History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 77

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 77

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).

Re Bonman Pappan was the son of Samuel

He had eleven children, among whom was Benja- min, an eminent citizen of Northampton ; David, who was made Hollis professor of divinity at Har- vard College in 1792, and who died in 1803. Of him Dr. Ilolmes remarks, "his death threw a gloom over his bereaved family, over the university, the church, the commonwealth and the country."

Samuel and Amos became successful educators, and Ebenezer and Michael were in the army of 1776.

"The descendants of this early pastor are numerous and highly respected."

After the decease of Mr. Tappan the vacancy was filled by Rev. MIr. Blake and Mr. Worcester until September, 1791, when the committee chosen in be- half of the church and parish gave an invitation to Rev. Ariel Parish to settle with them. He accepted, and a committee of eleven were chosen to determine the conditions of settlement, which were :

"Ist. That Mr. Parish should quit claim the parsonage land, with the exception of Ist, A parcel of land bounded westerly on land of Cap- tain David Pierce, northerly ou land of John Cheever, southerly on the town's poor-house.

" 2d, A pasture in the Plain field.

" 3d, A piece of thatch bank at Kettle Cove.

" 4th, Wood lots in the north division, one in the sonth division, one at Shingle-place hill and one adjoining the Common.

" 5th, The parsonage pew, excepting a boat for the widow of the late Rev. Benjamin Tappan.

" 6th, The interest in the Parsonage money, viz. : £61 11s. 8d.

" Mr. Parish should have $150 settlement and $70 as his annual sal- ary."

These terms were accepted, and Mr. Parish en- tered upon his duties in March, 1792, and labored diligently until May, 1794, when the church and the people were called to mourn his early death. He died in the thirtieth year of his age, and in the third year of his ministry.

In the spring of this year an epidemic fever pre- vailed in town, and was very fatal. The distress was so great, and so general, that nurses could not be ob- tained to take the necessary care of the sick. In this distressing condition of the people Mr. Parish was untiring in his attentions to the sick, and to such a degree, that his exhausted constitution readily yielded to the tatal power of the disease. Almost every household was in mourning for its dead rela- tives and friends, but the loss of their beloved pas- tor was most seriously felt by this deeply afflicted people.

A special meeting of the town was called and Henry Story, Ezekiel Leach and Delucena L. Bing- ham were chosen a committee to make arrangements for his funeral.

Mr. Parish was the son of Elijah Parish, of An- dover ; was born in 1764; he graduated at Dartmouth College, 1788; he married Hannah Chute, of Byfield, and had one daughter, who died in Manchester in 1793.

1287

MANCHESTER.

A writer of an obituary notice thus remarks :

" While he was decidedly one of the strictest of the Calvinistic school, no man ever manifested a more condid or placid temper towards those who had adopted a different creed. The uniform decision, with which he embraced his own opinions, led him as decidedly to yield the same privilidge to others. His sermone were uniformly plain and practical, withont harshness of controversy or the show of ornament. His elocution in the pulpit was manly, distinct and pathetic, and doubt- Jess had his days been prolonged, he would have risen to eminence. Whilst he lived, he was distinguished for his easy and social suavity of manners by which he won the affections and reigned in the hearts of his people ; for he shared their joys and sympathized in their sorrows. A letter from a member of his church tbus closes ; 'he was cut off in the morning of life and the tears of many watered his grave.'

"' Even children followed with endearing wile,

And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile.'"

Until May 23, 1801, the people were destitute of a pastor, when Abraham Raudall, of Stow, accepted the call to settle, and he was ordained in August fol- lowing. Ife had a settlement of five hundred dollars and an annual salary of three hundred and thirty- four dollars with the improvement of the parsonage land.

In May, 1808, he requested his dismission, which was granted him, and he removed to Stow. During his ministration of seven years there were thirty-one added to the church.

Rev. Mr. Randall was born in Stow, October, 1771 ; graduated at Harvard, in 1798; studied divinity with Prof. Tappan, of Cambridge, and Dr. Dana, of Ips- wich. Married Hannah Leverett, of Hampton, N. H., 1777, by whom he had ten children. He built the home now owned by the heirs of Ivory Brown.

On the 10th of January, 1809, Rev. James Thurs- ton was settled as pastor of this church, with a salary of five hundred and fifty dollars and the use of the parsonage property. A great revival of religion fol- lowed, and during the year 1810 there were one hun- dred and ten added to the church. The following ex- tract from Mr. T.'s diary is of interest :

" We met to worship in the new house for the first time on Thanks- giving day, 1809, and the pastor preached from Ezekiel 36 chap. 26, 27, 28 verses, and a great revival followed. On the 14th of February the meeting-house was dedicated to the worship of God. Sermon from Psalmı 27, 4 verse."

