History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 164

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 164

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

the

Re De Br pra ba COD an mo

bre ing luti str the acc Si we tin of

the

781

HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

brethren at Titicut would not be beneath the protect- churches of Middleboro', Barnstable, Marshfield, Cocheset, and Carver, we recognize the legitimate influence of the Christian code of Rhode Island, under the administration of an active reformer. With but six churches of his denomination in Massachu- setts and Connecticut before 1734, Mr. Backus wit- nessed a most remarkable growth of his cause in the establishment of forty-eight churches in Massachu- of a thousand churches in the country. ing wand of a suitable shepherd, finally led to a reso- lution of the petitioners that they would be "re- strained by such tyranny no longer," and resulted in the organization of a church in 1748, which soon accepted the ministrations of Rev. Isaac Backus. Sixteen persons signed the covenant, nine of whom were of the church of the South Parish. At this time the little church was increasing, and at the date , setts in the course of thirty years, and, before 1792, of the ordination, April 13th. numbered thirty-four. .. Only pastors of kindred churches, with delegates His prominence in concentrating the strength of the Baptist element in New England, and promoting its claims of equality, found honored expression in his mission at Philadelphia in 1774, at the meeting of the First Continental Congress, and his protest against the establishment of old ecclesiastical laws in Massachusetts, and in his plea for the amendment of the Bill of Rights, placed him in the ranks of the most noted advocates of religious liberty. Associated with President Manning, of the College of Rhode Island, of which he was trustce, Mr. Backus was heartily identified with the interests of liberal learn- ing, and was a dispenser of charities for the educa- tion of youth. His numerous publications upon both political and religious subjects attracted the attention of statesmen, and enlisted the sympathy of many. With an established fame as a preacher and historian he was also a recognized teacher in his profession, and welcomed not a few to his fellowship, who became eminent as clergymen. of Norwich, Canterbury, Attleboro', and Providence, had been invited to participate in the ordination. Rev. Mr. Snow. of Providence, preached the sermon ; Deacon Israel Washburn was chosen to lay on hands ; Brother Cleveland, of Canterbury, offered the first prayer ; Brother Paine, of Canterbury, gave the charge; Brother Hyde, of Norwich, gave the right hand of fellowship; and Deacon Washburn made the concluding prayer." A period of violent commotion among the churches of New England respecting the modes and subject of baptism was the occasion of con- tinued discussion and distraction for several years, and the occurrence of five New Light councils from 1751 to 1753. which followed Mr. Backus' decision in favor of believer's baptism, resulted in the decline of the growth of the church. and a gradual separation of conflicting elements. Mr. Backus continued to preach as a Congregationalist until the formation of a Baptist Church, January, 1756. The church called Mr. Backus, and June 23d witnessed his installation. This was the first Baptist Church organized between Boston and Rehoboth, and between Bellingham and the end of Cape Cod.

Though favored with but a small number of ad- herents. Mr. Backus' church in 1779 had increased in membership from fifty-nine to one hundred and thirty- eight, and at the expiration of forty years, with the changes that came from the decease of thirty-four, the dismission of sixty-one to other churches, it still possessed a thriving body of followers, who numbered ninety-one, and had already acquired the title of mother of ministers and churches.

At his humble home, on Nov. 20, 1806, Mr. Backus passed away in the eighty-third year of his age, and the sixty-first of his ministry. He was born in Norwich, Conn., Jan. 9, 1724. His father was a descendant of one of the first planters of Norwich (1660). His mother was of the family line of the Winslows, who were early settlers in the Old Colony.

Ecclesiastical History .- In 1821 certain mem- bers of the First Congregational Church withdrew and organized a new church, viz., the Trinitarian Congregational Church, and the following are the names of those who constituted said church at its organization, Oct. 17, 1821 : John Conant, Deborah Conant, Jason Dyer, Theophilus Wentworth, Betsey Wentworth, Rufus Wood, Susannah Wood, Mary Conant, Mary Hooper, Nancy Washburn, Oliver Co- nant, Peter Conant, Jane Conant, Polly Conant, Levi Leach, Betsey Leach, Giles Leach, Deborah Conant, Ruth Keith.

