USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lowell > History of Pawtucket Church and Society : with reminiscences of pastors and founders, sketches of Congregational churches in Lowell, and a brief outline of Congregationalism > Part 10
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Tradition furnishes a little anecdote in regard to this reverend gentleman and we have no doubt but it is true, as it was related to us by one of his descendants, William Parker, Esq., of Suncook, N. H., now deceased. It appears that he had a negro servant whose name was Cæsar, the same person who is supposed to have discovered Cæsar Spring, so called, on land then belonging to the " ministree." Cæsar was in the habit of fishing through the ice in the brook near the house where they lived. One day he set his hook and then went off into the woods. While he was gone it so happened that Mr. Parker caught a rat, and for the purpose of having a little joke on the dignified Cæsar, went down to the brook and placed it on the fish-hook, which he then sunk as Cæsar had left it. When Cæsar returned, he discovered the rat caught by the mouth as though it had been an inhabitant of the water; he held it up for a while by the line, occasionally looking towards the house to see if the minister saw him. Finally he took off the rat and set his hook
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as before. He made no mention of the circum- stance, and for the purpose of bantering him a little, Mr. Parker inquired in the evening if he had caught anything. " Yes, sah." "What did you
catch ?" "O, suthin nudder." " A pickerel, of
course ?" " No, sah." "A perch ?" "No, sah." " What could it be, then ?" " A minister, I reckon," replied Cæsar, "he had a black coat on."
It is also related that Mr. Parker was a musician and played the clarionet. Sometimes he would sit in his doorway on a summer's evening and play, while the Indians would answer him along the banks of the Merrimack.
Allen's History of Chelmsford says of the ordi- nation of Rev. Ebenezer Bridge in that town, May 20, 1741: "The Rev. Mr. Parker, of Dracut, made the introductory prayer; Rev. William Welstead, of Boston, preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Hancock, of Lexington, gave the charge; and Rev. Mr. Baxter extended the right hand of fellowship."
From all that we are able to learn of Mr. Parker's life and labors in Dracut, we are brought to the con- clusion that he was a sound, able and faithful minis- ter and a courteous, agreeable and useful citizen.
REV. JONAS COLBURN AND MR. STEPHEN COBURN.
Rev. Jonas Colburn was born in Dracut, October 25, 1789. He was an agriculturalist in early life, having labored upon the paternal farm. He began study, with a view to entering college, at Groton
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Academy, where he remained for some time, but finally went to Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass. In due time he entered Middlebury College, where he graduated with much honor in 1817, taking the rank of fourth scholar of his class. At commence- ment he delivered a Greek poem, his theme being " The Battle of Waterloo," which then had recently been fought.
After his graduation he entered Andover Theo- logical Seminary, where he finished his course in 1820. He soon afterwards spent a year in western New York, then quite a new country, as itinerant missionary. In 1823 he settled in Leverett, Mass., where he remained until 1832. He then had a call to settle in Stoneham, Mass., which he accepted ; and he remained there during a period of five years. He then settled in Wells, Me. While there his whole ministry was eminently productive of good, and some sixty persons were converted by his preaching. After about eight years' labor in this field he resigned his charge, on account of feeble health, and ceased to be a settled pastor. He left Maine in 1845, and resided in Amherst, Mass., until 1851. The remainder of his life, until 1859 or 1860, was mostly passed in Saxonville and Framingham, Mass., where he was accustomed to preach as much as his health permitted.
We are informed that Mr. Colburn was a man of strong mind and ripe scholarship, an earnest and powerful preacher of the gospel, a kind husband and an indulgent father. He was an exemplary christian, quiet, gentle and affectionate in his man- ner, and greatly beloved by all who knew him.
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He married Miss Mary Brown, of Framingham, and had one son who became an Episcopal clergyman. We had but a slight acquaintance with either the father or the son. About the year 1868 the latter (Rev. William B. Colburn) was officiating in the old Episcopal parish, St. Andrews's, in Bloom- field, Connecticut, which position he had then occu- pied for about two years. For some four years before his death, Mr. Jonas Colburn was too feeble to preach and passed considerable of his time with Mr. and Mrs. George S. Coburn, of Dracut. While here, and while his health would permit, he was much interested in gathering historical and legen- dary matter respecting the town of Dracut, some of which was published in the papers at that time. He also prepared an interesting biographical sketch of the late Gen. Joseph B. Varnum, and read it at one of the regular meetings of the Ladies' Sew- ing Circle of the Pawtucket Church. We think his last public discourse was preached in the same church in Dracut, about a year before his death, which occurred November 19, 1862, at which time he was sixty-five years of age.
