History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 164

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 164

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The First Christian Church, North Westport, 1 was organized Jan. 1, 1858, with the following mem- bers : Joshua Wordell, Perry Davis, Gershom Wor- dell, Sylvia Wordell, Rachel Davis, Edmund Wor- dell, Peleg Dennis, Mahaley Dennis, Mary Blossom, Sarah Ann Crapo, Patience A. Barney, Isaac A. An- thony, Christiana Anthony, Abiel Davis, Rhoda Davis, Abby S. Sherman, David D. Petty, Louisa Sherman, Clarissa Blossom, Rosina Sherman, Martha Millard, Ann Mariah Branley, Ruth B. Davis.

The first pastor was Elder William Faunce, who served the church until Feb. 20, 1864.

At a church-meeting held Sept. 10, 1864, J. B. Par- ris was chosen pastor, and at a meeting held April 10, 1866, Stephen M. Andrews was chosen pastor, and Jan. 26, 1873, A. H. Francis was accepted as pastor of the church, and was ordained by request of the church.

The next account of a pastor is in 1875, when Elder Elihu Grant commenced his work the second Sabbath in January, and resigned in March, 1879. Rev. B. F. Mosher, the present pastor, was chosen the same spring.

The society has a fine church edifice, free from debt.

The church accepts no creed but the Bible, and fel- lowships all who maintain a Christian character. There are on rolls one hundred and nineteen names, twenty-four of whom have died, eight have been dis- missed, one excommunicated, leaving seventy-six on the roll at present, many of whom are non-residents, having moved from the place. The edifice was erected before the church was organized ; probably completed in 1857. There is no date of the dedication of the building, but probably it was dedicated on the same day of the organization.

The Third Christian Church2 of Westport was organized June 10, 1839, with the following mem- bers : Daniel Tripp, Abner Tripp, Gidean W. Tripp, Green Allin, Silva Tripp, Susanah Tripp, Pheby Potter, Pheby Allin, Susan T. Brownell, Christiany Allin, Cathrine Tripp, and Pheby Tripp. The fol- lowing is a list of pastors from its organization to the present time : Elder Callogue, Elder George Dyre, Elder Gideon W. Tripp, Elder Isrel Wood, Elder Orrin J. Weight, Elder Bardon M. Bacer. The church building was erected in 1842. The present officers are : Deacons, IIenry Brighton and Godfry Cormet; Clerk, Henry Brightman.

Friends' Church, Central Village.3-The Friends' Meeting at Central village was set off from Dartmouth Meeting in the year 1766, under the name of Acoaxet Monthly Meeting,-this village at that time being the western part of Old Dartmouth, and called by the In- dian name of Acoaxet. Several years afterwards its name was changed to Westport Monthly Meeting. The present house was built in 1814 at a cost of eleven hundred and ninety-eight dollars. This was, however, a rebuild (but we have no record of when the house was built which was occupied previous to this). I wish I could give you a picture of it. It is with great pleasure I look back to my childhood days, and think of that large, commodious old meet- ing-house, with its bright, blazing fires in the large fireplaces, and its rows of venerable gray heads arranged along on the high seats. No paint or marks of decoration were seen upon its massive beams or walls, no stuffed cushions on its benches, or carpets covered its sanded floors, but the whole was a picture of neatness. In 1872 the old meeting- house was summoned to lay aside its quaint old garb and undergo another remodeling, which is the present house now occupied.

The first members were Ichabod Eddy, Joshua Devol, Mercy Devol, Israel Wood, Philip Tripp, Margaret Tripp, Christian Brightman, Sarah White.

1 By Rev. B. F. Mosher.

2 By Henry Brightman.

3 By Hannah R. Gifford.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

List of ministers : Warren Gifford, Tabitha Gifford, Jeremiah Austin, William P. Macomber, Joseph Tripp, Rebekah Tripp, Annie Macomber, Mary E. Gifford.

I cannot justly leave the history of this meeting without making particular mention of one of its members. I allude to Capt. Paul Cuff, whose name has been handed down from generation to generation as a man of great worth and noble character. He was born on Cuttyhunk, one of the Elizabeth Islands, in the year 1759. His father was a slave, his mother a native Indian by the name of Ruth Moses. He was tall and dignified in his appearance, his hair straight, and his complexion was not dark. A man of limited education, and, in traveling over the world as he did, sensibly realized what a loss he sustained by this privation. Several times during his voyages he took home with him poor boys from foreign ports to educate them. In two weeks he learned enough of navigation to command his own vessels, of which he built seven.

