USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 82
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Thomas Seccom, of Medford, wrote in his diary: 1739, Nov. 11, Sermon by Mr. Ebenr. Bridge, of Boston, a blacksmith's son.
July
10, 1721;
July
23, 1721.
John,
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EARLY MINISTERS, PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS
yr. Honr. that (altho by ye Report of the Gentlemen Jmpowered To Divide the Real Estate of the Sd. Ebr., our Hond Father, It will admit of Three Settlemts & no more without hurting ye whole, yet) we do not Jncline or desire yt any part, or parts of the sd Estate shod. be sett off to us, or either of us, but would Choose yt The Eldest Son in ye Family be Jntrusted with the whole as ye Law directs.
To The Honble Edwd. Hutchinson, Esq. Mary Baker Judge Prob: Jn ye County Suffolk John Bridge Boston Jany 13th 1749/50. Andrew Symmes Jonathan Mountfort, Junr. Experience Bridge
We the Subscribers [names] children and heirs of Ebenezer Bridge of Boston, Gentleman, dec'd, Do hereby acknowledge to have received of our Brother Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford. Clerk, the Rateable proportion of the sd [names] of and in the Appraized value of the Real Estate of the sd Ebenezer Bridge, deceased, the proportion of each therein being Sixty one pounds ten shillings & nine pence farthing Lawful money. As witness our hands September the Thirteenth day Anno Dom. 1753.
Andrew Symmes John Bridge
Hannah Symmes Experience Bridge
Jonathan Mountfort
Abigail Bridge
Sarah Mountfort Elizabeth Bridge
See item from diary, Sept. 20, 1753, on a following page.
Allen continues: Mr. Bridge, was ordained May 20, 1741. The Rev. Mr. Parker, of Dracut, made the introductory prayer. Rev. Wm. Welstead, of the North Church, Boston, preached from I Tim. 4-6 'A good minister of Jesus Christ.' The Rev. Mr. Hancock, of Lexington, gave the charge, and the Rev. Mr. Baxter the fellowship of the churches.
On Oct. 24, 1741, he was married to Miss Sarah Stoddard, third daughter of the Rev. Samson Stoddard.
His stature was large and commanding, his manner grave and dignified. He possessed great social powers and was a communi- cative friend and pleasant companion; yet such was his sense of the sacredness of his office, of the reverence and submission due to the ministerial character and authority, that he seemed rather to awe the common mind by the majesty, than allure it by the loveliness of virtue and piety. As the head of a family, he was strict and rigid in exacting obedience and conformity to estab- lished regulations. As a parent, affectionate and indulgent.
His passions were strong and quick, which marked his char- acter with energy, decision and religious ardor. The infelicities of nature however he turned to a good account by making them subserve the high purposes of virtuous activity and religious fidelity and zeal in the service of his Divine Master.
778
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
In the pulpit he was animated and solemn, and by his clear, sonorous voice and distinct pronunciation delighted the ear and commanded the attention of his hearers. He may be ranked among the happy few, who on a sudden emergency or special occasion, discover an admirable facility in selecting and arranging ideas, putting them in a dress, and delivering them, in a manner appropriate to the feelings, which the occasion excites.
His rank among the ministers of his day may be ascertained by the public honors conferred upon him in being appointed to preach the Artillery Election sermon in 1752, June 1; and the general Election sermon May 27, 1767.
In 1762 he was chosen scribe of the convention of ministers, and in 1780 preached the convention sermon.
These sermons are in print, and do equal honor to his under- standing and heart, patriotism and piety. The former discourse is founded on the 10th. ch. of Acts, and 1, and 2 verses.
"Cornelius, a Centurion of the Band, called the Italian Band, a devout man and one that feared God with all his house." The drift of this discourse is to show the consistency of military life with the profession and practice of Christianity.
The latter sermon is from Deut. 33-29. "Happy art thou, O Israel, who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!" This is a very long and a very loyal sermon. It contains many just remarks upon government, and laws, and many useful hints to rulers. It is replete with sentiments of attachment to the mother country and of devout congratulations for the civil and religious liberty and growing prosperity of the colonies. These are the only discourses, that are published. He was often solicited; but he always refused to give publicity to those occasional discourses, which were thought by his hearers to possess peculiar merit.
