History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 102

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 102

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In 1873 the Abington Journal was started at Abington by George F. Andrews, of Plymouth, and which still continues, after quite a checkered career, as the Plymouth County Journal. From Mr. An- drews it passed into the hands of Arthur P. Ford, who changed its name to the present form. From him it was taken by C. Franklin Davis. He in turn yielded it up to F. W. Rollins, from whom it went to Rev. L. B. Hatch. Under the management of Mr. Hateh

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it has had a good degree of prosperity, and still con- tinues.

The South Abington Times was started about 1874 by J. W. McDonald, who some two years after sold out to Arthur A. Sherman. He in turn sold to Rev. L. B. Hatch. who now publishes it at the same office with the Plymouth County Journal, though the two are kept distinct.

For something less than a year-in 1878-79- Harvey H. Pratt published a paper at Ahington called the Weekly News. Though a keen, bright, incisive paper, it failed for want of adequate sup- port.

In the month of July, 1884, Mr. F. W. Rollins is starting a paper in South Abington and Abing- ton.

Pilgrim Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F., was instituted by dispensation granted by the grand officers June 13, 1845. Aug. 7, 1845, a charter was granted to the following petitioners : Samuel D. Jones, L. Teague, J. B. Hutchinson, Asa Cook, Jr., Samuel Phinney, J. H. Case, H. Foster, J. S. Curtis, Absalom Os- bourne, Samuel G. Capen. The lodge was located in a new hall on Temple Street, South Abington. In 1848 the lodge removed to Centre Abington, in a 'hall owned by James Whitmarsh, nearly opposite the Ab- ington Bank. In 1859, between January and July, about fifty of the members took their withdrawal- cards. In August, 1859, the Noble Grand of the lodge, William R. Gilson, surrendered its charter, books, and papers to the Grand Master. During this time the lodge paid out about six hundred dollars for benefits and buried one member.

Feb. 2, 1871, a petition was presented to the Grand Lodge asking the return of the old charter of Pilgrim Lodge. This petition was granted, and on March 6, 1871, the grand officers reinstituted Pilgrim Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F. The charter members were Wil- liam R. Gilson, Samuel G. Capen, William Tribou, Lorenzo C. Gilson, and Cornelius Penniman. On the same evening three of the members of the old lodge, five from Mattakeeset Lodge, No. 110, deposited their cards, and ten were initiated and took their degrees into the new lodge. The officers were: N. G., Wil- liam R. Gilson ; V. G., C. Penniman ; Sec., William Vance; Treas., Charles Bennett. The lodge met in a hall owned by S. B. Thaxter, now the office of the Plymouth County Journal. Since then-in 1873- the lodge has purchased the old high school build- ing, on Bank Street, and fitted it up as a nice hall. In February, 1877, about fourteen of the members took their cards and formed a new lodge in Rockland. In February, 1878, about eight took cards and 31

formed a new lodge in Bridgewater. In February, 1883, about twenty-two took cards and formed a new lodge in South Abington.

Young Men's Catholic Lyceum Association .- At the invitation of Rev. M. J. Phelan several of the Abington Catholic young men assembled together on the afternoon of Feb. 10, 1878, to consider the mat- ter of forming a literary association. Societies of this character had been established in St. Bridget's parish in previous years, but they had " flourished but to fade."

On the 24th of February, 1878, the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum Association was organized with the following board of officers : President, Patrick Jack- son ; Vice-President, John B. Smith ; Secretary, John M. Hayes; Treasurer, T. F. Donahoe; Librarian, Francis E. Smith ; Spiritual Director, Rev. M. J. Phelan. The hall opposite the Catholic Church was secured, and on February 27th the first literary exer- cises by the society were given. Two evenings in the week were set apart for debates, readings, and the transaction of the business of the association. The lyceum soon had a membership of forty, and was in a prosperous condition, which condition was mainly due to the untiring efforts of the spiritual director. After a time, hall-room becoming limited, the question of securing new headquarters was agitated. In April, 1880, a fair was held which netted one thousand and nine dollars to the association. On the 22d of the following July the society was incorporated. The first officers under the charter were : President, Mat- thew G. Smith ; Vice-President, Francis E. Smith ; Clerk, James H. O'Donnell ; Treasurer, William J. Coughlan ; Librarian, John M. Hayes. The "town house" was purchased, and fitted up at a great ex- pense. In the upper part is Lyceum Hall, which is neatly furnished, and has fine acoustic properties. Beneath are the supper halls, the society room, and a gymnasium. The property is valued at sixty-five hun- dred dollars. The society is in a flourishing condition, having at the present day a membership of fifty-five. Connected with the association is the Lyceum Or- chestra, one of the best orchestras in town.

