gentle- man of a generous and benevolent disposition and in his daily life strictly exemplified his religious principles and profession. As a citizen he gave liberally of time and money to any object that would promote the best interests of the town. The cause of
191
SPENCER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
temperance found in him a zealous advocate and our schools a faith- ful and earnest helper. In pastoral visitation Mr. Packard ex- celled; he knew and loved all his people and endeared himself to them by his interest in their home life and surroundings.
There were several seasons of especial religious interest while he was pastor. At these times what was called "protracted meet- ings" were held, sometimes continuing three or four days and
REV. LEVI PACKARD.
(Copy by Currin.)
people from adjacent towns attended. In the church records is found this entry by Mr. Packard:
"January 1, 1832. Six years ago today I preached in Spen- cer for the first time. On this day forty were added to the church, twenty-five females and fifteen males; five men who are heads of families. Twenty people were baptized, the day was solemn, the meeting was large. May God be praised for the recent effusion of His Spirit."
192
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
In Rev. Mr. Packard's ministry of twenty-seven years there were added to the church seventy-four by letter, and one nun- dred and thirty-nine by profession. He resigned his pastorate September 23, 1853, and was afterward installed over a society in Woonsocket, R. I., but was soon obliged, on account of sickness, to resign his charge. He retired to Stafford Springs, Conn., where he died January 11, 1857. By his request he was buried among the people he loved in Spencer, in sight of the church whose welfare was dear to his heart.
Two months after Rev. Levi Packard was ordained he was married to Miss Clarissa Sandford of Medway and all who remem-
REV. STEPHEN G. DODD.
ber the gentle, loving lady who was the pastor's wife twenty- seven years will agree that the words of King Lemuel describing the praise and attributes of a good wife would apply to Mrs. Packard. She was a ready helper to her husband in his work as a minister and her domestic management was such she always found time for the benevolent work of the church and nothing gave more pleasure to the parishioners than the annual calls from Mr. and Mrs. Packard.
193
SPENCER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Several times "donation parties" were given to them and however small the gift it was so graciously received that the donor always found it was blessed to give.
Mrs. Packard survived her husband twenty-one years.
The fifth minister of this church, Rev. Stephen Dodd, was born in Bloomfield, N. J., March 24, 1826, was graduated at Princeton college, N. J., after which he was ordained and settled .. over a Presbyterian church in Milford, Conn., two years. He supplied our pulpit as a candidate, giving such great satisfaction to the people that he received a unanimous call to become the pastor and was installed August 23, 1854. His salary, including
REV. THOMAS T. WATERMAN.
a house, was eight hundred and twenty-five dollars a year. After six years of service he relinquished his charge, without any dis- affection of either the minister or people, but with mutual good will and respect. There were added to the church during his ministry forty-seven by profession and twenty-three by letters from other churches.
Rev. Thomas T. Waterman of Killingly, Conn., was in- stalled as pastor of this church June 5, 1861. The terms of set- tlement required three months' notice be given in case of dissatis-
13
194
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
faction of either party. Mr. Waterman came to the duties in- cumbent upon him with ripe experience and thorough knowl- edge of the relations which should exist between pastor and peo- ple, but there were many things to conflict with the prosperity and growth of the church.
The church was burned January 1, 1862, and for one year of his pastorate the services were held in the town hall.
Mr. Waterman filled the office of pastor nineteen months, his services closing January 1, 1863. Two were admitted to the church by profession and two by letter.
The seventh minister, Rev. James Cruickshanks, was born in
REV. JAMES CRUICKSHANKS.
Haddington, Scotland, November 12, 1828. When fourteen years of age he came to this country and a year later united with a Congregational church in Lowell, Mass. Soon after, having the ministry in view, he prepared for college and graduated at Yale college in 1855, which was followed by three years at theo- logical seminaries. He was ordained at Everett, Mass., Septem- ber, 1858. In July, 1863, he was engaged to supply this pulpit for one year, but after preaching six months, the church and par-
195
SPENCER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ish gave him a unanimous call to be their settled minister, which he accepted, and was installed January 13, 1864. He was an able, faithful and successful minister of Jesus Christ to his peo- ple for eight years.
During his ministry there were several seasons of great reli- gious interest. An occasion long to be remembered was the com- munion season, July 1867, when forty-nine were received into the church by profession of their faith in Christ.
