History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 61

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 61

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prominent offices. He is said to have married the daughter of Governor Bradstreet. John Whipple, who died in 1683, leaving an estate appraised at £3,000, was representative to the General Conrt for four years, also captain of a troop, and county treasurer, as well as holding town offices. Still another John Whipple, who died in 1695, was lieutenant of a troop and deputy to the General Court for four years ; his estate was valned at £1639, 16s. Deacon John Gilbert, the first deaeon of the church, died in 1722. Among the petitioners in 1712 for the separation of the Hamlet, were four Matthew Whipples. The senior of the name was a person of substance and prominence; his wife was a granddaughter of General Dennison, and one of his grandsons, William Whipple, was signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was brigadier- general at the capture of Burgoyne. He was, by much, the largest contributor to the building of the first meeting-house, in 1713. He was a maltster and had a malt and oat mill, which is said to have been situated in rear of the present residence of Edwin A. Whipple. He gave freedom to his mulatto servant. Ile was a town officer, a justice of the Court of Ses- sions, representative in 1718, 1719, and 1729. He was an energetic and eminently useful citizen. ITis es- tate was valued at £3500. His house and lands were devised to his sons, Matthew and John. He died January 28, 1739. Major Symonds Epes, as he is called in the parish records, was a cotemporary with this Matthew Whipple, and like him was prominent in affairs. He served for several years as moderator of the parish meetings, and on the Board of Assessors, and as a member of committees. Hle was also colonel of a regiment, justice of the General Sessions court, and a member of the Governor's Council from 1724 to 1734, inclusive. He showed his interest in the Hamlet church by giving to it a large silver can. When he was a bachelor, of the mature age of fifty. two, he married young Mary Whipple, a girl of six- teen. Ile died Angust 30, 1741, in his seventy-ninth year. His wife survived him, and shortly after he- came the third wife of the Rev. Edward Holyoke, president of Harvard College; she died in Cambridge in 1790, in her ninety-second year. It is related of her, as indicative of her spirit, that in the Revolu- tionary War, when there was a Jemand for saltpetre, she was waited on to learn if she would consent that the oak wood on her farm in the Hamlet should be used for making it. She earnestly replied, " It is for liberty ; take as much of the wood as you want." This was the farm now owned by George Brown. Major Epes left two minor children, Samuel and Elizabeth. He was buried in the tomb now marked by the stone monument creeted by heirs of Deacon Nathaniel Whipple. The physician of the Hamlet was Dr. Elisha Whitney, who was a native of Water- town. lle came to the Hamlet in 1772 and remained till 1793, when he removed to Beverly, where several

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of his descendants now live. He served as a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, and during his absence Dr. Cutler, who had studied medicine, discharged the duties of a physician. Dr. Whitney took active part in parish business, as moderator of the meetings, as treasurer, and a member of the committee to visit the schools. He married Eunice Farley, of Ipswich. His house stood on the site of that now owned by D. E. Safford.

After the act of incorporation of the town of Ham- ilton was obtained, the first town-meeting was held for the organization of the new town August 1 1793. Deacon Nathaniel Whipple was chosen mod- erator; Lemuel Brown, clerk; Nathaniel Whipple, treasurer; Jonathan Lamson, Capt. Daniel Brown and Joseph Poland, Jr., selectmen. Nine hundred and ten pounds were raised to pay the town of Ips- wich ; and the building of a pound was provided for. At a meeting held in October, rules and regulations were adopted for the management of town affairs and the salaries of officers were fixed, which were for town clerk, six shillings; treasurer, twelve shillings; selectmen, assessors and overseers £2 14s At the first annual town-meeting, held March, 1794, it was voted to raise the sum of fifteen pounds for Rev. Dr. Cutler, for his services in behalf of the town at Boston, this heing intended as remunera- tion for his services in obtaining the act of incorpora- tion. To this vote Dr. Cutler replied :

"Gentlemen I ¡very sensibly feel my obligation to this town for the very generous compensation they have this day voted me for the little aid I afforded in obtaining their incorporation. I beg leave to inform the town that I cannot receive from them any pecuniary reward for any services they may suppose I have rendered them ; the only compen- sation I can desire ia, that they may live in peace and unity ; this will be to me an ample reward; and permit me to add, that I very sensibly feel for the inhabitants of the town under their present heavy burdens, but my earnest prayer and desire is that they may be able, through the blessing of Providence, to extricate themselves, and that their Incor- poration may prove a blessing to them and their children after them. You will therefore please order that the sum voted may not be as- sessed.

