History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 163

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 163

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The first meeting-house was forty-three by thirty- eight, eighteen feet posts. It fronted south with a large door in the middle and "small doors on east and west side in the middle, stairs on east side, men's stairs on west side."

The Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D.D., settled as col- league of Dr. Shaw Dec. 17, 1788. He was a native of Sherborn, born in 1747, graduated at Harvard Uni- versity in 1771, and his first settlement was at Dux- bury. His call to Bridgewater proved him a worthy successor of his distinguished associate, who, in a little more than two years after this connection, was called to the rewards of the just. The settlement of Dr. Sanger was just after the close of the war of the Revolution, when the people were greatly impoverished by the inevitable taxation of that period. His salary was four hundred dollars and twenty cords of wood delivered. Dr. Sanger proved himself not only an able and faithful spiritual adviser, but an earnest and efficient promoter of education. The church and parish prospered under his ministry, and his influence was felt throughout the town. He was also held in high esteem by the clergy of the Old Colony as a con- spicuous example of piety and sound learning. From the time of his settlement until the establishment of the academy, his home was a school for the prepara- tion of young men for college, and in subsequent years he had many students in theology. His home was what is now known as the Stetson farm, and like the ministers of his day he was a practical farmer. His family of five sons and five daughters grew up to adorn with social graces the parish of their father.

Several of his sons were liberally educated. Ralph,

the third son, graduated at Harvard in 1808, and was a distinguished clergyman in Dover, Mass., and was the father of Judge George P. Sanger, of Boston. Richard graduated also at Harvard in 1800, and was preceptor of Bridgewater Academy from 1805 to 1810. Zedekiah, the youngest son, graduated at Harvard in 1807, and was preceptor of the Bridge- water Academy from 1810 to 1815. Samuel, born 1788, remained for many years upon the ancestral estate, and his long life was that of an exemplary Christian gentleman. He attained the age of nearly ninety years. He left no children. There was but one meeting-house in the village in Dr. Sanger's time, and the congregation was large, and the church har- monious. It was not until near the close of his pas- torate that doctrinal dissensions disturbed the churches of this region. Dr. Sanger was in agreement with the pronounced views of the ministry in this region, and his sermons are said to have been very impres- sive. His life was one of thorough devotion to his charge, and although of a remarkably strong physique, his incessant labors gradually impaired his health, and he was called from earth Nov. 17, 1820. Dr. Reed, of West Bridgewater, preached his funeral ser- mon, in which he delineated with much power the eminent career of the distinguished minister.

The church in which Dr. Sanger was installed was built in 1760, the timber of the original church being used in part in its construction. It was enlarged in 1810, and was taken down to give place to the present beautiful edifice of the parish in 1845.

Rev. Richard M. Hodges, the fourth minister of the South Parish, succeeded Dr. Sanger, and was set- tled Sept. 12, 1821. He was born in Salem, Aug. 5, 1794, and graduated at Harvard College in 1815, in a class peculiarly distinguished for its men of emi- nence in the ministerial profession.

The council invited to solemnize Mr. Hodges' or- dination convened at the Academy Hall, and organ- ized under the direction of Dr. John Reed, of the West Parish, assisted by a classmate, Rev. John G. Palfrey, of Boston, as scribe. Afterwards, at the church, were celebrated the solemnities of the occa- sion, which took place in the following order: Rev. Ralph Sanger, of Dover, made the introductory prayer; Rev. Charles Lowell, of Boston, preached the sermon ; Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, of Dor- chester, offered the ordaining prayer ; Rev. John Prince, of Salem, gave the charge; Rev. Charles Briggs, of Lexington, presented the right hand of fellowship; and Rev. J. G. Palfrey made the con- eluding prayer.

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HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

his ministry at a period of great controversy, which tended to the general separation of the Evangelical and Unitarian elements of the churches, and in the course of his pastorate witnessed the withdrawal of a number of his parishioners, who became identified with the newly-organized church in Scotland, of which Rev. Ebenezer Gay was the first pastor. Mr. Hodges was inclined to the conservative school of his denomi- nation, adhering to the views of Channing, which prevailed largely among the Unitarians of New Eng- land. Possessed of marked literary acquirements and a genial and accomplished manner. he manifested his devotion to his sacred calling by a most earnest and faithful service among his people, and at his own request. at the expiration of twelve years, in 1833, received a peaceable dismission from his pastoral duties.