At the age of sixteen he became a sailor, and made a whaling voyage to the Gulf of Mexico. His second voyage was to the West Indies, but on the third he was captured by a British ship during the Revolutionary war (in 1776), and held a prisoner three months at New York. He joined this meeting in the year 1808, and often appeared in the ministry with deep devo- tional feelings.

In 1810 he received a certificate from the meeting- to visit Africa; later he had one to go to Washing- ton ; still later, two others, one to visit Africa the second time. He had a strong attachment for the people of his own color.

It was this same Capt. Cuff, with his brother John, who sent in a petition to the Legislature in the year 1778 which was the means of passing the law giving all free persons of color equal privileges with other citizens, also rendering them liable to taxation,-a day which ought to be gratefully remembered in connection with the name of Paul Cuff by all the colored people of Massachusetts.

One more incident of this worthy man. On a cer- tain time he visited New Bedford, and stopped at a public-house with some friends, and was sitting in the travelers' room, warming himself by the fire. When the hour of dinner arrived the landlady en- tered the room and told Capt. Cuff she would set him a separate table. He politely thanked her, and then told her he had previously accepted an invitation to dine with Hon. William Rotch.

He owned a farm in Westport of one hundred acres, about two miles south of Hix's Bridge; also a store-house and wharf, where his vessels were built.

He died at his home in 1817, and his remains lie buried in Friends' burying-ground at Central village. Pacific Union Congregational Church.1-In the

month of March, 1850, Rev. J. B. Parris was engaged to supply the pulpit of the Old House (so called), it being the first Christian Church in Westport of that denomination. Mr. Parris labored with them two years. His salary was small, and obtained by volun- tary subscription. At or near the close of his second year, as usual, a committee was chosen to solicit sub- scriptions for his salary the coming year. The day before his last Sabbath for the year a meeting of the church and society was held to hear the report of the committee. The committee reported they had been unable to obtain the amount for his salary. The moderator of the meeting (Dr. B. B. Sisson ) suggested that he, Mr. Parris, be informed of their inability to continue his labors longer, and that a letter of recom- mendation be given him to other sister churches. A letter was written and presented to the meeting, and a vote passed that the clerk inform him of the doings of the meeting, and present to him the letter of rec- ommendation.

The week following his last Sabbath at the Old House he was called upon by three gentlemen, two of whom a short time previous had returned from Cali- fornia, and neither of the three had been an attend- ant upon his ministry, but were highly pleased with his deportment as a minister of the gospel. They questioned him to know if he would continue his labors in the village and preach in Washingtonian Hall if they could obtain subscriptions to the amount of his salary, assuring him that no effort had been made to obtain it, and the people were anxious for him to continue with them. His answer to them was that if the people wished him to stay and preach in the hall he had no objection, and the amount raised on or be- fore Saturday. A subscription paper was started, and before Saturday night he was informed the amount had been obtained, and Sunday he commenced his labors in the hall, it being March, 1852, where most of the church members from the Christian Chuch and all the congregation followed him.

Mr. Parris continued his labors in the hall till De- cember, 1855, when the Pacific Union Church build- ing was completed and dedicated, and he was invited by its proprietors to occupy its pulpit, which he did till March, 1858, when he informed his friends and congregation he should not be a candidate for the pulpit any longer, as his throat had troubled him much during the past year, and several Sabbaths was unable to preach.

In the month of December, 1853, Zacheus Gifford, an attendant at the hall, after the close of the services one Sabbath-day, stated to P. W. Peckham, Stephen Howland, and C. A. Church, in my presence, that a short time previous he attended the rededication and sale of pews at the church at Hix's meeting-house, which had been repaired and pewed off and nicely fitted up, and that the sale of the pews amounted to more than the expense incurred, leaving a balance on hand, and that a new house was needed here, and he

1 By J. L. Anthony.

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WESTPORT.

thought one could be built and paid for from the sale of pews. From that time the enterprise commenced to be agitated, and as the hall was uncomfortably crowded most of the time, it was concluded to call a meeting on the subject.

