History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 53

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 53

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557

METHODIST CHURCHES.

Charles Nutter, 1878-80; George W. Wright, 1881-82; J. B. Hingeley, 1883-84 ; E. A. Drew, 1885; Edward Williams, 1886-88; James 1. Bartholomew, 1889 to the present time.

The present membership of the church is 216, with twenty-three probationers. The Sunday-school is in a prosperous condition, with Robert F. Raymond, superintendent, and F. H. Tripp, Mrs. F. H. Tripp, M. F. Leonard, John Harris, class-leaders. The present officers of the church are: Trustees, Joseph F. Tripp, Charles E. Cook, Charles A. Tuell, Stephen H. Briggs, Andrew J. Fish, Robert F. Raymond and Clarence R. Sherman ; stewards, Charles A. Tuell, Charles E. Cook, Robert F. Raymond, C. D. Beetle, M. L. Matthews, George H. Briggs, Mrs. L. A. Macreading, Mrs. E. Tuell, Mrs. R. S. Beckerman, George F. Kasmire and John L. Pendlebury; recording steward, Charles A. Tuell.

First Primitive Methodist Church :- In August, 1888, Rev. S. Knowles, of Fall River, called together in Edgerton's Hall in this city a few Primitive Methodists, who afterward joined in with the Christian Union people on High street, and were supplied with local and visiting clergymen until April, 1889. This was the beginning of the first Prim- itive Methodist Church in New Bedford, in May, 1889. The Rev. N. WV. Matthews was invited by the missionary committee to take charge of the work in this city. He immediately engaged the Howland Chapel for public worship and organized a local society of fifteen members a month later. In February, 1890, the society was incorporated Through the labors of the pastor and people the church has met with flattering suc- cess. For nearly two years the services were held in Howland Chapel. This was erected in 1870 by Matthew Howland as a place of worship for the operatives and others in the vicinity of the Wamsutta Mills It was completed and furnished at a cost of about $7,000 and the dedication took place January 13, 1871. The membership ofthe Primitive Metho- dists so increased that the chapel would no longer accommodate them, and steps were taken toward securing a church edifice of their own. A lot was purchased on the south side of Weld street, between Pleasant and State, at a cost of $1,000 and the present commodious building com- pleted December 1, 1891. The dedication took place on Sunday, De- cember 6, several local clergymen assisting in the exercises. To the nin-

558

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

tiring zeal of Rev. Mr. Matthews is largely due the success that has at- tended the society and its undertakings. The trustees for 1891 are : N. W. Matthews, John Quinham, R. Townley, J. McNally, M. Malloy, James W. Brown, J Quinn, with a board of officers to attend to spirit- ual affairs of the society.

Portuguese Methodist Church .- This church was organized Sunday, June 21, 1891, and was the first Methodist Church ever formed among the Portuguese in the United States. In May, 1890, a number of Portu- guese led by Victor Sequeira made their desires known to Rev. J I Bartholomew, of the Allen Street Methodist Church, and a mission was formed which became a connection of that. Mission meetings were held at the homes of the various members for about a month, and then a room on Water street was secured. During the summer and fall, the mission was supported by the different Methodist churches in the city, when the new society was adopted by the Methodist Conference A Presby- terian church had meantime existed in Jacksonville, Ill., composed of Portuguese, and from this church the Rev. Jose Ignacio Almeida was secured and has since served as minister to this society. On the Ist of June, 1891, the mission was transferred to rooms at 84 Potomska street, where, on June 21, the church organization was effected under the care of Rev. Walter Ela, of Fall River, who preached a sermon and adminis- tered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The following officers were chosen : Preacher in charge, Rev. J. I. Almeida; stewards, William Anglia, Frank Silva, John F. Lima, Victor Sequeira, Mrs. Mary Fur- nans; recording steward, Victor Sequeira ; trustees, Frank Silva, Victor Sequeira, William Anglia, Antone Sousa ; class leader, Victor Sequeira.

