History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 191

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 191

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The parish was organized December, 1866. Rev. George D. Miles was elected first rector January, 1867.

The corner-stone of the church was laid by Bishop Vaill Monday, Nov. 9, 1868, and it was consecrated June 19, 1873.

Rev. Mr. Miles resigned July, 1873. Rev. Louis De Cormis was rector from July, 1873, to June, 1875. Rev. Edward H. True was rector from July, 1875, to Feb. 19, 1877. Rev. S. S. Spear was rector from July, 1877, to July, 1881. Rev. Francis Mansfield, the pres- ent rector, commenced his labors April 2, 1882.

The parish occupies a growing part of the city, and has great promise of usefulness.

The Free-Will Baptist Church, North Taunton. -For the notice of this church I am largely indebted to the faithful researches of Rev. Mr. Tozer, the pres- ent pastor.

There were a few Baptists in that part of Taunton as early as 1747, according to the statement of Backus in his history of that denomination. Mr. Jeremiah Bassett obtained permission from the church in the northeastern part of Rehoboth, to which Elder Rich- ard Round ministered, " to hold worship on the Lord's day in his own house." This house was situated about thirty rods east of the junction of Bay and Field Streets, on the latter street. Here, therefore, the first stated preaching of the gospel in North Taun- ton was established, and the few believers of the place were, as in primitive times, a " church in his house." This Mr. Bassett was a son of Joseph, the son of Wil- liam Bassett, who came over in the brig " Fortune" soon after the first landing of the pilgrims. Jeremiah had a son bearing the same name, who became influ- ential in the church and occasionally preached. The descendants are numerous in this region.

The little company to whom Mr. Bassett ministered were so prospered that in 1767 they built a meeting- house on the corner of what are now Bay and Field Streets, which remained until 1837, when it was re- moved to the Weir, and became a warehouse, at pres-

ent occupied by the Messrs. Church. In 1769, the proposition came from the Baptists of Norton, who had no meeting-house and had assembled in private houses for their meetings ever since they left Rev. Mr. Avery's church, as Separatists or New Lights, in 1747, to unite and form one society. The proposition pleased the Baptists of Taunton. Hence the union took place and they agreed in calling to the pastoral work, the care and oversight of the church, Rev. William Nelson, who married the daughter of Rev. Isaac Backus, pastor of a church in that part of Mid- dleborough called Titicut, who had often preached in Norton and Taunton, and was influential with the people. Mr. Nelson was one of three brothers, all preachers. He was a graduate of what is now Brown University, a man of good learning and excellent Christian character. He was ordained by council Nov. 12, 1772, his father-in-law, Mr. Backus, giving the charge, and Elder Ebenezer Hinds preaching the sermon. His pastorate continued more than thirteen years, and was much blessed. Discipline was faith- fully administered, and great care taken to preserve the purity of the church. Two deacons were chosen in Mr. Nelson's time, Ebenezer Burt and Joel Briggs, the last of whom afterward became pastor of a church in Braintree.

The health of Rev. William Nelson failing in 1785, his brother Ebenezer was called to the pastorate, but he was not installed till 1790, when Elder Backus was again present with other ministers, and acted as moderator. This pastorate continued to March 10, 1795, and, like that of his brother, proved one of profit to the people. But for some years afterwards the church was in a low state and was without stated preaching. In 1805 two deacons were chosen, Timothy Briggs and Noah Clapp.

About this time Rev. Zephaniah S. Crossman was among them, who, after preaching with a good deal of zeal and apparent success, drew off more than forty of the members to a separate meeting, which was con- tinued two years. And now again there was no stated preaching nor settled ministry for some years, but oc- casional supplies, among whom Rev. Silas Hall and Dr. Shubael Lovell are mentioned. It was through the last named, as acting pastor, the request of seven members was presented, in May, 1819, to be dismissed to form a part of a new church at the centre of Taun- ton. These were William Stall, Elias Parry, Abia- thar Phillips, Mary Johnson, Rhoda Godfrey, Nancy Stall, Mary Hall.