Mount Vernon Cemetery .- This cemetery, con- taining about forty acres, is probably unsurpassed in natural advantages by any cemetery in the common- wealth. It was established in 1852, the first annual meeting being held October 25th of that year.

The first president was Stetson Vaughn, Esq., and the first secretary and treasurer was Rev. N. Gunni- son, both since deceased. The present president is Joseph Vaughn, Esq., and Henry A. Noyes, secre- tary and treasurer. It may be remarked in this con-

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nection that Mr. Noyes is serving for the twenty-fifth year on the board of selectmen.

State Police .- Mr. George C. Pratt, who had pre- viously been a member of the firm of J. M. Culver & Co., was appointed on the State police force in 1866, and, with the exception of one year, has served continuously ever since. This is especially worthy of note, inasmuch as the office is a political one. There is now no one on the force that was a member when Mr. Pratt was appointed. He has met with great success in detective work. He conducted the inves- tigations in the Andrews murder case at Kingston, the Sturtevant murder case at Halifax, and the Gunn murder case at Bridgewater. He is a native of South Weymouth, but has resided many years in North Abington.

Island Grove Park .- This park, formerly known as Island Grove, contains about fourteen acres. It was purchased by the town for a park in 1882, and remains in its natural state, very little having been expended for improvements. Bencath the shelter of its grand old trees there have been held many notable gatherings in the interest of the anti-slavery and temperance reforms. Here young and old in almost countless numbers have resorted for amusement, rec- reation, and instruction. The eloquence and stirring words of Webster, Garrison, Sumner, Phillips, An- drew, and many others less widely known, have made the park a place of historic interest. Its natural beauty is further enhanced by a pond which almost surrounds a portion of its area. The present park commissioners are Hon. Henry B. Pcirce, Capt. M. N. Arnold, and Horace A. Chamberlin.

Ecclesiastical History-The First Church and Society in Abington .- The precise date when the First Church of Abington was formed can never be known, as the first records that are at hand bear the date of 1724, while it is definitely known that, " In answer to a unanimous call, the Rev. Samuel Brown came to Abington to preach Dec. 8, 1711, and was ordained Nov. 17, 1714. The church was probably organized at the time of Mr. Brown's ordination. It was founded by eight male members,-the Rev. Sam- uel Brown, William Herscy, Andrew Ford, William Tirrell, Ebenezer Whitmarsh, Joseph Josselyn, Wil- liam Reed, and Joseph Lincoln. The names of the female members are not recorded ; but in the year 1724, the first date of definite record, the church con- sisted of forty-six members,-twenty-one males and twenty-five females. The church was formed with- out declaring any definite articles of religious faith, the Westminster Catechism being accepted and used as authority upon this matter ; and its solemn com-

pact of covenant was the same in spirit, and much the same in form, as that still continucd. The fol- lowing is a verbatim copy, which we desire inserted as an evidence in history that the mother-church of Abington and neighboring towns has not changed her essential faith :

" The Church Covenant, agreed upon and entered into and signed by a number of Brethren at the first founding of the Church of Christ in Abington, and afterward signed by the other Brethren as they joined in Communion here.

" We, whose names are undersigned, apprehending ourselves called of God to unite together in the bonds of Gospel commu- nion and fellowship, and to enter into covenant with God and with one another for our mutual comfort and edification in the Lord Jesus Christ : Therefore, under a soul-humbling sense of our being in Covenant with God, and our insufficiency to keep covenant with him without the assistance of Divine presence and assistance, humbly relying upon free grace for help, and in humble confidence of acceptance, We do, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with all possible solemnity, Explicitly and Expressly Covenant and bind ourselves in manner and form following : that is to say, We do give up ourselves and our offspring unto the God alone whose name is Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; cleaving unto God our Father as our chiefest good; and unto our Lord Jesus Christ as our only Prophet, Priest, and King, and only Mediator of the new Cov- enant of Grace; and unto the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Sanctifier ; and we do give up ourselves one unto another in the Lord, covenanting to walk together as a Church of Christ in all ways of his own instituting, agreeable to the proscrip- tions of his Iloly Word; Promising that, with all tenderness and brotherly love, we will faithfully watch over one another's souls, and that we will freely yield ourselves to the discipline and power of Christ in his Church, and attend those seals and censures, and whatsoever ordinances Christ hath appointed ac- cording to the rules and order of the Gospel; and wherein we fail and come short in duty, to wait upon God through Christ for pardon and remission, beseeching him to make our spirits steadfast in his covenant, and to own us as his Church and covenant people forever. AMEN."

