USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 32
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REV. THOMAS CRAFTS was the son of Dr. John Staple Crafts, from Newton ; was born in North Bridgewater, now Brockton; graduated at Harvard College 1783 ; married Polly, daughter of Rev. John Porter, December 28, 1786 ; settled at Princeton, Mass., 1786, and dismissed in 1791, and settled at Middleboro'. After remaining at Princeton sev- eral years, his physicians decided that his life depended on his leaving the ministry and engaging in more active or some out-of-door pursuit. He consequently removed to Weymouth, Mass., where he entered into commercial business, and was quite successful. After his health had become somewhat improved he received a call to preach from the Mid-
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dleboro' and Taunton precinct, and was installed in 1802, where he en- joyed a happy ministry for many years, and there died February 27, 1819, aged sixty years. His family then removed to North Bridge- water, now Brockton.
REV. ASA PACKARD was the son of Jacob and Dorothy (Perkins) Packard ; was born in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, May 3, 1758. His life was a very eventful one. At the age of sixteen he entered the Revolutionary service as a fifer. In an engagement near Harlem Heiglits in 1776, a companion who had made great boasts of his bravery seized Mr. Packard's fife, and, handing him his musket in return, fled to a place of safety, preferring, it would seem, the music he could make with a stolen fife to that made by the balls of the enemy. Mr. Packard, thus armed, engaged in the conflict, but soon received a wound which nearly proved fatal. The ball entered his back just above the hip, and though an attempt was made to extract it, yet so severe was the opera- tion that the surgeon feared he would die in his hands, and so was in - duced to desist. A severe illness followed in consequence, and when sufficiently recovered he left the army and returned home, and com- menced a course of studies preparatory to entering college. The ball he received was never extracted, but remained in his back during his life. Mr. Packard was a man of great facetiousness, and often alluded in pleasantry to the circumstance of his having fought and bled for his country. Once in a merry circle he said, " I bear about in my body a weighty testimonial of my bravery." To which a jovial companion re- plied, "I think from the position of the wound our hero must have been playing a retreat."
"Playing a retreat!" said Mr. Packard; " I had a musket in my hand, and was found skillful as a grenadier."
" I think," rejoined the other, "our friend must have been skilled in the motion 'to the right about face!' and must have performed it well when he received his wound."
The joke was appreciated by Mr. Packard and the rest of the com- pany. Mr. Packard graduated at Harvard University in 1783; re- ceived a call, and settled in Marlboro', March 23, 1785,-a day long to be remembered, from the fact that the snow was so deep as to cover the tops of the fences, notwithstanding there had been a thaw which
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settled the snow, so that, in freezing, it became sufficiently solid to bear up a team. The people went to the ordination in their sleighs upon the crust across lots, over the tops of fences and walls without difficulty. The depth of snow was so remarkable that it became and continued for a long time a standard of comparison. He was settled on a salary of one hundred pounds " and twenty cords of good marketable oak wood, cut and brought to the door annually, so long as he remains our min- ister." They also voted him a settlement of three hundred pounds,- one half to be paid in one year, the other half in two years from his ordination. Mr. Packard was a man of sprightly talent, and was noted for his readiness rather than for his profundity. He had great conver- sational powers, and was remarkable for his eccentricity. His sermons were practical rather than doctrinal, and more distinguished for happy descriptions of life and manners than for connected views of gospel truths. He was liberal in his theological opinions, belonging to what is denominated the Arminian school. As Unitarianism developed it- self in Massachusetts, he was considered as coinciding with that class of his brethren, though later in life his sentiments are supposed to have undergone some change. "Perhaps it will be more correct to say that he never formed for himself any definite system of doctrinal belief; his mind was more distinguished for its readiness than for its method, and seemed to have held opinions in regard to different doctrines which were not consistent with each other, and which could not have been blended into a logical system. Different persons who knew him well have, for this reason, claimed him with different denominations, since on some points his views seemed to coincide with Unitarians, and on oth- ers with the Orthodox standard of doctrine." These are the views entertained by one of the most distinguished preachers of New England on his theological opinions. Mr. Packard remained pastor of the first and the only parish in Marlboro' for about twenty years, and the peo- ple were happy under his ministry. In the year 1805 an unpleasant controversy arose in regard to the subject of locating a meeting house, which ended in the erection of two houses, and ultimately in two par- ishes. During this controversy he remained neutral, both parties anxious to retain him ; but he continued to remain in the old church, and being unwilling to take part in the dedication of the new house,