Mr. Hodges' connection with his people was the foundation of an abiding friendship and an ardent interest in the church and parish. He was a frequent visitor to the scenes of his early labors, ministering consolation in seasons of sorrow and bereavement, and mingling in the social gatherings of festive occa- sions. .

On the fiftieth anniversary of his settlement (1871) Mr. Hodges preached a fitting and eloquent sermon, commemorative of the event, from the text, " And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." But of those who had acted as a committee in behalf of the parish to invite him to settle, not one was among the living. For more than forty years Mr. Hodges was a resident of Cambridge, where, with the blessings of an ample fortune, he was permitted to enjoy the social and lit- erary associations of its classic walks. Mr. Hodges died Aug. 12, 1878, leaving three children,-a son, Dr. R. M. Hodges, an eminent physician, and two married daughters.

Rev. Theophilus P. Doggett, a graduate of Brown University, was the fifth minister of the First Church, and was the son of Rer. Simeon Doggett, of Rayn- ham, and grandson of Rev. Perez Fobes, of Rayn- ham, a native of Bridgewater. Mr. Doggett was or- dained Nov. 13, 1833, as successor of Rev. Mr. Hodges. The clergymen who participated in the services of his ordination were Rev. Pitt Clark, of Norton, moderator ; Rev. Mr. Edes, of Canton, scribe ; Rev. Mr. Bigelow, of Taunton, who addressed the society; Rev. Mr. Hodges, who offered the introduc- tory prayer ; Rev. George Parkman, of Boston, who gave the charge to the pastor ; Rev. Mr. Crafts, of East Bridgewater, who gave the right hand of fellow- ship; Rev. Charles Lowell, of Boston, and Rev. Dr. Kendall, of Plymouth.

Mr. Doggett continued the pastor for eleven years, when, by reason of bronchial disease, he was disqual- ified for the duties of the pulpit, and resigned his pastorate.

He subsequently was settled at Ashby, in 1847, continuing there for six years, and then removed to Barnstable, where he preached for seven years. His last pastorate was at Pembroke, which was for thir- teen years. His death was from apoplexy, May 18, 1875.

First Congregational Society .- Rev. Claudius Bradford was the pastor of the First Congregational Church and Society from May 29, 1845, to July 26, 1851, when dismission was granted. It was during Mr. Bradford's pastorate that the present beautiful church was erected.

Rev. John J. Putnam was installed pastor Jan. 16, 1856, and dismissed in 1864.

Rev. George Dexter, installed Jan. 25, 1865, and dismissed Dec. 17, 1866.

Rev. George H. Hosmer was settled Dec. 15, 1868, and resigned his pastorate Dec. 15, 1878, after a most harmonious connection of ten years, during which he won the warm respect and affection of his parish, while held in high esteem by the citizens of the town. Mr. Hosmer left Bridgewater to accept a most eli- gible position as pastor of a church in Salem, Mass.

Rev. Albert E. Goodnough was pastor from Sept. 25, 1879, to April, 1881.

Rev. John Albert Wilson was ordained May 11, 1882, and died in Bridgewater, Dec. 8, 1883. His brief pastorate was sadly ended by his sudden death, as he had preached on the Sabbath before his decease. He was much beloved for rare social gifts, and his funeral was largely attended by the people of the parish and neighboring clergymen. His remains rest in the cemetery of the village.

The clerks of the First Congregational Society have been, --

Eleazer Carver, 1716, '17, '18.

Richard Davenport, 1719.

Josiah Edson, Nathaniel Willis, Eleazer Carver, to 1724.

Thomas Hayward, 1724, '25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '30, '31, '32, '33, '34, '35.

Col. Josiah Edson, Jr., 1736, '37, '38, '39, '40, '41, '42, '43, '44, '45, '46, '47, '48, '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59, '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66.

Josiah Edson, Jr., 1766, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75. Capt. Abram Washburn, 1775, '76, '77, 78, '79, '80.

Samuel Kinsley, 1781, '82, '83, '84, '85.

Dr. Samuel Shaw, 1786, '87, '88.

Winslow Hooper, 1789, '90.

Isaac Lazell, 1791, '92, '93,'94 '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, 1800, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09.

Caleb Cary, 1810, '11, '12, '13, '14, '15.

Holmes Sprague, 1816, '17, '18, '19, '20, '21, '22.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Nathan Lazell, Jr., 1823, '24, '25, '26, '27, '28. Nahum Stetson, 1829, '30, '31.

Mitchell Keith, 1830.

Philo Leach, 1831, '32, '33, '34, '35, '36, '37, '38, '39, '40, '41, '42, '43, '44, '45, '46, '47, '48.