Mr. Thurston's pastorate was not a peaceful one, and after many difficulties and dissensions, an ecclesi- astieal council was called, and he was dismissed July 9, 1819, and he removed to Exeter, N. H., in which place he was born in March, 1779. Ordained in New Mar- ket, N. H., 1800 ; resigned in 1808; installed in Man- chester in 1809; left in 1819; and died at Exeter, January, 1836, leaving six children.

On the 27th of July, 1821, the church and society united in an invitation to the Rev. Samuel M. Emer- son to become their pastor. They offered him a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, fourteen cords of wood at his house and the improvement of all the parsonage land.

lle accepted the terms and was installed Septem- ber 12, 1821.

The discord that had prevailed in the church ex-

isted to some extent ; but under the wise and ener- getie policy of Mr. Emerson, the tares were separated from the wheat and harmony was restored. In 1825 the articles of faith and covenant were printed for the first time, with all the names of the members of the church. And in 1833 the church took a stand against the use of ardent spirits as a beverage and deelared for total abstinence, as will be seen by the following :

"Whereas the use of Ardent Spirits has been the fruitful cause of numerous evils, which admit of no remedy but that of total abstinence, and as it is the incumbent duty of the churches to maintain a high standard of Christian morality, it will from this time be required of all persons presenting themselves as candidates for admission to this church, to abstain from the use of Ardent Spirits in all its forms, except as a medicine.

"SAMUEL. M. EMERSON, " Pastor."

Mr. Emerson labored faithfully and very accepta- bły until the spring of 1839, when his health began to fail, and in the September following he asked his dismissal, which was granted. As the result of his faithful labors, two hundred and four persons were added to the church.

Rev. Samuel M. Emerson was the son of Rev. John Emerson of Conway, Massachusetts, born Nov- ember, 1785, graduated at Williams College 1810, was installed in Heath, September 16, 1840, and died there July 20, 1841, leaving a widow and five children.

Rev. Oliver A. Taylor, was the next asked to take charge of the church, at a salary of seven hundred dollars. Mr. Taylor accepted the call and was in- stalled September 18, 1839. He continued his labors until December 18, 1851, when death called him. Ile was born in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, August 1801, graduated at Union College 1825, studied theology at Andover. He was buried in Manchester. He was somewhat noted as a scholar and a writer on sacred subjects. He left a widow but no children.

Rev. Rufus Taylor was installed May 6th, 1852. Ife was a brother to the last pastor. In September 1856, he made a voyage to Russia for his health. On his re- turn he was very cordially received and presented with a purse of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, by his society. There was a little dissatisfaction respecting some exchanges, and the following vote was passed in April, 1857. " That it would be grati- fying to the members of the First Parish, assembled at their annual meeting if Rev. Mr. Taylor would enlarge the circle of his exchanges." To this reso- lution Mr. Taylor sent a sharp and rather ill-natured reply, and concluded his note by resigning his charge.

His resignation was accepted by the Parish. He still however, continued to preach in the meeting-house, until late in the autumn, when with a minority of the church and society, he began to hold services in an- other building, they claiming to be the First Congre- gational Church.

A council licld December 16, 1857, decided that

1243

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

neither party without the other had a claim to be the l'ongrezational Church, and dismissed Mr. Taylor "from all his church, and parish relations." The number of church members following Mr. Taylor was seventy-nine, and those opposing him were one hundred. Mr. Taylor accepted the decision of the council and left the town.

He was born in Hawley, Massachusetts, 1811, and during his stay with the church at Manchester fitty- right were admitted.

The minority then seenred the services of Rev. Francis V. Tenney, late of Byfield, who was installed as their pastor August 15, 1858, and a small chapel was titted for the accommodation of this seceding church and society. Happily a reunion of the two churches was effected in March, 1869: and the chapel was generously presented by Mrs. A. II. Trask to the original society by whom it is now used as a Vestry.

In [856, the First Congregational Society pur- chased of the proprietors and the town their interest in the church and remodeled its interior. The whole house was put in thorough repair, and on the 9th of April, it was rededicated. An organ donated by Capt. Richard Trask, and Mrs. Sarah Allen, was first used on this occasion, and an original hymn by William B. Tappan was sung by the choir. A new bell weighing twenty-two hundred pounds was pre- sented by B. L. Allen, Esq.