At the beginning of his pastorate at Titicut, Mr. Backus adopted the course of an Evangelistic preacher, and, like Wesley, called the world his parish, for of no part of the Old Colony was he unmindful. During the first eleven years of his ministry he delivered two thousand four hundred sermons, and traveled fourteen thousand seven hundred miles beyond the limits of Nov. 10, 1821, an organization was had for the erection of a mecting-house, which was to be built in shares of one hundred dollars each, and the following his parish. This course of life he pursued until quite advanced in years, and delivered annually about two hundred sermons. In the formation of kindred | persons were chosen building committee: Benjamin

782

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Keith, Jason Dyer, Seth Conant, Zephaniah Caswell, Ezra Fobes, Jr., William Bassett, Caleb F. Leonard. It was agreed that there should be thirty shares, and the following persons are named as agreeing to take shares : Jason Dyer, Caleb F. Leonard, William Bassett, Benjamin Keith, Ezra Fobes, Jr., Nathan Bassett, Zephaniah Caswell, Josiah Bassett, Cornelius Holmes, Seth Conant, Rufus Wood, Oliver Conant, Joseph Bassett, Morton Eddy, Levi Hooper, George Bassett, Zephaniah Wilbar.

Seth Conant and Ezra Fobes contraeted to build the meeting-house, which was located in what is known as "Scotland." The church was completed during the year 1822, at a cost of three thousand dollars. Ezra Fobes, Oliver Keith, and Morton Eddy were chosen deaeons.

Jan. 29, 1823, this ehureh installed the Rev. Ebenezer Gay as its pastor, Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester, preaching the sermon, and the following elergymen taking part in the exercises of the oeea- sion : Dr. Calvin Hitchcock, of Randolph ; Rev. William Cogswell, of Dedham ; Rev. J. B. Fiske, of Sharon ; Rev. Elisha Fiske, of Wrentham; Rev. Luther Sheldon, D.D., of Easton ; Rev. P. Colby, of Middleboro'; Rev. Daniel Thomas, of Abington ; Rev. Sylvester Holmes, of New Bedford; Rev. Mr. Shaw, of Middleboro'; Rev. Daniel Huntington, of North Bridgewater. Mr. Fiske was moderator ; Mr. Sheldon, seribe.

Mr. Gay continued his labors with suceess, and the following year about fifty were added to the ehureh. After about fifteen years (in 1836) the members of the church in the Centre had inereased, and a major- ity being in favor of removing to that locality, Mr. Gay, with mueh reluetanee, parted with his Seotland eharge, and established the church, with a new house of worship, on the west side of Central Square. This eourse was approved by neighboring clergymen and laymen, and proved to be what is now the strong and well-established Central Square Church. Rev. Mr. Gay was dismissed, at his own request, Dee. 29, 1841, and his successor was Rev. S. S. Tappan, who was the pastor for two years,-Morton Eddy, Cornelius Holmes, and Abiel Bassett, deaeons.

In 1845 (April 23d), Rev. David Brigham was installed the pastor. The eouneil was Rev. P. Colby, of Middleboro'; Rev. Paul Coueh, of North Bridge- water; Rev. Israel W. Putnam, of Middleboro'; Rev. Dennis Powers, of Abington ; Rev. Daniel Huntington, of North Bridgewarter; Rev. Baalis Sanford, of East Bridgewater; Rev. Willard Pieree, of Abington. Sermon by Rev. Sewall Harding, of Medway.

Mr. Brigham's pastorate continued until Dee. 24, 1858, when he tendered his resignation, after nearly fourteen years of faithful devotion to his sacred eall- ing, during which time there were many additions to the church.

Rev. John M. Prinee, from Georgetown, was the next pastor. His installation took place Feb. 23, 1859, and gave promise of good for the ebureh.

