USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > North Bridgewater > History of North Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to the present time, with family registers > Part 13
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guished preachers of New England on his theological opin- ions. Mr. Packard remained pastor of the first and the only parish in Marlboro' for about twenty years, and the people were happy under his ministry. In the year 1805, an un- pleasant controversy arose in regard to the subject of locat- ing a meeting-house, which ended in the erection of two houses, and ultimately in two parishes. During this contro- versy he remained neutral, both parties anxious to retain him ; but he continued to remain in the old church, and be- ing unwilling to take part in the dedication of the new house, and realizing that a majority bad a right to command his ser- vices while he remained their pastor, he wisely asked a dis- mission from the church and society as the best way of avoid- ing a public approval of the removal of the meeting-house, which was the sole cause of the unhappy feeling. On March 6, 1806, the matter was brought before the Marlboro' Associa- tion, and after due consideration it was decided by them that the town had a claim to Mr. P. in the new house. "The association, while they lament the occasion for it, both on their own and the people's account, cannot but acquiesce in his determination to be dismissed." After much opposition, the west parish in Marlboro' received an act of incorpor- ation, February 23, 1808, by the name of the Second Par- ish in Marlboro'; on the 23d of March, the same year, Rev. Asa Packard, who had labored with the society since his dismission from the town, was installed over the west parish, and retained his pastoral relation until May 12, 1819, when he took a dismission and removed to Lancaster where he re- sided till his death, which took place March 20, 1843, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was in his usual health in the morning, and on coming into the house, he sat down to listen to a letter from a distant brother; while it was being read, he sunk back, and immediately expired.
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REV. HEZEKIAH PACKARD, D. D., was born in North Bridge- water, Mass., December 6, 1761, son of Jacob and Dorothy (Perkins) Packard, and was the youngest of ten children. And of his parents and their influence he used to speak with pleasure, affection, and respect. Being the youngest of the family, he no doubt experienced the indulgence com- mon to the youngest of a large family. The humble circum- stances of his father's family accustomed him to liabits of active industry, rigid economy, and self-reliance. Their narrow means, together with their discretion, restrained him from associating with other lads. One amusement his par- ents indulged lıim in had an influence they little thought of. He says, " At what precise period I procured a fife I do not distinctly remember; but the acquisition was to me very grat- ifying and delightful. Martial music was very animating to me, and I soon learned several martial airs. The tunes sung and played during the incipient state of the Revolution had a wonderful influence. The exciting remarks made in favor of the Revolution had a thrilling effect upon my mind. I be- came anxious to attend musters and meetings for enlisting soldiers. The battle of Bunker Hill had an exciting influ- ence. It seemed to electrify the whole community. On that memorable day I was in a neighbor's field hoeing corn, and heard the roaring of the cannon. I was then in my fourteenth year. The captain of the militia lived near my father's, and as he knew the family were high Whigs, and that I had some skill with the fife, he appointed me a fifer in the company under his command. Soon after this, he was drafted for five months, and solicited me to go with him as fifer, promising to use me as a son, which promise he always kept. Although young and fond of home, I never had any scruples or hesitation about enlisting, nor do I recollect that my parents opened their lips in the way of discouragement. Distinctly do I remember when my mother took my hand
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and said, 'Hezekiah, remember praying will make thee leave sinning, and sinning will make thee leave praying.' These words were to me full of meaning and of practical truth. In- deed, the devout desires and earnest prayers of my affection- ate and pious parents were, as it appeared to me, preserved as memorials before God on my behalf. For though I neg- lected prayer when a soldier, my moral habits were in other respects correct. I was averse to vices in the army to which vouth are exposed; no profane word escaped my lips from he time I left my father's house till I returned to it again. . was more and more disgusted at the profaneness common among the soldiers, and even the officers of the Revolution. My brother (the late Rev. Asa Packard, of Marlboro', Mass.) had already become a soldier in the eight months' service, and was stationed at Roxbury. The regiment to which I belonged was ordered to Cambridge, and we dwelt in tents near Cambridgeport. Soon after we pitched our tents and drew our provisions from College Hall, where