USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 95
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212
A Sunday-school was started in 1818 by citizens of Medfield, irrespective of church affiliations ; and it was held at the centre school-house. It continued in that form but one year, after which each church car- ried on a school of its own.
Freemasons .- " Cassia Lodge" of Freemasons was instituted in 1823, and had an existence of twenty-two years. "Academy Hall" was purchased and fitted up as a lodge-room. The hall was after- wards sold to the town for school purposes.
The second town library was started in 1828. It was owned by stockholders, and contained about a thousand volumes. In the same year, Eliakim Morse commenced purchasing domestic straw and manufac- turing it, a business in which he continued for several
The town purchased a farm for the use of the poor
447
MEDFIELD.
in 1837. Up to this time paupers were put up at public auction, and struck off to the lowest bidder for their support. The town farm was paid for in part by the town's proportion (seventeen hundred and sixty-three dollars) of the forty millions divided among the States by the general government.
The same year the Boston and Hartford turnpike was laid out as a county way by the commissioners.
In 1838, Henry Partridge, of Sherborn, bought the old nail-factory property in the east part of the town, and commenced the manufacture of hay- and manure forks and similar goods, which had a wide reputation for excellence. He continued the business for some fifteen years. In 1856 he, with others, formed a company for the same line of manufactures, and the stone mill on the Dedham road was built, where the business was carried on till the company dissolved.
The old cemetery, which was originally laid out when the town was settled, and which had been pe- riodically cleared of trees and bushes, was in 1843 enlarged by an addition of land on the north and east. The faced wall next the street was built, the driveways and paths were made, lots laid out, and a large number of trees planted.
The school in the centre having become quite large, | and a better system of grading being desired, as well as more suitable accommodations being needed, in 1844 the Masonic Hall was purchased, and the entire building was repaired and fitted up as a two-room school-house. It remained at the same place where the centre school-house had stood from the first, on North Street, near the corner of what is now called Janes Avenue.
A straw-shop was built in 1845 by Warren Chen- ery, who had transacted business in a small way for several years previously ; and from this date may be reckoned the modern development of that branch of by Mr. Chenery was a branch of the Foxboro' Straw Works, and the building proving inadequate to his wants, five years afterwards it was enlarged to double its original size. Warren Chenery & Son carried on the manufacture there till 1857, when the large three- story building was erected, which was burned in 1879.
From early times, and especially from the times of the Revolution, the State militia, which included all able-bodied men between eighteen and forty-five, kept up a vigorous existence till about 1830. After that
time the interest in it declined, till the trainings and musters, which had been occasions of great enthusi- asm, became a mere farce. Many towns then formed what were termed " independent companies," com- posed of those who had a taste for military affairs. This town boasted such a company from 1839 to 1847. It was of efficient character and of consider- able local note. Among its commanding officers were F. D. Ellis, Isaac Fiske, Moses H. Johnson, John Battelle, and Amos W. Shumway.
The voters were very much excited over the election of a representative to the General Court in 1850. After several ballotings, Jonathan P. Bishop, Esq., was chosen. He took part in the long struggle that resulted in the choice of Charles Sumner to the United States Senate, voting persistently for the suc- cessful candidate.
Several citizens formed a company, in 1851, for the purpose of introducing the boot and shoe manufacture. The quality of the goods manufactured was excellent, but the business was not successful enough financially to warrant its long continuance.
A Hunneman fire-engine was purchased in 1853, at a cost of six hundred dollars. A little afterwards an engine-house was built on North Street, and an engine company was formed.
In the same year Walter Janes commenced the manufacture of straw-goods in the old Townsend house, which stood on North Street, nearly opposite the Unitarian Church.
A new school-house for the south district was built in 1855 ; it stood a few rods south of the original site.
The straw-manufacturing firm of Janes & Curtis commenced business in 1858; the old shop of Mr. Janes was enlarged to more than double its former size. This business arrangement continued till the death of Mr. Janes.
The manufacture of carriages had been commenced manufactures in the town. The business conducted | by Jacob R. Cushman about 1835. For some time he did all the work with his own hands ; but enlarg- | ing gradually, he employed several workmen in the different departments of the business. In 1852 the copartnership of Cushman & Baker was formed, and five years later they purchased the mill privilege on Frairy Street, and erected a factory there with other buildings. The factory was burned in 1868 but im- The old brick school-house in the north district was removed, and the present building, corner of North and School Streets, was erected in 1849. mediately rebuilt. Business was continued under the same firm-name until the retirement of the senior partner, since which it has been conducted by J. H. Baker & Co. The work of this firm has always had a high reputation for thoroughness and general ex- cellence.
