History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 86

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 86

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Brayton Methodist Episcopal Church, located at

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Globe village, was organized in 1854, with Rev. A. may be found in a church manual. On the 22d of H. Worthington as pastor. Mr. Worthington remained one year, and was succeeded by Rev. C. A. Merrill, who officiated until 1858. His successors have been as follows: A. U. Swinerton, 1859; Elihu Grant, 1861 ; William P. Hyde, 1869; George H. Lamson, 1871; Charles S. Morse, 1873; E. A. Lyon, 1875-76; Samnel Mckeown, 1877-78; Rev. E. Grant, 1879-80 (supply) ; William B. Heath, 1881, present incum- bent.

The church edifice belonging to this society was erected in 1850 by Christ's Church, which existed four years, when it was disbanded and their honse of worship sold to this church in 1854.

The North Methodist Episcopal Church, located at Steep Brook, was organized in 1859. The first pastor was Rev. Philip Crandon, who filled the pulpit until 1863. He was sneceeded by Rev. George H. Manchester in 1863; John Gifford, 1865; John Q. Adams, 1867 ; J. G. Gammons, 1869 ; Philip Crandon, 1871; R. W. C. Farnsworth, 1873. The present pastor is Rev. Dr. Church.

Quarry Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1870, and their church edifice on Quarry Street was erected the same year. The pastors of this church have been Revs. Samuel M. Beal, Richard Porey, E. D. Hull, H. H. Martin, and J. H. Nutting, the present incumbent.

Maple Street Methodist Church was organized in 1881, Rev. Isaac Emery pastor.

The Primitive Methodist Church is located on the Eight Rod Way. It was erected in 1874. Pastor, Rev. Ralph Fothergill.

North Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church1 was organized in 1875, and was located on Terry Street. Rev. William B. Heath was first pastor, and remained from April, 1875, until 1878, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. John F. Sheffield, who was appointed in April, 1878. The same year the church was re- moved to its present location, North Main Street. John F. Sheffield remained one year only. Rev. Eben Terrill was next appointed April, 1879; he re- mained three years until April, 1882, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. E. F. Smith, the present pastor.

First Baptist Church.2-The earliest record extant in relation to this church is under date of May 15, 1781, as follows :

" February the 15th day 1781.

then was Established the 2nd baptis church of Christ In Freetown, In fellowship with Elder Thompson's and Elder Luises Churches."

It is supposed that the organization of the church was in the house of one Jonathan Brownell, that stood on what is now North Main Street, east from the house of worship of the Third Baptist Church. There were thirty constituent members of the church, -sixteen men and fourteen women,-whose names

May, 1783, was the ordination of the first pastor, Elder Amos Burrows. The ordination service was conducted by Elders Thompson, of Swansea, Bur- rows, of Tiverton, and Goff, of Dighton, in the house of Samuel Warren. After an unfortunate pastorate of one year, Mr. Burrows removed to Vermont. It seems that a regular church-meeting was held on the second seventh day in each month, that "George Crocker was appointed to keep the church-book," and that those meetings were considered as important as preaching services, since it was "voted that our stated meetings should not be set aside, notwithstand- ing a minister should be present at any such meet- ing."

Five years after Mr. Burrows left, the church chose two of their own useful and promising young men " to improve their gifts in public and to attend meet- ings where they shall be requested," and three years later appears an arrangement for more regular public worship. It was voted that one of those brethren, who from his eighteenth year had been blind, " should improve one-half of the Lord's day, that Brother Nathaniel Boomer read the psalm, and that Matthew Boomer take the lead of the singing." After three years' more proof of their real worth, on the third Thursday of May, 1795, occurred the double ordina- tion of those two young men, James Boomer and Job Borden. The ministers participating in the ordination service were Elders Thompson, Burrows, Hathaway, and Baker. During the same month the church in- vited Joseph Stillwell and Nathaniel Boomer "to act as deacons till some should be chosen." Four years later, in 1799, the church joined the Warren Associa- tion.

For about eight years the two pastors labored faith- fully together, when a threatening cloud is indicated by this record of Dec. 9, 1803: "This day is a trying scene to us, both our elders think of leaving us; may the God of heaven protect us." And God did protect them, for while Elder Boomer asked for his dismis- sion to go to Charlton, where he died Feb. 24, 1837, Elder Job Borden remained the honored pastor of the church.

On June 13, 1789, was a meeting of a committee " concerning the meeting-house." That first meet- ing-house, at the Narrows, must have been opened for worship about the year 1800, when the church, which for some time had been known as "The Church in Freetown, Dartmouth, and Tiverton," by a second change of name came to be called "The Second Bap- tist Church in Tiverton."

