USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 19
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The following is a list of vessels from New Bedford in the whaling fishery in 1882:
Vessel's Name.
Tonnage.
Master.
Agent's Name.
Dale of Sailing.
A. R. Tucker, bark
145
Gifford.
Joseph & William R. Wing.
April 13, ISSO. Oct. 26, 1875.
Abm. Barker, bark
380
Smith.
Joseph & William R. Wing.
Abbie Bradford, schooner.
115
Dyer ....
Jonathan Bourne.
June 15, 1882.
Adelia Chase, schooner.
85
Loum Snow & Son
In port.
Adeline Gibbs, bark
327
Reed
Jonathan Bourne.
Dec. 15, 1880.
Alice Knowles, bark.
302
Foster.
John P. Knowles (20)
June 10, 1879.
Alaska, bark
347
Fisher.
Jonathan Bourne.
Sept. 14, 1880.
Andrew Hicks, bark
340
Jones
Loum Snow & Son.
Atlantic, bark.
291
Mitchell
Joseph & William R. Wing.
Attleboro', bark
179
Lavers.
Poole.
John F. Tucker & Co ...
April 23, 1881.
Belvedere, steamer.
440
Adams
William Lewis ..
Aug. 17, 1880.
Bertha, bark.
177
Gifford
John F. Tucker & Co.
Aug. 22, 1882.
Caleb Eaton, schooner.
110
Gifford
Charles C. Pierce.
Nov. 1, 1879.
California.
367
Brightman
John F. Tucker & Co.
May 20, 1881.
Canton, bark
239
Sherman
John F. Tucker & Co.
Sept. 12, 1878.
Cape Horn Pigeon, bark
Charles W. Morgan, bark
314
Keith
Joseph & William R. Wing.
July 13, 1881.
Charles W. Morse, schooner
112
Rose.
John McCullough
Oct. 22, 1881. In port.
Com. Morris, bark
338
Winslow
Aiken & Swift
April 5, 1881.
Desdemona, bark
236
Davis.
Aiken & Swift
May 30, 1882.
E. B. Conwell, schooner.
91
Costa
Henry Clay & Co.
Nov. 12, 1880.
Ellen Rodman, schooner.
Gifford
Doane & Co.
June 8, 1881.
E. B. Phillips, bark
155
Francis
John McCullough
May 24, 1881.
Eliza, bark
296
Murray
Jonathan Bourne.
May 28, 1874.
Eliza Adams
408
lowland
Taber, Gordon & Co
Sept. 17, 1879. Sept. 28, 1880.
E. II. Adams, brig
107
Allen.
William Lewis.
Aiken & Swift.
April 7, 1880. In port.
Fannie Byrnes, schooner.
66 Silva.
Joseph Olivera
April 24, 1882.
Fleetwing, bark.
328 leppingstone.
Joseph & William R. Wing.
Nov. 6, 1877.
Francis A. Barstow, brig ..
128
Reed.
Philip II. Reed.
April 20, 1881.
Franklin, schooner.
77
Avery
John P. Knowles (2d).
Swift & Allen.
May 11, 1880.
George and Mary, bark.
105
Sherman
Jonathan Bourne
May 26, 1881.
George and Susan, bark
343
Knowles.
Aiken & Swift.
Oct. 25, 1881.
Golden City, schooner.
85
Frates ...
Abbott P. Smith
May 14, 1879.
Helen Mar, bark
324
Bauldry
Swift & Allen.
July 6, 1876.
Hercules, bark
311
McInnis
Aiken & Swift.
Oct. 14, 1879.
Hope On, bark
173
Borden ..
Gilbert B. Borden.
Oct. 19, 1881.
Horatio.
349
Morse ..
Taber, Gordon & Co.
Oct. 25, 1881.
Hunter, bark
355
Barnes.
Jonathan Bourne
Sept 20, 1875.
Isabella, brig ...
132
Blossom
William Lewis
June 13, 1882. Sept. 14, 1881.
James Allen, bark
348
Lake ..
Taber, Gordon & Co ...
Sept. 7. ISSI. Oct. 8, 1878. Sept. 1, 1879.
John Carver, bark
319
Smith
Thomas Knowles & Co.
May 18, 1880.
John Dawson, bark.
173
Warren ...
Joseph & William R. Wing
June 12, 1879.
John Howland, bark
384
Green.
Ivory II. Bartlett & Sons ...
Dec. 26, 1877.
John P. West, bark.
353
Smith ..
Simeon N. West.
May 24, 1882.
