History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 173

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 173

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).

ECCLESIASTICAL .- The first settlers of the town, like most of those who peopled the State, were pious men and women who believed in the abiding presence of an Almighty Ruler of the universe, to whom they were even more accountable than to the civil magis- trate. Hence they deemed it all-important to pro- vide for the stated worship of God, that their children might " enjoy the means of grace." We have seen

641

STOW.

that it was required of those to whom land was al- lotted, that they should be of "good and honest con- versations and orthodox in religion." Every pre- cantion possible was taken to exclude from the settle- ment all who were heedless violators of the laws of God and man. Being thus of good repute, the inhab- itants, as soon as the management of all matters came into their hands in a corporate capacity, began to look around for an able and pious minister of the Gospel. Doubtless there had been occasional preach- ing, perhaps by the Concord minister, before the town was incorporated. Be this as it may, on the 20th of June, about six weeks after they were made a town, a five-pounds tax was voted to defray the minister's charges for what had been already expended, and also for Mr. Green, who had "given some encourage- ment to be helpful to us on ye Lord's days as his oca- tions may pr mitt." The rate was to be paid a quar- ter part in money, and three-quarters in such corn or other grain or provisions that would be acceptable to Goodman Hall for what was past and for the future.

This "Mr. Green " was undoubtedly Percival Green (H. C. 1680), son of John and Ruth (Mitchelson) Green, of Cambridge. He preached for a time in Wells, Me., in 1683, but died July 10, 1684, aged twenty-five years. He was never ordained, and could have preached in town only a short time. Nearly two years elapse before any reference is made to another minister. A rate was made "June 5, 1685, to pay what ye town are indebted to Mr. Parris for his pains amongst us." He was not, probably, invited to set- tle, for on the 21st of August, following, it was voted that Mr. Parris should have fifteen shillings for every Lord's day he had preached, except the first three days, and a tax was made and ordered to be collected and forthwith paid to Mr. Parris, who probably soon after left town. This was Rev. Samuel Parris, who afterwards took a very conspicuous part in the Salem witchcraft delusion. In the latter part of 1685 Mr. James Minot (H. C. 1675) commenced preaching. He seems to have supplied for about one year. At first he was paid 12s. and 6d. per Sunday in money, and a contribution was to be taken up every Lord's day. It was voted in July, 1686, to pay him ten pounds per quarter, half money and half corn and other provisions, or all in money, if he would accept the same salary as he had been previously paid. Mr. Minot belonged to Concord. There were, at this time, only thirty-seven ratable polls or estates in town.

John Butterick and Gershom Heald were directed, November 7, 1686, to go to Lancaster "to discorse with Mr. William Woodrop, to give him a solemn in- vitacion to come and dwell and settle with them, and to ascertain liis terms," etc. Mr. Woodrop forthwith came and preached one Sunday. Negotiations were then opened with him, and he came into the meeting and promised " to dwell and settle in town, . . . judging ye call and unanemouse concurrance of

ye people to be a call from God." . The town then voted to pay him forty pounds, half money and half corn and grain. A committee was chosen December 13, 1686, to report in writing what it was expedient to be done relative to the full settlement of Mr. Woodrop. The next day they report in favor of building with all speed a frame dwelling-house. They desired it to be of such a character that he could invite his wife to come from her English home and abide with him.1 A few days later the selectmen were directed to make a written contract with Mr. Woodrop, to be signed by each party to prevent fu- ture mistakes-a very wise measure. Bnt a sad dis- appointment awaited the people. About the middle of March following, Mr. Woodrop informed the town that his wife would not come to him, and hence he "concluded his call was to go to her !" Strong efforts were made to induce him to remain, but without suc- cess. He preached only a few weeks . longer, and, about the 12th of July, he sailed for England, having relinquished all claims to the ministerial land.

Though disappointed at the turn of affairs, the in- habitants were not discouraged. On the 30th of May, 1687, a committee was chosen to go to Concord to induce, if possible, Mr. Minot, a former preacher, to accept a call. If he would not come, then they were to speak with Mr. Mitchel, at Cambridge, and if he refused they were to apply to young Mr. Whiting, of Billerica. But all these men declined. Soon, how- ever, another candidate was found, and, August Sth, a rate was ordered to pay "Mr. Overton, minister," for three months. With the hope of securing him as a pastor, another attempt was soon made to build a parsonage, and have it completed in about three weeks. But as this was not done, Mr. Overton called the attention of the town to this fact. Hence, Octo- ber 24, 1687, a committee was chosen to oversee the matter. Directions were given about the dimensions of the house, which was to be finished by the 1st oť April, 1688. Two of the committee, from some cause, withdrew, and the other member was empowered to go on with the work. The house was erected, but either before or soon after Mr. Overton concluded to remove from town. Whence he came or whither he went is unknown. Yet these men of " good and hon- est conversations " still persisted in their search for a minister. In the process of a year or more a new candidate appears. His name was John Winborne. He was given a unanimous call, and had accepted t previous to August 19, 1689, for on that day a long agreement with him was concluded. The substance of it was that his salary should be forty pounds yearly, "ten pounds in money, ten pounds as money, and

