History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 106

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

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stockings, enough at least to supply the town's quota in the Continental army.1 By a vote of the town the quota of men from each precinct was to be in proportion to the taxes paid by each, and the several precincts assumed the business of paying such soldiers | as were members of their own body or employed by i them.2 In 1777, the Second Precinct having raised their quota of men for the Continental service with- out the town's bounty or any part of it, their propor -. tion of the taxes assessed for paying this bounty is committed to the constable of that precinct to be dis- posed of as the precinct shall see fit. But if the pre- cinct was prompt in filling its quota, they were most negligent in preserving the names of those who took their lives in their hands, and went forth to do battle for their country.3 On the books of the church we find the names of some few who died in the service ; but if no other record existed except that preserved in the parish, it might truly be said, " the dead live, and the living die." From a report made by a committee constituted in 1787 to examine the accounts of the collector and treasurer of the war rates: that the whole amount committed to Eliphalet Fales was nine hundred and thirty-six pounds, twelve shillings, nine pence, and three farthings ; that the treasurer had paid out seven hundred and seventy-two pounds, sev- enteen shillings, eight pence, and three farthings. One hundred and forty-five pounds, four shillings, and seven pence remain in the hands of the treasurer, and one hundred and sixty-three pounds, fifteen shillings, and one penny uncollected, which they value at seventy- seven pounds and eighteen shillings. Allowing the same depreciation as was made by the committee on what was paid by the treasurer, it would not vary much from twelve hundred dollars in our present cur- rency. When we reflect upon their scanty means, their small numbers,4 and the greatness of that power which they defied, we bow in reverence before their lofty heroism and devotion to those great principles which they held God had established, and which no human legislation had power to abridge or destroy. The

I Worthington's " History of Dedham," published in 1827.

2 Mann's " Annals of Dedham," page 34.

3 Not a name is recorded of a single soldier, nor the amount of bounty paid, or where they went.

" In 1765, by a census recorded by Samuel Dexter, Esq. :

No. of Houses.

No. of Inhabitants.

First Parish

105

813

Second Parish

43.

441*

Third Parish

313

Fourth Parish-Dover, ...

352

1919

# Over ten to each house.

503

NORWOOD.

insurrection in 1787 caused not a ripple here ; men who stood with Washington in the trenches around Boston, or trod the frozen snows of Canada, were too loyal to revolt against the constituted authorities of the State, and promptly responded to the requisition upon1 Capt. Gay, for twelve men for thirty days, to march in midwinter to Worcester, to protect the courts and disperse the deluded followers of Capt. Daniel Shays. In the division of the school money in 1796 we find the following : For the South Branch $52.60 ; tax on dogs,2 $8.00. For the Middle Branch, $98.12 ; tax on dogs, $18.00. For the North Branch, $15.32; tax on dogs, $2.00 ; so that the taxation of dogs for the instruction of children is no new thing.

That the parish sought to make the most of what means they had may be seen by the following :

" That the money of the Parish be let out for three years, to them that will make the Parish the best present on each one hundred dollars;" which was done, the bids varying from four dollars and fifty ! cents to five dollars and twenty-five cents.

March 12th died the Rev. Jabez Chickering, for thirty-six years the pastor and teacher of this parish. April 26, 1815, Rev. William Cogswell was ordained as his successor. March 13, 1826, voted to build a | new meeting-house, and chose a committee of fifteen to select a suitable place to locate the same. At a subsequent meeting they reported they could not agree. Seven were then chosen, and their report was the same. Up to this period their expenses had been met by direct taxation upon the polls and estates of the members of the parish. They now vote to secure the same by subscription. March 28, 1828, thirty- five members close their connection with the first so- ciety and connect themselves with the religious society called Universalist. April 25th of this year they renew their vote to build, and again constituted a committee of fifteen, who reported that the place where the house of Mrs. Abigail Everett stands is the most suitable for the said meeting-house, and that the land can be obtained at a reasonable price, and that individuals agree to clear the land of the buildings free of expense to the society," which report was ac- cepted, and it was voted to build the said house " by a subscription of shares." The land was valued at one hundred and fifty dollars, and the shares, sixty in number, were placed at two dollars and fifty cents each and conveyed by deed to the several proprietors jointly, and they were at the expense of erecting the

meeting-house and were owners of the pews." The old meeting-house was taken down and the materials used in the construction of the new one. The pews on the lower floor, thirty-three in number, were ap- prized at one dollar each, and the sixteen on the second floor at seventy-five cents each, amounting to forty-five dollars.4 Mr. Homer Fales was killed by the falling of some timbers, and Mr. Leonard Fisher was slightly injured, May 14, 1828. Dec. 16, 1829, the Rev. William Cogswell, D.D., was dismissed, to take the general agency of the American Education Society, and the Rev. H. G. Park was ordained the next day, and continued the pastor until Sept. 23, 1835. March 2, 1836, Mr. Calvin Durfee was in- stalled, and tendered his resignation Feb. 23, 1851, which was accepted, and July 15th the pastoral rela- tions were closed by a mutual council.5 October 3, 1851, Rev. M. M. Colburn was installed pastor and teacher, and dismissed Aug. 11, 1866.