The following is a copy of a call for the first meet- ing on the proprietors' records :

" NOTICE.

" All persons feeling interested in the cause of Christianity in this Village, are requested to meet at Washington Hall on Thursday, Feb. 23, 1854, at 2 o'clock P.M., to consult together upon the present state of the cause and the best means for its promotion.

" WESTPORT, Feb'y 22d, 1854."

The meeting was held and a vote passed that one of the means to promote the cause of Christianity in this village is to build a meeting-house. A com- mittee was chosen to draft and report resolutions at the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, March 1, 1854.

March 1, 1854, meeting held, and committee re- ported that a good degree, a healthy state of religious feeling and interest, and for the welfare of the cause of Christ these should be concentrated in some form of religious association, and offered the following res- olutions :

" That in the opinion of the committee the cause of Christ would be best promoted by a speedy organization of a church.

"2d, That the cause would be promoted by the formation of a society to co-operate with the church. And that it would be promoted by the erection of a building suitable for a place of worship. That it is expe- dient to refer the choice of the form of church organization to such as are willing and ready to become members of a church. And that such consult together and come to some decision, and report to the adjourn- ment of this meeting."

It was voted that the committee, of which Rev. Mr. Parris was chairman, be instructed to give a general invitation to all persons desirous of becoming mem- bers of the proposed church to meet at such time and place in said village of Westport, Head of the River, as said committee may designate. Said notice was given, and a meeting held at the house of Hon. N. C. Brownell, Esq., Saturday evening, March 4, 1854. Adjourned to meet at the house of Stephen Howland on Tuesday, March 9th, and from there to the house of Thomas Winslow.

Meeting called to order by Rev. J. B. Parris. C. A. Church chosen chairman ; Stephen Howland, secre- tary. Prayer offered by Rev. J. B. Parris. The arti- cles, confession of faith, and covenant of a Congre- gational Church was adopted. At this point of the proceedings Zacheus Gifford and Adam Gifford with- drew from the enterprise, they wanting the church to be of the same denomination as the old church, ! which had no creed. There were several meetings held during the year and the matter discussed, but no definite action taken to form a church, some taking the ground that it would be better to have a place to worship in before forming a church organization.

Sisson, Esq. The report of the doings of those wish- ing to join a church was presented by Mr. Howland, in the absence of Mr. Parris. Remarks were made by Mr. Sisson, Brownell, Church, and others. Voted that the report made by the committee of which Mr. Parris was chairman be placed on file. Voted that it is expedient to form a society to act in consort with a church to be formed upon the plan proposed in the report of said committee, or something similar.

Voted to choose a committee of five to report where a lot can be obtained to erect a house of public wor- ship on and price of same, the size of the house and probable cost, and the mode of raising the funds. Ye meeting adjourned to Wednesday, March 22, 1854.

Meeting held March 22d by adjournment. N. C. Brownell, Esq., chairman of committee appointed at the previous meeting, presented the report of com- mittec,-that a suitable and convenient lot, east of Adam Gifford's, about five rods front on the street, and extending back eight rods, may be had, as in- formed by Stephen Howland, for $ -; that the committee had examined several houses of worship, and are of opinion that a house suitable for the pres- ent and prospective wants of this village and vicinity should be about forty by fifty feet in size; that the probable cost, including furniture, would be from two thousand five hundred to three thousand dollars. In regard to raising funds for the object proposed, your committee recommend it be raised by subscrip- tion in shares of twenty-five dollars each, and they in- dulge the hope that the interest felt in religious obser- vances, the welfare of the rising generation, and morals of the community will insure a subscription commen- surate with the great object in view. Stephen How- land then presented in writing that he wished to give the association the lot reported on the following condi- tions, viz. : that the association erect a meeting-house, make and maintain an inclosure around said lot, that the meeting-house be on the plan now in contempla- tion, with a vestry to be on the floor above the ground, and that if any soil is to be removed from the lot that is not needed on it, that he should have the refusal to remove said soil in a reasonable time. Also at any time when said lot is not occupied for a meeting- house for a religious church or society, it shall then return back to said Howland or his heirs or assigns, provided that in case of fire or to rebuild a new house for the purpose of religious worship there should be time allowed to build. It was voted unanimously to accept the above proposal. A subscription paper was drawn up with certain conditions, and a committee chosen to obtain subscriptions.

