History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 120

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 120

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From a subsequent vote it may be inferred that the support voted to Mr. Roby was not entirely satisfac- tory to him; we give verbatim the second vote, July 2, 1750 :

" Voted, That if Mr. Joseph Roby accepts our Invitation and settles in the work of the ministry in this parish, his whole Salery as suport an- nually to innable him to Carry on the work of the ministry in said Parish shall be as followeth : The improvement of a suitable House and Barn standing in a suitable place, Pasturing and sufficient Winter Meet for two cows and one Horse, the Winter Meet put in his Barn, the in - provement of two Acres of land suitable te plant, and to be kept well fenced, Thirty Pounds in lawful Silver money at six shillings and eight pence per ounce. Twenty cords at his Dore and the lose contribution. And also the Following Articles or se much money as will purchase them, viz., Sixty Bushels of Indian Corn, Forty-ene Bushels of Rye, Six Hundred Pounds wait of Pork and Eight Hundred and Eighty-eight Pounds wait of Beefe, and that the Salery er annual Supert as abeve expressed shall begin at the time of Mr. Roby's giving his answer of Ex- ceptance, and continnes so long as he continueth in the Work of the ministry amongst us, Said Parish Reserving the Term of one year and six months from the time of his giving his answer of Exceptance to erect complete and finish the House and Barn above mentioned."

Mr. Joseph Roby finally concluded to cast his lot with the resolute and benevolent little band which constituted the West Parish of Lynn. Although a Boston man by birth, he nevertheless met his hum- ble and rustic friends with becoming dignity of char- acter. We give his letter of acceptance :

" BOSTON, July 25th, 1730.

" Hon'd and Beloved Brethren :- I am obliged to you for the respect yon have shown me in the call you have given me to settle with you in the work of the ministry ameng yeu, and am extremely sorry that any diffi- culties have in time past prevented the accomplishing an affair so agree- able to you as well as myself. It is with freedom and much satisfaction that I now declare my acceptance of your call, hoping that an event so important to you and me will he overruled in great favor to each. I presume yon will always consider my circumstances, and kindly supply my wants as there may be occasion. I hope we shall have an interest in

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each other's affection, and that your love to me and mine to you may abound-that we shall live together in peuce, und that the God of love and peace may dwell among us and bless us continually. I ask your prayers to God for me, and God forbid that I should cease praying for you, that the blessings of heaven may be your portion and that of your children after you, and that n preached gospel may be te yon the power of salvation. I am, honored und dear brethren,

" Yours affectionately, " JOSEPH ROBY. " To the Third Church and Parish in Lynn."

Already in March, 1750, a house and barn, with thirty-three acres of land, had been purchased of John Hutchinson for three hundred pounds currency (about nine hundred dollars), for a parsonage and parsonage lands. In 1780 we find the first mention of dollars and cents-as then written, "dolers and sents." Pounds were fast becoming obsolete, their value hav- ing so depreciated that in the latter part of their use the parish voted eight hundred pounds, instead of the less sum, which appears in the settlement stipulation.

Between the minister's salary, house and barn, til- lage land and pasture, wood and hay, corn and rye, beef and pork, which all had to have particular care every year, to which may be added the care of the church, the collections of rates, the building and taking up of pews, the establishing of horse-sheds, the fencing of burying ground, the building and keep- ing of pound, the establishing and providing for a school, with almost everything else that appertains to civilized life, it well may be judged that parish meet- ings were no dull or stale affairs. An old and some- what amusing practice prevailed of recording the names of dissenters to a vote. For instance, Josiah Rhodes might dissent about the providing pork for the minister, and would at once request his name re- corded as dissenting.

" Parson Roby," as he was familiarly called, had now been settled over a half-century. Peace and love had marked all his intercourse with his people. In July, 1802, the loved pastor, who had always enjoyed the best health, was suddenly attacked with disease while in his pulpit. He was taken therefrom to his home, never more to resume the duties so long and so faithfully discharged. In August a meeting was held on the matter, and Joseph Emerson was employed as a substitute for a few weeks. Thus matters went on, several ministers supplying till January 31, 1803, when the aged pastor died. The record reads thus : " January 31st, 1803, the Rev. Joseph Roby departed this life, in the 80th year of his life and the 53d of his ministry, and was buried the 4th day of February, at the expense of the parish." The following is the in- scription on his gravestone, still standing in the old burying-ground :

" Sacred to the memory of the Revd Joseph Roby, who departed this life Jany. 31st, 1803, in the 80th year of his age and 53d of his ministry in this Parish.

