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 3
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ROBERT HOWARD,
HENRY KINGMAN,
JOSHUA WARREN,
JOHN JOHNSON,
JOHN WORMALL,
CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH,
JOHN KINGMAN, 2d,
JAMES PACKARD,
SETH PACKARD, braun
DAVID PACKARD, JOHN KINGMAN, 3d ,
SAMUEL BRETT,
CHARLES SNELL,
WALTER DOWNIE,
JOHN ALLEN,
CHARLES CUSHMAN,
DAVID PACKARD, JR., JOHN DIXON,
NATHANIEL HAMMOND, JAMES BERRET,
WILLIAM PACKARD,
THEOPLIS CURTIS,
BENJAMIN EDSON,
ABIAH KEITH,
WILLIAM CURTIS,
CHARLES BESTWICK,
ISAAC FULLER,
ASHLEY CURTIS,
JOHN PACKARD,
JOSEPH RICHARDS,
EDWARD CURTIS,
MICHAEL LANGFORD,
THOMAS BUCK,
DAVID HILL,
EPHRIM WILLIS,
ISAAC KINGMAN, ZACHEUS PACKARD,
WILLIAM FRINCH, JR., JACOB ALLEN,
JAMES HEWETT, JOSEPHI PETTENGALL, ABIJAH HILL,
DANIEL HOWARD,
ABIEL PACKARD, DANIEL FIELD, JR.,
HUGH MCCORMICK,
AKERMAN PETTINGALL, TIMOTHY KEITH, JR.,
NATHAN KEITH,
ZACHRIAH CARY,
ZACHRY SNELL,
SOLOMON PACKARD,
JOHN PRATT,
WILLIAM FRINCH,
TIMOTHY KEITH.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, June 14, 1738.
Read and ordered that the petitioners sarve the West Precinct in the town of Bridgewater, and also the town of Stoughton, with a Copy of the petition, that thay show Cause (If any they have), on the first Thursday of
1S
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
the setting of the Court, why the prayer thereof should not be granted; and the petition is referred, the meantime, for Consideration.
Sent up for Concurance.
Read and concurrid.
16th Consented to.
J. QUINCY, Spkr. IN COUNCIL, June 15, 1738. J. WILLIARD, Secretary. J. BELCHER. IN COUNCIL, Dec. 1, 1738.
Read again, togather with the answer of the West Precinct, In the town of Bridgewater, and other papers In the Case ; and, the parties being ad- mitted before the Bord, were fully Heard, in their pleas and allegations, thereon ; all which being considered, -
ORDERED, That the prayer of the petition be so far granted as that all the land, with the inhabitants thereon living, half a mile to the northward of an east and west line, from the white oak at Jonathan Packard's corner, to- gether with David Packard, Solomon Packard, and Jacob Allen, inhabitants of the east side of the river, their families and estates, be set off and consti- tuted a distinct and separate parish, and be invested with the poures privileges, and immunitys that all other precincts or parishes wethin this Province do or by law ought to Injoy.
Sent down for concurrence. SIMON FROST, Deputy Secretary.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Dec. 2, 1738. Read and Concurrid.
J. QUINCY, Spkr. January 3. - Consented to.
J. BELCHER.
A true copy. Examined.
SIMON FROST, Deputy Secretary.
This is a true Copy of an etisted copy examined By mc.
ROBERT HOWARD, Parish Clerk.
NOTIFICATION OF FIRST MEETING.
Pursuant to a warrant directed to me from Samuel Pool, one of His Majiistise Justices of the Pees for the County of Plymouth, these are therfore to notify the frecholders and other inhabitants of the North Precinct, in Bridgewater, to assemble and meet together at the meeting-house in said North Precinct, in Bridgewater, on Monday, the fifth day of February Next, at one of the clock in the afternoon, then and there to Elect and chouse all precinct officers that shall be needful for the present year to be chosen. Dated at Bridgewater, Jan. the 19th, 1738-9.
