History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 18

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 18

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Mr. Field resigned his pastorate in September, 1850, and terminated his connection with the society November 1, 1850.

In 1850 Mary Osborn gave one hundred dollars to the ministers' fund.

In January, 1851, Rev. J. D. Butler was invited to become the pastor of the society, under a contract which permitted either party to terminate the con- nection on a prescribed notice. In April, 1852, the society gave notice to Mr. Butler that they wished to terminate the connection, which was accordingly done July 12, 1852.

In 1853 the society took into consideration the matter of the "minister's fund," arising from the sale

of parsonage lands, and it was decided that the fund, then amounting to $2200, should be kept separate. This was invested in a parsonage in 1869, which was sold in 1877, and the proceeds invested in securities. In November, 1887, Mrs. Florence (Peabody) Hol- man gave to the society a valuable lot of land on Chestnut Street, on which it is proposed to build a parsonage with the minister's fund.

In 1854 it was voted to buy a new bell, and a clock was given to the society by Francis Dane, Henry Poor and Elijah W. Upton, and placed upon the tower of the church.

In May, 1854, Rev. James O. Murray was called as pastor, and he was ordained October 26, 1854. He tendered his resignation in February, 1861, which was accepted, and he terminated his pastorate in March following.

In July, 1861, Rev. William M. Barbour was called to the pastorate, and he was ordained October 3, 1861. A new bell was bought in 1862, which is the one at present in use.

Mr. Barbour resigned his pastorate in September, 1868. In December, 1868, the Rev. George N. An- thony was invited to become pastor, and he accepted the following month. He was installed March 11, 1869.

He resigned his position in September, 1876. In the spring of 1877 the debt of the society, amounting to about $7000, was raised by voluntary contributions, and the society has ever since been free from debt.

In December, 1877, Rev. Willard G. Sperry was called to the pastorate. The call was accepted, but he was not ordained till July 2, 1878, beginning his labors in September following.

In 1880 extensive changes were made in the in- terior of the church. The organ was removed to a space added behind the preacher's desk ; the white marble pulpit, which had been in the church since it was built, was removed, and a simple reading-desk, with a larger platform, took its place. On the floor below additional rooms were made for the conve- nience of the pastor and the Sunday-school library.

In 1885 Mr. Sperry received a call to Manchester, N. H., and although the church and society formally requested him to remain, he resigned in September.

In February, 1886, Rev. George A. Hall was called to the pastorate. He accepted, and was ordained April 13, 1886.

The society is vigorous and the congregation large ; and, after a century and three-fourths of existence, it still remains an important factor in the religious and social life of the community.

FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH .- This church was organized January 1, 1825, " for the purpose of having a place in the South part of Danvers where an oppor- tunity could be had of hearing sentiments more lib- eral and congenial with the true spirit of Christianity than is now afforded." At the beginning it had thirty-three members. The first church edifice was

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

dedicated July 26, 1826. The dedicatory sermon was by Rev. Mr. Brazer, of Salem, from the text, " Finally, be ye all of one mind." Others who took part in the services were Rev. Mr. Upham and Rev. Mr. Colman, of Salem, Rev. Dr. Abbott, of Beverly, and Rev. Mr. Bartlett, of Marblehead.

The pulpit was supplied for some months by Mr. Alonzo Hill, after which Rev. Charles C. Sewall, of Dedham, was called to be pastor on a salary of seven hundred dollars a year, and a present on his settlement of two hundred dollars. In April, 1827, a church was formed of seventy-one members, and on April 11th Mr. Sewall was installed. The sermon was by Rev. Mr. Lamson, of Dedham, and a large party of delegates was present, including twenty-one clergy- men. Two original hymns were sung, one written by Dr. Andrew Nichols, a member of the society, and the other by Dr. John Pierpont, of Boston.

In 1829 a bell was placed on the church. In 1830 a movement toward obtaining a parsonage was be- gun. The first organ was a gift from Eben and Wil- liam Sutton.

In May, 1831, a singing-school was established for the benefit of the young people of the society, and an appropriation of sixty dollars was made therefor. During this year Mr. Sewall's salary was raised to one thousand dollars a year.

In 1836 the current expenses of the society were raised by voluntary contributions, but the next year the society returned to its former method of raising money by taxation of the pews.

Mr. Sewall resigned his pastorate in 1841, leaving July 11th. Ile was greatly beloved by his people, and at his departure he was presented with a testi- monial of five hundred dollars.

