USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 23
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Rev. Matthew Bridge. 209
Christ ; the way of a sinner's Justification by the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ; as also those discriminating Doctrines which shew the difference between that Faith, that Repentance, and that Obe- dience, which is merely legal, superficial and servile, and that which is evangelical. .
On this account we desire that this venerable Council will consider us as wholly dissenting in the settlement and ordination of Mr. Bridge, and countenance us in our just plea of liberty, to hear and judge for ourselves, and to try the Doctrines we hear by the Holy Scriptures, the only Standard of Truth, and Rule of Faith and Practice ; and to provide and attend a public ministry, which may be agreeable to our Understanding of those Sacred Oracles ; especially, since it is no new or strange Doctrine which we desire to adhere to, but the pure doctrines of the Gospel, as we find them avowed in the Assembly's Catechism, and the Confession of Faith owned and consented to by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches, met at Boston, anno, 1680. And for the settlement of such a ministry, we have determined to use all proper endeavors, and desire your prayers for success therein. Signed, Jonathan Hemenway, Simon Mellen, Jr., Dan. Haven, John Hill, Rich Mellen, James Haven, Isaac Fisk, Daniel Mellen, Elkanah Haven, Ebenezer Goddard, Eben Singletary, Richard Haven, John Hemenway. Joseph Nichols, Nathan Haven, John Haven, Eb. Hemenway, Jr., Thomas Temple, Micah Haven, Joshua Hemenway, James Cook, Benj. Haven, Joshua Hemenway, Jr., John Bruce, Daniel Stone, Benj. Whitney, James Mellen, Edward Goddard, Richard Haven, Jr., Benjamin Whitney, Jr., John Bruce, Jr., Moses Haven, Jr., William Ballord.
FRAMINGHAM, February, 1745-6.
The protest did not prevail; and, according to the church records, " Mr. Matthew Bridge was ordained Pastor over the Church of Christ in Framingham, upon the old Foundation."
MarioBridge
Voting by Silence. One of the questions put to Mr. Bridge by the church, before his ordination, was, "whether he was willing, when he should have occasion to take a vote of the church in any matter of importance, to take the vote by uplifted hands ? He answered Yea." At a church meeting, April 7, 1746, "Voted, that members should be admitted into the church as usual, taking a silentius vote, notwithstand- ing a vote to the contrary in general heretofore." In explanation of the above, it should be stated, that the custom during Mr. Swift's min- istry was, whenever any matter was before the church (and no question could be brought before the church for action without his consent), the pastor, as moderator, made the motion in such form as he saw fit, and it was carried by a silent assent, i. e., without show of hands - no one contradicting, because the contrary minds were not called for.
14
210
History of Framingham.
The signatures attached to the protest presented to the ordaining council, both as to numbers and the high character of the signers, were a prophecy of disquiet to the church and pastor. And this prophecy was realized, as will shortly appear.
Excepting the movements and counter movements connected with the organization and competitory efforts of a new church, the pastorate of Mr. Bridge was prosperous. Though not distinguished as a preacher, he was a man of attractive and conciliatory manners, and secured the attachment of his people by fidelity in his pastoral duties. At the breaking out of the war of the Revolution, in common with other ministers, Mr. Bridge volunteered his services as chaplain to the American army, then stationed at Cambridge. While in the discharge of his duty, he was seized with an epidemic disease, which prevailed in the camp, of which he died shortly after his return home, Sept. 2, 1775, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, and thirtieth of his ministry.
Mr. Ebenezer Eaton, who knew him well, described Mr. Bridge's personal appearance as dignified and imposing. He was more than six feet high ; his hair very black, which he wore in curls over the cape of his coat ; his eyes black, his figure erect and "bony," resembling that of Gen. Washington, by whose side he had seen him stand when the army was stationed at Cambridge. Mr. Eaton added, that he was much beloved by his people, and esteemed by those of other towns. He was extremely benevolent in his feelings. He was good himself, and wished to make everybody else so.
Rev. Matthew Bridge was the son of Matthew and Abigail (Bowman) Bridge of Lexington ; was born July 18, 1721 ; graduated at Harvard University, 1741. He married Anne, daughter of Rev. Daniel and Anna (Foster) Perkins of West Bridgewater, by whom he had seven children.
Mr. Bridge published " A Discourse delivered at the Ordination of Mr. Eliab Stone, over the Second Church in Reading, May 20, 1761 : Printed by Thomas and John Fleet, Boston, 1761."