"I am, with the most sincere affection and esteen, "Your most humble servant, " M. CUTLER. "To the inhabitants of Hamilton in town-meeting aesenibled."

A suitable committee was then chosen to thank Dr. Cutler for his services in obtaining the incorpora- tion of the town. At this meeting Joshua Giddings was moderator, and the town officers chosen in Au- gust preceding were re-elected, except Col. Robert Doder was chosen selectman in place of Joseph Po- land, Jr. The amount which, by the terms of sep- aration, was to be paid to Ipswich, Dr. Cutler and Col. Dodge took over in silver dollars, and made a formal teuder of it to the town treasurer, which he reluctantly accepted.

After the incorporation, until 1829, the new town constituted a territorial parish, and town and parish affairs were acted on together at the town-meeting. As this history now brings us to the point, where the town and parish unite, it will be more convenient to

follow along first the history of the parish and church to the present time, as distinct from those subjects which more appropriately relate to town affairs.

In 1818, the Sabbath-school was organized. Pre- vious to that, Dr. Cutler was accustomed to catechise the children in the district schools, and as early as 1814 the girls in the congregation used to remain in the meeting-house at the close of the afternoon ser- vice, sitting in a long pew near the pulpit, and were questioned hy Dr. Cutler as to the text and subject of the sermon. In May, 1818, a Miss Paget, of Charleston, S. C., who had been stopping iu Beverly, came to Hamilton, and called on Mrs. Mary L. Faulkner, the wife of Dr. Faulkner, to consult with her as to the feasibility of establishing a Sabbath- school.

This was less than two years after the first Sabbath- school was established in the State, if not in the country. In October, 1816, such a school was started in Rev. Dr. Morse's Society in Charlestown. After consultation with Dr. Cutler, who excused himself from any active part in the enterprise on account of the state of his health, an arrangement was made for Miss Paget to meet several of the young ladies at Mrs. Faulkuer's, where the subject was discussed. Miss Paget remained at Hamilton for a few weeks, and Mrs. Faulkner taking her with her horse and chaise, they made a thorough canvass of the town, calling at every house and urging the parishioners to send their children to the Sabbath-school. The chil- dren and young people generally, came and joined the school. It was a year or more before any man ventured into the school to render any assistance, and the duty of opening the meetings, and acting as superintendent, devolved on Mrs. Faulkner, who was, however, fully equal to the emergency. At this time no question books were used, and the exercises con- sisted mainly of recitation of verses from the Bible. One of the girls, Thankful Baker, was especially pro- ficient in this exercise, and in one instance recited seventy, to the dismay of her worthy teacher.

The school, however, does not appear to have become very firmly established in Dr. Cutler's day. Dr. Cutler at this time was beginning to feel some- what unfitted for the complete discharge of his duties by his growing infirmities. He had for many years been afflicted with the asthma. He, however, eon- tinued to preach until within a few months of his decease. It was for some time necessary to assist him into and out of the pulpit, and for him to sit in his chair while preaching. He died July 28, 1823, in the eighty-first year of his age, and the fifty-second of his ministry. Although his distinction was gained mainly by his achievements outside of his chosen profession, he was a most faithful and successful minister of the Gospel. He was a plain, earnest and practical preacher. From the nature of his mind he was indisposed to speculative or metaphysical reason- ing. The propositions of his sermons were sustained

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by liberal citations from the Scriptures, after the costom of the time, when preachers looked for their authority to the law and the testimony, rather than to the evolution of their "Christian consciousness." lle exalted the Bible as the sure foundation of hope and belief. To quote his own words: "The Bible carries its own evidence with it. Infidelity has been met not merely with clear reasoning and strength of argument, which sophistry can always evade, but with the formidable weapon of the Bible itself-the Bible without note or comment." He was, as a pastor, genial, accessible, and sympathetic, in his intercourse with the people. He was especially interested in the schools, and frequently visited them and was always ready with a word of advice and encouragement. IFe received into his family and gave instruction to many boys and young men from other towns, in studies required to fit them for college, and also in navigation and mathematics, as a preparation for a business or maritime lite.

In addition to his membership in the scientific societies already mentioned, he was a member of the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agricul- ture, of the Massachusetts Historical Society, an honorary member of the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety, president of the Bible Society of Salem and vicinity, of the American Antiquarian Society, and of the New England Linnaan Society. He received the degree of LL. D. from his alma mater, Yale Col- lege, in 1791.

