History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 25

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 25

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the old homestead, but now his real estate possessions comprise some one hundred and forty acres only, he having invested to some extent in modern securities. Mr. Whiting was a Whig in politics, but at the present time takes but little interest in political affairs, being content to lead a quiet life at his home. He is independent in his religious convictions and a good citizen.

WILLIAM AMES.

Amos Ames, of Groton, Mass., was born Jan. 18, 1734 ; was a farmer and large land-owner. He mar- ried Abigail Bulkley, born Oct. 28, 1733, daughter of Col. John Bulkley, who was a prominent citizen of Groton, where he died in 1772, aged sixty-nine years. Amos Ames died Aug. 4, 1817 ; Abigail, his wife, died Aug. 20, 1809. The Bulkley family traces its ancestry to Lord Viscount Bulkley, whose seat was at Baron Hill, in the Isle of Anglesey. Rev. Peter Bulkley settled in Concord, Mass., in 1636. His father was Rev. Edward Bulkley, D.D.

Rev. Edward Bulkley, son of Rev. Peter and Jane Bulkley, was born at Odell, England, June 17, 1614 ; he emigrated to this country in 1634. He was licensed to preach the gospel, and was ordained at Marshfield in 1642.

Hon. Peter Bulkley, oldest son of Rev. Edward Bulkley, was born Nov. 3, 1641 ; graduated in 1660. He settled in Concord. He held many important offices, and acquitted himself with honor. He mar- ried Rebecca Wheeler ; died at the age of forty-four.

Joseph Bulkley, son of Hon. Peter and Rebecca Wheeler Bulkley, born Sept. 7, 1670. He made his will, which is found on the records of Middlesex, Mass. He lived in Littleton, Mass.

John Bulkley, son of Joseph Bulkley, born about 1703. He held a colonel's commission, and died in Groton, in 1772, aged sixty-nine. John, his son, born in 1748, graduated at Harvard in 1769; was a lawyer, and died Dec. 16, 1774.

Amos and Abigail Ames had seven sons and three daughters. Three of the sons were in the Revolu- tionary army, the youngest being only sixteen years of age at the time of entering the service. All were taken prisoners, being confined on the prison-ship at Halifax ; they afterwards made their escape and again entered the army.

Bulkley Ames, son of Amos Ames, farmer, was born in Groton, July 20, 1772; held many offices of trust, being selectman of the town for seventeen years in succession ; married Lydia Prescott, born

Jan. 8, 1780, daughter of Ebenezer Prescott, of Westford, Mass., whose ancestors settled in Lan- caster about 1647. He was a large land proprietor, and owner of the iron-works at Forge Village, in Westford ; cousin of Col. William Prescott, of Bun- ker Hill fame. He died Jan. 22, 1811.

Bulkley and Lydia Ames had three sons and one daughter. William Ames, son of Bulkley Ames, was born in Groton, Aug. 6, 1807. He was for a number of years partner of Jabez Coney, and largely interested in the millwright and machinery business ; was superintendent in the building of several fac- tories and public buildings ; married Susan Lewis, daughter of Capt. Samuel Lewis, of Dedham, who lived on the place upon which his ancestors settled in the early settlement of the town. She was born April 26, 1814, died Feb. 13, 1880. He had two sons and two daughters. Politically he is a Repub- lican.

CHAPTER XIII.

BRAINTREE.

BY SAMUEL A. BATES.

THE town of Braintree was incorporated May 13, 1640 (O. S.). It included within its limits the present towns of Braintree, Quincy, Randolph, and Holbrook. Previous to its incorporation Quincy was called Mount Wollaston, and Braintree, Monoticut. It took its name from the river which flows through it, and which is spelled in so many different ways in the ancient records that it is uncertain which is the correct one. It is now written Monatiquot. Hol- brook and a part of Randolph (perhaps the whole) were called Cochato, sometimes Cocheco. In one instance Cochato was called Beersheba. Tradition says that Randolph was once called Scadding, but I have never seen the name on the records. Quincy was set off as a separate town in 1792, and Randolph in 1793. Holbrook at that time was a part of Ran- dolph. In 1856 a small portion of Braintree was annexed to Quincy. It was that portion known in ancient times as Knight's Neck, but in later days as Newcomb's Landing.

