USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 14
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1. Timothy Keith, 9. Seth Packard,
18. Mercy Packard,
2. David Packard,
10. Caleb Phillips,
19. Lydia Packard,
3. James Packard,
11. Isaac Fuller,
20. Sarah Packard,
4. Zacheus Packard,
12. Zachariah Cary,
21. Rebecca Kingman,
5. Samuel West,
13. John Johnson,
22. Jane Warren,
6. Abiel Packard,
14. Nathaniel Hammond,
23. Mercy Packard,
7. John Kingman,
15. Hannah Keith,
24. Hannah Phillips,
8. Joshua Warren,
16. Hannah Packard,
17. Jemima Packard,
25. Sarah Fuller.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Rev. Mr. Porter was a man of very respectable talent, distinguished for his prudence, fidelity, exemplary life, and holy conversation. The great doctrines of the gospel were prominent in all his preaching ; and a crucified Redeemer was a theme on which he delighted to dwell with peculiar earnestness, interest, and satisfaction. He continued to preach to this society for sixty years, when, feeling weary with many years of service in the vineyard of the Lord, and feeling the infirmities of age creeping upon him, he called for aid to assist him in his ministerial labors. To this claim the church and society readily assented, as appears by the following vote : April 21, 1800, " Voted, To chuse a committee of seven to look up sum suitable Person or Persons to assist Rev. Mr. Porter." Capt. Jesse Perkins, Deacon David Edson, Daniel Cary, Moses Cary, Daniel Howard, esq., Deacon Eliphalet Pack- ard, Lieut. Caleb Howard were chosen as said committee. This com- mittee found a man in the person of Asa Meech, who preached to them as a candidate until, at a meeting held August 18, 1800, " Voted, that thursday the twenty- Eighth day of August be held as a day of Fasting and prayer for directions in settling a colleague with Mr. Porter, and also to apply to Mr. W. Reed, and Mr. Gurney to preach on that occasion."
Also, " Voted that the parish committee request Mr. Meech to supply the pulpit further."
The publications of Rev. John Porter are " Evangelical Plan ; or, an Attempt to form Right Notions in the Minds of the Common People, and to Establish them in the Minds of the People." Republished by Dr. Alden, of Randolph.
Rev. John Porter was the son of Samuel and Mary Porter, of Abing- ton, Mass .; born in 1716; graduated at Harvard College in 1736; commenced preaching as a candidate for the Fourth Church in Bridge- water, now the First Church of Brockton, in December, 1739. Soon after the incorporation of the North Parish he received a call to settle with them as pastor August 25, 1740, which call he accepted, and was ordained October 15, 1740. Mr. Porter entered upon the duties of his office with all the advantages which a faithful church and affectionate society could afford Their hearts were deservedly united in him, and seldom has any minister of the gospel been enabled to exert a more
19
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
general and salutary influence over the people of his charge. His qualifications, both natural and acquired, were peculiarly respectable. He was taught not only of men, but of God. Much of what was esti- mable in his Christian and ministerial character he gratefully ascribed to the labors of that justly celebrated and eminently useful servant of Christ, the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, under whose ministry of the word he received the most deep and salutary impressions a little before his en- trance upon the duties of the sacred office. With that great and good man he formed an intimate acquaintance, invited him to his pulpit, and, with his beloved flock, enjoyed the benefit of his evangelical instruc- tions. This circumstance undoubtedly contributed to increase that zealous spirit of reformation by which the Rev. Mr. Porter's long and faithful ministry was so happily characterized. He clearly exhibited and ably defended the great doctrines of the gospel, and, though not fond of controversy, wielded the sword of the Spirit with uncommon skill, vigor, and success against all the assailants of evangelical truth. His labors among his people in the sanctuary and from house to house were greatly blessed. Mr. Porter continued to labor with this people until September 1, 1800, when, finding the infirmities of age creeping upon him, and a frame worn out in the service of his Master, he asked for assistance in his labors. His son-in-law, Rev. Thomas Crafts, and Rev. Asa Meech, then a candidate for the ministry, from Connecticut, came to his help, and Mr. Meech received a call to become a colleague pastor with him, which call he accepted, and was ordained October 15, 1800.
