History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 61

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 61

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October, 1874 ; Rev. Horace B. Marshall, March 17, 1875-79; Mr. Burdett, who was ordained Sept. 2, 1880, but soon left for the missionary service in a foreign country ; Rev. Mr. Lane, who succeeded him ; and Rev. Mr. Gunn, who was settled here in April, 1883.

The Second Congregational, or Mayflower Church .- In the year 1827 several members of the First Church wished to form a new Evangelical Church, and they requested letters of dismission from that with which they were connected. The request was not granted, and an application for a mutual council was also refused, so they decmed it expedient to call a council themselves, and refer the whole sub- ject to them. The council thus called met at the academy March 19, 1828, and consisted of Rev. Samuel Green and Mr. William Ropes, of the Union Church in Boston ; Rev. Elijah Dexter and Deacon Cephas Bumpus, of the church in Plympton ; Rev. Frederic Freeman and Mr. John Harlow, of the Third Church in Plymouth. Rev. Mr. Dexter was chosen moderator, and Rev. Mr. Freeman scribe. After due deliberation, the council passed the follow- ing vote : " That in view of the statements made to this council, it is expedient that the connection of the brethren and sisters respectively, who have petitioned for a dismission from the First Congregational Church in this place, in reference to being organized into a new evangelical church, be dissolved, and that said connection be, and hereby is, ecclesiastically dissolved, according to the Cambridge platform and the usages of the New England churches." Rev. Mr. Green preached a sermon in the afternoon of the same day at the Baptist meeting-house, which had been kindly offered for the purpose, at which time and place the church was organized in due form. The original members of the church were James Cushman, John Cook, Tilden Holmes, Nathaniel Cushman, Martin Cushman, George Russell, Hannah Drew, Abigail Foster, Persis Brewster, Lucy Wadsworth, Rebecca Cuslıman, Sally Cook, Zilpah Waterman, Sarah Cobb, and Francis Collier.

A house of worship was ereeted during the year 1829, and until it was finished the church and so- ciety held their meetings in the academy, the use of which had been kindly permitted by its owner, Rev. Martin Parris.

While many of the churches of our land were very negligent in protesting against the great evils of their times, this church, by its action in those days, is now able to show a good record, for, Dce. 13, 1829, it voted unanimously " to become a temperance church, relinquishing entirely the use of ardent spirits, except

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as a medicine, and not to reccive hereafter to the church any person who continues its use."

Jan. 1, 1838, it was voted, unanimously. " that this church withhold fellowship from slave-holding ministers and slave-holding members of churches, on the ground that while the church of Christ continue to fellowship such a system as slavery, the evils con- nected with it will continue to increase." John Cook and Nathaniel Cushman were chosen deacons April 27, 1829. Rev. Plummer Chase preached for several months after the church was organized. Rev. John W. Salter, who was ordained as their minister April 29, 1829, was dismissed Oct. 13, 1830. Rev. Josiah W. Powers was installed June 15. 1831, and dismissed February, 1834. Rev. Abraham Jackson was in- stalled Nov. 12, 1834, and dismissed October, 1837. Rev. Erasmus D. Moore was installed May 15, 1839, and dismissed June 15, 1840. Rev. Henry L. Ham- mond was ordained as an evangelist, and officiated one year. Rev. Joseph Peckham was the next min- ister. He was born in Bolton, Mass., April 23, 1816, but his parents removed to Westminster in 1821. He attended the public schools and academy in the latter town, and then entered Amherst College, where he graduated in 1837. He was then in Andover Theological Seminary one year, and in 1838 was pre- ceptor of the Atkinson Academy, New Hampshire. He entered the Union Theological Seminary, New York City, December, 1839, and graduated June, 1842. On the 30th of November, 1842, he was or- dained as an evangelist in Kingston, but he continued to be the pastor for the larger part of the forty-two years following. In 1856 he went to Cannon Falls, Minn., where he resided until September, 1858. In that time he was a member of the convention which was called to frame a Constitution for that State, and was also a member of its first Legislature, where he introduced the bill for the establishment of three normal schools. His services were considered very valuable, especially those pertaining to educational affairs. Rev. L. Farnham and Rev. Byron Bosworth supplied the pulpit during Mr. Peckham's absence at the West, but soon after his return he resumed his labors among the people with whom he had so long been connected. Owing to ill health, in 1876 he was obliged to have an assistant, and Rev. Mr. Kilburn supplied the pulpit. Of the connection of Rev. Mr. Peckham with the public schools in the town, mention has been made in its appropriate place. He resigned the ministry in 1882, but his resignation was never formally accepted. His successor, Rev. C. L. Mer- riam, was ordained and installed over the church Sept. 13, 1882. This church had been designated as the

