History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 52

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 52

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" And as, I hope, I do this with a desire for and aim at the Glory of God and our own mutual good, so let your fervent Prayers to God be that he would qualify me for this work, and adorn me with all needful Ministerial Gifts and Grace, that I may be a workman that need not be ashamed ; and that I may be Prospered in my labours among you, if it be his will to place me as a labourer among you ; and that we may live in love and peace, as followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, that another Day we may appear before him with Joy and not with Grief.

" Thus asking your Prayers, I Rest Your Humble servant, " BENIN. CARYL.

" DEDHAM, Sept. 5, 1762."

Accordingly, Mr. Caryl was ordained Nov. 10, 1762, it being more than twelve years after the church was organized before a minister was settled. The Sunday previous to his ordination the church was embodied by Rev. Mr. Belcher, of Dedham, and consisted of fifteen male members. In 1763 the church was dedicated.

pounds to four thousand of the current money during the Revolutionary war. Again, in 1782, his salary

was paid in silver money; in amount, fifty-three pounds six shillings and eight pence.

In 1765 the Fourth Precinct consisted of forty-nine houses and three hundred and fifty-two inhabitants.

Picture to ourselves, if we can, the devotion and faith that brought and held this little company of worshipers together, under all the trials and difficul- ties which were presented. We should see them seated in their much-loved meeting-house, which had cost them so much care and labor, with its bare walls and floor, with uncushioned seats, and only the warmth of their hearts to keep at bay the chilling I cold of our New England winters.

The families were seated according to age, sex, and station. The boys to be seated on the stairs of the men's and women's galleries, or, later, between the fore seat and side pews, and were to be under the in- spection of the older people and the young men, who were seated in the side galleries. The singers to be seated in the fore seat of the gallery, with a competent person appointed to tune the psalm. The pew next the pulpit was reserved, having a chest built in it to keep the church vessels in.

All were expected to attend divine service, and tythingmen were sent about the town to look after the absent ones, all unnecessary absence to be pun- ished by fine.

The tythingmen were expected to keep perfect order during the long sermons of morning and after- noon, the sermons often reaching fifteenthly and sixteenthly, in the afternoon the sun often sinking low behind the western hills before the congregation was dismissed to go to their distant homes. All this was done as a sacred duty and obligation, to be dis- charged without question or doubt.

Some years later, feeling that all physical comfort could not be sacrificed for spiritual advancement, it was voted that the school-house near the church should be opened by the head of some family on Lord's-day immediately after the forenoon exercises, and that those of the precinct who had occasion might improve said house for their comfort between meetings, and that said house be shut up from time to time, " when the minister go to ye meeting-house for the afternoon service." A committee of five, consisting of Nathaniel Battelle, Eleazer Allen, Heze- kiah Allen, Jr., Peltiah Herring, and John Cheeney, were chosen to open, shut, secure the fire, and keep | order in said house.

Application was soon made to the First Church in

The depreciation of the currency is fully shown in the increase of Mr. Caryl's salary from sixty-six | Dedham for a division and allowance of their right and proportion of all lands that had been laid out for the improvement of the church. In 1773 a vote was

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given to lay stone steps at the meeting-house doors. March 9, 1770, Mr. Lemuel Richards, Mr. Joseph Fisher, and Mr. Asa Richards were chosen to tune the psalm for the year ensuing. Liberty was also given persons in the precinct to take up some of the body- seats and build pews at their own expense. In March, 1779, liberty was given the singers to occupy the front gallery, and seat themselves as suited best for singing.

May 4, 1780, all persons who could produce a certificate that they were of the Baptist persuasion were recorded as such on the precinct books, and exempted from paying the ministerial tax.

During the long pastorate of Mr. Caryl important changes had taken place in the country, but nothing had occurred to mar the peace and prosperity of the church until the evening of Feb. 13, 1810, when the meeting-house was burned to the ground. Their much-beloved pastor was advanced in years, and too feeble in health to cheer them much in this dark hour. The fire was supposed to be incendiary, and a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars was offered by the town for the apprehension of the guilty party.

