History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 138

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 138

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1 A committee reported that the payments made to Mr. Bean since the commencement of the war would not be equal to seventy pounds in silver.

655

WRENTHAM.

Mr. Avery's reply to the invitation of the church and town was as follows :

"TO THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY OF THE TOWN OF WRENTHAM .- Brethren and Gentlemen, as you were pleased on the tenth of October last to unite in inviting me to settle in the Gospel Ministry I have taken your proposals into serious and mature consideration, and do now in the sincerity and cheerfulness of my heart declare my acceptance of your call. And I do also engage without reserve in the strength of Christ carefully and faithfully to exercise my office amongst you for your spiritual advantage and highest interest as long as

the preaching of Whitefield, fitted for college at D. Wheelock's school, Connecticut, entered Yale College, and was graduated in 1769. He engaged in teaching Indian schools. He studied theology with Rev. Dr. E. Wheelock, of Dartmouth College, preached on Long Island, and in 1771 was ordained as mission- ary to the Oneida Indians. Leaving this field he returned to New England and was installed at Gageboro' (now Windsor), Vt., March 25, 1773, and dismissed April 14, 1777, to go as chaplain in the army. On his return he was settled at Bennington, Vt., May 3, 1780, and dismissed June 17, 1783, and settled at Wren- tham May 25, 1786, and dismissed April 21, 1794. He preached afterwards to a congregation at North Wrentham, where a church was organized in 1795, until some time in 1797, when he re- moved to Mansfield, Conn. He engaged in missionary labor under the direction of the Massachusetts Domestic Missionary Society, going into New York and Maine. He afterwards, from 1798 to 1801, preached in Chaplin, Conn., having gathered a new church and society there, called the Union Church. In 1817 he visited his daughter, Mrs. Hewett, in Shepardstown, Va. He received a cordial and unanimous call to settle in Middle- town, in the vicinity of Shepardstown, but was taken ill and died there, and was buried on the week of his intended installa- tion, the clergy of the invited council officiating as bearers. His voice was so clear and sonorous and his articulation so dis- tinct that it was a common saying in the army that every soldier in a brigade could hear all that he said. When the news of the battle of Lexington reached Gageboro' Mr. Avery's parishioners assembled in arms, formed themselves into a com- pany, elected him for their captain, and marched for Cambridge on the 22d of April. Mr. Avery preached at Northampton the next day from Neh. iv. 14. They arrived at Cambridge Satur- day 29th, and were honorably received and congratulated by the troops assembled. Mr. Avery preached on Sunday afternoon to the troops from a temporary stage erected in the college area, from Neh. iv. 14, and on Monday he began a regular course of morning and evening prayer with the regiment to which he belonged. On Tuesday he commenced visiting and praying with the sick and wounded regulars in the hospitals. May 11th, fast-day, he preached on Cambridge common; May 29th he volunteered with an expedition to Noddles' Island, where there was a brisk skirmish, standing guard two hours. July 20th, having preached to the troops again, it being a fast-day ordered by the Continental Congress, he on the 27th read to the troops the declaration of war against Gen. Gage. His people (of Gageboro') consented that he might engage in the next cam- paign, the neighboring ministers agreeing to supply his pulpit two-thirds of the time while he was absent. Mr. Avery often acted as physician and assistant surgeon. He was at the taking of Burgoyne, the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, and in the battle of Princeton. When settled at Bennington, at the request of the Governor and Council he took the field with Gen. Allen, and was in the battle of Bennington and assisted in dressing the wounds of the soldiers."-Hist. Mend. A88.

divine wisdom shall see fit to continue me with you. And may God Almighty grant that we may be mutual comforts and bless- ings to each other that we may rejoice together in each other at the appearing of Jesus Christ, to whom be glory in the churches throughout all ages world without end. Amen.

" DAVID AVERY."

Three years afterwards his salary was increased to one hundred and thirty pounds, so well and smoothly had pastor and people moved together. So auspi- cious a settlement would seem to augur well for church and people. The vote was nearly unanimous, it seemed to be hearty. Yet the dawn was soon over- cast and a violent ministerial quarrel commenced, des- tined to end only with the disruption of the pastoral and ministerial relation.

