USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 22
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REV. MR. SWIFT. - Mr. Swift's salary, by the terms of his settle- ment, was {60 a year. In providing for the payment of said salary, the town annually made what was called "a Minister's rate." At first this was paid in from week to week, at the option of individuals, by enclosing the money in a paper parcel, on which the contributor's name was written, and of which the deacons took account, and handed the sum to the pastor. Afterwards, the minister's rate was, with the other rates, committed to the constables, who as they collected money on this rate paid it over to Mr. Swift. So that whenever it happened that this special assessment fell in arrears, by that amount the minister's salary was behind. The first squaring of accounts between the town and the pastor, is indicated by the following receipt:
The eighth of Octobr 1705, Then Reckoned with Samuel Winch Simon Mellen John How and Benjamin Bridges (they being appointed by the Town of Framingham a Committee to Ballance Accompts between the said Town and myself the Subscriber) and These are to signify that all Accompts between the said Town and myself are Ballanced, and the said Town is hereby discharged from all and all manner of Debts and Dues to me from the said town, from the beginning of the world to the first day of March last past from the date hereof.
Witness my hand JOHN SWIFT.
The next settlement with the town was in April, 1710 ; and Mr. Swift was often under the necessity of asking for the amount of arrears due him.
" Aug. 26, 1723, the town voted, that it be tried for this present year by way of contribution, to raise a sufficient sum for the better support of the Rev. Mr. Swift." Mr. Swift sent a letter to the next town meeting, containing some objections against this method of advancing his salary ; and after debate, "it was voted, That in consideration that the value of the Province Bills is depreciated, whereby the Rev. Mr.
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History of Framingham.
Swift's salary is rendered insufficient for his honourable support, that therefore the sum of twenty pounds Bills of public credit be added to the salary, for the better support of the pastor for the present year : And that the said addition be assessed in the next half year rate; And that the same addition be continued yearly for the future, unless recalled by some further and other vote of the town. Voted, that Mr. Swift's salary be henceforth raised in manner as was agreed on at a town meeting on August 21, 1700."
Mr. Swift's family expenses were large. His wife was subject to periods of mental derangement, which obliged him to build a small house for a study, remote from his dwelling. This study was erected near the present house of Orre Parker. After the death of Mr. Swift, it was used for various purposes. A family of French refugees was quartered there for a time, at the town's charge. It was finally removed to where E. H. Warren's dwelling-house now stands, and converted into a store.
In 1733, Mr. Swift entered a complaint in the Court of General Sessions for Middlesex County, "for that the selectmen of the last year have not assessed the sum of 35 pounds for my first half-year's salary in the year 1732." The town chose a committee to defend the suit, and voted the sum of twenty pounds to pay the committee's and Court's charges. At the same time, it was "Voted that whereas the town have already voted the sum of £140, Bills of credit, for the Rev. Mr. Swift's salary for the year past, it is the true intent and meaning of the Town that (upon his acceptance thereof as satisfactory) the like sum of one hundred and forty pounds shall be paid him the year advancing, and so yearly, so long as provisions and clothing bear such prices as now they do; and that the sum be augmented as they rise higher. And that the town will also raise and pay to Mr. Swift the sum of one hundred pounds bills of credit, in consideration that provisions and clothing have been high some past years, when no more than one hundred pounds per annum has been paid him."
" And whereas the Selectmen made their assessments for the whole of the year 1732, according to the former vote and usage of the town, so that if there be any deficiency it must be on the town's part, and therefore ought to be answered for by the town ; Voted that the town do accordingly assume and take upon them the said cause ; and that the committee, or any one of them, answer, defend and reply to the said complaint of Mr. Swift, in any court or courts of justice where the said cause may be brought or presented. And further voted, that the above committee do wait upon Mr. Swift and (in the most effica- cious manner they can) press the proposal of the town this day passed, in order to an accommodation with respect to his salary and complaint
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Rev. John Swift.
relating thereto, that so the inconveniences which must attend the prosecution thereof in the law may (if possible) be prevented."
The next settlement of the town with Mr. Swift is hereby indicated :
Framingham March 1, 1739-40. Received then of Jeremiah Pike Treas- urer of the town, the sum of Four hundred and twenty-five pounds in Bills of Credit on the province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, in full of all Accompts, bills, bonds, debts, dues and demands whatsoever due from the town of Framingham to me, from the beginning of the world to the first day of this instant March. I say received the said £425, by me
JOHN SWIFT.
