History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 128

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 128

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The following were members of the council called in the dismission of Rev. David T. Packard :

First Congregational Church of North Bridgewater : Rev. Paul Couch, pastor ; Azel Gurney, delegate.

Porter Evangelical Church of North Bridgewater : Rev. Charles L. Mills, pastor ; Jonathan Keith, dele- gate.

Congregational Church of Easton : J. W. Morse, delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Deacon John Soule, delegate.

Trinitarian Church of East Bridgewater : Rev. Baalis Sanford, pastor ; Deacon Francis Packard, delegate.

Church of Holbrook : Rev. Ezekiel Russell, pastor ; Erastus Wales, delegate.

The council having organized, Rev. Baalis Sanford was chosen moderator ; Rev. Ezekiel Russell, scribe.

After a hearing of all the facts presented, it was

"Voted, That the Pastoral relation hitherto suhsisting so happily hetween the Rev. David T. Packard and this church and people be and is herehy dissolved.

" The Council cannot withhold the expression of their deep regret that a connection formed some two years since, under circumstances so auspicious hoth for pastor and people, sealed by the effusions of the Spirit, and continued to the present hour strengthened and cemented hy mutual affection and esteem, should he so soon sundered.

" Deeming themselves incompetent to decide upon the validity of the reasons assigned, and avoiding the assumption of that responsibility, they still, in view of all the circumstances of the case, feel constrained to acquiesce in this result.

"The impaired health of the Pastor's family, they trust, will soon he restored, and his usefulness continued in some other sphere. And they therefore commend him to the churches of Christ as an ahle, faithful, beloved, and without a hlemish in his christian or ministerial reputation. They also commend the church and the people for the affection and kindness they have shown to their pastor, and commit them in their disappoint- ment and destitution to the care of the Great Shepherd.

" E. RUSSELL, Scribe. " A true copy of minutes of Council.

" NORTH BRIDGEWATER, Oct. 1, 1856."

Rev. David Temple Packard was born in North

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Bridgewater, Mass., Aug. 24, 1824 ; received a com- mon-school education in his native town ; fitted for college under the tutorship of Rev. Paul Couch, at the Adelphian Academy, North Bridgewater, and Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass .; graduated at Amherst College, August, 1850; taught high school at East Braintrec, Mass., one year ; entered Bangor Theological Seminary, October, 1851, and graduated Aug. 30, 1854. After receiving two other calls, he accepted the call of the South Church, where he was ordained Sept. 21, 1854; dismissed Oct. 1, 1856; from thence he removed to the West, preaching at Rock Island, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa; returned to Massachusetts in 1858, and in June of that year commenced preaching for the First Congregational Society in Somerville, Mass .; installed 'as pastor of that church and society Sept. 21, 1860; afterwards settled in Brighton, Mass., and Stockton, Cal., where he died from the effects of an accident. Mr. Packard married Abbie C. Mayhew, of Chesterfield, Me., July 24, 1855. Children, Abbie Elizabeth, March 8, 1857; Chester Mayhew, Sept. 2, 1860 ; died Aug. 26, 1862.

Publications of Rev. D. Temple Packard : Sermon preached at Somerville, Massachusetts, on the national fast, entitled " The Dawn of the Morning," Dec. 28, 1862; published by Rand & Avery.

The society were without a pastor from Oct. 1, 1856, to Feb. 3, 1858, during which time various preachers were heard, and March 23, 1857, Rev. Samuel Fiske was invited to become their pastor, but declined. Again, July 13, 1857, an invitation was extended to Rev. C. D. Lothrop to settle with them as their gospel minister, nothing further having been done about this call.

MINISTRY OF REV. CHARLES W. WOOD .- On the 9th day of December, 1857, Rev. Charles W. Wood, of Ashby, Mass., was invited to become their spiritual leader and pastor. This invitation was accepted, and on the 3d of February, 1858, Mr. Wood was duly installed as pastor by a council called for that purpose. Jan. 11, 1858, Josiah W. Kingman, Esq., Barnabas H. Gray, and Russell Alden, were chosen a committee of arrangements in relation to the installation of Mr. Wood.

