History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 135

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

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 135

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Under this authority the lands were sold, and the income of the money arising from the sale applied to the use of the schools. Other lands granted to the town at other times were sold, and the proceeds (in 1759) also applied to the use of the school, and made a part of the school fund.

In 1827, Benjamin R. Cheever, of Philadelphia, by his will gave the sum of one thousand dollars to Wrentham, his native town, in aid of its school fund.

The income of this fund has never been diverted from the purpose to which it was devoted by its founders. In all the years since its creation, through all the exigencies of the inhabitants, even in the straits of the Revolutionary war, to their honor be it said this fund remained intact.

Besides the common schools, the people here had for many years a successful private school, known as Day's Academy. For the establishment of this insti- tution they were in a great measure indebted to the Rev. Elisha Fisk, who was the minister of the church and society. His efforts and the efforts of some others to raise funds for this purpose having been successful, a charter for an academy was obtained from the Legislature in 1806. It was named Day's Academy in honor of Benjamin Day, who contributed more largely to the funds than any other subscriber. The State granted a half township of land in Maine for the encouragement of the school. The amount subscribed in money was twenty-three hundred dol- lars. The General Court enacted that there be and hereby is established in Wrentham an academy by the name of Day's Academy, for the promotion of learning and religion, and that the present pastor and the present deacons of the First Congregational Church in said Wrentham, and their successors in office, together with Beriah Brastow, George Hawes, Jairus Ware, John Whiting, Lewis Whiting, Abijah Pond, Timothy Whiting, Daniel Ware, Amos Archer, David Fisher, Jr., Joseph Whiting, Jr., Eliphalet White, Luther White, Elijah Craig, Eliphalet Whit- ing, John Hall, Jr., William Brown, William Mes- senger, and such others as may hereafter associate with them, be and hereby are incorporated into a body politic by the name of the Trustees of Day's Academy, etc. This act is quoted for the purpose of showing who were the men that interested themselves in the establishment of an institution whose influence was so important upon the community.

The academy building, erected in 1808, was opened for the reception of students by a prayer by Rev. Nathaniel Emmons and an address by Bradford Sum- ner, Esq., the first teacher. It became a flourishing institution, and so remained until other academies . were established in its neighborhood. Mr. Fisk said of it, "Many resorted to it for acquiring learning. In it a large number of students have been fitted for higher usefulness in the common business of life and for entrance into the colleges."

A Baptist Church was organized in the westerly part of the town in 1769. Its first settled minister was the Rev. William Williams, who graduated at Brown University the same year. In March, 1775, the church invited him to become their pastor. He accepted the invitation, but his ordination did not take place until July, 1776. About the time of his settlement he opened an academy which attained to high distinction among the literary institutions of the day. He is supposed to have had under his care nearly

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

two hundred youths, about eighty of whom he fitted for college, not a few of whom became distinguished in literary and professional life. He also conducted the thological studies of several young men with a view to their entering upon the ministry. He continued to teach and preach until about the close of his life. He was a fellow of Brown University from 1789 to 1818. In 1777, when the college building was occupied as a barrack for soldiers, and afterwards as a hospital for French troops, the library was removed to the country and placed in the keeping of Mr. Williams. Rev. Dr. Fisher, of West Boyleston, in 1859, says of Mr. Wil- liams, " He is especially worthy of notice as having been one of the first graduates of Brown University, and as having contributed not a little to the intellect- ual improvement of the Baptist denomination in New England. His manners were easy and agreeable, and his powers of conversation such as to render him quite attractive. His talents and acquirements were highly respectable. His services as a teacher commanded great respect not only in, but out of his denomina- tion. Among his pupils were the late Hon. David R. Williams, Governor of South Carolina ; Hon. Tristam Burgess, of Rhode Island ; Hon. Horace Mann. Not a man to attract and impress the multitude, yet by a steady course of enlightened and Christian ac- tivity he accomplished an amount of good for his de- nomination which fairly entitles him to a place among its more distinguished benefactors. He diffused a spirit of improvement and a love of intellectual cul- ture throughout the circle in which he moved."- (Sprague's " American Pulpit.") 1

Samuel Sheeres, the first white inhabitant, was by | burg had been taken from the French by an army vote of his fellow-townsmen exempted from the pay- | ment of all taxes in the future. Robert Ware and Deacon Metcalf both refused to serve as represent- atives to the General Court; and Samuel Fisher, Jr., who had been chosen in 1702, was allowed " to make use of nine or ten shillings of the town's money in his hand if he stand in need." The selectmen were di- rected " to take care that the seats in the meeting-house