From this summary we have evidence of the high estimate placed upon his character and services. Dr. Peabody, in the article before referred to, says of him : " For diversity of good gifts, for their efficient use, and for the variety and modes of valuable service to his country and to mankind, I doubt whether Manasseh Cutler has his equal in American history. Hlad he distinguished himself in any one way as he did in many ways, his would have been confessedly among the greatest names of his age. But because he belonged exclusively to no one department, he is hardly remembered in any, though in several that might be specified his inferiors have won wide and permanent renown." But notwithstanding his emi- uence and success in public life outside of his parish, his chief interest and joy was in the material and sjuritual prosperity of his people. In some periods of his ministry large additions were made to the church. During his ministry one hundred and forty- two were admitted to membership. The deacons during this period were John Latch, Matthew Wupple, Nathamel Whipple, and Benjamin AApple- ton. By a computation made by Dr. Cutler in his century discourse, which is not, however, based on any complete record, he estimated that for the first century of the existence of the church there had been, memling the members at its formation, 736 commin- mcants, 2266 baptoons, and 1196 deaths.

He theological views can perhaps be most fairly

stated by a quotation from the sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Benjamin Wadsworth, of Danvers, at the funeral of Dr. Cutler, July 30, 1823. Ile refers to a familiar interview with Dr. Cutler a short time be- fore his death, and says, -- "To prevent a misrepre- sentation of his religious sentiments after his death, he particularly requested that it might be publicly an- nounced that he hore his dying testimony against the modern liberal unitarian principles, which, after at- tending to the ablest discussions of the subject, in his judgment, he said, reduces the glorious economy of salvation by grace almost to a level with natural re- ligion, and has a direct tendeney to careless living ; and that he bore the same solemn testimony in favor of the C'alvinistical doctrines of the gospel as maintained by our pious forefathers, the early settlers of this country, specifying the depravity of human nature, the necessity of regeneration, the real divinity of ('hrist, the influences of the Spirit, and the persever- ance of saints." This sermon was published by re- quest of the church and congregation.

Dr. Cutler's wife was Mary, daughter of Rev. Thomas Balch, of Dedham, whom he married Sep- tember 7, 1776. She died November 3, 1815, aged seventy-three. His children were Ephraim, Jervis, Mary, Charles, Lavinia, Elizabeth, and Temple. His sons, Ephraim and Jervis, became prominent citizens of Ohio. Ephraim was judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, aud was active in the convention that framed the Constitution of that State.

The successor of Dr. Cutler was Rev. Joseph B. Felt, who was installed over this church June 16, 1824. Rev. Samuel Gile, of Milton, preached the sermon ; Rev. Wm. Cogswell, of Dedham, offered the installing prayer ; Rev. Dr. Dana, of Ipswich, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rey, Eben Burgess, of Dedham, the address to the people. Mr. Felt records with satisfaction that everything was harmonious, Mr. Felt was born in Salem, December 22, 1789 ; was edu- cated at Atkinson Academy, N. HI., and Dartmouth College, where he was graduated in 1813. lle was first settled over the Congregational Church in Sharon in 1821, from which he was dismissed in April, 1824. Like his eminent predecessor, Mr. Felt gained dis- tinction largely outside of his chosen profession. He was enthusiastic and indefatigable in historical research, and made highly valuable contributions to local and ecclesiastical history. While he was in Hamilton, he published the "Annals of Salem," in two volumes, and the history of Ipswich, Hamilton, and Essex. After leaving Hamilton, in 1834, and remov- ing to Boston, under an appointment from Governor Everett, he arranged and classified large numbers of State papers in the archives at the State-House, which were lying in great confusion, which made two hun- dred and forty-one bound volumes, chronologically arranged. Among other of his publications were " History of Massachusetts Currency," "A Memoir of Roger Conant," "The Customs of New England,"

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"The Ecclesiastical History of New England," and many besides of great value as contributions to his- torica) and antiquarian literature. He was librarian of the Massachusetts Historical Society and of the Con- gregational Library Association, and was president of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. In 1857 Dartmouth College conferred on him the degree of LL.D. Owing to infirm health, he was compelled to resign his pastorate here in December, 1833. While he remained in Hamilton, he was deeply interested in his duties as pastor and minister, and discharged them with conscientious fidelity. He highly regarded his profession, saying of it "that my experience can verily testify, that however subject to many and pe- culiar trials, yet, when heartily cherished and prop- erly honored, it is the perennial spring of purer, more abundant, and sublimer joys than those of all other human vocations." He took, for that day, ad- vanced ground in opposition to the social drinking customs which had prevailed here, as elsewhere, in New England, and preached and practiced total ab- stinence, which he regarded as essential to Christian living. He was a decided supporter of the theologi- cal doctrines of the fathers of New England, and was uncompromising in his opposition to everything which he regarded as pernicious in doctrine and practice. He undoubtedly somewhat lacked the tol- erant spirit and tact in dealing with those who dif- fered from him in opinion, which were conspicuous in his predecessor. He was very kind and courteous, as well as dignified in manner. He was a public- spirited citizen, and was sincerely desirous to promote the best interests of the community.