Religious Societies .- The first church in Brain- tree was organized Sept. 16, 1639, it being the Lord's day. The meeting-house was situated in the north part of the town, in the centre of the street now called Hancock, near the junction of Canal Street. When the way from Boston to Plymouth was laid out, in

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1648, it was to be four rods wide, commencing at Smelt Brook, on the borders of Weymouth and Braintree, running over what is now Commercial Street in Braintree, and Franklin, School, and Han- cock Streets in Quincy, till it comes to the meeting- house, when it shall be two rods on one end of the house and two rods on the other end, thus leaving it in the centre of the street. At that time there were but a few inhabitants in the south part of the town. the son of John and Avis Adams, born in Boston, But the settlement continued to increase, and grad- ually to extend towards its southern limits. At what time the first house was erected in the limits of Monoticut, the ancient name of the present town of Braintree, is unknown. We know that in February, 1639-40, only five months after the embodiment of the church, we find a grant of land to John French and John Collins, of Monoticut. Soon after 1643 the iron-works were built on Monoticut River, which must have caused much increase of population in that part of the town. As early as 1658, and prob- ably earlier, the town had been settled as far south as Randolph line, on the old road to Taunton, for at that time John Moore resided on what is still known as Moore's farm, a plot of six hundred acres of land, bounded on the north and east by Monoticut River, and partly on the west by Great Pond. This portion of the river in latter years has been called Moore's Farm River, in memory of the first settler upon its borders. As the settlement enlarged, the inhabitants felt that they needed a more convenient place of assembling themselves together, as some of them were obliged to travel many miles to attend upon public worship. About 1690 the inhabitants began to move in the matter of forming a new precinct in the south part of the town, but it was opposed by those living in the north part. A bitter feud existed be- tween the different sections of the town concerning | petition, they were compelled to pay their proportion this matter, of which but little is known at the present time ; but a person then residing at the north end, named John Marshall, has left a diary which contains some sharp allusions to members of the church, who, he says, acted in a disorderly manner, and withdrew from the Lord's table. That he made charges which he could not maintain is evident from what afterwards transpired. The movement for a new society was continued until 1706, when a meet- ing-house was built near the corner of Washington and Elm Streets, in the present town of Braintree. That this was done legally no one claimed, but its

Quincy, one of the leaders of the government of the colony. But the advocates of the new precinct were sustained by the advice and support of the leaders of the church in the vicinity, and on May 6, 1706, the meeting-house was raised in which they might wor- ship, and which was soon after completed. Sept. 10, 1707, Rev. Hugh Adams was ordained its pastor, and , the church was recognized on the same day. He was May 7, 1676, graduated at Harvard College in 1697, at the age of twenty-one years. In his diary he states that at his installation at Durham, N. H., " the Rev. Jonathan Cushing read publicly the testimonial of my ordination at Braintree, signed by the Rev. Increase Mather and his son Cotton Mather (of the Old North Church, in Boston), and Rev. Mr. James Keith, the hoary-headed pastor of the church in Bridgewater, who laid their hands on my head in that ordination." This testimonial was also signed by the Rev. Nehemiah Walker, pastor of the church in Rox- bury. We see in this account the names and in- fluence of those men who, without the consent of the authorities of the colony, dared to organize the new church in Braintree. Had those men of whom Marshall spoke acted in an unchristianlike and dis-, orderly manner, as charged by him, we do not believe that such men as the Mathers, Keith, and Walker, leaders in the church at that time, would have en- couraged them in their great undertaking, and lent their aid and presence to embody their new church, and, in addition, ordain a pastor to break for them the bread of life. But they had other opposition still to encounter, and they petitioned the legal authorities to be set off from the old society, and establish a new precinct, to be called the South Precinct, in Braintree. By the action of the authorities in answer to their

of the expense of supporting the old society, which was raised by legal rates, and also to pay for the sup- port of their own pastor, the money necessary being raised by subscription. This double burden was a heavy tax upon the new precinct, as it was composed of men with moderate means. Rev. Mr. Adams re- mained as their pastor until Aug. 22, 1710, when the connection was dissolved, and he removed to Chatham, Mass., and afterwards to Oyster River parish, now Durham, N. H. During the pastorate of Mr. Adams the South Precinct was set off, and regu- larly established as the South Precinct of Braintree. founders did claim that might deprived them of their | This was not accomplished without opposition.

