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 14
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great value to him, and one that no person could study with- out profit. After preparation for college under the care of Dr. Crane, a physician of Titicut Parish, and Rev. Dr. John Reed, of West Bridgewater, in 1786, at the age of twenty- two, lie entered Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., where, after applying himself closely to his studies, and after a hard struggle with difficulties arising from limited means and a new state of things in the vicinity of the college, he gradu- ated with honor in 1790, receiving the Bachelor's degree. After this he taught school in Easton, Mass., and Boston, as an assistant of Mr. Caleb Brigham, an instructor of great ce- lebrity. After studying theology seven months, he was ap- probated (as it was then called) by the Plymouth association of ministers August 1, 1792. He pursued the study of theol- ogy under the care of Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D. D., of Bridge- water, who was in the habit of instructing young men for the ministry. Immediately after he was licensed to preach, he received a call to preach at Kensington, N. H., where they had already heard more than twenty candidates. He was or- dained at that place January 30, 1793, as pastor of the Con- gregational church, then at the age of twenty-nine years. He remained in that place till January 13, 1813, when, his health failing him, he had to ask his resignation. His min- istry was pacific and useful; peace and harmony were re- stored, and the cause of education, morals, and religion was promoted. Upon his resigning his pastoral labors, his health continued such that he devoted himself to agricultural pur- suits. He purchased a farm in Bradford, Vt., where he con- tinued during the remaining forty years of his life, giving up preaching entirely. In due time he united with the Congre- gational church in Bradford, Vt., and, to the day of his death continued a most worthy and exemplary member, highly re- spected by all who knew him. Although an educated man, he was far from being dictatorial or overbearing or fault-find-
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ing, but habitually exhibited that meek, humble, and quiet spirit that manifested itself in all his actions, and which, in, the sight of God, is of great price.
REV. THEOPHILUS PACKARD., D. D., was the son of Abel and Esther (Porter) Packard, and was born in North Bridgewater, Mass., March 4, 1769. When he was five years old, he re moved with his father's family to Cummington, Mass., the west- ern part of the State, where he lived until he entered Dart- mouth College. His early years were spent in working upon his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one he began to fit up a farm for himself; but, by overtasking his bodily powers, he disabled himself in a great degree for that kind of labor. Shortly after this, his mind became deeply exercised on the subject of religion; and at length so far settled that he be. came a member of the church. He began now to meditate the purpose of devoting himself to the Christian ministry; and, with a view to this, commenced his preparation for col- lege under the instruction of his pastor, the Rev. James Briggs. He entered college in 1792, and graduated in 1796. Immediately after his graduation, he commenced the study of theology under the Rev. Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Vt., and at the end of six months was licensed to preach by the Or- ange Association, to which his theological teacher belonged. His first labors, as a minister, were among the churches in the region in which he was licensed. He went to Shelburne, Mass., to preach as a candidate, early in the autumn of 1798. He was ordained on the 20th of February, 1799, the ser- mon being preached by the Rev. John Emerson, of Conway, Mass. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was con- ferred upon him by Dartmouth College in 1824. Dr. Pack- ard continued in sole charge of the church at Shelburne un- til March 12, 1828, when his son Theophilus was ordained as his colleague. The charge was given to the young pastor
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by the Rev. Jonathan Grout, of Hawley, who had performed the same service in connection with his father's ordination twenty-nine years before. From this time the father and son continued to supply the pulpit alternately till February 20, 1842, when Dr. Packard gave notice to his people that he should relinquish all pastoral service, and from that time he never received from them any compensation. He was, how- ever, not dismissed, but retained the pastoral relation till his death. During the fourteen years in which the two were as- sociated in supplying the Shelburne pulpit, they both labored extensively in destitute parishes in the neighborhood, and were instrumental, in several instances, in preparing the way for a stated ministry. Dr. Packard having reached the age of seventy-three, and finding the infirmities of age were rap- dly increasing upon him, went, in the spring of 1846, to live with a widowed daughter in South Deerfield. Here he re- mained four years, but returned to Shelburne in the summer of 1854. His last sermon was preached in Deerfield in No- vember, 1847. He suffered severe injury from a fall upon the ice in the early part of January, 1855, and from that time was confined to his house, and mostly to his bed. He was afflicted by a complication of maladies, from which, during the last few weeks of his life particularly, he experienced intense suffering. He died on the 17th of September, 1855. The Franklin County Church Conference and Benevolent An- niversaries having been appointed to be held on the 18th and 19th, his funeral took the place of the Conference exercises on the afternoon of the 19th, a very large number of minis- ters being in attendance. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, late president of Amherst Col- lege. He was married to Mary, daughter of Isaac Tirrill, of Abington, Mass., February 9, 1800. He had eight children, one of whom, Theophilus, was graduated at Amherst College in 1823, and, as has been already noticed, was associated with
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his father in the ministry. Mrs. Packard was living in 1856. Dr. Packard, in the course of his ministry, instructed thirty- one students * in theology, all of whom became preachers of the gospel.