Pursuant to letters missive from the South Congre- gational Church in North Bridgewater, an ecclesiasti- cal council convened in the vestry of said church Feb. 3, 1858, consisting of the following members :

Church of Andover Theological Seminary : Rev. Austin Phelps.

Church of South Braintree : Rev. Dennis Powers, pastor; I. Davidson, delegate.

Porter Evangelical Church, North Bridgewater :

Rev. Charles L. Mills, pastor ; Simeon Leach, dele- gate.

Central Church of Middleboro': Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher, pastor ; I. M. Pickens, delegate.

First Church of Abington : Rev. Frederick R. Abbe, pastor ; J. L. Nash, delegate.

Second Church of Abington : Rev. Henry L. Ed- wards, pastor ; O. G. Healey, delegate.

Third Church of Abington : Rev. Horace D. Walker, pastor; Deacon Z. L. Whitney, delegate.

Union Church of East Bridgewater : Rev. Philo B. Wilcox, pastor ; Sidney Allen, delegate.

Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Stephen Chess- man, delegate.

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Austin Phelps, moderator ; and Rev. H. D. Walker, scribe.

After the usual examination of the candidate, the following services were arranged, viz. : Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Frederick R. Abbe, of Abington ; prayer, by Rev. Henry L. Edwards, of South Abington ; sermon, by Professor Phelps, of Andover Theological Seminary ; installing prayer, by Rev. P. B. Wilcox ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. Charles L. Mills, of the Porter Church, North Bridgewater; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher, of Middleboro'; address to the people, by Rev. Horace D. Walker, of Abington. The day was exceedingly pleasant, and the exereises of a very pleasing kind. The sermon was an eloquent production, and the choir performed their part in an admirable manner.

Mr. Wood was a successful preacher and pastor of this church for fourteen years, till May 9, 1872, at which time he tendered his resignation, and asked for a council to dismiss him from his pastoral charge.

Pursuant to letters missive from the South Con- gregationalist Church of Campello, an ecclesiastical council was convened in the vestry of said church on Wednesday, at two o'clock P.M., June 5, 1872, which was organized by the choice of Rev. H. D. Walker, moderator ; and Rev. J. C. Larrabee, scribe. The following persons comprised the council :

Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton : Deacon Simcon Packard, delegate.

Trinity Church of Bridgewater: Rev. H. D. Walker, pastor ; Lewis Hopkins, delegate.

First Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor ; A. Wales, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pastor.

The council having heard the case as presented to them by pastor and people,-

it a

Se tl d

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

"Voted. That with great reluctance we advise the dissolution of the relation existing between Rev. Mr. Wood and the church and parish."

"Voted. That the following should be adopted :

" The council, having listened to the case as presented to them, are constrained to advise the dissolution of the pastorate of Rev. Charles W. Wood over the church and society in Cam- pello. They arrive at this conclusion most reluctantly, for thus is severed a connection that has had npon it the smile of the Great Spirit of the church for fourteen years, and one that has retained in the circle of churches a minister of Christ, whose character and ability made his presence and ministra- tion a most welcome benediction.

" Rarely does any man live so long in any region and among any people, giving less occasion to gainsayers, and so univer- sally and deeply respected and beloved. We do most cordially and fully commend him to the churches of Christ as an able and faithful minister of the gospel, wise to win souls, as a man and citizen in all the relations of life, of great wisdom and abil- ity, whose kindness of heart and rectitude of conduct have been a perpetnal testimony for his master.

" J. C. LARRABEE, Scribe.

"CAMPELLO, Jnne 5, 1872."

Rev. Charles W. Wood was the son of Wilkes Wood; married, first, Eliza Ann, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Bigelow, of Rochester, September, 1841; second, Mrs. Catherine S. Lemist, daughter of Jona- than Clark. of Gilmanton, N. H. He had four chil- dren .- Charles H. W., Edward Clark, Emily Cath- erine, and Caroline Melville.