1 Mr. Williams was the son of John and Ann (White) Williams, and was born in Hillstown, Bucks Co., Pa., in 1752. His father came from Wales to this country and settled in Bucks County, where he accumulated a handsome property and spent the re- mainder of his days. His son William was fitted for college at Hopewell, N. J., at a celebrated school taught by Rev. Isaac Eaton. He entered the institution which is now Brown Uni- versity, then located in Warren, R. I., one year in advance and graduated in 1769. In the autumn following he married Pa- tience, the daughter of Col. Nathan Miller, of Warren, R. I. Sept. 27, 1771, he was baptized by Rev. Charles Thompson, of the same place, and admitted to the church under his pastoral care. On the 18th of April he was licensed by the Warren Church as a preacher of the gospel."-Sprague's American Pulpit.

be finished." Theodore Man was engaged to teach school from January 3d to March 1st, for three pounds and eight shillings in silver.

In January, 1704, the people seemed to feel some compunctions at the condition of their meeting-house, and resolved, “ forasmuch as the place of the worship of God want finishing to make it sutable, &c., it is thought galeries may be made over the galeries that be, and the walls filled and white-limed, and then per- sons placed as ought to be that there may be decency and order in the house of God." The number of tax- payers was sixty-eight. In 1708-9 the town was threat- ened with presentment at the next Quarter Sessions unless Mr. Man's salary in arrear should be paid.

It seems from some votes passed in this latter year that men were impressed in Wrentham to serve against the French and Indians in the Canadas. We also learn that Ensign Blake was in the Queen's service. An attack of the combined northern colonies against Montreal and Quebec was meditated at this time, under the expectation that a British fleet and army would be sent to co-operate with them. But the British ministry did not keep their promise, and after waiting a long time for the appearance of the fleet the forces were disbanded without attempting any- thing. It does not appear whether any Wrentham men were in the expedition against Canada under- taken by the Tory ministry of Queen Anne in 1711, which terminated so disgracefully for the assailants. And after the peace which Walpole had maintained so long was at last broken, and the French and Eng- lish in America were again in hostility, and Louis- chiefly from Massachusetts, and again a project was formed to capture Quebec, and again the English fleet and army failed to appear, and the war was ended and Louisburg ceded back to the French, it is not cer- tain that our town furnished soldiers for this, or for subsequent campaigns until 1756.

In that year the names of Benjamin Hubbard and Thomas Cook, both of Wrentham, are found upon the muster-roll of the company in his Majesty's ser- vice, under command of Capt. John Jones, of Bel- lingham. And in the company of Capt. Eliphalet Fales, of Dedham, in 1756, were enrolled Michael Mulsey, Zachariah Worthee, Jona Forster, and Simeon Forster, all of Wrentham. Also, Stephen Cook, of Marlboro', born in Wrentham, and Isaac Fisher and Ebenezer Streeter, of Wrentham, were in Capt. Nathan Tyler's company. Capt. Nathaniel Blake, of Milton, also enrolled in his company Abner Turner, Ephraim Randall, Jeremiah Blake, Michael Ware, Joseph Turner, Thomas Boyden who were all of

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Wrentham. And in Maj. Stephen Miller's company, in Col. Bagley's regiment, Fort William Henry, Aug. 9, 1756, the following-named Wrentham men were enrolled, viz. :

Ebenezer Cox, from Capt. Day's company. John Cox, from Capt. Day's company.

Abijah Hall, from Capt. Man's company. Thomas Boyden, from Capt. Man's company. Edward --- -, from Capt. Day's company.

John Conole, from Capt. Man's company. Benjamin Cox, from Capt. Day's company.

Morris Fling, from Capt. Day's company.

Joshua Fisher, from Capt. Day's company.

Benjamin Ware, from Capt. Day's company. Michael Ware, from Capt. Day's company. Michael Wilson, from Capt. Goldsbury's company.

Pitt Pumham, of Stoughton, hired at Wrentham, from Man's company.

Richard Newton, of Wrentham, 1757.

