History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 42

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 42

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of the church was effected on the the 28th of May, 1731 (O. S.), when ten persons entered into solemn covenant with God and one another. Their names were Elisha Eaton, pastor ; John Niles, Moses Curtis, John Niles, William Copeland, Thomas Wales, David Eames, Samuel Bass, Joseph White, David Slone." Their church was styled "The Third Church in Braintree." The minister was immediately ordained, June 2, 1731 (O. S.). Of this event The Boston News Letter for June 10th gives the following notice :

" BRAINTREE, THIRD PRECINCT, June 2, 1731. " A church has been lately gathered in this Parish, and the Rev. Mr. Elisha Eaton was this day ordained the pastor of it. The Rev. Mr. Paine, of Weymouth, began with prayer. The Rev. Mr. Lewis, of Pembroke, preached from 1 Cor. ix. 27," Lest that by any means when I have preached unto others I myself should be a castaway." The Rev. Mr. Niles, of Braintree, gave the charge, and the Rev. Mr. Gay, of Hingham, the fel- lowship of the churches."

The same year in which the pastor was ordained Thomas Wales was elected deacon, and in 1733 Samuel Bass was also appointed to that office. The membership of the little church rose during the first two years to thirty, and in the subsequent years of Mr. Eaton's ministry to one hundred and thirty. The first pastor continued in office till June 7, 1750. He was afterwards settled in Harpswell, Me., where he enjoyed a useful ministry till his death, April 22, 1764.

The meeting-house in which Rev. Mr. Eaton be- gan his ministry was probably erected (as has been intimated already) in 1727. It was rudely built, in keeping with the wilderness in which it stood. Of paint, fire, steeple, or bell it never boasted. An acre of land for precinct use was obtained of Joseph Crosby for forty shillings. It has been taken rod by rod by the demands of highways, and now forms the public square in the centre of the village, on the border of which the present church stands. The first house was on the northeastern corner of the lot, and near it stood the original school-house, illustrating the I familiar lines of Whittier on " Our State :"

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RANDOLPH.

council, and which was declared " worthy of imitation in these perilous times in like cases, as one proper ex- pedient to prevent the further spread of error in the land and dejection in the churches." Mr. Taft's pastorate was the longest in the history of the church, covering thirty-nine years and three months. He died in office Nov. 11, 1791, after an honorable but not eventful ministry. The most important action of the parish during this period was the erection of its second house of worship, a beautiful structure, built in 1764. During the last and feeble years of Mr. Taft an associate pastor was sought for him, and found in the person of Rev. Jonathan Strong, who was ordained as junior pastor, Jan. 28, 1789. Mr. Strong graduated from Dartmouth College in 1786, and studied divinity with Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Taunton, by whom the ordination sermon was preached. The sermon was printed. The ministry thus begun was long and replete with interest.

Dr. Strong was quite a giant in his day, physically, mentally, and in things spiritual. He exercised great influence in his pulpit and out of it. In the ecclesi- astical affairs of the State he took an important part with the leading ministers of the denomination. Several powerful revivals of religion were enjoyed during Dr. Strong's ministry, and the church had great prosperity under his preaching and pastoral care. While many churches in the opening years of the century were seriously distracted, divided, and some sadly broken up by the theological controversies and religious defections so rife at the time, this church stood united in unshaken loyalty to the doc- trines of evangelical religion.

It may be interesting to remark that it was in 1813, toward the close of Dr. Strong's pastorate, that the custom of reading the Scriptures as one of the exercises of public worship on the Sabbath was first adopted. In the matter of singing in the house of the Lord important changes had been made earlier. While the people worshiped in the first meeting-house the deacons " set the tune." After the occupation of the second house the precinct regularly appointed "tuners." In 1773 printed music began to be used by vote of the precinct, and singing " in parts" was introduced, and soon after a regular choir. But each step of progress in securing both excellence and vari- ety in this important service seems to have been con- tested. The ancient German and English custom of " lining off" the hymns one line at a time prevailed ! and dismissed April 1, 1862. The present attractive in this church till 1781. It was then voted, as a concession to the progressive element, that " the singers shall sing half the time by reading one line, | Labaree was installed Dec. 14, 1865, and now remains and half the time by reading two lines !" This cus- in office.

tom was probably entirely surrendered about the time that Dr. Strong commenced his ministry, when Watts's Psalms and Hymns superseded the revised edition of the Bay Psalm-Book, or New England Psalm- Book, which had long been in use.