Oct. 1, 1866, Rev. Joseph P. Bixby commenced his labors as acting pastor. May, 1878, after twelve years of active and useful labor, tendered his resigna- tion, to take effect in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Rev. Ellis Mendell, the present pastor, was or- dained June 4, 1879, and with his society will soon take possession of their new and tasteful edifice, which is erected on the spot marked out by a com- mittee of the "Great and General Court" in 1734, and where the fathers of the church covenanted to walk together in peace and love. Says Mr. Worth- ington in his history of Dedham, published in 1827, " No church quarrel or discord has been known to have existed worthy of notice," and the same may be said of it to-day.

The Universalist Society .- The petition for its incorporation bears date Oct. 8, 1827, and was signed by Jeremiah Draper6 and thirteen others. On the

3 March 27, 1882, the parish " voted to adopt Chapter 15 of the acts of the year 1882, and the corporation styled the Proprie- tors of the Congregational Meeting-House in the Second Parish in Dedham, established by Chapter 24 of the acts of the year 1829, is hereby dissolved, and the rights, privileges, and property of the proprietors vested in the First Congregational Parish in Norwood."

# The appraisers were Messrs. George Haws, of Wrentham, Gen. Josiah S. Fisher, and John Goulding, of Dedham.

5 The council say in " coming to this result, hear with special pleasure the testimony of Mr. Durfee to the punctual and gen- erous manner in which his salary has generally been paid, we wish to commend their fidelity in this respect, and to hold it up as an example to others."

6 Jeremiah Draper was the son of Dr. Philip and Mehetabel Draper, born April 19, 1789 ; a graduate from Harvard; com- missioned a justice of the peace; owned a farm near the Sharon

1 Jacob Penniman, Jacob Penniman, Jr., and Joel Guild are the only names given.

2 By-law of the town, approved by the court.

504

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

22d, Lewis Rhoads was chosen clerk (which office he continued to hold for thirteen years), and Jeremiah Draper, Joseph Sumner, and Daniel Stone, commit- tee of the society. The first sermon was preached prior to this time in the hall of the hotel by the Rev. Thomas Whittemore, then twenty-seven years of age. The Rev. Messrs. T. B. Thayer, Hosea Ballou, Bal- four, and Streeter supplied the society occasionally. The Rev. J. C. Waldo occupied the desk from March 30th to July 20th. Says the Rev. Mr. Hill, to whose

Rev. Charles H. Webster was settled June 25, kindness I am indebted for the items connected with | 1846, and remained four years. Rev. N. C. Hodg- his society, we find it entered upon the records :

" The building this day erected (June 18, 1829) ' Rev. Ebenezer Fisher commenced his labors in 1853. by the Universalist Society in the Second Parish in Dedham is designed to be a temple for the worship of the one living and true God, as the universal Parent of mankind, who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth."

and entered the Washingtonian movement, and be- came president of the society in this place." When Mr. Thompson closed his labors here he could look back and see that the society had more than doubled its numbers during his ministry and its moral power greatly increased. His faithful and untiring labors in the cause of temperance have made his name an honored one, and enrolled him among the benefactors of mankind.

don, who came in 1850, remained but a short time. The five years of his pastorate were periods of special enterprise and prosperity.

In June, 1856, the Universalist Church was organ- ized, and J. E. Hartshorn and Willard Gay, Esq., were chosen deacons. Mr. Fisher resigned his charge to accept of a professorship in the Canton Theological Seminary, New York. His successor in the ministry, Rev. A. R. Abbott, remained two years. Rev. J. H. Farnsworth occupied the pulpit for a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. M. R. Leonard, who was or- dained June 30, 1861. Mr. Leonard was a graduate of the first class of the Canton Seminary under the charge of Dr. Fisher.