Rev. Andrew Bigelow was installed as pastor Feb- ruary 15, 1843. The sermon was by Rev. Dr. Lothrop, of Boston. IFis salary was to be one thousand dol- lars,-eight hundred from the treasury and two hun- dred from voluntary subscriptions. Mr. Bigelow, against the expressed regrets of his society, resigned his pastoral charge March 20, 1845.

Rev. Frank P. Appleton was installed as the next pastor January 14, 1846. The sermon was by Rev. Nathaniel Hall, Jr., and several other clergymen took part in the services; but the installation was not indorsed at the time by the Ecclesiastical Council (of which the late Rev. Dr. Gannett, of Boston, was a prominent member), on account of certain informali- ties in the preliminary proceedings. Mr. Appleton's pastorate closed in 1858.

October 4, 1854, Mr. C. H. Wheeler was installed as pastor, Dr. Ephraim Peabody preaching the sermon. In June, 1562, Mr. Wheeler's pastorate expired, but he continued to supply the pulpit for a while after- ward.

Rev. David 11. Montgomery was the next occupant of the pulpit, but he resigned on account of ill health April 20 . 1867.

On May 13, 1868, Rev. E. I. Galvin became pastor of the church, the sermon of the occasion being preached by Rev. James Freeman Clarke, of Boston. Mr. Galvin tendered his resignation June 7, 1871, to take effect three months later.

In 1872 some twelve thousand dollars was expended on the church edifice, great improvements being made without and within. A new organ was also purchased and placed in the rear of the pulpit. At the reopening the sermon was delivered by Rev. E. E. Hale, of Boston.

The church was without a pastor until 1873, when Rev. John W. Hudson, the present pastor, was called September 26th. He was formally installed and be- gan the duties of his pastorate December 7th.

In January, 1886, the standing committee was authorized to procure a new organ. The organ was purchased at an expense of three thousand dollars, and dedicated in September, 1886.

In October, 1887, a new bell was procured and placed in the belfry of the church.

FIRST METHODIST SOCIETY. - In July, 1830, Amos Walton established a prayer-meeting and Sunday- school in Harmony Village (Rockville) in connection with the South Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Lynn.

In 1832 meetings were held in Sanger's Hall, sometimes known as Goodridge's ITall. Subsequently Armory ITall, which formerly stood on Holten Street, near Sewall Street, was rented for Methodist services. The leader in this movement was Mr. Alfred N. Chamberlain ; he undertook the responsibility of renting the hall and furnishing the preachers. During the first three years seventeen different preachers conducted the services, among whom were A. D. Merrill (Father Merrill), Joseph A. Merrill, Sanford Benton and John E. Risley. These were all conference preachers; Mr. Risley had the honor of forming the first church society and baptizing the first converts. Among the local preachers were Jesse Filmore, Benjamin F. Newhall, of Saugus; Elijah Downing, of Lynn; Benjamin King, who preached the opening sermon in the hall; Shadrach Ramsdell and James Mudge.

A class was formed here, and after three years of service Mr. Chamberlain induced the Lynn Common Church to assume the responsibility of worship. Rev. Charles K. True, the preacher in charge, advertised in Zion's Herald for a young man to take charge of the services here, and, as a result, Rev. Mr. Arnold, of Rhode Island, was sent here by Mr. True, and was the first minister who attended services here and re-ided among the people.

Later on the responsibility of the charge of the services was transferred to the South Street M. E. Church in Lynn, who had conducted the meetings in Rockville.

In 1839 Amos Walton began preaching regularly for the society, and in July, 1840, he was appointed

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PEABODY.

by the Conference sitting in Lowell as pastor. At this time the membership of the church was twenty- three. In 1840 the Sabbath school was organized.

While worshipping in Armory Hall, a building on Washington Street, above Oak Street, formerly used as a pottery, was bought and fitted up. The Inmber and labor necessary were contributed by interested parties, and the new house of worship was dedicated, but soon proved too small. Plans were proposed for a new house, the lumber purchased and a part of it hauled to the ground, the site of the present church. This was in 1843, and at this time the South Society was about building a new house of worship. Their old house, which had been built in 1836, and was in excellent condition, was offered to the Methodist Society for twenty-five hundred dollars, and it was thought best to dispose of their lumber and accept the offer. The building was moved from the Square to its present location, near the corner of Washington and Sewall Streets; the Lexington Monument was set off' to allow its passage, and afterward replaced. The following year vestries were built under the church, at an expense of seven hundred and fifty dollars.

