History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 119

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 119

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1856. Francis Armington.

1858 259. Joel Marble.

1860. Ira Baker, Rehoboth.

1861. From Rehoboth.

1862. Josephi Brown.

1829. Weston Carpenter.

1830-31. Wooster Carpenter.

496

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Senators have been as follows :

1815-17. James Ellis.

1833-36. Seth Whitmarsh.

1821-23. Oliver Starkweather.

March 1, 1862, the town of East Providence was taken off from Seekonk, leaving the town with a population of only eight hundred, almost wholly farmers. The interest of the town is agricultural, and from 1862 to 1880 the population increased from eight hundred to more than twelve hundred. There had been a long dispute between the States of Rhode Island and Massachusetts in relation to the boundary line. The case was in the United States Supreme Court, but by agreement between them it was taken from the court and referred to a commission from Rhode Island and the Governor and Executive Coun- cil on the part of Massachusetts, when a conventional line was adopted, setting the whole of Pawtucket and that portion of Seekonk now East Providence into Rhode Island, while Massachusetts received territory from Rhode Island adjacent to Fall River.

The inhabitants of the present town of Seekonk almost universally opposed the act as injurious to their interest, but the influence of Providence and Fall River prevailed.

The inhabitants opposed the division of the town and new State line by which the town of East Provi- dence was organized in another State, for thereby the Congregational and First Baptist Churches, in which they worshiped, were transferred to another town and State, also the town hall, and seriously deranged the several school districts.

The manufacturing part of the town was transferred to Rhode Island, leaving the present town of Seekonk nearly without manufactures and wholly agricultural. It set into Rhode Island about two-thirds of the valu- ation and more than two-thirds of the population, and about one-half of the territory.

Military Record, 1861-65 .- The town of Seekonk responded promptly to the call for troops during the late Rebellion, both in men and means. July 24, 1862, the town voted to pay one hundred and twenty- five dollars to each volunteer, not to exceed ten in number, when accepted and sworn into service on the call for fifteen thousand men from the State. Aug. 14, 1862, the town voted to pay four hundred dollars bounty to each volunteer, seven being the number required; also voted to pay three hundred dollars bounty to all volunteers and drafted men under the first levy.

Aug. 38, 1862. Voted to pay two hundred dollars bounty for volunteers for nine months' service to fill the town's quota.

Sept. 2, 1862. The town voted to pay the expenses of those volunteers who were rejected. Voted that the recruiting officer be instructed to recruit or enlist any man of proper age not enrolled in any other town.

Sept. 24, 1862. The town voted to instruct the re- cruiting officer to enlist not exceeding eighteen vol- unteers for nine months.

Oct. 8, 1862. Voted that the treasurer be author- ized to hire money sufficient to aid the families of volunteers from this town. Voted twelve hundred dollars for bounties.

Dec. 10, 1863. The town authorized the recruiting officer to pay three hundred and twenty-five dollars bounty for the quota of volunteers called for.

April 4, 1864. Voted to pay eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars to reimburse those that have vol- untarily contributed to pay bounties to fill the town's quota on the call for five hundred thousand men. Also voted to appropriate one hundred and twenty- five dollars for each recruit for this town that may be enlisted under the call for March 15, 1864, and also that may be enlisted under future calls of the Presi- dent before March 1, 1865.

June 25, 1864. Voted to authorize the treasurer to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars to every man enlisted in anticipation of the next call of the Presi- dent, but the officer not to enlist over ten men.

Sept. 3, 1864. The recruiting officer reported to the town that the town's quota was filled, at the expense of four thousand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars.

Oct. 22, 1864. Voted that the treasurer pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars for the eighteen men, and also for each of the two surplus men.

Nov. 26, 1864. Voted that the recruiting officer enlist nine men for filling the town's quota in antici- pation of another call for men. Voted that the select- men order the treasurer to pay out eleven hundred and twenty-five dollars in anticipation of enlisting the above number of men.

