History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 165

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 165

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

594

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

where he became a stated supply for five years. Then he returned home to Plaistow, where he was installed and continued five years more. His people were de- votedly attached to him, but ill health forced his res- ignation. Before coming here he preached awhile on Cape Ann, that the climate might help his complaint. His salary here was $300. Our older people remem- ber him with affection.

REV. JOHN P. TYLER came here probably in the fall of 1834. He continued through the winter; a schism resulted.

REV. JAMES W. SHEPHERD followed. He proved a physician, indeed. After service, May 24, 1835, he asked the church to remain. The question of the schism was discussed, and the 30th instant was agreed upon as a day of fasting and prayer. The day was duly observed and the church voted a Public Confes- sion, on the first Sabbath in June, when accordingly all but two males and one female stood forth in and made public confession." In 1835 three males and four females became members.

REV. SAMUEL HARRIS was the stated supply in 1836. In this year eight males and one female joined. Mr. Harris' father, Deacon Jacob, was a na- tive of this town and born in 1741. Samuel studied divinity with Rev. Seth Payson, D.D. (1809), of Ringe, N. H. He was ordained and installed at Windham, N. H., in 1805. He lost the use of his voice, and was dismissed in 1826, after a long and useful pastorate. A partial recovery permitted a lim- ited parochial service, and he preached in several places, including this parish. He died at Windham September 5, 1848, aged seventy-four years. He had twelve children ; ten were learned, influential and useful citizens; five of the six sons were profession- ally educated.

REV. MOSES DOW was born in Atkinson, N. H., February 4, 1771. He studied in part at the Atkin- son Academy, and prepared to enter Dartmouth Col- lege. He studied divinity with Rev. Jonathan French, of Andover. He married Miss Hannah Knight, of Atkinson, and had two daughters and one son, who died at the ages of forty-one, forty and forty- fonr respectively.

He was settled over the First Church, York, Maine, November 9, 1815. Rev. Benjamin Wads- worth, of Danvers, preached the installing sermon, and said,-" We are not strangers to Mr. Dow. We have long known him. We have loved and esteemed him. We believe him to be an able and faithful, a discreet and devoted minister of Christ." He was di-missed in 1829, and he removed to Hampton Falls, N. H., " where he supplied the pulpit, and also in the adjoining town of Kensington." In the spring of 1833 he removed to Plaistow, N. H., and preached in several pulpits, including this. He died at Plais- tow, of paralysis, May 9, 1837.

REV. FRANCIS WELCHI was the stated supply from 1838 to 1842. He was son of Joseph Welch, a

farmer, of Hampstead, N. H., where he was born March 30, 1805. Rev. Moses Welch above and Rev. Francis Welch, of Amesbury, were his uncles, and sons of Joseph Welch, of Plaistow, who was a colonel in the Revolution. They were lineal descendants of Philip Welch, who was kidnapped in Ireland, and sold in Ipswich as a slave for twenty-nine pounds in corn or cattle in 1654; and Samuel Welch, of Bow, N. H., who was a grandson of Philip, and who died at the age of one hundred and twelve years and seven months, was Rev. Moses' great-uncle.

Francis studied at the Hampton Academy and in Bowdoin College. He was approved a minister by the Haverhill Association May 15, 1833. He preached at Brentwood, N. H., where he was ordained, at Perry, Maine, and in this pulpit. He has for many years resided upon his farm in Topsfield. He mar- ried, April 4, 1839, Miss Harriet Atwood Conant, daughter of William, Esq., and Mrs. Ruth Conant, of this parish. She was born March 9, 1818, and died at Topsfield October 22, 1886. She had ten children ; nine survive her, one of whom is a lawyer in St. Paul, Minn.

In 1838 and 1839 six males and four females became members, which made the membership between forty and fifty ; from 1840 to 1843, inclusive, one male and five females.

REV. JACOB COGGIN followed and continued till 1848. He preached the last sermon in the old meet- ing-house, and also the dedicatory sermon in the new house, Rev. Isaac Braman making the prayer.

Mr. Coggin was born in Woburn September 5, 1781, to Jacob Coggin, who graduated at Harvard College in 1761, and became a teacher by profession, though he sometimes preached. Jacob, the son, graduated at Harvard College in 1803, studied divin- ity with his pastor, Rev. Joseph Chickering, of Wo- burn, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Tewksbury October 22, 1806, and continued in that relation till his death, serving the last years as senior pastor.

He represented his town in the State Legislature two successive years; he was a member of the con- vention called to revise the State Constitution in 1853; he was a Presidential elector in 1852; was an inspector of the State Almshouse from its institution, and the chaplain there till his death, from congestion of the lungs, December 12, 1854, at the age of sev- enty-three.