beef, pork, etc., were kept for our army, and other arrangements were made for a campaign, and I felt myself a soldier in camp, I had a furlough for a day or two to visit my brother at Rox- bury. From the time we marched into Boston, late in au- tumn, until the following June, Col. Sargent's regiment in which my name was enrolled was destined to occupy several stations. After being in Boston a few weeks, we were or- dered to Bunker Hill. In the spring of 1776, we were sta- tioned at Castle William, now Fort Independence. Here we remained till June, when orders were given for us to march to New York. We went to New London by land, and from thence by water to New York. The regiment was stationed near Hurlgate. Six miles below the city, upon the banks of East River, opposite to our fort on the other side of the river, the enemy built a fort to annoy us, the distance be- tween the two forts being a little over a mile. A soldier,
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soon after the balls and bombs began to fly into our camp, walking proudly upon the parapet, boastfully exclaimed that the ball had not been made that was to kill him. Not many minutes after, a ball came and almost cut liim asunder, thus warning others not to expose themselves needlessly. This cannonading and bombarding continued for several weeks, killing some and wounding some. I remember an old man belonging to our camp who, seeing a bomb fall and bury itself in the ground a few rods from him, started hastily toward the spot, hoping to save the powder, for which he would get a dollar; but just before he reached the place there was a tremendous explosion, and he was covered with dirt and nearly suffocated. He received, however, no serious injury, and was for a time the subject of facetious remark. About the same time, two young men belonging to the same mess found a bomb, the fuse of which had been somehow ex- tinguished, and thoughtlessly attempted to open the vent with a pickaxe. This rash and inconsiderate attempt was fatal to both. A spark from the axe reached the powder, and these young men were awfully mangled by the explosion. One expired immediately ; the other survived a few days. Soon after this there was a general excitement. Intel- ligence reached us that troops were leaving Long Island, and that the British were pressing upon them, orders be- ing given for retreat, and New York was evacuated. It was the Sabbath, in the last of August or the first of Sep- tember. The heat was extreme, the roads were crowded with troops, with men, women, and children, together with cattle, goods, and chattels, overspread with thick clouds of dust. The night following was dark and rainy. I slept un- der a blanket with my captain, who had always treated me like a son, according to the promise he made when I enlisted. The next morning while the cooks were preparing breakfast, and the soldiers were adjusting their packs and cleaning
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their guns, etc., after the rain, alarm guns were heard; our army was aroused; the enemy were at hand. A detachment of one hundred and thirty-six in number, among them my brother, was sent out to check the enemy, and in a few hours he was on his way to the hospital at West Chester. On the same day was the battle of Harlaem Heights. Our regiment was near the centre of the line extending from Hudson to East River. The line of battle was not far from King's Bridge. The number killed and wounded I do not remem- ber. The sick and wounded were taken to the hospital. I visited my brother several times. His wound became alarm- ing, and his surgeons gave no encouragement. We both nearly despaired of his restoration. At the second or third visit I took charge of a letter to our parents, in which he took leave of them and of the family ; and we took leave of each other. I afterward went to the hospital, not knowing whether he was among the living, and found him somewhat relieved. His body was less swollen; his hopes of recovery revived. After this, as far as my memory serves, we did not see each other till we met at home in our father's house. In the autumn of that year, I was sick, and destined to breathe the polluting, infectious air of the hospital, and suffered much for want of things comfortable. Having the itch shockingly, without the means of getting rid of that loathsome disease, and being reduced by other complaints without the medical aid I required, I thought much of home and a mother's cares ; but I was a stranger in a strange land. The hospital was extremely filthy, its atmosphere pestilential. My case was so much neglected, and my whole frame so dis- eased and shattered, that I had serious apprehensions I should not long survive. My term of service expired at the end of the year ; I was no longer a soldier. Finding myself some better, although still feeble, I set my face and directed my tottering steps toward home. The first day I travelled about