" Mar. 7, 1742-3. Voted by the town, that there be a Monthly Lec- ture set up, according to Mr. Swift's writing, sent into the town meeting."
" Aug. 13, 1743. At a meeting to see if the town will come into some method to provide help for Mr. Swift, he being unable to preach, Deacon Adams and Caleb Bridges were chosen to wait on the Rev. Mr. Swift, to advise with him; and Dea. Adams and Dea. Pike to supply the pulpit for the present."
" Mar. 5, 1743-4. Voted, to proceed to proper methods in order to settle a minister with the Rev. Mr. Swift at this time ; and Ens. Stone, Dea. Balch and Joseph Haven were chosen, to provide suitable gentle- men to supply the pulpit in order for settlement."
Feb. 6, 1744-5. At a meeting, "to see if the town would concur with the church's vote in choosing Mr. John Newman to be their minister, it passed in the negative."
During the last four years of his life, the failure of Mr. Swift's health disabled him a large part of the time from ministerial duties. After a protracted illness, he expired April 24, 1745, having held the pastorate here for the long term of forty-five years.
Sept. 2, 1746. The town "voted, to grant the sum of one hundred and twenty-five pounds, old tenor, to defray the funeral charges of their late Reverend Pastor, and to purchase a decent Tomb-stone."
Rev. John Swift was son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Vose) Swift ; was born at Milton, March 14, 1678-9 ; graduated at Harvard Uni- versity, 1697. He married Sarah, daughter of Timothy and Sarah Tileston, of Dorchester, by whom he had six children.
Mr. Barry says : " Of his ability as a preacher, we have no means of judging. His printed sermons are marked with a pure and classical taste. He was free from all affectation of style as well as extravagance of zeal, or rashness of opinion. The subjects of his ordinary pulpit discourse (as one may infer from his diary) were often suggested by passing events. Some of these discourses bear marks of extempora- neous composition. Thus he notes on one occasion, his preaching
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History of Framingham.
from the words, 'The voice of the Lord is upon the waters ; the God of glory thundereth ;' adding, 'it being a day of thunder.' On another, 'Behold ! this day I am going the way of all the earth, ' with an allusion to a neighbor who was then dying. A time of severe weather suggested the text, 'Who can stand before His cold ;' and a few weeks later, doubtless while the snow drifted through the dilapi- dated meeting-house, the motto of his sermon was, 'a covert from the storm.' The halt of a detachment of soldiers in the village, on a march to the eastward, induced him to discourse from the words, 'a devout soldier.' And again, 'it being a very rainy day,' with rare felicity he adopted for his text the verse, 'For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God; but that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, whose end is to be burned.'"
Two discourses by Mr. Swift were printed, and are preserved in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
I. A funeral Discourse, delivered at Marlborough, on occasion of the Death of the Reverend and learned Mr. Robert Breck, late Pastor of the church there; who died Jan. 6, 1730-31, in the 49th year of his age. By John Swift, A.M., Pastor of the church in Framingham. Boston, N. E .; Printed by J. Kneeland and T. Green, 1731.
II. A sermon preached at Boston, before the Great and General Assembly of the Province of the Mass. Bay, in N. E., May 31, 1732; being the Anni- versary for the election of his Majesty's Council for the Province, by John Swift, M. A., and Pastor of the church in Framingham. Printed at Boston : in N. E., by B. Green, 1732.
The Boston Evening Post, of May 13, 1745, gives this brief obituary notice : " On the 24th of the last month, died, at Framingham, after a long indisposition, the Rev. Mr. John Swift, the first Pastor of the church in Framingham, in the 67th year of his age, and the 45th of his min- istry. As he was a gentleman of considerable natural powers, so he acquired a considerable degree of human knowledge and useful learn- ing. He particularly excelled in rhetoric and oratory, and as a critic in the Greek language. His piety was sincere and eminent. His preaching was sound and Evangelical. As a pastor, he was diligent, faithful and prudent ; and in his conversation, he was sober, grave and profitable, yet affable, courteous and pleasant. When he received injuries at any time, he bore them with singular discretion and meek- ness ; and the various trials and sorrows with which he was exercised, especially in the latter part of his life, gave occasion for showing forth his wisdom, humility, patience and resignation to the Divine will. He was had in high esteem by the Association to which he belonged."
203
Petition for a New Town.