The Bethel African Methodist Church .- The formation of this society was a result of the labors of Rev. Eli N. Hall, who came to New Bed- ford from Providence, R. I., in 1842.

A house of worship was built the same year by David R. Pierce at a cost of $1,800 and was occupied by the society until 1854, when it was destroyed by fire. The corner- stone of the present edifice on Kempton street was laid by Joseph R. Turner in 1855, but no further work was done on the building for seven years. Through the efforts of the Rev. H. J. Johnson, an organization known as the " One Object Society" was formed to carry out and complete the work, and finally after upwards

559

METHODIST CHURCHES.

of ten years of unremitting labor to this end, the church was finished and paid for at a cost of about $4,500. To this sum the public liber- ally contributed. The pastor of the church was Rev. John Butler, and in 1844 Rev. Henry J. Johnson was appointed and preached two years. Subsequently Richard Robinson officiated one year; Leven Tillman, one year; Peter Gardner, one year ; H. J. Johnson again, one year ; Dayton Doyle, two years; Thomas M. D. Ward, one year ; J. D. S. Hall, one year; Joseph R. Turner, one year; Lewis S. Lewis, two years; Jacob Mitchell, two years ; Henry J. Young, one year ; William Grimes, two years; William Demond, two months; H. J. Johnson again, ten months; Joseph P. Shreeves, three years; John H. W. Bur- ley, one year ; John V. R. Morgan, Joseph G. Smith, one year ; Willian Johnson, one year; J. T. Hayslett, two years ; Stephen V. Douglass, one year ; Ebenezer W. Williams, one year; P L. Stanford, two years ; William J. Laws, three years; William H. Hunter, three years ; John H. Brock, three years; F. J. Cooper, part of one year ; J. W. Skerritt, part of one year ; J. T. Hayslett again, 1889 to date. The trustees of the church are James Bailey, Isaac King, Samuel Willis, Hezekiah Webb, John Lindsey, John Oliver, and T. Williams Jackson. Mr. Jackson is the clerk and James Bailey is church treasurer. Hezekiah Webb is Sunday-school superintendent ; the stewards are Leonard O. Curtis, secretary, John Oliver, Charles D. Armstead, James H. War- field, Isham C. Cowling, George T. Fisher, William Robinson, Edward Slater, Robert Pinckett ; stewardesses, Mary Jones, Ellen Richardson, Elizabeth Scott, Miriam Brown, Mary A Bailey, Margaret Robinson, Mary A. Smith, Martha D. Webb, Georgianna Willis, Amelia J. Austin.

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church .- The organization of this society was effected March 5, 1850. The first services were held in a school house on the corner of Eighth street and Mechanic's lane, and afterward at the residence of Alexander Devol, on Middle street. They moved into their present house of worship on Elm street in 1851. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit of the church since its organiza- tion are as follows:

Revs. Leonard Collins, H. Thompson, James Simmons, Mr. Dempsey, Peter Ross. Joseph Hicks, Clinton Leonard, Samuel M. Giles, W. B. Smith, Nathaniel Stubb, Lucas

560

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

Sayler, Thomas Davis, William B Smith, George H. Washington, J. B. Small, W. D. F. Pyle, John F. Lloyd, Silas A. Mitchell, William B. Heath, Daniel Davis, N. H. Tur- pin, George H. Washington, William B. Bowens, Chanceford Fairfax.

The present pastor, Rev. Mr. Fairfax, began his services with the church in May, 1891. The officers for the year 1891 are: Trustees, Wilson Turner, Matthew Strong, Harry Harper, Robert Coblin, Thomas Spicer ; Munroe R. Lane, clerk; Mrs. Emma Oliver is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