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. - Among the remoter causes which led to the formation of a Second Congregational church in this town, were, as before intimated, the dissensions and alienations connected with the controversy about the meeting-house lands ; and the right, claimed and exercised by Mr. Swift, of allowing no case of complaint or discipline to be brought before the church for considera- tion, except at his own option ; and his method of deciding all questions by "silentius vote." In the two last-named points is found the explanation of the attempt made by the signers of the protest, at a meeting held Jan. 24, " to vote the church Congregational," i. e., to
2II
Second Congregational Church.
formally adopt the Cambridge Platform as to the rules of discipline ; and the question put to Mr. Bridge about taking a vote of the church " by uplifted hands." His affirmative answer to the question was rendered nugatory by the subsequent action of the church. And this vote of the church, taken in connection with the omission of Mr. Bridge, during his candidacy, to preach on certain doctrines which they " esteemed to be of the greatest importance," and the refusal of the ordaining council to give heed to their protest, hastened a con- summation which had become a moral necessity.
The signers of the protest were earnest supporters of the Revival which spread through New England at this time (1734-1745), pro- moted primarily by the preaching of Edwards and Whitefield. Some of them defended, or at least excused, its attendant disorders ; while the body of the old church, in common with most of the neighboring churches, stood aloof, or disapproved of the extraordinary measures.
This explains the effort of the minority to secure the presence on the council of Messrs. Sewall and Prince, who were known to be in sympathy with the Revival; and also the movement for a formal adoption of the Cambridge Platform, in order to introduce stricter church discipline. The visit of Mr. Whitefield to Framingham the preceding summer (July 5, 1745), doubtless had great influence in augmenting existing difficulties, and promoting a formal separation.
The records of the Second Church being lost, the materials for its history can only be gathered from the recorded action of the church and town. These recorded votes, being the decisions and opinions of an adverse majority, probably fail to do full justice to the motives and purposes and methods of the supporters of the new enterprise.
In about a month and a half after the ordination of Mr. Bridge, i. e. April 7, 1746, Nathan Haven, James Haven, John Haven, Daniel Brewer and Ebenezer Singletary requested a dismission from the church in order to be embodied into a second church ; "which request was negatived by a great majority." May 2, these five brethren, together with Joseph Haven and James Cook, sent in a petition to the church, "earnestly requesting a charitable dismission from this church ; and it passed unanimously in the negative."
At a church meeting, Sept. 1, "A petition signed by the above named brethren, earnestly requesting the church either to reconsider their case, and grant 'em a dismission, or to join in calling an equal number of churches to unite with a Council consisting of five churches, who were by their request some time since convened to advise, direct and assist 'em under the present difficulties." Both propositions were negatived.
212
History of Framingham.
In October or November (before Nov. 17, 1746), those aggrieved brethren and others called an ecclesiastical council, by which they were embodied into a church state.
A meeting-house was erected on the Hemenway road, near the Joseph Morse place, now owned by John Johnson. The house was afterwards removed to Mellen's Neck, and placed on the height of land nearly due north from the house of Joseph A. Merriam.
"November 17, a petition signed by Elizabeth Mellen, Abigail Mellen, Lydia Haven, Silence Haven, Mehitable Haven, Sarah Haven, Mehitable Haven, Lydia Haven, Mehitable Haven, Mary Munsell and Hannah Mayhew, requesting dismission, and recommendation to the second church in this place, was read, and unanimously refused, for the reason (among others), of not being able, consistent with their con- sciences, to own said church as a sister church of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The new church gave a call to Mr. Solomon Reed to become their pastor, who was instituted in his office in January, 1746-7, by an ordaining council regularly convened.
" Sabbath evening, April 19, 1747, a petition signed by eighteen sisters, was read to the church, earnestly desiring a dismission from the First and a recommendation to the Second church in this place, containing these several reasons to enforce their request, viz., because they belonged to families who met with the Second Church ; were nearer to it ; and could attend the administrations of it more peaceably with their consciences - The vote was put to grant the petition, and passed in the negative."
The new church prospered numerically, so that its total membership amounted to eighty and over.
The old church steadily refused to recommend its members to the new organization, or in any way to acknowledge its existence as a church. Nor did it fare better in its relations to the town.
