History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 110

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292

USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890 > Part 110

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It was also voted that the meeting houses should " be sold in forty shares, that any of the inhabitants of the town should have the lib- erty to subscribe for building said house and that the pews in the new meeting house should go to the highest bidder at a public vandue." Public notice announced that subscribers would be called upon to pay down twenty-five dollars per share. January 30, 1793, it was agreed by vote " that the subscribers who built the meeting house should set it near Rev. Samuel Parker's residence." Mr. Parker's residence was on the lot now covered by St. Peter's Catholic church, and the meeting house was erected east of Mr. Parker's dwelling, and on the premises now occupied by the Catholic parsonage. A full share of stock in the new meeting house cost £7, 10s., and a half share £3,

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15s. Thirty-four full shares and twenty half shares were readily sold, amounting to £300, and a subscription by the town, increased the total to £400. The highest price was $186, paid by Elijah Nick- erson, for No. 20 pew.

The frame of this church was hewn from white oak trees cut in Provincetown woods, and hence the name, "White Oak Meeting House." A portion of this frame, still sound and bright, was used in the construction of the present Congregational church in 1843.

In 1807 the interior of the White Oak church was remodeled at considerable expense to the town and four new pews added to those in the body of the house. These were sold to the highest bidders at the following prices: No. 37 for $190 to Samuel Cook; No. 38 for $350 to Jonathan Cook; No. 39 for $342 to Solomon Cook; and No. 40 for $176 to Stephen Nickerson; the highest not since equaled at any sale of pews in Provincetown. It was the most costly structure, public or private, that had been reared in town, its architecture and adornment indicating a desire to impress and please the beholder.

As the meeting house was still the only place of assembly pro- vided, not only for public worship and for religious instruction, but was also the only forum for the discussion and disposition of all social, municipal, civil and political affairs, its maintenance was esteemed a matter of first importance in the welfare of the whole community. About this historic church, therefore, were centered the dearest hopes, the social and religious sentiments and associa- tions in its life. It was here infants were baptized, the last rites over the dead pronounced, and here, too, the intention of marriage, conspicuously announced, was consummated by celebration of the marriage ceremony.

The Old White Oak church is still remembered by the elder natives of the town with sentiments of veneration, connecting by association their own lives with those of former generations who once joined them in worship beneath its roof. It is remembered, too, that the seats of the large square pews, hung upon hinges, were turned up during prayer and turned down at its close; that it was the delight of the boys in the galleries, despite the menace of tything men armed with long poles, to throw the seats down with a bang that startled the congregation; an annoyance finally ended by enforcing the vote of the town to nail down the seats.

Rev. Jeremiah Cushing, mentioned at page 962 as the first resi- dent preacher here, was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Spear. Rev. Spear was born July 6, 1696, a graduate of Harvard College in 1715, and began his pastorate about 1719, and continued until 1741, when large numbers of his parishioners removing to other localities he also went away. Among those who supplied the pulpit for limited

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terms during the next thirty-two years were Rev. Solomon Lumbert, Mr. Mills, Martin Alden and Mr. Green.

Their successor, Rev. Samuel Parker, was born in Barnstable in 1741, graduated from Harvard 1768, and came to Provincetown in 1773. The town and parish meeting on December 7, 1773, "agreed by vote to give unto Mr. Samuel Parker for his regular salary £66, 13s. 4d., lawful money to settle in this town and preach the Gospel to the inhabitants, also to give unto him the frame of his house and to build one-half of it purposed to be thirty feet in length, twenty-seven feet wide, eight feet in the walls, likewise his fire wood and to give him meadow for two cows." In addition to the salary thus stipulated the general court contributed forty-five pounds annually for twelve . years from May 1, 1772. Mr. Parker was installed January 20, 1774. Entering upon his charge at the age of thirty-two years his attain- ments, his assiduity and cheerfulness in discharge of his religious and secular duties; and the exercise of a tolerant and kindly spirit, acquired for him the confidence and attachment of the town. His death, April 11, 1811, was therefore felt as both a personal and public loss.