Mr. Coggin was one of the acceptable preachers of his day, sound in doctrine and faithful in its presenta- tion. He was a careful, wise, social and beloved pastor. He was the author of the Ladies' Benevolent Society here, the fruit of whose earnest, meritorious work furnished the new church in 1848-a society which, after some years' relapse, was revived in the acting pastorate of Rev. Joseph W. Healy. The writer, then a mere lad, now well remembers the tall, erect, manly form of that servant of God, as he

595

IPSWICH.

ascended the pulpit stairs, and his polite and genial manner in his visits. His labors here covered a pe- riod of some three or four years and were blessed. In the years 1840 to 1843, inclusive, one male and five females became members, and from 1844 to 1852, inclusive, eight males and sixteen females.

REV. ELIPHALET BIRCHARD was the first minister to occupy the new church edifice. He preached here while an undergraduate at the Andover Theological Seminary, and, after completing his course there, be- came the stated supply here. He was born in Leb- anon, Conn., January 21, 1812, and died there Sep- tember 20, 1854. He was always an invalid; he called his affliction rheumatism, but it ended in con- sumption. He was a great sufferer, but patient and hopeful. His parents were Arial and Abigail-Met- calf Birchard. He had a brother, Rev. William Metcalf Birchard, born February 14, 1810, died March 20, 1883, and a sister, Abbie Correlia. He graduated at Harvard in 1843. This church voted February 24, 1849, to call him to settle on a salary of four hundred dollars. He did not accept. He drafted a government for the Church, which was adopted May 28, 1849. In 1850 Rev. James Gala- gher, a revivalist, labored with Mr. Birchard, and there was a very general awakening. Many indulged a hope; but only fonr joined the Church. In 1850 there was a membership of fifty-six. He remained here about three years, and afterwards preached at Andover, Conn. In the pulpit he was serious, awak_ ening and effective, and left a very desirable im- pression upon the people; he was excellent in visit- ations, a reliable spiritual counselor and a firm friend.

REV. WILLARD HOLBROOK and his wife joined this church April 14, 1851. He began to preach here some time before, and remained about four years. A sketch of him properly belongs to Rowley history. He was one of those noble spiritual workers whom this church must hold in grateful remembrance,- Tullar, Holbrook, Kimball and Dana,-names to be respected everywhere, but here to be revered for their labors, advice and prayers.

REV. JOSEPH WARREN HEALY, M.D., D.D., LL.D., was, by this church, made a life-member of the For- eign Missionary Society, April 10, 1856. He then had been preaching here probably about six months. He was at the time the enterprising, able and popular principal of the Topsfield Academy. This church under his guidance enjoyed a period of harmony and prosperity, and grew in numbers and healthful strength. He remained about three years.

He was horn in South Hero, Vt., April 11, 1827, to Nathaniel and Jane-Tabor Healy. He fitted for col- lege at Newbury Seminary and Bradford Academy, Vt. He graduated at the University of Vermont in 1852. He was principal of the Bath Academy, N. H., and afterwards of the Topsfield Academy. He at- tended lectures at the Andover Theological Semi-

nary, aud was licensed by the Salem Congregational Association. After supplying this pulpit, he preached at Royalston, Gardner and Walpole. Then removing to the West, he preached six years in Milwaukee, and four years in Chicago. While there he was called to the pastorate and presidency of Straight University, in New Orleans, La. There he attended medical lectures and received the medical degree. In 1871, Olivet College, Mich., conferred upon him the doctor- ate of divinity. The same year he was delegated by the American Missionary Association to visit Great Britain, and organize an auxiliary to that society. He re- sided in London as its secretary for three years. While abroad, he visited the Continent and the East, and lectured in the principal cities of Great Britain. Returning home he was elected professor of English literature and pastoral theology in Maryville College, Tenn. Preferring an active pastorate to the routine of professional life, he returned to Milwaukee in 1878. The death of his wife prostrated him. Subsequently he went to California for his health. In 1853 he was a pastor in Oakland, Cal. Upon the incorporation of Sierra-Madre College, at Passadena, in 1884, he was selected as the president, a position which he now holds.

The writer remembers him at the academy with sentiments of high esteem. He excelled as a teacher, and readily won the regard of his pupils. He was an exemplary man-one of nature's noblemen. He was magic to untie purse-strings. Several societies re- gard him as their pecuniary savior. He has risen by his own exertions, and achieved a grand success. His titles are emblems of his character and attain- ments.