In 1791 the warrant for town-meeting, among other things, contained an article " to see if the in- habitants . . . are satisfied with the Rev. David Avery as a Gospel Minister," and " provided the major part of the town are satisfied with the Rev. David Avery, to see if the town will consent that any persons that are dissatisfied may go to any other society to do duty and receive privilege," and " to see if it be the mind of the town to recommend the Rev. David Avery to call a church meeting, agreeable to the request of Deacon David Holbrook and others presented to him Oct. 15, 1790." Although no action was taken at this meeting, yet the fact that such an one was called was equivalent to a declara- tion that war had begun. It is true that in the scanty memorials of that controversy we find no record of its severity or bitterness in hostile speeches and partisan manifestoes preserved, yet tradition says it was marked by unusual asperity, that not only the community, but families were divided into Averians and Anti-Averians. A few years since people were living whose memory went back to that time, who, in their young days, had had their ears stunned with the din of the conflict, and whose eyes saw the veteran combatants go to the field with as much zeal as the Crusaders of former days went against the Infidel. Meeting after meeting was held, council upon council convened, war-worn veterans were appointed to guard the door of the church to keep out the minister whom they had so unanimously called. The division was so wide and so deadly that reconciliation became imprac- ticable. In the progress of the controversy Mr. Avery and his adherents withdrew, or were forced from the meeting-house, and the pulpit was supplied by a com- mittee. Eventually, as a result of this unfortunate division, the church at North Wrentham was organ- ized, largely from those who had adhered to Mr. Avery.

A committee, chosen by the town, to treat with

656

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Mr. Avery, to see on what conditions he will agree to dissolve his pastoral connection with this society, re- ported his answer as follows: " As things appear to me, I do not think it consistent with my duty I owe to God and this people to treat with this committee on the subject of dissolving my pastoral relation." It was then resolved, after long debate, that Mr. Avery come into this meeting, and give his reasons why he could not treat with the committee on the subject of dissolving his pastoral relation with this people. This meeting was adjourned to eight o'clock the next morning, and a committee chosen to invite Mr. Avery to attend, and then the meeting was ad- journed until one o'clock, at which time Mr. Avery attended, and read before the town his reasons why he could not treat with said committee. The mod- erator then, in behalf of the town, requested the rev- erend gentleman to lay his reasons on the table, or a copy of them ; but he said he should not. It was then voted by the town that he be requested to lay said reasons on the table, that they might be consid- ered by paragraphs, but in the interim the reverend gentleman withdrew. It was then determined " that a committee of ten be chosen, five from each side of the question, to consider the difficulties the town labors under respecting their pastor, and that they act discretionary and report to the town at the ad- journment." This committee were Elias Bacon, Lemuel Kollock, John Hall, Abijah Fisher, David Fisher, Thomas George, James Smith, Amos Walton, Daniel Messinger, and Ebenezer Blake, Jr., and, after conference, reported that they could not agree.

In the warrant for the April town-meeting was an article " to see if it be the mind of the town to em- ploy the Rev. David Avery any longer as a public teacher of piety and religion and morality, or after due consideration of the ill consequences which may be expected from our remaining in our present un- happy situation, whether it is not best for the cause of religion and the happiness of this society to em- ploy a public teacher whose sentiments and perform- ances may better correspond with the ideas of this society in so important a station ;" also, " if circum- stances require a separation, to determine on what conditions it shall be made, and which party shall improve the meeting-house.