At the annual March meeting it was voted to rebuild, and the sum of fifteen hundred dollars granted for that purpose. Later, at the April meeting, five thousand five hundred dollars more was granted, also four hundred dollars to purchase a bell for the meeting-house. The building was to be placed where the present Unitarian Church stands, an agreement having been made with Jonathan Upham to exchange lands with the district, giving the district about two acres of land north of the school-house then standing. Stones for the underpinning were carted from Quincy.

The new meeting-house was dedicated June 11, 1811. Mr. Calvin Richards, Mr. Joseph Richards, Mr. Frederic Barden, Mr. Luther Richards, and Capt. Hezekiah Battelle were chosen a committee to make necessary arrangements for the dedication.

An appropriate sermon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Palmer, of Needham, the pastor, Rev. Benjamin Caryl, being too feeble in health to be present at the services, and unable to even visit the new house of worship.

made for heating the house, and foot-stoves were carried by the different families. Dr. George Caryl, son of the pastor, was invited to select a pew for the use of the minister's family.

Mr. Caryl remained pastor of the church nearly fifty years, the union only terminating with his life.

Rev. Benjamin Caryl was the son of Benjamin, and grandson of Benjamin and Mary Caryl, of Hop- kinton, and was born in that town in the year 1732. He graduated at Harvard College in 1761. Mr. Caryl married, Dec. 9, 1762, Mrs. Sarah Hollock, of Wrentham, daughter of Rev. Henry Messenger, of that town. Their children were Benjamin, born Dec. 6, 1764, died Sept. 12, 1775; and George, born April 1, 1767, graduated at Harvard 1788, mar- ried Miss Pamelia Martin, of Uxbridge, in 1790, and settled in Dover as a physician, in which capacity he was very successful and highly esteemed. He died Aug. 9, 1822, leaving a widow, three daughters, and a son.

The old parsonage built by Mr. Caryl in 1777, near the small dwelling which to that date he had occupied (the cellar of which may still be seen), is standing and occupied by his descendants, with very little change externally or within since he finished it more than a century ago.

No obituary of Mr. Caryl was ever published, but he left a goodly memory. He was much beloved by all, and is remembered with respect and affection. All are unanimous in testifying that he was a good man and thoroughly orthodox. He was remarkably earnest and gifted in prayer. He kept himself very much at home, seldom attending public meetings abroad. He drew as little from books and writings as any man of his time, but his sermons were fervent, impressive, evidently from the heart, and firm belief in the truth and importance of his message. They were written in a very fine, but perfectly legible hand, and only one (a Thanksgiving sermon) was ever printed. He died Nov. 14, 1811. Immediately after the burial services, November 18th, the inhab- itants returned to the meeting-house and appointed Thursday, Jan. 2, 1812, to be set apart for a day of fasting and prayer throughout the district, and chose Deacon Jonathan Battelle and Mr. William Richards a committee to inform the ministers of the Association.

The new house was large and commodious, having sixty-four pews on the lower floor and thirty-two in the galleries. There were galleries on either side of After Mr. Caryl's decease, there was no settled minister until the next summer, when the district united with the parish in a vote, June 2, 1812, to extend a call to Rev. Ralph Sanger to become their the house and one in front. These letters, in gilt, were on the front gallery : "Built in 1811, gathered in 1762." There were two pews between the front and side galleries, with wood-work finished higher | pastor and gospel minister, with a yearly salary of five than the adjoining seats, that were set apart for the hundred and fifty dollars; also the use and improve- colored people of the district. No plan had been | ment of the church lot; also that Mr. Sanger have

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liberty to be absent two Sabbaths in a year if it be his desire. A committee of three were appointed, consisting of Capt. Samuel Fisher, Mr. James Mann, and Mr. Aaron Whiting, to inform Mr. Sanger of their choice. Mr. Sanger made the following reply :

" To the Church and Society in Dover.

" MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,-Since I received an expression of your wishes, as contained in the votes of the church and so- ciety, it has been my earnest endeavor, as well as humble prayer, to take the important subject into serious consideration. I have considered the warm affection and kind attention which were ex- ercised and displayed toward him whose labor in the Lord was long and precious among you, and whose memory, while he now sleepeth with the fathers, you cherish with truly filial affection.

