History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 76

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 76

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).

I only mention we have of Rev. Thomas

Jenners, is that he was admitted freeman in 1636, and preached at Weymouth, and other places, and finally resided in Charlestown, where he died.

The second is Rev. Ralph Smith. He came to the country with Higginson, in 1629. A letter of the company to Mr. Endicott brought by the ship in which he took passage thus speaks of him.

distractions among you, if there should be any syd- ing, though we may have a very good opinion of his honistie, yet we shall not . . . hope offend in chari- tie to fear the worst that may grow from their dif- ferent judgements. We have therefore thought fit to give you this order, that unless he be comfortable to our government you suffer him not to remain with- in the limit of our grant."

His stay in Salem was brief, and he went to Nan- tucket, where he was found in 1630, "in a poor bouse that would not keep him dry, and desiring a better residence."

The people of Plymouth invited him to become their pastor, and with them he continued until 1635, when he left them as the Plymouth record states "on account of his own disinclination to stay, because of its irksom duties." "He is called a man of low gifts and parts." In 1647, his name appears among the members of the Salem Church. Ile remained here till about 1650, when he removed to Boston where he died.

It is said "he wanted candor, prudence and experi- ence, and resembled his predecessors in Plymouth, in nothing except he was of the strictest sect of the Puritans. He was zealous and imprudent ; his zeal was that ebullition of temper, which has done so much mischief in society, as well as caused great confusion in the church." Mr. Smith soon laid down his office at Plymouth, and this reflection was made. "Many times the total vacancy of an office is easier to be borne, than the under performance of it."

Mr. Smith was supported by a weekly contribution. Winthrop in his journal says : " On the 5th, 9th mo. 1645, the village at Jefferey's neck was incorporated and called Manchester. Not being in a church state, they have procured Mr. Smith, sometime minister at Plymouth, to preach to them."

The third and fourth preachers mentioned by Cheever are Stow and Dunham ; of these we find no mention. It is probable they supplied for a brief period, and resided elsewhere.

In the town record, we find in about 1650, Na- thaniel Marsterson, who was a minister, " was grant- ed free seed for his cattle and timber to build him a

1283

MANCHESTER.

house." In 1654 he sold his house, and removed to Beverly. In 1660 he was appointed to office in Maine.

His descendants lived for many generations in Manchester, having changed their names to Mars- ters.

Although his name does not appear in Mr. Chee- ver's list, we feel justified in considering him as one of the early preachers in the town.

Thomas Millet's name is found in the Cheeve: list, and frequently in the records of the town. This name is affixed as a witness to the deed of the Mars- terson house and land in 1654. The town granted him the use of the parsonage land. A swamp and wood lot has ever since borne his name. In 1655 he was married by Mr. Endicott, to a daughter of Sylvester Everleth ; in 1660 he removed to Glouces- ter.

Mr. Millet probably dwelt in that town during his occasional preaching in Manchester. He died in 1707.

Mr. Cheever places Messrs. Hawthorn and Jones next to Millet. These gentlemen probably supplied occasionally, but resided in some neighboring town.

The next minister of whom we find record is John Winborn, who came in 1667. Of his early his- tory but little is known. He was in Malden in 1667, where he married Mary Hart. His salary here was £27 with his fire wood and the use of the parsonage land. His residence here was far from a peaceful one. Continued difficulties existed which were of- ten brought before the town. At length the patience of the people was exhausted, and in 1686 the follow- ing vote was passed : "that he forth with provide for himself and family some other place." This diffi- culty was adjusted, and he remained till 1689. In 1690 a town-meeting was called "to treat with Mr. Winborn about matters in controversy between the town and Mr. W. with respect to land or money, or monies, which he do or might challenge or lay claim to as his due, the same Winborn having de- sired this meeting to be called." A committee was appointed to examine his claim, either by gift or contract during his abode as minister in the town. Mr. Winborn claimed the Millet lot, which the town refused ; the difficulty was settled by the town pay- ing him £5 108. 6d. Ile died in 1707.

In 1689 Rev. John Everleth was invited to preach as a candidate for settlement at ten shillings per Sab- bath. In September he engaged to preach for them at £23 per year. His answer to the invitation is as follows: "In testimony of the conditions above written, promising the utmost fidelity in carrying out the work of the ministry of the Gospel, as above said, God enabling me, I do subscribe

" JOHN EVERLETH."

At the same town-meeting it was voted to give Sergt. Sibley three shillings per day for entertaining the minister, " diet and lodging."