ABIEL PACKARD.
19
THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
Titicut Parish was formed from the southwest part of the South Parish, with a part of Middleboro', Feb. 4, 1743. This place consisted of forty-eight families, forty-ono houses, two hundred and sixty-two inhabitants, in 1764; and, in 1810, it had a population of three hundred and eighteen.
The first meeting held in the North Parish, after the grant of the petition to become a separate parish, was held Feb. 5, 1739, for the purpose of organization and choosing the ne- cessary officers, as appears by the following record : -
feb the 5th ycar 1738-9
" The North Precinct In Bridgewater Being Legally Notifyed meet to Gather at the place and time of Day Spessefied In the Notification and the meeting: was setteled by the Chose of Timothy Keith, Moderator of sd meeting & Robert Haward was chosen Clark of sd meeting, and the Moderator by the. voice of the precinct ajorned the meeting Half one Hourc to the house of John Johnson and Robert Haward was precinct Clark for the present year, and sworn to the faithfull Discharge of his Offise, and Timothy Keith, David Packard, & Daniel Howard, ware Chosen, precinct Commettee, and It was further put to vote whether the precinct would Chuse any more precinct. Offisers and it was voted In the Negetive "
Timothy Keith, Moderator,
ROBERT HAWARD) Precinct Clark. 1739-
2 1 3 1912 39 17
3
1921 1739 8
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CHAPTER III.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Ministry of Rev. John Porter, Rev. Asa Meech, Rev. Daniel Huntington, Rev .. William Thompson, Rev. Paul Couch, Rev. Nathaniel B. Blanchard, Rev. Edward L. Clark.
TN nearly all the early New England towns, the history of the church is a history of the town; and among the first things sought after, was the establishment of the gospel ministry among them. The prayer of the petitioners having been granted so far as to set them off into a separate parish, the next thing was, to see whom they could get to preach to them. For this purpose, a meeting was held, Oct. 8, 1739, "to see if the precinct would vote to have preach- ing three months this winter seson." It being voted in the affirmative, David Packard, John Kingman, and Abiel Packard, were chosen a committee "to Geat a minister to preach to us three months this winter seson." And the committee were also requested "to apply to Mr. Porter, Mr. Howard, or Ephrim Keith," to supply the pulpit for three months.
Monday, March 24, 1740, "it was put to vote to see whether the precinct would vote to have Mr. Porter preach to them three months." "Voted in affirmative." "Samuel Kingman, David Packard, and Timothy Keith, were chosen a committee to go to Mr. Porter to see whether he would suply the pulpet for the three months." What the result of their interview was with him does not appear on record. We judge, however, that an invitation to settle as a perma- nent preacher was more agreeable, as a meeting was called
20
21
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
soon after, on the 21st of April, by the same committee, "to see if the sd precinct can agree to give Mr. Jolin Porter a Call to be an orDained minister of the gospel for sd pre- cinct; also to see what Grattess the precinct will agree to give said Mr. Porter, for Incouragement for to Settell among us; also what we can agree to pay unto Mr. Porter as a yearly salary."
At this meeting, it was " voted to Give Mr. John Porter a Call to be their minister ; " also, " voted to Give him two hun- dred pounds as a Grattess for Incuragement to settell among us, and give him one Hundred and ten pounds per year, as a yearly salary, During the time he shall be our minister."
The committee appointed "to discorse with Mr. Porter upon the above mentioned premises " were Samuel Kingman, David Packard, Timothy Keith, Daniel Howard, and Samuel West.
Aug. 4, 1740, "voted one Hundred pounds additional money as Grattess, making Three Hundred pounds, beside an addi- tion of five pounds per year for four years, and then ten pounds per year for five years, and then to stand at one Hun- dred and Eighty pounds per year; to be paid in yearly, in any passable money, at the Reat of silver at Twenty Eight Shillings per ounce ; and so his salary to Rise and fall, as the price of silver Doth, Durind the time that he shall be our minister."
