History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 184

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 184

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Mr. Gookin was a man of uncommon ability and attainments. He was born in 1750 or 1751, was a son of Major-General Daniel Gookin, one of the magistrates of the commonwealth and superintendent of the Indians. He was a friend and assistant to the apostle Eliot in his missionary labors at Natick, and this fact doubtless made him acquainted with the people of Sherborn and their spiritual requirements; and the contiguity of the latter town to Natick probably made him more willing to undertake the charge of the small church in this town, as he could l'e near his friend Eliot and still assist him. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1669, received the degree of A.M. in 1673 and was chosen a Fellow of the college in the same year. Although he was

not ordained at Sherborn until March 26, 1685, it is probable that he conducted divine service there for some time prior to that date. Rev. John Eliot says of him, in a letter to Hon. Robert Boyle, dated April 22, 1684, " Major Gookin has dedicated his eldest son Daniel Gookin, into the service of Christ; he is a pious and learned young man, about thirty-three years old, hath been eight years a fellow of the college; he hath tanght and trained up two classes of young scholars unto their commencement; he is a man whose abilities are above exception, though not above envy. His father with his inclination, advised him to Sherburne, a small village near Natick, whose meeting-house is about three miles, more or less, from Natick meeting-house. He holdeth a Lecture in Natick meeting-house once a month; which many English, especially of Sherburne, do frequent. Hc first preaches in English to the English audience, and then the same matter is delivered to the Indians by an interpreter, whom, with much pains, Mr. Gooking had fore-prepared. We apprehend that this will (by God's blessing) be a means to enable the Indians to understand religion preached in the English tongue, and will much further Mr. Gookin in learning the Indian tongue."

The only church records known prior to 1734 are contained in one small volume, and consist wholly of accounts of contributions raised for various purposes, commencing in the year 1685. The records of the church and town were kept together in the books of the town until October 27, 1734, when the proper records of the church commence. But we do not find any account of the formation of the church in any of these records. A manuscript journal of Judge Sewell (who, it may be remembered, married a daughter of Capt. John Hull, of Sherhorn), shows that the church was gathered March 26, 1685, the same day that Mr. Gookin was ordained. It reads, "Thursday, March 26, 1865. Went to ye Gathering of ye Chh at Sherborn, and ordaining Mr. Daniel Gookin their Pastor. But 6 bretheren and 3 of the names Mors. Mr. Wilson [of Boston], Mr. Adams [of Dedham], and Mr. Nathl. Gookin of Cambridge managed the work ; Mr. Nathl. Gookin the younger introduced the Elder ; a happy type of the calling of ye Jews." Twelve other clergymen were present " and fellows of the Colledge. Only Maj. Genll. and self of Magistrates. No revelations were made; but I hope God was with them."

Mr. Gookin was a faithful pastor, diligent and able in his work. He continued his labors with the Indi- ans, also, during the greater part of his life, as time and opportunity permitted, and he died lamented, January 8, 1717-18, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. In an obituary notice, written probably by his col- league and successor, Rev. Daniel Baker, dated Jan. 9, 1717-18, and found in the Boston News Letter it is stated that "He was the oldest son of Honorable Daniel Gooking, Esq., a good scholar and solid Divine ;

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was many years a fellow of Harvard College, and a tutor. From his ordination he continued our min- ister about thirty-four years, being diligent in his study, tender of his flock, and exemplary in his life." During the latter part of his life, for about seven years, "by great pain and indisposition of body, he was taken off from his work," so that Oct. 23, 1707, the town "Voted to hire a minister while [until] March next and that Mr. Baker be the man to supply Mr. Gooking's Pulpit, now in the time of his restraint, if he may be obtained." December 11, 1710, Mr. Baker was formally engaged as an assistant to Mr. Gookin, and in April, 1711, the latter repeated an offer he had previously made to the town, freely to remit ten pounds of the country part of bis salary in consequence of his infirmities and the necessity of hiring a colleague. This was publicly read and gratefully accepted by the town.

The old Central Cemetery in Sherborn, "in which ye first grain was sown, June ye 17, 1686," received the remains of Mr. Gookin, and the spot was marked by a plain stone bearing the inscription, "Here lyes ye body of ye Reverend Daniel Gookin, Pastor of ye church of Christ at Sherborne, dec'd Jan'ry ye 8th, 1717-18, in ye 68th year of his age."