In the warrant for a town meeting, March 2, 1746-7, was an article, "To see if the town will release Edward Goddard Esq. and others (who have requested it) such sums as have been assessed on them, on account of the Rev. Mr. Bridge's settlement and salary, and exempt their polls and estates in all future assessments that shall be made towards the support of Rev. Mr. Bridge ; " and it passed in the negative.
The same petitioners sent a request to the General Court, asking that they may be freed from assessments for the support of the minis- try in the First church in Framingham, while they supported the ministry in the Second Congregational church ; or that the ministers of both churches may be supported by the town. The petition was dismissed.
213
Rev. Solomon Reed.
Nov. 27, 1749. On the questions, "I. To see if the town will dismiss Edward Goddard Esq. and other petitioners to the number of 42, from any further charge toward the support of the Rev. Mr. Bridge ; and it passed in the negative. 2. To see whether the town will mutually support the Rev. Mr. Bridge and the Rev. Mr. Reed by a town rate; it passed in the negative. 3. To see if the town will adjourn the meeting for a short time for consideration and advice, and that the matters of agrievance might be heard and considered by wise and judicious men mutually agreed upon by both parties, and that the town would not come to a full resolve till after they have heard the opinions of the said referees, and that they will then act what may then appear to them to be just and reasonable ; it passed in the negative."
In 1752 the town voted to raise a tax to repair the meeting-house ; and Edward Goddard, Ralph Hemenway, Thomas Temple, Ebenezer Goddard and Wm. Brown, commissioners for the Second church in Framingham, petitioned the General Court for relief, " not being able, by position, to have a separate precinct," while yet they supported church ordinances of the established order. The petition was dismissed.
The burden of double taxation was grievous to be borne. And the death, during the great sickness of 1754-5, of Edward Goddard and his wife, and Joshua Hemenway, father and son, and other leaders, crippled the enterprise.
Mr. Reed was dismissed near the end of 1756, or beginning of 1757 ; but the church survived some years longer, and maintained the ordi- nances till October, 1759. Probably it was not formally dissolved.
Rev. Solomon Reed was son of Capt. Wm. and Alice (Nash) Reed of Abington ; graduated at Harvard University, 1739. He married Abigail Houghton of Connecticut, by whom he had (born in Framing- ham) five children. Of his sons, John graduated at Yale College, 1772 ; D.D. ; pastor of the church in West Bridgewater ; representative in Congress, 1794, six years ; Solomon graduated at Yale, 1775 ; min- ister at Petersham ; Samuel graduated at Yale, 1777; ordained at Warwick, Mass .; Timothy graduated at Dartmouth, 1782 ; a lawyer, settled in West Bridgewater. Mr. Reed "was esteemed an able, pure, zealous, devout preacher of the Orthodox order, was highly respected and esteemed by his society, and lived a quiet and peaceable life. He instructed and prepared in his family, as the custom then was, a con- siderable number of young men for college, among whom were his own sons." So writes his descendant, Lt. Governor John Reed. That he was highly esteemed in his own neighborhood, is shown by the fact that in July, 1756, he received a unanimous call to settle over the
214
History of Framingham.
church in Natick. Soon after leaving Framingham he was installed over the North Parish in Middleborough, Mass., where he remained till his death in 1785.
The following anecdote of Mr. Reed illustrates his reputation among his opposers, and his ready wit. In a company, where were some members of the First church, the conversation turned on points of doctrine, when one of those present categorically demanded if he was a "New Light." Mr. Reed promptly answered, "No, I am not a New Light ; I am an old light new snuffed!"
"Nov. 4, 1756. At a church meeting held this day, to consider the petition of Mr. Moses Haven, 'to return to his duty and privileges with this church :' Voted, every man as one, that since Mr. Haven had no other objection against returning, but his relations to the society, termed Mr. Reed's church, which relation he was apprehensive would soon be dissolved, therefore it was prudence for him to wait, till he were satisfied how that affair would turn."
"June 4, 1759. The church having some months past come to a resolution that such as had lately been of Mr. Reed's party, and were now desirous to return, and profess to do it in full charity, should be heartily welcome ; but finding that motion insufficient with respect to a number, had a meeting at the House of God, where after some serious and free discussion of the broken state of the church, came to the following votes, namely. First, that 'tis the duty of the church not to stand at a distance from those members, but send to 'em : Secondly, they voted to send them a letter of the following tenour, viz.