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three or four miles toward the object of my affection. About the third day on my homeward march, I reached the great road from White Plains to my native home, and was providen- tially overtaken by my captain's elder brother and his waiter. He had purchased a cheap horse before he left camp, and was homeward bound; but finding me feeble, unprotected, and solitary, he readily dismounted, and allowed me the privi- lege of riding. I rode nearly the whole distance of two hun- dred miles. I have no remembrance of my friend's riding five miles till we reached Easton, Mass., his native town, and where my oldest brother then lived. We often received many a good bit on our way, in consequence of the piteous and oft- repeated story my friend told of the poor destitute and suf- fering fifer upon the horse, so that people were kind to us, cheered and comforted us on our way homeward. My par- ents had not heard a word from me after the battle at Har- laem Heights, except that I was there, but in doubt what to expect. My brother's letter not reaching home, the same doubt existed in regard to him. After my return from the army, I was so reduced in strength, my whole frame so dis- eased and wrecked, that for a long time I was unfit for busi- ness. I was long exposed to suffering, and unable to labor. I was, however, afterward induced to enlist for six months. That I should have again entered the army was a mystery. I was stationed at Providence, and afterward at Newport. Gen. Sullivan, who had command, intended to gain posses- sion of Newport, then in the hands of the British. After quitting the service, I made up my mind to live at home and become a farmer. But changes and events occurred in our domestic circle which greatly affected my condition and pros- pects. (My father died February 2, 1777, aged fifty-six.) My brother, as before mentioned, being wounded, was probably led by that circumstance to change his purpose of life. Ho accordingly fitted for college, and entered Harvard
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in the summer of 1779. In the course of the revival of 1780, did I first receive my religious impressions ; at a meeting called by my brother my own mind was deeply and solemnly impressed. I did feel I had some encouraging evidence that God in Christ did appeal for me in mercy. The burden of sin which had borne with oppressive weight upon my soul was removed, and I think I found peace in believing. Calmness, peace, and serenity prevailed in my own mind. Availing myself as I had opportunity of the advice and ex- perience of neighbors, I had the reputation of taking good care of the farm and rendering it productive. I labored to the extent of my strength, and made some improvements by subduing rough parts of the land, and building walls. Meet- ing the approbation of my neighbors and family, and seeing the good effect of my labors, I acquired a fondness for hus- bandry, and readily devoted myself to it. I was well satis- fied with my condition and sphere of life, and had no idea of relinquishing the pursuits of agriculture until the spring of 1782. At that time I was afflicted and discouraged by an injury done my arm in making wall. Being young and am- bitious, I strained my arm at the elbow. The injury was such that it disqualified me from pursuing my favorite occu- pation. I showed my arm to several physicians, but received no encouragement. I then made arrangements for acquiring an education, and soon left home and placed myself under the instruction of Rev. Dr. John Reed, minister of the west parish. I pursued my studies with great diligence, deduct- ing the time I was obliged to suspend my studies on account of weak eyes. I was not more than a year fitting for college. When fitting, I often visited the home of my childhood and early youth, and reluctantly denied myself its endearments. The distance, not being more than five or six miles, I could easily walk home Saturday night and return on Monday morning. In July, 1783, that being Cambridge commence-
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ment, I entered college with rather gloomy prospects : my small patrimony, in consequence of bad debts and fraudulent men, was reduced from five or six hundred dollars to a mere trifle. I had no patron to whom I could go for advice, en- couragement, and help; I had no place I could properly call home; I had no place to call my home through my college studies ; I had to make my way through many difficulties. I spent most of my vacations at college, where I had good op- portunity for study, and I defrayed the expenses of board by keeping a morning school for misses, by the care of college buildings, etc. I kept school nine or ten weeks winters. I waited in Common Hall more than three years during col- lege life. In justice to myself and for the benefit of others, I can state with all the confidence of truth that I passed through college without fine or censure, and with a respecta- ble literary character. The first year after leaving college, I kept a grammar school in Cambridge. The year passed pleasantly, and I found myself in the way of improvement. The next year I took charge of the library as assistant; was one of the three who in the course of the year prepared the first printed catalogue of the college library. The other two were Rev. Isaac Smith, the librarian, and Professor Sewall. At the commencement of 1789, I entered the tutorship in the mathematical department as successor of Mr., afterward Professor, and subsequently President Webber. I continued as tutor four years, enjoying enlightened society in college, and in the town and vicinity of Cambridge."