June 14, 1830, their meeting-house was dedicated, Rev. Thomas Whittemore preaching the sermon. He was assisted in the services by the Rev. Messrs. Bal- lou, Streeter, and Frieze. June 17th, of this year, Rev. Alfred V. Bassett was ordained as pastor and teacher of the society. He was a young man of fine talents and an able preacher. His pastorate was closed by death Dec. 26, 1831, and clothed his peo- ple in the habiliments of mourning. His successor, In 1863 a meeting of the society was called to take into consideration the subject of enlarging, selling, or building a new meeting-house, and the Hon. Joseph Day, George B. Talbot, and Lyman Smith consti- tuted a committee to take all legal steps necessary to sell the old house and build a new one. They each subscribed two thousand dollars, and others united with them according to their means, and raised their subscription list to sixteen thousand dollars. The house was completed in less than one year from the dedicated to the worship of God. Mr. Leonard re- signed on account of ill health. His successor, the Rev. George Hill, was installed February, 1865, and for seventeen years ministered to this people; re- signed his charge July, 1881. the Rev. Rufus S. Pope, supplied the desk some three years from September, 1833, and left many warm friends. His name should be cherished for his noble and manly stand in the cause of temperance. It is told that he was the man who opened the crusade against intemperance in South Dedham, delivering a lecture on that subject. Says Mr. Hill, " It raised such a storm that it blew him out of town ;" but unlike the tornado, its sweep brought joy and gladness where sorrow had reigned. Messrs. J. D. Pierce and E. 1 time the committee received their instructions, and Partridge supplied for a time in the interval which | followed. Rev. Edwin Thompson began his labors in 1840. In 1841 he was ordained, and at once opened upon the liquor traffic. Two of his parish- ioners sympathized and acted with him. " He com- menced at headquarters, the hotel of Joseph Sumner, Mr. Hill, at the close of his pastorate, can see his society, which less than fifty years ago was few in numbers and forced its pastor to depart because he spoke against the greatest moral pestilence that ever rested upon this community, now stands forth strong in numbers, influence, and power in this noble cause. and continued his persuasive arguments, in which Mrs. Sumner joined, and a few others, till Mr. Sum- ner finally offered to stop rum-selling forever if any one would buy his stock on hand. Mr. Thompson was a poor man, receiving but three hundred dollars a year, but he bought the liquor, pledging his little The Rev. Mr. Sellick, the present pastor, com- menced his labors in April of 1883. salary in payment. Mr. Sumner kept his word,

The Baptist Society .- The first public meeting of

line. Joseph Sumner, son of Nathaniel and grandson of Deacon Nathaniel Sumner, born April 28, 1797; died Sept. 13, 1877. | the Baptist people was held in Union Hall, Aug. 8, Of Mr. Stone nothing is left on record. | 1858,-sermon by Rev. Joseph B. Breed, of Woon-

505

NORWOOD.

socket, R. I. In November of the same year Mr. Breed was constituted their pastor according to their established usages. Jan. 2, 1859, the record says, " Brother Messer was to-day baptized; this is prob- ably the first time that the ordinance of baptism by immersion was ever administered in South Dedham." Dec. 1, 1859, their church was dedicated.

Introductory prayer by Rev. M. M. Colburn, of the Congregational Church ; reading of the Scripture by Rev. M. Lincoln, of Jamaica Plains ; prayer by the Rev. J. W. Lothrop, of Medfield; sermon by the pastor, J. B. Breed ; dedicatory prayer by the Rev. B. W. Gardner; reading of a hymn by Rev. J. R. Abbot, of the Universalist society ; benediction by the pastor.

May 4, 1860, Mr. Breed preached his farewell dis- course. August 8th an invitation was extended to the Rev. James J. Tucker, of Worcester, to become their pastor. Sept. 1, 1860, he commenced his labors. His health failing, leave of absence was granted him, but death closed his pastorate Jan. 13, 1864.1

The St. Catherine Church being connected with the St. Mary's Church, Dedham, and forming one pastorate, I can say but little. For the few facts recorded I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Edwin Fahy.

Services were held in private houses several times a year by the Rev. P. O. Beirne, of Roxbury, as -

early as 1852. Union Hall was used occasionally till the completion of Village Hall, when they gathered there about once a month till the purchase of their church, April 22, 1863, from a committee of the Universalist society. After remodeling, it was dedi- cated with appropriate ceremonies August 3d of the same year. Soon after it was transferred from the pastoral care of the Rev. P. O. Beirne, of Roxbury, to the care of Rev. John B. Brennon, of Dedham. Not far from 1874, Mr. Brennon was placed at Med- field, and Rev. D. J. O. Donovan assumed the pastor- ate, and their church edifice was enlarged and rededi- cated. On account of failing health, and being unable to perform the duties of so large a pastorate, he closed his labors, and was succeeded by the Rev. R. J. Johnson, the present pastor. In 1854 the con- gregation connected with this church numbered about one hundred, at the present time (1884) some eight | hundred.