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and realizing that a majority had a right to command his services while he remained their pastor, he wisely asked a dismission from the church and society as the best way of avoiding a public approval of the re- moval of the meeting-house, which was the sole cause of the unhappy feeling. On March 6, 1806, the matter was brought before the Marl- boro' Association, and after due consideration it was decided by them that the town had a claim to Mr. l'ackard in the new house. "The association, while they lament the occasion for it, both on their own and the people's account, cannot but acquiesce in his determination to be dismissed." After much opposition, the West Parish in Marlboro' received an act of incorporation, February 23, 1808, by the name of the Second Parish in Marlboro'; on the 23d of March, the same year, Rev. Asa Packard, who had labored with the society since his dismission from the town, was installed over the West Parish, and retained his pastoral relation until May 12, 1819, when he took a dismission and removed to Lancaster, where he resided till his death, which took place March 20, 1843, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was in his usual health in the morning, and on coming into the house, he sat down to listen to a letter from a distant brother; while it was being read he sunk back, and immediately expired.
REV. HEZEKIAH PACKARD, D.D., was born in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, Mass., December 6, 1761, son of Jacob and Dorothy (Perkins) Packard, and was the youngest of ten children ; and of his parents and their influence he used to speak with pleasure, affection and respect. Being the youngest of the family, he, no doubt, experienced the indulgence common to the youngest of a large family. The humble circumstances of his father's family accustomed him to habits of active industry, rigid economy, and self-reliance. Their narrow means, to- gether with their discretion, restrained him from associating with other lads. One amusement his parents indulged him in had an influence they little thought of. He says, " At what precise period I procured a fife I do not distinctly remember ; but the acquisition was to me very gratifying and delightful. Martial music was very animating to me, and I soon learned several martial airs. The tunes sung and played during the incipient state of the Revolution had a wonderful influence. The exciting remarks made in favor of the Revolution had a thrilling
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effect upon my mind. I became anxious to attend musters and meet- ings for enlisting soldiers. The battle of Bunker Hill had an exciting influence. It seemed to electrify the whole community. On that memorable day I was in a neighbor's field, hoeing corn, and heard the roaring of the cannon. I was then in my fourteenth year. The cap - tain of the militia lived near my father's, and as he knew the family were Whigs, and that I had some skill with the fife, he appointed me a fifer in the company under his command. Soon after this he was drafted for five months, and solicited me to go with him as fifer, promising to use me as a son, which promise he always kept. Although young and fond of home, I never had any scruples or hesitation about enlisting, nor do I recollect that my parents opened their lips in the way of discourage- ment.
" Distinctly do I remember when my mother took my hand, and said, ' Hezekiah, remember, praying will make thee leave sinning, and sin- ning will make thee leave praying.' These words were to me full of meaning and of practical truth. Indeed, the devout desires and earnest prayers of my affectionate and pious parents were, as it appeared to me, preserved as memorials before God on my behalf; for, though I neg- lected prayer when a soldier, my moral habits were in other respects correct. I was averse to vices in the army to which youth are ex- posed ; no profane word escaped my lips from the time I left my fath- er's house till I returned to it again. I was more and more disgusted at the profaneness common among the soldiers, and even the officers, of the Revolution. My brother (the late Rev. Asa Packard, of Marl- boro', Mass.), had already become a soldier in the eight months' service, and was stationed at Roxbury. The regiment to which I belonged was ordered to Cambridge, and we dwelt in tents near Cambridgeport. Soon after we pitched our tents and drew our provisions from College Hall, where beef, pork, etc., were kept for our army, and other arrange- ments were made for a campaign, and I felt myself a soldier in camp, I had a furlough for a day or two to visit my brother at Roxbury. From the time we marched into Boston, late in autumn, until the following June, Col. Sargent's regiment, in which my name was enrolled, was destined to occupy several stations. After being in Boston a few weeks we were ordered to Bunker Hill.