In 1822 an element which had been at work many years took an organized form, and was known as the Free-Will Baptists, occupying the meeting-house al- ternate Sabbaths with the Calvinist branch, which in 1835 removed to Norton and built a church, under the leadership of. Rev. Henry C. Coombs. The pastor of the portion which remained in Taunton was Rev. Reuben Allen, who was succeeded in 1832 by Rev. .James F. Mowry, remaining six years. He was

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followed April 7, 1838, by Elder Folsom, remaining till 1840. Then came Elder Thomas Brown in 1841, continuing till 1845, highly esteemed by the people. Rev. T. H. Bachelder was his successor, remaining nine years, and was much beloved. He closed his labors in April, 1855. Rev. S. D. Church was the next pastor, remaining six years, and meeting with good success. He resigned in 1861, followed by Rev. George G. Hill, who remained till 1866. Rev. George W. Richardson was pastor from 1868 to 1873. Rev. J. N. Rich and Rev. George H. Chappell followed, the former for two, and the latter for one year. May 13, 1876, Rev. S. D. Church returned to the church, remaining till 1881, when the pastorate was assumed by Rev. R. H. Tozer, who still remains, and has fur- nished the writer with many of the preceding facts.

The Calvinist Baptist Church, Winthrop Street .- This church at its organization, June 16, 1819, was called the "Second Baptist Church in Taunton," recognizing the existence of the carlier church in North Taunton, whose history has just been given. Seven of its original sixteen members came from that church. Previous to this time meet- ings had been held with the occasional help of min- isters from abroad, of whom Elders William Barton, William Bentley, Shubael Lovell are particularly mentioned. The lay brethren who encouraged their coming were William Stall, James Olney, Elias Parry, Thomas C. Brown, Abiathar Phillips, and Abiathar Hall. The meetings were held "in private dwell- ings, school-houses, and sometimes in the town hall." They resulted in the calling of a council for the re- cognition of the church as above stated, of which Rev. Dr. Stephen Gano, of Providence, was modera- tor, and Rev. David Benedict, of Pawtucket, was scribe. The church leased and occupied Armory Hall for most of the time till their first house of wor- ship was built on High Street, near the corner of Weir Street, in 1824. "Prayer and conference meet- ings were maintained, and occasional preaching as ministering brethren came along." It was not till 1825 a stated supply was enjoyed,-the ministrations of Caleb Benson, a licensed preacher. The first pas- tor was Rev. Silas Hall. The date of his acceptance, Nov. 21, 1826. The date of his dismission, March 10, 1830. There was a net increase of eighteen during his ministry. There had been seasons of spiritual refreshing in 1822 and 1826. Rev. Benjamin C. Graf- ton, the second pastor, received his call June 7, 1831, and remained until May 26, 1834. Eleven members were added during his ministry, and the church re- moved from High Street to a new and "more com- modious edifice, sixty-five by forty-four feet, on Mar- ket, now Winthrop Street. This meeting-house was dedicated Oct. 10, 1832, and for the following thirty- three years was the Sabbath home of the church and congregation and the spiritual birthplace of many souls."

The third pastor was Rev. William G. Trask. He

was called to this office June 30, 1834, and ordained August 27th of the same year. "The settlement of this devoted young minister," remarks Rev. Andrew Pollard, D.D., in a " historical sketch" of the church from which I have already quoted, "opened a new era in the history of the church. His hearty conse- cration to his work, his meek and gentle spirit, his sound discretion, and his earnest labors for the spir- itual welfare of his people won their love and confi- dence. And though his earthly labors were limited to the short period of two years, his influence was eminently favorable to religious prosperity, and his memory is still fragrant and blessed. There were added to the church under his ministry thirty-seven members."

Rev. Henry Clark, the fourth pastor, was installed Dec. 29, 1836, and continued his official labors till June 30, 1839. During this pastorate forty-eight were added to the church.

Rev. John F. Burbank, the fifth pastor, remained less than a year in 1841.

The sixth pastor, Rev. James F. Wilcox, was in- stalled Dec. 21, 1842, continuing in that relation till Nov. 27, 1848, nearly six years. In 1845 the parson- age on Winthrop Street, nearly opposite the church, was provided, largely through the liberal contribu- tion of Mr. Albert Field, and in 1847 the meeting- house was enlarged and otherwise improved.

The seventh pastor, Rev. Andrew Pollard, D.D., was installed Oct. 24, 1849. During the first year of his pastorate fifty-four were added to the membership. In 1858 there was a powerful work of grace, which greatly quickened and strengthened the church. More than one hundred were added to its number. The large increase in 1862 suggested the need of a new church building, which was begun that year, and was dedicated Oct. 10, 1865, just thirty-three years from the dedication of the old house. It was built of brick and freestone, in the early English style of architecture, one hundred and fifteen feet long by sixty-four wide, of fine proportions, beautiful finish, a credit to the denomination and an ornament to the city. In 1866, sixteen years after his settlement, Dr. Pollard reported two hundred and eighty-four addi- tions to the church as the fruit of his ministry, with a present membership of three hundred and sixteen. The deacons of his church were Ebenezer Staples, Edward Wilcox, Calvin Woodward, Anson J. Barker, Lemuel L. White.

