USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Grafton > History of Grafton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its early settlement by the Indians in 1647 to the present time, 1879. Including the genealogies of seventy-nine of the older families > Part 17
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The next pastor of this church was Rev. J. M. CHIOK, who without any public recognition took up his pastoral work in December, 1857. During the three years of his ministry here the church was greatly increased. The build- ing in the inside was also improved, the floor of the audience room was placed on a level, inverting the pulpit, pews and choir gallery, and some other betterments. His resignation took place October 1, 1861, and in the following March, Rev. . GILBERT ROBBINS was employed as stated supply and aeting-pastor. He was not formally installed. In October of the year 1868 he closed his labors here, after a pleasant and comparatively harmonious pastorate of a little more than six years, the second longest pastorate in the history of the church. In August, 1869, Rev. DE FOREST SAFFORD, who graduated at Harvard University and Newton Theological Institute, became the pastor. He was publiely installed October 29th. Mr. Safford's stay was short, his labors closing at the end of the year. For the
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
next two years the church was destitute of a pastor, but had regular supplies.
In August 1872, Rev. A. C. HUSSEY, the present ineum- bent, entered upon the pastoral care of the church. In 1873, the church and society again remodelled the inside of their church, at a cost-including a new organ, pulpit furni- ture, lights, earpets-of $3,000. The change was very noticeable and a decided improvement. The church was re-dedicated on the evening of October 9, 1873. The house was filled to its utmost capacity. The services which were as follows, were interesting and impressive :- Choir voluntary ; prayer, Rev. J. H. Windsor; Anthem ; reading of Scriptures, Rev. I. R. Wheelock, of Worcester ; prayer, Rev. George B. Gow, of Worcester; hymn ; sermon, Heman Lincoln, D. D., of the Newton Theological In- stitute ; prayer, Rev. S. J. Bronson, of Millbury ; hymn ; benediction, Rev. A. C. Hussey. The society at this time remodelled the sheds in the rear of the church, which greatly improved the appearance of the church and its surroundings. The church has had eleven regular pastors, during a period of fifty years, and a membership of nearly 900. The pres- ent church membership is 172.
Rev. Albert Christopher Hussey, A. M., was born in Fairfield, Me., August 17, 1836. He was the son of Benjamin Franklin and Rebecca (Barnard) Hussey, of Nan- tucket, in which place they resided until a short time after marriage, when they removed to Maine. He was tlie youngest of five children, two sons and three daughters, In an article which appeared in the Nantneket news- paper written by W. C. Folger, Esq., relating to the ancestry of the older families, it was stated that Mr. Hussey was related paternally to Benjamin Franklin, Hon. Daniel Webster and John G. Whittier ; the philoso- pher, statesman, and poet. Notwithstanding the dis- advantages of residing in a rural district without church or school-house, he succeeded iu qualifying himself, at the
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
early age of seventeen, for teaching a large and quite advanced district school. He continued to teach district schools winters and in the summer worked on his father's farm, attending a few terms at Bloomfield Academy, until the fall of 1857, when lie entered Waterville College, now Colby University, Waterville, Me. Here he remained but a short time, but nevertheless he made such a record that, in 1876, at the annual commencement, the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. For several years after leaving college he devoted himself to teaching, serving acceptably in this capacity in Farmington, Mercer, Stark and New Sharon, Me. ; in the latter town he remained six years and served on the Board of Education for five years. In 1866, he began to preach, supplying the pulpits of the Baptist churches in Stark, Anson and Industry, Me. In the spring of 1868, at the suggestion of Rev. H. V. Dexter, D. D., of Baldwinsville, Mass., than pastor of the Baptist church in Calais, Me., and Rev. Elbridge Pepper, of Brad- ford, N. H., then pastor of the Baptist church in Eastport, Me., Mr. Hussey was called to take charge of the mission interests of the Baptist churches in the castern part of Washingtion County, Me. He accepted the position and removed with his family to Princeton, in that county, where he established his headquarters. He was also ordained pastor of the Baptist church in that town February 18, 1869. Feeling the need of a thorough theological training he removed to Newton, Mass., and entered the Theological Seminary at Newton Centre, in the autumn of 1869. Here he pursned the regular three years course of study, gradnat- ing from the Institution on June 12th, 1872. Six months prior to his graduation he received and accepted a unani- mous call to the pastorate of the First Baptist church in this place, which church he supplied with preaching several months before his settlement as regular pastor August 1st, 1872. This church he has served acceptably and successfully ever since, though having had repeated
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SAUNDERSVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
opportunities to go to other and larger fields, at a much larger salary.
