History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 127

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 127

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" Mr. Weld was below the middle stature, and in the latter part of his life corpulent. His constitution was vigorous, and his mind almost singularly ener- getic. The stipend which he received from his parish- oners consisted of an annual salary of two hundred and twenty dollars, and the use of a parsonage lot which furnished him with wood and a little pasture. With his patrimony he purchased a farm of about seventy acres of moderately good land and a decent house. He had fifteen children, ten of whom were married during his life, and one after his death. The remaining four died while young. This numerous family he educated with the means which have been mentioned, in a manner superior to what is usually found in similar circumstances, entertained much company in a style of genuine hospitality, and was always prepared to contribute to the necessities of others.

" For the regulation of his domestic concerns, Mr. Weld prescribed to himself and his family a fixed sys- tem of rules, which were invariably observed, and con- tributed not a little to the pleasantness and prosperity of his life. His children, laborers, and servants sub- mitted to them with cheerfulness, and his house be- came the seat of absolute industry, peace, and good order. Breakfast was on the table precisely at six o'clock, dinner at twelve, and supper at six in the evening. After supper he neither made visits him- self nor permitted any of his family to make them.

" His observation of the Sabbath was peculiarly exemplary. He permitted no act to be done in his house on that day, except such as were acts of neces- sity and mercy in the strict sense.

" Mr. Weld was naturally of a very ardent disposi- tion. Yet so entirely had he acquired an ascendency over his temper that a censurable or imprudent act is not known to have been done by him nor an im- proper word uttered. To vice and licentiousness in every form he gave no indulgence, either in his con- versation or his public instructions. On the contrary,

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

idleness, intemperance, profaneness, and all kinds of immoral conduct were reproved by him with undevi- ating severity. His example in the practice of every virtue was such as to create in all classes of men entire veneration for his character. It is doubted whether any person ever uttered a reproach against Mr. Weld.

"Nor was his piety less remarkable. Since the days of the apostles it is questioned whether his zeal, fidelity, and intrepedity in the cause of his divine master have been excelled. During the long period of fifty-five years he was never once detained from the pulpit by disease, nor from any other of his pas- toral duties. His prayers were wholly formed by himself, and adapted with striet propriety to the various occasions on which they were made. They were pertinent, solemn, and impressive. His ser- mons were written and were usually delivered with- out variation from his notes. Yet at times he ad- dressed his congregation extemporaneously in a manner eminently forcible and affecting.

" In his parochial visits he was accustomed to ad- dress the truths and duties of the gospel to the hearts and consciences of the family, and never lost sight of the eternal interests of his congregation. And while he administered the balm of life to the wounded spirit, he addressed the most solemn alarms as well as the most pungent reproofs to stubbornness and impiety.

" Mr. Weld continued his labors to the Sabbath before his death without any visible decline in his powers either of body or mind. On that Sabbath he preached two sermons from these words: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned." On the Tuesday fol- lowing he rode in his chaise to Providence, ten miles, returned about four o'clock in the afternoon, walked into the house, told his wife that he was unwell, re- quested her to open a window, as he found a difficulty in breathing, sat down and instantly expired of an apoplexy. So well were his secular concerns ar- ranged for his departure that the settlement of his estate cost less than five dollars. His excellent wife survived him many years, and died after she had passed the age of ninety, universally lamented.

" At the death of Mr. Weld only one of his congre- gation was living of those who assisted in his settle- ment. His parishioners showed their sense of the loss which they sustained in his death by an univer- sal mourning.

" The house of this gentleman was the resort of many distinguished persons from Boston, Providence, and various other parts of New England, and in no house were they received and treated with more hos- pitality. His manners were at once dignified and polite, and every member of his family was courteous and well bred. Nothing was seen among them but harmony and good-will.

" That with such an income Mr. Weld could sup- port so large a family and live in so hospitable a man-

ner will certainly excite not a little wonder. The ex- planation is found in his industry, regularity, and exactness in all his concerns. Everything was man- aged in such a manner that almost in the literal sense nothing was lost.

"In my opinion," adds Mr. Dwight, " Mr. Weld was a more strict observer of the divine law and more eminently holy than any man whom I ever knew.

" Permit me to subjoin," says Dr. Dwight, "that if all clergymen sustained the same character and lived in the same manner, the world would speedily assume a new aspect and its inhabitants a new char- aeter."