In October, 1793, Mr. Packard was ordained over the church in Chelmsford, with the prospect of a comfortable and useful ministry, where he labored with conscientious dili- gence in the work of the ministry eight years, when, receiv- ing an invitation to settle at Wiscasset, Me., he asked his dis- mission, and it was granted by a mutual council called July 29, 1802. Ile was installed at Wiscasset, Me., September 8,
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1802, Professor Tappan, of Cambridge College, preaching the sermon. He entered upon his new field of labor with a fair prospect of comfort and usefulness. When he had been in Wiscasset three or four years, he was invited to take charge of a private school. The school was full, and succeeded so well that in the course of the year a plan for an academy was in train. A brick building was erected costing four thousand dollars. He kept this academy several years, and his labors in it and his pastoral and ministerial duties were too much for his constitution, and brought on infirmities which have been at times troublesome companions. His la- bors at this place were terminated by a mutual council in the spring of 1830. Again Providence opened for him a smaller field of labor and usefulness at Middlesex Village, a remote part of his former parish in Chelmsford, where were living many of those who, as parents or children, had been under his preaching thirty years before. It was while residing at this place his son William, then a student of Bowdoin Col- lege, died, January, 1834. He exercised his ministry at Mid- dlesex six years, and in the fall of 1836 dissolved his connec- tion with that church. He moved to Saco, Me., November 11, 1836. During the remaining years of Mr. P.'s life, he re- sided at Saco, Me., Salem, Mass., and Brunswick, Me., mak- ing occasional visits to each and all of his children. He took a lively interest in passing events and social life, and to the last had a cheerful temperament and strong social affections. He never secluded himself, nor seemed to feel too old to meet and fulfil the claims of society upon him. In his eighty-fifth year he took the principal charge of a garden, and in winter he used the axe and saw. He participated in all schemes for good; mourned with those that mourned ; re- joiced with those that rejoiced. The passer-by ever met him with a kind word or a bow. He possessed great dignity of bearing and character, combined with ease and elegance
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of manners which adorn the most cultivated society, and an ever-playful, genial humor. For nearly fifty years he was con- nected with various literary institutions, much of the time being engaged in training the youth. For seventeen years he was a trustee of Bowdoin College, and ten years vice- president of the same ; and from the day of his admission to the university he was a college man to the close of his days, always glowing in college scenes, reminiscences, and attach- ments. He was the originator of the Bible society in Lin- coln County, Me. He died April 25, 1849. Agreeable to his own request, his remains were conveyed to Wiscasset for interment, the place where he had labored twenty years be- fore. The funeral took the place of the afternoon service, Rev. Dr. Adams, of Brunswick, preaching the sermon.
" The last long journey of his life now o'er, His gentle voice and cheerful smile no more Shall tell the tale of life's uneertain dream ; - For his is now in heaven, a higher theme."
REV. JOSHUA CUSHMAN was born 1758 or 9, and resided in North Bridgewater, Mass. ; graduated at Harvard College in 1787. In the early part of the Revolutionary War, at the age of seventeen or eighteen, he entered the military service of the United States. A paper found among his papers and books contains the following account of his services in that war in his own handwriting: -
"I enlisted on the 1st day of April, 1777, under Caleb King, then in Bridgewater, Mass., and served in the ninth regiment of the Massachusetts line. The field officers were Col. Wesson, Lieut. Col. Mellen, and Major Badlam. I was in Capt. Bartlett's company. My first rendezvous was at Cambridge, near Boston; then proceeded to Albany, thence up the Mohawk to the German Flats ; joined Arnold's attachment from Gates's Army for the relief of Fort Stanvix. After the dispersion of the enemy, we joined the northern
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army, near Stillwater, on the Hudson ; thence took ground and encamped on Bemis Heights; was in the decisive battle which led to the capture of the British forces in that quar- ter. After the surrender of Burgoyne, we moved down the Hudson to Albany, and thence across the country to White Marsh in Pennsylvania. After facing the enemy for a day or two, we went into winter quarters at Valley Forge. After the enemy evacuated Philadelphia, we moved with the main army under Gates, first to Danbury, then to Hartford, Conn., thence to Fishkill. There, and in the vicinity of West Point, N. Y., I was stationed with the regiment during the rest of my term of service. I was discharged the latter part of March, 1780, having completed the term of my engagement lacking a few days, an indulgence obtained through the cour- tesy of the colonel."