"Through life a lover of learning and virtue, a sincere friend, a kind and affectionate husband and parent, and a devoted Christian.

" By n constant practice of the Christian and social virtues, ho ren- dered himself greatly belovedl and respected in the various walks of do- mestic life. Reader, would'st thou be honored in Ilfo and lamented at death, go and de likewise.

" No pain, no grief, no anxious fear Invade these bounds ; no mortal woes

Can reach the peaceful sleeper here Whilst angels watch his soft repose.

So Jesus sleeps, God's dying Son, Past thro' the grave and blest the bed.

Then rest, dear Saint, till from his throne The morning break and pierce the shude."

In April, 1804, the church and parish gave a call to Rev. William Frothingham - his letter of accept- ance was dated June 2, 1804, from which we give an extract :

"The office to which you have called me is greatly important and sel- emn. It is to be an embassader of Christ to men-to be entrusted with the word of reconciliation-to be a guide and instrneter in matters of eternal moment to you-to watch for your souls as one that minst give an account-to be your spiritual steward, appointed to give every one his meat in due season-to be a worker together with Christ. How sacred an office ! What peculiar talents, what spiritual graces are necessary to the right discharge of it !"

He was installed September 26, 1804. Mr. Froth- ingham continued as minister for thirteen years, until dismissed at his own request, May 7, 1817. The par- ish had become weaker through the withdrawal of several prominent members and other causes, and so were unable to support Mr. Frothingham-he left his charge with grief and the society parted with him with deep regret.

The parish voted the pulpit free to ministers of any denomination, no expenses being made to the parish. This state of things existed for three or four years, and very little was done to promote harmony of action.

From 1821 to 1826 Rev. Joseph Emerson and Rev. Hervey Wilbur, being principals of the Saugus Fe- male Seminary, also generally supplied the parish pulpit.

This year, 1826, began that conflict of opinions which finally resulted in dividing the society. The Trinitarian and Unitarian elements could no longer coalesce.

Through the great influence of Dr. Abijah Cheever, the Rev. Ephraim Randall, a strict Unitarian, was in- stalled minister October 3, 1826. His pastorate was short-lived, lasting until the following autumn in 1827, when it was dissolved and the parish left again destitute.

The controversy became bitter. From 1827 to 1832 very little was done,-occasional preaching in the old church, rarely orthodox, but more frequently Univer- salist and Unitarian.

In 1832 the Calvinistic members of the parish, see- ing no prospect of ever gaining the ascendancy in the parish again, formally withdrew and organized a new society. This left the old parish in a crippled con- dition, which lasted up to 1836.

In the winter of 1835-36 the members of the old parish waked up and began a general repairing and remodeling the inside of the old church, which had now been built one hundred years.

The old high-backed latticed pews were removed, also the venerable pulpit with the souuding board,

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also the deacons' seat, and the galleries on the south and east sides, leaving a small gallery on the west end for the singers.

The broad south porch did not escape, but was torn down and its doors closed, the only entrance now be- ing on the west side. Such was the change that the old church could scarcely be recognized.

The first minister after the renovation was Rev. John Nichols. After Mr. Nichols the pulpit was sup- plied from 1838 to 1848 by Benjamin F. Newhall, Esq., James M. Usher and others.

In 1850 Rev. Josiah Marvin was settled and con- tinued till 1852.

From 1852 to 1857, preaching by Rev. Henry Eaton, Sylvanus Cobb, D.D., Rev. J. W. Talbot and Hon. James M. Usher.

From 1857 to 1859, supplied by Rev. J. H. Campbell

It was at this time that most of the parish property was sold. In 1858 some movement was made for a new church. Soon the old parish church was sold for about two hundred and forty-two dollars to Miss Eliza Townsend, who removed the church to the northerly side of Main Street, near by, and made it into a store with dwelling above. The site of the old church was sold for five hundred and seventy dollars.

In 1860 a new church was built and dedicated in the autumn of the same year. It was located a few hun- dred feet west of the old site, at the corner of Main and Summer Streets, where it is now standing with its modest spire. An outside clock on its tower gives the time of day to observers.

Since 1860 the pulpit has been supplied as follows : From 1860 to 1861 by Rev. Benjamin W. Atwill ; 1862 to 1865 by Rev. J. H. Campbell; 1866 to 1873 by Rev. Thomas J. Greenwood ; 1875 to 1876 by Rev. Albert W. Whitney ; 1876 to 1878 by Rev. Thomas W. Iliman; 1878 to 1884 by Rev. Charles A. Skinner ; 1885 to April, 1887, Rev. J. H. McInerney. In June, 1887, Rev. Irving W. Tomlinson is engaged to supply for one year.