Mr. Weld married Mary Fox, of Woburn, who died Jan. 7, 1799, in her ninety-third year, by whom he had fifteen children, four sons and eleven daugh- ters, who were married as follows: Jonathan Phil- brook, of Boston, to Dorothy Weld, Aug. 7, 1759; Rev. Oliver Noble, of Newburyport, to Lucy Weld, May 15, 1760 ; Dr. Cardee Parker, of Coventry, Conn., to Mary Weld, April 15, 1762; Caleb Fuller, of Wind- sor, county of Ware, Me., to Hannah Weld, Oct. 28, 1762; Rev. Ezra Weld to Anua Weld, Feb. 9, 1764; Rev. Oakes Shaw,1 of Barnstable, to Elizabeth Weld, July 19, 1764; Rev. Timothy Alden,2 of Yarmouth, to Sarah Weld, Nov. 22, 1770; Eliphaz Day, of Attle- borough, to Eunice Weld.

Mr. Weld was buried in the ancient cemetery at South Attleborough, within his own parish, and his gravestone has the following epitaph :

" The Remains of the Rev. Habijah Weld, M.A., late the faithful, worthy, and be- loved Pastor of the first Church of Christ in Attleborough. He was born Sept. 2, 1702. He was ordained Oct. I, 1727. Ile died May 14, 1782, in the eightieth year of his age and the fifty-fifth of his pastorate.

Farewell, vain world ! as thou hast been to me, Dust and a shadow, these I leave with thee ; The unseen vital substance I commit To him that's Substance, Life, Light, Love to it "

In 1728 a new meeting-house was built by the town. May 13, 1728. The town voted to enlarge the meeting-house by making an addition of twenty feet to the north end; but in September following a number of individuals engaged by subscription to advance the sum of £234 10s. (in addition to their proportion of the taxes) towards defraying the ex- penses of a new meeting-house, if the town would agree to build anew instead of enlarging the old. The town accordingly voted, Nov. 18, 1728, to build a new house, and ordered it to be fifty feet in length, forty feet in breadth, and of a suitable height for one

1 Rev. Oakes Shaw, who married Elizabeth Weld, was father of Chief Justice Shaw, of Massachusetts.

2 Rev. Timothy Alden, who married Sarah Weld, minister of Yar- mouth, author of " American Epitaphs," in three volumes, died Novem- ber, 1828, aged ninety-two. Ile was a descendant of John Alden, a Pilgrim of the " Mayflower."

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ATTLEBOROUGH.

tier of galleries ; and that it " shall stand on a little hill on the north side of the pound, about fifteen or sixteen rods from the old meeting-house." 1

The town constituted one parish until April 7, 1743, when it was divided into "two distinct and separate" parishes or precincts by an act of the Legislature. The west constituted the First, and the cast the Second Precinct.

Extracts from the Records of the First Parish. -Sept. 18, 1744. The sum of €12 14s. was granted to the Second Precinct. This was probably a part of their share in the meeting-house.

March 27, 1777.2 The salary of their minister, Mr. Weld, was £66 13s. 4d.

Sept. 21, 1779. Voted to raise Rev. Mr. Weld's salary to six hundred dollars. Paper currency was much depreciated.

Sept. 29, 1779. Voted to double his salary for the year.

March 28, 1780. A meeting was called "to see if the precinct will apply to some one to assist Mr. Weld in the work of the ministry, under his present indisposition of body," etc. Voted that the two dea- cons see that the pulpit is supplied in case Mr. Weld is unable to preach.

June 3, 1782. A meeting was held "to see if the precinct will agree to pay the funeral charges of the Rev. Mr. Weld, late of Attleborough, deceased." 2d. "To see if the precinct will choose a committee so seek a supply occasioned by the death of our late pastor."

From this time till the settlement of Mr. Wilder, in 1790, nearly eight years, the parish was destitute of a settled minister. The people were very much divided on this subject. Many unsuccessful attempts were made to settle a minister, numerous candidates were called, but the people could make no choice. They had been long united and harmonious under the ministry of Mr. Weld, some diversity of opinion and alienation of feeling were to be expected after so long a calm.

Aug. 27, 1782. Voted to hire Rev. Mr. Morey six weeks longer. Oct. 30, 1782. A meeting was called "to see if the precinct will give Mr. Morey a call to settle in the ministry." 1st. " Voted to give him a call. 2d. Voted to reconsider it."

Feb. 26, 1783. Voted to treat with a committee in Second Precinct relative to ministerial lands. There was a dispute between the two parishes for a long time in regard to their relative rights to these lands, which was finally terminated, I believe, by payment of a certain sum to the second parish.