A clause in the subscription paper provides that at the first meeting after the subscriptions are obtained, such officers may be chosen and such action taken as the subscribers then present may deem necessary to accomplish the object intended. Also, at all meet-

A meeting of the citizens held in the hall March 8, 1854. Meeting called to order by the president, B. B. | ings of subscribers each shall be entitled to one vote

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

for each share by him subscribed for. But no sub- scriber shall be entitled to more than ten votes.

The committee having attended to their duty, at a meeting held in the hall on the 7th of April, 1854, reported one hundred and twenty shares had been subscribed for at twenty-five dollars per share, amount- ing to three thousand dollars. The said meeting chose P. W. Peckham, treasurer, and Stephen Howland, clerk.

Voted to choose a committee of three to be called the building committee, and C. A. Church, J. L. Anthony, and Daniel H. Waite were chosen.

September 21st, a meeting was held in hall, and the building committee made their first report. They re- ported they had advertised for proposals and visited many carpenters in New Bedford and Fall River, that but five carpenters have sent in their proposals, and these they deemed all too high in warranting them to make any contract this fall.

Voted to accept their report, and the committee was instructed to continue their effort to make a con- tract to build the ensuing year.

March 5, 1855, met according to notice in the hall at 6.30 P.M., B. B. Sisson, Esq., in the chair.

Voted that the building committee are hereby in- structed to go on and contract for and build said meeting-house according to plans and specifications furnished by Cleveland & Eaton, and they be author- ized to raise what money may be necessary to accom- plish the object beyond the amount already subscribed by a lien on the house.

On the 28th of March, Stephen Howland, the largest subscriber to the stock, died after a short sickness ; but before his death directed his two sons to carry out all his intentions in regard to the enterprise. Then fol- lows the certificate of the treasurer that the subscrib- ers had all paid in their subscriptions except Mr. Howland, which was paid by his executors.

Then follows the certificate of Mr. Church, chair- man of the building committee, that in June, 1855, he had received of the treasurer twelve hundred dol- lars, and in the month of September the sum of eigh- teen hundred dollars, it being the whole amount sub- scribed.

The office of clerk being vacant by the death of Mr. Howland, a meeting was called on the 16th day of November, 1855, and N. W. Winchester was chosen clerk.

Voted that the stockholders have the privilege of turning in what amount each had paid into the treas- ury towards the payment of his pew or pews that he may purchase, and that if his purchase exceeds the amount already paid in, the balance shall be paid in cash to the treasurer. And voted that all votes in- consistent and conflicting with the above vote are hereby repealed.

the pews be offered for sale, and all purchasers of pews shall come together and organize a society, each person having one vote, but in no case shall one pew be represented by more than one vote, and a majority shall govern, giving it such name as they shall think proper. And said society shall make such rules and regulations as they shall deem best for its future government. And shall call such a preacher as they shall determine. The meeting was then adjourned to meet that evening at six o'clock at the same place. The adjourned meeting came together, the chairman being absent, C. A. Church was called to the chair.

Voted that a committee of five be chosen to ex- tend an invitation in behalf of the stockholders to such ministers of the gospel as said committee shall think proper to come and take part in the dedicatory services. And said committee shall also have the management and superintendence of said services.

Voted that B. B. Sisson, P. W. Peckham, Stephen Tripp, J. T. Thompson, and N. W. Winchester, be that committee.

Voted the comt on dedication carry the vote into effect respecting the offering the house to the public. Voted the building cont and the com' on dedication be a comt on the apprisal of the Pews in said house. Voted to adjourn to meet on Friday evening, Nov. 30th, at 6 o'clock. N. W. Winchester, Clerk.

Then follows the following notice :

" To THE PUBLIC.

" The undersigned, a comt in behalf of the stockholders of the Meet- ing-House lately erected at the Ilead of the River, Westport, would inform the public that Wednesday, the 5th of December, has been ap. pointed for dedicating it to the worship of God, and it is expected Rev. Mr. Thurston, of Fall River, will preach the sermon on the occasion. Religious services will be continued until Friday noon, in which min- isters of different denominations have been invited to participate. A cordial invitation is hereby extended to all to attend the meetings; trusting that they will prove both interesting and profitable, and be at- tended with spiritnal good.