The advent of Methodism into the parish in the latter part of Mr. Parker's ministry was undoubtedly to him a source of grief and agitation, embittering his last days. After the first furious storm of opposition and persecution, raised by a portion of his own parish, against the new and aggressive sect, had subsided, he saw his flock divided and large numbers deserting to the new fold. So great was the defection that the Methodists in 1810, carried a vote in town meeting placing Alexander McLain, a Methodist minister, "in con- trol of Mr. Parker's pulpit " unless he was able to officiate. This action was later requited by the persistent refusal of a Methodist selectman and "keeper of the meeting house key" to open its doors to a regularly warned town meeting, which, after being called to order upon the platform in front of the church, was adjourned to Thomas Rider's store, where the town's business was transacted. The possession of the meeting house was restored to the town only through resort to threats of legal process. The strife, long continued, shows that the spirit of retaliation and intolerance was not confined to the adherents of either side to the religious controversy.

Rev. Nathaniel Stone, born in Dennis, graduated at Harvard in 1795, began his ministry to the old society March 17, 1813. His installation took place October 16, 1817.

Mr. Stone's reputation, and discourses that survive, indicate men- tal ability and respectable professional acquirements. But dogmatic and narrow in his views, he was from natural bent a strict believer in the doctrine's of Calvin, and conscientiously accepted their logical

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sequence. His obstinacy and irascibility of temper, nevertheless, proved as disastrous to the society as they were destructive of his own peace and welfare. A preacher of a different mould would, indeed, at this crisis, have encountered serious difficulty in allaying discon- tent and in arresting the exodus from the old church. National inde- pendence had awakened throughout the country enlarged views of church polity and creed. It was held that taxation without consent of the taxed was not longer to be tolerated in church or state. Hence hatred of compulsory assessment exacted for the support of this scei- ety, and the allurements of a freer faith were elements Mr. Stone was singularly ill qualified to overcome. The excitement produced by frequent desertions of his parishioners to the Methodists induced him to frequently preach about it, when he was wont to turn over the leaves of his sermon with his nose. When defections and refusal to longer attend his Sunday service had suggested to his friendly supporters the wisdom of terminating his pastorship, he refused point blank to listen to any proposal for resignation, or for accommodation of the terms of his settlement. Failing at last, in 1830, to obtain hearers, the old White Oak meeting house closed its doors, and its society, with which the history of the town was from its birth identified, became extinct. Mr. Stone remained in town until 1837, when he removed to Maine, where he died.

In 1841 another Congregational society was organized, and in 1842 measures were begun for building the church in which this society now worships. Rev. Calvin White officiated during this period. Rev. Mr. Eastman followed, and was settled in 1843. The church having been completed, he preached in it the first sermon September 13th of that year. Rev. Osborn Myrick, while in charge of a society in North Truro, was, by unanimous vote, invited to become pastor of the Con- gregational church in Provincetown November 24, 1845. Accepting the invitation, then a young man, a good scholar, an excellent teacher and of gentle bearing, he earnestly devoted himself to the work of his new pastorate. Identifying himself with all the legitimate inter- ests of the community, whose improvement in secular as well as re- ligious affairs he was ever ready to advance, he won its entire confi- dence and esteem, which he retained unabated, when, February 27, 1866, after a pastorate of twenty-one years, he tendered his resigna- tion, and removed to Middletown Springs, Vermont, where he still resides.

His successors have been: Reverends C. J. Switzer in 1867; Mr. Lonsbury in 1868; S. D. Clark in 1868; L. N. Pierce, 1871; Mr Blanch- ard, 1874; Mr. Westgate, 1875; Granville Yager, 1876; E. P. McElroy, 1879; George W. Osgood, 1886; Isaac R. Prior, since 1887.

The fourth church, erected in this place in 1795, was for the Metho-

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dist Episcopal society. It encountered furious opposition and perse- cution. The town had that year voted that a Methodist meeting house should not be built in Provincetown. Timber and lumber de- signed for a meeting house had been unladen from a vessel upon the beach. The night following the landing an enraged mob, after cut- ting the timber in pieces and transporting it upon their shoulders to the rear of High Pole hill, set fire to it and crowned the blazing pile with the effigy of the Methodist minister, Jesse Lee. A short time after, however. John Kenney, Samuel Atwood and twenty-eight other respectable and prominent citizens, adopted without opposition, in open town meeting, the following: "This is to certify that John Ken- ney and (others named to the number of 28) attend the public worship of God with the Methodists and contribute for their support."

Enraged by the assault upon their rights and convictions, and by the wanton destruction of their property, the Methodists lost no time in procuring another frame and more lumber, and the house was built without further demonstrations of violence. It was a one-story build- ing about forty by thirty feet, constructed and finished in the primi- tive Methodist style, without plaster or paint on the interior.