The old school-house in the centre district was sold.
448
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
and fitted up for store purposes on the corner of South Street, and a new building erected for the schools on Pleasant Street at a cost of about five thou- sand dollars, which is the building at present occu- pied as a school-house.
Various projects for a railroad through this town had been proposed during the preceding twenty years, but the first railroad communications were opened in 1861, when the Charles River Railroad, as it was then called, was so far completed as to allow trains to run as far as the station in the north part of Med- field.
The War of the Rebellion .- Medfield took an active part in the civil strife of 1861-65. The first volunteer, Allen A. Kingsbury, started at daybreak on the morning after the news of the attack upon our soldiers in Baltimore. He enlisted from Chelsea, and was killed at Yorktown, April 26, 1862. The fol- lowing men enlisted from this town during the war :
Alexander Cameron.
Caleb Howard.
Lucius W. Allen.
Lewis Goulding.
Perry Greenleaf.
John A. Strang.
George O. Metcalf.
Joseph H. Morse.
Oscar B. Bussey.
Thomas E. Hunt.
George W. Hunt.
Eugene Sumner.
Edward E. Ellis.
Joseph Hardy.
John Proctor.
Cyrus D. Strang.
Gabriel Strang.
James Griffin.
David Maney.
Ebenezer G. Babcock.
John D. Chenery.
Michael Griffin.
Willard R. Holbrook.
Daniel McMahon.
Joseph Laguski.
William Vennon.
Thaddeus M. Turner.
Lewis H. Turner.
Edward U. Sewall.
Frank Rhodes.
George H. Bullard.
George E. Clark.
Joseph Clark.
George A. Morse.
George H. Shumway.
Joseph Stedman.
William H. Bullard.
Edmund L. Chenery.
George M. Fiske.
Henry Fiske.
George H. Wight.
Jonathan G. Wight.
Albert S. Allen.
Martin Bailey, Jr.
Curtis W. Jones.
James Ord.
Charles S. Snow.
John F. Harvey.
Frank E. Morse.
John G. Hutson.
Eliakim Morse, Jr.
Fuller M. Babcock.
Asahel P. Clark.
George Miller.
Nathan F. Harding.
Newell T. Hunt.
B. E. Hemminway.
Stephen H. Berry.
Eleazer Johnson.
Lowell J. Southland.
John H. Parker.
John Ord, Jr.
Watson Cooper.
Besides these, several men were procured as substi- tutes, and at the close of the war it was found that Medfield had sent eighty-two men into the country's service, and had paid, on account of the war, five thousand five hundred and seventy-one dollars, which, added to the amount paid by individuals, made a total of about ten thousand dollars.
The following are the names of those Medfield soldiers who lost their lives in the army :
Caleb Howard. John A. Strang.
Allen A. Kingsbury. Eugene Sumner.
Joseph Hardy. John B. Chenery.
Willard R. Holbrook.
Daniel McMahon.
William Vennon.
Frank E. Morse.
Gabriel Strang.
Curtis W. Jones.
Eleazer Johnson.
William Dailey.
The school-district system was abolished in 1869, and the care of the schools thenceforth devolved upon the school committee of the town.
A new railroad from Framingham to Mansfield was laid out and built through the town, and trains com- menced running upon it early in 1870.
The Straw-Works .- During the same year the copartnership of D. D. Curtis & Co. was formed, the manufacture of straw goods was carried on in the buildings hitherto occupied by Janes & Curtis, until the fire of six years later, when they were destroyed. | During this period machinery was introduced to a con- siderable extent. The present ample building was erected in the fall of 1876, and the proprietors fur- nished it with the most approved appliances in the way of machinery, etc. The capacity of the factory affords room for six hundred operatives within its walls, and furnishes employment for four hundred more outside. Forty thousand cases of goods, of the value of more than a million dollars, are turned out in a year.
Chenery Hall .- By the will of George W. Chenery, a bequest was made to the town of a sum of money to be used in building a town hall. The trustees of that fund allowed it to accumulate for several years, till, with the accumulation and some appropriation by the town, a suitable building could be erected. The old tavern site in the centre of the village was purchased, together with some adjoining land, on which the town hall was built in 1872. In it a room was fitted up as a public library, and by bequests from Deacon George Cummings, and the generous aid of other citizens, a good library was secured, which was thrown open to the public the following spring.
J. H. Gould, afterwards Gould & Stevens, com- menced business, in 1872, as dealers in grain, at the Chenery Mills in the east part of the town. Three years later the steam-mill on Park Street was built by D. D. Curtis, when Gould & Stevens removed their business thither. The firm, since Gould & Co., has developed a large wholesale as well as retail trade in flour, grain, meal, and feed, as well as in coal. Their business is among the largest in this line in the county.