" The church in Tiverton, under the pastoral care of Elders James Boomer and Job Borden," invited a council to meet at the house of Gamaliel Warren, Oct. 30, 1799, when there was the triple ordination of James Reed as an itinerant preacher, and Nathaniel Boomer and Joseph Stillwell as deacons. Two years later- Nov. 13, 1802 -- is found in the records this first allu-

1 Contributed by Joseph Wood.

2 Condensed from an historical address delivered by Mr. J. E. Dawley, at the centennial anniversary of this church Feb. 15, 1881.

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sion to the new meeting-house: "Chose George Crocker to have the care of the meeting-house." Plainly, then, worship commenced in that house be- tween 1799 and 1802.

There are but brief records of the church for the next twenty-five years ; this single item giving a glimpse of the public worship : "Sept. 2, 1813, chose John Davol to read the him, etc., in publick."

During the two years 1827-29, Rev. Arthur Ross acted as colleague pastor, receiving a part of his sup- port for services as school-teacher. Those two years are memorable for the first great revival in the history of the church, in which more than ninety were added to its membership; for the third change of the name of the church, when it became "The First Baptist Church of Troy ;" for the building of the second meeting-house; and the organization of " The Baptist Female Charita- ble Society," one of whose first enterprises was "to procure the trimmings and dress the meeting-house."

Mr. Ross was born in Thompson, Conn., 1791; or- dained in 1819. He published several valuable his- torical pamphlets, and during his ministry baptized more than fourteen hundred persons.

The new meeting-house referred to was the one on South Main Street, afterwards sold to the Episcopal Church. It was dedicated July 30, 1828.

In connection with the new village meeting-house, appeared an evident tendency towards fashion. It was voted to purchase candlesticks for the evening meet- ings, the Association was invited, and N. White, R. Wrightington, and William Ashley were appointed to "seat the house ;" and Deacon French, A. Hall, and P. Smith were chosen to take charge of the bass viol. It is possible that the violins were in such demand elsewhere that three church officers could not exercise exclusive control of them. Fortunately, perhaps, there followed some checks to unduc vanity, for it was voted " to withdraw fellowship from Israel C. Durfee for his remarks respecting building our meeting-house, in which he manifested a covetous disposition, and for his unrichous remark in relation to our young deacons, French and Davol."

Elder Seth Ewer was obtained to supply the pulpit for the year 1829.

Rev. Bradly Miner was next called to the pulpit. He was born in North Stonington, Conn., July 18, 1808. He successfully filled the office of pastor for about three years. About the time that Mr. Miner left the venerable senior pastor passed from earth.

Rev. Asa Bronson became pastor April 4, 1833. About that time revised articles of faith were adopted, and Abiathar Hall and Stephen L. French were elected deacons. In 1835 the modest little Mch-Shway-ec Society appeared like an obscure fountain, whose broadening stream of pure, life-giving waters has steadily been flowing on for forty-five years.

In 1834 the name of the town was changed from Troy to Fall River, when there must be the fourth change in the name of the church, and in 1836 the | American Baptist Home Missionary Society.

" Female Charitable Society of Troy" adopted a new constitution, by which the name became "The Fall River Baptist Female Benevolent Society." In the same year the church became one of the constituent members of the Taunton Baptist Association.

The first covenant meeting was held in the vestry of the new house of worship, called the Temple, July 1, 1840, and that house was dedicated September 16th of that year. Some years before the church had re- corded this resolution : " That we most earnestly and affectionately invite all the members of the church who are not now members of the Temperance Society immediately to become members, and throw all their influence in favor of Christian sobriety." Then fol- . lowed the great anti-slavery struggle, in which this church took a foremost and unequivocal position. During the earnest discussions of the decade from 1840 to 1850, the bold pastor, deacons, and members introduced, defended, and had recorded, as the adopted sentiments of the church, such declarations as these : "Slavery is one of the grossest sins against God and violations of the rights of man that can be committed." "No circumstances justify holding slaves." "This church, as an independent body, feels bound to bear its unequivocal testimony against the abominable sin of slavery." "We will not invite or allow a slave- holding minister to occupy the pulpit, or invite or allow a slaveholder to commune with us as a church."

The church was blessed with two remarkable re- vivals, and during the eleven years of Mr. Bronson's pastorate seven hundred and nine were added to the church. He was afterwards pastor at Albany for two years, when he returned and became pastor of the Second Baptist Church in this city, and died Nov. 29, 1866, aged sixty-eight years. He was succeeded in this church by Rev. V. R. Hotchkiss, who became. pastor Dec. 4, 1845.