Upon the 4th of February, 1793, the town, upon a vote by yeas and nays, " resolved by seventy-four to one not to employ Mr. Avery as a gospel minister in this place any longer." Lemuel Kollock, Esq., Oliver Pond, Esq., and Dr. Jenks Norton were appointed a committee to inform Mr. Avery of this vote. On the 11th of the same month it was resolved that a confer-

ence be held " on the subject of our difficulties with the Rev. Mr. Avery and his adherents, and the propriety of his removal from the ministerial office in this place, and that several neighboring divines be requested to attend and assist us in said conference, and that we request Mr. Avery and his adherents to join with us in this conference and in the choice of divines for that purpose ; and that, after sufficient inquiry may be made into the nature and grounds of our difficulties, and each party have expressed their ideas upon the subject, the divines be desired to give their opin- ion on the case and to advise the parties to such meas- ures as may tend to dispel the difficulties and reinstate peace and harmony ; and if Mr. Avery don't think fit to join in such conference that he and his adherents be requested to join in calling an Ecclesiastical Coun- cil to hear and judge and give their advice upon all the difficulties which shall be stated to them by the aggrieved bretheren of the church and congregation previous to the choice of the council." A committee was appointed to wait upon Mr. Avery and inform him of these votes and request his answer. Mr. Avery's answer was as follows :

" To those of the inhabitants of the town of Wrentham who have assumed to act as a town-meeting and to pass votes rel- ative to me, David Arery, minister of the Congregational Church and people in said town.

"GENTLEMEN : I have this day received from you two pro- posals viz : First, that I with my adherents hold a conference with you on the subject of your difficulties with me and the propriety of my removal from the ministerial office in this place. Secondly, and if I don't think fit to join in said conference that I and my adherents be requested to join in calling an Ecclesi- astical Council to hear and Judge and to give advice upon all the difficulties which shall be stated to them by the aggrieved bretheren of the church and congregation previous to the choice of the Council. To these proposals I beg leave to answer so far as they respect my voice, that I see not that I can comply with them as I deem your meeting illegal and you not to be in a proper capacity as the town of Wrentham for making these pro- posals.

" DAVID AVERY."

The above answer being read and duly considered, it was voted that a committee of five men be chosen to join with the aggrieved brethren of the church " to state all the difficulties we labor under respecting the Rev. David Avery, our pastor, and to lay it before the council." This committee consisted of Lemuel Kollock, Esq., Capt. Benjamin Shepard, Nathan Blake, Oliver Pond, Esq., Jeremiah Day, Dr. Jenks Norton, and Maj. Samuel Cowell.

Previous to these votes and acts of the town the church had been deeply stirred by the controversy. In the year 1792 there had been a trial of the pastor before the church upon charges of heresy and impru- dence, of which he was acquitted by a small majority.

657

WRENTHAM.

We have now but scant means of ascertaining what were the peculiar tenets of Mr. Avery that were deemed so heretical. But the statement of the Rev. Elisha Fisk, who succeeded him in the ministry at Wrentham, may be received as no doubt a true and careful one. He says, " Some errors in the doctrines of my immediate predecessor and his treatment of those who differed from him were said to be the ex- citing cause of the difficulties which had existed. One of the subjects on which he strongly and fre- quently insisted was that the atonement consisted in the obedience of Christ, and that his sufferings and death made no part of it only as they were matters of obedience. This was contrary to what was believed to be the teaching of the Scriptures on a fundamental point, to the articles of faith and to the preaching of the former ministry. In some other minor points he was thought to be incorrect. Instead of being conciliating towards those who were dissatisfied it was said that he was overbearing, and made the impression that there was a ruling mind in the church, and that what he wished must be done. For this all the church and people were not prepared."

Speaking of Mr. Avery himself, Mr. Fisk says, " He was a man of commanding personal appearance, of a handsome address, of a loud and well modulated voice. Apart from his band and black coat, he might have been taken for a general instead of a chaplain in the army, as he actually had been."