Dr. Pollard's was a long and useful pastorate of more than twenty-two years. His connection with the church and society closed Dec. 31, 1871. He re- signed to accept a call to the Fourth Street Baptist Church, South Boston, where he remained until he entered upon a secretaryship in denominational work, for which he was eminently fitted by his exact method and unusual executive ability, a position which he still fills.

He was succeeded in Taunton by Rev. Joseph C.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Wightman, the eighth pastor, April 1, 1873, a man of fine scholarship and eminent pulpit talents, who served the people faithfully and well until Aug. 6, 1882, when he was invited to relinquish the pastoral office for a public trust, that of preparing a new ver- sion of the Scriptures, for which, of all other men in the denomination, he was regarded best qualified. But other service awaited him. He had a call to go up higher. While his family were on their way to Europe, and before he had entered on his work in New York, the news reached Taunton that Rev. Mr. Wightman had breathed his last at Tiverton. It was sorrowful assembly which filled the Winthrop Street Baptist Church, one summer day in August, 1882, when one minister after another bore testimony to the worth of the departed, and with " much lamen- tation devout men took him up and buried him."

In December, 1882, the church and people with great unanimity called to the pastorate Rev. Joseph Kennard Wilson, of New London, Conn., who has entered on his work with great promise of success.

The Universalist Church, corner of Spring and High Streets .- Rev. Mr. Quinby, in a historical sermon in 1851, expresses the opinion that the way was prepared for such a church by the preaching of " the venerable Murray" some sixty years before, and Rev. John Foster, a minister in Taunton at the be- ginning of the century, is credited with those views. The religious society was incorporated, with Charles Foster and twenty-one others as subscribers, in Feb- ruary, 1825. Their first settled minister was Rev. John B. Dods, who remained with them from 1831 to 1835. He organized a church of thirty members in 1832. Dr. Alfred Baylies, a leading physician of Taunton, was a prominent member of the society, serving as its clerk. They worshiped in the old meet- ing-house of the town; removed from the "Church Green" in 1831 to a spot on Spring Street. After the resignation of Mr. Dods, in 1835, preaching services were suspended until 1839, when the society was re- organized with many new members, and Rev. William Fishbough was called to the pastorate. Religions services were held in halls hired for the purpose, when in 1842 the parish built, on the corner of Spring and High Streets, a church which they occu- pied for nearly forty years. On the removal of Rev. Mr. Fishbough in 1844, Rev. W. R. S. Mellen entered on a brief pastorate. He was followed by Rev. George W. Quinby, of Saco, Me., who remained from Octo- ber, 1846, to November, 1851. He was called to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, but afterwards returned to his native State, and is conducting a denominational paper in Augusta, Me., influential in that part of New Eng- land. Rev. J. S. Brown was his successor in Taun- ton, who died in the pastoral office, abounding in labors which endeared him to the people. He was followed by Rev. Messrs. James E. Bruce, U. M. Fiske, and Charles Mellen, the last named, like his predecessor, Brown, dying in his Taunton pastorate,

to the great grief of the church, and his grave is in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. He was followed by Rev. Messrs. Everett L. Conger and Russell P. Ambler. It was during Mr. Ambler's ministry that the church edifice of 1842 was taken down and on the same spot a new building erected, attractive and pleasant. Mr. Ambler is now in Medford, with the church of which he was formerly pastor, and the Taunton people are united in Rev. Alpheus B. Hervey, who came hither from Troy, N. Y., in September, 1879.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church, Taunton. -This church was organized in that part of Taunton called the Weir in 1830, and has been served in ac- cordance with the system of itinerancy by many min- isters. Their names, as I have learned them, are Rev. Messrs. S. W. Coggshall, E. B. Bradford, Lewis Bates, J. D. Butler, D. Webb, J. Parkinson, William Livesey, J. M. Worcester, Paul Townsend, S. C. Brown, George M. Carpenter, Sanford Benton, Henry Baylies, Charles Nason, J. T. Benton, N. P. Philbrook, J. D. King, Charles H. Titus, L. B. Bates, Charles Young, Angelo Canoll, E. McChesney, H. A. Cleveland, and C. W. Gallagher, the present incumbent.