The house called the "Temple" was conveyed to the Second Church in October, 1847, from which time this church worshiped in Union Hall till the first Sunday in 1850, when, Rev. A. P. Mason having become pastor, the church entered the vestry of the new house on North Main Street, which completed house was dedicated October 23d.

Mr. Mason was a lineal descendant of the Samson Mason who was an officer in Cromwell's army. He came to America in 1650, and settled in Dorchester ; then removed to Rehoboth, and afterwards, " for con- science' sake," to Swansea, where he assisted to build the Baptist meeting-house, for which he was sum- moned before the authorities of Plymouth Colony, fined fifteen shillings, and warned to leave the juris- diection of the colony. From that true Baptist stock descended our Pastor Mason, during whose faithful ministry of three years was an interesting revival, in which fifty-nine valuable members were added to the church. He was afterwards pastor in Chelsea, and for several years has been district secretary of the

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The next pastor, Rev. Jacob R. Scott, could be retained here for only the year 1853. After his resig- nation, Rev. Jonathan Aldrich successfully supplied the pulpit for nearly a year, when Daniel J. Glazier was elected pastor. Before taking the place for which he seemed so peculiarly fitted he suddenly died, March 9, 1855. Rev. P. B. Haughwout became pastor in 1855. In 1860 he went to Europe, remaining seven months, during which time the church ordained and had for acceptable supply Rev. A. Judson Padelford. Pastor Haughwout gave to this church fifteen years of his most vigorous life, during which was his enthusiastic share in the great struggle against rebellion, and the addition of more than two hundred to the church, when failing health made retirement essential. He died April 26, 1877, in the forty-ninth year of his age.

In 1871, Daniel C. Eddy, D.D., became pastor. The house of worship was extensively remodeled and enlarged. The former pastors, Drs. Hotchkiss and Mason, with other clergymen of the city, took part in the interesting rededication services, Sept. 3, 1872. After a rich revival, in which more than sixty were added to the church, Dr. Eddy closed a two years' pastorate, and was succeeded in 1874 by Rev. A. K. P. Small, who remained until 1883.

The deacons have been as follows: Deacons Still- well, Boomer, Enoch French, John Davol, Philip Smith, John E. Carr, Benjamin Buffington, Abiathar Hall, Stephen L. French, Seth Pooler, Jesse F. Eddy, Joseph L. Buffington, Edward Warren, Henry Rich- ards, George S. Davol, and Henry S. Buffington.

The Second Baptist Church .- For seven years previous to the year 1846 the question had been agi- tated among the members of the First Baptist Church whether the best interests of the cause of Christ, the salvation of souls, and the glory of God did not re- quire the organization of another Baptist Church in Fall River. No decisive action was taken until the month of April of that year, when a number of breth- ren who felt that the time had fully come when a new interest should be commenced requested the pastor and deacons of the First Baptist Church to entertain the question, and if they thought proper call a special church meeting, in order to ascertain whether those who were disposed to embark in this enterprise could do so with the approbation of the whole church, and under the influence of mutually kind feelings.

This request was cordially received, and in pursu- ance a very full meeting of the church was convened on the evening of April 21, 1846. At this meeting, no objection being raised to the formation of a second Baptist Church in this place, it was unanimously voted to give their approbation to the project.

Having thus obtained the full consent of the mother-church, these brethren secured the use of the town hall, adopted the plan of free seats and volun- tary contributions, and invited the Rev. Asa Bronson,

of New York, their former pastor, to preach the gospel in the above-named place. Pursuant to this request he came and commenced his labors on the second Sabbath in May following. Much interest was manifested, a large congregation gathered, and unexpected encouragement realized.

On the 9th of June one hundred and forty-nine members sought and obtained letters of dismission from the First Baptist Church. Of these members fifty were males and ninety-nine females. On the 18th of June these, with several other brethren from different churches, were, by mutual and voluntary consent, formed into a church by the adoption of articles of association and a covenant and the elec- tion of the proper officers. At this meeting Rev. Asa Bronson was moderator, and John C. Milne was clerk.

The church was styled the Second Baptist Church of Fall River, and officers elected as follows: Rev. Asa Bronson, pastor; Charles Borden and Joseph Borden, deacons; John C. Milne, clerk ; Joseph Bor- den, treasurer. A prudential committee, a board of Sunday-school managers, and a committee of order were also appointed.

On the 29th of September, 1846, the church was publicly recognized by a council composed of the pastors and delegates from several of the sister churches within the bounds of the Taunton Baptist Association.