As it is more convenient to proceed with the eccle- siastical history of the town before returning to its civil history, that course will now be pursued.

At a meeting of the inhabitants, held December 11, 1710, Capt. Joseph Morse and Deacon Benoni Learned, moderators, "Then it was put to the inhabit- ants by the said Moderators, that inasmuch as the work of the Ministry is apparently too hard for our Rev. and worthey Pastor, Mr. Daniel Gooking," whether they were willing to give Rev. Mr. Baker a call or invitation to settle in the town as an assistant to their pastor. It was voted "verry fully on the affirmative " to give Mr. Baker a call, and was also voted " To give the said Mr. Baker a yearly salary of 50 pounds money during the life of our Rev. Pastor, and after his decease to augment Mr. Baker's salary if need be. Voted in the affirmative."

After due consideration, Rev. Daniel Baker accepted the invitation in a letter dated Dedham, December 29, 1711, addressed to the committees of this church and town.

At a town-meeting held soon after, January 14, 1711-12, " voted that Rev. Daniel Baker's answer be very gratefully accepted, and the town renders thanks to him for his good intentions towards them, and do freely concur and take up with his said answer." And at the same meeting a committee was chosen to take charge of the subscriptions for his dwelling- house.

After the death of Mr. Gookin it was agreed that the salary of Mr. Baker should be advanced to sev- enty pounds per annum. He also had the use of a house and land.

Mr. Baker was born in Dedham about 1686, grad-

uated at Harvard College in 1706, and died May 14, 173], at Sherborn, in the forty-fifth year of his age. He married Mary Quincy, daughter of Hon. Edmund Quincy, and second Rebecca Smith. He had but two children, daughters, one by each wife, who lived to adult age. Several other children died young. He is described as "a gentleman of bright and nat- ural parts, much improved by acquired knowledge, very pathetical in prayer, orthodox and powerful in preaching, tender of his flock and congregation, having always the cause of God and religion much at heart. His church increased greatly under his min- istry." During his latter years his health was poor and his condition feeble, so that he was sometimes wholly incapacitated for his work.

The only known publication of Mr. Baker is an 18mo. volume of 164 pages, containing two Fast-day sermons, one delivered at Dedham, October 5, 1726, and the other at "Sherbourn, May 10, 1727." They were printed at Boston for D. Henchman, 1728, and the expense of the work was defrayed by his parish.

The remains of Mr. Baker were interred also in the Central Cemetery.

Soon after the decease of Mr. Baker there was chosen "1731, June 16th, a committee of three, viz. : Deacon Greenwood, William Lealand and John Hol- brook to take Care for the Supply of the Pulpit untill ye Town Com into Som other methord." Then was granted the sum of fiffty pounds for the "Supply of ye Pulpit." Other sums were granted during the next three years for the same purpose, and various candidates were received, and votes were passed ac- cepting no less than five ministers successively, but none of them appears to have been settled. But at last, on April 25, 1734, "The church and Town by a Unanimous Vote made choice of Mr. Samuel Porter to he their Gospel Minister, and voted three hundred pounds in Bills of Publick credit towards his Settle- ment. Also voted one hundred and thirty pounds per annum for his Salary in Bills of Credit on this province, according to their present value; and to rise and fall as Silver money doth With the Mar- chants of this province-Provided he Settle with us, in the Gospel ministry, and so long as he Continues in the Same."

Rev. Samuel Porter was now formally chosen the pastor of the church of Christ in Sherborn. He was the third of the sterling ministers of the town. All of them were distinguished for learning, piety and sound judgment, and they were men worthy to be held in lasting remembrance. In those days the clergymen were the leaders of the people, not only in moral and spiritual affairs, but also in those of a secu- lar nature. Their counsel was often sought by the people aud had much weight with them, and as they were usually settled for life their interests were iden- tified with those of their flock, and they had a tender care for their welfare. Mr. Porter was a man of this character. He was born in Brookfield, Mass., in 1709,

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and graduated at Harvard College in 1730, his grand- father having left £100 to enable him to complete his course of study there. He came to this town from Hadley, and was ordained on the fourth Wednesday (23d) of October, 1734, according to. a vote of the church and town, which also "granted 25 pounds to be Levied on Poils and Estate by Way of vote, ac- cording to the rules prescribed in the Law for the Support of the Ministers and Messingers at the ordi- nation."