It will be recognized at once that the pastorate of Dr. Strong was not only important in itself, but also covered a period full of interesting changes and much progress. The honored and beloved pastor was stricken down by sudden illness in the prime of his useful life, and died at the age of fifty years, Nov. 9, 1814.

Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy succeeded, with a brief pastorate. He was born in Southampton, graduated from Williams College in 1810, and was ordained pastor of this church Nov. 22, 1815. On the 15th | of December, 1818, forty members of the church, in- cluding its two deacons, were dismissed to form the " Second Church," located in East Randolph (now Holbrook). At this period Sabbath-schools were coming into favor among the good people of New England, and this church welcomed the new method of instruction. A school was established on the first Sabbath in May, 1819, Dr. Ebenezer Alden being the first superintendent, and continuing in office for thirty-nine years. Rev. Mr. Pomeroy was dismissed April 26, 1820, and on the 28th of February, 1821, Rev. Calvin Hitchcock was installed the fifth pastor of the church.

Dr. Hitchcock proved himself an eminently useful, devoted, and beloved minister. The church rejoiced in marked prosperity under his long-continued labors. A new house of worship was dedicated in 1825, and soon after Dr. Hitchcock's ministry opened the most powerful revival in the history of the church was experienced, as the fruit of which seventy-eight persons came into its communion. Other seasons of large increase were granted to the earnest and united labors of pastor and people. At the age of sixty four the honored pastor voluntarily withdrew from the pastorate (June 9, 1851), and resided in Wrentham till his decease, Dec. 3, 1867. He was succeeded by Rev. Christopher Cordley, who was installed March 3, 1852. He gave six years of vigorous service to the cause of Christ in this place, and was then dis- missed, Oct. 14, 1858. He was afterwards settled in Lawrence, Mass., where he died June 26, 1866. Rev. Henry E. Dwight was ordained Dec. 29, 1859, and commodious meeting-house was erected in 1860, and was extensively repaired in 1880. Rev. John C.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Of the young men who have been trained up in ' stated supplies, and their terms of service, an asterisk this church and congregation, forty-one have received (*) denoting those now deceased :

a college education, twenty-one have consecrated themselves to the Christian ministry, twelve have entered the profession of medicine, and others have made their mark in the legal profession and other prominent positions in active life. The church and parish have received important donations and lega- cies at various times, and the history of its funds is . interesting.

Dr. Ebenezer Alden was clerk of the church for more than half a century, and gathered a great many facts relating to its early affairs. He prepared a valuable manual of the church in 1862, and in various ways contributed very largely to its influence and prosperity. The one hundred and fiftieth anni- versary of the organization of this church was suit- ably observed June 8, 1881, and the proceedings were published in full.

The First Baptist Church of Randolph was organ- ized under the following circumstances : In the year 1819 a number of members of the Baptist Church in South Randolph (now East Stoughton), who were residing in the northern part of the town, were de- sirous of better church facilities. At a called meet- ing, January 28th, it was voted to build, at a cost of not less than five thousand dollars, a house forty-five by fifty feet in dimensions, to be located on grounds donated by Zeba Spear-the present site of the church. The work began at once, and was finished by October. Steps had meantime been taken for a new church organization, which was consummated by a council convened November 3d of the same year.

The church thus organized consisted of forty- seven members, all but two of whom came from the parent church at Stoughton. As that church, now over a hundred years old, was then in Randolph, the new organization was styled the North Baptist Church in Randolph, which name it continued to bear till 1875, when by legal enactment it was changed to that which it now bears, viz., the First Baptist Church of Randolph. All of the constituent mem- bers are now dead, the last one, Mrs. Polly Spear, passing away in December, 1882.

#Warren Bird. April, 1820

May,

1821

#S. C. Dilloway (supply). Sept.

1821

Sept.

1822

#Benjamin Putnam

March, 1823

April, 1829

#Amos Lefavour

May,

1829

June, 1830

#Joseph M. Driver

Nov.

1830

Oct.

1832

#James M. Coley

June,

1833

Feb.

1836

Conant Sawyer.

April,

1836

Sept.

1838

#Otis Converse

Jan.

1839

Oct.

1839

#Charles H. Peabody

Dec.

1840

April,

1842

Henry Clark

July,

1842

Dec. 1846

#R. W. E. Brown

June,

1848

May, 1849

#Thomas Driver (as supply) 66

(as pastor)

March, 1850

April,

1852

#Benjamin Wheeler

May,

1852

Dec.

1858

William F. Stubbert

April,

1859

Oct.