In 1690 the town agreed with Mr. Everleth for the same salary, "quality and quantity," and in addition a contribution was to be taken up every Sabbath ; and a vote was passed that what money the inhabitants see cause to give from time to time, towards Mr. Everleth's support shall be wrapped in a paper with the name of the contributor upon it; and whoever shall contribute without this superscription, it shall be counted as strangers' money.

February 3d, the town granted that a parcel of land called Millet's swamp, being six acres, " for the use, benefit and suport" of the ministry forever.

At Mr. Everleth's request his salary was increased to £35, to be paid quarterly.

In October, 1693, a town-meeting was called

"To consider some effectnal way for the encouragement and settling a minister in our town, Mr. John Everleth, whoor we have already had experience of his preaching among us, and knowing it is our duty to do our utmost endeavor for the obtaining and maintaining the ministry of the gospel among us, consequences that may follow, if we neglect our duty here in, and so be destitute of such means as God has ordained for the eternal salvation of immortal souls, of which we have remarkable Instances in the Scriptures, which are written for man's instruction, viz .: iu the 2d book of Chronicals, chapt. 15 verse 3-5, and in Proverbs 29 chapt. 18 verse.

"Contrary wise-where duty is attended to in this great and momen- tous work, ao we read in 2d Chronicles 21st chapter 10th verse ; also in Corinthiane.

" Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the word, and 'they that wait at the alter are partakers at the alter. God has ordained that they which preach the gospel, should live by the gospel.

" Under these and like considerations it was voted and fully agreed by the town on the above written.

" First, to pay Mr. Everleth the anm of £35 per annum for his yearly salary, to he paid quarterly in eaqual proportions, the first year to begin on the first day of next montb, so long as he doth continue among us in the work of the ministry of the gospel according to the rules of the holy scriptures.

"Secondly, The said Everleth shall have the possession and the iot- provement of the parsonage house for his own proper use and benefit, with all the land and meadow belonging thereto, as already deputied by Buid towo for the use of the ministry, together with Millet's swamp.

" To hold the afore said premises during his abode as minister among us, and the town agree to fit the house, for his convenience, and build him a barn 18 ft in length, by 16 ia width."

Mr. Everleth would not consent to settle, but he continued as minister until August 17, 1695, when he accepted an invitation to preach at Enfield, Mass.

He was a son of Sylvester Everleth, of Gloucester. Graduated at Harvard College 1689. He was highly respected while in this town. 1n 1695 he preached at Enfield. In 1700 he was settled at Stow, and left in 1716. In 1719 he was installed at Kennebeck- port, Me., and resigned in 1729, on account of the in- firmities of age. He is represented by the historian of Kennebunk as having been their "minister and school-master, a good blacksmith and farmer, and the best fisherman in the town." This dismission must have been regretted by his parishioners.

After the departure of Mr. Everleth several were invited to settle, among whom was the Rev. Edward Thompson, of Newbury, who it may be inferred ac- cepted, for it is recorded the town ordered £6 to de- fray the charges of removing his family to Manches-

12-4

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ter ; but he did not preach, and a committee was ap- pointed to procure a minister.

They obtained Rev. John Emerson, who settled with them for a few years at a salary of forty-five pounds per annum, with the use of the parsonage. land, etc. He was the son of the Rev. John Emer- son, of Gloucester, graduated at Harvard College in 16-9.

In 1697 his salary was increased to forty-eight pounds, and a contribution to be taken four times a year, viz., the last Sabbath of every quarter, which was to be accounted for by the selectmen. In 1698 he resigned, and in 1703 accepted a call from New Castle, N. H. In 1712 he left that place, and was in- stalled over the Second Church in Portsmouth.

For the benefit of his health he visited Europe, and was favorably received by Queen Anne, of England. On his return he preached at Portsmouth and wrote the lives of the apostles, which were never published. He was spoken of as a faithful and eminent preacher of the Gospel.

In 1698 the Rev. Nicholas Webster was settled at a salary of fifty-eight pounds per annum. He was the first to occupy the new parsonage, afterwards given to Rev. Amos Cheever. In 1700 he was invited to re- main permanently, but he was unwilling to do so, but continued as their pastor, with an increased salary of seventy-two pounds, until 1715. He was the son of Dr. Webster, of Gloucester, was born in 1673, gradu- ated at Harvard College 1695, and died in Gloucester in 1717.

But little is known of him, but there is a tradition that he was a very useful minister.