We have not been able to find an account of the exercises at this ordination, but it is evident from the above vote that they were conducted with all due ceremony by his brethren in the ministry. Mr. Porter was twice married, first to Mary Cooledge, of Cambridge, October 20, 1735, who died August 10, 1752. They had five children, all of whom died young excepting Mary, who afterward married Rev. Samuel Locke, her father's successor in the ministry. His second wife was also named Mary, but her sur- name before marriage is not known. The second Mary died August 8, 1758, and the respected pastor did not long survive her; he died on the 16th of September following, at the age of forty-nine years, and his loss was universally lamented.

Of the published sermons of Mr. Porter, we know of two only. One of these was given at the ordina- tion of Rev. William Phipps at Douglas, December 16, 1747. Mr. Phipps was a son of John Phipps, of Sherborn, who was a grand-nephew of Sir William Phipps, once Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts. He was a man of great literary attainments and had a peculiar facility for the acquisition of languages, of which he is said to have mastered no less than twelve. Douglas, Massachusetts, had previously been called New Sherborn on account of the grant to Sherborn of 4000 acres of land in that settlement, confirmed by the General Court in 1715, as an equivalent for the seventeen families set off to Framingham at its incorporation in 1700. Douglas was incorporated as a district in 1746, and as a town in 1786, and Mr. William Phipps was chosen its first minister. It was so named for Dr. William Douglas, author of a his- tory of New England and a proprietor and benefactor of the town. Frequent references to this town are found in the records of Sherhorn, whose inhabitants took up grants of land in Douglas. The sermon of · Rev. Mr. Porter speaks of the new pastor in warm and affectionate terms as a child of Sherborn, with the hope and belief that he "will be a rich blessing to you and to the world in his day."

The other sermon mentioned was delivered at the ordination of Joseph Perry to the pastoral care of the church in Windsor (Connecticut probably), June 11, 1755. Of this sermon we have but little information ; but its subject was doubtless an able man, as he was a son of Captain Joseph Perry, Esq., a prominent man in Sherborn 150 years ago, selectman for six- teen years, and in 1741 a representative to General

Court. It is believed that Rev. Joseph Perry did not long survive to fill his pastoral office.

Mr. Porter resided in the house directly opposite the church, owned at a later day hy Hon. Calvin San- ger and his heirs, and at present by Abijah R. Leland, Esq. Here originated the famous Porter apple, first raised by the venerable minister and named for him. It was considered a great acquisition to the list of fruits, and adds to the reputation which our town pos- sesses in the cultivation of apples of a good quality. The stump of the original tree was standing on these grounds within the memory of the present generation.

The remains of Mr. Porter were deposited in the Central Burying-Ground by the side of his two prede- cessors in the ministry ; and two stones adjacent com- memorated the qualities of his two wives. In the year 1857 the sacred relics of these three early min- isters were collected and conveyed to the new Pine Hill Cemetery, and a marble monument was erected above them by Calvin P. Sanger, Esq.

Having described at some length the first three ministers of the town who acted parts so important in its early history, we shall be obliged to notice more briefly the remaining pastors.

Rev. Samuel Locke was born November 23, 1732, and ordained November 7, 1759, and served until 1770, when he was inaugurated president of Harvard College. He occupied this distinguished post but three years, when he returned to Sherborn and opened a private classical school, which was very suc- cessful. He died in 1777, at the age of forty-five, and his remains were laid in the Central Cemetery. But soon after the erection of the memorial monument in Pine Hill Cemetery, a granite monument was erected there to the memory of Rev. Dr. Locke, by Harvard University.

Rev. Elijah Brown was the fifth pastor of the church. He was born at Waltham, May 31, 1744 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1764, and ordained November 28, 1770. He served for forty-six years and died October 24, 1816. His pastorate was longer than that of any minister in the town excepting one of the present incumbents, Rev. Dr. Dowse. Although pecu- liar in some of his ways, Mr. Brown was a man of much ability. Judge Sprague, formerly of Lancaster, Mass., was a classmate of Mr. Brown in college ; and he once observed that, in his opinion, "there were about a dozen real geniuses in the class and that Brown was one of them." He was an excellent and sympathetic pastor, and his visits to the sick and sorrowful were acceptable and consoling. He possessed a natural vein of wit and humor, which he could not always retain within the bounds proper to a man of his pro- fession. But on the whole he was useful and success- ful in the discharge of his responsible duties. Some of his sermons were published, one of the most im- portant being that given at the ordination of Rev. Zedekiah Sanger (a native of Sherborn) as pastor of the church in Duxbury, July 3, 1776.