449
MEDFIELD.
In 1873, Messrs. Clark & Marshall built a factory on Frairy Street for the manufacture of bonnet-wire, where they have since carried on a successful busi- ness.
On the 8th of January, 1874, the new town hall was totally destroyed by fire, with the exception of the tower, some portion of which remained ; among the contents destroyed was the public library, the fire- engine and apparatus, together with the hearse, which was kept in the basement ; also a portion of the town books and records. The safe containing all the most valuable records was. kept, by the heroic exertions of a few of our leading citizens, from falling into the cellar, where its contents must inevitably have been de- stroyed.
Immediate steps were taken for rebuilding the hall, which was accomplished during the year; and the new hall, though in some respects unequal to the first, is believed on the whole to be more convenient and available for town uses. The library was replaced by gifts from Deacon Cummings, John J. Adams, and many others ; and at his death, Deacon Cummings left one thousand dollars to the public library, the income of which is to be expended yearly for its benefit.
The rate of taxation in 1874 was the highest ever reached in this town,-fifteen dollars on one thousand.
The bi-centennial anniversary of the burning of Medfield by the Indians was observed in 1876 with ap- propriate exercises. Addresses were delivered by Rev. C. C. Sewall, Hon. R. R. Bishop, and others, and a poem was read by its author, James Hewins, Esq. The exercises of that occasion have proved the means of awakening a lively interest in the subject of our local history.
In 1877 a hook-and-ladder truck, with apparatus, . was purchased by the town and a company was formed.
During 1878-79 the records of the town were copied, arranged, and rebound. It is safe to say that no town in the county has its records in better con- dition than this.
Population of the town, according to the census of 1880, was 1365 ; number of polls, 375 ; number of men liable to do military duty, 200 ; number of dwell- ing-houses, 276; horses, 212; cows, 449; amount of school fund, $3760 ; valuation of real estate, $770,- 559; valuation of personal estate, $294,291 : total valuation, $1,064,850.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Timothy Dwight, 1652.
Ralph Wheelock, 1653, 1663-| 64, 1666-67.
Henry Adams, 1659, 1665, | 1674-75. 29
George Barber, 1668-69, 1677, 1680, 1682.
Samuel Bullen, 1681.
John Thurston, 1683, 1697, 1703.
Thomas Thurston, 1686.
Edward Adams, 1689, 1692, 1702.
John Harding, 1689, 1692-93, 1695, 1701.
Benjamin Clark, 1693, 1699.
Thomas Dudley, 1694.
Joseph Clark, 1696.
Samuel Barber, 1698, 1700, | 1708, 1712-13.
John Metcalf, 1704, 1705.
Henry Adams, 1706, 1709-11, | 1717, 1719, 1721-24, 1728.
Samuel Morse, 1707.
Samuel Smith, 1714.
Jonathan Boyden, 1715.
John Fisher, 1716, 1720.
John Adams, 1718.
Solomon Clark, 1725.
George Barber, 1726, 1734, | 1735, 1737.
Joshua Morse, 1727, 1732-33, | 1736, 1744.
Ebenezer Mason, 1730.
Joseph Plimpton, 1731.
Jonathan Plimpton, 1738-40.
John Dwight, 1741-42.
Jonathan P. Bishop, 1848,
1850.
Isaac Fiske, 1855.
Jacob R. Cushman, 1860, 1871. Joseph H. Baker, 1875.
William S. Tilden, 1879.
Peter Cooledge, 1753, 1757, James Hewins, 1884.
1758, 1760, 1761.
First Congregational (Unitarian) Church .- The first parish and the town were identical from 1651 down to 1815, and the history of the church during that period has been already given in connec- tion with that of the town. The members of the church in 1815 numbered eighty-seven, and forty were added during Dr. Sanders' ministry.
The records of the church, commenced by Mr. Baxter in 1738, and which had been missing for many years, were discovered at Northfield and re- turned to the keeping of the church by Dr. Sanders.
The use of artificial modes of heating was-first known in the Medfield meeting-houses in 1826, when large box-stoves were placed near the pulpit with long "Russia pipes" running back to the opposite end of the building.
In 1827 several members of the old church asked for dismission from that body for the purpose of forming a new church of the orthodox Congregation- alist belief. A council was called, which reported favorably for the petitioners, and they were dis- missed.