In a few months he was strieken with fatal dis- ease, which terminated his brief but most devoted labors with this people, Nov. 16, 1859. Mr. Prinee was very much beloved, and his death was deeply lamented. His remains were tenderly laid in the cemetery of this town with most touching expressions of affeetion by his ehureh and parish.

The meeting-house, which was ereeted in 1836, was destroyed by fire in 1860.

Rev. Ebenezer Douglass was the next minister, coming to the place the week before the church was destroyed. He engaged with zeal in the interest of the church, and aided much in raising funds for rebuilding the present spacious and convenient edi- fiee. The funds for the new meeting-house were raised by subseription and given to the corporate church that owned the land, on condition that the annual rental of pews should be applied to the sup- port of the gospel ministry and the incidental ex- penses of the ehureh.

The meeting house was completed in the spring of 1862.

Solomon K. Eaton was the architect, and Ambrose Keith the master builder.

The building committee were Joshua E. Crane, Philip D. Kingman, Christopher D. Copeland.

There was a commendable spirit of liberality and self-sacrifice manifested by the church and parish in accomplishing this work, which was carried on amid the trying season of the war of the Rebellion.

Mr. Douglass was installed June 26, 1862, the following ministers participating in the exereises : Rev. E. A. Park, D.D., who preached the sermon (Boston) ; Rev. E. Thurston, D.D., charge to the pastor (Fall River) ; Rev. J. C. Seagraves, Scotland ; Rev. N. H. Broughton, East and West Bridge- water ; Rev. T. G. Brainard, Halifax ; Rev. I. W. Putnam, D.D., Middleboro'; Rev. E. G. Little, North Middleboro'; Rev. J. G. Haskell, Raynham ; Rev. F. Wallace, Boston.

Mr. Douglass retained the pastorate for five years and resigned, having accomplished much for the pros- perity of the church.

Rev. Horace D. Walker was installed pastor April 9, 1868, Rev. Eli Thurston preaching the sermon,

cont whe R stal! T etc. exp ous the cho: its Th

Abi Par Bo Wi Re Re

Su scel He Bri

Ed So

& TI bu la

to to

783

HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

continuing a successful ministry for twelve years, when he tendered his resignation.

Rev. J. C. Bodwell. the present pastor, was in- stalled in 1880.

The church edifice was enlarged for an organ-loft, etc .. and frescoed and much improved in 1883, at an expense of seventeen hundred dollars, by the gener- ous gifts of a few members of the parish. Under the faithful ministry of able and devoted pastors, the church and parish has strengthened in numbers, and its congregation is among the largest in the town. The Sabbath-school is well sustained, under the superintendence of Mr. George H. Martin. Deacons, Abiel Bassett, Levi Walker, George H. Martin ; Parish Clerk. Albert G. Boyden ; Treasurer, A. C. Boyden ; Standing Committee, Levi Walker, R. W. Wilber. James Reed; Committee on Pews, James Reed, I. M. Conant, A. G. Boyden ; Collector, James Reed ; Auditor, John M. Stetson.

Deacon Henry D. Sanford, who for many years was an efficient and devoted worker as deacon and as Sunday-school superintendent. was called from the scenes of earth, greatly lamented, February 14, 1883. He was the son of Rev. Baalis Sanford, of East Bridgewater.

Trinity Church .- In January, A.D. 1747, Samuel Edson, of Bridgewater, gave by deed, in trust, to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts of the Church of England fourteen acres of land, the annual proceeds of which were " to be ap- plied to e mintainance of public worship & ministra- tion of e word and sacraments according to the rites and usages of e ch. of England." " A small society was formed, who commenced the building of e church in e spring of e year 1748."

