USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 119
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Jan. 19, 1801, " Voted to erect seats in the front gallery for the singers, in front of the front pews," and " voted that they be erected in a surkerler forme."
April 30, 1801, " Voted to paint the inside work that has heretofore been painted, to be under the direction of the Parish Committee." Early in the year 1805, the people of the parish, wishing to improve the looks of their house of worship, called a meeting, which was held March 11, 1805, " To see if the Parish will repair the meeting Hous, and what repairs they will make the year insuing." At this meeting a commit- tee of nine was chosen to view the house and report at the adjournment of the meeting. This committee consisted of the following persons : Capt. Abel King- man, Capt. Howard Cary, Maj. Caleb Howard, Jere- miah Beal, Jesse Perkins, Gideon Howard, Esq., Perez Southworth, Silas Packard, Danicl Packard. This committee report " that it was necessary to make new the wast bords and water table from the north east corner of the meeting hous, and on the South side, to the South side of the Porch door, that as many of the sashes as are defective should be made new, and such repairs on the doors as shall be found necessary; that the bell fraim, banisters, &c., be made new, and all the trimmings together with the spire be painted, that the body of the house together with the rouff be painted." A committee of five were ap- pointed to select a color for painting, who reported "white, one shade on the yallow." Moses Cary, Jonathan Beals, and John Wales were chosen a com- mittee to carry the above repairs into execution. Aug. 30, 1805, " Voted to Polish the Vain."
Dec. 5, 1816. We again find a vote respecting the seating of the colored people, as follows : Voted " that the People of color may occupy the two Back seats in the west gallery of our meeting house & no other seats, or that they may have ground for one pew in the northwest corner of the Gallery, and ground for another pew in the North East corner of the Gallery as they Choose, and that the Parish clerk serve the people of color with a copy of this vote."
In 1818 the subject of warming the meeting-house came up in the following manner: Some of the churches in the neighboring towns having found it a luxury to have the house of God warmed and made comfortable, thought it would not be too much of a sin to enjoy the same comfort. The idea at first met with serious opposition ; for the first article in a warrant concern- ing the purchasing of a cast-iron stove was negatived, which move was made Dec. 10, 1818, as follows : " Voted to have the article of getting a stove in- serted in a warrant for the next spring meeting," and in the following spring, March 25, 1819, " voted the stove or stoves to a committee of five," consisting of Col. Caleb Howard, Daniel Howard, Esq., Abel Kingman, Esq., Capt. Zachariah Gurney, Eliphalet
1
568
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
Kingman. Dec. 13, 1819. This committee reported it " inexpedient to get a Stove." March 7, 1822. " Voted the South part of the East Gallery for the use of the young women." Previous to February, 1823, this Parish had been known by the name of the " North Parish in Bridgewater." Dec. 22, 1822, The parish " voted to take measures to alter the name of the North Parish of Bridgewater, and that it be called the ' First Parish in North Bridgewater ;' also voted that the Parish take measures to petition the Legislature to carry the above into effect." Caleb Howard, Esq., Perez Crocker, and Perez Southworth were appointed to petition the Legislature in behalf of said parish ; so that from that time forward it was known as the " First Parish in North Bridgwater." In the early part of 1824 the bell of this parish was found broken, and Abel Kingman, Esq., Caleb How- ard, Esq., and Rev. Daniel Huntington were chosen a committee to purchase a new one, March 2, 1824, with discretionary power to " gitt a Bell of the wate of from 10 to 12 cwt." A bell was purchased of George H. Holbrook, of West Medway, Mass., April 17, 1824, which was warranted for one year with fair common usage, and weighing twelve hundred and forty-two pounds, at an expense of $465.75. An article was inserted in a warrant for parish meeting, March 2, 1824, " To see if the Parish will agree to make any alteration in the form or shape of the Meeting House, either inside or out, or to make any repairs to either." This was the first movement to- ward rebuilding or repairing the old house. At this meeting it was voted to make some alteration, pro- viding that they can agree with the pew-holders on reasonable terms. For this purpose a committee was chosen to see upon what terms the pew-holders would consent to " give up thare pews." This com- mittee consisted of Howard Cary, Silas Packard, Capt. David Ames, Nathaniel Littlefield, Bela Keith, Eliphalet Kingman, Capt. John Packard, Capt. Asa Jones, Col. E. Southworth, Israel Packard, Capt. Jeremiah Bcals, who were to report at the next meeting, which report was as follows : " 25 were wil- ling to have their pews appraised, 24 willing to sell, 13 willing to exchange their old for new ones." " Voted not to accept of the committee's report,"
and also " Voted they wouldn't make any alteration in the Meeting-House." Feb. 25, 1825. " Voted to dismiss the article concerning alteration of the Meet- ing House." Sept. 4, 1826, the subjeet was again brought before the parish, " To see if the Parish will agree to alter, repair, or rebuild their Meeting-House."