He married, October 8, 1848, Miss Jane Hibbard Clark, who was born in Groton, Vt., May 12, 1830. She studied in the Female Seminary, Burlington, Vt., taught with her husband at Bath and Topsfield, and adorned the place of a pastor's wife wherever he labored. She died at her mother's home in Corinth, Vt., September 12, 1880, beloved and lamented, a pure and gentle spirit. Their children,-Jane Corinne, born March 6th, and died October 8, 1850 ; and Frank Joseph, born March 4, 1857, studied at Olivet College and London Universities, admitted to the bar, 1878, and is now editor of The Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

9. Third Pastorate .- REV. EZEKIEL Dow was set- tled. He was born April 9, 1807. His father was James, of Warren, N. H., and was born in Plaistow, April 23, 1775 ; his mother was Hannah Merrill, and was born in Warren, May 24, 1781. Ezekiel was the second son of five children, four of whom were sous and became farmers. He studied at the Academy, Haverhill, N. H. He commenced preaching as a Universalist, but early in his ministry changed in his belief, and studied in the Theological Seminary, Andover, for the Congregational pulpit. He preached in Massachusetts, at South Welfleet, Monument, Chil- tonville, Linebrook, Huntington and Becket, where

596

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

he closed bis labors in 1880. He was settled over this society December 25, 1860, and dismissed November 14, 1866. He was a good-hearted man, socially pecu- liar yet agreeable, took good care of his pastorate, had a good mind, never overworked, and we may say was fairly successful.

10. Fourth Pastorate .- REV. ALVAH MILLS RICH- ARDSON was born in Woburn-now Winchester- April 30, 1833, to Gilbert and Hannah-Davis Rich- ardson. He had four brothers-Gilbert Brainard, who died February 20, 1883, and Martin Luther-who were ministers, and two sisters. He fitted for college at the Warren and Phillips Academies, Woburn and Andover, and graduated at Amherst College in 1862. He entered the service against the Rebellion for nine months in September, 1862, a member of the band of the Forty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment. He gradu- ated at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1866. He was ordained and installed here November 14th, the same year. He tendered his resignation October 10, 1870, and his pastorate closed when his successor was installed, May 3, 1871. (He left the church with a membership of fifty-nine). Part of 1871 and 1872 he managed for the Lincoln County, Me., Bible Soci- ety, and since then has superintended his widowed mother's farm. He was a pious man, scrupulously exact, conscientious, studious, a good writer, but an unsuccessful preacher. He has never married.

11. Fifth Pastorate .- REV. BENJAMIN HOWE was a native of this parish, and born November 4, 1807. His parents were Joseph and Mehitable-Stickney Howe. He was eighth in a family of ten children. When a mere lad, he was thrown upon his own re- sources. Any acquisition he made was wholly his. He commenced his studies at the Topsfield Academy, shortly after the founding of that institution, in 1828, and completed his preparatory course at the Meriden Academy, N. H. He graduated at Amherst College in 1838, and at the Theological Seminary, Hartford, Conn., in 1841.

He married, May 31, 1842, Miss Waty Williams Tyler, born Angust 27, 1814, a lady of excellent worth, of a gentle and godly spirit. They had two children : Homer, who was born August 16, 1848, and Cecil Putnam, who was born November 8, 1857, and died February 13, 1866.

He joined the Topsfield Church November 7, 1830, and was transferred to the Seminary August 30, 1839. He was acting pastor at Coventry, Conn., 1833-34, and at Wells, Me., 1844, till he was ordained and in- stalled there November 5, 1845. He was dismissed November 5, 1849; was teacher and preacher at Brooklyn, Conn., 1850-55; acting pastor at Meredith, N. Y., 1855-60; without charge, N. H., 1860-66; acting pastor at Hudson, N. H., 1866-67; at Lemp- ster, N. 11., 1867-70; and was settled here May 3, 1871. His death October 18, 1883, closed his pastor- ate. His walk was exemplary. His service for the Master was sincere; he had an exalted and ahiding

faith and an earnest love for souls committed to his carc. Frowning upon sin as such with the severest rebuke, but charitable to the erring, he was a man of noble and generons impulses, As a neighbor, he was kind, obliging and discreet; as a citizen, intelligent and declared; in his home, gentle and kind, loving and loved. His life, as we knew it, was a perpetual benediction. Taking into the account the severity of his teacher, Experience, the quick impulses of [his nature, his wise discretion and his godly life, he stands before us a massive character, a grand and no- ble manhood, commanding our respect and winning our love. He rests in Harmony Cemetery, George- town ; his widow is living at Hudson, N. H.