First Congregational Church .- June 23, 1736, after a day of fasting and prayer, the following

His successor, the Rev. C. Osburn, of West Troy, persons entered into the church covenant : Thomas N. Y., became pastor March 20, 1864. Aug. 20, Balch, Samuel Bullard, John Everett, John Dean, 1865, he tendered his resignation, to take effect the | James Fales, Jr., Samuel Fuller, William Bacon, last day of September. From Aug. 1, 1866, the Rev. |Eleazer Fisher, Samuel Holmes, Jeremiah Kings- bury, Ezra Morse, William Everett, Nathaniel Guild, Ebenezer Dean, and Nathaniel Lewis. It would be pleasant to transcribe in full the covenant into which they entered, because it gives so perfect an idea of the George G. Fairbanks, of Somerville, occupied the pulpit till March 7, 1869, when he was dismissed to accept a call from the Baptist Church in Middleboro', where he still officiates. May 3d a call was given to the Rev. Edwin Bromley, of West Boylston, which | character of the men who founded this ancient church, was accepted, and he continued pastor until April 6, but its length precludes the idea. . It remains a pre- cious memento of their faith and piety. June 30, 1736, Rev. Thomas Balch was ordained over this in- fant church and precinct as its pastor and teacher. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Walter, of Roxbury, from John xvii. 10, " All mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them." The exercises were concluded by singing two stanzas from the Eighty-ninth Psalm, commencing at the nineteenth verse : 1876, when he was dismissed. Sept. 29, 1876, Rev. I. H. Gilbert, of Hyde Park, assumed the duties of the pastorate. March 13th, at the annual meeting of the church, it was " resolved to take all legal steps to renew the existence of the society in connection with the church," which was consummated April 9, 1877. Oct. 12, 1878, Rev. Mr. Gilbert's resignation was accepted, that he might take the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Medfield. Rev. W. A. Worthing- ton supplied the desk from May 4, 1879, to Sept. 12, " Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty ; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. 1880, when he tendered his resignation. The present pastor, B. W. Barrows, commenced his labors imme- diately after Mr. Worthington's departure.

" I have found David my servant ; with my holy oil have I anointed him :

" With whom my hand shall be established."

Mr. Balch was a native of Charleston, born Oct. 17, 1711, graduated at Harvard, 1733, married to Miss Mary Sumner, of Roxbury, Oct. 11, 1737 ; died Jan. 8, 1774, aged sixty-two years, two months, and eleven days, making his ministry thirty-seven years, six months, and eight days. From all the testimony that can be found, it appears that Mr.

1 He died in Chicago.

506

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Balch was honored and beloved by his people in an unusual degree, and in return gave them his warmest affections, and labored assiduously for their temporal and spiritual welfare. From the records of the church during his ministry one hundred and seventy-one persons were received "into full communion," ninety- three recognized or owned the covenant, nine adults and six hundred and twenty-eight children were bap- tized. One hundred and forty-eight couples were united in marriage, and he officiated at two hundred and forty-five funerals, some of which were out of the limits of the precinct. A large number of collections were made for persons on account of losses by fire, and for those suffering from poverty and sickness ; one for the completion of an unfinished Congregational meeting-house on Tower Hill, in South Kingston ; another, of considerable an amount, for the poor Acadians when forced from their homes by the royal mandate, procured through the influence of Governor Shirley. Some, over one thousand, were brought to Boston, and the other seven thousand or more scat- tered from Massachusetts to Georgia.1

By his ministerial brethren Mr. Balch was highly esteemed, says the Rev. Jason Haven, of the First Parish, in this town. In 1796, forty years from his ordination, he remarks that " he had often recol- lected that profusion of Christian friendship and brotherly love expressed in the right hand of fellow- ship given by the Rev. Mr. Balch, of the South Parish ; all which friendship and brotherly love he continued to exemplify while his valuable life was spared, towards the person then ordained and towards his brethren in the gospel ministry in general."

He took a deep interest in the young people of his charge, and delivered a series of lectures for their im- provement, which were repeated by request in Rox- bury and Charlestown.