Having brought the old parish history down to the present time, let us return to that portion of the old parishioners who, although claiming to be the true successors in doctrine of the old parish church, were yet by the laws of the State made the seceders. being in the minority.

In 1832 the Calvinistic members of the parish formed a society and first held separate services in the seminary building, which stood on the parish prop- erty.

Law was resorted to by the old parish, and they were finally driven out from this building and went to the public school-house.

This rupture or secession from the old society was led by Joseph Emes, David Newhall and George Pearson. Their first pastor was Rev. Sidney Hol- man, who was installed January 16, 1833, and dis- missed December 31, 1834. From this time till May, 1836, there was not a settled minister.

Worship was regularly maintained however, the lay brethren reading sermons and otherwise assisting in the services.

On May 1, 1836, Rev. Moses Sawyer commenced to supply the pulpit, and continued his ministry for six years.

On April 19, 1843, Rev. Theophilus Sawin was or- dained pastor, and was dismissed April 30, 1848.

Rev. Cyrus Stone, a returned missionary from India, now supplied for a few years, and Rev. Levi Brigham was installed May 7, 1851, and continued until September, 1868.

On March 10, 1869, Rev. F. V. Tenney was installed, and by his request was dismissed May 24, 1877.

On April 17, 1878, Rev. Samuel T. Kidder was or- dained, and continued until October, 1879.

On July 21, 1880, Rev. Edw. L. Chute was installed and continued until October, 1882.

Rev. C. H. Washburn supplied in 1885 until 1886, when he was followed in Juue by Rev. M. S. Hemen- way, who supplied the pulpit for one year, and at the present time (1887) the society is without a settled pastor.

This society built their first church in 1835, Joseph Emes, Esq., being the chief planner and manager. This was a stone church of very plain appearance, and is still standing (1887), although occupied as a grocery-store and post-office.

The society worshipped in this stone church until 1854, when they built a larger and more commodious church edifice, which still stands, and is a command- ing structure in this portion of the town. Originally, as designed by Arthur Gilman, architect, it had no vestry under the audience-room, but in 1871 the society raised the whole building, with its tower, and built under the same a vestry story.

While this gave the society better accommodations, it most certainly injured its excellent proportions and took much away from its former beauty.

THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH .- Methodism first gained a settlement in that part of the town now known as East Saugus, but then as the South Ward.

Jesse Lee, the pioneer Methodist preacher from the New York Conference, came to Lynn in Decem- ber, 1790, and a church was built in Lynn in June, 1791.

Some of our inhabitants were attracted to these Methodist services, which brought to their hearts an earnestness and a consecration which they had not found in the more formal and cold services of the parish church.

Whole families were in the habit of walking down to the Methodist services on Sabbath mornings, carry- ing their luncheon with them, and returning at night.

We find that as early as 1810 members came up from the Lynn Church and held prayer-meetings in the old Rock School-house, so-called. This school- house, which proved to be the cradle of Methodism

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in Saugus, deserves rather more than a passing notice.

The spot where this famous school-house stood is plainly to be seen to-day, although the house has long since disappeared.

It stood on the eastern brow of the rocky hill on the old Boston road, now called Lincoln Avenue, opposite to what was formerly the old Anchor Tav- ern. The spot was many feet above the level of the street, and being rocky and comparatively worthless, it was thought just the place for a school-house, and so here it was built in 1806.

Every one who entered must needs climb up a steep ascent and then ascend the long flight of steps into its side porch.

The building was abont twenty-four feet square, one story high, with hipped roof. On the southerly side was a porch about six feet square, from which an aisle six feet wide ran through the middle of the house north and south. At the north end of the aisle stood the teacher's desk upon a raised platform : in the middle of the aisle stood a large, capacious cast- iron box-stove.

From this central aisle three narrow passages on each side sloped up to the sides of the house; between these passage ways ran long desks or forms for the accommodation of the 'scholars, each tier being higher than the one in front.

In 1838, a new school-house having been built, the old Rock School-house was sold, and during the at- tempt to remove it from its elevated plateau some accident occurred by which it was precipitated into the street below; this necessitated its demolition.

It was in this building that the Methodist services were held for many years, beginning about 1810 and continuing until their new church was built, in 1827. Among the early converts were Solomon Brown, John Shaw, Amos Stocker and Joseph S. Newhall -- men who proved themselves worthy to uphold the banner of the cross amid the increasing opposition.