George S. Coburn, above-named, was a nephew of Rev. Jonas Colburn, and resides on the same farm where Mr. Colburn was born and passed his early life. The names Colburn and Coburn were originally one and the same, and among members of the same family some prefer to spell it one way and some the other.
Stephen Coburn, brother of Rev. Jonas Colburn, was born in Dracut, March 4, 1798. Having pre- pared himself for college at Pelham, N. H., and at
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Andover, he entered Middlebury in 1815, and grad- uated in 1819. He entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, where he remained a short time, but made teaching his business for some years, having taught in Tyngsborough and Bangor, Me., but prin- cipally in the High School at Ipswich, Mass. In 1827 he commenced the drug business in Ipswich. In 1832 he was appointed postmaster of that place, which office he held until May, 1861. He married Lucy B., daughter of Asa Smith.
PARKER VARNUM.
Parker Varnum, one of the originators of the Pawtucket Church and Society, was a son of John and Phebe (Parker) Varnum, and was born in Dra- cut, Massachusetts, February 6, 1747, O. S., and died December 18, 1824. He was twice married. His first wife was Dorcas Brown, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, to whom he was married March 31, 1772. She was born March 31, 1754, and died April 29, 1800.
He married for his second wife, Abiol Osgood, of Andover, Massachusetts, November 24, 1801. She was born December 24, 1747, O. S., and died Sep- tember 18, 1825.
Mr. Varnum was the father of fifteen children, six boys and nine girls, all by his first wife.
When the citizens residing in the westerly part of the town of Dracut (including about one-half of the township) withdrew from the original church and established what is now called the Pawtucket
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Church and Society, in 1797, Mr. Varnum's name stood at the the head of the petition to the Legisla- ture for permission to establish another Church, and is the first person named in the act of incorpora- tion .* He was untiring in his labors to establish this church and was elected one of the deacons, November 19, 1819.
Mr. Varnum was an extensive farmer for his time, being the owner of several hundred acres of land. He was a man of broad mind, progressive in his habits, liberal in the support of all public and private enterprises. He was Justice of the Peace, and a sort of " Trial Justice," and arbitrator, in all matters of disagreement, for many miles around. It was said of him, however, that more cases were settled by mutual consent, that came before him, than were tried, and the name of "Peace- maker " was universally and very appropriately applied to him. He had a wonderfully happy fac- ulty of restoring peace and good feeling between persons at variance, so that both parties, in many cases, went home reconciled and satisfied.
When the Pawtucket Church was first estab- lished it drew heavily upon the Society to pay for a house of worship and supply the pulpit, and it was not until 1821 that a settled minister could be afforded. We have many times heard those persons who knew him say that during all this time the house of "'Squire Parker Varnum " was open for the entertainment of ministers who were employed as stated supply, free of expense.
* See special laws, 1797.
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The following brief sketch of Mr. Varnum, writ- ten at our request, by one of his grandchildren, Mrs. Sarah B. Eaton, is only a just and truthful delineation of the character of a good man, who during a long life furnished an example well worthy of imitation by those who follow him.
Parker Varnum owned a large landed estate in Dracut (now Lowell), and like his English ancestors, who came to America in 1664, he was a farmer. He was generous, hospitable, and public spirited. To the unfortunate, who solicited advice or pecuniary aid, he turned not a deaf ear. Emphatically he was the "noblest work of God "-an honest man. This is a true patent of nobility, superior to that often bestowed on their kneeling subjects by crowned monarchs. He was a religious man, always acting from a sense of duty. Position, wealth, education, accomplishments, were to him nothing in com- parison to honesty. Charitable and kind to the erring, gentle and loving to his family and friends, he gained the respect and good-will of all.