Second Congregational until a few years since, when it was named the Mayflower Church.

Schools .- Nearly all of the important items that have been recorded in regard to the schools of King- ston previous to 1800 have been noted in the fore- going annals.

Giles Rickard's name as schoolmaster appears first in 1730, and as late as 1759. Supposing it to be the same person, he probably taught school in the town for at least thirty years. He was of Plymouth, and the name of Giles Rickard appeared for several gen- erations in the same family, which fact may leave a doubt in some minds whether the Kingston teacher of the two dates was the same person or a father and son. On the 8th of March, 1756, the following let- ter was sent to the town clerk, Hon. William Sever :

" MR. CLERK : Sir,-I would pray you to read ye following lines in your town meeting.

" Gentlemen,-It has been my Usual Practice to send in a few lines every Annual Meeting, but I have no great matter at this time. If you be pleased to accept of me to Serve you another Year to keep School, I will endeavor to Discharge my duty as well as I am Capable, and since (Gentlemen) you have had ye good news of our Sovereign Lord George's promising to Defray ye Charge of Last Summer's Expeditions (by which great Gift it will much Lessen the Taxes of this Province it may be for many years to come) I hope inasmuch as I am One of His Majestie's Subjects, you will suffer me to have a Little benefit of Our gracious King's Generosity and make a Little addition to my Salary, if so I Shall be very thankful altho' it be but a Little.

"Gentlemen, I Remain your humble Servant, " GILES RICKARD."

About 1770, Peleg Wadsworth (afterwards Gen. Wadsworth) taught the school for a while in town. Mr. Esterbrook, afterwards a minister in Athol, Mass., was employed for a time.

In May, 1794, Mr. Martin Parris was engaged at a salary of seventy pounds per year, " so long as he shall give satisfaction to the town." He continued to serve the town for about eight years, and after- wards went to Plymouth, where he taught school awhile, then returned to Kingston. After he gave up teaching he was settled as a minister in Marshfield for about twenty years. He died in Kingston in 1839.

Persons are now living who received instruction from him. Of the schoolmasters who followed Mr. Parris previous to 1830 the names of John Thomas, Hersey B. Goodwin, Freeman B. Howland, Morton Eddy, Samuel Ring, and Jason Winnett are remem- bered. After the establishment of the Massachu- setts Board of Education the interest iu the common schools increased the same as in other towns of the State. In 1839 only $800 was appropriated for the support of the schools; 1840, $1000 ; 1844, $1200;

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

1845, $1300; 1848, $1600; 1856, $2000. After the high school was established (1867) the annual appropriation was much increased, so that at the pres- ent time it is about four thousand dollars. Of the teachers employed in the town between the years 1830 and 1850, the following are brought to mind : E. Gifford, David Thayer, William H. Whitman (now clerk of the courts for Plymouth County), Joseph S. Beal, Jonathan Arnold, Jr., S. H. Stone, Jesse E. Keith (now judge of probate, Plymouth County), Benjamin W. Harris (representative in Congress), Lewis E. Noyes, G. S. Newcomb, Henry M. Miller, Miss Melina Darling, Miss Abby J. Bos- worth, Miss Lucy F. Bartlett, Miss Eveline Holmes, Miss L. T. Bradford, Miss Catharine Russell, Miss S. C. Simonds, Miss Jane Foster, Miss H. C. Drew, Miss B. P. Burgess.