It was not long, in 1815, before Edward T. Taylor, then an illiterate young man, traveling as an itinerant peddler, found a place in this school-house to begin his preaching, which afterwards became so famous. About 1818 this occasional preaching-place was joined to the Malden Circuit, and among the preachers were Orlando Hinds, Isaac Jennison, Aaron D. Sar- gent, Frederick Upham, Jotham Horton, Leonard Frost, Eleazer Steel, Aaron Wait, Jr., and Warren Emerson. As the converts increased they were formed into a class and were first connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lynn Common. The winter of 1819 and 1820 was a period of great reli- gious interest; hardly a family in this village but shared in some measure in the work.

The first written church records begin in June, 1825, when Rev. Henry Mayo was the Conference preacher in charge.

Hfc was appointed by the Conference June 6,

1824. For this year there was a subscription for his support of one hundred dollars, made up by forty- eight subscriptions ranging from five dollars down to forty-two cents.

Of this amount twenty-five dollars was contributed by friends in Lynnfield ; also twelve dollars and twenty- two cents by the " Honorable Mite Society." This was a woman's society which met once a month at different houses for conversation and prayer and pay- ment of dues. This money was expended in the fol- lowing manner :

Presiding elder's bill $8.92

Preacher's traveling expenses 2.50

The table expenses 18.75

Quarterage . 69.83

$100.00

The record of the names of the members of the church, as made by Henry Mayo June 4, 1825, is headed by Solomon Brown, and contains sixteen males and thirty-seven females, with twenty-five on probation. The First Quarterly Conference met in the South School-house (also called the Rock School- house), June 4, 1825.

The following official members were present: Ed- ward Hyde, presiding elder ; Henry Mayo, preacher in charge; John Shaw and Joshua Howard, stewards ; and Solomon Brown and Joseph S. Newhall, class- leaders. At this meeting Jonathan Newhall and Joseph G. Goldthwait were added to the stewards.

FORMATION OF A PARISH.

"SAUGUS, June 30, 1825.

"Ata meeting of the inhabitants of Lyon and Sangus convened in said Sangus, it was voted first that we formo ourselves into a society, to be called the 'First Methodist Episcopal Society in Sangus.' Second, that we petition William Jackson, Esq., a Justice of the Peace in and for the Connty of Essex, to grant a warrant calling a Legal meeting of the members of said Society, for the purpose of choosing officers and transacting such other business as may be found proper."

PETITION AT LARGE.

" SAUGUS, June 30, 1825.

" To William Jackson, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Essex :

"We, the undersigned Petitioners, at a meeting held in Saugns, Voted to organize ourselves into a Society called the First Methodist Society in Saugus, and we would therefore beg leave to request you to issue a war- rant calling a legal meeting of the members of said Society, for the pur- pose of choosing officers and transacting such other business as shall come before the meeting.

" John Shaw. Benj. P. Oliver.

Benj. F. Newhall. . Benj. B. Hitchings.

Jona. Newhall. Levi D. Waldron.

Jos. G. Goldthwait. G. W. Ruddin.

Solomon Brown. James IToward.

Edmund Brown. Stephen Smith.

James Hall. Joshna Howard."

The warrant, as requested, was issued by William Jackson, Esq., July 15, 1825, and the legal meeting of the First Methodist Episcopal Society in Saugus was held at the Rock School-house on July 25, 1825, when John Shaw was chosen moderator, Benjamin F. Newhall secretary and parish clerk, Joshua Howard treasurer, and John Shaw, James Howard, Stephen Smith, Jonathan Newhall and Joshua Howard a com-

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mittee. The yearly meeting was to be held on the first Wednesday in March, annually, at 7 o'clock, P.M.

This gave to the society a legal status.

Rev. Henry Mayo saw the church organized in all its departments and well started in its long career of service. That the church should have started at this time with so much matured strength clearly indicates that there had been for years previous a great deal of labor put forth in the interest of Methodism. This was the case, as has already been mentioned.

Many of our people had formed a congenial reli- gious home with the Lynn Common Methodist Church, had become members therein and had at- tached themselves to a " class," which met in East Saugus.

The following are the successive pastorates :

1:24. Rev. Henry Mayo. 1825. Rev. Leroy Sunderland. 1826-27. Rev. Aaron Joselyn.

1828. Rev. Nathan Paine. 1829. Rev. Ephraim K. Avery. 1830. Rev. John J. Bliss. 1831. Rev. Hiram H. White. 1832. Rev. Ebenezer Blake. 1833. Rev. Joel Steele. 1834. Rev. John Lord.