At the same meeting, voted to hire Rev. Mr. Brad- ford three months. Voted to buy one hundred ser- mons delivered by Rev. Mr. Thacher3 on the death of Rev. Mr. Weld. Voted to apply to Rev. Mr. Spalding, of Killingly, Conn., to come and preach a few weeks.

Aug. 18, 1883. " Voted to send to the president of Yale College to send us a candidate." He accord- ingly sent them a young man, who it appears was not acceptable.

Oct. 29, 1783. Voted to choose a committee to con- sult Lawyer Bradford + concerning the ministerial lands.

Dec. 15, 1783. Rev. Mr. Britt was preaching as a candidate. Subsequently Rev. Mr. Avery, then a Mr. March, Mr. Hart, of Preston, Conn., Mr. Da- mon, Mr. Plum. "Voted to send for Mr. Hunting- ton to preach for us." Before the arrival of Mr. Wilder many other names of candidates appear. So irreconcilable were the feelings or opinions, or both, of the parish, that it seemed next to impossible to make a selection. So great was the distress of the people amidst their divisions that they at last ap- pointed a " fast on account of their present difficul- ties." In this they hit upon the right expedient, for it seemed to have a very happy effect, as they soon after agreed on a candidate, the Rev. John Wilder, who, at a meeting Jan. 4, 1790, gave an answer ac- cepting the proposals of the parish, which terminated their long and troublesome contest.

Mr. Wilder was born in Templeton, March 12, 1758; removed to Lancaster in 1776. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1784; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hart, of Preston, Conn. His first wife was Esther Tyler, of Preston,-married Sept. 2, 1790, and died Jan. 19, 1811. His second wife was Mrs. Eliza- beth Austin, of North Hartford, Conn. She died at Austinsburg, March, 1847, aged seventy-two years.

Mr. Wilder was ordained Jan. 27, 1790, and the ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Levi Hart, above named, which was published.

Mr. Wilder was dismissed Nov. 28, 1822. He had been the pastor of that parish upwards of thirty-two years. He died here Feb. 12, 1836, aged seventy- seven. He left a numerous family of children ; one of the daughters married Hon. Lemuel May, of Attle- borough, who was the mother of the late John Wilder May, chief justice of the Municipal Court of Boston.

Mr. Wilder published several discourses, one on " The Federal Past," delivered May 9, 1798; an ad- dress before the Attleborough Agricultural Society, etc., delivered Feb. 22, 1805 ; a funeral sermon on the death of Hon. Elisha May, November, 1811; and an- other on the death of Deacon Lane.

1 It was voted that those parts of the town which may be hereafter set off as a precinet or town shall have the money repaid to them which they now pay towards the new meeting-house.

2 The last meeting under the Provincial government (March, 1776) was warned, as usual, "in the name of his Majesty the King of Eng- land," etc., but the next one, 17th September following, soon after the declaration of independence, was warned "in the name of these States and in behalf of the good people of this province," etc.

8 The first settled minister of the Second Precinct. It was delivered before Mr. Weld's parishioners the Sabbath after his death.

4 This Bradford was afterwards lieutenant-governor of Rhode Island, a man very popular at the time in his profession. He was a descend- ant from William Bradford, second governor of Plymouth Colony.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

To him succeeded Rev. Thomas Williams, formerly of Connecticut, who was installed Sept. 29, 1824. His connection with the parish was dissolved Dec. 11, 1827.

The next settled minister was Rev. Charles J. War- ren, who was ordained Feb. 28, 1828, and dismissed July 8, 1830. He died in New York, January, 1883.

Rev. Mr. Chapin, Rev. Mr. Colburn, Rev. Mr. Ober supplied the pulpit from 1830 to 1840.

Rev. John B. M. Bailey, of Dunbarton, N. H., or- dained here Dec. 30, 1840, and died here Feb. 24, 1851.

Rev. S. B. Morley, ordained July 9, 1851; dis- missed March 25, 1857.

Rev. B. C. Chace, Camden, Me., acting pastor from Aug. 23, 1857, to Dec. 25, 1862.

Rev. David Breed, acting pastor from March 1, 1863, to March 1, 1866.

Rev. H. P. De Forest, ordained and entered on his ministry January, 1867 ; dismissed January, 1869.

Rev. John Whitehill commenced his ministry here March 28, 1869, and is the present pastor.

The new meeting-house, being the third in that society, was built in the summer of 1828, and dedi- cated Jan. 1, 1829.