Aug. 25, 1740, " voted to chuse Samuel Kingman, David Packard, and James Packard, a committee to Give Mr. Porter a Call in behalf of the precinct;" also voted that the 18th of September should be kept as a day of fasting and prayer, before the ordaining of Mr. John Porter.
The call, as presented to Mr. Porter, is as follows, together with his acceptance of the same : ----
MR. PORTER : Sinee it hath pleased God to favor us with your labors amongst us for several months past, it has been to our general acceptance ;
22
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
and we have unanimously agreed to give you a call to take the pastoral charge of us, and hope that the same God who has made your labors so satisfactory to us will incline your heart to accept, convincing you that it is a call from him as well as us ; and, withall, we promise to make It our prayer to the Great God for you that he should furnish you with all ministerial gifts and graces for the work of the ministry and edifying of the body of Christ among us, and that we will ever honor and obey you when you shall become ours in the Lord. These are therfore to certify you, that at a meeting legally warned, the preeinet did, by a full and clear vote, give you a call to the ministry among us ; and for your further encouragement, did vote 300 Pounds for a settlement ; and for the pursuant year, one hundred and ten pounds for your salary ; and then to advance five pounds pr. year, four years, and then ten pounds pr. year five years, and then to stand yearly at one hun- dred and Eighty pounds per year, to be paid in yearly, in any passablo money, at the rate of silver at 28 shillings pr. ounce ; and so your salary to rise and fall, as the price of silver doth, during the time you shall be our minister.
Dated at Bridgewater, North Precinet,
SAMUEL KINGMAN,
DAVID KEITHI,
Aug. the 25th, 1740.
JAMES PACKARD,
Precinct Committee to give Mr. Porter a call In behalf of the precinct.
ANSWER,
To be communicated to the North Precinct in Bridgewater, given the 25th of Aug., 1740.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS : Inasmuch as it has pleased the Sovereign God, who has all hearts in his hand, and can turn them as the rivers of water are turned, so to incline and Unite you of this Place as to give me an invitation to settle among you in the work of the gospel ministry, though unworthy yet, Apprehending it to be the call of Christ, whose I am, and whom I ought to serve, I accept your call, and I trust I do it with due and becoming reverence and cheerfulness.
Brethren and Friends : Further I desire to express all due gratitude to you for your love and respect shown me in the various instances of it, and I pray God to continue it ; and you yet to manifest it in every regard, and as the gospel requires and acknowledge that those that preach the gospel, should live of the gospel ; so I shall expect an handsome and honorable maintenance from you so long as I shall sojourn among you as your pastor. But, above all, I shall expeet and request you to be constant, carnest, and incessant at the throne of grace for me, that God would give me grace to serve him cheerfully and faithfully, in the great and difficult work I am now about to engage in, that so I may finish my corse with joy, and, in the day of Christ's appcaring and kingdom, may have many of you of my charge as a scal of my ministry, that so then together we may receive a crown of glory which shall never fade away.
I subscribe myself yours to serve in the Lord,
JOHN PORTER.