Third Meeting-House .- A committee of fifteen were chosen to take the subject into consideration, who
reported in favor of building a new house. Oct. 23, 1826. Voted to choose a committee of five out of town to appraise the pews in said meeting-house. Col. Royal Turner, of Randolph ; Ezra Forbes, of Bridgewater ; Wade Daley, of Easton, John Belcher, Micah Nash, of Abington, were appointed said committee, who pro- ceeded to their duty Nov. 7, 1826, and appraised the whole, amounting to two thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. Feb. 16, 1827. Chose a committee of eleven to nominate three as building committee, and six as advising. Abel Kingman, Lieut. Isaac Packard, and Benjamin Kingman were appointed as the build- ing committee, and the two first named resigning, B. Kingman was chosen as agent to build the house, and Belah Keith, Esq., Asa Jones, Daniel H. Cary, Col. Isaac Littlefield, Licut. Ephraim Cole, and John Til- den, Jr., were chosen as advising committee. A com- mittee of five were appointed to locate the house, consisting of the following persons : Silas Packard, Jesse Perkins, Esq., Col. Edward Southworth, Col. Cyrus Porter, Abel Kingman, Esq., who reported in favor of setting the house its width south, and half its length west. Report accepted March 16, 1827.
The old house was taken down in April of this year. On the first day of the week in which this was to be done, and the ground cleared for another house, a sermon was delivered by Rev. D. Huntington, the pastor of the church, from Zachariah xii. 6 : " And Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem." And as many of the society could not go abroad to worship while the new house was in process of building, it was thought best to provide temporary accommodations. For this purpose an addition was made to the sheds at the south west corner of the green, in which scats were provided for the congregation, and to which the pulpit of the old house was removed. And the author has often been told that in that humble place there were many precious hours spent, and some of the most interest- ing seasons of religious exercise enjoyed there that ever they experienced. The new house of worship was completed in November, so that the sheds were occupied by them during the interval of time between those dates. The house was dedicated Nov. 27, 1827, with highly appropriate and interesting exercises.
Nov. 15, 1827. At a meeting of the parish the following persons were chosen a commitice of arrange- ments for the dedication of the new house, namely, Benjamin Kingman, Capt. David Ames, Col. Nathan Jones, Col. Isaac Littlefield, Lieut. Ephraim Cole ; also Silas Packard and Benjamin Kingman were ap- pointed and authorized to convey the pews to those that purchased. Voted that the sale of pews take
D
569
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
place Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1827, to commence at nine o'clock A.M.
The following shows a list of the pews sold, the number, names of owners, and price for which they were sold. Zenas French, of Randolph, vendue- master :
PEW-HOLDERS.
5. Azel Gurney .. $101.50
66. Turner Torrey ... $202.00
6. Robert Howard ... 104.00
67. Josiah Ames ..... 203.00
7. James Cary .. 110.50
68. Rositer Jones ..... 196.00
S. David Edson, Jr .. 106.00
69. Asa Jones. 197.50
9. Simeon Packard ..
103.00
70. S. Packard, Esq. 195.50
10. Hezek'h Packard. 11. Eliphalet King- man
98.50
71. Micah Faxon ..... 173.50 123.50 127.00
12. Joel Ames.
100.50
75. Nahum Perkins. 135.50
13. Ornan Cole. 85.50
76. D. Littlefield ..... 136.00
14. Francis Cary ... 15. Moses Packard ...
93.50
7S. Jabez Kingman. 128.50
16. Ezekiel Merritt ...
$6.00
79. Benj. Ames &
Galen Pratt ... 125.00 122.50
19. Asa Ford ...
56.00
SO. Isaac Littlefield .. 81. Alva Noves .. ... 82. Galen Warren ..