The church has licensed seven of its brethren to preach the gospel, as follows :-
Luther Goddard Sept., 1808
John Chase
Sept., 1814
Jonathan E. Forbush May, 1823
Silas Livermore
Aug., 1831
William Fay
Dec., 1852
S. Johnson .
Dec., 1852
Setb J. Axtell, Jr.
Aug., 1864
DEACONS, BAPTIST CHURCH.
Elected.
Jacob Whipple
1784
Joseph Rice
1784
Sethì Chase
1784
Mark Batchelor
Aug., 1800
Enoch Batchelor
Aug., 1800
James McClellan .
April, 1814
Mark Batchelor, Jr.
Jan., 1817
Jeremialı Bond
Aug., 1831
Martin Jacobs April, 1835
Robert Prentice Dec., 1841
John McClellan*
Dec., 1841
Charles Goddard . Dec., 1847
Horace Batchelor . Feb., 1864
James B. Stratton
. April, 1875
J. Augustus Goddard
April, 1875
The Saundersville Congregational Church.
Its formation .- Preamble and resolutions .- Covenant .- Original mem- bers .- Sketches of Revs. Simcon Waters, Alvan J. Bales, Harvey M. Stone .- The deacons.
On the evening of February 13th, 1860, a number of persons, interested in the formation of a church in Saunders- ville, met at the school-house in that place for consultation and action. Rev. William Miller was chosen moderator,
* He has been church treasurer since 1846.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
and Horatio Slocomb, clerk. The following preamble and resolutions were presented, and unanimously adopted :-
" WHEREAS, the Great Head of the church has disposed a number of persons residing in Saundersville and vieinity to unite together for public worship, and the celebration of religious ordinances; therefore resolved :-
First .- That we now proceed to take measures which shall result in the organization of a Congregational church in this place.
Second .- That a committee of five be appointed, whose duty shall be to ascertain the number of those who are disposed to unite in the organization of sneh church; to report a name for the new organiza- tion; to report articles of faith and a covenant for adoption by the church to be organized."
Rev. William Miller, Washington White, Horatio Slo- comb, H. P. Dunham and Solomon W. Leland, were ap- pointed on this committee.
At an adjourned meeting, held on the evening of March 5th, 1860, the committee reported favorably on the number of persons ready for organization. They also reported the church, when organized, be called Saundersville Congre- gational Church.
At an adjourned meeting, held on the evening of March 15th, 1860, the following question was put to each person present : " Shall we proceed to take measures necessary for the organization of a Congregational church in this place ?" This question received a unanimous answer in the affirma- tive; and the name proposed, together with the articles of faith and covenant, were agreed to, npon which measures were immediately taken, which resulted in the assembling of an Ecclesiastical council, on the 18th day of April, 1860. There were on this council, from the Congregational church in Whitinsville, Rev. L. F. Clark and Paul Whitin ; Graf- ton, Rev. T. C. Biscoe and Hon. William R. Hill; Sutton, Rev. George Lyman and Dea. William Terry ; Millbury, First, Rev. E. Y. Garrette and Dea. Leonard Dwinal; Mill- bury, Second, Horace Armshy; Worcester, First, Rev. Horace James and Samuel W. Kent; Upton, Rev. A. J.
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SAUNDERSVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Willard and Dea. Horace Forbush. This council reported it expedient to proceed to the organization of a church.
The original members were as follows :-
William Miller.
Harriett E. Miller.
Horatio Slocomb.
Roxellana Slocomb.
Whitin Fisher.
Esther Fisher.
Solomon W. Leland.
James Chappel.
Mary Chappel.
Hannah Chappel.
Maria Lineolu.
Emily C. Brown.
Lydia Saunders.
H. P. Dunham.
Hannah Dunham.
Sophia Nichols.
The public services were observed in the following order : Invocation and reading of Scriptures, Rev. Mr. Willard ; introductory prayer, Rev. Mr. Abbott ; sermon, Rev. Horace James ; recognition of the church, Rev. George Lyman ; constituting prayer, Rev. L. F. Clark; fellowship of the churches, Rev. E. Y. Garrette; concluding prayer, Rev. William Miller ; benediction, Rev. T. C. Biscoe.