"On Friday afternoon, the 7th, the Pews will be offered for Sale npon the following liberal conditions: The purchasers or owners of Pews shall, as soon as practicable after the sale, meet together and proceed to organize a Society (each person having one voice, and a Majority of Voices to govern), giving it such name as they may deem proper, also to enact all needful rules and regulations for its future government and management ; to choose suchi Committees and Officers as may be neces- sary, and to make such arrangements respecting a Pastor as in their judgment will best promote the welfare of all, and to transact such other business as may be thought expedient and proper.

"The committee would now take the liberty to address a few remarks to the friends of religion, and of the public worship of God in this com- munity.

" This House has been erected under peculiar circumstances, and dif- fering essentially from houses as usually erected for public worship. They almost without exception originate with an Organized Church and Society, and are of a fixed denominational character.

" It is therefore known from the first what religious views govern them, and those who sympathize with those views readily associate to- getlier. Not so with us. Seventeen persons in this community, differing in their religions views, but feeling that the morals and religious wants of this village and vicinity demanded a new house for public worship, and that that demand could only be supplied by laying aside minor differences of Opinion and acting together, adopted that course, believ- ing that a just and discriminating Christian sentiment would in the end sustain and justify their Action. The result of their united efforts is the edifice now about completed, the external appearance of which we

Voted that the stockholders offer the meeting- house to the public upon the following conditions : That upon the conclusion of the dedicatory services | think will add somewhat to our village, while ils interior arrangements

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WESTPORT.

and completeness of finish will reflect no discredit on the liberality of the Stockholders. The funds for its erection have been contributed wholly by them ; no pecuniary aid has been received or asked for from any denomination or from any other Source. The conditions on which it is offered to the public we believe to be just, open, and fair to all, and free from any reasonable objection.

" The object and design of its erection are to subserve as far as possi- ble the moral and religions welfare of the Community, & we trust and believe in the Providence of God that desirable end will be attained ; but to accomplish this all friends of moral and religious improvement should come together in a spirit of true Christian liberality, all minor differences of opinion and jealousies must be offered a willing sacrifice on the Altar of charity, concord, and kindly feelings. If this be done may not hope that God will own and bless our efforts and crown them with success; and that He will so direct and govern them by this spirit as will redound to the good of all and to llis honor & Glory.

"J. B. PARRIS, " B. B. SISSON, " P. W. PECKHAM, "J. J. THOMPSON, " N. W. WINCHESTER, " STEPHEN TRIPP, " Committee.

" WESTPORT, Nov. 23, 1855."

At a meeting held Nov. 30, 1855, it was voted that all pews remaining in the hands of the original stock- holders unsold, and not leased by them, shall be ex- empt from taxation for incidental expenses attending public worship, and no pew shall be taxed for the support of the ministry.

Voted that the house be appraised at four thou- sand dollars, and the pews be appraised to cover that amount. A committee of three was chosen to sell and convey the pews. Adjourned to Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1855, at 9 A.M., at the meeting-house. At this meeting it was voted that the stockholders reserve to themselves the privilege of inviting a preacher to officiate until a society is formed and a preacher called by it. Ad- journed to 3 P.M. Adjourned to Friday morning, December 7th. At eight and a half o'clock Friday morning the committee on appraisal presented their report, which was accepted by the meeting, as fol- lows: That the apprisals of the pews shall forever hereafter be the basis for taxation.

Voted that the front seats, Nos. 19, 20, 43, 44, be forever free seats. Voted that the committee on ded- ication be a committee to invite a preacher to supply the pulpit until a society is formed and a preacher supplied by them. Voted to adjourn to meet in the evening at six and a half o'clock.

Rev. Mr. Parris was invited from the hall to the new house by said committee.

At the adjourned meeting held on Friday evening, voted that the committee on selling pews be author- ized to lease the unsold pews at the rate of eight per cent. on their appraised value and payment of taxes for incidental expenses, with a provision that should any one wish to purchase said pew, the lessee shall have the first privilege of purchase ; but if he does not wish to purchase, shall then peacefully surrender said pew, and have the privilege of leasing another. Voted that the sale of pews and the purchaser, their valuation, number, and premium paid for choice be recorded in the stockholders' records ; also each pew

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 164

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