In 1839 there were but five school districts in the town; but in 1841 District No. 6, Stony Brook Dis- trict, was created. The district system continued until March 26, 1866, when it was abolished. As early as 1847, Rev. Joseph Peckham, in his school report, suggested that a high school be established ; but it was not until twenty years after that the work was accomplished. Then a handsome building was erected, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, and dedicated May 10, 1867. Of the numerous persons who have been identified with the schools of the town for the past forty years, none has held a higher place, or been more justly estccmed by his towns- men, than the Rev. Mr. Peckham, who was elected one of the school committee in 1843, and for the larger part of the time since has either held the same office, or that of superintendent of the schools, until his death, which occurred May 17, 1884, while this sketch of the schools was being prepared, of which a portion was at his own suggestion.

The first principal of the high school was Mr. Ben- jamin Wormelle, and to the present time the follow- ing persons have filled that position : Addison G. Smith, George L. Chandler, Horatio B. Lawrence, C. C. Sheldon, G. B. Towle, and C. E. Ridler. .

Of the private schools in the town, none is better remembered by persons now living than that for young ladies, of which Miss Deborah Sampson was . the teacher. Many considered their education in- complete until they had attended this popular school. Miss Sampson was teaching in 1825, and for about twenty years afterwards. She removed to Plymouth, and lived there until a few years before her death, when her mental powers failed, and she died in South Boston, April 26, 1871, aged seventy-seven years.

Reformatory Movements .- During the reform-

atory movements which had their rise in the latter part of the third decade of the present century, King- ston acted her part. Intemperance had grown to have been such an alarming evil, that many thoughtful, earn- est persons all over the land had taken the matter into serious consideration, and were devising means and methods whereby to stay its course. In this town, a meeting was held Jan. 1, 1830, "for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of forming a society for the promotion of temperance." Deacon Seth Drew was chosen chairman of the mecting, and George Russell secretary. A constitution was adopted, and the twenty-six names following were signed thereto : John Allen, John W. Salter, James Cushman, John Cook, Elisha Stetson, Solomon Thompson, Levi Waterman, Nathaniel Cushman, Elisha Ford, Anselm Holmes, Levi S. Prince, George Stetson, Henry Cobb, William Stetson, Lysander Bartlett, Jr., James Prideaux, Ira Chandler, Jr., Ja- son Winnett, George Russell, Seth Drew, Nathan Lucas, William Brolly, Charles H. Beal, Job W. Drew, Nathaniel Foster (2d), and Levi Fish, Jr.

The following persons were chosen as officers of the society for the first year : Rev. John Allen, president ; Mr. George Russell, secretary ; Mr. James Cushman, treasurer ; Rev. John W. Salter, Deacon John Cook, Deacon Seth Drew, Mr. Elisha Ford, and Mr. Henry Cobb, executive committee. Monday, July 5, 1830, the society had been organized only six months, yet the interest had so increased that the day was ccle- brated by temperance services in the First Congrega- tional meeting-house. Mr. Russell, the secretary, records this interesting fact : " The address was de- livered by Dr. H. N. Preston,-a very able and inter- esting address. I notice this, as it is the first public celebration of independence we ever had in this town. The day was very pleasant and the audience quite large, and the society has reason for praise and thanks- giving to God for his blessing, which has thus far fol- lowed its labors and crowned it with unexpected suc- cess." The American Temperance Society appointed Feb. 26, 1833, as a day for meetings of the different socictics throughout the United States, and they con- tinued annually for many years, and became known as the "simultaneous mectings." The address at the time just named was by Rev. Mr. Fitz, of Middle- boro'. For the eleven years succeeding, the names of the speakers who addressed these annual meetings will be given : Feb. 25, 1834, John A. Bolles, Esq., of Boston ; Feb. 26, 1835, Rev. John Allen (the first president of the society) ; Feb. 23, 1836, Thomas Prince Beal, Esq., of this town; Feb. 28, 1837, Rev. Mr. Choules ; Feb. 27, 1838, Rev. Samuel J.