Rev. Mr. Porter continued to perform pastoral labor, preaching, occa- sionally, till his decease. The last sermon he preached was from John ix. 4: "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work." This sermon is often spoken of as having been peculiarly and prophetically appropriate and most tenderly affecting to those who were listening to the last message of truth and love from the lips of one whom very many regarded as a spiritual father, and all as an affectionate and faithful friend. He de- parted this life March 12, 1802, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and in the sixty-second year of his ministry. His sickness was of three weeks' duration, which commenced about one week after the delivery
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
of the above named discourse. His wife, with whom he had so long and so happily lived for more than one- half a century, died about four months previous to his death. This circumstance seemed to render his death more welcome to him than otherwise. She was a woman of very exemplary habits, and a devoted mother in Israel. His funeral was attended by Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D.D., of Bridgewater, Mass. His remains lie buried in the graveyard near the residence of the late Will- iam Tribou, at Campello. On the gravestone may be found the fol- lowing inscription : "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmanent ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." To the virtues of Rev. Mr. Porter's private life, and the usefulness of his ministerial qualifications and labors, the affection and respect with which he was viewed by his family and acquaintances, the love and veneration of the large and respectable religious society with which he so long lived in harmony and labored with success, the manner in which his services were accepted in other societies where he occasionally preached, and the lasting reputation he maintained in the church, are the most unequivocal and honorable testimonies. To the influence of this good man, more than any other thing, is the com- munity indebted for the love of order, industry, economy, enterprise, and religious character of many of the descendants of that society. His influence had very much to do with the formation of the character of the early inhabitants of the town of North Bridgewater, now the city of Brockton.
Rev. Mr. Porter was the first settled minister in the North Parish of Bridgewater, now Brockton. He married Olive Johnson of Canterbury, Conn.
Children .- I, Olive, born February 1, 1749. Died same year. The mother died February 25, 1759, aged 23. He then married Mary, daughter of Deacon Samuel and Hannah (Metcalf) Huntington, of Leb- anon, Conn., January 3, 1757.
Children .- Rev. John, born February 27, 1752, graduated at Yale College. Studied divinity, and preached a short time. When the war broke out between America and Great Britain in 1775, he received a captain's commission, and went into the army. He was a good officer, and was soon promoted to the rank of major. He left the army a short time before peace was declared, went to the West Indies, and there died.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Olive, born May 23, 1753, married John Crafts September 9, 1790. Rev. Huntington, born March 27, 1755, married first Susanna Sargent, second Sarah Moulton.
Jonathan, born July 5, 1756, surgeon on a privateer, and lost at sea. David, born July 5, 1756, died May, 1767.
Rev. Eliphalet, born June 11, 1758, married Martha Ruggles, of Rox- bury, Mass., October, 1801.
Mary, born November 16, 1762, married Rev. Thomas Crafts, of Middleboro, Mass., December 28, 1786.
Sibil, born May, 1766, died at Princeton, Mass, The father died March 12, 1802, and was buried in the old burying ground at Campello, at the age of eighty-seven years, and where a neat marble slab com- memorates his memory. The mother died November 22, 1801.
MINISTRY OF REV. ASA MEECH .-- September 1, 1800, " Voted to give Rev. Asa Meech a call." Also " Voted to choose a committee of seven to Report a plan for the settlement of Mr. Meech, which consisted of the following persons: Capt. Jesse Perkins, Matthew Kingman, Dea - con E. Packard, Capt. Abel Kingman, Capt. William French, Ichabod Howard, Lieut. Caleb Howard," who subsequently reported as follows, namely : "That he be our minister until two-thirds of the legal voters of the parish are dissatisfied with him, and then to be dismissed by giv- ing him a year's notice. Also he having the same privilege to leave the people when he thinks proper, he giving them a year's notice." Also, " that the Said parish pay him Four Hundred Dollars for the first five years ; and after the expiration of the five first years, Three Hun- dred and thirty- four dollars a year, so long as he continues our minis- ter." The above report was accepted, and it was " Voted the above committee present Mr. A. Meech with the call of the parish to the work of the ministry," which is as follows :
To Mr. Asa Meech, Candidate for the Sacred ministry, now residing in this place.