East Parish .- The towns originally in this State constituted the religious societies, but in the course of time, as population increased, the towns were di- vided by territorial divisions, and by metes and bounds, and all the inhabitants within these terri- torial limits who had been admitted as freemen were members. This was at a time when there were no religious divisions among the people. But in the course of time religious distinctions arose, and vari- ous provisions were made to meet these exigencies. The division of the town into two territorial parishes was made April 7, 1743, by act of the Legislature. But this division was not made in consequence of any religious differences, but wholly on account of the inconvenience of attending public worship at such great distances. At the incorporation of the town Attleborough and Cumberland constituted one parish.

Rev. Thomas Williams, a clergyman well known in this vicinity, particularly to the people of this town. He preached for several years in Foxborough, an ad- joining town. Afterwards he supplied the pulpit at West Attleborough First Church. After that he gath- ered and organized the church at Hebronville, South Attleborough. Here he preached for that church a number of years. He was a man of vigorous and ac- tive mind. He entertained very decided opinions on all subjects, religious and secular, and was fearless in expressing them. He was animated in the delivery of his sermons, and always secured the attention of his bearers, not merely by his matter and manner, but by occasional use of strong and peculiar lan- guage. In preaching and sermonizing he indulged largely in doctrinal subjects. He adhered during his long life to the theology of New England. He en-

joyed the power of wit and sarcasm, which he used when occasion required. He often engaged in dis- cussion on public affairs, and on various subjects, and never failed to repel the attacks of his opponents with keen repartee, and always said something which they had reason to remember. He was most truly a disinterested man, laboring often without hope of reward, hardly reserving enough to meet his own ex- penses on the journey of life. He regarded himself as an instrument in the hands of his master. He ap- peared to me the most disinterested laborer I ever knew. He died in Providence at an advanced age.

He married Ruth Hale, of Newbury, has had sev- eral children ; one of them, Nathan R., graduated at Yale.

He was the author of several volumes and numer- ous pamphlets, and furnished numerous articles for various periodicals. They are too numerous to men- tion here.

His most interesting discourse was his funeral ser- mon on Doctor Emmons' death, Sept. 28, 1840. It was understood that it was the agreement of the par- ties some time before the death of either of them that the survivor should preach the funeral sermon of the other. It was prepared by Mr. Williams years before Dr. Emmons' death, and read to him.

After a few brief pastorates, the Rev. John B. M. Bailey accepted a call of the church, and became its settled minister. He was ordained Dec. 30, 1840, and died Feb. 24, 1851, aged forty-three years, after .

the tenth year of his ministry. Author of the ad- dress for the consideration of Mount Hope Cemetery in Attleborough, which then opened its portals to re- ceive him among its first tenants. It was prepared to be delivered July 2, 1850, he was unable to deliver it himself, and it was intrusted to other hands. He was soon borne to the place he had consecrated for others. This address was his last labor.

Mr. Bailey was born in Dunbarton, N. H., June 5, 1807, and was educated at an academy in Vermont. He was a man of talents and culture, and an eloquent preacher. He was popular throughout the town, es- pecially for the deep and active interest he took in the cause of common-school education, and in every- thing which concerned the common welfare of the community around him. His death was universally lamented. He left a widow and two daughters.

A white marble monument was erected to his mem- ory by the citizens of the town, with an inscription expressive of their high estimation of his character and services.

This parish was divided from the other April 7, 1743, about one hundred and forty years ago, by act of the Legislature.

The first meeting of the parish was the 6th of June succeeding. On the 20th of the same month a meeting was called "to consider and see what the parish will do in order to placing a meeting-house for the public worship of God." This is the first

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record of an attempt to build a meeting-house in this part of the town. At the same time a committee was chosen " to agree with Mr. Willis or some other man for the present." It was also " voted to choose a committee of two who should apply in the first place to Rev. Mr. Willis, and if he cannot be ob- tained, then to Mr. Read, and if he cannot be oh- tained, then to Mr. Peter Thacher."

At said meeting it was voted to set their meeting- house on the plain " where the roads meet or cross each other.".

It appears by the records of the next meeting that they had hired Mr. Thacher for a time. He was the first minister who preached here. He commenced Aug. 20, 1743, but was not ordained and settled till Nov. 30, 1748, about five years.