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HISTORY OF KINGSTON.

May, of Scituate ; Feb. 26, 1839, Rev. Robert B. Hall, of Plymouth ; Feb. 25, 1840, Rev. Russell Tomlinson, of Plymouth ; Feb. 25, 1841, Rev. George W. Briggs, of Plymouth ; Feb. 22, 1842, Rev. George J. Carleton ; Feb. 28, 1843, Rev. Augustus R. Pope, of this town ; Feb. 27. 1844, Rev. Joseph Peckham, of this town.

On the 12th of March, 1844, the Kingston Total Abstinence Society was organized as a step in advance of the old society, that had done so good a work for fourteen years. The records of the meetings of the former society ceased at the formation of the new or- ganization, with the exception of some resolutions passed at a meeting in March, 1846, which virtually dissolved the old society. Of the first officers of the new society, Eli Cook was president ; Elkanah Cush- man, vice-president ; George Faunce, treasurer ; and Thomas Russell, secretary. For a few years the old time-honored " simultaneous meetings" were held an- nually until 1852. After that year they are recorded as being held occasionally.

In 1846 the address was delivered by Rev. Nathan- iel Colver, of Boston ; 1847, Rev. Charles S. Porter, of Plymouth ; 1848, Rev. Mr. Hawes, of Hingham ; 1849, Rev. Caleb Stetson ; 1850, Rev. A. R. Pope, of Somerville; 1851, John C. Cluer, of Boston ; 1852, Rev. James Richardson, Jr .. of Cambridge. The society continued its labors for more than ten years from the latter date. The last meeting re- corded was Jan. 8, 1863, and there is nothing to show but what the society was then in active opera- tion. At that time other organizations were in the field, all working to advance the cause of temperance. About 1846 the Pacific Division, of the order of Sons of Temperance, was instituted in the town, and that had an existence for a few years. In 1860 the Silver Lake Division, of the same order, was organized, then followed the Good Templars ; and these organizations, together with the Band of Hope for the children, similar to the Cold-Water Army of 1841 (not here- tofore mentioned in this article), kept alive the inter- est in the great question of temperance for several years.

The Kingston Anti-Slavery Society. - Soon after William Lloyd Garrison inaugurated the sub- lime movement for the immediate abolition of Amer- ican slavery, and the formation of the National So- ciety at Philadelphia, in 1833, hundreds of State, county, and town societies in the northern section of our country were organized and exerting a wonderful and powerful influence on the minds and consciences of our people. On the 27th of November, 1834, an anti-slavery society was formed in this town, the meet-

ing for that purpose being held in the Second Con- gregational meeting-house. The officers chosen (De- cember 3d) were Deacon Seth Drew, president ; Rev. Abraham Jackson, vice-president ; Matthew S. Cush- man, secretary ; Francis Drew, treasurer ; and a board of consultation, consisting of five members, viz. : Rev. John Allen, George Russell, Joseph Stetson, Stephen Bradford, Jr., and William Stetson.