John and Winthrop, baik
338
Shiverick
John P. Knowles (2d)
April 19, 1881. Oct. 7, 1880.
Josephine, bark
385
Long.
Aiken & Swift.
May 5, 1880.
Lagoda, bark
371
Lewis.
Jonathan Bourne.
April 11, 1882.
Lancer, bark
295
Lewis
William Lewis.
June 20, 1882. May 25, 1882.
Louisa, bark
303
Koon.
Ivory II. Bartlett & Sons.
Sept. 29, 1881.
Lucretia, steamer.
312
Mellen.
William Lewis
Dec. 17, 1881.
Lydia, bark Mabel, bark.
188
Kelley.
William Lewis.
Sept. 13, 1881. In port.
Mary and IIelen, steamer.
508 Smith
William Lewis
Ang. 15, 1882.
Mary and Susan, bark. 327
Barker
Ivory H. Bartlett & Sons.
Oct. 6, 1881.
Mattapoisett, bark
110
Stickney
Abbott P. Smith
Oct. 26, ISS1.
M. E. Simmons, schooner
105
Mandly.
Loum Snow & Son
Oct. 17, 1881.
355
Penniman
Aiker & Swift
Gilbert Allen ...
James Arnold
346
Chase.
Jireh Perry.
316
Chase ..
Aiken & Swift ....
Kathleen, bark
206
Ilowland
Joseph & William R. Wing.
Lottie E. Cook, schooner
82
Vera
Frazier
William Baylies.
Nov. 23, 1880.
Mars, bark
256
Charles C. Pierce
June 19, 1882. Dec. 6. 1881.
Gay Head, bark.
265
Crapo
Gazelle, bark
273
Ludlow.
Heury Clay & Co.
Oct. 13, 1881.
Greyhound, bark
178
Allen.
William Potter (2d).
Aug. 24, 1880.
Cicero, bark ..
226
John P. Knowles (2d)
Europa, bark Falcon, bark
3:23
Baker ..
285
Thomas Knowles & Co ...
Oct. 25, 1881. May 3, 1881. Nov. 2, 1880. Oct. 26, 1880.
William Lewis ..
Bart Gosnold, bark
365
303 Hicks
Andrew Hicks.
Arnolda, bark
212 Kelley
Henry Clay & Co ....
J. A. Howland, bark
Joseph Vera ...
329
73
NEW BEDFORD.
Vessel's Name.
Tonnage.
Master.
Agent's Name.
Date of Sailing.
Merlin, bark.
246
Allen ..
John F. Tucker & Co .. ..
Nov. 17, 1881.
Mermaid, bark.
273
Allen
Andrew Hicks
June 1, 1880.
Milton ..
373
Potter.
Taber, Gordon & Co.
Oct. 6, 1880.
Minerva, bark
337
Thompson
John McCullongh
Feb. 14, 1881.
Morning Star, bark
238
Joshua C. Ilitch
In port.
Napoleon, bark
Jonathan Bourne ..
Niger.
412
Taber, Gordon & Co.
In port. In port.
Northern Light, bark North Star, steamer.
385
Campbell.
Jonathan Bourne
Sept. 22, 1880.
Owen
William Lewis.
Ang. 2, 1881.
Ocean, bark .
288
Lewis.
Ivory HI. Bartlett & Sons
May 22, 1879.
Ohio, bark
205
Benten
Lonm Snow & Son
Nov. 1, 1881.
Ohio (2d), bark
263
Ellis
Aiken & Swift.
Dec. 13, 1881.
Osprey, bark
173
Herrick
Swift & Allen.
May 4, 1880.
Palmetto, bark
215
Pedro Varela, schooner.
90
Petrel, bark
257
Claghorn.
Thomas Knowles & Co.
Oct. 19, 1880.
Pioneer, bark.
228
Chase ..
Gilbert Allen
Ang. 17, 1880.
Platina, bark.
214
Gilbert.
John F. Tucker & Co.
Aug. 31, 1882.
President (2d), bark
123
Tripp
Progress, bark
358
Rainbow, bark
351
Cogan.
Jan. 21, 1875.
Reindeer, bark
357
Baker
Aiken & Swift.
April 12, 1881.
Rousseau, bark
305
Wicks
Aiken & Swift.
June 6, 1882.
Sea Fox, bark
166
Gifford.
John P. Knowles (2d)
June 27, 1882.
Sea Ranger, bark
273
Holmes
Ivory H. Bartlett & Sons.
June 4, 1879.
Seine, bark.