1 The house was to be "26 or 27 feete long (8 or 9 foote thereof to bee for ye chimnies), ye roome left to bee 18 footo square at least, two fire- places to be below in yo chimney and one hearth in ye Chamber, a lean- to to bee ye breadth of ye frame afforesd at yo Chimney end of yo house, to be carried out at ye cills 10 or 11 foot from ye chimney, with a Seller under ye said house."

642

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

twenty pounds in pay." He was to have all the lands allotted to the ministry, and the dwelling-house erected thereon, and other lands specified, while he should remain the minister "and live and Dye amongst them in ye work of ye ministry, except upon some special and uuexpected and unavoidable provi- dence of God." But after the expiration of five years, if he still remained, the lands and dwelling-house were to be confirmed to him and his heirs forever. If, however, he did not remain five years, the whole min- istry lot, etc., was to revert to the town. If his wife should become a widow within five years she was to have the use of one end of the house for two years. Thus all things were arranged for his permanent res- idence in town. In about six years, however, some difficulties arose, say the records, " from himself and family which have been matter of great offence at home, besides ye noises and scandall abroad." A meeting was held June 24, 1695, and Mr. Winborne was summoned to attend, but he refused to do so, and is supposed to have soon left town. What was the trouble does not clearly appear. Though preaching for about six years, Mr. Winborne seems never to have been formally settled, nor was any church or- ganized during his ministry. As he had remained more than five years after the terms of his settlement were concluded, he claimed the parsonage and minis- try lot as his property. The town thought differently. Accordingly, December 14, 1696, a committee was chosen to demand a peaceable possession of the prem- ises, and if this was denied they were to appeal to the courts. But holding the fort, Mr. Winborne refused to surrender. A lawsuit followed, and it is believed Mr. Winborne won the case, as the town seems after- wards to have purchased the property.

Once more the pulpit is vacant, and no active measures seem to have been taken to procure a preacher until late in the autumn after Mr. Winborne left. Towards the end of December, after one or two ineffectual attempts to supply the pulpit, application was again made to Mr. Minot, of Concord, to be helpful to them on the Lord's day, but he declined. Mr. John Woodward (H. C. 1693), of Dedham, was soon engaged. Having preached one Sunday, a com- mittee of the town, Jan. 27, 1695-96, made overtures to him to occupy the pulpit for some months, and were willing to give him at the rate of £35 per year, although they were in very straitened circumstances. It is supposed that Mr. Woodward supplied the pulpit during the winter. He was not anxious to remain long, but the people were unwilling to give him up. Therefore on the 13th of April, 1696, messengers were scut to Dedham to urge him to return. But in case he refused they were to ask Mr. Mors, of Dedham, to occupy the pulpit. Mr. Woodward declined to come back. July 11, 1696, Mr. Joseph Mors (H. C. 1695) was called to be their minister. He came and preached for some time, but gave no answer to the call. After waiting six months he was again invited

to settle, in consequence of the satisfaction he had generally given. This unanimous call did not meet with a favorable respouse.

Failing to secure the services of Mr. Mors, it was ascertained that a former preacher, Rev. Samuel Parris, was disengaged and might perhaps be glad to return to town. Accordingly, Nov. 29, 1697, he was unanimously requested to become helpful to them in preaching the word of God. It was decided to pay him £40 a year, if he would not take less. He is supposed to have wanted more. The people plcad poverty, but are anxious to have him come, and there- fore ask the General Court for help. In answer to this request the Court gave them £10 out of the pub- lic treasury towards the support of the ministry. This grant of money induced Mr. Parris to be " help- ful," and his salary was fixed at £40 per year. But at the close of the year he desired an increase of pay. The town, however, did not agree to all his terms, and he doubtless left in the winter of 1668-69.

Another effort was then made to secure a resident minister. And for the third time they invite, March 27, 1699, Mr. Joseph Mors "to ye worke of ye min- istry," but being elsewhere engaged he could not come.