1865

#Willett Vary

April,

1866

March, 1867

John Pryor (supply)

June,

1868

June,

1869

James E. Wilson

Oct.

1869

Dec.

1871

Joseph C. Foster.

Jan.

1873

Jan.

1882

Leonard J. Dean.

.June,

1882

Of these, Mr. Peabody died, while pastor of the church, in 1842. The church also licensed to preach, in 1830, John Holbrook and Isaac Smith ; in 1842, Lowell Parker ; and, about that time, Zenas P. Wild. All of these, except Isaac Smith, are now dead. Marked religious ingatherings were enjoyed under the pastorates of Pastors Putnam, J. M. Driver, Con- verse, Peabody, Clark, T. Driver, Wheeler, and Fos- ter. The present membership is two hundred and nine.

Of those who, as deacons, have ministered not only in temporal but also in spiritual things, should be appreciatively mentioned Zeba Spear, Seth, Al- phaeus, and Daniel Alden, Jacob Wales French, Henry Bangs, Leonard Faunce, Austin Roel, Aaron Prescott, and John May. Only the last two sur- vive and are now in service.

Of the church's material improvements it may be noted that in 1824 the present parsonage was pur- chased of Deacon Daniel Alden. A vestry was built near the church in 1837. This was largely due to the suggestion of Thomas W. Tolman and his dying legacy of two hundred dollars. This structure was much improved in 1860. In 1842 the house of wor- ship was lengthened by thirty-two feet. This, with other improvements, cost nearly five thousand dollars. The parsonage was also remodeled. Again, in 1873 and 1874, the house of worship was so completely re- built and refurnished as virtually to be a new edifice. The total cost, including that of the new bell and the tower clock, was about thirty thousand dollars. The vestry was also sold, and the parsonage much

The new church chose as deacons, Seth Alden and Zeba Spear; as clerk, Thomas W. Tolman ; and as treasurer, Dr. Jonathan Wales. On Feb. 22, 1820, | improved. The church is now thriving and vig- a call was given Rev. Warren Bird, of Foxboro', to orous. become pastor, which call was accepted, and Mr. | Bird entered upon his pastorate in April, upon a salary of " £100 lawful money." The following table will give the names of the different pastors and

A Sabbath-school was organized at the founding of the church, which has flourished till the present time. The present superintendent is Dr. C. C. Farnham. Among its past superintendents may be mentioned

Sept.

1849

March, 1850

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RANDOLPH.

the honored name of Deacon John May, nearly a quarter of a century faithfully laboring, and still, as previously noted, busily doing the Master's work.

Time would fail to tell of the honored dead and living, and space be lacking to record their self- sacrificing work; but there will always be time to think of their example, and room in the hearts of those who remain for their cherished memory.

St. Mary's Catholic Church has the largest mem- bership in the town. In the early days of Catholicism in this region-forty years ago or thereabouts-the parish in which Randolph was located included in addi- tion the towns of Randolph, Stoughton, Canton, Hing- ham, Weymouth, Abington, and Quincy. The latter town was the head of the parish, and from it were sent out the priests who conducted the services in the other towns,-usually about once a fortnight in each place. At these times services were held in Randolph in a hall in the hotel. Later, however, the town hall was used for the purpose. Among the early priests were Fathers Fitzsimmons, Stran, Callaher, and O'Beirne. The latter caused to be purchased the land on which the present church stands, and put in the foundations of the original edifice. After Father O'Beirne came Father Fitzsimmons again, and he, in turn, was shortly succeeded by Father Rodden, who built the first church in 1849. The dedication occurred in August, 1850. Father Rodden was the first resident priest, settling in the town about 1851. He was as- sisted in his labors by Father O'Sullivan, curate. After Father Rodden came, in succession, Fathers Roche, Welsh, McGlew, Denvir, Burns, James O'Brien, and Thomas O'Brien, the latter being in charge at the present time, assisted by Father Kelly. The church edifice was enlarged by Father Burns about a dozen years ago, and the present parochial residence was built by Father Thomas O'Brien. The church is free from debt, and is in all respects flourishing and prosperous. The curates have been Fathers O'Sullivan, Brennan, Bannon, Denehy, and Kelly.