The First Baptist Church .- On the the 22d day of June, 1813, eighteen persons met at the house of Philip Cannon, jr., in New Bed- ford, to "consult and conclude on the propriety of uniting in fellowship as a church of Christ in gospel order." This was the first step towards the formation of the First Baptist Church. Articles of faith and covenant were adopted, and on Wednesday, June 30, a council met at the house of James Tripp and approved the action above mentioned and recognized the eighteen persons as "The First Baptist Church of New Bedford." The names of the eighteen persons were as follows : James Tripp, Susan Tripp, John Wrighting- ton, Philip Cannon, jr., Deborah Potter, Nancy Hitch, Pamelia Stowell, Catharine Martin, Perivilla Lowden, Mercy Andrews, Elizabeth Tuell, Phebe Cannon, Hannah Covell, Sally Green, Catharine Tallman, John Pickens, Dolly Wilcox, and Huldah Thomas. Five others were baptized at that time and added to the number. Worship was com- menced in a hall on North Second street near Mill, then owned by William Kempton. Among the early ministers were Rev. William Bentley, of Tiverton, and Revs. J. Livermore, Samuel Nelson, B. Bates, and L. Baker. Rev. George Hough was the first to regularly assume the pastorate, and finally resigned to go to the East Indies as a mission- ary. After that time the pulpit was supplied for a time by various pastors. Rev. Cyrus Babcock was next chosen, while he was still in Brown University, but he died before assuming the duties of the church.

The second place of worship was on the corner of South Second and School streets, in the old town hall, which the society bought and re- moved to that site from the Head- of-the- River. It was dedicated in July, 1817. Rev. Gideon Perry, the sixth pastor, was a man of energy and zeal and under his administration the society received new impetus.

561

BAPTIST CHURCHES.

An act of incorporation was secured March 8, 1828, and on the 28th of April the society was incorporated as the First Baptist Society of New Bedford. Steps were now taken for the erection of a church. A lot was secured in the spring of 1829, and in the following year the present house was built. In the summer of 1833 an addition was made to the building and an organ provided at a cost of $1,200. A year later the building was repaired and refitted at a cost of about $1,000, the old Unitarian church being used in the mean time. In the autumn of 1841 the house was again ready for use. The following is a list of the pastors and the terms of their service :

Rev. George Hough, April 24, 1814 to January 24, 1815. Silas Hall, 1817 to April 18, 1819. James Barnaby, July 19, 182- to July 13, 1823. Isaac Chase, December 24, 1823 to April 24, 1824. Daniel Curtis, March 20, 1825, to May 4, 1826. Gideon B. Perry, March 18, 1827 to October 22, 1830. Asa Bronson, April 18, 1832 to Jan- uary 29, 1833. John O. Charles, August, 1833 to January 7, 1838. Henry Jackson, January 1, 1839 to October 5, 1845. Rufus Babcock, D. D., January 29, 1846 to Jan- uary, 1850. John Girdwood, July 11, 1850 to December 31, 1865. D. D. Winn, March 15, 1867 to July, 1877. Hiram K. Pervear, February 17, 1880 to July 31, 1886. Joseph C. Hiden, D. D., February 2, 1887 to October, 1889. Rev. Joseph S. Swaim, May, 1890 to the present time.

The officers of the church for 1891 are as follows: Clerk, Simeon B. Eldridge; deacons, A. P. Manchester, Orrin M. Leach, George C. Hatch, Levi Hawes, Ray Green Huling, A. T. Eddy ; T. R. Hillman, treasurer; George C. Hatch, superintendent of Sunday-school.

The North Baptist Church. 1 -For some years before the organiza- tion of this church the north part of the city seemed to several prom inent Baptists to be the place for their Christian efforts. After careful deliberation a decisive movement was made, and the efficient work begun in the autumn of 1872 by the organization of the North Baptist Society. Friday evening, October 17, 1873, thirty members of the First Baptist Church, who had received an official letter dismissing them for that purpose, voted to constitute themselves a Church of Christ under the name of the North Baptist Church of New Bedford. The articles of faith and covenant in harmony with those of other Baptist churches were adopted.