The following covenant was adopted :-
"In the presence of God and this witnessing assembly, you now cor- dially, and withont reserve, give yourselves up to God, the Father, Son and Iloly Ghost. You heartily accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, the Holy Spirit as your sanctifier and guide, and solemnly dedi- cate yourselves to God, as the object of your highest love, and to His service as your highest joy. You do also covenant to walk with this church in its worship and ordinances, to submit cheerfully to its disci- pline, and to labor for its edification, purity and prosperity; and these vows you take upon you, with an effecting belief that they are recorded in Heaven, and will be reviewed in the judgment of the great day.
We, therefore, the members of this church, affectionately receive you to our communion, and in the name of Christ declare you entitled to all its privileges ; we welcome yon to this fellowship with us, in the bless- ings of the Gospel; and on our part engage to watch over you in love, and give you our sympathies and prayers so long as you shall continue with us. The Lord bless you, and keep you ! The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you! The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace! And unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the pres- ence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Sav-
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
iour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen."
The first acting pastor of the church was Rev. WILLIAM MILLER, who came here from Sterling. He began his labors July 1st, 1860, leaving April 6th, 1862, serving a little less than two years.
Rev. SIMEON WATERS was the second pastor, who began his labors March 1, 1863, and closed April 1, 1866. He was born in Providence, Penn. His parents dying while he was quite young, he came to Millbury, Mass., where he re- sided with an uncle till he was twenty-one. He fitted for college at Leicester Academy, and entered Yale, but owing to an injury he received while there did not fully complete the college course. On account of his health he went South, and for five years taught and preached in Mississippi and Louisiana, riding on horseback hundreds of miles to preach and to start Sabbath schools in many parts of those states. Mr. Waters was ordained in Iowa. He preached in Mt. Pleasant eight years, and also assisted in forming sev- eral of the churches in that state. He spent not a little time in lecturing upon temperance and anti-slavery, and was at one time employed by the state for this purpose .. He came East on account of the illness of his wife, and spent several years at Deer Isle, Me., where his ministry was re- markably successful. Between that people and their pastor there was the warmest attachment to the end of his life. But the climate was too severe, and in the spring of 1862 he came to Grafton. He came here an invalid, and during his four years' stay suffered almost daily and increasingly from the disease which was fast doing its work. He left Grafton in April, 1866. In January, 1867, he went to Ocala, Florida, where he died March 20, 1867.
" In some respects Mr. W. was a remarkable man. In the West he was widely known as a ready extemporaneous speaker and a powerful debater. In the metaphysical truths of God, his mind was ever deeply interested. He preached
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SAUNDERSVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
with an earnestness and power that always commanded at- tention. His brilliant conversational powers, ready wit, and warm grasp of the hand, will long be remembered by those who have known him intimately."
Rev. JAMES E. HALL was the next pastor, installed Febru- ary 27, 1867, dismissed March 24, 1868. He removed from this village to Quincey, Mass.
His successor was Rev. ALVAN J. BATES. He was the son of Isaac and Ursula (Jones) Bates ; born in Brewer (now Holden), Me., April 12, 1820. He was one of eight child- ren, of pious and worthy parentage. His mother, I think, was granddaughter of old Parson Fisher, of Wrentham, Mass., her native town, and sister of the late Rev. Elijah Jones, of Minot, Me. Mr. Bates became a subject of re- newing grace when eighteen years of age. At the age of twenty years he, with many others, among whom was his future wife, who yet survives to mourn his loss, united in June, 1840, with the church in Brewer, Me., then in charge of Rev. J. R. Munsell.
Soon after he devoted himself to the gospel ministry, and began liis course of education the same year, pursning his academical studies at Gorham Academy and Bangor Classi- cal School. He entered the Theological Seminary at Ban gor in the antnmn of 1844, and graduated in 1847. Mr. Bates was kind and cheerful, with a spice of mother wit, and of amiable and obliging manners. His piety was unquestionable, active, quiet and unobtrusive. His scholar- ship was respectable. He was always a favorite with his classmates and fellow-students, and in the seminary acquired the frequent title of " Melanchtlion," because of his pacific turn.
Immediately upon his graduation, he went to Lincoln, Me., and began labor with that church. September 27, 1849, he was ordained an Evangelist, and was acting-pastor there from 1847 to 1865.