As a writer he was deficient in some of those qualities which constitute excellence.
His style was negligent and diffuse, his sentences long and ill-constructed. Sermons written in a familiar conversational style, are often heard with a pleasure and profit which they seldom afford on reading. We have the testimony of living witnesses, that he was an acceptable, animated and searching preacher, and a faithful minister of the New Testament.
His creed partook of the orthodoxy of the day, and para- doxical as it may seem, he was a strenuous advocate for liberty of conscience and the rights of private judgment, and a bitter enemy to sectarians of every denomination. But his strongest aversions were against the Hopkinsians, with whom he had no intercourse, and whom he could hardly treat with civility.
His virtues were put to the severest test by the Whitefieldian spirit, that pervaded the country and interrupted the peace and order of the churches.
779
EARLY MINISTERS, PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS
Long and difficult was the work of devising and adopting a uniform system of church government and discipline. This work had just been accomplished by the wisdom and perserverence of the Fathers of the New England churches, which had enjoyed but a short peace; when a host of mushroom exhorters and lay preachers, who owed their origin to Mr. Whitefield, sprang up and made inroads upon the peace and order of Chrisitan societies and churches.
It is far from the intention of the writer to impeach the character, or call in question the motives of this eminent saint. His conduct in itinerating and preaching through a country, mostly formed into regular churches and societies, and furnished with stated pastors, is justly censurable, as contrary to the rules of the gospel, and subversive of the civil and religious peace of society, and of the order and edification of the churches.
From his example, powerful eloquence, and inflammatory zeal many settled ministers were induced to play the Bishop in another's diocese; and many illiterate persons to assume the office of itinerating preachers. By persons of this description many members of this church were seduced and beguiled from the simplicity and order of the gospel, to the great grief of their brethren and of their stated pastor. At one time we find no less than fifteen persons called before the church to answer to the charge of disorderly conduct and violation of covenant en- gagements in going after vagrant preachers and lay exhorters.
To deal with such persons so as to convert them from the error of their ways was a most difficult task, and required both patience, meekness, and wisdom. In several trials of this sort the virtues of Mr. Bridge shone conspicuously and triumphed over his enemies. During his ministry the church was frequently called to exercise its authority in disciplining its irregular mem- bers, and it rarely exerted it without the designed effect.
Much truth as well as keen satire is contained in his reply to the request of sundry persons to be dismissed from this church in order to unite with others in forming a church in Carlisle. "Twenty years," said he, "have I been grieved with that genera- tion. I give my most hearty consent to their dismission."
The time of his ministry was a very difficult and trying one in a pecuniary point of view. So great and sudden were the de- preciations of money, and so oppressive the burden of maintain- ing the Revolutionary war, and so many and great the embar- rassments lying upon the people after the attainment of their independence, that it is difficult to conceive of the straits to which the clergy were reduced.
Though the people were attentive to his wants and indulgent to his requests, yet considerable time must have necessarily elapsed before depreciations could be made up and necessary supplies granted.
780
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
In the commencement of the war with Great Britain and until the republication of Hutchinson's Letters in this country, he was a decided friend of the cause and interest of Great Britain. But after the perusal of these letters, he changed his opinion, and was ever after one of the most ardent supporters of the inde- pendence and liberties of the colonies; and his exertions greatly contributed to the union, zeal and patriotism of the inhabitants of the Town.
In 1783, April 9, he was called in divine providence to the painful bereavement of his consort.
She died in the sixty-fourth year of her age, after having accompanied him forty-one years in his pilgrimage, and partaken with him the afflictions and consolations of the gospel.