The following enlisted from this town :

W. L. Bliss.

Sylvester Lumbert.

Nelson Bowen.

James Mason.

George Burke. Theophilns Medbery.

Charles Bourns.

George E. Miller.

C. V. Brown.

Sylvanus Martin.

Warren L. Chaffee.

John W. Miller.

Benjamin F. Clement.

Caleb Miller.

Henry Davis.

Francis Millard.

Edward M. Downey.

William H. Miller.

John G. Doak.

Hugh McGuire.

John Elderkin.

Charles F. Ormsbee.

Jonathan R. Elderkin.

William Riley.

John Fitzgerald.

James Stone.

Martin S. Granger.

Albert S. Strait.

Charles C. Handy.

Abner P. Smith.

Martin V. Hill.

William H. H. Smith.

Charles Horton.

Albert Wood.

Almond Harding.

William H. Wood.

William Johnson.

Jolın F. Wood.

George Lannon.

Seekonk filled her quota in full.

As this town is a border town and adjacent to Providence, a large number of its citizens enlisted into Rhode Island regiments, and several into the quota of other towns in the State.

The following enlisted from this town in other places :

Thomas Read; John A. Medbery, Myron Short, 1st Rhode Island Cav- alry; John W. Peck, seven years in U. S. regular army; Samnel

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SEEKONK.

J. Smith, capt. in Rhode Island regiment, and killed in first battle of Bull Run; James M. Munroe, in California regiment ; Edward Dunbar, Rhode Island regiment, killed in battle; T. Peck, enlisted in Cambridge.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

SEEKONK .- ( Continued.)

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Congregational Church-The Baptist Church-The Hebron Church.

Congregational Church .- The original proprie- tors of this town were Congregationalists, who, with their pastor, Rev. Samuel Newman, and a majority of his church, migrated from Weymouth, Mass., and settled in this place in the year 1643.

The town was called Rehoboth by the pastor ; by the Indians Seekonk. On the division of the town one part retained the civil name, the other the Indian.

The following are the names, etc., of the successive pastors :

Rev. Samuel Newman was born in Blandford, in 1600 ; educated at Oxford, England; came to New England 1638, and died, pastor of this church, July 5, 1663.

Rev. Noah Newman, son of Rev. Samuel Newman, was ordained 1668, died April 16, 1676.

Rev. Samuel Angier was born in Cambridge, 1655; graduated at Harvard University, 1673; became pas- tor 1679; dismissed from ill health 1692, and died at Waltham, Jan. 21, 1717.

Rev. Thomas Greenwood was born in Weymouth, 1670; graduated at Harvard University, 1690; or- dained October, 1693, and died Sept. 8, 1720.

Rev. John Greenwood, son of Rev. Thomas Green- wood, was born May 20, 1697 ; graduated at Harvard University, 1717; ordained 1721, and died Dec. 1, 1766.

Rev. John Carns was born in Boston, 1724; grad- uated at Harvard University, 1762; installed April 18, 1759; dismissed Dec. 4, 1764, and died at Lynn, Mass., Oct. 12, 1802.

Rev. Ephraim Hyde was born in Pomfret, Conn., 1738 ; graduated at Yale College, 1758 ; ordained May 14, 1766, and died Oct. 11, 1783.

Rev. John Ellis was born in Cambridge, 1727; graduated at Harvard University, 1750; installed March, 1785 ; dismissed, at his request, 1796 ; returned to Norwich, Conn., where he had been previously settled, and died in 1805.

Rev. John Hill was born in Lewiston, Del., Feb. 11, 1759; installed over this church Sept. 22, 1802, and died 1816.

Rev. James O. Barney was born in Providence, R. I., Sept. 30, 1795 ; graduated at Brown University, September, 1821, and ordained Feb. 4, 1824.