Among the names of those early builders were Samuel, Jr., John, Obed, Abcl, and Ezra Edson, Thomas and Francis Perkins. This first church building was not completed nor even glazed until long after public worship was held under its roof, according to the records. Some years after the raising, we read of the sale of the wood on the glebe, by Ebenezer Keith, to obtain window-glass and to erect pulpit, reading-desk, and altar. It was not until sixty-eight years afterwards that the earnest and faithful John Edson, a descendant of the founder, at his own expense thoroughly repaired and com- pleted the first Trinity Church, which was then first consecrated by Bishop Griswold in 1816. This was a glad day for the church people of Bridgewater, but the institution seems to have hardly less than a name to live until Rev. Matthias Monroe accepted the rec- torship in 1831, when the church was filled with a

congregation. Rev. William Warland became the rector in 1836, and a new church was erected, to take the place of the old one of 1748, and consecrated by Bishop Griswold.

The new Trinity ranked among the finest buildings of that day, with its fine mahogany pulpit, and when demolished, last November, had long been one of the most attractive objects in the rural landscape. Among its rectors of this second period are many names that still live gratefully in the hearts and memories of parishioners.

During the year 1883, by a combined effort of the friends of the church, a fine lot has been purchased, upon which the third and new Trinity Church is rising to gladden the hearts and eyes of Trinity people. The contracting builder is Mr. S. L. Ryder, of West Bridgewater. The new church, which is now well advanced towards completion, is seventy-seven by thirty-three, being a simple nave only, with a corner tower, and was designed by Mr. Stephen C. Earle, of Worcester.

Among those who have rendered faithful service as rectors of the church are the Rev. Charles Clark Harris, Rev. B. R. Gillord, and Rev. Joseph Jenks.

The present rector is Rev. J. Milton Peck, under whose ministry this church of the fathers seems to have taken a new lease of life in Bridgewater. Mr. Peck is a native of Fall River, a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, of the class of 1854, and was ordained in 1856 as a minister of the gospel.

New Jerusalem Church .- The society of the New Jerusalem Church was formed in 1824, and the first preacher was Mr. Artemas Stebbins, who was a zealous believer of the doctrines of Emanuel Sweden- borg. Mr. Eleazer Smith began to preach for the society in 1824 and continued until 1826, when the society arranged for service at the Academy Hall, where it was continued most of the time until 1831. In 1833 a church was organized by Rev. Thomas Worcester, with the following members: Seth Wash- burn, Sarah Washburn, Daniel Mitchell, Eunice Mitchell, Cyrus Benson, Lydia Benson, Thomas Broadhurst, Chloe Broadhurst, Thomas Cushman, Lucy Cushman, Simeon Leonard, Philander Wood, Ralph Copeland, Charles Pratt, William Snow, De- borah Hayward, Polly Alden, Rebecca L. Conant, Mary Perkins, Susan Copeland, Bethiah Bates, Bo- adicea Leonard.

On Sept. 3, 1834, the house of worship was dedi- cated. It was the first erected by this denomination in New England, Rev. M. M. Carll, of Philadelphia, as consecrating priest, Rev. C. I. Doughly and Rev. Samuel Worcester participated in the services. Mr.

784

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Worcester continued the minister until 1839, when the society voted to dissolve the relation.

Rev. Thomas P. Rodman was the minister in 1845, and elosed his pastorate in 1863.

Mr. Rodman subsequently preached in Portland, Me., and at Philadelphia, where he died April, 1870. Mr. Rodman was an able, scholarly man, of ready speech, and most earnestly devoted to his ministerial office. The interest which he took in all publie affairs, particularly the cause of education, gave him a prominent place as a eitizen, and in humility he ex- emplified the Christian character. Mr. Redman was born in Newport, R. I., in 1811.

Rev. T. B. Hayward was a stated supply for a number of years, closing his connection with the so- eiety in 1868. He was a graduate of Harvard Col- lege, and had a high standing as a student of the doc- trines of the New Church, and accomplished much for the Boston society prior to his connection with the Bridgewater Church. His death occurred in 1878, ten years after leaving Bridgewater.