REV. JONAS PERKINS was the oldest son of Josiah and Anna (Reynolds) Perkins ; was born in the North Parish of Bridge- water, October 15, 1790. At the age of seventeen he com- menced fitting for college at Phillips' Academy, Andover, Mass., having, from the time of his conversion, at the age of ten, a strong desire to devote himself to the ministry of the gospel. He enjoyed the instruction of Rev. Mark Newman and John Adams at the academy, and when examined for ad- mission to Brown University, offered himself as a candidate for advanced standing, and was received as a member of the Sophomore Class. He graduated at this institution with dis- tinguished honor in 1813. He immediately commenced a course of theological studies under the instruction of Rev. Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth, Mass .; was licensed by the Mendon Association October 11, 1814, and was invited to preach as a candidate for the Union Society of Weymouth and Braintree, at the age of twenty-four. After preaching a short time, he received a unanimous call to become their pastor, which call he accepted, and was ordained June 14, 1815. With this society he has labored for forty-six years, prosperous, united, and happy ; and the church under his care has been constantly increasing in numbers. At the annual meeting of the society in 1861, he gave them notice that he should resign his pastoral charge at his seventieth birthday, the 15th of the following October. Accordingly, he preached his fare- well sermon on the Sabbath following that day, and by the mutual consent of pastor and people and approval of a coun- cil, his official connection with them was dissolved. At a * See Packard's " History of Churches and Ministers of Franklin County, Mass."
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meeting of the church and parish, held soon after, the follow- ing resolutions were passed, showing the estimation in which his labors were held by them :-
" Resolved, that we recognize with devout gratitude the goodness of God to this society in preserving the life and continuing the labors of our pastor, Rev. Jona's Perkins, so many years.
" Resolved, that the union and prosperity of this church and people during his pastorate testify to his fidelity and success as a minister of Jesus Christ.
" Resolved, that we tender our heartfelt thanks to him, as the shepherd of this flock, for his constancy and his unwea- ried efforts to promote our spiritual and temporal good.
"Resolved, that while the dissolution of this relation awak- ens many tender and painful emotions, we are comforted and cheered by the thought that he and his beloved companion are to spend the evening of their life with us, and that we shall still enjoy their counsels, the light of their example, and their prayers.
" Resolved, that we assure him and his family of our con- tinued respect and love, and that we fully reciprocate the wish expressed in his farewell discourse, - for a mutual and truly Christian remembrance until death."
REV. ELIPHALET P. CRAFTS is son of Rev. Thomas and Polly (Porter) Crafts ; was born in North Bridgewater, November 23, 1800. At an early age he, with the rest of the family, removed to Middleboro', where he received his early educa- tion; fitted for college with his father ; graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1821; studied theology at the theological school of Cambridge, where he graduated for the ministry. He was first settled at East Bridgewater, in 1828, where he enjoyed a happy ministry for seven years, and was dismissed at his own request. After regaining his
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health, he was installed over the "First Congregational Church and Society " at Sandwich, Mass., in 1839, minister- ing to a harmonious and affectionate people for about fifteen years. Receiving a dismission, at his request, he removed to Lexington, Mass., where he has been engaged in educating young Spanish gentlemen, also supplying vacant pulpits in Lexington and vicinity.
