History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 115

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 115

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Mr. Thompson's first wife was Miss Rachel Chand- ler, of Plympton, Mass., who died Sept. 16, 1827, aged forty-seven, and by whom he had four sons and five daughters. Of these, three sons and two daughters are now living.

His second wife was Miss Charlotte Fales, of Bris- tol, R. I., to whom he was married Sept. 30, 1828.

She died Dec. 12, 1848. Mr. Thompson continued to reside in Rehoboth until 1840, when he received a call to preach at Litchfield, N. Y., which he accepted, and labored with the church in that place till 1850. In May of that year he was married to Miss Polly Shaw, of North Abington, Mass., where he resided until his death, which occurred June 26, 1859, at the age of eighty-two. His widow died Feb. 3, 1874.

The successor of Mr. Thompson was the Rev. Thomas Vernon, son of Samuel Vernon, of Newport, R. I. He was ordained over this church Sept. 13, 1826. His annual salary was five hundred dollars. At this time a large portion of the salary was paid from the pro- ceeds of the "Ministerial farm," from which some three or four hundred dollars worth of wood and tim- ber were sold annually.

Mr. Vernon was born in Newport, R. I., Dec. 20, 1797. He graduated at Brown University in 1816, and studied theology at Andover Seminary.

In 1831 he married Miss Adelaide A. Winthrop, of Bristol, R. I. They had six children, of whom three -one son and two daughters-are living. The son, Mr. John W. Vernon, is an officer in the Merchants' National Bank, Providence, R. I. Mr. Vernon was dismissed from his pastorate April 12, 1837, having labored successfully for eleven years. He found the church torn with dissensions ; he left it enlarged and united. He was a man of excellent spirit, sound in doctrine and judicious in management. He greatly endeared himself to all the people. During his minis- try the Sunday-school was inaugurated, and many of the young united with the church. Mr. Vernon re- sided in the village in Mrs. Otis Goff's chambers. After leaving Rehoboth he preached a while at Kings- ton, R. I. He was soon compelled to give up the ministry on account of a severe bronchial affection. He then engaged in the practice of medicine at Perth Amboy, N. J., and other places.

The last few years of his life were spent in retire- ment at Providence, R. I., where he died May 9, 1876, of acute bronchitis, in his seventy-ninth year, and lies buried in the old family ground at Newport, R. I. His widow is still living in Providence, in her seventy- fifth year. The successor of Mr. Vernon and the fifth pastor of this church was the Rev. John Chester Paine, who was ordained over the church June 6, 1838. The ordination sermon was preached by his brother, Rev. William P. Paine, D.D., of Holden. On the first day of September following the society passed a vote to build a new meeting-house. A mi- nority, however, were strongly opposed to this move- ment. The building committee consisted of Abiah Bliss, Jr., William K. Bullock, John R. Rogerson, and Cyrus M. Wheaton. It was decided to locate the new house in the village on the lot where Jonathan Wheaton's barn stood. Mr. Wheaton gave the small plot which belonged to him, and the Goff brothers, Darius and Nelson, gave the remainder. The church edifice was erected and dedicated the following year,

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1839. It is sixty feet long by forty wide, and cost three thousand eight hundred dollars. Its seating capacity is about three hundred and twenty.

After the dedication of the new house, the disaf- fected members of the church and the society joined with other families in town, who were Baptists in belief, in holding a series of religious meetings at Lewis' tavern. This resulted in the formation of the Union Baptist Church.

The " old yellow meeting-house," which had stood on the village cemetery lot for sixty-six years, was finally sold to Mr. Otis Goff, who moved the materials home, and reconstructed them into a barn, which is now standing.