30
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
For several years Mr. B. was the only Congregational minister in the region. His labors were abundant and ardnous. His nearest exchanges were at Oldtown, thirty- six miles, and at Patten, forty-eight. Young ministers who have to preach two sermons per Sabbath, as was the univer- sal custom then, can appreciate this. Occasionally a mis- sionary was sent to Springfield, twenty miles east of him, and another to Burlington, as far in another direction. In these circumstances he could have very few exchanges, while his labors were constant and exhaustive. And when at length Rev. J. E. M. Wright, now of Needham, Mass., went to Burlington, sixteen miles away, his heart and his wife's leaped for joy, that they were not alone, but had one to sympathize with them.
He attended funerals ten, twenty, forty and sixty-seven miles away. There were no railroads then in the Aroostook, and he usually went with his own team ; and sometimes was obliged to be away over night for the bad roads and mud. The nearest Congregational conference of churches was twelve miles; Patten was forty-eight, Houlton sixty-seven, and Ft. Fairfield one hundred and ten miles. The first at Ft. Fairfield, was held in a new barn. People came from near and far, and a blessed meeting it was. They were hungry for the gospel and for Christian meetings. Two women walked eight and ten miles to attend it; and though Christian women, they had not heard a sermon for many years. Would that all people were as hungry for truth now. Mr. Bates once journeyed two and a half days with several others, with their own teams, taking food for them- selves and animals with them, to avoid expense at hotels and save their dimes to swell the contribution of the conference to the Maine Missionary Society. They dined by a brook in the woods, and " ate their bread with singleness and glad- ness of heart." Yet those were precious seasons. All were glad to see the ministers come among them, and hear the
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SAUNDERSVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
gospel of Jesus, and their hearts were joyful. This was their reward.
The salary of Mr. B., at Lincoln, was generally $400, and never over $500. His name and self-sacrificing labors are gratefully remembered by many through all that region. For funerals he sometimes received some compensation among his own people, but never from entire strangers. They forgot that it cost a minister something to support a team, or hire one.
Mr. Bates was elected chaplain to the Maine Second and Fourteenth regiments, and served with them from Septem- ber, 1862, to January, 1865. While in the Second, in the army of the Potomac, he was in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorville. With the Fourteenth he was transferred to the southern department, where they remained till Angust, 1864 ; then were ordered to Sheridan's command in the Shenandoah Valley, and he was in the battles at Winchester, Strasburg and Cedar Creek. He was loved and respected by liis regiments as a Christian gentle- man ; tenderly sympathizing with, and cheering and aiding them every way in his power, carrying the wounded from the bloody field, giving a "cup of water " to the thirsty, a word of cheer and comfort to the desponding and afflicted ; writing letters for them to dear friends whose faces they might see no more ; sometimes the farewell words of a lover to his betrothed, or to a widowed mother; or breathing a prayer for the dying as death dimmed his eye, and aiding in the burial with the tenderness of a brother.
When the war closed he was invited to Harwichport, Mass., where he labored from February, 1865, to March, 1868, as acting-pastor. Receiving a call to Saundersville, in Grafton, Mass., he began labor there June, 1868, was in- stalled Jnne 22nd, 1869, and was pastor at the time of his death, which occurred almost instantly at Lincoln, Me., among the people of his first charge. He had preached once, given notice of an evening service, addressed the Sab-
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
bath school. While walking a few rods with friends to their home, he fell, was borne into the house, and in a few minntes his spirit had joined those before the throne. He died of valvular disease of the heart. At the request of his people, his remains were brought to Saundersville for interment. The funeral was large, and a deeply tender and solemn occasion. Nearly all the ministers of the associa- tion were present, and took part in the exercises. Also a classmate and intimate acquaintance for more than thirty- seven years, who now succeeds him. His name and memory are precious among the people. His remains rest in River- side Cemetery.
Mr. Bates was married November 4, 1847, to Miss Martha Maria Cheney, a native of Dunstable, Mass., danghter of Kendall and Martha (Blood) Cheney, a sister of Rev. Mighill Blood, the first minister of Bucksport, Me., his only pastorate. Her parents removed to Boston in her infancy, where her father died. When Martha was fifteen years of age the family removed to Brewer, Me., where she was united in wedlock to Rev. Mr. Bates.