It is a little uncertain at what time the next can- didate for the vacant pulpit made his appearance. Most likely soon after the declination of Mr. Mors. At any rate under the date of July 24, 1689, it was "Voted and unanimously Concluded to give Mr. John Eveleth an invitation & Call to ye work of the minis- try in this Towne." It was also decided that he should have the use of the parsonage and ministerial lands, if he should "settle in Towne & Cary on ye work of ye ministry & Live & Dye with ym, then he should have and enjoy a fifty-acre Lott; which shall be his & his heires forever." His salary was to be forty pounds per annum, twenty pounds every six months, half money and half corn and other provi- sions, and five pounds more in firewood. It is uncer- taiu when Mr. Eveleth accepted the call. Probably not for a year or more, and yet he continued to sup- ply the pulpit, and some meetings were held relative to his settlement. A committee was chosen May 13, 1700, to draw up a covenant or agreement between the town and Mr. Eveleth, which was subsequently signed by him and the following citizens :

" Thomas Stevens, Abraham Holman, Richard Whitney, Seur., Tho. Foster, Jno. Wetherby, Senr., Jno. Wetherby, junr., Isaac Gates, Stephen Randall, Nathaniel Gates, Jonathan Farr, Thomas Duby, Boaz Browne, Richard Burke, llonry Rand, Jabez Brown, Mark Perkins, Simon Gates, Jolm Holmes, Thomas Whitney, Nathaniel Ilapgood, Jon- athan Foster, Richard Whitney, jun., Jacob Stevens, John Stevens Sammuel llall, Edw. Browne, Isaac Heald, John Whiticur, Moses Whit- ney, Stephen Farr, John Gates, Ebenezer Whitney.

"In testimony of my Complyanco with ye offeres of yo inhabitants of Stow, in yo above written Covenant, & of my obligations to servo them as God shall enable me, I have here set my hand.

" JOHN EVELETH."

By this agreement, Mr. Eveleth was to have £40 a year in money and thirty cords of wood, and some

643

STOW.

assistance in the way of work upon his buildings and land. Months go and come and no formal settlement of the minister takes place, though he still resides in town and occupies the pulpit. But on the 1st of September, 1702, it was voted to keep a general fast (Mr. Eveleth was to appoint the day with two of the neighboring elders), which was in reference to the in- stallation of the minister. Joseph Daby, Thomas Daby, Boaz Browne, Edw. Browne and Israel Heald were appointed to provide for the installation in all respects. About this time it occurred to the people that if they had an additional tract of land they would be better able to meet public charges, and espe- cially would be encouraged about settling a minister. Therefore they ask the General Court, Oct. 12, 1702, to grant them the Indian plantation of Nashoba (now Littleton), as they already had " but a pent-up small Tract of Land and vary Little meadow." The repre- sentatives said yes to the petition, but the Council voted no ; so the project failed and the town wisely concluded to go forward without the help of the Gen- eral Court. In 1753 the town had a lawsuit with Littleton, relative to the bounds in which they appear to have been beaten, at a cost of over £55. In refer- ence to the "ordination," as it was called, the town voted, Nov. 9, 1702, to provide tor it " by a free con- tribution and voluntary subscriptions," which was done. But at what time the pastor was inducted into office, or who took part in the interesting services, is unknown. The installation, however, is believed to have occurred about the 1st of December, 1702. Thns, after years of patient effort, a permanent preacher was secured. It is uncertain whether the church was organized at the time of the installation. Mr. Eveleth either kept no records, or they are lost. Rev. Mr. Gardner, the successor of Mr. Eveleth, writing in 1767, said the gathering of the church was three or four years after the call of Mr. Eveleth, and that the number of members was about eleven.

The pastor being settled and the church organized, there is not much to record for some time. About fifteen years after his settlement it was whispered around that the minister's condnet was not altogether becoming his position as a moral and religious teach- er. Finally the advice of a council of ministers was sought. They gave some directions in the matter, but we know not their import. The trouble, however, seems not to have been allayed, and a meeting was held November 14, 1717, "to consider what steps to take in reference to Mr. Eveleth's miscarriage of late amongst us." It was then voted "to stand to the 5th article in the minister's or counsel's result." A committee was chosen "to treat with Mr. Eveleth concerning the premises." Subsequently this com- mittee were ordered to apply to some neighboring minister for advice "at this difficult time." Some- what later a second council of ministers was called in reference to the pastor's " miscarriage." This council met previous to January 6, 1717-18, and advised the