. Mr. Swift was accustomed to meet the young people in the autumn months, at not less than two places (notified from the pulpit), to ques- tion them on the catechism. When the practice of catechising in public ceased in this town, is not known. But all Christian parents were expected to hear their children recite the Assembly's Catechism on Sabbath evenings, till within the memory of persons now living.
Mr. Swift was often called to sit on ecclesiastical councils. Nineteen instances of this kind are noticed in his journal, in the space of about eight years. He preached the Thursday lecture in Boston, in the place of Mr. Checkly, April 20, 1727.
MISCELLANY. - 1717. Deep snow. Mr. Swift writes in his journal, under date of Feb. 24: "We had no meeting by reason of a very deep snow, that fell on the Thursday before, and a great storm on that Sabbath." "March 10: the Lord's Supper adjourned till the next Sabbath, by reason of the restraint of the season by deep snow." The annual town meeting, which was to have been held March 4, " pro- vided the town can come roundly together, and are not hindered by reason of the extremity of the season," was not held till the eighteenth of the month. Contemporary accounts represent the depth of the snow this winter, as about six feet.
1720, Feb. 21. Under this date in his journal, Mr. Swift mentions a great deluge, Diluvium magnum.
1727, Oct. 29. Mr. Swift enters in his journal the following account of the great earthquake : " Nocte subsequente fuit terrae motus valde terribilis, circiter horas 10 m. and II m."
1736. The town "voted, that 30s. be paid or abated to Moses Haven, late constable, in consideration that the like sum is said to have been burnt of the town's money, when his house was burnt."
1736. August. A very fatal disease prevailed in this and the neighboring towns, of which many died.
"Nov. 26, 1739. Voted, that Henry Emmes and Capt. Thomas Buckminster be a committee to take care for the preservation of the deer."
PETITION FOR A NEW TOWN ON OUR NORTHWEST BORDER. - March 14, 1739-40. A petition, signed by David How, Wm. Brintnall, John Weeks, and sundry others, living in Marlborough, Framingham, Sud- bury and Stow, was sent to the General Court, praying to be set into a separate township of the measure of four miles square, etc.
At a town meeting, May 19, 1740, "Voted that the selectmen be directed to prepare an answer to the petition of some of our northern inhabitants for a separate township." The answer is as follows :
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History of Framingham.
"We the subscribers, by the order of our said town, with our humble and hearty thanks to the Honbl Court for their kindness in giving us opportunity, do humbly make the following remonstrance. Which we humbly conceive will make it evident that the granting the prayer of the said petition will be very hurtful and injurious to our town : for in the first place, it has been well known (as we believe) to this Honbl Court, as well as to others, that our said town has laboured under very great difficulties in times past, on the account of our disagreement about the placing of our new meeting-house, by which means we have been exposed to the loss of a great deal of money and time. And the chief motive which induced the party that was for removing the meeting-house more to the northward to strive about it was this, viz. the injury and injustice that was done to the northerly inhabitants of the town (which are the signers of the said petition) by placing the new meeting-house where the old one stood. And accordingly they prevailed so as to obtain what they pleaded for, tho' with much pain and fatigue, so that our new meeting-house is placed northward from the place where the old one stood, at least three times so far in favor to the said petitioners as it was ordered to be placed by an Honbl Com- mittee sent up to us from the Great and General Court, to adjust and decide the differences that we were then labouring under, who viewed the town in every part of it, and as we are obliged to believe, did that which they tho't was just and equal.
" from all which, we humbly think that we may thus plead, that now, after we have thus placed our meeting-house, to cut off two miles from the north or northwesterly part of our town (as of necessity it must, according to their petition, and their proposed centre) which will draw the Centre of the remaining part of our town as far to the southward, if not farther than to the place where the old meeting-house stood. Which will open a door to as much contention if not more than ever we had: and will greatly hazard the loss of our meeting-house, just now finished : for we have some among us who begin to say that if the said petition be granted, one will give five pounds, another ten, etc. towards the taking down of the meeting-house, and setting it up at the old place.
" Again, secondly, the prayers of the said petition look to us to be unreasonable : first, because of the uncertainty which way they will run their lines by which their 4 miles square is to be governed ; and secondly, because their bounds may chance to split men's farms to their prejudice and damage. but not to be further tedious, being con- fident that the above mentioned ill consequences is what the great wisdom and foresight of this Honbl Court will easily discern ; and we therefore leave this our humble remonstrance, to you Excellency and
205
New Framingham.
Honours wise and judicious consideration, nothing doubting but that which will be most for the glory of Almighty God and the peace and interest of our town, will be acted and resolved.