23
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Agreeably to the above call and acceptance, the Rev. Mr. Porter was ordained as pastor of the Fourth Church in Bridgewater, Oct. 15, 1740. *
The following is the covenant which the church adopted as the basis of their union : -
We whose names are underwritten, the most of whom have been members of the first church of Christ in Bridgewater, having now, as we conceive, a call from God to embody a distinct church by ourselves, according to gospel order, and as our particular circumstances require ; do, upon this solemn occasion, think it our duty, and therefore agree, to renew the covenant which our fathers made, both with God and with one another, under a hum- bling sense of our violations of past covenant engagements, adding hearty prayers that our past sins may be forgiven, and that we may have the help of the Holy Spirit, to enable us to keep that covenant with God, wherein we solemnly engage, as follows : Ist. That we will take the Lord Jehovah to be our God, by a free choice of him, a firm dependence on him, and satisfaction in him, as our chief good, renouncing all other interest what- ever. 2d. That we will cleave to the Holy Scriptures as our only rule of faith and obedience. 3d. That we will acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ in his threefold office, as our Prophet, Priest, and King; particularly in his kingly government ; that all his laws and ordinances may be upheld by us in the purity and power of them ; that an able and faithful ministry be encouraged and continued among us; that in all the administrations of the house of God, we will have a due regard to the power of office belonging to the ministry, and the privileges belonging to the brethren, as to judgment and consent. That we will endeavor faithfully to observe the rules of purity, in respect to the visible qualifications of those we admit to communion with us, that the table of the Lord be not polluted, - that they be such as have a competent understanding of the mysteries of Godliness, and of a well- ordered conversation, and who, upon examination, hold forth repentance from dead works, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We will eonscien- tiously observe the rules of discipline which Christ hath prescribed, that the temple of God be not defiled ; will see that church censure be faithfully dispensed to such as are full communicants, and to the children of the cov- enant. The adult in church relation (though not yet admitted to full communion), walking orderly, and waiting upon God to prepare them for the full enjoyment of him in all his ordinances, shall (at their desire) have the initiating seal of baptism administered to their children, and they themselves shall be encouraged and excited to follow the Lord in all the ways of his appointment; and when they offer themselves to join with the church, shall be examined respecting their proficiency, under the means,
* David Packard provided for the ordination, for which he had twenty-nine pounds and ten shillings.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER ..
and hold forth such evidencees of the grace of God as may be required to make their communion comfortable. 4th. We will walk in Love one to- ward another, endeavoring to keep tho unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace, that there be no schism or rent in the body of Christ.
5th. In all difficult cases, we will apply to neighboring ministers and churches of Christ for counsel.
6th. We will walk with God in our houses with a perfect heart, duly attending on family worship and government, in the faithful discharge of relative duties, endeavoring that true religion may be propagated to pos- terity, that our God may be our children's God after us. 7th. We will bear our testimony against the growing sins of the times, and of this place ; and it shall be our endeavor, that the work of reformation in all parts of it be carried on among us. 8th. As we have opportunity, we will seek the good of one another, and so the good of all men, both with respect to spir- ituals and temporals. 9th. It shall be our endeavor to stand complete in all the will of God, -to eleave to the Lord and one another through all adversity. All this we do sincerely and solemnly engage in the sight of God, men, and angels, in a humble dependence of faith upon the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, for our acceptance with God, and on the power of his spirit and grace to work all our works in us and for us ; and, finally, to perfeet all that concerns us to the praise of his glory. Adopted, Sept. 18th, 1740.