An alarm company was enrolled in Col. Miller's regiment at Wrentham, April 22, 1757, of which Samuel Day was captain, Benjamin Shepard, lieuten- ant, Ebenezer Cowell, ensign, Lemuel Kollock, clerk, John Hancock, Daniel Man, Pelatiah Metcalf, Ga- maliel Gerould were sergeants, and Samuel Fisher and Elisha Harrington were drummers, and there were sixty-four privates. Besides this there was an alarm-list of men between the ages of sixteen and sixty years, fifty-two in number, headed by the Rev. Joseph Bean, in which were also the names of Capt. Timothy Metcalf, Capt. Nathaniel Ware, Capt. Jona Whitney, Lieut. Joseph Fairbanks, Lieut. Ebenezer Cox, Dr. John Druce, Dr. Obadiah Blake, and others, some of whom had probably seen service in former conflicts with the enemies of the English.

In 1759, Capt. Jonathan Adams' company, in Col. Ridley's regiment, under Jeffrey Amherst, general and commander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces in North America for the invasion of Canada, included three men from Wrentham,-Benjamin Moore, Josiah Blake, and Ebenezer Blake.

In the same year Wrentham men were "inlisted or impressed for his Majesty's service" in Col. Miller's regiment, " to be put under the command of his Ex- cellency Jeffrey Amherst, Esq., general and com- mander-in-chief of his Majesty's forces in North America for the invasion of Canada, 1759." These men had been in an expedition against Lake George in 1758, and one of their number in 1757. Their names were as follows :

Thomas Bristo. Andrew Everet. .

Levi Morse. John Conole. Hezekiah Ware.

Isaiah Bacon.

Thomas Fuller. Joseph White.

Melatiah Ware.

David Force.

John Lawrence.

David Shepard.

William Holden.

Samuel Metcalf.

Thomas Pitty.

Solomon Blake.

Daniel Pond.

Naphtali Bishop.

Daniel Guild.

Samuel Ellis.

Oliver Pond.

Moses Wheelock, 1757.

Reuben Thorp.

Capt. Abijah Hall, of Wrentham, commanded a company in the service, and the Wrentham men mustered into it were Daniel Hawes, Thomas Boyden, Nathan Hall, Jacob Bacon, Henry Crossman, Elisha Farrington, Jonathan Newton, Amos Man.

In Capt. Samuel Slocomb's company were Robert Cooke, John Boyd, Eleazer Blake, John Blake, Stephen Cook, Thomas Cook; they were enlisted April 2, 1759, and mustered out December, 1759.

In September of this year, Quebec having surren- dered to the English, the war in North America was virtually at an end. But the English colonies had for many years been exposed to the hostile incursions of warlike French and Indians, and had suffered the loss of many lives and of much treasure. The New Eng- land towns contributed soldiers, and the preceding record shows that Wrentham was not behind in fur- nishing men for the various campaigns.

Resuming our narrative, and returning to the year 1709, we find the people peacefully pursuing their usual avocations, and administering their prudential affairs with great economy,-" fastening the loose glass in the Meeting-house," for example, and " stop- ping the windows with board where glass was want- ing." A few years later, John Ware and Ebenezer Fisher reported that they were appointed a committee to run the ancient patent-line between the counties of Suffolk, Bristol, and Plymouth, and had met Capt. Jacob Thompson, a surveyor, " but being shamed in the thing had done nothing." This line was the boundary of the colonies of Plymouth and Massa- chusetts, and a prominent bound, called Angletree, in Wrentham line, was established by commissioners of the respective colonies in 1664. But it seems that for a number of years, although surveys had been ordered, the line was in doubt. At length the Pro- vincial Legislature enacted " that for the future a line beginning at a certain heap of stones on the west side of Accord pond, in Hingham and Abington, and run- ning from said monument west twenty and one-half degrees south, leaving the towns of Weymouth, Braintree, Stoughton, and Wrentham adjoining on the north, and Abington, Bridgewater, Mansfield, and Attleborough on the south, to a certain old white- oak tree, anciently marked, now standing, and being | a boundary between the towns of Wrentham and . Attleborough, by some called Station tree, by others

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Angle tree, shall forever hereafter be the bounds be- tween the county of Suffolk and the counties of Plymouth and Bristol, so far as said line extends, etc." Wrentham was at this time within the county of Suffolk.

About this time (1713) the town was indicted for not maintaining a school.

In 1716 a committee was appointed to seat people | in the meeting-house according to their age, useful- ness, and estate, including the inhabitants of Dor- chester, who attended church here. A suit was brought against Attleborough for refusing to renew the bound marks. It seems that the indictment of the town for not maintaining a school had its effect, for it was now voted to establish a school in four parts of the town. In 1719 a committee was chosen to procure a minister for one-quarter of a year, and was continued in authority after the death of Mr. Man, which took place on the 22d day of May, A.D. 1719.