SIR,-Whereas our aged and beloved pastor has requested the settlement of an assist- ant with him in the work of the Sacred Ministry. And as we are very desirous of a continuance of the regular Administration of Gospel ordinances among us-And having experience of your good abilities as a Gospel Preacher and such good evidence of your good moral character as gives us great satisfaction, Therefore we, the members of the fourth church and congregation of the Christian Society in Bridgewater, do hereby in- vite you, with a Solemn call, to Settle with us as a colleague pastor with Rev. John
149
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Porter. That you may be more particularly informed of the doings of the Parish in this, a committee, consisting of the following· named gentlemen, viz .: Captain Jesse Perkins, Matthew Kingman, Lieut. Caleb Howard, Dea. E. Packard, Capt. Abel Kingman, Capt. Wn1. French, Ichabod Howard, will wait on you with the vote of the parish respecting the encouragement they offer you, as an inducement to Settle with us in the Sacred Ministry, and give you such other information as you may desire. Your answer is re- quested as soon as may be consistent with a full deliberation on so solemn and such an important subject. DANIEL CARY, Purish Clerk.
The North Church in Bridgewater met this day [September 29, 1800], and proceeded to hear the answer of Rev. Asa Meech.
BRIDGEWATER, September 23, 1800. To the fourth church and congregation of the Christian Society in Bridgewater.
Whereas you have given me an invitation and Solemn call to settle with you in the Gospel Ministry as a Colleague Pastor with the Rev. John Porter, Having looked to God by prayer for his most gracious direction, and having consulted my friends and fathers in the ministry, And after mature deliberation on the Subject, I trust and hope that a door is opened in divine providence for my usefulness in this place. This is therefore to manifest my acceptance of your call, and my willingness to be employed in performing the important office and duties of the Christian ministry among you so long as God shall open the way by harmonizing our minds, and give me grace, wisdom, and strength. And while I commit all to the great head of the Church may Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied to us abundantly from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
ASA MEECH.
September 29, 1800, " Voted that the ordination of Rev. Asa Meech be on the fifteenth day of October next."
At this meeting a committee of three was chosen to make provision for the council, namely, Capt Jesse Perkins, Daniel Cary, and Capt. Howard Cary, who were provided for by Mr. Daniel Cary, at an ex- pense of $165.58.
Mr. Meech was ordained as a colleague pastor with Mr. Porter Oc- tober 15, 1800, and continued to preach till the death of Mr. Porter, which took place March 12, 1802, in the eighty-seventh year of his age and sixty-second of his ministry. He continued his labors after the death of Mr. Porter until, early in 1811, he was requested to resign, and was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council for that purpose. His farewell sermon was preached December 1, 181I.
His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Lemuel Tyler, A.M., pastor of the First Church in Preston, Conn., from text, Titus i. 9 : " Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsay- ers," which was a very able discourse upon the necessity of gospel min istration, the qualifications of ministers, or what gospel ministers should do to promote, and must do to secure, peace and promote good order in the church ; also on the doctrine of election, justification, and revela- tion, and the divinity of the Holy Ghost. He then goes on, giving a short exhortation to the pastor, and then to the people. Both of the above sermons were printed and circulated.
Rev Asa Meech was son of Thomas Meech, born in Boston, April 20, 1775. He was not a college educated man, but in 1807 received an honorary degree from Brown University. He was approved as a can- didate for the ministry by the New London County Association in May, 1799, was ordained. at North Bridgewater, October 15, 1800, and dis- missed in 1811; from thence he removed to Canterbury, Conn., and was installed October 28, 1812, where he remained till the spring of 1822, preaching his farewell sermon May 5. Here his ministry was not only useful in increasing the number of the church, but by estab- lishing its faith and order. Towards the close of his pastorate, however, a feeling of personal opposition arose, which rendered his removal ex- pedient. He emigrated to Canada, where he purchased a farm near Hull, and employed himself thenceforth in its cultivation, preaching at times, as opportunity was offered. He died February 22, 1849, at the age of seventy-four. He had published three sermons, one of which was that on leaving Canterbury.
He married (first) Mary De Witt, of Norwich, April 29, 1802 ; (second) Maria De Witt. November, 1809; (third) Margaret Dockstader, No- vember 7, 1822, and had by the three wives twenty-one children, some of whom now reside in Canada.
Publications of Rev. Asa Meech :
Ordination Sermon, delivered by Rev. Lemuel Tyler, A.M., October 15, 1800. Colleague pastor with Rev. John Porter.
Oration by Rev. Asa Meech, delivered in North Bridgewater, July 4, 1805, in commemoration of the Anniversary of American Indepen- dence.