The church immediately entered upon a scason of great spiritual prosperity. The vestry of the Unita- rian Church on Second Street was secured in addition to the town hall.

The church having completed arrangements for the purchase of the temple in which they now wor- ship, they removed thither from the town hall the first Sabbath in October, 1847, the First Church in the mean time having vacated it.

Soon after the organization of the church the " Second Baptist Society" was incorporated by act of the Legislature.

The Sabbath-school dates its origin from the organ- ization of the church.

The church has had six pastors during its history, viz., Rev. Asa Bronson, who served from May, 1846, till Sept. 13, 1857 ; Rev. Charles A. Snow, from Feb. 25, 1858, till Oct. 20, 1864; Rev. John Duncan, D.D., from Feb. 12, 1865, till June 9, 1870; Rev. Frank R. Morse, from Nov. 5, 1871, till Feb. 23, 1873 ; Rev. Henry C. Graves, from Oct. 4, 1874, till Feb. 22, 1880; Rev. E. W. Hunt, from Sept. 1, 1880, to De- cember, 1882.

Two of the above pastors were ordained by coun- cils called under the direction of the church, viz., Rev. Charles A. Snow, July 7, 1858, and Rev. E. W. Hunt, Sept. 21, 1880.

Additions to the board of deacons were made Nov. 6, 1853, when Joseph M. Davis and Charles Coburn were chosen. Feb. 5, 1865, William S. Robertson

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FALL RIVER.

was elected. April 12, 1880, Alexander O. Cook was also chosen. Joseph M. Davis resigned May 7, 1881, and Burton Crankshaw was elected to fill the vacancy June 2, 1881.

The following brethren have been elected deacons, but declined serving, viz. : Danforth Horton, Nov. 6, 1853, and again Feb. 5, 1865 ; Silas Smith, April 12, 1880 ; and Charles Long, June 2, 1881.

The office of treasurer has been filled successively as follows, viz. : Joseph Borden, from June 18, 1846, till April 1, 1851; Benjamin F. Winslow, from April 1, 1851, till July 3, 1855; Jolm C. Milne, from July 3, 1855, till Oct. 5, 1857 : Mason Buffinton, from Oct. 5, 1857, till April 26, 1858; Joseph Borden was again chosen June 7, 1858, and continued till July 12, 1860; Garrett Horton, from July 12, 1860, till July, 1868, when the present treasurer, Charles Co- burn, was elected.

The office of clerk was filled by J. C. Milne from the organization of the church till Oct. 4, 1853; A. G. Hart, from Oct. 4, 1853, till April 5, 1854; and William S. Robertson, the present clerk, was elected May 9, 1854.

The church has licensed three of its members to preach the gospel, viz., Rev. John J. Bronson, July 3, 1855; Rev. Jacob Furrhman, April 8, 1872; Rev. William C. Carr, Sept. 1, 1872. All of these are now ordained ministers.

In the winter of 1873 the present house of worship was remodeled and refitted, the main audience-room and also the vestry sharing in the general improve- ment. At the same time the additions to the front of the temple were made, giving the present spacious en- trance to the audience-room and vestry.

The Third Baptist Church.1-The Mechanics- ville Baptist Church was the outgrowth of a mission Sabbath-school started by the First Baptist Church, and operated under their direction until Oct. 9, 1871, when a church was organized with the foregoing name, under the pastorate of Rev. Ambler Edson. The first officers were D. H. Dyer, Richard Thack- ray, deacons; William A. Dunn, clerk; Silas B. Hatch, treasurer; and a total membership of twenty- eight.

The church was recognized as a regular Baptist Church by a council convened in due form April 10, 1872. The pastorate of Rev. A. Edson closed April 30, 1873. During the following summer their pulpit was supplied principally by Rev. M. C. Thwing and Rev. J. N. Williams. Rev. F. A. Lockwood became pastor of the church Nov. 16, 1873.

The church was reorganized and incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts March 25, 1874, as the "Third Baptist Church of Fall River." The pas- torate of Rev. F. A. Lockwood closed Oct. 31, 1875.

From the close of Rev. F. A. Lockwood's pastorate until Sept. 20, 1878, the church had no settled pastor,

their pulpit being supplied by students from Newton Theological Seminary, the most prominent of whom were Rev. M. B. Lanning and Rev. George L. Mason. On the 7th day of July, 1876, the church ordained Rev. George L. Mason to the gospel ministry while he was still a student at Newton, and from that time he supplied the pulpit of the church, and was elected pastor May 2, 1878, assuming the pastoral office Sept. 20, 1878.