In 1791 he married Mrs. Joanna Abbott, relict of Dr. Nehemiah Abbott, who survived him several years. From this time his health and strength gradually failed. He continued however to preach with little interruption till a few weeks before his death, though with all mental and corporeal debility, incident to advanced age. After a long and useful ministry he was called to give an account of his stewardship, Oct. 1, 1792. The church erected a monument to his memory with the following appropriate Inscrip- tion :-
By the Church of Christ In CHELMSFORD In testimony of their esteem and veneration This sepulchral stone was erected, to stand as a sacred memorial of their late worthy Pastor The Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, who after having officiated among them in the service of the Sanctuary for more than a year above half a century, the strength of nature being exhausted, sunk under the burden of age and joined the congregation of the dead, Oct. 1, 1792, Æ. 78.
The children of Rev. Ebenezer Bridge were, Sarah, born July 23, 1742, married to Rev. Henry Cummings, D.D., of Billerica; Ebenezer, born April 23, 1744. (He represented Chelmsford in the General Court in 1786, and was for many years moderator of the Town meeting.); John, born Jan. 31, 1745/6; Elizabeth, July 1, 1748, died in infancy; Mary, Nov. 14, 1750, married to Mr. Timothy Winn of Woburn, now Burlington; William, Jan. 11, 1753, died July 13, 1826; Katherine, Feb. 16, 1755, died in infancy ; Lucretia, March 6, 1757, married to Dr. Walter Hastings, April 10, 1777.
Ebenezer, the oldest son received the honors of the Univer- sity at Cambridge in 1764. Soon after leaving college he went to Worcester, where he spent a year or more in teaching a public
781
EARLY MINISTERS, PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS
school. He then removed to Billerica and opened a store of E. and W. I. Goods. In 1775 he was chosen Col. of the 27th Reg. of Minute Men, which he commanded at the celebrated battle on Bunker's Hill, in which he received two slight wounds. In 1776 or 7 he was chosen Register of deeds of the county of Middlesex. From 1781 to 1800 he was chosen successively a senator in the Legislature of Massachusetts, and from 1783 to 1808 county treasurer. Jan. 25, 1787, he married the widow Mary Mountfort of Boston. She died Sept. 24th of that year.
He was a faithful guardian of the rights and liberties of his country, and a zealous promoter of the interest and welfare of his native Town. His numberous friends and acquaintances always found a cordial welcome and hospitable retreat at his house. He was respected abroad as a correct politician, and an enlightened, tried patriot, and esteemed at home for his public services and private virtues.
Twenty-nine octodecimo volumes of Mr. Bridge's manuscript sermons have been bound, and are now in the possession of Mr. Fred M. Fiske of Somerville.
At a General Town Meeting of ye Freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Chelmsford, regularly assembled on Tuesday ye 2d of December, 1740:
Voted & unanimously chose Mr. Ebenezer Bridge to be our Gospel minister amonge us.
Voted to continue ye former committee chosen by ye Town to discourse with Mr. Bridge in order for his settling among us and make report to ye Town for their farther consideration.
Voted to give Mr. Bridge one hundred and eighty pounds for his yearly salary provided Mr. Bridge becomes our settled minister in passable Bills of Credit of ye old tenner or any other money amonge us equivalent.
Voted to give Mr. Bridge four hundred pounds in bills of credit of ye old tener or equivalent thertoo for his settlement.
Later £20 a year in Province bills was added to his salary, and £100 "in Province bills of ye old tenour" to his settlement.
In his letter of acceptance "To the Inhabitants of the Town of Chelmsford" Mr. Bridge makes reference to their generous pro- vision "for my encouragement" (knowing that it is ordained of God that he that preaches ye Gospel shall live of ye Gospel) and says: "I do now declare my acceptance with your call, and as I trust ye call of Providence to me herein and my acceptance of your offers for my support and comfort among you, expecting that you make full payment at the expiration of two years from ye first day of November One Thousand & Seven Hundred & forty. And I chuse to take this opportunity to express my delight & satisfaction in ye peace, love & unanimity subsisting among you, which has greatly engaged me to you, and I earnestly
782
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
entreat you & each of you that you do in your respective places endeavour still to maintain and preserve it among you, as it will be a means of rendering me serviceable to you, by ye blessing of ye God of love and peace. And further one thing I beseech and intreat of you, that you would at all times when surrounding ye Throne of Grace for ye supply of your own wants bear me on your minds and pray to ye God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that I might be filled with ye gifts and graces of his good Spirit, that I might be thoroughly furnished to every good word and work, that you might by his Grace be my crown of rejoicing in ye day of ye Lord. And be assured that so long as God shall continue me in your service, I shall, relying on his gracious assist- ance, readily lay myself out to serve you & yours in ye Gospel of his dear Son.