Brethren - As the repetition of controversies is like blowing the coals, so we have no disposition to renew the charge of separation against you, but would observe that we are grieved to behold this church still rent with divisions. We don't look on ourselves qualified to give you advice; but there are undoubtedly some within the verge of your acquaintance, whose characters have long been established for great power and precious graces, whose councill with that of their churches you would willingly have. Such long and sore contentions are a certain indication of the Divine displeasure, an undoubted evidence of the guilt of each person concerned in 'em; and as councills in cases of perplexity are agreeable to our constitution, spiritual and political, so we recommend the measure to you, and would gladly join you in it; and we trust through the prayers and praises of many, it may redound to the glory of God, and the benefit of this church. We shall readily agree on some persons that will be agreeable to you. We expect to hear from you, and subscribe ourselves
Your Brethren in Christ
MATW BRIDGE, Pastor."
215
Second Congregational Church.
In answer to the above proposal, a letter was received by the church, signed by Nathan and James Haven, a committee of the Second church, proposing a conference of the two churches, in order (among other things) to agree upon particulars about the membership of the ecclesiastical council, the matters to be submitted, etc.
This conference was held at the meeting-house, July Io. "Our brethren whom we had wrote to met with us, and the principal part of their society. The meeting was opened by prayer ; the letters that had been sent and received were read, and a free conference ensued. After which it was unanimously agreed by both parties, that a council be called, and that each society or church be allowed to bring every thing (except the matter of the proper constitution of the Second church, which was conceded) into the council (when convened) that the council will receive, that has a direct tendency to give light to the cause or ease the pained mind." [Church Records.]
The members of the council chosen, were the Rev. Messrs. Pemberton of Boston, Dunbar of Stoughton, Stone of Southborough, Wells of Attleborough, Hutchinson of Grafton, Eliot of Boston, Wigglesworth of Ipswich, with the churches under their pastoral care.
The committee to send the letters missive were Rev. Matthew Bridge, Col. Buckminster, Ebenezer Goddard, Deacon Pike and Thomas Temple.
"Sept. 18, 1759. The council met, all the members being present and went into a full hearing of the reasons and objections that the Second church and society had to offer against submitting to Mr. Bridge as their minister, and unanimously came to a Result, in which their objections are judged insufficient ; they are advised and urged to return to their union with the First Church, and the First Church are advised to receive them.
" MATTHEW BRIDGE."
A part of the members of the Second church accepted the advice of the council ; and a part, perhaps the majority, united soon after in the formation of the First Baptist church in Framingham.
DUTY OF TYTHINGMEN. - " March 7, 1757. The town voted, that if the tythingmen see any youths of said town disorderly in the public worship, and they will not forbear by being once stamped at by any of the tythingmen, in such case said tythingmen are desired to call them by name."
EXPEDITION TO THE WEST INDIES. - An expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies was projected in 1740, and a bounty of £5 offered to volunteers. Capt. Stephen Richards raised a company,
216
History of Framingham.
in which were at least three men from Framingham, six from Hopkin- ton, two from Southborough, three from Brookfield, several from Sud- bury, Marlborough, etc. The men who enlisted from this town were, Jonathan Jackson, farmer, aged twenty-two ; Benjamin Gleason, farmer, aged twenty-three ; Joseph Seaver.
OLD FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. - War was declared by France against Great Britain, March 15, 1744; and on the 29th, England declared war against France in return.
Intelligence of the opening of hostilities was not received in Boston till towards the end of May, though it had been known in Canada a month earlier, which gave the French an important advantage.
This contest between the powers over the water, meant for New England a war with the Indians, with a repetition of all the atrocities and distress of former struggles with the savages.
This town was not the theatre of any of the thrilling events of this war ; but our men took an active part in the defence of the frontiers. Joseph Buckminster, Jr., was colonel in commission and command of the militia at this date, and was active in enlisting and forwarding troops as called for by the provincial authorities.
In the memorable expedition against Louisbourg in 1745, in Capt. Ephraim Baker's company, Sir William Pepperell's regiment, were Lieut. John Butler (who died in the service), Philip Pratt, James Clayes, John Nixon (then eighteen years old), John Seaver, Robert Seaver the father, and his two sons Joseph and Benjamin (one of whom died at Louisbourg). Jonathan Youngman, Jonas Gleason and Shears Berry were out in the same expedition.