The fifth church was built by the Methodist society in 1817 and enlarged the same year. It occupied the site on which stands the homestead of Dr. Henry Shortle, at the corner of Bradford and Ryder streets. This was a large building, having the first spire and first church bell in this place. It was superseded in 1847 by the erection of another house of worship, in front of High hill, on lots now covered, in part, by the skating rink and the building of Joshua T. Small, fronting Ryder street. This church contained 136 pews on the floor, with seating for 1,200 persons. It was oc- cupied until 1860, when the present Center Methodist church was erected at a cost of $23,000.

Distinguished among the early settled preachers in the long . succession of clergymen who have ministered to this society was Alexander McLain. He was here in 1807 and later. There are living a few of those who were of his congregation, and who yet distinctly remember his person and his preaching. They represent him as of a noble figure and presence and as endowed with a dramatic power and a pathos that were irresistible. Of the preachers of later date there are many who became noted in their denomination and whose memory is revered by the members of this society.

The list of preachers and date of coming is as follows: George Cannon, 1795; Robert · Yallalee, 1796; Jacob Ricklow, 1797; Smith Weeks, 1798; William Beaucamp, 1799; John Merrick, 1800; Solomon Langdon, 1801; Edward Whittle, 1802; Allen H. Cobb, 1803; Alfred Metcalf, 1804; Philip Munger, 1805; Elijah Williard, 1806; Alexander

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McLain, 1810; Epaphras Kibby, 1812-24; Shipley W. Wilson, 1824; Leonard Bennett, 1826; Epaphras Kibby, 1828; Ebenezer Blake, 1830; Ephraim Wiley, 1832; John E. Risley, 1834; Frederick Upham, 1835-6; Ira M. Bidwell, 1835; E. W. Stickney, 1839; Aaron D. Sargent, 1840; Samuel W. Cogswell, 1841; Paul Townsend, 1842; John Lovejoy, 1844: William T. Harlow, 1846; E. B. Bradford, 1848; Pardon T. Kenney, 1850; William Livsey, 1852; Robert McGonegal, 1854; M. P. Alder- man, 1856; Asa N. Bodfish, 1858; Ed. H. Hatfield, 1860; J. T. Benton, 1862; George WV. Bridge, 1863; A. P. Aiken, 1865; C. S. Mcreading, 1867: Charles Young, 1869; J. H. James, 1872; Edgar F. Clark, 1874; Angelo Canoll, 1877; H. H. Martin, 1880: A. William Seavey, 1882; IV. W. Colburn, 1884; Porter M. Vinton, 1887.

The First Unitarian society was organized in 1829, in " Enos Nick- erson's School House." This society, the year it was organized, changed its name to "First Christian Union Society," which it re- tained upon its records until 1847, when by vote it was called, what in fact it had been since 1835, the First Universalist society. The first settled pastor, 1830, was Asahel Davis, Unitarian, who removed from Portsmouth, N. H.

A church for this society was built by Joseph Fuller and Thomas Lothrop, contractors, for $3,105, land and other items increasing the cost to $4,825, and was dedicated November 3, 1830, upon the premises where the dwelling of Abner B. Rich now stands. The second Uni- versalist church, now standing, was erected in 1847.

The following is the list of settled pastors and the years of their coming: Asahel Davis, 1830; George C. Leach, 1834; Mr. Clemsby, 1834; John B. Dods, 1836; Hiram Beckwith, 1842; Mr. Stevens, 1843; Theodore R. Taylor, 1844; Emmons Partridge, 1845; Mr. Cronens, 1852; Mr. Gardner, 1853; Mr. Sanborn, 1854; Mr. Bartlett, 1855; Mr. Hooper, 1858; A. W. Bruce, 1860; B. H. Davis, 1869; Mr. Perry, 1871; S. M. Beal, 1874; D. S. Libby, 1877; George F. Babbit, 1880; Alfred J. Aubry, 1884; R. T. Sawyer, 1885; H. E. Gilcrhist, 1887.

Of these clergymen several, especially John B. Dods, exhibited good preaching ability, were impressive speakers and devoted to their calling. Replying to an invitation received at the end of his first year's engagement, Rev. Dods informs the society he will remain another year for $600, the sum received for the first year's service, and then states to the parish committee: "You mention to me that ' $800 would not separate us.' But that is a sum I have not the conscience to ask, nor would I accept it if it were freely offered, as I have no use for so much money annually. I was fearful that even $600 was more than the society could conveniently pay, and had therefore made up my mind to leave here the end of June." Mr. Dods' family at that time consisted of a wife and five children.