The church has had but eleven pastors during its history of one hundred and seventy years. The first three were ordained to and died in their service at Abington. Their united pastorate covered-within less than a year's time-the first century of the church's history.

Twenty deacons have been chosen, of whom four -Joseph Cleverly, John A. King, Joshua L. Nash, and Henry A. Noycs-retain that office at this date. The following are the names of the pastors and deacons :

Pastors .- Rev. Samuel Brown, ordained Nov. 17, 1714, dicd Sept. 19, 1749 ; Rev. Ezckicl Dodge, or- dained May 23, 1750, died June 5, 1770; Rev. Samuel Niles, ordained Sept. 25, 1771, died Jan. 16, 1814 ; Rev. Holland Weeks, installed Aug. 9, 1815, dismissed July 27, 1820 ; Rev. Samuel Spring, ordained Jan. 2, 1822, dismissed Dec. 20, 1826 ; Rev. William Shedd, installed July 1, 1829, dismissed

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April S, 1830; Rev. Melanchthon G. Wheeler, installed Oct. 13, 1831, dismissed September, 1833; Rev. James W. Ward, ordained May 21, 1834, dis- missed Nov. 23, 1856; Rev. F. R. Abbe, ordained Sept. 3, 1857, dismissed June 14, 1870; Rev. George E. Freeman, installed Dec. 26, 1871, dis- missed June 25, 1880 ; Rev. Robert W. Haskins, installed Nov. 2, 1881.

Deacons .- Ebenezer Whitmarsh, chosen Dec. 18, 1714; Joseph Lincoln, Feb. 17, 1717 ; Samuel French, -, 1722; Edward Bates, March 25, 1727; Jacob Shaw, Dec. 30, 1735 ; Samuel Pool, Aug. 16, 1750 ; John Noyes, Aug. 16, 1750; Daniel Shaw, between 1777 and 1779; Eleazer Williams, between 1777 and 1779; Jacob Tirrell, before 1820; David Torrey, before 1820; Edward Cobb, Nov. 25, 1823; Richard Vining, Nov. 25, 1823; Joshua King, April 1, 1840; Jacob Cobb, April 1, 1840 ; Joseph Cleverly, April 1, 1840 ; Zadok Nash, June 1, 1855 ; John A. King, March 9, 1858 ; Joshua L. Nash, March 9, 1858; Henry A. Noyes, Dec. 30, 1864.

Among the marked men in the catalogue of its pastors, men who put the stamp of an individual character upon the church and the town, and indeed extended an influence to the Legislature of the com- monwealth, may be mentioned Rev. Samuel Niles and Rev. James W. Ward.

For nearly a century this was the only church for the families over the entire area now known as Abington, South Abington, and Rockland.

church can never be known, on account of defective of the society to purchase and hold the pews, and re-

The whole number of persons uniting with the records. Three colonies have gone from this to form other churches,-the first at South Abington, in 1808; second at East Abington (Rockland), in 1813 ; and third at North Abington, in 1839. At the formation of the last (North Abington) about fifty members were set off.

Notwithstanding this repeated drain from its mem- bership, the church has held its place in numbers and power among the first of the surrounding towns.

The church has held with a firm and yet Christian grasp to its original Bible faith, even in times of pe- culiar and strong influences to draw it away, as in 1820, when the fourth pastor, Rev. Holland Weeks, drifted into the system of belief taught by Emanuel Swedenborg, and began to teach the same from the pulpit, when " he was requested by the church and society to ask a dismission." This request resulted in the call of a mutual council, the result of which was a peaceable but positive advice that the relation- ship between the pastor and people be dissolved. In a few months the church was harmoniously united

under the pastorate of the Rev. Samuel Spring, and scarce a ripple of false doctrine left upon the surface of the society.