REV. LEVI PACKARD was the son of Levi and Ruth (Snow) Packard, born in North Bridgewater, Mass., February 4, 1793. His early days were spent under the parental roof in the discharge of filial and fraternal duty. At the age of fourteen he became the hopeful subject of renew- ing grace, and was received into the communion of the church in his native town. Here he gave himself up to. God, it is believed, with a "purpose of heart to cleave unto him " which was never relinquished. His thoughts were early turned toward the Christian ministry, and he longed to devote himself to the work of preaching that gospel which he had found so precious; but his circum- stances were unfavorable, and for several years he endured a painful mental conflict on the subject. Still he urged the anxious inquiry, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" cherishing the hope from year to year that the Saviour whom he loved would yet permit him, as an under shep- herd, to feed his lambs. Having at length attained his ma- jority, he felt at liberty to devote the avails of his personal labor to the object which lay nearest his heart, and which years of doubt and difficulty had but rendered more and more dear to him. His preparation for college was retarded by the expedients which he was constrained to adopt for de- fraying its expenses ; but at length, at the age of twenty- eight, his efforts and sacrifices were rewarded, and he grad- uated with the highest honors at Brown University. He
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then continued his theological studies under private instruc- tors, and after having preached temporarily in several places, he was ordained at Spencer, Mass., the 14th day of June, 1826. A ministry of twenty-seven years in that place leaves but little need of any testimony to his personal or official charac- ter. He had learned the truths of the gospel experiment- ally, and he preached them in a corresponding manner. He preached plainly, directly, affectionately, unreservedly, prac- tically. Though he sought not literary distinction, or the gratification of intellectual pride, he was not wanting in orig- inality of thought ; he was not a retailer of other men's ideas ; his sermons were his own, - the fruits of his own inquiry, solemn meditation, and earnest prayer. He shunned no sub- ject on account of its difficulty or its unpopularity, but aimed to declare the whole counsel of God. The cross was ever prominent in the religious instruction which he gave ; yet, while determined not to know anything among his people save Jesus Christ and him crucified, he ever remembered that the object of the Lord's coming was to destroy the works of the Devil, and that the gospel develops and enforces principles and rules of action applicable to all the relations, obligations, and interests of social life. While desirous that every sermon should have a Saviour in it, he endeavored to give each doctrine and precept of revealed religion its place and proportion in the Christian system. Not constitutionally inclined to controversy, he opposed error, not so much by di- rect attack, as by giving his hearers an opportunity to detect it for themselves in the light of the truth which shone upon it. Against every violation of the divine law, whether in the private walks of life, or in the high places of public author- ity, by individuals or communities, he bore his honest and fearless testimony, esteeming it comparatively a light thing to be judged of man's judgment, and mainly anxious to bo free from " the blood of all men," even should his faithfulness
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as a reprover provoke the displeasure of those whose friend- ship he most highly valued, and whom he was most reluctant to offend. At length, he, having received the impression that he could no longer be useful as a pastor, resolved that for their good, he would seek employment in some other vine- yard. His pastoral attachment, however, still survived, making a request " that his last sermon to them should be from his silent lips, and that his dust might lie among those with whom he had taken sweet counsel, and with whom he hoped to meet in the sanctuary above." Mr. Packard was not long allowed to remain idle ; he was dismissed from his peo- ple in Spencer in September, 1853, and was settled over the Congregational church in Woonsocket, R. I., in December of the same year. Here he labored about one year ; from that time he gradually failed, through the withering power of pul- monary disease, until his death, which took place at Stafford Springs, Conn., January 11, 1857. The most remarkable characteristic of Mr. Packard may be designated as honesty. In whatever he said or did, he was sincere, frank, and guile- less. No one could hear him preach without coming to the conclusion that he felt what he said. There was no room for suspicion ; and for simplicity of character he may be consid- ered as a model; and during all his long last sickness says one who was seldom absent from his bed of languishing, " he has given us a bright pattern of patience and quiet submission to his heavenly Father's will."
" Servant of Christ, well done . Praise be thy new employ ; And while eternal ages run, Rest in thy Saviour's joy."