Mr. Paine was an excellent preacher, and a very useful man in the community. He was born at Ash- field, Mass., Jan. 28, 1806. He was the seventh gen- eration in direct line from Stephen Paine, one of the early settlers of Rehoboth. He was educated at Amherst and Princeton Colleges, and received the degree of A.M. from the latter in 1843. He grad- uated from the theological seminary at East Windsor, Conn., in 1836. He was married April, 1839, to Miss Eliza Folger, of Nantucket. He was dismissed from this church April 5, 1847, having served the church faithfully for nine years. After leaving Rehoboth he preached at Gardner, Sandwich, Dracut, and Grove- land, Mass. In the places where he was settled he was chairman of the school committee many years. He died at Groveland of typhoid pneumonia, Mareh 10, 1880, in his seventy-fifth year. His widow sur- vives him at the age of sixty-four. There are two children,-Charles F. Payne, a lawyer iu Boston, and Harriet E. Paine, who has been preceptress of Oread Female Seminary, at Worcester, Mass. She now re- sides with her mother in Groveland.

Mr. Paine was succeeded by Rev. Charles P. Gros- venor, who was aeting pastor of this church from September, 1847, to September, 1856, just nine years. Mr. Grosvenor was born Aug. 12, 1804, at Pomfret, Conn .; graduated at Yale College in 1827 ; spent one year in the service of the American Sunday-School Union in Illinois and Missouri, and graduated at Yale Theological Seminary in 1831. For two years he was secretary and agent of the Connecticut Sun- day-School Union and editor of the Sunday-School Record, published in New Haven. He was ordained at Blackstone, Mass., July 16, 1834. Before coming to Rehoboth he preached at Kingston and North Scituate, R. I. After leaving Rehoboth he preached at Stoneham and East Randolph, Mass., and at Can- terbury, East Woodstock, and Ashfield, Conn. His eyesight failing, he elosed his ministerial labors March 31, 1881. Mr. Grosvenor's first wife was Cor- delia Mathewson, of Pomfret, Conn. They were mar- ried June 24, 1835. She died the following year. On the 9th of April, 1838, he married Hannah H. Wells, of Kingston, R. I., who died Nov. 6, 1840. His third wife was Elizabeth E. Foster, of Brooklyn, N. Y., to

whom he was married May 19, 1842. They cele- brated the fortieth anniversary of their marriage at Pomfret, Conn., May 19, 1882, Deacon E. A. Brown being present as the representative from this church.

Mr. Grosvenor was a man of sterling sense and deep piety, and was greatly beloved by all the people.

In 1851 the following names were honored by re- ceiving a diploma, signed by Mr. Grosvenor, for com- mitting to memory the " Westminster Shorter Cate- chism :" Edward P. Brown, Arnold De F. Brown, Amanda M. Brown, Rebecca Bliss, Sarah A. Carpen- ter, Rachel Carpenter, Hattie A. Carpenter, Lydia J. Peck, Dexter W. Horton, William H. Luther, Nellie M. Marsh, and Elizabeth B. Pierce.

A powerful revival occurred in the church in the fall of 1855, when Rev. Norris Day, the evangelist, assisted the pastor. On the 2d of March, 1856, thirty- one persons united with the church, all by profession except one. In 1849 the present parsonage was built, Mr. Grosvenor furnishing the plan.

In a recent letter from Pomfret, Conn., Mr. Gros- venor writes, "I have very many pleasant memories and but few of a different character in connection with my fields of labor. Rehoboth stands first on the list in the number and richness of its reminis- cenees. I often wonder that I left a people who loved me so well, and to whom I was and am still so strongly attached."

The successor of Mr. Grosvenor was Rev. Walter P. Doe, who supplied the pulpit two years, beginning with the spring of 1857. Mr. Doe resided in Provi- denee, R. I., but came to Rehoboth on the Sabbath, and occasionally spent several days visiting among the people and holding neighborhood prayer-meet- ings. In this way the church was kept awake, and several persons were hopefully converted. Mr. Doe was born at Wilton, N. Y., March 30, 1813. He graduated at Union College in 1844, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1847. He was ordained at River Point, R. I., the same year. Aug. 1, 1849, he was married to Miss Sophia S. Knight, of Providence, R. I. Mr. Doe still resides in Providence, preaching occasionally, but is unable to study on account of the inflamed state of his eyes.