1. Timothy Keith,
14. Nathaniel Hammond,
2. David Packard,
15. Hannah Keith,
3. James Packard,
16. Hannah Packard,
4. Zacheus Packard,
17. Jemima Packard,
5. Samuel West,
18. Mercy Packard,
6. Abiel Packard,
19. Lydia Packard,
7. John Kingman,
20. Sarah Packard,
9. Seth Packard,
22. Jane Warren,
10. Caleb Phillips,
23. Mercy Packard,
11. Isaac Fuller,
24. Hannah Phillips,
12. Zachariah Cary,
13. John Johnson,
21. Rebecca Kingman,
8. Joshua Warren,
25. Sarah Fuller.
Rev. Mr. Porter was a man of very respectable talent, distinguished for his prudence, fidelity, exemplary life, and holy conversation. The great doctrines of the gospel were prominent in all his preaching; and a crucified Redeemer was a theme on which he delighted to dwell with peculiar earnestness, interest, and satisfaction. He continued to preach to this society for sixty years, when, feeling weary with many years of service in the vineyard of the Lord,
25
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
and feeling the infirmities of age creeping upon him, he called for aid to assist him in his ministerial labors. To this claim the church and society readily assented, as appears by the following vote : April 21, 1800, " Voted, To chuse a committee of seven to look up sum suitable Person or Per- sons to assist Rev. Mr. Porter." Capt. Jesse Perkins, Dea. David Edson, Daniel Cary, Moses Cary, Daniel Howard, Esq., Dea. Eliphalet Packard, Lt. Caleb Howard, were chosen as said committee. This committee found a man in the per- son of Asa Meech, who preached to them as a candidate until, at a meeting held Aug. 18, 1800, " Voted, that thurs- day the twenty-Eighth day of August be held as a day of Fasting and prayer for directions in settling a colleague with Mr. Porter, and also to apply to Mr. W. Reed, and Mr. Gurney to preach on that occasion."
Also, " Voted that the parish committee request Mr. Meech to supply the pulpit further."
MINISTRY OF REV. ASA MEECH.
Sept. 1, 1800, " Voted to give Rev. Asa Meech a call." Also, "Voted to choose a committee of seven to Report a plan for the settlement of Mr. Meech, which consisted of the following persons : Capt. Jesse Perkins, Matthew Kingman, Deacon E. Packard, Capt. Abel Kingman, Capt. William French, Ichabod Howard, Lieut. Caleb Howard," who subse- quently reported a plan as follows ; namely, "That he be our minister until two thirds of the legal voters of the parish are dissatisfied with him, and then to be dismissed by giving him a years notice. Also he having the same privilege to leave the people when he thinks proper he giving them a years notice." Also, "that the Said parish pay him four Hundred Dollars for the first five years; and after the expiration of the five first years, Three Hundred and thirty four dollars a year,
26
HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
so long as he continues our minister." The above Report was accepted, and it was " Voted the above committee pre- sent Mr. A. Meech with the call of the parish to the work of the ministry," which is as follows: -
To MR. ASA MEECH, Candidate for the Sacred ministry now residing in this place.
SIR, Whereas our aged and beloved pastor has requested the settlement of an assistant with him in the work of the Sacred Ministry. And as we are very desirous of a continuance of the regular Administration of Gospel ordinances among us- And having experience of your good abilities as a Gospel Preacher and such good evidence of your good moral character as gives us great satisfaction, Therefore we the members of the fourth church and congregation of the Christian Society in Bridgewater do hereby invite you with a Solemn call to Settle with us as a colleague pastor with the Rev. John Porter. That you may be more particularly informed of the doings of the Parish in this, a committee consisting of the following named gentle- men, viz. Captain Jesse Perkins, Matthew Kingman, Lieut. Caleb Howard, Dea. E. Packard, Capt. Abel Kingman, Capt. Wm. French, Ichabod How- ard, will wait on you with the vote of the parish respecting the encourag- ment they offer you, as an inducement to Settle with us in the Sacred Min- istry, and give you such other information as you may desire. Your answer is requested as soon as may be consistent with a full deliberation on so solemn and such an important subject.
DANIEL CARY, Parish Clerk.
The North Church in Bridgewater met this day [Sept. 20, 1800], and proceeded to hear the answer of Rev. Asa Meech.
BRIDGEWATER, Sept. 23, 1800.
TO THE FOURTH CHURCH AND CONGREGATION of the Christian Society in Bridgewater. Whereas you have given me an invitation and Solemn call to settle with you in the Gospel Ministry as a Colleague Pastor with the Rev. John Porter, Having looked to God by prayer for his most gracious direction and having consulted my friends and fathers in the ministry, And after mature deliberation on the Subject, I trust and hope that a door is opened in divine providence for my usefulness in this place. This is there- fore to manifest my acceptance of your call and my willingness to be em- ployed in performing the important office and duties of the Christian ministry among you so long as God shall open the way by harmonizing our minds and give me grace wisdom and strength. And while I commit all to the great head of the Church may Grace, mercy, and peace be multi- plied, to us abundantly from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
ASA MEECE.