The society at this time was under great financial embarrassment. The mortgage on the church, held by the South Society, was heavy, and at the annual meeting in 1848 it was voted to relinquish the prop- erty ; Timothy Walton took up the mortgages and the property passed into his hands. The society known as the Methodist Episcopal Chapel Society, which had held the property, became extinct.

The church was allowed by Mr. Walton, who was one of the leading brethren, to continne the use of the building at an annual rental. They had no Con- ference preacher that year ; but a local preacher, Dr. Booth, supplied for them a portion of the time.

In 1853 during the pastorate of William Gordon, a board of trustees was appointed, and organized ac- cording to law, under the name of the "First M. E. Society of Danvers." At this time the society pur- chased the church property from Mr. Walton on lib- eral terms.

In 1859, during the pastorate of Rev. E. S. Best, the house was raised up and remodeled, at an expense of about six hundred dollars. Part of this expense was contributed by outside friends.

In 1862, when Rev. Mosely Dwight was sent by the Conference to this society, he found a debt of over four thousand dollars, and the society very much de- pressed. The Church Aid Society lent its assistance, and Mr. Dwight was allowed to collect all the contri- butions raised in the Boston district for church aid. Through his endeavors the debt on the church was re- duced to fifteen hundred dollars.

In 1867 Rev. J. O. Knowles was sent to the Society. He was very active in his efforts, and there was a large increase in the interest and the membership of the church during the two years of his pastorate.

The interior of the church was tinted and paiuted

at this time. Through the efforts of Mr. Knowles and others interested, a Stevens clock was placed in the tower of the church; and at this time, too, a bell was given to the Society by an anonymous friend, who was afterwards known to have been the late General William Sutton. Io 1868 the parsonage on Sewall Street was purchased by the Society for two thousand dollars.

During the pastorate of Rev. G. Leonard, who suc- ceeded Mr. Knowles, a social and literary society, similar to the Oxford League, was started and greatly encouraged by the pastor. Mr. Leonard was especially interested in Sabbath-school work, and succeeded in making the school very successful and awakening much interest in its exercises.

During the pastorate of Rev. Albert Gould the debt of the Society was extinguished, and the Society en- joyed a time of prosperity. A deep religious interest was manifest in the town, and union services of the Congregational, Baptist and Methodist Churches were held. Mr. Gonld was himself a good musician, and did much for the encouragement of music in the services of the church. A new reed-organ was pur- chased during his pastorate. Mr. Gould, with the aid of the brethren, started the church in Tapleyville. During his pastorate he published a paper called the Town of Peabody, a single issue, which contained much valuable historical information.

Rev. F. T. George was the pastor of the church in 1873-74, and Rev. Daniel Wait in 1875-76-77. Dur- ing the pastorate of Mr. Wait improvements were made in the furnishing of the vestry.

During the pastorate of the Rev. V. M. Simons, in 1878-79, a pipe-organ was placed in the front part of the church, behind the altar, and the choir seats were removed thither.

Rev. Dr. Steele was pastor of the church in 1880- 81-82, and during his pastorate the ontside of the church edifice was painted, and the interior repaired and re-carpeted, at an expense of thirteen hundred dollars. At this time, also, the Stevens clock was re- moved and a Howard clock, the gift of the late Mrs. Lydia P. Proctor, substituted.

Rev. C. N. Smith was the pastor in 1883-84-85, and the time was one of great harmony and prosperity in the church.

The following is the list of preachers stationed by the Conference over the church from the beginning :

Amos Walton 1839-40

E. S. Best 1859-6

Daniel Webb. 1841

1842

Mosely Dwight 1862-63

S R. Sweetser 1864-65-66

Reuben Raosom 1844

J. O. Knowled, 1867-68

I. J. P. Collyer. 1845-46

1847

Albert Gould 1870-71-72

Thomas Street 1848-19

1850

Daniel Wait 1875-76-77

W. C. High. 1851-52

V. M. Simmons. .1878-79

William Gordon, 1853-54

Daniel Stuele, 1880-81-82

Edward A. Manning. 1855

C. N. Smith 1883 84-85

Geo. Alcott Phinney 1886

George Sutherland. 1856-57

HI. C. Dunham. 1858

Franklin Furber 1861

II. G. Barras.

Amos Binney. 1843

William G, Leonard, 1869

Z. A. Mudge.

F. T. George .. 1873-74

O. S. llowe

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In 1886 extensive repairs and improvements were undertaken ; the vestries were painted and re- furnished ; an addition was built on the back of the building, making room for the organ and giving additional space below. The choir seats were re- built and the preacher's platform refurnished. The pews and interior fittings were renovated, the walls and ceilings frescoed and various improvements and additions made to the conveniences of the house. A large number of memorial windows have been given in honor of deceased friends and relatives ; the Oxford League assumed the expense and man- agement of the improvement of the windows, and their efforts have been seconded by gifts of money from various individuals and societies. The entrance and approaches have been improved, and the house now is one of the most commodious in town. The ex- penditures for the recent improvements were about twenty-six hundred dollars. The society is large and flourishing, and active in Christian work and ser- vice.