The constitution of the society adopted at that time declared that " this society will endeavor to effect, so far as its influence may go, the immediate, the total emancipation of the enslaved from their oppression, and to raise the colored population to the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty, that they may have opportunity for instruction in all useful, religious, literary, and scientific knowledge ; and this we will seek to do by argument, by candid discussion, by the circulation of such publications as may tend to enlighten the public mind on this subject, and by all the moral means in our power," etc. It was voted that an invitation be sent to George Thompson, the eloquent British abolitionist (who had a short time previous arrived in this country), to address the society. Mr. Thompson accepted the invitation, and delivered an address on the 22d of December, which was never forgotten by those of the early friends of anti-slavery whose good fortune it was to be present on that interesting occasion. One hundred and fifty names appeared on the records of the society as active members, and the meetings were held regularly for six years, and all were attended with increasing interest. At last questions arose which divided the societies all over the North, and no meeting of the Kingston Anti- Slavery Society is recorded after May 25, 1840. On the 3d of March previous, " the society met accord- ing to notice, when the following question was the subject of discussion : Has the Massachusetts Anti- -Slavery Society departed from its original ground ? After a very candid and able discussion by Rev. J. S. White and others, it was the unanimous vote of the society that the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society has not departed from its original ground." The great division in the American Anti-Slavery Society took place in May, 1840, and the two parties were afterwards known as old and new organizations. Then for more than twenty years the battle against slavery was waged, the different parties working by means they thought the most effectual, and the great work is now a matter of history. Many of the orig- inal members of the Kingston Anti-Slavery Society lived to see the triumph of their cause, when Amer- ican slavery went down with such a frightful sacrifice of blood and treasure in the great Rebellion of 1861.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

CHAPTER VI.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF REVOLUTIONARY OFFICERS-KINGSTON MEN IN THE REVOLU- TIONARY WAR.

Biographical Sketches of Revolutionary Offi- cers .- MAJ .- GEN. JOHN THOMAS. The following sketch of this distinguished officer is made up chiefly from an account of his life and services published in 1844 by Charles Coffin. He was born in Marshfield in the year 1724. In that town his father and grand- father resided, and were substantial farmers and lead- ing men there. After receiving a medical education in Medford, where he studied with Dr. Cotton Tufts, a distinguished physician, he commenced practice in his native town, but soon removed to Kingston, where he was a skillful and very successful physician. He became a prominent man in the affairs of the town, and was chosen clerk for the years 1764, 1765, 1766, and was also one of the selectmen from 1763 until 1775. In March, 1746, he was commissioned as second surgeon in a body of troops raised to be sta- tioned at Annapolis Royal. In 1755 he was ap- pointed surgeon's mate in Shirley's regiment, but soon left the medical staff, and was appointed a lieutenant in the same regiment. He was appointed a colonel in 1759, and reappointed by Governor Pownall in 1760, and commanded his regiment part of both these years in Nova Scotia. This latter year he joined the army at Crown Point, commanded by Sir Jeffry Am- herst, the commander-in-chief of the North American forces. At the close of this French war, Col. Thomas continued in his profession at home until 1775, when the war of the Revolution commenced. The Provin- cial Congress assembled at Cambridge, Feb. 9, 1775, -Resolved, " That the Hon. Jedediah Preble, Esq., Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq., Col. Seth Pomeroy, Col. John Thomas, Col. William Heath, be and hereby are appointed general officers." These all accepted with the exception of Gen. Preble, of Portland. Previously to the battle of Lexington, the Provincial Congress created the office of lieutenant-general, and appointed Thomas to the office, which gave him rank of Pomeroy. After the battle of Lexington Ward was commander-in-chief, and had his headquarters at Cambridge, while Thomas commanded on the Rox- bury side as lieutenant-general, but soon after the Continental Congress assumed the army at Cambridge as the army of the United Colonies, and appointed the general officers. Among these, after Washington, were four major-generals, eight brigadiers, and an adjutant- general. Ward being the only major-general Massa- chusetts was entitled to, Thomas should have been

the first brigadier of the army, and is so called in his commission, but the dates of the commission gave Pomeroy and Heath preecdence. This difficulty pro- duced a great deal of feeling, and the fears that Thomas would resign caused Washington and other officers to make a great effort to induce him not to take such a step, at the same time showing in what estcem he was held. In a letter to Congress from Cambridge camp, July 10, 1775, Washington says, " I am very sorry to observe that the appointment of general officers in the provinces of Massachusetts and Connecticut has not corresponded with the wishes or judgment either of the civil or military. . . . Gen. Thomas is much esteemed and most earnestly desired to continue in the service, and as far as my opportunities have enabled me to judge, I must join the general opinion, that he is an able, good officer, and his resignation would be a public loss."