Rev. HARVEY M. STONE, the present pastor, installed December 18, 1878, was born in Cabot, Vt., September 1, 1819; was educated in Maine; pursued academic studies four years at Gorham and Bangor; entered the Theological Seminary at Bangor in the fall of 1844, and graduated in 1847 ; was invited immediately to labor with the church in Bluehill ; after one year the call for settlement was renewed, and he was ordained and installed November 2, 1848 ; the sermon was by Rev. Stephen Thurston, D. D., of Sears- port; was dismissed March 9, 1854; began labor the same month in Waldoboro, as acting-pastor, and continued till June, 1857, three and one-fourth years; was installed in Gardiner, July 8, 1857; sermon by Rev. George Adams, D. D., of Brunswick; dismissed December 5, 1860; began supply with the Central church, Middleborongh, Mass., the same month ; was installed April 18, 1861; sermon by Rev.
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SAUNDERSVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
E. B. Webb, D.D., of Boston ; was dismissed March 31, 1863 ; labored as acting-pastor in Sonth Dennis from October, 1863, till November 9, 1867; began labors in Laconia, N. H., in December following, and was installed successor to the late Rev. John Young, D. D., February 11, 1868; ser- mon by Rev. James Savage, D. D., of Franklin; was dis- missed December 19, 1870; began labor in Rochester in January, and was installed May 18, 1871 ; sermon by Rev. S. Haywood, of South Berwick, Me. ; dismissed January 28, 1875; supplied the church at Miller's Falls, Mass., ten months, and at Worthington fourteen months ; accepted call to Saundersville, and began labors November 1st, and was installed over the church, successor to the late Rev. A. J. Bates, December 18, 1877.
The installing services were as follows :-
Sermon, by Rev. Heman P. DeForest. Installing Prayer, Rev. John R. Thurston. Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. John H. Windsor. Charge to the Pastor, Rev. George A. Putnam. Address to the People, Rev. Willlam T. Briggs.
Anthem, -" I will wash my hands in innocency."
Coneluding Prayer.
Benediction by the Pastor.
Mr. Stone was married to Miss Lizzie S. Parsons, daughter of Dea. S. and Hannah G. Parsons, of Orono, Me., October 4, 1847, who still lives, the faithful companion and sharer of lis labors, his joys and sorrows.
Ten members have been added to the church since Mr. Stone's settlement.
During the first seven years of the history of this church there seems to have been no special revival in the church, yet there were indications of health and steady growth. Only seven were added to the church by profession, and about as many more by letter. It was a time of sowing more than of reaping, a period which we sometimes under- rate in our anxiety to aceclerate the work. In 1867 the church shared in the revival of the town, and received
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
eighteen to its membership on confession of their faith, and four by letter. The following year three others were added, the next year four, the next seven, the next six, the next three, the next, which was 1873, with increased religious in- terest, nine were added, and the next year seven. The total membership up to this time was ninety-five. The death rate has been small. Nearly one-fourth of the present number is non-resident. This church labors under the great disad- vantage of frequent change of population. This not only prevents more rapid growth, but interferes with the social relations. Church members lack the usnal stimulus to be- come intimately aequainted, and are not sufficiently cheered on by one another to do effectnal church work. The pas- tor's work is that of constant reconstruction, together with a little seed-sowing here and a little there, which, if it takes root, will more than likely spring and grow in another field, and under another's care. The Sabbath school has few children whose parents are Christians, and but a small share of home influence can be relied upon to make Bible study in the highest degree efficient. The success, on the whole, has been more encouraging than circumstances could reason- ably promise. One fact of interest should not be omitted in the record. A member of the church has, within the last year,* been ordained to the ministry. He was taken from the factory and educated by the church, and is now doing successful service as a missionary in the western part of the State. The church and society has from the start been under the fostering care of the manufacturing corpora- tion, whose pecuniary aid covers more than two-thirds of the running expenses.
DEACONS.
Chosen.
Horatio Slocomb,
Sept. 12, 1867.
Charles H. Searles,
Washington White, .
June 10, 1869.
Esek Saunders, .
. June 2, 1870.
Edward Fowler,
June 6, 1877.
* 1875.
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SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Second Baptist Church.
The organization-The council-The constituent members .- The pastors -Sketches of Revs. Miner G. Clarke, William C. Richards, William Leverett, Joseph M. Rockwood, J. D. E. Jones, L. M. Sargent .- The deacons.
This church, in New England Village, was organized November 9, 1836, in a hall titted np by the mill owners in 1834, in the upper story of the east wing of their counting- room building, near the " Upper Mill," for the use of per- sons of all denominations wishing to hold religious services.
The council which convened to recognize the new church, was composed of the following delegates :-
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