117.50 112.50
20. Apollas Packard ..
21. Ambrose Packard
22. Bela Keith ..
40.00
85. Daniel Ford. ... 86. Samuel Allen .... 71.00
94.00
25. Ziha Keith
94.00
87. Eliphalet King- man
58.50 48.50
27. Simeon Lech.
28. Abel Kingman ..
29. David Ames.
30. Luke Packard
117.00
31. Benj. Kingman ... 115.00
32. Josiah Brett ..
123.00
95. Alva Noyes. ...
73.50
34. Isaac & Jonas
Keith ..
128.50
35. Silvanus French ..
127.50
36. Isaac Curtis ..
134.10
101. Lieut. E. Cole .... 102. Mark Perkins ... 107.00
103. Isaac Packard ... $9.00
104. Barzilla Cary .... 90.00
140.00
40. Thomas Wales .....
173.00
41. Lieut. Eph. Cole.
42. James Littlefield.
43. Jacob Fuller ..
44. Isaac Packard
205.00
45. Jeremiah Beals ...
200.00
46. Arza Packard.
190.00
47 Theron Ames
180.00
111. N. Lincoln .... 42.50
175.50
114. Benj. Ames &
Galen Pratt ... 47.00
155.00
Isaac Curtis
Luke Packard (half) 43.00
51. Charles Keith ...
132.50
52. A. French & Son ..
124.00
119. Bela Keith .... ...
26.00
53. Lysander Howard
95.50
121. John Wales. 20.00
54. Joel Packard ..
56.00
124. Simon and Heze- 24.50
55. David Ames ..
32.25
kiah Packard ... 24.50
56. Abel Kingman,
Eeq.
30.00
54.00
127. Bela Keith
129. John Shankland 26.00
60. Col. Cyrus Porter
61. Eliphalet King-
man
140.00
135. John Wales .. ...
33.50
62. Bela Keith.
155.00 169.50
137. Elipbalet King- man. 43.50
64. Col. Nathan Jones 178.50 140. Lemuel French .. 44.00
65. Isaac Littlefield ... 182.00
141. Abel Kingman ... 40.50
Nov. 28, 1827. Voted that the three easterly pews in the north side of the gallery be reserved for
young women. And again the subject of seating the colored people comes up, and it was " Voted that the South west and North west pews be reserved for the people of Colour." Jan. 14, 1828. At a meeting held this day, " To sce if the parish will vote to pro- cure a timepiece," it was " voted to defer the subject of getting a timepiece to a future mecting." Jan- uary 28th, the same subject was brought before the parish for action, when it was " voted not to do any thing respecting getting a timepiece."
The report of the agent in building the new house was as follows, Jan. 14, 1828 :
" The total cost of the new house, including the furniture, as furnished at the expense of the parish, was seven thousand five hundred and nine dollars and seventeen cents. The old house sold for four hun- dred and three dollars and thirty-seven cents, which, deducted from the cost of the new building, leaves the nett cost seven thousand and ninety-five dollars and cighty cents."