Williams Latham, 1849, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57. Eli Washburn, 1857, '58, '59, '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75, '76, '77. Henry T. Pratt, 1877.

Among the names of the fathers whose memories we would ever cherish may be mentioned those of the worthy deacons who were associated with the organi- zation and growth of the church of the South Parish. Though no date may indicate the time of the choice of the first standard-bearers of Mr. Allen's pastorate, the duties of the office devolved upon two honored members of the community whose Pilgrim names, Carver and Alden, have ever graeed the banner of the Old Colony.

It was not, however, till Oct. 17, 1734, sixteen years after the settlement of the first pastor, that " the brethren, being met together at the public meet- ing-house, declared it as their judgment that there ought to be an ordination of deacons," and upon the choice of Thomas Hayward as deacon, whose home overlooked the woods and vales of Pratt Town, arranged for the solemn service of ordination to take place November 17th, on the third anniversary of Mr. Shaw's settlement.

This occasion can have been of no ordinary inter- est to the welfare of the infant church, the member- ship of which was rapidly increasing under the care of its youthful pastor, and, with the establishment of schools, was to determine the perpetuity of religion and good learning in the community. We would seek to know more of the character and lives of those who gathered to witness these services and who were so scattered from Titicut and Nippenickett to the little hamlet of Satucket. We can be quite sure that among the number were two of the sons of Minister Keith,-Samuel of Scotland, and John of South Street,-who had early become identified with the welfare of the church and would watch with interest the growth of a vine of their father's planting.

Deacon Eleazer Carver and Deacon Joseph Alden lived to witness the prosperity of the church, and in a ripe old age, before the deeease of Deacon Hayward, in 1741, were considerably relieved of the responsi- bilities of their office by the appointment of Capt. Josiah Edson, who lived near the site of the old Pratt Tavern, and of Solomon Pratt, whose farin must have extended into the valley of the forge. The va- eaney eaused by the death of Deacon Pratt, in 1757, was filled by the choice of Jacob Hayward, of Pratt-

town, who upon the decease of Capt. Edson, in 1763, was probably assisted in the duties of the office by Col. Josiah Edson, who at this time, with Lieut. Joshua Alden, was a " tuner of the psalms." In 1775, nearly three years before the close of Deacon Hay- ward's life, occurred the election of Benjamin Willis, Jr., and Seth Pratt, the former an honored judge, whose mansion still stands near ancestral trees, on the way to Woodward's bridge, the latter a nephew of Deacon Solomon and of prominence as a select- man for many years. Deacon Pratt and Deacon Willis were the last of the eight recorded deacons of Mr. Shaw's long pastorate, and lived not only to wit- ness the installation of Mr. Sanger as colleague of their aged minister, but to cheer for many years their pastor's life. Faithful in the maintenance of the or- dinances of the gospel in the town, these fathers were no less active in their chosen callings. But though time has thrown into oblivion many an incident of their lives, and left us but few landmarks to remind us of their names, we who have the inestimable legacy of Christian homes can strive to manifest in our lives their spirit and steadfast Christian char- acter, and inscribe above their resting-places the words of the Psalmist, so fittingly written of one of their number, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men."

At the beginning of Mr. Sangar's pastorate, in 1788, the brethren of the church made choice of James Perkins, Jr., as an associate of Deaeon Willis and Deacon Pratt, the former of whom was at that time quite advaneed in years. Deacon Perkins was a great-grandson of the first settler of the name in Bridgewater, and resided but a few steps beyond the site of the old Trinity Church, not far from the site of the original family homestead. The enterprise and skill of Deacon Perkins as a gunsmith, in devel- oping the growth of the mechanical industries of the parish, were of no inferior order, and in the war of independence had been recognized in the manufacture of a thousand stand of arms for the American army. Subsequently, in the days of 1812, with his son, Rufus, and son-in-law, Dr. Shubael Lovell, he still continued to fill orders for the government. The gun-shop of Deacon Perkins still stands incorporated in the old mansion of the Lovell family, and in its concealment is expressive of the changes of a cen- tury, and of the obscurity of many a landmark of the Revolution.

Two of Deacon Perkins' grandsons, Nehemiah and Lorenzo Lovell, were graduates of Brown University in 1833, and studied for the ministry. Shubael re-

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HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

mained upon the homestead place, and, as a manu- facturer of straw goods, was long known as a business man of energy and integrity. The old house of Deacon Perkins was destroyed by fire not many years before the close of his life, which occurred in 1827, in his eighty-first year.