Gen. Lee writes, July 23d : "SIR,-It is with the greatest concern that I have heard of your intention to quit the service of your country at a crisis when men of merit can be so ill spared. You think your- self not justly dealt with in the appointments of the Continental Congress. I am quite of the same opin- ion, but is this a time, sir, when the liberties of your country, the fate of posterity, the rights of mankind are at stake, to indulge our resentments for any ill treatment we may have received as individuals ?" etc.

Washington also writes to him July 23d, and makes a strong appeal to him not to resign, and says in his communication, " For the sake of your bleed- ing country, your devoted province, your charter rights, and by the memory of those brave men who have already fell in this great cause, I conjure you to banish from your mind every suggestion of anger and disappointment ; your country will do ample justice to your merits ; they already do it, by the sorrow and regret expressed on the occasion, and the sacrifice you are called to make will, in the judgment of every good man and lover of his country, do you more real honor than the most distinguished victory." Gen. Thomas, however, withdrew from his command at Roxbury, feeling that he could not in honor serve in an army and be commanded by those whom he had so recently commanded. This difficulty was in a short time entirely settled, as the Congress passed a special resolve that Gen. Thomas should have prece- dence of all the brigadiers in the army, in which de- cision the army and the public fully acquicsced, and he was restored to rank and command. Until March, 1776, Gen. Thomas was in command at Roxbury. It was determined to take possession of Dorchester Heights, which would bring on an action or compel

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the evacuation of Boston by the British. On the evening of Monday, March 4th, Thomas marehed, with about twenty-five hundred men, three or four hundred earts with intrenehing tools, and a train of carts with facines and screwed hay. All night the men were working throwing up earth-works, and, con- sidering the fact that the ground was frozen deeply, the result in the morning was surprising. After sun- rise people were seen on the house-tops in Boston viewing the scene with astonishment, and the British immediately saw that they must make an assault on Thomas or leave Boston. The general's own account of this transaction, in a letter written to his wife, will be given :

"DEAR MRS. THOMAS :

" We have for some time heen preparing to take possession of Dorchester Point, and last Monday night, ahout seven o'clock, I marched with abont three thousand picked men, besides three hundred and sixty ox teams and some pieces of artillery. Two companies of the train of teams were laden with materials for onr works. Ahout eight o'clock we ascended the high hills, and by daylight got two hills defensible. Ahout sunrise the enemy and others in Boston appeared numerous on the tops of honses and on the wharfs, viewing us with astonishment, for onr appearance was nnexpected to them. The cannonading, which had heen kept np all night from our lines at Lamb's Dam, and from the enemy's lines likewise at Lechmere's Point, now ceased from these quarters, and the enemy turned their fire towards ns on the hills, hut they soon fonnd it was to little effect. Abont ten o'clock we discovered large hodies of troops emharking in boats with their artillery, which inade a formida- ble appearance. After some time they were put on board trans- ports, and several of the ships came down near to the castle, as we supposed, with a design to land on onr shore. Our people appeared in spirits to receive them. We were now in a good postnre of defence, and had two thousand men added to our number. The enemy viewed ns critically, and remained in that situation that night. The next day they came to sail, and returned to town and landed their troops. On Friday, about two o'clock P.M., they sent a flag of truce with a paper, a copy of which I enclose. I have had very little sleep or rest this week, heing closely employed night and day. But now I think we are well secured. I write in haste, thinking you may be anxione to hear, as there is mnch firing this way. We lost but two men killed in all this affair. How things are in Boston, or what loss they have snstained from onr shot and shells, at pres- ent we are not informed, bnt I am sensible we distressed them mnch, from appearances. I have wrote you enclosed by the same hand, and am in haste.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 61

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