Fifty years had passed away since he was first called to preach to the handful of people who were attempting a settlement in this wilderness. The people, in addition to the hardships incident to their pioneer life, had been liable to conflicts with savages and Frenchmen. He came to them while in their weakness and poverty, returning with them after Philip's war, although he had opportunity to settle elsewhere, and notwithstanding he had had bitter experience of their inability to provide for him suit- ably.

strongly seconded by the ministers of the churches. Hence, in answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Wrentham for town power, the colonial record is, " The Court judgeth it meet to give the petitioners all due encouragement with their present minister according to their desires."

To that excellent man is due, in a great measure, undoubtedly, the continuance of the settlement whose early planting here has been described in previous pages.

Mr. Bean, in his sermon preached at the conclusion of the first century of the town's existence, viz., in 1773, in speaking of the first settlers here, says, "They were careful to have the word of God regu- larly preached to them and procured Mr. Sam'l Man, a young candidate, for that purpose." And after Philip's war, "when the settlers had concluded to return, so great was their veneration for Mr. Man, and so acceptable had been his labors among them, that it was their earnest desire he should return with them." It seems that, while away from Wrentham; he had been preaching at Milton, and was about to receive a call there, but, says Mr. Bean, " so great was his affection for the people of Wrentham, and so desirous was he of the plantation's going on that he complied with their request." In 1692 a church was gathered here, consisting of ten members, including Mr. Man. The others were Benjamin Rockett, John Ware, Eliezer Metcalf, John Fairbanks, Thomas Thurston, John Guild, Ephraim Pond, John Vails, Samuel Fisher.

Some five hundred and thirty-three persons had " Mr. Man was ordained over the church and con- gregation, the same day preaching his own ordination sermon." He had preached about eighteen years previously. "He died in the seventy-second year of his age and the forty-ninth of his faithful ministry." " By what I have heard of him," continues Mr. Bean, " he was a man of good erudition and an accomplished preacher, pious and faithful. He lived greatly beloved by his people, and died greatly lamented by them. He was born at Cambridge, and was graduated at Harvard University in 1665." He adds, that one of the first men of this province said of Mr. Man that quiring learning beyond the elements, and his influ- [ he was not only a very good, but a very great and learned man. been born in that time within the bounds of the township, seventy-one couples married, and seventy- three persons had died. It has previously been re- lated that the former inhabitants made it a special condition of their return at the termination of Philip's war that Mr. Man should return with them. He was indispensable to them. In fact, the minister in those days was really the head of the people. He was their guide not only in spiritual affairs, but in worldly affairs also. He was undoubtedly the only man in the community who had had the opportunity of ac- ence was accordingly felt in all public affairs, as well as in his pulpit on the Sabbath. Moreover, the cir- At a general meeting of the inhabitants, in Sep- tember, 1719, the church, in presence of the inhab- itants, did agree that the inhabitants should join them in choosing a minister out of three that were nomi- nated, viz. : Rev. Samuel Andrew, Rev. Jonathan Parepont, and Rev. Henry Messinger. cumstances which forced the early inhabitants of Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies from their transatlantic homes to these shores compelled them to consider themselves a peculiar people. The chief men in the colony,who had been leaders of the emi- gration, governed according to their notions of what The record says, " The Rev. Henry Messinger, by religion and the word of God required, and were | a very unanimous and major vote, was chosen and

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elected, by both church and town jointly concurring, to be the minister of this town to carry on the work of the ministry." He accepted their call by a letter dated at Cambridge, Oct. 2, 1719. He married Esther Cheever, of Cambridge, January, 1720, and was de- scribed in the records of that town as the Rev. Henry Messinger, of Wrentham. It would therefore appear that he had already commenced his ministerial duties at that date, as the name of Messinger is not found upon the town record previously. His children were twelve in number. One of his sons (John) died in 1814, in his eighty-third year. He served in the office of town clerk twenty-one years in succession, when he declined further service, remarking that he ought to be free at the age of twenty-one. In 1787 he was again elected, and served seven years suc- cessively, making, in the whole, twenty-eight years.