The next acting pastor of this church was Rev. Alexander C. Childs, from Jan. 1, 1860, to April 1, 1862. Mr. Childs was born at Nantucket, Aug. 31, 1823. He graduated at Yale College in 1845, and Union Theological Seminary in 1849. Aug. 17, 1857, he married Miss Eunice H. Barney, of Nantucket. They have four children. Mr. Childs has had several fields of labor, and is now preaching at West Glouces- ter, Mass.

Rev. S. Y. Lum was the next acting pastor, who came here in July, 1862, and continued two years.

Mr. Lum was born at New Providence, N. J., May 6, 1821 ; studied at Oberlin College, and graduated at Union Theological Seminary in 1848. He was or- dained at Middletown, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1852.

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Mr. Lum went to Kansas in 1854, and organized the first church in the new Territory ; remained there as home missionary and missionary superintendent until 1861, through all the "Border Ruffian war." On leaving Rehoboth he preached at Groton, N. Y., and returned to Kansas in 1869, remaining until 1875. Since then he has preached at Mannsville, N. Y., and at Rocky Hill and New Fairfield, Conn., where he now resides.

Rev. Francis H. Boynton was ordained pastor of this church Oct. 20, 1864, and continued his work here until Aug. 30, 1867. During his pastorate the church was greatly revived, and more than fifty per- sons were added to its membership.

Mr. Boynton was born in Troy, N. Y., March 14, 1839. He graduated at Amherst College in 1861, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1864. He mar- ried Miss Emily A. Clark, of Amherst, Mass., May 24, 1866. They have four children.

Since leaving Rehoboth, Mr. Boynton has traveled in the East, visiting Egypt, Palestine, and other coun- tries. He has preached at Assonet, New Marlborough, Raynham, and Essex, Mass., and is now at Rye, N. H.

Mr. Boynton was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Henry Johnson, who was acting pastor from October, 1868, to October, 1869. He was born March 24, 1824, at Portland, Me. He studied and taught at the Mission Institute, Quincy, Ill., under the charge of the Rev .. David Nelson. He was ordained at La Harpe, Ill., in April, 1853 ; was married the following December to Miss Martha A. Brooks, of Dalton, N. H .; they have two children. Mr. Johnson now resides at New Bruns- wick, N. J.

Mr. Johnson was succeeded by Rev. Henry D. Woodworth, who was acting pastor of this church from December, 1869, to October, 1872. He was born in Lebanon, Conn., Feb. 18, 1826. He graduated at Amherst College in 1855, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1860; was ordained at East Bridgewater in September of the same year. He was married Aug. 14, 1855, to Miss Sarah E. Carkin, of Brookfield, Mass. They have three children. Since leaving Rehoboth, Mr. Woodworth has been engaged in the jewelry business in Boston.

Rev. Isaac R. Prior was the next acting pastor. He began his labors for this church July 13, 1873, and remained until October, 1877. Mr. Prior was born in Ohio, July 22, 1840. He graduated at Adrian Col- lege, Michigan, in 1863, at the University of Law at Albany, N. Y., in 1865, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1870. He was married, Sept. 29, 1874, to Miss Ruth E. Manton, of Providence, R. I. Since 1877, Mr. Prior has preached at Kingston, R. I., and at Alma, Fredonia, and Great Bend, Kan.

The present pastor is Rev. George H. Tilton, whose services to this church began in January, 1878. He was installed as its pastor Nov. 2, 1882.

During the first century of its history this church 31

had only three pastors. Within the sixty-two years already passed of its second century it has had eleven ministers, four of whom were installed as pastors.