For intelligence, wealth, and business integrity Centre Abington has an historic reputation in this section of Massachusetts, and it is enough for this history simply to note the fact that when the town was forming this character it was under the direct moral and religious influence of the Mother Chris- tian Church of the original township.

" The first parish was composed of the whole town until 1808, and all parish business was transacted at town-meetings, with other town business. The first meeting as a separate parish was called March 22, 1808, by a warrant from Luke Bicknell, Esq., justice of the peace, and was notified by John King. Since that time the parish records have been kept separate."

The first meeting-house stood on Washington Street, in front of the old burying-ground, near where the residence of Mr. Otis Soule, Esq., now stands. It was a small house, without steeple, bell, or pews, benches being used for seats. This house was taken down in 1751, and a new one, seventy feet long, fifty wide, and twenty-six feet posts, was built some four or five rods southwesterly from where Hatherly Hall now stands. The third house (now Hatherly Hall) was built in 1819, and was used until the present house was dedicated, Aug. 31, 1849.

In 1869 the present house was enlarged, and spa- cious lecture- and Sunday-school rooms finished be- neath. At that time, also, it was determined by vote seat the house. The above repairs and purchase of pews involved the society in very large expenditures and obligations, leaving a debt of something more than eight thousand dollars, but about one-half of which had been canceled at the settlement of the present pastor. Since that time the remaining four thousand of the debt has been paid, and extensive re- pairs begun, with the fixed determination that these shall proceed only as funds are secured. And upon this principle some four hundred dollars have already been appropriated. The present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty-six.

Never has the prospect of the First Church and Society of Abington been brighter for making worthy history for her sons to write in continuation of these pages.

The North Parish in Abington was formed April 8, 1839, and commenced building a house for public worship immediately. This was ready to be occupied in October. On the third of that month a church, known as the Fourth Congregational Church, in

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Abington, was formed, with forty-nine members. Rev. Willard Peircc, of Foxboro', was called to the pastorate, and was installed April 8, 1840. During the year there was a revival of religion, and fifteen persons were added to the church. Another revival followed in 1842, when some twenty five more were added. May 1, 1850, Mr. Peirce was dismissed, at his own request, on account of ill health, but con- tinucd to reside there till his death, some ten years later.

The next pastor, Rev. J. C. White, was ordained Oct. 23, 1850, and continued until Feb. 21, 1860. During his ministry forty-six were added to the church. After this Rev. William Leonard supplied for upwards of a year. Then for some five years there were transient supplies, one of which was Rev. Martin Moore, who supplied for six months, during which eight were added to the church. Also during this period Rev. David Brigham acted as pastor for a season.

June 5, 1866, Rev. Benjamin Dodge was installed as pastor, and remained until June 22, 1870. During this time eleven persons were added to the church.

From July 1, 1870, to April 1, 1872, Rev. David Brigham was again acting pastor, during which period he came to the fiftieth anniversary of his en- tering the ministry.

During 1872 the meeting-house was remodeled at an expense of some seven thousand dollars, the chief movers in the matter being Mr. James H. Gleason and Mr. David Beals. By this means the house was made a model of beauty and delicate good, not sur- passed, if indeed it is equaled, by anything in the region. This work being finished, Rev. Dennis Powers preached for a few months from May, 1873.

Jan. 1, 1874, Rev. Jesse H. Jones became acting pastor, and so continued until the first Sabbath in May, 1880. During this period thirteen were added to the membership.

Following him directly Rev. Robert F. True sup- plied for a year, and was ordained in December. Eight united with the church under his labors.

After casual supplics for a year, Rev. Jesse H. Jones was recalled, and began to preach the first Sab- bath in May, 1882, and so continues.

The First Society of the New Jerusalem in Abington dates its origin back to the work and labor of the Rev. Holland Wecks, the fourth minister of the First Religious (now the Congregational) Society of Abington. Mr. Wceks was a graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1795, and installed as pastor Aug. 9, 1815. After having his attention at sundry times accidentally called to the doctrines of the New Jeru-

salem Church, he began to read them systemati- cally, Oct. 10, 1818, and soon began to preach them to his society, to whom the teaching continucd to be acceptable until 1820. In that year he was re- quested by his church and society to ask a dismission on account of the change he had undergone as to doctrinal views. His connection with the society was terminated in that year, and Mr. Weeks removed from Abington in 1821.