My mother and aunts have often told me the story of his pity for a poor slave girl, who fled from her tyrannical master and sought conceal- ment at grandfather's house. He took her to his large granary, filled with hogsheads of grain. Inverting an empty hogshead and strewing the top with rye, she was placed beneath it. In one hand she held a sharp knife, with which, she said, to take her life rather than be taken by her owner. Mr. Ayres, her master, was informed she was hidden about the premises, and looked diligently for her, passing his hand through the grain in several of the casks; he did not find her, and left. Shortly after, the Emancipation Act was passed by Massachusetts (the constitution adopted 1780), and Phyllis, till her death, was an important member of grandfather's family. She refused wages, but all her wants were amply supplied. As a child I liked to watch her card, spin and weave wool. She always attended church on Sundays. The only time she was cross to the grandchildren was when we came home and could not remember the text from which the sermon was preached.
My mother told me, also, of grandfather's care for others, as manifested in his efforts to save lives. During the winter, persons would cross the Merrimack River on ice so thin as to be dangerous. At night catastrophes were not uncommon. In the dark, silent hours shrieks for aid would be heard. Grandfather, quickly aroused, called his men to come, with ropes and other appliances, to the rescue of suffering humanity.
His hospitality was appreciated far and near. Ordinations, near the close of the last century and early in the present, were largely attended. The professors and students at Andover found it convenient, going and returning, to stop at 'Squire Varnum's and partake of a generous meal, and have a pleas- ant chat with his large family. He was father of only fifteen children.
Still another instance I will narrate of his kindness. One of my aunts, a little girl, playing outside near the front door, was accosted by an equestrian
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with the question, "Is this a public house ?" She answered, "Yes." Hle alighted, ordered one of my uncles to give his horse grain and himself a dinner. Grandfather suggested his dining with the family; he did so, but asked in a peremptory way for the various viands. Dinner over, he asked for his bill. On being told there was none, he was covered with confusion. " Is not this a public house ?" he inquired; " that little girl told me it was."
Grandfather was the oldest justice of the peace on that side of the river, and married a great many couples. He was selectman and owner of a fish- ing right on the Falls. He was active in his efforts to have a bridge over the Merrimack River, at the Falls, and owned many shares.
JAMES VARNUM.
Colonel James Varnum was one of the origina- tors of the Pawtucket Church, at the time it was established at Pawtucket Bridge (as the locality was then called), and was one of its principal supporters during its infancy, being one of its incorporators and giving the land on which that church edifice was built and now stands. For many years Colonel Varnum took a great interest in this Society, con- tributing liberally for its establishment, and also for the support of preaching after its separation from the original church. Mr. Varnum, like his brother, Parker Varnum, was a large land-owner in this vicinity, and had ample means at his disposal, which he freely used for religious purposes, al- though he made no public profession and belonged to no church.
At the first meeting of the Society, after its in- corporation, July 6, 1797, Colonel Varnum was elected moderator (?) and was its first treasurer.
At the time of his death, which occurred Decem- ber 2, 1832, an interesting sketch of his life appear- ed in the Lowell Daily Journal (of December 8, 1832), which has since been published in the New
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England Historical and Genealogical Register .* It seems fitting, he being one of the principal founders and pillars of this Society, that a brief sketch of his life should appear in this history.
ANOTHER REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER GONE .- Died, at his residence in Dracut, on Sunday, the 2d inst. (1832), Colonel James Varnum, aged eighty- five years. Colonel Varnum was born September 18, 1747. The early part of his life was spent in his father's family, in the business of farming. By his own exertion (for at that time there was very little opportunity to ac- quire an education) he succeeded in getting a tolerably good common school education, which, added to his never-tiring perseverance, enabled him to support his dignity in all the various situations of life, which he was called to fill. In the twenty-eighth year of his age (1775), when the alarm was first given at Lexington, he volunteered his services and marched to that place, pursued the enemy to Cambridge, where he remained a few weeks, and then joined the Continental Army. He was soon afterwards appointed a Lieu- tenant, and remained in the army till the year 1780, when the Commander- in-Chief gave him leave to retire with an honorable discharge. His commis- sion was signed by John Hancock. In 1776 he was appointed a Captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel Michael Jackson; John Brooks, late Governor of Massachusetts, Lieutenant-Colonel. He served in that regi- ment till 1780. His commission of Captain was signed by George Wash- ington. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill, the battle of White Plains, at Saratoga, when Burgoyne surrendered, and at the battles of Monmouth and Trenton.