In the spring of 1776 we were sta-
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tioned at Castle William, now Fort Independence. Here we remained till June, when orders were given for us to march to New York. We went to New London by land, and from thence by water to New York. The regiment was stationed near Hurlgate.
"Six miles below the city, upon the banks of East River, opposite to our fort, on the other side of the river, the enemy built a fort to annoy us, the distance between the two forts being a little over a mile. A soldier, soon after the balls and bombs began to fly into our camp, walking proudly upon the parapet, boastfully exclaimed that the ball had not been made that was to kill him. Not many minutes after a ball came and almost cut him asunder, thus warning others not to ex- pose themselves needlessly. This cannonading and bombarding con- tinued for several weeks, killing some and wounding some. I remem- ber an old man belonging to our camp, who, seeing a bomb fall and bury itself in the ground a few rods from him, started hastily toward the spot hoping to save the powder, for which he would get a dollar ; but just before he reached the place there was a tremendous explosion and he was covered with dirt and nearly suffocated. He received, how- ever, no serious injury, and was for a time the subject of facetious re- mark. About the same time two young men belonging to the same mess found a bomb, the fuse of which had been somehow extinguished, and thoughtlessly attempted to open the vent with a pickaxe. This rash and inconsiderable attempt was fatal to both. A spark from the axe reached the powder, and these young men were awfully mangled by the explosion. One expired immediately, the other survived a few days. Soon after this there was a general excitement. Intelligence reached us that troops were leaving Long Island, and that the British were pressing upon them, orders being given for retreat, and New York was evacuated. It was the Sabbath in the last of August or the first of September. The heat was extreme, the roads were crowded with troops, with men, women, and children, together with cattle, goods, and chattels, overspread with thick clouds of dust. The night following was dark and rainy. I slept under a blanket with my captain, who had al- ways treated me like a son, according to the promise he made when I enlisted.
" The next morning, while the cooks were preparing breakfast, and the soldiers were adjusting their packs and cleaning their guns, etc.,
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after the rain, alarm-guns were heard ; our army was aroused ; the enemy were at hand. A detachment of one hundred and thirty-six in number. among them my brother, was sent out to check the enemy, and in a few hours he was on his way to the hospital at West Chester. On the same day was the battle of Harlaem Heights. Our regiment was near the center of the line, extending from Hudson to East River. The line of battle was not far from King's bridge. The number of killed and wounded I do not remember. The sick and wounded were taken to the hospital. I visited my brother several times. His wound be- came alarming, and his surgeons gave no encouragement. We both nearly despaired of his restoration. At the second or third visit I took charge of a letter to our parents, in which he took leave of them and of the family, and we took leave of each other. I afterward went to the hospital, not knowing whether he was among the living, and found him somewhat relieved. His body was less swollen ; his hopes of recovery revived. After this, as far as my memory serves, we did not see each other till we met at home in our father's house. In the autumn of that year I was sick, and destined to breathe the polluting, infectious air of the hospital, and suffered much for want of things comfortable. Hav- ing the itch shockingly, without the means of getting rid of that loath- some disease, and being reduced by other complaints without the medi- cal aid I required, I thought much of home and a mother's cares; but I was a stranger in a strange land. The hospital was extremely filthy, its atmosphere pestilential. My case was so much neglected and my whole frame so diseased and shattered that I had serious apprehensions I should not long survive. My term of service expired at the end of the year ; I was no longer a soldier.