A town-meeting was called on the 5th of Decem- her, 1715, to take measures to settle a minister, and a committee was chosen, consisting of the selectmen, Robert beach, Sr., Samuel Lee, Sr., AAaron Bennett, William Hilton, John Bishop, Benjamin Allen, Thomas Pittman, Samuel beach, John Foster, John Lee, Jr., and Nathaniel Marsters, who were to con- sult with the pastors of the neighboring churches on the subject. A day of fasting and prayer was ap- pointed to seek the favor of God on ourselves and on our children, and to pray unto him that he would wend forth a faithful laborer unto this little part of his vineyard.

Rev. Mr. Gerrish, of Wenham; Rev. Thomas Blower, of Beverly ; Rev. Mr. Wise and Rev. Mr. White, were invited to aid in the services. The com- mittee nereed with Rev. Amos Cheever to become their pastor, and on the 12th of March, 1716, they re- Jurt as follows :

. B., vo -bur ar la into subscriled, being a committee chosen : 1 : q west th twh of Manchester to agree with and covounnt Interit nelleit will the Rev Anosti ver, and to offer and : furto fewletray nelid for the ent nagement of the

w . Itle ( 1 ) . 9. 1 with work of for h bis aheady in PLenglen wochen naly alle 1, thhugh the minutes of

"Now being sensible that it is our bounden unty, and being com- manded by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we who are taught should contribute to him who teaches us in all good things, we do give, grant, make over, and fully and freely and absolutely forever confirni unto the sand Anios Cheever, bis heirs, executors and assigns, the town's pars nage house, wherein Mr. Webster lived, nud a peice of land on part of which the house stands, reputed to be an acre and a half, with the barn, fences, tires, and all the appurtances und privileges, to have and to hold without let or melestation from any of the inhabitants of said town forever. to be his and his being in fer simple, on his declaration of his acceptance of our offer for a settlement among us, and we will give him a legal conveyance thereof. We engage to pay him annually, in sick- ness and in health, during the whole term of his being our minister, or holding pastoral relations with the church, the sum of £70, New England currency, fur annum, which salary to commence on the first of June. Also to give him the whole of the money of a free and generous contri- bution, to be upheld by us weekly on every Sabbath. We grant him the sule improvement of all the land or marsh that is or shall be deemed minister's land. Also to give him annually sufficient and good firewood for his family, and for neglect of this we will pay him flo in current money in lieu thereof. Likewise we do covenant that when it shall please Gud to increase our numbers to 80 families, we will add to his salmy the sum of £10, and we shall give him £100 when there shall be 100 families belonging to the town and congregation.

" In witness, &c., July 23d, 1716. " JOHN FOSTER and others of the committee."

To which the following reply was received from Rev. Mr. Cheever :

" I derlare my acceptance of the Manchester officers, in order to a set- tlement among you, covenanting wh. you to do so, and accept ordination as soon as may be, whilst you are luhoring to accomplish wh .- and I promise to live wh. yon in ye labors of ye Gospel, whilst you continue in its faith and order, yielding to me all the honors yt ye Gospel demande from yo ambassadors of the glourious Lord. Brethren, pray for me "' AMES CHEEVER." Amen.

Mr. Cheever was ordained October 4, 1716, and the church organized on the 7th of November following. They had communed with the church at Salem until 1677, when they were gathered in Beverly, with whom they met until October 20th of this year, when they were dismissed, "in order to their coming into a church state among themselves." The names of those dismissed were John Sibley and his wife, John Lee, Robert Leach, Samnel Stone, Samnel Lee, John Knowlton and children (John, Joseph and Abigail), Benjamin Allen, Joseph Allen and wife, Jabes Baker and wife, Josiah Littlefield and Jonathan Allen.

The records of Mr. Cheever's ministry were lost for nearly one hundred years, when they were discov- ered among some old family papers by Rev. Mr. Ilarris, of Danvers, who married a daughter of Mr. Cheever, and who kindly forwarded them to the church. From these we make the following extracts :

" Nine mules have signed the church covenant and ten females, with us, being in full communion with other churches.

" The holy ordinance of the Lord's Supper was first administered in Manchester January 6th, 2716-17 ; members admitted from Jun, 6, 1716, to Nov. 26, 1727, 45 ; recommended to communion before Nov. 26, 1727, 11 ; new members admitted in 12 months after the great earthquake Oct. 2727, 10 ; whole number ndmitted in full communion from Jan 6, 1716, to April 3, 1743, IGY ; the number of marriages from Dec. 6, 1716, to December 16th, 1743, 106 ; Baptism of Adults nud Infants from Jan. 6, 1716, to Feb. 12, 1743, 667."