27
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Sept. 29, 1800, " Voted that the ordination of Rev. Asa Meech be on the fifteenth day of October next." * ...
Mr. Meech + was ordained as a colleague pastor with Mr. Porter, Oct. 15, 1800, and continued to preach till the death of Mr. Porter, which took place March 12, 1802, in the eighty- seventh year of his age, and sixty-second of his ministry. He continued his labors after the death of Mr. Porter, until, early in 1811, he was requested to resign, and was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical Council for that purpose. His farewell sermon was preached Dec. 1, 1811.
His ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Lemuel Tyler, A. M., Pastor of the first church in Preston, Mass., from text, Titus i. 9: "Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." Which was a very able discourse upon the necessity of gospel ministrations, the qualifications of ministers, or what gospel ministers should do to promote, and must do to secure, peace and promote good order in the church; also on the doctrine of election, justification, and revelation, and
* At this meeting a committee of three were chosen to make provision for the Council ; namely, Capt. Jesse Perkins, Daniel Cary, and Capt. Howard Cary, who were provided for by Mr. Daniel Cary, at an expense of $165.58.
t Rev. Asa Meech was son of Thomas Meech, born in Boston, April 20, 1775. He was not a college-educated man, but in 1807 received an honorary degree fiom Brown University. He was approved as a candidate for the ministry by the New London County Association, in May, 1799, was ordained at North Bridgewater, Oct. 15, 1800, and dismissed in 1811; from thence he removed to Canterbury, Conn., and was installed Oct. 28, 1812, where he remained till the spring of 1822, preaching his farewell sermon May 5th. Here his ministry was not only useful in increasing the number of the church, but by establishing its faith and order. To- wards the close of his pastorate, however, a feeling of personal opposition arose which rendered his removal expedient. He emigrated to Canada, where he pur- chased a farm near Hull, and employed himself thenceforth in its cultivation, preaching at times, as opportunity was offered. He died Feb. 22, 1849, at the age of seventy-four. He had published three sermons, - one of which was that on leaving Canterbury.
He married (1st) Mary DeWitt of Norwich, April 29, 1802, (2d), Maria DeWitt Nov., 1809, (3d), Margaret Dockstader, Nov. 7, 1822, and had by the thrce wives twenty-one children, the survivors of whom now reside in Canada.
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HISTORY OF NORTH BRIDGEWATER.
the divinity of the Holy Ghost. He then goes on, giv- ing a short exhortation to the pastor, and then to the peo- ple. *
MINISTRY OF REV. DANIEL HUNTINGTON.
For a third time this society were called to settle a pastor. Their next minister was Rev. Daniel Huntington, who came from New London, Conn., to North Bridgewater, early in the spring of 1812 ; and after preaching a few weeks, re- ceived a unanimous call to become their pastor. The follow- ing are some of the votes passed at the legal meetings of the society : -
At a meeting held Dec. 23, 1811, it was "Voted that thursday the 19th day of December be kept a Day of fasting and prayer for Divine Direction to a parson to settle with us - in the work of the ministry, and that the parish com- mittee apply to Dr John Reed, Rev Mr Strong, and Rev Mr Sheldon to assist, and that the committee provide for them."
March 23, 1812, " Voted to choose a Committee of Seven men to procure a candidate or candidates to supply the pul- pit, and made choice of Gideon Howard Esq, Howard Cary Esq, Dea Ichabod Howard, Abel Kingman Esq, Dea David Edson, Caleb Howard Esq, and Capt Zachariah Gurney."
A meeting was held July 13, 1812, "To see if the Parish are united in Mr Daniel Huntington as a preacher of the . Gospell," it was " voted unanimously in favor of Mr Daniel Huntington," " and to use means to procure him to supply the pulpit preparatory to a settlement." "Voted that the Committee already chosen to perform that Duty use their discretion either to apply personally or by letter."
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