1835. Rev. Lewis Bates.

1836. Rev. Newell S. Spalding. 1837-38. Rev. Sanford S. Benton. 1839-40. Rev. Daniel K. Bannis- ter. 1841-42. Rev. Jona. D. Bridge.

1843-44. Rev. William Rice. 1845-46. Rev. Isaac A. Savage. 1847-48. Rev. Edward Cook. 1849. Rev. Wm. M. Mann.

1850-51. Rev. Daniel K. Bannis- ter. 1852. Rev. J. A. Adams. 1853-54. Rev. Ralph W. Allen. 1855-56. Rev. Wm. H. Hatch. IS57-58. Rev. Daniel Richards. 1859-60. Rev. Jonas M. Clark. 1861-62. Rev. Cyrus L. Eastman. 1863-64. Rev. Daniel Richards. 1865. Rev. Thomas Marcy. 1866-68. Rev. Pliny Wood. 1869-71. Rev. Jesse Wagner. 1872-73. Rev. M. B. Chapman. 1874-76. Rev. Saml. Jackson. 1877-78. Rev. P. M. Vinton. 1879-81. Rev. Henry J. Fox, D.D. 1882-83. Rev. W. N. Richardson. 1884-86. Rev. David S. Coles. 1887. Rev. Geo. W. Mansfield.

At a meeting of the society held in the Rock School-house April 17, 1827, it was unanimously voted " to proceed immediately to erect a House of Wor- ship for this society." Rev. Aaron Joselyn, George Makepeace and John T. Burrill was a committee to obtain subscriptions for the new church.

Accordingly, the work on their first church at once commenced, and was carried forward to completion with commendable dispatch, so that its dedication took place November 22, 1827.

This church was of very modest appearance, forty- six by forty feet, without spire or tower, bell or ves- try. It contained forty pews and cost two thousand dollars. Its pulpit was high above the pews and was reached by two flights of stairs, at the head of which were doors through which to enter the box pulpit.

The church stood on the same spot where now stands the second church.

This edifice served the society until 1842, when it was lengthened by adding about twenty feet on the back end and building a basement vestry under the same. Twenty-two new pews were thus obtained, and fifteen hundred dollars spent. Rev. Jonathan D. Bridge was then pastor and much religious interest prevailed.

In 1854 the society sold their first church, and it was removed to the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Wendell Street, where it still stands under the name of Waverly Hall.

Active measures were taken in building their sec- ond church on the old spot, and iu the meantime ser- vices were held iu the school-house and in the old church.

The vestry of the new church was dedicated De- cember 3, 1854, and public dedication services of the entire church were held February 22, 1855. Sermon by Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes.

In 1875 the exterior of the church edifice was thor- oughly repaired, and the main roof and spire were slated.

In 1880 the interior was improved by stained-glass windows, new pulpit with enlarged platform and al- tar, frescoing, carpets and upholstering.

In 1835 the society built a parsonage just north of the church. It was a modest one-and-a-half-story dwelling, which made a home for the successive pas- tors until 1871, when the parsonage was sold and re- moved, and a new one was erected on the old site. This cost about four thousand five hundred dollars, and is still standing. It was built during the pastor- ate of Rev. Jesse Wagner, who raised sufficient money among this people to pay for its erection.

A flourishing Sunday-school has always been con- nected with this church, and even as early as 1819 we find a Sunday-school formed. George Makepeace was the first superintendent, succeeded by Harriet Newhall, Miss Brigdon, James Burrill, Fales New- hall, Martin W. Brown, George H. Sweetser, Joseph C. Hill, James S. Oliver, Alvah Philbrook, Rufus A. Johnson, Horace Lovering and Wilbur F. Newhall, who is the present superintendeut, having held the same office since 1865, with the exception of two intervening years.

This church continues to be the only one in East Saugus.

CLIFTONDALE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The Methodist Episcopal Society of Cliftondale was organized March 20, 1856. There had been preach- ing, however, a part of each Sabbath by Rev. R. W. Allen during 1854 and every Sabbath by James Blod- gett during 1855.

The new society at first held its services in the un- finished room in the school house, now the grammar school room. In 1857 a chapel-a plain, but substan- tial, structure-was built, and in December of the same year was dedicated to the purposes of Christian worship.

The first pastor was Rev. James Blodgett, a local preacher, who died a few years since. He was fol- lowed, in turn, by Revs. George F. Poole, who re- mained as pastor from 1856 to 1859 ; Solomon Chapin, 1859-61; John S. Day, 1861-63 ; Daniel Waite, 1863-

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 120

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538