Another of Mr. Sanger's deacons was Ephraim Orcut. the son of Ichabod. whose early home, long since removed. once stood beyond South Brook at the entrance of the road to the State work-house. He re- moved to the West Parish in 1806, but subsequently returned to his native parish and lived at the Horton place (now owned by MI. F. Barney), where he died in 1831, at the age of eighty-seven years. His widow and several members of his family removed to Chester. N. H.

Deacon Orcut's humble sphere in life was no bar- rier to his recognition as a worthy and exemplary candidate for the sacred office, and the intrinsic ex- cellence of his character was freely acknowledged in the thoughtful affection of the community. Of his ancestry, as of his brethren,

" Their names, their years, spelt by the unlettered Muse, The place of fame and elegy supply, And many a holy text around she strews, That teach the rustic moralist to die."

A prominent man in Dr. Sanger's day was Maj. Isaac Lazell, who, with Peter Conant, was chosen deacon as early as 1803. Deacon Lazell's name will long be revered as one which was connected not only with the work of the church, but with the develop- ment of all good objects of a public character. He was born in 1756, and his life spanned that deeply interesting Revolutionary period which so tested the patriotism of our countrymen. Fitted by sterling qualities of mind and heart to be a prudent adviser, he became one of Dr. Sanger's enduring friends, and in the capacity of clerk of the parish evinced his interest in its affairs by a faithful service of eighteen years. Associated with his brother, Nathan Lazell. Esq., at the old store, Maj. Lazell, with others, was active in the inauguration of the great manufacturing industry that for two generations has given distinc- tion to his native place, and reflected in its business management that solid integrity characteristic of the original firm. As merchant and manufacturer he was instrumental in concentrating about his home such enterprise as to render it the nucleus of the future village, and his participation in the endowment and erection of the academy of the county in 1799 was indicative not only of his foresight but his bounty. " May science flourish in the academy now raising," written in his day-book of June 20th, is but an ex-

pression of those who sought the educational and moral elevation of the community and the blessings of good learning for their children.

As proprietor of a public-house in later years, Maj. Lazell naturally felt a deep interest in the pro- ject of opening a grand turnpike road between Boston and New Bedford, and most significantly co-operated with his brother, Gen. Lazell, in its construction in 1805. Deacon Lazell's home, with its poplars and offsets and its walks of box, was brightened by the presence of a worthy helpmeet whose refined nature fitted her for the prominence which she occupied in the social circle, and whose spirit of hospitality ren- dered so attractive the surroundings of the deacon's inn. As the fortunate mistress of such a home she raised a large family of daughters, and upon the death of her husband, in 1810, continued to welcome to her board a gladsome company of students-often twenty or more-whose faces cheered the halls of the old academy. The spirit of generosity of her husband, Mrs. Lazell lived to see revived in the presentation of the commodious grounds of the second Academy by his heirs in 1822, and to the end of life in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Eddy, was the friend of many a student.

An associate of Deacon Lazell was Peter Conant, the son of Phineas, and nephew of Rev. Silvanus Conant, a distinguished minister of Middleboro'. About the time of his marriage, in 1777, Mr. Conant took up his abode on the eastern slope of Great Hill, on an old bridle-path that now winds through quiet woodland not far from the site of the old family home- stead, which was owned by Lot Conant, son of the first Nathaniel. Mr. Conant was an artisan of acknowledged skill, and possessed the spirit of enter- prise and of loyal citizenship. In early life in com- pany with his brother, Phincas, and his uncle, Lot, he was a soldier in Capt. Allen's Bridgewater company, and with several others of the name was foremost in patriotic service. Upon the death of Deacon Lazell, in 1810, with Deacon James Alger and Deacon Cor- nelius Holmes as associates, Deacon Conant continued to perform the duties of his office till a few years be- fore the close of Mr. Sanger's ministry, when he be- came an attendant of the religious service at Scotland, and was an original member of that church. In 1823, Deacon Conant sold his place and removed to Northfield, N. H., the home of his son, Rev. Lebbeus Conant, where he died surrounded by his kindred.