This church, for more than half a century, has lived and wrought a good work under the leadership of these twenty-four pastors and teachers in that part of the city called the Weir. Other denominations of Christians in their vicinity have co-operated with them in a friendly spirit, and a strong, vigorous church has been built up, one of the largest and most influential in the denomination. Its present office- bearers are William H. Merrill, Henry F. Cobb, Jacob Burt, Lemuel T. Talbot, Samuel Miller, George W. Barrows, Abel W. Parker, William N. Parker, Charles H. Lincoln, Luther B. West, William E. Walker, Zenas Knapp, Abram Simmons, Job C. Chace, Rich- ard L. Hewitt, John P. Crane.

The Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Co- hannet Street, organized in 1853. Its ministers have been Rev. Messrs. William H. Stetson, C. H. Titus, A. C. Atwater, S. F. Upham, J. A. M. Chapman, J. Mather, J. Howson, E. H. Hatfield, F. Upham, J. W. Willett, H. D. Robinson, A. Anderson, A. P. Palmer, O. H. Fernald, J. E. Hawkins, and Edward Edson, the present incumbent.

This church was demanded by communicants who could not visit the Weir, and finds in the dense popu- lation around it an important field for useful labor. . Its present office-bearers are J. G. Luscomb, William Hutchinson, Ezra Hamlen, J. H. Codding, E. H. EI- dridge, J. W. Thayer, Otis L. Baker, J. F. Park, A. S. Round, James Hailley, G. H. Thayer, L. E. Dick- erman, G. H. Park, Thomas Lawrence, John Law- rence, George E. Dunbar, W. H. Waitt, F. H. Miett, Leonard Luce, S. O. Sherman.

The Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, corner of Weir Street and Somerset Avenue, organized in 1874. Its ministers have been Rev. Messrs, William T. Worth, Samuel J. Carroll, and Edwin D. Hall, the

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present incumbent. With active and efficient work this church has grown and prospered, recently paying off' a large indebtedness, and with better promise of permanency than ever before. Its present office-bear- ers are Israel Allen, Asa N. Dyer, John L. Merigold, Edward F. Anthony, Joshua Parsons, H. M. H. Tay- lor, Jonathan J. Stanley, William H. Field, William H. Phillips, J. F. Montgomery, Peleg B. Hart, Addi- son Taylor, Samuel G. Hicks, Ira W. Maxham, Sam- uel T. Turpin, Henry L. Babbitt.

Its brick church building was first occupied by a Free Baptist Church, which has ceased to exist as a separate organization. Its pastor, Rev. Mr. Mckeown, served it faithfully for several years.

The Advent Christian Church .- It is but recently this church has been organized (in 1880), and its only resident minister has been Rev. A. W. Sibley, who is now preaching elsewhere. Their Sabbath and week- day services are held in Cedar Street Chapel, and their supplies of preaching are from abroad.

The Roman Catholic Church .- The parishes of this church in Taunton belong, as do some others in Massachusetts, to the diocese of Providence, of which the Right Rev. Thomas Francis Hendricken, D.D., is bishop.

The first occasion of divine service according to the ritual of the Catholic Church of which we hear in Taunton was that at which the Rev. Father Woodley officiated in 1827. There was, however, no perma- nent pastor until some time in 1830, when the Rev. John Curry celebrated mass in a private house, and about fifteen heads of families, mostly of persons em- ployed in the Taunton Print-Works, assisted. After this service a subscription was begun looking towards the purchase of ground and the erection of a church. So well did the collections succeed that before the close of 1831 a lot near the intersection of Washington Street and Broadway, adequate for a church and burial-place, had been bought, and the old St. Mary's was erected thereon during the same winter. In about three years Father Curry found it necessary to en- large the church, and an addition was made which brought it out flush with the sidewalk.

No subsequent event of special importance appears to have occurred in the parish until after the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Wilson in 1846, except the ever- recurring one of accessions from abroad, notably from Ireland, which, if appropriately termed the "Niobe of Nations" at home, it may with equal propriety be said has reason to moderate her grief in view of the good fortune which attends her children in other lands. "Sunny France" did not furnish her contin- gent of those who adhered to the ancient faith till later on, and then through the overflow of her more im- mediate colonization point, Lower Canada. The Por- tuguese and other nationalities have also from time to time found homes and employment here, as our grow- ing manufacturing enterprises demanded skilled labor from similar establishments in Europe .. At the pres-

ent time it may be observed that the Catholics of Taunton are creditably represented not only in the mechanical and manufacturing employments, but in mercantile and professional pursuits as well.