His preaching had left a permanent impression upon five or six persons. Others soon gathered about them, and some young persons became interested in 1824. In the year 1827 the receivers first began to hold meetings for public worship on the Sabbath in the westerly part of the town. In 1830 the receivers were legally organized as a distinct religious socicty. It is notable that not one lady was among these early organizers, and the twelve persons forming the origi- nal legal body were three brothers each of four differ- ent families, viz. : Elisha, Lucius, and Calvin Faxon ; Isaiah, Daniel, and Ira Noyes ; Edward, Austin, and Luther Cobb ; and, lastly, Bartlett, Isaac, and Eben- ezer Robbins. These were legally organized by Eze- kiel Thaxter, a justice of the peace, under the name of the " First Society of the New Jerusalem in Ab- ington." The same year the meetings for public worship were changed to the centre of the town, and were held for several years in the former residence of the Rev. Holland Weeks, now the parsonage of the present society. In the winter of 1833-34 the society, with the assistance of others who were in- terested in the doctrines, erected a building called the "New Church Hall," in which meetings for public worship were held for twenty-two years.

In 1835 the society was organized to conform with the recommendations of the general body, repre- sented by the "General Convention of the New Church," and after appropriate services, was received into that body through representatives from Boston. In 1855-56 a new building was erected corner of Centre and Dunbar Strects. In this temple meetings for public worship have been continuously held since its dedication, June 19, 1856.

Preaching was maintained more or less regularly between the years of 1827 and 1838. From 1827 to 1832, Rev. Eleazer Smith and Rev. Samuel Wor- cester preached occasionally for the society. During 1833 and in the spring of 1834 the Rev. Henry A. Worcester ministercd unto them, and in August, 1834, the Rev. Warren Goddard, of North Bridge- water (now Brockton), commenced preaching for the society, and continued for the most of the time until January, 1838. In July of the same year Mr.

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Joseph Pettee was ordained and installed its pastor, and continued in his office until 1873, when he was called to become the presiding minister (now called the general pastor) of the Massachusetts Association of the New Church. The Rev. Horace W. Wright was the minister of the society from 1873 until 1878. In 1879, until April, 1880, the Rev. D. Vincent Bowen preached for the society. Since the last date the Rev. Jacob E. Werren, who was installed its pastor in March, 1882. has officiated for the society.

The society is practically free from debt, and owns beside the tasteful temple a parsonage on Bedford Street, corner of Brockton Avenue. The church has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty. The average attendance at the regular Sabbath morning service is about eighty. The whole number of com- municants is about eighty. Beside the morning worship, courses of Sunday evening lectures are maintained part of the year. The Sabbath-school is under a superintendent with a corps of teachers. It has a membership of from forty to fifty children, and a class of adults.

The Abington Society is a member of the Massa- chusetts Association, and through it is connected with and reports to the General Convention, which is the national body of the New Jerusalem Church of America and Canada.

The church bas no formulated creed, although it requires for admission into membership the assent to the following principles of the faith of the New Church :

"There is One God, in whom is a Divine Trinity, and He is the Lord God, the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

·· Saving Faith is to believe in Him as the Re- deemer, Regenerator, and Saviour from sin.

" The Word of God is Divine Truth, revealed to us as a means by which we may distinguish between good and evil, be delivered from the influence of evil spirits, and be associated with angels and conjoined with the Lord.

·· We are to shun evil, because it is of the devil and from the devil ; and do good because it is of God and from God.

" In abstaining from evil and doing good we are to act as of ourselves; at the same time believing and acknowledging that the will, the understanding, and the power to do so, are of the Lord alone.'

The foregoing sketch is based upon Hobart's " History of the Town of Abington :" Boston, Carter & Son, 1866, the records of the society, publica- tions of the Massachusetts Association, and the in- formation from original and early members.

Universalist Church .- Universalist services hav- ing been occasionally held for several years in the Pine Wood school-house, on what was then known as Back Street, now Plymouth Street, on April 6, 1836, "the friends of Universalism"-so runs the record-" met agreeable to previous notice," and after the choice of a standing committee "to supply the desk" the ensuing year, chose " a committee of five- Reuben Loud, William W. Cushing, Jesse Dunham, Daniel Hall, and Thomas Hunt-to consider the ex- pedieney of forming a society." At an adjourned meeting, April 20th, the above committee " reported in favor of forming a society, which report was adopted." A committee "to draft a constitution" was also chosen, and a constitution was reported and adopted.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 102

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706