At Tower Hill, in the westerly portion of the town, is located a Methodist Episcopal chapel. It has no separate membership, being connected, as an organi- zation, with the Methodist Episcopal society of North Stoughton. A society gathered itself together at Tower Hill several years ago somewhat informally, without definite organization, hiring a minister by subscription and holding meetings in Niles's Hall. Very largely through the generosity of the Hon. James A. Tower, the present chapel property was donated to Bradford P. Raymond, Caleb Tucker, and Wales B. Thayer, trustees, the property to be held by them "for the

Methodist Episcopal Church so long as the said Church shall hold and maintain regular services therein." The chapel was built and dedicated in 1872. The first pastor was the Rev. Bradford P. Raymond, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Messrs. Storey, Colburn, Rotch, Duckwall, and Jones. The present pastor, the Rev. W. Lenoir Hood, was ap- pointed Sept. 18, 1881.

Military History .- No better sketch could be given of the honorable part which Randolph took in the war of the Rebellion than is found in the fol- lowing extracts from an address delivered on the evening of May 30, 1876 (the " centennial year" of the nation), in Stetson Hall, before the members of Capt. Horace Niles Post, No. 110, G. A. R., by the Hon. J. White Belcher : X *

" Among the first regiments called into the field was the Fourth Massachusetts, composed of companies belonging to various towns along the Old Colony Shore. The order for its appearance on Boston Common at noon of Tuesday, April 16th, reached the hands of Col. Packard at Quincy late on the after- I noon of the 15th. He immediately issued his orders and dispatched them by a special messenger to the several companies under his command. Within twelve hours every company had reported at Faneuil Hall instead of the Common, on account of the severe storm which then prevailed. Company D of this regiment was composed principally of citizens of Ran- dolph, and was first organized in 1855 as the Ran- dolph Light Infantry. Its first captain was Hiram C. Alden, who held the office until July, 1860. April 15, 1861, at nine o'clock in the evening, orders were received by the clerk of this company to report in Boston at nine o'clock the next morning. The company at this time not having any commissioned officers, Sergt. Hiram F. Wales labored all that night to notify the company so as to have them respond promptly to their country's call. In the general indif- ference in regard to military organizations which ex- isted throughout the State for some time previous to this sudden call, the town of Randolph was not an exception. But when the sound went forth that the flag of the Union had been fired upon, this company, with the others, received a new impulse, and was ready the next morning to move onward. They did not stop to ask or inquire about the difficulties which might lie in the way, but with all the manliness of heroes they entered at once upon the duties before them.

" Many of you who sit here well remember the prompt and ready response of those who enrolled

198

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

themselves for three months' service. Who will ever forget the first drum-beat to arms in this village which saluted us on the morning of the 16th of April, 1861 ? Many of our citizens and neighbors, un- trained except for peace, took their places in the ranks and departed for the defense of the national capital, expecting soon to return to their homes bearing with them the proclamation of peace. But we were only on the very threshold of the Rebel- lion. The darkest hours had not yet come. The soil of America had not yet been baptized with the blood of those whose names we honor to-day. At a quarter before nine o'clock on the morning of April 16th this company was escorted to the station by a band of music and a large concourse of citizens. They arrived in Boston at forty minutes past nine o'clock, when they immediately marched to Faneuil Hall. This was one of the first companies which ar- rived in Boston, and was received with cheers of wel- come. There are many present who remember that cold and stormy morning. There were many scenes which touched the stoutest hearts. Many a tear was shed when bidding the final farewell, they knew not but forever. Many a silent prayer ascended on that morning that a kind Providence would watch over and care for them. Upon the arrival of the company in Boston an election of officers was held, which re- sulted in the choice of Horace Niles for captain (a name which has been honored by your Post), Otis S. Wilbur first lieutenant, and Hiram F. Wales second lieutenant. On Wednesday, the 17th day of April, the regiment started for Fortress Monroe, arriving April 20th, at which time it was unknown to them whether they were to meet friends or enemies, until they saw the stars and stripes floating from the old fortress. A short time after the regiment left, the selectmen received a telegram from the adjutant-gen- eral of Massachusetts that Company D was deficient in numbers, and that twenty-two additional men were required to complete it. Within a few hours after it was generally known, the full number had enlisted, and even a whole company could have been organized. On the following morning they left Randolph for Boston; and such was the enthusiasm, to my own knowledge, that several persons followed them to the State-House, thinking that some one or more might fall out and there would be a chance for them to go to the defense of the Union. At the State-House these twenty-two men were sworn into their country's ser- vice and placed under the command of Sergt. Edmund Cottle. In the afternoon of the same day they went on board the steamer which was to convey them to Fortress Monroe.