" I have consulted my friends and have not the happiness to say that their opinions were unanimous. I have consulted others also, whose opinions I value, and found them far from being united. While my mind was undergoing a conflict, from their varying opinions, it recurred to a consideration of your condition-to a consideration of what might be the situation of your affairs in case I should feel myself bound to non-concur with your wishes. The thought was painful. It has not, I trust, been without its weight on my mind. I have considered also your proposals. The form of a part of them now meets my most cordial approbation, and should it so happen that no ex- plicit alteration in other parts shall take place, permit me to understand and expect that I may not materially suffer from the changes which await all human affairs,-changes which no prudence can foresee nor care avoid. I have considered also your tolerant and catholic spirit, your charity and affection for the pious and good of all denominations, your sacred regard for the Holy Scriptures in their nature and simplicity and purity without human addition or diminution. In these points per- mit me to say that your sentiments perfectly agree with my own. And it is my earnest wish, as well as devout prayer, that while I shun not to declare the whole counsel of God, 'I may never teach for doctrines the commandments of men.'

" From these considerations, and under these expectations, I am induced to say, ' I accept your invitation.' And, in connexion with this acceptance, I tender you, for all your past attention, my most hearty thanks, confidently trusting that while nothing may in future be wanting on my part, so that there will be no less disposition on yours to continue them. And although our situation, my friends, may not be the most conspicuous, we may not enjoy the stare and gare of the world, still let us do all in our power to enjoy what is infinitely superior,-the cordial love and mutual kind attentions of each other, still may we en- joy the delightful satisfaction of promoting each other's happi- ness. And, above all, may we enjoy the approbation of our own minds and the serenity of a pious hope,-a hope of ob- taining his favor, ' whose favor is life, and whose loving kind- ness is better than life.'

"Finally, my Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Praying always with all prayer and sup- plication in the Spirit, and for me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I | am an ambassador. And by our mutual prayers, our kind af- fections, and our good offices to each other, by our uninter- rupted and increasing friendship here may we be prepared for that friendship which death cannot destroy, which eternity cannot impair.

" Thus prays your sincere and humble servant,

" RALPH SANGER.

He was ordained Sept. 16, 1812. His father, Zed- ekiah Sanger, D.D., preached the sermon at his ordination. Dr. Sanger enjoyed an unbroken pastor- ate of nearly half a century.

The greatest calamity which befell the society dur- ing his ministry was the burning of the church, Jan. 20, 1839. The next morning members of the society gathered around the smoking ruins and made ar- rangements for an informal parish meeting; and in less than eight months the present house was finished and dedicated.

The family of Dr. Sanger was of good old Puritan stock, and some of his ancestors were among the ear- liest settlers in Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. His father, Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D.D., graduated at Harvard University in 1771, and was settled in Duxbury, Mass. ; afterwards in Bridgewater, in the same State, where he performed the active duties of a minister till his death, in 1820. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Bowdoin College, Me., in 1807. His wife was Irene Freeman, and their family consisted of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, all of whom reached years of ma- turity. Of the sons, Richard and Ralph were gradu- ates of Harvard College, and Zedekiah of Brown University, at Providence, R. I. Ralph and Zedekiah became ministers.

Ralph, the subject of this memoir, was born in Duxbury, June 22, 1786, but spent most of his youthful days in Bridgewater. He was fitted for college by his father, as was customary in the earlier days of New England when preparatory schools were few. He entered Harvard in 1804, his brother Richard being at that time tutor in Greek. In 1808 he graduated with the highest honors of his class. The following year he was master of the Latin gram- mar school in Concord, Mass. ; he then returned to his alma mater, and was tutor in mathematics for two years ; he then prepared for the ministry under the guidance of his father, who had many students under his care prior to the establishment of divinity schools. In 1813 he removed to Dover and took charge of the First Parish, at that time the only one in town, living in the family of Deacon Jonathan Battelle, and fre- ¡ quently having students from Cambridge under his care.

In 1817 he was married to Charlotte Kingman, of East Bridgewater, Mass., and established his home in the centre of the town, where his six children were born and reared. Ralph, born March 31, 1818, died March 31 (on his birthday), 1850. George Part- ridge, born Nov. 27, 1819, graduated at Harvard Uni- versity, 1840, and now United States attorney for East-

" CAMBRIDGE, July 6, 1812."