Mr. Wood remained with this people fourteen years, having been dismissed at his request June 5, 1872, and removed to Scotland, Bridgewater. He was born in Middleboro', Mass., June 30, 1814 ; fitted for college at Plainfield Academy, Connecticut, and Pierce Academy, Middleboro', Mass .; graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1834 ; gradu- ated at Andover Theological Seminary in 1838; or- dained at Ashby, Mass., October, 1839 ; at Campello, February, 1858; at Scotland, Bridgewater, where be now resides.

MINISTRY OF REV. LEVERETT S. WOODWORTH. -On the 19th day of January, 1874, it was " voted, That this church extend to Mr. Leverett S. Wood- worth a call to become our pastor," which was ac- cepted, and S. F. Packard, B. H. Gray, and Preston B. Keith were chosen a committee to make arrange- ments for the installation. The following persons were members of the council :

Beneficent Church of Providence, R. I .: Rev. James G. Vose, D.D., pastor ; Deacon E. R. Holden, delegate.

Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Rev. H. D. Walker, pastor; Rev. Isaac Dunham, dele- gate.

First Church of Brockton : Deacon John W. Kingman.

Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton : Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, pastor ; Isaac Kingman, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor.

Congregational Church of Lakeville : Rev. Charles W. Wood, pastor ; Deacon Myrick Hastings, delegate.

Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. A. S. Hudson, pastor; Albert Drake, delegate.

Congregational Church of Brighton : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pastor.

First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor ; A. Wales, delegate.

The council met agreeably to notice at 1.30 o'clock P.M., Oct. 29, 1874, and organized by the choice of Rev. Thomas Wilson, moderator, and Rev. J. C. Lar- rabee, scribe.

The following was the order of exercises :

1, voluntary ; 2, reading the minutes of council ; 3, invocation, by Rev. A. S. Hudson ; 4, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. H. D. Walker; 5, anthem ; 6, sermon, by J. G. Vose, D.D .; 7, ordaining prayer, by Rev. H. A. Stevens ; 8, hymn ; 9, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. R. G. S. McNeille; 10, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Charles W. Wood ; 11, anthem ; 12, address to the people, by Rev. Thomas Wilson ; 13, prayer, by Rev. J. C. Larrabee ; 14, hymn ; 15, benediction, by the pastor.

Mr. Woodworth continued to preach to this church until Nov. 11, 1879, at which time he resigned, and a council was called to advise in the matter of his dis- mission. Deacon George Sawyer, N. H. Washburn, and George E. Keith were chosen a committee of arrangements.

Pursuant to letters missive, the following churches were represented on the council :

First Congregational Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Freeman, pastor; Alvin Vaughn, delegate.

Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton : Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, pastor ; Deacon Simeon Packard, dele- gate.

First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pastor ; O. F. Leach, delegate.

The result of the council is as follows :

" Voted unanimously, That the action of the church and Parish be accepted and sanctioned, and that we declare the pastoral relations between the Rev. L. S. Woodworth and this church and Parish terminated.

"In reaching this conclusion we deeply regret the circum- stances that have led Brother Woodworth to he willing to leave this field where for five years he has labored as a faithful, zeal- ous and efficient minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. We express our hearty regrets at his departure from our midst, and com- mend him most earnestly to the confidence and fellowship of the brethren among whom his lot is cast. Wishing him great prosperity in his new field, and praying that the great Head of

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

the Church to ever keep him and his family undor his loving care. Wo extend our warmest sympathies to the church thus bereft of an earnest and faithful pastor. Wishing likewise tho gracious guidance of tho Chiof Shephord as they shall seek an- other to fill his place.

" REV. GEORGE E. FREEMAN, " Moderator. " REV. H. L. KELSEY, Scribe."

MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN T. BLADES .- The next pastor settled was Rev. John T. Blades, of Saeo, Me., who was invited by vote of the church on July 19, 1880. This eall was accepted Aug. 18, 1880. Josiah W. Kingman, Esq., N. H. Washburn, and Deacon S. Franklin Packard were chosen a committee of the chureh to make arrangements for the installation. On the 14th of September, 1880, a eouneil was ealled at two o'clock P.M., composed of the following members :

South Church of Salem : Rev. E. S. Atwood, pastor. Central Church of Lynn : Rev. A. H. Curwin, pastor ; Henry Howard, delegate.