234
Macomber
John P. Knowles (2d)
July 22, 1880.
Stamboul, bark.
260
Keenan
Joshua C. Hitch ...
Nov. 12, 1881.
Sunbeam, bark
255
Moulton
Joseph & William R. Wing ...
July 25, 1882.
Surprise, schooner.
53
Crapo.
Robert G. Churchill
June 7, 1881.
Swallow, bark.
326
Sherman.
Aiken & Swift.
Oct. 15. 1878. In port.
Triton, bark.
264
Childs ..
Joseph & William R. Wing.
May 3, 1882.
Tropic Bird, bark
145
Stanton.
Stanton & Hamblin ..
Sept. 29, 1581.
Union, schooner.
66
Foster
Henry Clay & Co
Jan. 30, 1882.
Varnum II. Hill, brig
126
Silva
John McCullongh
Sept. 29, 1880.
Wanderer, bark ..
303
McLane
John P. Knowles (2d)
Aug. 29, 1882.
Wave, bark
150
Thomas Knowles & Co ..
In port.
William Wilson, schooner.
92
William N. Church.
In port.
Young Phoenix
355
Lapham
Ivory H. Barlett & Sons
Dec. 6, 1881.
There are now but about fifteen hundred barrels of crude Southern whale-oil in the country, the only holders being J. & W. R. Wing, I. H. Bartlett & Sons, and Taber, Gordon & Co., all of New Bedford, besides one small lot in Provincetown. This is used to a considerable extent for oiling stock in cordage- works. Northern whale-oil is almost as scarce, the holders being J. & W. R. Wing, Jonathan Bourne, and Swift & Allen, of New Bedford, and Hernan Smith, of Boston, with a total of about two thousand eight hundred barrels. Mr. Smith's oil, some two hundred and fifty barrels, has been on hand about ten years.
CHAPTER X.
NEW BEDFORD .- (Continued.)
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
First Congregational Society, Unitarian Church-The North Congrega- tional Church-The Trinitarian Church-First Baptist Church-The North Baptist Church-The Second Baptist Church-Salem Baptist- County Street Methodist Episcopal Church-The Front Street Metho- dist Episcopal Church-Allen Street Methodist Episcopal Church- Pleasant Street Methodist Episcopal Church-African Methodist Epis- copal Zion-African Methodist Episcopal Bethel-Grace Church-St. James' Church-North Christian Church-Middle Street Christian Church-South Christian Church-Christian Union Church-Spruce Street Christian-The Universalist Church-Society of Friends-Sea- men's Bethel-Roman Catholic Churches-Portuguese Church-How- land Chapel-Second Advent Church-Union Church, Plainville- Olivet Chapel-Rockdale Union Free Chapel Association-Missionary Chapel-Extinct Churches : Pacific Church, Third Christian, Can- nonville Union Church, Mount Pleasant Church.
First Congregational Society (Unitarian) .- The village at the Head of the River, now called Acushnet,
antedates New Bedford by half a century. As it was in early times the centre of population and business, religious services were first held there, and as New Bedford became settled its residents were in the habit of going up to the Head of the River to attend wor- ship. But in the course of time, owing to the greater increase of population in New Bedford, it became necessary to organize a precinct in connection with the church at Acushnet. We find by the records of the First Congregational Society that the first meet- ing held in relation to the formation of the precinct was Jan. 31, 1795, at the North Purchase Street school- house. The officers chosen at that meeting were Jireh Willis, moderator; John Spooner, clerk; Edward Pope, treasurer. It was voted to build a house for public worship, in forty shares, each shareholder sub- scribing six pounds, to be paid in cash, labor, or ma- terials. Capt. Gamaliel Bryant was chosen superin- tendent of its construction. The records state that the first lot selected for the location of the church was " a quarter of an acre of land lying north of Joseph Russell's orchard, and west of County road," pre- sented by Ephraim Kempton, Sr., which is now occu- pied by the County Street Methodist Episcopal Church. It was their determination to build on this spot, and several persons were buried here, the de- sign being to set apart a portion of the grounds as a burial-place. But at a meeting of the proprietors held the following May it was contended that it was distant too far from the village, and this vote was annulled, and it was decided to accept a lot offered by William Roteh, where Liberty Hall now stands. The
Stafford, bark
156
King
Joseph & William R. Wing.
Sept. 3, 1879.
Tamerlane, bark
372
Ivory H. Bartlett & Sons.
June 3, 1880.
Ricketson
Gilbert Allen,
April 6, 1881.