Rev. George L. Mason resigned his pastorate .July 13, 1880, to accept an appointment from the Baptist Missionary Union as a missionary to Ningpo, China.

Since that time the church has been without a pas- tor, but has maintained its appointments and regular preaching, employing students from Newton, the most prominent of whom were Revs. C. E. Higgins, L. A. Eaton, W. F. Slocum, and W. A. McKillop.

Rev. C. A. Snow, of Taunton, became acting pastor Oct. 1, 1882, and is still serving the church in that capacity. Present officers, J. H. Jackson and Her- bert W. Davis, deacons; D. H. Dyer, clerk; and Richard Thackray, treasurer.

Church of the Ascension2 (Protestant Episco- pal) .- The first service according to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States held in (what was then) the " village of Fall River" was conducted by the Rev. James C. Rich- mond, on a Sunday evening in 1835. This was in the Unitarian house of worship. The next public service was on July 13, 1836, in the First Congrega- tional Church. The preacher was the Rev. James Pratt, of Rhode Island. He was assisted by the Rev. John West, also of Rhode Island. This service was held with the view of effecting a permanent or- ganization of the church, which, however, was not accomplished until two days after. Then, July 15, 1836, in the Methodist Episcopal Church on Central Street, a parish was duly formed under the name (suggested by the diocesan, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold, D.D., Bishop of the Eastern Diocese) of the Church of the Ascension. The clergy present at the formation of the parish were the Revs. John West, James Pratt, J. W. Fenner, and Stephen El- liott, afterwards (1841) and now Bishop of Georgia. A missionary, the Rev. P. H. Greenleaf, was put in charge of the infant parish, which consisted of ten men, every one of whom has passed beyond this world. James Ford, Esq., was senior warden, Job H. Lawton junior warden, and Richard W. Batt secretary.

The first services were held in the hall of the Pocasset House. The congregation was of about fifty persons, and the Sunday-school had about twenty scholars. From the Pocasset House the parish moved to the town hall on Central Street in March, 1837. Here the parish worshiped for three years, and struggled through many difficulties

2 By Rev. A. St. John Chambré, D.D.

1 Contributed by D. H. Dyer.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

and against much prejudice and opposition. A legal existence and corporate powers were secured May 1, 1837. In this act of incorporation are found the names of J. H. Lawton, Cyrus Alden, Esq., William Langford, Richard W. Batt, James Ford, Esq., James R. Lake, Baylies J. Talbot, John Chatburn, William Canedy, John Houghton, George Baylis, Richard W. Honghton, Dennis Brown, Elijah Astle, Joseph Pot- ter, Edward P. Lake, Richard W. Smith, T. Mar- quand, and Nathaniel Munday. Cyrus Alden was elected senior and J. H. Lawton junior warden, R. W. Batt clerk. The missionary left in July, 1837. In 1838 (July 22d) the Rev. George M. Randall (af- terwards, 1865-73, Bishop of Colorado), immediately upon his ordination to the deaconate, assumed charge of the parish. He was instituted as rector August, 1840. His ministry, amid many discouragements, was greatly blessed. In 1839 a Baptist house of worship was purchased. It was centrally located on South Main Street, and (after necessary altera- tions) was solemnly consecrated in 1840 by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold. A heavy debt for those days and for the strength of the parish was contracted by this purchase, which for a long time burdened and crippled the church. In 1844, Mr. Randall resigned to accept the rectorship of the Church of the Messiah in Boston. For nearly a year there was no clergy- man in charge, when the Rev. A. D. McCoy was in- stituted rector, April 10, 1845. He remained only two years. There was no rector then for two years, much to the detriment of all the interests of the parish, when (under very discouraging circumstances), on Sunday, April 29, 1849, the Rev. E. M. Porter became rector. His labors were blessed. He suc- ceeded, with large aid from outside of Fall River, in liquidating the debt. The congregation increased, and the spiritual life deepened. But the parish was still feeble. The church was destroyed by fire on Christmas-eve, 1850. The parish, however, was not destroyed. The corner-stone of a new edifice on the same site, or nearly so, was laid in 1851. An address was made by Dr. Randall. In 1852 (February ) the new church was consecrated by the Right Rev. Man- ton Eastburn, the Bishop of Massachusetts. It was only in this year (1852) that the parish was able to do without missionary aid, which it had steadily re- ceived since its original formation. Mr. Porter closed his labors with the church in 1863, after a successful rectorship of fourteen years, by far the longest that the parish had enjoyed thus far. His name and memory are held in affectionate remembrance.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 86

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