SECOND UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY -The First Uni- versalist Parish of Peabody was organized on the 6th of April, 1832, under the title "The Second Univer- salist Society of Danvers." Universalist meetings had been held occasionally in private houses, some- times in a small hall in the building now occupied in part by the Peubody Press office, in the school-house then located near the Old South Church, and also in Joseph Shedd's Hall, a small hall in a building on Main Street, then occupied by Mr. Shedd as an apothecary shop. Previously to this organization some families had attended the Universalist meeting in Salem.

On January 31, 1832, a preamble and resolution were adopted and signed by forty-three persons, with reference to building a church and forming a Universalist Society. It was proposed to erect a meeting-house in the vicinity of the South Church, and a subscription was opened for shares of one hun- dred dollars. On March 26th, a meeting of sub- seribers was held, and a committee appointed to find a suitable site for a house. An agreement for organ- ization was drawn up and signed by forty-seven per- sons, pledging the united action of the signers for the formation and maintenance of a religious society under the name of the Second Universalist Society in Danvers. In accordance with a petition drawn up at this meeting a warrant was issned by John W. Proctor, Esq., for a meeting to be held in Shedd's Hull, April 6, 1832. On that day the members met and organized.

A church building was completed in January, 1833, and was dedicated January 10th. On January 21st, an invitation was given to Rev. John Moore to be- come pastor at a salary of six hundred and fifty dol- lars. It was accepted, and he was installed April 4, 1833. Hle resigned November 16, 1834, leaving at the end of the year. During his ministry a Sunday-

school was organized, beginning with ahout fifty I members. A church was organized by Mr. Moore April 30, 1834, consisting of twenty-four members.

February 15, 1835, the Rev. John M. Austin was invited to become pastor. He was installed April 29th.

When the church building was completed the vestry was left unfinished. There was then no publie hall in town large enough for towu purposes. In 1836 the vestry was finished by an association called the Union Hall Association, partly in the interest of the church, and was used for public purposes. In Feb- ruary, 1843, the subject of enlarging the meeting- house by galleries was considered, which was done soon afterward.

Mr. Austin resigned his pastorate in September, 1843. The affairs of the society were in a highly pros- perous condition during his ministry, and particularly at its close. A religious revival affecting this with other societies prevailed during the latter part of his ministry.

On October 20, 1844, Rev. John Prince was in- vited to become pastor, and was installed January 15, 1845. Mr. Prince was very progressive in his ideas, and during his pastorate there was a division in the society, arising from differences in belief, which re- sulted in the withdrawal of Mr. Prince, in June, 1848, and the closing of the church as a house of public worship for several years.

In October, 1853, Rev. J. W. Talbot made a suc- cessful effort to revive the society, and worship was regularly begun October 30, 1853, and has ever since been maintained. Mr. Talbot resigned at the close of a year, having accomplished his object. During his stay the church building, including the vestry, was enlarged and improved, and an organ purchased.

In November, 1855, Rev. Orville Brayton began his pastorate ; he was installed February 6, 1856. He continued as pastor until September 1, 1859. Rev. C. C. Gordon was pastor of the society for a year, be- ginning November, 1859. He left the parish united and in good condition. In February, 1862, Rev. O. F. Safford was invited to become pastor, and he began his work in May. He was installed June 17, 1863. Ifis pastorate closed May 1, 1865.

Rev. A. B. Hervey became pastor in April, 1866. In September, 1867, the society voted to remodel the church, which was done in a thorough manner, at an expense of about nine thousand dollars. A bell was presented to the society by a friend who desired that his name should be withhekl. The church was re- dedicated March 4, 1868. Mr. Hervey's ministry closed in November, 1872, leaving the society united and in good condition, and the Sunday-school larger than at any other period of its history.