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ern Massachusetts, resides at Cambridge, Mass. Char- lotte Kingman, born Aug. 17, 1822, married William G. Gannett, Oct. 10, 1848, died Aug. 2, 1871. John White, born March 15, 1824, died at Shanghai, China, 1866; was captain in East India trade. Simon Greenleaf, born March 9, 1827, graduated at Har- vard University, 1848, a teacher in Chicago. Irene Freeman, born Aug. 13, 1830, a teacher in Boston. He resided here until July 8, 1857, when his house was destroyed by an incendiary fire. In this year he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Har- vard University. He then went to Cambridge and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Gannett, until his death, in 1860. But his connection with his parish remained unbroken until his last illness. He died May 6, 1860, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.

Among his people Dr. Sanger always labored earn- estly to promote their material, moral, intellectual, and spiritual welfare. He was the means of establishing a town library, took a deep interest in town, county, and State societies for promotion of agriculture, and during his long ministry, which covered a period of nearly forty-seven years, acted as chairman of the school committee. He also represented the town in the State Legislature three years, and was much inter- ested in the project of having a railroad through the town. His perceptions were quick and ideas log- ical, and he strove not only to do good himself, but endeavored to lead others to follow in his footsteps.

Mrs. Sanger survived her husband twenty-one years, dying at the age of ninety. Together they labored long and faithfully for the good of those around them ; both did a work worthy of the noblest ambition, and both rest from their labors in the beau- tiful cemetery of Mount Auburn. No better inscription could be placed upon their tomb than " Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God."

After the resignation of Mr. Sanger the society united in extending an invitation, Nov. 8, 1858, to Rev. Edward Barker, a graduate of Meadville Theo- logical School, Pennsylvania, to settle with them as colleague with Rev. Ralph Sanger, with a salary of five hundred dollars. The invitation was accepted Nov. 15, 1858, and Mr. Barker was soon ordained, and commenced in the labor of the ministry. Mr. Barker was pastor of the church a little more than two years, his labor terminating Dec. 17, 1860. Af- ter Mr. Barker's withdrawal the pulpit was supplied for a while by Rev. Horatio Alger, of South Natick ; but he soon felt that the work was too laborious to be continued in connection with the care of his own par- ish in Natick, and the society was without a settled

pastor until April 1, 1863, when the parish and church concurred in extending a call to Rev. George Proctor, of Billerica. George Proctor was born in Chelmsford, Mass., Sept. 5, 1814, the son of Aza- riah and Lucy (Hodgman) Proctor. He received his early education in Chelmsford. In 1839 he commenced the study of theology under the instruction of Rev. Rufus S. Pope, who for thirty years was pastor of the Universalist Society in Hyannis. April 1, 1840, Mr. Proctor was ordained and installed pastor of the Universalist Society in Sterling, where he labored five years ; from that time until April 1, 1847, he was pastor of a society in Harvard, laboring a portion of the time in Boxboro' ; he was then called to Billerica, Mass., where he remained until 1854. He then became pastor of a parish in Oxford ; remained there three years, when he was recalled to Billerica, where he labored six years more, making in all a pastorate of nearly thirteen years in that place. April 19, 1863, he commenced his labors in Dover, and remained five years. One of the most gratifying events of his ministry in Dover occurred July 7, 1867, when twenty-two persons were received into the church by baptism and the right hand of fellowship. He was a pastor much beloved and respected by his people.

In June, 1868, the society invited Rev. Calvin S. Locke, of West Dedham, to supply the pulpit for an indefinite period.

Calvin Stoughton Locke was born in Acworth, N. H., Oct. 11, 1829. After the decease of his parents he was placed, in 1834, under the guardianship of Rev. Moses Gerald, of Alstead, N. H., and was reared under the most pronounced Calvinistic theology. He was prepared for college at the Kimball Union Acad- emy, Meriden, N. H., and at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. He graduated from Amherst College in 1849. After teaching two years in Essex, Mass., he entered the Divinity School of Harvard University and graduated in 1854. December 6th of the same year he was ordained pastor of the Third Parish of Dedham. His ministry in this parish continued until July, 1864, when he opened a private school in West Dedham. After supplying the pulpit at Dover eleven years, he resigned his charge, much to the regret of the society. During his pastorate the society procured new hymn books, renovated the church, obtained a cabinet organ for the Sunday- school, and replaced the pipe organ with a better in- strument. Much of this work was due to the labor and influence of the pastor. The society still hold him in loving rememberance. Since his resignation he has and is devoting his time and labor to the pri- vate school which he established in 1864.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In 1880 the parish extended a call to Rev. Eugene De Normandie, of Sherborn, who still divides his la- bors between the societies of Sherborn and Dover.