A printed sermon of the Rev. Mr. Man is in ex- istence, and also two or more of Rev. Mr. Bean, but it is not known to the writer that there is any manu- script or published discourse of Mr. Messinger. It has therefore seemed proper to copy here his letter of acceptance, that the readers of these annals may be enabled to form an idea of the man.1

"TO THE CHURCH AND TOWN OF WRENTHAM, Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. " Sirs,-I cannot but with great fear take notice of the over- ruling Providence of God in inclining your hearts so unani- mously to make choice of myself, the most unworthy and unfit, to settle with you and to carry on the work of the ministry among you. And since your invitation to me, I hope I have seriously and solemnly considered how awful great and diffi- cult the work is to which I am called. And when this great work has been set so solemnly before me by others, and I have well thought of my own youthfulness and the little progress I have made in my studies to fit and qualifie me for so great a work, I have been ready to plead and say, how shall I speak that am but a child, and how shall I watch over souls so as to save my own and the souls of others ? and have been almost discouraged. In the multitude of the thoughts within me I have asked counsel of Heaven, and left my case there, begging of God that he would direct me in the weighty business before me, so as should be most for his honor and glory, your spiritual good and advantage, and my own future joy and comfort, and I hope I have not sought in vain. I have likewise consulted many learned, wise, and godly men, who with one consent agree that my call is clear, and that therefore it is my indispensable duty to comply with the same, as I would not deny the call of Christ. Wherefore, in the fear of God and with a humble reli- ance on his gracious promises to his faithful ministers, I accept your call to carry on the work of the ministry so long as Prov- idence shall provide for my comfortable sustenance among you, trusting that God that has called me to engage in so awful a work, who sees my unfitness for it and inability to perform the

1 Since this was written the writer has learned that an account of a revival in 1741, at which time many were added to the church in Wrentham, was prepared by Mr. Messinger and pub- lished in the book entitled the "Great Awakening," and also that he wrote a commentary on a part of the Old Testament.

same, will exercise a fatherly pitty towards me with respect thereto, will daily more and more qualifie me therefor and en- courage me therein, and accept my sincere desires and endeavors to advance his glory and the eternal happiness of others. And that it may be so, I humbly ask your earnest prayers for me at the throne of Grace, that God would forgive my many and great sins, whereby I am rendered so unfit to engage in so sacred a work, and for which I desire deeply to be abashed and humbled before God. Cry to God mightily on my behalf, that he in whom is all fulness would in a plentiful manner bestow upon me the outpouring of his spirit and adorn me with every Christian grace and virtue, that I may come to you in the ful- ness of the blessing of the Gospel of Peace, and if God in his due time shall settle me among you, doe what you can to make my work, which I engage in with fear and trembling, easy to me, and let nothing be done to discourage me. To this end let brotherly love be and abound among you, let every one forgive his brother his trespasses as he hopes for forgiveness of God, live in peace, study the things which tend thereto, and the God of Peace will be with you and bless you. And God, of his in- finite grace, grant that we may with united hearts strive to ad- vance his kingdom and glory, may be mutual blessings to, may enjoy much comfort in each other, and perform the respective duties incumbent on us, as that, when our glorious Jesus shall make his second and illustrious appearance to judge both quick and dead, we may meet each other with joy and comfort, and give up our accounts with joy and not with grief.

"I am your sincere tho unworthy servant for Jesus' sake, " HENRY MESSINGER.

" CAMBRIDGE, Oct. 2, 1719."

Mr. Messinger was ordained Dec. 5, 1719. In 1721 a second house for public worship was built, and was used as such by all the people in the town until Aug. 29, 1737, when the West Parish (afterwards Frank- lin) was organized. A new church was formed there, composed of members dismissed from the old church here, under the ministry of Rev. Elias Haven, who was ordained over them on the 8th day of Novem- ber of the same year.

The immediate successor of Mr. Messinger says, " He continued in this First Parish greatly laboring in word and doctrine till it pleased the Sovereign Lord of life and death to put a period to his life and work nearly together. His death occurred on the 30th day of March, 1750, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, and the thirty-second of his faithful ministry. He was a gentleman of unblemished reputation, and highly esteemed for his piety and virtue. He had the character of a plain, faithful, affectionate, and profitable preacher. And though he was of but a slender, feeble constitution, yet he was abundant in labors among the people of his charge, and spared no pains for promoting the interest of the Redeemer and the good of souls. It is no wonder, then, that when all the congregation saw he was dead they mourned for him as Israel did for Aaron."

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 135

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