A town-meeting was called to meet Nov. 3, 1708,

just rights, the opposers of the new movement being composed of the most influential citizens of the town, | to consult and consider about, and, if possible, to fix at the head of whom stood the Hon. Edmund

upon a suitable and reasonable line of division, dis-

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tinction, or limitation of the said South End assem- bly and society and of the North End congregation, that said line be lovingly agreed upon and settled, if| it may be. There were those that did immediately declare against the dividing of the town, and that they did refuse to join with said inhabitants in that affair, and requested that it might be entered with their names in the town-book. These then entered their names : Lieut. John Cleverly, Ensign William Veasey, Solomon Veasey, Moses Penniman, James Penniman, Samuel Penniman, John Newcomb, Jr., James Brack- ett, Nathan Brackett, and John Sanders. The same day it was voted that Col. Edmund Quincy, Esq., and Sergt. Nehemiah Hayden be a committee to petition the General Court in the name of the town to set off the south part of the town as a separate precinct. This was granted, and the legal existence of this so- ciety commenced on Nov. 5, 1708, and has contin- ued to this day. The names of those who were especially active in securing the organization of the new precinct were Samuel White, Caleb Hobart, Nehemiah Hayden, Joseph Allen, Samuel Bass, Samuel Payne, Ebenezer Thayer, Samuel Niles, Jr., and Samuel French.

The Rev. Samuel Niles, second pastor of the so- ciety, was ordained May 23, 1711. Rev. Peter Thacher (his father-in-law), of Milton, Rev. Joseph Belcher, of Dedham, Rev. John Danforth, of Dor- chester, and Rev. Mr. Thacher, of Weymouth, as- sisted in the services, the sermon being preached by the pastor-elect, as was the usual custom in those days. Rev. Mr. Niles was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Sands) Niles, of Block Island, and grandson of John Niles, one of the first settlers of Braintree. He was born May 1, 1673; baptized March 14, 1697, by Rev. Peter Thacher, at Milton, owning his father's covenant; joined the church at Mil- ton, January, 1699; entered Harvard College when twenty-two years of age, from whence he graduated in 1699; was licensed to preach soon after; acted as pastor of the church in his native place for two years, and until his ordination, in 1711, was actively engaged in farming and ship building, by which occupations he earned his living. He had three wives and a large family of children. He was an able preacher, and one of the strong supporters of the Calvinistic creed. He naturally became a leader in the op- position to the introduction of Unitarian principles into the Congregational Church of New England. He died May 1, 1762. He was pastor of this church for nearly fifty-one years, and was engaged | State and nation, and was selected, Oct. 20, 1820, as in active service from the time of his settlement, and | preached till the last Sabbath previous to his death. | towns in convention at Boston, for the purpose of re- 8

His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Smith, of. Weymouth, from the text, " And Samuel died." He kept a diary during the whole term of his pas- torate, which is now in possession of the Hon. Asa French, of Braintree, and which is very valuable to the genealogist. The third pastor was the Rev. Ezra Weld, ordained Nov. 17, 1762. He was born in Pomfret, Conn., June 13, 1736, graduated at Yale College in 1759, and died Jan. 16, 1816, aged nearly eighty years. He retired from active duties Aug. 17, 1807, the society paying him two hundred and eighty-six dollars and sixty-six cents per annum dur- ing the remainder of his life.

The Rev. Sylvester Sage was installed as the fourth pastor Nov. 4, 1807. In consequence of the health of his family he was compelled to ask for his dis- charge, which was granted, and he was dismissed by council May 4, 1809. Rev. William Allen was given an invitation to become pastor of this church May 24, 1810, but he declined the call. Oct. 26, 1810, the town voted to invite Mr. Richard Salter Storrs to settle with them in the work of the gospel minis- try, which vote was unanimous. Nov. 5, 1810, it was voted to pay Mr. Storrs the sum of eight hundred and twenty dollars per annum as long as he is the minister, and that John Hobart shall carry the pro- ceedings to him for his consideration, and get his an- swer as soon as may be, for which service he shall receive the sum of six dollars. It was also voted that Dr. Daniel Fogg and Lieut. Nathaniel Thayer shall be a committee to assist the clerk in fixing and writing a letter to Mr. Storrs. July 3, 1811, Mr. Storrs was ordained the fifth pastor of the church. He was born in Longmeadow, Feb. 6, 1787, and was the son of Rev. Richard S. and Sally (Williston) Storrs, and graduated at Williams College in 1807. Previous to his ordination he spent six months in the missionary service in Georgia. After a long pastorate of more than sixty-two years, he passed from earth Aug. 11, 1873, aged eighty-six years, six months, and five days, leaving behind him an unblemished reputation as a Christian, a scholar, a citizen, a neighbor, and a friend. In whatever path he trod, he left his footsteps so deeply imprinted that time will never erase them. An earnest advocate of the education of the young and tender mind, he spent much time in watching over the interests of our schools, for many years be- ing placed at the head of the committee of superin- tendence by the free suffrages of his fellow-citizens. As a citizen he took an active part in the welfare of his the delegate of the town to meet delegates of other