" So your humble petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray
" JERAH PIKE AMOS GATES HENRY EMMS
Selectmen of
DANL STONE
Framingham. 1
JAMES MELLEN
" May 28, 1740."
A similar remonstrance was sent in from the selectmen of Sudbury ; and the petition was dismissed.
NEW FRAMINGHAM. - At an early date in our town's history, petitions, more or less numerously signed, were sent to the General Court, asking for grants of country land, of greater or less extent. Some of the tracts asked for lay adjacent to or sufficiently near the town bounds, to render them available to our inhabitants, for various purposes. The more distant and larger grants would be of advan- tage, as giving the first proprietors opportunity to sell their lots at a gain on cost, or to enable emigrants, as first settlers, to secure homesteads at a cheap rate.
Mar. 22, 1739-40, Samuel Jackson and seventy-five others, inhab- itants of Framingham, petitioned the General Court for a grant of unappropriated lands of the province, for a township.
The resolve granting the prayer of the petitioners is as follows: "Jan. 8, 1741-2. On the petition of the inhabitants of the town of Framingham, read and ordered, that the petition be received, and the prayer thereof granted; and that the petitioners be allowed and impowered, by a surveyor and Chainmen on oath, to survey and lay out a township of the contents of six miles square, adjoining on the N., on the Indian town, so called, lying on Housetonnock river, or as near that place as the land will allow, not interfering on any former grants; and that they return a plat thereof to this Court within 12 months for confirmation ; and for the more effectual bringing forward the settlement of the said new town, ORDERED, that there be 79 equal shares, the house lotts to be laid out in a suitable and defensible manner, one of said shares to be for the first settled minister, and one for the school; that there be 60 families settled on 60 of the other shares or house lotts, in three years from the confirmation of the plan ; who shall each have an house built thereon of 18 feet square, at
1 State Archives, XII. 136, 158. House Journal, in loc.
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History of Framingham.
the least, and seven feet stud, and six acres of land, part thereof ploughed or brought to English grass, and fenced, and build and finish a convenient meeting house for the publick worship of God, and settle a learned orthodox minister ; that said 60 settlers give bond to the Treasurer of this Province, in the sum of £25, for complying with the terms of the grant. And if any of said settlers fail of performing the conditions of settlement aforesaid, then his or their right, share or interest in said town to revert to and be at the disposition of the Province; and the Province Treasurer shall im- mediately sue out their bonds.
"Nov. 19, 1742, a plan was reported and accepted, and the lands were confirmed to Caleb Bridges and others."
At a meeting of the proprietors, Oct. 19, 1742, it was voted to call the town Richfield, until the Legislature shall give it a name. It was afterwards called New Framingham. It was incorporated by the name of Lanesborough, June 20, 1765.
Among the names of the grantees, are Samuel Jackson, Moses Pike, Hezekiah Rice, Matthias Bent (who sold his share to John Nurse), Peter Gallot, James Boutwell, Caleb Bridges. John Butler was soon admitted as a proprietor.
NOXIOUS ANIMALS. - The statutes provided that towns might pay a bounty for the killing of wolves, crows, squirrels and other wild animals and birds that were destructive of crops and stock. One cent each was paid in this town, as a bounty for chipping squirrels. The bounty for killing crows in the months of April, May and June, varied in different years: sometimes it was twenty-five cents per head for old crows, and twelve and one-half cents for young ones ; in other years, three cents per head was paid for crows, and one-half a cent for redwing blackbirds. In one year it was "voted, that each man kill his own blackbirds and pay himself."
SWINE AND NEAT CATTLE. - The policy pursued in this town, in early times, was to allow swine to go at large, on their being properly yoked and rung. The law provided, "That no yoke shall be ac- counted sufficient which is not the full depth of the swine's neck above the neck, and half so much below the neck: and the sole or bottom of the yoke to be three times so long as the breadth or thickness of the swine's neck."
The annual vote passed in relation to neat cattle, in this town, with scarcely an exception, was that "they shall not be suffered to go at large."
207
Rev. Matthew Bridge.
SECOND MINISTER. - Feb. 6, 1744-5, before the death of Rev. Mr. Swift, the church voted to give a call to Mr. John Newman, to settle as colleague pastor, but the town non-concurred.
Early in June of this year, the church voted to give a call to Mr. William Vinal; and at a meeting June 25, the town voted concurrence. But at an adjournment, the next day, the town " Voted that they will not make any grant of money for the settlement or salary of the said Mr. Vinal."