Within the last twenty-six years there have been eight ministers, of whom only two were pastors. It is much to be doubted whether this tendency towards short pastorates has proved beneficial either to the church or its ministers.

The church has always been supplied with two or more deacons, the whole number of whom, since its organization, is twenty-five. We give below a list of their names and the year of their appointment :

Thomas Ormsby, Elisha May, 1721; John Wil- marth, 1731; Abiah Carpenter, 1738; Joshua Smith, 1744; Thomas Carpenter, 1744; Stephen Moulton, 1750; Ephraim Bliss, 1762; Joshua Smith, -; Daniel Bliss, -; John Brown, 1791; Calvin Ja- cobs, 1801 ; Asahel Bliss, 1808; Chase Moulton, 1811; Ezra Perry, 1814; Asahel Bliss, 1827; Elijah A. Reed, 1832; Eleazer A. Brown, 1842; Elisha A. King, 1842; Josephus B. Smith, 1851 ; Asaph Carpen- ter, 1858; Gustavus A. Reed, 1863; David Taylor, Francis A. Bliss, William H. Luther, 1877.

Oak Swamp Church .- This church at first be- longed to the Six-Principle Baptists, and was gath- ered by Rev. John Comer in 1732. He was installed its pastor July 26th of that year. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. Ephraim Wheaton, of Swansea, from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

Mr. Comer was a very able preacher and gathered many into the church. In November following he baptized fifteen persons in one day, and within a year from its commencement it numbered nearly one hun- dred members.

Mr. Comer was born in Boston, Aug. 1, 1704. From a very early age he delighted in books, and composed a discourse when only fifteen. He at- tempted to learn a glover's trade, but his passion for study was so strong that he prevailed on his grand- father to send him to school.

In 1723 he was admitted to Yale College, and in 1724 studied with Rev. Mr. Barnard, a Congrega- tional minister of Andover. After reading "Stennett on Baptism" he became an ardent Baptist. In 1725 he went to Swansea to teach school, and while there assisted Rev. Ephraim Wheaton in the services of the Sabbath. In 1726 he received a call to preach in the First Baptist Church at Newport. After preaching to this church about a year as colleague with the Rev. William Peckham, he came out and advocated the Six-Principle theory. In consequence of this act he was dismissed from the First Church, and became colleague with Elder Daniel Wightman, of the Sec- ond Baptist Church, where he remained two years, preaching with remarkable success.

He was married Jan. 20, 1726, to Miss Sarah Rogers, of Newport, by whom he had three children. On coming to Rehoboth he labored with such zeal that he undermined his health, and died of consumption

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May 23, 1734, in his thirtieth year. He was buried in the old yard at South Rehoboth, where his tomb- stone of blue slate may still be seen, bearing this brief inscription,-

" Here lies Interred ye Body of ye Revd Mr. John Comer Decd May ye 23d 1734 in ye 30th year of Age."

Mr. Comer had formed the design of writing the history of the American Baptists, and had collected valuable materials, which were used subsequently by both Backus and Benedict in their histories.

Mr. Comer's successor was Nathaniel Millard, who was ordained June 24, 1736 ; but he proved unworthy of his trust, and was dismissed in 1742.

Elder Samuel Maxwell was the next pastor, and was installed in October, 1745. Having preached to this church for several years, he became a Congrega- tionalist, and took up the pen against the Baptists. The church, thus unfortunate in its pastors, became discouraged and scattered, and many of its members eventually joined other churches.

Some of them, however, held together, and secured the services of Elder Richard Round, one of Mr. Comer's converts, who had organized a church in the northeast part of the town. Mr. Round preached to the Oak Swamp Church till his death, May 18, 1768. His tombstone may be seen near Elder John Comer's in the old burying-ground, about a mile southeast of the Orleans Factory.