Tripp
John F. Tucker & Co.
Loum Snow & Son.
July 18, 1881. In port.
Ivory H Bartlett & Sons.
Ivory H. Bartlett & Sons.
489
74
HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
church was commenced and built during the years 1795-97, by Manasseh Kempton, Jr., and Eastland Babcock. Meetings were, however, held in the church previous to its completion.
A bell was purchased Feb. 18, 1796 (the one for- merly in use in the tower of the old Liberty Hall), of Capt. Silas Jones, of Nantucket, by subscription, at a cost of two hundred and fifty-five dollars. The list was headed by Thomas Pope, who gave ten dollars. The next largest sum was six dollars, and was given by a colored man named Aaron Childs. The bell was distinguished for clearness of tone and the long distance for which it could be heard. In November, 1854, Liberty Hall was destroyed by fire. The remains of the bell were collected, and several citizens had tea-bells and various ornaments made, and these are the only relics of this old bell.
The first pastor was Rev. Dr. West, who commenced his ministrations with the society at the building of the church. He afterwards received his dismission on account of ill health. After Dr. West's withdrawal, Rev. Messrs. Christy, Holt, and Robinson received calls to officiate as pastors, but whether they accepted or not the records do not state.
In 1807 a church, called the Third Church, was organized in connection with the precinct, which con- tinned until 1810, when the society, or parish com- mittee, as it is termed, presented Rev. Ephraim Ran- dall to the church as a candidate for the pastorship. The church refused to elect him, and the society per- sisting in their determination to employ him, the great majority of the church voted to assemble in an- other place of worship, which they accordingly did, and their subsequent history will be found under the head of the North Congregational Church.
The society, with four members of the church who remained with them and organized a new church, having strengthened their position by a decision from ecclesiastical authorities that they were justified in insisting upon the election of whoever they chose to present to the church as candidates for the pastor- ship, proceeded to install Rev. Ephraim Randall, who preached to them several years. After him, Rev. Messrs. Channing, Kibbey, and John Brewer were settled over the society. The latter was for some time preceptor of the Friends' Academy.
Sept. 17, 1816, the society gave Rev. Jonathan Whitaker a call, which was accepted, and he preached to the society until Nov. 24, 1823, with great accept- ance. At that date an invitation was extended to Rev. Orville Dewey, which he accepted.
This distinguished clergyman was born at Sheffield, Mass., March 28, 1794. He graduated at Williams College in 1814, and was afterwards a student of An- dover Theological Seminary, from 1816 to 1819. On leaving Andover he preached for several years as the agent of the American Educational Society, but de- clined any permanent settlement on account of his indefinite opinions in theology ; subsequently he ac-
cepted a temporary call to Gloucester, at the same time candidly stating his unsettled views. Here he became a Unitarian, and was shortly after engaged as the assistant of Dr. Channing, in whose pulpit he preached two years. His next charge was this so- ciety, over which he was ordained Dec. 17, 1823.
Dec. 5, 1833, being in ill health, he was granted leave of absence for a tour through Europe, his sal- ary being continued. Ralph Waldo Emerson sup- plied the pulpit the principal portion of the time during his absence.
In June, 1834, Mr. Dewey received a call from the Church of the Messiah in New York, and asked his dismission, which was granted, and his salary paid by the society up to December ensuing. Mr. Dewey was extremely popular with the society, and his with- drawal was a matter of deep regret.
The next pastor was Rev. Mr. Angier, who was or- dained May 20, 1835. The sermon on the occasion was by Dr. Dewey, and the introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Morgridge. Mr. Angier asked for his dis- mission April 8, 1837, but the society voted unani- mously not to grant it. A second request being made, it was granted.
The structure now occupied by the society, on Union Street, was erected during the year 1836-38, and dedicated May 24, 1838, on which occasion Rev. Messrs. Ephraim Peabody and J. H. Morison were installed as pastors. Mr. Morison continued with the society until Oct. 6, 1844.
Rev. Ephraim Peabody was born at Milton, N. H., March 28, 1807. In November, 1845, he received a call to act as colleague pastor at King's Chapel, Bos- ton, which he accepted.
Few clergymen have ever been as successful in winning the personal regard and attachment of their people as Mr. Peabody was. He died Nov. 28, 1856.