The town of Hamilton ought especially to honor his memory for his great service in bringing to light, and placing in accessible form the obscure facts of its history, which, but for his patient research, would have been unknown to the present generation. He was married, September 18, 1816, to Abigail Adam Shaw, who died in Boston, July 5, 1859. In June, 1861, he removed to Salem, and in 1862 was married to Mrs. Catharine B. Meacham, who survived him. He died September 8, 1869, at the age of eighty years, having been for four years incapacitated for useful labor hy a paralytic attack, which he experienced in 1865. During his ministry forty-nine were admitted to the church. The Sabbath-school was revived after his settlement. Nathaniel A. Lovering was chosen superintendant and was succeeded by Dea. Ephraim Annable. In 1829, the inhabitants of the town of Hamilton, with all the lands in such town, except such inhabitants and such lands as do belong to some other parish, or religious society were incor- porated as the First Congregational Parish in Hamil- ton, and after this, the affairs of the town and of the parish were distinct, and each corporation held its own meetings separate from the other.

The next pastor was Rev. George W. Kelly. Mr. Kelly was a native of Greenbrier County, Va., where

he was born August 5, 1808; he was graduated at the Ohio University in 1830, and from Andover Seminary in 1833. He was ordained over the church, July 3, 1834. On account of enfeebled health, he resigned in March, 1850, and removed to Haverhill, where he has since resided ; he was married to Miss Mary Marsh, of Haverhill, who has recently deceased.

In 1843, the old meeting-house which had stood for eighty-one years without material change since it was built in 1762, was remodeled and almost rebuilt, the frame being all of the old structure that was retained. It was turned so as to bring the southerly end to the front, to which twelve feet were added for the vestibule, and the floor of the audience-room was raised to give room for the vestry beneath. Since that time very little change has been made in the structure, except in lowering the floor of the vestry and replacing unsightly benches by settees, and in the audience-room exchanging the pulpit for the modern desk and chairs. This year, 1843, is also especially memorable in the history of the church and town for an extensive and powerful religious awakening. Early in the spring, an unnsual interest was manifested in religious meetings, and while the meeting-house was being rebuilt, the services held in the school-houses were fully attended. The meeting- house was rededicated October 12, 1843. Rev. Mr. Kelly preached the sermon before a large audience, from the text, " And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." On the following Sunday sixty-two persons were admitted to the church, the harvest of the recent revival. One hundred and twenty-six were admitted to the church during the seventeen years of his stay here. During the fifty- two years of Dr. Cutler's ministry the additions num- bered one hundred and forty-three, and during the nine years of Mr. Felt's, forty-nine. Mr. Kelly was peculiarly happy in his pastoral and social relations with church and people. He made himself the friend of all and received their friendship in return, and his removal from the town was the occasion of universal regret. In 1835 the Sabbath-school numbered fifteen teachers, one hundred and thirty-four scholars. Choate Burnham was chosen superintendant in 1848.

Rev. John H. Mordough was installed pastor, June 12, 1850, and was dismissed, April 1, 1861. During his ministry seventy-six was admitted to the church, -fifty-nine upon profession and seventeen by letter from other churches.

Rev. Frank H. Johnson, a native of Boston, gradu- ate of Harvard College and Andover Theological Seminary, was settled October 15, 1861. In Decem- ber, 1862, Mr. Johnson resigned on account of the condition of his health, and ceased to labor here January, 1863. Rev. S. F. French was ordained Sep- tember 29, 1864, as successor to Mr. Johnson, who was at the same time formally dismissed. Mr. French was a native of Candia, New Hampshire, a graduate of Dartmouth College and Andover Seminary. In