The deacons of the church since its formation have been Ralph Day, Joshua Ellis, Joseph Haven, Eben- ezer Newell, Noah Haven, Ebenezer Smith, Ephraim Wilson, Jonathan Battelle, Ralph . Battelle, Joseph Larrabee, Asa Talbot, Joseph A. Smith.

The Second Congregationalist Church .- This church was organized December 28, 1838. In 1812 Rev. Ralph Sanger was settled as Mr. Caryl's suc- cessor by a council of neighboring pastors, who were satisfied with his examination on the received creed of the New England Congregational Churches.

It was discovered, however, ere long that he did not preach clearly evangelical truths, and gradually this became so apparent and unsatisfactory that those who represented and loved the faith of the fathers felt compelled to withdraw. After seeking for a time spiritual homes in neighboring towns, they organized, with others from the old parish, a society for the express purpose of building a sanctuary of their own, on the site of the old meeting house, which was dedi- cated June 27, 1839. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. S. Aiken, D.D., of the Park Street Church, Boston. The church was reorgan- ized October 23d of the same year. This reorgani- zation (in legal form the Second Church) was neces- sary because, according to the ruling of the courts, the original church having withdrawn, those who withdrew from the society could not lawfully carry any portion of the funds with them; thus the old society held the property. The first minister was the Rev. George Champion, who was active in form- ing the new church, and whose name, with that of his wife, heads the list of membership.

He left Dec. 5, 1841, and was succeeded by the Rev. Rowell Tenney, who supplied eight months. Rev. Alfred Greenwood came September, 1842, and remained till 1843, when Rev. Calvin White sup- plied the pulpit until June 20, 1847.

Rev. Oramel W. Cooley was ordained and installed May 4, 1848. His connection with the church ceased in the summer of 1850. The Rev. John Haskell was ordained Dec. 2, 1850. Mr. Haskell resigned Nov. 3, 1858.

Until June, 1859, the pulpit was supplied by the Revs. Wright, Carver, Small, Peabody, and others, when the Rev. T. S. Norton was invited to become pastor, and, without a formal settlement, remained until January, 1869. After Mr. Norton, whose pastorate was the longest since 1839, Rev. J. G. Wilson and others occupied the pulpit. Rev. S. C.

Strong, of South Natick, also supplied the pulpit. The parish had become weakened by divisions, and the pulpit was supplied mostly by theological students until 1875, when the Rev. John Wood, of Wellesley, was the non-resident minister for about three years, and made himself quite as efficient as if living among the people,-uniting discordant elements, and receiving new accessions to the communion. About this time the Charles River prayer-meeting, which was started during Mr. Norton's ministry, became a regular Sab- bath afternoon service, under the care of the church in Dover. In 1878 the Home Missionary Society united the South Natick and Dover societies, and called the Rev. Peirce Pinch to settle over them. He was installed July 25, 1878. This union of churches was dissolved May 18, 1880. By the action of the Home Missionary Society, Charles River and Dover societies were united, and the Rev. J. W. Brown- ville invited to become pastor over the two societies in June, 1880. Mr. Brownville resigned in June, 1882. Rev. I. N. B. Headly and others supplied until September, 1882, when the Rev. P. C. Headly commenced to supply the pulpit, and is now the resi- dent pastor. The Charles River society withdrew from the Dover society about this time.

The deacons of the church since its formation are as follows: Daniel Chickering, chosen Oct. 31, 1839 ; died Jan. 17, 1872. Calvin Bigelow, chosen Oct. 31, 1839 ; died Jan. 24, 1872. James Chickering, chosen May 9, 1872 ; died Oct. 20, 1875. Prescott Fiske, chosen Nov. 13, 1878, for five years ; resigned. Eben Higgins, chosen Nov. 13, 1878, for three years ; term expired Nov. 13, 1881. Richard P. Mills, chosen Nov. 5, 1881; removed to Rockport in 1883. James McGill, chosen Dec. 17, 1882. Rev. T. S. Norton, chosen April 28, 1883.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 52

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