In December, 1847, Rev. John Weiss received a call, and soon after commenced his labors with the society. In 1852, Mr. Weiss' ill health rendering him unable to discharge his entire pastoral duties, he ten- dered his resignation. It was not accepted, and Rev. Charles Lowe was ordained as a colleague, Aug. 10, 1852. Mr. Lowe's health failing, after an association of about one year, a leave of absence was granted to him, and in September, 1853, he left this city for Eu- rope. Before his departure he sent a letter of resig- nation, but at the request of the society retained a nominal relation as pastor. In April, 1855, he wrote from Paris, asking that this connection should be dis- solved, and the society complied with his desire.
Mr. Weiss' health continued very infirm, and in April, 1858, he received leave of absence for six months and went to Europe. On his return, finding that his strength was not sufficiently restored to war- rant him in undertaking the whole duty of the parish, he tendered his resignation, which was finally ac- cepted. and his connection with the society ceased in the spring of 1859.
75
NEW BEDFORD.
An invitation was extended to the present pastor, Rev. William J. Potter, in July, 1859, which he ac- cepted, and was ordained Dec. 28, 1859. The ser- vices on the occasion were as follows: Introductory prayer, Rev. C. Y. De Normandie, of Fairhaven ; selections from Scriptures, Rev. T. C. Moulton ; ser- mon, Rev. Dr. Furness, of Philadelphia; ordaining prayer, Rev. J. F. W. Ware, of Cambridgeport ; charge, Rev. C. H. Brigham, of Taunton ; right hand of fellowship, Rev. A. Woodbury, of Providence; address to the people, Rev. Dr. Dewey, of Boston ; concluding prayer, Rev. Moses G. Thomas.
In 1863, Mr. Potter was drafted. On the following Sunday he preached a very powerful discourse, enti- tled "The Voice of the Draft," which was published and attracted great attention throughout the country. He resigned the pastorship and entered the army, in- tending to take his position as a private soldier ; but on reaching Washington the Secretary of Warassigned him a position more in accordance with his habits and abilities. The society declined to accept his resignation, but granted him leave of absence for a year, at the expiration of which time he returned to his duties here and has officiated as pastor to the pres- ent time.
The North Congregational Church.1-The North Congregational Church was organized (in the meeting- house of the precinct, formed in 1795) by an Ecclesi- astical Council, Oct. 15, 1807.
The churches represented in the council were the Second Church of Christ in New Bedford (Fair- haven), by Rev. Isaiah Weston, pastor, Joseph Bates, delegate; and the First Church of Christ in Rochester, by Rev. Oliver Cobb, pastor, Jesse Haskell, delegate. Having organized, the council " proceeded to exam- ine the standing of those who were before members of churches, and also candidates for admission into the church," and laid before them a confession of faith and a covenant. These were " consented to," and the following persons " were then regularly formed into a church by the name of the Third Church in New Bedford, and the ordinance of baptism was admin- istered to those who had not been baptized :
Elkanah Michell. Caleb Jenne.
Sarah Kempton. Joannah West.
William West.
Elizabeth Jenne.
Joshua Barker.
Joannalı Ayres.
Clarrissa Crocker.
Edward Pope. John Sheirman. Gamaliel Bryant. Abisha Delanoe. Jireh Willis. Ebenezar Willis.
Pamela Willice.
Abigail Kempton. Elizabeth Pope. Dorcas Price. Catharine Long.
Cornelius Burges.
Huldah Potter.
Cephas Cushman. Drusilla Potter.
Mariah Jenne.
Fear Crocker.
Abigal Samson.
Anna West.
Aurilla Barker.
Abigail Willis.
Deborah Bryant.
Abiah Garish.
Mary Peckham. Mahittable Willis.
Abigail Michell.
Hannah Peckham.
Susannah Spooner.
Anna Burgess.
Lois Hart.
Nancy Howland.
The first officers of the church were chosen May 11, 1809,- Joshua Barker, first deacon ; Cornelius S. Burgess, second deacon ; and, it is presumed, Cephas Cushman, clerk.
Rev. Curtis Coe seems to have preached for the church in 1809, and other clergymen from the neigh- boring towns to have administered the ordinances occasionally during the following year. In 1809-10 there was a revival, and in March and April an addi- tion of twenty-two members. The church was ap- parently in a prosperous condition ; but about that time an "unhappy division began to appear," which resulted in the formation of two churches, the one Trinitarian, the other Unitarian. The majority of the church was dissatisfied with the proceedings of the parish committee, and also with the candidate for pastor, who, as it is alleged, was not sound in doc- trine ; or, in the language of the memorial presented to the council protesting against the ordination of Mr. Ephraim Randall, in 1814, because he " did not, in the opinion of the church, speak the things that become sound doctrine, or those that harmonized with the professed sentiments of the church."