In June, 1746, Capt. Josiah Brown (of Sudbury) with his troop, com- posed of men from Framingham and Sudbury, was ordered to march to the Connecticut valley, and take post at No. 4 (Charlestown, N. H.), then the extreme frontier town. June 19, Capt. Phinehas Stevens, in command of the post, and Capt. Brown, with about fifty of their men, started to go from the fort in the village to the meadow, to look after some horses, when by the action of the dogs, they had intimation of an ambush, and shortly discovered the lurking-place of the savages near a causeway they were intending to cross. They were moving cautiously, when one of Capt. Brown's men caught sight of an Indian lying flat on the ground, and fired upon him, when the whole ambush arose and fired in return. "Our men were commanded to halt there . and fight them, which they did, and drove the Indians off their ground, and got upon it, and maintained it in spite of them. Ours received the loss of no men, but four or five were wounded. Capt. Brown sent a party of men to carry the wounded to the fort, and the rest maintained
21 7
Old French and Indian War.
the fight and stood them manfully. After the fight was over, they found where the Indians drew off several of their dead into a swamp. Cornet Noah Eaton of Framingham, and Jonathan Stanhope of Sud- bury were wounded, but recovered."
The unadorned statement of Mr. Stanhope, in a petition to the General Court for aid, will give us a characteristic picture of a soldier's life in this war. He says: "In the battle with the Indians at No. 4, June 19, when I was a Trooper in his majesty's service, I received a shot which broke my arm all to pieces, and caused me great pain, and cost for the injuries, and has incapacitated me from obtaining a sub- sistence for myself, and I have very little hopes of ever having the use of it again. The Account of the time I have lost and expenses which I have been exposed to since I was wounded is as follows :
"To sixteen weeks at said No. 4, when I lay confined with my wound to the first months when I had
Province billeting at 6 3 per week besides said billeting £1. 5. 0 "To 12 weeks more when I found myself altogether, and had no Province pay nor billeting at 12% pr wk. 7. IO. 0 "And to my son's attending on me then and finding himself from the 23d of June to the 17th of October following, being 16 weeks and 3 days: to my son's nursing and attending me the said 16 weeks, at 5/ per week 4. 2. 6
" And to 9 weeks board when he had neither Province pay nor billeting at 7 6 per week .
3. 7. 6 £16. 5. 0"
The above account was allowed. And in 1750, the General Court granted him a further allowance of £6. 13. 4.
Capt. Brown's troop was ordered out on an alarm Sept. 23, 1747, and was in service till Oct. 27. On the muster roll are the names of Lieut. Thomas Winch; Corp. Daniel Gregory; Clerk Daniel Stone ; trumpeters, Jonathan Belcher and Nathaniel Seaver ; centinels, Thomas Winch, Samuel Winch, Phinehas Gibbs, Jonathan Maynard, Isaac Read, Benjamin Eaton, William Brown, John Bruce, Elias Whitney, John Hemenway, Micah Gibbs, Samuel Frost, Joseph Brintnall, Matthew Gibbs, John Gould, of Framingham.
Thomas Walkup was in Capt. Elisha Hawley's company at Fort Massachusetts, Dec. 15, to Mar. 20, 1747-8.
Daniel Brewer, John Harris, Isaac How, John Parmenter and William Hutson were in Lieut. John Catlin's detachment, at Fort Shirley, Dec. 10, 1747, to Oct. 31, 1748.
218
History of Framingham.
In Capt. Humphrey Hobbs' company of rangers, out from Feb. 16, to Oct. 20, 1748, were Thomas Walkup of Framingham and Uriah Morse of Holliston.
John Edgell, an apprentice to Jacob Pike of this town, was impressed, and joined Capt. Josiah Willard, Jr.'s company at Fort Dummer, Feb. 10, 1748. He was in a detachment of men under Sergt. Thomas Taylor, marching from Northfield to the fort, July 14, when they fell into an ambush of French and Indians. Two of Taylor's men were killed, and eleven were taken prisoners and carried to Canada. Edgell was among the latter. He lost everything of arms and clothing; and during the march to the north was subjected to great hardships, by which he was incapacitated from labor. He with the other captives was sold to the French, and remained in Canada till the last of September, when he was released and returned home.
Thomas Walkup was at No. 4, under Capt. Phinehas Stevens, from April 14, to Oct. 20, 1749.
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.