REV. AUSTIN CARY was the son of James and Hannah (Wales) Cary ; born in North Bridgewater October 1, 1809. His early life was marked with amiableness and morality, and as is usual with children of pious parents, he was from his
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early years the subject of serious impressions. The first he distinctly remembered was when he was about seven years old; but, as he advanced in youth, he left the Sabbath- school, as is the dangerous custom of many lads when they begin to approach manhood. From that time, though ex- tremely fond of reading, he neglected the Bible and lost all relish for it. He also, for the pleasure of showing what he could say, and of provoking discussion, allowed himself to ad- vance objections against its divine origin. As the result he became sceptical, and ultimately an atheist, entirely callous to religious impressions. His recovery from this state was peculiar and striking. Returning home late at night, he had fallen asleep in the wagon, as he was wont to do when thus kept abroad by business. His thoughts had not been turned to the subject of God's existence, or any kindred subject, ei- ther then, or for some time before. The night was cloudy. As he awoke and looked on the dim objects about him, a strong and instantaneous impression was on his mind, -" There is a God. He keeps myself and everything in being; he is here, he is everywhere." This sudden and abiding convic- tion he ascribed to the Spirit of God. From that time he be- came the subject of frequent religious impressions. He re-en- tered the Sabbath-school now as a teacher .; but the employ- ment only made him wretched by conscious unfitness. These occasional impressions and periods even of wretchedness he concealed. In this state he continued about two years ; at the end of this time, and near the close of a protracted meet- ing, he finally and forever gave his heart to Christ, and open- ly avowed himself his disciple. Soon after this, in the spring of 1832 and in the twenty-third year of his age, he began fitting for college with the hope of entering the ministry. In 1833 he entered Waterville College, Me., from which, in the Sophomore year, he removed to Amherst, where he grad- uated with honor in 1837. The same year he entered the
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Theological Seminary at East Windsor, Conn., where he com- pleted his theological course in 1840. He soon after received calls from three churches. He accepted that from Sunderland, where he was ordained November 11, 1840. Here he labored with great fidelity and success. He enjoyed two special re- vivals in 1843 and 1849, and one hundred and thirty-six were added to the church during his ministry. In the autumn of 1849 it pleased God to send distressing sickness on all the members of his family, which interrupted his public labors. The last time he preached, he went from the bedside of his wife, then scarcely expected to recover, and preached extem- poraneously from these words : " We all do fade as a leaf." His last public act was on a Sabbath subsequent to his last sermon, when he left his sick family long enough to baptize six children. As his family became slightly better, worn out himself with fatigue and anxiety, he was attacked by hemor- rhage from the lungs, followed by three similar attacks. He became, however, more comfortable, and his physician enter- tained the hope that, after a few months, he might be re- stored to a measure of comfortable health; but a typhoid fever set in, and he died soon after, on Tuesday, November 27, 1849, at ten o'clock, P. M., aged forty years, after a min- istry of nine years .* He was remarkably winning in his manners, speedily securing the interest of a stranger, which was usually increased and consolidated into friendship by further acquaintance. He was always modest and unassum- ing ; he was ardent in his feelings, firm and trustworthy in his friendships ; he was social, frank, and generous, above all shadow of meanness ; he was eminently manly ; and re- markably unselfish. Before experiencing religion, he was becoming more and more absorbed in the love of money ; he was bent upon being rich ; but grace had effected a complete triumph over this ; his heart was not set on property ; money
* Rev. Samuel Harris, of Conway, preached his funeral sermon.
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flowed from him freely for every good object. He was firm in his decisions, and in the least, as well as the greatest, mat- ter, where principle was at stake, absolutely inflexible; and yet he maintained his convictions and carried through his purposes with such suavity that they who yielded to his de- cision seemed almost to suppose that he had yielded to them. He possessed sound judgment and strong common sense. With all his warmth of feeling, he had great self-control ; and few, if any, have seen him thrown off his guard by even a momentary passion. He had immense energy ; and what he undertook he would at all hazards accomplish ; and this, with his scrupulous fidelity, caused any matters pertaining to the interests of the church which were intrusted to him to be done seasonably and thoroughly; and in whatever he undertook, he was almost recklessly unsparing of himself. His own convenience, interests, time, and health seemed literally the last thing he ever thought of. Hence he was led unquestionably to an unjustifiable excess of labor, which the remonstrances of friends were inadequate to re- strain, and which brought him to an untimely end. As a preacher and writer he had ability, as his prize tract on dancing, and his report on the desecration of the Sabbath show. His peculiar characteristic was unction; he was a son of consolation rather than a Boanerges ; a John rather than a Peter. He spoke to the heart; and the peculiar warmth of his soul glowed in his sermons and melted the hearts of his hearers. As a Christian, he was unusually spir- itual. He spoke * of " free and confiding intimacy with God in Christ, and comparing the Christian to a little child fling- ing his arms around his parent's neck, and affectionately whispering his wants in his ear."