Dr. Sanders resigned his pastorate in 1829, and was succeeded in the following year by Rev. James A. Kendall .. During his ministry twenty persons be-
Simon Plimpton, 1754. Eliakim Morse, 1762, 1768. Moses Bullen, 1769, 1770, 1773, 1774.
Daniel Perry, 1776, 1777, 1779, 1780, 1784, 1785.
Oliver Ellis, 1781, 1782, 1789- 92.
John Baxter, Jr., 1783, 1787; 1788, 1794-97, 1798, 1800-4. Ezekiel Plimpton, 1799.
Ephraim Chenery, 1805-7.
Augustus Plimpton, 1808.
Johnson Mason, 1809-11, 1821,
1843.
Daniel Adams, 1812, 1813,
1814, 1816, 1817, 1819, 1820, 1841.
William Felt, 1823, 1824, 1826- 28. Daniel C. Sanders, 1833-36.
William Peters, 1839. Hinsdale Fisher, 1844.
Henry Partridge, 1846.
Charles C. Sewall, 1847, 1854, 1862, 1867.
Samuel Morse, 1747-48, 1766 -! 67, 1771-72.
Seth Clark, 1749, 1763-65.
Ephraim Chenery, 1751, 1752, 1755-59.
450
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
came connected with the church. Some changes were made in the church covenant. He resigned in 1837.
In 1839 the old meeting-house, built in 1789, was completely remodeled. It was turned around so as to face the south instead of the east. The old belfry and porch were removed, and a spire erected about ninety feet high, and a portico with columns added. The interior was modernized, new pulpit and new pews built. The house was also raised so that a ves- try was built underneath. Rev. Charles Robinson was installed as pastor the same year. During his ministry twenty members were added to the church. Mr. Robinson resigned in 1850.
Rev. Rushton D. Burr was ordained in 1853. Five members were added during his stay. He hav- ing received a call from Marietta, Ohio, he was dis- missed from the pastorate here in 1857.
Rev. Solon W. Bush was installed in 1857. In the eight years of his service as pastor twenty-three persons united with the church. He was dismissed in 1865, and became editor of the Christian Register.
Rev. James H. Wiggin was installed as pastor in 1867. During his ministry the old plan of two ser- mons on a Sunday was changed to an afternoon ser- mon only, preceded by the Sunday-school, which was enlarged and more perfectly organized at that time. Meetings were also held on Sunday evenings. Mr. Wiggin remained till 1873, when, having received a call to the church in Marlborough, he was dismissed at his own request. While the church was under his charge fifteen members were added to it, the interior of the house of worship was somewhat improved in appearance, and a new bell purchased.
In 1874 the meeting-house was again remodeled, an addition was made to the height of the spire, the vestry was much improved, the exterior appearance of the house much changed, and the interior com- pletely modernized and refurnished. The entire cost of these improvements was upwards of six thousand dollars.
For the next three years the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. C. C. Sewall. In 1877, Rev. Granville Pierce became pastor of the church. He was suc- ceeded in 1882 by Rev. J. N. Pardee.
when a meeting-house was built,-a small, plain building, thirty-one feet square. That house is still standing, and forms a part of the house and shop oc- cupied by Mr. Hoisington. There was occasional preaching in it till 1776, when a church was formed and a pastor settled. The following are the names of the original members : Ebenezer Mason, Dorothy Mason, Asa Mason, Beriah Mason, Hannah Mason, Priscilla Mason, James Morse, Maria Morse, John Thebault, Abigail Morse, Susannah Reed, Benjamin Boyden, Elizabeth Baker, Edward Coffoa, Kezia Plimpton, Mary Ellis, Kezia Cutler, Olive Cheney, Taphath Chenery, Bathsheba Morse, Kezia Morse, Mary Edwards, Lydia Lovell, Mary Harding, Abner Bullard, John Bassett, and Grace, a slave.
The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Gair, educated at Rhode Island College. Many additions were made to the church within the few years next following, largely from the surrounding towns. The prosperity of the church declined when other churches were formed in those places, and especially when a contro- versy arose between the pastor and some of the lead- ing members, resulting in the exclusion of one of the principal resident supporters. In 1787 the church could no longer support a pastor, and Mr. Gair re- signed to become pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Boston. After this date the church was without a settled pastor for twenty-three years, and much of the time with only occasional preaching. At one time the church numbered but two male members, and it was thought that it would become extinct. But the two male and ten female members were en- couraged to continue, and by the help of West Ded- ham people, who began to attend here in 1808, public worship was not only sustained, but in 1810, Rev. William Gammell was settled as pastor, preaching al- ternate Sabbaths in Medfield and West Dedham for the next thirteen years.