MIRTIS

DEATHS

BIRTHS

DEATHIS

1717

... 13

1723

.. 17

1718.

.. 17

1721. ..... .23

1719.

1725

15220

1721

4 JE8

1285

MANCHESTER.

This is an interesting statement as showing a most healthful preponderance of births over deaths.

The first deacon was Benjamin Allen, who was succeeded by Benjamin Lee in 1737.

On February 27, 1743, Mr. Cheever requested a dis- mission from his pastoral connections with the church at Manchester, which he had faithfully maintained for twenty-seven years. An ecclesiastical council was summoned and his desire complied with.

Mr. Cheever was the son of Rev. Samuel Cheever, of Marblehead, and grandson of the celebrated school- master, Ezekiel Cheever ; he was born in I686, grad- uated at Harvard College, 1707, and died in this town at the age of seventy. In 1717, he married Anne, the daughter of Rev. Joseph Gerrish, of Wen- ham. She died in 1726. In 1732 he married Mary Saunders, of Boston. She died in 1734. In the year following he married Sarah Choate, of Ipswich, who died in 1750; he married again, in 1753, to Sarah Davis, of Gloucester, who survived him. He died January 15, 1756.

Of Mr. Cheever Dr. Leach, in his admirable his- tory, says : "We are justified in recording his labors as a minister as faithful to the church, among the people, as highly useful. He came at a period when everything was to be done; when the condition of the society conspired to render these labors exceedingly arduous. A church was to be organized, disciplined, and a system of operations to be instituted among a people who, for seventy-six years, had had no other than the transient preaching of the Gospel, and among whom then existed a settled- prejudice for old habits, and the insubordination of a small and scattered settlement. Not only was he faithful in his ministrations as a pastor, but he manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the people, by instituting schools, which had been neglected, by the introduc- iion of implements in the art of agriculture. Through- out the entire period of his residence here the cur- rency of the country was in an unsound condition. Towards the close of his ministration one hundred and twenty pounds was assessed to supply the defi- ciency of his salary. He was possessed of consider- ably property, and his library was larger, and was thought to have been as valuable as that of any clergy- man in the vicinity. Among them were many of the Latin and Greek classics."

The manner of taking contributions in those days is thus described by Josslyn :

" The people held the minister should he supported by free will offer- inge rather than by land revenues or tithes. At the time of taking the con- tribution one of the deacons stood up and spoke something of this kind. Now brethren there is left time for the contribution, whereof ua God has prospered you so freely offer.' The congregation then came one after another, and brought their offerings to the deacon in his seat, and put it in a box if it he money or paper ; or if it he any other chattel, it waa put down before the deacon, and ho passed another way to bis seat. Contributions were taken in this way until about 1760."

In 1744, Dea. Benjamin Lee and Jonathan Herrick were chosen a committee to advise with Mr. Wiggles-

worth, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Champney, and Mr. War- ner, as to the settlement of a minister. Several can- didates were heard, and in July the town unani- mously agreed to give Rev. Benjamin Tappan an in- vitation to settle among them, and a committee of eleven were chosen to arrange the terms of settlement. The original document together with Mr. Tappan's letter of acceptance is yet in the possession of a de- scendant, and of which the following is a copy :

" We whose names ere hereunto subscribed Being a Committee Chosen & empowered by the Town of Manchester in New England, to Agree & Covenant in said Town's Behalf with Mr. Benjamin Tappan who has lately, in a Legal Meeting of Said Town, been called & made choice off to carry the work of the Gospel Ministry among us & who has promised & engaged to do so; Do agree with and Confirm to him as followeth, viz .:

"1. We promise to give Mr. Tappan four Hundred and fifty Pounds old Tenor, towards his Settlement, and to pay the same when Demanded. 4 2. We promise him, yearly, one hundred and forty Eight Ounces of Silver, or Bills of Public Credit equal to 148 ounces. And this we prom- ise to give him both in sickness and in health During the whole time & term off his being our Minister, or standing in Pastoral Relations to the Church of Christ in this place.

"3. We agree that Mr. Tappan's salary commence the first Day of April next.

"4. We promise that one half of his Salary Shall be paid him yearly the first of October, and the other half of it at the end of the year, viz. : the last of March.