ORDINATION OF MR. BRIDGE.
A committee was chosen to provide a place of public entertain- ment, and empowered to draw money out of the Town Treasury for that purpose. The galleries in the meeting house were strength- ened "that they may not be in danger of breaking down at the ordination."
The front gallery and the first four body seats were reserved "for the Council to sit in."
The ordination expenses amounted to £67:00:03.
During the pastorate of Ebenezer Bridge, 1741-1792, there were baptized 1,980 persons, of whom 48 were by other ministers. Messrs. Cumings, Ripley and Penniman baptized some here after Bridge's death. In the same period there were 965 burials.
He also records many marriages, which are included in the printed "Vital Records" of Chelmsford. For fees he received from half a dollar to sixty-five dollars in paper. In 1781 he received on one occasion "80 dollars Continental money as it is now called." It was the custom sometimes to give gloves. In 1760 were married John Winslow of Boston and Sarah Tyng of Dunstable. Mr. Bridge records that the fee was "a guinea and a pair of kid gloves for self and wife." "I prayed and Justice Fletcher pronounced them man and wife."
The Rev. Ebenezer Bridge died Oct. 1, 1792, intestate.
His son Ebenezer was administrator of the estate, and gave a bond for $10,000. Samuel Pitts, merchant, and Joseph Adams, yeoman, were sureties.
EARLY MINISTERS, PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS
783
INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE OF EBENEZER BRIDGE.
The Homestead including about fifteen acres of Land, with the dwelling house, Barn, Grist Mill and appurtenances thereto belonging .... £350.0.0 About seven acres of Fresh meadow. 50.0.0
1 Brown Cow. £3.6.0
1 Brindle do. 3.
1 Red do 2.17.0
1 Hog
2.5.0
2 pigs
1.0.7
1 Blk Walnut Desk
1.7.0
1 Writing do
7.6
8 Leather bottomed chairs. 1.8.0
1 Couch
7.0
1 Walnut Table
10.0
1
do do 12.0
5.0
1 pr cast Andirons
2.6
4 pr shovels & Tongs.
1.4.0
1 Warming pan 3.0
Candle moulds 3.0
1 pr small polished and- irons
8.0
1 Bell mettle skillett 1.3.0
1 pr small Iron andirons. . .
2.0
1 Brass do 3.0
1 pr large polished do 10.0
1 Trevet [trivet =tripod]
1.0
1 pr largest do do 6.0
1 Brass Chaffing Dish 2.0
1 Maple Table 10.0
1 pr Brass Candlesticks. 3.0
1 do do 5.0
3 Flat Irons. . 4.6
4 round back chairs & 2 cushions.
12.0
1 armed chair
5.0
14 do Plates
11.8
9 chairs
19.6
1 saddle
12.0
1 Watch
2.8.0
1 Candlestand
6.0
1 Large Brass Kettle 1.0.0
1 small do
6.0
5 red chairs
10.0
2 Iron Pots & a Dish Kettle
10.0
1 Blk framed Looking Glass
2.8.0
1 do
12.0
1 small do
1.0
1} Tuns English Hay 5.2.0
32 do Meadow do 4.4.0
1 Pitch Fork. 2.0
1 Hay Hook 1.0
1 Old Chaise 4.10.0
1 do &c .