dissolution of the pastoral relations. Tradition says the " miscarriage" of the minister was intemperance. He, however, whatever was the nature of his offence, reformed and hecame a useful man. The records of July 28, 1719, say : " Mr. John Eveleth, upon mani- festation of repentance, was restored to church fel- lowship and communion." In 1719 he taught school in town. There was some trouble with him about the parsonage, etc., and he was notified not to make any improvement upon the land and to surrender up the house and barn. But he did not vacate the prem- ises, as was desired, though he was offered sixty pounds if he would do so. The matter, however, seems finally to have been amicably settled. Mr. Eveleth was born February 18, 1669-70, and was the son of Joseph Eveleth, of Gloucester. He graduated at Harvard College in 1689, and was ordained at Manchester, October 1, 1693, and was dismissed from the society there in I695. He was subsequently, for a time before coming to Stow, a preacher at Enfield, Conn. He married, December 2, 1692, Mary, daugh- ter of Francis Bowman, of Cambridge. After leav- ing Stow he preached at Arundel, and other places in Maine. He was at Arundel about nine years. The people were unwilling to have him leave, " as he was not only their minister and school-master, but a good blacksmith and farmer, and the best fisher- man in town." He died Angust 1, 1734, aged nearly sixty-five years, and was buried in Kittery, Me. His wife died at Stow, December 2, 1747, aged seventy- five. She probably did not live with him after he left town. After leaving Arundel he is said to have become an Episcopal minister at Kittery.

The town, being without a minister, chose a com- mittee January 6, 1717-18, to procure a candidate. On the 17th of June following, Mr. John Gardner was called "to carry on the worke of the ministry." He was to have one hundred pounds in land as a set- tlement, and a yearly salary of seventy pounds for five years, and then seventy-five pounds, and then to add twenty shillings a year until it reached eighty pounds, which, thereafter, was to be his stated salary, to be paid in semi-annual installments. Mr. Gard- ner bought the ministerial lot for 150 pounds. All the preliminaries being arranged, preparations were made for the ordination, and on the 26th of Novem- ber, 1718, the pastor-elect was inducted into office, but there is no record of the services. The church at that time " consisted of fifteen males and about the same number of females." Mr. Gardner says the or- daining council "advised us to covenant anew, the foundation covenant being lost." But this new cove- nant is lost to us, and no one can tell what has become of it. Most of the early covenants were not so much a statement of belief as a sort of bond of union be- tween the members

Mr. Gardner's ministry, on the whole, seems to have been peaceful and prosperous. During the lat- ter part of his pastorate he was much enfeebled by

644

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

age and disease, so that he could not preach regu- larly. He was willing to have a colleague, and sev- eral candidates were heard, but for two or three years there was no unanimity of feeling or agreement upon a successor. At length, however, a candidate was chosen, and Mr. Gardner was able to take part in his ordination, but he died almost exactly three months from the day his colleague was settled, viz., January 10, 1775, iu his eightieth year, and in the fifty-eighth of his pastorate.

Henry

Rev. John Gardner, son of John and Elizabeth Gardner, of Charlestown, was born July 22, 1696, and graduated from Harvard College in 1715. He was strongly opposed to the Whitfieldian movement abont 1740. He is represented as heing very stern in his demeanor, so that the children greatly feared him ; yet he was "a gentleman of good intellectual abilities, . .. sound in his principles of religion . . . and very faithful in the discharge of his pastoral office." He married, April 14, 1720, Mary, the eldest daughter of Rev. Joseph Baxter, of Medfield, when she was only nineteen years old. She died December 30, 1784, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. During Mr. Garduer's ministry 209 persons joined the church, and 1346 were baptized.

The seating of the meeting-house seems at times to have occupied the attention of the town, and Decem- ber 5, 1722, it was " voted that in seating the meet- ing-house there should be respect to age and to what persons paid towards building the house, and to the minister for the present year." Other similar votes were taken in the course of years. Even as late as May 14, 1790, a committee report where certain per- sons not owning pews should be seated as follows :

The fore seat below .- Mr. John Randall, William Whitcomb, James Davidson, Bezcleel Ilale, Benjamin Whitcomb, William Withington, Stephen llow, Asa Warren, Zachariah Whitman, Oliver Gates, Francis Eveleth, Elisha Gates, Jobn Eveleth, Thomas Wetherbee, Silas Randall, Benjamin Smith, Elizabeth Balvy, Mary Gutes, Mary IJule, Elizabeth Hall, Deborah Gates, Sarah Conant, Martha Skinner, Sibbel Whitney.

Second sent below .- Jabez Brown, David Jewell, Elias Whitney, Samuel Goodnow, Frederick Walcutt, John Davidson, Daniel Conant, Abel Taylor, Benjamin Monroc, Joshua Brown, Joseph Wetherbee, Abnor Ray, Josialı Witt.