12. Sixth Pastorate .- REV. EDWARD HOLMAN BRIGGS was installed December 6, 1883. He was born in Boston Highlands, March 8, 1851, to George Washington and Anna Matilda-Ross Briggs. In the autumn of 1857, after the death of his father, he went to live in Columbus, Ga., with his paternal aunt, the wife of John Johnson, Esq., Judge of Probate. His preparatory studies were pursued with a private teacher. He entered the Sophomore class, half-ad- vanced, in June, 1869, in the University of Georgia, at Athens, and graduated there in 1871. His scholar- ship was excellent. He matriculated at the Presby- terian Theological Seminary, Columbia, S. C., in September, 1871, and completed the course in April, 1874. He was licensed to preach April 19, 1874, by the Presbytery of Macon, Ga. He supplied at Whit- ing and Newton several months, and at Mount Tabor and Smyrna about two years. In January, 1877, he went to Palatka, Fla., where he was installed July 8, 1877. The pastorate was dissolved in November, 1880. He then labored a few months at Memphis, Tenn., a work he was forced to relinquish, being stricken with malaria. In November, 1881, he re- sumned his ministerial labors, and served in Good- Water, Hatchet-Creek, Hackneyville and Nixbury, Ala., till the close of 1882. Early in 1883 he re- turned to Massachusetts, and had no regular minis- terial work till his settlement here. In his labors he appears to have been fairly successful. He began to preach here in mid-summer. The circumstances of his settlement were very favorable. The death of our venerable pastor, Mr. Howe, and the memorial ser- vice of him left a marked seriousness upon the minds and hearts of all. An awakening among the young was already observed, and in January following his settlement, some fifteen, it was said, were ready for church membership. Eleven joined the first Sab- bath, and several others soon after. Such haste against the wishes of older and official members was not wise. From a remarkable unity in his favor at first, he held till there was a remarkable unity against him at last. The church was in a ferment for nearly three years-from the Sabbath he administered the sacrament, of which he did not partake, till he arbi- trarily refused to administer it at all,-a usurpation,

597

IPSWICH.

which apparently forced his resignation November 7, 1886, to take effect as soon as his successor could be installed.

Mr. Briggs may purpose well, but he reads books better than men, and he is wedded firmly to the Presbyterian Church polity ; he will, therefore, suc- ceed better as a Presbyterian clergyman or as a busi- ness man, than as a Congregational pastor.

13. Seventh Pastorate .- REV. WILLIAM PENN AL- COTT, the preseut incumbent, was born in Dorchester, July 11, 1838. His parents were William A., M.D. and lecturer, and Phebe L .- Bronson Alcott, who was a student in the Ipswich Academy when Misses Grant and Lyon taught. They are natives of Wol- cott, Conn.

The son graduated at Williams' College in 1861, and at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1865. After his college graduation he taught in the Pitts- burgh Female College, Pennsylvania, and in 1867 was elected tutor in Williams' College, and taught chem- istry and mineralogy. As minister, he was seven years pastor of the Congregational Church, in North Greenwich, Conn., and two years in the First Church in Boxford. He preached for short periods at Barton Landing, Vt., and at West Newbury, this State. In 1877, he traveled extensively with Dr. Philip Scbaff, in the Orient-Palestine, the Sinaitic region and Egypt-and Southern Europe.

During his pastorates, he was accustomed to make scientific studies his relaxation. The practice grad- ually conducted him into correspondence for the press, and to authorship. His contributions to the press have been principally upon temperance and scientific subjects. He edited the Natural History department of Dr. Schaff's Bible Dictionary, and, as a member of the Lowell Hebrew Club, is interested in the publication of a de novo translation of the Book of Esther, with notes and excursuses, exhibit- ing much careful and patient philological and scien- tific research and study,-to which he was a liberal contributor. He is now at work upon the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, to be presented uniform in mat- ter and size with Esther.

He married, in 1868, Sarah Jane Merrill, daughter of Rev. David Merrill, of Peacham, Vt. She died in 1876, and he married, two years later, Lucy R. Davis, daughter of Andrew Davis, Esq., of Boston. He has three children in " the better land," and two, a daughter by the first wife and a son by the second wife, living.

His service began here the last Sabbath in Septem- her, 1886, and his installation took place May 4th fol- lowing.

The notice of this church would be very incom- plete without reference to the society's liberal bene- factor, JOHN PERLEY, EsQ. He died May 11, 1860, and by will placed in trust seven thousand dollars, as a perpetual fund, " the income of which shall be paid to the Orthodox Congregational Society, Linebrook

Parish in the towns of Ipswich and Rowley, for the support of preaching and a Sabbath-school in said society annually, while said society has a settled min- ister."