Rev. Theodore F. Wright became the pastor in 1869, when the society entered upon a prosperous experience, and proceeded to the erection of the new edifice, which was completed in 1871. The late Mr. Joseph A. Hyde was a liberal promoter of this enter- prise, giving the land for the church and contrib- uting generously to its building fund. The building committee were Philo Keith, E. H. Sprague, Spencer Leonard, M. H. Cornell, and Sumner Keith. The church building is a beautiful and convenient struc- ture, and an ornament to the village. The society is still favored with Mr. Wright's pastorate.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Bridgewater May 3, 1874 ; the following persons holding church letters were enrolled as original members : George Adams, Margaret Adams, Albert Harriman, Mahala Harri- man, Sarah A. Lawrence, John McBay, Letitia Mc- Bay, Abbie F. Lawrence, and Silva Shedd.

The ministers who have served the charge are as follows : Revs. George H. Baker, J. R. Wood, W. G. Wilson, T. J. Everett, George W. Morgan, George W. Coon, W. F. Farrington, J. B. Hingeley, and W. A. Wright.

Gammons, Sunday-school superintendent ; J. B. Ro- gers, assistant Sunday-school superintendent.

Catholic Church .- The Catholic Church was built in this town in 1855, and has been an institution that has conferred much benefit upon the large class of adopted citizens. Rev. John Conlon is the pastor, and an able, scholarly preacher.

Bridgewater Iron Manufacture .- From a very early date in the history of the country, Bridgewater has been identified with the manufacture of iron, and more than a century ago was a central point of this important enterprise. Even as early as 1628 special encouragement from the mother-country promoted a search for minerals, and gradually called into being important iron companies in Abington, Raynham, Middleboro', and Bridgewater. The ponds and bogs of the Old Colony were found to yield an abun- dant supply of ore, and furnaces and forges for smelt- ing and working up the metal with charcoal from the swamps and hills presented scenes of primitive ac- tivity that can be but faintly realized. The earliest mention of iron manufacture in Bridgewater is re- corded in 1707, in a lease of land by Indians of Titi- cut to Capt. Edson, Edward Mitehell, Edward Fobes, Samuel Washburn, and Ephraim Howard, in consid- eration of an annual payment of twenty-five shillings, " to have liberty to set up iron works," and " to joyn their damm to our land, and also to improve what is needful for ponding." In 1737, Capt. Josiah Edson and others were engaged in the manufacture of hollow- ware at South Brook, near the present margin of Carver's Pond, and laid the foundation for an active trade in " skellets, cauldrons, and dogs." The foun- dry of Amos Keith and others at the "old Forge Brook" at Titicut, about the same time, were engaged in casting cannon, and the furnace of Jeremiah Keith & Brother, not far away, were among the establish- ments actively engaged in contributing supplies at this period. The rapid growth of our colonial industries, however, had in 1750 met with most rigorous re- strictive measures on the part of Great Britain in the prohibition of the further erection of slitting-mills, rolling-mills, and forges, and had ealled forth an im- mediate declaration of natural rights from the people of Massachusetts. It was therefore not until after the Revolution that iron manufacture was able to resume its former prominence in the colony.

For four years the church rented the old Sweden- borgian meeting-house. In the fifth year steps were taken to purchase the house, and three years ago As a home of artisans and manufacturers Bridge- water became a centre of renewed activity, and in 1818, a short time before the division of the town, possessed tliree forges, two slitting-mills, two anchor- shops, four trip-hammers, three nail-factories, and one (1881) the debt for lot, building, and refitting was en- tirely paid. The church has shown a commendable spirit of self-sacrifice, and seems to exert a good in- fluence in the town. The officers are H. F. Barnes, recording steward ; Albert Harriman, collector ; F. C. air furnace. At the present site of the Bridgewater

is but i Iron C Perkins practic Jacob

peace. in 179. ness we hundre- hundre, ting Da foresig others, portane tained Dame accomn a landi success aging Esq., B chief n Nahun the ene entered ness at it was at this burst agemen Tishing that ti It m tions w this cor among From partme the lar ment. of wor al kin yellow for se carried is such During tribute constru