Also at the same time " voted that the Parish com- mittee be instructed to build Horse sheds for those that want them at cost. Benjamin Kingman chosen as agent to build them." March 24, 1828. Jesse Perkins, Col. Edward Southworth, and Benjamin Kingman were appointed to view the ground in front of the meeting-house with reference to erecting a fence, who reported in favor of erecting one, "to extend 40 feet front of the house of a circular form, of 20 Stone Posts, and Iron rods or chains." Jan. 24, 1832, a new bell was procured. Thomas Gur- ney and Abel Kingman, Esq., were the purchasing committee. The bell was manufactured by George Holbrook, of Medway, Mass. Also, in April of the same ycar, a clock was procured by subscription, which was made by George Holbrook above named, costing three hundred dollars, placed upon the church April 11, 1832. The proprietors of the clock offered it to the parish upon their paying what outstanding accounts were unpaid, which offer was accepted, and $62.88 paid for the same Monday, Jan. 21, 1833. The subject of warming the house was brought before the society again, " To see if the Parish will procure a stove or any other apparatus for warming their meeting house." A committee of five were chosen " to get information respecting the best mode of warming their Meeting House, and to what course is pursued in other Societies, and report at the next March meeting." Turner Torrey, Lysander Howard, Darius Littlefield, Eliphalet Kingman, and Ephraim Cole committee for the above. After report of com- mittee, Dec. 30, 1833, " Voted that they would not consent to have a stove in our meeting house provid-
33. Micah Faxon ..
127.00
96. Daniel H. Carey 98. Jesse Perkins .... 99. Jesse Perkins .... 100. H. Packard
66.50 70.00 103.00 105.25
37. Micah Shaw 125.00
35. Arza Keith
128.00
105. Oliver Leach ..... 77.00
106. Jonas Reynolds. 85.00
107. Barzilla Field ... 114.00
206.00
204.00
108. [ J. Dunbar (half) 54.25 M. Perkins (half) 54.25 109. Albert Smith .. ... 97.00
110. 1 H. Alden (half) 38.75
45. Abel Kingman .... 49. Josiah W. King- man
50. John W. King- man
140.50
115. Luke (half) 43.00
126. J. Brett ( half) ... 126. Moses and David l'ackard (half). 18.75 30.00
57. Samuel Tribou ....
58. Martin Cary.
80.00
59. Noah Ford.
120.50
133.50
132. Silas Packard .... 18.75
134. Isaac Keith. 23.00
63. John Thompson ...
103.00
108.50
92. Zenas Brett.
93. M. Copeland ..
94. E. Kingman. ...
42.50 47.00 57.00 60.00
23. Josiah Fuller.
49.50
24. Josiah Packard ...
69.50
26. Robert Packard,
94.50 102.00
SS. Benj. Packard ... 89. Seth Copeland ... 31.50 30.50 90. Zenas Thayer .... 91. William Lewis ... 37.25
107.00
21.00
$3. Martin Cary ...... 84. L. Howard ..
102.50
17. Ziheon French .... 1s. Col. Edw. South- worth
75.00
73. Nathaniel Ames. 74. Howard Packard
98.00
72.00
38.00
94.00
77. Silas Packard .... 133.50
39. Col. Edw. Sonth- worth
195.00
SO. Dike (half) 38.75
18.75
570
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
ing it was done frec of expense to the Parish." Mon- day, Aug. 10, 1835. Chose a building committee of five persons to build a parsonage-house,-Edward Southworth, Abel Kingman, Benjamin Kingman, Bela Keith, and Rositer Jones, committee. At last the parish concluded to warm the house, which ap- pears by a vote passed Nov. 28, 1835. Heman Packard, Col. E. Southworth, and Ephraim Cole were chosen a committee to provide stoves for the meeting-house,-truly a most remarkable innovation when compared with the former custom of sitting during long sermons shivering and shaking, as though it were wicked to be made comfortable. Judging by the records this people, like most other societies, were occasionally troubled with naughty boys, as April 13, 1844, " Voted to choose a number of persons to take care of the boys in the gallery." March 8, 1852 An article was inserted in the warrant, calling a meet- ing of the parish, " To see if the Parish will make a general repair and revision of their meeting house, and take measures that may be proper to settle with the pew holders." " Voted unanimously to make a general repair and revision of their meeting house." " Also made choice of Benjamin Kingman, Oakes S. Soule, and Marcus Packard a committee to procure plans for reseating and repairing the meeting house, and report at a future meeting." March 22, 1852. The committee appointed to get a plan for reseating and repairing " reported in favor of building a new house, and recommended that the Parish thoroughly review the whole subject deliberately." This report was accepted, and the same committee were appointed to "investigate and get such information in relation to the whole matter of building and repairing their house as they may think best calculated to enable the parish to judge correctly as to what is best to be done, to examine modern built houses at their discretion."