The successor of Rev. Rufus Taylor was Rev. George E. Freeman, who was ordained October 5, 1858. His pastorate was a brief one, as he was dis- missed at his own request November 18, 1862. Ile was born in Nova Scotia November, 1833.

Rev. Edward P. Tenney became the pastor on the 3d of November, 1562, and continued to preach until September 30, 1867. Mr. Tenney is the author of the "Silent House," " Coronation " and several other ad- mirable books.

Rev. George L. Gleason was installed on the 7th of April, 1869, and dismissed by Council Sept. 21, ISS1.

Rev. D. Olin Clark was installed April 20, 1882, and dismissed by Council at his own request Feb- ruary 6, 18%.

Rev. Daniel Marvin, Jr., became the pastor on the Ist of March, 1896, and is still in charge.

BAPTIST CHI ROR. - It is not difficult to picture in imagination n stunlt shallop bearing down from Sa- len Harbor to Jeffrey's Creek on a summer day, w mewhere from 1631 to 1635, having on board Mr. Hofer Wiliams, ' teacher," and afterwards "minis- ter," of the First Church in Salem, on his way to break the Bread of life to the few fisher folk who Inved along the shore, and whose log cabins began to re. her and there in the woods. There is no his- toread mention, however, of such a vist; and if the modern apo the of " sotl hberty " had ever stepped tout on the shores of Manchester, he appears to have Att woosciples behind him.

The history of Baptist opinions in the town it is impossible at this late day to rescue from oblivion ; but the history of the Baptist Church may be briefly tokl.

There had no doubt been persons in town who held more or less clearly and fully the views of doctrine and Christian ordinances which serve to differentiate Baptists from their fellow-believers of the orthodox faith. But events waited long for the hour and the man ; and the first movement was not in the direction of the formation of a regular Baptist Church.

It was in the summer and fall of 1842 that Elder Elam Burnham, of Essex, began to hold meetings from time to time in the room now occupied by the Public Library on School Street, and afterwards in a hall in the tavern. The preaching gave special prominence to the Second Advent of Christ, and, as in other places at that time, it aroused a good deal of interest, and was met by corresponding opposition.

Elder Burnham was a man of strong native charac- ter and indomitable will, and his preaching was with power. A number were baptized by him, and on the 10th of April, 1843, thirteen men and women met and formed themselves into a church. A few days later fifty-seven others joined the new organization, making seventy in all. The body called itself a " Christian " Church. It adopted no creed but the New Testament, and claimed to be independent of any religious de- nomination. It was organized, however, on the model of the so-called "Christian Connection," although it was not admitted into the Rockingham Christian Conference until the following year. Mr. Burnham was chosen pastor.

Measures were taken to build a meeeting-house and on February 28, 1844, the building was opened for worship, Rev. P. R. Russell, of Boston, preaching the dedication sermon. It is said that some deprived themselves of the necessaries of life to aid in the eree- tion of this building.

Mr. Burnham remained as pastor but one year, and was succeeded by Rev. O. J. Waite, from 1844 to 1848. Rev. P. R. Russell became pastor in 1848 and remained three years. Mr. Russell was a man of ability and character ; during his ministry he preached a series of lectures on the Life of Christ, which were afterwards published. He also lectured and wrote on Universalism and Materialism. It was during Mr. Russell's pastorate that the church, under his lead became a regular Baptist Church, and on February 28, 1850, was regularly recognized by an ecclesiasti- cal council called for that purpose, according to the usages of the Baptist denomination. The pastors who have served since 1851, have been Rev. G. W. Davis, 1852; Rev. G. F. Danforth, 1853-56; Rev. C. W. Redding, 1856-61; Rev. L. B. Hatch, 1863-68; Rev. 11. F. IF. Miller, 1870-71; Rev. C. D. Swett, 1873- 75; Rev. C. T. Holt, 1879-81. The church was then without a pastor for nearly three years, Rev. D. F. Lamson, of Ilartford, Conn., becoming stated supply

1289

MANCHESTER.

Jaunary I, 1884. There have been but few Sundays when the meeting-house was closed for want of a preacher, although there have been several periods of from two to four years when the church was without a pastor. During these times recourse was often had for a pulpit supply to Newton Theological Institute.