Mr. Balch as a preacher must have ranked much above mediocrity ; and allow me to give a few extracts from a sermon delivered before the Ancient and Honor- able Artillery Company in Boston, 1763, and then we will pass from the patriarch of this church to his suc- cessors.2

Daniel iv. 35: " He doeth according to his will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." After referring to the occasion which called forth these words from the once proud, but now humbled king of Babylon, he continues, " He that commanded the world into being has caused it

to continue unto this day, and as all things are pre- served by Him, so he rules and governs them accord- ing to his will. This doctrine of universal dominion and providence of God is here laid down. He doeth according to his will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. A subject well worthy of our contemplation, and not inappropriate at this time."3 God exercises his absolute dominion and sovereign providence over men on earth. The affairs of the world in general are ordered and deter- mined by Him. His is the kingdom, and He is the Governor among the nations, and his mandate reaches the utmost bounds of creation. " What an exalted idea does this give us of the divine majesty, and how glorious and adorable must that God be." " War must be managed with a view to peace. So a time of peace must be improved to prepare for war." " Have we not seen the importance of well-disci- plined troops in the late war?" " Well-accomplished and skillful soldiers will be more than ever necessary for us in the future." "The time may come even in our days, such is the instability of human affairs, when those who envy our growing greatness may form deep plots against us, and endeavor to put them in execution by the point of the sword."" Then, " Is it not wisdom to cherish a martial spirit, and in time of peace prepare for war ?" 5 " Let us look to Him in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, for grace and strength to enable us to prosecute our Christian warfare, till death shall discharge us from the fatigues and turmoils of this transitory life, and we put on the garlands of immortality to reign with our victorious Redeemer in the realms of a glo- rious and undisturbed peace, through the endless ages of eternity."

After the death of Mr. Balch it was about two years and a half before the settlement of the Rev. Jabez Chickering, on July 3, 1776, the day before the declaration of independence. Mr. Chickering was a native of Dover, and was born Nov. 4, 1753; graduated from Harvard University in 1774; studied theology with the Rev. Benjamin Caryl; married Miss Hannah Balch, April 22, 1777, a daughter of his predecessor. Seventy-eight were added to the church, | two hundred and three couples were joined in mar- . riage, and two hundred and eighty-two were borne to their last resting-place during his pastorate. It is told by aged people who remember him, that he was remarkably fond of children, and they too, in turn,

1 Barry's " History of Massachusetts, Second Period," page 200-204. Hutchinson's, vol. iii. 38-42; and Longfellow's " Evangeline."

2 See Mr. Durfee's " Centennial Sermon," page 18.

3 Preached soon after the close of the last French and Indian war.

" How prophetic.

5 Here John Adams is outdone.

507

NORWOOD.

were equally attached to him. It is asserted, in the discourse delivered at his funeral, that for some of the last years of his life he expended the whole of his salary in relieving objects of distress in his vicin- ity, and in subscribing money for religious and liter- ary purposes. The youth of to-day should hold him in kind remembrance, for he really laid the founda- tion of our public library. and the income from his gift annually gives them the means to add to their stock of knowledge.

It is said that Mr. Chickering left no printed dis- courses except a charge given at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Richey, of Canton, and the right hand of fellowship at the ordination of the Rev. Joshua Bates, of the First Church, Dedham, which for beauty of sentiment and expression is seldom equaled, and allow me to quote a few sentences: " Before the morning stars sang together, or all the sons of God shouted for joy, God was happy in the perfection of his own nature. But in his manifestation to man he has revealed himself, communicating happiness to his creatures, through the medium of love; for God is love, and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ex- hibits the divine benevolence, causing mercy and truth to meet together, and righteousness and peace to embrace each other. The great end of our holy religion, next to reconciling us to God, is to reconcile us to each other. Glory to God for peace on earth, and good-will to man, was the song of the multitude of the heavenly hosts at the birth of the Saviour, whose life was one great example of benevolence and love. At death, what had he to bequeath ? Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." . . . " Love to God and man, was by the Saviour made the criterion of our relation to Him, and interest in the blessings of his purchase. He left in charge this new command- ment, ' As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.' " . " Dear brother, I cordially give you my right hand, as a public declaration that you are embraced in our fellowship, in taking a part in the ministry of reconciliation. 'We have one master, even Christ, and all we are brethren.' " . .. "Breth- ren of this church of Christ, we, the elders and mes- sengers of the churches salute you, and with you re- joice that the eminent abilities and usefulness of your senior pastor have been so long continued. Need we exhort you to remember and honor the aged priest so long as he liveth; we also rejoice that the pastor now inducted to office was so highly esteemed for his work's sake, as to be the man of your unanimous choice. May your mutual affections be as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 106

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534