During his pastorate sixty-nine were admitted to the church by profession and thirty-four by letter. He resigned his charge July 3, 1871. Rev. James Cruickshanks died in Chicago, Ill.,
REV. HARRISON A. SHOREY.
June, 1889, after thirty-one years of active ministerial labor, at rest from toil, at rest in God.
Rev. James Cruickshanks was married after he came to Spen- cer to Miss Anna Maria, daughter of Prof. John DeWitt of New Brunswick, N. J., and for six years she acceptably filled the position as pastor's wife. Mrs. Cruickshanks died in 1869, leav- ing two children.
He afterward married Miss Susan C., daughter of Dennis Ward of Spencer.
196
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
Rev. Harrison A. Shorey of Camden, Me., was installed Sept. 16, 1873, receiving a salary of two thousand ($2000) dollars and a parsonage. He was an attractive and popular preacher, original in his methods, and during his pastorate of three years and four months the Sabbath services were largely attended. He was cordial and genial in his nature and promoted the social wel- fare of the church, while among us, and was always found zeal- ous and active in all that pertained to the upbuilding of good influences in the community. Twenty-four were received into the church by letter and forty-six by profession during his pas- torate. Mr. Shorey resigned his charge Jan. 1, 1876 and accepted a position on the editorial staff of the Golden Rule.
REV. AVERY S. WALKER.
His successor, the ninth minister, Rev. Avery S. Walker of Gloversville, N. Y., was installed Nov. 14, 1877 and ministered to this people ten years. He was granted a dismission Sept. 1, 1887. During this ten years the church made steady though quiet growth. There were added sixty-seven by letter and forty- six by profession. Probably during no previous ten years of its history, were our people as prosperous in worldly affairs; and as
197
SPENCER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
they had freely received, they freely gave. The church was remodelled, the "Harris" plan of giving was introduced with success and the benevolence of our people was shown in many ways.
May 25, 1882, this church called for the ordination of Charles S. Vaile, a graduate of Andover seminary, who was to supply a pulpit in Oakland, Cal., and wished to be prepared for all ministerial duties on his arrival at the place. Rev. Mr. Vaile was a great grandson of Rev. Joseph Pope.
The tenth pastor, Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, was installed May 15, 1888. He had been a faithful soldier for his country in the time of her peril, and for the four and one-half years lie was with
REV. ERASTUS BLAKESLEE.
us he was a faithful soldier for the King of Kings. He resigned his pastorate March 27, 1892, for a greater work of service for the church on earth than would be possible in any individual parish. During his ministry forty-four were received into the church by letter and ninety-five by profession.
Our present pastor, Rev. Sherman W. Brown, was ordained and installed June 6, 1893. During the past seventeen months
198
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
twenty-three have been admitted to the church, eleven by letter and twelve by profession.
The present number of members of this church is three hundred and thirty-five. Five of these have been on the list for over fifty years, seven others over forty years and eighteen over thirty years.
The total number of those who have been members during the one hundred and fifty years is eleven hundred and fifty (1,150).
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR VIEWS OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF TODAY.
One hundred and fifty years of prayer! One hundred and fifty years of praise! Who can estimate the result? Carlyle says: "No idlest word thou speakest, but it is a seed cast into time and grows through all eternity." If this is true of our idle words, who can estimate the result of all those words of prayer and praise? They have all been noted down by the recording angel. It must be an unwritten history to human eyes. The influence of these pastors, and of those who have been members of this church has gone out into lines that have been marked by
199
SPENCER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
no eye but the Omniscient, and yet we can read enough from the homes this church has overshadowed, to have our hearts filled with gratitude while we follow in loving remembrance those who have gone from their earthly labors and trials, and entered into their eternal rest and glory.
Recalling the past of this church our hearts cry out, "What hatlı God wrought?" Looking forward with faith and hope to the future, we still confidently trust that He whose hand has been leading us all these years will continue to be our Guide throughout all eternity.
The Strangers' Aid Society.
The Strangers' Aid Society was organized about 1847-8 and continued in active existence some five years. It was a strictly downtown or lower village society, including also persons from Hillsville. Its object was to care for strangers in town re- quiring medical aid and, in case of death give them a respectable burial ontside the potters field.