Although this church was established in this town as early as 1644, the church holds no records that 32

date back previous to 1693. The earliest records of this church are supposed to have been, and probably were, destroyed when King Philip burned the town, when all the houses in this vicinity except the garrison were destroyed.

Again, from the installation of Rev. John Ellis, in 1785, to the settlement of Rev. James O. Barney, in 1824, the records are lost.

Rev. Mr. Barney remained as pastor and acting pas- tor until May 1, 1867, except he labored a few months among the seamen in the city of Providence and for the American Sunday-School Union in the State of Iowa. This church enjoyed an extensive revival during the winter of 1855-56, when a series of meet- ings were held, in which Rev. Mr. Barney was assisted by Rev. Norris Day, an evangelist. Forty-four united with the church in a few weeks. The spring of 1861 was marked by another revival, when thirty-six united with the church in one day. Again, in 1867, forty- seven united themselves with this church between the months of March and August. Rev. Mr. Barney, having previously notified the church and society that he should resign the pastorate on May 1, 1867, preached his farewell sermon on the 28th day of April, after having preached to this people nearly forty-three years. He remarked in his discourse that a generation had passed away since he came among them, and scarcely a person was living in the parish who was a head of a family when he commenced his pastorate.

At a meeting of the church held May 2, 1867, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

" Resolved, That this church fully concur with the Congregational So- ciety of Seekonk in the resolutions passed by them this day in the ex- pression of their confidence in the Rev. James O. Barney as a man, a Christian, and a pastor.

" Resolved, That in view of the long and meritorious services of the Rev. James O. Barney as pastor of this church, and the lively interest he ever manifested in our spiritual welfare, we tender to him our thanks and assure him that wherever his lot may be cast he has our sympathies and prayers for his welfare."

After the decease of his wife he removed to Hyde Park, Mass., and afterwards to Lincoln, R. I., where he deceased in March, 1880, universally respected by all with whom he had associated.

April 22, 1868, the church and society extended a unanimous call to the Rev. Samuel E. Evans to be- come their pastor. He accepted the call, and was installed pastor of this church June 3, 1868. On March 2, 1871, he resigned the pastorate, when the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the church :

" Resolved, That it is with unfeigned sorrow that we accept the resig- nation of our pastor, the Rev. Samuel E. Evans.

" Resolved, That we publicly express our acknowledgments for his faithfulness and fidelity to the cause of Christ while pastor of this church, and that we shall bear his memory in grateful remembrance for the earnestness in which he labored for the good of this people, and the blessings which we as individual Christians have received through the instrumentality of his instructions, by preaching the gospel in its full- ness and purity, holding up the promises of God through Jesus Christ for our encouragement and hope, and that we bid him God speed (2 John, 10) in whatever field he may be called to labor."

498

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The Rev. E. A. Spence, of Ann Arbor, Mich., was then engaged as acting pastor, but owing to poor health was obliged to resign. He was succeeded by Rev. Hiram E. Johnson, who labored as acting pastor for seven years, until May 1, 1879, the church com- mending him as a Christian minister and gentleman unto whatever community in which he may be called to labor. During his pastorate the church erected an elegant parsonage adjacent to their meeting-house.

Aug. 28, 1879, a unanimous call was extended by church and society to Rev. J. A. Hanna, of Thomp- son, Conn., but was declined.

Nov. 12, 1879, it was voted unanimously that an invitation be extended to Rev. Leverett S. Wood- worth, of Campello, Mass., to become the pastor and teacher of this church and society.

Rev. Mr. Woodworth, having accepted the invita- tion, was duly installed as pastor of this church June 23, 1880, which office he now holds. In 1882 a large and excellent organ was purchased for the church.