" Finding myself somewhat better, although still feeble, I set my face and directed my tottering steps towards home. The first day I traveled about three or four miles toward the object of my affection. About the third day on my homeward march I reached the great road from White Plains to my native home, and was providentially overtaken by my captain's elder brother and his waiter. He had purchased a cheap horse before he left camp, and was homeward bound ; but finding me feeble, unprotected and solitary, he readily dismounted and allowed me the privilege of riding. I rode nearly the whole distance of two hun-
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dred miles. I have no remembrance of my friend's riding five miles till we reached Easton, Mass., his native town, and where my oldest brother then lived. We often received many a good bit on our way, in consequence of the piteous and oft repeated story my friend told of the poor, destitute and suffering fifer upon the horse, so that people were kind to us, cheered and comforted us on our way homeward. My parents had not heard a word from me after the battle at Harlaem Heights, ex- cept that I was there, but in doubt what to expect. My brother's letter not reaching home, the same doubt existed in regard to him. After my return from the army I was so reduced in strength, my whole frame so diseased and wrecked, that for a long time I was unfit for business. I was long exposed to suffering, and unable to labor. I was, however, afterwards induced to enlist for six months. That I should have again entered the army was a mystery. I was stationed at Prov- idence, and afterwards at Newport. Gen. Sullivan, who had command, intended to gain possession of Newport, then in the hands of the British. After quitting the service I made up my mind to live at home and be- come a farmer. But changes and events occurred in our family circle which greatly affected iny condition and prospects. My father died Feb. 2, 1777, aged fifty-six. My brother, as before mentioned, being wounded, was probably led by that circumstance to change his purpose of life. He accordingly fitted for college, and entered Harvard in the summer of 1779. In the course of the revival of 1780 did I first receive my religious impressions. At a meeting called by my brother, my mind was deeply and solemnly impressed. I did feel I had some encourag- ing evidence that God in Christ did appeal for me in mercy. The bur- den of sin which had borne with oppressive weight upon my soul was removed, and I think I found peace in believing. Calmness, peace and serenity prevailed in my own mind. Availing myself as I had oppor- tunity of the advice and experience of neighbors, I had the reputation of taking good care of the farm and rendering it productive. 1 labored to the extent of my strength, and made some improvements by sub- duing rough parts of the land and building walls. Meeting the appro- bation of my neighbors and family, and seeing the good effect of my labors, I acquired a fondness for husbandry, and readily devoted myself to it.
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" I was well satisfied with my condition and sphere of life, and had no idea of relinquishing the pursuits of agriculture until the spring of 1782. At that time I was afflicted and discouraged by an injury done my arm in making wall. Being young and ambitious, I strained my arm at the elbow. The injury was such that it disqualified me from pursuing my favorite occupation. I showed my arm to several phy- sicians, but received no encouragement. I then made arrangements for acquiring an education, and soon left home and placed myself under the instruction of Rev. Dr. John Reed, minister of the West Parish. I pur- sued my studies with great diligence, deducting the time I was obliged to suspend my studies on account of weak eyes. I was not more than a year fitting for college. When fitting I often visited the home of my childhood and early youth, and reluctantly denied myself its endear- ments. The distance not being more than five or six miles, I could easily walk home Saturday night and return on Monday morning. In July, 1783, that being Cambridge commencement, I entered college with rather gloomy prospects-my small patrimony, in consequence of bad debts and fraudulent men, was reduced from five or six hundred dollars to a mere trifle ; I had no patron to whom I could go for advice, encouragement and help ; I had no place I could properly call home ; I had no place to call my home through my college studies; I had to make my way through many difficulties. I spent most of my vacations at college, where I had good opportunity for study, and I defrayed the expenses of board by keeping a morning school for misses, by the care of college buildings, etc. I kept school nine or ten weeks winters. I waited in Common Hall more than three years during college life. In justice to myself, and for the benefit of others, I can state with all the confidence of truth that I passed through college without fine or cen- sure, and with a respectable literary character. The first year after leaving college I kept a grammar school in Cambridge. The year passed very pleasantly, and I found myself in the way of improvement. The next year I took charge of the library as assistant ; was one of the three who in the course of the year prepared the first printed catalogue of the college library. The other two were Rev. Isaac Smith, the librarian, and Professor Sewall. At the commencement of 1789 I entered the tutorship in the Mathematical Department as successor of
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Mr. (afterwards Professor and subsequently President) Webber. I con- tinned as tutor four years, enjoying enlightened society in college and in the town and vicinity of Cambridge."