The first meeting was held in the parlor of Capt. Jeremialı Grout, who then lived in a dwelling on the site of the present Sugden blook. The house is still standing, owned by Henry I. Wybert and Mrs. Sophia Wright, corner Grant and Pleasant streets. Mrs. Wright's front room is where the meeting was held.
The organization acquired a tract of land on the east side of Pine Grove cemetery on the Hillsville road, enclosed the same with a fence and erected thereon a plain wooden monument, still to be seen, bearing on all four sides this inscription: "The Strangers' Home." Three persons were buried in this lot as fol- lows, each of them having appropriate marble headstones, bear- ing these inscriptions:
Richard Clinch, died June 18, 1848, aged 31.
Widow Sarah Bride, died May 11, 1849, aged 70.
Lucy Ann, daughter of G. W. and Phoebe A. Packard, died Dec. 28, 1853, aged 14 years.
Widow Bride, said to have been an excellent person, lived for many years with Dea. Wm. G. Muzzy on the present Amasa T. Bemis place.
Who the principal promoters of this charitable organization were is not known, as they are now dead and no records are ob- tainable which would disclose their names.
SUPPLEMENTARY HISTORY
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
FROM 1893 TO THE PRESENT TIME
BY DEA GEO. H. MARSH
Rev. Sherman William Brown, the pastor in charge on the date of the 150th anniversary of this church was the eleventh pastor. He was born in West Winfield, New York, June 18, 1866. Educated in the public schools and the academy of that place until seventeen years of age, he entered Hamilton college at Clinton, N. Y., in 1883, graduating in June 1887. He began his theological studies in Andover seminary in the fall of 1887 and graduated in 1890.
Throughout his educational course he was always at the front, a fine speaker and thorough scholar, a leader in social life, enthusiastic, happy and cheerful, a favorite alike with pro- fessor and student.
It was natural that such an one should strive for the scholar- ship which would give to the winner two years abroad. Mr. Brown won in the race and went immediately to Berlin where he made a special study of Church History. He remained in Germany some three years spending his vacations in traveling through many European countries and personally conducting a party through Egypt and Palestine.
A unanimous call was extended to Mr. Brown to the pastorate of this church, May 12, 1893, which was promptly accepted by him, and he was ordained and installed June 6, 1893.
In the summer of 1895 Mr. Brown again crossed the water and was married to Miss Clara Von Beyer of Berlin. Returning,
HISTORY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
201
REV. SHERMAN W. BROWN AND MRS. CI,ARA VON BEYER BROWN.
(Copy by Currin.)
202
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
Mr. and Mrs. Brown arrived in Spencer, Aug. 31st and were warmly received by the church.
Mr. Brown's pastorate continued for nearly eight years un- til in the wise providence of our Heavenly Father he was called to his eternal reward. He died Mar. 1st, 1901, at thirty-five years of age. His remains were taken to the home of his boy- hood and it was fitting that his early associates should perform the last sad rites over their beloved brother, and with tenderness lay him beside his friend-his own mother-in the beautiful spot over-looking the still flowing Unadila.
During his eight years of labor among this people there were added to the church 205 members; 154 by profession and 51 by letter.
The foremost aim of all his efforts was that of winning souls whether in church service or in social life. He was an en- thusiastic preacher of the great gospel truths and there was no mistaking the Spirit's guidance in all his utterances.
For more than a year this church was without a settled pastor, yet we lacked not spiritual food from the lips of our supply, Dr. Archibald McCullagh and other godly men.
A call was extended by this church and society April 11, 1902, to the Rev. Chauncey J. Hawkins of Danvers, Mass., to become their pastor. This call was accepted by Mr. Hawkins May 7, 1902, and the installation services took place June 13, 1902.
Mr. Hawkins, the twelfth pastor of this church, was born in Suisun, California, Sept. 3, 1876. His boyhood was spent in Vacaville, where he was educated in the common schools and Napa Academy until fifteen years of age, and was graduated from the University of the Pacific, the youngest in his class. He was president of the College Y. M. C. A. during his senior year and a member of the state executive committee of the college associations of the state of California. Entering Yale Divinity school in 1896 he again had the pleasure of being the youngest in his class on graduating in 1899. While pursuing his studies at Yale he was also associate pastor in the Humphrey Street Church in New Haven from 1897 to April 1900.