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

vising the Constitution of government of this com- monwealth. As a clergyman he stood at the head of his profession, attracting large audiences when it was known that he was to take part in the services, his impassioned oratory almost magnetizing his hearers. He was an orator, created rather than manufactured. His deep, sonorous voice, commanding presence, and lightning-like eloquence conveyed to the hearts of his hearers the conviction that his words not only flowed from the mind, but also from the heart. He married three times, and had by his second wife one son, the Rev. Dr. Richard Salter Storrs, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who is well known throughout the country. About 1831 the church voted that their pastor, Rev. Dr. Storrs, should be at liberty for a term not exceeding five years, that he might accept the position of asso- ciate secretary and general agent of the American Home Missionary Society for the New England States. It therefore became necessary that a colleague should be procured to perform the duties of the pastorate during his absence. Mr. Edwards A. Park was se- lected for that purpose, and was ordained to the work of the ministry Dec. 21, 1831. Rev. Dr. Park re- mained as colleague pastor until Jan. 17, 1834, when a council dissolved the connection in consequence of his acceptance of a professorship in Amherst College. The senior pastor did not resume his duties until 1836, and the pulpit was supplied by transient cler- gymen, among whom may be named Rev. Paul Jewett and Rev. William R. Jewett, who preached most of the time. During the last few years of his life he was obliged to have assistance, and Rev. E. P. Tenney and William S. Hubbell were procured for that pur- pose, and I think the last gentleman was regularly in- stalled colleague pastor. The Rev. Thomas A. Emer- son, the sixth pastor, was installed May 7, 1874. He was born in Wakefield, Dec. 27, 1840, and was the son of Thomas and Emily (Swain) Emerson. He graduated from Yale College in 1863, and also from Andover Theological Seminary in 1869. He married, Oct. 27, 1875, Fannie Huntington Brewster, daughter of Rev. Dr. Robert and Ellen M. (Griffin) Crawford, and granddaughter of Rev. Dr. Griffin, president of Williams College.

old town of Braintree were accustomed to assemble for the transaction of their civil business, and it was here that those true men, led by John Adams, Esq., then a young lawyer, but afterwards President of the United States, were heard lifting up their voices in behalf of American independence. This house was torn down in 1830, to give place to a new house, which was dedicated to the worship of God Dec. 29, 1830, with appropriate services. June 3, 1857, the present house of worship was dedicated by solemn services.

Opposite the church is the spot selected to bury their dead. It was purchased of Josiah Hobart by Deacon Joseph Allen, Deacon Samuel Bass, and Dependence French, a committee appointed by the precinct for that purpose. The deed bears date March 10, 1718, and states the price paid for one- half acre of land to be ten pounds. Within its limits are buried the earthly remains of those three veterans in the ministry, Rev. Samuel Niles, Rev. Ezra Weld, and Rev. Dr. Richard S. Storrs.

About 1810 the citizens of the east part of the I town joined with the inhabitants of that part of Weymouth called the Landing, and formed the second society in Braintree, taking the name of the Union Religious Society of Weymouth and Braintree. It purchased the meeting-house of the Hollis Street Church, in Boston, and removed it to Braintree, and they still occupy it. Their first pastor was the Rev. Daniel Clark, installed Dec. 31, 1811, who was dis- missed Oct .. 1, 1813, he not giving good satisfaction. Their second pastor was the Rev. Jonas Perkins, who was ordained June 14, 1815. He was born in North Bridgwater, Oct. 15, 1790, graduated at Brown Uni- versity in 1813, and died June 26, 1874. He was the son of Josiah and Anna (Reynolds) Perkins. He was the minister of my boyhood, and I knew him well. I can find no language to express my appreciation of his worth as a citizen, pastor, neighbor, and friend better than that used by Hon. Joseph W. Porter in a sketch of his life, which I trust he will pardon me for copying : "The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Perkins, covering, as it did, forty-six years of active service, with fifteen added years upon the retired list, was During the existence of this church, a period of one hundred and seventy-seven years, they have worshiped in four different meeting-houses, the first having been built in 1706. About 1758, the house having become dilapidated, they resolved on having long and successful, resulting in great good to the church and society, increasing largely their material as well as spiritual strength, adding to the member- ship of the church, principally during three powerful revivals, three hundred and twenty-two members. a new and more convenient house, and the first | Consecrating his whole powers to the work of the meeting was held within its walls on Thursday, June 28, 1759, that being the day appointed for a public fast. It was in this house that the citizens of the gospel ministry, uniting in himself ripe scholarship, excellent judgment, with firmness of purpose, and the strictest integrity, his was a character of the