The communion service of this church consists of four silver platters, marked R. C .; one silver cup, presented by Capt. Willet in 1674; one silver cup, presented by Rev. Noah Newman in 1678; one silver cup, presented by Mrs. Mary Walker in 1747; one silver cup, presented by Deacon Samuel Newman in 1748 ; one silver cup, presented by Deacon Edward Glover in 1751; one silver cup, presented by Mr. Daniel Perrin in 1754; one silver cup, presented by Capt. John Lyon, without date; one silver cup, pre- sented by Barbary Hill, an Indian lady, in 1826; one silver cup, presented by Barbary Hill, an Indian lady, in 1828 ; one silver flagon, presented by Mrs. Sarah Bishop in 1727 ; one silver flagon, presented by Fran- cis Stephens in 1732.

Rev. J. O. Barney acted as clerk of the church from the year of his ordination, 1824, to Aug. 31, 1837, when Deacon Peter H. Brown was chosen clerk, who served until Nov. 2, 1858, when Deacon Joseph Brown was elected, who has served to the present time.

Deacons .- July 29, 1824, Peter H. Wheaton and William Ellis were elected; Feb. 28, 1839, John Shory and Peter H. Brown; Sept. 30, 1858, Robert M. Pearse and Joseph Brown ; Nov. 3, 1870, William W. Ellis and Albert R. Read.

Rev. Samuel Newman's Concordance of the Bible, including the Apocrypha, is a work of the rarest merit, and is truly a monument of biblical learning and research, not surpassed, if excelled, in any coun- try or age. It is not only one of the largest and most extensive of any work of that class through all its parts, but it was the first extensive work published. Authors of similar works since that date have been able to copy from him and enjoy the benefit of his researches. There are but few copies of his revised and enlarged edition (third), published in London, 1658, known to be extant. There is a copy in the library at Oxford, England; one in the Athenaeum

in Boston, presented by King William III .; and one belonging to the Congregational Church of Seekonk (of which Deacon Joseph Brown is custodian as clerk of the church), the history of which is as follows :

The author, the founder of this church, reserved this copy for himself, and bequeathed it to his son and successor, Rev. Noah Newman, in 1668; to his successor, Rev. Samuel Algier, 1679; to his successor, Rev. Thomas Greenwood, 1693; to his son and suc- cessor, Rev. Jolin Greenwood, 1721; from him to his theological student, Rev. John Burt, who became the fifth pastor of the Congregational Church in Bristol, R. I., 1741. In 1742, Mr. Burt rebound it; after his death it fell to his successor, Rev. Henry Wight, 1785. . Dr. Wight died in 1837, and left this work to his chil- dren. In 1858, at the suggestion of Hon. Nathaniel Bullock and Governor Diman, of Bristol, the heirs of Dr. Wight bestowed it to S. C. Newman, A.M., a lineal descendant of the author, and he in turn has bestowed it to the Congregational Church of Seekonk.

Oct. 12, 1830, at a conference of churches of Taun- ton and vicinity, held in the Congregational Church of Seekonk, a county society was formed auxiliary to the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions.

March 6, 1832, a protracted meeting was commenced this day, and continued four days. Clergymen present Rev. Mr. Fisk, of Wrentham, Ide, of Medway, Chapin and Ferguson, of Attleborough, Raymond, of Free- town, Cummings, of Dighton, Vernon, of Rehoboth, Hopkins, of Pawtucket, Burdette, of East Greenwich, and Pease, of Barrington. The meeting was attended with the most happy consequences, many indulging hope of piety, and rejoicing in hope. The church unanimously adopted the following resolution :

Resolved, That no person shall hereafter be ad- mitted a member of this church who will not abstain entirely and forever from the use of ardent spirits ex- eepting as a medicine.

Nov. 30, 1847, Rev. J. O. Barney, J. C. Brown, and Deacon P. H. Brown were chosen a committee to re- vise the articles of faith and covenant and report at a future meeting.

March 2, 1848, the above-named committee made their report, which was accepted and adopted.

April 27, 1848, Voted, to so amend the fourth ar- ticle of the covenant that no member of this church may traffic in intoxicating drinks as a beverage.