After leaving the military service, he fitted for college ; graduated in the same class with Hon. John Quincy Adams ; studied theology with Rev. Ephraim Briggs, and was or- dained as pastor of the Congregational church in Winslow, Me., on June 10, 1795, at the age of thirty-six, where he re- mained nearly twenty years. At a little later period after his settlement, he adopted the views of that branch of Con- gregationalists called Unitarians. His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Whitman, of Pembroke, and the other services of the occasion were performed by Rev. Mr. Porter, of Roxbury, Rev. Mr. Porter, of Rye, N. H., Rev. Mr. Winthrop, of Woolwich, Me., Rev. Mr. Ellis, of Topsham, Me., and Rev. Mr. Calef, of Canaan, Me. The church where his ordination took place not being large enough to contain the audience, a bower was made covered with green boughs and supported by twenty pillars interwoven at the sides, and when filled with people, presented quite a unique and pic- turesque appearance. After his dismissal from the ministry, which was not from any disagreement between him and the
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parish, but from inability to support a minister, he continued to preach in that vicinity for awhile, but never was installed over any society. He soon became an eminent political man, commencing by representing the county of Kennebec in the Senate of Massachusetts (of which Maine was then a part) in the political year 1810; represented the town of Winslow in the House of Representatives in 1811 and 1812; was elected on the Executive Council of Massachusetts, but declined the office; in 1819 was elected as Representative to Congress from the Kennebec district, and after Maine was separated from Massachusetts in 1820, he continued in Congress for six consecutive years. In 1828 he was again elected from his district to the Senate, and in 1834 again represented his adopted town of Winslow in the House, and this was the last of his public services. "His course was run, his days were numbered." Being the senior member at the opening of the Legislature in January, 1834, it became his duty to call the House to order at its organization ; but his health being fec- ble, he never took his seat again in that body. He died at his boarding-house Monday morning, January 27, 1834, aged seventy-five years. Immediately upon the opening of the two branches of the Legislature, the House voted to adjourn, and the members to wear black crape during the remainder of the session as a mark of respect to the memory of Hon. Joshua Cushman. And the Senate also adjourned from a re- gard to his services and worth. His funeral was attended by the members of both branches of the Legislature; and, al- though the snow was extremely deep at the time, there was a large gathering, and the duty of following his remains was consequently fatiguing. He was interred at Augusta, Me., and a plain marble slab erected to his memory, bearing this simple inscription : "Our fathers, where are they ?" The Legislature of Maine afterward, however, removed his remains to the tomb erected for the burial of those who died in the
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service of the government, and his name was engraved on the top of the tomb among those who had gone before him. He was a good scholar, was imbued with Christian and states- manlike principles, and was a respectable speaker. Progress and reform were among the leading traits of his mind. The . test of time and the judgment of men which truly tries the character and acts of all has pronounced its verdict, -" A good and faithful servant."
" Tranquil amidst alarms, It found him on the field, A veteran slumbering on his arms, Beneath his red eross shield."
REV. NAPHTALI SHAW was the son of William and Hannah (West) Shaw; born in North Bridgewater June 20, 1764. His ancestors, as far back as he had any knowledge of them, were pious people. When a lad, he had but little time for reading, excepting on the Sabbath; then he read the Bible and religious books. He was religiously educated, and from such works as he had, he early received religious impres- sions, which proved of the greatest value to him. Of the di- vine authority of the Scriptures he never had a doubt, and at an early period of his life he had determined to make them the rule of his faith and practice. At the age of fifteen, he enlisted in the service as a soldier of the Revolutionary War for a special service at Rhode Island; and again the next year, with his two older brothers, marched to the call of his country to aid in suppressing Shay's Rebellion and a threat- ened assault on one of our maritime places. In all this he did not have to engage in battle. He was, however, always through life patriotic. When he came back from military service the last time, being then seventeen years of age, he prevailed upon others in his native town to unite with him in purchasing a social library, and the first book he selected was " Mason on Self-Knowledge," which he always thought was of
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