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IHISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Within a few weeks after the decease of Rev. Mr. Brown the church invited Shearjashub Bourne Townsend to become their pastor, and in December, 1816, the town, by vote, concurred in the invitation, and granted money for his salary. Mr. Townsend had been a tutor in Brown University, his alma mater, and was well fitted, intellectually, for the position. By joint action of the church and town an " ecclesi- astical council convened at Sherborne," and he was ordained a pastor on the 2d day of July, 1817. He was an able and cultivated man and an excellent pastor, greatly beloved by his people. He was born in Barrington, R. I., April 14, 1796, and was gradu- ated in 1814. He had a fine presence and stature, being six feet in height. He delivered an oration September 3, 1822, before the Society of United Brothers of Brown University ; and also an oration at Sherborn, July 4, 1821, on the means of preserving our civil and religious liberties, a thoughtful and valu- able production. Both of these pipers were pub- lished.

But with all his accomplishments, Mr. Townsend did not possess firm health, and after a service of eleven years his strength began to fail, and assistance in the performance of his duties was required. He had invited Rev. Amos Clarke, a native of Sher- born, to supply the pulpit until further action could be taken. In the autumn of 1829 Mr. Townsend was obliged to proceed to the Southern States for the ben- efit of his health. According to his expressed desire, he retained, nominally, the position of pastor to the church, generously granting to his colleague the whole of the salary. He never returned, but died at Mil- ledgeville, Ga., July 20, 1832, deeply lamented by his parishioners and friends.

Rev. Amos Clarke was chosen colleague by a ma-a jority of the society. The minority desired to hear other candidates, not being satisfied with the relig- ious views held by Mr. Clarke. This difference led to a separation and to the formation of a new society, which will be described below. Mr. Clarke was an excellent pastor, a successful teacher and a wise and useful man in the community. He was born in this town April 23, 1779, was prepared for college under the instruction of Rev. Elijah Brown, of Sherborn, graduated with honor at Harvard College in 1804, . and studied theology with Rev. President Bates, then pastor at Dedham, with whom he subsequently be- came connected by marriage. He was licensed to preach, but his health being slender, he engaged in the calling of a classical instructor, in which he was very successful, training the minds and manners of his pupils as well as their intellects.

Mr. Clarke, who had supplied the pulpit since 1828, was invited, March 22, 1830, to become the as- sociate pastor, and after the death of Rev. Mr. Town- send he was the sole pastor of this church. At this post he continued until May 20, 1841, when he was obliged by feeble health to relinquish it, to the great | an active member of the School Committee, and was

regret of the members of the parish. Mr. Clarke oc- casionally appeared afterwards in the pulpit, was a member of the School Committee, represented the town in the Legislature of 1845, and rendered service in various ways to the inhabitants, by whom he was highly respected.

During the year of Mr. Clarke's appointment (1830) the First Parish caused a new meeting-house to be erected, very near the site of the old one, which had been in use for more than a century. The last ser- vice was held in the old church on Sunday, Decem- ber 26th, and an interesting and instructive sermon was given by Rev. Mr. Clarke. On the following Wednesday, December 29th, the new house was ap- propriately dedicated, Mr. Clarke delivering the ser- mon on this occasion also. It still stands in good condition, after nearly sixty years of service, and is the third edifice on this site.

The next minister of this church was Rev. Richard Cecil Stone, who was installed September 28, 1842. He was born in Scituate, R. I., July 18, 1798, and served in other towns as a clergyman before coming to Sherborn. He was a man of strong, cultivated in- tellect and dominating character. Although highly respected by some of his parishioners, he gradually became distasteful to others among them, and this feeling led, after an active service of six years, to a separation in October, 1848. A portion of the church and congregation went with the pastor, and formed a new society, which they called the Wesleyan Method- ist Society. They worshiped in a new chapel erected by them north of the Common, and contin- ued their services for about six years, when Mr. Stone removed from the town and the society was dissolved.