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The second Methodist church, known as the Wesleyan chapel. was the house originally erected by the Christian Union Society, already noticed. It was purchased in 1848, by Freeman Atkins, Samuel Soper and Rufus L. Thatcher, a committee representing Methodists living in the west part of the town, who desired a place of worship nearer their residences. The church was remodeled and refurnished soon after its purchase, when ninety-five members withdrawing from the Centre church, joined the new society and worshiped in this church. Centenary church was erected and completed in 1866, under the pas- torate of Rev. George W. Bridge.

The list of pastors of Centenary church, with year of their coming, is as follows: Samuel Fox, 1848; Azariah B. Wheeler, 1849; John Live- say. jr., 1851; Josiah Higgins, 1853; N. P. Philbrook, 1855; B. K. Bos- worth, 1857; J. T. Wright, 1859; Mr. Cooper, 1861; J. F. Sheffield, 1863; George W. Bridge, 1865; George MF. Hamlen, 1867; Shadrach Leader, 1868; Andrew J. Kenyon, 1870; John Livesay, 1872; William McK. Bray, 1872; George A. Morse, 1874; George H. Bates, 1877; George W. Hunt, 1880; John H. Allen, 1882; Warren Applebee, 1884; George C. King, 1885; Thomas J. Everett, 1887; Samuel McBurney, from April, 1889. This list embraces men of acknowledged ability and worth. and who were devoted to the care of their charge.

The Catholic society was organized by Rev. Joseph M. Finotti in 1851. The first service was held in the dwelling of Thomas Welch, on Franklin street, previously known as the Freeman House. A Sun- day school was early begun by Jeremiah Quean with three pupils, and now numbers over five hundred. In 1853 Mr. Finotti bought the building on Bradford street, formerly called the Wesleyan Academy, and subsequently occupied by the town high school, for a place of worship and pastoral residence. Public services were held in this building until the purchase, in 1872, of Adams Hall, by Father O'Con- ner, for the sum of $4,500. The society worshiped here for nearly two years when, March 4, 1875, it was destroyed by fire during a ter- rific northeast snow storm, in which the Italian bark Giovanni was stranded on the outer bar off Peaked hills, and all the crew save one perished. The present house of worship-St. Peters church-located on the north side of Prince street, was consecrated October 12, 1874. A fine parsonage was added to the church estate in 1886.

This society when established was principally composed of natives of Ireland and their children. A very large majority of those now comprising its membership are of Portugese birth and descent. There is a larger regular attendance at this church than is present at any other place of worship in town. The following priests have officiated as pastors: Father Joseph M. Finotti, 1851; Father Haly, Father Cor- nelius O'Conner, 1860; Father McGough, 1873; Father McGuire, 1874;

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Father Toait, 1882; Father Elliott, 1886; Father B. F. MeCahill is the present incumbent.

SCHOOLS .- Allusion has already been made to the application of the revenue from the Cape fisheries to the support of schools. The first reference in the early records to schools at Provincetown is the entry in 1728 upon the town records; "Mr. Samuel Winter's account for keeping school one half year, £22. 10." His compensation for the remaining half year appears to have been £22, 13. The first record, however, is almost the only reference to schools that appears upon the town books for a hundred years. A town school was certainly kept from the very beginning of the settlement. In 1801, during an epidemic of smallpox, the schools were closed by vote of the town. In 1807 it is certain that the town school occupied a portion of a building jointly with a Masonic lodge. In 1835 six hundred dollars were appropriated for common schools; in 1837 the amount was in- creased to seven hundred dollars, and in 1840, to one thousand dol- lars. In 1844 the town erected, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, the three school houses which are still known as the Western, Eastern and Center school buildings. In 1853 thirty-one hundred dollars were appropriated for schools, six hundred dollars of which was for the support of a high school. The upper story of the town hall was used by the high school for many years until 1877. In 1879 and 1880 the present grammar and high school building was erected, at an expense of over ten thousand dollars.