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the evening of October 27, 1864, the church heid services commemorative of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its organization and passed appropriate resolutions. Addresses were made by Rev. Mr. French, the pastor, by Honorable A. W. Dodge, and D. E. Safford, The covenant was read and formally renewed by the church. During Mr. French's ministry nineteen were admitted to the church,-thirteen by letter, and six by profession. Having received a call to Tewksbury, he resigned September, 1571, and was dismissed by council Octo- ber 2d. The next pastor was Rev. Calvin G. Hill, of West Medway, who was ordained September 5, 1872. Mr. Hill resigned May, 1876, having received a call to a church in Walpole. While he was pastor twenty-two were admitted to the church,-twenty on profession and two by letter. Since that date no pastor has been installed over the church and society. The acting pastors, who have been hired from year to year, have been Rev. Benson, M. Frink, Rev. Temple C'utler, a grandson of Dr. Cutler, and Rev. Edgar F. Davis, who is the present pastor. Since the resigna- tion of Mr. Hill, thirty-two have been admitted to the church-twenty-three on profession and nine by letter. In 1873, a tasteful and commodious parson- age was built on the northerly end of the okl parson- age lot. The grading and work on the cellar was largely done by volunteer labor. The cost of the house above the underpinning was two thousand six hundred and twenty-five dollars. The funds were obtained by the efforts of public-spirited and energetic ladies of the parish.

A few years after, a well was dug and a barn built. The subscriptions for building this house ranged from one dollar to three hundred dollars. Liberal subscriptions were made by some non-residents, who were interested in it from association with the town as their former home. The only bequest of money ever made to the parish or church was given by the will of Captain Isaac Knowlton. The amount of this legaey was three thousand dollars, which is to be held by trustees, and the income to be used annually for parish expenses. Captain Knowlton died No- vember 7, 1884. He was an industrious farmer and a shrewd manager of money affairs. Having inherit- ed some property from his father, he largely increased it by veonomy, industry, and thrift. He united with the church, July 1, 1858, and ever after was deeply in- terexted in the prosperity of the religious society. Ilaid out and lots staked out; in 1871, three hundred His interest deepened with his advancing years and stimulated him to make this provision, that it should not sustain a loss of means by his death.

In 1553, it was found expedient to organize a new religious society, to be called the First Congregational Society, to take the place of the parish incorporated in 1-29. There was great uncertainty who, if any- body, constituted its legal membership. The prop- ertved the old parish was conveyed to the new This action was confirmed by an act of the

Legislature passed, March 31, 1884, and the parish was dissolved by the same aet. A compaet was form- ally entered into between the church and society de- fining their respective rights in matters in which they were mutually concerned.

A Universalist Society was organized in 1827, by Malachi Knowlton and fifteen others, which existed only for a short time.

In 1875, a building was erected in the eastern part of the town on a lot opposite the school-house, which is called the Union Chapel. It was built to meet the wants of the residents, in that neighborhood, of a con- venient place for religious meetings particularly, as well as for social gatherings. It is not to be held or controlled by any particular sect.

In 1860 Revs. E. O. Haven, C. L. Eastmau, I. J. P. Collyer, L. R. Thayer, and N. O. Soule, clergymen of the New England Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, with ten laymen, representing the Lynn and Boston Districts, were associated together under the title of the Asbury Camp-meeting Associa- tion, for the purpose of establishing and holding camp and other grove meetings in the town of Ham- ilton, under the auspices and in accordance with the usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for the benefit of the churches of Lynn District, and such other churches as might hold and occupy church acecmmodations on the Association ground. The first camp-meeting was held in 1859. The location of the ground is in the southwestern part of the town. It was at first leased, but has since been pur- chased by the Association which now owns seventy- five acres of well-located land, including an extensive and beautiful hemlock and pine grove, with an abun- dant supply of pure water. The preacher's stand faces a gradually rising slope, well adapted to seating a large audience ; surrounding this is a circle of sixty church tents. The grounds are now laid out in avenues, upon which a large number of tasteful and convenient cottages have been erected. In 1867 there were but three avenues, Fiske, Central and Pleasant, and only one shingled cottage on the grounds. Mudge Avenue was then unknown, and when Rev. A. D. Merrill built his cottage near it, at the corner of Ipswich Path, the entire background was a dense wood, almost impenetrable on account of the underbrush, and it was thought unsafe for him to be so far from the circle. In 1869 avenues were and sixty-two private lots had been let, and one hun- dred and twenty-three cottages built. A branch of the Eastern Railroad was built to the grounds in 1870, and in 1874 twenty cottages were erected, and many enlarged and improved; at the present date four hundred and fifty-two lots are rented. In 1886 the Naumkeag Street Railway extended its track to Asbury Grove. It has now become a summer resort, and the cottages are mostly occupied during the sea- son. The meetings are held annually in the month

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 61

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