1 Prepared by Rev. Henry C. Graves, D. D.

562

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

An ecclesiastical council convened November 13, 1873, and recog- nized the new church by public services, including a sermon by Rev. G. C. Lorimer, D. D. of Boston. Luther G. Hewins, George C. Hatch, Thomas Pope, jr., and Jonathan Smith were elected deacons. Rev. Obadiah E. Cox was called to the pastorate January 12, 1874. After three months' service he was formally elected to the office, and on June 28 publicly recognized as pastor. Mr. Cox resigned his position June 20, 1875, and on the second Sunday in July following he closed his labors with the church. November 3, 1875, Rev. Charles A. Snow was elected pastor and continued in office until his resignation, which took effect July 31, 1881.

On September 14, 1881, Rev. Charles F. Nicholson was chosen pas- tor for one year. He accepted the office. The following September Mr. Nicholson was re-elected. He resigned the office and retired from the pastorate April 1, 1883. Sunday, May 6, 1883, Rev. Hervey Wood accepted the call of the church and began his ministry. His pastorate continued until the date of his resignation, March 14, 1886.

April 27, 1886, the church invited Rev. Henry C. Graves, D. D. to become its pastor. Dr. Graves accepted the charge of the pulpit for three months, when he was again chosen to the pastorate and entered upon the full duties of the office which he now holds. Of the deacons originally chosen Luther G. Hewins and Jonathan Smith died in office. The present deacons are Thomas Pope, jr., George A. Phillips, James T. Garside, and William W. Leach. The church has received into its fellowship 567 persons. It now numbers 330 members. The Sunday- school has been well conducted by faithful officers and teachers. L. G. Hewins, jr., George C. Hatch, S. T. Eldridge, H. C. Palmer, J. White- head, T. Johnson and John H. Andrew have served as superintendents. The society holding in trust the property for the church has wrought well for the interests in its charge.

Deacon L. G. Hewins was the moderator of its first meeting, held at his residence, October 22, 1872. He was a trustworthy and devoted leader both in the church and society. Deacon George C. Hatch, Dea- con Thomas Pope, jr., and other efficient men were associated with him in the enterprise.

Prominent men in the church during its entire history have held the positions of officers and trustees in the society, whose financial affairs

563

BAPTIST CHURCHES.

they have faithfully managed. The society was greatly aided during fifteen years of its history by its first president, Mr. Augustus A. Greene, who held the office for twelve years. He contributed largely towards the eligible lot, the parsonage and church building now owned by the society, and until his death he was deeply interested in its affairs.

The present strength and efficiency of the church are thus largely due to the business-like methods and the well-executed plans of the founders and representatives of the society. The church holds an im- portant position. It is supported by the voluntary system of contribu- tions, and annually meets its financial obligations. Free seats invite all who wish to occupy them. In benevolent work and all moral reforms the church heartily engages. It believes that the principles contained in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, when preached in the true spirit, and practiced in their lives will bless men in this world and cause them to stand forever to the glory of God.

Second Baptist, Colored-This church was formed in 1844, by several of the members of the Third Christian Society, who withdrew from that church. They held views similar to those of the Calvanistic Baptists.

They purchased for $184 what was left of the Frederick L. Dewey school-house, which was burned in 1844, and had it fitted up for their worship by John Wilbur at a cost of $875. January 22, 1845, the house was dedicated, and the church was regularly organized by an ecclesiastical council of neighborhood Baptist churches, called for the purpose. The first to officiate as pastor, Thomas U. Allen, was or- dained the following evening.

The church received hearty support and the membership in 1858, during the ministry of Rev. William Jackson, had reached 197. In that year he withdrew with ninety-four others and formed the Salem Baptist Church, of which he was pastor for twelve years. In 1886 the church edifice on Middle street was thoroughly repaired and improved, and dedicatory exercises held July 9, 10 and II, in which the pastors of several of the churches in this city and vicinity took part.

The pastors of the church have been Revs. Thomas U. Allen, Ed- mund Kelly (twice), William Jackson (twice), Cummings Bray, Richard Vaughn, Pleasant Bowles, Theodore P. Valentine, Caleb Woodyard, J. W. Dunjee, J. A. Brackett and Randolph Hope, the latter of whom

564

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

stayed a year and finished his pastorate in 1889, since which time there has been no regular supply.