Sept. 6, 1743. "Voted to proceed forthwith to build a meeting-house for the public worship of God." The house was to be thirty-five feet square, and high enough for one tier of galleries. A com- mittee was chosen " to carry on the building of said house." At a subsequent meeting Oct. 18, 1743, " voted to reconsider the vote relating to the dimen- sions of the meeting-house, and to build one forty- five feet long, and thirty-five feet wide, and high enough for one tier of galleries." This was the size of the house as it was afterwards built. The meet- ing-house was commenced in the autumn of this year, but the interior was not finished till several years subsequently.

On the 1st of November following the parish made choice of Rev. Peter Thacher for their minister " by a free vote," and agreed to give him for a salary forty pounds yearly for four years, and at the end of four years to give him fifty pounds per annum "current money," and also for a settlement three hundred pounds, "old tenor," to be paid in four years,-i.e., one quarter part each year.

The first public burying-ground in East Attlebor- ough was laid out Oct. 16, 1744, as appears by a vote of that date. "Voted to have a burying-place in the meeting-house lot, and that it should be at the north- westerly corner of said lot." This piece of land was purchased previously by the parish, and consisted of two acres called the "meeting-house lot."

Dec. 21, 1747. Voted to give Mr. Thacher six hundred pounds, old tenor, for his settlement, and also twenty-five cords of wood yearly.

Oct. 28, 1748. Settled Mr. Thacher's salary at four hundred pounds per annum, old tenor, " reckon- ing silver money at fifty-five shillings per ounce, and to rise and fall as silver shall rise and fall, so long as he shall continue our minister." At the same time the parish chose a committee to provide for the ordi- nation of Mr. Thacher, which took place 30th of the next month. He continued the pastor until Oct. 26, 1784, when he was dismissed by vote of parish. He had a few months previous to his dismission suf- fered an attack of paralysis (which rendered him

unable to perform the duties of his station), of which he died Sept. 13, 1785, in the seventieth year of his age. He preached in this town about forty-one years, was a highly respectable and useful man. He was born in Middleborough Jan. 25, 1715, and was the son of Rev. Peter Thacher of that place.1 Nov. 31, 1749, he married Bethiah, the oldest daughter of Deacon Obediah Carpenter, of Attleborough, by whom he had ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Several of his descendants are living in this town. One of his descendants, Peter Thacher, was a prominent citizen of Cleveland, Ohio.

He published a discourse on the death of Rev. Mr. Weld, which has been reprinted. A small volume of his sermons was also published in 1798 by his son, entitled "Select Discourses on Practical Subjects," under the superintendence of Rev. Thomas Thacher.

After Mr. Thacher and before the settlement of an- other minister there were several preachers here,- Rev. Asahel Huntington, Mr. Laughton, Mr. Far- rington, of Wrentham, Mr. Mead, etc.

The next settled minister was the Rev. Ebenezer Lazell, of Bridgewater (a graduate of Brown Univer- sity, 1788), who was ordained Nov. 21, 1792, and dis- missed Jan. 3, 1797. He continued here about four years. During his residence here he married Chloe, the daughter of Capt. Abdather Richardson, of this town. After his dismission he removed to Western New York.

His successor was the Rev. Nathan Holman, who was ordained Oct. 14, 1800, and was dismissed May 22, 1821, having been settled here about twenty-one years. He graduated at Brown University in 1797.

Nathan Holman was born in Sutton (that part now Millbury ), May 17, 1769, the third son of David Hol- man and Lucy Thornton. He worked on his father's farm during his minority. After his twenty-first year he commenced his studies preparatory for college. He depended mostly on his own exertion for the means to carry him through college. He graduated at Brown University in 1797, with the reputation of a good scholar. He studied theology with the pastor of his native town, Rev. Edmund Mills, and finished his course with Dr. Emmons. In 1800 he preached as a candidate at this place, and during the year re- ceived a call to settle as pastor. He was ordained Oct. 15, 1800. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Edmund Mills, pastor of the Congregational Church in Sutton, which was published. He was dismissed May 22, 1821. He married Miss Lettice Morey, daughter of Dr. Samuel Morey, of Norton. She died March 6, 1848.

1 Rev. P. Thacher, of Middleborough, was born Oct. 6, 1688, graduated at Cambridge University, A. D., 1706, ordained at that place Nov. 2, 1709, and died April 22, 1744, aged fifty-six. IIe was the son of Rev. Peter Thacher, minister of Milton (by his wife Theodora, daughter of Rev. John Oxenbridge) who was the son of Rev. Thomas Thacher, of Boston, and was born at Salem July 18, 1651, graduated at Harvard College 1671, ordalned June 1, 1681, and died Dec. 27, 1727, aged seventy-six.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 127

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