During the intermediate period St. Mary's was sup- plied by the Rev. Fathers Wylie, Ryan, and O'Byrne. An anecdote has come down to us from Father Ryan's day which is worth preserving. During his pastorate some young men of the parish called on the late Dr. Fenwick, Bishop of Boston, to which diocese St. Mary's then belonged, for the purpose of asking a change of pastors, on the score that although Father Ryan was a worthy priest he was not a pulpit orator. The bishop heard their request, and not seeing ade- quate reason for granting it, bade the young gentle- men return home and attend to their own spiritual duties like good boys. The wisdom of this decision was shown a few months later, when the bishop found a parish in greater need of such a shepherd, in the reluctance with which the people of St. Mary's parted with their spiritual director.

In consideration of the increasing numerical strength of the parish, Dr. Wilson determined in 1849 on the erection of a brick church, having purchased the lot on the opposite side of Washington Street for that purpose ; but the walls when built were deemed in- secure, and the materials were consequently used in the construction of the present St. Mary's, standing on the same site, the erection of which was begun about June, 1854, during the succeeding pastorate of the Rev. Daniel Hearne. Father Hearne devoted himself very zealously to the undertaking, but did not live to finish his pious work. After seeing the edifice inclosed he was finally laid to rest beside its front en- trance (his body having been temporarily deposited in Mayflower Hill Cemetery), deeply regretted by the people he had served.

There was still much to be done, not only to com- plete the church - floors, altars, stained-glass win- dows, pews, etc .- but also to reduce a double debt arising out of the erection of two structures, all of which devolved on the succeeding pastor, the Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, who arrived some time in 1864. This legacy of debt and responsibility was resolutely met by the formation of a Church Debt Society, pledged to monthly contributions, and by holding a church fair, to which generous contributions were made by Christians of other names.1 The church as it now stands, built of bluestone in the Gothic style of architecture, compares favorably with any similar edifice in New England.

Although the immediate objects were accomplished, the parish was so weakened by the then general busi- ness depression that Father Shahan did not attempt to carry out a project which he had very much at heart,-the establishment of a parish school; and

1 This last remark holds good with regard to a fair held for a similar purpose in the succeeding pastorate.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

having been called to Boston in 1871, the Rev. Ed- ward J. Sheridan, the present pastor, was sent to fill the vacancy. A vigorous effort is now being made in the parish towards the attainment of the latter object, the school to be placed under the charge of one of the religious orders which have proved so effi- cient elsewhere, not only in imparting secular knowl- edge, but in so cultivating the moral and religious nature of their pupils as to exert a permanent influ- ence for good on their lives and conduct.

During the pastorate of Father Hearne his mission, besides Taunton proper, included East Taunton, Mid- dleborough, Norton, Westville, North and South Dighton. During Father Shahan's, Middleborough and Norton were separated from the Taunton parish, and during Father Sheridan's, Weir Village, East Taunton, and Dighton have also been detached, the Rev. Hugh J. Smyth having been appointed the first pastor, succeeded by the Rev. James K. Beaven, the present incumbent, and a school-house having been adapted to the purpose of a church for the con- gregation. Recently the Rev. James Roach has been performing mission duty among the French and other residents in Whittenton, with the ultimate intention of erecting a church, but at the present writing no territorial boundaries have been assigned him.

Father Wilson was assisted by Father Elwards ; Father Hearne by Fathers McPhillips and J. Tracy ; Father Shahan by Fathers Foley, F. A. Quinn, M. J. Burns, Hugh J. Smyth, Hugh Smith, and Bruton ; Father Sheridan by Fathers William D. Kelly, James Smith, Thomas Grace, William Hines, James A. Ward, James Fogarty, William Pyne, and Martin F. Kelly. The two last-named gentlemen are still connected with the parish. Father Beaven is at present assisted by the Rev. Michael F. Cassidy.

During Father Hearne's pastorate the Young Cath- olics' Friend Society was formed ; during Father Shahan's, St. Mary's Benevolent Society, a Young Men's Lyceum, and a temperance society ; and during the present pastorate a Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was organized.

The present Catholic population of Taunton is es- timated at six thousand souls. For the preceding full account of the Roman Catholic Church, I am in- debted to a kind friend in that communion.

The Oakland Union and Arlington Street So- ciety and Sabbath-School .- Beside the regularly organized churches in the city, there are union meet- ings sustained, as at Oakland and Arlington Street Chapel. There was once a Six-Principle Baptist Church in that part of Taunton called Oakland, or- ganized in Rehoboth in 1789, but removed to Taun- ton on the death of Elder Round, in 1824, and wor- shiped in a school-house. In 1840, Rev. Josephus W. Horton became their minister, and a small meet- ing-house was built. Mr. Chesbrough, connected with the Oakland Mill, was instrumental also in building a small chapel where Episcopal services

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 191

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