In 1840 the number of school children between five and sixteen was 562; in 1890 the school children attending the public schools numbered 950, enrolled in seventeen schools, under the supervision of twenty teachers. The amount of the annual appropriation for the public schools during the twenty years ending in 1890, though vary- ing in amount from year to year, has averaged nearly ten thousand dollars yearly. The desire for good schools is universal, and every effort has been made by the citizens to supply the school officers with the necessary facilities. Since the abolition of the district system in 1870, the schools have been supervised by a committee, generally. three in number, who have usually chosen a superintendent, who has the immediate care and responsibility of all the schools."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

The history of the town is incomplete without a brief notice of the men whose prudence, economy and foresight have contributed to its material wealth. To the energy and public spirit of her business men Provincetown owes much of the continued prosperity that has attended the town during many years. It is to be regretted that an

*Mr. Hopkins' manuscript ends here .- Ed.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

even more extended sketch than that which follows cannot be devoted to an enumeration of the prominent business men of Provincetown. with the interesting facts relating to their early lives which might be gathered.

John D. Adams, son of William and Ellen (Darrow) Adams, was born in 1860. He has been in the drug business since 1876. In 1885 he succeeded Dr. J. M. Crocker. He remodeled his store in 1889. He married Jennie, daughter of James M. Holmes. They have three children: Charles W., Jennie W. and James H.

Marshal L. Adams, son of John and Abbie (Sampson) Adams, was born in 1842. He was a merchant for thirteen years prior to 1878. He was county treasurer one term-1886 to 1888. He was chairman of the building committee of the new town hall. He married Mary A. Moor, and has one son, John.

Mrs. Mary N. Adams isa daughter of Samuel and Tamnesin (Brown) Cook, and granddaughter of Samuel, who was a son of Solomon and grandson of Solomon Cook. Her first marriage was with John Adams, who died in 1860, aged forty-five years. Her present husband is Solomon N., son of George M. Adams.

William A. Atkins, son of Joseph and Ruth (Nickerson) Atkins, was born in 1818. His first marriage was with Abigail N.Freeman, deceased, and his second wife was Jane F. Grozier, also deceased. Mr. Atkins was for many years a member of the Central Wharf Company. The Central wharf and store were built in 1839 by Joseph Atkins, who with David Fairbanks conducted a general store for several years. His son, William A. Atkins, and Eben S. Smith, were then admitted to the firm. In 1851, upon the death of Joseph Atkins, William A. Atkins and Eben S. Smith who, after a brief absence (during which · his place was filled by Thomas G. Atkins), had returned, continued together until 1858, when John Atwood purchased the business. In 1863 William A. Atkins again purchased an interest in the firm and with Eben S. Smith continued until 1864, when Nathan Young bought out William A. Atkins. Atkins Nickerson soon afterward acquired an interest. In 1867 Abner B. Rich succeeded Eben S. Smith; in 1875 James A. Small joined the firm, which has since carried on an extensive general store under the direction of Messrs. Young, Rich and Small, the present partners. For many years the Central and the Union wharf companies were the chief mercantile firms of the town. each owning many vessels employed in the various branches of the fisheries. With each wharf were connected blacksmith's shops, marine railways, ship carpenter's shops, and other facilities for the fitting and repairing of vessels. In recent years, however, the two wharf companies have lost much of their former prominence in the

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mercantile affairs of the town, though the two wharves are still the headquarters for very many of the fishing vessels sailing from Provincetown.

NATHANIEL E. ATWOOD." -- This highly esteemed and distinguished citizen of Provincetown was born September 13, 1807, and died at his residence, November 7, 1886. He was the son of John Atwood. a fish- erman, who, like most of his contemporaries, was poor, and deprived of many of what are now esteemed the necessities, as well as of the conveniences of the household. As he could not afford a clock to tell the hour of the night when it was time to go fishing, it was his prac- tice to repair to the shore and mark the position of the ebb or flood tide upon the beach, and thus determine the starting time. Not in- cluding provision for his schooling, the bare necessaries of life were all that could be furnished the son. Few more interesting or pathetic struggles for the rudiments of knowledge have been told of New England men than those he used to relate of his own experience. In 1816, to be nearer the fishing grounds, his father and family removed to Long point, taking the son with them-the first resident fisherman. Here, at the age of nine, Nathaniel E. began his calling, the father often taking the boy from his bed, at three or four in the morning, for a place in his fishing boat for the day, returning to do other requi- site work at night.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 110

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York : Blake Number of Pages: 1292

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292