1.4.0
Pictures 1.10.0
Books, Pamphlets, Maga- zines, &c. 15.16.1
38} plate £9.16.8 & 11 pwdt old Gold 58/8
12.15.4
Oliver Barron Josiah Fletcher, 3d
} Apprizers
Jonathan Williams
1 Sack bottomed Bedstead. 15.0
Wearing Apparel 3.6.0
1 Hat
15.0
2 Kitchen Tables 9.0
1 Jack 18.0
1 pr Tongs & a peal [peel= fire shovel]. 4.0
1 Gridiron
2.6
4 Trammels 10.0
1 Chaffing Dish 4.6
1 Toasting Iron 1.0
1 Watering pot. 3.0
1 Lanthorn 1.4
1 Ironing Box 1.0
3 Pewter Basons 4.6
5 do Dishes 12.0
Knives & Forks 4.0
Tin Ware. 4,0
1 Iron Spit 2.0
1 Ax 0.7
1 Chamber Table.
18.0
1 Bed, Bedding, Bedstead & Curtains
10.0.0
1 do &c
1.16.0
1 Blk Table. 5.0
1 Chest of Drawers 6.0
£487.19.9
£500.15.1
1 pr Tobacco Tongs.
2.0
1 pine do
784
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
SELECTED ITEMS FROM THE DIARY OF THE REV. EBENEZER BRIDGE (CONDENSED.)
1749. March 4. This year entered upon ye 34 year of my age.
O, my barrenness, [Resolves to lead a more consecrated life.]
Sept. 13. Col. Sampson Stoddard received his commission as Lieut. Colonel yesterday.
Oct. 18. Daniel Lock, a most violent Newlight. I was not asked to attend the funeral of his child.
Nov. 10. Reproved my people for some late disorders, fightings and quarrellings in drunken fits at the tavern.
Dec. 12. I set out for Boston in company with Rev. Mr. Hall. My horse failed me and I had a fall from him; thro' Divine Goodness received no hurt.
1750. Jan. 31. Benj. Howard heard lately of the death of his son Timo. at Halifax, N. S.
May 8. Last night began to anoint for ye Itch, and kept house this day.
9. And also this day. Filthy work!
10. Washed and became a little more comfortable.
11. Rode out p. m. a little for ye air, but weak.
July 16. Took a little diversion at fishing.
Aug. 8. Exceedingly engaged and fatigued in Haying.
17. Discoursed with - - about their intemperance for which bap- tism was denied their child. The church expects public confession.
1751. Jan. 3. Dropped the preparatory lecture because it was poorly attended. Communicants went to tavern, much frolicking and disorder among young people.
Jan. 22 (1750/1). This morning a very high wind wch blew down several buildings, and much rain.
Feb. 7. This evening was presented to me a handsome gown. This bountyful gift of sundry women of ye town I am utterly unworthy of, but I hope their goodness - will stir me to fidelity in ye service of ye souls of all my people.
March 4. Prayed in Town meeting and supped with the selectmen at Parker's.
May 8. Discoursed with Gershom Proctor's wife. She expressed her sorrow for some of her conduct as a Newlight, and particularly asked me to forgive her in matters relating to her conduct toward me. She had absented herself from the Lord's Table this 7 years past.
15. I visited Col. Tyng and dined there with my sister Elizabeth and my daughter Sally.
Sept. 16. Baptized Mary, wife of Andrew Betty, dau. of Dr. Tucker, who was an Anabaptist, so was not baptized in infancy.
1752. Feb. 15. Received a visit from Master Minot and his armour- bearer.
March 12. Received letter from committee of ye Ancient and Honorable Co. Chosen to deliver Election Sermon. I am truly sorry and should be glad ever to be freed from such public appearances. (He preached June 1, and dined with the Company in Faneuil Hall.)
15. This day, answering to ye 4th of March, O. S., is my birthday.
Sept. 2. Here according to Act of Parliament eleven days are to be left out this month, and from ye 2d we go to ye fourteenth, according to New Style.
Mr. Waterman and Mr. Mayo, a Virginia man, both from London, here on a visit.
Oct. 20. A Barbacue in Dracut.
Dec. 11. Rev. and Ven. Bishop Hancock's funeral in Lexington. He attended with Col. Clarke and Col. Stoddard.
1753. May 3. Visited brother Benjamin and Mr. Mather in Boston.
Sept. 20. Conveyed all of my Dear Honored Father's estate to Mr. Nath. Barker, Jr. of Boston for £800= £6000. old Tenor. Abigail Howard, his maid, received £35. a year = £4.13.4 lawful money).