The original Oak Swamp meeting-house stood on the corner lot at the junction of the two roads which meet a short distance south of Mr. Edward Horton's store, now the South Rehoboth post-office. This house was framed on the old cemetery lot, where Elders Comer and Round were buried, but it was taken away in the night by the Oak Swamp people, and raised on the spot above mentioned. After the death of Elder Round the church no longer existed under the "Six Principle" creed. In 1773 another church was organized, with open communion princi- ples. Some of its members had come out from Elder John Hix's church, a close-communion Baptist, and others had been converted and baptized by Rev. I Elhanan Winchester, a traveling preacher, while others still had belonged to the original church founded by Rev. John Comer. This new church or- dained Mr. Jacob Hix as their pastor, Jan. 20, 1773, and held their services in the Oak Swamp meeting- house. Elder Jacob Hix was born Jan. 1, 1740. He was the son of Elder John Hix, and brother of Elder Daniel Hix, of Dartmouth. He owned a farm and part of a mill, which, with some help from the church, enabled him to live comfortably. He had no chil- dren. He died March 30, 1809, aged sixty-nine years.

The successor of Elder Hix was Elder Childs Lu-

ther, who was pastor of this church for many years. The present house of worship was erected during his pastorate. It was built by a joint-stock company, Mr. Nathan Hix taking the contract for one thousand dollars. It was dedicated May 28, 1834. Soon after the old house was torn down and made over into a barn. Elder Luther continued his labors among this people until about the year 1841, having preached to them more than thirty years. In the latter part of his pastorate a division occurred in the church on account of the temperance question. He was in- clined to be conservative, while some of his people became vehement supporters of the principle of total abstinence. This breach was made wider by the Millerite excitement, for which Elder Luther had no sympathy. He was born Feb. 6, 1780, and was mar- ried to Miss Lucy Kilton, Dec. 10, 1797. He also married a second wife, Mrs. Mehitable Goff, Oct. 21, 1827. He died July 3, 1859, in his eightieth year. His only surviving son, Mr. Nathan C. Luther, resides in Attleborough.

For a number of years Elder George Kelton as- sisted Mr. Luther as colleague.

In the year 1829 there was an extensive revival in connection with the labors of Elder Joseph Black- mar, of New York, an itinerant preacher. He spent about a year in this town, and baptized in all forty- eight converts. On the first day of January, 1830, .he immersed sixteen persons in the pond just below the site of the present meeting-house; for this pur- pose a way was cut through the ice, which was four- teen inches thick.

Elder Blackmar spent his last years in Boston and died there in October, 1878, aged seventy-eight years.

In the year 1842, Elder M. E. Gammons came from Westport to this place and began to preach the doc- trines of Millerism, and many were carried away with excitement. Quite a number of the people, mostly members of the old church under Elder Luther, met together and formed themselves into a new body but adopting the same general creed. Many of the sub- stantial old members, however, refused to join in this movement and were left without any church connec- tion.

The second advent excitement proved a great injury to the church. The people soon became dissatisfied with Elder Gammons, and some of the members ab- sented themselves from all religious services. The congregations were small, and they had no regular pastor for several years. The pulpit was supplied by Deacon Herman Wood and Elders Luther Baker, J. S. Thompson, and O. P. Tuckerman.

In November, 1848, Elder James Pierce began to preach to this church. A protracted meeting was held in which Mr. Pierce was assisted by Elder Al- bert G. Morton, and quite a number were converted. Thirteen converts were baptized Feb. 25, 1849. Mr. Pierce was ordained over the church June 12, 1849, and was dismissed in August, 1850. The church was

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supplied for the following year by Elders Waterman Pierce and Otis Bliss.

Elder J. W. Osborne, of Swansea, supplied this pulpit in connection with that of the Christian Church in Swansea for eleven and a half years, from 1865 until April, 1877. Another revival oc- curred in 1870-71, and several persons were baptized. Elder Osborne still preaches at Swansea.

Elder William Miller, of Swansea, preached at this church most of the time from Jan. 1, 1878, to April 1, 1882. Mr. Miller has had several pastorates, and now preaches at the Hornbine Church in this town.