At the request of a minority of the church a meet- ing was called in August of the same year for the purpose of conference on present difficulties, and, if necessary, to appoint a mutual council. A discussion arose as to what was to be submitted to the council. The Anti-Averians wished to lay before them all the difficulties in which they found themselves, and to ask the advice of the council thereon involving the question of dismissing Mr. Avery. But the influ- ence of the pastor was strong enough to restrict that action to the precise grounds of complaint which had been alleged in his recent trial by the church. Thus limited, the council simply revised the doings of the church, reversing its judgment in some particulars, and sustaining it in others, and advised Mr. Avery carefully to review his sentiments, and to avoid in his public discourses all expressions which may tend to destroy solemnity and excite levity, and in all his conversation to express himself with prudence and moderation, and the church were advised to exercise candor and tenderness towards their pastor.

church upon certain questions involving the points deemed by these members heretical. To this request he replied " that, if the whole church should request ·him to call a church meeting, he would not do it unless he thought it best." In 1793, at a church meeting, the aggrieved brethren requested Mr. Avery and his adherents to join them in the choice of an ecclesiastical council " who should consider all our matters of grievance respecting Mr. Avery's doctrine and conduct, and the expediency of dissolving his pastoral relation." Whereupon Mr. Avery invited the majority to repair to his house, and there it was voted not to join with the minority in the choice of an ecclesiastical council. Then a letter was addressed to him, as follows : " Rev. Sir,-Forasmuch as di- vision and disunion are become very prevalent in this place by reason of your sentiments and conduct, which we have publicly complained of and which we apprehend have been principally condemned by the late mutual council ; and forasmuch as there appears not the least prospect of harmony being restored to this divided church and town without your removal, we therefore most earnestly request you to ask a dis- mission from your pastoral relation to us." This was dated Feb. 8, 1793, and was signed by twenty- two members of the church. The aggrieved brethren then joined with a committee of the town in a letter-missive to several churches, desiring them to meet in council to consider the subject of recog- nizing them as the First Church in Wrentham.

In accordance with this request the churches above mentioned sent delegates to a council which convened on the 26th day of March, 1793, and invited Mr. Avery and his adherents to join with a view to restore the peace and union of this town, and particularly to consider the subject of a petition to the General Court for an act of incorporation.

Mr. Avery refused this invitation. Then the council determined among other things that about one-half of the acting male members appeared to-be conscientiously aggrieved with the pastor's deviation from principles and discipline, that Mr. Avery's adher- ents have petitioned the General Court for an act of incorporation ; that the step which the aggrieved breth- ren have taken in calling a council, appears to have | been the only one left them to obtain redress; that they have honored themselves by seeking in a patient and persevering manner redress of their grievances according to the usual practice of Congregational Churches ; and after some reflections and suggestions as the original Congregational Church in Wrentham,

Some twelve months before this Mr. Avery had | arising from their unhappy condition recognize them been requested by thirteen members of the church to call a meeting thereof to take the opinion of the ' together with such as should join them. . At a church 42

658

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

meeting May 23, 1793, the minority took into con- sideration the result of the late council, and after stating also the fact that Mr. Avery's adherents had petitioned to be incorporated as the original Congre- gational Church in Wrentham, declare that this was probably done by the advice of Mr. Avery, who thereby had left the rest of the church and the town to take care of themselves or to worship with a min- ister whom they had long considered a grievance ; that they had been recognized by the council as the original church, and finding that the petitioners have notified the town according to the order of the court and thereby fully manifested their intention to be a separate society, therefore voted that the pastoral re- lation between this church and the Rev. David Avery is dissolved. After voting to adhere to the church covenant of 1699, they also passed a vote to request the town to join them in obtaining and settling a minister. It may be remarked here, that the town had in April, 1793, remonstrated against the incor- poration of a new society.

In June Mr. Avery appointed a meeting of all the members that formerly belonged to the church to meet at the meeting-house. The recognized church met at the house of Abijah Fisher, and chose a committee to inform Mr. Avery " that if he or his adherents have any business with us or any proposals to make to us they may know where to treat with us." The committee reported to Mr. Avery at the meeting- house, who said in reply to their message that he knew but one church in this town.

advice upon all matters of difficulty and the propri- ety of his dismission from his ministerial office under all circumstances. Twenty-four members joined in this invitation. Mr. Avery replied that he did not know them in their assumed capacity ; that it was too weighty a matter to act upon without the sanction of the church, and would be incompatible with the rules of Congregational Churches and the eighteenth chap- ter of Matthew. He was asked to put his answer in writing, but he refused. Some other attempts were made but proved fruitless ; and as it was improbable that Mr. Avery would ever consent to submit the question to a mutual council according to their request, it was resolved by the old church to summon a council for that purpose. The town was notified and requested to join, and did join.