Mr. Perley was born September 3, 1782, in Rowley- Linebrook. Becoming of age, he went to live with his uncle (afterwards deacon) Philemon Foster, in Ipswich-Linebrook, where he plied his trade as cord- wainer. Upon "breaking ground " for the Newbury- port turnpike, he opened a shop in connection with his trade. The enterprise was a success, and he there laid the foundation of his subsequent wealth. He never married. He devoted most of his estate to public benefactions, eleemosynary, educational and religious, among which was an annuity fund of three thousand five hundred dollars for the worthy poor of Georgetown, another of seven thousand dollars for the Orthodox Congregational Society, where he wor- shipped, and another-the residue of his estate-to found a free school in Georgetown.

This man's body has long since returned to its mother earth, but he still lives. So long as wealth has value, and learning is sought, and charity is kind, his name will be mentioned with praise, and his life will be fresh and fruitful as the dew, and redolent as the lily upon the bosom of crystal waters.

THE BAPTIST SOCIETY.

"This society," says Mr. Felt, " was formed in Feb- ruary, 1806. Their first preacher was Rev. H. Pot- tle. They occupied the building formerly a woolen factory. Their church contained sixty-eight commu- nicants in 1813. A secession took place from the church, because discipline was not exercised, June 4, 1816. This secession was justified by a council July 16th. The seceders formed themselves into a new church August 27th, and met in a building on High Street, opposite North Main. They were in- corporated " The First Baptist Society in Ipswich," June 16, 1817.

The names of the corporators were Samuel, Samuel G. and Timothy Appleton, Samuel and Robert Stone, Josialı Symonds and Charles Simonds, William Den- nis, Frederick Mitchell, Jacob M. Farnum, Daniel, Jr., and Joseph L. Ross, James Caldwell, Moses Graves, John Lord, Daniel W. Low, Nathan Perkins, Major Woodbury, Simeon Spafford, Amos Jones, Francis, John, Levi and Joseph Hovey. William Taylor was their first minister. He continued with them till August, 1818, aud took his dismission, be- cause his people were few and unable to support him. When he left the church, it contained thirty mem- bers. Thus, destitute of one to guide them, they continued to hold meetings and have the sacrament administered occasionally till August, 1823. In the course of this year they dissolved. The original So- ciety of Baptists continued, after the secession from them, only one year."

598

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHI AND PARISH.

1. First Rectorship .- The Parish was organized in 1867. The service of the church had been regularly maintained from 1861, and occasional services had been held for some time before that date. REV. HENRY WALL was the first rector, and occupied the office about two months.

2. Second Rectorship .- REV. BENJAMIN ROWLEY GIFFORD, the second rector, was born in Falmouth, Mass., October 18, 1819. His parents were Braddock and Mary. He received his education at the Fal- mouth Academy and Amherst College, leaving the latter institution in 1840. He subsequently went to St. Francesville, La., and pursned his theological studies under the direction of the Rev. Daniel Lewis, D.D., rector of the church in that town. He was or- dained to the ministry of the Episcopal Church in Davenport, Iowa, August 28, 1857, by the Right Rev. Henry W. Lee, bishop of that diocese. He was rec- tor of parishes in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Mount Pleasant and Ottumwa, in Iowa, and in Kewanee, in Illinois. Early in 1866, he returned to Massachu- setts, and then traveled extensively in Europe and the East, visiting Palestine, Egypt, Turkey, Greece and other conntries, returning the following spring.

He entered the rectorship of this church Novem- ber 3d of the same year. The services were then held in the Damon Hall; subscquently they were held in the Town Hall. In 1869, his second year here, October 26th, the corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid, by the Right Rev. Manton Eastburn, bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts, in the presence of a large audience of the people, the bishop making the address.

In the spring of 1870, before the edifice was com- pleted, Mr. Gifford resigned, and in June, 1871, enter- ed the rectorship of Trinity Church, Bridgewater. In 1873 he visited England, and there, September 9th, he married Miss Mary M. Hewett, in All-Saints' Church, near Taunton, Somersetshire. The following March he returned to America and resumed the charge of the Parish of Bridgewater. His connection with the church continued till the next spring, when he went to Natick and became rector of St. Paul's Church there. He continued in Natick five years, when in May, 1880, mainly owing to ill-health, he re- signed, deciding not to take regular charge of another parish. In 1882 he and his wife spent the summer in England, when he preached in various parts of the country. Returning to America he took up his per- manent residence in Wood's Holl, a famous summer resort in his native town. In the meantime he has quite frequently officiated in the local church and the neighboring parishes. After Mr. Gifford's resig- nation, there was a vacancy in the rectorship till 1873, when Rev. B. F. Newton was elected.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 165

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