In April 1900 Mr. Hawkins was installed over the Maple Street Congregational Church at Danvers, Mass., where he con- tinued until receiving the call of the Spencer church.
Progressive, earnest and full of the Spirit, his one purpose is the building up of Christian character and the leading of men to Christ through all avenues of Christian activity.
HISTORY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
203
REV. CHAUNCEY J. HAWKINS.
( Fhoto by Currin.)
ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME II
Henry M. Tower and family
Phineas Jones
6-
Birthplace of Phineas Jones
-
Henry P. Jones
10
William O. Bemis
13:
Homestead of W. O. Bemis
15
Benjamin Johnson House
17
Methodist Episcopal Church 1847
18
Rev. Otis Cole
19
Amos Kittridge
21
Pliny Allen
22
Sarah Allen
23:
Martin Hersey
24
Lewis W. Snow
26
Rev. Ebenezer T. Newell
27 29 30 31
Mary Allen
Olive Prouty
32
Samuel Boyden
38 43: 48
Denny Hall
51
Shaker Village at Shirley
53 55
Olive Hatch Jr.
Shaker Settlement at Harvard
57 58. 64 66
Nathan C. Prouty
72
George Prouty
76 79 86
Joseph H. Greenwood
90
Woodland Scene
94
Enoch Ludden House
96;
William Henshaw
Jane Henshaw
Daniel A. Ball
Charles E. Denny
Elder John Whiteley
Lorenzo D. Prouty
Abigail Prouty
Joseph F. Ward
Wachusett Mountain
PAGE
205
ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME II
PAGE
Eddy W. Prouty
99
Chas. A. Hunter
102
Army Medal of Honor
104
Jenks Tavern
108
Joseph W. Temple
122
Rev. Albert Livermore
125
Chloe Livermore
126
Villa of R. A. Sibley
129
Rufus A. Sibley
130
J. Chauncey Lyford
134
Joseph A. Lyford
135
Francis Howe
135
Ella Jane Lyford
136
Hannah Howe
137
Joseph A. Lyford Homestead, front view
138
Esther V. Lyford
140
Joseph A. Lyford Homestead, rear view
142
Rev. Chas. E. Sumner
147
Rev. Michael A. O'Kane
150
Michael O'Kane
151
Bridget O'Kane
153
Phœbe A. Bemis
156
Samuel Bemis Monument
158
Dedication Day Bemis Memorial Park
160
Edmund Bemis Monument
161
Typical Log Cabin
162
The Howe Fainily at Monument Dedication
163
Sarah Ann Newhall
164
The Bemis Elm
165
Jonas Guilford
167
Asa Guilford Homestead
168
Sybil U. Green
171
Hannah Nye Grout
172
Lucy C. Matthews
174
Congregational Church 1838
176
The Rev. Joshua Eaton House
179
Headstone Rev. Joshua Eaton
181
Mrs. Anna Pope at 60
182
Rev. Joseph Pope
183
Mrs. Anna Pope at 90
185
Mrs. Anna Pope at the age of 100
188
Rev. Levi Packard
191
Rev. Stephen G. Dodd
192
Rev. Thomas T. Watermanl
193
Rev. James Cruikshanks
194
206
ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME II
PAGE
Rev. Harrison A. Shorey
195
Rev. Avery S. Walker
196
Rev. Erastus Blakeslee
197
Spencer Congregational Church of today
198
Rev. Sherman W. Brown and wife 201
Rev. Chauncey J. Hawkins 203
CONTENTS VOLUME II
Congressman Phineas Jones
PAGE 5
Henry P. Jones Biography
10
Wm. Otis Bemis Biography
12
Rev. Otis Cole Autobiography
19
Memories M. E. Church, by Rev. Otis Cole
21
The Old Jenks Elm
33
Recollections North Spencer Baptist Church, by Rev. Otis Cole
34
School Discipline Seventy Years Ago
44
Chas. E. Denny Biography, by J. W. Temple
The Spencer Shakers
To Be a Man, by W. O. Bemis