Valedictory Sermon. By Rev. Asa Meech, A.M., December 1, 18II. Preached at the North Church in Bridgewater.
151
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
MINISTRY OF REV. DANIEL HUNTINGTON .- For a third time this society was called to settle a pastor. Their next minister was Rev. Daniel Huntington, who came from New London, Conn., to North Bridgewater early in the spring of 1812, and, after preaching, a few weeks, received a unanimous call to become their pastor. The follow- ing are some of the votes which were passed at the legal meetings of the society.
At a meeting held December 23, 1811, it was " voted that thursday the 19th day of December be kept a Day of fasting and prayer for Di- vine Direction to a parson to settle with us in the work of the minis- try, and that the parish committee apply to Dr. John Reed, Rev. Mr. Strong, and Rev. Mr. Sheldon to assist, and that the committee provide for them."
March 23, 1812, " Voted to choose a Committee of Seven men to procure a candidate or candidates to supply the pulpit, and made choice of Gideon Howard, esq., Howard Cary, esq., Dea. Ichabod Howard, Abel Kingman, esq., Dea. David Edson, Caleb Howard, esq., and Capt Zach- ariah Gurney."
A meeting was held July 13, 1812, " To see if the Parish are united in Mr. Daniel Huntington as a preacher of the Gospell," it was " voted unanimously in favor of Mr. Daniel Huntington," "and to use means to procure him to supply the pulpit preparatory to a settlement." " Voted that the Committee already chosen to perform that Duty use their discretion either to apply personally or by letter."
August 17, 1812, " Voted to Join with the church to give Mr. Hunt- ington a Call to settle with us in the work of the Sacred Ministry " ; also " voted to offer him Seven Hundred Dollars as settlement and Seven Hundred dollars as an annual salary, or Seven Hundred and fifty Dol- lars, to be paid annually so long as he remain our minister." Capt. Jesse Perkins, Deacon David Edson, Deacan Ichabod Howard, Caleb Howard, esq., Howard Cary, esq., Joseph Silvester, esq., Abel King- man, esq., were chosen a committee to wait upon Mr. Huntington and make him the above offer, which was in the following words :
To Mr. Daniel Huntington, Candidate for the Sacred Ministry :
SIR,-Whereas the Grate head of the Church in his wise and Righteous Providence has seen fit that this church and Society should be Destitute of a pastor, we are de- sirous to have the regular administration of gospel ordinances restored to us, and hav-
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
ing had so much Experience of your good abilities as a gospel preacher, am induced to hope that your labors may be blest among us. We, therefore, members of the fourth church and congregation in Bridgewater, do hereby give you solemn call to settle with us, and take upon you the sacred office of pastor, according to the regular mode prac- ticed in our churches. That you may be more particularly informed of the doings of the parish, a committee consisting of the following gentlemen, viz. : Capt. Jesse Perkins, Dea. David Edson, Dea. Ichabod Howard, Caleb Howard, esq., Howard Cary, csq., Joseph Sylvester, esq., Abel Kingman, esq., will wait upon you with the votes of the parish relative to the encouragement they offer you as an inducement to settle with us in the sacred ministry, and give you such other information as you may desire. Your answer is requested as soon as may be consistent with a full deliberation on so solemn and important a Subject.
Signed by order and in behalf of said Parish. JESSE PERKINS, Parish Clerk.
MOSES CARY, Moderator.
BRIDGEWATER, August 17, 1812.
Answer.
To the members of the fourth Church and Society in Bridgewater :
September 14, 1812.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: Having taken into serious and prayerful consideration the invitation Which you have given me to settle among you in the Gospel ministry, to- gether with the offer which accompanies it, viewing almost unanimous expression of your wish and the pecuniary provision which evinces its sincerity, as indicative of the will of our divine Master, who in his providence has brought us together, I have thought it my duty to accede to your proposal, and hold myself in readiness to take upon me the sacred offices of your pastor according to the regular order of church whenever it shall please the great head of the church by the laying on of hands by the Presbytery to put me in trust with the Gospel. With Regard to choice of compensa- tion which was left me by your note, I would inform you that the first offer, viz .: Seven Hundred as a settlement, and Seven Hundred as an annual salary is preferred and accepted.