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most admirable proportions. A wise and faithful pastor, he was eminently a peace-maker, and when, at the full age of seventy years, in accordance with long-expressed plans, he resigned his office and re- tired from its duties, he carried with him the affec- tion and respect, not only of his own church and society, but that of the whole community where he lived." Being a contemporary of Dr. Storrs, he served with him upon the school committee to the satisfaction of the town. Upon his resignation, Oct. 15, 1860, the church was left without a pastor. But on Jan. 17, 1861, Rev. Lysander Dickerman was installed pastor over the society. He held that posi- tion until July, 1867, when he resigned the pas- torate. He was succeeded by Rev. A. A. Ells- worth, who supplied the pulpit for about three and one-half years, when the Rev. Lucien H. Frary ac- cepted a call from the church and society, and was installed pastor April 13, 1875, and still remains. He endeavors to follow in the footsteps of his venerable predecessor, who so long lived with this people, and I trust that the mantle of Jonas has

The South Congregational Church was the third es- tablished in the town. It built a house of worship in

Rev. Lyman Matthews, Aug. 4, 1830. He continued in that position about fourteen years, and resigned Oct. 4, 1844, at which time he removed to Vermont. This is the longest pastorate in the society, and the pul- pit has been occupied by many clergymen during the period of forty years which has passed since Rev. Mr. | Matthews resigned. Some of them were installed, while others were hired from year to year. Among those who have ministered unto them for any con- siderable time I remember Rev. Francis V. Tenney, Rev. William B. Hammond, Rev. Dennis Powers, Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, Jr., Rev. L. Wheaton Allen, Rev. Albion H. Johnson, and Rev. Edwin Smith. Rev. E. O. Dyer is supplying the pulpit at present. A few years since their meeting-house was burned, and another was erected on the same site.

The First Baptist Society was organized about 1842, first pastor was, I think, the Rev. John Blain, al- though he was never settled over the society, being what was called an Evangelist.

Rev. George N. Waitt commenced his labors with them Sept. 10, 1843, and resigned his place in March, 1846. Previous to the coming of Mr. Waitt-that is, during the winter of 1842 and 1843-the sect called Millerites, who predicted the destruction of the earth

in that year, obtained a foothold in the society, and held meetings there frequently, sometimes every day in the week. There was great excitement in the town. It succeeded in making many proselytes, some of them being the leading members of this young church. It was a blow from which they never fully recovered, although time ought to have convinced the followers of Miller of their error. The ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Waitt also tended to injure the welfare of the society. Rev. Aaron Haynes then took charge of the society, but failed to heal the difficulties with which they were surrounded. He only remained one year. Rev. George Daland then took charge, and re- mained with them about nine years, the longest pastorate they enjoyed during their existence. During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Daland, an offshoot from this society, comprised of some disaffected members, held meetings in Monatiquot Hall, but a few rods from the old house, but they had but a brief existence. Rev. Ruel B. Moody, Rev. Thomas C. Russell, and Rev. George B. Williams officiated as pastors during the few following years. The society became so weak fallen upon him. He is highly esteemed by all | that it was unable to support the preaching of the who know him.

Gospel, when they sold their house to the Methodists, and some of them joined that church.

The Second Baptist Church in Braintree was or- South Braintree, and ordained for its first pastor the | ganized about 1869. It was composed of members of the First Baptist Church, who withdrew to form a church in the north part of the town. They bought the old school-house which stood near the corner of Washington and West Streets, and re- modeled it as a chapel, removing it to Washington, and afterwards to Elm Street, nearly opposite the church of the First Congregational Society. Rev. George B. Williams, the former pastor of the First Baptist Church, went with them, and broke unto them the bread of life. But the society failed for want of support, and the chapel was sold, and after- wards used as a factory for the manufacture of boots. It existed about seven years.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 25

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