" 5. We promise that Mr. Tappan shall have the use and improve- ment of all the Ministry Land in the Town of Manchester which is en- closed by a fence at this Day ; and this we promise him so long as he shall continue in the Ministry among us

"6. We promise & engag him a sufficiency of fire wood for his own family on the Ministry Wood Lots of the aforsaid Town and also the herbage on the same.

" 7. We declare it our Intent and Design to Cut & Hale Mr. Tap- pan's fire wood, not absolutely engaging to cut & Hale it, lest the same should come to be a Town charge.

"8. We promise the Contribution Box shall be held every Lord's Day & that all the money Contributed Shall be awarded to Mr. Tappan's use.

" Now in Witness and Confirmation of all & Singular the Articles and Clauses herein Contained, we have Set our hands & Seals, this Sixth Day of December Anno Domini, 1745. Signed,

" John Edwards, John Lee,

Benjamin Lee, Robert Herrick,

Jonathan Loe, Jr., John Lee, Jun.,

Benj. Allen, Jr., Samuel Allen, Jun.,

Andrew Hooper. Jonathan Herrick,

Richard Coye.1'

To these conditions Mr. Tappan returned the fol- lowing reply :

"To the Committee of the Town of Manchester :

" DEAR SIRS ; Since you have thought fit to give me a call to settle in the ministry among you, I hereby declare my compliance with your invitation on the following conditions :

" lat. yt, you give me £260 O. T. per annum-fit it on a Silver Stan- dard.

"2d. yt, you give me for a settlement the house, barn, orchard, ell the land within the fence, as it now stands, which belongs to Ezekiel Goodell, to be my own property.

"3d. or yt, you give me £450 O. T. when celled for, for e settlement. " 4th. yt. you grant me the use of the ministers land in Manchester, during the time I continue as your minister.

" BENJ. TAPPAN."

November 12th, the town agreed to comply with Mr. Tappan's conditions, and he was ordained on the 11th of December, 1745.

1749, one hundred and forty-eight ounces of silver, and eleven cords of wood purchased for Rev. Mr. Tap- pan's salary.

12-6

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

June, 1703, Dr. Watts' version of the Palms of Tappan, of Newbury; was born in 1720, graduated at David introduced into the church, and his hymns to ' Harvard in 1742. He married Elizabeth Marsh, of Haverhill. She died in 1807, aged eighty-four.

he sung at the Lord's tal le.

In 1761, the church ordered that the volumes of Baxter's works should be put into Mr. Tappan's hands to be lent by him, always subject to be returned to him at the expiration of four months.

In 1762, Rev. Mr. Tappan's salary was $83, 168, 8d. 1767, the town ordered £36, 138. 4d. as a gift to Rev. Mr. Tappan, which was continued 1768, and increased in 1769 to £ w.

In 1774, on the occasion of the separation of the Second Church in Ipswich to form the Fourth, an un- happy misunderstanding existed between them and the church at Manchester.

October 25th, being the period to which the council adjourned, the Rev. Mr. Tappan with a delegation from Manchester appeared, and laid before them their proposal for pacification between them and the Fourth Church, with which the council complied.

1775, Deacon John Tewksbury died.

On the 6th of May, 1790, the church and town were called to mourn the death of their valued and beloved pastor, in the forty-sixth year of his ministry among them.

The selectmen with Dr. David Norwood were ap- pointed a committee to make the arrangments for the funeral of their venerable minister, and to present mourning to the family of the deceased. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Forbes, of Gloucester.

Throughout the long period of Mr. Tappan's min- istry he held a high place in the affections of his peo- ple, though at a time of severe, and continued political distractions, embarrassments by which the smallest and most remote precincts were sufferers. So much was this the case in this town, that the im- poverished people were unable to pay the minister's covenanted salary. Yet Mr. Tappan maintained uninterruptedly, and with faithfulness, the ministra- tions of his pastoral duties.

During the period of his labors one hundred and righty-two were added to the church.

Ile was a patriot of the most unyielding type. In times of unusual danger from the enemy's cruisers he urged the pe yde to take their arms and ammunition with them on the Sabbath, and set the example by taking his own musket to the pulpit stairs. He be- hesed in being always prepared to resist invasion, and frequently que ed that passage of Scripture, " He that hath ho sword let him sell his garment and buy one." He sent two of his sons into the army, one of whom, Lhehezer, was the last survivor of the soldiers of the Revolution from this town. Dr. Leach writes as fol- MIWN.

i was very respectabilo, as appears

= they to The hip , huww highly valor sil, and his death deeply

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 76

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