Yet before the question of my settlement among you is fully concluded, suffer me to present to you a few requests, Which I believe it cannot be incompatible with your in- terest to grant, and, First. It is my wish that for the words ' until it is needful to pro- cure another minister in his room,' which is annexed as a limitation to your offer of a salary, the following may be substituted : 'During his ministry among us,' as the latter expression, it is thought will more safely guard against future misunderstanding. Second. I have to request, for the same purpose, that my letter addressed through the hands of Silas Packard, Esq., to the Church and Society, on subjects connected with my proposed settlement, may may be put on record, that I may not be excluded from the society of my friends and relatives, who reside at some distance, nor be debarred such recreations as is necessary to health. I must request the privilege of exemption from parochial duty for three weeks annually. Shall these requests be granted ?
Brethren and Friends, I shall cheerfully give myself to the work of the ministry among you, confidently hoping that you will receive me in brotherly love, and con-
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
stantly exercise towards me that christian tenderness and candor, for which delicacy and responsibility of my situation will so loudly call above all, trusting that you will not cease to supplicate the God of all grace and consolation that he would bless our connection and make it a source of our mutual and everlasting joy.
Your Brother and Servant in Christ,
DANIEL HUNTINGTON.
North Parish, September 14, 1812. " Voted that the ordination be on the last Wednesday in October. Accordingly the Council met on the Twenty-Eighth Day of October, consisting of Rev. Zedekiah San- ger, D.D., of South Bridgewater; Rev. John Reed, D.D., of West Bridgewater ; Rev. James Flint, D.D., of East Bridgewater ; Rev. Dan- iel Thomas, of Abington; Rev. Jacob Norton, of Weymouth ; Rev. Thomas T. Richmond, of Stoughton; Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton ; Rev. Jonathan Strong, D.D., of Randolph ; Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D.D., of Boston; Rev. Joshua Huntington, of Boston ; Rev. Abel McEwen, of New London, Conn .; together with their delegates," and he was duly installed as pastor of the "Fourth Church in Bridge- water." Rev. Mr. McEwen preached the sermon from the text, Nehe- miah vi. 3 : "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down ; why should the work cease whilst I leave it, and come down to you ?" Rev. Dr. Griffin offered the ordaining prayer. Rev. Dr. Sanger gave the charge. Rev. Mr. Huntington, of Boston, a brother of the pastor- elect, then pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, extended the right hand of fellowship.
Of the success of Rev. D. Huntington's labors among this church and society, we may say that, at the time of his settlement, the parish was just recovering from the effects of an unhappy division. This recovery, of course, was gradual ; and the first three years may be considered as occupied in wearing out the prejudices and jealousies thus excited, so that the ordinary means of grace could be profitably used. During this period of time the ways of Zion mourned. In 1812 but one was re- ceived into the church on profession, and one in 1813; in 1814, three ; in 1815, one ; and then came one of God's times to favor Zion. In 1816 seventy-eight were added to the church (a full and interesting account of this revival was published by Rev. Mr. Huntington in the Boston Re- corder, June 10, 1817), and in 1817 ten more were added as the fruits of the same harvest. During the whole time he remained with this
20
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
people, a period of twenty-one years, there were received into the church two hundred and fifty-three members; previous to 1820 there were one hundred and six members admitted. The years 1830, 1831, and 1832 were distinguished by an unusual interest in this church and neighboring churches. During those years eighty six were added.
And as a consequence of too frequent services in his own and neigh- boring churches the health of the pastor gradually failed, and he was obliged to resign his pastoral labors, which he did by a letter, which was read to the congregation by Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, of Randolph, March 10, 1833, and calling a meeting on the 19th of the same month to act upon the request. Agreeably to the notification the church met, and Eliphalet Kingman chosen to preside. After prayer by Rev. Mr. Huntington, the subject of the request of the pastor was considered, and after careful inquiry concerning the necessity of the measure pro- posed, it was "voted, unanimously, that although we most sincerely regret the necessity of the Measure proposed, yet we feel constrained by a sense of Duty to our pastor, and to the cause which both he and we profess to love, to comply with his request ;" also made choice of Deacon Silvanus French, Dr. Nathan Perry, and Heman Packard a committee to represent the church before the council, which consisted of Rev. Luther Sheldon, D. D., First Church in Easton; Rev. Richard S. Storrs, First Church in Braintree ; Rev. Melancthon G. Wheeler, First Church in Abington; Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, First Church in Randolph.
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