It was near the latter place, where he was engag- ed in one of the most daring expeditions achieved during the Revolutionary War. We give the par- ticulars, as nearly as our memory serves us, as he frequently related them.
A Captain -,, with thirty men, was detached to remove the plank and stringers of a bridge and throw them into the river, to prevent the British army, then rapidly approaching the town, from crossing the river by that bridge. Captain refused to perform the duty, saying that it was im- possible to do it without being lost, as the British
*Volume 5, page 81.
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were then on the march and in sight, on a hill about three miles distant. Colonel Varnum volunteered his services to attempt to perform it, provided he could be allowed his full company of sixty-four in number. The officer who was sent with the order observed to him that thirty men were better than more, to be cut to pieces ; said he, "I have it from Washington's own mouth." Under these discour- aging circumstances, with thirty men, he set out on the expedition, not, however, until he got the most solemn assurance from his men that they would stand or fall with him. Arrived at the bridge they commenced their work, and performed it with such dispatch that when the British cavalry arrived in sight on the opposite shore, they were engaged in throwing off the last stringer. They, however, suc- ceeded in removing it, turned their backs upon the enemy and made the best of their way back to the American army, under a shower of balls from the cavalry, without the loss of but one soldier, who by an acccident fell into the river and was drowned.
On leaving the army, Colonel Varnum returned to his native place, and continued on his farm until he was called upon to assist in quelling that domes- tic insurrection known by the name of "Shays' Re- bellion." He at that time commanded a company in the militia of the Commonwealth, which he marched to the principal scene of the insurrection. As soon as tranquility was restored he again re- turned to private life, in which he continued to the time of his death, engaged in his favorite em- ployment on his farm, and enjoying in his manhood and old age the fruits of his youthful labors. He
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was firmly attached to the Constitution of the United States, and considered that instrument a noble offspring of our revolutionary struggle. In private life Colonel Varnum was an affectionate and indulgent parent, a kind husband, a valuable citizen, and a friend to good order, morality and re- ligion. Few men, perhaps, can be found who pos- sess as many virtues as he did. He was the pattern of industry, economy and temperance; and by a strict regard to those virtues, he was permitted to enjoy the use of his limbs and mental faculties, al- most perfectly, to the last moments of his existence.
Colonel Varnum was thrice married. His first wife was Prudence Hildreth (a sister of General William Hildreth), of Dracut, who died early, leav- ing one daughter, Prudence, who married Benjamin Gale, of Concord, N. H. Mr. Varnum remained a widower for seventeen years, and then married Eleanor Bridges, of Andover, February 12, 1793, by whom he had two children, one of whom died young. The mother died February 22, 1801, in the forty-second year of her age. He then married Martha McAdams, of Greenfield, N. H., widow of Capt. Hugh McAdams. She died December 17, 1800, aged forty-three years.
DEA. JEREMIAH VARNUM .*
Dea. Jeremiah Varnum of Lowell was born March 10, 1794, and died of paralysis April 18, 1876, and was therefore 82 years of age at the time of his de- cease. Mr. Varnum was a native of Dracut, and
* The sketch which follows is substantially the same as that given in Vox Populi of May 3, 1876.
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always resided there until 1874, when that part of the town where he lived (on Varnum Avenue) was annexed to Lowell. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Atkinson) Varnum, and was one of the imme- diate descendants of Samuel Varnum, who came to America in 1636, and settled first at Ipswich, then at Middlesex Village in Chelmsford, and afterwards bought land of the Indians on the north side of the Merrimack River and called the place Dracut, as tradition says, from his native town in England. Mr. Varnum was born on the identical spot where the bullet-proof house is supposed to have been erected by the first settler, about the year 1664, and owned a portion of the land at the time of his death originally purchased of the Indians, it having always remained in the family. The first white child born in Dracut (Joseph Varnum) was also born in the same locality. The deceased assisted in erect- ing the first mills when Lowell was begun, and he frequently described with great interest the appear- ance of the territory where our city stands fifty or sixty years ago, giving also many detailed accounts of the prominent men engaged in the early devel- opment of cotton manufacturing at this place. He also gave interesting descriptions of Lowell in its various stages of growth and progress from its in- fancy to the time of his death, and furnished many facts and incidents of local importance in connec- tion with his native town.