A committee, consisting of Deacons Barker and Bur- gess and Jireh Willis, was appointed July 20, 1810, to confer with the parish committee with a view of reconciliation. On the 7th of August they reported " that the conference with the parish committee af- forded no satisfaction, or nothing appeared to be at- tending to the union ;" whereupon the following vote was passed : " Voted, that we meet for public worship at some public or private house on the Lord's day."
At that time there were nineteen active (male) members, of whom five were in opposition to the ma- jority, one took no part, and thirteen were united against the society. The fourteen male members con- stituting the church that separated from the society were Edward Ayers, Joshua Barker, Freeman Bar- rows, Cornelius S. Burgess, Joshua Crocker, Cephas Cushman, Jesse Haskell, Roger Haskell, Isaac Man- chester, Nathaniel Perry, Pardon Potter, Southward Potter, William West, and Jireh Willis. Caleb Jenne had joined the Friends and Ebenezer Willis was dead. Those fourteen men, with not a great abundance of this world's goods, entered into an agreement to pay the salary of a minister and the rent of a place of worship, with the other expenses of the same.
Soon after the separation, if not before, Mr. Sylves- ter Holmes, a licentiate, began his labors with the church. It is inferred from the record of June 29, 1811, that the church even then hoped to effect a reconciliation,-
1 By Edwin Emery.
76
HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
" The church being together according to appoint- ment, Edward Pope, Esq., chosen moderator.
" Voted, Ist, that the church meet at Judge Pope's on Saturday, 27th July next.
" Voted, 2d, that the meeting be dissolved."
What was the result of that adjourned meeting we can conjecture from the fact that four days later Mr. Holmes was ordained.
Pursuant to letters missive, an Ecclesiastical Coun- cil convened on the 30th of July, and on the 31st or- dained Mr. Holmes to "administer ordinances." The exercises on that occasion were : Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Stutson, of Plymouth ; sermon by Rev. Mase Shepherd, of Little Compton, R. I., from Matthew xiii. 39: "The harvest is the end of the world ;" consecrating prayer by Rev. Mr. Craft, of Middleborough ; charge to the pastor by Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, of Rochester ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Oliver Cobb, of Rochester; concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Andrews, of Berkley. The several parts were very appropriate and impressive, and the assem- bly solemn and attentive.
Services were held at first in the North Purchase Street school-house, then in the South school-house on Walnut Street, and, as occasion required, at the residences of church-members. At length a hall over William W. Kempton's store, southwest corner of Mill and Second Streets, was obtained, and the church continued to worship there until a meeting-house was built in 1814. That house was one story high, ten- foot post, with end towards the street, door in middle, and one window on each side of the door. Its site was next south of Silas Kempton's house, situated on the southwest corner of Second and Elm Streets.
In 1812 the five church-members who had remained with the society adopted a covenant differing from that of 1807, and with the society installed Rev. David Batchelder as pastor of the " Church and So- ciety in Bedford Precinct." Two years later Mr. Ephraim Randall was ordained. To the Ecclesiastical Council convened on each occasion the church ad- dressed a memorial, setting forth the facts in regard to the division, and protesting against such action as not being in accordance with the usage of Congrega- tional Churches. To the second memorial the coun- cil, of which Rev. James Flint, of Bridgewater, was scribe, replied, "We consider those of the members of the church who retain their relation to the Third Society, of which also they are a component part, and hold regularly their assembling of themselves to- gether as a church and people and worshipers in the meeting-house of said society, as being distinctly and properly the church belonging to the society, but those who went off from said meeting-house and for- sook the communion-table as having abandoned the society and relinquished the communion and fellow- ship and ordinances which were the bond of their union, and therefore as having no control or right to exercise discipline over those that have remained
steadfast ; and also as the remonstrants have them- selves ordained a pastor independently of and without paying any respect to the society, they cannot now with any propriety interfere with the ordination for the purpose of which we have convened."
Not so thought the remonstrants, for on the 19th of December they formally excommunicated Edward Pope, Abisha Delano, Elkanah Mitchel, and John Sherman (Gamaliel Bryant had died a few months before), because they " have for more than two years absented themselves from our religious worship and communion at the Lord's table in general, and have met for worship and attended to the Lord's Supper in a different place, and have refused to return to their duty as members of the church, notwithstanding they have been labored with in different ways at sun- dry times, in obedience to the holy command of our Lord concerning any brother or brothers who walk disorderly."
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