- James Alger, who acted as a deacon as early as 1810, was the son of Lieut. James Alger, of the West Parish, and brother of Capt. Abizer Alger, a furnaceman of prominence, and father of Cyrus Alger,

- 2

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

the distinguished metallurgist and manufacturer. Deaeon Alger lived on the old Samuel Keith place in Scotland, and for a number of years in partnership with Col. Salmon Fobes carried on an iron furnace and store at Freetown. He was an influential and re- spected member of the parish, especially interested in the welfare of the sehools, and so long as his health permitted retained his official connection with the church. Upon his resignation, in 1822, Cyrus Cope- land, Sr., was chosen his sueeessor. Deacon Alger was a devoted student of the Scriptures, and it was said of him that he would speculate with considerable ability upon subjeets that have found opposite advo- cates in the Christian Church. He was an ocasional contributor to the Christian Register. 'He spent the last of his days with his son, Rev. Horatio Alger, who at that time was pastor of the Unitarian Church in Chelsea. Deaeon Alger's wife was a daughter of Lieut. Joseph Bassett, a descendant on her father's side of William Bassett, and on her mother's of Rob- ert Cushman, both of whom were among the Plymouth Pilgrims.

The erection of the church at the East Precinct in 1720, and the organization of a church in Halifax in 1734, had slightly affected the membership of Mr. Shaw's parish ; but in 1743 the people of Titieut, by a petition for a separate precinct, ereated a more serious loss to its membership, and in course of time no small disturbance of its disciplinary peace. The preaching of Whitefield, Davenport, and the Tennents, and Ed- wards, Hopkins, and Bellamy, had at this time of the great awakening made a deep impression upon the churches of New England, and the controversy of the Old and New Lights was making inroads upon the churches of the established order, and given rise to the organization of separate parishes. The Old Lights favoring the undisturbed privileges of the established clergy, and relying upon the power of the civil law for the support of the ordinanees of religion, were in direet confliet with the upholders of new measures, who aimed at the complete separation of Church and State. So great was the prejudice, moreover, against any innovation in the modes of preparation of the elergy for their saered office, that in Conneetient, where the controversy more hotly raged, a law was enaeted, prohibiting any person who had not been edueated or graduated at " Harvard, or Yale, or some other allowed Protestant college or university," from taking " the benefit of the law of the government, respecting the settlement and support of ministers." But, on the other hand, it was the express couviction of many, who sought the more pronounced views of republicanism, and advocated a more ardent spirituality of the church,

that, to limit the functions of the gospel ministry to those only who had enjoyed the privileges of a liberal education, was to debar from most active service a certain element in the church whose qualifications for the ministry was evinced by their efficiency and spirit- ual life. With fifty-three original members in 1718, and with seventy-five additional names during Mr. Allen's pastorate, the prosperity of Mr. Shaw's church had ever been apparent in the cheerful support of his ministerial labors, and in the continued inerease of its membership. The first ten years of his ministry had witnessed the reception of one hundred and eight mem- bers, fifty-seven of whom signed the covenant during the first three years, and the great revival of 1742 had produced most gratifying results by the accession of thirty-three in January, thirty-seven in February, and fifty-seven during the remainder of the year. During the first twenty years of Mr. Shaw's ministry two hundred and fifty-eight had been added to the church. In 1741 and 1742, for a period of fourteen months, the preaching of Eliab Byram, at Titicut, had aroused a deep interest in the ordinances of the gospel, and the desire for the incorporation of a parish, which was granted with considerable delay.

Silas Brett, John Wadsworth, Mr. Tucker, and Solomon Reed were among those who afterwards con- dueted religious services there, but there was yet no permanent ministry. The efforts of Rev. Nathaniel Shepherd, of Attleboro', prepared the way for the ar- rival of Rev. Joseph Snow and Rev. Isaac Backus, the former a New Light minister of Providence, whose father was a native of Bridgewater, and the latter a well-known Evangelistic preacher, of Connecticut. Mr. Snow and Mr. Baekus were hospitably enter- tained at the home of Seth Hayward, a " Christian brother," and on the following day Mr. Baekus writes : " We came down to Titicut, to Brother Sam- uel Alden's, where Brother Snow, who had labored in the place before, was weleomed with mueh rejoicing." Numerous serviees in December and January now aroused an interest in the speedy acknowledgment of a covenant, and a discourse of Mr. Backus upon the building and government of the church hastened the action of those who favored the claims of the New Lights. The precinct had already taken measures for the completion of its plans. In the month of March, 1747, at the home of James Keith, a grandson of Minister Keith, it was voted " to provide material to onclose and cover the meeting-house," but the mem- bers of neighboring churches eould obtain no letters of dismission. Tho mutual jealousy of the Old Light Church of Bridgewater and the New Light Church of Mr. Conant, at Middleboro', that their

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 163

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