The same day " voted to reconsider the vote to re- pair and reseat the Meeting-Housc."
Fourth Meeting-House .- The above-named per- sons were chosen as building committee. April 26, 1852, Benjamin Kingman, Ozen Gurney, and Marcus Packard were appointed to settle with pew-holders, sell the old house, and provide another place of worship. Dec. 27, 1852, " Voted to instruct the building com- mittee to proceed in building a house when the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars is subscribed." March 17, 1853, made choice of three persons to appraise the old pews,-namely, John W. Loud, of Wey- mouth ; Joseph Lewis, of Duxbury ; Nathan Randall, of Duxbury, were chosen.
The ladies of the First Congregational Church and
society held a levce for social intercourse and fellow- ship at the Satucket Hall, Feb. 15, 1853. The ob- ject of the meeting was to increase the fund for fur- nishing the new ineeting-house which was then talked of building. The meeting was largely attended, the weather mild, the traveling good, with a bright inoon. The meeting inade choice of William P. Howard as president. The North Bridgewater Brass Band was present, and made the first impres- sion ; then prayer was offered by Rev. Paul Couch ; then a musical treat by Isaac T. Packard ; remarks appropriate to the occasion by Rev. Paul Couch ; amusements ; refreshments for five hundred persons ; and a little later in the evening the following song was sung by Isaac T. Packard, the organist of the church :
"THE OLD VILLAGE CHURCH.
" A song for the church, the old village church, Which has stood full many a year. We'll sing to its praise in the loftiest lays; For we love its portals dear.
" The storms they have beat on that sacred retreat, While its inmates have bowed in prayer ;
The lightnings have flashed and the deep thunder crashed With the notes of the chanting choir.
"Memory now can look back through time's beaten track And remember the joyful day
When its frame was reared, while the workmen cheered, --- To them it was sport and play.
"They saw the tower rise, pointing up to the skies, While within the deep-toned bell
Gave forth the glad sound to the people around That the building was finished well.
"Then a song for the church, the old village church, Which has stood full many a year.
We'll sing to its praise in the loftiest lays, For we love its portals dear.
" But old Father Time, he thinks it no crime To crumble the statelicst towers ; In silence he's spaced, and the beauty defaced That was once in this templo of ours.
" And progression appears in these later years To mako it our duty clear
That we must in our might, while contending for right, A fine new structure rear.
"Then a song for the church, for the new village church Which we hope we then shall see, In which we may raise glad notos of praiso To theo, Groat One in Thrco.
" The work has begun, and tho ladies have done, And are doing from day to day,
An honorablo part to encourago each heart To labor without dolay.
" They havo invitod us here, and with right good cheer Wo respond to their fostive call;
And wo'll do nothing worso than to fill their purso, To discount in the fall,
571
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
" In decking the church, the new village church Which we hope we then shall see,
In which we may raise glad notes of praise To thee, Great One in Three."
The frame of the new house was raised Aug. 25, 1853, in the afternoon, when the following ceremony took place : 1; hymn, sung by the children; 2, prayer, by Rev. Charles L. Mills. of the Porter Church : 3. prayer. by Rev. A. B. Wheeler, of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church ; 4, hymn, written by Isaac T. Packard, the organist of the church :
" Praise to thy name, eternal King. In grateful numbers here we bring ; Oh, now behold us from above. And smile upon ns in thy love.
" Here on this hallowed gronnd we meet, And now thy blessing we entreat ; Oh, may these walls in order rise, Through help that cometh from the skies.
" Oh, build this house, this house of prayer ! Make it the object of thy care : Here with thy people ever dwell ; Here may thy saints thy glories tell.
" And from this earthly house below May multitudes redeemed go To that prepared by thee above, There join to sing redeeming love."
The old meeting-house was sold to Messrs. Win- throp S. Baker and Rufus P. Kingman for $1226.60, who took a lease of the land upon which the building stood, a few feet south of where the present building now stands, for the term of fifty years from March 21, 1854, at the rate of one hundred dollars per year. The building was remodeled and used as a hall for public meetings until destroyed by fire Nov. 7, 1860.