Fore seat front, -- Abraham Randall, Josiah Brown, Abijah Warren, Nathan Putnam, Thomas Whitman, Judah Wetherbee, Josiah Randall, William Walcutt, Charles Halo, Samuel Hapgood, John Patch, Epb- raim Wetherbee, Bezelcel Hale.

Fore seat side .- Jacob Whitney, Jonas Hale, Hezekiah Ilapgood, James Osborn, Oliver Gates, Jr., Jonathan Gates, Augustus Cooledge, George Davidson, Jobn Conant, Peter Conant, Asa Putnam, Ichabod Stow, Simeon Whitcomb, Abraham Whitcomb, Daniel llooker, Oliver Marble, Hezekiah Whitcomb, Daniel Eveletb, Samuel Jewell, Israel Gates, Benjamin Brown, Isaac Whitcomb, Thomas Gates, Silas Cool- edge, John Gutes, Jr., Hezekiah Whitney, David Rand.

The third seat below .- Samuel Osborn, William Maxwell, Isaac Brown, Ephraim Wheeler, Sin on Puffer, Timothy Taylor, Samuel Withington, ('harles Brown, Israel Robbins, Phineas Taylor, Henry Cooledgo, Henry Smith, Benjamin Clark.

The second seut front .- John Witt, Isaac Conant, William Morso, Israel Hale, Ephraim Hale, Benjamin Withington, Ezekiel Gates, Josiah Conant, John Ilnyward, Jr., Lemuel Whitney, Silas Witt, Eliab Good- now.

The second seat side .- Abraham liny, Samuel Sargent, Jr., Isaac Tay- for, Jacob Soper, Josiah Brown, Jr., Luko Brown, Augustus Tower, Jonas Hustings, Silas Brooks, Amos Brooks, David Osborn, Daniel

Brown, Caleb Gates, Thomas Burgess, William Brown, Thaddeus Good- now, Gustin Taylor, Jonas Taylor, Silas Whitcomb, Darius Whitcomb, Jonathan Walcott, Jacob Gates, Levi Stearns, Ephraim Taylor, Israel Taylor, Simeon Hayward, Abram Conant, Abel Brown, Charles Gates.

In May, 1773, it was voted that the women'sseats in the body seats be cleared of the singers, but no " further provision of seats for the singers " was made.

Mr. Gardner having signified his willingness to re- ceive a colleague, measures were taken to secure one.

But it was found very difficult to decide upon can- didates. The town held two meetings within one week in October, 1773, relative to the matter, yet such was the excitement that nothing was done. Mr. John Marrett (Harvard College, 1763) was a favorite can- didate with many ; and November 29, 1773, the church, with only one dissenting voice, voted to give him a call. The town, however, December 20th, did not con- cur with the church, and voted not to hire preaching. Butas theminister could not be settled without the votes of both parties, Mr. Marrett left and was subsequently settled at what is now Burlingtou. When Hancock and Adams left Lexington, on the morning of April 19, 1775, they were conducted to Mr. Marrett's hoard- ing-house, and by him were guided to a place of safety near the Billerica line.

At their meeting March 4, 1774, the town concluded to have preaching again and chose a committee to at- tend to that matter. March 13th, Mr. Jonathan Newell preached his first sermon, as a candidate. Having preached six or eight Sundays, the church, on the 13th of June, invited him to settle, and on the 20th the town, by a very great majority, voted to concur with the church in the invitation to Mr. Newell to be the joint pastor with Mr. Gardner. He was to have 160 pounds as an encouragement to settle, and his yearly salary was to be fifty-three pounds, six shillings and eight pence during the life-time of Mr. Gardner. It was then to be increased to eighty pounds, to be paid to him annually while he should continue in the work of the ministry ; but when he should be, by sickness or age, or otherwise, unable to supply the pulpit, then his salary should be only forty pounds annually so long as he should live in the ministry. Mr. Newell's acceptance of the call was read to the church September 11, 1774. On the 26th of the month the town voted to have " the proposed ordina- tion of Mr. Newell observed as private as possible, agreeable to the vote of the church." Henry Gardner, Jonathan Wood and Deacon Samuel Gates were chosen to carry forward the ordination when they think proper, and to consult with Mr. Newell about the same. Colonel Jonathan Wood was requested to entertain the ordination council, and he was to be paid six pounds for so doing. The ordination took place on Tuesday October 11, 1774. Rev. Samuel Johnson, of Harvard, began with prayer; Rev. Samuel West, of Needham, preached the sermon. Rev. Mr. Gardner, of Stow, gave the charge; Rev. Mr. Swift, of Acton, gave the right hand of fellowship.

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 Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 173

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034