The Rev. S. P. Smith became pastor on the first Sunday in October, 1873, and continued until the 12th of March, 1876, when he resigned his charge. During his ministry additions and improvements were made

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PEABODY.

to the vestry at a cost of about twelve hundred dol- lars.

On April 30, 1876, Rev. E. W. Whitney began his pastorate. He was installed November 8, 1876, The church, which had been greatly reduced in number and inactive, was reorganized by Mr. Whitney on the 6th of May, 1877, with forty-one members. At the annual meeting in January, 1879, the society voted to raise the church in order to give more height to the vestry and improve the entrance, which was done at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. Whitney resigned his pastorate in December, 1879.

On January 26, 1880, Rev. G. W. Harmon was in- vited to the pastorate, and began his labors in March, 1880. During the summer of 1881 further improve- ments were made on the church. Mr. Harmon closed his work with the society in July, 1882.

Rev. F. W. Spragne, the present pastor, began his ministry on the last Sunday in September, 1882.

SECOND BAPTIST SOCIETY .- The Baptist Church was organized February 16, 1843, having sixteen members. The church was recognized February 22, 1843, with twenty-seven members. The sermon was by Rev. Joseph Banvard. The first deacon, O. E. Pope, was elected February 24, 1843. Various per- sons supplied the pulpit till September 15, 1843, when Rev. Phineas Stowe accepted a call to the pas- torate. He was ordained pastor December 5, 1843; the services were in the Unitarian Church, and the sermon was by Rev. R. II. Neal, D.D.

In the spring of 1843, a chapel was erected, sixty- five by thirty-two feet, and publicly dedicated June 15, 1843, Rev. Messrs, Banvard, Anderson and Carlton assisting in the services. In August, 1844, the so- ciety was incorporated, consisting at that time of thir- ty-one members.

The pastorate of Mr. Stowe ended May 9, 1845, after which the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. G. Richardson, who was installed as pastor January 28, 1846, Rev. Joseph Banvard preaching the sermon. This pastorate ended in October, 1847. From April 23, 1848, to March 4, 1849, Rev. I. E. Forbush sup- plied the pulpit, after which Rev. B. C. Thomas supplied it.

December 3, 1848, P. D. Perkins became deacon of the church. November 11, 1849, Rev. F. A. Willard became pastor, and he resigned that office February 3, 1854. T. W. Carr became deacon May 12, 1851. Rev. N. Medbury regularly supplied the pulpit after the expiration of a year from Mr. Willard's resigna- tion, and did much toward obtaining the present house of worship. October 4, 1857, Rev. T. E. Keely became pastor.

The present house of worship was dedicated No- vember 19, 1857, Rev. T. D. Anderson preaching the sermon. R. R. Emerson was chosen deacon Febru- ary 9, 1860. Mr. Keely resigned his pastoral relation August 29, 1861.

Rev. C. E. Barrows was ordained pastor December 25, 1861, Rev. Heman Lincoln preaching the sermon. Ile resigned January 12, 1865, and was succeeded by Rev. N. M. Williams July 9, 1865. During Mr. Williams' pastorate the house was repaired at an expense of one thousand one hundred dollars.

Mr. Williams was succeeded by the Rev. C. V. Hanson, who was ordained over the church October 6, 1868. The sermon was by Rev. W. H. Shailer, of Portland, Maine. February 4th. of the following year. Thomas N. Barnaby was chosen Deacon.

Mr. Hanson was a most active and efficient Chris- tian worker, and the church, under his pastorate, was greatly prospered. During the first three years of his ministry, fifty members were added to the church. He was also greatly interested in the affairs of the town, and was widely respected by all denominations for his progressive and intelligent co-operation in matters of education, temperance reform and charities of every kind. He was twice sent as representative to the Legislature by the town in 1871 and 1872, a' d was during both those terms chairman of the eom- mittee on the Liquor Law.

In 1877, Edward H. Wilson, a member of the church, died, and gave in his will the sum of one thousand dollars to the society, and also gave a piece of land on Andover Street and the sum of two thon- sand dollars to build a chapel, to be used by the several evangelical societies of the town. A chapel was erected in accordance with the terms of the be- quest, and meetings are held there weekly by mem- bers of the societies interested. There being no other place of worship in the vicinity, the gift has been the means of doing much good.

In the summer of 1879 Mr. Ilanson resigned the pastorate. November 24, 1879, the church and society voted to give the Rev. L. L. Wood a call. Mr. Wood accepted, and began his labors according- ly. In August, 1882, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 18

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672