The church has never been a strong one in num- bers or wealth. It has suffered much at times by re- movals and deaths ; the manner of its formation was peculiar, and its subsequent history not favorable to home generous growth. It has not been without its internal trials, which once threatened a formal divi- sion, but wiser and better counsels have latterly pre- vailed, and the church has grown in harmony within, and increased by additions from without. Its present membership is eighty-seven

The church has licensed and sent out three minis- ters of the Gospel.

The expenses of worship are met by pew rents and weekly offerings, and the church and society have been out of debt since January, 1884, when the last indebtedness incurred by a second remodeling of the house of worship was cancelled. Since that time other improvements have been made in the way of carpeting, painting and furnishing, including a bap- tistery, all of which have been provided for partly by the generous help of some summer attendants.

The church is connected with the Salem Baptist Association.

The Sunday-school connected with the church has twenty officers and teachers, and one hundred and fifty-eight scholars. It has three hundred and fifty- eight volumes in the library.

THE PARSONAGES .- The first parsonage, or minis- ter's house of which we have record, was built in 1685; it occupied the site on which the residence of Daniel W. Friend now stands, on School Street. The lot of land was given by the proprietors of the four hundred acres, and the following is a copy of the conveyance :

" Whereas there is no place so convenient for a honse for the ministry to be built upon, as a small parcel of land lying on the oorth side of the Brook below the saw-mill, it being about 1/3 of an acre lying between said brook and the highway, and belong to the proprietors of the 400 acres. We whose names are hereunto subscribed being the rightful and true proprietors of the said $4 of an acre, do by these presents, on the day and year underwritten, for ourselves, our heirs, assigns, execu- tors and administrators, freely nud frankly, grant, give, alienate, as- sign and set off and confirm, unto the towo of Manchester to them, and their heirs, the above said parcel of land, to have and to hold forever, to be made use of for the setting of a parsonage house, to be im- proved for the use of the orinister, and io confirmation thereof we have this 2d day of March 1685 hereunto set our hands and seals.

Samuel Allen

Thomas Tewksbury William Hassam

witnesses to the

Jolın Lee

Conveyance

Samuel Leach Robert Leach John Sibley Oneciphoris Allen William Allen

" This house was sold in 1699 to John Terran, shoemaker, with 34 acres of land adjoining, for the sum of £20. current money, which is to be improved for the use of the ministry."

Many years after this sale it was moved, enlarged and finally taken down in 1853.

At a town meeting April 23, 1699, a committee was appointed to build a new parsonage house, forty-two feet long, eighteen feet wide and fourteen feet stud, to be located near the meeting-house, at the discretion of the committee. A rate for fifty pounds was made to defray the expenses ; and much common land was sold this year, particularly at the Great Neck (Old Neck) aud House Island, and the proceeds of the sales were devoted to the building of the new parsou- age house, and settling a minister in town. This parsonage house was located near the spot on which the dwelling-house of Captain John Carter now stands, and was ocenpied by Rev. Nicholas Webster until 1715. In 1716 it was given to Rev. Amos Cheever, at the time of his settlement in the ministry in Manchester, together with an acre and a half of land adjoining, extending on the road from near the Sawmill Brook to the lot of land on which the Bap- tist Meeting-house stands. This lot of land was given to the town by the proprietors of the four hun- dred acres April 6, 1716, by the following instrument of conveyance, recorded in the town records, viz .:

" 3716, April 6th. We the proprietors of the 40) acres do for our- selves, our heirs, give up all our rights in that parcel of Land lying vo the West side of the highway that goes to the Saw-mill and joining to Samuel Lee, Northwesterly ; and to the old Parsonage land and Mead- ow Southwesterly, to the towns use as a Parsonage forever, as witness our bands, and this to be entered in our town Book as a firm conveyance as appears under our hands.

" Samuel Leach. John Allen. Aaron Bennett.

Daniel Williams. Nath'l Marsters, Oniciphonis Allea. Benjamin Allen.

Joseph Allen. John Bishop. Eliah Littlefield.

Robert Leach.

Juoathan Allen.

Richard Leach.

" Entered,

" JOHN LEE, Town Clerk, Attest."

The same year "a committee was appointed to lay out for a pasture for the Rev. Amos Cheever 15 aeres near the Mill,-10 acres in Poplar plain, or 8 acres near Millett's Bridge as Mr. Cheever shall de- sire."