Number received into the church during the pas- torate of Rev. Mr. Barney, 308 ; during the pastorate of Rev. S. E. Evans, 21 ; during the pastorate of Rev. Hiram E. Johnson, 51; during the pastorate of Rev. L. S. Woodworth, 24.

The Baptist Church .- The first meeting to con- sider the subject of forming a separate church in the First Precinct of Rehoboth was held Dec. 5, 1793, which was adjourned from time to time until Nov. 27, 1794, it being the tenth meeting, which resulted in forming a church styled the Baptist Church of Jesus

499

SEEKONK.

Christ of First Precinet, Rehoboth, and the covenant and articles of faith were unanimously assented to and subscribed by every member, as follows: Caleb Mason, Charles Peck, John Brown, John Medbery, Miles Shorey, Ezra Kent, John Perry, Molly Walker, Abigail Winsor, Abigail Wilson, Syble Ingraham, Sarah Shorey, Hannah Hays, Eunice Hading, Re- becca Braly, Susanna Mason, Molly Cole, Silence Car- penter, and Johanna Mason.

Dec. 13, 1794. The church appointed Brethren Caleb Mason and Charles Peck to the office of deacons, and requested Brother John P. Jones, who had been preaching for them ten months, to qualify himself to become their pastor, but they all wished for further time to consider so important an undertaking; chose John Medbery elerk.

March 18, 1795. Brother John P. Jones was or- dained to the work of the evangelical gospel ministry, and Brethren Caleb Mason and Charles Peek to the office of deacons.

April 23, 1797. On account of the ill health of El- der Jones, Elder John Pitman was called to assist him, and preached part of the time.

Dec. 26, 1807. Chose Brother Joseph Bucklin as third deacon.

March 26, 1808. Chose Brother Samuel Brown as fourth deacon.

June 27, 1812. The name of the church was changed to that of Baptist Church of Seekonk, as the west part of Rehoboth had by act of Legislature been in- corporated into a town by that name in February, 1812.

Aug. 27, 1814. Elder John Pitman (who had served us since 1797), having moved his family to this town from Providence, produced a letter to this church from the First Baptist Church in Providence, and was joyfully received a member and teacher.

April 30, 1815. Brother Pitman took leave of this church for the present, being under a necessity to re- move from this place. This removal of our beloved brother and teacher was painful to the church, and apparently grievous to the society, but they did not feel able to support him, and he had no means of sup- porting himself and family here.

June, 1815. Elder Jason Livemore commenced his labors with us, which were blessed with a gracious revival, and additions were made to the church for several months.

August 27th. Brother Livemore came to this meet- ing with a letter of recommendation as a worthy brother and teacher from the Baptist Church, Malden, Mass., of which he was the late pastor, and requested to become a member with us, and he was cordially received.

Sept. 23, 1815, was appointed for our monthly cove- nant meeting, but was prevented by a severe storm. The storm was the severest, perhaps, ever experienced in this country.

Seekonk, November, 1815. Since our last meeting

our beloved brother, Deacon Joseph Bueklin, de- parted this life.

December, 1815. A special meeting of the church was held at Brother David Cooper's for the purpose of selecting another deacon. Voted that Brother Livemore be moderator of this meeting. Voted by ballot for a deacon, and Brother David Brown was unanimously chosen to the office of deacon. Voted to choose one more deacon by ballot, but there was no choice.

Our beloved brother, Elder Livemore, left us the first week of January, 1816, on a mission in Rhode Island.

March, 1816. Brother John Pitman concluded to return to this place and preach for us the ensuing year, to the great satisfaction and joy of the church.

Aug. 28, 1818. Brothers John Read and Sylvanus Newman were selected for the office of deacons by a vote of the church.

Elder Pitman preached July 21, 1822, and died July 24th.

Aug. 24, 1822. John Medbery, who had been clerk of the church since its formation, asked to be excused on account of his advanced age, and Brother Viall Medbery was chosen clerk in his room.

1822-23. Brother Ezra Goings (licentiate) labored with the church, and was much blessed.