In October, 1795, Mr. Packard was ordained over the church in Chelmsford, with the prospect of a comfortable and useful ministry, where he labored with conscientious diligence in the work of the min- istry eight years, when, receiving an invitation to settle at Wiscasset, Me., he asked his dismission, and it was granted by a mutual council called July 29, 1802. He was installed at Wiscasset, Me., September 8, 1802, Professor Toppan, of Cambridge College, preaching the ser- mon. He entered upon his new field of labor with a fair prospect of comfort and usefulness. When he had been in Wiscasset three or four years he was invited to take charge of a private school. The school was full, and succeeded so well that in the course of the year a plan for an academy was in train. A brick building was erected, costing four thousand dollars. He kept this academy several years, and his labors in it, and his pastoral and ministerial duties, were too much for his consti- tution, and brought on infirmities which have been at times trouble- some companions. His labors at this place were terminated by a mutual council in the spring of 1830. Again Providence opened for him a smaller field of labor and usefulness at Middlesex village, a re- mote part of his former parish in Chelmsford, where were living many of those who, as parents or children, had been under his preaching thirty years before. It was while residing at this place his son, William, then a student of Bowdoin College, died, January, 1834. He exercised his ministry at Middlesex six years, and in the fall of 1836 dissolved his connection with that church. He moved to Saco, Me., November II, 1836. During the remaining years of Mr. Packard's life he resided at Saco, Me., Salem, Mass., and Brunswick, Me., making occasional visits to each and all of his children. He took a lively interest in passing events and social life, and to the last had a cheerful temperament and strong social affections. He never secluded himself, nor seemed to feel too old to meet and fulfill the claims of society upon him. In his eighty -fifth year he took the principal charge of a garden, and in winter he used the axe and saw. He participated in all schemes for good, mourned with those that mourned, rejoiced with those that rejoiced.
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The passer-by ever met him with a kind word or bow. He possessed great dignity of bearing and character, combined with ease and elegance of manners which adorn the most cultivated society, and an ever play- ful, genial humor. For nearly fifty years he was connected with vari- ous literary institutions, much of the time being engaged in training the youth. For seventeen years he was a trustee of Bowdoin College, and ten years vice-president of the same, and from the day of his admission to the university he was a college man to the close of his days, always glowing in college scenes, reminiscences, and attachments. He was the originator of the Bible Society in Lincoln County, Me. He died April 25, 1849. Agreeable to his own request, his remains were conveyed to Wiscasset for interment, the place where he labored twenty years be- fore. The funeral took the place of the afternoon service, Rev. Dr. Adams, of Brunswick, preaching the sermon.
The last long journey of his life now o'er; His gentle voice and cheerful smile no more Shall tell the tale of life's uncertain dream ; For he is now in heaven, -a higher theme.
REV. JOSHUA CUSHMAN was born 1758 or 1759, and resided in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, Mass. ; graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1787. In the early part of the Revolutionary War, at the age of seventeen or eighteen, he entered the military service of the United States. A paper found among his papers and books contains the fol- lowing account of his services in that war in his own handwriting :
"I enlisted on the Ist day of April, 1777, under Caleb King, then in Bridgewater, Mass., and served in the Ninth Regiment of the Massachusetts line. The field-officers were Colonel Wesson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mel- len, and Major Badlam I was in Capt. Bartlett's company. My first rendezvous was at Cambridge, near Boston ; then proceeded to Albany ; thence up the Mohawk to the German Flats ; joined Arnold's detach- ment from Gates's army for the relief of Fort Stanwix. After the dis- persion of the enemy we joined the Northern army near Stillwater, on the Hudson ; thence took ground and encamped on Bemis Heights ; was in the decisive battle which led to the capture of the British forces in that quarter. After the surrender of Burgoyne we moved down the Hudson to Albany, and thence across the country to White Marsh, in
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