The third parsonage-house was purchased by the town in 1745 for the Rev. Benjamin Tappan. It was formerly the homestead of Ezekiel Goodall, who died in 1734. The estate comprised a dwelling-house, barn and about five acres of land, pleasantly situated on the northerly side of the "Saw-Mill Brook," and opposite the first parsonage-house. This house was of the long, sloping-roof style, two stories in front, one story in the rear, and was probably built about the time of the first parsonage-house ; it is now stand- ing, and in good condition, the back part of the roof having been raised to two stories. It was a fine, old house in early times, the walls being plastered with mortar made of burnt clam shells and sand. It has three large rooms on the ground floor, and the same for the second story, with an enormous chimney near the centre of the house, containing the large oven of early times. The house had been painted red from the time of the earliest recollection of the "oldest in-

81}

1290

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. MASSACHUSETTS.

habitant." It is now owned by the descendants of Mr. Tappan, having been held in the family since 1745.

The fourth parsonage-house was built for the Rev. Abraham Randall in 1803, the town furnishing the timber and lumber from the Parish Woodland. The building lot, three-fourths of an acre, was purchased of Ezekiel Leach for two hundred and sixty dollars. It was situated on Union Street, and is now owned by Ivory Brown. It is a large-sized house, of the pitched- roof style, and is in good condition.

The fifth parsonage-house was built in 1811-12 for the Rev. James Thurston, the town making a convey- ance of the building lot, about half an acre, to Mr. Thurston for the consideration of one dollar (which was paid for him by a friendly parishioner), situated on the northerly side of the "Saw-Mill Brook," and being a portion of the "Old Mill " yard. It was a large, square, two-story house, hipped-roof style, hav- ing a hall running through the centre, with large rooms on each side, and having four large rooms on the second story. It was occupied by Rev. Mr. Thurston, the Rev. Samuel M. Emerson and the Rev. Oliver A. Taylor as a parsonage or minister's house, and was afterwards purchased and occupied by Thomas P. Gentle, lately deceased, who enlarged it.

The sixth and last parsonage is situated on a court leading from Union Street, and near the railroad sta- tion. It is a large, pitch-roofed, two-story building, and was formerly used as an academy by William Long and John Price.

The house, with suitable out-buildings and ahout un acre of land, with a wharf on the bay, was given to the Congregational Church by Mrs. Sarah Allen (now deceased) in 1853 for a parsonage forever. It has bern occupied by all the pastors of that church since the pastorate of Oliver A. Taylor.

TYTHING-MAN .- As the " Tithing-man " is an ofli- cial that has long been out of date, it may not be in- appropriate to give a sketch of one who still lives in the memory of the older inhabitants. They were elected annually by the town-a sort of constable whose jurisdiction was confined to the meeting- house -where his duties were numerons and arduous. He was expected to ring the bell, beat the dogs out of the sanctuary, watch the unruly boys "that they im do be contained in order," keep the sleepers awake, sand the floors on great occasions, and, after the introduction of the stove, he had care of the fire; ond at the evening services it was his duty to make reculer rounds and snuff the tallow candles.

About three score-and-ten years ago the tithing. wish (or tidy- man,"as it was pronounced) was a grizzly vaterals of the War of the Revolution, who atrole not with a heavy, martial tread, and with an dir of nnon hified alitherity. He had long held the poems , and had grown old in the office. In run the bell he never ceased until the minister hab os el the threshold, and if the reverend gen-

tlemau was at all late he never escaped a reprimand. llis seat was a raised one in the gallery, where the inconsiderate boys were congregated. From his high perch his grim visage, his restless, piercing eyes and his long stick, tended to render their youthful medi- tations appropriately solemn, but if some irrepressible youngster chanced to forget the warning, a heavy blow from the official stick was an effectual reminder of the tortures to come, unless stayed by speedy reformation.

This manner of preserving order and making com- plaints, though not unusual then, would scarcely be approved now. For example, during the delivery of the sermon a heavy rap from the stick of the tything- man caused the preacher to stop and all eyes to turn to the dignitary in the gallery ; pointing to a little urchin of some eight years he exclaimed in a voice that resouuded through the edifice, "1 see you ! serving the devil in the Lord's house." The little victim suffered keenly when all the eyes of the con- gregation were turned to him, but he still lives an honored citizen of the town.

In severe weather the old hero of Valley Forge would occasionally desceud from his seat, and with heavy tread stalk down the stairs, up the bare floor of the aisle, open the stove with much clatter, fill it with crackling wood and close the heavy door with a hang, that sadly interfered with the thread of the discourse ; theu straightening himself to his full height, the old warrior would calmly survey the congregation, in search of some offending boy ; shake his stick or long finger at him until the culprit gave signs of repentance, when he would slowly march back to his seat.

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. II, Part 77

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