Iron C second

785

HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

Iron Company's works was erected, in 1785, the second slitting mill in the country, after the return of peace. Another shitting-mill was erected in 1793, and in 1795 the establishment and success of the busi- ness were indicated by the cutting and rolling of four hundred and forty-five tons of iron, of which one hundred tons were made into hoop-iron and for cut- ting nails. This branch of industry, through the foresight of Messrs. Isaac and Nathan Lazell and others, was steadily increased in magnitude and im- portance. In 1826 an act of incorporation was ob- tained and the business was carried on under the name of Lazell, Perkins & Co. Without railroad accommodations, and at a distance of ten miles from a landing. the large business was pushed forward with success through the indomitable energy of the man- aging agents. After the death of Nathan Lazell, Esq., his son, Nathan Lazell, Jr .. succeeded to the chief management until his death, in 1835, when Mr. Nahum Stetson was chosen his successor. With all the energy of youth and a rare executive ability he entered upon his most responsible duties. The busi- ness at this time had grown to large proportions, and it was on credit that goods were largely sold. It was at this period in its history that the panic of 1837 burst upon the company, and, through the wise man- agement of its managers, withstood the shock, estab- lishing a credit that has been steadily maintained from that time to the present.

It was not until 1846. when railroad accommoda- tions were opened with Boston and Fall River, that this company was able to take its present prominence among the largest iron manufactories of the country. From that time forward it has been foremost in the de- partment of heavy castings and forgings. The shafts of the largest ocean steamers are made at this establish- ment. We will not attempt to enumerate the variety of work done by this company, as it embraces almost all kinds of heavy machinery. The manufacture of yellow metal and tubing is an important branch, and for several years the cutting of horse-nails has been carried on with success. The extent of these works is such that they cover an arca of about ten acres. During the war of the Rebellion this company con- tributed much in the line of heavy forgings for the construction of the navy, and furnished the wrought- iron work of Ericsson's invincible " Monitor." It is but just in sketching the history of the Bridgewater Iron Company to make special allusion to Mr. Jacob Perkins, who early became connected with it as a practical millwright as well as owner, and to Gad and Jacob Robinson, who for many years occupied prom- inent places in the department requiring the greatest 50

skill in the working of metals. For more than twenty years Mr. James Ferguson has been superintendent of the works, and within that time has witnessed a great increase in their capacity.

Paper Manufactures .- The site of the paper-mill at Pratt Town has long been occupied for manu- facturing purposes. The first dam was built as early as 1792, in its present position, about fifty rods above the old " foot and horse" bridge, which for many years accommodated the people of this neighborhood. The flume of the old grist-mill was built in 1794. At the time of which we write, Lieut. Hezekiah Hooper, Joseph Hooper, Winslow Hooper, Elijah Hayward, and Beza Hayward were among the movers in this enterprise, and formed with others the first mill com- pany, with Beza Hayward as clerk. In 1798 there had been added to the establishment a fulling-mill and a dressing- and dye-house ; the firm was Beza Hayward & Co. Mr. Joseph Hooper, whose father was a partner in this concern, remembers the early progress of this branch of the business and is author- ity for the date of the erection of the dam. In 1823, Mr. Joseph Hooper, with the aid of skillful artisans, manufactured a superior quality of paper of all grades of finish. This was the first paper-mill in the county. In 1830, Messrs. George Hooker and Silas Warren took control of the business and carried it on several years. Mr. Hooker continued the business until 1851, when he was succeeded by Joshua Norton. In 1857 the Hollinsworth Company purchased the privilege, and have continued the business under the agency of Mr. Mark H. Cornell. This establishment is furnished with the most approved machinery for paper manu- facturing, with both steam- and water-power, and is prosperous under Mr. Cornell's management. Al- though Bridgewater can lay no claim to paper manu- facturing earlier than 1823, she can with pride refer to the enterprise of Jeremiah Keith, who manufac- tured paper-mill screws, seven inches in diameter and three and one-half feet long, as early as 1785.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 164

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