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EARLY MINISTERS, PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS
1754. Jan. 7. Exceedingly hurried, Killing hogs.
Feb. 1. Smoked a pipe with ye Selectmen at Jno. Parker's tavern.
March 12. Smoked a pipe at Col. Stoddard's with Mr. Downe of Lunen- burgh. 18. Busy contriving with some neighbors for a private school in ye middle town.
June 2. Lord's Day. After meeting, Dr. Robie and Mr. Prescott came and smoked a pipe with me.
July 7. Lord's Day. Sacrament. Was obliged to desire Sarah, wife of John Burge, to withdraw, she being one of the followers of Hyde, the Separatist speaker.
(Refused to baptize child of Israel Proctor, for the same reason.)
(In several instances contributions were made of money, rye, flax, and hay, for a man who had lost by fire.)
Nov. 5. At Boston. Met with Mr. Whitefield who had been preaching about considerable, and this morning preached a farewell sermon to the Town of Boston.
1755. April 26. Boston. Took leave of Brother John going on the Expedition to Nova Scotia.
May 14. Dined at Rev. Mr. Parker's (of Dracut) and went with him and Mr. Foxcroft of Cambridge to ye fishing place yt side of ye River. (The fishing place on the Chelmsford side was a favorite resort of Mr. Bridge.)
15. Dined at Col. Stoddard's in company with Judge Russell, Judge Danforth, Rev. Mr. Parker and divers others. Messrs. Danforth, Foxcroft, Jr., Col. Stoddard and Justice Fletcher supped with me.
23. Preached at ye house of Ben. Proctor to his aged mother from Jno. 16.33., last clause.
June 11. Israel Proctor was buried about 1 o'clock by agreement he was to have been buried at 9 a. m. & I tarried from minister's meeting at Nottingham to attend ye funeral at ye meeting-house, but was treated ill, in their improving Hyde, ye Separate teacher to pray at ye house, & when yy came to Town desired me to pray wth em which I refused & so I could not go to Nottingham.
18. Visited Jona. Barron who is going off in ye Expedition to Crown Point tomorrow, & is made a Lieut. in ye Army. Prayed with ye Soldiers going off to Crown Point.
July 30. Married Oliver Barron to Abigail Prockter fee a dollar.
Aug. 4. This morning two men, a Raymond and a Fletcher, ye Comttee of the District of Carlisle, came to me to enquire about ye Petitioners to ye Gen. Court to be set off from us and annexed to em. I told em some were in good standing with this Chh., but ye bulk of em were Separates under Hyde, ye lay exhorter, and tho' not under a formal censure by vote of ye Church, were debarred of enjoyment of special ordinances while yy continue in a state of separation.
28. Fast Day on acct of war. After ye defeat of Gen. Braddock's army at ye Ohio, & by reason of our forces gone to Niagara & Crown Point. I preached all day from Ps. 60. 9-12.
Sept. 2. Went fishing to meadw p. m.
15. A general muster of companies thro the Province to raise men to reinforce army at Crown Point. Spent evening at Parker's with officers. This day ye news came of ye engagement between Gen. Johnson's army & * ye French & Indians, in wch Johnson's army came off conquerors * * A signal mercy * * *
25. Visited the wife of Jona. Barron, as I did yesterday towards night, upon a flying report of her husband being killed in the battle agt. the enemy on ye way to Crown Point.
26. Visited Mrs. Barron this morning upon the acct. of her hearing more news of her husband being killed, & discoursed with her. Prayed at Parker's with a company going off to Crown Point, Captain Butterfield of Dunstable.
786
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
27. Visited Widow Parker upon a flying report of her son being killed in the fight under Gen. Johnson, so upon the same acct. visited wife of Jacob Parker.
30. Visited Mrs. Barron, who this day is certified of the death of her husband in the late battle with our enemies in the way toward Crown Point, by an extract of a letter of Maj. Nichols (to his wife), who also was wounded in the same engagement. I discoursed with her again, & endeavored to comfort her.
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