He was succeeded in the charge of the First Parish by Rev. Jolin Fleming, a native of England, where he was born January 20, 1820. He labored diligently in his profession, and earnestly strove to fulfill his du- ties to the parish and to render himself acceptable to the people. He performed good service also as a member of the School Committee for some years. After three years he resigned the office of pastor in 1853, and retired from the ministry. He has contin- ned, however, to reside in the town as a respected citizen.

Rev. Theodore H. Dorr was the next minister. He was born in Boston August 13, 1815, graduated at Harvard College in 1835, and was instailed pastor of the church at Sherborn December 3, 1854. He con- tinued its efficient head for more than eight years, when his waning health admonished him to retire from active labor. He resigned the charge of the parish March 1, 1863. He was a man of thorough education, courteous manners and considerable force of character. He was persevering in his efforts to support and advance the interests of the church, was interested in the work of education and in the general improvement of the town. He was for some years

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zealous in forwarding preparations for raising sol- diers and supplies in the War of the Rebellion. He was a member of the committee chosen at a town- meeting called for the purpose of considering the whole subject, to prepare resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the town.

Mr. Dorr returned to Boston after his resignation, and resided there for several years.

Rev. William Brown was born in Concord, Massachusetts, September 10, 1838, graduated at Am- herst College in 1860, and at the Cambridge Divinity School in 1863. He was ordained pastor of the church iu Sherborn November 5, 1863, and held the office for nearly nine years. On the 1st day of March, 1872, he tendered his resignation of the po- sition, to take effect August 31st, following. For several years after that date he was pastor of the church in Walpole, N. H., but has lately removed to West Bridgewater, Mass., as minister of the church there, and teacher of certain branches of study in the Academy.

Mr. Brown was a man of genial nature and culti- vated intellect, a firm friend, and a good townsman, interested in education and in all that pertained to the welfare of the people. The town sustained a loss in his departure. This was his first parish, and he studied and labored diligently for its improve- ment. He was for many years a member of the School Committee, and his efficient services will not soon be forgotten by his colleagues of that period. He was one of the steady, valuable workers for the public good, and was equal to any with which the town has been favored during the last thirty years.

After the resignation and removal of Rev. William Brown, in September, 1872, there was an interregnum of nearly twenty months, during which time the pul- pit was temporarily supplied. Several gentlemen officiated as candidates, but it was not until May 13, 1874, that Rev. Alfred Edgar Mullett, the eleventh minister, was ordained. Mr. Mullett had graduated at Cambridge Divinity School the previous year, after a collegiate course at Tufts College. This was therefore, his first parish. He was a young man of good education and attainments. Although he ex- erted himself to fulfill his duties, he soon found that he was not adapted to the work in this parish, and tendered his resignation April 1, 1875, to take effect in three months afterwards. He has since that time served in other towns, and, we believe, is now settled in a Massachusetts parish. Mr. Mnllett was born in Charlestown, Mass., November 13, 1847.

In September, 1876, Rev. Eugene De Normandie, a native of Philadelphia, who had previously served acceptably in this State, was invited to supply the pulpit of the First Parish. He accepted the invita- tion, and continued to officiate as its minister through the autumn months. On the 1st day of December he was engaged to serve for one year, at the expira- tion of which time the engagement was renewed,

and was continued to the Fall of 1890. He has been the respected pastor of this church, whose interests he labored diligently to support. He belongs to a family of clergymen. One brother, Rev. James De Normandie, was for many years the minister of the Unitarian Society in Portsmouth, N. H., and is now serving as the pastor of the church in the Roxbury District, Boston, which was for so long a time in charge of Rev. Dr. George Putnam. Another brother, Rev. C. T. De Normandie, has been settled since 1872 in the ancient town of Kingston, origi- nally a part of Plymouth, and once called North Plymouth.

Mr. De Normandie has identified his interests with those of our town, and endeavored to render himself useful to its inhabitants. He brought with him a considerable experience in school-work, and has heen an active and efficient member of the Board of School Committee during several of the years of his resi- dence. He was born in Philadelphia, Jannary 3, 1832. In 1890 he accepted an invitation from the society in Danvers, Mass., and removed there in Sep- tember.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 184

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