Dedication .- The present new and splendid edifice was opened to the public at two o'clock on Thursday, July 27, 1854. There were present from fifteen hun- dred to two thousand persons, and the exercises were in the following order : 1, voluntary on the organ ; 2. chant,-" Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts ;" 3, invocation and reading of the Scriptures ; 4, anthem, -" Let all the nations fear ;" 5, prayer ; 6, hymn,- "To thee this temple we devote, Our Father and our God ¿ Accept it thine, and seal it now, Thy Spirit's blest abode.
" Here may the prayer of faith ascend, The voice of praise arise ; Oh, may each lowly service prove Accepted sacrifice.
" flere may the sinner learn his guilt, And weep before his Lord; Here, pardoned, sing a Saviour's love, And here his vows record.
" Here may affliction dry the tear, And learn to trust in God, Convinced it is a Father smites, And love that guides the rod.
" Peace be within these sacred walls, Prosperity be here; Long smile upon thy people, Lord, And evermore be near ;"
7, Sermon by Rev. Paul Couch, text, Isaiah ii. 2-5, showing that the house of God is to be a central and controlling power in the world's reformation ; 8, hymn, anthem,-" Peace be to this habitation ;" 9, dedicatory prayer; 10, anthem,-" Hark ! the song of jubilec ;" 11, closing prayer ; 12, hymn and doxology by the congregation,-" From all that dwell below the skies ;" doxology,-" Praise God from whom all blessings flow ;" 13, benediction.
The sermon is spoken of as having been of the high- est order. Many a golden thought was presented to the people, and will be treasured by thew. The singing also was of the most excellent kind, and entitled to great praise. The last hymn was sung to the tune of "Old Hundred," in which the congregation joined, and seldom has that tune been sung with such great power and in such correct time as on that occasion. The organ poured forth a flood of harmony from which no deviation could be made, and every one present seemed pleased with the arrangements and detail of the exercises. The day was pleasant and the attendance very large.
Description of the Church .- Few houses are to be found in the country that will compare favor- ably with this. Its exterior is rendered attractive and pleasing to the eye by its beautiful propor- tions, which, while they present and possess unusual strength, are so arranged that the whole appear- ance is not only satisfactory, but very graceful and imposing. The length of the building is ninety- six feet, width sixty-four feet, with a spire one hun- dred and eighty-five feet in height, and contains one hundred and sixteen pews on the floor and twenty- eight in the gallery. It is built in the Romanesque style of architecture, designed by Messrs. Towle & Foster, of Boston ; was built by Samuel Vaughn, of Boston. The pews are all neatly carpeted, cushioned, and upholstered, both in the gallery and below. The gallery contains a large and beautiful organ, built by W. B. D. Simmons, of Cambridge Street, Boston, which was finished May 17, 1854. On entering the building we find on the first floor a vestry of good size and a large room, carpeted and well furnished, for the use of the Ladies' Association connected with the society. In the rear of these rooms are two convenient and
572
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
well-arranged tenements, which are rented. Ascend- ing from the main entrance on either side stairs of very easy grade we find ourselves in the vestibule, from which we enter the auditory or ascend to the galleries. The interior effect is exceedingly fine. The spacious floor, well-arranged pews (all uniform and somewhat richly upholstered), the ample gal- leries (not projeeting from the sides with huge over- shadowing effect, but rather relieving the height and presenting a corresponding finish), the chaste and elegant pulpit, finely-freseoed walls and eeiling are in perfect harmony with each other and their design and uses, and beautifully wrought without glaring effect. Upon the west end of the building, on the eeiling to the left of the pulpit, is the following inseription : " Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and rever- enee my sanctuary. I am the Lord." To the right of the pulpit is the following: "The Lord hath ehosen Zion. He hath desired it for his habitation." The outlay in erecting this house, ineluding the organ, was about twenty-four thousand dollars. The first sale of pews took place on Monday following the dedieation, at which seventy-three pews were sold for the sum of $22,282.50. The choice-money paid was $1746.50. After the sale there were forty- three pews remaining unsold on the floor of the auditory, many of which were very desirable, and several in the galleries, all of which were carpeted and furnished as below.
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