Joseph F. Ward Biography
Cheerful Hearts, by W. O. Bemis
Reminiscences of Sixty Years Ago
Joseph H. Greenwood Biography, by Fred W. Proctor
Hagar's Pork Barrel
Early Wire Mill
96
The Missing Hencoop
97 98
Early Chair Manufactory
105
Spencer as Washington Saw it, by J. W. Temple
119
Joseph W. Temple Biography
122
Memorial Day, by W. O. Bemis
124
Rev. Albert Livermore Autobiography
125
The Practical Joker
127
Rufus A. Sibley Biography
129
Punishing a Copperhead
131
J. Chauncey Lyford Biography, by Hon. A. S. Roe of Worcester
133
Unusual Spring Freshet
145
Rev. Charles E. Sumner, by Dr. J. F. Gaylord of Worces- ter 146
The Regulators
148
Rev. Michael A. O'Kane, by W. J. Heffernan 149
Stone Buildings
154
48 52 77 78 80 81 85 95
Eddy W. Prouty Biography
Army Medal of Honor
102
Washington's Visit to Spencer, by Mrs. L. H. Upham
106
208
CONTENTS VOLUME II
PAGE
Dedication Samuel Bemis Monument, by Dr. Alonzo A. Bemis 155
The David Knapp Place
166
The Asa Guilford Homestead
167
History of Ladies' Charitable Society, by Mrs. J. W. Temple 170
Shipwreck of Jonathan Bemis
174
History of the Congregational Church, by Mrs. L. H. Up- ham
175
The Stranger's Aid Society
199
Supplementary History of the Congregational Church,
by Dea .. George H. Marsh 200
INDEX OF NAMES VOLUME I
Adams, Abraham 73
Allen 179
Amos 125
Betsey ( Beers) 145
Daniel W. 123, 145 David 62, 71, 125
Elizabeth 71
John1 73
John Quincy 102 Levi 145 William N. 157
Ahern, Birdie May
173
Ahmus 13
Allen, David 66
Mrs. Geo. A.
179
Ivory 142 Pliny 138 Silas 142
Andrews, William
68
Appleton, Major
16
Hon. John
21
Daniel 21
Avery, John G. 31, 177
Mrs. John G. 42, 179
Ayers, Edward 73 Bacon, Daniel 158 James 74 Baldwin, Asa 119, 121 Horace 133 Levi 142
Ball, Daniel
136, 137, 138
142, 143
Barkly, Caroline Mary
168
Barnard, John
41, 60, 68
Phebe 68
Sarah 41, 68
Barnes, David Jr.
142
Barnes, Samuel 62
Barr, Orrin D. 28, 125
Barre, Colonel 82
Barrett, Oliver
74
Barrow, Joshua
66
Bartlett, Abijah. 51
Leander 175
Wm. Leander
175
Wm. Cushing
175
Barton, Dr. C. P. 44
Joshua 66
Natha11
158
Baxter, Ezekiel 142
Beares, Lieut. 39
Beers, Richard 25, 27, 142,
145, 158
Bemis, Abigail 92
Abijah 123
Abraham
39
Adna
180
A. Edith
174
A. Edwin
179
Albert
165, 167
Albert L. 132, 180
Albert W. 167
Albion F. 179
Alice C. 174
Alonzo A. 31, 44, 56, 65
76, 92, 132, 179, 180
Alpha 52, 94, 102, 133,
134, 136, 137, 138, 150,
151
Alvin H. 114, 179
Amasa
24, 25, 29, 49, 63
77, 79, 111, 117, 121,
122, 123, 142, 152, 176,
177
210
INDEX OF NAMES VOLUME I
Bemis, Amasa T. 137, 138, 179
Amber 166
Amos 92, 94
Anna 106
Anna Julia
92, 132
Anne 39
Annie B. 167
Arsenath
94
Arthur C.
132
Arthur L.
167
Arthur R.
161, 173
Arthur R. Jr.
173
Asa B. 171
Aurela Lee 168
Austin
126
Barnard 77, 110
Benjamin 25, 32, 90, 107, 117, 119, 121
Bently Ambrose 169
Bently John
170
Berenice Willa
169
Bertha E. 92
Beulah 145
C. A. (Dr.) 52
Caroline 94
Caroline A. 92
Caroline M. 94
Catherine 92, 108
Chandler 94, 176, 177
Charles 179
Charles A. 113
Charles E. 92, 113, 179
Charles Edmund
166
Charles W. 92
Charles Worthy
166
Charlotte Amanda 168,
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