Seeond Church of Dorchester : Rev. E. N. Pack- ard, pastor ; B. C. Hardwick, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Broekton: Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pastor.

Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Levi Walker, delegate.

First Church of Braintree : Rev. T. A. Emerson, pastor ; Arza B. Keith, delegate.

Congregational Church of South Braintree : Rev. Edwin Smith, aeting pastor.

Congregational Church of Scotland : Rev. Charles W. Wood, aeting pastor.

Congregational Church of Rockland : Rev. L. C. Ferris, pastor ; Charles W. Howland, delegate.

Congregational Church of South Abington : Rev. F. P. Tompkins, acting pastor.

Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Elisha Holbrook, delegate.

Union Church of East and West Bridgewater: Walter Severance, delegate.

Congregational Church of East Providence, R. I. : Rev. Leverett S. Woodworth, pastor ; George Curtis, delegate.

After a hearing before the eouneil, and an examina- tion of the doings by ehureh and society and of the candidate, everything having been found satisfactory, it was voted "that the council proceed to the serviees of installation in the evening of that day," which were in the following order :

1, voluntary on organ ; 2, reading of the minutes of the council ; 3, anthem,-" How Beautiful Upon the Mountains," etc .; 4, invoeation and reading of the Seriptures ; 5, sermon, by Rev. A. H. Curwin ; 6, 7, installing prayer, by Rev. Charles W. Wood; 8, re-

sponse ; 9, charge to the pastor, by Rev. E. N. Pack- ard; 10, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. L. Kelsey ; 11, hymn ; 12, address, by Rev. E. S. At- wood ; 13, prayer; 14, anthem ; 15, benediction.

Rev. T. A. Emerson, moderator; Leverett S. Woodworth, scribe.

Deacons of the South Congregational Church ( Campello) .- Jacob Fuller, April 26, 1837 ; Sylva- nus French, April 26, 1837 ; Cary Howard, April 22, 1845 ; Galen Pratt, April 22, 1845 ; S. Franklin Packard, Dee. 4, 1865 ; George Sawyer, Dec. 4, 1865.

CHAPTER VIII.

PORTER EVANGELICAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.

Original Organization-Ministry of Rev. John F. Norton- Ministry of Rev. Charles L. Mills-Ministry of Rev. Samuel H. Lee-Ministry of Rev. John V. Hilton-Ministry of Rev. Robert G. S. McNeille-Ministry of Rev. Z. T. Sullivan- Ministry of Rev. F. A. Warfield-Dedication of the First Meeting-House-Rededication of the Enlarged Meeting- House-Organization of the Society, 1884.

Porter Evangelical Church .- This church was formed of members who withdrew from the First Congregational Church in North Bridgewater for the purpose of forming another chureh, it being deemed advisable that something should be done to awaken a new interest in the cause of truth, and to induce union of feeling and aetion in the support of the or- dinances of the gospel, according to orthodox Congre- gational usages and principles. The first meeting of a series held, which resulted in the organization of the Porter Evangelical Church, was at the house of Hez- ekiah Packard, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 1850.

Other meetings soon followed, and on Thursday evening, Feb. 7, 1850, at the same place, Davis King- man was chosen moderator, when it was " Voted, unanimously, ' that we will take measures to form an- other orthodox Congregational Church in this place, as soon as it may be deemed expedient.'"

A committee of five were chosen, viz .: Deaeon Simeon Paekard, Simeon Leach, Abel W. Kingman, M.D., Robert Holbrook, and Isaac Kingman, to see how many would unite in the movement. This com- mittee reported Feb. 12, 1850, the names of seventy persons who were in favor of immediate aetion, and who were prepared to unite in the formation of an- other church. At this meeting it was agreed to lay the subject before the church at their next meeting, and take means to eall a council immediately for the purpose of formation, if they deemed it expedient.

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

This was done at a meeting of the church held the day following (February 13th), and a committee was ap- pointed by the church to call a council for that pur- pose. At a meeting of the church, held February 19th. it was voted that they adopt the same articles of faith and covenant as those used by the First Church. Also voted, that the name of the new church shall be the Porter Evangelical Church. A council was accordingly called, which met on the 6th day of March, 1850. the following churches com- posing the council :

Congregational Church of Easton: Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., pastor ; John R. Drake, delegate.