Mr. Varnum never aspired to official honors and seldom held any political office, but he was a bold and earnest christian, and was most emphatically " instant in season and out of season " in all things
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relating to the Great Master's work. He joined the Pawtucket Church in June, 1828, while that society was under the Presbyterian form of government and at the time the Rev. Sylvester G. Pierce was pastor. In August, 1831, he was elected elder and officiated in that capacity and as deacon (after the society adopted the Congregational order) for more than twenty-seven years. He made the Bible a constant study, and few persons were more familiar with its teaching than was Mr. Varnum. His relig- ion was not of the passive kind, and he seldom omitted an opportunity to impress upon those he met, strangers not excepted, the importance of a personal religion and preparation for the future life. . He was a man of great vigor and took a cheerful view of life and enjoyed almost perfect health until about four weeks previous to his decease, when he was struck down with paralysis. Mr. Varnum was married March 5, 1822, to Mehitable Ford, daughter
of Timothy Ford of Hudson, N. H. He left a family consisting of a widow and four children. His only son, A. C. Varnum, is a practicing lawyer of this city. One daughter married Rufus B. Whitney, another John M. Coburn, and another Dr. J. J. Colton, all of Lowell. The funeral of Mr. Varnum transpired at his residence on Friday, the 21st; and although the weather was unfavorable, a large concourse of people assembled. The services were conducted by Rev. J. A. Bates, and the general management was in charge of Mr. Horatio C. Marshall. The pall bearers were Willard Coburn, Atis Ansart, Thomas D. Underwood, Abel Ansart, William H. H. Durkee and R. W. Sawyer.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF THE
Congregational Churches of Lowell.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
A pleasant and interesting sketch of the First Congregational Church is contained in an historical address delivered by Rev. Smith Baker, the present- pastor, on the occasion of the semi-centennial anni- versary of that church and society, which occurred June 6, 1876. This address (from which this sketch is mainly taken) contains facts and dates up to that time. For subsequent data (including the important period during which the society was engaged in erecting a new and elegant church edifice) we are indebted to Andrew Liddell, Esq., for many years clerk of the church.
On Thursday, the 7th of January, 1824, at eight o'clock in the evening, three men, Congregational laymen-William Davidson, James M. King and Nathaniel Holmes-met at No. 21 Merrimack Corpo- ration. They were carpenters, who had come to the then new settlement of what is now Lowell, and found employment on the Merrimack Corporation.
There was then no church or established relig- ious meeting in the place, though there had been an
FIRST CONEL CHURCH
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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occasional prayer meeting and now and then preach- ing by some minister in a private house.
These brethren, after singing a hymn, reading the scriptures and prayer, discussed the spiritual needs of the rapidly increasing population, and it was decided to establish a Saturday evening prayer meeting, and to have the first one on the next Sat- urday evening.
Accordingly, on Saturday, January 9, 1824, the first organized prayer meeting in Lowell was held at No. 21 Merrimack Corporation. There were pres- ent William Davidson and wife, James M. King and wife, Nathaniel Holmes and wife, and a Calvinist Baptist brother of the name of Thomas W. Churchill -seven in all.
These meetings were continued for some time, and were supported by all who were interested in religious work, without regard to denominational preferences ; but as the little town increased in numbers, no proper place could be procured to accommodate all who wished to attend. Mr. Davidson, in giving an account of them, says : " On account of the number attending, and taking a prospective view of forming churches of each de- nomination, it seemed necessary that we should, by mutual consent, separate ; and in the early part of the autumn of 1825, these union prayer meetings were discontinued," and in their stead Congrega- tional, Baptist and Methodist meetings were sepa- rately established.
The number of those calling themselves Congre- gationalists increased, so that on the first of January, 1826, it was impossible to accommodate those who wished to attend the meetings.
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