In 1811, the Baptist society was organized under the laws of the commonwealth. In 1823, the original house was enlarged and improved, and the same year Mr. Gammell resigned, having received a call to the church in Newport, R. I. After his resignation the West Dedham portion of the church withdrew and formed a church there.
In 1824, Rev. Joseph Ballard became acting pas- tor, in which relation he continued until 1829. Forty- one persons were baptized by him during his min- istry.
Baptist Church .- A few persons of Baptist senti- ments resided in Medfield at a very early date, and out of the disaffection which arose in the parish church after the settlement of Mr. Townsend sev- eral of its members united with a Baptist Church in The pulpit having been supplied for a short time Boston, and commenced holding meetings in town, by Rev. J. A. Boswell, in 1830, Rev. Moses Curtis about 1752, as a branch of the Boston church. The | became pastor and remained three years, during meetings were held at private dwellings till 1771, | which time twenty-three were baptized.
451
MEDFIELD.
Rev. Horatio N. Loring became pastor in 1834, and remained till 1838, baptizing fourteen into the fellow- ship of the church.
In the latter year the church erected a new house of worship in a more desirable locality, on the corner of Main and South Streets. It was supplied with a bell, and a half-underground room, according to the fashion of those times, for a vestry.
In 1838, also, Rev. D. W. Phillips was ordained as pastor, who continued in that office for twelve years. He baptized forty-five persons, who were added to the church during his pastorate. In 1842, the old Baptist parsonage, given to the church in 1778, was sold, and a cottage on Pleasant Street pur- chased for the use of the ministry.
Rev. George G. Fairbanks was ordained in 1851, who remained till 1855 ; during his stay ten members were added to the church.
Rev. James W. Lathrop was installed as pastor in 1856. Sixty-three members were added (fifty-one of them by baptism) during the years of his ministry, which lasted till 1862.
Rev. Amos Harris was the next pastor, being ordained in 1862. He remained till 1865, when he resigned on account of ill health. There were twenty-four additions in that time.
Rev. A. W. Carr assumed the pastoral charge at the beginning of 1866, and retained it five years. He baptized twelve. In 1869, the church cast off the forms of a religious society, and itself assumed the entire charge of the support of public worship.
Rev. A. M. Crane was ordained in 1872, and con- tinued as pastor six years. Under his ministry the additions were sixty-nine, thirty-eight of these by baptism.
In 1874 the house of worship was completely re- modeled, additions being made both front and rear, the corner tower and spire erected, a better vestry and other rooms finished in the basement, and the whole refurnished. The total expense of all these improve- ments was twelve thousand five hundred dollars, one- half of which sum was paid by Deacon George Cummings.
Rev. Mr. Crane resigned in 1878, and was imme- diately succeeded by Rev. I. H. Gilbert.
The Pleasant Street parsonage was sold, and the present parsonage built in 1879.
1827. The constituent members were seventeen, as follows : Moses Wight, Artemas Woodward, Obed Fisher, Nathaniel Stearns, Stephen Turner, Elisha Clark, Sarah Wight, Mehetabel Woodward, Mary Stearns, Susan F. Turner, Esther Chenery, Esther Chenery (2d), Olive Mason, Mary Smith, Waitstill Smith, Martha Adams, Keziah Mason.
The same year a new religious society was organ- ized under the laws of the State. During the first four years of the existence of this church and society, meetings were held in a small hall which was over the store at the corner of Main and North Streets.
Rev. Arthur Granger was installed as the first pastor in 1831. Previous to this time the church had received an addition of twenty-five members, and dur- ing his ministry twenty-four more were added. His pastorate terminated in 1832. The same year a house of worship was built on the spot now occupied by the society for the same purpose.
Rev. Walter Bidwell was installed in 1833, and dismissed in 1836, having received twenty-two mem- bers.
Rev. Charles Walker was installed in 1837, and continued in that office about a year. He was fol- lowed by Rev. John Ballard and Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor, who supplied the pulpit during the next three years, during which time ten members were received.
Rev. Thomas T. Richmond was installed as pastor in 1842, and continued thirteen years. Thirty-four were added to the church membership.
Rev. Andrew Bigelow, D.D., was installed in 1855 ; he remained till 1866 ; during his ministry seventy- one members were received. After Dr. Bigelow re- signed, the pulpit was supplied for a year by Rev. Chester Bridgman, who received ten persons to fellowship.
In 1869 Rev. J. M. R. Eaton commenced his labors as acting pastor. In 1873 the meeting-house was repaired, newly furnished, and a chapel built, at a total expense of four thousand five hundred dollars, of which sum about three-fourths was furnished by Mr. F. D. Ellis.
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.