"History has already recorded that the three months' men were the first to respond to the call of the Presi- dent ; the first to march through Baltimore to the de- fense of the capital ; the first to shed their blood for the maintenance of the government ; the first to land on the soil of Virginia and hold possession of the most important fortress in the Union. The Sixth Regiment undoubtedly saved Washington ; the Fourth saved Fortress Monroe. They each upheld the good name of the commonwealth during their entire term of service, and by their courage and devotion to duty in the hour of peril they became the right arm of the national government. Their record will always be prized by Massachusetts as one of her richest historic treas- ures. The full company having performed important duties at Fortress Monroe, Newport News, and Hamp- ton Village, returned in July, 1861, and were received by the Fire-King, Relief, and Independence Engine Companies and escorted to this hall, where a public dinner was given them. They served the time for which they enlisted, but the war had not yet closed. On the 4th of August, 1862, an additional call was made by the President for three hundred thousand men to enlist for the term of nine months, and this, too, while in the midst of filling the quota for three years under another call for the same number of men. The Fourth Regiment again volunteered with the same promptness as in 1861, and was ordered at once to Camp Joe Hooker, in the town of Middle- boro'. Hiram C. Alden was re-elected captain of Company D, Myron W. Hollis elected first lieutenant, Edmund Cottle second lieutenant. Ninety members of this company enlisted from Randolph. On the 17th of December, 1862, the regiment having recruited to its maximum under command of Col. Walker, of Quincy, was ordered to join the forces of Maj .- Gen. Banks in the Department of the Gulf. December 27th the regi- ment left camp for New York, where transports were in readiness to convey them to New Orleans, where they arrived Feb. 7, 1863, when they at once proceeded to Carrollton and landed February 13th, having been on shipboard forty-seven days.

" In the expedition against Port Hudson this regi- ment bore a conspicuous part. At its surrender they were the first to enter the fort, where they remained until August 4th. This regiment performed important duties also at Brashear City and many other places ; and Aug. 28, 1863, having served eleven months, arrived home and were mustered out of service. One hundred and twenty-five of this regiment, who left Massachusetts Dec. 27, 1862, never returned. Some fell in battle and some by lingering disease in that un- healthful climate. Ten of the number were our own

199

RANDOLPH.

citizens, young men just entering the years of man- subjected to slaughtering cross-fires, was with a hood, and belonging to Company D. * * * *

" On the 4th of July, 1862, the President of the United States called for three hundred thousand men " I need not remind you on this occasion that in to serve for three years, unless the war sooner closed. | these two battles the loss was severe. I need not tell The proportion for Massachusetts to furnish, either by volunteers or draft, was fifteen thousand men. Recruiting at once commenced in earnest. The Thirty-fifth Massachusetts, having recruited to its full number at Camp Stanton, Lynfield, was organized and mustered into service Aug. 21, 1862, and left the State on the following day, very imperfectly fitted out, owing to the urgency of the demand for fresh troops at Wash- ington. The regiment was placed under the com- mand of Col. Edward A. Wild, whom those of that regiment who are present to-day only remember to honor and respect. The soldiers were at first armed with Enfield rifles of very poor quality, and quite dangerous to handle.

" Sixty-two of the citizens of Randolph enlisted in Company E of this regiment, while others enlisted in other companies of the same regiment, some of whom had seen service and re-enlisted. At the first | election of officers, Horace Niles was chosen captain, Jonathan W. Ingell first lieutenant, William Palmer tablets which have been so beautifully decorated with | flowers to-day.

" The adjutant-general says in his report that among the many good regiments Massachusetts had sent forward, few, if any, surpassed the Thirty-fifth. Its commander, Col. Wild, was a man highly intelligent as well as brave, and who had a full appreciation of the magnitude of the war. In a letter written by Col. Wild, after leaving Massachusetts, he says, ' The regiment arrived at Washington August 23d, at once crossed the Potomac and encamped beyond Ar-| lington Heights. On the 6th of September the regiment was transferred to the command of Maj .- Gen. Burnside, from which time to September 14th we made continued short marches and bivouacs until the battle of South Mountain. We entered the fight at half-past four in the afternoon, and it lasted until after dark. In this battle, which occurred but three weeks after leaving Massachusetts (the first ordeal of the Thirty-fifth), their behavior was excellent. The men were always ready to do anything they were ordered. Three days afterwards came the battle of An- tietam. Here again the Thirty-fifth bore a conspicuous part. Their behavior was excellent throughout. I cannot picture to you the scenes of that day. The position this regiment held for some time, though

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 42

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