Mr. Avery and his adherents were also notified and requested to join. In the mean time while the above correspondence was taking place between the members of the recognized church and Mr. Avery, the town was also acting on the same subject. A correspon- dence ensued between the town and Mr. Avery by committees, but it ended in a flat refusal of Mr. Avery to recognize the town-meetings as legal. The town, therefore, after exhausting all other means, requested him to ask a dismission. This he refused, and the town proceeded to declare his ministerial relation to it dissolved by seventy-seven votes against twenty- seven. This was on May 20, A.D. 1793. It was also made a matter of complaint that Mr. Avery and his adherents had inaugurated a movement for a new incorporation ; and the town declared that if it took place it would be of itself a dissolution of the rela- tion between it and Mr. Avery, and voted in June to hire a gospel minister to supply the pulpit here agree- able to the request of the original Congregational Church in this town. At the town-meeting in June a letter from Mr. Avery was read, referring to the town's vote of dismissal and declaring it illegal, and tendering his services to the town as its minister, re- questing that he might not be obstructed in the free and unembarrassed use of his office in this place. In reply the town declare that " the tender of his services has but little claim to attention, but that they wish not to disturb him in the free exercise of his minis-

On June 25, 1793, Mr. Avery had a council at his house, who sent a message to the recognized church that they were ready to receive any proposals. That body replied that their recognition shall be no obstacle to the general peace and union of the congregation, and upon Mr. Avery's being removed from every pre- . tence of a pastoral relation to the church in this town, they would joyfully consent to a firm union. After one or two more messages all communication ceased. In July the church voted that since the deacons, treasurer, and a number of the members had gone off with Mr. Avery having all the church lands and other property, that a committee be chosen to settle with their late treasurer, and request him to deliver up the property in his hands for the use of . trations to those who wish to improve him, provided said church, and to demand of Mr. Avery peaccable ; the town is not interrupted thereby ; that the town possession of the church lands and to forbid any per- propose soon to have a preacher of the gospel, and remonstrated against his using the meeting-house and pulpit any longer as a minister, and caution him against obstructing the town in the free and unem- barrassed use thereof for the public worship of God in future." A committee was chosen and instructed son to improve said lands and prosecute them if ne- cessary. Deacons Thomas Man and Jacob Pond were invited to join the original recognized church. In December, Mr. Avery was invited to join them in calling a mutual council to give their opinion and

659

WRENTHAM.

to keep the meeting-house shut on the Sabbath in future " unless the committee chosen to procure preach- ing should desire it ; provided that Mr. Avery might have it for his council; further, if he and his ad- herents will engage to let us have it in peace when we shall want it at all other times it may be open for their improvement." In January, 1794, the town voted as has been stated to join the original Congre- gational Church in calling an ecclesiastical council.

This council assembled at the house of Col. Benja- min Hawes on the 25th day of March, 1794, and after a vain attempt to persuade Avery to join it, proceeded to the meeting-house and conducted their proceedings in public.

The report of the council, which was unanimous, sustains the disaffected brethren and town except in voting Mr. Avery's dismission without the advice of a council. By their advice both the recognized church and town voted again that Mr. Avery be dismissed from his pastoral and ministerial relations. The brethren notified him of this vote, he in reply cen- sured their proceedings and still claimed to be their minister. In May of the same year the brethren of the recognized church proceeded to organize. Deacons Man and Pond were invited to return, but as they did not, the church made choice of deacons pro tem- pore. Mr. Avery's adherents generally were also in- vited. A committee was appointed to reckon with Thomas Man, church treasurer, that the church might know what was in his hands, and forbid him from paying any of the church money to Mr. Avery ; also a committee was chosen to demand of Mr. Avery the church records.

whether he is or is not the minister ; second, if he be the minister, is it expedient that he should be dis- missed from his special relation to us (the adherents), and if expedient how it shall be effected ; third, how shall the parties be reunited ?

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 138

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