The Sunday-school has flourished under the care of William B. Smith and Mary Jones.

The officers of the church are: Deacons, William H. Sanders, David A Barnes, William T. Ferguson ; trustees, Willam H. Sanders, Robert H. Carter, William T. Ferguson; treasurer, David A. Barnes; clerk, Robert H. Carter.

The Salem Baptist, Colored .- This church is situated on Sixth street, and was formed December 7, 1858, by the withdrawal of members of the Second Baptist, under the direction of Rev. William Jackson. For five months meetings were held in an upper room in Perkins' block, Union street, where the Eddy building now stands, and then the pres- ent house of worship was bought at a cost of $4,500. It was then called the Centre Chapel, and was owned by James Collins, John Sul- lings, James Luscomb and Isaac Bly. December 7, 1860, the house was entirely paid for, and possession was taken soon after. In a space of thirteen years the church raised $12,000. Rev. Mr. Jackson served as pastor until June, 1863, and then had a leave of absence to serve as chaplain of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment. During his service in the army the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Richard Vaughn, of Newport. Mr. Jackson returned May 30, 1864, and resigned his charge June 1, 1870, to go to Providence.

From October, 1870, to June, 1871, Rev. George H. Williams sup- plied the pulpit, and then on June 30, 1872, Rev. James H. Lee was installed. He remained until 1884, and Rev. Andrew Chamberlain followed him, finishing his pastorate in 1890.

There have been two ordained ministers sent out from the church since June, 1872-Revs. Wilton R. Boone and W. R. Burrill. In De- cember, 1883, the church celebrated its quarter centennial with inter- esting and appropriate exercises.

The church was without a regular pastor until December, 1891, when Rev. Walter Gay, of North Carolina, began his services. The officers of the church for 1891 are: Deacons, Scipio Blackwell, Isaac Guinn, Miguel A. Fortes, James Wiggins, Noah W. Morgan ; treasurer, James R. Reynolds ; clerk, Benjamin C. Magnett ; superintendent of Sunday-

565

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

school, N. W. Morgan ; trustees, James H. Magnett, James R. Rey- nolds, Isaac Guinn, James E. Reed.

The Society of Friends.1-Members of the Society of Friends were doubtless included among the residents of Dartmouth as early as the year 1664, the date of its incorporation, but the first recorded evidence of their existence, in a meeting or church capacity, is afforded by the following agreement, and list of contributors to the erection of their meeting-house at Apponagansett, in the year 1698 (January, 1699, N. S.):

At a mans meeting in the Town of Dartmouth the : 6 : Day of the 11 month 1698 at the house of John Lapham wee underwritten Peleg Slocum Jacob Mott Abraham Tucker and John Tucker the day and year above written undertakes to build a meeting House for the people of God in Scorn Called Quakers 35 foot long 30 foot wide and 14 foot studds To worship and serve the true and Living God in according as they are persuaded in Contience they Ought to Do and for no other use Interest or Purpose but as aforesd and when one on more of us decease then Imediately the survivers Chose others in our room together with the consent of the assembly of the said people so to be and Remain to us and them for ever as aforesd which D House shall be compleatly finished at on before the 10 day of the 8 month next Insuing the date herof. In witness here to wee subscribe our names with our own hands.

And further we of the said Society of people towards the building of sd House of our free will Contribute as followeth

£. s.

John Tucker.

Peleg Slocum

John Lapham.

Nathanael Howland.

Abraham Tucker

Increas Allen

03 12

Eleazer Slocum

Jacob Mott. 03

Benjamin Howland

Richard Evens

Judah Smith 01

The signers of this document, and especially the four whose names appear in the body of the agreement, were among the leading members of the denomination, and also prominent citizens in the town.