Oct. 5, 1823. This day Brother Bartlett Pease began to preach for us statedly for one year. It was voted to receive Brother Pease as our pastor for one year from the 1st of October inst., provided he should continue to preach the gospel consistent with the Bible and our church constitution. (He continued five years.)

March 29, 1828. Brother Bartlett Pease, our pastor, was dismissed from our church on his own request.

December, 1828. Brother Greene was engaged to supply the pulpit through the winter.

May 16, 1829. Brother Benjamin C. Grafton, of Plymouth, was engaged to preach to us for one year.

June 27, 1829. Brother Grafton and wife Ann united with the church by letter from Plymouth, Mass.

Feb. 27, 1830. The church voted to build a parson- age, and chose Deacon David Brown and Sylvanus Newman and Brother Solomon Peck a committee to build the same at their discretion.

July 3, 1831. Brother Grafton preached his fare- well sermon.

Oct. 25, 1831. Voted this day to invite Brother Ferando Berton to become our pastor, he being a licentiate of the Baptist Church in Hartford, Conn.

November, 1831. Brother Berton engaged to preach six months.

March 24, 1832. Brother Berton united with the church by letter from the Baptist Church at Paw- tucket.

Jan. 23, 1833. Brother Berton was ordained to the gospel ministry.

July 27, 1833. Brother Berton asked to be dismissed I as pastor, which request was granted August 4th.

500

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Sept. 8, 1833. Brother Uriah Medbery was unani- mously chosen deacon.

Sept. 11, 12, 1833. The Warren Association con- vened with our church, and during its session Brethren Sylvanus Newman, David Brown, and Viall Medbery were ordained as deacons of this church.

Oct. 1, 1833. Brother Henry Clark, a licentiate of the Warwick Baptist Church, commenced his labors with us.

Dec. 8, 1833. Commenced a series of meetings, which were held morning, afternoon, and evening for one week. On the last evening five young persons expressed hope in the Saviour, and forty took the anxious seat, and fifteen were added to the church the last Sunday in December.

June 25, 1834. Brother Henry Clark was ordained to the gospel ministry.

Sept. 27, 1834. Brother Zenas B. Newman, one of our young members, was licensed by the church to preach the gospel.

Sept. 9, 1836. Brother Newman was ordained as an evangelist.

Nov. 26, 1836. Brother Clark gave in his resigna- tion as pastor, to take effect the 1st of January next, which was accepted.

Oct. 19, 1836. The church withdrew from Warren and joined with another church in Bristol County in forming the Taunton Association.

Aug. 1, 1837. Rev. John Allen commenced his pas- toral labors with us.

July and August, 1837. Our meeting-house was re- modeled and thoroughly repaired, and we met for worship and all our services in the town hall.

Sept. 26, 1840. Voted that the request of Brother Allen for dismission as pastor of this church be granted.

Nov. 8, 1840. Brother John C. Welch, of Warren, R. I., commenced his pastoral labors with this church, which continued nine years and six months.

1841-42. In the winter and spring of 1841-42 the church enjoyed the most wonderful and extensive revival in its entire history, and in some five or six months eighty were added to their membership.

April 1, 1850. Brother Welch closed his labors as pastor with us.

April 1, 1850. Brother Henry G. Stewart com- menced his labors in supplying the pulpit, etc.

Oct. 5, 1850. It was unanimously voted to request Brother Stewart to become our pastor during mutual satisfaction, and the request was accepted by him.

March 26, 1853. Brother Stewart resigned his posi- tion as pastor, and his resignation was accepted.

May 15, 1853. Brother Alexander Lorimer com- menced his labors as supplying the pulpit.

July 30, 1853. Voted to give Brother Lorimer an invitation to become pastor of our church (thirty- seven to three), which invitation was accepted by him.

June 24, 1854. Brother Lorimer resigned his pas- toral relation, which was accepted by the church.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 119

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