Trinitarian Congregational Church of Bridgewater: Rev. David Brigham, pastor ; E. Hathaway, dele- gate.

First Church of Abington : Rev. J. W. Ward, pastor ; Zibeon Packard, delegate.

Trinitarian Congregational Church of Taunton : Rev. Erastus Maltby, pastor ; H. G. O. White, dele- gate.

Village Church of Dorchester : Rev. David Dyer, pastor ; Shadrach Jenkins, delegate.

Central Congregational Church of Boston : Rev. George Richards, pastor ; I. C. Proctor, delegate.

Congregational Church of South Weymouth : J. P. Terry. pastor ; Deacon I. Loud, delegate.

Second Congregational Church of Dorchester : Rev. J. H. Means, pastor ; Deacon C. Howe, dele- gate.

Evangelical Congregational Church of Hingham : Rev. E. Porter Dyer. pastor ; Deacon Asa H. Holden, delegate.

Congregational Church of Middleboro': Rev. I. W. Putnam, pastor ; S. Harlow, delegate.

First Congregational Church of North Weymouth : D. Pratt (3d). delegate.

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., moderator ; Rev. Erastus Maltby, scribe.

After hearing statements and facts regarding the reasons for a new organization, and a thorough exam- ination into all matters pertaining thereto, the coun- cil " coted., unanimously, that under existing circum- stances in this church it is expedient, agreeably to the request of the members calling this council, that another ' Orthodox Congregational Church' be organ- ized in this place to be called the 'Porter Evangelical Church.' It being understood that they are to adopt the Articles of Faith and Covenant now adopted by the church they leave." The public services of or- ganization were assigned for seven o'clock in the evening, which were as follows: 1, introductory

prayer and reading of the Articles of Faith and Covenant, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton; 2, consecrating prayer, by Rev. David Brigham, of Bridgewater ; 3, fellowship of the churches, by Rev. E. Porter Dyer, of Hingham ; 4, address to the church, by Rev. David Dyer, of Dorchester ; 5, con- cluding prayer, by Rev. Erastus Maltby, of Taunton. The church met Friday, March 8th, and " voted to establish public worship forthwith," and various com- mittees were chosen to make such arrangements as seemed necessary for that purpose.

The first meeting for public worship was held in the hall of Tyler Cobb, on Sunday, March 10, 1820. Rev. Joseph Merrill, of Dracut, Mass., preached on that day and the two succeeding Sabbaths.

MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN F. NORTON .- The next minister was Rev. John F. Norton, who came to the town April 6, 1850, and preached five Sabbaths, when the church and society united in giving him a call to become their pastor, May 7th, which he ac- cepted May 10, 1850 ; and immediate measures were taken in calling a council to install him as their pastor. The following churches were represented in the council :

South Congregational Church of Campello : Rev. Daniel Huntington, pastor ; Charles Keith, delegate.

First Church of Easton: Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., pastor ; Deacon H. T. Mitchell, delegate.

First Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., pastor; Deacon Wales Thayer, delegate.

Trinitarian Church of Bridgewater: Rev. David Brigham, pastor ; Levi Walker, delegate.

Trinitarian Church of Taunton: Rev. Erastus Maltby, pastor ; James M. Williams, delegate.

South Congregational Church of Dedham: Rev. Calvin Durfee, pastor ; C. Talbot, delegate.

First Congregational Church of North Bridge- water : Rev. Paul Couch, pastor ; Henry Howard, delegate.

Village Church of Dorchester : Rev. David Dyer, pastor ; Deacon James Tolman, delegate.

First Church of Abington : Rev. James W. Ward, pastor ; John Hunt, delegate

Congregational Church of South Weymouth : Rev. J. P. Terry, pastor ; A. W. Pain, delegate.

Evangelical Church of Hingham: Rev. E. P. Dyer, pastor ; A. Kilby, delegate.

Eliot Church of Roxbury : Rev. A. C. Thompson, pastor.