As a pastor, he felt an absorbing interest in his people. In his last hours any reference to the interests of the
* At a meeting of conference held at Shelburne a few days before his death.
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church seemed to arouse him when nothing else would. He was one of the most active in forming and executing plans to promote the general interests of the churches in the county; and few men of nine years' standing in the ministry had been called on so many councils, or had so great an influence in them. The following epitaph is on his gravestone : " His uniform Christian deportment, his zeal, fidelity, and success in the cause of Christ, have engraven his memorial imperishably upon the hearts of those who knew him." " Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing."
REV. ZACHARIAH HOWARD was son of Robert and Abigail (Snell) Howard; born in North Bridgewater, May 21, 1758. For a short time he was a soldier in the Revolutionary army ; graduated at Harvard College in 1784; settled in the ministry as successor of Rev. Samuel Dunbar, over the First Church in Stoughton,* 1787, where he died, in 1806, leaving no chil- dren. His widow died at Canton, March 11, 1856, aged ninety- five years.
* That portion of Stoughton where this Church is located was incorporated into a town by the name of Canton, February 23, 1797.
CHAPTER VIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - CONTINUED.
Rev. William Thompson. - Rev. John Goldsbury. - Rev. Paul Couch. - Rev. Na- thaniel B. Blanchard. - Rev. Edward L. Clark. - Rev. Warren Goddard. - Rev. Nathaniel Wales. - Rev. John F. Norton. - Rev. Charles L. Mills. - Rev. Samuel H. Lee. - Rev. Matthew Kingman. - Rev. Abel K. Packard. - Rev. John Dwight. - Rev. D. Temple Packard. - Rev. Charles W. Wood. - Rev. Lysander Dicker- man. - Rev. Zenas P. Wild. - Rev. Azariah B. Wheeler. - Rev. T. B. McNulty. - Dr. Philip Bryant. - Dr. Peter Bryant. - Dr. Luther Cary. - Dr. Issachar Snell. - Dr. Elisha Tillson. - Dr. Ziba Bass. - Dr. Nathan Perry. - Dr. Jona- than P. Crafts. - Dr. Adolphus K. Borden. - Dr. Abel W. Kingman. - Dr. James F. Richards. - Dr. Edgar E. Dean. - Dr. Horatio Bryant. - Dr. Thomas Stock- bridge. - Dr. James Easton. - Dr. Nahum Smith. - Dr. E. R. Wade. - Dr. Hen- ry Eddy. - Dr. James L. Hunt. - Dr. Silas L. Loomis. - Dr. L. C. Loomis. - Lucius Cary, Esq. - Eliab Whitman, Esq. - Jonathan White, Esq. - Jonas R. Perkins, Esq. - Austin Packard, Esq. - Daniel Howard, Esq. - Lucius King- man, Esq. - Caleb Howard, Esq. - Melville Hayward, Esq. - Ellis W. Morton, Esq. - Bradford Kingman, Esq. - Thomas J. Snow. - Frederick Crafts, A. M. - Dea. Heman Packard. - Angustus T. Jones, A. M. - Heman P. De Forrest. - S. D. Hunt.
R EV. WILLIAM THOMPSON came from Connecticut to North Bridgewater, and was ordained September 18, 1833, as pastor of the First Congregational Church, with whom he remained but a short time, owing to pressing calls from the Theological Institute at East Windsor, Conn., where he now resides as Professor of Biblical Literature. He was dismissed by council September 4, 1834.
REV. JOHN GOLDSBURY. (See page 48.)
REV. PAUL COUCH was born in Newburyport, June 21, 1803 ; attended the public schools of his native town till the age of sixteen years, attending ono year in a private acade- my ; entered the Freshman Class in Dartmouth College, N. H., 1820; graduated in 1823; studied three years in the The- ological Seminary at Andover, Mass .; commenced preaching
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