The Oak Swamp Church has had a hard struggle to live. It has never paid a larger salary than two hundred dollars. At the present time no regular services are held, and the outlook is not hopeful.

The Hornbine Church .- This church is in the southeast part of Rehoboth, and belongs to the order of the "Six-Principle Baptists." Their creed is con- tained in Hebrews, the sixth chapter, first and second verses. The name "Hornbine" is a corruption of Hornbeam, and was given to the church because there were many trees of this species in its vicinity.

About thirty members of the Second Baptist Church in Swansea formed themselves into a church in Re- hoboth, and ordained Mr. Daniel Martin as their pas- tor Feb. 8, 1753.1 Elder Martin was the eldest son of Deacon Melatiah Martin, of Swansea. He was born Sept. 23, 1702, followed the trade of a house car- penter, and died Nov. 18, 1781, aged seventy-nine. He had nine children. In 1770 he published a dis- course against particular election and efficacious grace in conversion, to which the Rev. Isaac Backus pub- lished an answer the following year. Soon after the settlement of Elder Martin over this church, Elder Nathan Pierce was ordained as his colleague, and continued to preach to this people for forty years.

Mr. Pierce was born in Warwick, R. I., in 1716. In 1738 he married Lydia Martin, of Barrington, R. I., by whom he had sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters. Mr. Pierce died April 14, 1793,2 in his seventy-eighth year. His mortal remains lie buried in the family yard in the Horton neighborhood, where many of his descendants are interred.

During his ministry the church increased in num- bers and strength.

Some years before the death of Elder Pierce, Elder Thomas Seamans was ordained as his colleague. Mr. Seamans was a farmer by occupation, and possessed great physical vigor. He preached a sermon in this church after he was one hundred years of age, and died in 1826, at the advanced age of one hundred and four years, five months, and fifteen days, probably the oldest person that ever died in Rehoboth. He spent the last few years of his life with his son, Mr. Com- fort Seamans, who owned a farm about a mile north

of the church. His remains lie buried in a little plot on the farm inclosed by a strong wall, but over- grown with shrubs. An elm and two cedars of con- siderable size stand within the plot. The rude stones that mark the grave are without inscription. Beside him are buried his son and several members of his family. Elder Seamans' grandson, Josiah Simmons, was an honored deacon in this church for many years.

During Elder Seamans' pastorate he was assisted by several colleagues. Elder Benjamin Mason, of Swansea, preached to this church for a time. In the year 1800, Elder Preserved Pierce and Elder Philip Pierce were ordained as associate pastors with Elder Seamans. Concerning Elder Philip Pierce but little can be gathered. After preaching a while to this church he went West for several years. He spent his last years in Dighton, Mass.

Elder Preserved Pierce was the son of Elder Nathan Pierce, and was born July 23, 1758. He married Sarah Lewis, of Rehoboth, by whom he had a large family of children. During his pastorate no salary was paid by the church, the minister was expected to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Mr. Pierce used to say that the only money he received for his services was fifty cents a year, which sum a good lady, Miss Molly Miller, slipped into his fingers while shaking hands with him. A large number of members were added to the church during his ministry, which con- tinued till his death, June 29, 1828, in the seventieth year of his age. After the death of Elder Pierce the church was supplied by Elder William Manchester, Elder Joseph Blackman, and others, until 1834, when Elder Otis Potter, of Cranston, R. I., became their minister.

On the first Sabbath in May of that year Elder Potter organized the Sunday-school, consisting of thirty or forty youth, which he superintended himself. It soon increased to more than one hundred members. He resided at Swansea Factory, and preached a part of the time to the Swansea Church at the house of Deacon Ellery Wood. During the first year of Elder Potter's pastorate there was a revival, and sixty per- sons joined the church on profession of faith.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 115

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1818

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818