At a town meeting, Dec. 2, 1745, " Voted, to concur with the church in their choice of Mr. Matthew Bridge to be their minister. Voted, to give Mr. Bridge for his yearly salary £260 old tenor bills of public credit, or that which shall be equivalent thereunto, to the acceptance of Mr. Bridge. Voted, to give Mr. Bridge, to enable him to settle among them, {600 old tenor." His salary commonly equalled £80 lawful money.
Mr. Bridge accepted the call, and suggested that the town should furnish him his firewood; but the town declined to accede to the condition.
The town appointed the day for the services of ordination ; and ordered "provision to be made at the house of Joseph Stone for the ministers and messengers."
" Amos Gates, Hezekiah Rice, Henry Emms, Capt. Ebenezer Winchester, Abraham Rice, Francis Moquet and Stephen Jennings were appointed a committee to provide for the ordination.".
"Caleb Bridges Jr., and John Jones Jr. were chosen to strengthen the meeting-house against the ordination."
" Ezekiel Rice, James Clayes Jr., Gideon Bridges, John Bent Jr., Phinehas Rice and Timothy Stearns were appointed to take care of the meeting-house upon the ordination day."
The Council "were desired to meet the day before the ordination at 12 o'clock." "Voted (by the church) that Col. Joseph Buckminster, Ensign Stone, Deacons Adams and Pike and Mr. Bridges be the mouth of the church to the council."
The following bill of expenses for the ordination was allowed and paid by the town:
" Amos Gates, for sundries, £II. I. 9
Abraham Rice, do.
13. 7. . 1
Henry Eames, do. 9. 16. 8 Stephen Jennings, do. I. 14. 0 Francis Moquet, do. (tavern supplies) . 6. 3. 0
Capt. E. Winchester,
27. 15. 6
Hezekiah Rice,
12. IO. 6 Joseph Graves, for fowls and tendance
3. 18. 0
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History of Framingham.
Ezekiel Rice Jr., for 3 days tendance £1. 10. 0 John Rice, for 3 days tendance I. IO. O
Joseph Stone, for entertainment 8. 8. 10
Nero Benson, for 3 days tendance
I. IO. . 0
Phinehas Rice, for beef
IO. 2. 10
£109. 8. 2"
The ministers, with their churches, invited to compose the ordain- ing council, were, Rev. Messrs. Hancock of Lexington, Appleton of Cambridge, Loring of Sudbury, Peabody of Natick, Williams of Weston, Cook of East Sudbury, Turell of Medford, Porter of Sher- born, Stone of Southborough, Williams of Waltham, Barrett of Hopkinton, Swift of Acton. Some of the church desired to invite Messrs. Sewall and Prince of Boston, but the majority negatived the proposition. At the same meeting, it was proposed "to vote the church Congregational ;" but it was not carried.
ORDINATION DAY. - Feb. 19, 1745-6. Mr. Bridge was admitted a member of the church, by letter from the First Church in Cambridge. The following questions were proposed to the pastor elect, on behalf of the church: " As far as you have had an opportunity to study the principles of church discipline, and the Platform of church discipline of these churches, and the general practice of the churches, do you approve thereof as to what is agreeable to Scripture, and do you purpose to conduct yourself accordingly ? Are you willing, when you have occasion to take a vote of the church in any matter of importance, to take the vote by uplifted hands?" -both of which questions were answered in the affirmative.
The following protest was submitted to the Council. Its insertion in full is necessary to elucidate events which transpired both before and after the settlement of Mr. Bridge.
Whereas we the subscribers, inhabitants of the town, and some of us members in full communion with the church, having diligently observed the scope and tenor of Mr. Bridge's preaching, while under Tryal, do hereby declare our great dissatisfaction therewith ; for that many such doctrines as we esteem to be of the greatest importance, are wholly omitted, or, at best, slightly touched on, in his sermons - particularly the doctrine of Original Sin ; the Imputation of it ; the total loss of the Image of God in the fall of Adam; the wrath and curse of God consequent thereon ; the Freeness and Sovereignty of Divine Grace in electing some to everlasting Life, and the provision made in the way of the New Covenant for their salvation by Jesus Christ ; the Nature and Necessity of Regeneration, and an Almighty Power of the Spirit of God for the production of the New Creature, and renewing the Image of God upon the Soul in Sanctification ; the nature of that Faith whereby the Souls of Believers are united to
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