After the establishment of a Friends' Meeting at Apponegansett, other meetings were held in different parts of the township, as Acoaxet,

1 Prepared by Dr. E. T. Tucker.

Ebenezer Allen 05

566

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

Smith's Neck, Allen's Neck, Newtown (Smith Mills), Acushnet, and ultimately in the village of Bedford. These gatherings, prior to the erection of houses of worship in these localities, were held at private houses. The meeting-house at Acoaxet was completed as early as the beginning of the year 1719. According to a record of October 16, 1728, it was concluded to build one at Acushnet to be " near the big- ness of the meeting-house at Pembroke." This was the ancient house removed in 1871. That at Newtown was built in 1755, and stood on the road to Faunce's corner, a little distance north of the village. The first meeting-house in New Bedford was erected in 1785 on the lot donated by Joseph Russell, and was removed when the present brick structure supplanted it, the latter dating from 1826.

From the date of the first records of Dartmouth Monthly Meeting in 1699 until December, 1792, when the Monthly Meeting at New Bed- ford was created, the following individuals served as clerks of the former meeting: John Tucker, Isaac Smith, Job Russell, William Anthony, jr., and Caleb Greene-five in all. Caleb Greene became the first clerk of the newly organized meeting in the latter year, and his successors at New Bedford were : Thomas Rotch, Obadiah Davis, Samuel Rodman, sr., Sands Wing, Asa Russell, Abraham Shearman, jr., William C. Taber, Charles R. Tucker, Matthew Howland, Gideon Wood, and Ed- ward T. Tucker, the present incumbent.

As fas as can be ascertained, John Tucker, the first clerk of the old Dartmouth Meeting, served în that capacity for a period of nearly fifty-two years, or until his decease in the 7 mo. (Sept.) O S. 1751, at the age of ninety-five years. In 1723 his son, John Tucker, jr., be- came an assistant to his father, and at the decease of the son in 1730, Isaac Smith was appointed to the same service as assistant. A few years later the latter individual was also appointed to render additional aid to the clerk, as the following record informs : 10 mo. (Dec.) 15 O. S., 1740- "Our ancient Friend John Tucker hath requested of this meeting that Isaac Smith should be appointed in his room to record the deaths and births of Friends, which this meeting hath consented to, and Isaac Smith is appointed for that purpose." The last minute signed by John Tucker is dated 7 mo. (Sept.) 18 O. S., 1749, he being then ninety-three years old. His successor was appointed 7 mo. (Sept.) 16 O. S., 1751, a few days after his decease.

567

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

Benjamin Howland was the first treasurer of the meeting, being ap- pointed in 7 mo. (Nov.) 19 O. S., 1705. He was succeeded by the fol- lowing, whose names are given in the order of their services : Deliverance Smith, Adam Mott, Abraham Tucker, jr., James Shearman, Job Russell, David Smith, William Anthony, jr , Thomas Hicks 2d, Prince Allen, Benjamin Taber, Jonathan Wilbur, Caleb Barker, and Luthan Wood, the latter holding the position in the year when the New Bedford Monthly Meeting was established.

It is evident that the Friends comprised a large proportion of the in- habitants of the old township when it sprang into existence, and it is fair to conclude that their numbers were augmented in the latter years of the seventeenth and the early years of the following century. As to exact numbers and relative strength, compared with other denomina- tions, information is lacking, and yet tradition and supposition lend weight to the belief that they were more numerous than other religious professors. The ancient building at Apponegansett was a meeting- place for the country for miles around, at the outset, the attendants coming from Acushnet, Smith Mills, Russell's Mills, Allen's Neck, Acoaxet, and perhaps from Long Plain, Mattapoisett and elsewhere. As time advanced the gatherings at this time-honored spot were very large, especially upon particular occasions, and that, too, long after meetings had been established in other parts of the town. The journals of ministers in the society, who were traveling in New England, mention the immense concourse of people who were present at the time of their visits, notably in the summer season. As late as the year 1766, not less than 2,000 people are said to have assembled here at one time, a throng which the old meeting-house was utterly inadequate to contain, and which no church edifice in Massachusetts at the present day could ac- commodate.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 53

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170