Second Congregational Church of Dorchester : Rev. J. H. Means, pastor; Deacon Edward Sharp, delegate.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

First Congregational Church of Falmouth : John Jenkins, delegate.

Winthrop Church of East Randolph : Elisha Bel- cher, delegate.

The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Daniel Huntington as moderator, and Rev. James W. Ward, scribe, who convened in the vestry of the Methodist Church, by invitation of that church.

His installation took place in the meeting-house of the First Church, June 5, 1850, at 12 o'clock P.M., with the following order of services on that occasion :

1, voluntary, by the choir ; 2, reading minutes of the ecclesiastical council ; 3, invocation and reading of the Scriptures ; 4, anthem ; 5, introductory prayer ; 6, hymn,-words and music composed for a similar occasion by Rev. D. Huntington,-" Herald of our Saviour God ;" 7, sermon, by Rev. A. C. Thompson, of Roxbury, Mass. ; 8, chant,-" I will give you pas- tors according to mine own heart ;" 9, installing prayer, by Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton ; 10, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Calvin Hitchcock, D.D., of Randolph ; 11, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. J. P. Terry, of South Weymouth ; 12, hymn, -" How beautiful upon the mountains ;" 13, address to the people, by Rev. Daniel Huntington, of the South Congregational Church, Campello; 14, con- cluding prayer, by Rev. David Dyer ; 15, hymn, by the congregation, tune, " Hamburg :"

"'Tis done,-the important act is done ; Heaven, earth, its solemn purport know ; Its fruits, when time its raee has run, Shall through eternal ages flow.

" The covenants of this sacred hour, Great Shepherd of thy people, seal ; Spirit of grace diffuse thy power, Our vows aceept, thy might reveal.

" Behold our guide, and deign to crown His toils, O Lamb of God, with lovo;

His lips inspire ; each effort own ; Breathe, dwell within him, hoavenly Dovo.

" Behold his charge : what wealth shall dare With its most priccless worth to vie? Suns, systems, worlds, how mean they arc, Compared with souls that cannot dio !

"The sun may set in endless gloom, The planets from their stations flee, Creation fill oblivion's tomb ; But souls can never eeaso to be.

" Oh, when before the judgment-seat The wieked quake in dread despair,

May we, all reverent at thy foet, Pastor and flock, find merey there."

16, benediction.

Mr. Norton continued with this people until Dec. 4, 1851, when he was dismissed at his request.

The council represented in the dismissal of Rev. John F. Norton was as follows :

Evangelical Church of Easton : Rev. Luther Shel- don, D.D., pastor.

Second Congregational Church of Randolph : Rev. Ezekiel Russell, pastor ; E. Wales, delegate.

South Congregational Church at Campello : Ziba Keith, delegate.

Trinitarian Congregational Church of Bridgewater : Rev. David Brigham, pastor ; Deacon Abiel Bassett, delegate.

Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., moderator ; Rev. David Brigham, scribe.

Rev. John F. Norton was born in Goshen, Litch- field Co., Conn., Sept. 8, 1809; entered Yale College in 1829 ; but his health failing, he left college during his junior year. He received the degree of A.M. from that institution in 1848; studied theology at the Theological Seminary at East Windsor, Conn., where he graduated in 1837; traveled nearly a year in Northern and Western Europe ; was principal of academies in Goshen, Brooklyn, and Norfolk, Conn., for eight years ; was ordained pastor of church in Milton Parish, Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 23, 1844 ; in- stalled pastor of Porter Evangelical Church in North Bridgewater, Mass., June 5, 1850; dismissed at his request, Dec. 4, 1851 ; installed pastor of the Evan- gelical Church in Athol, Mass., March 17, 1852 ; married, first, Harriet Frances Jenkins, of Falmouth, Mass., Aug. 19, 1839, who died Feb, 3, 1849; sec- ond marriage to Sophia W. Elliot, of Bridgeport, Conn., Dec. 31, 1850 ; she died June 6, 1852. He then married Ann Maria Mann, of Stoughton, Mass., Sept. 26, 1853; has one child living, Lewis Mills Norton, born Dec. 26, 1855.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 128

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